text:
$2 million in city legal work goes to mayor's friend
Last month, attorney Ricky Wilkins was on Beale Street personally overseeing the city council-ordered audits of the entertainment-based businesses there.
It's the latest assignment for Wilkins, who has made a small fortune by handling some of the city's legal work.
Between September 2003 and September 2008, the city paid Wilkins nearly $2 million for his legal expertise, according to figures provided by the city.
In comparison, the city attorney, who heads the city's law division, is paid $121,491 a year.
The city provided records from its finance division that show payments to Wilkins but did not provide detailed billing records. City attorney Elbert Jefferson could not specify what the payments were for, saying he had to rely on the figures provided as accurate.
Broken down, the $1.98 million amounts to roughly $33,000 a month every month for five years. At the city's current outside legal rate of $210 per hour, that would mean Wilkins and his law firm were spending about 40 hours a week for five years handling the city's legal business.
"I think that is extremely excessive for any one attorney or firm to make this type of money from the city," said council Chairman Myron Lowery. "That's just about full-time employment for the city."
Other records show Wilkins, a friend of Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton, has handled some of the city's trickier legal battles and may have made much more.
Wilkins helped represent the city in a lawsuit over the construction of The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in which he was paid at least a $30,000 per month retainer, a carve-out from the main legal firm that represented the city. That case earned Wilkins' law firm another $390,000.
Wilkins, treasurer of the Memphis Bar Association, has also performed work for Affiliated Computer Services, a publicly traded Dallas-based firm that runs City Hall's information technology department, and Dallas-based firm Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, which in 2004 won a no-bid contract approved by Herenton to collect city taxes.
The relationship between Herenton and Wilkins goes back to the beginning of the mayor's tenure. In 1992 -- the same year Herenton said he wanted to "spread out" the city's legal business, particularly to black lawyers who had previously been locked out -- Wilkins, while at Burch, Porter & Johnson, was appointed to audit the company that managed Beale Street. Shortly after taking office, Herenton appointed Wilkins to the board of the Memphis Housing Authority, on which he remains a member.
Wilkins said his bills to the city include more than just hourly work on the city's legal business.
"Please understand the amounts indicated include not only fees, but also reimbursement and payment for expenses my firm incurred while representing the City," Wilkins said in an e-mail.
Wilkins, owner of the Law Office of Ricky Wilkins, says his work for the city keeps him and his employees busy.
His law office has employed up to four full-time attorneys and two full-time paralegals since he started the firm in 2003, he said. The firm now has two full-time attorneys and one full-time paralegal.
"In addition, from the start of my firm through the present, I have engaged other lawyers and staff personnel to assist me in handling the various legal matters to which my firm has been engaged on an as needed basis," he said in an e-mail.
One of Wilkins' most recent assignments was providing legal advice to the Memphis Charter Commission.
Former commission chairman retired judge George Brown, another friend and supporter of Herenton's, entered into an unwritten arrangement with Wilkins to perform legal services averaged on a monthly basis at the city's outside legal rate and not to exceed $15,000 per month.
Wilkins billed the city the maximum amount for two months.
When Lowery took over as chairman of the commission, which also had other outside legal counsel performing work for the body, he reduced the amount of work required by Wilkins, and the maximum amount he could be paid per month to $5,000.
For the next four months, Wilkins billed the commission $5,000 per month for a total of $50,000 through the end of March.
--Amos Maki: 529-2351
Staff reporter Marc Perrusquia contributed to this story.
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My Ocean Story
Posted by: Sophia Kirschenman
A couple of weeks ago I went to the beach with my dog. It is a beach in Seaside that I frequent not because it is the most beautiful area, but because it is close to my house, allows dogs and is peaceful. But lately, there has been a change. In the last couple of weeks almost every time I have been to this beach, I have come upon at least one (and sometimes two or three) dead sea lions. On this particular day, instead of seeing a dead sea lion, I saw one that was still alive.
Now let me back up. At present, I am an Ocean Conservation Intern with Ocean Champions and as part of the job I manage their social media. Among other things, this means that I read a ton of ocean-related news. What I am trying to say is that I was well aware of recent news regarding the thousands of starving California sea lion pups washing ashore. So it was a surprise to find one that did not appear to be starving even if it was in terribly bad shape. Before I had a chance to process the situation, the sea lion started having a seizure. It was one of those awful moments when you wish you could look away, but instead find yourself staring on, horrified. The sea lion started convulsing – on its side, one of its fins straight up in the air as its eyes rolled to the back of its head. It was shocking and confusing. Why wasn't this sea lion a pup? Shouldn't it be starving rather than convulsing?
There was a woman standing near the sea lion and I asked her if she'd had a chance to call one of the rescue centers for help. She said she had (about an hour before) but that the volunteers from the Marine Mammal Center were swamped. They told her they'd already picked up 16 sea lions that morning and had 5 calls to answer before they could come. That's 21 sea lions in one day! Before 10 a.m. I just didn't realize how dire the situation was.
I kept my distance because I had my dog with me and didn't want to cause the sea lion unnecessary stress. I felt like I had to do something, even if that something was just sitting there, trying to provide comfort to an animal in the last moments of its life. The woman (whose name I never did get) asked if I could wait because she had to get going and I told her I didn't mind. So we sat. My dog and I sat in the sand watching the sea lion. Every so often, it would have another seizure. Each time, I could have sworn it would be the last as the convulsions progressively got more intense, each lasting longer than the one prior.
Before long, another woman (whose name I later found out was Colleen) approached and asked if I had called anyone. I said that another woman had, but after a brief discussion, we decided to call again. They were friendly and pleasant, but basically said the same thing – that they would be there as soon as they could. So Colleen and I (and my dog Liza) waited. At this point, I had been there for hours with this sea lion. I was sunburned and my dog was thirsty, but I simply couldn't bring myself to leave. Maybe it was the heat and maybe I was losing my mind, but I felt connected to the sea lion. My dog, who is usually a complete spaz, was lying on her belly staring at this pitiful creature. And each time the sea lion would have a seizure, its deep, black eyes seemed to be staring through me and asking, "Why aren't you helping me?" For hours, I had kept the tears at bay as I watched this animal suffer, but as we waited in silence, they finally started sweeping down my cheeks. I felt heartbroken. I felt guilty. I felt stupid for crying. I felt like I should be doing something. It was the most helpless moment of my life.
Since that day, I have researched California sea lions and have come to find out that not only are sea lion pups starving because their mothers are having to travel farther in search of food, but that warming ocean temperatures cause the proliferation of algae. Certain types of algae contain domoic acid, which is a neurotoxin that can cause memory loss, seizures and death. Record numbers of California sea lions have turned up on beaches this year after consuming domoic acid in contaminated food sources, which seemed to be what this particular sea lion was suffering from. Scientists have also reported a 'warm blob' or giant area of warm water in the eastern Pacific Ocean, but do not know what is causing it. Thus far, experts have not found a link between this odd occurrence and climate change. However, more sea lion pups are washing ashore at the point of starvation each year even without a 'warm blob.' Does that mean climate change is the root cause? Either way, the health of our oceans is in decline.
I left that day feeling disheartened, but since then, things have turned around. I have had the wonderful opportunity of working for Ocean Champions and have realized how crucial the work that they are doing is for our oceans. One of the things that I most appreciate about Ocean Champions is their effort to be bipartisan. Problems regarding our oceans are not Republican problems or Democrat problems. They are everyone's problems. Ocean Champions seeks to highlight ocean issues by putting them front and center on the political agenda. I feel blessed to be associated with an organization that I admire.
Watching the sea lion suffer that day, I felt like there was nothing that I could do. But then I realized that this sea lion was probably suffering after consuming toxic algae and that I work for an organization that fights to pass legislation addressing the causes of harmful algal blooms. I also realized that even though I could not save it, I could focus on bringing awareness and could contribute in some small way. Maybe, if we all contribute in some small way, we can make a difference for our oceans and our planet.
Now you may be wondering how this story ends and I really wish I could tell you, but I don't know. Colleen and I stood there for quite some time and eventually, a lifeguard in a white truck pulled up. We explained the situation and he said he would wait for the rescuers. At that point, I had been there for over 3 hours, had missed my first class and was about to be late for the next. So, I gazed at the sea lion one last time and even though I am not religious, I prayed that its suffering would end soon. Then I left. I wish I had stayed.
Other than her name and the fact that she had an in depth knowledge of sea lions, I know nothing about Colleen. All I can say is that it was comforting to have someone to share that tragic experience with and I'm thankful that she was there. I had asked the Marine Mammal Center if they could keep me updated, so roughly an hour after I left I received a call saying that they were finally on their way. I followed up the next day to find out what happened and they said that no sea lions were brought in. I do not know what that means. I asked if the sea lion went back into the water and the woman on the phone said probably. I simply do not believe that. The sea lion could barely move when it wasn't convulsing. The studies that I have read since that day state that unless treated immediately, sea lions with neurotoxic poisoning usually die. But who knows? Maybe this one didn't have neurotoxic poisoning. Maybe it miraculously recovered and swam away. And maybe the woman from the Marine Mammal Center just did not want to tell me that the sea lion had died. I guess we'll never know.
Date Posted: April 24, 2015 @ 12:49 pm Comments Off


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I am a fun, outgoing professional looking for a relationship. I am a very open, honest, and optimistic. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology as well as in Psychology. I currently do Social Work with people who have Autism and other disabilities. I like my job and enjoy helping others. I love traveling and meeting new people/cultures etc. (I'm hoping to get my Masters in Social Work within a few years) My original passion is Mayan Archaeology. ( I've done Archaeological digs in Belize and Guatemala... but unfortunately, volunteer work doesn't pay the bills! lol ) I'm always open to trying new things in the city.... There's so much I have yet to do! I've lived in NYC for 8yrs now... I'm originally from upstate NY. I prefer to date outside of my race ( black or latinos pls!) I also prefer someone taller then me. Other then that.... I'm OPEN. I don't have a particular "type" or demanding physical characteristics in my "match". I'm looking for someone who is interested in something long term, likes to have fun, is kind, must love kids. (I have a 4yr old daughter) I don't like negative energy/people. I welcome any positive energy. I am a firm believer in "Pay it forward". Kindness of strangers melts my heart. Send me a message & let's see where this goes....
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|Black / African descent, Latino / Hispanic, Other
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Boderline Buddhist
|Bachelors degree
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debt crisis
Greek political leaders reached a much-anticipated agreement Thursday on yet another round of austerity cuts. Jeffrey Brown and John Psaropolous of the blog The New Athenian discuss implications for Greeks, the country's economy and its relationship with the continent. Continue reading
European Union finance ministers said Thursday Greece would have to make even more austerity cuts to receive bailout money, even if there is a new government. Margaret Warner reports from Germany on how citizens of the continent's richest country feel about the EU's latest debt relief package for Greece. Continue reading
As European debt crisis negotiations approach the 11th hour on yet another bailout for Greece, Margaret Warner reports on some of the people behind the economic success of Germany — Europe's richest country. Continue reading
Protesters in Greece took to the streets again Tuesday, expressing anger over Europe's demands for more spending cuts and tax increases. James Mates of Independent Television News reports on the unpopular new round of austerity measures then Margaret Warner sets up her interview with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. Continue reading
In an interview with Margaret Warner in Rome, Italy's Premier Mario Monti said now is the time to start focusing on "how collectively we can achieve more growth in Europe." Monti also said "old phantoms" of resentment between the North and South of Europe had reemerged in light of the euro zone crisis. Continue reading
As European Union member states attempt to tackle their financial woes with a fiscal discipline deal, Gwen Ifill discusses the details with Margaret Warner, reporting from Stuttgart, Germany. Continue reading
In their 17th meeting in two years, leaders of 27 member states of the European Union reconvened in hopes of taming an economic crisis that threatens to entangle the continent in another recession. Margaret Warner reports from Belgium's capital on disagreement over austerity measures, both on the street and in the summit. Continue reading
Margaret Warner speaks with Jeffrey Brown from the European Union summit in Brussels, where there's a new emphasis on the need for growth, not just austerity measures, to keep the continent from facing another recession. Continue reading
Pressure is building in Europe to resolve the growing debt crisis. Gary Gibbon of Independent Television News reports on a critical meeting between Europe's leaders to consider deficit limits for each nation. Continue reading
World markets were shaken Tuesday by new fears that the European debt deal might come unglued. Jeffrey Brown discusses the move with a reporter in Athens and a market analyst. Continue reading


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All of a child's 20
primary (baby) teeth usually break through the gums (erupt) between the ages of
6 months and 3 years. Then the
permanent teeth begin to emerge, usually starting at
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Children play hard,
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see the topic Mouth and Dental Injuries.
Last Revised:
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Dance Department Information Meeting
September 3rd - 6:30 Studio Theatre, Kendall Hall
Meet Faculty, Get Audition Information, Find out about Performance and Backstage Opportunities....and more!
Advanced Placement Audition
September 5th - Main Studio, Hampshire College
Modern/Contemporary 4:30 - 5:15
Ballet 5:30 - 6:15
Senior Concert Audition
September 7th - 10:30 - Studio Theatre, Kendall Hall
FCDD Faculty and Guest Artists Audition
September 6th - Kirby theaer, Amherst College
Open Studio 12:30 - 1:00
Auditions 1:00 - 3:00
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FCDD Fall Lecture -Sean Dorsey
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Paul Dennis Solo Concert
Fall Faculty Concert
November 13th - 15th - 8:00 Kendall Hall Studio Theater
Ticket prices $5 Students and $10 General Admission
End of Semester Dance Event
December 9th - 5:30 MHC campus, location TBA
Senior Concert
March 27th and 28th - 8:00 Studio Theatre, Kendall Hall
Student Concert
April 10th and 11th - 8:00 Studio Theater, Kendall Hall
Commencement Concert
May 16th - 2:00 Studio Theater, Kendall Hall


text:
Candlewood Suites Knoxville Airport-Alcoa
Candlewood Suites Knoxville Airport-Alcoa
Welcome to Our Extended Stay Hotel in Alcoa, TN
Searching for a relaxing setting in the Appalachian Mountains with a convenient location near downtown Knoxville? Then look no further than the Candlewood Suites extended stay hotel in Alcoa - Knoxville Airport. Our hotel's amenities include a free shuttle to McGhee Tyson International Airport TYS, also known as the Knoxville Airport.
Our hotel's guests enjoy a variety of attractions, from seeing a game at UT's Neyland Stadium to a movie at the Palace Theater and Espresso Bar. For some outdoor fun, try a round of golf at the Pine Lakes Golf Course or a picnic at the Springbrook Park & Duck Pond, the largest park in Alcoa.
Our hotel's location is also convenient to the Air National Guard, Alcoa Aluminum, Denso, Coca Cola Bottling Co, Kimberly Clark, the University of Tennessee and other businesses in downtown Knoxville. Business travelers can work efficiently in the 24-hour business center or at each suite's over-sized desk with a speaker phone and free high-speed Internet access.
We go beyond other extended stay Alcoa, TN hotels to offer you great amenities, like free laundry facilities, a relaxing pool and a 24-hour Candlewood Cupboard convenience store. Each suite has a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable bedding, a 32in TV with a DVD player and a large workspace with free Internet access. A suite awaits you at one of the best pet friendly Knoxville airport hotels.
Quick Info
- Check In: 3:00 PM
- Check Out: 12:00 PM
- Minimum Check-In Age: 21
- Parking: Free
- Print Fact Sheet
- Chat With Us
Important Update[{"start": "1315540800000","end":"1321333200000", "desc": "Enjoy our comfortable rooms and amenities after a day of hiking and sight-seeing in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park! Cades Cove Auto Trail and the hundreds of walking/hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are ideal for appreciating the beauty and diversity of nature's Fall colors!"}]
- On-site Guest Self-Laundry Facilities
- Housekeeping Full Service
- Standard Wireless Internet service is free for all members
- On-site Fitness Center Available
It's hard to leave your best buddy at home when you're traveling for extended periods, so we provide a pet friendly experience. Restrictions and fees apply.
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At Candlewood Suites® hotels, we want you to experience comfort in every sense.
Getting Here
Guest Reviews
Overall Experience
Good bed, excellent staff, good stand-in for a home
July 03, 2015
If you have to fall ill on a trip, this is a pretty good place to suffer through it. The heating/AC units could use better programming, but the rooms are large enough to avoid cabin fever, the beds are good, the onsite convenience store has the basics (including aspirin and soup), and having a kitchen and dining table is very helpful. The staff are excellent, the location convenient. The wireless internet access was somewhat unreliable, but if you're thinking you're going to stream your favorite shows over a hotel wifi, you're going to be disappointed most anywhere. If they fix the AC issue, this is where I'll be staying on all my trips to the area. Note -- there are far cheaper places to stay, but having a kitchen means not having to eat out all your meals. Full size fridge! Next time we'll try out the grill by the pool.
Long term stays
ByWorn Out Tire
July 01, 2015
I have been staying at this particular hotel since the end of March, going home every 2nd or 3rd weekend. The staff is amazing. They hold my desired room for me when I come back. Always friendly and efficient to anyone making reasonable requests.
My main complaints(none are serious):
Some of the recliners are worn.
One of the dryers in the laundry room has been broken since my first stay.
The Wi-Fi sometimes comes to a crawl during the evening time.
They are stingy about giving you spare rolls of TP. I'm going start bringing my own.
All around great hotel
June 30, 2015
Front desk was fantastic in answering out questions. Outstanding customer service!!
Candlewood TYS
June 30, 2015
Great room , clean and comfy. Quiet for the airport area. Secure grounds. Nice pool.


text:
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Shawnee Wolves advanced two wrestlers to the 5A finals, while the Chandler Lions put two into the 3A finals after the first day of the state wrestling championships at the State Fairgrounds Arena in Oklahoma City.
COWETA – In a game that had just about everything, the Shawnee Wolves came from behind to take down Collinsville 56-53 in double overtime in their Class 5A East Area regional semifinal at Coweta High School Friday night.
Oklahoma Baptist took a couple of softball losses in the first day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga., losing to No. 4 Lindsey Wilson 9-0 and No. 16 Central Methodist, 10-5.
Flabby arms? Say bye-bye to arm fat with these effective tricep toners.
Rosie O'Donnell has filed for divorce from wife Michelle Rounds,
Well, that was quick.After tweeting on Tuesday that she was thinking about leaving
Missouri police identified 36-year-old Joseph Jesse Aldridge as the gunman who allegedly shot and killed eight people in several residences within a 3-mile radius in rural Tyrone, Missouri, overnight before turning the gun on himself.
He said he'd be back, and now he is: Craig Ferguson has landed the lead role in ABC's new comedy...
Awkward's main on-and-off couple might be off at the moment, but will they get back together before the...
Banksy recently released a documentary about some murals he painted in the Gaza Strip. The work was political, provocative, typically Banksian: kids swinging from guard towers, veiled women crying. But in one bombed out neighborhood in Beit Hanoun,...
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text: Leadership Team Tom Scheibelhut, CFA Managing Principal Tom Scheibelhut is the Managing Principal of CEM Benchmarking Inc. His commitment and practical approach to providing accurate benchmarking information for our clients is the driving culture of the firm. Under Tom's leadership, CEM has introduced several new benchmarking services and expanded globally. Tom's articles have featured in leading journals and magazines. His article on organization design and performance was published in the Financial Analysts Journal. His articles on the characteristics of top performing pension systems have featured in Canadian Investment Review. He is also a frequent speaker at various industry conferences. Mike Heale, MBA Principal Mike Heale is a Principal at CEM with a primary focus on global business development and client service within the U.S., Europe and Asia. Prior to joining CEM in 1997, Mike had twelve years of extensive marketing experience in the pension and life insurance industry. Over the years, Mike has led the firm's major client growth and market expansion initiatives. Mike started his career in education as a basketball coach and lecturer at Laurentian University and has an undergraduate degree in Physical and Health Education from Laurentian. He is also a holder of an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and is a frequent speaker at various industry conferences. Jan Hartford, MBA Principal Jan Hartford is a Principal at CEM and leads our Pension Administration Benchmarking service. This service caters to the needs of public sector and corporate pension plans in North America, Europe and Australia. It provides insights into pension administration costs, service levels, transaction volumes and industry best practices. Under Jan's leadership, CEM currently benchmarks pension administration for over 80 pension plans with total membership in excess of 29.5 million members. Prior to joining CEM, Jan worked in the private banking division of the Harris Bank in Chicago for more than 10 years. Jan has a BA from Augustana College and an MBA from DePaul University, Chicago. Bruce Hopkins, MBA Vice President Bruce Hopkins is a Vice President at CEM with client relationship responsibility for several clients in each of CEM's services. Prior to joining CEM in 2002, Bruce had a 24-year career in financial analysis, product management and business management. He started out in financial roles at a large industrial conglomerate and a major Canadian bank. For the nine years prior to joining CEM, Bruce had senior product management roles at Bank of Montreal. At the time of his departure from the bank, he was responsible for the credit insurance line of business ($50 billion of insured assets). Bruce holds an MBA from Queen's University. Jody MacIntosh, CFA Vice President Jody MacIntosh is a Vice President at CEM with responsibilities for client service and marketing. Prior to joining CEM in 2010, Jody held senior positions focusing on client service and business development with several global consulting firms including Watson Wyatt, Towers Perrin and Buck Consultants. Jody has over 15 years of broad expertise in the institutional investment industry including governance, asset allocation, investment structure, investment manager selection, performance measurement and administration. Jody is a graduate of Dalhousie University and is a CFA charter holder. John Simmonds, MBA FPMI Principal John Simmonds is a Principal at CEM with responsibility for business development and client service in the UK and Ireland. John has worked in the pension industry for over 25 years. John has extensive experience in benchmarking large U.K. pension schemes including administration, investment functions and on the nature and quantum of pension provision. He is a Fellow of the Pensions Management Institute (FPMI) and has a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Warwick Business School. He is also a founder Board member of the Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) in the UK. He has written for numerous pension publications, featured in the UK national press and is a regular presenter at industry seminars. Alan Torrance, MBA Principal Alan Torrance is a Principal at CEM with responsibilities for business development in North America, New Zealand and Australia. Alan joined CEM in 2006 bringing with him 20 years of experience in the pension and institutional fund management business. He has extensive experience providing measurement, analysis and benchmarking of investments and management decisions. Alan has worked for two of the world's largest custodian banks as well as specialist firms in product management, client relationship management, and business development roles. Alan holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Masters of Finance and Banking. Rogier Slingerland, Msc Principal Rogier is a Principal at CEM with responsibility for business development and relationship management in the United States, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Rogier works with many of CEM's investment benchmarking and pension administration clients. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences. He recently co-developed a new service in the Netherlands, making it possible for even the smallest funds to gain insight into their administration and investment costs and performance. Before joining CEM, Rogier worked in the banking and consulting industry. Rogier holds a Bachelor degree from Miami University and Master degrees in Strategic Management and Finance from Erasmus University.


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Female , 18-21
I am xZombiexGirl

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Last Seen Aug 18, 2010
Member Since Jul 25, 2010
Favorite Quote "Zombies will eat anything.Even assholes."
Vices Chocolate,My Phone,Kissing,Candy,Soda Pop,Evanescence,Showers,Kitties
Politics Very Liberal
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Books Impulse,Crank,Dark angel,Dangerous angels,Sweep
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And Not Worry about who you've been with.. Who you will be with... [more]
xZombiexGirl has shared 2 Mature Experiences
I Want Affection, Closeness, IntimacyI Want I want to see that look in someones eyes... The "I want you so bad it hurts" Look. I want to feel that touch The "I hope this never stops" Touch I want to taste that ki… [more]
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Hiking, Trekking, and Ecotours
Satisfy your craving for outdoor adventure with a trip into some of Indonesia's rugged and untamed nature.
From trekking in the jungle and seeing orang utans play in the wild to climbing volcanic peaks of Bromo or Kelimutu, there is no end to the amount of outdoor adventures you can have in Indonesia. Using an eco-tour to explore some of the most remote destinations will ensure that your visit conserves nature rather than exploits these beautiful destinations.
Come to Indonesia to embrace the great outdoors and some of nature's most impressive wonders that you will surely never forget.
Travelers to Central Java do not need to go far to enjoy marine life, above and below the sea. The Karimunjawa archipelago, located in the Java Sea, north of the capital city of Semarang, has everything to offer divers and backpackers who enjoy trekking and snorkeling along a pristine beach. The Karimunjawa National Park (not to be confused with the Karimun Islands in Bintan, Riau) is one amongst seven marine national parks in Indonesia. Taking...
Location: Java » Central Java » Kota Semarang, Kab. Jepara
Kayan Mentarang National Park
Kayan Mentarang National Park is the biggest uniformity of primary and secondary forest, which covers 1,360,500 hectare, and still remains in Kalimantan and in the Southeast Asia. It is located in Bulungan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, with humid weather and temperatures around 16°C - 30° C. This national park, situating at 200– 2,258 meters above sea level, has approximately 3,100 mm per year of rainfall. Because of its...
Location: Kalimantan, North Kalimantan
Kayu Aro Tea Plantation of Jambi
Tea is the most widely consumed beverage across the globe, second only to water, and can be found almost anywhere in almost every country. Tea has long been associated with health benefits, with some forms of tea even being classified as medicinal. Tea has also become a fundamental item amongst a number of cultures with events such as tea parties, afternoon tea and tea ceremonies. From Europe to the Far East, and back to Indonesia, drinking tea...
Location: Sumatra » Jambi » Kab. Kerinci
Kedisan Village at the foot of Mt. Batur
Kedisan is a small rural village nestled at the foot of the Mount Batur on the island of Bali, at the edge of Lake Batur, the largest lake in on the island. The village sits amidst the panoramic setting of the crescent shaped lake and the majestic volcano filling the skyline above. It is one of 15 villages in the Kintamani Region, about 2 hours north from Denpasar, capital city of Bali. Located between Lake Batur's shore and the...
Location: Bali » Bali » Kab. Bangli
Some people may only dream about trekking to Mt Kelimutu on the island of Flores with its three colored lakes, while others make it a reality. The challenging trip in a rented polished 7-seater car can make one entertained for hours because of the endless winding road. However, being shaken by the sharp curves in the road that cuts through the 350-km long Flores Island is a worthy price to pay to witness the ultimate top-drawer panoramas that...
Location: The Nusa Tenggara Islands » East Nusa Tenggara » Kab. Ende
Kerinci Seblat National Park
Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) is a natural conservation area. This one and half million hectare area is located in four provinces; West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu and South Sumatra. In West Sumatra, it covers some 260,000 hectares and is located in Pesisir Selatan and Solok districts.Types of flora protected in TNKS include Kantung Semar (Nephents Ampularia), orchids, and tropical trees among others. Types of fauna protected include Sumatran...
Location: Sumatra » West Sumatra » Kota Solok
Kerumutan Forest Reserve
Kerumutan Forest Reserve is a Wildlife Reserve spanning over 1.3million hectares of lowland forests, and inhabited by hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The grand Kampar River runs along its border, lined with thick mangrove trees. The reserve's boundaries are the Kampar River, the Indragiri River, the East Coast of Sumatera, and Jalan Lintas Timur Sumatera, the Cross East Sumatra Highway. The forest extends across two regencies,...
Location: Sumatra » Riau » Kab. Pelalawan
Komodo National Park
Real dragons spurt no fire, have no need to fly and cast no magic spells. And still, one look from them might render you speechless. These komodos, the real life dragons, are a sight indeed. Gigantic, the lizard-like creatures are about two or three meters in length. They can easily weigh about 165 kilograms. Despite of their sheer size and appearance, they are not active hunters. What makes them intimidating is the fact that they are a patient...
Location: The Nusa Tenggara Islands » East Nusa Tenggara » Kab. Manggarai Barat


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35 year old man | Brooklyn, NY, USA | Seeking women 26-35 within 25 miles
Welcome, I'm John. To begin, I'm laid back and...
Welcome, I'm John. To begin, I'm laid back and easy-going. You probably read this on every profile. We can't all be telling the truth, can we? In Feb. '15 I began to meditate daily. I don't take advantage of people, I believe in integrity and Karma. I believe one should be judged not by what they do in the company of others, but by what they do when nobody is watching. I don't like to argue and I don't believe healthy relationships require "some" arguments. I believe that's an excuse people say to justify it. I read self help books and spiritual books. Personal development is important to me. Exercise and a healthy diet are also important to me. I'm not very religious as far as Christianity but I do celebrate the holidays with my family. I do consider myself to be spiritual. I believe only we are responsible for our own happiness. Nothing or nobody controls our happiness. If we seek happiness through material items or relationships, we will never be happy. Everything changes, what makes us happy one day, will inevitably change, and then we may find ourselves no longer happy with it. This happens quite often. Even though I'm single, I'm content. I don't want to be in a relationship just for the sake of not being alone. I believe the greatest relationships consist of two independent people who are together because they choose to be. One is not dependent on the other for happiness, and vice versa. One is not with the other because they don't want to be alone. They enjoy their time with one another, and in time share true love. With that, no negativity any person or this world can, and will, throw at them could ever break them. I am obviously looking for a long term relationship. If and when I find the right woman, she'll know how grateful I am to have her in my life, in spite of my happiness comment. I'm sure with what you've just read I may appear to be a little strange and/or serious, even make me appear boring. Don't fall for that, I'd say I'm a pretty fun guy and well-grounded. However, there is always room for improvement. Only one way for you to find out for sure. I'd say my path places me in the minority of guys, so now you know something significant about me as far as proceeding forward. If you're still with me, here are a few random things about me. I'm a Port Authority Police Officer. I work in an Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Squad, which makes me more of a firefighter. I don't care for politics. I'm a former smoker. I don't play often but I do play acoustic/classical guitar. I enjoy traveling and occasionally do weekend solo trips where I run races. I took a 5 week solo cross country trip in 2012 which was quite an experience. I'd love to do it again someday, probably not alone. Who knows, maybe with you. I enjoy roller coasters, skydiving, anything which involves adrenaline. A little more about you…I'd like to meet somebody that agrees with or understands my spiritual beliefs. You must be loyal and honest…"oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." If you truly are, I'd say by default you'll be friendly and polite, which is important to me. I don't like to argue, I don't like drama, I don't like gossip. Comprise is important. It'd be fitting if you enjoy exercise like myself and generally maintain a healthy diet. Plus I'm a sucker for beautiful eyes and a pretty smile :) Well, you made it! Thank you for reading. If you're interested, please reach out. Best of luck to you!
Camping , Coffee and conversation , Cooking , Dining out , Hobbies and crafts , Movies/Videos , Music and concerts , Exploring new areas , Performing arts , Playing cards , Playing sports , Religion/Spiritual , Shopping/Antiques , Travel/Sightseeing , Watching sports , Wine tasting
Billiards / Pool, Bowling, Cycling, Football, Golf, Other types of exercise, Running, Swimming, Walking / Hiking, Weights / Machines
I exercise 5 or more times per week.
I like Birds, Cats, Dogs, Exotic Pets, Fish, Horses
More like favorite places I've traveled to…Chicago, New Orleans, The Great Smoky Mountains, Mt. Rushmore, The Great Sand Dunes, Yellowstone National Park.
College of Staten Island of the City University of New York, Staten Island, NY
Music, guitar, turntable(not for dj'ing), NY Giants, tailgating, movies/popcorn, gummy bears, coffee, beer (I even dabble in home brew), margherita pizza, swimming, running, Spartan races, beach runs, the beach, driving, road trips, roller coasters.
Exercise, Read, Catch up on my shows, Travel, Running races, Going to the movies, Cooking…not as much with the cleaning up though.
When I read, I generally read self-help books. Last read was the power of now. I'm so happy that I read it. This may sound crazy but I wish they would teach this in school to children.
Z{{Cta}} {{#if HasMoreInfo}} ?{{CtaSecondary}} {{/if}}
|What he is looking for
|5'11" (180cms)
|5'0" (152cms) to 5'8" (172cms)
|Body type:
|Athletic and toned
|Slender, About average, Curvy, Athletic and toned
|Black, Blue, Brown, Grey, Green, Hazel
|Auburn / Red, Black, Light brown, Dark brown, Blonde, Dark blonde
|No Way
|No Way
|Social Drinker
|Social Drinker
|Law enforcement / Security / Military
|Administrative / Secretarial, Artistic / Creative / Performance, Executive / Management, Financial / Accounting / Real Estate, Labor / Construction, Legal, Medical / Dental / Veterinary / Fitness, Political / Govt / Civil Service / Military, Sales / Marketing, Self-Employed / Entrepreneur, Education / Teacher / Professor, Technical / Science / Computers / Engineering, Travel / Hospitality / Transportation, Other profession, Nonprofit / Volunteer / Activist, Law enforcement / Security / Military, Fashion / Model / Beauty, Architecture / Interior design
I'm a port authority police officer. I am part of their Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting squad.
|I'll tell you later
|$50,001 to $75,000, $75,001 to $100,000, $100,001 to $150,000, $150,001+
|Never Married
|Never Married, Widow / Widower, Divorced
|Have kids:
|Wants kids:
|Definitely, Someday
|White / Caucasian
|White / Caucasian
I'm half italian and half polish.
|Spiritual but not religious
|Agnostic, Christian / Catholic, Christian / Protestant, Spiritual but not religious, Christian / Other
|Bachelors degree
|Bachelors degree, Graduate degree, PhD / Post Doctoral


text:
|107 posts found
Originally posted by Apraxis
The solution is not to have global FFA open world pvp.
If there is not enough players who want it, there is really nothing you can do.
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Originally posted by nerovipus32
everyone bitches about how that system doesn't work, but it does as a game mechanic. afterall these are games not real life.
the typical complaint is that unflagged gamers can, (heavens forbid!), spy on them ... because we all know that there are never spies in the real world and that most spies in the real world never get caught. no, because that wouldn't allow them the wolf on sheep metaphor so wisely used earlier in this thread.
i am all for pvp, i play the hell outa some pvp games. but i would never even consider forcing someone to do something they don't want to do. and again our wolf and sheep analogy comes back, because in the end, these people do feel this way. they like to inflict at the minimum annoyance or at best emotional harm on other players they deem as sheep. other players are there for their enjoyment, non-pvp'rs are prey, they are npc's with slightly better AI.
its fascinating, because they often cry out that people be 'open minded', but most of them would never hear of actually respecting the wishes of others in a game.
(please keep in mind i am not referring to people who like to pvp, but rather those who want to see it forced on the overall gaming community.)
"There are at least two kinds of games.
Novice Member
Joined: 7/18/10
Veni, Vidi, Converti
Originally posted by Apraxis
I think you are bang on the money: Smedley is a big fan of eve. He'll ensure the pvp'ers have to do the fighting in these areas for stuff for other players to craft for pve content. Everyone can find content they want from carebears to gankers to rp'ers.
Originally posted by MumboJumbo
these are horrid comparisons. once again an ffa pvp'r sees gamers as not wanting to work for things, as not wanting their games to be hard.
well a game can be quite difficult without pvp of any kind. he mentions world bosses, but then goes on to imply that these aren't the real challenge, the real challenge of course is his way of playing, of ffa pvp.
he then goes on to add that it is only reasonable that crafters be dependent for their only source for high level goods from the ffa pvp zone and the ffa pvp'rs.
what continues to disturb me the most is the complete blindness these people have to what gamers other than themselves actually want from a game, even a difficult game.
and why in the world should top world raiding guilds not get the same benefits that ffa pvp'rs get in resources or gear? why should someone who has poured hundreds of hours into harvesting and crafting not be equally rewarded for their hard work, just as an ffa pvp'r is?
i have always been sympathetic to ffa pvp'rs. they do deserve at least one game that is built to their general satisfaction. but this continued insistence that somehow the rest of the gaming community is not actually playing the way 'they should', or that the rest of the gaming community should somehow be dependent upon them for higher end rewards is ludicrous at best and ego-maniacal at worst.
quit being a game fascist. quit insisting that your way of playing should be the high end of gaming, that we should all be dependent upon you and the great rewards you earn for your playstyle.
because in the end, that's all this is: a playstyle. its not better. its not worse. its just a playstyle.
"There are at least two kinds of games.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 9/28/05
Originally posted by aspekx
You obviously didn't read my post, right?
Originally posted by Apraxis
i never read other people's posts. :)
seriously, if i have misread or misinterpreted you, then i apologize. but really the impression i got was exactly what i responded to.
and as for being sympathetic to ffa pvp'rs check my posts on this site.
"There are at least two kinds of games.
Elite Member
Joined: 7/22/11
Originally posted by Notimeforbs
I thought this post way back on Page 3 pretty accurately described the feelings of many PvE-type players. I will offer two more options, however.
3. The player is engaged in a fight versus a mob (or mobs) and someone comes along and kills them while they are occupied. The mob does most of the work for the PvP player, and the player fighting the mobs might not even notice they have been ganked. They PvE player's attention is on another fight, starts at a severely depleted state (health or mana or whatever) and have little or no chance against 2 opponents (the mob and the player).
4. The PvE player is resting/recovering from another fight, or is occupied with crafting or another non-combat proposition. They may not have their weapons out, and may have a different set of gear (with bonuses for crafting, for instance). The PvE player is a lesser combat threat because of their operations.
I could believe that most every low level player in an OW PvP suspects that someone is out there waiting or attempting to employ case #2 on them. And if this proves remotely true, these players' desire to play the game (i.e. pay money to play the game) could be severely lessened. So, how is OW PvP (either FFA or not) conducive to a company? It only enables a segment of in-game players to drive business away. The Open World aspect is the problem, not the PvP.
Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
Originally posted by aspekx
Novice Member
Joined: 6/28/13
Originally posted by Mendel
Good points.
As to why OW PvP is conducive to the company? This is a good question that I think merits an explanation that has thus far been entirely avoided in this discussion.
Not every game needs OW PvP in the first place. As I've said, I don't expect anyone coming into an OW PvP game asking for rules that allow for no OW PvP. And the same is true the other way around.
The problem with OW PvP is not really that these instances of ganking exist. The problem is that there isn't an active community participating in the OW PvP to begin with so that these issues of ganking do not go unpunished or are few and far between when compared against the bigger picture. I'll give you an example, again with SWTOR.
I was excited to play on the PvP-RP server because again, I enjoy both OW PvP and PvE. But I was especially excited about the OW PvP experience. I mean, for one... it's Star Wars. It only makes sense to have it. But I was sorely disappointed with the OW PvP experience at the end of the day. Why?
Because I was taking my memories from SWG into account when I created my expectations for SWTOR's OW PvP mechanic. SWG gave the player a legitimate reason to participate in OW PvP. SWTOR had absolutely no reason.
I remember it like it was yesterday - In SWG... people HATED the opposing faction. I'm not even kidding. The amount of trash talk that went on in that game on every single server every single day... it would make the kids of today commit suicide. They wouldn't have been able to handle it, I kid you not.
People had a reason to fight. They had to protect their homes. They had to protect their resources. They had to protect their own built bases. They had to win the war effort so that they could use the Spaceports in towns without mowing through a million NPC troops. People who didn't like to PvP still had an avenue in which they could contribute. They could harvest resources for the crafters who built the stuff that needed protecting. The OW PvP element in SWG was serious business, and it was the very heart of what made the game work. We didn't need quests - we had war. It's just a shame all of it was half-assed and broken.
The point is, OW PvP can create avenues for very exciting gameplay. It doesn't have to be a deterrent, and it doesn't have to be a gank fest.
Advanced Member
Joined: 10/13/05
Originally posted by lizardbones
Lazy Devs.
Flagged global worked in SWG. They didn't use it as a way to remove peoples houses from the map. They didn't use PvP to clean up their own lack of forward thinking. Later they added a pack up feature that did remove houses that weren't being used by active players but they never confused true PvP with garbage removal in their sandbox.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 1/02/09
Originally posted by Notimeforbs
Funny enough, my experience from SWG was completely different. PVP and the factions did not really exist for me and my guild. We never flagged so for us the outcome of PvP never mattered. We moved around freely and were enjoying the PvE content. It's just a shame all of it was half-assed and broken. :)
Novice Member
Joined: 6/28/13
Originally posted by Torik
Well... I suppose it would require further investigation. To be fair... SWG had 2 completely different game paradigms. There was pre NGE and post NGE.
NGE was all about giving players this Themepark experience. PvP worked a little bit differently in this time. You had to make yourself Overt, which meant you were OW PvP flagged.
I'm talking about way back from the beginning before NGE was ever a thought in someone's mind. Back then... we didn't really have PvE content. I mean, sure there were quests here and there, but nothing like what the NGE offered, and certainly nothing like what we experience in MMO's today. There were a few Themeparks, but again, they were nothing like what we see today. They were very short, and relatively easy depending on your character's build. They mostly focussed around specific Iconic characters, Han Solo, Luke, the Emporer, 3P0. They were not intended to carry you through levels from beginning to end.
Anyway, during this time, flagging happened a bit differently. You couldn't really avoid being flagged for PvP unless you completely avoided everything that had anything to do with a faction. And back then, there were factions for everything, and their level of interest and hate was tracked in your datapad.
Basically, if you attacked an Imperial Trooper or a Revel Trooper of any kind... you were flagged for OW PvP. It was pretty much that simple. Anyone of the opposing faction could attack you when you were flagged. They did not have to be flagged. And you could not attack them until they became flagged. Which meant either they had to go find an opposing NPC and attack it, or they had to attack you. Basically, that meant they got the first blow no matter what.
Because there was this overwhelming sense of a lack of PvE content (of course there were always missions for randomly generated mobs), PvP was the more dominant feature. Add to this the Holocron craze (before the Aurillian Village) - only the highest lvl Imperial Troopers and Rebel Troopers dropped them... you could see how OW PvP was a huge part of the game.
But the fact still remains, as we both have said... it's a shame all of it was half-assed and broken lol.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 1/02/09
Originally posted by Notimeforbs
Not even close :)
I never played the NGE SWG. I left the game shortly before the Combat upgrade so the NGE was still about a year away. I started playing shortly after bikes were introduced.
I did try out Jabba's Palace themepark but it was too buggy and the NPC interactions were a mess. They tried for some early instancing-like system and failed.
My guild was technically Rebel faction but it never seemed to be relevant. We did not bother with faction bases. City building, crafting and mission running was faction neutral. The group content like Geocian Caves was also faction neutral AFAIK. There just did not seem to be any reason to flag overt or even to attack faction NPCs.
PvP in pre-NGE SWG seemed just like something extra to do like decorating a house. I am sure people did it but it was trivial to avoid and the people I played with rarely bothered. The capital city on Tatooine supposedly was a major PvP battleground but It was not really noticable to people just passing through.
None of us bothered with the Hologrind so the Jedi vs BH PvP did not affect us. Toward the end of my time in SWG I tried the Jedi village missions whihc supposedly flagged you for PvP but I was never attacked by another player so it seemed like a moot point.
Maybe PvP was a major part of your playstyle in SWG but for my play group it was a trivial feature we did not bother with.
Elite Member
Joined: 7/22/11
Originally posted by Notimeforbs
In my opinion, OW PvP is never conducive to a company's best interests. The open world aspect invites the various ganking situations listed above. Ultimately, without restrictions on where the PvP activities can occur, this is tantamount to inviting people to stand around with pointy sticks and drive other customers away. Lost customers = lost revenue potential, no matter what the business model. So, the openness, the ability to engage in PvP anywhere without restriction, can never really be in a game's best interest unless the game is targeted for the niche hardcore PvP market.
I simply cannot see SOE restricting itself to such a limited potential market. They want to make obscene amounts of money with EQ Next. (It would not surprise me if SOE has already scheduled weekly meetings for its executives to roll in the previous week's profits; they do love their money.) I don't know that any premiere game company with an eye to fiscal responsibility could afford to cater to such a small portion of the gaming market. So, I'd suggest that small manufacturers are going to be the only providers for this niche segment for the foreseeable future.
Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 7/25/11
please please one of you FFA PVPers answer this ...
why does your fun take precedent over mine? who are you and why are you so special?
if i want to just explore, gather, build or just kill mobs why do you think you should have the right to kill me? what makes you so special that you can interrupt and downright ruin the fun that i was having?
Elite Member
Joined: 6/10/06
Considering the size and diversity of todays MMO market it's completely unreasonable of anyone to insist that every game should have FFA PvP, or any PvP, or no PvP.
There are supporters for each of these, the full on open world, always on PvP crowd, the ones who want consensual PvP, and the crowd who want PvE only. Anyone who thinks all games have to conform to their ideal type is being selfish and small minded. These are the ones who post stuff like "If xyz game has no PvP I won't play it". Fine, don't play it, there's other games out there to suit you. Same applies to the people saying they won't play a game if it's FFA PvP.
There's plenty of scope for games to support each and every style and still maintain a healthy player base. These arguments are beyond rediculous and just sound like kids in the playground screaming me me me. If a game doesn't include a feature you insist on, then don't play it. It's really that simple.
To answer the OP's question:
It doesn't.
The Listener
Joined: 3/04/08
Originally posted by lizardbones
Who says it has to be? One or 2 opinionated trolls here? Take a look around and see how many MMOs adopt the FFA in the whole world PvP model. Then look at how many don't. Which do you think is more popular?
You hang around here too long and you start to get a warped sense of what features MMO gamers really want. The short answer is that what is desired most around here is what doesn't exist and what's popular is what hasn't been released...even better if the pre-release is kept secret.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 10/02/12
My contribution to threads like this:
To PVPers:
- Darkfall Unholly Wars
- Mortal Online
- Age of Wushu
- Lineage 2
- Archeage (to be released)
- UO Forever
To PVEers:
- WoW
- Tera (PVE servers)
- TES Online (to be released)
- Rift
Have fun and be happy.
Originally posted by jmcdermottuk
I doubt that. Some style is so niche that you will never see any AAA development on it. FFA PvP is one of those.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 6/11/08
I think with my heart and move with my head.-Kongos
Well, the idea behind my OP is that there are people on these forums that feel that way. I wanted to know why they felt that way. Is it just the way they feel, or is there some chain of logic behind that thinking, especially as it applies to games that haven't released yet?
I'm not trying to argue the merits of PvP or FFA PvP, unless those merits apply directly to how people feel on FFA PvP being universal within a game.
I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.


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Cadillac Calls Ritz to Capture Luxury Lost on Young
June 11 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co. Chief Executive Officer Ed Whitacre wants Cadillac to treat customers better.
At a June 3 meeting in Chicago, GM managers told 300 salespeople how a Texas salesman had dissuaded a friend of Whitacre's from buying a Caddy. When his buddy test drove a CTS-V sedan, it ran out of gas. Whitacre's e-mailed response was projected in large letters on a screen: "If true, awful."
The gathering -- a combined pep rally, lecture and confessional -- was part of a GM offensive to revive Cadillac, which has fading appeal, aging customers and trouble persuading buyers it's worth paying a premium. GM brought in trainers from Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., a unit of Marriott International Inc., to show dealers how to reconnect with customers.
"It's truthfully a new beginning for us," said Kurt McNeil, Cadillac U.S. vice president of sales and service. "We know we've got a lot of work to do on the product side, the marketing side and the customer service side. We think we do pretty well, but we know we have to do better."
Cadillac, which once called itself the "Standard of the World," ended a six-decade run as the top-selling U.S. luxury brand in 1998 and hasn't placed higher than third since 1999. Though U.S. sales rose 32 percent through May, Caddy's results last year were the worst since 1953.
The GM brand finished eighth among 12 upscale makes in the Luxury Institute's 2009 survey of buyers who make at least $150,000 a year, said Milton Pedraza, the New York-based group's CEO. About a third of the wealthy respondents said Cadillac was worth paying a premium, compared with 57 percent for BMW and 63 percent for Mercedes.
Less Affluent
Cadillac buyers are older and less affluent than buyers of BMW, Mercedes and Lexus models, say researchers at J.D. Power & Associates, a division of McGraw-Hill Cos. A J.D. Power survey found the average Cadillac buyer is 62 and earns a median household income of $129,656. That is 13 years older and $39,633 poorer than a BMW buyer and 9 years older and $44,902 less than a buyer of a Daimler AG Mercedes, J.D. Power said
GM brought in the Ritz trainers to help Cadillac create a consistent sales experience across the U.S., similar to what customers expect at Ritz-Carlton hotels, said Jeff Hargett, who is corporate director of learning and content delivery at the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
So far he has led nine training sessions in cities including New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles with more than 1,800 dealership owners and salespeople.
Cadillac has copied Ritz's pocket-sized "Credo" cards with a version it is handing out to all company and dealership employees. The card explains how customers should be treated. All Ritz employees are required to produce it on demand.
Spotty Service
Ed Peper, Cadillac's general sales manager, told dealers during the June 3 presentation that spotty service from store to store has hurt sales everywhere. He played audio of employees on the phone dismissing poor service experiences or failing to explain pricing to customers who opted to get service elsewhere.
Ritz employees have $2,000 a day, per customer, that can be used to make up for a bad experience or surprise a guest with a better one, Hargett said. He suggested Cadillac dealers find similar ways to let sales and service people "wow" customers.
Cadillac service chiefs are now allowed greater flexibility to extend OnStar subscriptions, provide free maintenance or even reduce service charges for customers who are upset, said Steve Hill, GM's manager of customer care.
Inflatable Animals
Gary Grossinger, who owns Grossinger Cadillac in Palatine, Illinois, near Chicago said he gave employees $300 to $500 in "wow" money after hearing the discussion last week. He's phoning customers to see if they are satisfied, too.
Cadillac is encouraging dealers to adopt a new showroom design that features a modern reception area that resembles a high-tech coffee bar. Though the new look was recently redesigned to be less expensive to build, GM can't force dealers to follow its lead because they're independently operated.
GM is also pushing Caddy dealers to unify the brand message. Cadillac recently removed most references to General Motors from its Web page and identity, using Cadillac.com instead of gm.com in e-mail addresses. Displaying inflatable animals, neon letters and balloons to advertise sales is now verboten, Peper said.
Attracting a new generation of buyers is key to Cadillac's makeover. The brand lacks a true competitor for models such as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG's 3-Series sedan, which attracts younger buyers, McNeil said.
John Wolkonowicz, an analyst at auto forecaster IHS Global Insight said Cadillac should phase out land yachts such as the DTS, which Strategic Vision says appeals to buyers in their 70s.
'Geezer Mobile'
"You no longer need a geezer mobile," Wolkonowicz said.
Cadillac will begin sales later this year of a new CTS Coupe and also has a station wagon version of the sedan. The company won't discuss other new products except to say there are plans for a new, rear-wheel-drive sedan that will be smaller than the CTS sedan, currently Cadillac's entry-level model.
The automaker plans to debut an all-wheel-drive XTS sedan next year and the smaller ATS the year after, said IHS, based in Lexington, Massachusetts. IHS also predicts a Cadillac version of the Buick Enclave, maybe in 2013 or 2014.
Cadillac spent $354 million last year on marketing, more than any other luxury auto brand, according to estimates from Kantar Media in New York. This year it will spend an extra $50 million, said Don Butler, Cadillac's vice president of marketing and the fourth person to hold the position in three years.
Not all the news is bad, Butler told the audience in Chicago. Cadillac dealers last year ranked second after Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus among luxury brands in a J.D. Power customer service index. They just need to do better, Butler said.
"The Cadillac of Cadillacs, that's what we need to get back to," Butler said. "There is this residual positive sentiment for Cadillac. But the challenge is that a lot of folks think 'It's just not for me.'"
To contact the reporters on this story: Jeff Green in Southfield, Michigan, at firstname.lastname@example.com; David Welch in Southfield, Michigan, at firstname.lastname@example.com.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jeffrey Taylor at email@example.com Jamie Butters at email@example.com


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Originally written on Backyard Sports Blog | Last updated 11/27/12
Justin Verlander tweeted this picture of him playing golf out to his twitter followers saying this is where his ball ended up at Kinloch Golf course. Haha, had to write about this story for two reasons. One being that I use to caddy at that course in Richmond, Va back when I was in high school. One of my good friends still caddies there full time and probably is the person that took this picture since he caddies for Verlander 90% of the time. Second the twitter response by Shooter McGavin (parody twitter account) was just awesome. I follow this guy on twitter already and he is hilarious. Check out the tweet below. Instant classic from one of the best movies ever. Congrats Shooter, but you still don't get the gold jacket. Check out our Home Page for more stories and follow us on Twitter and Facebook
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Reach tens of thousands of people instantly by advertising with Ekklesia. Find out more
The aim of a new grassroots alliance, the Scottish Football Supporters Association, is to 'reclaim the game' for ordinary people and communities – to give Scottish football a real 'democratic moment', says Simon Barrow. This is important culturally and politically, not just for those who like sport. Community ownership and engagement is a core part of the new organisation's purpose.
A seminar at the University of Aberdeen today will look at the next steps for Scotland to make the most of carbon capture and storage opportunities.
The Scottish Government and voluntary groups want UK government vetoes on devolved powers to abolish the bedroom tax and reform welfare scrapped.
The chief executive of Scotland's leading network of voluntary organisations has issued a damning verdict on the UK government's devolution plans.
Civic groups have reacted with scepticism to the UK Government's command paper on the Smith Commission proposals for devolution to Scotland.
Scotland's first same-sex weddings took place at the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay, as two couples became the first to tie-the-knot.
Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has recorded a special video message to mark the first same-sex weddings in Scotland.
A new guide to same-sex marriage and civil partnership in Scotland has been launched to mark the start of Scotland's equal marriage law.
The Scottish National Party has restated its call for powers over immigration to be transferred to Scotland.


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Originally written on CLNS Radio | Last updated 5/9/13
Getty Images BOSTON-- According to a report from NESN.com, Red Sox relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan will be getting some form of news regarding his elbow on Friday. The former Pirate told ESPN.com that he will visit Dr. James Andrews on Friday to get a further diagnosis on his elbow, the same elbow that caused him pain on Monday and in turn forced him to leave that evening's game against the Twins. Hanrahan did not sound too optimistic about his elbow and said the following. "Doesn't look good," Hanrahan told ESPN.com. "Leave it up to the experts. See what they say. Let them put their heads together and go from there." In addition, Hanrahan noted that the tests he performed after being taken out of the game Monday have already been sent to Andrews and orthopedist David Altchek, the physician of the New York Mets who has been consulted by the Red Sox medical staff. The main concern according to the report is that the flexor-pronator strain in his forearm "could also involve damage to t...
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Hugs an often-neglected component of good health
Posted: April 7, 2014 at 2:37 a.m.
Most of us have probably heard the phrase "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Well I'm taking that a bit further with my new quotation, "A hug a day keeps the blues away." Embrace it with me, won't you?
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How the Spurs almost lost Ginobili's contract because of a bird attack
Oct 15, 2013, 6:00 PM EDT
This is one of the strangest NBA stories you are ever going to read.
This summer the Spurs decided to keep the band together for a couple more years, and as part of that they agreed to a new two-year, $14.5 million contract with Manu Ginobili. That might be overpaying him at this point, but that's a debate for another day.
Ginobili went home to Argentina this summer, as he does every summer, so the Spurs sent an intern from the front office down there to get him to sign the deal (they like things hand delivered).
And that's when it got weird. We'll let Jeré Longman of the New York Times tell the story.
Hours before the Spurs' intern was to fly home from Buenos Aires, team officials said that he was strafed by a bird in a park. As he tidied up at a fountain, his backpack disappeared. Inside were Ginobili's signed contract, along with the intern's passport, cellphone and laptop.
Luckily, an international sports crisis was averted. An assistant traveling to Buenos Aires soon after brought a fresh contract and returned it to Texas without incident.
"No birds got to him," Sean Marks, the Spurs' director of basketball operations, said with a laugh. "We were all waiting for Manu's contract to show up on eBay. It hasn't yet."
Let me get this straight: There is a criminal in Buenos Aires who has trained a bird or birds to attack people then he steals their belongings during the attack? That's brilliant. Okay, it is probably just a guy who knows that the birds in the park can do this and uses the opportunity for his crimes… but I love the idea of the trained criminal attack birds so I will choose to believe that is what happened.
What I'd really like to hear is a recording of the call when the intern called back to San Antonio to explain how birds attacked him and that's why he lost Ginobili's contract and a team laptop. That was probably the best part of the entire incident.
- legend30 - Oct 15, 2013 at 11:14 PM
I'm sure some Spurs fans wish that bird took that contract.
- jimmerg31385 - Oct 16, 2013 at 4:35 AM
I believe it. Sounds like the time the dog ate my HW.
- cg2424 - Oct 16, 2013 at 11:06 AM
Given the DUI history within the Spurs org we can conclude this kid just got insanely hammered, beat up, and then robbed for his fanny pack right?
- azarkhan - Oct 16, 2013 at 2:01 PM
The Spurs did overpay, but Ginobli is such a fan favorite and a part of Spurs lore that the Spurs couldn't risk him not re-signing.
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MaiTai Global co-founder Bill Tai explains why Silicon Valley entrepreneurs are drawn to kiteboarding.» Read More
I would describe the numbers as messy but largely in line, says Brian Nowak, Susquehanna analyst, dissecting the tech giant's quarterly earnings and sharing his thoughts on Google's future growth prospects.
Corporate America's well-oiled compensation machine is running like a dream.
A look at some tech billionaire's wealth offers a lesson in tech stock volatility.
Facebook's buy of virtual reality headset maker Oculus is prompting some to wonder if CEO Zuckerberg is already living in an alternate reality.
When it comes to the most influential in tech, you might jump to Jobs and Gates. But here the names you really need to know, these pros say.
The search giant has been on an M&A spree of late, selling its phone unit and buying software and home automation companies.
Along with Facebook shares, Mark Zuckerberg's wealth has shot up to $29.7 billion, begging the question: Is he the richest 20-something ever?
The facility, which Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Eric Schmidt are building at San Jose's airport, is expected to be finished next year.
Jon Steinberg, BuzzFeed president & COO, breaks down Google's internet properties, discusses the tech giant's robotics move and where co-founder Larry Page is focused next.
Two firms have announced plans to send missions to asteroids within the next three years in order to mine the ore and metals on the space rocks.
Facebook's IPO went down in history as a mess, but its not the only tech company that has had somewhat of an embarrassing IPO moment.
Google reported earnings and revenue that blew past expectations. Shares rose more than 5% after-hours.
The richest 400 Americans are richer than they were last year, and the young are accumulating wealth at a faster clip than their boomer counterparts.
The NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and some of his staff were at Google on Tuesday. CNBC's Julia Boorstin reports the NFL's contract with DirecTV expires at the end of the 2014 football season.
Cramer said that this major turning point for the tech giant could drive the stock price significantly higher.
CNBC's Jon Fortt offers insight on the paralysis of Google CEO Larry Page's vocal cord.
For the first time, Google CEO Larry Page publicly discussed the root of his voice problems. He said it's caused by a nerve problem that has affected him for 14 years.
Google's CEO Larry Page has been diagnosed with paralysis of a vocal cord, reports CNBC's Jon Fortt.
With buzz surrounding new hardware initiatives and a surging stock, Google appears to be trying to muscle its way onto turf traditionally dominated by Apple.
Google's stock topped $800 for the first time, reflecting renewed confidence in the search leader's ability to reap steadily higher profits.