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Happy New Year! Time for this week's #MasterofCocktails. No #Dryathlon for us, thank you very much.
If though, like us, you've had an entire Christmas of rich stuff and beery nonsense, you'll be happy to learn that all through January we're going to be preparing some slightly lighter cocktails. All January's drinks will be *under* 2 units.
This is quite a challenge in itself – most cocktails contain at least a double-measure of strong booze, but nevertheless. We're not cheating and making small drinks either. These are all proper-sized, delicious cocktails.
So, without further ado – this week we made a 'Chrysanthemum'. If the combination of the name and low ABV are making you feel uncomfortable, don't worry. It's got absinthe in it. Mmm...
Tags: master of cocktails, the chrysanthemum, absinthe, liqueur, vermouth, noilly prat, benedictine dom, st george absinthe verte, cocktails, st george spirits
Categories : Absinthe | Bitters | Cocktails | Liqueurs
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More or less every time I write a blog post, I ask management for permission to use the phrase "hells-a-poppin'"...
I get shot down mercilessly every time.
Well, the renowned whiskym'n at The Macallan have only gone and released part five in their legendary Lalique Six Pillars Collection. Each single malt in the ultra-super-deluxe-premium range is made from exceedingly rare old stock, and bottled in decanters designed and created by the famous French crystal house, Lalique. If ever there was a time for the term hells-a-poppin', surely now is it.
Tags: the macallan, lalique, old and rare whisky. spiritual home, the macallan 62 year old
Categories : Rare | Whisky | News | Tasting Notes | Old
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We hope you were all able to enjoy a little time with the family, some nice pressies and plenty of bread sauce over Christmas, now it's time to look towards New Year. That, of course, is all the excuse you should need to indulge in a little mid-holiday excess! This week's #MasterofCocktails recipe is therefore a festive twist on the French 75 – tasty, refreshing and indulgent.
A good party drink this as we reach for the Champagne and wish good riddance to 2013!
It's been a quite the year here at Master of Malt though (I'll probably do a round up at some point), and we've also celebrated the arrival of many, many tiny humans, with babies seemingly popping out all over the business like Champagne corks on New Year's Eve!
Tags: master of cocktails, tangerine 75, french 75, champagne, acid phosphate, monin sugar syrup, filliers dry gin 28 tangerine edition, filliers, jacquesson cuvee
Categories : Gin | Cocktails
By heck! It's nearly Christmas – better make some Margaritas!
Yep, something like that...
So, I'm sure you'll all be familiar with this classic tequila cocktail, but it's one that's so often poorly made. Well, we've had quite enough of that. For last night's #MasterofCocktails recipe we decided to tackle the problem once and for all!
There are a couple of things to consider and to take care of in advance, but after that it's a nice simple build.
Gather round now, herein lies a Christmas Gift from Benny Blanco!
Tags: master of cocktails, cocktails, classics, tequila, curacao, margarita, chamucos blanco, pierre ferrand dry curacao, monin sugar syrup
Categories : Cocktails | Tequila
This week's #MasterofCocktails recipe is an absolutely stunning, christmassy twist on one of the true classics. The Vieux Carré dates back to the 1930s, but as we're creeping ever closer to Christmas 2013, here's a version using the latest festive ingredient from Professor Cornelius Ampleforth.
Many thanks go to Mark Gill (@thecocktailgeek) for the inspiration behind this one – a top suggestion that's very much appreciated.
In case you're sick of Christmas cocktails, apart from the fact that we pity you, there's also some good news – next week we're doing something totally different and you can find all the ingredients you'll need for that one at the bottom.
Tags: master of cocktails, rye whiskey, smooth ambler, professor cornelius ampleforth, bitters, angostura, peychaud's, luxardo maraschino cherries, cocktails
Categories : Bitters | Cocktails | Liqueurs | Whisky
Blimey, it's been pretty busy around here lately! Jumping crocodiles, there's been a lot to do! Most of it has something to with some little celebration towards the end of the month or something...
Just kidding, I can't pretend to not be excited about Santa! I'm literally bursting with festive excitement! You see, I bloody love Christmas, me! The decorations, the music, all the wrapped up pressies and, of course, the Die Hard movies.
What on earth is there not to like?
Tags: maverick drinks, talented mr fox, thanksgiving, matt whiley, gin, whisky, last word, whiskey sour, martini, cocktails, few spirits, smooth ambler, balcones, st george spirits, new york distilling
Categories : Cocktails | Gin | News | Whisky
Here we are, in the second week of advent already! It must be time for the first, but definitely not the last, #MasterofCocktails Christmassy drink of December, this one being a festive twist on a classic...
You see, we love a good whiskey sour, but we also sure do love warming, Christmassy flavours at this time of year with ginger being one of the yummiest and most satisfying of them all. Back in October we not only made the perfect Eggnog but also some Bathtub Ginger Beer using fresh ginger and (perhaps unsurprisingly) ginger beer. Both cocktail recipes are well worth a revisit as we approach Christmas, but this time around we'll be getting our ginger warmth from an excellent ginger liqueur as well as gingerbread syrup, which brings some darn' tasty baked goodness into the mix!
Tags: master of cocktails, bourbon, ginger, few, balcones, the king's ginger liqueur, monin gingerbread syrup, whiskey sour, whisky cocktail
Categories : Cocktails | Liqueurs | Whisky
When asked if I fancied a trip to Southwold I didn't have to do a lot of thinking. A chance to visit a lovely coastal town, get some fresh, sea air in my lungs, escape the madness of the festive season AND visit the fantastic Adnams distillery to taste two brand new English whiskies?!
Um, yes. I think I can probably manage that, at a push. So off I went to Waveney to meet up with Jonathan Adnams, Chairman and fourth-generation brewer, and Head Distiller John McCarthy for a bit of a shimmy around the distillery and to taste two new, unique whiskies prior to their release.
The first ever Adnams whiskies. Ever.
Tags: english whisky, adnams, single malt, tasting notes, grain whisky, distillery, gin, fuggle, suffolk distillery, copper house, southwold
Categories : Barrel | Beer | News | Review | Tasting Notes | Whisky
With plans to make Christmas 2013 closely resemble a night out with Charles Bukowski during his downtime, I've been thinking hard about what booze I want. Historically, I would have written to Santa Claus, but I recently read a thought-provoking essay by biologist Dickie Dawkins and now no longer believe in his existence. This, then, is an open letter to anyone who knows me and wants to get me the boozes.
Tags: christmas list, bourbon, peated whisky, islay, speyside, rum, sherried whisky, smooth ambler, ron zacapa, laphroaig, glenfarclas, blanton's original
Categories : Whisky | Blended
Sunday was the first day of advent, and as literally thousands of giddy adults cracked open the first window of their Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendars I wanted to make another grown-up version of a childhood favourite to go along with them.
So, we made a Bourbon Milkshake! People like milkshakes. That's proven. This one's incredibly straight-forward and absolutely delicious. Before we get started though, it would be crazy of me to mention the Advent Calendars without sharing this brilliant video with you, released today! See how many people you can recognise. It even includes an incredibly handsome man all tucked up in bed with some kind of wintery weather-induced malady...
Tags: vanilla extract, master of cocktails, bourbon vanilla shake, bourbon, smooth ambler, recipe, cocktails, milk
Categories : Whisky | Cocktails


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9th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Symposium + Celebration
- Business & Professional
- 4728 Constitution Ave, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808
AccuAuto's CE Seminar in Louisiana
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (CST)
3 hours Ethics CE #21080
How secure is your agency's data? Have you informed your commercial clients about their Cyber Liability?
Eddie K. Emmett teaches everything you need to know about your agency's online reputation repair, visibility, virtual client communication & Social Media.
Bring your laptops & use the free WiFi for "Hands-On" Training
Assurance Systems, Inc. (more commonly known as AccuAuto) is bringing your insurance agency into the future with AccuAgency, 24 / 7 Online Lead Generator, AccuWeb and its Partner Products.
Join millions of people on Eventbrite.
In order to purchase these tickets in installments, you'll need an Eventbrite account. Log in or sign up for a free account to continue.

subset: commoncrawl


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Results 1 to 6 of 6
Thread: Any books for learning shading?
August 14th, 2006 #1Registered User
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Any books for learning shading?
I have started practicing drawing, starting with the skeleton and stick figures and moving to rough outline anatomy sketches, posing etc.
I can draw the outside edge of a figure, and just some lines for details inside the figure itself. However none of my books really touch on the subject of shading. I'm most interested in modern comic shading, such as what's done in Topcow or Marvel comics these days.
I've looked for more books on shading, and cant find a good one so far. I see the end result from other art, but dont know how to practice getting there. Shading is tough to grasp for me. It looks really wrong.
Here is an example of shading that I like. It is not my drawing, it is a sketch I got from one of you guys. His name was something Chan. All credit to him.
But I want to shade like this, and need study aids to help. Any suggestions? If I had step-by-step for a drawing like this from start to finish, that would help me see how it is done.
Hide this ad by registering as a memberAugust 14th, 2006 #2
All i cant say is just practice, first thing i would do is practice with shading the shadows, and not bothering with shading the different textures on a character and just sticking with the basic this side dark that side light etc. What i used to do is put a little cross where i want the light to come from, then start chading using that as a guide, if you are wanting to knwo how to do the folds on the characters clothes go here, very helpful to me in the past - http://www.cablenet.ne.jp/%7ejapanim...thingmain.html
Good Luck
August 14th, 2006 #3
correct placement of values, oh and render like a slug. Thats pretty much the best advice I've recieved
August 14th, 2006 #4
all shading is is a way of defining lights vs darks. Seeing a step-by-step won't help because you miss out on the real work: the decision making process. The artist has to decide where the light is coming from. Once you have that CLEAR (because it's very easy to screw up a picture when you're not so sure where the light is coming from - believe me, I know) you can put in the cast shadows and use lighter shading to show form.
Don't worry about shading, worry about indicating the 3-dimensional form of the figure. That can be done with tonal shading, with hatching lines, with washes... you just need to know where the light is and which way the various planes of the figure are facing.
August 14th, 2006 #5
get the light and shade book of Hogarth it doesnt explain how to but the diferent types of shading and lightning situations for comics..
for how to light and shade i found this little gem..its tough,but there are many helpful advices on giving form to the basic geometric primitives...(eggs,cylinder,etc ,etc) Light and Shade ,A Classic approach to 3-dimentsional drawing by Mrs. Mary P. Merrifield.... (get it at amazon.com or doverpublications.com , how is your perspective? study perspective of shadows..the more you are aware of the position in space of the object the better you decide how to render it.. set a still life with one light source and copy what you see... copy and look at other artwork from other artists..to help you on learning approaches to rendering..also loomis books are good for a more illustrative approach..http://www.fineart.sk/index.php?cat=1
my new site, is crazy stuff but is my own space, I can say whatever!! hehe:
One of the art schools I respect the most:
August 15th, 2006 #6
Same as Glickster, organizing form in perspective is the first thing, then choosing the light source. I haven't found any books that really go into rendering, however I'll suggest looking at Scott Robertson's Rendering Matte Surfaces DVDs. That's more of a realistic look, but it's best to study in depth. The example you showed is a very basic kind of rendering, white in the light, black in the shadows, then some feathering to round out some forms(pressing hard at the beginning of the stroke then lightening the pressure torwards the end). Really it's not the rendering here that makes the image interesting but the design. The DC Guide to Inking Comics has tips about inking of course, and gives suggestions of dudes to swipe techniques from, Franklin Booth, James Montgomery Flagg, Rockwell Kent being some of them.
"Beliefs are rules for action"
"Knowledge is proven in action."
"It's use is it's meaning."
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Home > Helpful Hints > Choosing Between a Quartz or Mechanical Clock Movement
One of the basic decisions to make when building a clock is the type of movement to use. Both quartz and mechanical movements offer several advantages for particular types of clocks.
You'll want to consider several factors when choosing a movement for your clock. Cost, accuracy, and mounting procedures will all play an important role in your decision.
We offer a full line of quality quartz and mechanical clock movements, and we're sure there is one to match your clockmaking needs. Whether you're building a clock from scratch or replacing the movement from an old clock, you can be assured that the movements offer by Klockit are of the highest quality. And you'll find these movements to be among the most affordable in the industry. See our How Do I... link for measuring instructions to assist you in your choice of movement. Or visit our How Do I... link for specific information on Selecting a Mechanical Movement.
Customer Service | Customer Clocks | Wish List | Gift Certificates
Tell Your Story | Links | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Home | Quick Order
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© 1999-2015 Klockit, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Because we at Klockit understand that this is possibly a once in a lifetime purchase, the delivery of your Howard Miller grandfather clock
is completed with our Ultimate white glove delivery crew.
The delivery is completed by a 2 man service and placed in the room of your choice.
The unit is then unpacked, the carton packaging is removed, and any light assembly (up to 30 minutes) is completed.
Finally, you get the opportunity to inspect and sign off on the delivery before the delivery crew leaves your house to insure your satisfaction.


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Yoga Tops & Tees
Perfect Pose Wrap by lucy activewear®
You don't need to know how to plié to pull off this cute ballet-inspired wrap. A bit more sophisticated than pieces we've featured in the past, it transcends studio time to casual events, relaxed evenings, and weekends. Made in soft, fast-drying Supplex®/Lycra® with a deep V-neck, elegant shawl collar, and flattering princess seams. Ties at back. By lucy. Imported.
The North Face® Kokomo Burnout Tank
Adding artistry to an active lifestyle, this lightweight tank features a burnout print with contrast seaming. The diamond-shaped open back with twist detail makes it a fast favorite, with serious softness and a feminine fit. * The North Face® * Slight A-line * V-neck * Sleeveless * Hip length * Poly/cotton * Peru
zinni™ by Garnet Hill Surplice Yoga Tank
A surplice front and a striking T-strap back mean this tank looks good coming and going. The fitted silhouette features a modest inset at the deep V-neck, a built-in shelf bra with lightweight removable pads, and a hint of elasticity at the hem to stay put. In a bold color and a bolder print, it looks great under any cover-up. Hip length. Heavyweight nylon/spandex with a moisture-wicking finish. Imported.
Bianca Top by prAna
Rugged on the inside. Feminine on the outside. This top allows you to do all of your favorite activities and still maintain graceful poise. Vertical seamed detail at the front center. V-neck. Scoop back with a shirred accent at the back waist. Thin necklace band adds interest and helps to keep the shoulders in place. Cotton/poly. By prAna. Imported.
The North Face® Short-Sleeve Reaxion Amp Tee
Amp it (all the way) up with this made-to-play crewneck in a relaxed fit that delivers the softness of cotton and the performance of poly. Detailed with a contrast logo at left chest. * The North Face® * Short sleeves * Hanger loop * Hip length * Poly * Imported


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A concession food expo was held at the Hi-Liner Activity Center (HAC) on Wednesday, Dec. 18 for all Hi-Liner Booster Club Board members, Valley City Public School administrative staff, PTO officers and students. The expo was offered as a way to introduce fast and easy healthy foods and recipes that can be made in a concession stand and will help increase profits.
More in Wednesday's Times-Record.
Meeting Tuesday, Barnes County commissioners voted to add a third sergeant to the sheriff's office, buy a new vehicle and a new door locking system for the Barnes County Correctional Facility. More in Wednesday's issue of the Times-Record.
Barnes ON THE MOVE is underway and already has 175 members in its first week.
According to Teresa Garrahy of Young People's Healthy Heart, the three-month program kicked-off Jan. 1 and will start offering its first classes, Walk Away the Pounds and Hand Weights, this week.
More in Tuesday's Times-Record.
Two people – Al Gustin of Mandan and the late Alfred Black of Mandan – have been selected for induction into the North Dakota Agricultural Hall of Fame March 8 in Valley City. More in Tuesday's issue of the Times-Record.
One-time Valley City resident Jana Banico, a graduate of the Valley City High School class of 2000, is raising money to help people in an area of the Philippines ravaged by a typhoon on Nov. 8. More in Tuesday's issue of the Times-Record.
North Dakota motorists paid an average of $3.54 per gallon for gas in 2013, making it the least expensive year to fill up since 2010.
North Dakota AAA spokesman Gene LaDoucer said Thursday that the average price in Valley City in 2013 was $3.09 per gallon, while the 2012 average price per gallon was $3.19.
More in Monday's Times-Record.
Local people who want to find out more about health care advance directives are welcome to a free informational session 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday in Valley City's Mercy Hospital health education center.
More in Monday's Times-Record.
The number of crashes in southeast North Dakota in 2013 was nearly double the December average.
According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol Southeast Region, troopers responded to 209 crashes in December, compared to an average of 110 crashes over the last five years.
More in Monday's Times-Record.
While many locals hate North Dakota winters, some wait all summer for a chance to get out the sled and tear up the snowmobile trails that run through Valley City and beyond.
While snowmobiles are allowed within the city limits, some riders have been less than respectful of their neighbors, according to Valley City Police Chief Fred Thompson.
Read snowmobile rules for Valley City in Monday's Times-Record.
Valley City Public Schools classes and activities are cancelled for Monday. The school intends to be open Tuesday.


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1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Grease a baking tin.
2. In a large bowl, mix together margarine and sugar, until well incorporated.
3. Break the eggs in, one at a time, mixing after every addition.
4. In a medium bowl, place flour and the soda bicarbonate, sift in this mixture to the egg - sugar mixture, using a spoon carefully fold the flour in.
5. Pour in the coffee essence and the dates, stir to mix. Add boiling water, mix until the mixture is smooth.
6. Pour the mixture to the prepared tin. Bake at 375F for 40 minutes.
7. In a pan, place margarine, single cream and soft brown sugar, heat on low heat until melted, stir constantly.
8. When the pudding is baked, using a fork, poke several holes, pour the prepared sauce in. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes.
9. Cut into equal sized squares and serve.


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What Zoos Can Do: The Leading Zoological Gardens of Europe 2010 - 2020Paperback
Free delivery worldwide
Dispatched in 1 business day
When will my order arrive?
- Publisher: Schuling Verlag & Anthony Sheridan
- Format: Paperback | 384 pages
- Dimensions: 168mm x 236mm x 23mm | 1,066g
- Publication date: 1 January 2011
- Publication City/Country: Munster
- Illustrations note: coour photos, diagrams
- Sales rank: 431,789
Product description
Never before have good zoological gardens been so important, in a world of increasing damage to and destruction of biodiversity, both as visitor attractions and as education and conservation centres. Zoos have experienced fundamental changes in the past decades, and this book attempts to provide a snapshot of the current status of the leading zoos in Europe. This book contains unique information and analyses 80 leading zoological gardens in 21 European countries. Each zoo is described on three pages, with a map, and a detailed description of size, attractions, access and much more. Introductory chapters deal with specific aspects of modern zoos, such as conservation, management, and an outlook to 2020. This is a must-have book for all those interested in zoos - enthusiasts, sceptics, visitors, sponsors, zoo owners, politicians, wildlife conservationists and all those working in and for zoos.
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Apricot Dijon Mustard Chicken
|Canned apricot nectar
|12 Ounce (1 Can)
|Dijon mustard
|3 Tablespoon
|Chicken breasts
|3 1⁄2 Pound, split, boned, and skinned (3 Whole)
|Regular strength chicken broth
|2 1⁄4 Cup (36 tbs)
|10 Ounce (1 3/4 Cups, 1 Package)
|Minced basil leaves
|2 Tablespoon
|Basil sprigs
|3 , rinsed and drained
|2 , each quartered
In a 10- to 12-inch frying pan, combine apricot nectar and mustard.
Over high heat bring mixture to a boil.
Lay chicken breasts, smooth side down, in apricot mixture.
Cover pan, reduce heat, and simmer until breasts are no longer pink in thickest section (cut to test), 15 to 18 minutes; turn breasts over after 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a 2 to 3-quart pan over high heat, bring broth to a boil and stir in couscous.
Remove from heat, cover, and let sit 5 minutes.
Stir couscous with a fork to fluff; pour onto a platter.
Lift breasts onto couscous; cover with foil and keep warm.
Boil apricot liquid on high heat, lid slightly ajar, until reduced to 1 cup, about 5 minutes.
Pour sauce over breasts, then sprinkle with minced basil.
Garnish with basil sprigs and accompany with lime wedges to add to taste.


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Banco do Brasil Sees Lower Credit Demand From Individuals
Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Banco do Brasil SA, Latin America's largest lender by assets, expects the slowdown in credit to individuals to continue as demand from the nation's middle class wanes, Chief Financial Officer Ivan Monteiro said.
Members of Brazil's middle class "come to the market and acquire their first mobile, their first plasma TV," Monteiro said yesterday in an interview at Bloomberg's headquarters in New York. "But they don't change this type of thing every single year. That's why you see a slowdown in consumption."
Economists are lowering 2014 growth estimates for Latin America's largest economy, even after the government cut taxes by more than 13 billion reais ($5.6 billion) this year and offered 18.7 billion reais in subsidized credit for consumer goods. Analysts surveyed by the central bank have cut their 2014 growth forecast by more than a percentage point since President Dilma Rousseff five months ago announced below-market interest rates for purchases of everything from televisions to furniture by low-income Brazilians.
Federally controlled Banco do Brasil's credit to individuals grew 14 percent in the 12 months ended in September compared with the same period a year earlier, it said on Nov. 12, down from a 16 percent expansion in the second quarter. The Brasilia-based bank's overall lending expanded 22.5 percent, compared with a 25.7 percent advance in the previous quarter.
Caixa's Outlook
Caixa Economica Federal, another state-controlled bank in Brazil, is expanding its loan book at a slower pace compared with the beginning of the year, CFO Marcio Percival said in a telephone interview today. The Brasilia-based lender expects its loan book to grow between 35 percent and 39 percent in 2013, he said.
Caixa's portfolio of loans expanded at a 43 percent rate in both the first and second quarters compared with the same periods a year earlier, according to its earnings statement.
"Banco do Brasil will go through an adjustment phase," Andre Riva Gargiulo, an analyst at brokerage GBM Grupo Bursatil Mexicano SA, said in a telephone interview from Sao Paulo. "Now you'll have slower credit growth and increasing delinquency rates, and the lowest spreads in the industry. The question is, how does that add up."
Banco do Brasil's loan growth in mortgages and agriculture should remain strong enough to offset the slowdown in credit to individuals, Monteiro said.
"The banks will continue to pull in their credit offers, especially as we see some further slowing in emerging economies," Paul Christopher, the St. Louis-based chief international strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors, said in a telephone interview. His firm oversees about $1.3 trillion.
To contact the reporters on this story: Julia Leite in New York at email@example.com; Francisco Marcelino in Sao Paulo at email@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: David Papadopoulos at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Thinking of getting a CTD
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Lil Black 4x4 Hemi
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Man, I forgot about the new active air system. I'll be interested to see how that works out long term. I don't guess I realized you can't touch the exhaust without a delete.
I was playing on KBB and it seems that at 150K a Cummins is actually worth the full 8K again but until then it seems to be about 3-5K.
I'm not a chronic truck flipper, but I like to know where my money is at. Normally I drive one for a long long time. I've lucked out over the last year and a half and haven't put on as many miles, but that seems to be partially over and I'm back to using my truck as my DD 4 days a week.
Thanks again!
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The Foundation now has a presence in Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe too.
Raising Malawi's 2008 IRS filing lists a $600,000 donation to Millennium Promise.
Over the past year, we have seen peaceful transitions of power in Malawi and Senegal, and a new President in Somalia.
Republic in southeast Africa, bordered by Tanzania to the north, Mozambique to the east and south, and Zambia to the west. It became independent in 1964.


text: http://www.thevarguy.com – Tech Data is planning its semi-annual spring Channel Link conference in Las Vegas, with a considerable focus this year on boosting the reseller community. If you're a VAR looking for an edge up, Channel Link could present perfect opportunity. Here's why … Tech Data is hoping 400-plus channel partners will converge on The Venetian April 10-12, 2012, for Channel Link. The goal? Network, educate and build. Tech Data's fall L.A. Live event was a success, and the distributor wants to capitalize on that momentum. Attending partners will have their choice of sessions focusing on cloud (IT news)


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COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina continued its postseason magic, defeating Clemson, 4-3, Sunday to win the NCAA Regional Tournament championship in front of 8,242 at Carolina Stadium.
The two-time defending national champion Gamecocks (43-17) have won 19 consecutive NCAA Tournament games. Continue reading Columbia Regional Game 6: South Carolina advances to Super Regional


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Open Enrollment Benefit Information
2015-2016 Academic Year
Annual Open Enrollment Forms
DUE DATE: Friday, May 15, 2015
All employees working half-time or more must…
- make your selections about which benefits you will select for the new college year beginning July 1,
- decide which dependents, if any, you wish to cover, and,
- choose which plan(s) in which you wish to enroll.
- Wednesday, April 15th – Friday, May 15th: Open enrollment period
- Monday, April 20th: Benefits Fair from 10:00 a.m.-12 noon and 1:15-3:30 p.m. You may complete your Annual Open Enrollment form and do all your sign-ups or changes for insurance coverage at the annual Benefits Fair in the College Church Fellowship Hall.
- Friday, May 15th: the last day to submit your Open Enrollment forms and any insurance application forms to Vickie Miller in Human Resources.
ALL FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED TO VICKIE MILLER BY Friday, May 15th: A new application or cancellation form is needed for any benefit in which you are changing coverage. Changing your Annual Open Enrollment form is one step; a new application or cancellation is needed for the insurance company to know your change of coverage.
Many of the forms are available online from the HR forms page. Download them, fill them in, print them out, and return all forms to the Human Resources department by campus mail to Westlawn 103. You can also stop by the HR department anytime to pick up a form.
Come to the Benefits Fair for detailed information and help filling out the forms. To review your current benefits, please see the employee-elected deductions listed on your online Compensation Statement. We will also have a copy of your current Annual Open Enrollment form available at the Benefits Fair.
Benefits Fair
You may do all your sign-ups at the Benefits Fair Monday, April 20th, from 10:00 a.m.-noon. and 1:15-3:30 p.m. in the College Church Fellowship Hall.
The Benefits Fair on April 20th will feature representatives of most of our benefit providers who can offer assistance in describing products and completing applications. In addition, representatives from TIAA-CREF and Mennonite Retirement Trust will be in attendance to facilitate account enrollment or answer employee questions. The GC Development Office will also have a table and enrollment form this year for convenience in learning about the benefits of donating to Goshen College. A Human Resources table will include Annual Open Enrollment forms and answers to your open enrollment questions. We will have your current year Annual Open Enrollment form available to compare. Please plan to visit each vendor on April 20th at the College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall.
The following benefits are involved in Open Enrollment:
Health insurance
Employee premiums will depend on employee participation in the Wellness Program and how many of the 4 wellness goals have been met. Employees who choose to opt out of the Wellness Program will pay for 20% of the premium that the college normally pays for a single employee. Please see the Wellness Program for further details about the wellness goals.
The below rates for 2015-16 increased by only 2.9% from last year. Goshen College will continue to pay the full employee premium as well as half of the premium for dependents for full-time employees.
Single Coverage
Full Family
In your coverage decision, remember that the rates above are gross deductions. The net cost to you will be 75-80% of these figures due to taking them out of your check pre-tax (tax free).
Dental insurance
The dental insurance rates have not changed for the 2015-2016 college year. Employees pay the full cost of these premiums.
Dental Monthly Premium Cost:
|Plan 6b
|Employee only
|Employee + 1 dependent
|Full Family
Vision Service Plan
VSP offers two plans with 4 levels of employee and family coverage. These plans and monthly rates, paid by the employee, are outlined below. The rates have increased for the 2015-2016 college year.
|Empl + 1
|Empl + Dependents
|Full Family
|Plan B
|Plan C
Both plans offer coverage with a co-payment for an examination by an optometrist and new lenses/contacts once a year. Frames are covered up to $120 every year with Plan C and every two years with Plan B. Co-payments are $10 for an exam and $25 for glasses with standard lenses in Plan B, and $20 for both in Plan C. Contact lenses and certain lenses for glasses are discounted in price but not included in the $25 co-pay.
AFLAC Insurance
We offer 4 individual supplemental insurance products through AFLAC: Life, Accident, Cancer, and Specified Health Event (includes heart, stroke, kidney failure and other conditions). Premium costs are paid by the employee, and rates vary according to age and family coverage chosen. This insurance pays cash directly to the employee or beneficiary regardless of health or other insurance coverage. Please consult the AFLAC representative (Cheryl Miller, 875-1961) for further information, as well as to enroll and determine your premium amount.
Cancer Plus 30 insurance
You can continue your current coverage by checking the appropriate box on the Section 125 form, or change coverage. However, we are not enrolling new employees in this plan. You may want to consider signing up for the AFLAC Cancer policy.
Rec-Fitness Center membership
For you, your spouse, and your children under 19 not in college (or if single, then a friend) can be included on your membership. No need to fill out a form during open enrollment unless you are becoming a new member or changing dependents. If you wish to cancel membership, please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Medical expense reimbursement account (FSA/Section 125)
Decide how much you wish to take out of your check tax-free for medical expenses you incur during the college year that are not covered by insurance. Employees are no longer able to use FSA/Section 125 funds for over-the-counter medications, except for Insulin and OTC medications and nutritional supplements that are prescribed by a medical practitioner. There is a limit of $2550 for medical expense reimbursement. For more information, see IRS Publication 502. Also, in choosing how much to place in your medical reimbursement account, you may want to consider the deductible of $1500/3000 and the 70% coverage after meeting the deductible. Note that the law has changed and you may carry over up to $500 per year of unused FSA/Section 125 medical expense funds.
Childcare expense reimbursement account (FSA/Section 125)
Same as above, except it applies to childcare expenses for children under age 13 so you can work.
Both of the "FSA/Section 125″ reimbursement account benefits have the tax-free deduction advantage mentioned above. However, in the case of the childcare deduction, what you haven't used for eligible expenses occurring during the college year is forfeited.
NOTE: For those participating in either medical or childcare reimbursement accounts, you will need either use the debit card issued to you at the beginning of the plan year or file claim forms with Harrison Group along with the explanation of benefit forms you receive from Highmark PPO or the receipt from your childcare provider. Claim forms are found here.
Sign-up instructions — We strongly encourage you to complete the Annual Open Enrollment form at the Benefits Fair on April 20th. On this form you need to list your health, dental and supplemental insurance coverage choices. There will also be a separate FSA/Section 125 enrollment form from the Harrison Group. Please complete these forms even if you are not having any money withheld from your paycheck. Please consult the AFLAC representative (Cheryl Miller, 875-1961) to enroll and determine your premium amount.
You need to complete a new application for health, dental, AFLAC and Vision Service Plan insurance only if you are adding or changing coverage.
If you do not fill out an Annual Open Enrollment form for 2015-16, we will continue the same coverage you elected in 2014-15 on medical, dental, and supplemental insurances. If you do not fill out an FSA/Section 125 form, we will also assume you do NOT want to participate in the medical or childcare reimbursement accounts in 2015-16.
If you are enrolling in dental, health or any supplemental insurance for the first time or changing coverage, you must complete new enrollment forms. Completing the open enrollment form alone will not change your coverage. The health insurance form is available at https://www.goshen.edu/hr/forms/. Dental and the other insurance applications will be available at the Benefits Fair or from the HR office.
Return all forms to Vickie Miller through campus mail or drop them off at Westlawn 103 no later than Friday, May 15th. Call Vickie Miller or Norm Bakhit with any questions.
TIAA-CREF and Everence Financial representatives will be available at the Benefits Fair or you may contact them directly anytime about enrolling. Changing the amount withheld from your paycheck for your retirement fund can be done anytime during the year so is not part of the open window/enrollment period. Please request a salary reduction agreement from the HR office.
As always, contact Vickie Miller at email@example.com, 535-6111, or Norm Bakhit, firstname.lastname@example.com, 535-7507, for more information.


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Originally written on Bush League Chronicle | Last updated 1/11/13
Word recently broke on Tuesday that Paulina Gretzky, daughter of legendary hockey star Wayne Gretzky, was dating pro golfer Dustin Johnson. Of course, some folks were skeptical since there weren't any pictures attached to the unconfirmed rumors. Well, here is one for the "pics or it didn't happen" crowd.Seen here is a photo uploaded by Paulina on Thursday of her and Johnson via Twitter, but courtesy of her Instagram account, though. Now, it's officially official. Carry on with your daily tasks, folks.
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Almost Ready to Stucco -FB board question
2 Attachment(s)
Our Casa 90 has been assembled and is now wrapped in blankets & chicken wire awaiting stucco.
We're going for an igloo shape and I'm designing the transition from the oven vent to the chimney.
I was wondering whether I could use the FB board to surround the vent attachment and the bottom of the chimney to "support" the wire lathe and then stucco? (like how you can use foam to support shapes when you make concrete sculptures.) This would be instead of using the blanket and trying to make stucco wire completely create the shape. Can you cover the FB Board directly with stucco?
Also, can the insulation blanket touch the DuraTech chimney?
One last question, do I need a refractory mortar for the outside brick archway?
Thanks for the help.
Re: Almost Ready to Stucco -FB board question
I didn't use the FB board but something very similar. I found that the wetness from my clay mix softened the paper on the board. I suggest you wrap it with wire. The blanket will withstand the heat at the vent. When I installed the brick on my entry, I used regular type S mortar. It may get a little warm there but nothing like the dome.
Good luck!
Re: Almost Ready to Stucco -FB board question
Wow. It's cool to see the modular oven. Very clean and looks like it was very fast installation.
I'm not sure what others are using - but with the talk of cracks in the stucco coat I might consider using the surface bonding cement. It's a masonry coating with fiberglass fibers to reinforce it. I used it on my oven base and Hardieboard as the first coat for my stucco. - I have not put the finish coat on my stucco - but I don't have any cracks at this time (and it's been a year).
I bought a product this week for the finish coat (it's about time) - it's an acrylic finish coat with options for different types of finishes. I chose a smooth sandy finish called sandblast and they have tons of differnt color choices. I tried a bit on the back of my oven and it trowels on beautifully - makes me look like a pro. I'm still wondring how well I'll do on the corners...
Disclaimer - I tend to go for the unconventional - it's worked for me so far. (good thing my wife has that tendancy, too)
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Going Vegetarian
- Adapt familiar dishes, but don't be put off by unfamiliar foods and new recipes.
- Treat yourself to a vegetarian cookbook for inspiration and advice. Check out those in our shop.
- Start gradually. Adapt familiar meals such as lasagne and shepherds pie by using textured vegetable protein (TVP). TVP absorbs water to have the look, taste and texture of mince or meat chunks, according to which variety you buy. It is available from health food stores. If you don't buy the flavoured variety, be aware that you need to add seasoning of some kind or it will remain bland and uninteresting.
- Buy vegetarian cheese if you eat dairy. Whereas some cheeses are made with an ingredient from the stomachs of slaughtered calves, vegetarian cheese uses vegetable-derived rennet. Almost every supermarket now stocks at least one kind of vegetarian cheese, such as the Mainland Vegetarian cheese range.
- Buy free-range eggs if you eat eggs.
- Read the labels. A lot of foods contain hidden gelatine or animal fat. Eg lollies, biscuits, yoghurt, sour cream.
- Legumes: Dried beans and lentils are cheaper and easy to cook, but the easiest option is tinned.
- Adapt familiar dishes. If you're the only vegetarian in your family and it's too difficult to cook totally separate meals, adapt a meat dish. A casserole, for instance, can be made with beans and vegetables in one pan. Then the meat can be cooked separately and given just to the meat eaters. Or use TVP and see if anyone notices the difference.
- Don't be put off by unfamiliar foods. Tofu, for instance, is so useful!. This product made from soya beans is a complete protein, incredibly versatile and easy to use. It absorbs the flavour of other ingredients, so use with strong flavours (or use a recipe).
- Explore health food stores. They'll have vegetarian products you haven't seen before, and the assistants will be able to answer your questions about products suitable for your new lifestyle.
- Look for the Vegetarian Society Approved logo on products. It tells you at a glance that the product is 100% suitable for vegetarians.


text: Without You by Traxione & River Accorsi (feat. Kristin Accorsi) by Dubstep - EDM.com published on 2012/01/14 17:23:45 +0000 A massive, incredibly progressive freebie from Future Follow Records artists Traxione & River Accorsi, "Without You" is a deeply evocative banger featuring the beautiful vocals of Kristin Accorsi. Extraordinary melodic work and squishy, delicious-sounding bass really set "Without You" apart, and an absolutely bombastic final drop complete seals with deal, making the track a top-notch dubstep anthem more than ready for bass-lovers worldwide. Follow Traxione: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Traxione-Dubstep/172245026136991 http://twitter.com/Traxione SC: http://soundcloud.com/traxione Follow River Accorsi: http://www.facebook.com/RiverAccorsiSounds https://twitter.com/RiverAccorsi SC: http://soundcloud.com/riveraccorsi Follow us @ http://www.Dubstep.NET Sounds like: Skrillex, Kill The Noise, Feed Me, Datsik, Flux Pavilion, Nero, Bassnectar, Noisia, Pretty Lights, Zeds Dead, NiT GriT, DeadMau5, Dubstep, Drumstep, Minnesota, Electro, Dance Music, House, Bass, Bare Noize, Skream, Play Me, Big Fish, Heavy Artillery, OWSLA, and Mau5trap


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- Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff Writer
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Summing up the tone of e-mails in this week's Patriots mailbag, the word "doubt" comes to the forefront.
The shaky way the team finished the preseason, coupled with some of the moves made at Saturday's roster cutdown, has seemingly shaken the confidence of many e-mailers. There is a lot to digest, from the final makeup of the roster to defensive concerns to the season opener against the Bengals.
Let's get right to it.
Q: Please assess the Pats defense. Will they be able to get off the field? -- Larry (Sharon, Mass.)
A: Larry, I see question marks against the run in the pure fundamental aspect of shedding blocks and tackling. That's something that has generally been good in Bill Belichick's tenure, but if they don't get it squared away, it will be a challenging 2002-like year. I think the secondary will be fine, and the players up front will be able to generate enough of a pass rush to get off the field in some key situations, with Tully Banta-Cain and Mike Wright the top rushers. The top defense didn't look good in the final two preseason games, but part of that is the lack of scheme/adjustments. That's what makes the preseason hard to judge. Overall, I don't think it's a dominating defense, and there are personnel questions at defensive end and outside linebacker, but I think the Patriots can complement the defense with strong offense and special teams performance to field a team with a winning record.
Q: Hi Mike, I don't think the Patriots D will be able to stop anyone this year and certainly getting off the field on third down will continue to a problem. Several players will have to emerge and I do not see anyone as a clear favorite to do this. On top of this, Mayo does not look right. I see an 8-8 record this year. The only upside I see right now is they might be more effective in the red zone on offense with their tight ends. Are you still sticking with 11-5? -- Watson (Canton, Ohio)
A: Watson, I still think this is a 10-win team. Given the Patriots' run of injuries in the preseason and some defensive concerns, I dropped my prediction from 11-5 to 10-6. That prediction was part of a larger piece in which 10 different Patriots predictions were made this season. As for Mayo, I think he's going to be fine. Part of his struggles against the Giants in the preseason finale was breakdowns with Derrick Burgess on the left defensive edge, which forced him into tougher-than-they-should-be situations.
Q: Mike, is it time to stow away any hopes of a Super Bowl run in 2010? -- Nick (Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc.)
A: Nick, I wouldn't count the Patriots out just yet. As we know, a lot of things change over the course of the year. At this time last year, how many people were counting the New Orleans Saints in? The Patriots obviously have a lot of questions to answer, but they aren't alone.
Q: Any idea why Randy Moss is taking it personal that he wasn't given a contract before heading into the last year of his current deal? Has he not read the papers? Brady is in a similar spot, and his deal should be done before Randy's. Is this more of a calculated move by Moss to get the team talking about an extension for him, or is this him merely venting? -- Rick (Pelham, N.H.)
A: Rick, my sense of it is that Moss is sensitive and he is basically just asking for a little bit of a love -- not necessarily in the form of a contract but maybe a verbal hug of sorts. I think quarterback Tom Brady might have picked up on it, as the two were spotted at dinner together on Monday night. I think Brady was being the leader he is and sensing that maybe Moss needed a little pick-me-up. When a team signs on with Randy, it is basically signing up to hold on for an unpredictable ride and I'd put his recent comments about his contract in that category. Moss has been paid as one of the top receivers in the game from 2008 to this year. For many, that would be enough to feel wanted.
Q: Mike, people are being very critical of the Patriots and their past drafts, and are now saying their last two drafts were "bad" because they cut developmental offensive line guys like Ted Larsen, Rich Ohrnberger, George Bussey and Thomas Welch. But in criticizing the drafts, people fail to mention all the guys that are making contributions. Why so much hate for the Pats? -- Arjuna (Derry, N.H.)
A: Arjuna, my take is that we could look at any team and identify some draft picks that didn't pan out. That's par for the course. Specific to the Patriots, I think they've generally drafted well under Belichick when compared to the rest of the NFL. They have had a bad run here on the offensive line, but I don't view it as catastrophic as guard/center Ohrnberger has returned on the practice squad and tackle Steve Maneri was claimed on waivers, so he's essentially another draft pick. We could also look at former rookie free agent Ryan Wendell as another draft pick as he was developed in the system and made the team over other highly touted players.
Q: Mike, after the roster cuts I am really worried about the depth and talent of the defensive line, outside linebackers, the offensive line, and even special teams. This might be the worst depth and talent at these positions since Bill's first year here. I think it shows just how badly they have drafted since their last Super Bowl victory. Unless Tom Brady has a year like 2007, I don't see how they will have a better record than last year, let alone make the playoffs. What are your thoughts? -- Josh (Dighton, Mass.)
A: Josh, I concur with the concerns about depth, although I think it's more about contract holdouts/injuries than drafting. The Patriots are down five players in Logan Mankins, Nick Kaczur, Leigh Bodden, Ty Warren and Brandon McGowan and the season hasn't even started yet. Those are all players who would be on the 45-man game-day roster. That's a lot to lose this early in the season. I thought it was telling that the Patriots were trading for other teams' fringe players at the roster cutdown. Usually, it's the other way around and I wrote about that over the weekend. So it doesn't look great in the depth department right now, but I wouldn't count this team out. There is still quality talent in that locker room.
Q: Do you think the Pats management team -- specifically Bill Belichick -- is losing it? If you didn't know the Pats history you would think they were in the lower tier of the NFL the last couple of years: Poor drafting, being stubborn about signing Mankins, lack of a pass-rushing defensive lineman, a porous defensive backfield, cutting players with experience, picking up other team's cast-offs. It doesn't sound like a winning team to me. If they finish 8-8 this year they will be lucky! -- Paul Gigliotti (Andover, Mass.)
A: Paul, I don't think Belichick is losing it. I also think it's important to look at the context of the entire NFL when it comes to the draft, and the Patriots still rate highly when that comparison is made to other teams. One question I would ask on this topic, however, is whether there are any dissenting voices when it comes to Belichick's personnel decisions. I'd use Derrick Burgess as an example. That was a bad miscalculation that could hurt the team this year. Going back to acquiring him for third- and fifth-round draft picks and then re-signing him this year, I just wonder if anyone internally said to Belichick, "Bill, are you sure about this guy? Should we really be this accommodating to a player who hasn't shown up for camp and is making a tough transition in the system from defensive end to outside linebacker? Can we really count on this guy?" Belichick obviously has the final say, but it can be healthy to have some dissenting voices in the room.
Q: Do you think Jarvis Green could help the Pats? Also, would you agree that the Pats are going to have to sign Brady, Mankins and Moss to show players around the league the Pats are still the leaders in the NFL. -- Nick (Hull, Mass.)
A: Nick, I don't see the Patriots signing Green at this time. They have seven defensive linemen on the roster and that's a fully stocked group. If there is an injury, I could see them reaching out to Green as a possible in-season signing. On the second part of the question, I think all three are high-caliber players, but Brady is the only one who stands out as a guy you can't lose and expect other free agents to still consider New England a destination. That's no disrespect to Mankins and Moss, but I think there are a select few players in the NFL that impact the decision-making of free agents and Brady is one of them.
Q: Mike, people are nervous losing Leigh Bodden. My concern is losing Brandon McGowan. I know Brandon Meriweather has to potential to be top 5 in the league and Patrick Chung shows a lot of promise but McGowan last year helped the Pats out big time. -- Jada (Boston, Mass.)
A: Jada, I was surprised when looking back at the playtime numbers and realizing that McGowan played 72 percent of the snaps last year, the fourth-highest total of any defender. I expected that number to drop this year with Chung emerging, but it is a reminder of the important role McGowan played. I thought McGowan was strong early last season and then tailed off a bit late. He is a physical player and I think the Patriots will miss the edge he brought to the back end and on special teams. But I do think newcomer Jarrad Page will be capable of filling the void once he gets up to speed in the system.
Q: Hey Mike, Rob Ninkovich is one of only a few defensive players who really impressed me during the preseason. He flies in hard off the edge, and seems to be one of those football players who frequently ends up around the football. Do you think he has a chance of starting at the OLB position opposite Tully Banta-Cain? Jermaine Cunningham hasn't played and I like him better than Marques Murrell. -- Zack (Somerville, Mass.)
A: Zack, I like Ninkovich's quickness and motor. The question to me is whether he can set the edge against the run consistently. I'd give him a chance to show what he can do, and hope that Cunningham gets healthy and can also contribute. I agree at this point; Ninkovich would be my choice to start the opener.
Q: Mike, were you surprised by Tyrone McKenzie being cut and then brought back on the practice squad? Belichick has professed admiration for this player numerous times in the past. He essentially only had OTAs and the preseason to show what he could do. He is coming back from an ACL injury, which as we learned with Brady last year, might prevent a player from going 100 percent even after he is participating fully on the field. He was a high draft investment, and a hard worker. He seemed like a follower of the Patriot Way. -- Dave B (San Francisco)
A: Dave, I was not surprised by the McKenzie move. I saw some writing on the wall from the first Sunday in camp when 2009 starter Gary Guyton was knocked out with an injury and it was Brandon Spikes, not McKenzie, who was inserted at inside linebacker. In making our first 53-man roster projection, I did not have McKenzie on the roster because of that. Also, McKenzie's playing time was limited for a good part of the preseason and he was not a special teams contributor with top units, which were other troubling signs for him. The Patriots are interested in still working with McKenzie, as my understanding is that they are paying him more than the standard practice squad rate to keep him, so he could still emerge. But right now, he's been passed by Spikes, Guyton and rookie free agent Dane Fletcher.
Q: You wrote that there would be 10 starters or key contributors from the last two drafts. On offense, I see Vollmer and the rookie TE. On defense that would be Brandon Spikes, Patrick Chung, Darius Butler and Devin McCourty. That's six by my count. You are a homer. -- Jim Cotter (Providence, R.I.)
A: Tough crowd, Jim, and one that overlooks special teams as well. Let's go back and look at what I wrote: "The Patriots made 24 draft picks over the past two years, and backup quarterback Brian Hoyer -- who made the club as a rookie free agent last season -- is a 25th player. Of that group, 14 to 16 look like locks to make the team, with about 10 of them in starting or top roles." As it turned out, 16 made the club and I count 11 players in starting or top roles: Chung, Butler, Vollmer, Tate, Ingram, Edelman, McCourty, Gronkowski, Spikes, Hernandez and Mesko. We could probably even add Jermaine Cunningham in there for a 12th, but I was conservative in that analysis.
Q: Mike, how much does the fact that veteran contracts are guaranteed if a player is on the week one roster play into the Patriots cut-down decisions? Do you see Pierre Woods as playing a potential role after week one but the Pats not wanting to guarantee the contract? Or will they only be coming back in response to injury? -- Ted (Boston)
A: Ted, I'd put it in the latter category. I could see Woods back in the event of injuries, but I don't see his situation as one in which the team cut him so it didn't have to guarantee his salary. I'm sure there are something situations where that becomes a factor with cuts, but I don't see it in play with this one.
Q: I realize this is pretty deep down the roster, but why cut core special teams guys like Aiken/Woods and then trade for another special teams guy (Tracy White) the same day. White doesn't seem to have the size to hold up in a 3-4 while Woods/Aiken were at least capable of playing back up roles. -- Earl (Waltham, Mass.)
A: Earl, on the surface, that was a head-scratcher to me as well. Looking closer into it, the Patriots view White as one of the NFL's better special teams players, someone who will add an element of speed that Aiken and Woods do not have. I think that was their primary thinking behind making the move and giving up 2012 draft considerations to do so. It's a curious decision on the surface, to give something up for a nine-year veteran who is joining his fifth team, especially since the Eagles had announced he was released earlier in the day.
Q: Mike, can we put to bed the notion that the Patriots are going to "go back to their old Super Bowl ways" of game and clock management and pounding the ball to victories? If Belichick had any plans of doing that, he would have brought in some running backs in the offseason or during the draft. I can't believe people are getting excited over Fred Taylor as the starting back these days. The Patriots went into last sesaon with the same exact running backs and what happened? Morris and Taylor got injured, because thats what they do, and Laurence Maroney was inconsistent, because thats what he does. And it is what they will continue to do this season. The Patriots are going to do what they have done since 2006 when they decided that the running game was not worth their time. This means they are going to pass, pass, pass and hope this makes up for their young and inexperienced defense. -- Matt (Andover, Mass.)
A: Matt, it's a fair point, and is something that is addressed in "Bruschi's Breakdown" this week when the makeup of the 2010 Patriots is dissected. Bruschi agrees with you and explains why, basically saying that Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker are the team's best players, so the idea is to get them the ball. I think the Patriots need to balance it out a bit more and develop an attitude as a good situational running team. I've seen some steps in that direction this preseason. Now let's see if it shows up in the regular season.
Q: I am wondering why the Patriots are not being aggressive on the free-agent market. Are they still committed to winning? -- William Crowe (Tolleson, Ari.)
A: William, I thought the Patriots have been one of the more aggressive teams in the NFL this year in free agency, signing many of their own players to big deals, such as Vince Wilfork, Leigh Bodden and Tully Banta-Cain. Bill Belichick previously said that the team felt the best free agents were their own and that's why the club took that approach. One other thought I'd add is that free agency isn't always the cure-all that it's made out to be. The Redskins and Albert Haynesworth is one good example of that.
Q: Mike, you recently made a prediction for the 2010 season that Brandon Spikes should be in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year. I've been excited about this guy since the beginning of the '09 season at Florida, and was thrilled the Pats picked him up. I also agree, it's easy to notice his keen "instincts" as well as Bill Belichick's praise of it. However, it seems that he struggled during the preseason with any play that extended outside the tackles, routinely a step or two behind. My question is, based on your projection, is an ILB like Spikes mostly graded on what he's able to cover/blitz inside? If not, have you seen something different from Spikes when the ball goes outside the tackles? -- DavidC (Phoenix)
A: David, there have been a few plays where Spikes looked a step behind. When I wrote that Spikes would be in the discussion for defensive rookie of the year, my thinking was based on tackle statistics. I think he'll ring them up, playing in the middle of the defense.
Q: Mike, how do you think Butler & McCourty match up with T.O. and Ochocinco? -- Juan (San Francisco)
A: Juan, I think the big thing for those guys is to protect against the big play. I would expect them to have safety help over the top for a good part of the game. Overall, I think McCourty and Butler will fare well this season.
Q: Hi,Mike, with the loss of cornerback Leigh Bodden the Patriots have the youngest defensive backfield in the NFL. How do you think they are going to do through out the regular season? -- Ritul (Malden, Mass.)
A: I still like the defensive backfield. That's a lot of highly touted talent in 2007 first-round pick Brandon Meriweather (24th overall), 2009 second-round pick Patrick Chung (34th overall), 2009 second-round pick Darius Butler (41st overall) and 2010 first-round pick Devin McCourty (27th overall). They'll need some help from the pass rush, but I expect good things from that group.
Q: Who do you think would be a more productive fantasy tight end, Hernandez or Gronkowski? -- Sakeef (Va.)
A: I'd go with Gronkowski because I think he will be a primary target in the red zone.
Q: No more Derrick Burgess, the man who I had penciled in as an opening day starter at outside linebacker. It's not that I disagree with the decision (he did not look strong in the pre-season) but it surprises me given their lack of depth at the position. Am I the only one who wouldn't be surprised to see them come out in a 4-3 against the Bengals? -- Nick (Plymouth, Mass.)
A: Nick, I wouldn't be surprised if that is the case, as teams often don't tip their hands in the preseason as to their intentions. One thing I learned from talking to Tedy Bruschi is that when the Patriots played the Bengals in the past, one of the things they focused on was mixing their coverages to confuse Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, because there was some question as to how he could handle it. Maybe a switch to the 4-3, with some wrinkles in the secondary, is the way to go. The 3-4 didn't exactly inspire confidence late in the preseason, especially in the running game.
Q: Hey Mike, I was wondering where Aaron Hernandez and Jermaine Cunningham stand as far as returning for the regular season, I was hoping to see more playing time from both in the preseason. -- Mike (Philadelphia)
A: Mike, Hernandez was back at Monday's full-pads practice so he looks like a go for the season-opener. Cunningham, on the other hand, is still not 100 percent as he did not participate in the practice, so his status remains a question mark.
Q: Mike, do players have any say when they get placed on injured reserve or is it strictly the team's decision? If I were a player losing a year to IR would be tough to swallow if I thought I could come back at some point from an injury. -- Andy (Brighton, Mass.)
A: Andy, that is a team decision. While there can be some collaboration with the player, in the end, the club gets the call and sometimes that decision is made based on other roster factors. So let's use Nick Kaczur as an example. Right now, the Patriots are holding his roster spot as he remains sidelined with a back injury. But if they have a run of injuries elsewhere on the roster, they might just decide they can't wait any longer and place him on season-ending injured reserve.
Q: How big of a deal is it that Darelle Revis is back with the Jets? -- Avery (Trezevant, Tenn.)
A: Avery, I think it's significant from a Patriots perspective because we know how much success Revis had against Moss last year.
Q: Mike, interesting to see the Pats picked up Jeron Mastrud for their practice squad after he was released by the Bucs. Does this have anything to do with the Bucs claiming Larsen? Is there any etiquette to the NFL waiver process and subsequent signing of players to the practice squad? -- Neil (South Boston, Mass.)
A: Neil, I would say they are unrelated moves. There is no etiquette that I am aware of, as once players are placed on waivers, they are free to be claimed by any team. The Patriots claimed Steve Maneri from the Texans, so it wasn't like they were following any type of etiquette in that regard.
Q: Mike, can we expect any more trades or is the roster set? -- Andrew (Buffalo, N.Y.)
A: Andrew, I still think things are fluid and there is a possibility for more movement on the roster.
Q: Hi Mike - I was wondering if it would be possible for you to re-post (possibly with an update) the list of Pats bars from around the country? The one you posted a few months ago was nice but I can't find it now. -- Aaron (Washington, DC)
A: Aaron, here is the list. I'm not sure the specifics on Murphy's.
Q: For last week's e-mailer who was looking for a place to watch the game in Portland, Oregon: As a Portland resident, I don't usually favor chains, but I have always gone to Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown for Pats football and am quite happy with them. They have dozens of huge screens, early opening times on Sundays, and they're amazingly happy to have you there watching TV for hours at a time. Not a huge number of Pats fans, but I'm usually pretty loud when I'm there. -- Jeremy Waterman (Portland, Ore.)
A: Thanks Jeremy. I hear great things about Portland.
Q: Mike, we welcoming a new NFL season means that you now have accrued a year of ESPN experience. A happy anniversary. Would you sum up a year of your experience? Is there any change in the atmosphere of the Patriots beat writer team? -- MarkJ (Japan)
A: MarkJ, thanks for asking the question. Sept. 14 marks the one-year anniversary of ESPNBoston.com and it's been invigorating to be part of the site's initial growth. It looks like we'll continue to grow with some new writers/voices, with some exciting news ahead in that area. For me, probably the biggest change has been working with Tedy Bruschi. He really raises the bar and demands excellence. One of his favorite lines is "Hey, I'm just trying to win a championship here." I've learned a lot from working with him, both about football and how smart he is, and we're working hard to provide some added content on the site this year in the form of a podcast. A lot of that was sparked by Tedy's desire to get more involved in podcasts. While Tedy is out on the frontlines, we also have a great group of dedicated editors behind the scenes. This is a good time to say thank you to those readers who have made the site a daily destination. And for those who haven't just yet, we'll keep working to try to make that happen.
Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com. Follow him on Twitter.
Sources: Vikings CB Robinson has torn pec
14hBen Goessling
Chargers' Gates suspended 4 games for PEDs
2dEric D. Williams
Suspensions could affect Cowboys' postseason chances
3dTodd Archer
Fantasy football mock draft No. 2
2dTom Carpenter
NFC North Q&A: What would it take to supplant the Packers in the division?
5dMichael Rothstein
McKean: NFL win-total bets hit the hardest
3dGraham McKean
Mailbag: Doubt heading into opener?
9/7/2010 - Logan Mankins Stephen Gostkowski Rob Gronkowski Tom Brady Jr. Sammy Morris Laurence Maroney Fred Taylor Randy Moss Brandon Meriweather Devin McCourty Darius Butler New England Patriots + more


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The next batman film : made in Cambodia?
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Why do you consider the F650GS/F700GS a newbie or girl bike?
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Originally Posted by
I know most of you will say to just ride what you want and don't worry about what everybody else thinks but...
I get the impression that unless you are at least on a F800, you are settling on a inferior bike.
What I really don't understand is that the Vstrom DL650 is considered a perfectly respectable bike but has a smaller motor than the F650. How does that make any logical sense.
Is the F650/700 to BMW what a sportster is to HD? Will calling it a F700GS change the mindset?
I passed my driving licence in france on a F650GS twin. It was amazing and I loved it. After that I bought a F650GS single and now I have a F800GS. I don't think that the F650GS twin is an inferior bike. It's smooth and I don't think that the +14 (or somewhat) hp you get more from the F8GS is relevant. I took the 8GS because I wanted spoked wheels and a 6th gear for the highway. Since the F650GS twin is coming without the spoked wheels I got the F800GS (and honestly I dig the design of the 8GS). But anyway I don't think that I'd be unhappy with a 658gs. It's comfy, smooth, has all the options I like and a farkle list as long as my arm.
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Tribulations of Great Pokémon 11
by, 14th November 2012 at 12:21 PM (638 Views)
Here we are, in another chapter of Tribulations of Great Pokémon! This is the third time Generation 1 Pokémon are covered. The lack of votes from before is disappointing, so I hope today will be better. In this series, I will attempt to find out the troubles involved in raising certain great Pokémon in the games, because I believe that the potential of a Pokémon is similarly balanced by the troubles you need to go through to perfect them, which couldn't be experienced in simulators. Who did I pick today? Continue to read if you want to know.
As the first starter in the first Pokémon game, not to mention being a version mascot, Venusaur has a lot to live up to. While it is not quite popular among older players (Charizard wins this award), Venusaur is a solid choice nonetheless. Bulbasaur makes going through Kanto easier, due to the way the gym order is set up. In terms or competition though, Venusaur was squarely an above-average Pokémon. It has nice stats, good movepool and type combination, but falls short in some ways. However, all this changed in Generation 5, because Venusaur gained several new things to make it capable, mainly its new Hidden Ability Chlorophyll.
Venusaur is useful due to its excellent synergy under Sun. It possesses certain desirable characteristics, namely the ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, a resistance to Fighting, decent ability to confront waters and decent survivability. Chlorophyll is chief among all of these, because it turns Venusaur's average Speed into a blazing fast one under Sun (if able, it could beat Scarf Starmie!). It can then use its great choice of moves to wreak havoc. Growth is one of the possibilities, as it boosts Venusaur's offences great under Sun, turning it into a real powerhouse. Good thing it has good bulk, because it allows Venusaur to set up more easily. With neat attacks like Giga Drain, Sludge Bomb, Earthquake and Hidden Power, Venusaur isn't short on ways to hurt the opponent. Offence is not the only thing Venusaur has going for it: it can perform support quite well too. SubSeed (Substitute + Leech Seed) is great when you're fast, or you could use Sunny Day in the face of other weather induces. Don't forget that Venusaur learns Sleep Powder, which is an invaluable tool at incapacitating opponents. It's little wonder Venusaur is the premiere Chlorophyll user, even though there are other worthy ones.
Venusaur may be absolutely wonderful, but it is definitely not a perfect Pokémon. One problem is that, without Sun, it cannot perform its job as well, since Growth doesn't greatly boost offences otherwise, not to mention Venusaur becomes slower (and thus becomes more vulnerable to other naturally fast users). It is still faster than other weather inducers, so take note of this. Another problem is that Grass could never cover everything with another move, so a three move coverage is the way to go. Even with three moves, there is at least something that resists all moves, like Heatran resisting Sludge Bomb + Giga Drain + Hidden Power Fire and Dragonite taking the attack well after Sludge Bomb is replaced by Earthquake. Being weak to Ice Shard is another issue, but this isn't always fatal while Venusaur is healthy (Life Orb Mamoswine doesn't OHKO, as I had found out).
If you are looking to obtain a Chlorophyll Venusaur for real, you could get one now, but only if you are into Korean stuff (or are just only in it for Bulbasaur), because you get a password to obtain a Kanto starter of your choice with your copy of Pokémon Black and White, in Korean. Since they are male-only, you cannot breed them for more Chlorosaurs. This means you miss out on certain important Egg moves, notably Leaf Storm and Power Whip. This is a pity, because like Blaziken, if there is a female one, Venusaur becomes a lot better. If you don't know why I refer to Blaziken, it's because it gets Baton Pass (I covered this already, so visit the previous entry for more info).
Considering the rarity of Chlorosaur, I will put Venusaur under the "Balanced" camp, like Blaziken. The reason is, while Venusaur is easily great, its rarity keeps it from being a common face to face.
Verdict: Balanced [±0]
Slowbro is another long-time favourite, due to its dopey expression and its name ('cause "Bro" makes anything cooler). Even then, Slowbro's not a Pokémon to be underestimated either. Like Starmie, it is of the Water/Psychic-type, but it functions differently from its Water-type 'bro. Let's find out why Slowbro's a great Pokémon. Like Venusaur, Slowbro's usability is heightened by its new Hidden Ability, Regenerator.
One of Slowbro's perks is its great Defence. It allows Slowbro to take Physical hits well. While its Special Defence is not as good, it is still not bad. It also has something else that is essential for a wall: recovery. With Slack Off and Regenerator, Slowbro's hard to defeat normally. It is a great partner to Amoonguss, another Regenerator who can also absorb Poison, which Slowbro dislikes. Slowbro's resistances will come in handy against the multitude of Fighting-types out there, so it's not a bad idea to consider Slowbro on your team. Offensively, Slowbro's not too bad either. It could attack with a Water attack of choice, as well as a coverage move. Unlike most Water-types, Slowbro could learn Fire attacks. This gives it something to fend off Grass-, Bug- and Steel-types, something not many Water-types could do. If that's not all, it could even boost it further with Calm Mind, making it an absolute tank. Slowbro, as its name implies, is really slow, but its slowness also has certain advantages as well, such as taking less damage from faster Paybacks and being a great Trick Room user, but...
The low Speed is also a problem. For one, it is easily defeated by a strong and faster Special attacker like Rotom's forms and Thundurus. Being slow also makes it vulnerable to Taunt, so a Jellicent with this move will be able to stall Slowbro. Slowbro's also got some nasty weaknesses to common offensive types, so it has to watch out for ones it cannot take. It is also quite vulnerable to Toxic, because once it is being poisoned, it cannot function as a wall effectively.
Now for the tribulations. Slowpoke and Slowbro are medium to rare finds, even though they were common in the past. This must have something to do with the mass hunting of Slowpoke tails. However, this version of Slowpoke doesn't have constantly reliable abilities (although the immunity to Machamp's Dynamic Punches are awesome). Instead, the Dream World is the way to go. Regenerator ones are obtained at the Sparkling Sea. If you have the original Black and White, you need to earn all 8 badges in the quest and obtain 5000 points. However, in the sequels, you don't need to get busy with progress, as it's a default area. When it comes to training one, it's not that bad, actually. Since Regenerator recovers HP after every battle, you don't need to worry too much about low HP after taking hits (since Slowpoke/Slowbro's slow, after all). Still, evolving at Level 37 takes time.
Unfortunately, that's basically all I could find for Slowbro. The only hurdle you need to cross is so far not that hard to obtain if you get Black 2 and White 2. Moreover, Slowbro doesn't have any Egg Moves it needs. This is not quite as balanced as its advantages of walling and supporting, making Slowbro an unbalanced Pokémon in favour of performance.
Verdict: Somewhat Balanced [+2]
Jynx is somewhat a controversial Pokémon back in the days when Pokémon was a hot thing. As a result of this, its skin becomes purple, which is better than black, I guess. So, Jynx is yet another Pokémon who benefit from its Dream World ability immensely, giving it not only an immunity, but a health source under Rain.
One of Jynx's benefits is certainly Dry Skin. With this, it threatens the average Water-type due to being immune to their main STAB and resisting Ice. Not only that, it works quite well at countering and working with Rain teams (note that rain recovers more than Life Orb's recoil, making it a good item to use). With an Ice-STAB, its Ice attacks also pack a punch. In case it faces something it cannot hit well (say, Fire-types), it can resort to its exclusive Sleep move Lovely Kiss, giving you a free turn to do something like, say, set up a Nasty Plot or Substitute. You could even go all-out offensive with it too, carrying moves like Focus Blast, Psyshock and Energy Ball. In Generation 1, Blizzard's accuracy was great (90%!), which made Jynx dangerous, since Psychic was also a great type to be as well.
Not all is well for Jynx, however. Firstly, while its Special stats are quite good, its Physical stats are rather subpar. This means that, a powerful Physical attacker could end Jynx's life quite easily, especially one that hits multiple times like Cinccino and Klinklang (due to Substitute) or powerful priority attacks like Bullet Punch and Mach Punch. Its type combination also presents it with weaknesses that even its Special Defence won't help, so as long as the opponent used a powerful Fire or Ghost attack, Jynx could be history.
One thing about Jynx is that it is a female-only Pokémon. This essentially means that there is no worry about getting the "incorrect" gender. However, Jynx is not exactly a common sight. In the areas you can catch wild ones, it is hovering at the 10% rate. Smoochum's no better, considering it has the same rarity. Jynx was also a traded Pokémon in Red and Green, in which you need to give up a Poliwhirl. However, Jynx's two default abilities are not the reason for its usefulness.
The main ability Jynx should have is Dry Skin, which is obtained in Spooky Manor, one of Dream World's locations. Fortunately, there is no point requirement to meet Smoochum. However, if you do this, you will be missing out on past Generation moves. Don't worry about it: there is nothing of note that Jynx cannot learn now (maybe it will miss out on Metronome and Mimic (for that glitch), but neither move mattered). There is one move of note that Jynx learns only through breeding: Nasty Plot. As of now, there are three lines of direct parents with this move, and Chimchar learns it the earliest. Since Chimchar is usually male, that's not hard to get. Smoochum does have a slightly long hatching time, though.
Now the big question: is Jynx balanced? Performance-wise, Jynx is quite balanced, since it is decently powerful with a certain drawback (remember that low Defence?). When obtaining it, I would say it is also, due to certain hurdles to overcome. Jynx's best ability is a Hidden Ability, and Nasty Plot is an Egg Move (that requires decent effort to get).
Verdict: Balanced [±0]
Ditto is something of an oddball. It is the only Pokémon who could breed with anything that can breed, with the addition to legendary Pokémon Manaphy. Because of this, Ditto is very useful if you want to breed for female versions of dominantly male species (starters, fossils, giveaways), or any Pokémon with great Individual Values. Beyond that, it was not a Pokémon to pick for battling because it only learns one move, and it is not very good at using it due to its low stats. That all changed when Ditto was given its new Hidden Ability: Impostor.
The way Impostor works is, when Ditto switches into a target, it will immediately copy a target, right down to how many boosts they accumulated. Due to this, it is popular to pack a Choice Scarf to become faster than its opponent, essentially allowing it to revenge-kill an offensively-boosted opponent such as Dragon Dance or Swords Dance boosters. HP is the only stat that isn't copied, therefore you could maximise your HP for more survivability. At max HP, Ditto has the same HP as a Tornadus that doesn't invest in HP EVs. If you are gutsy, you could pack other types of items, like Quick Claw (allowing for a first turn 60% of the time) or Red Card (against bulky boosters).
Unfortunately, Impostor also has limitations. It doesn't work if the opponent is behind a Substitute, or if the opponent is under an Illusion (giving them away as a result). Hidden Power's type doesn't get copied either, so you need to plan the IVs yourself to get the most out of it. If using Choice Scarf, Ditto will also have trouble against a bulky booster since Ditto's HP and PP (the side effect of Transform) is low, so it normally cannot outlast its opponent that way. Also, smart opponents could pack a counter to their own teammate in order to better deal with a Ditto should they see one.
Normally, when you find Ditto, it will have Limber, since this is its default ability. This ability isn't the best on Ditto, since you need a turn to set up a Transform, and that gives the opponent a free turn or an opportunity to harm Ditto. The one with Impostor, on the other hand, is not as easy to find. You see, if you want to get one, you need to search a Hidden Grotto in Black 2 and White 2 for one. Like Jynx, Ditto is located in the Hidden Grotto of Giant Chasm (Kyurem's location). Being late in the game, you won't find it immediately. In addition to that, you don't always get to find a Ditto (since you might find other Pokémon or even items), so it's going to take some time to find one. Before I forget, I should mention that Ditto, despite being a universal breeder, cannot breed with its own species, which essentially means you cannot resort to breeding to get a Ditto with a perfect IV. Fortunately, HP is the only one that matters, making this an easier task.
It's easy to see how Ditto is a balanced Pokémon. It's not easy to find, but if you do, you have a flexible (heh) Pokémon in your hands that you can use in any metagame. From its revenge-killing capabilities to its scouting powers, Ditto is a decent pick for a teammate.
Verdict: Balanced [±0]
Unlike the other examples in this list, Vaporeon became great not because of its new Hidden Ability, although that ability is still very good. Anyway, as one of the first Eeveelutions, Vaporeon is considered something of a darling among the fans, for reasons I don't comprehend. Along with Jolteon, it managed to stay popular due to its strengths. Unfortunately, Flareon doesn't have the same privilege unless a miracle happens. So, let's get right into what makes Vaporeon a great Water-type.
The first thing you will notice on Vaporeon is its three best stats: HP, Special Attack and Special Defence. Based on this, its Special durability is really one of the best things going for it, and its power is not too bad either, allowing it to hit back when needed to. Since Water-types are really the only obstacle it has, Toxic will patch up some problems. Add Scald to the mix, and it works really well as a staller since a lucky burn from Scald will aid its lower Physical durability. Water Absorb is naturally a nice ability to have, since being immune to one of the great offensive types in the game is neat. However, Hydration is not so bad either, since you get full recovery in Rain if Rest is used, making Vaporeon really frustrating to take out indeed! That's not all it could do, though. Wish, a move shared among the Eeveelutions, is quite useful to Vaporeon, since its HP is high, allowing another teammate to recover lots of HP. As a Baton Pass supporter, Vaporeon's main strength is to pass Defence, since it learns Acid Armour, and with this move, it will become really, really resilient!
Vaporeon is not a perfect Pokemon, even though I made it sound like it is invincible. If it were true, it will be banned for sure, but it's not, so let's find out why. Vaporeon suffers from what is called a four moveslot syndrome. Basically, it cannot do everything with just four moves, as forgoing a move makes it vulnerable to something. For example, removing Toxic will make it susceptible to certain bulky Water-types, and forgoing Ice Beam makes it vulnerable to Grass-types (especially Ferrothorn). While Vaporeon's defensive capabilities seem great, it doesn't fare well against powerful super-effective attacks like Rotom's Electric attacks or Virizion's Leaf Blade (and Genesect). If Vaporeon isn't one with Heal Bell or even Hydration, it will have trouble with Toxic. Finally, the premiere Special wall Blissey/Chansey will ensure that Vaporeon won't do much to the team, since both could stand up against it.
Tribulation time! Well, as a proud member of the Eevee family, it is already subjected to the difficulty of obtaining a female species. It's going to take a while to get a female one too, considering how you need 36 cycles (9180 steps) to hatch each egg. As a gift Pokémon, this is quite troublesome indeed. If you want, you could also attempt to find one at Castelia Park, but with a 5% chance to encounter each one, getting a female species is also going to take a while if you are not lucky (although it's not as bad as hatching eggs, which you need to do in previous generations). Why do you need a female Eevee? Besides collecting the Eeveelutions, Vaporeon can only learn Wish (and Yawn) from something else. A Hydration variant isn't as dependent on said Egg Moves, so you could pass the need of a female Dream World Eevee if going for Vaporeon.
By the way, don't be hasty when evolving Eevee if you are looking to learn Baton Pass. If you are going to pass Acid Armour, you will need to relearn it in Black 2 and White 2. For Heal Bell, it's a Move Tutor (at an OK price or 4 Yellow Shards). Most others are obtained through TMs or HM (in the case of Surf). Ultimately though, you have to pick your moves wisely, because as I have said before, Vaporeon cannot cater to covering everything (although this unpredictability is an appealing quality).
Finally, is Vaporeon balanced? Vaporeon is decently hard to obtain, but its battle performance is not too shabby. It certainly has the versatility with its good stat distribution, only marred by the inability to cover everything. Compared to the rest of the Eeveelutions, Vaporeon is top-tier. I am leaning on unbalanced for this one.
Verdict: Almost Balanced [+1]
One done! Now that that's over, it's time to pick the next five Pokémon, this time from Generation 2. Remember that these Pokémon must be great in competitive battling, or at least usable in some way. No length conclusion this time, but I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I have writing it.
Thanks for reading.
Chosen Pokémon that are done (meaning, they can't be picked):
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Auction.com Promotes Jake Seid to Co-President and Opens Silicon Valley Office with Key Hires from Leading Technology Companies Business Wire IRVINE, Calif. & BELMONT, Calif. -- April 4, 2013 Auction.com, the world's largest online real estate marketplace, today announced that it has promoted Jake Seid to Co-President, with shared oversight of all day-to-day operations, and established an office in Belmont, Calif., to tap the talent pool in Silicon Valley. Seid, who joined Auction.com in 2011, has extensive experience in technology management and operations. Previous to Auction.com, he was a Managing Director at Lightspeed Venture Partners, where he was a member of the investment committee and led investments domestically and abroad. Seid was an early member of Cisco System's Cable Business Unit which grew from a $1 million to a $1 billion revenue run rate and over 90% market share. He was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2009 and has served on numerous boards of directors. Seid holds a M. Eng. and a SB in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "In the short time Jake has been with Auction.com, he has contributed significantly to both our strategy and operational execution," said Jeff Frieden, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Auction.com. "He was also the driver behind establishing our Silicon Valley presence and the strong executive talent we've recruited there." Auction.com is transforming the way real estate is bought and sold through a more efficient and transparent process that maximizes the value of real estate assets in the sales process. Its Silicon Valley technology and product teams are building the company's next generation platform, products and services to support Auction.com's rapidly scaling domestic and international businesses. The Silicon Valley office will also be home to key team members across marketing, finance, and legal. "Real estate transactions have largely been conducted in the same manner for decades and the industry is ripe for technology-driven change," said Jake Seid, Co-President of Auction.com. "We established a Silicon Valley presence to attract the top-tier talent we need to drive our strategy to revolutionize the online sale of commercial and residential assets." Among the company's key hires in the Bay Area include its Chief Financial Officer Bruce Felt, previously CFO of SuccessFactors; Chief Technology Officer Ravi Keswani, formerly Vice President of Engineering at Betfair and Coupons.com; Vice President of Data Products Sheridan Hitchens, previously with Kabam; Vice President of Customer Experience David Stern, who was formerly with Electronic Arts and eBay; Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Mindy Heppberger, previously Deputy General Counsel of Yahoo!; and Head of Product Kate Hannah, previously with Betfair and an early employee of its predecessor company. Auction.com counts among its staff veterans of Cisco, Google, Microsoft, PayPal, StumbleUpon, Trulia, and Zynga. Contact: The Hoyt Organization Kent Barrett 310-373-0103 firstname.lastname@example.com
Auction.com Promotes Jake Seid to Co-President and Opens Silicon Valley Office with Key Hires from Leading Technology Companies
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No. 23 on our countdown to Saints training camp presented by Verizon
Taking a look at what's being written about the Saints and the NFL
Top 25 reasons to get excited about New Orleans Saints training camp: Checking out how new cornerback Brandon Browner gels with his former college teammate Keenan Lewis. Video by Justin Stout (New Orleans saints video)
Top 25 reasons to get excited about Saits Training Camp: Seeing Andrus Peat in pads. Video by Justin Stout. (New Orleans Saints video)
Photos from the 2015 New Orleans Saintsations Media Day. Photos by Alex Restrepo. (New Orleans Saints photos)
75 days until the Saints regular season begins. Video by Ashley Amoss (New Orleans Saints)
The best bloopers from Saintsation Media Day 2015. Video by Ashley Amoss (New Orleans Saints video).
Which 2015 regular season home game will be the toughest for the Saints?
Since 2006, Drew Brees has engineered 25 regular season drives in the fourth quarter or overtime for a touchdown or field goal to lead the Saints to victory from a deficit or tie. The 25 drives are fourth in the NFL since 2006. Brees has engineered three of these drives in the playoffs.


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Towson U. basketball
Tiger Arena to debut with 2 games vs. Navy
The Towson men's and women's basketball teams will open Tiger Arena with a doubleheader against Navy on Nov. 8, 2013, the school announced Thursday. Times for both games are still to be determined, along with the rest of the men's and women's basketball schedules. "We're excited to welcome the Naval Academy for the first basketball games to be played inside Tiger Arena," Towson men's basketball coach Pat Skerry said. "The atmosphere should be electric as our fans will have their first chance to step in to the nicest arena in the Mid-Atlantic." The venue will feature premium mezzanine-level private suites, about 340 premium loge club seats around the top of the lower bowl, and 120 courtside seats.


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The two are not allowed to contact each other for the next two years, as she is considered his victim.
But even in my days (when I headed the ISI) we never had any contact with him.
I had to draw the line so close to myself that I essentially gave up almost any contact with married men.
1620s, "action of touching," from Latin contactus "a touching," from past participle of contingere "to touch, seize," from com- "together" (see com-) + tangere "to touch" (see tangent).
Figurative sense of "connection, communication" is from 1818. As a signal to the person about to spin an aircraft propeller that the ignition is switched on, the word was in use by 1913. Contact lens is first recorded 1888; short form contact is from 1961.
1834, "put in contact," from contact (n.). Meaning "get in touch with" is 1927, American English. Related: Contacted; contacting.
contact con·tact (kŏn'tākt')
A coming together or touching, as of bodies or surfaces.
A person recently exposed to a contagious disease, usually through close association with an infected individual.
Of, sustaining, or making contact.
Caused or transmitted by touching, as a rash.