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Some pleasures are discovered by accident.
Sprawled out over the king size bed, I listened to the faint sound of running water. My friend was having a morning shower and I was left alone. Her parents had gone on vacation together with her brother, so we were alone at her house for a whole week. Being a little more than just friends we had decided to occupy the parents' bed. In my boredom I sighed, closed my eyes and just listened....Read On
Added: 27 Aug 2015 | Category: Exhibitionism |
Avg Score: 4.92 |
Words: 1,609 |
Tags: lesbian masturbation toys dildo
| 7 Comments
It was exasperating, she really did need to cram for her boards, but it was also exhilarating.
Textbooks and study notes showered down from the bouncing mattress of a venerable four-poster bed as a long, thick, column of rigid flesh kept up a steady rhythm of lust and need, surging back and forth past stretched, slightly irritated pussy lips that clutch tightly around the unyielding shaft relentlessly cramming its engorged cock head into the inner most depths of a wet, stuffed...Read On
Added: 27 Aug 2015 | Category: Quickie Sex |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 628 |
Tags: straight sex newlywed sex umpteenth-time sex little reluctance no seduction flash erotica
| 6 Comments
I was enjoying my surveliance of the sorority house .
I watched as the mistress stood between her sub's legs, and after telling her that she was not allowed to cum until told to do so, put her strap on cock into her sub's pussy. The sub let out a moan of pleasure but since she was tied the way she was, she did not move her body at all. Any movement would pull the chain attached to her nipple clamps. I heard the purr of the vibrator in the...Read On
Added: 27 Aug 2015 | Category: Voyeur |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 807 |
Tags: watching pussy vibrator dom sub
| 11 Comments
Special thanks to BethanyFrasier for editing
Lucifer's Bow, a ring of harbor buoys, now shrouded by fog. So distant they seem, when the fish don't bite, but things have a way of cutting through the fog. * Gray went into the bathroom and scrubbed his face. He removed all the make-up, and then stepped into the shower to wash himself off, making sure the water was icy. His sphincter was still tingling from all the thrusting and pounding...Read On
Added: 26 Aug 2015 | Category: Taboo |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 1,697 |
Tags: taboo
| 9 Comments
I was invited to a party, I soon found out what kind of party it was!
It was the kind of party that I had never been to. You could have said that I was naïve when I accepted the invitation but then there was no real need to be otherwise. After leaving the party I was more than curious about everyone else that was there. I was on a high. I was invited by a friend from work. I would know only her at the party and would be reliant on a stunted conversation with...Read On
Added: 26 Aug 2015 | Category: Group Sex |
Avg Score: 4.95 |
Words: 2,934 |
Tags: oral fun games anal confessions party
| 10 Comments
Nestled within the Victorian hinterland lies a seductive power beyond comprehension.
Extract from the Journal of Patient Trokes, A. (Kept in shorthand) The lanterns aboard the Brougham carriage provided the only light by which to see. The dirt road was black as charcoal and the surrounding countryside deserted. The onset of autumn had stripped the trees of foliage; their wizened branches gouged the sky, searching for warmth and daylight so distant it was a forlorn...Read On
Added: 26 Aug 2015 | Category: Historical |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 4,988 |
Tags: historical seduction supernatural teasing
| 17 Comments
The best birthday party ever!
Chapter 2: The Party Twice Interrupted Starial instructs me to get up. She has me kneel at the end of he bench. I lie forward so that I am in a doggy position. My upper body is supported by the bench. I can't see Starial, but I sense she is giving hand signals for the girls to take their places. I raise up on my elbows to look around. Yanina straddles the bench and sits facing me....Read On
Added: 26 Aug 2015 | Category: Group Sex |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 8,753 |
Tags: orgy cosplay group anal dp oral cum-swapping
| 9 Comments
Katie's late nights arouse Frankie's suspicions
I sat up and rubbed my eyes. After a moment I figured out that the irritating noise I was hearing was the television. It was still on. I focused my attention. A gray haired man wearing a gaudy shirt with a long pointed collar and an attractive young blond were hawking an anthology of classic disco music. I realized that I must have fallen asleep in my chair. I stood up and glanced at...Read On
Added: 26 Aug 2015 | Category: Cheating |
Avg Score: 4.98 |
Words: 4,385 |
Tags: love romance cheating
| 38 Comments
Spies, sex and serendipity's smorgasbord. The cold war--gloves, hats and sexy spy-craft.
Everyone knows the name Kim Philby. You all know the notorious Cambridge Five spy ring. Unlike that famous quintet you have never heard this tale before. You have never heard the name, "Jean de Langham," unless perhaps you are a massive fifties film fan. So sit down, pour a scotch, grab a cigarette if you're so inclined, and listen up. The Soviet Cheka was more professional than most...Read On
Added: 26 Aug 2015 | Category: Historical |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 4,921 |
Tags: spy cold war love deception communism
| 29 Comments
I thought I would never hear from Charlotte again after what she had done.
Charlotte had used sex with me to get back at her step-mother, Gloria, my ex-wife. They didn't get along and having sex with me was her revenge, her ultimate gotcha. It was a sucker punch to me. I was a little suspicious of her intense interest in me, but at the time I didn't care if it got her into my bed. She was a gorgeous eighteen year-old and I wanted her. It's been over three...Read On
Added: 26 Aug 2015 | Category: Oral Sex |
Avg Score: 4.44 |
Words: 1,101 |
Tags: oral sex teenager
| 8 Comments
A wife shares her dirty little secret
I know he's there, even if he isn't. What I mean is that I can never know if he's there, but he's so real in my mind that he's always there when I perform. Oh dear, I'm not explaining this very well, am I? It's like this. My husband, John, spends every other working week abroad. I've never had any reason to imagine that he's been anything other than completely faithful to me, but at the...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Wife Lovers |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 7,680 |
Tags: masturbation exhibitionism voyeur stranger husband toys
| 9 Comments
A couple have an unexpected threesome
My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and we asked our babysitter to come over. Sandy is a young woman who's nineteen, very reliable and always available to make some money. She's so good with our children and we've had her babysit our children for the last few years. Our children just love her to death. Rex and I were celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary....Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Group Sex |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 2,136 |
Tags: babysitter masturbation oral sex squirting threesome mff rimming
| 62 Comments
Listen to what I want
Let me tell you what I want. I want you to know what gets me hot and worked up. What you can do to me to get my juices flowing freely from my pussy. I want you to fill me. I want your cock buried so deep inside me that I see stars and my whole body shakes from the pounding you're giving me. I want you to fuck me, until your cock explodes plastering my pussy with your creamy load. I'm...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Straight Sex |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 1,273 |
Tags: audio rough tit wank blow job straight sex fucking cum
| 38 Comments
"Luke?" She'd answered in the midst of the fifth ring, right before her phone went to voicemail, her voice soft and hesitant. I paused, listening carefully as she fought to catch her breath, her breathing shallow and quick, enjoying the moment for as long as I dared before speaking. "You forget something?" It wasn't a question, and I could tell by her silence that she knew it. I let...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Flash Erotica |
Avg Score: 4.89 |
Words: 886 |
Tags: alice masturbation giantlizardsnamedgeorge
| 26 Comments
A confused Laura gets a surprise in the woods
It had been three weeks since the night Laura witnessed Jamey losing her virginity to Dean. The vision of the young woman, lowering her young frame unto the thick cock sticking upright from the young man's groin, plagued Laura to the point of screaming with frustration. Her frustration caused numerous self-induced, or otherwise, mechanical, releases from her selection of toys. The...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Voyeur |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 2,699 |
Tags: exhibitionism bi sexual straight sex cumming teasing taboo
| 1 Comment
Cali's beach run turns into a romantic affair
Preface: This story, (Chapter Two) is self-contained and may be read as a standalone story, but you will benefit from the character development of reading the first story. Chapter One is not marked as such, as I never intended on writing more chapters, but some readers fell in love with these characters and asked for more. So relax and enjoy more teasing banter, and sexual fun, with...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Straight Sex |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 4,894 |
Tags: romance playful banter lust hard sex teases laughter soul searching
| 15 Comments
Was it a dream, or reality?
Street lights flickered on and the sidewalks glistened from the remnants of an earlier shower. I stopped to gaze in a store window to see if the red pumps I was drooling for were still there. A man was blocking my view, but then I changed my attention to the most delicious set of glutes I had ever seen. He was about 6'4" and his broad shoulders told me he wasn't afraid of hard work. I...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Seduction |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 1,346 |
Tags: erotic wet delightful.
| 4 Comments
Teresa gets more than a movie at the theater.
As Teresa walked into the movie theater, she remembered the previous day with her lover. She was with her niece now, who knew nothing about the relationship. A relationship, if you could call it that, which was on its third year. An arrangement was a more appropriate word, Teresa thought to herself. Every Monday, her and her male friend, Michael, would meet at his house for a few hours of...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Quickie Sex |
Avg Score: 4.83 |
Words: 1,157 |
Tags: quickie sex secret fb
| 14 Comments
You punish Danielle for sucking another man's cock
"So, what do you want me to do as 'punishment'?" Danielle asks as the two of you enter her apartment. "A quick blowjob?" "No," you say. "I want to tie you up." Danielle is surprised by your wish but goes along with it, thinking that this might spice up your sex life. Like that's necessary. The two of you walk into the bedroom and Danielle starts to undress. You help her out of her...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Straight Sex |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 2,400 |
Tags: oral sex vaginal sex anal sex punishment
| 2 Comments
I Can't Believe It Happened...
My wife, step-daughter and I took a vacation. It was something well-deserved, and we desperately needed to get away. To make it a bit more enjoyable, and to give my step-daughter some company, we'd agreed to let her take a friend. I knew Katie through her parents, and my step-daughter and her, although being "friends", weren't technically that close. Why my step-daughter chose to take her...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Taboo |
Avg Score: 4.71 |
Words: 1,529 |
Tags: voyeur orgasm taboo sex step-daughter masturbation
| 13 Comments
Thank You JWren for taking the time to edit my story.
My name is Joy and I've been married to Kevin for most of our adult lives. Although it's been an unhappy and sexless marriage for many years, we have never to my knowledge cheated. It's just something I've never thought about, even though we are more like roommates than a married couple. I'm 5'4" and have long brown hair and brown eyes. I try to stay in shape and healthy with regular...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Cheating |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 2,054 |
Tags: lust sucking sex anal
| 41 Comments
We met for the first time in person
We had never met in person, but Gingersnap1993 had amazing photos online. We had been speaking for about two weeks when we decided to meet. We had used various websites, moving from a dating site, to snapchat, to texting each other almost obsessively because of the connection that we had made almost immediately. She wanted to come to my house and fulfill a fantasy of mine that I 'd had...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: BDSM |
Avg Score: 3.75 |
Words: 1,881 |
Tags: first-time bondage fun hardcore ice bdsm. pussy
| 1 Comment
When she meets the god of death, is he everything she imagined?
I have watched over earth for thousands of years, and my existence has faded to myth and legend. Over time, my kin became mere shadows of the beings they once were, until they disappeared altogether. My wife, Persephone, was the first to disappear. More like a companion than a wife, she had long been without purpose. I am the only one left with a job; to care for the dead. Since my...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Fantasy & Sci-Fi |
Avg Score: 4.67 |
Words: 3,083 |
Tags: firsttime hades oral bigcock virgin
| 5 Comments
Claire and Karl's relationship takes a new turn
They walked the short journey to the Ye Olde Village Pub. Karl's fingers brushed against hers along the route and Claire was quick to pull away. "Can't I hold your hand?" he joked. "Stop it," Claire said quietly, with a smile. "Can I touch your pussy then?" "Ssssssh." "It will be a different story later this afternoon when I'm taking your knickers off," he told her. "You're...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Cuckold |
Avg Score: 4.67 |
Words: 2,341 |
Tags: wife lovers interracial teasing oral sex spanking domination office sex
| 22 Comments
Jacqui and I enjoy the rest of the evening with our new friend.
Robert I couldn't believe how long this was taking. What the heck are those two women doing, taking a nap? Apparently they'd decided to leave me in the living room alone for the night and do their own thing, whatever that might be. My cock was hard as a rock. I got up to wander around, getting another glass of wine. Ugh, I didn't like it, but thought it might calm my nerves a little...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Seduction |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 3,109 |
Tags: waitress modeling teasing
| 7 Comments
Playing at the beach
On the 30th of December 2014, James and I went to an unofficial nude beach. As those that have read our other stories would know, whenever we go on our "adventures" I usually wear as little as possible. This was no different. My outfit consisted of a tiny pink skirt that did not cover my ass fully, no panties (obviously), a brand new buttoned crop top and no bra (even more obvious). The new...Read On
Added: 25 Aug 2015 | Category: Exhibitionism |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 2,855 |
Tags: exhibitionist exhibitionism nude beach
| 2 Comments
This is the story of my second sexual encounter with an older man
I found myself very horny for a man's penis one Friday and decided that I was going to fulfill my desire. I got online and began to chat with an older black man who wanted to play. I told him that I was in the mood to give a blowjob to a Daddy and maybe more. He wanted to feed his dick to a younger bi and was into the idea of hooking up with me. He invited me over to his place and told me that...Read On
Added: 24 Aug 2015 | Category: Gay Male |
Avg Score: 3.9 |
Words: 631 |
Tags: mature/young interracial bisexual blowjobs bbc anal daddy
| 4 Comments
An attorney finds passion with a young paralegal.
Taylor pressed her security badge against the electronic panel. She heard the lock click and opened the door into the law firm where she worked. It was just a little past six in the morning and as usual, she was the first one at work. She walked down the short hallway and entered her office. She frowned, noticing that the huge stacks of papers on her desk hadn't magically gotten any...Read On
Added: 24 Aug 2015 | Category: Interracial |
Avg Score: 5 |
Words: 6,964 |
Tags: office black white
| 8 Comments
Another day in the life of me
My family, which consists of my significant other and his child, planned a weekday trip to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, two weeks in advance. We do this a few times each summer since his family owns a house there. When he allows a friend of his child to join us, it becomes a sexless vacation. The beach is white and the town center has plenty of amusements, games, and restaurants open to...Read On
Added: 24 Aug 2015 | Category: Straight Sex |
Avg Score: 4.86 |
Words: 2,251 |
Tags: cheating french vacation beach
| 13 Comments
A glance on the dance floor escalated quicker than anticipated.
I read on the internet that this weekend was the 'freezy' festival in my town, three nights of free live music, street food and DJs. I decided to go on that same Friday night to enjoy the atmosphere and the crowd even though I didn't know any of the artists playing. My flat-mate Marcus decided to tag along. He checked with me whether his converse or shoes complemented his casual shorts...Read On
Added: 24 Aug 2015 | Category: Quickie Sex |
Avg Score: 4 |
Words: 2,200 |
| 1 Comment


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If you're looking for some VB clothing, RBH has a coupon code good for all of August. I received the following e-mail last week:
It is hard for us to believe, but RBH Designs has now entered year 12! To say thank you to our loyal customers we are offering a 15% discount on our insulated footwear, handwear and apparel. (Bonded socks are excluded). This offer will run August 1st to August 31, 2009. Be sure to enter Code 080109-15 under "comments" when you place your online order. Keep in mind that we are a small company and still make products as orders come in, so lead-time will vary. Your card will not be charged until your order is ready to be shipped. Again our thanks for your loyalty and for spreading the word about the merits of VaprThrm® and RBH Designs' products. Visit us online at www.rbhdesigns.com With warm regards,Nancy and Ryan
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subset: commoncrawl


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- Northern New York Newspapers
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The Celtics used the inside/outside combination of Zane Ramsdell and Breton LaRose to record two wins and capture the championship of the OBGC Boys Basketball League this past Wednesday night in action at Thomas P. Luckie Sr. Court. The Celtics downed the Mavs in the playoff finals 65-55 after defeating the Thunder 56-44 in the semis.
The Mavs advanced to the finals by besting the undefeated regular season champion Lakers 58-45 in the other semi-finals. Post-game awards saw the Lakers honored as the regular season champions, the Celtics the play-off champions, Colin OBryan as the Outstanding Defensive Player, Zane Ramsdell as the Outstanding Offensive Player and long-time club league participants Matt Kendall and Sean Love earning the Sportsmanship Award for their leadership and effort during the season. The club league continues to be successful because of the volunteer efforts of officials from IAABO Board #47 and the North Country Girls Basketball Board who officiate the games throughout the season.
Finals- Celtics (65) Mavs (55)- Ramsdell 19 points and LaRose 18 points led the way to the championship and Andrew Cole hit his fourth three-pointer of the night after the Mavs had cut the deficit to 5 with two minutes left. Zach Kanaly scored 6 of his 8 points in the decisive fourth quarter. The Mavs were led by Matt Piercey with 23 points and Garret Kinnon with 13.
Semi-Finals- Celtics (56) Thunder (44)- LaRose 19 and Ramsdell 15 led the way again as the Celtics used a 20-12 fourth quarter advantage for to pull-away. Ramsdell jump started the offense by scoring 9 first quarter points. Andrew Cole, Marcus Johnson and Connor Hannan added 6 each. The thunder were led by Matt Kendall with 14 points and Josh Liebstein adding 12.
Semi-Finals- Mavs (58) Lakers (45)- The Mavs upset the Lakers as Matt Piercey 19 points, Garret Kinnon 15 points and Jon Rogers 11 points led a solid team effort. The Lakers were led by Colin OBryan with 15 points and Pat Cosmo with 13 points.
Celtics (65)- Ramsdell 9-1-19, LaRose 3-2-6-18, Hannan 0-2-0-6, Kanaly 4-0-8, Cole 0-4-0-12, Brady 1-0-2, Totals 17-8-6-65
Mavs- (55)- Tully 0-1-0-3, Rogers 3-0-6, Piercey 3-5-2-23, Kinnon 5-3-13, Love 2-0-4, Pinkerton 0-1-1, Bouchard 0-1-1-4, Totals 13-7-8-55
Officials- Spencer Finnegan, John Free, Chris Showers
Celtics (56)- Cole 0-2-0-6, LaRose 6-1-4-19, Ramsdell 7-1-15, Kanaly 0-2-2, Hannan 2-0-4, Johnson ,Ma. 3-0-6, Brady 2-0-4, Totals 20-3-7-56
Thunder (44)- Volmer 1-0-2, Liebstein 6-0-12, Kendall 3-2-2-14, Gleason 1-0-2, Rease 2-1-0-7, Manke 2-3-7, Totals 15-3-5-44
Officials- Matt Caufield, Pat Farrell, Spencer Finnegan
Mavs (58)- Love 3-0-6, Bouchard 1-1-0-5, Johnson, Mes. 1-0-2, Kinnon 5-1-2-15, Piercey 6-1-4-19,Rogers 4-1-0-11, Totals 20-4-6-58
Lakers (45)-Palmer 0-1-1, Johnson 4-0-8, OBryan 5-1-2-15, Brady 1-0-2, Cosmo 6-1-13, White 2-1-5-, Totals 18-1-6-45
Officials- Kevin Kendall, Chris Showers
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The MPT Archive
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Denotes poems featured on this website. Click on link to view.You may also purchase the issue in which poems appear in MPT's online bookshop.
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- Ludwig UhlandFour Poems Translated by Oliver ReynoldsIssue: Series 3 No. 13 - Transplants
- Ko UnSpring days are passingTranslated by Brother Anthony, Lee Sang-WhaIssue: Series 3 Number 18 - Transitions
- Liliana UrsuHarmonia MundiTranslated by Mihaela MoscaliucIssue: 2013 Number 2 - Between Clay and Star
- Galina UsovaI'm from an age over there ... Translated by Ann ZellIssue: Series 3 No.15 - Poetry and the State
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Naples loses a second round in boat speed case
NAPLES - Naples has lost a second round in its longstanding feud with charter fishing boat captains over slow speed zones on Naples Bay.
The city had appealed a decision by Collier County Judge Michael Provost in 2012 that tossed out the city's speed zones on the grounds that the city didn't have a valid speed zone law on the books.
Two boat captains pushed the issue by challenging tickets they received after they purposely violated a controversial go-slow zone expansion the city adopted in 2004.
A panel of three circuit court judges has upheld Provost's decision, but with a legal wrinkle.
City Attorney Bob Pritt has notified council members that he's reviewing whether the city should ask for a rehearing. The City Council plans to discuss the matter at its Wednesday meeting in council chambers at City Hall on Eighth Street South.
"As far as I'm concerned, we're finished with this," Naples Mayor John Sorey said Monday, calling the decision "just another erosion of home rule."
One of the two boat captains who challenged his speeding ticket said the city should drop it.
"They know they're wrong," Capt. Mike Bailey said Monday. "They've known all along they're wrong."
Neither Pritt nor Naples lawyer Donald Day, who represented the charter boat captains, could be reached for comment Monday.
Provost's decision and the ruling by the appellate panel pertain only to the city's slow speed zones. Manatee protection speed zones remain in effect in spots on Naples Bay. Laws against unsafe boating also still apply on the bay.
Slow speed zones have been a touchy topic on Naples Bay for years, even before the 2004 expansion, with boaters aligned against bayfront mansion owners. Speed zone backers said the zones are needed for safety and environmental protection.
Even the decision to appeal Provost's ruling was controversial, with council members Doug Finlay, Gary Price and Teresa Heitmann voting against an appeal.
Here's how the city got to this point:
After months of debate, the council voted to approve an expansion of a slow speed zone in the southern end of the bay in 2004.
The zone never went into effect, though, because opponents successfully challenged a state permit required to mark the new speed zone. A judge ruled that the city hadn't proven a safety hazard on the bay.
City attorneys argued that a 1994 speed zone law remained in effect, but Day argued that the 2004 law repealed the 1994 speed zones. Provost agreed and found the city had no valid speed zone law on the books.
In a twist on Provost's ruling, the appellate panel disagreed on that point. Instead, the panel found that the 2004 law couldn't have repealed the 1994 law because the 2004 law never went into effect after the permit challenge.
The panel, though, said Provost's ultimate conclusion was correct because of yet another law that Day cited during the appeal.
A 2006 law, which was meant to clean up the city's books, didn't include the 1994 law and so it was "repealed with the possibility of revival," the panel wrote in its ruling.
Now it's up to the City Council to determine whether it's case closed.
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Time To Write About Fireworks SalesJune 29th, 2009 by Rachel Pritchett
I've been out all morning interview people at fireworks stands. Yes, the recession's hurting some, but people still need to celebrate. Contact me and tell me where you shop and why, and how much you're going to spend this year.
Rachel Pritchett, 475-3783, email@example.com


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Development Guide
Local Navigation
Access to memory
The BlackBerry Java environment is designed to prevent apps from causing problems accidentally or maliciously in other apps or on the BlackBerry smartphone. Apps can write only to the smartphone memory that the BlackBerry Java Virtual Machine uses; they cannot access the virtual memory or the persistent storage of other apps (unless they are specifically granted access to do so). Your apps can only access persistent storage or user data, or communicate with other apps, through specific APIs. Research In Motion must digitally sign apps that use certain BlackBerry APIs to provide an audit trail of apps that use sensitive APIs.
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For more on this program, including where to expect it to show up on your page, keep reading.
If it sounds similar to Twitter's Promoted Tweets program, it's because it is. Advertisers are paying to surround user-generated content with advertising, hoping to reach a targeted audience who also rely heavily on advice from their friends when making purchasing decisions.
Facebook has partnered with a number of companies (Coke, Levi's, Anheuser Busch) and nonprofits (Donors Choose, Amnesty International, and more) for the launch of Sponsored Stories, which will appear on the right side of your Facebook page. And they respect privacy settings — only friends who can see your posted activity will be able to see these sponsored listings.
I'm not sure how I feel about advertisers choosing to build content around my updates, but I suppose that by mentioning a place or brand name, we are essentially advertising for them. One could argue, too, that these personalized recommendations give added value to our friends and Facebook contacts, providing them with friend-tested advertising. What do you think?


text: Hi Kristjan: --- On Sun, 10/11/09, Kristján Valur Jónsson <kristjan at ccpgames.com> wrote: AF> However Kristján I don't see that code fragment in AF> the 2.6.2 source code base. Nevertheless, thank you for the answer KJ> Sorry, it is from the EVE code :) Actually that shouldn't matter. After doing a dir(stackless.tasklet) today for something else today, I looked at the code fragment again and went "Duh!" and realised I made a silly statement. > "scheduled" = runnable. > "blocked" = waiting on a channel. > "paused" = someone took it out of the schedule queue, e.g. > by a tasklet.schedule_remove() > add to this the "currently running" state. > > In addition, you could consider a new tasklet and a > finished tasklet to be separate states too. Well Kristjan, I probably won't have time to look at the tasklet source code and review the API and draw out a state machine for Tuesday. However I will put these changes in my slides. Cheers, Andrew


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Back in April I reviewed the Garmin VivoActive GPS Smartwatch, listing five reasons I loved it and three concerns. After a couple of months I started drafting a follow-up about how I STILL loved the VivoActive – but stopped when an update caused issues. The next update resolved the issues, but by early July I was done. Why? Read on!Read more
Tag: GPS
5 Reasons I Love the Garmin VivoActive SmartWatch & 3 Reasons I Don't
Just as Apple Watch opened for pre-orders, the Garmin VivoActive arrived in stores and the hands of runners and athletes everywhere. I had written up announcement at CES, so I was thrilled to get one in my hands to play around with. Now after a week, I want to check in with my initial likes and dislikes of the VivoActive.Read more
Latest Google Maps Update Highlights Full-Screen Apps and Mic Directions
Google Maps for iOS has been updated today to version 4.4.0 for devices on iOS 7 and above with the usual bug fixes as well as a couple new features that were highly requested in the Popular Navigation app's ratings comments.Read more
Nokia HERE Maps Re-launch for iOS
No longer bound by the Windows Phone, Nokia is re-launching their HERE navigation mapping app for the iPhone. Following success on Google Play for Android , as well as a brief stint on the app store in 2012 before being pulled back into beta due to iOS 7 incompatibilities, Nokia seems to have figured things out finally.Read more
Magellan's Echo Fit Seeks to Rule the Sports Watch World!
Fitness watches are enjoying a very sudden surge in popularity. People are buzzing about Fitbit, and Nike Fuel, and quantifying their movements and sleep for optimal health. Magellan is entering that market with the new Echo Fit, a "smart sports watch" that uses Bluetooth to sync to various fitness apps, from Runkeeper to Strava and plenty others.Read more
Telenav's Scout App Makes Navigation Personal
My main mobile mapping requirement these days is that whatever navigation app I use must be easy to operate, accurate, and socially connected. I've been trying Telenav's Scout app; the more I dig in, the more I realize how handy it is, and I wonder what took me so long to try it. Is it perfect? No. But it's close.Read more
OpenStreetMap Powers 'Scout for iPhone' Global GPS Navigation
Telenav is announcing that their free Scout for iPhone app "will use the crowd-sourced and free OpenStreetMap (OSM) for all map data. OSM, the "Wikipedia of Maps," offers users a more accurate and up-to-date map than what is available via commercial maps." The OSM rollout starts today for some; all users will have it by the end of the week.Read more
Spy-Tech GL-200 Real-Time GPS Tracker Quick Look
During CES 2012, I left my gear bag at a hotel after a meeting. I was able to find it using FindMyiPhone and gained a deep appreciation for the power of geo-location. But what if you want to track a car or teen driver and don't have FindMyiPhone? That's where the Spy-Tech GL-200 Real-Time GPS Tracker and service come in.Read more
Get Fit and Heart-Healthy With The Polar RC3 GPS, Review
Polar built its reputation on heart rate monitoring technology starting in the late 1970s designed to let you REALLY listen to your body. I have friends who swear by their products, and with the RC3 GPS they offer up their latest hardware and software for tracking all of your workouts, and it represents some of the best technology for runners.Read more
Magellan Unveils New Sports and Colors for the Echo Smart Sports Watch at CES 2014
Magellan recently launched the Echo Bluetooth fitness watch, which pairs to your smartphone and provides interactive display and controls. I am finishing my review, but (spoiler alert) I totally love it and use it every day. At CES they are launching new capabilities for Echo, and also introducing new colors that will make it more appealing as an everyday watch.Read more
Magellan Announces New RoadMate Auto & RV Product Lines at CES 2014
Last year Magellan introduced the SMART-GPS system, which integrated smartphone and web apps to provide traditional in-car GPS and the now familiar mobile GPS experience. My personal experience was mixed, but the attempt was well thought out and a bold step. Now they are back as Magellan Announces New RoadMate Auto & RV Product Lines at CES 2014!Read more
Scout Comes to Windows 8!
I love my Lumia, but I will be honest — Nokia's HERE Maps and HERE Drive are not my favorites. They are perfectly fine, but they lack many bells and whistles. It was hard giving up Scout when I left the iPhone, and I am thrilled that Scout is coming to Windows Phone 8! For those who aren't familiar, Scout …Read more
10 Ways You Can Unintentionally Reveal Your Location and How to Stop It
I was reading Facebook this morning, and I saw a three-year-old video that details how posting pictures on Facebook or other social networks can reveal your location. Keep reading for 10 different ways I've found that you can unintentionally share your location, and how to combat it if you prefer not to be so transparent. 10. For Amateur Radio Operators Only: …Read more
Magellan's Echo Smart Running Watch – Leverages Your Smartphone and Integrates Fitness Apps
Have you ever stood in your driveway waiting for your GPS to find satellites whereas your phone was set a few minutes earlier? I have done it many times, as has pretty much anyone who has both a GPS watch and smartphone! The realities of power, cost and space make it hard for GPS watch makers to have the same …Read more
Tommy Santora Interview on Mi (Mobile Intelligence) Alert Systems
Tom Santora, the creator of Mi (Mobile Intelligence) Alerts, recently explained these new, multipurpose systems to me that all stem from one central communication hub – your mobile phone. "Our mobile intelligence technology called MiAlert involves several functions where people get important information via their mobile phone/device," says Santora. "Our multi-phased plan will make this technology available for several practical …Read more
Do You Own a Car?
There were some amazing discussions at Telenav's Waypoint conference a few weeks ago about GPS, mobile navigation, and how we approach our smartphones and integration location services into our lives. One offshoot of that discussion, though, was whether GPS navigation would matter in the future, since car ownership is apparently on the decline. I was surprised how many people in …Read more
Telenav Looks to Shape Ads Based on GPS Data
I don't always pay close attention to ads and location services, but when I do I tend to notice the same issue continually happening: the ad has no idea where I actually am. Oh, it knows if I am in New Jersey, and it might even sort-of know that I am home. But it doesn't always know that the business …Read more
Spotlite 2.0 GPS Pet Tracker Review
Pets are part of the family; we want them safe, happy, and healthy. Unfortunately, as anyone who has ever owned a dog can attest, you can't really have a reasoned conversation with them about why it's important to stay in the yard, why they shouldn't go harass the neighbors, why there is no wandering near the street…and they certainly can't …Read more
Magellan Explorist 510, A Gear Diary Outdoors Review
For anyone who enjoys the outdoors it is important to know your location, where you are going and where you have been. Whether hiking or hunting, it is too easy to get caught up in the scenery or tracking an animal and lose your bearings. Each rock or tree begins to look familiar and next thing you know, you …Read more
Why Is Garmin the Gold Standard in GPS Watches?
My first day on the CES floor, I saw the Garmin booth. I bypassed the various dedicated GPS units, and headed right for the display of Forerunners in all their glory. Along the way, I was stopped by one of Garmin's reps, and when I explained how excited I was to see their booth because "I love Garmin!", he laughed …Read more
Audi to Include Tegra-Powered Infotainment Systems in Select Vehicles This Year
If you are an Audi enthusiast and in the market for a new Audi, you are in for a treat. Audi today announced they would be including the MMX computing module based on the NVIDIA Tegra Visual Computing Module in select models starting in 2013. This latest iteration of the Audi MIB will enhance Audi connect, permitting the …Read more


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July 21, 2011
For immediate release
Contact: Gerry Ewing / 503-681-1654
Attention golf fans. If golf is your game, then plan on seeing the best women golfers in the world and helping the Tuality Healthcare Foundation at the same time. The event is the 2011 Safeway Classic, scheduled Aug. 15-21 at the world-renowned Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course near North Plains.
A program called TICKETS Fore Charity sponsored by West Coast Bank allows people who purchase a weekly pass for the LPGA tournament to designate the proceeds to the Tuality Healthcare Foundation. A weekly grounds ticket costs $25; a 10-pack of weekly grounds tickets costs $200. To buy tickets, go to http://safewayclassic.com/tickets/, click on the Tickets tab, scroll down and click the "Purchase Here" button and choose Tuality Healthcare Foundation as your charity of choice.
The Safeway Classic is one of the premier golf tournaments in the Pacific Northwest and has a long, successful history in the great Portland area. The tournament was founded in 1972 and has generated more than $15 million for Portland area charities. The 2010 Safeway Classic donated $1 million to charities for the fifth straight year.
The tournament proper runs Friday-Sunday, Aug. 19-21, at the Ghost Creek Course at Pumpkin Ridge. Other events are scheduled from Monday-Thursday, including the two day pro-am on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 17-18. Yani Tseng of Taiwan is the current LPGA money leader with winnings of over $1.3 million through 11 events.


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Here's a list of all events scheduled for AOD, on one convenient page!
Remember the first time you saw Happy Tree Friends, before you knew what the joke was? You kind of wondered what your friend who said, "Dude! You have to check this out!" was so excited about. It was just a bunch of cute little animals doing stupid things until, suddenly…something happened and you got the joke. Series writers Ken Pontac and Warren Graff LOVE to see people get the joke for the first time, so bring a friend who's never seen the show, and blow their minds a little.
Under the rule of a tyrannical empire, Tatsumi, a young swordsman, leaves his home to save his poverty stricken village. He meets a girl named Akame, an assassin who was bought, brainwashed and trained to kill by the Empire. Akame is a member of the secret assassin group called "Night Raid" who use special weapons called Imperial Arms. Together, Tatsumi and the members of Night Raid confront the corrupt empire.
AOD at Nite is back for its fifth year! Check out this awesome blend of late-night events. Stay after dinner, stay the night, and enjoy our outstanding selction of night events!
The title says it all! If you like Cards Against Humanity, this is not to be missed. Ken Pontac, last year's loser, returns to defend his title. Which of our other illustrious Guests of Honor will be up for the challenge?
When the writer of MadWorld and Happy Tree Friends sits down with the voice of Duke Nukem and Big the Cat and the Vice President of Marketing of Harmony Gold (Robotech) to swap war stories, you know sparks are gonna fly! Good thing the three animation industry veterans will each bring a bottle of their favorite libations to quench the flames. What did you THINK we meant by "exchange fluids," you filthy-minded degenerates?
For a list of all of our artists, and a map of the room, please see our Artist Alley page.
Our Artist Alley features the best local community artists. They come to show off their work, take commissions, and make a name for themselves. We provide a casual atmosphere where you interact with the artists one-on-one, so you work with them, and maybe even learn something new. The Artist Alley is located within the Dealers Room at 2015, and shares the same open hours.
Ever wondered how to incorporate lights to your cosplay costumes and just don't know where to begin? Then this panel is for you. We go over the basics of electric circuits to help you get started. We also show examples of techniques from previous light-up cosplay projects.
He trusts no one, only his sword. He doesn't have a place to call home. The lone mercenary Guts travels the land where a hundred-year-old war is taking place. His ferocity and ability to take down enemies attracts the attention of Griffith, the leader of a group of mercenaries called "The Band of the Hawk." Griffith desires Guts's power to help him achieve his goals. He succeeds in recruiting Guts by challenging and winning a duel with him. As the Band of the Hawk fight together and their bond as a unit is strengthened, Griffith and Guts's bond deepens even more. Thanks to their continued success on the battlefield, Griffith achieves the first step in fulfilling his goal: his band of mercenaries becomes a full-fledged army within the Midland Kingdom. Despite all their success, Guts begins to question his reasons for fighting for Griffith's dream. Unknown to Guts, this unyielding dream is about to bestow a horrible fate on them both.
At the end of her first year of high school, Futaba suddenly has a chance encounter with her first love, Tanaka Kou. Three years ago, he transferred schools before she was able to say how she felt about him. After meeting each other again, Futaba realizes that he has gone through many changes. He acts more cool and even had his last name changed to Mabuchi. Gradually the two rekindle their love while piecing together what had happened in the time that they were apart.
AOD is proud to help raise funds for community causes. Our staff, our guests of honor, and our friends in the industry have all given their time and items to the Charity Auction. Each year, the items range from the unique, to the mysterious, to the out-of-print and the absolutely surprising. Posters, DVDs, signed artwork, video games, voice work, consoles, collectables, and even intangible things, it's all here. Place your bids at the Charity Auction and support a good cause! Read more about AOD's charity work.
AOD's home charities are the California Academy of Sciences and San Francisco Suicide Prevention.
The California Academy of Sciences (www.calacademy.org) is the fantastic and educational home of the Steinhart Aquarium, Kimball Natural History Museum, Morrison Planetarium, all located in beautiful Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
San Francisco Suicide Prevention (www.sfsuicide.org) provides emotional support, education, assistance and intervention as necessary to all persons in crisis and those impacted by them, with the goal of reducing suicides and self-destructive behaviors.
AOD is proud to support both of these worthy causes.
For a list of items available in the auction, please see our Charity Auction page.
Club Lollipop is a dance group based in from Salinas, CA whose members love dancing to J-Pop & K-Pop! They hope to produce a show for everyone to enjoy! You can check out their dances at youtube.com/kyoote & our page, facebook.com/theClubLollipop, for more info.
Take a peek inside Noelle Stevenson's writing, drawing & coloring processes for her award-winning webcomic NIMONA, as well as what she thinks about when she's writing scripts for Lumberjanes and Thor.
The console section features the latest releases on Xbox 360, PS3, and PS4. We're featuring the following games and tournaments throughout the weekend, with prizes and glory for the winners:
Basic Tournament Rules:
AOD is proud to bring back the Free Cosplay Photo stage to our attendees. Professional lighting, backdrops, and other equipment will be available for anyone to use to snap photos of their favorite cosplayers — completely free of charge. Bring your camera and your cosplayer down to Portrait Stage and check it out. AOD staff are on hand to answer questions, but the stage setup is designed for photographers of any skill level.
Operates both Saturday and Sunday.
One of the best parts of our fandom is how it inspires people to create. From Youtube videos to arts and crafts to fan fiction, our fandom is unique in the amount of content we create. If you're curious about how and why we create, or are looking to level up your skills , these events are for you!
Join the Crunchyroll staff as they share announcements, news, and insights into the world of international anime streaming!
For a list of all of our dealers, and a map of the room, please see our Dealers Room page.
What would AOD be without the Dealers Hall? Going on strong with twelve sold out years in a row, the Dealers Hall is back with a vengeance, for another deal-packed exhibit extravaganza extraordinaire. The Dealers Room is open to the public on both days of the convention.
Can anime conventions survive, let alone grow, in this tough economy? Join Robotech.com's Vice President of Marketing Kevin McKeever for an in depth look at these issues and the surprising answer.
Live2D is a tool which allows artists to animate quickly and easily. Used by companies such as SQUARE ENIX and NAMCO BANDAI Games, it also allows developers to quickly integrate these animations into games and other applications. If you're an artist or programmer, stop by this panel to learn more!
Dance crew eMpiRe puts on an upbeat odottemita dance performance to Vocaloid/Jpop songs Happy Synthesizer, Sweet Time, Pon Pon Pon, and more!
Hear what our guests have to say, and meet them too! Starting with Opening Ceremonies and at events throughout the entire rest of the convention, our Guests show off new material, lead discussions about their work, share their industry insider knowledge, and meet with fans.
You're given a scenario, a location and at least two characters (you can pull additional characters if needed, up to five) and the theme is given to you at the start of the working hour as the secret ingredient! You then have one hour to produce a work of 1,000 words minimum in one hour. ALLEZ ÉCRIR!
So, how many ways can you retell the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, now that the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are in the public domain? Is the Marvel Cinematic Universe just one big nod to fan fiction? How much does the Star Trek franchise owe to fan fiction? And what purpose does the special collection at Iowa State University serve, collecting fan works in all their forms for posterity? A quick look at textual poaching in popular culture – it's not as new as the internet. Is it really just for fans?
Fuyuki City—a city surrounded by the ocean and the mountains becomes the setting for an age-old ritual. To realize the mythical Holy Grail, which is said to grant any wish from its possessor, seven masters are given seven heroic spirits chosen by the Grail... Each master will enter into a contract with their assigned servants and battle the other masters and servants to the death until only one pair remains… This is the "Holy Grail War."
Steve Savage, the Geek Job Guru, takes a hard look at how hobbies can improve your career. Your fandom is the tool you need to unlock a real career in tough times and a crazy career market.
While fighting an intense inter-galactic war, a mecha pilot was accidentally warped into a space-time neither he nor the computer of his mecha could recognize. After waking up from a long-time hibernation, he found himself trapped on a planet, with human residents talking in an unknown form of language, using inferior technologies, and -- most shocking to him -- naturally breathable air.
For people serious about geek careers. Wether you're an old pro or a new student, looking for talent for your Kickstarter, or seeking some new contracts, come together and connect! We're discussing careers, cooperation - and seeing how some of us might team up in the future.
For anyone who wears a costume to AOD, you are welcome to enter in our Hall Cosplay Contest! The contest awards special prizes in two categories: Best Video Game Costume, and the Acme Award for the best costume from or inspired by a western cartoon. The winners of each of these awards receive $100 cash and Best Video Game Costume will also win a copy of Demon Gaze from NIS America! If you love cosplay, make sure that our hall cosplay judges get you entered in the contest! The winners are announced at the Hall Cosplay awards on Sunday.
HOW TO ENTER: To enter, make sure our cosplay staffers in the bright blue vests get your picture and contact information at the con. As usual, they are roaming the halls of the convention, taking pictures and collecting some information from people wearing costumes. They are asking for your name, the character you are dressed as, and what the source is, and optionally you may give them your cell phone number or email (so we can contact winners).
The winners are chosen by AOD Staff. Awards are given in the afternoon on Sunday. You must either be present or leave us a way to contact you to win; if not, then the next winner present or we have contact information for receives the award.
If you entered last year and didn't hear if you won anything because you weren't at the awards ceremony, please check with us this year! We still have some unclaimed hall cosplay awards!
We're Hello!Musume! We're a group of girls singing and dancing to Hello!Project music in order to spread happiness and smiles through j-pop music and idols!
Sure, you watch anime, but do you know how it's made? Evan Minto of AniGamers.com and Otaku USA Magazine presents this in-depth look at the anime production process, showing how a project goes from an idea to a finished product. Topics include storyboarding, background art, voice acting, and of course, the actual process of animating the show, with an eye to how all these parts work together.
Learn helpful tips on creating healthy voices with Marianne Miller, professional voice actor and trained singer. This panel focuses on techniques on creating different characters that sound believable without ruining your vocal chords.
The team from GaymerX talks about ways that you can have an awesome time being queer and geek, some of our favorite anime and anime related games, and answer questions about GaymerX !
A WILD PHOTOGRAPHER APPEARS! Do you strike a pose? Stop, drop and roll? Or freeze up like a deer in the headlights?! Never fear! HTBYCWRT is here! Learn to feel more comfortable on camera through this casual discussion of body knowledge and facial expressions, prop wielding, character acting and more. (For Voice Acting tips, be sure to also check out How Does I Voice Act with Marianne Miller!)
Ever wondered what makes a good anime convention panel? This is the place to find out.
Everyone loves Japanese Curry - and you don't need to make it with store-bought cubes! Find out about the history of the dish, how you can make it at home - and how to create your own, personal version!
Join industry veteran Kevin McKeever as he shows you the ins and outs of getting a career started in the world of independent filmmaking.
In a Japanese jail sits 17-year-old Jotaro Kujo: punk, fighter, delinquent...and possessed by a force beyond his control! Around the world, evil spirits are awakening: "Stands," monstrous invisible creatures which give their bearers incredible powers. To save his mother's life, Jotaro must tame his dark forces and travel around the world to Cairo, Egypt, where a hundred-year-old vampire thirsts for the blood of his family. But the road is long, and an army of evil Stand Users wait to kill JoJo and his friends...
We have open mic karaoke, featuring your favorite anime, video game, and j-rock/j-pop songs! Sing your heart out and cheer your friends on!
From video games to TV commercials to theme park voices. Jon St. John been there and done that. Come and find out how he became a Radio DJ at the age of 14, how he got the role of Duke Nukem, and much much more
Based on the original manga by Seimaru Amagi, and Fumiya Sato, Kindaichi Case Files Returns centers on the Hajime Kindaichi, grandson of the famous detective Kosuke Kindaichi. Though he appears to be a regular high school student, when a difficult case arises Hajime, along with his childhood friend Miyuki Nanase, police inspector Isamu Kenmochi, and rival Kengo Akechi, use their sharp deduction skills to solve any mystery.
Once again, our Late Night Trivia Quiz is back, but with a whole new format featuring two separate hour-long rounds. Come down to watch AOD Guests of Honor compete, pitting their knowledge and their wits against one another for a jackpot of up to $500! The charity swear bucket returns, and as always, all proceeds are donated to charities of our guests' choice. If you're intrigued, or just need a good alibi, join us in giving them your love and support!
Once again, our Late Night Trivia Quiz is back, but with a whole new format featuring two separate hour-long rounds. Come down to watch AOD Guests of Honor compete, pitting their knowledge and their wits against one another for a jackpot of up to $500! The charity swear bucket returns, and as always, all proceeds are donated to charities of our guests' choice. If you're intrigued, or just need a good alibi, join us in giving them your love and support!
Join LittleKuriboh, creator of Yu-Gi-Oh Abridged and expert beard grower, in a live Q&A session. There's also video screenings and other malarkey!
Get a first hand look at the creation of digital art as Wenqing "Yuumei" Yan, creator of Knite and Fisheye Placebo, does a live art demo! Come join us as she demonstrates the various coloring and shading techniques that help bring her characters and scenery to life.
Izumi was born in a family of celebrities. His father is a singer, his mother an artist, his older brother the lead vocalist for the popular band Crashers. Izumi himself, however, is just a nerdy college student. He loves the manga "Magical Girl Lala Lulu" and dreams of becoming a manga writer himself. One day he is roped into filming a commercial where he wears a dress. Another actor on the set, Ryoma Ichijo, mistakes him for a woman and falls in love at first sight. As it turns out, though, they met ten years in the past. And Ryoma feelings don't change when he finds out Izumi is a boy.
Do you enjoy J-Pop and Vocaloid music and dancing? Watch YouTuber and local Bay Area idol Butters (majikuruMaChan2) perform songs and dances for your entertainment! She is joined by dancer Serika and together, they are SNB!
Always a staple of AOD, costumers gather together to compete and show off their talents. Your favorite character, your own creation, or references to insane internet memes, we've seen it all compete on stage in the Masquerade costume contest, competing for the coveted "Best of Show" prize. This year's Best of Show receives $500, Runner-up Best of Show receives $250, and Best Construction/Best Presentation receive $125 each! All winning groups also receive trophies.
Sakura Chiyo confesses her feelings to her schoolmate Nozaki. Due to a misunderstanding, Nozaki thinks Sakura is just a fan. She then discovers Nozaki's other identity; a shōjo manga artist. As she gets closer to Nozaki, she befriends Nozaki's quirky acquaintances who assist him and serve as inspirations for his manga.
Featuring some of the bay area's most talented cross over musicians, Multiplayer the band presents a metal and hip hop influenced take on video game classics with electrified string instruments, pounding guitar and mad beat boxing skills.
Featuring some of the bay area's most talented cross over musicians, Multiplayer the band presents a metal and hip hop influenced take on video game classics with electrified string instruments, pounding guitar and mad beat boxing skills.
We've got a slew of talented performers to dazzle and amaze! This year AOD has not just one, but two stages for musical and other performances!
LittleKuriboh hosts a mature look into the makings of his fan based parody of a fan based parody. Will he become Third Hokage? Why is the Rower so amazing? Will the Abridged Movie ever be finished? Find out the answer to none of these questions right here!
Voice actor Robbie Daymond, voice of the new Tuxedo Mask, shares his experiences working on the new Sailor Moon dub.
Genius gamer siblings (plus being NEET & hikikomori) Sora and Shiro are known as the undefeatable "__" (blank). Their talents and skills are so good they are considered as urban legend. One day, a young boy named Teto appears before them, claiming to be the "God" of another dimension where Sora and Shiro are summoned to, in which no violence is allowed and everything is decided by a game. Of the 16 different races residing in this world, "Humanity" is the weakest. After having the vast majority of their lands captured by the other races and being driven to the brink of extinction, Sora and Shiro challenge these one-of-a-kind battles of the intellectual powers in order to save Humanity.
Bring along anyone who want to know what this whole Convention thing is about. The Opening Ceremony is open to the public — no badge or registration is required.
Be the first to meet all of our awesome Guests of Honor. You also get a preview of all the great music, events, panels, workshops, contests, artists, and prizes you'll be experiencing at AOD this weekend.
They arrived in silence and darkness, descending from the skies with a hunger for human flesh. Parasites - alien creatures who must invade and take control of a human host to survive – have come to Earth. No one knows their secret except high school student, Shinichi Izumi, who's right hand has been invaded by an alien parasite. Shinichi and Migi, the parasite in his hand, begrudgingly form a friendship and find themselves caught in the middle of a war between humans and parasites.
Our PC gaming features League of Legends, DOTA 2, World of Tanks, World of Warplanes, and Unreal Tournament 2004.
Spring. Far from the city, time flows peacefully in this rural town. As the cherry blossoms scatter in the wind, a young man named Yu Narukami steps off the train at Yasoinaba Station. Yu has come to this town, where his uncle lives, for family reasons; he will be transferring into the local high school, Yasogami High. And so begins his school life... The shopping mall after school. A series of murders taking place in town. The Midnight Channel, airing late at night.... What lies in store for Yu and his friends 'this time around?
How do the deeper scenes of our favorite shows relate to real philosophies? Has anime lead to you asking yourself the bigger questions: Who am I? What is the meaning of life? What is the value of relationships? We will discuss shows including Evangelion, Madoka, and Sailor Moon.
Join Marianne Miller and Noelle Stevenson in a discussion about the presence of women in video games, anime, and TV Shows. We focus on the good examples of strong non-white/non-male character writing and explore specific ways we can focus on improving future roles.
p19 is an up and coming illustrator from Japan who's done work on bishoujo games and light novel illustrations. She is talking about her work with Kadokawa and is also doing a live drawing demonstration.
We're offering a gaming area specially dedicated to retro gaming consoles, featuring your favorite classic titles from NES, Genesis, SNES, PSOne, N64, and Dreamcast!
Our retro gaming this year is hosted by South Bay Button Mashers.
South Bay Button Mashers brings together people of all backgrounds to create friendships through our shared love of video games. Some of our favorite games include Smash Bros., Street Fighter, Halo, Mario Kart, and indie titles that feature local multiplayer. You can find us hosting events in Mountain View, our HQ, and other locations in the South Bay. We're here to celebrate gaming and extend it to as many like-minded people as possible. Your Video Games, Your Community.
Did you miss Saturday's panel? Do you still have questions about the past, present or future of Robotech? Here's is your chance as Harmony Gold's Kevin McKeever opens the floor to fans in a town hall-style discussion!
Join Harmony Gold's Kevin McKeever as he showcases all the latest live action and animated Robotech productions.
Video games community South Bay Button Mashers goes over some of the ways they take their collective passion for video games and form a community around it. Audience members learn about the significance of taking video games, a widely online entertainment medium, offline to create rich social experiences & friendships.
Voice Actor Robbie Daymond gives you a behind the scenes look at the places where your favorite anime series are dubbed.
Based on Naoko Takeuchi's legendary manga series, Sailor Moon Crystal retells the story of Sailor Moon as she searches for her fellow Sailor Guardians and the Legendary Silver Crystal to stop the dark forces of Queen Beryl.
Tachibana Mei has had no boyfriend and couldn't even make friends. One day she injures Kurosawa Yamato, the most popular boy in school, and for some reason Yamato takes interest in her...
SBA0048 returns to AOD with their next stage, Shoujo Tachi Yo! Watch these idols sing and dance to some of your AKB48 favorites, and perhaps discover new ones as well. We're waiting to meet you!
Join SEGA as they walk you through the magic of the SEGA 3D Classics, which include games such as Sonic The Hedgehog, Space Harrier, and Streets of Rage, and learn about the level of detail that has gone into recreating these classic titles in 3D, now available on Nintendo 3DS. Topics include transforming 2D to 3D, recreating arcade machines, and other SEGA tidbits.
Sekai Project is an upcoming localization company that focuses on Japanese media content. From manga to visual novels, we are out there to look for the next big thing. This panel is covering current and upcoming projects.
Two self-published authors sit down to discuss the motivations, hard work and rewards creating books to fulfill a need they identified themselves. Whether it was to make a guide to go with a gaming system, a fictional work or an accompanying work for a seminar – how do you know your idea is suitable for success? Where does one begin?
If the internet is for Porn, what are you doing writing fan fiction? Oh, wait. Oh, wait a moment there indeed – what IS going on there? What does sex in fan fiction have to do with feminism, gender identity/expression, rape culture, AIDS, pedophilia, gamergate, harassment and the like? Slash, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Ships (those that do and do not go bump in the night), no the anatomy DOES NOT do that, and more.
Between our Dealers Hall, which is always filled to the brim with unique and original vendors, the Artist Alley, where community artists gather to present their skills, and the Charity Auction, where exclusive items are sold to bidders eager to help a good cause, AOD is filled with one-of-a-kind shopping opportunities that you can't find anywhere else.
Join Noelle Stevenson (aka Gingerhaze) for a two-hour request-driven doodle free-for-all... from superheroes to Lord of the Rings to wacky fandom mashups (and yes, POKEYMANS!), request and ye shall receive. Click here for some of last year's masterpieces.
Space Dandy is a dandy in space! This dreamy adventurer with a to-die-for pompadour travels across the galaxy in search of aliens no one has ever laid eyes on. Each new species he discovers earns him a hefty reward, but this dandy has to be quick on his feet because it's first come – first served! Accompanied by his sidekicks, a rundown robot named QT and Meow the cat-looking space alien, Dandy bravely explores unknown worlds inhabited by a variety aliens. Join the best dressed alien hunter in all of space and time as he embarks on an adventure that ends at the edge of the universe!
We are featuring a selection of both industry and fan-run panels and presentations focusing on anime, video games, and other topics of related interest.
Join prominent streamers and speedrunners Romscout, Spikevegeta, Trihex, and Vulajin as they talk about the art and science of completing video games as quickly as possible! These fine gamers join AOD fresh off of their appearances at Awesome Games Done Quick 2015, which raised over $1.5 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Feel free to ask about everything from video games and Twitch memes to afro maintenance and fitness!
If you love seeing video games played with speed, skill, and humor, speedrunning is for you. The concept of a speedrun is simple: players try to use every trick in the book (and some that were never in any book) to beat their favorite games in record times. If you've never seen The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time beaten in 18 minutes, or Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island completed in 2 hours, then you owe it to yourself to check out these performances!
AOD is proud to host some of the leading voices in speedrunning: Trihex, Romscout, Spikevegeta, and more of your favorite speedrunning personalities are here to discuss their craft, share stories from the Awesome Games Done Quick charity marathons, and show off their well-honed skills!
Romscout is one of the premier ambassadors of the speedrunning community, serving both as the charity events manager at Twitch and as the event director of Games Done Quick. He specializes in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, but he's known for letting down his hair and playing such legendary games as Lifeline and Ninja Baseball Bat Man.
Trihex is one of the best showmen in the business, known for his slick Yoshi's Island tricks as well as his smooth Jet Set Radio stylings—not to mention his occasional flashes of the gun show.
The velvety voice of Spikevegeta is a staple of every Awesome Games Done Quick marathon. When he's not reading donations or providing couch commentary, he can be found practicing his many speedruns and his trash talk at the same time. From Kingdom Hearts to Rayman to Final Fantasy, his shows are not to be missed!
The Super Soul Bros are a dynamic powerhouse of musicians, whose fusion of soulful jazz & funk meets the familiar melodies of your favorite classic video games. Formed in 2011 by keyboardist Robbie Benson, the Super Soul Bros have quickly gained notoriety for their intense musicianship and soulful re-imaginings of game soundtracks such as Mario Kart, Zelda, Pokémon and EarthBound. With sounds reminiscent of 70's electric jazz era, Super Soul Bros' nostalgic grooves and live energy is a force to behold, taking video game music to a whole new level
This event starts on Friday, January 30th at 8:30pm and ends at 10:00pm. It takes place in the Hotel Foyer.
No badge is required to attend this event. However, sellers must have both a badge and a Swap Meet Ticket. If you're interested in selling, check out the details.
You know how some people hoard unbelievable amounts of stuff? Are you one of those people? Or are looking to become one? Well, then the Swap Meet is where you need to be. Any attendee who wants to sell items is welcome to purchase a Swap Meet ticket for $20 and set up camp. Then, when the doors burst open, all the other attendees flood the room, sifting through your old anime, comics, video games, and toys, looking for those special treasures.
In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called: Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...
Cafe hours are Saturday, 11am to 5pm, and Sunday, 11am to 3pm.
Our Dearest Goshujinsama,
We are Tea Time Cafe, an Akihabara-style Maid and Butler Cafe! Our group is over 30 members strong, and it is our pleasure to not only bring the Maid Cafe culture of Japan to America, but to let people step away from the chaotic excitement of the convention for some rest and enjoy delicious food and play games with our beautiful maids and handsome butlers! Our mission is to simply create a fun, safe, and relaxing environment for all convention goers. We serve snacks and drinks, but more importantly our maids and butlers are there to serve and make sure you have smile on your face when you enter and leave our cafe. In so, we invite you to join us at AOD and have the amazing experience and the royal treatment. We eagerly await your arrival!
Our raffle prize for this AOD is an Attack On Titan Nendoroid set which includes: Colossal Titan, Eren, Mikasa, Levi, and Armin! We are announcing the winners on Sunday when the café closes at 3pm.
Over the past 3 years fans have watched in horror as reports of layoffs, production cutbacks and corporate failures have hit the anime industry. Fans are now asking: Does the industry have a bright future? Join Harmony Gold's Vice President of Marketing, Kevin McKeever as he shows how the industry got here and where it is going.
Despite the success of Pixar and Dreamworks in the US, anime has been slow to adopt 3-D animation. Still, computer-generated anime has been around in all shapes and sizes for decades. From low-poly helicopters to spectacular sci-fi feature films, AniGamers.com and Otaku USA Magazine contributor Evan Minto navigates the history of CG anime and the production process behind it in this multimedia presentation.
Tiffany and Ami from Ti@Mi are back to dance and sing anime songs, idol songs, Vocaloid songs and more! Bring your hype and energy!
Are you a super fan of anime, video games, comics, or other geeky hobbies? Of course you are! Are you still in school/have a student in your household? This panel will help turn that passion for your fandom into good grades with tips on how to write academic papers about the media you love!
Zelda, Pokémon, Sonic and your other favorite video games get a Disney musical makeover from the geeky YouTube team RANDOM ENCOUNTERS! WARNING: This show contains catchy songs, nerdy humor and the dreaded Marshmallow Zone. Singalongs are welcome.
AOD is screening an amazing variety of new and exclusive titles from the leading anime distributors.
Fancy yourself an impressionist? It's voice versus voice! Take part in a live contest with LittleKuriboh as host as he pits you against a bevy of hopefuls in an attempt to out-voice the others!
Weiss Schwarz is an exciting card game that allows you to play your favorite Anime and Games against each other. If you have a deck, come on by and join our tournament to see if your waifu will reign supreme. If you know nothing about Weiss Schwarz and want to learn, there will also be lessons for newcomers to join the action! Weiss Schwarz will also be run Sunday afternoon.
The tournament will start at 2PM, and run until it's completed. Remaining time will be used for demos or casual play.
Tournament special rules: No Language Restriction, Neo-Standard Format
Weiss Schwarz is an exciting card game that allows you to play your favorite Anime and Games against each other. If you have a deck, come on by and join our tournament to see if your waifu will reign supreme! Or if you want to learn the game, the Weiss Schwarz team will be running demo games.
The tournament will start at 1PM, and run until it's completed. Remaining time will be used for demos or casual play.
Tournament special rules: No Language Restriction, Neo-Standard Format
Why do we write fan fiction? What is the appeal, why it is fun? Does it provide a sandbox for aspiring writers to improve their craft? Or does it just fulfill a need to perform? Does the desire for "more" justify co-opting someone else's work to make it your own? How does writing fan fiction feature into your development as a writer in your own right?
Experience the latest masterpiece from the internationally-acclaimed, award-winning director of Summer Wars. Hana was a student before she was a mother. She was bright and pretty, and her future held endless possibilities. Then she met a man, who turned out to be a wolf, and together they built a family.Hana loved her mate fiercely, but fate took him from her, leaving her alone with two unusual kids she didn't know how to raise. Frightened of being discovered, Hana and her wolf children fled to the countryside to build a new life. Raising her little wild things was an adventure. It left Hana bruised, scratched, exhausted, and joyously overwhelmed as her pups grew stronger and wandered further every day. This is a mother's journey. Teach your children to chase their dreams – and smile through the tears as they disappear into the world in search of who they will become. Hana wasn't always a mother, but it was always what she was meant to be.
Interested in what it's like to turn your hobby into a career? Meet with staff from Crunchyroll, ranging from marketers to engineers, as they share their secrets on how to get a job in the industry and what's it's like to live the anime life!
The infinite void of the empty page, the crushing deadlines, the ridiculous demands of the executives… does this sound like the life for you? Decide for yourself when cartoon veterans Ken Pontac and Noelle Stevenson overcomes their Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to relate their anus-clenching adventures in the bloody trenches of television, feature animation, and comics.
Just joking, kids, writing for animation , video games, and comics is FUN!
Writing for tabletop gaming has three facets: original fiction, scripting which consists of a set of dramatis personae, passages of dialogue, multitude of possible outcomes and the travelogue the game takes as play progresses. Sit down with Kevin Andrew Murphy, writer for various gaming systems, as he takes you through the creative process of writing for tabletop gaming systems.
We're analyzing world building, character creation (and development), plot and point of view. How can we use the English language for its intended purpose as communication, effectively and efficiently with proper grammar structure, spelling? Also, does writing fan fiction prepare you for anything else? What does the ability to write also prepare you for?
Come one, come all – need a second pair of eyes? Want a review? Need acritique? Bring your story for a fresh perspective – or just come in, sit down and write something.
Camera dead? Check. Actor didn't show? Check. Furiously penning a script on set? Double check. YouTubing may LOOK simple, but making so many videos in such short time leaves plenty to go wrong... and when it does, you wind up with a panel like this!
Thinking about a cool career on YouTube? Learn the ins and outs of creating a popular YouTube channel, from writing and marketing to corporate networking and, of course, forging a relationship with your fans! ;)


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ReflectionHave you ever stood in front of a mirror and just looked at yourself, trying to see what other people see? What makes you, you? It's a harsh reality when you look in the mirror and see nothing. This is how it started ; An old graying man looks back at me, with anger in his eyes. He looks like he wants to reach out and punch me, for the life I threw away. The man in the mirror is what is left of me, just a shell of my former self, crumbling before my eyes. No hope for the future. Although he has the love of his children and his grandson, there is a void, a hole that his wife left. His very soul taken, shredded and thrown to the ground. Forcing back the tears that want to fall, he swallows hard, as if to swallow his pain. Pitiful old fool, never to know the love of a woman again. Two times death has eluded him. What is he even looking back at me for? I don't have the answer he seeks. STOP LOOKING AT ME OLD MAN!!!! I turn and walk away, yet he remains. His lip begins to quiver.......His eyes well up with tears........one streaks down his face and lands on his shirt...........his mouth opens.........with a pleading unsteady voice he says................PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!.........I paused for a moment........I wish I could..........He hung his head low, the tears in his eyes, flowed down his cheek like a dam had be broken...........He turned and walked away............I watched, as he faded into nothingness. There I stood, looking into an empty mirror as my life slowly fades away. Not only am I separated from my wife, I'm separated from myself and all who once loved me.
The pain you describe is so very heartbreaking. what were the events that brought you to this place of 'nothingness' whatever it is I pray that you are able to heal and learn to look after yourself until your in a place where you can start to like and then love yourself.
I have spent a lot of time mirror gazing over the last few weeks and like you the woman reflected back is totally unknown to me. Choices my husband made have destroyed us and left me not recognizing any aspect of self.
As if a current of life giving energy has been severed, the who and what I thought I was has no source any longer. For now I am allowing myself to accept that I am in this place. I really have no choice I cant just BE anything else.
A good friend on here reminded me to just remember to breath ...just breath.
Oh my dear friend how I wish I could offer you so much more than just my words. Your story more than explains the obvious pain that was in your first post. I am so very sorry that you have and are having such a raw deal.
With the loss of your career coupled with chronic pain no wonder depression set in. A stupid thing to do the huffing in hind sight yes but then we all have 20 ;20 vision in hindsight don't we? but please remember you were not yourself you were ill physically and under mental anguish.
For all that your instincts appear to have been as sharp as a needle in terms of picking up on your wife's reasons for justifying her friends affair. Strange isn't it that our one flesh state in marriage gives us this sixth sense. I wish I could say I have never experienced my sixth sense going into overdrive due to infidelity but sadly you and I are reluctant members of that club. I know only too well how tempting it can be to just want to end the pain of it all. But my friend I am so glad you survived. I'm so grateful that I can sit here typing to you.
I'm sorry I don't want to sound disrespectful but please don't try to make any sense of your wife's words. I have learned now from bitter experience that once an emotional and or physical affair begins they can not make truthful statements to save their life. Everything she says will be to sell her actions to anyone who will listen as being her only option. The fact is that society feels safer believing that only an 'unhappy' marriage results in extra marital affairs. Not true so even if everything had been a bed of roses there is no certainty that a lover would remain faithful. But still the cheaters feel the need to not look like the bad guy.
So many of us here can identify with being not only abandoned but left holding the debt etc, or as in my case left holding nothing at all! As for the future well what can we do but let that take care of itself. Right now we are too busy holding ourselves together one day at a time and I think that under the circumstances that is all we can be expected to do for now.
But slowly I am beginning to let myself feel there may still be life in the old girl yet (I am 48) Your right there is nothing we can do about our past and words are cheap but reading online about others stories of changing their life after disaster I can't believe they are all full of BS, and so I'm waiting for some of the hurting to ease up which again I'm promised it will, and I'm putting a candle in the window to wait for hope to return, and then who knows.
You inspire me when you make no apologies for staying true to yourself and your beliefs, that's something I'm aiming for and you may be many things my friend but stupid you are not your writing reveals a man who has carried a heavy load, is deep thinking and loyal.
I'm here whenever you need to vent
Hugs - Deb
You are so welcome, I was thinking this morning of a way to put into words where we are, I came up with this : To give life to that which is unreal always takes life from the real. By that I mean that as I was looking at my husbands actions and feelings when he became enmeshed in his affair it felt as if he had taken his life out of the 'real' that we had together and had given it to his 'unreal' fantasy world, I felt the death toll in my spirit long before I had any concrete evidence of his *****. But here is the strange part.. I feel now that even if I could have any kind of life with him THAT would now be the 'unreal' I don't want a life full of secrets and half truths or lies. Real life has to be authentic, transparent and full of hope.
So I shout a big YES to your hopes of a short tunnel for us, let us live in the light at the end of it not in the darkness.
Take care of yourself. Eat. get some sunshine, and be kind and gentle with yourself so that when the light is on you, your able to be the answer to a 'real' woman's prayers


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Sailfish Splash Waterpark opens Friday with added attractions and programs
Location: 931 SE Ruhnke St., Stuart
Information: 772-320-3100; www.sailfishsplash.com
10-acre complex and 7,000-square foot building with cell phone and family lockers, changing rooms, restrooms, party and meeting rooms, café, concessions and gift shop.
Features 1,000-foot "lazy river" for tubing, two 4-story waterslides, 50-meter competition pool, 25-yard exercise pool, 7,326-square foot water playground with jets, sprays, slides and a 300-gallon "dump bucket, shaded picnic area, 670 deck chairs and the new "Cabana Island."
Daily fees: $11.75 for ages 13-54, $9 for children 3-12 and seniors 55 and over. Children under 3 free, with required water diapers sold at the park. Prices less after 3 p.m. and for use of the pool only.
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. June through Labor Day.
STUART — Martin County's Sailfish Splash Waterpark opens for its first full season Friday, offering added attractions of private cabanas for rent, a gift shop and swimming lessons. But time is running out to buy discounted season passes, which return to full price on opening day.
Despite a late April start last year after construction of the $9 million facility was completed, the controversial public project took in $1.4 million in fiscal 2012 through Sept. 30 and banked a $389,404 surplus in its capital reserve fund for future expansion. Since then, it has already issued 3,490 season passes for 2013, collecting $120,728, said Kevin Abbate, county parks and recreation director.
Last year, 13,000 season passes were sold, mostly after the park opened. Abbate said he expects more sales when the weather warms up. This year the park will be in business for spring break, which he said should add $90,000 to $100,000 in revenue.
The opening weekend will be sort of a shakedown cruise, Abbate said, with 40 to 50 new employees in its authorized staff of 133 being trained and opening the gift shop, which he said is "not fully outfitted" yet. The five new cabanas on a pool island will rent for $70 a day Monday through Thursday and $90 Friday through Sunday, with 20 percent discounts for pass holders. They come with a cooler and a "cabana host" who will bring discounted refreshments, sparing patrons a wait in the food-service line.
Swimming lessons will begin during spring break: eight 30-minute group sessions for $50 and five 45-minute private lessons at four levels for $100.
Patron reviews on TripAdvisor.com last year voiced a few quibbles — not open on hot fall days, insufficient parking, too short hours with a 5 or 6 p.m. daily close — but others made comments such as "Awesome," "Great place to take the kids!" and "Great addition to Stuart! Great design!"
Until Friday, season passes available online are discounted to $48 for people 13 to 54 years old and $39 for children 3 to 12 and seniors 55 and over. They allow entry a half-hour before the regular opening time of 10:30 a.m. On Friday, season pass rates rise to $58 and $45.
With added attractions and 13,000 pass holders from 2012 to market to, Abbate predicted another banner year for the waterpark. . A longer season will help, too. "Now we have four or five extra weekends that we didn't have last year," he said.
Sailfish Splash Waterpark will usher in the 2013 season on March 22.
Patrons will have the opportunity to enjoy new enhancements, including: secluded cabanas, a gift shop, swimming lessons, scuba diving instruction and more.
Some highlights:
The "Learn to Swim" lessons: March 25 -March 29, will feature multiple sessions for "Parent Child" and "Entry" skill levels from noon into the early evening. To register, call 772-463-3274 or 772-320-3104, or visit the waterpark. For detailed descriptions of the offerings, visit http://www.sailfishsplash.com/public/programs/swimming_lessons.cfm.
Scuba certifications: Stuart scuba will offer combined "Open Water" and "Enriched Air" certification training at the water park during spring break. Anyone 12 or older may sign up by calling 772-288-5690.
Cabanas: Patrons seeking a bit of seclusion can rent one of five newly installed cabanas for the day. Monday through Thursday daily rental costs $70, while the weekend and holiday rate is $90. Season pass holders receive a discount of 20 percent off cabana rentals. Visit http://www.sailfishsplash.com/public/pricing/cabana_rentals.cfm for details.
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Women, Wisdom and Wealth: This Christmas, the Grinch is on the run
While driving around Naples the other day, enjoying the Christmas decorations, it dawned on me why I'm feeling so much more festive this year than I did last year; last year, we'd just experienced near economic collapse; no wonder I felt like the Grinch at times. What a difference a year makes
So here we are, still standing. Take a moment to congratulate yourself for making it through the year. We've had the opportunity to revisit some simple back-to-basics concepts and learn a few lessons along the way.
Speaking of back-to-basics, as a kid, I loved Bonomo's Turkish Taffy; vanilla was my favorite. You could pull and stretch the taffy to almost any length, or you could freeze it and crack it into tiny pieces. Funny how visualizing Turkish taffy makes me think of the U.S. dollar today. Hmm, that might be worth exploring.
Government intervention in credit markets is recognized by many as the reason we avoided ruin. When the global credit markets froze last year, instead of continuing to stretch things out, there was a moment of clarity and the game stopped. We were frozen out; the spending bubble had burst.
On some level, we all knew that the party couldn't go on indefinitely. Much of the economic climb hinged on the premise that housing prices would never go down. Well, they did and there may continue to be losses in real estate. We're told that the employment market is stabilizing, yet unemployment will probably remain high because job growth lags in our current economic recovery. Time will be the great healer.
The crisis did prompt us to pay attention to our household balance sheets. Corporations are being forced to do the same. Again, on some level, we knew that the day of reckoning would occur. The bottomless punch bowl was removed from the table, or to put it another way, easy money for consumer credit has declined.
The system is in a way protecting us from ourselves by making it more difficult to spend more than we actually have. We're taught in school that every action has an opposite and equal reaction, so while we're spending less, we're saving more, in an effort to rebuild nest eggs.
Saving is good, yet at the same time it takes money away from consumption that could otherwise fuel growth. This is a negative economic benefit of government stimulus. Consumer spending makes up more than 70 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce show that we're still cutting back. Frugal is in, conspicuous consumption is out.
The "deleveraging" continues, which is not all bad. In simple terms, this is the process of reducing debt. The goal is to reduce debt to a point where income levels are able to service that debt, as well as provide for savings and consumption. Debt loads had soared and income didn't keep pace. Therefore, there was no chance for real wealth to grow. The economic recovery process will take time, time and more time. It's like mopping up spilled milk; it takes time to absorb the mess.
Loans are more difficult to obtain. According to Money magazine, three-year annualized loan growth rates were 9.6 percent before the crisis, and now that number is down to 1.8 percent. Banks are holding on to the cash that taxpayers funded to improve their balance sheets and have increased their reserves twentyfold.
Businesses are doing the same thing by cutting back and not hiring new workers, which explains the unemployment situation. Much of the earnings "growth" we've seen is actually a result of reduced expenses. Layoffs and plant closures reduce expenses and "improve" the bottom line, but there's little or no real sales growth.
At the time of this writing gold continues to reach new highs, while stocks are still more than 50 percent below their 2007 highs. Or another way to look at it is that the S&P has recouped close to 50 percent of its losses. With all this information, it's up to individuals, with the guidance of their trusted financial advisors, to decide if the glass half full or half empty.
A major issue in the economic downturn was the dramatic loss in confidence during the panic of a year ago. It takes a long time for that confidence to be restored. Time takes time. The road to recovery will be long. It will take years to generate the number of jobs lost in the recession. In the first quarter of the year, the economy appeared to be in free-fall. Private sector payrolls fell an average of 695,000 per month, a frightening pace. In the third quarter, the pace of job losses slowed to a 197,000 average, still high by historical standards, but less than the pace at the start of the year.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) wasn't billed as a cure-all that would magically restore the economy to where it was before the crisis. The White House, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the Federal Reserve and other interested observers clearly saw that the stimulus would only minimize the downside, giving the private sector a chance to regain its footing. The unemployment rate is higher than projected, but that's only because the downturn was more severe than estimated.
Some say the stimulus should've been larger and included more aid to the states. Or, it could have contained more direct efforts to create jobs and focused more aid to small businesses, which typically play an important role in an economic recovery and have been severely restrained by the tightness in bank lending.
One thing I do know is that no one can predict the short-term swings in the market. Keeping a long-term perspective, aligned closely with your personal investment goals continues to be crucially important. Invest accordingly.
Darcie Guerin, financial advisor and branch manager, Raymond James & Associates, Inc. 606 Bald Eagle Drive, Suite 401, Marco Island, FL 34145, provides this article. Gulfshore Life magazine named Guerin as one of the Best Personal Wealth Managers in the Southwest Florida area for 2009. If you have questions, e-mail her at email@example.com or call 389-1041, toll free (866) 343-0882 or visit RaymondJames.com/Darcie. Past performance may not be indicative of future results.


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ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (WTLV) -- Presidential candidate Mitt Romney made a campaign stop in St. Augustine.
Gov. Romney spoke on the west lawn of Flagler College Monday morning starting around 9:15.
While in St. Augustine, Romney centered in on the economy, saying that 8.5 million homes have been foreclosed on and laid the blame with President Barack Obama.
"A record level is not success, Mr. President. We need to help the people in Florida with housing policies that get
housing prices up again and let people stay in their homes," said Romney.
Gates opened at 7 a.m. and the speech was open to the public.
Congressman Paul Ryan will not be accompanying Romney during his Florida trip. Instead, Ryan will likely make an appearance in Central Florida next weekend.
Gov. Romney has canceled his Orlando stop that was slated for Monday after intense campaigning over the weekend. He will still be speaking at an event in Miami Monday night.