text:
FARMINGTON — Veterans in the Four Corners can now take advantage of an expanded veterans center in Farmington.
The Farmington Vet Center, which has offered readjustment counseling services since 1991, recently completed a multi-year effort to expand its facility.
For years, counselors and staff assisted veterans in cramped quarters in the center's Park Plaza location. On Friday, the center hosted a grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting event to celebrate its larger space at 4251 E. Main St., Suite A.
"It's been a long time in the coming for us to be able to offer a wide array of services to our military veterans," said Camille Trombley, office manager at the center. "We started the process of expansion nearly five years ago."
The center, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, now has triple its original space, with a comfortably sized lobby with plenty of furniture, new group and conference rooms and counseling offices. Added technology, including computer and teleconferencing video equipment, is also available.
All of the center's services are free for veterans.
"Some veterans may need to check with an out-of-the-area doctor or counselor, like in Albuquerque, for example," Trombley said. "Now, we have the ability to make that happen in the comfort of our conference room."
On staff are three readjustment counseling therapists. One of them, Tom Smith, is a Vietnam War veteran with a master's degree in social work.
"I like to say that no one understands what it's like to be owned 24 hours a day. Your life is not your own," Smith said. "Everyone's a vet here. I was in the infantry. I've seen combat. I've been there. I understand."
The center currently assists roughly 200 veterans each month and hopes to reach 2,000 in the future.
Many of the clients Smith has seen in his 23 years of counseling work have been Vietnam War veterans -- usually people in their early 60s -- but he has started working with more vets in their 20s who are home after tours in Afghanistan or Iraq.
"We're kind of on the tip of what the VA believes to be significant iceberg of a new generation of vets who believe they can do it on their own," Smith said. "Sooner or later they see -- or their family lets them know -- they're not adjusting as well on their own, which is where we can be there as a trusted fellow vet."
Most often, Smith encounters vets with issues surrounding readjustment back into civilian life after service. Post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma or general mental health issues are common. And those bring companion medical problems such as anger, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse, financial hardship, insomnia, guilt and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships.
If needed, Smith coordinates with various specialists at the new Farmington VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, located behind the Animas Valley Mall at 3605 English Road. There, vets can use computer stations to access a database called "My Healthy Vet" to register for services, make appointments, communicate with doctors and manage their health care.
"We're truly vet-friendly here," Smith said. "Trust is something big with our veterans. They often feel guilty just needing to talk about their issues, but we are here for them. I like to say the Vet Center is like a clearinghouse for all things veterans need."
As one of only four vet centers in New Mexico, Smith believes the biggest challenge is just getting the word out that veterans have the support they need locally.
Farmington Mayor Tommy Roberts spoke at Friday's grand opening ceremony.
"The new facility will enable the center to see more veterans who have served their country in bigger numbers," Roberts said. "It reaffirms this community's investment and support for our military men and women."
With the added space and technology, the center can only be of help if the veterans who need the help -- no matter the issue or need -- walk in the door.
Smith said he's an optimist.
"I believe we can make a marked difference in the lives of those who served our country and now need some information or a helping hand," he said. If you're a veteran and think you may need help, I hope they'll call or just come in. We are advocates who can relate."
James Fenton covers Aztec and Bloomfield for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4621 and email@example.com. Follow him @fentondt on Twitter.


text:
Thursday, August 11, 2011
© Copyright 2015 Clayton News Daily
Sorry if you settled into your recliner ready to enjoy the blessed silence destined to descend on the political playing field in the aftermath of the Debt Ceiling Death Match.
Lasted as long as the life cycle of an adult mayfly. That momentary, blissful peace was rudely broken by a cacophony of squeaks and grunts and shouts as each camp tried to out-blame the other for the thudding crash Wall Street made falling down a well. Quick, go find Lassie!
It appears the Market is not impressed with the two-step deal Congress agreed to, kicking and screaming. Look close and you can see the bones of the middle class sticking out of the confetti left over from the banking and oil industry celebrations. Spending cuts during a recession. There you go. Starve a fever and feed a cold, or the other way around? What the hell, starve them both. We'll eat when we're dead.
Hard to understand why Progressives are so mad at Obama. After all, he didn't do anything. Besides cave faster than an overused supply tunnel in a Chilean coal mine. The difference is, nobody's rushing out to organize any rescue parties. Happy Birthday, Mister President. Sorry we couldn't get Marilyn to sing. Doubt if Pelosi hummed it either.
The Tea Baggers won, confusing both Democrats and Republicans by refusing to act like politicians, eschewing all the usual motivations such as their own self-interest or party affinity or even the general welfare of the country. You can't negotiate with cement. Giving proof to the old adage: "Never get in a fight with an ugly person, they got nothing to lose."
One fascinating thing to come out of the debt debacle was watching the only adult in the room turn from Great Facilitator into Great Enabler before our very eyes. Obama is so determined to govern from the middle there should be a double yellow line down the center of his forehead.
Democrats may desert him, but he remains king of the Road Kill Party. Would hate to get stuck behind Barack in a grocery line after he was asked, "Paper or plastic?" Your ice cream would liquefy waiting for him to convince the clerk he wanted "plaper" or "pastic."
The Tea Party held the government hostage, and the president fell victim to a wicked case of Stockholm syndrome, bonding with his captors, until at last he was able to successfully convince the kidnappers to accept more than they originally asked for.
The administration called the deal a compromise. The same kind of compromise the Titanic arranged with that iceberg. Like how Nagasaki and Hiroshima compromised with Fat Man and Little Boy. Brokered as many concessions as New Orleans got from Katrina. The financial equivalent of handing over Czechoslovakia after extracting a vague promise to possibly leave Poland alone. Trust he got a rolled-up umbrella for his birthday.
At this point, you can't even accuse the Democrats of being afraid of their own shadow because they don't cast one. Besides, it's hard to see your shadow when your head is so far up your rear end you can tickle your spleen with your elbow. And if they expect any chance at all in 2012, they'd be wise to invest heavily in stem-cell research in hopes of regenerating their spine.
The New York Times says Emmy-nominated comedian and writer Will Durst "is quite possibly the best political satirist working in the country today." Durst is a political comedian, who has performed around the world, and is a familiar pundit on television and radio. E-mail Will at firstname.lastname@example.com.
More like this story
- The Great Concessionaire - Will Durst ( August 10, 2011 )
- Crouching Lurkers - Will Durst ( July 26, 2011 )
- Armageddon at the D.C. Corral - Will Durst ( April 19, 2011 )
- Mosquerade party - Will Durst ( August 25, 2010 )
- Turkey Holocaust Day 2011 — Will Durst ( November 22, 2011 )

subset: commoncrawl


text: Mahal in 1949 was a lyrical movie of reincarnation and suspense that launched the careers of both Madhubala and Lata Mangeshkar. Directed by the poet Kamal Amrohi, it is virtually unique in Bollywood for its gothic atmosphere and chilling score. The film also starred Ashok Kumar. Madhubala's own tale of course is one of extraordinary sadness, early poverty, separated by the mores of her time from the love of her life Dilip Kumar, dominated by her family throughout her life so she was never truly free, and then dying at the tender age of 36. And yet on screen, she carried a mixture of confidence and fragility that has led her to be compared to Marilyn Monroe.


text:
|Booksie Address:
|United Kingdom
|Other site:
|View Link
|Favorite book:
|The CHERUB Series
|Member Since:
|Nov 27, 2008
Uhm. Hi! Keza here. I love reading (you may disagree) and my Favourate book is Class A (part of the CHERUB series), by Robert Muchamore. I love his books and I think you should read them! His Books contain sexual refreance and mild language (so just think if you want to read it or not).
More Comming Soon.
Thanks everyone for posting comments! I will visit your Booksie pages soon!
My Picture is me snowboarding when I was 5! (lol).
The reason I havent posted my recent short-story, is I bought a new laptop, and I havent installed Word yet.
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text:
By Jen Harris (United States)
and Moscow School #1129 (Russia)
This sample assignment appeared as its own topic in the iearn.hgp teleconference. The questions were formulated by students at two schools: Moscow School #1129 in Russia, and Cold Spring Harbor High School in New York, United States. Everyone was welcome to join in the lesson and contribute to the discussion (via computer telecommunications) of Yevgeny Yevtushenko's poem Babi Yar and the event that took place at Babi Yar (near Kiev).
Send responses to Dr. Ilya Altman, Victor Menachin, and Honey Kern.
Copyright © 1995-2005 by iEARN. All rights reserved.
Access the HGP's An End to Intolerance Web page.
Access the Holocaust/Genocide Project's Home Page.


text:
Quebec critics name Violence best international film of 2005
Quebec's film criticsassociation, L'Association quebecoise des critiques de cinema (AQCC), has named David Cronenberg's A History OfViolence as the best international filmof 2005.
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Maison Margiela
Leather iPad Sleeve
Unfortunately, this item will not be back in stock.
Maison Martin Margiela's flawless burgundy leather iPad sleeve adds a sumptuous shot of colour to your everyday essentials. Featuring a streamlined pocket that doesn't interrupt the clean lines, it's ideal for stowing your passport, document or notes. Carry it with slim suiting to dash between meetings in style.
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I know it has been a while since I posted anything here, my excuse is being busy with a new contract and a new house. Just realized I don't really have any pictures of the house but I will post some soon.
Also moved the blog over to www.discountasp.net and it was dead simple to get up and running and get dasBlog working on it. Things might not be working properly for a while but I'm working on it.
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Possessing a year of industry experience, we are one of the emerging manufacturers and suppliers of an impeccable range of Jewelry Items. In addition to this, we also undertake Jewelry Designing Services that can be rendered as per the specifications provided by our clients. In our range, we offer Imitation Diamond Pendants, Imitation Diamond Bracelets, Imitation Diamond Earrings, American Diamond Jewelry, Imitation Rings, ...view all
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Contact UsSur JewelsAnkit H. Parekh View Contact Number+91-22-28335130
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Joined: 13 May 2003
Posts: 19105
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:23 am
Post subject: Re: Game 3 - SPOILERS - Plot Point Campaign
XcomSquaddie wrote:
I'm guessing that someone PM'ed Gospog about using "Undocumented Minions" in his latest write-up. It didn't occur to me either but I guess it could be offensive to some people. You can see that he has since removed the post.
I'm guessing it had more to do with a certain statement on politics in the write-up, and while borderline (it is a character statement not a personal one), I appreciate the respect to the forum rules on that matter.
And to clarify, posts are auto-culled after a period on inactivity on the forums. I think the earlier request to add a poll in the first post is in response to that, since threads with polls are "immune" to the auto-cull.
Clint Black
Savage Worlds Core Rules Brand Manager
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Posts: 209
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:29 am
Post subject:
Hi Clint, I was just now PMing you.
I meant no disrespect and I'm releived that you got that. I hope it's ok to leave the link up, but if that's not the case, let me know.
And yeah, Dr. Omega is a much worse person than I am, but I'd never try to use that as a cheap excuse to post politics.
"I am forced to believe you guilty of impertinence, impiety, disregard and impudicity."
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Posts: 282
Location: Officially Bremen, Germany but mostly my own little world inside my head (soo peaceful & pretty)
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:03 am
Post subject:
Okay, so we all agree on
keeps continue to post his Dr.-Omegas-Psychological-Hygiene-Blog and avoids the deepest inner pits of his political incorrect villain.
Whom we all love by the way.
"So, how much Experience do I get for the bard?"
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Posts: 933
Location: In the Eye of the Nerdicane
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:29 am
Post subject:
This brings in an interesting dilemma.
PEG maintains a web forum with high standards of posting quality. This creates a good posting atmosphere free of flames, attacks and insults. The forums promote creativity and discussion, providing both answers and inspiration to fans of PEG products.
PEG also produces a game where the players are encouraged and expected to portray characters that are by default politically incorrect. By their very nature these characters would totally obliterate any standards of the forums.
Also, the nature of said game tends to produce dialogue regarding social, political and/or economic subjects. These topics are some of the most volatile subjects on the planet and can, in a matter of moments, reduce otherwise rational individuals into gibbering, frothing beasts of rage.
This dilemma forces a fine line between posting decorum and infringing on the storylines.
All that rambling aside, I think the posters on this board are mature enough to accept comments in the vein they are intended and to remember the difference between in-character and out-of-character posting.
And in any case, if we get too mouthy, I'm sure Clint can tase us back in line...
~ under construction ~
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Posts: 933
Location: In the Eye of the Nerdicane
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:30 am
Post subject:
DaRealJudas wrote:
Okay, so we all agree on
keeps continue to post his Dr.-Omegas-Psychological-Hygiene-Blog and avoids the deepest inner pits of his political incorrect villain.
Whom we all love by the way.
Maybe he can give "Politically Incorrect" space, like we do with spoilers...
~ under construction ~
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Posts: 209
Location: MA
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:04 pm
Post subject: Game 4 - SPOILERS - Plot Point Campaign
Ok, I heavily edited this episode. I'm working on setting up a seperate site or even a Dr. Omega blog, offsite.
For now, here's PG-13. Thanks for all of the the support and kind words. We're having a blast! We play again on the 20th!
The one-armed Vsori screamed in pain and collapsed to the cold, white floor. The electrical discharge had been so strong that his remaining hand was smoking. So were his teeth.
Dr. Omega keyed the intercom into the stark white cell, Ingenious, isnt it? I designed it especially for you. As youve deduced, you can open the door by turning both of those keys at the same time. Doing so earns you your freedom. Turning one key, or turning them both in the same direction, delivers a powerful electric shock. But I see youve discovered that.
The Vsori Warlord pushed himself up using one arm and a cold metal wall. He glared at Dr. Omega but remained silent.
Ah, and I see from that mess in the corner, youve discovered what happens when you try to remove the Null Psi helmet. Just wait until you have nothing left to throw up, then it gets really interesting.
I am impressed that you tried using your teeth to turn a key, though. Very resourceful.
Dr. Omega idly swatted a koala bear trying to climb his cape and studied his captive. The Vsori looked almost human, except for his blue skin and lack of a nose. The Doctor wondered if he looked like a human on the inside. Only one way to find out. Smiling under his skull-shaped mask, Dr. Omega thought back to the events that brought this prisoner to the Omega Dome
The master criminals ran to their van as all of the alarms at the 7-11 went off. The nondescript grey van was already running. Paco and Jose, Dr. Omegas surviving minions, were waiting at the back of the van, ready to load bags of money into the back.
There were no bags of money.
Dr. Omega glared at his clone sons. Theyd chosen to hit the 7-11 on a Sunday night, apparently after the armored car had taken all the earnings for the end of the week. They had risked running into the Vsori or worse for $150.00.
A ball of glowing energy bobbed alongside Dr. Omegas helmeted head, UPS, get in the back. Let the new guy drive. I want him to learn the way to the Omega Dome and traffic doesnt look too bad.
New guy?
Yes. After Sanchez died in that bizarre chainsaw incident, I hired another undocumented minion.
The villains and minions piled into the van. The accelerator revved as they sped off. Gentlemen, meet Delgado, my new minion.
Hearing his name, the hooded minion waved to the rest of the van, Hi.
What? cried UPS, despite not having a mouth or a face, Thats not his real name!
Its what it says on his drivers license. Would the sate of Massachusetts lie? Now shut up, I must brood.
The ride back to the Omega Dome was quiet. No one dared disturb the criminal genius in his brooding, except for Scrape, who asked politely for his allowance (he and Vertebreaker each get $5.00 a week).
Emerging from the crowded elevator into the Omega Dome itself, Dr. Omega was in for two more surprises.
His control chair spun around to face them, revealing a very attractive Asian woman in a very revealing kimono-style outfit. The kimono also revealed dozens of intricate tattoos. She had a katana sheathed on her back.
You! snarled Dr. Omega. This was the same woman who had absconded with a share of the bank loot they had liberated, not six months ago. She had stunned Dr. Omega and made her escape. He found her intriguing.
Yes, me. Good evening doctor. I hope you dont mind that I let myself in. I love your koala bears, by the way.
It was then that Dr. Omega noticed the koala bears. This woman had one on her lap. More were hanging from the ceiling, crawling on the floor, swinging from priceless scientific instruments
Yay! Doggies! Scrape clapped what passed for his hands together. He had saved his allowance for months (and robbed a hot dog cart) to be able to order doggies, shipped to his home. The doggies were here.
UPS flashed forward, zapping koalas as he flew, On it, boss.
Koala bears scattered as the villains and their visitor repaired to the Meeting Chamber, to get more comfortable and talk.
I assume, then, that there is something you need the Omega Men for, Miss ?
Yes. Ok. Angela. Lets cut to the chase here. I know for a fact that you are very capable. You must need something from us and are here to ask for it. Im a pragmatic man. Tell me what you need and maybe we can all end up happy.
Dr. Omega steepled his gauntleted hands together with small, metallic clickings.
Ok, Ill get right to the point. I assume you are familiar with the camps that the Vsori use to turn people into robotic drones?
Of course, Dr. Omega made mental note to look into these camps.
Well, Haseo, a leader in my organization-
The Yakuza?
Yes, the Yakuza. The Los Angeles Yakuza, to be specific.
But Los Angeles was leveled by the Vsori.
Yes, exactly. I failed to stop them. I was out of town. I thought I was the only survivor. But then I found out that Haseo, our leader, is being held in this drone camp in western Massachusetts.
WHAT? Interjected UPS
Please ignore my employee. Hes Russian.
O-ok. Well, I need help getting Haseo out of that camp. I am prepared to pay any price but-
But you have no one else to turn to.
They both looked over at Scrape, trying to form his dough-like flesh into a probe he could stick into an electrical socket. Vertebreaker advised him in a bass stage whisper, Ive got next.
Angelas face contorted in barely repressed misery. I really dont.
The nondescript grey van pulled up in front of the massive chain link fence. Overhead, a Vsori manta swooped in for a landing in the compound. The manta was clearly damaged and radioed into Vsori ground control that they needed to make a rough landing.
Inside the compound, a King Crab battle tank sat inert near the landing strip. Several windowless buildings filled the compound. At the far end, herds of human prisoners were penned in by more chain link fences. Most of them looked heavily sedated. Twenty drones guarded the entrance to that holding pen.
The damaged manta skidded to a halt, crushing a Ktharen under its nosecone. As the two nearby Vsori turned to see what had happened to their gunner, the hatch on the manta popped open and Scrape bounded out, Hi!.
Dr, Omega opened the secure microbead channel. All units, go! Attack! Arriba!
Vertebreaker charged out of the van and grabbed ahold of the chain link fence gate. It was massive, but so was Vertebreaker. The calcified cretin tore the gate off its hinges, sending it flying onto another hapless Ktharen! The alien was crushed by the massive reinforced gate.
Angela and the Omega Minions were right behind him. They rushed into the mob of Vsori and Ktharen even as Scrape lay around him with a large hammer.
Hey, noted Dr. Omega, Thats my hammer! He took that from my workshop!
Putting aside his annoyance for the moment, the Doctor activated stolen alien circuits in his armor, teleporting to the holding pens of humans. He located Haseo, one pen away. But four drone guards patrolled this area. He stood as still as he could.
UPS had not been idle during all of this. He arced over into the empty King Crab battle tank! The lime green monstrosity rose up on its repulsorlift engines and its weapon systems came to life, blasting drones and buildings with reckless abandon!
Scrape had accounted or almost all of the Vsori and Ktharen. Sadly, Paco had given his life in battle, his still-running chainsaw churning in the damp Massachusetts ground. Delgado saw his chance to impress his new employer and picked the chainsaw up. He followed Jose, who was hosing aliens down with his light machinegun.
Back in the holding pens, a drone had noticed Dr. Omega but took him for an intractable human prisoner. He zapped the villain with an electric prod, stunning him. Satisfied, he turned back to his guard duties.
Back in the compound, almost all of the drones were destroyed. UPS blasted a hole through the building that Dr. Omega told him explicitly not to destroy and Angela jumped into the building through it. A second later, she flew back out, backwards. Blood trickled from her nose.
Dr.Omega grabbed Haseo, the Yakuza boss and teleported him back to the Manta. He placed the heavily drugged criminal into the cockpit and hit the button that would fly him along a pre-programmed route, back to the Omega Dome. A recorded message from Angela would activate in-flight, answering any questions he might have about waking up in a Vsori jet fighter.
Meanwhile, over by what Dr. Omega took to be the actual drone creation building (now a smoking ruin), his villainous henchmen had cornered a Vsori Warlord! Scrape and Vertebreaker were acting as gunners for the stolen King Crab. The proud and haughty alien stood defiant in front of the oncoming alien battletank.
It shot his arm off.
The Vsori crumpled to the ground, his stump of an arm already cauterized. He went into shock immediately.
Get him into the van. And tie him up! UPS, evacuate that tank, we cannot hide it in the Omega Dome and were leaving.
At the Doctors orders, UPS drove the tank through the chain link fencing around the captive humans. They were free. The villains couldnt take the prisoners with them, but if they started running, the humans might have a chance.
Over by what used to be the gate, Vertebreaker and Scrape watched the remaining minions load the Warlord into the van. The two clone-sons of Dr. Omega also grabbed a couple of drones that had not been programmed yet. They loaded those in as well.
Dad, said Vertebreaker, Are we rich now? Is the Yakuza paying us millions for this?
No. I asked for no money. We got something much more valuable tonight, Vertebreaker. The Yakuza owes us a favor. When the time comes, we will call that favor in, much to the detriment of our alien overlords.
Ummm .thats good. Can I have a raise in my allowance?
Get in the van
And now here we are, my blue friend. Youre a guest in my Omega Dome. I hope youre comfortable. Because youre not going anywhere
"I am forced to believe you guilty of impertinence, impiety, disregard and impudicity."
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Posts: 1637
Location: Seattle area
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:29 pm
Post subject:
Personally, I am enjoying these greatly. The inappropriateness of the villains is part of the fun, in my eyes.
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Posts: 209
Location: MA
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:01 pm
Post subject:
Thanks, everyone! Our next game is the 20th, so stay tuned.
"I am forced to believe you guilty of impertinence, impiety, disregard and impudicity."
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Joined: 15 May 2003
Posts: 209
Location: MA
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:14 pm
Post subject: INTERLUDE - The Interrogation
Today's game has a whopping EIGHT Players! Rather than slow the game down while Dr. Omega interrogates his V'sori prisoner (or worse yet,m all eight of us try to interrogate him), my wise and beautiful GM let me email her my questions.
I then sorted her answer into a bit of an interlude story. We still have a few hours until Game Time, but here's a "behind the scenes" extra for you...
Battle Master Tirosh opened his remaining eye. The water draining from the chamber woke him up abruptly. His head still pounded from the chemicals in the water. According to his captor, the insufferable mammal Dr. Omega, the chemicals were what were now keeping Tirosh from activating his psychic powers. The splitting pain in his skull corroborated this theory.
The click of the intercom let him know what was coming next. He didnt bother looking up, didnt want to see that skull-shaped face plate, the glowing green photoreceptors.
<click> I know youre awake, Tirosh. You did very well. I once heard a Vsori boast about wresting beasts much tougher than sharks back on your homeworld. Apparently, the boast had a basis in fact. Of course, my pets are robotic sharks shame about your leg. Still very impressive.
Tirosh looked up, ignoring the nausea that made his head swim with every motion. You pathetic monkey, what do- whats on your leg?
Dr Omega swatted impatiently at the offending pest. Damn koalas. A gesture from his gauntleted hand turned on the floodlights and heat lamps in the holding cell. Steam rose from the damp floor and the damp prisoner. The Vsori warlord winced in pain.
Lets cut the chit chat, Tirosh. Im running out of death traps to test and were past the point where we pretend that youre going to leave here alive. Weve both been in this game long enough to know the real questions now: fast or slow? Suffering or a long nap? I can make this easy on you or I can give you back to Scrape.
The prone alien shuddered involuntarily. That Scrape thing it was not human. It was not pleasant. His gills fluttered as he exhaled a deep breath. You wont break me, human.
Drop the bravado. Youre already broken. Im going to ask you these questions one last time. Id love to hear some straight answers but either way, I get to finish my PSI-borg tonight
The Vsoris head dropped in resignation.
First Question: What's going on with Atlantis? It's sunk, does anyone still live there?
It sank 200 Terran years ago. Happy?
Hardly, everyone knows that it sunk hundreds of years ago. I want to know about the Atleanteans. I hear they were masters of magic? Are you afraid of magic? Can the Atleanteans guess what card you pull from the deck? Turn a bouquet of flowers into a dove?
Human, you would do well not to trifle with Atlenatean ma- no, you know what? Go ahead. Delve into the Atleantean Mysteries. I implore you; investigate a threat even greater than that of my people.
But please kill me first.
Fine. Well move on, then. Have the V'sori encountered the Atlanteans before?
Dr. Omega cursed his imperfect understanding of the Vsori language. The sensor array in his armor told him that Atlanteans were being cursed in more audio wavelengths than he could readily detect. The Vsori grit his teeth so hard, chips of bone spewed from his blue lips.
Huh. Im going to write down yes and well just keep going.
Heres a fun one. What other client races besides the K'tharen do the V'sori control?
Ah, why did you not ask me this before, monkey? The glorious Vsori Empire has crushed many, many races and brought them to heel.
The blue skinned alien was obviously happy to answer.
Hmmm, lets see. What are some of the most important? Well, there are the Grays. As far as humans are concerned, your tall gray aliens, best known for the barbed fingers they use for inflicting pain. They started their studies of you decades ago, of course.
The T'evza ares mall green skinned aliens, farmers on their homeworld of F'thgar where the G'roks are native to. I understand youve encountered the Groks. Theyre infinitely more useful than the T'evza themselves are.
The Proteans are a meek race of shapeshifters - they tried to flee rather than fight. We were forced to all but wipe them out. Weaklings.
I could go on, of course, but I think Ill leave some surprises for you. If the Ktharen dont crush you, there are plenty more subjugated troops where they came from.
Fascinating. This one should be easily answerable for you, considering the facility you ran. Why create Drones from humans but remove free will? Wouldn't true automatons be easier?
Automatons? You think that technology just- I ought to just- You know what, human? Kill me, I am sick of answering your questions, you arrogant genetic throwback! Why dont you have an automaton kill me, if you think you can make one!
My, my, arent we ferocious? Very well, then. Whats going on the Star City Aquarium?
I would rather die than tell you, human.
How original. Why was Star City not leveled with the other cities in the US?
Taciturn silence was the only response. Dr. Omega decided not to press the issue and switch to a new topic.
Can a V'sori or K'tharen develop superpowers?
Vsori are a master race and do not need so-called super powers. We are masters of the mind! We are superior to your puny race in every way!
Hmmm yes. Your brain is certainly receptive to psionic wavelengths. And pain inducers. Dont worry, the pain will end when your brain is powering my PSI-borg! But were getting ahead of ourselves, if only by a matter of minutes.
So speaking of robotic engineering, can the Drone process be reversed?
The process used to turn humans into drones. Can it be reversed?
What? Why why would anyone want to? This is foolishness. Just kill me and get it over with.
As you wish, Battle Master Tirosh. But Im afraid that Im not going to kill you.
You see, I recovered a giant robot from Terrons lair. It rather lost its head and Ive built it a new one. This new head is a marvel of psionic engineering. It will allow my robot to manifest psionic powers. Of course, I need a living psionic brain to fuel the machine.
Any last words?
Die, human scum.
Good bye, Tirosh. When you wake up, you will be trapped behind the eyes of my PSI-borg, awake but helpless to stop what is happening, a slave to the will of Dr. Omega!
Scrape! Prep lab 3
"I am forced to believe you guilty of impertinence, impiety, disregard and impudicity."
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Location: In the Eye of the Nerdicane
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 1:46 pm
Post subject:
Awesome! Looking forward to more.
Any luck on getting a blog set up so we can view the story in all it's uncouth glory?
~ under construction ~
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Sitting Duck
Joined: 15 May 2003
Posts: 5296
Location: Podunk Junction, State of Confusion
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:49 am
Post subject:
A second for seeing this blogged unedited. I would personally recommend LiveJournal. But then that's the one I'm on.
The rabbit is cuddly. Kids like little cuddly sidekicks. I mean... The rabbit... It's a time-tested... Okay, the rabbit bites.
The Gamer's Codex Reviewer
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Joined: 06 Sep 2008
Posts: 282
Location: Officially Bremen, Germany but mostly my own little world inside my head (soo peaceful & pretty)
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:21 am
Post subject:
Oh you just wanna read the filth and the political incorrectness and the foul language...
"So, how much Experience do I get for the bard?"
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Posts: 933
Location: In the Eye of the Nerdicane
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:58 am
Post subject:
DaRealJudas wrote:
Oh you just wanna read the filth and the political incorrectness and the foul language...
Yep. Pretty much.
~ under construction ~
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:54 am
Post subject:
* bump *
~ under construction ~
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Joined: 15 May 2003
Posts: 209
Location: MA
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:52 pm
Post subject:
Hey guys!
Thanks for the bump. I am about halfway done with the new write-up but it's been tough to squeeze in. We've had a CRAZY week!
I'll try to finish it tonight. I actually run my game (Dark Heresy) tomorrow.
This recent most game was very long, we went into the AM! (we start in the late afternoon) So there's a lot to write. Worst case scenario: it will be up this weekend.
Thanks again.
"I am forced to believe you guilty of impertinence, impiety, disregard and impudicity."
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:10 pm
Post subject: Episode 5 - Plot Point Campaign SPOILERS!
Date: September 21
Therapist: Dr. Leonard Mortin
Subject: Omega
Session 57
DR. MORTIN: Dr. Omega, I umm well, youve never woken me up in the middle of the night before? Are you all right? What is going on?
OMEGA: I will forgive your demanding tone, Dr. Mortin. This time. I do in fact have exciting news. I have a hobby!
DR. MORTIN: Oh, yes well, that is big news. I do recall that we discussed the therapeutic advantages of taking up a hobby. But if I remember correctly, we also decided that attempting to take over the world is an occupation and not a hobby.
OMEGA: Yes, of course! My memory, as you well know, is perfect! No, my new hobby is collecting Vsori Battle Masters! I just picked up a new one and Im very excited! Who would have thought? I mean, I turned the last one into a lumbering psionic monstrosity but I can do anything I want with this one! What do you think? Would it be gauche to make another lumbering psionic monstrosity? Hmmm, maybe
DR. MORTIN: Er, Dr. Omega, maybe it would be best if you started at the beginning of this latest acquisition. And dont forget to let me know how each event made you feel.
OMEGA: Very well, it was time for the monthly meeting of my Omega Men
They sat around the oval table. Some of them stretched their legs out, where the way was not blocked by milk crates (holding the table up). Others were somewhat cramped or did not have legs in any case.
Dr. Omega looked around and nodded in confirmation, all were in attendance almost. Scrape! Where the hell is your half-wit brother, Vertebreaker? The meeting is starting!
Hes on the computer, Pa.
Dr. Omega stomped over to the lounge where the OmegaMac sat. Vertebreaker was trying desperately to figure out how to Check his Internets. Computer Science is not something you pick up growing to monstrous maturity in a vat.
In his confusion, Vertebreaker typed his own name into Google, thinking that the computer would know that meant he wanted his email. Or something. A desperate, bony finger jabbed Enter.
Dr. Omega cut his network connection via a transmitter in his armor and was about to put his gauntleted fist through yet another monitor when he saw the results of Vertebreakers search. It was a website dedicated to him. To Vertebreaker. Dr. Omega re-clicked the relay and the fist headed for the monitor swatted Vertebreaker off the chair.
What trickery was this? Opening multiple browser tabs, the fiendish doctor pulled up fan pages for each of the Omega Men. The Omega Women had several pages each. Many of those required credit card information to enter.
The mad genius called the others over to see. One by one, they sat and took in the sheer scope of their newfound Internet Fame. Dr. Omega himself cut his session short when the page he discovered for himself was found to be some sort of gay fetish site. Predictably, the computer monitor paid the ultimate price for someones digital adoration.
Back to the meeting! Move!
The villains settled back in, several clutching particularly flattering print-outs from their fan sites. Dr. Omega introduced Angela, the Yakuza Assassin hed asked to return to the Omega Dome to work off part of her debt to the Omega Men. She was met with slight nods from most of the villains. Scrapes attempt to wolf whistle ruined all of the paper print-outs in front of him, as well as part of the table.
The meeting proper commenced. Dr. Omega shared the results of his interrogation of the Vsori Battle Master, Tirosh. They then discussed other recent findings, such as the results of their last mission and the raid on the Drone Camp in Massachusetts. Dr. Saurial particularly asked a lot of pointed questions about the drone creation process, or at least the parts theyd seen at the camp.
Their discussion was interrupted by the still-active computer, which loudly announced, Youve got OMEGA mail!
Cursing the busted CRT monitor, Dr. Omega pulled the message up on the Heads Up Display inside his helmet. Earlier, hed sent a message to Crab Imperial, the giant mutant crab and would-be Emperor of the Seas, asking what he knew about the villain Hydra. Everyone knows that Hydra was the nemesis of Aquarian, but Aquarian was known to be long dead. His recent encounters with Hydras illegitimate child made Dr. Omega highly suspicious.
The Omega Mail message from Crab Imperial said that he would discuss the matter with Omega over a meal of the highest quality at the Imperial Garden, one of the most successful Chinese restaurants in Westpoint. Crab Imperial owned and ran the Garden.
Lured not only by the promise of egg rolls, but also by the prospect of ending the Omega Meeting early, the villains all piled into the nondescript, grey van outside. Almost all of them, at least. Dr. Saurial drove Isiss Porche and Isis herself drove her three-seater red motorcycle.
On the way to the restaurant, Dr. Omega explained his relationship with Crab Imperial. They had knocked over a series of banks in San Diego in the 1980s. The money theyd stolen funded a horrifying parade of death rays, giant robots and cyborg sharks. Ah, the good old days
These days, Crab Imperial honors their old partnership, acting as an emergency resource for Dr. Omega. Should the unthinkable happen and the Omega Dome be compromised (again), Dr. Omega will escape in a pod that is launched via cannon into the Atlantic Ocean. A pre-determined and automatic distress signal will summon Crab Imperials Rangoons to come and haul the pod to place of aquatic safety.
And theres room for all of us in the pod, right, Pa? added Vertebreaker.
Oh of course son. Theres room for any and all survivors.
The grey van pulled up to the restaurant, Dr. Omega gestured to the Reverend Burdo. Perhaps a tour group from out of town?
The Reverend closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, the Omega Men and even the Omega Minions appeared as normal people in loud Hawaiian shirts. Everyone appeared to have a camera, as well.
The Imperial Garden was something of a hot spot, by post-invasion standards. The Vsori even ate there, occasionally, and so gave Crab Imperial some latitude when it came to, well, existing. He fed their conquerors well and in return heard a lot of very interesting things.
After the minions were diverted off to a shabby back room (rules are rules), the tourists were greeted by Crab Imperial himself! The giant purple, mutant crab scuttled up with menus clutched in one massive pincer, Oooh! How many in your party, sir?
Dr. Omega almost laughed. Burdos disguises were foolproof. 1986, Western Federal Credit Union. A man in a gray suit, begging for mercy. He had to go home
To his dog! Ha! Ha! Ha! finished the enormous crustacean. Omega, so good to see you! And not floating in the At-
Yes! Very good, Imperial. Very good. These are my Omega Men. I can make proper introductions once we are seated?
A well-appointed back room actually had a bit of room to spare once all of the villains and Crab Imperial had taken their seats. Imperial wore his Tyrants crown, glistening with cutting-edge electronic weaponry. His Scepter of Oppression was no less impressive and glinted as he gestured with it. Simply dressed Rangoons brought several courses to the table but it was not long before the conversation turned to business.
Hydra is a delicate subject. He is dead. It happened just recently, Im afraid. You know all about his suspected romance with the Presidents daughter?
First hand. So to speak. But how did Hydra die?
Well, his hidden lab, his seaside lair, was invaded by the Vsori, in force. They killed him and said to be there right now, ransacking his research.
I see. Well, I-
Omega Men! Listen up! All of the Omega Mens comm. Beads boomed with the unmistakable voice of Dr. Destruction.
Oh good, I was afraid wed get to have a meeting in peace. What is it, Destruction?
Go to the former lair of Hydra. You will retrieve a long, blue box that looks something like a telephone booth. You will bring this device to a pre-designated drop point without bringing a whole battalion of Vsori coastal troops down on you. Drop information is forthcoming. Destruction out.
They had all heard the message. They were all, to a man, annoyed by Destruction. Horribly annoyed. Murderously annoyed. Some day
Dr. Omega gestured for everyone to place their comm Beads in a pile in the center of the table. He placed next to them a jury-rigged jamming device and switched it on. White noise filled the room.
Imperial, we have reason to believe that Hydra had or has developed a way into Atlantis. A working teleportation tube, close to Star City. Were going to get Destructions phone booth but if you know anything else about Hydra, we need to know now.
Well, there are rumors. A Vsori Battle Master, Ikaran, is said to have killed Hydra. You have to understand: Hydra could regenerate and was resistant to most forms of psionic attack. If this Ikaran killed him, then he is powerful indeed. Be careful, Dr. Omega.
With that, the Omega Men took their leave. One short van ride later, they were back at the Omega Dome, making plans to infiltrate the lair of Hydra and recover the teleportation chamber.
The plan was (not unlike the Omega Men) simple in the extreme.
UPS would activate his Manta fighter and fly Scrape to the coast, where Hydras lair sat, built into the rocky seawall itself. They would float just under the surface of the water, avoiding detection, and wait for Dr. Omegas signal.
The balance of the group would pile into a large boxy moving truck. Reverend Burdo would make it appear like a Vsori (Dr. Omega) was leading a moving crew of humans (everyone else) in delivering a truck full of scientific equipment to the lair. Some actual scientific equipment taken from the Omega Dome would lend creditability to their story and potentially prove useful to the mad Doctor should they need a hastily constructed device.
Dr. Omega directed his hulking clone sons to load a tarp-covered crate into the moving truck, as well. It took both brutes to muscle the box into the van, leaving little room for the various villains and henchmen. At one point, Scrape lifted the tarp and took a peek inside, joined instantly by Vertebreaker. They giggled maliciously.
The illusion lasted seconds, slightly longer than the plan.
The truck rolled down the dirt road to Hydras seaside lair. Vsori war-spheres hailed them but their hails went unanswered, bringing a swarm of war-spheres down on the truck, blasting away.
The villains cut slits in the cloth sides of the truck (the illusion would cover those as well). Those that had a clear line of sight shot war-spheres down, time and again.
One particular war-sphere hovered in front of the truck, where two of the robed omega Minions were driving. Mira!
It was to be the last word Gordita ever screamed and the last word Delgado ever heard. The war-sphere opened fire, smashing the windshield and vaporizing both minions. The truck swerved dangerously out of control.
Isis! shouted Dr. Omega, but the assassin was already bounding into the drivers seat. Ubu can drive, too! she shot over her shoulder as she fought to bring the truck under control.
At the lair itself, a manta fighter had risen level with the windows built into the cliff face. Scrape peered in and saw a garage of sorts, with a Mbuna and a Manta parked in it. A lone Ktharen guarded the vehicles.
Or at least, he guarded the vehicles until he happened to peer out one of the windows. A misshapen fist smashed through the glass and grabbed the aquatic alien by the head. Then the hand squeezed.
Outside the lair, on the dirt road, at least a dozen more war-spheres had appeared.
Dr. Saurial had taken to the roof of the truck and was returning fire when a direct hit from a blaster rifle dropped him. A cursory glance made it clear that he was badly hurt. He lay on the floor of the truck, groaning, barely conscious.
Burdos minions were hanging off of the truck, shooting sphere after sphere. Vertebreaker was tackling and smashing them, but it wasnt going to be enough.
Dr. Omega kicked the crate that hed had his sons pack.
Wake up! We need your intellect.
The tarp tore away, caught the rushing wind of the moving truck, and fluttered away. The PSI-borg sat up in its crate. Glowing red eyes sat below an armor-glass dome. Inside the dome, a grayish-purple Vsori brain pulsed steadily. This horrifying head sat on the shoulders of Terrons former giant robot. Its head swiveled to face Dr. Omega.
Send out a psychic message. Tell the war-spheres to stand down.
The glowing red eyes pulsed. Dr. Omega turned around, looking out a tear in the fabric, tracking the battle. A scythe-tipped hand raised behind him and lowered. The war-spheres stopped shooting.
Uninformed of this recent development, Vertebreaker slammed a war-sphere to the ground. Yeah! Take that, bitch! Yeah! Who da man?
Vertebreaker, get in. I can see Scrape on top of the compound, motioning us into the garage.
Inside the garage, the villains ignored the headless Ktharen and studied the control panel on the wall. Reverend Burdo lay his hands on Dr. Saurial and Vertebreaker, both hurt in the battle. The villains healed instantly, and stood to join the others.
They used the control panel to enter another room and were instantly set upon by two Ktheren, a mob of Drones and four war-spheres (actually, the war-spheres were standing down).
Reverend Burdo gestured at one of the Ktharen, Welcome to the fold.
The shark-like alien nodded and attacked his comrade, killing him with a vicious bite to the neck. Angela and Vertebreaker tore into the drones, scattering them into smashed pieces. Isis saw a rack of weapons and ran over, loading up on power blades and gyrojet rifles.
Searching around the chamber, UPS and Scrape found a secret passage in a bathroom: stairs leading down. An elevator stood nearby, also indicating descent (buttons for lower floors only).
The villains sent the converted Ktharen and all the surviving minions down the elevator as a distraction. They then took the stairs down the secret passage.
Downstairs, they found Hydras bedroom. A heart-shaped bed was the only tribute to luxury. Along one wall, a bank of monitors showed camera views from the entire lair. In the next room over, it appeared, the minions had already engaged more Ktharen, droids and war-spheres. More interesting yet, a Vsori in intricate battle armor watched the proceedings, directing the aliens. Ikaran!
The villains surged through the door, plowing into the remaining aliens! Leave Ikaran to me! shouted Dr. Omega as he triggered his teleportation circuitry.
With a popping sound of displaced air, he disappeared from the bedroom and appeared next to Ikaran. He pressed the business end of his stun wand to the Vsoris unarmored neck. Sparks flew from the weapon.
Nothing happened.
Ikaran turned his gaze on the mad Doctor, his eyes were beginning to glow with directed psychic power.
Dr. Omega stood, frozen in shock. Hi.
Dad! Vertebreaker was still by the bedroom door, trying to pick the best part of the combat to charge into. Seeing his father in danger catapulted him into action! He tore the heavy metal door from its hinges and hurled it at Ikaran with all of his might.
The door stuck the Vsori in the base of his back. There was a crumpling sound as his armor crumpled from the sheer force of the blow. His bones fared little better. The Battle Master hit the ground, unconscious and bleeding internally.
By the time Dr. Omega had a hasty psi-nullifier banded to the Vsoris head, the battle was over. Paco, one of the Omega Minions, had discovered Hydra himself, alive and kept in some sort of liquid-filled stasis tube!
Paco had released him (quite the clever one, that Paco) and Hydra teetered on the edge of consciousness. Meros he came to me, tried to make me forget but I remember I-
Fascinating. Dr. Omega looked around, surveying the carnage his Omega Men had wrought. Dr. Saurial and Isis had even found the blue telephone booth that Dr. Destruction had wanted.
Dr. Saurial also collected a large quantity of the liquid that the Vsori had Hydra floating in. Apparently the liquid negates super-powers. Saurial showed Dr. Omega how he could use a little to enhance his psi-dampener and then took the rest away in a mason jar.
Dr. Omega gestured for everyone to remove their comm beads and turned on his jamming device again. Gather up all the tech that we can fit into the truck, along with the box. Dress Hydra in the robes of one of my dead minions. Well hide him at the Omega Dome. We know where his daughter is and who has her. Im betting that Hydra will be a valuable ally in taking down Dr. Destruction permanently.
Vertebreaker tapped Dr. Omega on the shoulder.
What is it son?
Verebreaker displayed what passes for a smile, for him. Um, wheres the PSI-borg, Pa? Did you leave it upstairs?
Indeed. I would have loved to have unleashed it in the crucible of combat, but it would not fit in the elevator or down the stairs. Or in the door. So I told it to wait upstairs.
Isnt that dangerous? What if it turns on you?
Ah, Vertebreaker, you have so much to learn about life. I took the psychic brain of an alien warlord who Id tortured for weeks and almost killed and placed it into a twenty foot tall killing machine. There is absolutely no way this can go wrong. I certainly havent created a dangerous arch-nemesis whos bound to escape my control someday and wreak terrible revenge.
Oh. Ok. Vertebreaker stomped off to help load the truck.
Dr. Omega checked the restraints on Battle Master Ikaran.
Oh, my new friend. You and I will be having such conversations.
THE END (for now)
"I am forced to believe you guilty of impertinence, impiety, disregard and impudicity."
Last edited by Gospog on Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:25 am; edited 1 time in total
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Joined: 19 May 2004
Posts: 933
Location: In the Eye of the Nerdicane
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:41 am
Post subject: Re: Episode 5 - Plot Point Campaign SPOILERS!
Quote of the week:
Gospog wrote:
Ah, Vertebreaker, you have so much to learn about life. I took the psychic brain of an alien warlord who Id tortured for weeks and almost killed and placed it into a twenty foot tall killing machine. There is absolutely no way this can go wrong. I certainly havent created a dangerous arch-nemesis whos bound to escape my control someday and wreak terrible revenge.
Lovin' it!
Very cool update. Many thanks!
~ under construction ~
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Sitting Duck
Joined: 15 May 2003
Posts: 5296
Location: Podunk Junction, State of Confusion
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:03 am
Post subject:
Foreshadowing there?
The rabbit is cuddly. Kids like little cuddly sidekicks. I mean... The rabbit... It's a time-tested... Okay, the rabbit bites.
The Gamer's Codex Reviewer
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Posts: 209
Location: MA
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:24 am
Post subject:
Foreshadowing there?
Well, more like 'subtle hinting'. Only my GM knows for sure.
But what fun is being an evil mastermind if all my schemes and creations don't blow up in my face?
My Gm is amazing and I have faith in her to punish Dr. Omega for being...Dr. Omega.
"I am forced to believe you guilty of impertinence, impiety, disregard and impudicity."
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Posts: 282
Location: Officially Bremen, Germany but mostly my own little world inside my head (soo peaceful & pretty)
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:39 am
Post subject:
Gospog wrote:
My Gm is amazing ...
No one likes a brownnose...
...but I guess it's okay if you are actually married to your GM.
"So, how much Experience do I get for the bard?"
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text:
Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) rescues Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a married combat nurse from 1945 who finds herself adrift in an alien time and place in 'Outlander,' on Saturdays on Starz.
- Filed Under
"American Idol" Season 2 finalist and Westland native Josh Gracin was being held today under a 5150 psychiatric hold by law enforcement, according to a new report.
The singer went missing Thursday after posting an apparent suicide note to Facebook,
TMZ claims Gracin was pulled over by police on his way to the hospital, who escorted him to medical professionals for an evaluation.
The star's manager wrote soon after on his Facebook page, updating fans that Gracin was safe and at home.
A post to his Facebook page today says that today's scheduled appearance at Live on the Levee in Charleston, W.Va., has been canceled. According to Pollstar, Gracin also has concerts scheduled this month in Novi; Omaha, Neb., and Louisville, Ky.
'Outlander" renewed
Starz is moving forward with a second season of "Outlander" after airing just one episode of the new period drama.
Season 2 will be at least 13 episodes and will be based on the second book of Diana Gabaldon's eight-book "Outlander" series, titled "Dragonfly in Amber."
The premiere episode of "Outlander" has averaged more than 5 million viewers in its first week, with nearly 1 million watching it via a free on-demand sneak peek prior to its Aug. 9 debut on Starz.
The drama follows Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she falls in love with another man, the young Scottish warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan).
"Outlander's" first 16-episode season, filmed on location in Scotland, will conclude its initial eight-episode run Sept. 27.
Williams gets game tribute
Robin Williams is receiving a very special tribute from one of the world's most popular video games.
The actor, who died Monday at age 63, will be memorialized in the role-playing game World of Warcraft, Ian Hazzikostas, the game's lead designer, told the Associated Press on Thursday.
"All of us are massive Robin Williams fans," Hazzikostas said. "We love and appreciate his work. We grew up watching his movies and stand-up. We knew he was an avid World of Warcraft player, which was awesome."
Robin Hood will sing
NBC is dominating when it comes to musicals, fresh off the success of "The Sound of Music Live!" and currently embroiled in the hype storm that is "Peter Pan Live!" Let's see if it can bring that enthusiasm - with an exclamation point - to Robin Hood.
The network is developing "Robin Hood & Marian," a 10-episode series set in 1190 that tells the story of the greatest man in tights that ever lived.
It's not going to be a traditional musical, however, according to Boardwalk Entertainment Group cofounder Tim Bogart . So there goes the dream of hot men shimmying and dancing.
NBC hopes to crank out about 60 original songs for the show and follow the series with a stage tour and possibly a radio series.
Bieber pays for monkey
German authorities say Justin Bieber has paid the $10,700 he owed after attempting to bring a pet monkey into the country last year without the necessary papers.
Bieber failed to produce vaccination and import papers for Mally the monkey upon arriving in Munich in March 2013, and the animal was seized by customs. Mally became the German government's property after the singer failed to claim his pet and now lives at a zoo in northern Germany.
■ The wife of Casey Kasem plans to bury the late radio personality in Norway - contrary to Kasem's desire to be interred in Los Angeles and against the wishes of his adult children, a publicist for Kasem's daughter said today. It was unclear when the burial might occur and why Jean Kasem selected Norway.


text:
Neptune Deluxe Verandah Suite (SB): Noordam Cabin Reviews
Noordam Cabin Categories
Two lower beds convertible to 1 king-size bed, bathroom with dual sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath, shower and additional shower stall, large sitting area, dressing room, private verandah, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons, floor-to-ceiling windows. Approximately 500–712 sq. ft. including verandah.
Neptune Deluxe Verandah Suite (SB)
Never again nyfrsr
room was great liked the neptune lounge long way to walk to the elevators
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Second and last chance for HAL Ronniegiants
Was as we expected. Adequate without being anything over special. Small but adequate balcony
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Noordam Eastern Mediterranean jnjmoore007Great suite, mid-ship, lovely balcony.
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My Favorite So Far! DAVIDPEZAK1We were in 5190 Ill never forget how spacious and nice this room was. No matter what we got a side view of the boat and a back view of the boat. Simply amazing. Ill never go on another cruise without getting a corner wrap around balcony. The beds were comfortable the room was so clean. It was serviced every day. Nice TV in the room. Again, spacious, comfortable, quiet and homely. Plus we were close to the food!
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Great Cruise On NOORDAM LocomotivemanDeluxe Suite # 6175 Handicap-accessible. Sumptuous, quiet. Veranda was HOT!!....with no canopy for shade. Electric Drapes were a wonderful touch for a Handicapped person. Fairly close to Elevators to Dining Rm on Deck# 3 and Lido on Deck #9.
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Dec. 2-12, 2011 Southern Caribbean Cruise GamerchickSB7145 was a really nice cabin. Great balcony on the aft, with a wraparound balcony. A lot of hangers available and lots of closet space.
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May 30th, 2008 - 11:49:13
Straight Talk, No Chaser
By Esther Iverem--SeeingBlack.com Editor and Film Critic
Jul 13, 2007, 12:30
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Talk to Me, the title of the new film about Washington, D.C. radio and TV personality Petey Greene, also describes the era in the 1960s and 1970s when being vocal in the Black community, was integral to being powerfulon the radio and in the streets.
In the hands of director Kasi Lemons (Eves Bayou, The Cavemans Valentine), and actor Don Cheadle, Greenes story is a rich evocation of Washington, D.C. and much of urban Black America in those tense years when the Civil Rights Movement broke down entrenched barriers of segregation, when the Rev. Martin Luther King was assassinated, and when inner-city neighborhoods were set ablaze by rioters in the streets.
Greene, who grew up in poverty in Washington, D.C. and did a stint in prison for armed robbery, is also emblematic of new possibilities created for those Blacks able to slip through elusive doors of opportunity. I aint nothing but a con and a thief, he would say, even after gaining a national profile as an entertainer and activist. The tense relationship between Greene and Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a pioneering Black radio executive, also powerfully symbolizes the schism between working class and middle class Blacks with differing ideas about integration, progress and upward mobility. As both
men say in the story, each needs the other to do what the other is afraid to do. Through the power of Black radio, Greene was able to connect with disenfranchised Blacks of the nations capital. Hughes became a successful businessman who helped lay the groundwork for Radio One, a large, Black-owned media company.
It is through the relationship between Greene and Hughes that the story of Ralph Waldo Petey Greene unfolds. When we first meet him, he is still doing time at the Lorton Prison, in nearby Virginia, where he becomes a popular and profane personality on the prison station. After his release, he heads to WOL-AM in Washington, where he knows Hughes is working, and bullies his way into an on-air job. The bond between the two men takes them through turbulent times, and then to the national spotlight, whether they are ready for it, or not.
In tone, Talk to Me is similar to Spike Lees Malcolm X, filled with both humor and the serious tenor of serious times. In a span of two hours, it goes from the streets to the boardroom and back, several times. Taraji P. Henson (Hustle and Flow) plays Greenes girlfriend, Vernell Watson, with the sort of sassiness that she is known for and Cedric the Entertainer adds to the eras air of flamboyant extremes in the role of Nighthawk, a smooth-talking night disc jockey popular with the ladies.
The film is also similar to other recent, fine efforts, including Pride, which tell an important story but do not get treated in an important way in terms of marketing and publicity. Despite the dearth of marketing, maybe Black audiences can break the mold of apathy and lukewarm response to such films, and show instead that our actors dont have to play thugs and pimps to get attention. Petey Greene understood that.
This review also appeared on BlackAmericaweb.com. Please support us by ordering Esther Iverem's
We Gotta Have It: Twenty Years of Seeing Black at the Movies, 1986-2006
(Thunders Mouth Press, April 2007)at
or at your favorite bookstore. Thanks!
© Copyright 2006 SeeingBlack.com
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Canon PowerShot S90
Started Oct 18, 2012 | For sale thread
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Canon PowerShot S90
Oct 18, 2012
Hi all, fairly new to dpreview,
I'm selling my great little Canon PowerShot S90. Bought it the year it was released in the UK, and still in good condition, with only a couple of tiny scratches. Never dropped or treated badly.
Still have the original box, instructions, charger and it will also be supplied with 2 batteries and a SanDisk 4GB Extreme 3 SDHC card.
Only reason for sale is to finance a NEX-7 to add to my D700.
Based in Beckenham near Bromley in Kent and asking £165 ono.
Postage would be an additional small charge.
Best regards
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Mega Buzz: HIMYM's Endgame, Thrones' New Threats and Good Wife's Scandal
Mar 11, 2014 10:40 PM EDT
Every week, senior reporter Natalie Abrams satisfies your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to firstname.lastname@example.com or tweet them to @NatalieAbrams Please tell me The Mother is not dead on How I Met Your Mother. — Di… Read more


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- Admissions
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SUNY Plattsburgh has been ranked among "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report for the sixth straight year. READ MORE
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 17, 2015) — The new and improved Yokum Communications Hall will be unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, Oct. 17 during the college's Homecoming festivities.
Renovations to the communications hall began in the summer of 2014 and included upgrading audio, multimedia and the Albert R. Montanaro Jr. Television Studio facilities from analog to digital technology. The studios were named for the late Albert Montanaro Jr., a long-time communications department faculty member and mentor.
The upgrades included renovations to the two television studios to equip them with high definition cameras; control rooms with new switching gear to allow for digital work flow; expansion to 12 private editing suites and one automated dialog recording suite; a new student lounge called the "Think Tank" with casual seating where students can work and interact; a dedicated audio-visual classroom with surround processing and more.more...
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 11, 2015) — The newly renovated Hawkins Pond will officially reopen Saturday, Sept. 19 during a gathering beginning at 1:30 p.m.
The area had been offline for more than a year while work crews completed replaced the pond bedding and lining and installed rocks from the Champlain Valley along the shoreline to create natural seating. The pond was embellished with a waterfall, which formulates into three ponds — two cascading into one that then flows into the main body of water.more...
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 11, 2015) — SUNY Plattsburgh sociology alumnus Jonathan LaMare will discuss his experiences as director of a Haitian orphanage Thursday, Sept. 17 beginning at 6 p.m. in Krinivotz Recital Hall, Hawkins Hall.
LaMare, a member of the Class of 2010 and former adjunct faculty in the Department of Sociology at SUNY Plattsburgh, has spent the better part of three years as director of an orphanage in Haiti and has done development work in Rwanda. He'll bring these experiences to his alma mater during his talk, "Haiti: Development (Mis)conceptions." LaMare's return to SUNY Plattsburgh is part of the Alumni in the Classroom Experience, or ACE, Program, and is sponsored by the Plattsburgh Alumni Association, Plattsburgh College Foundation and the Department of Sociology. The talk is free and open to the public.
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 8, 2015) — This month's Gender & Women's Studies Forum will host Dr. Breea C. Willingham for a discussion about prison and racial activism on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in the Alumni Conference Room, Angell College Center.
"Rewriting the Script Society has Written for Them: Black Women's Prison Narratives as Active Black Feminism" features a 20-minute lecture followed by an open Q&A with Willingham, an assistant professor of criminal justice at SUNY Plattsburgh.more...
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 4, 2015)—The Plattsburgh State Art Museum will host a closing reception with signature members of the American Watercolor Society in the Joseph C. and Joan T. Burke Gallery and Winkel Sculpture Court Sept. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The event features artists Ann Pember and Mina Angelos discussing their artwork, and cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the adjoining gallery. It is free and open to the public.more...
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 4, 2015) —The annual SUNY Plattsburgh 9/11 memorial service will take place at noon, Sept. 11, at the newly renovated Hawkins Pond.
The ceremony is coordinated by the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society and will follow its traditional format of an emcee, guest speakers and live music.more...
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 1, 2015)—The Plattsburgh State Art Museum will soon offer fall semester docent classes.
Those interested in gaining experience as a guide in an artistic setting are encouraged to attend.more...
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Aug. 28, 2015) — Two new SUNY Plattsburgh University Police officers were sworn into service Friday afternoon in the Office of the President.
Justin Courtade, 24, of Lakeview, N.Y., and Derek Wiebel, 26, of Hannibal, N.Y., took the oath of office from President John Ettling before family members and SUNY Plattsburgh Chief of Police Jerry Lottie, Assistant Chief of Police Patrick Keleher, and Vice President for Student Affairs Bryan Hartman.more...
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Aug. 28, 2015) — SUNY Plattsburgh once again finds itself on Washington Monthly's Top 100 colleges and universities providing the "Best Bang for the Buck" in the Northeast.
The college was among 14 SUNY institutes to make the cut. According to Washington Monthly, the list shows "which schools in the Northeast are the best value … based on 'net' (not sticker) price, how well they do graduating the students they admit, and whether those students go on to earn at least enough to pay off their loans."more...
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Aug. 27, 2015)—Students interested in graduate school are encouraged to attend the free Graduate and Professional School Fair Thursday, Sept. 10, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Warren Ballroom, Angell College Center.
More than 80 graduate and professional schools will attend the fair, along with SUNY Plattsburgh's graduate faculty members to discuss graduate study options on campus.more...
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President's Commentary—February 2014
A Plea for a Steady-State Economy
Bob Hughes, AFS President
Recent news stimulated my writing of this commentary. Pope Francis and President Obama decried the growing gap in income disparity globally and in the United States. China largely abandoned its one-child policy to stimulate economic growth, despite being the top CO-emitting nation on Earth. The Warsaw Climate Change Conference produced no clear commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because of threats to economic growth. Canada gutted its Fisheries Act (Post and Hutchings 2013) and the Oregon Congressional delegation introduced bills to markedly weaken aquatic resource protections in the North-west Forest Plan (Frissell 2013). Both of the latter actions are designed to stimulate economic growth at the expense of fish, fisheries, and aquatic ecosystems.
As long as resource scientists and managers fail to honestly discuss the limits to economic growth and the effects that growth has on ecosystem conditions, those ecosystems will continue to unravel. Piecemeal conservation actions can certainly delay the inevitable, but at some point we must clearly help society recognize that denial and Band-Aid approaches do not prevent degradation. As Limburg et al. (2011; Figure 1) documented, there is a very high correlation between economic growth and listings of species as threatened and endangered. These listed species, like melting glaciers and ocean acidifica- tion, are indicators of fundamental ecosystem deterioration and the potential collapse of essential ecological functions.
Species losses led to the 1973 Endangered Species Act, in which the U.S. Congress declared that "various species of fish, wildlife, and plants in the United States have been rendered extinct as a consequence of economic growth" (7 U.S.C. § 136, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.). U.S. citizens understand that there are trade-offs between economic growth and environmental protections and generally tend to favor the former during a recession or periods of low economic growth. The degree to which economic growth is favored over environmental protections is highest among Republicans and those over 65 years old, whereas environmental protections are favored over economic growth among Democrats and persons under 30 years old. What seems unclear to citizens is that economic growth cannot continue in perpetuity (Daly 1997; Czech 2013). We can hope that technological progress (or manna from heaven) will keep pace with eventual resource scarcities and environmental degradation. However, that is like us embarking on a long backpacking trip through an unknown landscape without any food or water and hoping that we will find sufficient amounts on the way.
So what is the answer for avoiding a very nasty future for our descendants and the planet? A steady-state economy is needed if we seek environmental protection, sustainable economies, and reduced national and international instability (Daly 1997; Czech 2013). A steady-state economy would entail reducing and stabilizing natural resource use and waste production, reducing and stabilizing human population size, providing full employment and education, creating more equitable wealth and income distribution, and measuring progress in noneconomic growth terms (Dietz and O'Neill 2013; Costanza et al. 2014). Current economic growth rates, whether in putative communist, socialist, or capitalist economies, tend to benefit the powerful and wealthy more than others (Daly 1973; Ehrlich et al. 1977). And this is true of nations as well as citizens (Perkins 2005). The sooner that the United States serves as a model for reducing its ecological footprint (Wackernagel and Rees 1996) and moving toward a steady-state economy, the more likely the U.S. economy and the world economy will become sustainable.
Costanza, R., I. Kubiszewski, E. Giovannini, H. Lovins, J. McGlade, K. E. Pickett, K. V.
Ragnarsdóttir, D. Roberts, R. De Vogli, and R. Wilkinson. 2014. Time to leave GDP behind. Nature 505:283–285.
Czech, B. 2013. Supply shock: economic growth at the crossroads and the steady state solu- tion. New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Daly, H. E. 1973. The steady-state economy: toward a political economy of biophysical equilibrium and moral growth. Pages 149–174 in H. E. Daly, editor. Toward a steady- state economy. Freeman, San Francisco.
Daly, H. E. 1997. Beyond growth: the economics of sustainable development. Beacon Press, Boston.
Dietz, R., and D. O'Neil. 2013. Enough is enough: building a sustainable economy in a world of finite resources. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco.
Ehrlich, P. R., A. H. Ehrlich, and J. P. Holdren. 1977. Ecoscience: population, resources, environment. Freeman, San Francisco.
Frissell, C. A. 2013. Aquatic resource protections in the Northwest Forest Plan: evaluating potential consequences of proposed riparian reserve reductions for clean water, streams and fish. Coast Range Association, Corvallis, Oregon. Available: www.coastrange.org. (December 2013).
Limburg, K. E., R. M. Hughes, D. C. Jackson, and B. Czech. 2011. Population increase, economic growth, and fish conservation: collision course or savvy stewardship? Fisheries 36:27–35.
Perkins, J. 2005. Confessions of an economic hit man. Plume, New York.
Post, J. A., and J. R. Hutchings. 2013. Gutting Canada's Fisheries Act: no fishery, no fish habitat protection. Fisheries 38:497–501.
Wackernagel, M., and W. Rees. 1996. Our ecological footprint: reducing human impact on the Earth. New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Become a member of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) to read more articles like this.


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Performance golf ball fitting focuses on finding the best ball for your game and lowering your score.
Be the first to hear about product introductions, surveys, promotions, and sweepstakes. Through Team Titleist News we will provide exclusive communication not available in any other forum.
Titleist offers the most precise club fitting experience in the game.
The full-set Titleist Golf Club Trial program provides golfers with an easy way to experience Titleist products on either the course or practice tee to help determine the right equipment for their game.
Track your stats. Get video tips. Set goals for your golf game.
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keith d
Last year
Last year
keith dHas anyone heard any rumors of a 714U?
No rumors. They've mentioned previously there isn't a 714 scheduled with the irons. But since it is such a specialty item, changes may occur at almost anytime. If you want to start a rumor, ...will the next one be a 715 or 915 on schedule with D/F/H?
I'm just waiting for the PGA show so I can find out if the test ball I had was released, and what was it.


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Old Second Bank is offering a $50 bonus when you open a Free Checking account and a $30 bonus when you open a Money Builder Savings account for residents of Illinois.
Just choose Free Checking at Old Second to get a $50 cash bonus card when you add a Free Debit Card and Free O2 Online Banking to your new checking account.
The Free Checking account has no monthly fees and there is no minimum balance, plus it has only a $50 minimum deposit requirement to open the account.
You'll get another $30 bonus when you make a $1,000 minimum deposit into a new Money Builder Savings account.
Check out this Old Second $80 Banking Bonus if you live in Illinois.
Although they seem to indicate that this is a college checking promotion, it really seems to just be a personal checking account that is open to anyone.
$50 Free Checking Bonus
The $50 bonus is open only to new personal checking account relationships with Old Second that are opened with money not currently on deposit at any Old Second Bank.
You must enroll for both services (Free Debit Card and Free O2 Online Banking) at your new checking account opening.
$30 Money Builder Savings Bonus
The additional $30 offer is open only to personal checking customers that do not have a savings or money market account type at Old Second Bank and open a Money Builder Savings within 90 days of your first new checking account opening with money not currently on deposit at any Old Second Bank.
There is a $1,000 minimum balance to open a Money Builder Savings account and obtain the $30 offer.
The $30 will be added to your cash bonus card after your qualified new Money Builder Savings account has been open for 30 days and the required minimum balance has been maintained during that entire period.
If you did not qualify for a cash bonus card, the $30 will be deposited to your Money Builder Savings account.
Accounts closed within 90 days of opening will be charged $25.
There is a limit of 1 cash bonus offer per household.
Review these other Bank Bonus Rewards for more banking deals.
Earn up to an $80 bonus at Old Second Bank for residents of Illinois.


text:
• Second quarter earnings benefit from year-over-year demand improvement in many businesses• Overall volumes up 10 percent• Strong industrial demand in all regions offsets weak construction activity in North America, Europe• Lower cost structure continues to drive strong profitability
• Second quarter earnings benefit from year-over-year demand improvement in many businesses• Overall volumes up 10 percent• Strong industrial demand in all regions offsets weak construction activity in North America, Europe• Lower cost structure continues to drive strong profitability
PITTSBURGH, July 15, 2010 – PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) today reported sales for the second quarter of $3.5 billion, an increase of 11 percent versus the prior year's second quarter. Second quarter reported net income was $272 million, or $1.63 per share. Second quarter 2009 sales were $3.1 billion and reported net income was $146 million, or 89 cents per share.
"PPG's strong results this quarter benefited largely from a 10 percent increase in volumes," said Charles E. Bunch, PPG chairman and chief executive officer. "The breadth of geographies and end-use markets that we serve is enabling us to leverage continuing positive momentum in global industrial demand. The performance of our portfolio is being elevated by this higher industrial activity and strong demand across the Asia/Pacific and Latin America regions. This is more than offsetting weak construction markets in North America and Europe," he said.
"Our earnings this quarter were aided by an improved sales mix from some of our top-performing businesses, such as aerospace, auto refinish and our Optical and Specialty Materials segment," Bunch said. He added that Commodity Chemicals segment earnings have rebounded significantly versus the first quarter and that the company's Glass segment benefited from substantially improved performance in the fiber glass business.
"Our financial performance this quarter, despite demand levels that are more than 10 percent below 2008 pre-recession levels, clearly demonstrates that our global portfolio and our efforts to restructure our businesses to reduce structural costs have positioned PPG to capitalize on what we anticipate to be a continued, gradual, global economic recovery," Bunch said. "We are beginning to utilize our strong balance sheet to accelerate growth, and in fact are in the process of reviewing several potential small to mid-size acquisitions." He also stated that PPG had repurchased 1.6 million shares of stock during the quarter and that the company has more than 4.5 million shares remaining under its existing share repurchase authorizations.
Net income for the second quarter includes aftertax charges of 1 cent per share in 2010 and 2 cents per share in 2009 to reflect the net increase in the current value of the company's obligation under its proposed asbestos settlement, which is pending court proceedings.
The company's 2010 tax rate was lowered in the second quarter to 28 percent based on the geographic mix of projected full year results. When compared with the company's previously estimated 2010 tax rate of 30 percent, the lower rate added 7 cents to second quarter earnings per share, including 2 cents based on the catch-up of reducing the rate for the first three months of 2010.
Performance Coatings segment sales in the second quarter 2010 increased $45 million, or 4 percent, versus last year's second quarter as a result of higher selling prices and favorable currency conversion. Volumes were flat, with modest declines in the North American architectural coatings business offset by solid growth in automotive refinish and aerospace, two of PPG's top-performing businesses, along with continued growth in the Asia/Pacific region. Segment earnings grew $32 million, or 20 percent, to a new quarterly record of $190 million as a result of the improved business mix, higher selling prices and lower costs, which were partially countered by higher raw material costs.
Industrial Coatings segment sales for the quarter rose $198 million, or 27 percent, due to substantial volume growth of more than 25 percent, including higher year-over-year volumes in all businesses and in all regions. Segment earnings for the quarter were $112 million, an increase of $84 million from the prior year's second quarter. This was the result of increased volumes and reduced costs from restructuring and cost initiatives. This segment also experienced raw material inflation.
Sales for the Architectural Coatings – Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) segment decreased $27 million, or 5 percent, due primarily to mid-single-digit percentage volume declines. The negative impact of currency conversion was offset by pricing gains and the impact of several small acquisitions. Segment earnings declined $5 million to $50 million, with about one-half of the decline associated with currency conversion.
Optical and Specialty Materials segment sales for the quarter increased $46 million, or 18 percent, as a result of double-digit percentage volume growth in both businesses. Segment earnings improved $25 million to $86 million, establishing a quarterly record as a result of the higher sales volumes and a lower cost structure, countered slightly by increased advertising costs to support the sales growth.
Commodity Chemicals segment sales for the quarter increased $41 million, or 13 percent, due to increased volumes that were slightly offset by lower year-over-year selling prices. Segment earnings increased $11 million due to the improved volumes and lower manufacturing costs, partially offset by lower prices. Results improved significantly over the first quarter 2010, with earnings up $50 million during the quarter on higher volumes, improving pricing and lower natural gas costs.
Glass segment sales increased $40 million, or 19 percent, compared with the prior year as a result of improved fiber glass volumes. Segment income was $16 million, an improvement of $23 million due to higher volumes, lower manufacturing costs and higher equity earnings and royalty income.
About PPGPPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the world's leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.
Additional InformationPPG will hold a conference call to review its second quarter financial performance today, Thursday, July 15, at 2 p.m. ET. The company will provide commentary and host questions and answers. The dial-in numbers are: in the United States, 888-396-2298; international, 617-847-8708; passcode 47079634. The conference call also will be available in listen-only mode via Internet broadcast from PPG's Investor Center at ppg.com (Windows Media Player). A telephone replay will be available today, Thursday, July 15, beginning at approximately 5 p.m. ET, through Thursday, July 29, at 5 p.m. ET. The dial-in numbers for the replay are: in the United States, 888-286-8010; international, 617-801-6888; passcode 14919204. A Web replay also will be available on PPG's Investor Center at ppg.com, beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET, today, Thursday, July 15, 2010, through Friday, July 15, 2011.
Forward-Looking StatementsStatements in this news release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 reflecting the company's current view with respect to future events or objectives and financial or operational performance or results. These matters involve risks and uncertainties as discussed in PPG Industries' periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and its current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's forward-looking statements.
Among these factors are global economic conditions, increasing price and product competition by foreign and domestic competitors, fluctuations in cost and availability of raw materials, the ability to maintain favorable supplier relationships and arrangements, the realization of anticipated cost savings from restructuring initiatives, difficulties in integrating acquired businesses and achieving expected synergies therefrom, the ability to penetrate existing, developing or emerging foreign and domestic markets, and economic and political conditions in international markets, foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in such rates, the impact of future legislation, the impact of environmental regulations, unexpected business disruptions and the unpredictability of possible future litigation, including litigation that could result if the asbestos settlement discussed in PPG's filings with the SEC does not become effective. However, it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, while the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements.
Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on PPG's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of their initial issuance, and PPG does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Regulation G ReconciliationPPG Industries believes investors' understanding of the company's operating performance is enhanced by the disclosure of net income and earnings per common share (attributable to PPG) adjusted for nonrecurring charges. PPG's management considers this information useful in providing insight into the company's ongoing operating performance because it excludes the impact of items that cannot reasonably be expected to recur on a quarterly basis. Net income and earnings per common share (attributable to PPG) adjusted for these items are not recognized financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered a substitute for net income or earnings per common share (attributable to PPG) or other financial measures as computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, adjusted net income and earnings per share may not be comparable to similarly titled measures as reported by other companies. The following is a reconciliation of reported and adjusted net income and earnings per share for the second quarters of 2010 and 2009:
Regulation G Reconciliation – Results From Operations
($ in millions, except per-share amounts)
Net Income (Attributable to PPG) as Reported
Net Charge for Asbestos Settlement
Adjusted Net Income
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(All amounts in millions except per-share data)
Net sales
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
Selling, R&D and admin expenses
Interest expense
Asbestos settlement - net
Business restructuring
Other (earnings)/charges - net (Note A)
Income tax expense (Note B)
Net income attributable to the controlling and noncontrolling interests
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Earnings per common share (attributable to PPG)
Earnings per common share (attributable to PPG) - assuming dilution
Average shares outstanding
Average shares outstanding - assuming dilution
Note A:
The amount for six months ended June 30, 2010, includes higher equity earnings of $29 million due to improved business conditions compared with the first six months of 2009.
Note B:
Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010, includes expense of $85 million resulting from the reduction of our previously provided deferred tax asset related to our liability for retiree medical costs. The deferred tax asset was reduced due to tax law changes included in health care legislation enacted by Congress in March 2010 that included a provision to reduce the amount of retiree medical costs that will be deductible after Dec. 31, 2012. The remaining tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010, of $173 million represents an effective tax rate on pretax earnings of approximately 28 percent. The effective tax rate on pretax earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2009, was 45 percent, consisting of a tax benefit of 24 percent on the charge for business restructuring and tax expense of 33 percent on remaining pretax earnings.
BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables - net
Total current assets
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
Asbestos settlement
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt
PPG OPERATING METRICS (unaudited)
Operating Working Capital (a)
As a percent of quarter sales, annualized
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (unaudited)
Performance Coatings
Industrial Coatings
Architectural Coatings - EMEA
Optical and Specialty Materials
Commodity Chemicals
Segment income
Legacy items (Note A)
Business restructuring (Note B)
Interest expense, net of interest income
Unallocated stock-based compensation (Note C)
Other unallocated corporate expense
Legacy items include current costs related to former operations of the company including pension and other postretirement benefit costs, certain environmental remediation costs, and certain charges which are considered to be unusual or non-recurring. Legacy items also include equity earnings/(losses) from PPG's approximate 40-percent investment in Pittsburgh Glass Works (the former automotive glass and services business).
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, business restructuring includes charges of $41 million for the Performance Coatings segment, $93 million for the Industrial Coatings segment, $13 million for the Architectural Coatings - EMEA segment, $12 million for the Optical and Specialty Materials segment, $6 million for the Commodity Chemicals segment, $13 million for the Glass segment, and $8 million for corporate. These costs were considered to be unusual and non-recurring and did not reduce the segment earnings used to evaluate the performance of the operating segments.
Note C:
Unallocated stock-based compensation includes the cost of stock options, restricted stock units and contingent share grants that are not allocated to the operating segments.
Contact: Jeremy NeuhartPPG Corporate email@example.com
Investors: Vince MoralesPPG Investor email@example.com