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First time...Molly
My betta just recently passed away and Ive been considering purchasing Mollies. Should I? THe tank is a 10 gallon with an amazon sword plant and multiple moneyworts. The parameters are: pH=6.5, temp= 80 degrees F. The tank also inhabits about 6 ghost shrimps. Im thinking of getting 2 female mollies and 1 male.
Mollys need minimum 20 gallon tank size.
It depends on what type of molly you want. The shortfins will do fine in a 10G, the sailfins need a 20G. Also, you'll need to plan for what to do with all the fry they give birth to, which they inevitably will.
Mollies prefer more alkaline water than you have. There are other livebearers which would be better suited to your tank like guppies or endlers.
hmmm I see. so they wouldnt be okay in my acidic conditions? and their the short tailed kind. the kind that get about 2.5 in
Mollies can be pretty hardy critters. However, I wouldn't keep them in a very low ph. Alkaline is ideal. Actually, brackish is ideal. Mollies tolerate a huge range of salinity- you can even keep them in fully marine conditions.
I do have a brackish tank with at least a teaspoon per 5 gallons. cant they tolerate my acidic conditions?
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Giveaway sponsored by Evgie but the opinions expressed are my own.


text:
this wiki
|Rithaniel (talk)
|Date Created:
|November 14, 2008
|Please feel free to edit constructively!
The air is still and cold, and a constant dripping echoes through the room. They're awfully thick footsteps, and a smell that tears at your insides, then there it is, right in front of you, a dripping form of rot and filth, looking straight at you.
A greater dreg golem is a more dangerous version of a dreg golem which is likewise made of rust, rot, and other repulsive materials. The greatest advantage they have is the fact that they produce a horrid stench that few creatures can bare to breathe in. Liches or other various, intelligent, horrible creatures may keep a greater dreg golem in their possession, protecting something of value to them.
Dreg golems are mindless fighting machines, merely doing what their creators tell them to do, nothing else. Dreg golems have no strategy in combat, just charge and kill, making them easily outsmarted in battle.
Rotting Aura (Su): A potent stench rolls from the body of a greater dreg golem, incapacitating anything that smells it. Any living, breathing character who is within 70 feet of the dreg golem must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 25) or become sickened until there is 70 feet or more between the golem and themselves, if the character failed their save last round and is still within 70 feet of the dreg golem they must pass another Fortitude saving throw or become nauseated until there is 70 feet or more between the golem and themselves. A character who passes their Fortitude saving throw against a dreg golem's rotting aura cannot be affected by the same dreg golem's rotting aura for 24 hours. A character is entitled to a Fortitude saving throw to resist the golem's rotting aura every round they are with 70 feet of the golem.
Immunity to Magic (Ex): A greater dreg golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance, except as follows. An acid effect restores 1 hit point to the dreg golem for each 3 points of damage it would otherwise deal, additionally, spells with the fire descriptor have a 20% chance of dealing damage normally.
A greater dreg golem's body is a compilation of various, repulsive substances, such as rust or rot, having a total weight of at least 6,000 pounds. These materials must be of around the same consistency, and may cost anywhere from 4,000gp to 5,000gp. Assembling the body requires a DC 18 Craft (alchemy) check.
CL 20th; Craft Construct, antimagic field, geas/quest, Contagion, caster must be at least 20th level; Price 32,000 gp; Cost 15,000 gp + 1,280 XP.
Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Monsters


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Archive for September, 2010
Bloggers With InfluenceWednesday, September 29th, 2010
Aren't you sick of hearing about which fashion bloggers are influential? Have you ever been influenced by a blogger to do anything besides vow not to make an ass of yourself?
Okay, that was a little harsh. Many fashion bloggers are stylish and level-headed. But I can't imagine being influenced by any of them to buy the stuff they like or anything else. I can think of only two instances of being moved enough to spend money to follow a style blogger's lead: Once I bought a nail polish that Faux Fuchsia wrote about, and once I was compelled to wear leather shorts after seeing them on Queen Michelle. (She graciously saved me from myself by sending me a pair.) This is a total of two actions (and only one purchase.)
And yet, someone believes that fashion bloggers are the way to market products. Coach believes this, and even Barneys believes this. But at least Barney's is on record as feeling that Jane Aldridge speaks to the Barneys customer, and not a general audience.
Here's Jane herself on the subject:
"I think the media industry is changing and bloggers are leading the change. The term 'blogger' doesn't do it justice – so many of the top bloggers are trusted experts that have developed loyal fan followings." "Fashion bloggers are a unique combination of publisher and talent. This is part of the next evolution of advertising – a more integrated approach. It's important for both bloggers and advertisers to stay true to their brands."
I don't know about you, but I don't regard any blogger as a "trusted expert." And I don't like "integrated advertising." I like to know when an ad is an ad. When I watch movies on TV, I still like to yell out "Product placement!" when I see the Mac laptop or the Nike running shoes.
Looking at a panel of Tavi, Brianboy, Diane Pernet, etc etc, I can't even imagine letting them dictate what I'll buy or wear. I look at style blogs for the pictures, and sometimes for the inadvertent comedy. I am more inspired by Elle or Vogue, because I enjoy the fantasy evoked by a gorgeous model. If I want to see average looking people wearing trendy clothes, I can go to the mall.
Here's Jane again:
"I think our blogs are freshly personal. There are a lot of blogs out there that cover fashion, but for us it's totally homegrown content. We're not going to blog about Chloe Sevigny's Opening Ceremony collection."
What does she mean by "content?" When did content become photos of yourself? I would rather someone cover the Opening Ceremony collection, because at least that constitutes information.
I am hearing about fashion bloggers making lucrative deals with companies like J. C. Penney and Urban Outfitters, but I wonder if the investments will pay off. How many readers are so impressionable?
But wait. A new comment appeared on my post about Gala Darling. A long, heartfelt and eloquent comment that I will quote only in part…
Dear Gala,
You caught me at a very impressionable age and quickly became my idol. You told me that young girls like myself could make a living from blogging, could live a carefree life of shopping for shoes, sparkles and photoshoots and more so that that was how my life should be spent. If it wasn't what I wanted, than I just didn't love myself enough. If I loved myself like you loved yourself than my life too would be consumed with shopping sprees and soapbox speeches for animal cruelty whilst wearing fur.
You already know how it ends. Gala Darling betrayed the girl's trust because Gala Darling is a brand, not a person. And her fans were consumers, not friends.
Bloggers who align themselves with products become products themselves.
Me, I have nothing to sell, but I'd still like some money. I'd like to influence my readers to see or think or feel as I do, or to want to entertain me. Anything else seems monumentally presumptuous, or like Tavi's infamous hair-bow, absurd.
Any thoughts on this?
Warwick Saint: InkTuesday, September 28th, 2010
If you've never wanted a tattoo, have a look at these stunning portraits by photographer Warwick Saint.
After ogling the girls, check out his India photos here.
I just discovered him and it's love at first sight.
Way Too GnarlyMonday, September 27th, 2010
"Really love the studded coat that closed the show, it just reminds me of ALL my friends growing up and their leathers. As much as it makes me laugh to see our teenage looks adopted into the fashion world everywhere, I'll never tire of seeing it because I'll forever think it looks hot as hell."
Who else but Gnarlitude could have written those words? I have yet to discover a person so full of their own punk street cred. Whoever you are, she is cooler. You're probably just copying her. She wore that shit first. She cried harder when Dash Snow died than any of you lame asses.
Normally I can find pleasure in displays of pretentiousness. Why does her persona torture me so much?! Is it the proprietary way she says she's "so proud" of any designer, musician or artist, like she has something to do with it? Is it the non-stop mention of Ksubi and bikers?
In this fawning interview, Gnarlitude pays homage to her vintage monkey fur coat but inexplicably forgets to bring up her Old Man. The very best and most gnarly part of the interview is this closing exchange:
BN: Describe your look in three words or less
JH: Miserable Mornings, NeverEnding Nights
Feel free to weigh in on this and/or complain about my surly nature. Unless you're from Dallas.
Karla's JokeSunday, September 26th, 2010
I always forget to visit Karla's Closet, but when I returned recently I was struck by how often Karla is enjoying a private joke with herself. She just cracks herself up!
What is the joke?!? It looks like a good one.
She'll be posing in her outfit with a composed expression, often a pensive one actually, And then, BOOM, the joke hits her and she has to cover her mouth to keep from guffawing.
The joke usually hits her when she's sitting down, or maybe the intensity of the mirth forces her to sit.
I like a fun girl, don't' you? Why be so serious all the time! Karla seems to know that life is short, like her hair, and not to be wasted by covering her legs. She is obviously an empowering role model and good for her. But I'm intrigued by the mystery of the joke. Share it with the whole class, Karla!
Look Like a Horsey at Two Price PointsFriday, September 24th, 2010
If someone wearing these jeans came galloping toward me, I'd have a stroke. Don't they remind you of a satyr from Greek mythology? Or are they just hideous? (Cheap Monday, $87 at Shopbop)
Less Dionysian but grotesque in its own right is this suede number that would probably look more acceptable with the butt cut out, at least for a gay rodeo. (Haute Hippie, $695, Shopbop)
Stupid and laughable, yes, but I know a trend when I see one. I'm going to call this look "Tragic Mountain Goat" unless someone's got a better idea.
Guest Author: Lucas RevolutionFriday, September 24th, 2010
I received a newsletter from Lucas on the road, and I'd like to share his adventures with you. I hope he won't mind. (He can always file a restraining order.)
Dear Friends and Lovers,
I made it. Today I came in from Philly and and strolled the sunny streets of Manhattan. Me and my guitar, two blue suitcases and a backpack have traveled safely across thousands of miles of black asphalt, truckstops, onramps, rivers, mountains, ghettos and dusty plains and now we're here. Safe and sound in old New York town. And there will be shows!!!
This Sunday, the 26th, at 1PM – A picnic on Governor's Island at The Temple of Wonder at the Figment Terrace Gardens. Look it up on the net, they'll tell you how to get there.
Again, this Sunday, the 26th at 9PM – Arlene's Grocery at 95 Stanton St., NY,NY, 10002. Please come and shake it down with us!
And Monday, the 27th at 7PM – National Underground – 159 E. Houston St.
Also, I'd like to say that if you are an old friend of mine, wondering how come old Lucas isn't giving a ring, well, truth be told, I left my phonebook at home so please reply with yer number so's I kin give you a call and we kin hang out cos I'd love to see you all.
Some among you have expressed an interest in my ramblings so I'd like to fill you in on the events of the past week while still in the sweet delirium of the road. So let's see… I guess our tale begins last Thursday in southern Ohio. I had played a lovely show the night before in Kent State, the town where hope died (or was murdered in the streets if you will). Ohio Joe, my man in Ohio dropped me off on the onramp in a rather suburban sprawlish type of town, not the ideal place to catch a ride. But I did, with a very gentle and kindhearted Congolese man who told me that I would be doing a great thing once I used my songs to spread the message of Jesus. I liked him too much to tell him that, in my opinion, I already am.
He left me on the side of the interstate in front of a toll booth. It began to rain and folks just weren't taking too much of an interest in me. I was beginning to think I should have taken my African friend up on the bus ticket when he pulled up again. Now he was headed to Cleveland. So I jumped in and rode to Cleveland just to get out of the rain. Once there, I jumped on a bus and rode out to the city limits to start backtracking south. I was quickly scooped up by another African man named Elias pronounced "Alias" which I thought was the best name ever. Turned out to be the day of Born Again Africans and Alias brought me right back to point from which I started. From there a rather sad character still reeling from a most tragic divorce brought me another 50 miles down the road.
So, I'm at the Pilot station having spent twelve hours circling around the state of Ohio and now it really starts to rain. Torrential downpour. The parking lot is a lake with sheets of rain just flying across it. My charm is apparently lost on these southern Ohio folk so I go and spend six of my last ten dollars on a loaf of bread and some Peanut Butter and Jelly. I have no shows for a week and Ohio Joe couldn't get me on the crew setting up a Dollar Store so, here I am, watching the rain come down and spreading that PB & J on some spongy bread with a plastic knife. Not exactly the high point of the tour.
But, then, something magic happened. For a moment it stopped raining, the clouds broke and out comes the sun for one of those beatific golden sunsets over the cornfields. The gray clouds go all pink and purple and something lovely and I just go out in the parking lot and forget about all my concerns, really just overwhelmed by the beauty of the thing. I come back and the station attendants are talking bout how the clouds are getting that green tornado look and it started pouring again but I was just too blissed out to sweat the small stuff.
I started waving down trucks again in the dark cos I knew I had to get out of there one way or another. Eventually one of the drivers took an interest in me as I was making another sandwich on top of a wastebasket. He was headed south but I persuaded him to take me 30 miles down to I-70 so I'd at least be on my way. His name was Bruce. He had a beautiful wife and a ton of grandkids. Owned his own Volvo which is like the Bentley of big rigs and when we got to 70 I opted to keep riding to stay out of the rain. Woke up in Charleston, West Virginia and again decided to keep going rather than get dropped off at midnight in some strange town with all that lightning popping off something dramatic in the sky. Bruce was saved too. Even knew some folks in LA who worked on that Christian TV channel. Had a grandson who had a tumor the size of a golfball in his left eye that he was convinced was cured by people praying around the world. Well, I'm starting to believe in that sort of thing myself, seeing as how many people must say a prayer for me from time to time these days. I was tired from running around the state of Ohio so I just dozed off again and felt my brain trying to put itself back together.
Woke up again and we're stopped in a gas station and Bruce was just staring at me and kinda rubbing his inner thighs. I got a jolt cos I know "the look" when I see it, having scared off no small number of lovely ladies with it myself. I says "Bruce, where are we?" He says "Virginia." And just keeps giving me the look. It doesn't make it any easier that in the truck nextdoor, they're all cavorting, whistling and laughing and carrying on. "How ya doin, Bruce," I says. "I'm tired," says he. "Gotta get some rest… You could take the top bunk…" But, fatigued as I am, I grab my guitar and politely excuse myself, sayin, "Naw, you rest up for a few and I'll catch up with you in the morning," and hop out of that truck.
So, there I am, 2 in the morning in some gas station on the Virginia state line. Florescent lights and disinfectant. Passin the hours smoking with the gas station attendant who's daughter is also a songwriter, playing along with Hit Parade they've got playing on the speakers. The regulars come in and out gettin coffee and smokes. Some pill poppin ex stripper takes an interest in me but her and her crew just look like trouble. I try exploring the nature path that goes into a dark hole in the forest but all them bugs are just screaming and I get that feeling like when you're watching a slasher flick and yelling "No, Don't do IT!!" at the screen. Come back and my friend working the register says good thing I didn't cos there's bears in them hills. Now he tells me. Around 5:30, Bruce wakes up, looking a little the worse for wear, buys me a biscuit and we're on our way. Things get back to normal on the road and soon we're chatting away again. I even get to feeling bad for being suspicious of him for a second. But I know a man gets lonesome on the road and funny things happen late at night. And, besides, I know "the look" when I see it.
He drops me off at a Shell station on I-81 in Tennesee. Even gives me a twenty which I accept only cos I need it. So, there I am, getting some coffee, awfully tired, and this nice looking hippyish lady says "I know you're going to the Rhythm and Roots festival in Bristol." I says "No, actually, I'm headed up to Maryland" but she tells me she'll be back at nine to pick me up. Then I'm sitting on the curb and this guy driving a Bud Lite truck says "I know you're going to Rhythm and Roots!" and I get to thinking, well, maybe I am. So I look it up online and it turns out my old friend Katy Cox's band Shotgun Party is playing there all weekend. And so I'm like, okay then, I'm going. I go to use the bathroom and by the time I get out, there's Michelle waiting to load my stuff into her van.
We get to the festival and there's a really nice fellow named Randy running the volunteer operation. He says he's got enough volunteers but maybe he can get me a slot for a show and I can always just come in and play guitar on the street if I want. They've got the whole of Main Street turned out, every bar, restaurant and coffeeshop has stages plus five big stages outside. So, I'm just wandering down the street, watching folks setting up, everyone smiling and warmhearted, and I hear someone holler at me. I turn around and it's this bearded old man in a wheelchair. He rolls up and points at the guitar and says "Yes…" Well, turns out he's a stroke victim and half his body is paralyzed. With some effort he can form sentences but his fallback word is "Yes". So I play him a song and we go and get a bagel and and have a lovely conversation that consists of a lot of laughing and yes but I gather that he's a former musician from Johnson City named Catfish. His only interest is music. That is his true love. He even offers me a place to stay, takes me around and shows me what bar I should try to play at. I thank him kindly and go crash out on the lawn for the rest of the afternoon.
Sleeping in the shade, I periodically wake up and there's just this old gardener trimming the hedges. People pass by but they just seem happy to see me sleeping on my guitar case like that. Eventually I wake up and start practicing this new song. The gardener walks up to me and I think, oh here we go, but he just sits down, smiles, and listens to me. When I'm done, he wants to know if I want to jam. Turns out he's from Romania and a drummer. So I say sure and we're going next door, into this huge old building. They've got a bunch of old machinery and a liberty bell in there. We go up four or five flights of stairs to this massive empty floor and in a little sideroom with wood paneling he's got his drumset all set up. He starts playing all this big band jazz stuff so I pull out my guitar and we run a few of my songs. We both got so high playing with each other that we didn't wanna leave but he had to get back to work.
The time came and Michelle got off volunteer duty and came and picked me up. She decided to just give me her volunteer bracelet so I could get in. So I went in and there were people everywhere. I set up my show on the corner and people started crowding round. Was going really good for a few hours there till this rapper joined the band and we were just going OFF until the Tennessee and Virginia cops were shutting us down for vulgarity. By the next day, I was a favorite among the toddlers and teenagers and just raking it in. I crashed with the Shotgun Party at the Holiday Inn, got a talking to for eating the complimentary band food, bowled with the festival's founders and even signed the commemorative guitar at the end of the thing. All in all, I performed about 16 hours over the three days, got tight with every bad kid in Bristol, ignored more than a few advances that would have landed me in prison, and made enough money to feel comfy again. Even wrote a hit song with the teenagers about growing weed.
On Monday, I was sitting back on the onramp, sweating in the sun. No love in Virginia but finally I was picked up by a really nice kid named Alex who, as fate would have it, was headed back to Ohio. We immediately hit it off and had a good old time riding up through the mountains of West Virginia, singing along to Creedence and eating Taco Bell. He was heading up that way to pick up some LSD which was fine with me since I wouldn't be riding back. I took over the wheel and got caught at a speed trap. The cop was awful curious as to how we came to be travelling together but I explained to him that I was a hitchhiking musician so he just ran our IDs and was even a little apologetic issuing the ticket.
But once we got to Columbus, things started to get a little hairy. Turned out Alex was gonna hook up some LSD after he scored some heroine for his "back pain". We met up with his friend who was this fresh faced chubby young girl who had just been kicked out of her sister's apartment and found herself living in Crackville, USA. She and her car had been taken hostage by this evil tranvestitish lady who had all the charm of the walking dead. Alex left me in the car while he went off to do his thing and I started planning my exit strategy. Outside, white dudes were walking around all tatted up with doo rags and people just wandering in the street with shopping bags. Distant screams and someone hitting a a newstand with something hard and loud arguing and the ensuing brawl. I couldn't decide whether I was safer in or out of the car so, on a whim, I called my new friend Patrick who I'd just met down in Tennessee just to pass the time. In another twist of fate, it turned out that Columbus is Patrick's hometown and so he gets off the phone and starts calling his old friends. By this time we're doing dope deals galore, driving from one dollar store parking lot to another, exchanging money through car windows in the streetlight, stopping at the CVS for aluminum foil and then buying ten packs of cigarrettes to exchange for the brown. The female tranny zombie is just hustling the hell out of my friend Alex and it seems like forever till he decides he's acquired enough dope and starts smoking it in the car. All the while, the poor innocent girl is crying in the back seat, mumbling incoherently about how some homeless dude gave her a Subway card that was supposed to have five dollars on it but didn't. We drive across town, Alex scolding the girl for lighting up a roach while stopping at various fast food places in search of a bathroom to smoke the rest of his dope in. Finally they get me to a bar and I say thank you and good bye. Patrick had lined up a place for me to stay.
The next day I caught a ride to West Virginia where I had been headed the first time I was shipping out of Ohio. I went and visited my old friend Tyler Fyre and his lovely wife Jill a sword-swallowing, fire-breathing, boa-constrictor-deep-throating couple of carnies who operate out of Daredevil Ranch, their Peewee's Playhouse of sin. After a lovely breakfast of warm buttery biscuits and jam, Tyler decided it would be fun to come perform with me up in Philly and I have to say that the condom routine really was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen and truly livened up the show. This morning we took the extended tour of the ghettos of Philly before locating the Chinatown bus that took me here.
It's great to be back in the city again. I would probably be feeling like some frightened wild animal were it not all so familiar here in my old stomping grounds. It is a bit jarring to be surrounded by such opulence after everywhere I've been and everything I've seen and I could see how all these beautiful people and things could have a way of lulling you to sleep, but I assure you, it will be a long and restful one.
I look forward to seeing you all.
Luv Lux
Troubled Teen III: Institution!Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Whenever I hear the word "institutionalized" my brain starts playing the old Suicidal Tendencies anthem. All I wanted was a Pepsi!!!!
Lately, someone has been exclaiming, "Sister Wolf was once institutionalized!" I assume this refers to the time I entered the juvenile justice system after running away from home. It's a part of my life and my history as a rebellious teenager. It's also a badge of honor that affirms how defiant I was, and still am.
In October 1967, my "husband" and I went to Washington DC along with thousands of other hippies whose aim was to gather at the Pentagon. In the background of the photo above, you might be able to see the National Guard lined up. But never mind about them, just look at my fringed bag and my hippie love beads! What a time to be young and out of control!
Eventually, while hitchhiking in another city, we were questioned by the police and I couldn't remember some dates on my fake birth certificate. I was taken to the local juvenile facility and held there until arrangements were made to fly me back home. All I remember about that place was the fried chicken and grits.
Back in California, I still refused to stop seeing my "husband," who had valiantly hitchhiked his way across the country to be with me, risking a jail sentence. My mother gave up and I was sent to a correctional school for girls, where we wore little uniforms and learned to accept authority. Some of us were cunning enough to pretend to learn it.
After a few months, I was allowed to spend weekends at home with my mom. I was usually relieved to get back to the school, where people were predictable and not bi-polar.
At 15, I went straight from the correctional school to London. During the day, I took my mom's diet pills and scurried around Kensington Market. At night, I danced for hours on end at a disco bar in Earl's Court.
Ah, I could write a book, couldn't I? But that was my only brush with an "institution," I am sorry to reveal to those who wanted more than a Pepsi.
Skinny Fat Skinny FatTuesday, September 21st, 2010
This is my current favorite model at RevolveClothing. I call her Doll Girl because of her perfect doll-like face and proportions.
But today, I saw this picture and did a double-take. What the hell?! Is Doll Girl photoshopped here? Who could have such a bizarrely tiny waist? While pondering the photoshop issue, I marvelled at how thin this girl is.
Then, I looked at Doll Girl's rear view, modeling the same dress in white, and thought, "Oh good, she's actually fat!"
I am totally fucked up this way. It's pretty much the same way I view my own self. Skinny, fat, skinny fat! I blame my father as well as my culture, but the perception problem remains.
Does anyone else suffer from this crap?
Free Speech and My HairSunday, September 19th, 2010
Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. ~ Salmon Rushdie


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Ummm. I'm sorry, how can an animal sue a person? What were they expecting? If they could sue, what would they win? Money? What will a monkey do with money?SAN ANTONIO -- A Texas appeals court has affirmed an earlier decision that says nine chimpanzees and monkeys do not have the legal right to sue.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals attempted to get legal standing for the primates, saying the condition of their sanctuary was substandard. The chimps were transferred to Primarly Primates sanctuary in San Antonio in 2006 from Ohio State University.
The appeals court affirmed the lower court decision Wednesday, dismissing the case.
PETA says it's considering whether to appeal.
The chimps and monkeys were moved to a sanctuary in Louisiana during the lawsuit.


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My husband doesn't want to watch the birth. What should I do?
My husband doesn't want to be in the delivery room when our baby is born. I really want him to be there, but I don't know how to change his mind. He says he doesn't want to see 'all the stuff that comes out with the baby.' What can I do?
Posted: 06/04/2003 by a BabyCenter Member
Mom Answers
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21 - 30 of 171 answers
This is my 2nd marriage and 3rd child. My ex watched both of my girls born, and my husband now does not want to see it or cut the cord. I was almost insulted at first, but then I thought about it and decided if it were me I wouldnt want to see it either lol. We have compromised that he will at least be in the room with me, up at my end until he cant take anymore, if it comes to that. I think he'll forget all about it once we are there though. But just in case, I have a back-up support who had the same situation with her labor. I dont think men should be looked down upon for being squeemish about it. It doesnt mean he doesnt love you or the baby.posted 01/30/2008 by a BabyCenter Member
my boyfriend is so totally excited. i am 38 weeks and could pop anyday now. he called me from work today to tell me that his boss helped deliver all three of his children. he was ecstatic. he wants to do the same for our daughter. ultimately though if you force your husband to be there it will just be more stressful for you. i agree with one of the anonymous above that said maybe you should have him talk to a friend or family member (male) who has already experienced childbirth.AND MEN: it really just depends on how you look at the whole experience. if you look at it as nasty and gross then thats all you will see. but if you look at it for what it truly is, the miracle of life then you will only see the beauty in it and it wont change the way you look at your lady "down there"....... anyhow good luck with your new little one and i hope the best for you and your husbandposted 03/17/2005 by ourgirlfroggie13
I cant believe that a husband wouldnt want to be in with a wife - it takes 2 to tango. Who cares if he gets queasy - he should endure some of the bedlam that goes along with labor!posted 04/22/2005 by a BabyCenter Member
My husband has always said that he would do whatever I need him to do during the delivery, but he has a very quesy stomach. At our last dr. visit, he was with me and I asked my doctor how queesy fathers usually mase it during delivery. I think having her explain to him that she has everything under control "down there" made him feel better. All he has to do is stay at my head and hold my hand! DONT let them off the hook! Take them to the doctor with you, or a birthing class and put their minds at ease. This is their child too, and you should not experience the birth without them there.posted 02/11/2008 by erinleamoore
I agree with some of the other posters that preparation helps! So, do visit a birth prep class together, if possible (definitely visit one yourself). Also, your husband does NOT need to stand at your toes - it might be much nicer for you both if he stays close to you, maybe holding your shoulders or hands, if you like. Finally, I would say that I don't think it is an absolute must for the partner to be there. Think about what you want and who you will feel comfortable with, and get the support you need. If you think your husband might make you nervous, for example, maybe you would rather (or in addition) have a friend or midwife or doula with you? Organize these things ahead of time. And of course, you (and your husband) can always change your mind at any step in the process.posted 04/12/2010 by lol323
My husband was leery about being in the delivery room and I said that I wanted him there but he didn't have to look. Well once we got in there he was the first one to look at the top of her head before she was born. He now says that that day was the greatest in his life. To see our miracle come into this world. I was really glad he was there to because I couldn't have done it without his support.posted 06/02/2004 by sarahbethmom
My husband didn't want to watch the first time around -- he is one of those types that feels sick when he sees blood. I told him to just stand by my head & hold my hand. He did just that, but by the end he couldn't NOT look at the baby coming into this world. By baby #2, he was not afraid to look. By the way, both times he almost fainted, not from the blood, but just from the emotional roller-coaster that birth is.posted 07/25/2004 by camel91
I plan on forcing my husband to be there. I personally don't care where he sits or stands. But he needs to be there for me. Even if it's to just hold my hand and feed me ice chips.I want him to see what I'm physically going through to bring his child into this world. If I can go through it then he can to. Most women are scared and having there mate with them can be very calming. Which is important during labor and delivery.posted 07/21/2004 by drandall22
My husband doesnt want to see it either and if will possibly affect our sex life than he wins! He can see the baby when all the icky stuff is gone...posted 07/18/2004 by jennym7231
My husband wants to be there for me and to experience the birth but he doesn't have that option because he is seriving in Iraq. Real men do what is necessary of them whether they like it or not.posted 01/20/2009 by Kaihiola
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Ali Lohan is getting older -- and skinnier.
Lindsay Lohan's 18-year-old sister, who signed a multi-year contract with Next Model Management last year, was spotted fetching a modest lunch in L.A. of coffee and fruit.
Showing off her recently cropped hairdo, the Hollywood teen looked noticeably pale and thinner than ever, with a tiny black floral dress that accentuated her shockingly skinny frame.
PHOTOS: Star's first modeling gigs
Back in December of last year, the teenager's famous "mom-ager" Dina Lohan shot down public scrutiny over her younger daughter's shrinking figure, telling Us Weekly she doesn't "read any of the rubbish" about Ali's weight.
PHOTOS: Ali's plastic surgery scandal of 2011
Ali (who goes by Aliana now) said simply that has "always had a fast metabolism and is able to eat what [she] wants, from scrambled eggs with American cheese and hot sauce to Nutella."
Get more Us! Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on Facebook, Subscribe to Us Weekly


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See All Contributors »
I believe it's George Amundson. Second in Heisman voting, brought ISU back from the scrap heap.
Troy Davis and Seneca Wallace
troy davis. 4th all time in rushing in ALL of college football. heisman nominee twice. nuff said.
Troy Davis w/out question. Seneca was exciting and most talented we have had though. But College player is easily TD!!
Matt Blair
Tom Vaughn was good too...
J.J. Moses was very exciting to watch. I have a highlight tape of his senior year and he had some amazing plays. Not as involved as Troy, but the guy was a highlight waiting to happen. We have not seen that kind of determined play for quite a while.
I really like Seneca Wallace, but TD has to be the man. Second in the Heisman race after two back to back 2,000 yd rushing seasons and the only reason he didn't get the Heisman was the record of the team he was playing on. Plus, the OLine, if I recall, wasn't that great either...
Keith Sims
Offensive linemen don't get considered in these things too often, but Sims was picked in the 2nd round of the 1990 draft, played 11 years in the NFL, and was a pro-bowler in 3 of them.
Originally Posted by Psyclone
Keith Sims
Offensive linemen don't get considered in these things too often, but Sims was picked in the 2nd round of the 1990 draft, played 11 years in the NFL, and was a pro-bowler in 3 of them.
Holy smokes, I forgot about him. Very good football player and a nice guy too. I was in college during his playing time. Great guy all around.
Don't forget Blaize Bryant....remember him. Came to ISU with big hype and expectations and kinda fizzled and then the Davis's took over
Originally Posted by cyclonedcm
Tom Vaughn was good too...
Here's another vote for Tom Vaughn. He was a two-way player who rarely came off the field even though other backs took extended breaks. Went on to play successful defense in the NFL until the doctors said he should come off the field due to too many concussions. Matt Blair is a close second due to his athleticism and nose for the ball.
Offensively Amundsen and Krefle were both horses and exceptionally productive but Troy Davis' accomplishments are hard to top.
Troy was our only offensive weapon and every team we played knew it, yet he still managed to scamper for around 180 yards per game, usually breaking off a few long ones in the process. Also liked watching him blow-up blitzing linebackers, they would never expect it. What a great, fun player to watch.
Originally Posted by ketelmeister
I believe it's George Amundson. Second in Heisman voting, brought ISU back from the scrap heap.
I agree, George was a great player- the problem is there aren't many mid 50 folks on this site that ever saw him play. You had to be there in the early 70's
Did anyone here see Matt Blair hit anyone in person... you could feel it in the stands...
and Tom Vaughn was great in college and the NFL
George A. was great too...
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Food labels multiply; some confuse consumers
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Want to avoid pesticides and antibiotics in your produce, meat, and dairy foods? Prefer to pay more to make sure farm animals were treated humanely, farmworkers got their lunch breaks, bees or birds were protected by the farmer and that ranchers didn't kill predators?
Food labels claim to certify a wide array of sustainable practices. Hundreds of so-called eco-labels have cropped up in recent years, with more introduced every month — and consumers are willing to pay extra for products that feature them.
While eco-labels can play a vital role, experts say their rapid proliferation and lack of oversight or clear standards have confused both consumers and producers.
"Hundreds of eco labels exist on all kinds of products, and there is the potential for companies and producers to make false claims," said Shana Starobin, a food label expert at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment.
Eco-labels have multiplied in recent years in response to rising consumer demand for more information about products and increased attention to animal and farmworker welfare, personal health, and the effects of conventional farming on the environment.
"Credible labels can be very helpful in helping people get to what they want to get to and pay more for something they really care about," said Urvashi Rangan, director of consumer safety at Consumer Reports. "The labels are a way to bring the bottom up and force whole industries to improve their practices."
The problem, Rangan and other said, is that few standards, little oversight and a lot of misinformation exist for the growing array of labels.
Some labels, such as the USDA organic certification, have standards set by the federal government to which third party certifiers must adhere. Some involve non-government standards and third-party certification, and may include site visits from independent auditors who evaluate whether a given farm or company has earned the label.
But other labels have little or no standards, or are certified by unknown organizations or by self-interested industry groups. Many labels lack any oversight.
And the problem is global, because California's products get sold overseas and fruits and vegetables from Europe or Mexico with their own eco-labels make it onto U.S. plates.
The sheer number of labels and the lack of oversight create a credibility problem and risk rendering all labels meaningless and diluting demand for sustainably produced goods, Rangan said.
Daniel Mourad of Fresno, a young professional who likes to cook and often shops for groceries at Whole Foods, said he tends to be wary of judging products just by the labels — though sustainable practices are important to him.
"Labels have really confused the public. Some have good intentions, but I don't know if they're really helpful," Mourad said. "Organic may come from Chile, but what does it mean if it's coming from 6,000 miles away? Some local farmers may not be able to afford a label."
In California, voters last week rejected a ballot measure that would have required labels on foods containing genetically modified ingredients.
Farmers like Gena Nonini in Fresno County say labels distinguish them from the competition. Nonini's 100-acre Marian Farms, which grows grapes, almonds, citrus and vegetables, is certified biodynamic and organic, and her raisins are certified kosher.
"For me, the certification is one way of educating people," Nonini said. "It opens a venue to tell a story and to set yourself apart from other farmers out there."
But other farmers say they are reluctant to spend money on yet another certification process or to clutter their product with too much packaging and information.
"I think if we keep adding all these new labels, it tends to be a pile of confusion," said Tom Willey of TD Willey Farms in Madera, Calif. His 75-acre farm, which grows more than 40 different vegetable crops, carries USDA organic certification, but no other labels.
The proliferation of labels, Willey said, is a poor substitute for "people being intimate with the farmers who grow their food." Instead of seeking out more labels, he said, consumers should visit a farmers' market or a farm, and talk directly to the grower.
Since that's still impossible for many urbanites, Consumer Reports has developed a rating system, a database and a web site for evaluating environmental and food labels — one of several such guides that have popped up recently to help consumers.
The guides show that labels such as "natural" and "free range" carry little meaning, because they lack clear standards or a verification system.
Despite this, consumers are willing to pay more for "free range" eggs and poultry, and studies show they value "natural" over "organic," which is governed by lengthy federal regulations.
But some consumers and watchdog groups are becoming more vigilant.
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Two years ago, when Ben and I lived on East Quaker Street, we walked this route almost every day, usually with a stop at the library on the way home.
What's unique about this walk are the speakers attached to the light posts along Quaker Street. You'll hear classical music as you stroll along this stretch of road. You'll almost feel as if you're in a movie!
Google estimates that this walking route is 1.7 miles.
1. To start, park at or near the Bank of America.
If you park at the bank, make sure that you do so outside of regular business hours. Otherwise, park nearby in a space alongside the road.
The bank's parking lot faces the historical society.
2. Turn right from the Bank of America parking lot and walk until you reach the next block.
You'll pass my old apartment building, on the right:
2. Turn right at Potter Avenue.
At the corner of Potter Avenue, you'll see a church. This is where you'll turn.
Potter Avenue is a residential street:
3. Walk to the next block and turn right onto Clark Street.
Take note of the historical marker on the corner, indicating the 1855 site of the Erie County Fairgrounds.
4. Continue walking straight, past South Buffalo Street.
You'll pass the fire department on the right:
On the left is one of my favorite houses in the village. Very stately.
5. When you reach the school, turn left on School Street.
6. Keep going straight until you can walk no further.
The library is at the end of the road – you can't miss it because there's a train station in its backyard. How many libraries can say that?
7. Walk alongside the library until you reach South Buffalo Street, then turn left.
Now you're headed back to the main village, where you'll see (and hear) the speakers that I mentioned earlier. South Buffalo Street is both commercial and residential, with historic houses that would look right at home in a Christmas village.
7. At the corner, turn right at the Realty USA building and walk back to your car.
For a more detailed view of this walk, click here for a Google map.
What I Like About This WalkOrchard Park is the definition of a quaint. But there are some areas where it becomes too generic – the Stovroff Plaza on North Buffalo Street comes to mind. This walk gives you a peak at Orchard Park's historic buildings while skipping over the mundane plazas and shopping centers.
I also like that this walk includes a library. The book selection isn't as large as at the Central Library, of course, but the Orchard Park branch has many DVDs to choose from, most of them recent, judging from when I was there last.
The one thing I don't like: a lack of garbage cans. Ben and I have a tendency to stop for a drink as we walk, and while I understand that garbage cans aren't nice to look at, they do fulfill a need. On Elmwood Avenue, you can't walk twenty feet without seeing a garbage can, and I'm always thankful for them. Not so in Orchard Park, so be prepared to carry any trash to your car.
Are you familiar with Orchard Park? Where do you like to walk in the village?


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Los Angeles Times Publisher Mark Willes
In praise of the "cereal killer."
Willes is an optimist. He's a proselytizer of newspapers. According to those who know him, he has learned why newspapers are a public trust since his unfortunate cereal interview. (He has forsworn cereal analogies.) Other papers are shrinking content; Willes wants to add sections and features. Other papers fear controversy; he proposes newspaper "crusades." His ideas may be terrible--some of them certainly are terrible--but at least they are new.
Willes' boldest goal: to raise the Times circulation from 1 million to 1.5 million. No one thinks he can do it. Industry analyst John Morton says it would be "a miracle" if he pulled it off. But everyone wants him to try, because only new readers will save the industry in the long run. Willes recently halved the price of the Times to 25 cents to reach nonsubscribers. He's launched a huge ad campaign. The Times added 47,000 readers last year, more than any newspaper in the country--and about the same number the New York Times lost.
To add half a million readers, or even half that number, Willes will need to steal subscribers from the 18 other newspapers in the Los Angeles area, including the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Daily News. This raises an appetizing prospect. The Daily News is up for sale. Rupert Murdoch is rumored to be interested in buying it and turning it into a West Coast version of the New York Post. A circulation-hungry Willes vs. the rapacious Murdoch: That's just the kind of fight the American newspaper industry needs.


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FreedomIQ Channel Sales Director Joe Schiavone brings to the call over 18 years of experience in managing telecom reseller channels.
Mr. Schiavone has a long track record of helping VARs and entrepreneurs succeed with a combination of effective sales training, an understanding of market demand dynamics, and proven client retention techniques.
His technical expertise includes voice over IP, SIP trunking, PBX phone systems, virtual office services, unified messaging and database applications, and speech recognition software.
Erik K. Linask
Group Managing Editor,
Technology Marketing Corporation
Erik oversees the daily operation of TMCnet, which delivers news, information, videos, white papers, podcasts, and more to three million visitors each month. He is also a contributor to TMCnet as well as TMC's IP Communications publications.
Prior to joining the TMC team, several years ago, he was Managing Editor at Global Custodian, a global securities services publication, where he also managed the magazine's survey research. Erik began his professional career at management consulting firm Leadership Research Institute.


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Hearing to determine if small business loan program is funded and to what extent
The City of La Grande's budget committee will meet tonight to begin a series of budget hearings for the 2013-14 fiscal year.
The Urban Renewal budget hearing will convene at 6 p.m. tonight in the Colleen F. Johnson Community Room at Cook Memorial Library.
The Urban Renewal Agency approved the program policy of a small business loan program last Wednesday after some discussion on where the funds come from and how the program would be carried out.
In the proposed budget, the loan program has been allocated $200,000 to be targeted at start-up businesses within the Urban Renewal District. Economic Development Director Charlie Mitchell said that money primarily comes from interest on investments and the sale of real estate.
Once the program has funding, the agency will move forward to have a loan committee in place to begin accepting applications.
"We could certainly have the committee in place, I think, before we officially launch the program, in my opinion," Mitchell said. "We don't really have a program until we have funding allocated toward it."
The loan committee will determine rates and terms of loans, but the intention is for loans to be short-term, "most likely in the three- to five-year range," Mitchell said.
The biggest objections to the program came from agency member John Lackey.
"I feel very strongly that this is not an area we need to be in," he said. "I don't think the city needs to be in the lending business."
Lackey said he was uncomfortable with using interest from investments to fund the program, but Mitchell said the agency's legal counsel had given the OK. Lackey also questioned what kind of oversight the loan committee would have.
"The intent is to select professionals who do this for a living who understand how to evaluate commercial loans and business loans," Mitchell said.
Parameters for checking applicants include a credit rating and a business plan. Additionally, the program will fund only one-third of an applicant's entire need and has restrictions on the use of funds.
Agency member John Bozarth said he thinks that minimizes risk for a needed program.
"I think there's a real need for the program, the reason being start-up businesses have a real hard time getting financing," Bozarth said. "If you talk to the bankers, some banks won't even look at them, regardless of what they have to offer."
When it came to a vote, Lackey was the sole vote in opposition. Kelly McGee was absent.
Tonight's hearing will determine whether the loan program is funded — and to what extent. The budget committee will move forward with the other city budgets starting Tuesday.


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Fire Emblem: Awakening Stickers
5,041pages on
this wiki
this wiki
Fire Emblem Awakening Stickers is a sticker collection that have stickers from Fire Emblem Awakening and it contains some of the artwork from the characters. It was released in Japan around in October 2012, it is unclear if it will be released outside of Japan.
External linksEdit
- This article is a stub. You can help Fire Emblem Wikia by expanding it.


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Selena Gomez Joins T. Swift's 'Bad Blood' Video
So. Many. Stars.By Greg Cwik
So. Many. Stars.By Greg Cwik
For next weekend's Billboard Music Awards premiere.By Sean Fitz-Gerald
Her lawyer says she could have brain damage.By Amanda Dobbins
"I'm an artist and I should be taken seriously."By Margaret Lyons
Miley Cyrus's plunging neckline, Carrie Underwood's Cinderella gown, and Katy Perry's purple hair (and dress!).By Christi Warren
She just met you, etc.By Amanda Dobbins
With a little help from some aerialists.By Brett Smiley


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I hope you are using Firefox for your visit to this site today. It is the browser I find most useful.
I do not use an HTML editor. Instead, I manually type in code with a text editor on a Dell Latitude E6400 running Linux Mint 17.3 "Rosa" XFCE or either a Lenovo ThinkPad T61 or Gateway NV53 running some other distribution of Linux. Each page is checked with the W3C validation service to make sure that the XHTML (strict) code is valid and that there are no problems with the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Images have been edited with GIMP. JavaScripts were provided free by The JavaScript Source and The JavaScript Kit.
The things that you're liable to read in the Bible, it ain't necessarily so.
– Sportin' Life
If you can't fix it with duct tape or a martini it ain't worth fixing.
– Anonymous


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September 18, 2011
Missouri running back Henry Josey leads a brigade of Tigers down the field on a 68-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of Saturday night's game against Western Illinois at Faurot Field.
Stories this photo appears in:
Josey, Missouri overwhelm Western Illinois 69-0
The Missouri football record book is filled with oddities, from the 1918 influenza outbreak that scrapped the season to World War II-era wins over Navy pre-flight squads from Iowa.
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Global Amici's Basics 3 Tier Small Canisters come gift boxed. Made of clear glass and very elegant. Perfect for serving or storing candies. Each jar stacks on top of the other or can be split into 3 individual jars which provides options for serving sweets and candies.


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Old Vintage Porthole Port Hole 4 Dog Dogs Ship Maritime
- Sold for: Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
- Item Category: -
- Source: eBay
- Sold Date: Nov 30, 2007
- Channel: Auction House
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You are bidding on:An old vintage 1940's tug boat 4 dog porthole ship window. We understand that having 4 dogs is hard to find. We believe this maritime item to be brass. It does have a nice patina to it. This port hole is 17" in diameter and the glass itself is 12" in diameter. T is some paint on the glass. As to be expected, t is some very minor scratches on the glass. T are no visible cracks or chips though. Overall, we'd say she's in pretty good shape for her age. We've heard that these boat openings can be made into tables and sell for big bucks. This is the real deal. So, it will make for a great holiday gift for that maritime collector that you know, even if it's for yourself. Any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. LOW STARTING BID WITH NO RESERVE!
Please check out our More Taste Than Money E-bay Store for more items for sale. We will try to add new items weekly.As usual, thanks for looking and we do combine items for shipping! Our preferred method of We also accept Credit Cards through PayPal. If you pick up the item at our store in Ft. Myers Florida, we accept Visa/Mastercard, Personal Check, Money Order, Cashier's Check, and Cash. Please make your payment within 5 days of end of sale. If not paying within 24 hours, please have the courtesy of letting us know when payment is to be expected. If paying by Money Order or Cashier's Check, please let us know by e-mailing or calling us within 24 hours of end of sale. Thank you for your cooperation. Although insurance in most cases is optional, we highly recommend paying the few dollars extra for it especially should your item(s) be breakable. We try very hard to have your items packed for safe delivery. As hard as we try, sometimes an item will be damaged in transit. Our liability ends when we hand the item to the shipping company for you. We will be more than happy to assist in any way possible with any claims should the need arise. We are not responsible for items that are damaged in transit. The ownership of the item transfers to you upon the sale and payment and claims for damages are between you and the firm that transports your items. Safe delivery of the items we sell is our primary concern. We also include a minimal handling fee of $2.00 for domestic and $3.00 for international shipping. If combined shipping, we will only charge this once per box. Believe us, this usually does not cover our expenses. However, we do not want to scare you off with high shipping costs. Please scroll down to the bottom right of this page to use our shipping calculator for an exact S/H charge to the United States and International destinations. Also, we do combine items for shipping. We will send you a new invoice for combined shipping. So, ignore the automatic one from eBay. We offer several different shipping options through USPS and UPS. Shipping insurance on items through USPS are usually extra and are optional. ( Learn more about USPS shipping insurance ). Shipping through UPS usually includes insurance up to $100. For larger items such as furniture and artwork that cannot be shipped via UPS or USPS, we can get you in touch with an inexpensive local mover or you can call a freight company of your choice. Please call or e-mail us for a S/H quote and be sure to include your zip code and city to which the item needs to be delivered. In most cases, FedEx will be a less expensive alternative. Feel free to e-mail us for a FedEx quote. If you are the winning bidder and wish to have your item shipped via FedEx, you must let us know prior to paying and we will send you a new invoice. You may also pick up your item at our store in Ft. Myers, Florida. Unfortunately, More Taste Than Money does not accept returns, unless otherwise noted. We will provide a return if t was an error in the item listing or...


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New Brunswick Laboratory (NBL)
To be the most respected and trusted provider of the best nuclear material standards and measurement evaluation services in the world.
The New Brunswick Laboratory policy is that the safety and health of its workers, visitors, the environment, and the public are paramount in all of its activities.
The New Brunswick Laboratory maintains an Environmental Management System and ensures operations are conducted in an environmentally sound and responsible manner. The New Brunswick Laboratory is committed to:
Developing and improving methods and procedures with regard to certifying and globally distributing nuclear reference materials of plutonium and uranium. NBL also focuses in highly enriched uranium transparency monitoring, conducting surveys and inventories at laboratories nationwide, maintaining a cadre of scientists capable of responding to nuclear emergencies, and collaborating with local, national, and international laboratories.


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Another wonderfully sporadic week here on This Week in Blu-ray. Full of great catalog releases and absolutely horrible new releases. I was almost glad that I did not receive copies of either Nine or The Tooth Fairy, as they would have surely crowded up the Avoid section. It worked out though, as I was left with more time to explore two wonderful new releases of older films — Saving Private Ryan and Doctor Zhivago. As you're about to find out, both are impressive releases. So spend your money wisely this week and fill your collection with Blu-rays worthy of the system you spent all of that money on.
Saving Private Ryan (Sapphire Series)
Run, do not walk, to buy this movie on Blu-ray. In the heyday of DVD, the DTS-encoded version of Saving Private Ryan was the essential reference disc for home theater aficionados. The same will soon be true for the Blu-ray version of Steven Spielberg's World War II epic. A glorious 1080p transfer and a DTS-HD master audio track have ensured that. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful and alive Blu-ray films of all-time. An experience all its own, for sure. Not to mention the fact that it's one of the great war movies of all-time, contemporary or not. On the extras side, Private Ryan comes through with a lot of features we've seen on previous DVD releases. In fact, I didn't see anything new to the Blu-ray. That's sad, yes. But when you first throw this disc into your Blu-ray player and see that Normandy invasion scene in HD, you'll forget all about everything else.
Doctor Zhivago (45th Anniversary Edition)
If it's special features you're in it for, you won't have to go much further than this anniversary release of Doctor Zhivago, David Lean's five time Oscar-winning epic. To say the least, the Bolshevik Revolution has never looked so stunning as it does in this release. Disc one of this set includes a brand new two-part retrospective featurette that takes a look back at the 45-year legacy of the film. Disc two, a DVD disc, features several hours of featurettes and an hour-long documentary about the making of the film. This second disc supplementary material is not new to the world, but my research shows that it's the first time it has all been comprehensively assembled. My overall impression of this set is that it's a beast, a winner for fans of the film and anyone looking to own a worthwhile piece of cinema history. Oh, and there's an 8-track version of the film's soundtrack included with the Blu-ray, as if you needed any extra incentive.
David Tennant and Patrick Stewart in a modern-day telling of Shakespeare's Hamlet. That sounds a lot more interesting than it actually is, let me tell you. Based on the Royal Shakespeare Company's recent production of Hamlet — a stage production that has received much critical acclaim — this is a version of the play shot on location, rather than in the theater. After seeing it, I would have almost rather seen them record the stage production, as this direction feels like a half-cooked made-for-television affair that cheapens what I'm told is one of the best revivals of Hamlet in years. That said, there's no substitute for Tennant, who is phenomenal. His performance alone is worth a place in your Netflix queue. Which is where this release belongs, with its basic assortment of extras and its moderate, standard definition-friendly production value.
Before she was breaking the glass ceiling for female directors everywhere, The Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow was making kick-ass action flicks. Alright, so she hasn't exactly changed genres over the years, but you won't get any complaints from me. K-19 is perhaps her most underrated effort, delivering a few delicious bits of claustrophobic action and two leads (Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson) who succeed despite neither of them being Russian, the nationality of their characters. It's almost magical the way Ford's Alexei Vostrikov doesn't end up going the way of Kevin Costner's Robin Hood — you know, with the bad accent. Sure, K-19 is no Das Boot (not even close) or The Hunt for Red October (a bit closer), but it certainly is fun. And it looks good in HD, making it worth a rent. The special features are enough to warrant purchase if you're already a fan, but otherwise you'd be wise to avoid.
If you've heard about the plans (currently in the works) to remake Escape from New York, you may have at one point thought to yourself, "shouldn't they be focused on remaking Escape from LA instead?" Not as a "remake" so much as a do-over? I'd be in support of that. This movie is bad, there's now way around it. However, it falls comfortably into the "so bad it's good" category, if you ask me. Kurt Russell holds tight to the absurdity of Snake Plissken's second adventure, which includes more than a few leaps of faith for fans of Escape from NY. I can't say that it's for everyone — and it certainly isn't for collectors, as its special features section is a lonely desert of nothingness — but if you've got nothing else to do this weekend, give this one a rent. You may also want to be drunk…
Former church choir all-star and Destiny's Child singer LeToya Luckett stars as a church choir all-star looking for her big break. I almost fell asleep writing that one sentence. It's a powerful coming-of-age journey that falls off the boring map somewhere around the 30 minute mark. The problem, as you might imagine, is that Ms. Luckett is no actress. She's a lovely singer, but she's no actress. Perhaps she should follow in the footsteps of her character and get back to trying to make it big in the world of song. And perhaps Warner Bros. should stay out of the "faith can get you a record deal" business, as it's not exactly a compelling genre.
Sadly — and it's only sad because Amy Adams is such a delightful actress — this is going to end up on a lot of 'Worst of 2010' lists at the end of the year. It's a downright abysmal romantic comedy experience that appears to be nothing more than an excuse for cast and crew to spend a few days in the beautiful Irish countryside. It reminds me of the Patrick Dempsey pic Made of Honor — they probably had a wonderful time shooting the film, but they didn't turn in anything resembling a best effort, let alone a quality piece of entertainment. Blu-ray extras aside (there is PocketBlu, SocialBlu and BD-Live, for those interested), this release is a complete waste of time.
Also out on Blu-ray this week, but not reviewed due to a lack of review material:
- Celine: Through the Eyes of the World (Sony Music)
- Chickenfoot: Get Your Buzz On – Live (EMI America)
- Dirty Dancing: Limited Keepsake Edition (Lionsgate)
- The Dukes (E1)
- Elektra: Director's Cut (20th Century Fox)
- Michael Bolton: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Eagle Rock)
- Nine (Sony)
- The Notebook (Warner Brothers)
- One Night Only: Barbra Streisand and Quartet at The Village Vanguard – September 26, 2009 (Columbia)
- Tooth Fairy (20th Century Fox)
- Visions of Nature: Timescapes (Image)


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We're Still at War: Photo of the Day for December 6, 2011
US Army 1st Lt. Emille Prosko, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, talks to a role-playing civilian on the "Squad Attack" testing lane of the United States Army Europe's Best Junior Officer Competition in Grafenwoehr, Germany, November 15, 2011. The competition is the first of its kind in Europe and gives company-grade officers the chance to compete in multiple tasks and be named "Best Officer" for US Army Europe. Photo by the US Army.
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MPs from across the political spectrum have made their pitches at Ratana Pa today with the Government staunchly defending its record and opposition MPs promising to do better.
Prime Minister John Key and Labour leader David Cunliffe cut contrasting figures as they addressed the church leaders and the crowd of several hundred.
Cunliffe began his speech with a greeting in Maori before a typically colourful speech where he emphasised Labour's enduring relationship with the church dating back to the "days of Mickey J Savage," the former Labour Prime Minister.
Labour was ready "to pick up the challenge the prophet gave Mickey Savage - to care for our people," he said.
"We want to prove to you that our heart is in this work and our sleeves are rolled up and we're ready to get stuck in and we ask you… to renew this relationship."
He said they would address Maori concerns over the lack of jobs, poor health and adequate housing.
Prime Minister John Key cut a more measured figure and called Cunliffe's promises empty.
"David Cunliffe would have came up a wee while ago to tell you how strong the relationship is between Ratana and the Labour Party, he'd be here to tell you about the historical bonds of Labour and the Ratana movement and knowing David he would've applied it with a trowel, in fact he probably would have had a spade."
He defended his government's record and said Maori were better off under National.
He spoke of the number of Treaty of Waitangi settlements under National compared with under Labour, how his government had invested heavily in redeveloping housing in Ratana Pa and how Maori children were doing better in school under National.
All this was done in partnership with the Maori Party, he said.
"So when I come here as Prime Minister and as leader of the National Party I come here with a view that we are good for Maori that we work hard for the people of New Zealand, that we believe that Maori can achieve and succeed at the highest level and that Maori children should be just as successful as every other child in New Zealand."
Ratana follower Moko Morgan said Key's defence was unlikely to sway what he saw as a largely-Labour crowd, however.
While millions of dollars was being spent to benefit Maori, not enough was going to Maori organisations which would in turn create jobs and allow Maori to help themselves, he said.
"Why not Maori for Maori, Islanders for Islanders, Pakeha for Pakeha. We know more about our people than you do."
However, he said those at the bottom of the ladder would fare worse no matter who was in government.
Morgan said Cunliffe could "speak bravely" at Ratana because he had the support of the church.
There was some support for the Maori Party within the church but they felt let down by the party, he said.
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell and Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei also spoke.
MP Pita Sharples has distanced his Maori Party from National at Ratana, but Prime Minister John Key says Maori are better off under his government.
Sharples, a former co-leader of the Maori Party, said today it was trying to separate itself from National and reaffirm its status as an independent Maori voice.
The Maori Party has supported National since its election victory in 2008 and that relationship is said to be costing the Maori Party support at a time when it is in danger of losing at least two of the three Maori electorate seats it holds.
When asked whether it was time for the Maori Party to move away from National, Sharples conceded "it probably is".
"I think we've already started to be honest," he said.
This did not necessarily mean moving closer to Labour "but we have certain things in train and I think it's time we hoed into those and finished those off and some of those are with the support of National Government and some of them are not."
Progress on issues such as adequate housing and addressing poverty had not been fast enough, he said.
He also pointed to the review of the protocols governing powhiri at Parliament commissioned by Speaker David Carter, saying these were not to be tampered with.
It was also partly a response to perceptions the party was too close to National, something which was said to be costing them support though this was overblown and supporters recognised the benefit of being in government.
He would not say which of the major parties he would prefer to work with after the election.
He pointed out that the Maori Party was the only party which both Labour and National said they would like to work with post-election.
"So it's sort of a statement around our credibility."
Key said he had not seen Sharples' comments but the parties had always disagreed on some things.
Minor parties often tried to break out from under the shadow of their larger coalition partners in an election year.
"In five years we've worked really constructively with them, they've been good people and they've been straight up and down about what they've been about," Key said.
"I think they have massively benefited Maori by being part of the Government."
Key acknowledged Labour had a long-standing relationship with the Ratana movement but said the party "promised the Earth" and failed to deliver.
"It's always easy in opposition to sit there and throw stones, it's like Opposition politicians any time the Government comes out with something you'll always find an Opposition politician who will criticise, fair enough that's their job.
"But in government you achieve things and you wait until you see my speech today on the marae I'm going to run through the list of things that we've done, across housing, across the economy, across law and order, across education, across Treaty settlements over the past five years and I defy anyone to say Maori aren't better off under a National Government."
Asked if was concerned that the Maori Party could lose seats at the election, Key said he was "fairly confident" about the Maori Party's prospects.
They've got a good candidate to replace Tariana [Turia], Chris McKenzie. I think he'll do well for them. Te Ururoa [Flavell] looks strong and let's see what they do in the other seats.
"If they lose those seats to Labour, it doesn't do anything to Labour it just reduces the number of list MPs Labour has."
Earlier, NZ First leader Winston Peters was the first to be welcomed to the celebrations today. Mana leader Hone Harawira arrived yesterday.
Labour leader David Cunliffe said it was his first visit to Ratana. He wanted to carry on the legacy of the relationship between his party and the church.
"We're coming up towards the centenary of this movement so it's a really important time for us to renew that alliance, to renew the common purpose of helping our people."
Labour intended to win all the Maori seats and it believed it was making strong progress and had a strong candidate, Adrian Rurawhe, a great-grandson of the prophet, standing in Te Tai Hauauru seat.
The party also included Rino Tiraketene, a descendant of the first Ratana MP.
"So we could not be stronger in taking forward a new generation of Ratana leadership into the Labour movement this time around," Cunliffe said.
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said Ratana was a force to be reckoned with. It gave MPs a chance to front up to Maori, which they did not do often enough.
"We have to be with Maori people we have to talk about our issues and explain ourselves to Maori people and I think that's a really important thing for us to do," Turei said.
In spite of concerns too much of the focus was on politics, the presence of the politicians has already created a minor buzz.
When programmes were handed out yesterday church follower Jade Elers said everyone looked to see when Prime Minister John Key would arrive "and you watch there'll be lots of people" there to see him.
"You'll see the crowds come in when the politicians come in, they'll all be listening, they tend to flock more when they come and see what they have to say which is good," Elers said.
Part of the fun was overhearing the comments from the kaumatua who he said weren't shy on discussing their opinions of the MPs among themselves.
Elers, who grew up in Taupo but now lives in Australia and has been coming to Ratana since he was a boy, had not heard of Rurawhe or Maori Party candidate Chris McKenzie "but everyone knows Hone".
"What's good about that fella, he still lines up when he gets a feed and everything," Elers said.
"They'll send in the hierarchy through there but not him, he doesn't go out of his way because he has a tie and stuff. I heard the older people saying that he's lining up for a feed, good on him and that's cool hearing that from older people."
While politics is often portrayed as taking over the event, Elers said it was good to see MPs turn up and acknowledge the movement.
Meanwhile, Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia will not attend Ratana celebrations this year as she supports a family member undergoing a serious operation.
A spokeswoman for the Maori Party would not give further details, but said the operation was being done in the South Island.
Turia is the incumbent MP for Te Tai Hauauru, which includes Ratana. The Maori Party is facing a serious challenge to stop Rurawhe winning the seat after she retires.
Turia is a follower of the church and commands great respect here, holding the seat since 2004.
The church has thrown its support behind Rurawhe after mending its relationship with Labour following the damage done by the 2004 foreshore and seabed legislation.
- © Fairfax NZ News