text:
Nicki Minaj is at the point in her career now where she can release a puppy-love duet with Chris Brown that doesn't even include rapping of any kind for the first two-and-a-half minutes and nobody will think twice about it. "Right By My Side" is rumored to be the second official single off Roman Reloaded, and it certainly sounds like it, a big, catchy and cleanly produced number that could have been equally at home on the top of the charts at nearly any point in the 21st century. But is this what we really want from Nicki Minaj? The jury is still somewhat out on that one.
More than anything else, "Right By My Side" sounds like a Rihanna song, maybe a slightly more successful version of "You Da One." In fact, the song even has the Ester Dean lyrical stamp on it, top-line writer behind not just "You Da One" but nearly every other non-"We Found Love" Rihanna hit note from the 2010′s—and you can tell her work both from the song's summery, sentimental vibe and the use of the stutter hook (A Dean trademark: think "Oh na na" or "Na na na na c'mon") on the song's "I can't eat / I-i-i-i / I can't sleep / I-I-I-I" bridge, which we wouldn't really blame Ri for being furious upon hearing for the first time.
Of course, this striking similarity becomes minorly problematic when considering the song's primary collaborator. Chris Brown's presence on a love duet will always be troublesome to many given his checkered (to be generous) history in dealing with the opposite sex, but to do so on a Nicki track that seems custom-fit to Rihanna's specs seems unnecessarily inflammatory. To his credit (or not), Brown doesn't do much of anything memorable on the track—he's auto-tuned within an inch of his life, to the point where you can barely understand the words he's singing on his verse, which mostly just replicate the "You own my heart / and (s)he's just renting" sentiments of Nicki's verse anyway. It's a headline-only guest performance, but it might get those just the same.
Ultimately, "Right By My Side" is quite nice, but it raises the unshakable question of whether pop music really needs another Rihanna when the one seems to be doing just fine on her own. Nicki does show up as herself on the last verse to rap for a minute ("When my pussy game so cold that he always seem to come back / Cause he know that it'd be a wrap when I'm riding it from the back") but it's a little weird that she feels like a guest star on her own song. Not an original complaint, and one that she was smart enough to preempt herself, but Dear Old Nicki, would you make sure that New Nicki doesn't lose herself entirely on the way to super-duper-stardom?
[starreview tpl=16]


text:
View Cart
Your cart is currently empty
Scenic Places & Travel (remove)
Beaches (remove)
# of scenes: 4
Beach Sand Dollars Personal Checks
Starting at $6.99
Full Details
At The Beach Personal Checks
Starting at $15.99
# of scenes: 8
Splendid Shores Checks Personal Checks
Palm Trees in Paradise Personal Checks
Blessed Landscapes Personal Checks
Seagulls by the Sea Personal Checks
Scripture on Scenery Personal Checks
Tropical Huts in Paradise Personal Checks
Sippin' in Paradise Personal Checks
A Lifeguard's Life Personal Checks
Artistic Lighthouses Personal Checks
Athens Greece Personal Checks
Beach Bums Personal Checks
Beach Still Life Personal Checks
Colorful Beach Cottages Personal Checks
Down the Shore Personal Checks
Enjoy the View Personal Checks
Island Monogram Letter A Personal Checks
Island Monogram Letter B Personal Checks
Island Monogram Letter C Personal Checks
Checks SuperStore offers a wide range of beach themed checks so you can add some color and flare to your checkbook at an affordable price. We have scenic landscapes, sand castles, sunsets, and more. Whatever images remind you of the simple pleasures of a warm, summer beach and cool blue waves, you can find them here. Even if you can't get to the beach every day, you can always have some great images with you.
These beautiful beach scene personal checks feature everything from cute cartoons to seashells in the sand. We are always adding new designs and images to our beach collection, and we are committed to providing the best prices possible. Order your new checks today and fill your checkbook with images or pure relaxation and fun.
My Favorites List
Share This Product With Your Friends
Related Items
© 2007 - 2016 Vision Intersoft, Inc.
Congratulations - Promo Code Loaded
Your discounts will automatically be applied when you add products to your shopping cart.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion is fragrance free 30 SPF broad spectrum sunscreen for extra sensitive skin.
Guaranteed AuthenticGuaranteed Authentic
Folica is an authorized distributer of this product and guarantees its authenticity.Close
- Fragrance Free 30 SPF broad spectrum sunscreen for extra sensitive skin
- Power-packed protection of zinc goes on clear
- Hypo-Allergenic
- Non-Greasy
- Tear free. Doesn't run in eyes
- Contains rich, skin-soothing certified organic oils, including jojoba.
- Contains anti-oxidant rich green tea and rose hip.
- Hypo-Allergenic; Gluten Free; Vegan
Non-Nano Zinc Oxide (22%), Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethyhexyl Glycerin, GlycerylStearate, Green Tea (Camelia Sinensis) Extract*, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Methylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Rose Hip (Rosa Canina) Fruit Oil*, Shea(Butyrospermun Parkii) Butter*, Sodium Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) Seed Oil*, Vegetable Glycerin, Water (Aqua),Xanthan Gum. * Certified Organic Ingredients*.


text:
I have an Exchange 2007 server that went down after a power failure. It has OWA access via SSL both externally and internally. OWA is working fine from the internal notwork, however I am getting a timeout when I attempt to connect externally. I pulled up wireshark and noticed that the server actually redirects to SSL. For some reason the server is not listening on the SSL port, and this seems to be causing the timeout.
I normally do only development work, but I'm stuck with this since my sysadmin took off for the week and isn't answering my phone calls. As far as I know it shouldn't be a firewall issue. Aside from me not wanting to work on the damn thing, what should I look for?


text:
Jan. 8, 2008
All Southern California and high school and club teams are invited to enjoy FREE ADMISSION to the following UCLA Baseball games:
UCLA vs. USC, Sunday, April 6 - 1:00PM
UCLA vs. Arizona St., Saturday, May 3 - 4:00PM
Please follow these instructions to gain admission for your group:
1. Select the game(s) your group would like to attend. Your team may attend more than one game.
2. Click here to RSVP electronically or click here to print out an RSVP form. Please RSVP no later than ONE WEEK prior to the game you would like to attend.
3. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT. Your group will be admitted via gate list. Further instructions will be sent to you once you have submitted this form.
4. Players and coaches are invited to attend this day for free. Friends and family members can purchase tickets at the Jackie Robinson Stadium box office at a rate of $7 for adults and $5 for youth 16 years and younger.


text: I like the way you think. however at that point my audit trail flags system tampering, sends a network alert to the IT department, and I now have sufficient grounds and evidence to have you fired. also, (and I don't yet know how to do this, I've only seen it) there is a way to ban programs by some kind of checksum, so if I do have a case of someone knowing enough to rename it to get past the blacklist, I can do it by program "fingerprint". as of yet, I have not had anyone rename a program to bypass the blacklist, though it is something that is monitored for. --- erik -----Original Message----- From: James Weatherall [mailto:jnw "at" realvnc.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 08:35 To: Erik Soderquist; vnc-list "at" realvnc.com Cc: soderquist.erik "at" gmail.com Subject: RE: How to hide vnc icon So I'd have to rename regedit.exe to something else in order to be able to modify the registry to bypass the restrictions there? ;) Wez @ RealVNC Ltd. > -----Original Message----- > From: Erik Soderquist [mailto:esoderquist "at" mcstamp.com] > Sent: 23 November 2005 13:12 > To: vnc-list "at" realvnc.com > Cc: soderquist.erik "at" gmail.com > Subject: RE: How to hide vnc icon > > therein lies the beauty of the domain policy's program blacklist... if > you are a member of the "CAD Users" group, which has local > admin to the > CAD machines, you are not permitted to run certain programs by domain > policy, such as regedit.exe, services.msc, etc... > > ;) > > --- erik > > -----Original Message----- > From: James Weatherall [mailto:jnw "at" realvnc.com] > Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 07:03 > To: 'Steve Bostedor'; Erik Soderquist; vnc-list "at" realvnc.com > Cc: soderquist.erik "at" gmail.com > Subject: RE: How to hide vnc icon > > > How about setting permissions on the > > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\orl and > > related registry keys? You can specify only a certain group > > (excluding > > Administrators) to modify those keys. That controls things > > much tighter > > than the built-in VNC restrictions. > > Except that Administrators can just take ownership and override the > permissions you specified. :) > > Cheers, > > Wez @ RealVNC Ltd.


text:
Westlake Recreation Area
Full RV hookups available with 30 amp service and paved parking, water/sewer/electric, tent areas, shelter area with 20x40 openside pavillion, picnic areas, outdoor grills, group facilities, pasture golf, docks/walkways, security and year-round fishing/access. We also host a kite festival, musical events and wine festival throughout the year. Great for reunions, rallies, weddings, company functions, and more. Check our web site for more information.
Facility Amenities: Pets Allowed
Group Amenities: Bus/Motorcoach Parking, Group Rates Available
Highway Corridors (within 5 mi.): US-412
On-site Activities: Fishing, Golf Course on site
2 miles W of Lahoma, then 1/2 mile N from Meno, OK. 3 miles E, then 1/2 mile N. Sign is on corner/intersection N of highway.
Primary Contacts:
Earl Ehlers
Discover Garfield County and trace your family history and ancestry with this list of county-specific genealogy resources.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
TC TO MARGARET A. CARLYLE ; 12 April 1838; DOI: 10.1215/lt-18380412-TC-MAC-01; CL 10: 68-69
Chelsea, Thursday 12th April / 1838—
My dear Mother,
Two days ago you had a Letter from me, explaining what a game of cross-purposes it had been between us: yesterday this Letter of Jack's came, and so now I am already writing to you again. As I shall get a frank tonight (for I am to dine with one Milnes a Yorkshire member),1 it is better to send off the message to you without delay.
All seems to be going well with Jack; he is still coming home, only not altogether so soon as he once talked of. I expect to be perhaps nearly done with my Lecturing before he come; an arrangement I shall not regret. About "the longest day [21 June]," one may hope, it will all be right—so far!
This is the crowded season here; such dinnering and partying, dancing and deraying [disorderly merriment] as it is weariness to think of! The kind of creature they call "a lion" goes about every day and night into such meetings to be stared at. I go out not once in the ten days; and I find it far too much. "Never am better," as old Tom White2 said, "than when there's not a drop of it in me!" I have refused this little member I am going to tonight, and again refused him; till at last I must go,—and dine at seven o'clock!
My Lectures are to be vehemently set about tomorrow morning.3 Today I have been writing to Jack; talking to foolish visiters, for poor Jane has taken a headache, and been in bed ever since noon. It is now between five and six, and she is not better.
Yesterday, going thro' one of the Parks, I saw the poor little Queen. She was in an open carriage, preceded by three or four swift red-coated troopers; all off for Windsor just as I happened to pass. Another carriage, or carriages, followed; with maids of honour &c: the whole drove very fast. It seemed to me the poor little Queen was a bit modest nice sonsy [cheerful] little lassie; blue eyes, light hair, fine white skin; of extremely small stature: she looked timid, anxious, almost frightened; for the people looked at her in perfect silence; one old liveryman alone touched his hat to her: I was heartily sorry for the poor bairn,—tho' perhaps she might have said as Parson Swan4 did, "Greet [weep] not for me brethren; for verily yea verily I greet not for myself." It is a strange thing to look at the fashion of this world!
I meant to write a word to poor Mary today; but these visiters coming in have belated me. I am sorry for it. And yet, at bottom, I had nothing to say to her, poor thing, except that I was very wae for her.
I insert here one of the Lecture Prospectuses: you will see what a thing it is! I must warsle [struggle] thro' it. Above all things, I must try to keep myself quiet. I should like well to be on Creca Moor5 at present!— Speaking of Creca, they have let Craigenputtoch again, to Macadam, whose offer was the best.6 Our house stands vacant, I understand. I sometimes think I shall go and hid[e] there for a while.
But enough dear Mother: my time is out and my paper. My love to all of you. Be as snug as you can. Take care of yourself. I am ever
Your affectionate son /
T. Carlyle—


text:
brake Pads
Reviewed By William W (VERONA, NY) Reviewed for a 2011 Chevy HHR —3/11/2016 4:25 AM
by far better then the ones that came on car from factiory!
Reviewed By Phillip M (Atlanta, GA) Reviewed for a 2014 Toyota Corolla —1/3/2016 10:05 AM
I received these pads and they were a perfect fit! I could see the difference in quality when I took out my factory pads. As quiet as advertised! I will soon order Posi Quiet rear brakes for my car! A+


text:
Safe Poker Sites – Safest Online Poker Rooms
When it comes to handing money online, many people are reluctant to trust their money with any poker site. That is a natural reaction. You work hard for your money, and you have heard about people getting scammed on the internet since it started over 15 years ago.
US players please see our list of US online poker sites for information on the safest poker sites for American's to play poker online.
[geocode id=1]
I would question your sanity if you were not at least a little skeptical of putting your money online to play poker with. I mean, aren't online gambling sites shady and steal your money?
The fact is – yes, some poker sites have done that in the past. Most notably the cheating scandals from last year and earlier this year that happened at Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet. (These two poker sites have been blacklisted by Holdem Review.)
That is why it is so important to do research and find the safest online poker sites before depositing your money online.
I have played online poker for over five years and have seen countless Texas Hold'em online poker sites come and go. But there have been a few poker rooms that have stood the test of time and have earned reputations as the safest poker rooms online.


text:
5 Major Memory Loss Causes (and How To Protect Against Them)
When it comes to thinking about memory loss causes and trying to defend yourself against them, there's something you should know:
It isn't possible to 'lose' your memory.
That might sound like a weird thing to say but it's true.
You might say 'Well, what about people with dementia or Alzheimer's?'
My answer is simple. Those are diseases of the brain as a whole, of which memory impairment is only a part. Many of those diseases cause the brain to deteriorate. If there's less brain matter, there will be less interaction between the different parts of the brain and therefore less ability to remember.
Think about this:
Your memory is an ability that you have, just like any other ability. It isn't something you own or don't own.
Let's say you learned how to ride a mountain bike on cross country dirt tracks, but you haven't done it for a while, it's likely you won't be as good as when you were doing it regularly.
It's the same for your memory. Use it or 'lose' it.
The Top Memory Loss Causes
When we talk about memory loss causes, we're simply talking about things that block you from being able to use your brain to its full extent.
Also, it's worth bearing in mind that if you tell yourself that you're losing your memory, you'll actually become more forgetful, which is the reason that the first in my list of memory loss causes is:
1) Telling Yourself You're Losing Your Memory
The human brain is an incredibly powerful tool. Its power to visualise in great detail, using all of your senses, is unrivalled and unequalled by even the most complex computers.
There are massive benefits to owning this supercomputer ability. Without going all metaphysical on you, it's possible to clearly visualise a chosen outcome and then allow your subconscious to come up with ways to make it happen.
The downside is that anything you've consistently told yourself – such as 'I'm losing my memory' – becomes fact in your subconscious. Regardless of whether it's a good or bad thing that you're telling yourself, from then on, your subconscious will work on the basis that you're right.
This can be catastrophic for your memory because your subconscious is working 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, even when you're asleep.
Think of it like a person constantly telling you that you're an idiot. Eventually, you might just start to believe it.
- Stop telling yourself you're losing your memory! – We all have memory gaps every so often, but they're not caused by 'losing' your memory. They may, in fact, be caused by some of the following factors…
2) Not Getting Enough Sleep
Another one of the major memory loss causes is sleep deprivation.
Your brain requires a certain amount of sleep per 24-hour cycle. Without it, your brain will be sluggish because it won't have the energy or rest time it needs to repair your body and mind after a day's work.
Significantly, with many of your functions impaired, you won't remember much. This is why staying up to study something the night before an exam is not a very bright thing to do.
- Get enough sleep! – This will vary slightly from person to person, but it's between 7.5 and 9 hours per 24-hour cycle for the majority of adults. Check out this excellent guide to help you.
3) Stressing Your Mind
What if someone told you that you had to remember your full bank details in the next 20 seconds or you'll lose all your money?
How easy do you reckon it would be to remember any of it?
My guess? Not easy at all. The high stress and adrenalin levels in your brain would cause you to forget details because you'd be too focused on the time limit hanging over you and the potential loss of cash.
That's an extreme example, but the truth is, you're putting yourself under similar pressures all the time.
Stress is one of the biggest killers as it causes untold damage to your body. I'm talking strokes, heart failure, the lot. It will also kill your memory.
Stress produces a hormone called cortisol which is damaging to the brain.
Many people would say that negative stress is unavoidable. (If you've read Andy Shaw's brilliant 'A Bug Free Mind' books, then you'll know that's not true.)
Regardless of what you think, there are ways to deal with stress that will help you to not be as affected by it. As a result of removing stress from the memory equation, you will remember more.
- Get some exercise – Regular exercise produces endorphins in your body which relax you and make you feel good, making it easier to remember.
- Meditate – This allows your subconscious and conscious minds to interact more freely and removes tension by allowing you to be there, in that moment, without stress or anxiety. It's a lot harder than you might think to achieve that state, but when you do, it will open your mind to more learning.
- Avoid prolonged high-stress activities – As an extreme example, if your job is to save people's lives (you might be a fireman or a surgeon), make sure you get the breaks you need between calls/operations and use them to do something that relaxes you.
4) Consuming a Poor Diet
I've spoken of this in other posts like this one, so here I want to focus on some specific elements that might be killing off your memory.
A balanced diet will allow your brain to get all the nutrients it needs to function.
Having a diet that's high in sugar, high in salt or full of additives (such as aspartame and monosodium glutamate) will damage your body as a whole and with regards to memory loss, damage your brain functions.
- Eat better (this really isn't rocket science, is it?) – Make sure you have three meals per day, with each one containing protein, fruit and/or vegetables and a complex carbohydrate. For example, bacon on wholegrain bread/toast with a glass of fruit smoothie for breakfast.
- Don't snack on crap food that's high in sugar or salt, or that contains loads of additives.
- Get plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration will ruin your chance of functioning in a lot of areas, including memory.
5) Alcohol and Drug Use
This is pretty obvious, but I'm going to say it anyway as you may not realise the damage you're doing to yourself…
Drugs and alcohol (which is technically a drug too) can have negative effects on you for days after you consume them.
Sure, they may make you feel chilled out and at one with the world and your friends, but the fact is, they are damaging your brain.
According to Dr. John B. Arden in his excellent book, Improving Your Memory for Dummies, people who regularly consume alcohol display:
- Decreased performance on memory tests
- Decreased visual and spatial learning ability
- Decreased ability to make precise motor movements (their co-ordination is affected)
- Decreased short-term memory
And the list goes on and on…
Marijuana users tell a similar story.
Smoking pot regularly can make you irritable and lacking in motivation or clarity of thought.
Also, it is very well-known for causing significant short-term memory loss. If you smoke weed, your memories can become clouded and confused.
- Stop smoking pot – Seriously, I don't care how relaxed it makes you feel, it's damaging your memory in a BIG way. Unless you're being prescribed it because you have cancer or glaucoma, forget it. And even in those cases, it won't stop your memory from being affected.
- Moderate your alcohol intake – The ideal situation is not to drink, but that's unrealistic. I like a glass of wine or a cheeky G&T as much as anyone. A little alcohol is OK, but excessive drinking or bingeing is just stupid. For guidelines on how much is 'safe', check out this visual guide.
* * * * *
So, there you have it, the top 5 memory loss causes and how you can avoid 'em.
Make sure you share this with anyone who you know you might benefit from this via Twitter and Facebook and as always, let me know what you think by leaving a comment below.
Category: Memory Power Tips
About the Author (Author Profile)I'm James Gladwell, chief contributor and editor of SmartMemoryPower.com. I'm fascinated by the human mind and I set this site up in order to help people increase their memory power, while I learned how to improve mine. Feel free to leave a comment on the site and let me know how you think I can make the site better.
Comments (1)
Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed
Sites That Link to this Post
- 12 Memory Myths That Could Be Harming Your Brain Power : Smart Memory Power | 30 October, 2012


text:
Learn More...
UT Austin Sustainability Portal & Directory — dedicated to environmental sustainability at The University of Texas at Austin.
Facilities Services and Project Management and Construction Services — the university groups responsible for overseeing the UTakeCharge program.
Campus Sustainability Policy — University of Texas at Austin Administrative Policy stating that policies, practices and curricula should, when possible, embody approaches that reduce life cycle costs, restore or maintain the functioning of natural systems, and enhance human well-being.
Energy Star — joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) — organization of Texas colleges and universities that offers online and other forums for communication and collaboration on sustainability issues.
Austin Energy — City of Austin's energy provider has conservation programs for businesses, homes, and multi-family dwellings.
Water IQ — a statewide public awareness water conservation program that educates Texans about water conservation.
WaterWiser — a water conservation, efficiency, and demand management information resource developed by the American Water Works Association.
Lower Colorado River Authority — Energy, water and community services for Central Texas.
Green Building Council — non-profit working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.
Glossary — from the Institute of Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University
Other UT Sustainability efforts
Document Solutions (printing/copy/mail services)
Engineers for a Sustainable World
Environmental Science Institute
Information Technology Services Green IT@UT


text: Warning: session_start() [function.session-start]: Cannot send session cookie - headers already sent by (output started at /home/indiab/public_html/include/connDB.php:13) in /home/indiab/public_html/BusinessDetailsPage/2012/businessDetails101112b.php on line 3 Warning: session_start() [function.session-start]: Cannot send session cache limiter - headers already sent (output started at /home/indiab/public_html/include/connDB.php:13) in /home/indiab/public_html/BusinessDetailsPage/2012/businessDetails101112b.php on line 3 Warning: mysql_num_rows(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home/indiab/public_html/BusinessDetailsPage/2012/businessDetails101112b.php on line 24 Tata Chemicals PAT up 23% Make this your homepage Home Search Olympic 2012 News News in Photo Fashion Features Business Showbiz Sports Sports Event Medley Lifestyle India Abroad Foreign US News South Asia Health/HIV-AIDS Environ/Scn/Wildlife Astrology Travel Matrimony Video Ecards Column Opinion Photo Feature Downloads Yellow Pages Granny's Recipe Kali Puja Durga Puja Assembly Election Election 2009 Archive Jobs Web Directory Business Tweet Tata Chemicals PAT up 23% India Blooms News Service Mumbai, Nov 10 (IBNS) Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL), a global company with interests in businesses that focus Living, Industrial and Farm Essentials, announced its Q2 FY13 results where its standalone income increased 23% and Profit After Tax (PAT) by 26%. Q2 FY2013 Standalone Financial Highlights: Income from Operations at ` 2,441 Crores up by 23% Profit from Operations at ` 332 Crores up by 25% PBT at ` 240 Crores up by 30% PAT at ` 173 Crores up by 26% EPS (Not Annualised) at ` 6.80 up by 26% H1 FY2013 Standalone Financial Highlights Income from Operations at ` 3,979 Crores Profit from Operations at ` 556 Crores PBT at ` 330 Crores PAT at ` 241 Crores EPS (Not Annualised) at ` 9.47 Q2 FY2013 Consolidated Financial Highlights: Income from Operations at ` 4,197 Crores up by 17% Profit from Operations at ` 661 Crores down by 2% PBT at ` 439 Crores down by 9% PAT after Minority Interest at ` 257 Crores down by 7% EPS at ` 10 (Not Annualised) down by 7% H1 FY2013 Consolidated Financial Highlights Income from Operations at ` 7,263 Crores Profit from Operations at ` 1156 Crores PBT at ` 650 Crores PAT after Minority Interest at ` 364 Crores EPS at ` 14 (Not Annualised) Q2 FY13 performance highlights: Commenting on the companys Q2 FY2013 performance, R Mukundan, Managing Director, said: Performance for the quarter under review has been very encouraging and has been a good turn around for TCL. "The company registered 17% rise in sales turnover during the quarter despite challenges posed by the uncertainties across the globe." "Going forward we expect Indian market to continue the growth momentum, however there would be continued pressure in the complex fertilizer business. "We continue to lead the market in the national branded salt category with 67% market share. Our water purifier business launched a new variant LaVita enhancing the offering basket," he said. "We also remain positive about the continued growth across our businesses and the transformation to more consumer and specialty portfolio. To Post Your Comment On This Article Click Here Your Name : Your Email : Your Comment : Verification Code : Comments Posted on this news: There are no comments on this News. Technology Video Samsung Galaxy Camera coming to India by mid-November 'Angry Birds' creators launch new game Samsung launches new oversized smartphone More Technology Video » Automobile Video Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Nissan Evalia Launch Premier Rio Preview More Automobile Video » Related Business News Hindustan Tin Works net profit up 67.2% Sinclairs Hotels records Q3 PAT at Rs.241 lakhs Tata Coffee net profit at Rs 38 cr Bosch sales up by 3.6 pct Usha Martin Q2 profit at Rs 71.83 lakhs More Business Jakson commissions solar plant for NTPC Kurkure goes global L&T Construction wins Rs 1009 cr orders Rupee opens at 60.17 per dollar Thailand delegation visits Kolkata Ind-Ra warns of further interest hike Reliance unveils Smart Cash Plus Plan Srei to roll out WLAs in rural India Genpact partners Hillshire Brands L&T Construction wins Rs 1981 cr orders Business Archive >> Tags Odisha Talcher NTPC solar plant Jakson Group Kurkure manufacture PepsiCo India Kurkure L&T Construction rupee Thailand delegation visits Kolkata Thailand delegation visits Kolkata corporate performance BSE 500 interest rates Ind-Ra Reliance Capital Limited Smart Cash Plus Plan Reliance Life Insurance rural India White Label ATMs RBI Srei Hillshire Brands Company business process outsourcing Genpact Limited Factories Business Buildings housing orders L&T Construction rupee AdobeSAP AG Europe Information technology social media platform Facebook free Facebook access Aircel rupee GE Healthcare CTSI Idea musicHUB Idea Cellular Idea musicHUB Marico appoints Saugata Gupta as MD Marico appoints Saugata Gupta as MD GlacialLight launches surface mounted lights GlacialLight launches surface mounted lights WABCO exhibits safety technologies WABCO exhibits safety technologies Gujarat NRE Coke receives CDR approval Gujarat NRE Coke receives CDR approval About Us | Writers | Advertise with Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact Us | Sitemap | Send Feedback Copyright © 2008 Indiablooms.com. All rights reserved. Copyright / IP Policy | Company InfoIncrease Page Rank


text:
"#Got99ProblemsAndTreannAintOne" ~ElyPop
Death is the winner in any war.
Can't see why they never play this live or had it on the records!
Well I've been watching while you've been coughin', I've been drinkin' life while you've been nauseous
And so I drink to health, while you kill yourself, and I've got just one thing that I can offer
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me
As I Lay Dying - A Greater Foundation
I just can't stop listening to it since they posted it
Caravan Palace, until today i hadn't heard of the genre Electro Swing. It is rather awesome must say.
Isis, of the 90000 known metal bands they surely land in my top 10.


text:
When an iconic metal band like Slayer decides they are playing only seven shows in the U.S. and one of them happens to be at your favorite intimate venue you don't wait to decide whether you should get tickets, or you may be shut out. That was the case when Slayer played at The Pageant on Thursday.
The concert sold out in a blink of an eye back in January, and for those who hesitated, they were on the outside looking in. For those who were able to snatch up a ticket the experience was certainly worth the wait.
The lineup was laden with veteran metal acts as Exodus and Suicidal Tendencies opened the show with explosive sets themselves. It was a metalhead's dream come true. Such was evidenced to Slayer vocalist/bassist Tom Araya as he observed how weird it was to come onstage and see everyone with grins on their faces."This has got to be the happiest crowd I've sen yet."
How could the crowd not smile? After all Slayer had last performed in St. Louis after 2004 a total of 2 times. That had nothing to do with the unfortunate death of original guitarist Jeff Hanneman in 2013, it was simply that St. Louis was overlooked.
They were last in town for Mayhem Festival in 2012, but that had a shortened set, as is the norm for a festival. This time around they brought out an impressive ensemble of musical pieces.
Slayer (Araya, guitarist Kerry King, drummer Paul Bostaph and guitarist Gary Holt) entered with "Hell Awaits" "The Antichrist" and "Necrophiliac" to a raucous crowd that wasted no time in trying to crowd surf. Guitarist Kerry King struck his usual menacing pose as he shredded away at his axe with notes so fast one would half expect his guitar to start smoking from the friction.
With very little talking being done by the band the music stayed front and center, and didn't leave time for anyone in the crowd to catch their breath. Steaming through the setlist that spanned their long thirty-plus year history the sound was tight and attacked the senses like a blitzkrieg.
With mosh pits reigning supreme on the floor the band struck through fan favorites such as "War Ensemble", "Seasons in the Abyss" and "Angel of Death". Their music seemed as energetic today as when many of the songs were originally released. Perhaps their timelessness is one reason why they are listed as influences of so many artists today.
The show certainly wasn't for the faint of heart, but for those who went it seemed to be just the right medicine for any doldrums this past winter may have caused
Suicidal Tendencies performed an exhausting (just from watching them and trying to photograph them), yet exhilarating set. Lead vocalist Mike Muir, in particular, ran around the stage like a kid hyped up on five pounds of candy.
Slayer Setlist:
Hell Awaits
The Antichrist
Mandatory Suicide
Captor of Sin
War Ensemble
Altar of Sacrifice
Jesus Saves
At Dawn They Sleep
Die by the Sword
Hallowed Point
Seasons in the Abyss
Chemical Warfare
Dead Skin Mask
Raining Blood
Black Magic
South of Heaven
Angel of Death
Suicidal Tendencies Setlist:
You Can't Bring Me Down
Trip at the Brain
War Inside My Head
Possessed to Skate
I Saw Your Mommy
Cyco Vision
Who's Afraid?
Pledge Your Allegiance


text:
Say everybody, quick question. When you sit down and watch recent anime, did you ever find yourself thinking, "Boy, [insert older anime title here] was much better than this?" An obvious answer would be, "yes." And in some cases, I can agree. As time goes on, people start running out of ideas that others haven't already done and have a hard time thinking of something original so their audience won't get bored or constantly draw out similarities. If failing that, they can work on well-done reboots like Shin Mazinger Shogeki Z! Hen, New Getter Robo, Rebuild of Evangelion, Dororon Enma-kun MeeraMera, the 2004 version of Tetsujin-28, and hopefully the upcoming Sailor Moon reboot in 2013.
...What? Am I the only guy hoping to see that? I grew up on the series for crying out loud!
Yet, out of all these reboots made, such as the pretty good alternate universe sequel, Kotetsushin Jeeg, or the mediocre spiritual successor to Gravion, Dancouga Nova, and the great examples I listed above, why is it that the likes of Combat Mecha Xabungle, Six God Combination Godmars, GaoGaiGar, the anime that I'm reviewing here, and other good giant mecha animes are not getting reboots, much less sequels?? It's an injustice to see that they can remember these good animes yet the only time we seen them in modern ages are in crossover games like Super Robot Wars! Why just limit them to game appearances? Why not revamp them in animation? Sure you might risk making it like Thundercats 2011, but still, at least you can try!
This particular anime is deserving of some form of reboot. If its predecessor Mazinger Z could get several incarnations, so could this! This, ladies and gentlemen, is UFO Robot Grendizer!
This was the third entry in Go Nagai's Mazinger series, following Great Mazinger. It first aired in Japan on October 5th, 1975, and ran for a whopping 74 episodes until February 27th, 1977. It aired here in America as Grandizer as part of the old Force Five lineup in the late 1970s with other old robot shows like Gaiking, Getter Robo G (as Starvengers), Dangard Ace, and Starzinger (as Spaceketeers). These shows were aired as Force Five basically as a response to the popular Shogun Warriors toys. And among that toyline were the likes of 17 Robot, Combattler V, Daimos, Dangard Ace, Getter Robo G robots Dragon and Liger and Poseidon, Gaiking, Grendizer, Great Mazinger, Leopardon (Spider-Man's giant robot), Raideen and Voltes V.
Confused yet? I am!
The big problem with Force Five was that these shows were heavily edited so they'd have an American audience and was basically made as a way to sell toys. Some of the toys couldn't function properly since some parts were meant for other toys that never came to the US, like Gaiking's skull was meant to be the head for the dragonesque ship Daiku-Maryu. As such, the Force Five wasn't very successful and ended up fading into memory. However, I'm straying from the review. So let's not waste any time and look into the first episode of UFO Robot Grendizer.
The first episode, entitled "Kouji Kabuto and Duke Fleed," starts off with, wouldn't you know it, main character-turned-sidekick Kouji Kabuto (I like spelling it as Koji) flying in his own flying saucer, the TFO. On his trip to Mt. Fuji, he ends up finding a UFO flying about and attempts to follow it. However, despite his attempts at thoroughly chasing it, he ends up losing track of it. Then he flies about Mt. Fuji, remembering his days piloting Mazinger Z and fighting Mechanical Monsters. But then he decides to get back to piloting the TFO.
What does the T stand for? I have no idea!
Meanwhile, at the Space Science Lab, most likely the equivalent of the Photon Lab in Mazinger Z, one of the workers find an unidentified object on radar and the leading professor, Genzo Umon, advises that they warn Koji about it. Meanwhile again, at a nearby ranch we're introduced to our main character Daisuke Umon. He's visited by our leading lady, Hikaru Makiba and her little brother Goro who brought along a nice little horse. Hikaru's father and owner of the ranch, Danbei, is sort of a space fanatic and has spent most of his time looking out for UFOs in the effort to befriend space people; he's also a partner to the leading scientist Professor Umon up in the labs, can you believe it? He then belives he sees a UFO through his telescope and ends up falling off the roof; thankfully, he survived since he's comic relief. Daisuke doesn't seem concerned about the UFO.
And so, after getting himself prepared, Danbei goes to greet whoever's in the UFO, claiming to know the language of aliens, but instead it turns out that the UFO was really the TFO. That doesn't stop Danbei and Goro from mistaking Koji for an alien though. Then Professor Umon and a few workers from the Space Science Lab arrive and welcome Koji back to his homeland, as he was studying abroad. They then reveal that he used to work for the Space Institution's UFO Center as well as introduce Koji to the Makiba family. The family greets him politely and Koji takes it as a compliment that they thought he was a spaceman.
Well, considering how nearly every giant robot anime takes place in the future with advanced technology... I can't tell if it's an easy mistake to make or just a silly one.
Then the professor introduces Koji to his son Daisuke, yet with the rather dark music in this part of the scene, the meeting doesn't go very well. Koji explains that he's here to look into the UFO sightings, yet Daisuke seemingly blows him off and just goes back to work. Koji looks on, with Daisuke leaving a bad impression. Later, Professor Umon brings Koji over to the Space Science Lab and the two uses one of their devices to look at the saucer Koji saw earlier. The two then have a conversation about whether or not to make contact with the UFO; Professor Umon is unsure but Koji believes that aliens wish to trade with the earth, and believes it should be considered as the earth's resources are apparently depleting. Huh, wonder what disaster happened to make that.
Back on the ranch, Daisuke and the Makiba family are roping cows... interesting. Either way, Danbei manages to rope one of them just as Koji has apparently returned. Hikaru mentions that her father used to be a cowboy out in the west, and he claims that he used to be called Rope Man Dan.
You know, with an anime featuring cowboys, it makes you wonder why this never got popular during the Force Five block.
So of course, Koji decides to challenge the title and plans to partake, asking for the fiercest horse they got. This of course worries the family but Koji reassures them that he'll be fine. Daisuke of course brings the best horse while the family gets to move outside the fence. Koji then gets on... only to be bucked off. But that doesn't stop him, for he goes for a running start and jumps on top of the horse, barely attempting to hold on for a few moments before the horse bucks him off again and heads towards Hikaru and Goro! Daisuke fortunately manages to save them by getting onto the horse and having jump over them in the nick of time! Koji, all the while, watches and throws dirt at the ground, no doubt upset at being one-upped.
Later that night, the Space Science Lab looks out to the moon, which is now a shade of red, and Daisuke says that it's a symbol of a Vegan attack.
Okay, okay, stop laughing. It's not what you think.
No, these Vegans are actually an alien race from the planet Vega, of course, and Daisuke believes that they're planning to attack Earth. Koji however still believes otherwise and thinks that Daisuke is being superstitious and that the red of the moon is just the weather changing light. Daisuke again says that the UFO may come to harm them but Koji again doesn't believe him and believes Daisuke is being careless. Later, Daisuke leans on a tree near the ranch, playing a good tune on a guitar. All the while, his thoughts about the moon and the Vegans influence his guitar playing. Up to the point that one of the strings break. The stress of his thoughts gets to him and he throws the guitar away, all the while proclaiming that he doesn't want to pilot "that thing." This comes to a point to where he constantly says he doesn't want to pilot "that thing" because of all he experienced living on it. After he sees an image of his father on a dew drop, he then laments that "it's" no use.
What is he talking about? We'll find out later.
Just as suspected, alien UFOs are coming from the moon. In the leading ship, Vegan troops led by the dreaded Commander Blaki look at pictures of Koji's TFO while planning to attack Earth the next morning. Speaking of which, the next morning, Goro watches his sister milk goats while Daisuke feeds one of the horses. Just then, Danbei announces that a real UFO is actually coming as seen through his telescope. Koji then arrives on the scene to get to his TFO, determined to see the truth. Daisuke attempts to stop him, but Koji is determined to see it through and throws the "if you have time for one thing, why don't you help your father" line combined with the "you are his son" question. Koji then goes off while Daisuke watches. Koji ends up surrounded by a few of the UFOs and attempts to communicate with them, but ends up being attacked. With enough shots, Koji ends up falling along with his saucer, and Daisuke finally goes to a motorcycle apparently hidden in hay and drives off a cliff. He jumps off his falling bike and then...
"Duke Fleed! Grendizer Get Up!!"
He suddenly has a new suit on complete with face mask and dives into the water. One of the workers in the lab finds pulses near the institute on radar and Professor Umon could only think of one thing. Quakes appear in some form of docking area and a large ramp comes up through the floor! At the launchpad is some form of spaceship with a curious head at the front. Daisuke lands in the cockpit and gets everything ready for launch before the professor comes in, knowing his son is the pilot.
"Grendizer Go!"
The ship then flies out as the theme music plays, with Duke Fleed making haste to Koji's aid. He arrives and fights against the Vegans, whereas Blaki recognizes the head as Grendizer, and its pilot is indeed Duke Fleed. So in retaliation, they send out their first Saucer Beast, Girugiru. Duke attempts to go at the Saucer Beast, but he gets distracted by two other UFOs and finishes them off. However, because of the distraction, Girugiru goes after Koji and probably won't be able to escape in his condition. So, to save time, Duke goes "Shoot In" to get into the head to show what we were all expecting to see.
"Dizer Go!"
The actual robot, Grendizer, shoots out of its saucer and drops down to aid Koji and attack the Saucer Beast. He manages to get Koji to safety, but Koji ends up losing consciousness after seeing Duke in his suit. And then Duke finally gets to fight Girugiru. It's pretty simple; Duke has some difficulty fighting the monster, the monster sometimes gets the drop on him, but ultimately Duke manages to smack back and destroys the evil Saucer Beast. You know, I just thought of something. Why do people see curbstomp battles as interesting? True, they can be good, but only when it's done right. Even if it's made for laughs, it still has to be done right. Thus, it seems a lot more realistic and a lot more interesting to at least see the main character have some difficulty with his robot in fights. Otherwise, it seems dull and rushed.
Anyway, with the Saucer Beast destroyed, Duke gets Grendizer back into its saucer and flies off. Meanwhile, Blaki isn't upset that his beast is destroyed as they've apparently recorded the fight and claims that it will benefit them in the future. Thus, the invasion force goes back to the moon. Then later, back at the ranch, Koji arrives now with his arm in a sling and notices Daisuke washing his bike. He approaches Daisuke and attempts to say that he might think Daisuke and the pilot from before are the same, but he can't seem to say it. Daisuke says that Koji is probably dreaming and after finishing washing his bike, he drives off. Koji is left still wondering who Daisuke Umon really is...
Pretty good for a beginning to an old series.
Hand Beam!!
And with a good beginning, it's also a good series too. Considering it's an old 70s anime, the story is more super-hero-mech oriented than plot-oriented. But there is continuity in here. If there's one thing about the popularity of one anime, they milk it by making several episodes with different monsters of the week but over time the story does show itself and continues with that development until the next development comes up, which I'll admit that the middle arc of Godmars had done to end their arc, thank god. It's the episodes that move along the plot that make it all worthwhile.
What is the plot? Well, it's sorta like a Superman story. The main character, Daisuke Umon, is really a prince named Duke Fleed, hailing from the planet of Fleed. However, one day, the Vegans from planet Vega, led by King Vega, attacked and began destroying his home, killing his parents in the process. Then they began making the super robot Grendizer with the intent of conquering the rest of the universe, but Duke manages to get away with Grendizer and ends up crash landing on Earth over in Japan. He's then found by a kind man named Professor Umon and is then brought up as Daisuke Umon, a working hand over at the Makiba family's farm. However, when the Vegans start attacking Earth, Daisuke goes to pilot Grendizer as Duke Fleed to combat the otherwordly threat! And with Koji Kabuto aiding him, there's hope for the earth yet!
Pretty simple, but again, the plot develops with each season.
Despite now being a sidekick, Koji is still the hot-blooded young pilot we remember from Mazinger Z. It also helps that he's matured thanks to what he learned and experienced. He's still got his competitive nature and his impulse to do what he believes is right despite the warnings is still there, but he still retains his dignity and at least apologizes for his actions. He's also shown to know a great deal about science as he studied abroad in the United States and helped with a plan to defeat a saucer beast with a magnetic net in one of the early episodes.
Hikaru Makiba, the female lead, just starts out as the chick that lives at the farm Daisuke works at, living with her overprotective UFO-obsessed father Danbei and her mischievous little brother Goro while being crushed on by their neighbor Bunta. However, she starts becoming more involved with Daisuke's fight against the Vegans after episode 23 when she finally learns his true identity as Duke Fleed. Then the two develop feelings for each other after several other incidents and Hikaru even becomes a pilot herself. Nice way for a minor character to evolve into a main character.
The development is a little wordier than how I make it to be.
In risk of spoilers, there's also Duke Fleed's sister, Maria Grace Fleed. She starts out like her brother Duke; she escaped the takeover of her home planet but escaped with another man who raised her as his granddaughter, and after a fight between Grendizer and a Vegan Monster, the man dies after telling Maria that she's the only survivor of the Fleed royal family, and thus she swears revenge against Grendizer
though why she didn't blame the Vegan Monster since it was created by the race that conquered her planet is beyond me. Probably because she had nothing else to blame at the time, I dunno. Anyway, she then fights against Grendizer in an attempt to take revenge for her pseudo-grandfather and her planet, but it doesn't last long as the two siblings finally recognize each other and later become allies. She even becomes a romantic interest for Koji, despite all the tsundere-ness she puts up.
But out of all the good guys in this show, the main lead is certainly the best. Unlike most pilots we see today, Daisuke Umon, AKA Duke Fleed, is not the person you relate to. Rather, he's the person you look up to, much like Roger Smith from The Big O, or even Superman, as mentioned earlier, before he started becoming a boy scout/jerkhole. That doesn't mean that Daisuke is without his flaws though. While he is a nice and mature young man, he still feels guilty about leaving his home planet to ruin under the Vegan forces despite the fact that he had no alternative to live, and being a pacifist, he doesn't really prefer piloting Grendizer as it was modeled after the god of war on his planet. It's also hard to get him angry, but should you ever threaten anyone he cares about or even bring up anything related to the disaster on Planet Fleed, he'll be pissed. And then there's episode 25 and his reaction to the revelation of what makes Saucer Beasts work
Another mecha had that sort of thing and it starts with an E.
Escaflowne I think.
Now as for the villains, you'd actually be surprised by how much hidden depths they have when you think about it. Then again, Go Nagai does know how to make interesting stuff out of weird premises, so we probably shouldn't be. At first you can't tell because in the first season all we know about the Vegans is that they're an evil race out to conquer the universe and after conquering Planet Fleed they aim to go for Earth next. Commander Blaki, the main villain of season 1, is also an example of this, doing whatever is necessary to destroy Grendizer and to remain on top, even if it means sabotaging the efforts of one of his cohorts when he has the upper hand against Duke. He's so determined that in the season finale when his mother ship is being blown apart by Grendizer, he makes one last attempt by diving towards our hero who takes it on in a game of chicken
and unfortunately Blaki loses. But hey, he was the setup for the next season's villain, Gandal.
Speaking of Gandal, he can be considered Grendizer's answer to Mazinger Z's Baron Ashura, as he's both a man and a lady. However, unlike Baron Ashura, he's not just one person split between genders; Gandal is actually two different personalities. The male personality is General Gandal, who is loyal to King Vega to a fault yet isn't very imaginative with his plans. When his face opens up, the female personality, Lady Gandal, takes over and is very cunning and persuasive, yet she's more concerned about saving her own skin rather than her loyalty to her king. This dual personality resolves itself in the end with a rather strange case with probably the first ever murder to be kinda considered suicide. And much like Commander Blaki, General Gandal meets his end by facing Grendizer head on.
And then there's who I think is the well-developed elite in the series, Minister of Science Zuril from planet Zoro.
Zoro: (stirring from his nap) Huh?
This guy is so awesome that even General Gandal was stunned by his first appearance and the camera had to do a surprise zoom three times! Hell, his own eyepatch is a freakin' computer that can determine all of Grendizer's weak points (as seen in episode 33)! He wasn't even a subordinate of General Gandal; he was his equal in rank! This guy is an awesome villain!
But what makes him different than the other villains that wish to destroy Duke Fleed is that his reasons are actually more personal. Some important spoilers here, but he was in love with King Vega's daughter, Princess Rubina, whom was the fiancé of and was in love with Duke Fleed, thus he believes Duke to be his rival of love. He also had a son (Zuril Jr) who he cared greatly for
and mourned when said son sacrificed himself to save his life, all in a single episode 69. As a result, he becomes colder and is more than willing than to simply accept the inevitable. He actually gets that inevitable after being shot dead by Koji Kabuto.
Then there's the big bad himself, King Vega. Granted he spends most of his time just staying on the sidelines while his forces do all the work and sacrifice themselves in his name until he starts leading himself, but he's also the kind of villain that's trying to save his own planet while conquering the rest. Doesn't stop him from being an evil baddy who doesn't regret any of the horrible things he did though. He's cruel. He's ruthless. His only standards arise when something concerns his lovely daughter Rubina who appears in episode 72. That doesn't mean he's completely invulnerable however as if he's unarmed and not guarded, he can easily be backed into a corner with a lethal weapon pointed at him, as Lady Gandal attempts to do.
Princess Rubina
is a tragic character; let me leave it at that.
Now how about we talk about the main robot? It's been stated that between Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger, Grendizer is the strongest of the three. But after Mazinkaiser's debut in Super Robot Wars and ultimate creation by Go Nagai in the OVA, this has been up for debate. The reason why this hasn't been solved yet is because either Go Nagai doesn't wish to choose between the two or the SRW staff hasn't had time to put them together in the same game. It's still hard to tell; I mean, Grendizer can do rocket punches that can actually have drilling capabilities, has four companion spaceships that allow it to have different advantages, the original companion spaceship is capable of fighting at the same time as Grendizer, Grendizer can jump at a long distance before landing back down, it can do flips in the air, can manipulate space lightning and anti-gravity in some attacks, etc. Yet while Mazinkaiser doesn't do those, Mazinkaiser is claimed to be able to "kill gods and devils," is incredibly strong, its attacks are vastly powerful versions of Mazinger Z's, there's a mysterious and unexplained entity within Mazinkaiser, was able to move and attack by itself while Koji was unconscious in the cockpit, and could pull out a great big freaking sword from its chest!
So yeah, it's a contest between Grendizer's agility and Mazinkaiser's brawn, but let's look at the assisting spaceships.
The original Spazer was with Duke Fleed and Grendizer for the entire series, able to fire drills from the saucers on the sides, fire the saucers themselves at enemies to slice them apart, and even fire melting liquids. In episode 35, we're introduced to the first of Grendizer's assist ships, Double Spazer, piloted by Koji Kabuto; capable of giving Grendizer the ability to fly without the regular Spazer and can fire cyclone beams and cutter blades and its first combination with Grendizer in episode 36. In episode 40, we're introduced to the blueprints of Marine Spazer, piloted by Hikaru Makiba; in episode 41, we see it capable of giving Grendizer the ability to fight underwater, have its own cutter and is able to fly like Double Spazer, fire missiles like Double Spazer
basically an underwater variant of Double Spazer except for the fact that it has radar. In episode 45, we're introduced to Drill Spazer also piloted by Koji but later piloted by Maria, and like its name implies it gives Grendizer the ability to dig and drill through hard surfaces and can fire spark bombs. The Cosmo Special-types which are upgrades to the original spazers appear in episode 73. And in episode 67 we got the Super/Ultra Submarine
which is a submarine meant to go into deeper waters with Grendizer driving it
And it only appears once
So yes, Koji gets Double, Hikaru gets Marine, and Maria gets Drill while Daisuke gets both Grendizer and a submarine.
But another strong point for this series is indeed the ending. The Vegan Empire is finally destroyed, King Vega is dead, Duke Fleed has avenged his people, and the earth is saved. This should lead to a happy ending with Duke and Maria living in peace with Hikaru and Koji, right? Actually, no it doesn't. Despite the fact that Daisuke and Hikaru love each other, they can't convince the other to stay with them; Daisuke wishes to rebuild Planet Fleed and Hikaru wishes to stay on Earth with her family. Neither can change each other's minds and so
Duke and Maria go back to Fleed while Hikaru and Koji stay on Earth. It's rather bittersweet, kinda like the ending to Godmars only the love angle was actually more developed and the ending actually makes more sense. The four had a nice relationship going on and yet their different wishes for the future prevent them from keeping it all together in one place. So yeah, hooray the earth is saved, but it's sad that the two couples can't really be together. It's interesting and saddening to see everything has worked out to prevent further villainy yet personal problems still hold more weight.
Screw Crusher Punch!!
Now how about what's bad? Well, how about we look at some of the continuity errors here.
First, there's Koji Kabuto. No, the character himself is good. However, we've obviously seen him in the first episode looking back on piloting Mazinger Z and the fact that he's a good pilot. However, Koji not only seems to have gotten powered down for this series, but there isn't any other mention of his relationships with the other characters in his series except for Boss, Nuke, and Mucha. Something also should've happened with Sayaka Yumi if Koji was allowing himself to get into a relationship is Maria Grace Fleed, but this is actually a case of executive meddling; Go Nagai actually wanted Sayaka to be the fourth pilot, but one of the other people behind the show instead wanted to place his own character to be the fourth, and thus Maria Grace Fleed was born, becoming part of Go Nagai's Mazinger-related works
though she was seemingly killed off in the manga. So my complaint here is if you're going to show that Koji still can pilot, remember piloting Mazinger Z, and even have Boss and his lackeys appear on the show, then why not have Koji pilot the actual Mazinger Z like he did near the end of Great Mazinger?? It doesn't seem to make sense to have Koji side-kicked with those facts lined up.
And why have Boss appear at all if you're only gonna use him twice??
As for contradictions, there's that one scene in episode 50 where Daisuke is trying to convince Professor Umon to put Maria on the team. Here there's two points that both use for their arguments that don't exactly hold merit by themselves. For Professor Umon, he makes the argument that Maria should preferably stay off the team since she's only 14; however, he easily allowed Hikaru Makiba in the team as not only did she want to be part of the team, she's also proven to be a very capable member and she piloted Double Spazer in place of Koji when he was out of commission for one episode. Daisuke argues that Maria should be on the team because she's also a survivor from Planet Fleed and that she's obligated to help them against the saucer beasts; that is not only a backwards argument but that is also assuming. It's backwards because despite the fact that Hikaru has proven herself to be capable, at first, he attempts to dissuade her from joining the fight and it wasn't until Hikaru managed to combine Marine Spazer with Grendizer that he accepts her as part of the team. This argument is also assuming because while she is indeed a survivor of Fleed, she was raised to be like a normal human under the care of her grandfather and it wasn't until her grandfather died that she learned her true origins and in the same day found that not only was her grandfather wrong about her being the only survivor, she just found her brother when she mistook him for a Vegan that took control of Grendizeryou can't force her onto the team for something she just learned about, she has to decide that for herself! Hikaru is proof of that!
Plus, obligations are truly meant to be felt for the self, not to be placed on by others; you can't assume that just because one has had similar circumstances to yours that the one feels like doing the same thing you're doing. Their obligation is their own to decide, not yours.
Yet apparently she still joins the team as she is just that good at piloting. Didn't know you could learn so much just from riding a motorcycle. She even can do horseback riding on her first try!!
Speaking of Maria, there are a few questionable things about her too. First, there's her ability to see into the future. That's going a little overboard, don't you think? Sure, Daisuke gives an explanation that only one out of a hundred girls on Fleed get this power and truly it's the ability to predict things before they happen like in That's So Raven (I watched that show when I was younger, sue me) and it doesn't always work, but she also has great piloting and riding capabilities and can easily get things done on the first try. Isn't she powerful enough? It seems a little much, especially if you decide to have it downplayed for no reason. And what's worse is despite being proud of her being strong; she is prideful and often attempts to go on her own to do the fighting only to fail and plea for help. It sorta defeats the purpose of her being strong, don't you think?
Then there's how close the villains sometimes always are to defeating Grendizer. Nothing really noteworthy since Duke Fleed manages to find a way in the end, but it's also sometimes that the villains ACTUALLY HELP HIM. Why? Because they didn't want to be shown up by someone more experienced and more capable and interfered by killing them off, lying to their king's face that the more capable agents died in glorious combat against Grendizer only to do the same. It's this arrogance and pride that leads to their downfalls in the end and Duke Fleed's own victory. For all their brilliance, they sure lack common sense.
Another bit of beef that I have is with the version I watched. It was indeed subbed so I could understand, but the subtitles in the one I watched were filled with grammatical errors, misspellings and even misplacements of words. There were even mistakes in translation too as they confused "jii-chan" with "uncle" when it really means "grandfather" or a polite/respectful form of "old man," which also led to a confusion in relation to Maria's pseudo grandfather and instead referred to him as her uncle. Sometimes the subtitles would make it like they were saying something silly or have them say what they aren't supposed to know beforehand or even have them repeat something they already said. It was sometimes even a very literal translation. There was a much better version on Youtube once, but not only was it taken down, it was also incomplete.
As for Bunta and Lady Gandal, my one nitpick with those two is that during the last season, they don't appear much, if at all in Bunta's case. By the last season, they hardly ever appear and only come around when it seems good for them. In the first season, Lady Gandal proves to be a more cunning and imaginative version of Gandal living right inside his head and often comes out to voice her ideas and opinions. But by the time the last season arrives, she only appears a few times while General Gandal and Minister Zuril do all the planning only to make a final appearance in an attempt to live while General Gandal kills her before meeting his (and relatively their) end. Bunta is more or less an expy of Boss from Mazinger Z but he doesn't do anything awesome save for helping some of the time and being the comic relief. In the last season, he doesn't even appear at all! Why? We don't know because he just doesn't appear! It's like he was just there to be there and then gone!
Speaking of not appearing enough, the series has this thing with one-shot characters. There's Naida who was Duke's childhood love interest in episode 25, Kirika in episode 67 who promised to continue her older brother's work, Kein who was Maria's childhood friend in episode 68, Duke's best friend Morros in episode 71, all the other commanders who face Grendizer and die due to their own arrogance or the arrogance of others, even Zuril Jr and Princess Rubina in their own episodes die off when they premiere. Problem is, only Zuril Jr and Princess Rubina are remembered because they were near the ending of the series. The others just aren't mentioned again, seemingly forgotten. It's a shame because I would've liked to see Naida, Kirika, Kein, Zuril Jr, Moross and Princess Rubina all have more appearances to flesh them out as characters. And why not? They had personal significance with the more central characters, you could feel their pain, you feel sad when they're offed, and they should've deserved a lot more explanation. It's just unfortunate that these were potential supporting characters and yet they were reduced to being minor characters meant to die. If per chance they do make a reboot of this series, than I would want these characters to have bigger roles.
Easy mistakes are in the animations, since it came out during the 70s. A few animation errors were noticeable like stuff being in the hand yet disappearing in the next clip, a character would look cross-eyed, or simply something isn't there yet they say it is. This can be arguably even more noticeable thanks to the sometimes literal translation. The slow movements are most of the time stiff, but also half of the time there are fast movements that still manage to keep the animation from being horrible. Give or take a few miscolors and repeated animation.
But all in all, it had a good run.
Space Thunder!!
Like I said before, I find it unfortunate that this never got a reboot. Then again, I could probably understand why. While the characters were memorable and three-dimensional, the fight sequences were interesting and the endings were enjoyably bittersweet like Godmars, Giant Robo, Gunbuster, Genesis of Aquarion, and Demon Prince Enma, Grendizer suffers with the abundance of one-shot characters that would have made a great supporting cast, a character that didn't get any appearances in the final season, a character produced by executive meddling just for the sake of showing off the character, and even a few plot holes left behind from the first two of the Mazinger saga. Perhaps this would've been better if instead of making Koji a sidekick, they could've had him and Tetsuya Tsurugi both join the fight with Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger instead of just having Koji pilot a companion spaceship. I just wish that perhaps one day Grendizer will get a reboot much like Mazinger Z did and would dazzle the audience once again.
And of course, since you all eagerly voted, next review is going to be something a little more American, a little more suburban, a little more
What's the word
UFO Robo Grendizer Review by slyboysethWatch
©2012-2016 slyboyseth
All characters belong to Go Nagai... Except for Maria, she was created by Shingo Araki who directed and co-plotted the series.
All characters belong to Go Nagai... Except for Maria, she was created by Shingo Araki who directed and co-plotted the series.
Perhaps this would've been better if instead of making Koji a sidekick, they could've had him and Tetsuya Tsurugi both join the fight with Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger instead of just having Koji pilot a companion spaceship.
Yes, that is why it's difficult to make a reboot of Grendizer. I can't explain in a few words but I made an analysis of the destiny of Grendizer and effectively, the role of Koji in Grendizer seems to be the reason.
However, Go Nagaï made the manga Grendizer Giga.
Yes, that is why it's difficult to make a reboot of Grendizer. I can't explain in a few words but I made an analysis of the destiny of Grendizer and effectively, the role of Koji in Grendizer seems to be the reason.
However, Go Nagaï made the manga Grendizer Giga.
Say what now??
*one video of the trailer later*
*one video of the trailer later*
Say what now??
I said "difficult", I didn't say "impossible".
Why Grendizer Giga isn't a series ? I don't know, perhaps later...
I said "difficult", I didn't say "impossible".
Why Grendizer Giga isn't a series ? I don't know, perhaps later...
Actually I read some of the Grendizer manga and you know what the funny thing is Tetsuya does show up in one chapter with Great Mazinger after he and Kouji are hypnotized into using Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger to fight Grendizer. Of course Grendizer manages to hold them off and while Boss destroys the machine controling Kouji and Tetsuya. Afterwards the three Mazingers work together to defeat the current enemy and Kouji's like "Well it looks earth is in good hands." or something along those lines, and guess what the two of them don't use their Mazingers help Duke ever again... WTF.
Grendizer.... or Goldorak as it was known in French speaking communities. Lots of memories of that anime! If they could reboot it (or even continuing where the original series left), I agree with you about the ending and it still make me mad.
The names used in the French dub are still in my memories: Actarus (Duke Fleed), Venusia (Hikaru Makiba), Alcor(Koji), Phenicia (Maria Grace Fleed), Hydargos (Blacki), Minos (Gandal), Horos (Zuril).
I sketched some Grendizer related fanarts then you might like [link] [link]
The names used in the French dub are still in my memories: Actarus (Duke Fleed), Venusia (Hikaru Makiba), Alcor(Koji), Phenicia (Maria Grace Fleed), Hydargos (Blacki), Minos (Gandal), Horos (Zuril).
I sketched some Grendizer related fanarts then you might like [link] [link]
I've seen Duke kicking ass on Grendizer in the Super Robot War games, especially the Alpha games
Good God, Grendy could do anything!
Good God, Grendy could do anything!
I'll say.
btw which Mazinkaiser is your favorite? The one in the games, OVA or SKL?
I think the OVA has much more story to it as the one in the games was really just Mazinger powered up by Getter Rays and SKL was too short.
Its sad though that they have to wreck Mazinger so Kouji could get Kaiser. At least it gives us Fire Wars
Well, here's hoping their next appearance in future SRW games
Well, here's hoping their next appearance in future SRW games
Damn, what a long review! I'm impressed, and you do strike me as being someone who knows his mecha anime very well. You explained your pros and cons very well, and there were some good use of comedy.
My only complaint-though this depends on the style of review you want-is that you do spent a lot of time explaining the plot. It does give you chance to critique certain parts, but at first I was afraid you were gonna explain the entire plot. If you're going more for a Nostalgia Critic styled review though, this is less of a problem.
Still, it was a kickass review and I can't wait for more!
My only complaint-though this depends on the style of review you want-is that you do spent a lot of time explaining the plot. It does give you chance to critique certain parts, but at first I was afraid you were gonna explain the entire plot. If you're going more for a Nostalgia Critic styled review though, this is less of a problem.
Still, it was a kickass review and I can't wait for more!
As for the review style, I actually am a watcher of the Nostalgia Critic. However, I plan on giving out what I think is good about the subject before I give out what I think isn't so good; they sometimes deserve better explanations as to why so I do tend to give out spoilers. Bit of a risk, but I'll live with it.
And if you liked this review, check out some of the others I did! Heck, next one I'm doing is, by popular demand, Goof Troop!
As for the review style, I actually am a watcher of the Nostalgia Critic. However, I plan on giving out what I think is good about the subject before I give out what I think isn't so good; they sometimes deserve better explanations as to why so I do tend to give out spoilers. Bit of a risk, but I'll live with it.
And if you liked this review, check out some of the others I did! Heck, next one I'm doing is, by popular demand, Goof Troop!


text:
Along with "Street Legal's" Senor, Changing of the Guards is one of that album's most enduring songs. Senor at first captured everyone's attention, considered by many critics to be the only song worthy of Dylan on the record. Jack White and "The Dead Weather" resurrected New Pony in recent years, in a dazzling version that utilizes the song's tensile strength and raw sexuality. Changing of the Guards hung around under the radar for a good long time, considered to be too wordy and obtuse, but then Patti Smith covered it in what this writer considers to be a rather lifeless version - you can hear it here for yourself. To me, Patti renders it preciously, under glass, like Baez did with a lot of Bob's early stuff, but regardless, she's Patti and she made it suddenly OK to consider the song hip.
It is a great sprawling epic of a song, what it's about exactly is anyone's guess, but it's got some killer lines -
gentleman, he said, I don't need your organization / I've shined your shoes, I've moved your mountains and marked your cards / but Eden is burning.... either brace yourself for elimination / or else your hearts must have the courage for the / changing of the guards
First rate apocalyptic Dylan, a song so chock full of imagery, so fable-like you could analyze it endlessly, finding plenty of comparisons to images in old literature but seen as a narrative, it's mainly a great surreal visual journey - rousing, mysterious, challenging, mournful, strange, beautiful. Someone's going to do the definitive version one day, like Jeff Buckley and Halleluiah. Chris Whitley and Jeff and Lang do a nice back and forth vocal trade on it, on Whitley's "Dislocation Blues," slow and spooky and it fits the subject matter, but there's a genuinely scary and transcendent version waiting to be captured in a jar.
Then there's Dylan's live version seen in the video here, which is quite surreal, though not in any good way. Nashville, 1978. Word is that at the time, he'd become impressed with Neil Diamond's stage show (huh?!) and modeled his own tour on it, with flashy clothes and the big band, gospel girl chorus. At the end of the song he runs back and forth with his guitar, even running backward! like Prince or something, doing head bobbing with the guitarists, and you realize that this is his exit song... this huge undecipherable puzzle of a mythic epic and he uses it, why not, to usher himself off stage, he puts down his guitar, awkwardly waves and they go on playing on behind him in an instrumental vamp, ala Neil, who took it from Elvis, then Bob walks off and we're left counting our blessings that at least he didn't lift up his arms, back to us, to show them connected to a cape, whew.... but there he goes, yes ladies and gentlemen... BOB HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!
That's what a divorce'll do to you, I guess. Interesting in its extreme bizzaritude, when time had done some kind of serious warp and things we're tilting off kilter in Bob's world, but hey, even then, the show must go on....


text:
March 28, 2008
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Washington's Pac-10 opening baseball game, scheduled for Friday at Oregon State, has been postponed due to poor weather. The Huskies and Beavers will play a doubleheader Saturday, beginning at 1:00 p.m., to make up for the game.
Fans can catch the live radio broadcasts off all three games this weekend on KKNW AM-1150 and also online at gohuskies.com. However, at 6:30 p.m. PDT Saturday, the baseball broadcast will go off the air and will be available only via the internet due to a conflict with WHL playoff hockey.
In Saturday's doubleheader, Husky junior lefty Nick Haughian is slated to face off with Beavers righty Mike Stutes in game one. In the nightcap, Husky right-hander Jorden Merry will go against OSU freshman James Nygren.
Also, Sunday's game, slated to begin at 2:00 p.m., will be broadcast live in the northwest on FSN.