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tag:,2016:blogdestructoidhttp://bulk2.destructoid.com/ele2/images/destructoid/favicon.ico2016-09-21T06:00:00Ztag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=388322Dennis Cardenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dennis+CardenAkiba's Beat has been delayed on Vita in Japan2016-09-21T06:00:00Z2016-09-21T06:00:00Z
While the Western localisation of Akiba's Beat has recently been delayed, it looks like the game finally has a confirmed Japanese release date. On PlayStation 4, at least. The PlayStation Vita port has been delayed.

According to Gematsu, the release official release window for the port of Akiba's Beat to Sony's oft-neglected handheld platform has been changed from "winter 2016" to "pending." At this point in time, there is no given reason for the delay.

Akiba's Beat will be released on December 15 for PlayStation 4 in Japan, with the PlayStation Vita port coming out at a later date. It will be released in North America early 2017, but no specific dates have been announced. It is also unconfirmed as to whether or not this delay will affect the release of the game in the West.

Feel free to check out the trailer below:

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=386688Jordan Devorehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jordan+DevoreHell yeah! Acquire is making another 'What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord?'2016-09-13T18:00:00Z2016-09-13T18:00:00Z

Oh my gosh, there's another What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? game in the works. I don't know how that keeps happening, but I'll continue to play this wacky series, even if it drifts away from the monster-breeding dungeon simulation of the original PlayStation Portable title and its sequel.

Acquire is embracing the niche appeal of these games by building this new entry for PlayStation VR, but I think it could be pretty cool in practice. You're still maintaining the monster ecosystem to amass an army and kill off the "good guys," but now it's above ground and in 3D, like a living board game.

Appropriately, the game is called V! What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord? R, right in line with the franchise's bizarre naming conventions. Here's a sampling of how it plays:

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=380833Kevin McCluskyhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kevin+McCluskyCelebrity Dungeons and Dragons campaign will be live-streamed to theaters2016-08-16T21:00:00Z2016-08-16T21:00:00Z
I've written before about how much I've enjoyed the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) over the last several years. For me, one of the highlights of every show is the live Dungeons & Dragons game featuring Penny Arcade's creators, Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, PVP creator Scott Kurtz, and a rotating cast of geek royalty. The games follow the exploits of the Acquisitions Incorporated adventuring group as they fight monsters and seek profit.

Fathom Events recently announced that this year's game would be live-streamed to theaters across the country, and tickets are available now. Writing on the Penny Arcade website, Jerry Holkins advised that anyone attending the stream will receive "a really solid Acquisitions Incorporated adventure to take home and play with your own group that's tied into the campaign."

If you've never watched one of these shows, you might be surprised at how compelling it can be. D&D at its core is all about collaborative storytelling, and all of the people involved with this are professional storytellers. The secret sauce here is Dungeon Master Chris Perkins, who keeps the story moving along but gives the other participants enough slack to be funny and true to their characters.

The first game started all the way back in 2008 and was recorded in podcast form as a promotional tool for Wizards of the Coast, which owns the Dungeons & Dragons brand. In 2010, a live version of the podcasts made its debut at PAX West, and it quickly became one of the most popular events at the convention.

Once the live shows proved popular, Wizards of the Coast began providing more and more elaborate props and scenery for them, including character-appropriate costumes for the participants. Previous guests have included Kris Straub, Wil Wheaton, and Morgan Webb filling the fourth chair at the table. For the last couple of years, Patrick Rothfuss has rounded out the crew.

[I was in the audience for this show. My friend nearly got pegged in the head by Wil Wheaton's D20 at 38:47 of part two. We looked for it in the darkened theater after the show, but for all we know, it's still in there.]

D&D is one of the clearest influences on video game development, and the merging of role-playing game mechanics with other genres was one of the defining trends of the last generation of console games. If you're interested in getting caught up with the story before the show begins, there's a weekly YouTube series that will continue to run all the way up to the big show on September 4.

See Acquisitions Incorporated in Theaters! [Penny Arcade]
Dungeons and Dragons Live from PAX West [Fathom Events]

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=379616Cory Arnoldhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Cory+ArnoldNew Akiba's Beat trailer introduces its main characters2016-08-10T10:30:00Z2016-08-10T10:30:00Z
Akiba's Beat is the upcoming successor to Akiba's Trip (not released outside Japan) and Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed by Acquire. It is set to release on PlayStation 4 and PS Vita sometime in 2016. Like its predecessors, Beat will be an action-RPG with a visual novel-style narrative.

The story is revolves around Asahi, a NEET (a term used in Japan for one who is "Not in Education, Employment or Training") who meets various people and gets trapped in an illusory world where the same Sunday is repeating itself over and over. There is no official word if it will tie in to the previous games in any way. The main center of combat will be a mysterious maze not unlike Tartarus from Persona 3.

It does not yet have a rating, however Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed received an M rating while both games received a C (15 yrs. and up) from Japan's CERO.

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=371223Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorAkiba's Beat team 'thinking about' PC port2016-06-25T15:30:00Z2016-06-25T15:30:00Z
While in Los Angeles last week for E3, I had an opportunity to sit down with Acquire's Kohta Takano, the director behind the Tenchu and Way of the Samurai studio's latest project, Akiba's Beat.

Akiba's Beat is a continuation of sorts of Acquire's Akiba's Trip series, taking place in a similarly detailed recreation of otaku paradise Akihabara, Tokyo, but with a different premise and genre.

This time around, Acquire is using the setting as a backdrop for an action role-playing game starring a new group of teens who must rescue the city from a mysterious individual who is causing time to loop endlessly in a Groundhog Day-esque event dubbed the "Repeating Sunday."

During a brief hands-off demonstration, I noticed Takano was playing the game with an Xbox 360 controller and asked if the game was running off a PC. "Yes," he replied, while mentioning the title has only been announced for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita at the present time, and adding that the build was designed with the express purpose of showcasing the game at E3.

I then pointed out Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed was eventually released on PC after debuting on PlayStation systems and inquired if history would end up repeating itself with the latest entry of the Akiba's family. "We're thinking about it," Takano said, with a head nod, before turning his attention back to the television screen and continuing on with his presentation.

Akiba's Beat will arrive in Japan this autumn and in North America this winter.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=366583Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorXSEED localizing new Story of Seasons, Fate/Extella, and Akiba's Beat2016-06-07T14:30:00Z2016-06-07T14:30:00Z
XSEED Games revealed its spicy E3 lineup today, and it includes some things we already knew about and some things we figured XSEED was working on but couldn't yet say for sure.

Among the new confirmations are Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star, a PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita action game based on Type-Moon's Fate series of visual novels (and everything else, really). Should everything go to plan, that will be released on western shores sometime this winter.

Also coming in the cold months (or hot ones, if you live Down Under) is Akiba's Beat, PS4 and Vita action role-playing game from Tenchu-maker Acquire, that looks like a mashup of Persona 3 and Akiba's Trip.

Finally, the new Bokujō Monogatari (the series formerly known as Harvest Moon) is a-comin' west as Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns for Nintendo 3DS in the year of our Lord 2017.

Those will join previously-announced XSEED titles like The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II, which is slated to arrive on PS3 and Vita this fall, this summer's Nintendo 3DS port of Corpse Party, and the trio of indie games XSEED announced last week (Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, Touhou: Scarlet Curiosity, and Exile's End) at the publisher's E3 booth in Los Angeles next week.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=366154Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorLooks like XSEED is localizing another Akiba's game2016-06-05T18:30:00Z2016-06-05T18:30:00Z
XSEED Games has registered a domain for Akiba's Beat, a recently-announced action role-playin game from Acquire, the Tokyo-based studio behind the Tenchu, Way of the Samurai, and Akiba's Trip series.

Much like Akiba's Trip, this one takes place in a realistic reproduction of Akihabara, Tokyo's "Electric Town" and otaku sanctuary -- except it has dungeons that feel strangely familiar to this Persona 3 fan.

Akiba's Beat is currently planned for an autumn release in Japan for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. XSEED previously localized Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed, otherwise known as Akiba's Trip 2, for the aforementioned platforms, plus PlayStation 3 and PC.

AkibasBeat.com [DomainTools via Gematsu]

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=344981Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorMind Zero dungeon crawls to PC this March2016-02-27T13:00:00Z2016-02-27T13:00:00Z
Once upon a time, it seemed as though many Japanese game studios were perfectly content to ignore the PC market. But times are a-changin'. More and more all the time, eastern developers are porting their wares from consoles to computers in an effort to broaden their reach.

The latest game to embrace this trend is Mind Zero, the Persona-esque dungeon crawler from Acquire (Akiba's Trip, Tenchu, Rain) and ZeroDiv is coming to Steam next month, on March 8.

The role-playing game originally released for the PlayStation Vita in Japan on August 1, 2013, and was published by localization outfit Aksys Games in the West the following year.

For more information on Mind Zero, you can check out our full review right here.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=292296Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorAkiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed strikes Steam May 262015-05-16T15:00:00Z2015-05-16T15:00:00Z
Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed is taking a bite out of Windows PC on May 26, XSEED has announced.

The beat-'em-up takes place in Tokyo's "geek mecca," Akihabara, which is under attack by vampiric monsters that prey on the local otaku. The story centers around a student named Nanashi, who takes it upon himself to vanquish the undead -- by freeing them of their clothes and exposing their skin to sunlight. Yep...

Akiba's Trip is already available on PlayStation systems, and will launch on Steam for $29.99/€26.99/£19.99.

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=291198Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorThe PSP is still alive and kicking with Class of Heroes 32015-04-29T20:00:00Z2015-04-29T20:00:00Z
The PlayStation Portable may be several centuries old at this point, but people are still making games for it -- or at least localizing stuff that came out in Japan several years ago. Such is the case with Class of Heroes 3, which is coming west later this year.

As with other recent MonkeyPaw Games and Gaijinworks releases, the studios are gauging interest in a limited physical release, which would come with both a UMD and downloadable copy of the game. That way, they note, collectors can keep the pristine packaged version on display while still enjoying the game digitally via PSP, Vita, or PS TV.

Sound like something your interested in? Be on the lookout for a online poll toward the end of May.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=289568Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorAkiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed hits PC this spring2015-03-26T12:30:00Z2015-03-26T12:30:00Z
Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed is coming to PC this spring, XSEED Games announced today.

The otaku beat-'em-up RPG initially launched on PlayStation 3 and Vita last year, and was well-received by Destructoid's Brittany Vincent. In her review, Brittany called Undead & Undressed "an interesting culture shock of a good time," recommending it to fans of wacky Japanese games.

XSEED says in addition to Steam achievements and USB controller support, the PC release will include the "Visual Editor" feature from the PS4 version, which changes the look of the game.

You can check out some of the ways the Visual Editor can shake things up in gallery below.

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=283484Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorAkiba's Trip coming to PS4 on November 252014-11-05T14:45:00Z2014-11-05T14:45:00Z

Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed is coming to PlayStation 4 on November 25, XSEED Games unveiled today.

The otaku beat-'em-up arrived on PS3 and Vita back in August, and earned a favorable appraisal from our own Brittany Vincent. In her review, Brittany called the game "an interesting culture shock of a good time," recommending it to fans of quirky Japanese games.

The PS4 version vaunts a number of enhancements unseen in the original release, include upgraded visuals, a host of customization options, chat commands that can impact gameplay during livestreams, plus more dialogue scenes and folks walking around Akihabara.

It also bundles in all downloadable content released for the PS3 and Vita iterations as standard, but carries a slightly more expensive price tag at $50.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=281895Brittany Vincenthttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Brittany+VincentReview: Mind Zero 2014-10-24T17:00:00Z2014-10-24T17:00:00Z
At a glance, it's easy to look at Mind Zero and compare it to the Persona series given its art style and the narrative advertised within early trailers and promotional materials. And you wouldn't be incorrect in declaring that it borrows several elements from the popular role-playing series.

Still, it's unfair to call Mind Zero a copycat when its most fundamental elements are much different from the Shin Megami Tensei spinoff. That doesn't mean the game is actually all that impressive, however. Acquire and ZeroDiv's Vita RPG features an interesting premise, but in the end it's a weaker product than those that obviously inspired it.

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=278101Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorAkiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed coming to Europe2014-07-14T23:45:00Z2014-07-14T23:45:00Z
Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed is confirmed for Europe, NIS America announced today. The PlayStation 3 and Vita game will launch in the region on October 10.

Set in Tokyo's famous electronics district, Akihabara, the brawler sees players take on a legion of vampires that prey on the city's otaku. In order to do so, players will need to expose the demons to sunlight by eviscerating their clothes. Yes, you read that correctly.

XSEED previously revealed plans to distribute Undead & Undressed in North America. The publisher has not specified an official release date for the territory, but it's coming sometime this summer.

An enhanced edition of the title debuted on PlayStation 4 earlier this month in Japan. It has thus far garnered a tepid domestic sales, moving just north of 3,600 units in its opening week. This version has yet to be confirmed for a western release.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=276566Natalie Kipperhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Natalie+KipperPull off strangers' clothes for fun and profit in Akiba's Trip2014-06-13T20:30:00Z2014-06-13T20:30:00Z
Being an otaku has its drawbacks, chief among them apparently is that they're the favorite food of the "Synthisters," blood-sucking beings who walk in the daytime.

Now, you, a newly-bitten Synthister, must fight back against those who stole your humanity by, uh, taking off their clothes. They must be close to naked to be destroyed by the sun's rays.

That's the basic premise for Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed for PlayStation 3 and PS Vita. And, yeah, it sounds pretty silly, but what I saw of the game at E3 piqued my interest.

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=275550Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenHashtag all filters: Akiba's Trip 2 has a weird editor on PS42014-05-29T05:00:00Z2014-05-29T05:00:00Z

Akiba's Trip 2 is being ported to PS4 in Japan in a couple months (we get it on PS3 and Vita in August) and Acquire has some videos full of swimsuits and bouncing breasts to show off (below).

There's also a weird "visual editor" (above) that lets you change sky color and, for some reason, all color. I get the Instagram "vintage" filter, but what's with the EVERYTHING IS GREEN filter?

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=275457Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenHope you don't mind: Mind Zero now available on Vita2014-05-27T19:00:00Z2014-05-27T19:00:00Z

Mind Zero is a dungeon crawler wherein high schoolers with mind powers battle against a seedy government, alternating between the real and spirit world. And it's out today in North America, physical and digital, and will be out in Europe right after, exclusively as a digital title.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=274793Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorAkiba's Trip 2 acquires a flashy PlayStation 4 trailer2014-05-13T16:30:00Z2014-05-13T16:30:00Z

Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed is a game where you, erm, beat the clothes of vampires. You see, their skin is weak to sunlight, so forcibly removing their clothes makes perfect sense actually.

Earlier this year, XSEED revealed plans to publish the PlayStation 3 and Vita brawler in North America this summer. The localization house says Undead & Undressed is its largest voice-over project to date, as nearly 10,000 lines of dialogue were recorded for the English-language release.

Meanwhile in Japan, Acquire is developing a PlayStation 4 version of the title, which will launch on July 3. No word on whether XSEED has designs to bring that rendition stateside, though.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=273295Jordan Devorehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jordan+DevoreDownload No Heroes Allowed for free on PS Vita2014-04-15T19:00:00Z2014-04-15T19:00:00Z

The latest installment in Acquire's What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord!? franchise (formerly known as "Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman!") sadly isn't a dungeon strategy game like its quirky predecessors. But it still looks all right, for a match-three game.

No Heroes Allowed: No Puzzles Either! is available starting today as a free-to-play title for PlayStation Vita. To that end, the PS Blog mentions "There will also be a slew of add-on content for purchase, ranging from power boosts and expanded monster quarters to digging abilities."

I'm mostly just hoping that if the series' standard gameplay formula has been done away with for this game, the fun dialogue is still there. It wouldn't be a proper Badman game without it.

No Heroes Allowed: No Puzzles Either! Out Today on PS Vita [PlayStation Blog]

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=272604Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorMind Zero crawling to PlayStation Vita next month2014-03-28T18:30:00Z2014-03-28T18:30:00Z

Get ready to go crazy, because Mind Zero is coming west next month. The PlayStation Vita dungeon crawler will debut as physical and retail release in North America on May 27 before making its way to Europe exclusively via download the very next day.

Developed by Acquire and Class of Heroes studio ZeroDiv, this Persona-like role-player follows a group of high school students with deadly powers as they run from the government and battle monsters in an alternate dimension.

The localization work is being performed by Aksys Games, who confirmed earlier today that the western release will support both Japanese and English audio tracks.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=271511Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorAkiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed flashing PS3 & Vita this summer2014-03-05T15:00:00Z2014-03-05T15:00:00Z
The sweltering summer heat is just around the corner and with it comes Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed, an action role-player with a surprisingly apt title.

Tokyo's famous electronics district, Akihabara, has been overrun with vampire-like creatures that prey on the city's otaku and it's up to you to stop the undead menace. To do just that you'll need to expose the vile monsters to sunlight... by shredding their clothes. Yes, really.

So yeah, XSEED is targeting a summer launch in North America. The "flashy" PlayStation 3 and Vita title will have a physical release and feature Japanese voicework. The publisher is also currently looking into the possibility of dual-audio.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=270091Alessandro Fillarihttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Alessandro+FillariAmazon acquires Double Helix Games2014-02-05T21:15:00Z2014-02-05T21:15:00Z
It's been known that Amazon has had its eye on diversifying into the gaming space. Not just from a sales standpoint, but for publishing and producing its own unique titles. And now, the mega online retailer has made its first major move to that goal by purchasing independent developer Double Helix Games.

In a statement just after the news broke, Amazon provided some insight into the deal: "Amazon has acquired Double Helix as part of our ongoing commitment to build innovative games for customers."

Founded in 2007, Double Helix Games has made some notable titles from a variety of different franchises -- such as Silent Hill: Homecoming, Front Mission Evolved, and most recently its work on the well-received Killer Instinct reboot.

With Strider still on the way, its unclear what the future holds for Double Helix. Stay tuned to Destructoid for more information as it develops.

Amazon Acquires Video Gaming Studio Double Helix Games [Tech Crunch]

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=262740Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingReview: Rain2013-10-01T08:00:00Z2013-10-01T08:00:00Z
Sony has a stable of impressive top-tier game franchises -- Uncharted, Killzone, God of War, the kind of blockbuster productions every console needs to open eyelids among the mainstream users. I, however, will remember Sony's impact on this generation in terms of what it delivered in the shadows of its titans.

Flower, Journey, Unfinished Swan -- the less glorified games that gave the PlayStation 3 more personality and charm than any of its glossy, big-budget properties. Games often as beautiful as they are bleak, understated games that nonetheless make more of an impact on the player than any billion-dollar explosion could.

Games like Rain, a latecomer that nonetheless deserves to be counted among the PlayStation 3 games that truly mattered in the last five years.

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=260562Hamza CTZ Azizhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Hamza+CTZ+AzizRain out this October for PlayStation 32013-08-21T23:30:00Z2013-08-21T23:30:00Z

Rain will be coming to your PlayStation 3 on October 1 for North America, October 2 for Europe, and October 3 for Japan. It'll cost $14.99/€12.99, and if you pre-order the game you'll be given three bonus items: a music montage, five avatars, and a dynamic theme.

There's a new developer diary for Rain out, and this one primarily focuses on the lovely music the game will feature. The music is very peaceful, and a little on the sad side too.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=259216Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenGet lost in this Rain developer diary2013-08-02T06:00:00Z2013-08-02T06:00:00Z

Rain is a neat, affective collaboration between PlayStation C.A.M.P. (Tokyo Jungle) and Acquire (Tenchu). I liked what I saw of the PSN title when I previewed it during GDC and Dale North seemed equally impressed sitting down with the small, moody title amidst the pomp, circumstance and hullabaloo of E3. Check them out if this video whets your appetite. I recommend putting the video on replay while you do so you can set the mood with that lovely piano accompaniment.

This first developer diary delves into the central theme of the game, the mix of wonderment and terror that you might have experience getting lost as a youth, and discusses how the creators try to achieve that affect. Not only is Rain's protagonist lost, however, but he is invisible (even to the player), except when moistly silhouetted in the rain. Of course, in the rain there are terrifying monsters trying to eat you. Yep, just like my childhood.

Will you be able to refrain from picking this one up? I know I won't. I'm a sucker for rain-soaked cityscapes, especially ones with posters for Casablanca and Metamorphoses. Rain drops this fall.

 tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=257976Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenPersona-styled JRPG Mind 0 gets trailer2013-07-12T08:30:00Z2013-07-12T08:30:00Z

Really, "Persona-styled" might be doing this game from Acquire and Class of Heroes developer Zerodiv a bit too much justice, because it reads like a knockoff. The cast is a group of highschoolers (not uncommon for a JRPG set in modern Japan). The game spans two worlds: the normal world and some sort of spirit world. The protagonists employ MINDs (Mental Inside Nobody Dolls), weird summons that come from inside of them.

Okay, I guess these aren't terribly original videogame ideas regardless, but, still. I mean, one of the characters even looks terribly similar to Persona 3's Aigis, but with a slightly more derivative art style and fingerless gloves, because those are still cool. I wear mine while I watch my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles VHS and yell at Reagan.

Mind 0 is launching in Japan on August 1 for the Vita. I'm sure it has its audience there and, who knows, maybe the writing is really good. We won't know unless Mind 0 gets localized, and I'm comfortable reserving my opinion until then, previous snark precluded. It's also nice to see Acquire still supporting the Vita, following Sumioni. Was that any good? I loved the art style, but never got into it.

Mind 0 Gameplay Video & New Character Revealed [All Games Beta]
MIND≒0 Summons An Oni [Siliconera]

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=249880Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenRain is another feather in Sony's cap of new IP2013-03-28T10:30:00Z2013-03-28T10:30:00Z
Keeping in line with the offbeat and interesting games that come from SCE Japan Studio, we have Rain. It's being developed by Japan Studio, Acquire (Tenchu, Sumioni), and PlayStation C.A.M.P. (Tokyo Jungle, Echo Chrome) for the PS3 through download from the PlayStation Store, and it's just the sort of idiosyncratic change of pace that Sony seems to foster.

Rain is meant to evoke the feeling of fright and wonderment that you might have experienced being lost as a child in an unfamiliar place. It does so by putting you into the transparent shoes of a young boy who has faded into invisibility in a mysterious city. He is lost, as alien to this world as the player. Only in the rain can he be seen -- sort of like Ben Affleck's vision in that terrible Daredevil movie.

Thing is, nasty beasties also lurk under the pitter patter of raindrops. Like Ben Affleck's Daredevil. Or Elektra. Also, cool, intimidating monsters.

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=249129Josh Tolentinohttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Josh+TolentinoAcquire's next PS Vita title is called Mind 02013-03-20T01:00:00Z2013-03-20T01:00:00Z
When Acquire started teasing a new PS Vita game with satellite photos, Jonathan Holmes suspected they who made Way of the Samurai were making a sequel to PSN Centipede classic The Last Guy. I, on the other hand, figured it was a sequel to their PSP vampire-stripping "classic" Akiba's Trip. We were both wrong.

Acquire, in collaboration with Class of Heroes developer Zerodiv, are making Mind 0 (stylized as MIND≒0), which Famitsu is calling a "stylish school dungeon RPG" taking place in two worlds, a regular one and a freaky "Mental" one filled with crazy demonic versions of ourselves. Players and their crew will summon Persona-esque alter egos to do turn-based battles using a power called MIND, which stands for "Mental Inside Nobody Doll". Settings include various urban Japanese locations, including Akihabara, Yokohama, Omiya, and Nippori. The four satellite photos and GPS coordinates from the teases are of those locations' respective train stations.

Besides that, Acquire also revealed some of the Japanese voice cast, including a number of notable anime performers including Tomokazu Sugita (Kyon from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), Rina Sato (Negi from Negima!), Yuichi Nakamura (Gundam 00's Graham), and Takehito Koyasu (Zechs from Gundam Wing).

So far, so Persona, but that's not exactly a problem in my book, at least.

Acquire announces Mind 0 [Japanator]

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=237260Chris Carterhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Chris+CarterReview: Orgarhythm2012-10-25T17:00:00Z2012-10-25T17:00:00Z
The mysterious strategy rhythm game Orgarhythm is here, and boy does it have a pedigree. First you have Tak Hirai (Space Channel 5 Part 2, Shenmue, Meteos) at the development helm, and Ayako Minami in charge of music direction. Then you add equal parts Acquire and Neilo, and stir until you have a concoction of hype.

Orgarhyhtm is a mix of rhythm and strategy -- two genres that don't normally take place in the same space. The development team has stated that the marriage is a bit hard to explain, but I don't think it's too difficult a concept to grasp, provided you have experience in the genre. To be blunt, it's a 3D Patapon.

You with me so far? Onto the game!

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=229897Dale Northhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+NorthNIS announces Clan of Champions for PSN and Steam2012-06-21T12:00:00Z2012-06-21T12:00:00Z
NIS America has plans to release Acquire's latest multiplayer action title, Clan of Champions, later this summer on the PlayStation Network in both North America and Europe. Later this year the game will also launch on Steam.

Clan of Champions is a medieval style hardcore multiplayer action game where you'll play as either a human, elf, or orc, taking on missions in either solo or 3-player co-op play. There is also a 3-vs-3 battle mode to enjoy. NIS says that you can strip your enemy of their gear in mid-battle and take it as your own to use.

Does this seem like something you'd get down with?

 Read more...tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=227275Dale Northhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+NorthCut a bitch with this new Way of the Samurai 4 trailer2012-05-10T23:30:00Z2012-05-10T23:30:00Z
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You'll see that they mean business with this new Way of the Samurai 4 trailer. There's the typical blowing sakura petals and sword slashes in the beginning, sure, but the action and pace continually ramp up as the trailer progresses, eventually ending in a bombastic harmonizing semi-scream from dueling female vocalists. Woah!

Way of the Samurai 4 is due out this summer as a digital download for PS3.

 Read more...


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THURSDAY / POLITICS WITH A PUNCH: Political incorrectness takes center stage at the Eiffel Society (2040 St. Charles Ave.) with this free-wheeling, no-holds-barred discussion of what is happening in our city. The panel: politicos John Alario and Lawrence Chehardy, former Saints quarterback John Fourcade, TV reporter Meg Gatto, Edwin Edwards biographer Leo Honeycutt, and comedians Mikko and Jack Spratt. Doors open at 6 for happy hour; the show's at 8 and tickets are $15 ($25 per couple). Armand St. Martin provides music after the melee.
FRIDAY / MAN UP: And head to Dos Jefes for a Macanuda cigar, extra dirty martini and the wail of a lonely saxophone played by Tom Fitzpatrick, starting at 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY / STORM THE BASTILLE: Yeah, Bastille Day is Thursday, but patrons of Molly's at the Market are gathering Saturday at 8:30 p.m. for a mock 'Storming of the Bastille' called the Bastille Day Tumble. Wear red, white and blue (those are French colors, too) and arm yourself with musical instruments, toy swords, drums, cymbals, whatever. It promises to be a raucous party in the streets, with the parade led by the Pair 'O Dice Tumblers. And it's free.
SUNDAY / SWING IT: The Summer Sunday Swing Program is in full, well, swing at the National World War II Museum. Free lessons from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by live music by VaVaBoom from 2 to 4. You do have to buy a ticket to the museum, but the good news is that Louisiana residents get reduced admission now through Aug. 31.
MONDAY / SUMMER CAMP: It doesn't have to be ho-hum. Or just for your progeny. The Big Top Gallery in Central City offers lessons in things like digital sound recording, improv and recycled art to grown-up kids (that's you). All-inclusive cost of the four-day camps is $120 for members, $150 for non-members.
ANY DAY / MONTE BURGERS AND SAZERACS: Ernest Hemingway wrote about it, Tennessee Williams drank there and an ersatz Rod Stewart occasionally hangs out at the bar. But did you know that the circus-themed rotating Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone also serves lunch? Check it out this weekend, before the hordes descend with Tales of the Cocktail (many events take place at the hotel) on July 20; or join the crowd and sign up for a new TOTC seminar on the history of New Orleans hospitality and the Monteleone on July 23.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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WASHINGTON - One week from the Democratic convention and Barack Obama finds himself answering for a vote he made back in the Illinois state Senate.
It centers on a bill called the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. The National Right to Life committee says Obama is misleading Americans over he opposed the bill and Obama told CBN News the pro-life group is lying.
This back and forth is heating up on the Internet and even getting the presidential candidate a little hot under the collar. Click play to hear analysis from CBN News Sr. National Correspondent David Brody along with comments from Pat Robertson following this report.
Born Alive
It's an issue that has dogged Obama since his days in the Illinois state Senate.
The Born Alive Infant Protection Act would have required medical attention for infants born alive during an attempted abortion.
Obama voted against it more than once. Why? Obama says to protect Roe v. Wade and keep abortion legal. But even most abortion rights supporters say Roe wasn't at risk.
The National Right to Life Committee says Obama keeps changing his reasons for opposing the bill.
"We believe that he should come clean and admit that he has misrepresented his vote in the past on this Born Alive Infant Protection Act and that he should apologize to those that he has called liars," said Susan T. Muskett of the National Right to Life Committee.
Indeed, in an exclusive interview with CBN News this past weekend, Obama had harsh words for those questioning his position and vote.
"I hate to say that people are lying, but here's a situation where folks are lying," Obama said.
Let's Rewind to 2000
Back in 2000 a federal version of the Born Alive bill was introduced but defeated.
Two years later, pro-choice lawmakers finally supported the bill because wording was added that protected the legality of Roe v. Wade.
The same fight was going on in Illinois at the state level. There Obama, a state senator at the time, voted against all Illinois versions saying they were different than the law passed by Congress - because they didn't protect Roe sufficiently under Illinois law.
"I would have been completely in, fully in support of the federal bill that everybody supported - which was to say -- that you should provide assistance to any infant that was born - even if it was as a consequence of an induced abortion. That was not the bill that was presented at the state level," Obama said.
That is where National Right to Life makes its case. It has produced a document showing that the same language protecting Roe was indeed in a 2003 version of the Illinois bill. Yet Obama, the chairman of the committee responsible for the bill, still voted against it. The Right to Life Committee believes this discrepancy is part of a bigger issue.
"I think the American people need to know how extreme he is and the role that he played on this," Muskett said.
In a statement to CBN News, the Obama campaign wouldn't address the charge that he has misrepresented his position on this bill. They don't believe it's necessary since there were multiple versions of the bill at different times.
Instead they told CBN News "The suggestion that Obama - the proud father of two little girls - and others who opposed these bills supported infanticide is deeply offensive and insulting. The bills Senator Obama voted against in Illinois were crafted to undermine Roe v. Wade or pre-existing Illinois state law."
The Bottom Line
So what's the takeaway from all of this? Pro-life groups say Obama is an extremist when it comes to abortion.
They point to the Born Alive vote plus an 2007 appearance before The Planned Parenthood Action Fund where Obama indicated the Freedom Of Choice Act would be the first piece of legislation he would sign as President.
They say that act would effectively wipe out all current federal, state and local restrictions on abortion.
Meanwhile, while the Obama campaign concedes that the language of the federal bill and the Illinois bill are the same, the implications would have been far different in each case. And so they say this is not so cut and dried. Plus they say Illinois state law already had language in place protecting infants born alive.
*Original broadcast August 20, 2008.
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Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting? Are you facing a difficult situation?
Find peace with God, discover more about God or send us your prayer request.
Call The 700 Club Prayer Center at 1 (800) 823-6053, 24 hours a day.
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
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CBN News is a national/international, nonprofit news organization that provides programming by cable, satellite, and the Internet, 24-hours a day. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.


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(n.) A geographical location that is devoid of any redeeming value. Complete lack of any cultural and ethnic minority resulting in an explosion of white trash, trailer parks, and strip malls.
synonyms: Newport News, VA; hellhole.
synonyms: Newport News, VA; hellhole.
Chuck was desperate to leave that fuckpen, Scraton, PA.
додав Benny240 06 Квітня 2008
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RG3 Partially Torn ACL And LCL
According to Mark Maske and Mike Jones of the Washington Post, the MRI conducted on Griffin?s right knee suggests that he has suffered at least partial tears of his ACL and LCL.
The problem, per the report, is that it?s unclear whether the injuries are old injuries or new injuries showing up on the MRI. But here?s the thing ? four weeks ago, the Redskins boldly proclaimed that an MRI showed no structural damage to Griffin?s knee. So whatever is showing up now wasn?t showing up four weeks ago.
For more on this story visit: Mike Florio, NBC Sports Pro Football Talk


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to the journey… Perhaps there is some information here that can help you discover the path to relationship with all of life. If you are an activist, spiritual seeker, householder, gardener, artist, on the path to self-realization, or just love to cook, we have something in common! So be in touch, and at least we can support each other along the way. If you are in the Mid-Hudson Valley region, I am available for private consultation as a nutritionist and yoga instructor.
Ayurveda is an ancient system of health that incorporates breathing, yoga, meditation and diet, all tailored to your unique constitution and lifestyle, to address imbalances in body, mind and spirit. It not only leads to a healthier and stronger body and mind, but can even clear up acne and promote youthful glowing skin. It teaches us that we have the power to transform our lives, to experience clarity and a deep sense of connection and fulfillment, and to know and relish our place in the universe. All this is possible for you, and I would be honored to act as guide and support as you unfold into joy. My fees are reasonable, and barter is encouraged. Soon I will be offering classes in vegetarian cooking without tofu (!), making your own beauty products, bringing your spirituality into your everyday existence and more…out of my new home in Hudson, NY. Stay tuned. If you are looking for one of my music CDs, there is a link to my CD Baby site on the links page, where they are still available for purchase.


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If you want to help Alabamians affected by recent tornadoes but aren't sure how, it's as simple as a few taps on your phone screen.
AT&T has launched a text donation campaign in which people from throughout the U.S. can help those impacted by tornadoes that hit the Southeast in April.
Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross, and fees will be applied to monthly bills.
The money raised in the text campaign will supplement a $50,000 donation from AT&T to the American Red Cross national to assist with recovery. The Alabama region will receive $10,000.
Red Cross disaster workers will use the money to provide food, shelter, emotional assistance and basic supplies to people who were affected by the storms.
"The people of Alabama are resilient, and we are proud to support their efforts to rebuild homes and businesses throughout our state," said Fred McCallum, the president of AT&T Alabama.
The company also has waived charges for some services and offered free telephone service relocation for people impacted by the storms. For more information, customers can contact AT&T customer service at 1-800-288-2020.


text:
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Exchange Roller Kit, 1 and 2 year CarePAK for ScanFront 220/220P
* Examples based on typical settings,
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rated in pages/images per minute with letter-sized documents,
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text:
Medication affecting my appetite/metabolism?
May 19 2008 04:27
Member posts
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Okay, so I'm 5'0", approximately 95-100lbs, usually a big eater for my size. I eat healthy, with fruit and vegetables making up the majority of my calories, which tends to be between 1600-2000 calories a day, and I also run for a half hour & walk for a half hour daily, as well as weight lifting/pilates every morning.
I recently started taking prozac, for a number of reasons. (blahblahblah)... but it's having a negative impact on my health, which is making me feel worse about myself, the opposite of what prozac is supposed to do (I know it takes a few weeks to start noticing a difference, anyway). After I take my pill in the morning, (within an hour of taking it) I feel exhuasted, completely devoid of energy and obviously unable to do my morning workouts.. Usually when I wake up, I'm starving. Now, I don't feel hungry at all. I find I'm just eating for energy, but what fills me up now is not nearly half as much as I was eating before. It's very difficult for me to force myself to eat 1000 calories in a day, where as before I'd feel famished and sick if I only ate that much.
I know eating less isn't doing much for my metabolism, but there isn't much I can do.. I need to sleep more now, or else I can't concentrate on anything.. I never feel hungry, which is weird for me, and I don't have enough energy for a run or morning workout.
Should I just wait and see if this changes? I really hate not using my muscles for this long, because it will probably make me feel worse in the long-run, but there isn't much else I can do. I need advice.
May 19 2008 07:15
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I would really see my doctor if I were you, it sounds like you are experiencing some pretty hard side effects that you shouldn't have to live with. Tell your doctor exactly what you are experiencing and ask if there is a different medication you could try, I don't know why you take prozac but I have been on lexapro for 6 months and I am doing great! Good luck, I hope you start feeling better soon!
The soonest I can see my doctor is in 3 weeks, which is too long if this is going to persist.. But, I'll try to get an appointment sooner than that, anyway..
I'm kind of hoping this will pass, I'll get my energy and appetite back, and I'll be able to start running and stuff again.. because I agree, I shouldn't have to live this way.. Also, what is lexapro? If it's a similar medication, did you have any side effects when starting out as well? :(
Thank you zsa.
May 20 2008 15:54
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Prozak takes a few weeks to have beneficial effects, and sometimes makes you feel crummy for a awhile in the beginning. Definitely check with the doc, but you will probably get better.
May 20 2008 19:04
Member posts
Send message
Hmmm... That is a bit out of the ordinary as prozac usually causes increased appetite. I would hold out a while longer and then go see a soctor if all of he symptoms persist.


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So there are quite a few things I am currently addicted to! I think they are all healthy addictions – I try to limit my usage/consumption of these items.
#1 – I just upgraded from my old frumpy, dumpy, simple, didn't work half the time phone! I got the new Droid X and I
can't figure the darn thing out love that I always have the internet at my fingertips.
#2 – My new camera – Canon Rebel XS! I didn't expect to learn how to use it over night – but the process is slow. I tried reading tips and tricks from other bloggers, I read the manual, but I think I just need to do trial and error. There has been a lot of error and then a few surprisingly awesome pictures! At least I think so!
#3 – Cupcakes. I know cupcakes are all the rave. They are sort of like this fad – but even before it was cool to own a cupcake bakery, watch cupcake wars, or decorate your kitchen in a cupcake theme – I was baking cupcakes. No, not homemade cupcakes, the cupcakes from the box. A specific cupcake – the confetti cake cupcakes. I have made them for years with a special frosting. No, not homemade frosting, Betty Crocker butter cream from the tub! I love to make them with the jumbo cupcake liners and then take the finished product to family, co-workers, but most importantly I leave a few just for me! When do I eat my cupcakes? Usually for breakfast – sort of like a pastry! Here is my philosophy – if I eat sweets first thing then I have all day to work off the calories!
These are my addictions! What are yours?


text:
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LOXLEY -- Lil G's Cajun Market is to sausage what Forrest Gump was to shrimp.
Pork sausage, green onion sausage, chicken sausage, Italian sausage, alligator sausage, boudin.
That's just the beginning at the Louisiana food emporium, which sells prepared items for takeout. There are stuffed, deboned chickens; pre-seasoned meats; soups; gumbo and crawfish etoufee -- all on display in refrigerator and freezer cases in a former convenience store on Ala. 59.
Gay Mueller, whose family moved to Seminole from the New Orleans area after 2005's Hurricane Katrina, tried to break the family history of cooking for others.
"We moved here thinking we were going to work for somebody else, and I just couldn't do it," Mueller said. "I just had to start cooking again. It's just in my blood."
That history began with her father, who graduated from shucking oysters, to making po-boys, to running a full-fledged restaurant. Mueller moved into the same business, ending up with a restaurant in Belle Chasse, a New Orleans suburb.
The restaurant life was a hard one -- 12-hour days, six days a week, Mueller said. So this time she's trying to do things differently. Selling food to go, without table service, means no worries about waiters and dishwashers who don't show up for work. Plus, being closed Sunday and Monday leaves two days for family.
"We said no restaurant, but let's do something on the order of selling everything we cooked," she said.
That's not to say Mueller doesn't have ambitions. Lil G's plans to start offering a limited takeout lunch menu every day. And she admits that she dreams of a second store, even though the first one is less than three months old.
That admission causes her husband, Gary, to roll his eyes, seeing as how he works at the market on his days off from the ThyssenKrupp AG steel complex in Calvert.
Though some of the headaches of running a restaurant have been eliminated, Lil G's still operates on a relatively ambitious scale. One morning in May, a giant stockpot was boiling down ingredients for an 80-pound batch of boudin, the Cajun sausage that is stuffed with a rice-and-meat mixture. The rice is prepared in a gas-fired rice cooker that dwarfs anything seen in a home kitchen.
The most obvious customers for Lil G's are former Louisianians, and many are already flocking to the store.
"You should see how many Louisiana people live here who are excited about this," Mueller said. "Everybody wants boudin."
But Lil G's is also seeking to build a clientele among locals. Mueller admits that many people may be unfamiliar with what she's offering. "I don't know if they know what it tastes like," she said.
The strategy for combating that is lots of samples. Mueller is especially targeting working mothers, pitching her products as convenience food.
"You don't have to do anything but open the bag and there it is," she said.
(Contact info: Lil G's Cajun Market, 3800 S. Hickory St., Loxley. 251-964-2804)


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In the final days before losing her battle with lung cancer last March, Dana Reeve, the widow of Superman actor Christopher Reeve, summoned her longtime friend Peter Kiernan to her bedside at a Manhattan hospital. She asked him to take over the foundation her paralyzed husband had founded and asked that their son Will, then 13, not feel pressure to contribute to the family's work. "I do not want Will's teenage years to be usurped by this," Kiernan recalls Dana saying. "He's got a huge heart. He is going to want to help. It's fine to help, but I want him to have a teenage boy's life." Dana's thoughts then turned to her husband's children from his previous relationship, Matthew and Alexandra Reeve, whom she always considered part of her family: "I do not want them to feel like their sole mission in life is to carry on their father's legacy."
Eight months after Dana's death on March 6, her wishes are being fulfilled. Now in her second year at Columbia Law School in New York City, Alexandra Reeve, 22, is interested in litigation, and her older brother Matthew, 26, a filmmaker, is working on a documentary. Both also serve on the board of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, founded by their father after his devastating 1995 horse-riding accident to fund research for cures and therapies for paralysis. "Our dad's accident really did connect us to this community: 4 million people in the U.S. who are suffering from paralysis," says Alexandra. "We understand how important it is not only to find a cure but also to improve quality of life."
On Nov. 6 the pair will join their stepbrother Will Reeve, now 14, an accomplished athlete who started a new school this fall, onstage at the foundation's annual gala in Manhattan. According to Alexandra, "Will's doing well. He loves school. He is playing hockey and football and keeping busy with friends." Noting the Reeve siblings are in daily contact, Robert Kennedy Jr., a family friend, says Alexandra and Matthew have become "surrogate parents" to Will. "They have the same jut-jawed determination as their father."
Growing up as the children of Superman, the Reeves had a life filled with their father's love of all things athletic, including sailing, skiing and biking. "Hiking was one of the more relaxing activities we did," Matthew says of the years spent in Massachusetts and London, home to their mother, British mental health counselor Gae Exton, whose nearly 10-year relationship with Reeve ended in 1987. But the defining moment of life with their dad, of course, was the accident 11 years ago that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Alexandra recalls when Christopher first learned to use his motorized wheelchair. "We had to follow him around with a panel called the 'kill switch,' in case he sped off in the wrong direction and went crashing into the wall," she says. "We couldn't even keep up with him; he'd be flying down the hallways, doing wheelies."
Finding a cure for paralysis became a family obsession, excitedly discussed even if Dana, a talented cook, declared a ban on medical talk during dinner. Says Matthew: "She had a hard time enforcing it. Once Dad got going, it was hard to stop him." Today, keeping that excitement alive is just one way of remembering Christopher and Dana. Matthew recalls attending a foundation meeting at which a 3-year-old boy burst into the room; he had recovered the ability to walk with a walker with treadmill therapy funded by the group. Christopher Reeve, Matthew says, would have been proud. "It just really drove home what we are all trying to do."
The Reeve foundation offers extensive information on many aspects of paralysis at WWW.CHRISTOPHERREEVE.ORG.
Their Father's Fight
updated 11/13/2006 AT 01:00 AM EST
•originally published 11/13/2006 AT 01:00 AM EST


text:
Parents say son saved their lives with May 20 birth
Father thanks community for outpouring of support
Published 11:55 AM CDT Jun 20, 2013
Wriley Cox's parents say he saved their lives before he was even born.
Wriley was born on May 20, the day an EF5 tornado tore through the home of Chad Cox and Jordan Smith. Fortunately, Cox and Smith were not home. They were in the hospital welcoming Wriley into the world.
A month later, Chad said Wriley is doing well. He also said he and his family are incredibly thankful for the clothes, diapers and other donations from the community.
Copyright 2013 by KOCO.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Super Moist Banana Nut Muffins
Total Time
Prep 20 mins
Cook 20 mins
This muffin recipe I have adapted from many recipes put together until I got the perfect banana muffin! Love these they are great, super moist and yummy!
Ingredients Nutrition
- 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 overripe bananas
- 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
- 3⁄4 cup soft unsalted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1⁄2 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly butter 24 muffin tins.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder,cinnamon and salt; set aside.
- With an electric mixer, whip the bananas and sugar together for a good 3 minutes. Add the soft butter, eggs, and vanilla and beat well, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice.
- Mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated.
- Fold in the nuts if desired with a rubber spatula.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin tins to fill them about halfway.
- Bake until a toothpick stuck in the muffins comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before turning the muffins out.
Most Helpful
This is a fantastic base recipe. I have a Pampered Chef muffin stone that I use. These are 1/2 cup (or double size of a normal muffin). If using a muffin stone, fill them up. This recipe does not rise much. This recipe will typically yield between 12-14 muffins using the Pampered Chef muffin stone. You will need to bake them for approximately 28-30 minutes at 375 F. I usually add a tablespoon of vanilla to the recipe and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. This gives the muffins a little more flavor. If you follow the recipe exact, I am certain that you will not be dissatified. The only knock is that this bread does not rise much. I will try future batches with more baking powder.
I followed the recipe and came perfect!
If you want super fluffy muffins, make sure your butter is SOFT. Like the consistency of shortening. This is the first recipe using the muffin method that I've made that I didn't have liquid fat (oil, melted butter, shortening) and since I used softened butter (like the consistancy when using the creaming method like when making cookies), it kind of dispersed itself into little chunks instead of integrating with the rest of the liquids, and I had to mix it too much to get it homogenous. With muffins, the less mixing, the better.
The flavor is good, and the texture is moist (I don't know about SUPER moist, but it is definitely up there on the moist side), but it was not a very fluffy muffin, which I attribute to my butter temp.


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Featured Golf News
Architect Jacobson Opens First China Course
Chicago-area golf course architect Rick Jacobson has opened his first 18-hole golf course in China. The Moon Course at Lion Lake Resort located northwest of Guangzhou, China (a/k/a Canton) had a "soft opening" in August in advance of the November 20-22 Ambassadors' Cup Invitational, where ambassadors from more than 30 nations participated in the international competition.
"Rick Jacobson is the most responsible and passionate person among all the designers I have ever worked with," said John Ho, vice president of Lion Lake Resort. "Rick has made many site inspections and he provided the construction team with detailed instructions. He likes to do things in person, and thus his design concepts are carried out more effectively and the construction process runs more efficiently."
While the Moon Course at Lion Lake is Jacobson's first course opening in China, he is currently working on a number of projects. Among those is Lion Lake's new 18-hole Moonlight Course, now under construction. The Lion Lake facility is a mixed-use hotel, resort, residential, and office development located in the China's largest golf market. Internationally known golf course management firm Troon Golf operates the golf facilities.
"We are very pleased that golfers are enjoying the Moon Course," Jacobson said. "The process of designing and building a golf course is most satisfying when all the work is done and people are enjoying the great game of golf."
Jacobson said he also is proud of the inaugural Ambassadors' Cup. "Golf is a sport that does not build walls between people; rather builds it bridges that connect people worldwide," Jacobson told the contestants.
The Moon Course and the soon-to-be-completed Moonlight Courses are a study in contrasts. The Moon Course is an unrefined quasi-inland links course that features native grasses, pine and juniper plantings, and classic bunkers with native grass eyebrows. Red rock outcroppings define the course's dramatic visual character and are utilized as a design element throughout all 18 holes. The Moon Course has five sets of tees to accommodate golfers of varying skill levels. It measures 7,115 yards from the tips and 5,084 yards from the forward tees, with three sets of tees in between.
The Moonlight Course will be located on the south end of the resort and will have a much more refined character than the Moon Course. Moonlight has a highly manicured look with a lush tropical landscape and bunkers with long flowing lines in the style of Alister McKenzie, designer of such classics as Augusta National, Cypress Point, and Royal Melbourne. The Moonlight Course will be a similar yardage to the Moon Course and will have five sets of tees, Jacobson said. Another similarity is that both courses feature streams, lakes, and waterfalls.
"The two courses are a very dramatic contrast in design styles that will provide golfers with a variety of challenges and differing golf experiences," Jacobson said. "We are very pleased that the Moonlight Course along with the Moon Course will form the foundation of one of China's premier golf resorts. Golfers will find both courses to be visually dynamic and uniquely challenging to their golfing skills."
Lion Lake features a two-level practice range, two large putting greens, and a short game practice area. All 36 holes will operate out of a full-service clubhouse.
"The Moon Course has been very well received by Chinese golfers as well as travelers from Europe and America," Ho said. "More than 30 nations sent their delegates to play in the Ambassadors Cup. All loved the course and were looking forward to playing again next year."
Jacobson has a number of other projects underway in China:
* The Chengdu Wolong Valley International Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course located at the focal point of a thriving mixed-use residential, commercial, hotel, and retail development in the city of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province situated in southwestern China.
* An 18-hole resort course called Chaozhou (JOW-ZO) Golf Club located about an hour by air from Hong Kong.
* The Si Hui (SEE-WAY) Golf Club, a 27-hole "destination" course located in the Guangdong province near the city of Guangzhou (pop. 11 million), better known to the western world as Canton. Guangdong province is the home of Mission Hills, the world's largest golf resort, just a half-hour by air from Hong Kong.
Jacobson's other international designs include an 18-hole seaside resort course at the Jewel of the Sea in southern Italy's Calabria province and the World Country Club in Osaka, Japan, an 18-hole private course.
Jacobson collaborated with Jack Nicklaus on Bayside Resort and Golf Club in Fenwick Island, Del., which was named among the top new courses for 2006 by both Golf Digest and Golfweek magazines. Jacobson worked with Nicklaus on many of Nicklaus' high-profile projects before starting his own firm in 1991.
Jacobson also is widely known for his renovations of several highly regarded classic courses, including Pete Dye's Des Moines CC, site of the 1999 U.S. Senior Open; Oak Park CC and Bob O'Link GC, both Chicago area Donald Ross courses; North Shore CC in Glenview, Ill., an H.S. Colt/C.H. Alison course; Glen Oak CC in Glen Ellyn, Ill., a Tom Bendelow original, and Sunset Ridge CC in Northfield, Ill., voted No. 1 Renovation of the Year in 2005 by Golf Inc. Magazine.
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Located in Texas Medical Center within 2 miles (3 km) of NRG Park, Rodeway Inn And Suites Medical is within a few miles (5 km) of other popular sights such as Houston Zoo. This 33-room motel welcomes guests with conveniences like free breakfast, free in-room WiFi, and free self parking. Near the airport, it's also near Houston Natural Science Museum and Houston Children's Museum.
Start your day off right with a free continental breakfast.
The 33 air-conditioned rooms feature kitchens. Guests can expect to find free WiFi and 42-inch flat-screen TVs with cable channels and pay movies. Other standard amenities include coffee makers, free local calls, and ironing boards.
Property features
At Rodeway Inn And Suites Medical, guests have access to free WiFi in public areas and laundry facilities. If you decide to drive, there's free parking.
- Free continental breakfast
- Free WiFi in rooms and public areas
- Free parking
- Laundry facilities
Rodeway Inn And Suites Medical6712 Morningside Dr Houston TX 77030
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
A complimentary breakfast is offered. High-speed wireless Internet access is complimentary. Onsite self parking is complimentary.
- Number of floors - 2
- Total number of rooms - 33
- Restaurant
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Pay movies
- Phone
- Refrigerator
- Hair dryer
- Iron/ironing board
Where to Eat
Guests are offered a complimentary continental breakfast.
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 15:00:00
Check-out time is 11:00:00
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.


text:
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text:
"Well-researched and finely written, Tim Brady's A Death in San Pietro is a compelling read—one that I enjoyed as both military history and as the backstory for one of the best documentary films to come out of World War II."
—Stephen Harding, author of the New York Times bestseller The Last Battle
A Death in San Pietro chronicles the quietly heroic and beloved Captain Waskow and his company as they make their way into battle.
Waskow's 36th ("Texas") Division would ultimately succeed in driving the Germans off the mountains; but not before eighty percent of Waskow's company is lost in action.
• Read more »


text:
Top Definition
When a man makes out with a woman's vagina.
Adelina was complaining about how our love life was timid, so I gave her a Swedish Kiss and she hasn't complained since.
Woahjah tarafından 21 Kasım 2008, Cuma
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?
When a guy ejaculates into his partners mouth and they pass the semen back and forth between them in a kiss. Also known as snowballing.
Bill enjoyed Swedish kissing , he always found the taste of himself through his partner arousing.
Sop-hie tarafından 7 Eylül 2007, Cuma
When somebody french kisses somebody else in the ass.
I just gave Susanne a swedish kiss and it tasted great said Dempa.
Martensson tarafından 26 Ağustos 2006, Cumartesi


text:
Thursday, April 28, 2005
The California Economic Conundrum (As Interpreted by Zombyboy) (Updated)
Sure, the example is California, but the rule of it seems to apply at the national level.
California (before giving Gray Davis the boot): Gray Davis must go! His economic policies are disastrous and woe will fall upon us if he is allowed to continue his evil ways.
California (turning its eyes to an unlikely hero and the hypnotic qualities of Twisted Sister's classic "We're Not Gonna Take It"): Help us, Arnold Wan Kenobi, you're our only hope!
California (following the glorious honeymoon period): Wait, wait, wait, no one said anything about sacrifice. No one said anything about giving up our free stuff.
California (projected for the near future): Hey Arnie, here's the fix! Tax the rich, tax the rich! Because, you know, they can afford it and all…
Lesson for the Rest of Us: Everyone likes a reformer until they start reforming things, and everyone believes that someone else's pet program should get cut instead of their own. That is, balance the budget on someone else's back, thank you, because my free stuff is far more important than their free stuff.
Play that out on a national level and it's no wonder that we face our current spending and budget problems.
Update: Linked, kindly, by Rob at Burton Terrace.
(7) Comments (0) Trackbacks Permalink


text: Designer William Watson presents a preliminary look at the Spring 2013 pieces from his eponymous menswear collection. Juxtaposing retro-inspired casual wear that harkens back to his childhood in the blue-collar northeast of England with the refined, avant-garde stylings that marked his years in Milan, the collection features color-blocked outerwear and double-breasted jackets alongside high-waisted and pleated trousers, short-sleeve button-downs and more. A flair for exaggeration is present throughout with the appearance of asymmetrical lines, elongated collars and oversized pockets. Boasting a predominance of grey, blue and white throughout the majority of the pieces, the collection is due out early next year.


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VENTNOR, N.J. (AP) -- A judge in Atlantic County is going from the bench to the trench.
Christopher Brown is an attorney and municipal court judge in Galloway Township and a veteran of the Persian Gulf War.
Brown recently received a notice telling him to prepare for deployment. The 44-year-old thought it was a mix-up because he'd met his eight-year military obligation. But he was never discharged and is therefore classified as a reservist.
That means he's eligible for reactivation.
Brown's last day on the bench is this Friday. He's scheduled to report to South Carolina's Fort Jackson for training in early October.
He's been assigned to a combat service support battalion and is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq in November.
Information from: The Press of Atlantic City, http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com


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Kelly Bensimon has said she's ready for season 3 of The Real Housewives of New York City but she'll have to contend again with Bethenny Frankel.
"I'm definitely going to do the Housewives this season," Frankel tells PEOPLE. "It's been great ... I love it. I understand we start filming season 3 in September."
Frankel, who attended the Super Saturday 12 Designer Garage Sale, a benefit for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, in Bridgehampton, N.Y., over the weekend, has had more than one awkward conversation with Bensimon, who joined the cast for season 2 of the show.
When asked if Bensimon might reach her goal of rehabilitating her image this season, Frankel said, "Good luck with that. Am I helping? No."
As for reports that Frankel has plans for a solo show, she says a deal is "unsigned," but suggested that she would consider doing a variety show or a cooking show.
For now, the best-selling author of Naturally Thin is hoping to expand her SkinnyGirl Margarita empire.
"The drink has 96 calories per serving, so it's less calories than wine. The tequila already comes in the bottle and it costs $12.99. It's being sold in restaurants as well as liquor stores," she said. "I would like to do SkinnyGuy Margarita. And a SkinnyGay one ... but the gays already love the SkinnyGirl."
Frankel stepped out to shop Saturday with her dog Cookie and her new boyfriend Jason Hoppy. The couple do plan on marrying, she said, but they're not currently engaged.
"You don't see any ring," she said.
Later, at the Southampton Hospital benefit, Frankel's costar Ramona Singer told PEOPLE she supports her pal's new relationship. "When she first started getting serious with him, she wanted to see what I thought," said Singer, who met Hoppy over French fries at Pastis in New York City's Meat Packing District. "And I approved." -- Jeffrey SlonimJ. Graylock/JPI
Bethenny Frankel 'Definitely' Returning to Real Housewives
J. Graylock/JPI


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Please click on the link below to download the latest version. Thanks!
The astronauts on board the space shuttle Atlantis were awakened at 2:59 a.m. Tuesday morning to the song "More" by Christian recording artist Matthew West.
Only four astronauts are aboard for this mission. Two of crew have been tasked with retrieving a broken ammonia pump outside the International Space Station.
NASA engineers want to examine the pump to figure out why it failed last summer. The mission, slated to last 13 days, is the last for NASA's three-decade old shuttle program.
Atlantis Makes Successful Final Launch
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Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting? Are you facing a difficult situation?
Find peace with God, discover more about God or send us your prayer request.
Call The 700 Club Prayer Center at 1 (800) 823-6053, 24 hours a day.
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
CBN News is a national/international, nonprofit news organization that provides programming by cable, satellite, and the Internet, 24-hours a day. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.


text:
Intercloud Microservices with Docker and NirmataCloud
At Cisco Intercloud CTO Innovation Center, innovative vendors are selected to integrate and build cloud services for customer andRead More
SUMMARY: As Cisco Intercloud Turns One, Two of its Architects Reflect On How The Strategy Was BornCloud
"One year ago this week, Cisco announced a plan and a billion dollar investment to build the world's largestRead More
Security in the Hybrid CloudData Center
Security is a primary concern for many organizations making the transition to cloud. In the blog, "Taking aRead More
What's Inside Your Cloud?Data Center
One of the key benefits of moving to the cloud is that someone else–your service provider–takes care of theRead More
A Whole New Face to CloudData Center
Cisco is committed to leading the industry in bringing innovation and value to its customers through the cloud. ThroughRead More
Mega Mentor: The power to get the most from othersPartner
Well I'm wrapping up my series on marketing superpowers, and to finish up, we will take a lookRead More


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Amarillo High senior catcher Kameron Bennett was presented the $20,000 Randy Keller Fighting Heart Memorial Scholarship on Monday night at Amarillo High's auditorium.
The scholarship honors the life of former Tascosa baseball player Randy Keller, who died in a car accident in 1992. A scrappy second baseman for the Rebels, Keller was presented the Fighting Heart Award his junior season and the school retired the award following his death.
The scholarship started in 1993, going to Tascosa's Tim McLemore, a friend and teammate of Keller. Since then, with a helping hand from Amarillo's Dr. J. Avery Rush, the Keller Scholarship has become one of the largest financial scholarships an Amarillo ISD student can receive.
Bennett overcame injuries and was a leader on the field in helping AHS to a playoff berth.


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This is the list of the characters from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe. Let's see which character is the best out of all the rest!
How it works.
Here are the rules of Take a Point, Add a Point game. First you must copy the list above you, take one point off of the person you hate the most on the list and add a point to the person you like the most on the list. When a person hits 0 they are out of the list. There can be only one winner!
The rules
For each post, you may add one point to a character and subtract one point from a different character. Add labels to all points that you change. For example, if you subtract a point from a character, then add (-1) after their name. Add (+1) to the character you are giving a point to.
You may also bold the names and points of the two characters you make a change to. This makes it easier for other users to see what you changed. Since you may only subtract a single point and add a single point for each post, there should only be two bold names in your post. (This rule is optional if you follow rule 3)
Characters with zero points are eliminated. They are removed from the list and cannot be brought back.
You may only vote once every 24 hours, although you can vote for several days in a row. Your votes do not have to be identical each time.
The points of the remaining heroes must always add up to 200. Any more or less constitutes an INCORRECT post (Incorrect posts will just be left out by the next user)
After at least half of the characters have been eliminated (in this case: 10), you have the option to add two points to a character and subtract two points from a character. If a character has only one point left, you may only subtract one point from that character and add one point to another character. You may not subtract from more than more character in a single post. All other rules remain the same. Further point increases can be made later in the game at the discretion of the game leader. Please remember with multi-post posting that the number of points you take from one character must always equal the number of points you give to another character in that same post.
Here's the list:
Leonardo - 10
Donatello - 10
Raphael - 10
Michelangelo - 10
April O'Neil - 10
Casey Jones - 10
Splinter - 10
Krang - 10
Shredder - 10
Rocksteady - 10
Bebop - 10
Baxter Stockman - 10
Leatherhead - 10
Miyamoto Usagi - 10
Karai - 10
Tokka - 10
Rahzar - 10
Venus - 10
Rat King - 10


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Stop threatening, just quit UPA: Shiv Sena to Mamata
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray also asked Sharad Pawar and Mulayam Singh Yadav to withdraw support from UPA.
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has opposed the fuel hike. The party has also dared Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to pull out of the UPA, and not just make empty threats.
"Mamata Banerjee keeps threatening the UPA government. But now is the time for her to show what she can do," Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray said.
He also asked Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav to withdraw support from the UPA government.
"Till when we will tolerate the heat of fuel price rise?" he asked.
Uddhav also exuded confidence that the Congress-led government will now be dethroned by the people.
(With additional information from PTI)


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Getting Started: Introduction to The Graduates/Los Graduados and Youth Action
From The Graduates: Youth Action Guide collection, lesson plan 1 of 7
Objectives: Participants will reflect on their experiences with education and evaluate the opportunities available to them for support and success.
- Discuss the overall issue of graduation rates of Latino youth and some of the possible issues involved
- Frame the themes that appear in the film and subsequent session activities
- Look at a toolbox of strategies youth organizers can access for organizing campaigns for social change
Principal Writer: David Maduli is an independent educational consultant who has contributed many curriculum guides and conducted various workshops for PBS and ITVS programs. He has a master's in teaching and curriculum from Harvard Graduate School of Education and has extensive experience as a veteran Bay Area public school language arts and social studies teacher. He is currently at Mills College as a new teacher coach and Community Engagement Fellow in the Mills College creative writing program.
Time: 1-3 hours with full film screening
Opening Circle (20 minutes)
As participants enter, give them a color-coded (six colors) or numbered card (1-6) with the following statements written or printed on one side:
- "Every year, 1 in 5 Latino students will not graduate from high school on time."
- "In 2011, only 14 percent of Hispanic 16- to 24-year-olds were high school dropouts, half the level in 2000 (28 percent)." (Source)
On the reverse of the card write or print these three prompts:
- What do you think of these statistics?
- What do you think are contributing factors to both the high dropout rate and the increase in the number of Latino students who graduate and go on to college?
- What is one thing that could be done to keep improving these numbers?
Form a standing circle with everyone. Go around and ask each person to introduce themselves and share their response to the prompts.
After everyone has had a turn, ask for any additional responses sparked by what people in the circle have said.
Small Group Interviews (20 minutes)
Direct everyone to find participants in the circle with matching colored or numbered cards. This will be their group — have them sit together. They can choose roles such as facilitator, recorder, timekeeper, materials manager, and reporter to get everyone involved.
Within the small groups, have members take turns being the interviewee. The other group members will take turns asking the questions below along with follow-up questions to get deeper responses:
- How would you say you are doing in your school and your educational career? What things are helping you? What forces make it challenging?
- How would you say Latinos are doing at your school and in your community? What groups, clubs, and organizations are there to support Latino students? Which adults — teachers, parents, coaches, mentors — are supportive of Latino teens?
- What are some of the larger social and economic factors behind why so many young Latinos still struggle to graduate and go on to college?
- Describe a time you were a positive influence to a peer.
- What can you do to address the high dropout rate?
- What can your larger community do?
After everyone in the group has had a chance to speak, direct groups to work together to make an outline, web, or chart on poster paper with:
- Quotes and phrases that stood out
- Challenges to Latino student success — people, policies, laws, conditions, etc.
- Supports — people, organizations, activities, policies
- Actions — what we can do as individuals and as a collective
- An illustration or graphic summing up the group's ideas (for example: an image of a bridge that leads to a high school diploma)
Large Group Share-Out (10 minutes)
Have each group present their posters.
As a large group, discuss similarities and differences across the presentations, things that were striking, and questions that came up.
The Graduates/Los Graduados Screening (the full film is 2 hours) or Community Cinema Discussion Guide Reading (20 minutes)
Since this initial Getting Started gathering is for youth leaders, you may want to incorporate a full screening of the film during this session or in conjunction with it, as the six individual segments are referenced in the modules that follow. Refer to the Community Cinema Discussion Guide for deeper context and other resources for hosting this screening and for debriefing after.
If time is limited, have participants read the Community Discussion Guide for a synopsis of the film and each of the stories of the youth profiled within. Participants can watch the film outside of this session on their own time, or you can schedule a separate screening.
Closing Circle (5 minutes)
Return to a standing circle with all participants. This time go around and have each person repeat one phrase or quote that someone else in the group said that stood out to them.
There are no extension activities.
Film module:http://cdn.itvs.org/graduates-trailer.jpggraduates-trailer-1024.mov
Series Trailer