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Home › Forums › Off Piste › Packrafting › Packrafting Question
Mar 22, 2014 at 12:06 pm #1314721
I've decided to spend this summer learning to packraft. A bit about my background I've done a lot of canoeing and have done mild whitewater in a canoe. I've also been on commercial rafting trips and one very tricky Class 3 kayak with friends (it was a bit outside my comfort zone). I'm not an expert by any means but I have a good idea what my limits are and what I can and cannot navigate in a boat.
I'm interested in being able to do trips in places like the Bob and Teton Wilderness and eventually Alaska. So I want to be able to do Class III in a couple years but this summer I'll probably stop at easy Class II, at least on wilderness trips. Class III is as far as I'll ever go, I'm going to be a hiker with a boat not a technical whitewater guy.
Couple Questions
1. First I need to pick a boat. I'm leaning toward a Yak. Based on Alpacka's recommendations I'm a bit on the tall side for an Alpacka (5ft 8in). The Scout is tempting but even on milder rivers I figure I'll appreciate bigger tubes.
2. I need to decide if I want a spray deck. From Roman Dials book it looks like I either have to choose between not swamping the boat and a quicker exit if I flip. Any thoughts? I definitely will not be doing Eskimo Rolls or installing thigh straps for the time being. For this summer I was thinking I might stick with an open boat for most of my paddling.
3. I'm interested in trip ideas. I'm going to the PR Roundup but was hoping to do some beginner friendly runs before that. I was thinking I'd try some of the easier stuff in the Jackson Hole area. I'll be visiting friends in New Mexico on the way up so I might try a trip there.
4. I also could use some REALLY safe trip ideas. I personally want to push my boundaries a bit but I might also rent an extra raft and take my 16 year old brother out just for the experience. For that I'd be looking at flatwater to Class I. He hasn't done much paddling. I was thinking of something like paddling along Jenny Lake and then hiking or something like that.
5. A lot of the big rivers in places like the Teton Wilderness are outside my comfort zone at higher water. Any idea what they would be like in late July early August?Mar 22, 2014 at 12:24 pm #2085230
Clayton MauritzenSpectator
@glacierramblerLocale: NW Montana
I'm interested to hear responses as I'm in a similar position. Though, I'm probably a year or two out from being able to save up for a raft.Mar 22, 2014 at 12:29 pm #2085231
Clayton you should rent and we could join forces in your backyard somewhere. If you survive you can write a killer article for BPL to cover the cost of your packraft rental, something like "How I almost won the Darwinian Award with an Idiot from Texas"Mar 22, 2014 at 3:54 pm #2085259
Clayton MauritzenSpectator
@glacierramblerLocale: NW Montana
Luke, I've thought about. Once I know more what summer's looking like, let's keep thinking.Mar 22, 2014 at 4:05 pm #2085261
Richard LyonBPL Member
@richardglyonLocale: Bridger Mountains
Please accept this free advice from a packrafting novice who began when he lived in Texas. These are numbered in accordance with your questions.
1. Go bigger rather than smaller, and don't get a Scout if your goal includes the West's big rivers. The Scout is more of a stillwater (lake) boat or river tender. Your extended legs are part of the boat's frame, and if you're going to be paddling all day you want to be reasonably comfortable, not scrunched up.
2. Get a spray deck if any river running is on your agenda. Keeping water out of the boat reduces the number of times you'll have to eddy out to dump the water.
3 and 4. Lakes are a good place to start, but if you select a mountain lake don't go too far from shore as high winds can make things daunting. Very true of Jenny Lake. An easy and very scenic trip is the Lewis Channel to Shoshone Lake in Yellowstone National Park. If you select this don't forget to register your raft and obtain the necessary camping permits. If you can backpack in with your raft, consider also the lakes on the Lake Plateau in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in Montana, another scenic wonder.
5.This summer the Northern Rockies will likely have high water into mid-August at least. Very high snowfall this winter.
One other suggestion – take one of BPL's packrafting courses. You'll learn a lot and have a great time.
RichardMar 22, 2014 at 4:35 pm #2085267
Thanks Richard I'll probably look for a Yak then. Good to know about snow levels up there. In New Mexico it was a bit low last I checked. Maybe I'll try to run a few things there on the way up.
Clayton definitely keep in touch, love to have some company.Mar 22, 2014 at 8:12 pm #2085304
Just looked at a map of the Beartooth Plateua. There are some very interesting looking routes up there. Normally I wouldn't bother putting a raft in a small mountain lake, too much effort for a very short paddle and I don't fish. However up in the Beartooths there are a lot of lakes linked by short sections of river. I don't know how much of these rivers are floatable but even if they aren't you could do a respectable trip just paddling the lakes and portaging the rivers.
Anybody done this? Looks like a fun idea to try.Mar 23, 2014 at 2:50 pm #2085464
Dan DurstonBPL Member
@dandydanLocale: Cascadia
Go for the Yak over the Alpacka. I'm 5'11" and the Yak is barely big enough. If I was buying again I'd put some thought into a Denali Ilama. A few extra ounces is well spent for a non-cramped boat.
In terms of the Yak vs. the CuriYak, I'd think of this mostly as spraydeck or not debate. I wouldn't go with a no spray deck Yak unless you just can't afford one and plan to add it later. If you're going no spraydeck, then the CuriYak is appealing as you're saving a lot of money and weight, but shoulder season trips on rivers, or any class III is pretty much out. A spraydeck equipped Yak is a lot more versatile boat, but the weight adds up too. On a lot of trips my Yak isn't justifiable for fishing because it's a lot of weight/bulk if I don't really need it.
My opinion is that a spraydeck equipped Yak is a great versatile boat that you can't really go wrong with if you plan to paddle actual rivers. If you end up deciding you just want a boat for fishing or lake crossings, then I'd probably get a Klymit Water Dinghy or a Ruta Locura raft over a heavier and more expensive Scout/CuriYak.Mar 26, 2014 at 10:48 am #2086342
I'd say a Yak with a cruiser deck is the obvious choice. You could get away with an Alpaka and save some weight, but the added comfort and stability of a bigger boat is nice, and will be better for carrying a bike or really big pack if you ever decide to do so.
A trip in the Bob on the South Fork would be perfect for you, either before or after the roundup. I can't comment on the Tetons.Mar 28, 2014 at 5:06 pm #2087185
Thanks David, I've wanted to get into the Bob for a while anyway so that sounds like a good way to do it.
I'm thinking pretty seriously of a lake paddling trip in the Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness as a practice run. If I hike up to Canyon Lake I could do a two or three day trip just following the lakes downstream and hiking along the creeks (probably not floatable for me). I figure I need to practice anyway I might as well do it in a scenic place. As a bonus I'll get practice packing in a raft etc. before I deal with a real river.Mar 30, 2014 at 8:31 am #2087671
I've had my eye on a Beartooth lake packrafting trip ever since Ryan blogged about it. It would be very fun.Apr 9, 2014 at 9:15 pm #2091392
Thanks for the help ya'll I now have a Yak. Now I need some other gear.
First I need a paddle. I need to be cheap for now, no $250 paddles no matter how awesome they are. I'm looking at the Aquabound paddles mostly. The aluminium shaft paddles are a bit heavier but cheaper. Is there a reason to use fiberglass other then weight? I know fiberglass is stiffer but I wonder about bashing it on a rock and cracking it. Any thoughts? And any other paddles I should consider?
Second I need a PFD. I'm not going to compromise here, I want to float and ideally I want something that will help me float on my back. I did a swim in a rapid with a very inadequate life jacket once and it was NOT fun. I'm also looking for relatively cheap, light and not too bulky. I might try using it as insulation as well so if anyone has tried that I'd be interested to see how it worked.Apr 9, 2014 at 9:29 pm #2091395
Brendan SwihartBPL Member
@brendansLocale: Fruita CO
Hey Luke,
My wife and I have Aquabound Manta Ray Hybrids (glass blades/carbon shaft) that are a pretty good compromise. Weigh about 32 oz each and were $125 shipped from Appomattix River Company. They don't have them on their site but just email them and they can custom order them. Really outstanding customer service.
For a real PFD I have a MTI Journey. Under a pound and cheap are the pros. Cons are the foam is pretty hard so you can't really use it as a pillow/part of sleep system (though under feet is fine) and bulky (though not any more so than other noninflatables).Apr 9, 2014 at 9:38 pm #2091396
Thanks, I'll check those out.Apr 10, 2014 at 4:57 am #2091441
John S.BPL Member
MTI Livery Sport and Aqua Bound Manta Ray (carbon shaft/fiberglass blade) are what I have. I don't mind using my pfd as a pillow.Apr 10, 2014 at 6:19 am #2091459
What Brendan said. Aluminum shafts conduct cold.
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Boss/map ideas for Trial of the Gods[ Edited ]
I've seen some ppl mention ideas on other threads which included existing MP maps:
- Oracle chamber map, boss - Castor and Pollux
- Daedalus labyrinth map, boss - giant crystal scorpian (similar to the one you fight in GoW3)
- Bog of Forgotten map, boss - Stheno
Another possibility could be a map set in the Realm of Death; for the boss battle Thanatos could unchain Deimos and you end up fighting him. When you beat him, for the cutscene it could look like you're moving in for the kill but instead some winged demons would fly in, grab Deimos and drag him away screaming while in the background you hear Thanatos laugh and say "How disappointing Spartan."
Any other ideas?
Apologies if someone already started a thread like this; I couldn't find one so decided to make one.
Re: Boss/map ideas for Trial of the Gods[ Edited ]
Re: Boss/map ideas for Trial of the Gods[ Edited ]
Had another idea for a map/boss:
How about a Sparta city map which is under attack by monsters. You actually run through different parts of the city fighting these monsters as you go along. However as you fight, the city continues to be damaged enough so that the Spartan king starts sending in his soldiers to fight you as well (since you're part of the problem too).
In the final round, you actually fight a large phalanx of soliders with the Spartan king looking on. Once you've beaten all the soldiers, you and your teammate move in toward the Spartan king but then a spear lands in front of you as you leap back out of the way. You see a warrior walk up and grab the spear; it happens to be General Kratos of the Spartan Army, before he became the servant of Ares. He's the boss and his weapons could be a shield and spear with moves possibly similar to the Arms of Sparta from the game GoW Ghost of Sparta.
Once you beat him, for the cutscene you actually get to kill him but then the body vanishes, as you then hear a woman's laugh and look up. The laugh is coming from the Spartan king, who actually changes form to Tisiphone! The surrounding city also changes and you see that you're actually back in the Hecatonchires prison with the other Furies Megaera and Alecto looking on as well, smiling at the performance you have just put on for them while Tisiphone continues to laugh... don't you feel like a chump lol.
I know this is probably too much to ask for, but I thought it would be a neat concept.
Re: Boss/map ideas for Trial of the Gods
lol I like the spartan city idea, but yeah I think it is alittle too much.
I would love it if they made a map of rhodes and you fight the colossus. An the objective is to pull out the blade of olympus to kill the colossus.
Re: Boss/map ideas for Trial of the Gods[ Edited ]
Had another idea for a map/boss:
How about a Rome Colosseum map with an actual crowd of ppl in the stands that react to how you do (for example you could hear a cheer when you execute a brutal kill; or maybe a gasp when either you or your partner gets stunned). Perhaps some hazards could be setup in the arena as well (ex. flaming coals that light you on fire and stun you if you touch them).
There would be 4 gated doorways on the walls of the arena which come into play when you reach the final round (for the other rounds you basically fight the monsters that spawn). In the final round however, you face the boss right away... one of the gated doorways opens up and you fight a gladiator who is aligned to a specific god and fights using their style:
gated door 1 - Ares gladiator (emphasis on physical attacks)
gated door 2 - Zeus gladiator (emphasis on magic attacks)
gated door 3 - Poseidon gladiator (emphasis on physical defense)
gated door 4 - Hades gladiator (emphasis on stealth)
When you beat one gladiator, another gated door opens up and you fight another gladiator representing a different allegiance. The boss of this map will be all 4 gladiators each representing one of the 4 gods, which you fight one after the other!
What makes this battle unique is that the order in which the gated doorways open up will be random. For instance, in one match you could fight the Ares gladiator, then the Poseidon gladiator, then the Zeus gladiator, then lastly the Hades gladiator... but in another match the order could be completely different. The battles will be challenging but not overtly difficult, plus you'll get a decent time bonus after beating each gladiator ( maybe 45 sec-1 min?).
If you beat all 4 gladiators, then for the cutscene you'll see you and your teammate raising your hands/weapons in triumph before the roar of the crowd, as they throw roses onto the stadium floor... if you lose then perhaps you and your teammate will will just stare at the ground sulking while the crowd boos you and throws garbage (ex. rotting food) onto the stadium floor... either way you'll get to enjoy a cutscene lol
Again, not sure how practical this would be, but I think it could be an interesting concept.

subset: commoncrawl


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Jason Vecchio
UTSA baseball player selected by Cincinnati Reds
(June 7, 2005)--Jason Vecchio found out Tuesday afternoon that a mid-90s mph fastball just might be the ticket to a career in professional baseball. Vecchio, a junior right-hander on The University of Texas at San Antonio baseball team, was selected in the 16th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball first-year player draft by the Cincinnati Reds organization.
"It was a little surprising to be picked in the 16th round. I got called in the seventh and eighth rounds, but it wasn't until the 16th when I was picked. I am still excited though, and I like the Reds a lot," he said. "I didn't really care which team picked me."
Today's headlines
- La Prensa Foundation is newest member of UTSA Lone Star Society
- UTSA alumna Jordan Kaufmann wins $50K for new stent-graft start-up
- UTSA begins new way-finding sign installation this summer at Main Campus
- USA Today: UTSA long jumper Tyler Williamson rescues three-year-old boy
Article tools
Vecchio, a product of Pearland (Texas) High School, becomes the 12th Roadrunner player since 1994 to be drafted, with several other Roadrunners also in the professional ranks via free agent deals. With another day left in the draft tomorrow, UTSA head coach Sherman Corbett was happy to see interest in the Roadrunner program, which just recently competed in its first NCAA Regional since 1994, and looks for a few players names to pop up tomorrow.
"We are all definitely excited for Jason, and we'll see now what he decides to do. I think he was hoping maybe he would be drafted somewhere in the first 10 rounds or so," said Corbett. "It's nice to see that there is some interest in our players and our program, and hopefully we'll see a few more players drafted tomorrow."
Vecchio was the 12th pick of the 16th round and the 482nd overall pick as action in the draft concluded after the 18th round today. He becomes the fifth Roadrunner player selected by the Reds in the draft since 2000 and the seventh UTSA player to be drafted or signed by the Queen City team since 1994 when Paul Runyon signed as a free agent.
On the year, Vecchio produced a 2-4 record with a 6.14 ERA along with 29 punch-outs in 32.1 innings of work. He also tallied a team-high seven saves and now ranks third in career saves at UTSA.
Vecchio began the season as a starter, making three mound appearances in the first month as a starter, but he quickly found a role as the Roadrunners' closer. Entering his third year after spending the first two as a spot reliever, Vecchio recorded his first career save in March as the Roadrunners knocked off Oral Roberts in the Alamo City Irish Baseball Classic at Wolff Stadium.
He began the year with an 0-3 record but picked up his first win in a 11-10 comeback win at Texas State on March 25. He also picked up saves in conference wins over Louisiana-Monroe, Texas State, Sam Houston State and Nicholls State. In helping UTSA claim its first Southland Conference Tournament title since 1994, he recorded saves against Texas State and Lamar on consecutive days.


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[quote user="giantyankee1976"]Cruz and Nicks must be locked up.
Osi, Tuck, JPP - same.
Off-Season, whether by Free Agency or Draft:
0h-Tackle, Running Back, Tight End, OLB, Guard
Eli and his health, priority one
Pass Rush, priority two
Tuck/JPP still are under contract, give Osi an incentive bonus to keep him another year, but beyond that is a waste of money, move Kiwi between DE/LB
Goff most likely is the odd man out in LBrs. Chase will come back, Jones, Williams, Herzlich, Paysinger, Deossie, Boley... solid group.
Tackle a must... TE I really like Bear and Ballard but who knows with Ballards health. I really like the kid out of Pitt (FB). Use him in the passing game more.
I see Grant not staying as well. Manningham will want big money and he's not worth it. Great catch, but all season long he missed those when they were needed.


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This painting of Mount Diablo from Tao House, by Stephen Sanfilippo, is on display in the "Artists of the Valley" exhibit in February at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. The rotating exhibits during the next few months will cover every aspect of art in the Valley.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 5:15 PM


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Chinese Holiday Tourism Rises 21%-Bank of America ML
A lot of strategists and analysts are looking closely at data out of China's Golden Week holiday to take a pulse on sentiment and get a better picture on the economy.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch strategist Ting Lu writes that the number of tourists to the country's 119 tourist attractions rose 21% from last year's Golden Week. Sales from these tourists rose 25% —versus just 9% in 2011.
Lu's take: The strong Golden Week tourism data suggests China's GDP data might be more real than what's perceived by bears who are focused on power usage and industrial production . The data also illustrates a shift of consumption toward leisure.
So far the gloom over China hasn't lifted, with forecasts still coming down –like today from the World Bank. The SPDR S&P China ETF (GXC) is down 1.4% at $65.59.


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The September 11th attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean tsunami have demonstrated the need for effective planning and coordinated emergency responses to large scale disasters. These events also showed that disasters have no boundaries and can have an impact over an entire region.
This is true not only of global or national disasters, but also local emergencies as well. In Indiana, natural disasters like tornadoes, floods and winter storms can impact dozens of counties in a single event. For example, during the severe weather and flooding of June 2008, over half the counties in the State of Indiana were affected. The response to this large-scale incident required a massive mutual aid response and the activation of state and federal resources.
In the event of a disaster that affects multiple counties and jurisdictions, coordinating an effective emergency response will be both critically important and incredibly difficult. It will be necessary for multiple agencies, departments and governmental entities to put forth a coordinated effort to save lives and meet the immediate needs of their communities. To assist local emergency responders and government officials, as well as improve overall coordination, the State of Indiana has developed the District Planning Council (DPC) and District Task Force (DTF) Programs.
Collaboration is the key element in Indiana's Strategy for Homeland Security. To encourage regional cooperation and teamwork, Indiana has been divided into ten Homeland Security Districts. The District Planning Council and District Task Force programs were developed to assist each of Indiana's ten Homeland Security Districts in planning, organizing and managing critical emergency response activities on a regional basis. These programs bring together multiple jurisdictions, disciplines and agencies into a formal organizational structure to focus on common strategic goals and objectives.


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UPDATED: Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty — whose 2010-11 season was ended when he suffered a cracked vertebrae and concussion when the Bruins Zdeno Chara slammed him into the glass support at the Bell Centre in a March, 2011 game — won the NHL's Bill Masterton Award on Wednesday.
The NHL Awards were presented tonight and Pacioretty was one of the three top vote-getters, what the NHL calls "finalists," for the Bill Masterton Award.
That award, named for the late Minnesota North Stars player whose story appears below, is presented to honor the NHL player who best exhibits the qualities of dedication and perseverance. The other two top vote-getters are Daniel Alfredsson of the Senators and Joffery Lupul of the Maple Leafs.
When the NHL announces that three players are "finalists" for an award, that doesn't mean that a second round of voting then takes place to determine which of the trio gets the prize. There's one round of voting, the top three vote-getters are named "finalists" but in reality, the guy who came in first is already the winner while the runner-up and third place finisher get the "finalist" designation as a little window dressing, providing some viewer suspense to the proceedings.
Each of these three overcame significant injury to have excellent seasons in 2011-12, leading the Habs in scoring.
Alfiredsson had back surgery last offseason and his return to the NHL was uncertain. The Sens captain (Daniel F., as Mike Boone calls him) He did come back, of course, and had a strong season as the Sens improved by 18 points and made the playoffs.
Lupul also had back problems and a blood disorder to overcome and he had a breakout year going for the Leafs until he separated his shoulder and missed the final 16 games of the season.
Here's video of Pacioretty and his wife Katia prior to the awards show.
On NHL.com, Shawn O'Roarke had this story on how Pacioretty made the misfortune of the hit and his injury work in his favor. "I definitely take a lot of positives out of my situation and my injury," he said. "I had to grow up a lot and I matured a lot. I kind of use it as motivation not to prove the people that doubted me wrong, but prove that you can overcome an injury like that and become a better player. I think I did that, but I know I have a lot of work to do down the road."
He added some remarks on the Canadiens new coach, Michel Therrien and the club's outlook going forward.
"I haven't heard much, but what I have heard is he is pretty demanding of all of his players and I think that is really important for our team, because, like I said, I think we were really set off course last year and didn't really have a sense of direction," Pacioretty said. "If he is demanding of that, I think that is exactly the route we need to go.
"It's nice to know we have a sense of direction now. Everyone is on the same page. With all the hirings and firings over the past season, it was a bit of a distraction and kind of set guys off course and made them question how they should play the game. Now that we have a sense of direction, everyone will know their role and what makes the team successful."
Most don't know much about Bill Masterton, fewer know that he began his pro career with the Canadiens organization. Here's his story as told a few years ago by James Duthie on TSN.
Pacioretty is certainly deserving, but really no more deserving than those who didn't win. And that isn't merely the other two "finalists," but the additional 27 who were nominated from the rest of the league, one from each team.
All 30 deserve recognition for what they've combatted and overcome to stay in the game's top league, despite the adversity and odds they've encountered.
On another subject, if you haven't read Ken Dryden's piece in The Globe and Mail about Red Fisher, you should. Here it is.
Below: Habs' Max Pacioretty in portrait taken pre-awards by Harry How of Getty Images:


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Here's a simple saute that is well suited for a special meal and versatile enough for your everyday repertoire.
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes Appropriate
Gluten Free Diet
Healthy Weight
Heart Healthy
High Fiber
Low Calorie
Low Carb
Low Cholesterol
Low Sat Fat
Low Sodium
Serves 4
Prep Time 20 min
Total Time 20 min.
Step 1
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add green beans and cook, stirring often, until seared in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Add water, cover, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes for tender-crisp or 6 minutes for tender. Push the beans to the side; add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, stir everything together and cook until the tomatoes begin to break down, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vinegar, salt and pepper.
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This workout provides a challenging total-body workout that can be done from the comfort of home with no equipment other than bodyweight and space.


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Spiriva Respimat Gets Asthma Indication In US »
"The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the long-acting muscarinic antagonist tiotropium bromide (Spiriva Respimat, Boehringer Ingelheim) for long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in people aged 12 years and older, accor"...
Read the Spiriva Respimat Gets Asthma Indication In US article »
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A few morning links while the B's are idleSaturday, April 25th, 2009
Here's a few links on a Saturday morning while the Bruins wait to see who they'll be lacing 'em up against in the Stanley Cup semi-finals.
–Great little piece from blogger Cornelius Hardenbergh and the Hockey Blog Adventure that follows up on the "Stay Hungry" hats and apparel that Bruins center Marc Savard and others B's players have been wearing around the locker room since the playoffs began. Apparently it stems from a boxing robe that Marco Sturm had made for Shawn Thornton back in January, and Claude Julien approached the German about contacting his friends at Ironhead — a German athletic apparel company — for something playoff-related that the team could wear along the way
That's where the "Stay Hungry" hats with the Flintstones-style steak came into play. You're starting to see more and more of the players donning them during postgame. There were plenty of B's skaters skaters wearing them after the close-out game at the Bell Centre on Wednesday night.
–Big Georges Laraque has his blog up and officially live now that the Habs have suffered their final crash-and-burn of the season. Laraque reveals that he's been playing with two herniated discs in his back throughout the season, and chalks up injuries as the reason that the Habs plummeted so precipitously in the playoffs. Here's an excerpt from it:
We were set to play our first round of the playoffs against the Bruins. At that time, my back felt better and I was as close to 100 per cent as I ever was this year, so it was good timing. I played my best hockey in the playoffs, and I must say, everyone played hard and I'm proud of everybody's effort against the best team in the conference. It is unfortunate we were swept, especially at home.
We gave everything we had, the only things is, I don't really like blaming the loss on injuries, but playing the best team in the East without our top two forwards, Tanguay and Lang, our top two defensemen, Markov and Schneider, we didn't stand much of a chance against a healthy Bruins team. It's like taking Chara, Wideman, Savard and Krejci away from the Bruins and see what you get. But despite that, we always believe in ourselves and give our best effort. I don't regret anything this year, I'm proud to be a Montreal Canadien and it's not because I went through a tough time that I would feel otherwise.
If there's only one thing I was ashamed of, it would be the reaction of some of the fans at our last game against Boston. Some were booing Carey Price and some were chanting Carbo, or Guy to mock our coach Gainey. This was unacceptable when you are a true fan and bleed Montreal Canadiens. You don't want that, you support your team in victory or defeat and our entire team was embarrassed by this behavior.
—Here's your Bruins moment of zen. My personal favorite is the Bear busting into "The Robot" at the very end because it reminds of the random guy from the Dave Chappelle Show that used to be constantly be in the back of every scene doing "The Robot" whenever they could fit him in there. These highly popular Bruins TV commercials show, once again, that the new people in charge of marketing, hockey operations and sales for the B's really "get it" to a much greater degree than they did even five years ago.


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Quintessential Greek flavors—feta, lemon and dill—combine perfectly in this hearty salad. To complete the Mediterranean mood, try pairing it with a Greek Retsina or a Portuguese Vinho Verde.
Nutrition Profile:
Heart Healthy
High Fiber
High Potassium
Low Cholesterol
Low Sat Fat
Serves 2
Prep Time 30 min
Total Time 30 min.
Step 1
Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Cook orzo until just tender, about 9 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Press to remove excess water. Transfer to a medium bowl and toss with oil.
Step 2
Mash garlic and salt into a paste with the back of a spoon in a medium bowl. Whisk in lemon juice and pepper. Add the cooked orzo, artichokes, chickpeas, feta, dill and mint; toss gently to combine. Add tomatoes and toss again.
Step 3
Divide spinach between 2 plates and top with the salad.
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This workout provides a challenging total-body workout that can be done from the comfort of home with no equipment other than bodyweight and space.


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…which is cool because YOU picked her but she also just pointed out — rather magnanimously that she has been working for "Can You believe it" said she, "a Decade". Only her tone suggests she's had the longevity of say, Alec Guinness or Jack Palance. Maybe I missed a few too many of her films but em, a decade? What's that about?
Leave a Comment
Merlin Bybel says:
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Disgusted says:
Kate is a drunk.
Pip says:
Drunk was my first thought. Hmm, what IS up with that?
Quin says:
I thought she was drunk too.
WhatsUpWithThat says:
Ok.. after seeing her talk again backstage, she is drunk.
hope says:
Hey i love katie perry's new song "hot n cold" .My sisters and i are always singing it. KATIE I LOVE U!
Wes says:
Her first film as "Desert Blue" 1998, that's a decade ago!
WhatsUpWithThat says:
Is it just me or did she seem drunk? I never seen her that scatterbrained and silly… Let's hope it was booze.
biggz says:
kate is smokin! enough said
Janice says:
Kate has such a clear beautiful spirit full of love and happiness. I'm sure she makes her parents proud.
tracyNY says:
OMG, Kate is a spitting image of her mom…its amazing both are so talented and so sweet.
Linda says:
Awesome job Kate,,, you deserve it,,,
Maclogo says:
Goldie did good.


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Robert Wilson's ZINNIAS - THE LIFE OF CLEMENTINE HUNTER to Get World Premiere, 1/26
The World Premiere of Robert Wilson's New Opera, ZINNIAS - THE LIFE OF CLEMENTINE HUNTER, will perform January 26 - February 3, 2013. It is only when the curtain goes up that the truth is told.
With a working process as intuitive, unique, meticulous, and enigmatic as the resulting shows, it is a blind gamble to predict much about any Robert Wilson production, except its riveting genius. Aside from music steeped in Southern blues, traditional hymns and chants and zydeco, with less than three weeks out on the world premiere of Wilson's "Zinnias - The Life of Clementine Hunter" at Peak Performances, January 26-February 3, only the facts of the show can be revealed with certainty.
1) Clementine Hunter (1887-1988) was a self-taught African-American visual artist whose work Wilson was first introduced to on a family trip from Waco, TX to Louisiana where Hunter lived and workeD. Wilson was 14 at the time. Hunter, who was born on Hidden Hill cotton plantation near Cloutierville, LA, did not begin painting until she was in her mid-fifties. Her work, full of vibrant color, chronicled the side of plantation life that was "over the fence and across the road."
(See attached biography).
2) An opera in one act, the show's concept, direction, set and light are by Robert Wilson; the music and lyrics are by Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon. Jacqueline Woodson is responsible for the story and book. The costumes are designed by Carlos Soto; Scott Bolman is the assistant light designer; Jakob Oredsson is the assistant set designer; Lynsey Peisinger is the assistant director.
3) The performers are Cornelius Bethea, Nat Chandler, Carla Duren, Francesca Harper, Karma Mayet Johnson, Jennifer Nikki Kidwell, Josette Newsam-Marchak, Robert Osborne, Charles E. Wallace and Darynn Zimmer with Sheryl Sutton. The musicians are Robert Burke, Fred Cash, Juliette Jones, Jason Walker and Adam Widoff.
4) "Zinnias - The Life of Clementine Hunter" is produced by Peak Performances at Montclair State University.
5) The performance is one hour and a half with no intermission.
The Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University is located at 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey 07043. Tickets are $15, and are available at the box office, www.peakperfs.org, or by calling 973-655-5112.
Charter bus service is provided from New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal - arcade on 41st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues - to the Alexander Kasser Theater ($10 per person, roundtrip) for all Saturday and Sunday performances. Bus reservations may be made by calling 973-655- 5112 or by visiting www.peakperfs.org. For train service, available only on weekdays, go online to www.njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.
For restaurants close to the Alexander Kasser Theater, visit www.destinationmontclair.com.
CLEMENTINE HUNTER is one of the most important self-taught American artists of the 20th century. She produced thousands of paintings drawn from her experiences working and living on a southern cotton plantation during the last century. Her works hang in the Smithsonian Institution, the American Folk Art Museum, the African-American Museum in Dallas, the Ogden Museum in New Orleans, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and numerous other museums and private collections. Hunter's art will play a major role in the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, scheduled to open on the Mall in Washington, D.C. in 2015.
Hunter was born Clémence Rubin in 1887 on Hidden Hill cotton plantation near Cloutierville, Louisiana. Her parents were sharecroppers in the fertile region that took its name from the oxbow lake known as Cane River. When Hunter was a teenager, her father gave up sharecropping to take a job that paid wages and moved his family to Melrose Plantation, one of the largest and most successful farms in the region. Hunter continued to live on or near Melrose for the rest of her life.
At Melrose, Hunter toiled in the cotton fields and pecan groves for most of her youth and then worked as a domestic servant in the plantation's "Big House" when she approached middle age. Between 1917 and 1948, the plantation was owned and operated by Carmelite "Cammie" Garret Henry. Strongly influenced by the Arts-and-Crafts Movement of the early 20th century, Henry developed Melrose into a haven for artists and writers, who were invited to live in the outbuildings and work for extended periods on the plantation grounds.
Sometime in the late 1930s, after age 50, Hunter began painting with the leftover brushes and oils discarded by New Orleans artist Alberta Kinsey, a frequent Melrose visitor. Without formal training, Hunter began painting her memories. In time, her colorful works illuminated the side of plantation life that was "over the fence and across the road." Her paintings are recognized as visual narratives, telling the story of the African-American and Creole people who lived and worked on and around the plantation until their labor was replaced by mechanization after World War II. Hunter continued to paint until a few days before her death on January 1, 1988, at the age of 101.
Robert Wilson was described by the New York Times as "a towering figure in the world of experimental theater." Wilson, born in 1941 in Waco Texas, is among the world's foremost theater and visual artists. His works for the stage unconventionally integrate a wide variety of artistic media, including dance, movement, lighting, sculpture, music and text. His images are aesthetically striking and emotionally charged, and his productions have earned the acclaim of audiences and critics worldwide.
Wilson's awards and honors include two Guggenheim Fellowship awards ('71 and '80), the nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama ('86), the Golden Lion for sculpture from the Venice Biennale ('93), the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize for lifetime achievement ('96), the Premio Europa award from Taormina Arte ('97), election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters ('00), and Commandeur des arts et des lettres ('02), among others.
Together with composer Philip Glass, he created the seminal opera "Einstein on the Beach." With productions such as "Deafman Glance," "KA MOUNTAIN and GUARDenia TERRACE," "Life and Times of Sigmund Freud," "CIVIL warS," "Death, Destruction & Detroit" or "A Letter for Queen Victoria," he redefined and expanded theater. Wilson's collaborators include diverse writers and musicians such as Susan Sontag, Lou Reed, Heiner Müller, Jessye Norman, David Byrne, Tom Waits and Rufus Wainwright. Wilson has also left his imprint on masterworks such as "The Magic Flute," Wagner's Ring Cycle, "Madama Butterfly," "Dreamplay," "Peer Gynt," "Threepenny Opera," "Shakespeare's Sonnets" and "Krapp's Last Tape."


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July 21, 1969
New York, NY US
Central Park (Wollman Rink Theater) / Schaefer Music Festival
1st set includes: Train Kept a Rollin', I Can't Quit You Baby, Dazed and Confused, You Shook Me, White Summer / Black Mountainside, How Many More Times (medley incl. For What It's Worth (lyrics), "Lemon Song"), Communication Breakdown.
Led Zeppelin perform two shows this night (7pm & 9:30pm), which include B.B. King as support act. (Rain date scheduled for July 22)
Press Review: Led Zeppelin / B.B. King
WOLLMAN RINK, N.Y. - The New York pop scene became a roman candle Monday night, July 21 , when The Schaefer Music Festival highlighted its season with an outstanding double-bill featuring Led Zeppelin and B. B. King.
King, a veteran bluesman only recently coming into his own, demonstrated the earthy and powerful sensitivity that invariably makes one bow in acknowledgement of a master's touch. His husky, expressive voice and sweet, sweet guitar were the perfect vehicles for the rich, human understanding that the blues is really all about - something that B. B. King knows all about; he is a truly great man in a great tradition.
Led Zeppelin practically brought the house down; no kidding. By the end of a four-encore musical colossus the beam and erector-set framework of the temporary stage (and adjoining walls) were creaking under the strain as performers and audience alike were swept into a rock 'n' roll bacchanalia that would have made the most cynical critic wilt.
The accomplishment and spontaneity of John Paul Jones on bass and John Bonham on drums could have only been enhanced by a phenomenon like Jimmy Page. The apparently unimprovable gifts of the youthful virtuoso have, if possible, expanded since , we saw him last. The subtlety and lyrical inventiveness for which Page has always been recognized seem to have gained a hitherto dormant passion equal to that of any flamenco gypsy, as he whipped through "I Can't Quit You Babe," "Dazed and Confused," and the incredible "White Summer".
Outstanding candidate for superstardom is the group's luminary vocalist, Robert Plant. His soaring, spellbinding voice revealed an extraordinary physical and emotional range as he wove Zeppelin's demanding musical atmosphere with apparent ease, This , combined with his wantonly awesome stage presence, drama of movement, and searing improvisation all testify that Robert Plant may very well be the artist who can embody all nine muses at once. [Cash Box / Aug. 1969]
Submit your personal review of a particular show you attended, updates, corrections, etc., which will be considered for addition to the official online archive.
You may also contact the webmaster at: firstname.lastname@example.com
Submit your personal review of a particular show you attended, updates, corrections, etc., which will be considered for addition to the official online archive.You may also contact the webmaster at: firstname.lastname@example.com
Was there also, had never heard anything like it
We did not have tickets to the concert but were trying to climb trees to get a view. Even outside, however, could hear loud and clear, and what a show! I am a contributing writer for Forbes.com and mention the 1969 Central Park concert in this story:


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June 29th, 2009
Toronto Star: Imagine a dairy cow so small that you cannot see it.
June 29th, 2009
Forbes: They look almost as simple as BreatheRight strips.
June 27th, 2009
Newsweek: It's June 2018. Sally picks up a handheld device and holds it to her finger.
June 23rd, 2009
Ecommerce Times: PBworks, formerly PBwiki, is expanding both its functionality and its target markets -- moves that are possible, even in a down economy, because of the flexibility of the cloud computing model.
June 22nd, 2009
Alternative Energy Stocks: There's much excitement about second generation biofuels made from cellulosic feedstocks and algae, be they cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, biocrude, or electricity from biomass.
June 15th, 2009
BioFuels Digest: Executives at Coskata, ZeaChem, Genomatica, and Genencor briefed a group of reporters yesterday on the increasing opportunities for renewable or "green" chemicals as an adjunct to the production of green fuels.
June 15th, 2009
Green Tech Media: When nano-scale particles in concrete rearrange themselves, the life of a building can be shortened.
June 12th, 2009
Cleantech Group: Next-generation fuel technologies using biotech are finally coming of age, say leading executives in the field.
June 11th, 2009
Fast Company Magazine: In news that should surprise no one, Pew Charitable Trusts released a report yesterday showing that the burgeoning clean energy economy is generating significant job growth.
June 9th, 2009
New Energy World Network: Erik Straser discusses how US cleantech compares to the rest of the world, what effect the recent stimulus packages have had on the industry, and the appeal of proprietary technology.


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the era of Phish that began with the conclusion of their hiatus (10/00 - 12/02) and ended at Coventry (8/04).
Post-hiatus was nothing but misguided jam after misguided jam. The lyrics and composed parts were haggard at best. A phucking phlub phest pho sho.
by Col. Forbin November 23, 2005


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By Rob Kelly
Kieran Gibbs believes Arsenal's successful use of the pressing game is behind their recent resurgence in the Premier League.
The Gunners have won their past five league matches and now lie just one point behind third-placed Tottenham with 10 games left this season.
Gibbs says the way the team are approaching their defensive duties in each match is making life difficult for their opponents.
"There are a lot of players putting a lot of effort in, especially off the ball, and that is great to see," he told Arsenal Player.
"When we put pressure on teams high up the pitch and early on in the game, it is difficult for them to play and we can control the game a lot easier.
"We are enjoying doing that at the minute and we have to enjoy defending as well. It's alright just having the ball, we know what we can do to create chances and score goals. That [the defensive side] is the big improvement we have made over the last few weeks."
Gibbs says the last-gasp victory over Newcastle last week encapsulates the team's never-say-die mentality at present.
"In previous seasons you wouldn't have thought we would have the strength to come back but now we don't really think about the score, we just keep playing," he said.
"It helps when you have the best striker in the world at the moment in your team. The team is showing great character at the minute and we need to keep that going."
Watch the full interview with Kieran on Arsenal Player.


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Canned tomatoes and frozen chopped onions and lima beans make this hearty side dish a cinch. If you like, make it more substantial with the addition of crumbled feta cheese or chopped Greek olives.
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes Appropriate
Gluten Free Diet
Healthy Weight
Heart Healthy
High Fiber
High Potassium
Low Calorie
Low Cholesterol
Low Sat Fat
Low Sodium
Serves 4
Prep Time 25 min
Total Time 25 min.
Step 1
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Stir in oregano, cinnamon, crushed red pepper, tomatoes and lima beans. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are fully cooked and the mixture is heated through, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve hot.
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Flatten your stomach and build strength in the muscles that provide stability and mobility for the spine, pelvis, ribs and hips.
Focus on pulling, rotating and building strength with workouts created alongside Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes.
This workout provides a challenging total-body workout that can be done from the comfort of home with no equipment other than bodyweight and space.


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Relax, Take a Bath!
Warm, relaxing, inviting. A bath with LUSH is always something to look forward to, and is the perfect way to wind-down any time of day. Bathing has become a daily habit to many of us here at LUSH.
Our web manager begins every morning with a nice soak while he reads the paper. One of our writers escapes to the tub with a book mid-afternoon while her babies take their nap. And of course, all of us enjoy the put-your-feet up soak in a big mound of bubbles after a long day in LUSH Land. Whether it's a quick dip, or a long, drawn-out bath, lying in the tub always calms us down and gives us perspective. Bring a bit of peace into your everyday life and relax! Take a bath!
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will do.
NFL Championships : 1927 1934 1938 1956 Super Bowl Champions: XXI XXV XLII XLVI
Hi MJG how's things?
HI Bandy...
what's up Mr. Zim ?
what's happening Bansaw?
what up AG !!!!
Yo Allentown !!!
NFL Championships : 1927 1934 1938 1956 Super Bowl Champions: XXI XXV XLII XLVI
Yo mjg
Good to see you guys, and especially glad to know you're kicking and hopefully healthy, mjg.
Are you in safe haven?
A new year, and all question marks for what will be. I think we'll be pleasantly surprised.
I'm holding to 10-6.
GY... think your Yanks can surge these last 50 games?
I think next year every team will be .500, and a 30 team playoff format. Parity is surely in place throughout the league.
MJG update...not sure when the last time I posted was. Wife is working full time at the local University as the Associate Director for housing. Why is that important, because in May I told my company I'm done with Afghanistan rotations for a while (540 days is enough for any man). I started working on the last things I needed for the airlines and now I have resumes in with United, JetBlue, Delta, and Atlas Air. I'm flying part time with some local corporate stuff here, and on the 14th I finish my MBA.
MJG .... out...
So wh***up with you GY and Zim
man, just trying to survive around here LOL...pretty much this thread is dead. "Saw" Bandy on here some time ago, Ban is MIA, I don't know if AG is still a mod, Allentown is MIA, some guys/ gals got new usernames so it's kind of hard tracking who's who.
Some "familiar faces" still linger here.
What can I do? I am a Giants fan in chicago and this Board is sometimes my only connection, it and Big Blue Kickoff show. (thank you Lance, John, Anita and Pauly Dots)
As for the Yanks Mr. Zim, I am sad to see the last link to a great Era leave. I like Brett though and he will end up becoming my new favorite Yankee until Cashman trades him away, then I don't know. When I was a kid in the 80s I remember your Mets being the toast of the town.
So maybe for a while the New York clubs kind of drop down. All I know is big money spending and a depleted Farm system yield bupkis and I want to see a youthful re-invigoration complete with a solid pitching staff. But the Big City shine and allure of wearing those Pinstripes seem to have died down as well.
I, sadly, am beginning to feel old...
NFL Championships : 1927 1934 1938 1956 Super Bowl Champions: XXI XXV XLII XLVI
Two pages back? What? Anybody starting to be concerned about this team on the O side?
Still working, and will for a few more years... I'll be 68 next month... so, I know what you mean, GY.
I was a Dodger fan as a kid and when they moved, when I was 11, I stayed a fan until Koufax left, and then my full allegiance went to the Mets.
The, the Yanks don't have any 'names' left. Rivera gone and Jeter going. It will be interesting to see who you start to lean to. Is a Chicago or Milwaukee team possible?


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Historic Cozy Old Town Apartment
Massimo di ospiti2
Camere da letto1
Dimensioni50 m²
- Cucina
- Lavatrice
- Biancheria da bagno
Dettagli dell'alloggio
|Monti-sion, 07001 Palma de Mallorca, Spagna
|Tipologia di alloggio
|Camera privata
|Codice dell'annuncio
Inside the flat you will find one bedroom suitable for 2 persons, with a comfy double bed, wide wardrobes, a toilet, a fully equipped kitchen a living/dining room very bright and with a comfortable sofa, a tv and in one of the corners, a table where two people can enjoy their meals.
Nearly the flat there are shops of food or clothes, restaurants, bars, art galleries, bookshop.The town is very quiet and the narrow streets make the area an amazing and interesting site. You can arrive with public transport from the airport and you can walk to main historic buildings, situated very close the flat.
Palma de Mallorca comes as a surprise to many people - it is stylish, sophisticated, intimate, yet bursting with life. Located on the southern shores of Mallorca, the island's capital city looks out over the sparkling blue seas of the Mediterranean.
Regole dell'AbitazioneGuests can use everything in the house, but we ask for respect, responsibility and good use of all that is used. Please clean and collect everything you use.
It's not allowed to leave clothes and utensils out of the room. No parties or noise. No outsiders.
This is a quiet little neighborhood where tranquility prevails and it is important to respect the rest of the neighbors. Thanks for your understanding!
|Tariffa settimanale fino a 2 ospiti
|288 €
|Numero massimo di notti
|7 notti
|Check-in dopo le
|Su accordo
|Check-in prima delle
|Su accordo
|Check-out prima delle
|Su accordo
|Politica di Cancellazione
Le recensioni dell'alloggio
We found this apartment was really good. The host was friendly, we got delicious oranges and sehe waited to our comming what was at evening The apartment was clean and we felt good there.The apartment is just 5 min to the beach and it is near the City. You have good option to go to the City or shopping. It is shopping center near of this apartment where you can buy not only food like fruits and vegetables But also some gifts or typical Things of Mallorca there. Next to this shopping center are to Many shops and bars and restaurants. The selection is Big where You can go when You are in this Apartment. So wie were Lucky there.
Small cozy apartment in a central location m When you receive and unfortunately very recommending only a bit noisy but otherwise very nice.
The apartment is ideally located in the heart of the old town, just around the corner from great cafes (with free wifi) and all the beautiful sights Palma has to offer. It is very clean, spacious and has charming features, which made our stay even more enjoyable. The walls are not entirely soundproof, but that is what we expected from such lovely old buildings - the vicinity is quiet though and you hardly hear any noise at night. Xavi provided maps, information leaflets and a list with very useful recommendations for eating and going out. Xavi and Diana are great, uncomplicated hosts and we would definitely recommend this apartment.
The apartment is ideally located in the heart of the historic centre of Palma, very charming and clean. Xavi was very helpful, provided me with maps, gave great recommendations on where to eat and what to see. I would definitely stay again. Many thanks, Diana & Xavi!
Very nice welcome. A lot of information and in the middle of the town. We definately come back here.
Thank you so very much for a very special stay at your home, Xavi and Diana!
I can only recommend this appartment!
Here´s some info, for those of you considering a stay.
We met the host´s partner; a very friendly and talented young man.
He awaited us at the appartment with a smile and great tourist and restaurant tips.
The appartment is situated in the most beautiful residential old city area. It is even more beautiful than the pictures show.
We felt very safe in this part of the city. We travelled as a couple, but I would also recommend the appartment for a mother-daughter stay; even at night the atmosphere in the old streets was wonderful!
Bed linnens and towels were provided. Great! The bed has got an excellent visco mattrrass, but be advised that it is 190 cm. long.
The rooms were very spacious and very clean.
The view from the balcony into the tiny old street is amazing and the old building has got such incredible charme! The sun pays a visit to the little balcony, just in time for lunch, every day(12-13h).
If you want to find a good local breakfast among Palma residents, walk 5 mins. to Carrer de Palau Reial(opposite the Costa de la Seu stairs).
Walk down the stairs and straight on into Apuntadors for some great places to have lunch or dinner.
We attended mass at the Cathedral. It is closed for tourists during mass times.
Check the Cathedral´s website for current mass times. Sunday evening mass at 7pm is wonderful, with music and singing.
You can walk to most tourist sites in Palma from the appartment.
Just be sure to buy a good map in advance, featuring all the tiny streets in the old city; during our few days, we found many lost tourists, walking in circles, because their map didn´t show them the little streets.
To get to the appartment, take bus 1(Port bus) from the airport. It costs 3 Euros pp. Get off at Avenguda de Gabriel(watch the tickertape on the bus). Taxi´s also take you to the appartment, if you prefer.
The charm of the old building was exactly what we loved, but beware that it has no "modern perks" like air conditioning or soundproof walls.
We think it is just perfect!
So here is our 5 star recommendation and a big, big thank you!
Adios and until next time!
We had a really nice stay in Dianas Appartement. Her boyfriend was very friendly and gave us a lot of extremly useful tipps and recommendations. Thanks for that!! The appartement is really nice, in the heart of Palmas old town, we really love it and hope to stay here again on October :-)
Thanks for everything!! Iris and Peter
Wir waren zwar nur 2 Tage im März in diesem schönen Apartment in Palmas Altstadt, haben es aber sehr genossen. Die Lage ist perfekt: Unweit der Cathedrale La Seu, unweit vom schönen Platz mit der 1000-jährigen Olive mit seinen tollen Häusern , Cafe's und Eisdielen. Zum Strand sind es auch nur ca. 5 Min. , zur Einkaufsstrasse Sindicat sind es ebenfalls nur ein paar Min. Die Übergabe des Schlüssels hat unkompliziert über Dianas Freund geklappt. Er hat uns alles (und noch Tips) erklärt. Bei dieser Wohnung im 2.Stock hat man ein authentisches Mallorca-Altstadt-Gefühl. Wenig Touristen verirren sich in all diese kleinen Gassen, da es direkt dort keine Läden gibt , nur einzelne Cafés und Rest. Kann die Wohnung sehr empfehlen! Herzlichen Dank für Eure Gastfreundschaft, Diana und Xavi. Wir kommen gerne wieder!
Wir wurden vom Gastgeber Xavi sehr freundlich empfangen und mit vielen guten Tips zu Parkmöglichkeiten, Restaurants, Bars und Ausflugsmöglicheiten versorgt. Das Appartement ist großzügig und sauber und mit allem, was man so braucht, ausgestattet. Die Lage ist absolut genial, sehr zentral in der Altstadt gelegen. Wir haben unseren 3-tägigen Aufenthalt dort sehr genossen.
- Qualità degli alloggi garantita
- I proprietari sono contattati e verificati telefonicamente
- Un sistema di pagamento efficace e sicuro


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Trentemøller - Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider Go!!! (new video!)
Last week, I waxed poetic [read = oh my god I gushed about how much I love this song] about Trentemøller's new single, Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider Go!!! Now, we have the official video clip for said song, and let's just say, I've been and you're about to get transported to a live stage show that in highly enviable and amazingly awesome. Check it!
mp3: Trentemoller - ...Even Though Youre With Another Girl (Ghostface Fanatics Remix)


text:
Pulaski Tech will host "My Greek Experience" on Tuesday for students interested in learning more about Greek organizations and what they have to offer.
Representatives from several African-America Greek organizations will be in the Campus Center foyer beginning at 2 p.m. to share information and answer questions.
Participating sororities include Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha and
Zeta Phi Beta. Participating fraternities include Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma.
Some of the representatives may present step demonstrations from their respective fraternity or sororities.
The event is sponsored by the Pulaski Technical College's Cultural Diversity Committee.
Pulaski Technical College


text:
Do you get 3 chances to pass your comptia network+ exam?
So im sort of confused about it, I called the place I was going to make my appointment for and they gave me the number to call Prometric, then prometric said "I can't tell you without a voucher number". So now im confused. I need to take it monday I was going to take it today but thats not going to happen. I need a quick response so I can get this done quickly before seats fill up and I have to wait for Tuesday.
Also if I have to get a pay voucher does that mean im paying for the exam $230 -$250 plus the voucher?


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Student talent show auditions will take place Thursday, March 4, and Friday, March 5, for Pulaski Tech's first student talent competition, "PTC's Got Talent 2010."
Closed auditions will take place 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 4, and Friday, March 5, by appointment only on the main campus. Students with all types of talent and from all college disciplines are encouraged to participate. Each act has 5 minutes to set up and present their talent to the audition judges.
Students can also try out for the talent show by submitting a YouTube video upload, DVD or VHS tape by 4 p.m. Thursday.
Those selected for the final competition will compete for prizes in the talent show on April 8 at 6 p.m. in the R.J. Wills Lecture Hall, located on the second floor of the Campus Center.
For rules and an entry form, click here. For more information, contact Ivon Granaldi at (501) 812-2751 or e-mail email@example.com
PTC's Got Talent is sponsored by the college's chapter of the Arkansas Association of Women in Two-Year Colleges.
Pulaski Technical College


text: Haha I see them now! Wow, embarrassing. Anyways I was going to say this awhile ago, but I forgot. I would like to thank all the people that came in here hoping Tessa was ok, even though they said they're really fans of D/W. I thought that was nice. I hope they're both ok, but particularly Tessa, I keep thinking of them.


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|2012-10-02, 09:34
|Link #201
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Westfalen
I have a question about Matsuribayashi-hen.
Spoiler for Matsuribayashi-hen:
For example 'But why is she XXXXX?' or something like this.
Is this censorship, done by MangaGamer, or was it also like this in the original japanese version?
|2012-10-02, 09:40
|Link #202
Senior Member
|2012-10-02, 11:52
|Link #203
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Westfalen
Yes, I already read something about the manga version of that scene. Although Matsuribayashi-hen seems to be the "happy ending chapter", it still contains a lot of cruelty, some of it seem a bit exaggerated to me, for example
Spoiler for Matsuribayashi:
And I wonder if you can, in the end, still call it a real happy ending because no-one will bring the people back who died earlier because of the "curse" and they didn't deserve to die as well as Rika and her friends.
|2012-10-02, 11:58
|Link #204
Senior Member
|2012-10-03, 15:22
|Link #208
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Westfalen
Another question about Rika's mother. In Minagoroshi Rika says:
"She took my father's death the wrong way and made a very big deal out of it."
(not literally, quoted from my memory)
I don't really understand this. Particularly because the next sentence is "She got what she deserved" so Rika seems to think her mother did very wrong by "taking her father's death the wrong way and making a very big deal out of it".
|2012-10-04, 21:07
|Link #209
Spider Lily Translations
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: England
Age: 23
07th Expansion character popularity polls are now open. Vote for your favourite Higurashi character!
Here's a video guide I made:
|2012-10-06, 15:59
|Link #214
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Westfalen
I think it would be nice to think that something is still going on about Higurashi. Who knows.
Anyway, I keep asking myself if the characters below 10 really got any votes, because it seems a bit strange that Okonogi is in a higher position than Akasaka ...
|2012-10-07, 00:22
|Link #215
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: カケラの海
Someone probably spared some votes for them, I guess. You can vote once every hour and it doesn't have to be the same character.
It looks like 07th Expansion is doing popularity contests for all of their series. The other ones aren't open yet, but I'm guessing they're probably going in order of their release? (Higurashi, the Umineko, Higanbana, RGD...)
|2012-10-07, 09:10
|Link #216
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Westfalen
I'd like to ask the people who speak Japanese something. In the SN a few characters (Rika and, I think, also Rena) refer to Oyashiro-sama as a female person by saying 'she'. Is this specification of gender also expressed in the original Japanese version?
|2012-10-07, 12:26
|Link #217
Senior Member
Oh man, I just finished the chapter where Keiichi remembers onikakushi-hen....Dammit, I got teared up , Na ha ha , The voice acting was amazing in this scene, Bravo alchemist, I'm so glad they made Matsuri
|2012-10-07, 13:07
|Link #218
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Westfalen
These scenes (Keiichi being accused by Rena about the shooting incident, confessing to the others and remembering Onikakushi) belong to my favourite scenes in Higurashi. I'm jealous of these PS2/Nintendo people who understand Japanese. I wish there would be a PC and/or English-friendly version.
|2012-10-07, 13:52
|Link #220
Senior Member
Na ha ha, If I'm free , I will make the voice patches on higurashi but I'm not promising anything. XD I have the expirience since I was the voicer in Umi tweak , I voiced Episode 2 and the whole chiru, Plus I'm crazy enough .XD Past month I was playing around with Saikoroshi voices and added them to the game (Not fully, Only like 20%).
Oh and , I'm actually reading the PS2 version on a emulator along with the PC game. No lag at all .I used PC contoller for the Emulator configuration and I press the controllers button and the enter at the same time, so it looks like the PC game is voiced.I'm still not at the level to read Japanese, Haha
|Thread Tools


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At approximately 9:24 a.m. today, an unidentified person contacted the Pulaski Technical College Webmaster with a written bomb threat against Pulaski Technical College.
The message stated that the college's main campus in North Little Rock would be affected at approximately 11 a.m.
Campus Police/Public Safety, with the assistance of the North Little Rock Police Department, will conduct a thorough search of campus facilities. The campus will remain open.
This is the information that we have at this time. No suspect has been identified, and the investigation continues.
Additional information will be posted on this Web site as it becomes available.


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BONUS AUDIO: Author Robert J. Sawyer explains how the creationism vs. evolution debate informed the writing of Calculating God.
©2000 by Robert J. Sawyer; (P)2008 Audible, Inc.
"Is Sawyer Canada's answer to Michael Crichton? Very possibly yes." (Montreal Gazette)
"Jonathan Davis...is one of our very best narrators and this is a fine performance. I was rapt the entire time, and even near tears at one moment in the book." (sffaudio.com; named an SFFaudio Essential)
"Jonathan Davis portrays a thoughtful and quietly introspective Jericho....As the conversation with Hollus continues, Davis keeps a steady pace and reflects the intellectual engagement of both characters. He presents the alien's speech as lightly studied, a fitting style for a non-English speaker who coordinates his speech between two mouths." (AudioFile)
"Interesting book, very enjoyable narration"
This book had a lot of interesting ideas, but I think some reviewers have misrepresented it significantly.
Firstly -- SPOILER ALERT -- this book does NOT argue against evolution. It doesn't even argue for the existence of an omnipotent or omniscient God. In fact, the aliens specifically believe that "God" is neither all-powerful nor all-knowing. So the book is almost as likely to annoy the religious as the non-religious, assuming that they are paying attention.
I don't agree with all the arguments in the book, but it does discuss interesting questions. For instance -- if there is a God, what is his/her nature? If God did design the universe, then WHY did he/she do so? Why does God allow evil (disease, death, etc.) to occur? And so on. You don't have to believe the same things as the characters in order to enjoy thinking about the questions.
IMHO the narration and tone of the book were excellent -- light enough to not be maudlin, serious enough to feel the suffering, humorous enough to avoid taking itself too seriously. The book isn't perfect, but it is quite an enjoyable listen.
"Step outside YOUR beliefs"
There are a lot of critisisms of this book in these comments, first let me just say that I enjoyed it, simply that, I didnt love it, hate it, agree or disagree with its ideas or plot. It is a very well written book, with some surprisingly simple and yet very indepth characters, in other words, these people could be real, they are not special in any way, they are normal, and that lends the story its credibility. I read other reviews disagreeing with actions taken by extremists, agencies, offices, and commitees in the book, and I just want to say, while the actions seem dumb, unreal, or just outside the realm of what you would expect smart people to do stupidly, please just remember the line from "Men in Black" - ""Kay: A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it."". I would recommend this book very much, I got it looking for the absurd, and the comedic, I found neither of those things, I found intelligence and understanding, both terrestial and non, mostly from it's author.
I'm a software engineer working out of Toronto Canada. I enjoy science fiction but have started to drift into other areas.
"This story will make you think..."
Robert Sawyer's Calculating God was a runner-up for the Hugo Award in 2001 and, having listened to this audiobook version, I again am forced to wonder why it didn't win. The story is not typical SF; a scientist is confronted by advanced aliens who have proof of God's existence. In less capable hands this story could have become a farce, but Mr Sawyer delivers a story which deals with very human issues of faith and mortality. It is compelling and, in several respects more than a little disconcerting.
The reading, as with all of the Audible Frontiers stories I've heard, is excellent. Robert Sawyer's introduction is interesting although probably would have been a better epilogue (he gives away a few things). The reading by Jonathan Davis is well paced and clear throughout.
If you're not familiar with Robert Sawyer's writings (and there are many now available on Audible) this would be a good story to start with.
"Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them." --Lemony Snicket
"Unexpected delight"
I don't normally delve into the Sci-Fi & Fantasy genre, but took a chance on Calculating God and really enjoyed it. (And by 'took a chance', I mean it was selected by a member of the Audible book club I was in at the time, so I felt I had to listen to it.) But Jonathan Davis' performance really blew me away here, and I was completely absorbed in Sawyer's smart, funny, and thought-provoking storytelling.
I am a fan of Sawyer's Neanderthal Parallax, so I went into this with an open mind, but also high expectations.
I will not admit to being swayed from my personal belief that there is no God. However, Sawyer makes a really interesting case for the possibility -- with a lot of math/science backing him up. He also helped me to understand how science and faith might find common ground.
I doubt believers will be satisfied with Sawyer's logic, but I think it could make the non-believers think twice. I suspect many more of us will read this book anyway.
Sawyer takes care to wrap personal human/alien drama around these complex ideas to make them easier to understand. And, if you overlook the simplicity of the plot, the concepts discussed in this book are definitely worth hearing if not study.
"Excellent fiction. Not I.D. Propaganda."
I am an Atheist. I do not believe there is any real evidence for "Intelligent Design". I absolutely loved this book. There are some minor missteps (one dimensional creationist terrorists, far too specific and date-able Canadian politics to name the most obvious), but the overall story is fascinating and perfectly narrated. This book tells the story of an Alien who comes to earth with evidence of "God". Fictional evidence yes, but evidence that if given today, would definitely make most people think twice about the possibility and motives of a creator. It does not argue for a perfect God, nor a personal God, nor a deity that gives a damn about how you pray or whom you have sex with. In my opinion, this book is a reminder to all "dogmatic Atheists" that humanity does not know everything and to always keep your mind open--just a crack. To theists who might believe that this book justifies Creationism or Intelligent Design, think again. Even in this fictional tale, evidence is paramount.
Uncle Chicken
"Amazing performance of a somewhat mediocre tale."
**Minor spoilers**
First off, I did enjoy this book. The reading was very well done; Jonathan Davis is a very talented reader. The premise of the book is also tantalizing and interesting: Aliens visit our planet and lo and behold, they advocate a form of Intelligent Design instead of the commonly (on earth) accepted theory of Darwinian Evolution.
The idea is a great one, but the execution was less so. One of the reasons I love science fiction is that it invites you to think outside the box and imagine new realities and different ways of thinking. However, beyond superficial aspects, I didn't find the primary alien race to be all that interesting or 'alien'. They might as well have been Michael Behe. There was no real indication as to how their beliefs shaped how they did science, how it influenced their society, what religious significance they attached to their scientific pursuits, nothing. It seems that Mr. Sawyer was intent on following the ID mantra of "It's all about the science, and we aren't going to discuss other implications." That's all fine and good, but honestly it didn't make for very compelling or interesting story. The Spider People didn't really seem 'alien', they were just ID advocates with access to information we don't have. The 'Reeds' were a better attempt at describing alien thought, but their appearance is so brief, and the discussion about their moral intuition so hilariously bland and boring, that they feel like an opportunity wasted.
Honestly, the most alien creatures in the whole novel don't come from outer space, they come from the Southern USA. They appear in the form of horrifically stereotypical 'fundamentalists' bearing the names of JD and 'Cooter'. These characters and their actions have no real impact on the story or its final outcome, and seem to exist so that Mr. Sawyer can demonstrate in no uncertain terms that his book is not a subversive attempt to introduce creationism. As a creationist myself (though, I confess, I now have doubts about my sincerity now as I've never killed an abortionist or destroyed fossils with a submachine gun), I wasn't offended by the portrayal of these characters as much as I was annoyed at another missed opportunity. I'm sure rednecks like these exist, but someone who at least 'tried' to be scientific might have made for a more interesting antagonist. I would have been interested to hear the aliens rebut the creationists and correct their 'primitive' conceptions of god with a more enlightened view. But Mr. Sawyer went the boring, unimaginative route instead, unfortunately.
I also wonder if Mike Harris ran over Mr. Sawyer's cat. There are so many negative remarks directed to provincial elected officials that it almost seemed personal. It was very odd and frankly, distracting.
In closing, I don't really regret listening to this book. There were stimulating passages, and it did pick up toward the end. However, I have a nagging disappointment in this book that it didn't challenge me or live up to the potential suggested by the subject matter. It's a good book, but you probably won't be changed by it.
"Calculating God-- wow"
It was interesting, thought provoding (over and over again), creative and captured my interest right away. I found myself wondering what new idea or concept he would introduce next.
There were so many. Perhaps when the main character considered his options for extending his life.
My favorite character was probably Hollis. Robert uses our visiting Alien to easily introduce many new ideas and ways of looking at things. I love getting to know him (her :) and all of her human / non-human qualities.
The final moments when Holis and the main character go their separate ways I realized
Sawyer does a wonderful job of educating (with interesting facts and observations) and also creates a mileau in which we find ourselves somewhat confortably questionning many, perhaps long held, assumptions about god, evolution, other forms of life. This book was so interesting, creative, stimulating and full of rich and varied feelings that my wife and I plan to listen to it again.
"Fabulous book!"
This is the first book I read from Robert Sawyer and definitely not my last. The author explores a topic most are afraid to write about. He does an excellent job showing both sides of the coin. Religious/moral beliefs and science blend well in this thought provoking book.
My taste differs from kid books to gory horror books.
"Billions and Billions of Stars"
If you are one of those that like thinking and discussing space and what might be out there then, I believe this is for you. If you like Carl Sagan and listening to him pronounce Billions this book is down your alley.
God is in the title and the main character struggles with his non-belief, but mostly I found the book to be more about the universe and how it might have been created. Carl Sagan and Stephen J. Gould are mentioned several times in the book. While the question of God and Intelligent Design are mentioned often, Heaven, Hell and Souls are rarely mentioned and Jesus is never mentioned.
I found the book to be reminiscent of Asimov's writing, with some Greg Bear and Larry Niven thrown in and a Arthur C. Clarke ending.
90% of the first half of the book takes place in the paleontologist's office. The paleontologist and the alien discuss space, stars, nova's, planets, the big bang, intelligent design, God and other races. There was very little action. There are some moments in which you chuckle, but there are no John Scalzi LOL moments.
I liked the book very much, it took me back to my teenage years when I used to stare at the stars and wonder.
I liked to commend RS for writing about such a controversial topic and having the guts to go against the norm. As explained in his introduction, scientist these days seem to have become to rigid in there beliefs. One of my favorite things about science that I learned in the eight grade was that a Theory means unproved and so scientist should have open minds. I have always believed in evolution, yet it is still a Theory, and no one should be ridiculed for not believing.
This is my fifth book by Sawyer and I have yet to be disappointed. My favorite RS book so far is "Flash Forward".
"A Thoroughly Good 'Read'"
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. I found it to be well constructed, thought provoking, well paced with many unfolding layers and contexts. The story begins simply enough with an alien landing on earth to talk to a palaeontologist. The focus of the collaboration between alien and human is initially about whether or not God exists and the creation of the Universe. The early part of the story recounts the debates that develop between the two parties, each maintaining an opposite point of view. As the story unfolds however, the focus subtly and gradually shifts from this a discussion, to an exploration of the relationships between the characters in the book. We learn about the palaeontologist, his world and family, and about the alien's world and family. We witness the bond of friendship growing between both individuals. The story continues to expand, and weaves in as a part of the plot, some of the current forces which are occurring in our society. The development of the plot in this way adds a real thriller element to the story, as well as maintaining the interest and pace of the book.
Overall the book explores some fascinating hypotheses about life and it's existence, the rise and fall of species and civilisations, the structure and nature of civilisations depending on what their thought structure is based upon, life and death of an individual at a personal and an inter-relational context. It also throws in some fascination facts about the Universe in which we exist.
A most thought provoking, interesting and engaging "read". In essence it is a real 'human story' with an unexpected twist at the end. I still find myself thinking about some of the ideas, concepts and hypotheses presented in the story.
"a good, or is that god, thought experiment"
I really found the idea of this book interesting at first so decided to give it a go. If you have ever thought much about evolution and creationism I think you will find it entertaining. There was almost a retro feel to the aliens in this book, not sure why, but they just seemed like that? But for the price it was certainly worthwhile and really quite enjoyable. I will be getting a few more of these titles.
"Enjoyable read, but..."
Skip the first 2' 45'' or so. The authors introduction, in my opinion, takes away from the story.
"Starts at a Gallop. Ends in a Canter"
Great start. Wastes no time getting stuck in. The premise is intriguing. The main alien is a hoot. Ultimately just fizzles out but takes a long time doing it.
"enjoyable, informative and makes you question"
I bought this after having listened to other books by this author.
If you try to explain the story to anyone they will think you are mad for listening to it and that it must be a boring book, but the story line is not only entertaining but also informative. Sawyer is very clever in the way he weaves true science into his stories and I find myself wanting to know and understand more about the science. At times I go back to listen to to certain areas again and I think I would now like to actually read the book.
I am writing this review before I have finished listening to the book, but I cannot recommend it highly enough. I am enjoying the story, the science and the questions it makes me ask myself. It is based on creationism but Sawyer makes you question eveything and deosn't preach. I am enjoying the book so much that I bought the actual book for a friend who is a staunch catholic because I wanted her ideas to be questioned.
All I would say is listen with an open mind and try to follow the science rather than being put off. It is deffinately a book I will listen to many times and that is very unsual for me.
"I don't regret listening to it, but..."
The story is well written, and well read, and some of the details of alien biology / behaviour I thought were brilliant. I commend the author for writing this book, I am glad it exists, and would recommend it!
BUT, and for me this is a **massive** but, the main human character - the paleontologist - is rubbish at his job! He is likeable and quite a decent person, decently enough written etc, but he seems to not actually know much about evolution! I feel he is quite poorly researched, granted the book was written in 2000 and I am inclined to give the author the benefit of the doubt that the information we have at our disposal these days was not available to a lay audience back then... though I suspect I am just trying too hard to defend him, because I did like quite a bit about the book.
I think anyone armed with a copy of Dawkins' books, The Greatest Show on Earth, and God Delusion, would blow the vast majority of the arguments out of the water (see spoilers below for more detail) AND be left with a better knowledge of evolution than the protagonist!
And the early misuse of the Occam's Razor made me cringe!
Overall a good book, just seriously hindered by the author's research, or lack thereof
Potential spoilers below - but important clarifications
I said that Dawkins' books would blow the "majority" of the arguments out of the water, because some, indeed the only good ones are based on alien knowledge, ie the author's imagination.
Also the Paleontologist seems to have an intellectual crisis over whether or not evolution is true, even though what the alien tells him is compatible with evolution by natural selection! The 'god' the alien has 'proof' of is not one I recognise from any bible passage I have read ;)
I also suspect that the research regarding certain astronomical events is also lacking, but I know less about that area.
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If you believe the anecdotal evidence, we're a romantic bunch here in these southern isles.
Recently I read about the I Love Lois hedge in Otago, lovingly crafted by Chris Skellett for his wife. (That would be Lois). Apparently, after a consistent campaign of nagging on her part to see the hedge tidied up a bit, Chris applied a little foresight and set about carving his words of love out of the unwanted growth to create a 3D message on the hedge.
What would you rather have: the latest in foot spas or the love hedge, a spontaneous, creative and highly individual response by one man to his wife's nagging? Which says 'I love you' more?
Valentine's Day presents an opportunity for you to follow Chris' lead and get a little hands-on (in more ways than one!).
Why not make your beloved an honest declaration of love with a Valentine's rosette? As with horses, dogs and chickens, you can now let the love of your life know that they are 'best in show', in your life at least.
All it takes is a pair of scissors, some glue, a few stitches and about half an hour of your time.
Confronted with Spotlight's impressive range of trims I had to strongly resist the urge to create boudoir-inspired rosettes. Eschewing the ruched elasticated white satin with baby pink trim, I settled on more sedate but ultimately less awe-inspiring options. You may be braver in your choices.
Step 1 - Trace around a cup onto lightweight card to create a circle of desired size. Cut it out and use as a template to cut 2 felt circles, a front piece and a back piece.
Step 2 - Decide what look you want for your front piece. You could layer different coloured felt circles to create a target, or simply leave it plain. Hearts, stars or flowers could be cut out and sewn to the felt base. If using lettering, make a template from baking paper and pin to the felt. Backstitch the lettering in place.
Step 3 - Once you're satisfied with your front piece, glue it to the cardboard backing. Measure out your trims of choice, hold in place and hand-stitch to the edge of the felt and cardboard. Play around with layering different combinations of trims to create an indulgent and, dare I say it, romantic look. Turn end of trim under and stitch in place to finish off.
Step 4 - For the tails, measure a piece of ribbon roughly twice the diameter of the rosette, fold in half and secure with a couple of stitches just below the fold to hold in a V shape. Glue or tape to the back of the cardboard base and cover with the other piece of felt using glue to secure. Attach a brooch fixture or safety pin to the back with strong glue such as Araldite.
• Cardboard
• Felt
• Embroidery thread and needle
• Paper scissors, paper and pencil
• Trims
• Safety pin or brooch fixture
• Glue


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American author James Patterson has never had any shortage of admirers in the literary world.
The thriller writer has turned out his share of bestsellers and his Alex Cross character has been one of his best.
Based on Patterson's book Cross, detective and forensic psychologist Alex Cross (Tyler Perry) is the star of the show here.
He is an investigator with as sharp a brain as you could want and will not stop until he gets his man.
But when he is called to investigate four particularly gruesome deaths, he knows he is dealing with a psychopath.
What he doesn't know is that when he angers "Picasso" (Lost's Matthew Fox) by thwarting his next crime, he brings his family into a danger they have never known.
Picasso is a killing machine with the physical and mental skills to pull off whatever is required.
He also lacks any sort of conscience in carrying out his assassinations. Cross knows he needs to get one step ahead of Picasso if he wants to stop him.
He also needs to put his police badge away and play the dirty games his nemesis plays or he will be the next victim.
Cross and partner Tommy Kane (Edward Burns) are likeable characters and use the strong friendship they have had since childhood to get through their work.
There is a real book flavour to Alex Cross. The plot and intrigue builds and builds until we get to the point where something must give and someone must win.
As thrillers go, this one is real value - full of storyline and a little less reliance on prolific action scenes.
Alex Cross
(M) 115 minutes
Rating: 4 / 5