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Armada d6 is an award-winning, unpublished board game in which the real-world "backstory" is part of the game design.
I first encountered Armada d6 more than 20 years ago, in my hometown of Bloomington, Indiana with my longtime friend and fellow game designer John Sharp. Rummaging in the back of a used bookstore, I came across a handful of photocopies, which John actually smuggled out of the bookstore for me inside a book he purchased. I forgot about them for nearly two decades until John rediscovered them and sent them to me.
The papers turned out to be documentation of a strange cultural practice called Armada Dei Gratia VI (Sixth armada from the grace of god). It was based on an ancient religious practice from Mesopotamia, which like many ancient games, seems to have been part divination ritual. Forgotten for centuries, it was picked up by a secret society in the last century, whose documents I discovered that day in the bookstore. So my Armada d6 is less of a wholly original game and more of an interpretation or reconstruction from those original documents.
Armada d6 is a strategy board game for 2-4 players about the conquest of space. Dice are used as the player's units, with each number a different kind of space ship: sixes are fast and agile scouts, and ones are slow and powerful battlestations. I like the design for its simplicity and modularity, and the way that the game encourages players to use the powers of their ships in clever mechanics combinations. The maps are built from modular tiles and players can design their own playfields when they tire of the ones I recommend in the rulebook. I also am drawn to the somewhat austere and abstract aesthetics of the game, but it certainly makes it a harder sell to a paper game publisher.
I designed the game over the course of the last few years, and have hauled it out at a lot of game-related gatherings for testing and feedback. This write-up by Paul Sottosanti after a playtest at the Game Developers Conference highlights its "elegant" game design. (And yes, Paul, I have fixed the design problems you pointed out.)
Project Update
Armada d6 won the Game Design award at the IndieCade Festival of Independent Games! I'm honored by the fact that my little board game prototype received this prestigious award, beating out physical games and videogames by some of the best indie game designers working today.
And there's more! Paris-based publisher FunForge is publishing the game under the new name Quantum.
• Here is a link to the video John and I shot to illustrate the gameplay of Armada d6.
• And here's a video of the two of us talking about the narrative "backstory" of the game.


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ED Magedson – Founder
Ripoff Report
BIG IRON INC6973 Hwy Ave Ste 201 Jacksonville, Florida USA
BIG IRON INC Michael HarveyCindy Harvey Theft of Product/services , Failure to pay, Failure to respond Jacksonville Florida
Does your business have a bad reputation?
Fix it the right way.
Corporate Advocacy Program™
Big Iron aka. Micahel & Cindy Harvey. Have been placed for immediate collections with Asset Collections Inc.. They owe my client for tractor parts and have bounced several NSF chks to my office. This is a debtor company and they will write bad checks, and NEVER make them good. They is a scam company, and I warn other vendors, if you have money owed to you, call me to join the creditors committee being formed against this debtor.
Michale and Cindy Harvey are the responsible parties, I have at least 4-5 NSF chks in my office which have NOT been made good. I am starting legal actions to protect my clients receivebale, so if you want to join in and gang up against this debtor, I think we can force them into BK and take over all assets to pay off unsecfured creditors
We are sick of this comoany steal our clients products and we warn other companies of "BIG IRON" DEBTOR Copmpany
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 07/08/2013 06:32 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/big-iron-inc/jacksonville-florida-32254/big-iron-inc-michael-harveycindy-harvey-theft-of-productservices-failure-to-pay-failu-1065146. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on BIG IRON INC
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Call me to discuss
SUBMITTED: Thursday, November 20, 2014POSTED: Thursday, November 20, 2014
This company has paid the claim that was placed with my firm, If they also owe you money, please call me to discuss your claim.
Are you an owner, employee or ex-employee with either negative or positive information about the company or individual, or can you provide "insider information" on this company?
#2 Consumer Suggestion
Mike Harvey is crooked
SUBMITTED: Thursday, November 20, 2014POSTED: Thursday, November 20, 2014
Harvey, his wife, and Carlos Camillo left me with mechanic's leins on a job that totaled more than $35,000. This guy has a reputation a mile long and it runs in his family. He will lie and swear to it.
Are you an owner, employee or ex-employee with either negative or positive information about the company or individual, or can you provide "insider information" on this company?
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strict standards for business conduct.

subset: commoncrawl


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How Many Junk Stores?
Dear Editor,
As a former Belle Harbor resident with family history dating back over 100 years in the community, I had the opportunity this past summer to spend three weeks visiting family and reconnecting with old Rockaway friends. It is amazing how easy it is to slip back into the Rockaway lifestyle, get sand between the toes, and make new memories with my two young children.
So many positive changes with all the new homes, the revitalized efforts from the Parks department regarding summer programs, and the expansion of all activities from the Rockaway organizations dedicated to music, arts and sports. On the other hand, the disappointment regarding the aesthetics of Beach 116 Street is something not to be ignored.
Yes, some merchants and the MTA are giving it a valiant effort but the majority have a long way to go, especially the area from the Sand Bar to the subway. How many junk stores are really needed?
Why is it that all the merchandise on the sidewalk limits pedestrian traffic? The stench of garbage is absolutely unforgivable for a downtown center that could easily be something beautiful and unique to a seaside town. I beseech the politicians and community organizations to make a stronger effort, unite forces and become the "true" change agents" Rockaway needs to restore luster and dignity to the main shopping area. Newcomers to the community are paying high dollars for the privilege of living in the Rockaways.
Isn't it time that Rockaway extends the incredible beauty of the shoreline to their vital center of commerce and give something prideful back to the residents???


text:
Disable Group Policy Objects (Windows 2000/XP)
This setting is used to disable the use of group policy objects on the local computer.
|This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
Download a free trial now!
Open your registry and find or create the key below.
Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called "DisableGPO" and set it according to the value data below.
Exit your registry; you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.
|(value not set)
|0x00000001 (1)
Value Name: DisableGPO
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = default, 1 = disable group policy)
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Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.
Last modified: August 26, 2002
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text:
practicePRO >
Practice aids >
Sitting on a non-profit board: A risk management checklist
Sitting on a non-profit board: A risk management checklist
Serving as a director of a charitable or not-for-profit corporation can be a rewarding but potentially risky experience. A director can be held personally liable for his or her own actions or failures to act, as well as jointly and severally liable with the other members of the board of directors. Directors with specialized knowledge and expertise, such as lawyers, are held to a higher standard of care. LAWPROs standard professional liability insurance policy provides coverage only for the "professional services" that a lawyer provides as a lawyer. It does not provide coverage for liability arising as a result of a lawyers actions as a director.
Accordingly, here are some questions you should ask yourself before serving as a director on the board of a charity or not-for-profit organization.
© 2017 Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy | Legal | Feedback | Accessibility | Anti-Spam | LawPRO Website


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Congratulations to Sarah Davis who won our Skylanders Giant Easter Basket Giveaway and thanks to everyone who entered. Have a wonderful Easter!
All posts tagged 'Skylanders'
Winner of Our Skylanders Giants Easter Basket Giveaway
- 03.26.13
Enter Our Skylanders Giants Easter Basket Giveaway!
- 03.21.13
Here's your chance to get your hands on a huge selection of Skylanders swag including some limited edition and not-yet released items.
Contents include:
- 7 Giant Toys ($14.99 each) – $104.93
- Skylanders Battle Arena (Power-A) – $39.99
- Skylanders Adventure Case (Power-A) – $29.99
- Skylanders Bobble Stylus for Nintendo DS – $9.99
- Skylanders Giants 16-Month 2013 Calendar – $14.99
- Skylanders Book of Elements Paperback Book – $6.99
- 2 MLB Skylanders Giants Dog Tags ($2.99 each) – $5.98
- Skylanders Giants Rolling Bookbags
- Skylanders Giants Long-sleeve Sweatshirts
- Skylanders Giants Micro Raschel Throw Blankets – $14.99
- Mega Bloks Skylanders Giants Troll Mech Ambush – $24.99
- Skylanders Poster – $2.99
- Skylanders Beach Towel – $12.99
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling us which Skylander is your favorite and why. This contest is open to shipping addresses in the Continental US and will run through midnight EST on Sunday, March 24th. Good luck!
Mega Bloks® Skylanders Giants™ GeekMom Giveaway
- 03.18.13
The Mega Bloks® Skylanders Giants™ Zeppelin Air Ship Assault set is part of an extensive new set in the Mega Bloks® series. Mega Bloks® welcomed Skylanders Giants™ Zepplin Air Ship is the newest Skylanders Giants™ themed sets to join their family, and is now available in stores.
My daughter and husband were able to put together the Zeppelin Air Ship Assault set with ease in just under an hour. They enjoyed building it together while little brother played with Eyebrawl (his eye comes off making him look like a little winged beholder), the troll, and the sheep.
What's in the box?: The set comes with a detailed instruction book for set #95415 , 118 building pieces, 3 characters, and about a dozen extra pieces.
Brick by Brick: The instructions were easy to follow. My now seven-year-old had few problems following the directions, but sometimes needed help snapping the bricks together.
Skylanders Giants™ Universe: On the back of the instruction book is a code for including Eyebrawl in your online Skylander™ collection. This code is helpful in the online universe as well as in the Skylanders Cloud Patrol app.
Ages 5+: There are little pieces on the zeppelin with clips to hold wings on. When handled roughly by younger children these pieces tend to snap off. Also, since the cannon actually fires a projectile, older kids seem to be more responsible and careful about not aiming at actual people.
Are you a fan of Mega Bloks® or Skylanders Giants™? Then you are in luck! Mega Bloks® is giving away the following sets to one US resident:
· Mega Bloks® Skylanders Giants™ Zeppelin Air Ship Assault (as described above)
· Mega Bloks® Skylanders Giants™ Troll Mech Ambush
· Mega Bloks® Skylanders Giants™ Crusher's Pirate Quest
· (3) Mega Bloks® Skylanders Giants™ Battle Portal Series 1
These sets together retail for a $120 total value. If you are interested in entering to win these sets, please leave a comment about your favorite character from the Skylanders Giants™ universe along with your email address. A winner will be selected at random at 12:00PM PDT this Friday, March 22. These sets would make great additions to Easter baskets, so if you miss out on winning these prizes, you can still purchase the sets through Amazon.
If you want to know more about the Mega Bloks® Skylanders Giants™ sets, you can visit their website, Facebook, and Twitter pages.
Toy Fair 2013: Are There Any Original Ideas Anymore?
- 02.25.13
Maybe I've been going to Toy Fair too long. I've lost count, but I'm guessing this was probably my tenth Toy Fair in New York City. I'm starting to get a little cynical. Every year things seem to get more and more derivative, but this year I saw some things that for me crossed the line into theft of intellectual property, particularly in some big booths of some big companies. I got to thinking, what does it mean to be original? As I put together this list of products, I decided that original in this context means to take existing play patterns but put a unique spin on them. These are the toys that stood out as having something unique to offer.
Toobalink: This ingenius building toy is enhance by the fact that you can use the connector pieces with toilet paper and paper towel cardboard tubes. The more tubes you collect, the bigger you can build.
Loog: I've heard about this DIY guitar, but Toy Fair is the first time I got my hands on one. Kids will learn about the instrument by building it, and then they can learn the basics of playing guitar on three strings instead of the more intimidating six-string guitar. This was what I most wanted for myself at Toy Fair.
Goldie Blox: I first saw Goldie Blox at Maker Faire where they fit right in, and they were a breath of fresh air at Toy Fair. Goldie Blox are designed to get girls interested in engineering by pairing building toys with storybooks about a girl who likes to invent things.
Nancy B Science Club: From Educational Insights, this is another product line that got STEM right for girls. They could have simply slapped girly colors on science tools as so many have done before them, but instead, they pair the tools with activity journals designed to spark experiments and ideas, and to follow more social play patterns exhibited by girls.
Tagamoto: Tagamoto is the latest from Innovation First, creators of Hexbug. Indeed, when Santa brought Tagamoto for my kids, my daughter proclaimed, "It's like Hexbugs, but better!" Kids assemble the roadway and then "code the road," customizing the track to make the cars behave in certain ways. They'll come to a stop at a stop sign, honk their horn, turn on their headlights or radio, and more.
Schmovie: Schmovie is a game created by my friend Sara Farber with her husband, Bryan Wilson. The goal is to come up with hilarious movie titles based on random combinations of characters and genres. Here are some examples from their very active Facebook page: A drama about a fancy bowling team? Downton Alley. An action film about a deranged handyman? Dye Hard with a Varnish. A sci-fi film about a fashionista scientist? Logan's Runway. You get the idea.
Obos: I fell in love with these little figurines with rearrangeable features. What's nice about these toys is that in addition to the adorable factor and the build-it-yourself play, there's virtually no packaging. Just remove the piece of paper around the outside and you're ready to start building.
Little Bits: Little Bits are "a little bit of geeky fun." A little bit is an understatement. These circuit-builders are not only super easy to use, but thanks to their size, they're very easy to incorporate into a ton of different projects. Though the sets themselves don't come with a lot of project ideas, their website is full of projects that inspire. Plus, they're coming out with new inclusive project sets, like a cardboard cat that shakes when you touch its tongue.
Klutz: Sure you'll see project kits for kids all around Toy Fair, but the Klutz kits are the ones I come back to time and time again, not only for quality but also for great ideas. (They're my go-to gift for just about every birthday party.) Among the new kits that caught my eye this year is Toolbox Jewelry, designed with a special eye to get dads interested in crafting with their kids. Plus, what a great way to reuse the extra nuts and bolts you have sifting around in the bottom of the toolbox.
And, of course, there's what's become the cornerstone of Toy Fair originality, Skylanders. I've already talked about their new Swap Force launch, but it's just delightful and impressive to watch this video game company keep pace with the fleeting toy industry.
Make Room for Skylanders Swap Force
- 02.06.13
The Skylanders have descended upon New York City, bringing some big news with them.
Activision CEO seems somewhat mystified to be in town for his third Toy Fair, only a couple short years after everyone wondered what a game company was doing there in the first place. Meanwhile, the Skylanders franchise has racked up $500 million in sales, outpacing hot toys like Beyblades, and Star Wars and Transformers action figures. Parents, get ready to open up your wallets again this fall.
Skylanders Swap Force is Activision's latest release in the franchise, innovating once again. I'm amazed at how they've been able to keep pace with the ever-changing toy industry and not only releasing games each year, but bringing new innovation with each release. With Swap Force, there are 16 new Skylanders characters that can swap halves. Need the rocket booster legs of one character but the sword-wielding power of another? No problem! Take them apart and put them together in just the right way to defeat the baddies. The lower halves of the characters have a lot to do with how they navigate the environment, bringing with them climbing power, or the ability to fly, or super speed. The top halves have more to do with how they behave in battle. There are 256 combinations of characters to try, giving kids lots of reason to try them all out.
There are new side games that require certain character abilities. In the same way as characters of certain elements can unlock side quests in the current Skylanders games, Swap Force unlocks games based on character ability, such as a flying character's ability to race through rings in the sky.
In addition to the swappable characters, there are 32 new core Skylanders on the way, including new versions of fan favorites and some all new characters. I was psyched to learn about the new roller derby character, Roller Brawl. (Of course, I'm excited about every girl character they throw our way. More! More! More!) All of your existing characters can play in the Swap Force game, and now they can all jump! Apparently everyone has been asking Activision for jumping functionality.
The Skylanders games are the favorite games in our household, especially because my daughter and I can have a blast playing together. Her eyes lit up when I told her about this new game, so we're starting to clear some room for some new Skylanders.
Disney Infinity Revealed
- 01.22.13
Earlier this week Disney Interactive revealed Disney Infinity, a new gaming platform with enormous potential for future developments. Launching in June with three of the studio's major franchises in tow, (The Incredibles, Pirates of The Caribbean and the upcoming Monsters University) the future already sees a number of additions lined up for the new platform.
A first glance at the Infinity platform one cannot help but be reminded of Skylanders. Characters are played with by placing their figurine onto the base and unlocking their world inside the game. The initial line of these figures contains a wallet-numbing forty characters. Mr Incredible, Sulley and Captain Jack Sparrow come with the Infinity starter packs. Characters' items and experience are saved to the figures. Stat upgrades and special attacks are saved to circular tokens placed under the figures as they sit on the base, with up to two tokens allowable at any one time. The characters will also work across platforms allowing the player to take their figurine from a PS3 at home over to an Xbox-owning friend and play with it there.
Review: Skylanders Giants Is Tree-mendous!
- 11.28.12
Holy Punniness, Batman! Skylanders Giants has been available in stores since late October and is expected to be one of the big items on holiday wishlists. The collection of characters is back for a platformer-shooter mashup made for the entire family.
What comes in the box: Do you already have a portal for your desired platform? If you do, then you can get the portal owner's pack with Tree Rex and the game. If you don't have the portal for the platform you want to play on, you can get a starter pack with two additional Skylanders, a portal, and the game. Both also come with a poster of all of the Giants/series 2 characters, trading cards, and stickers (for the characters in the box).
Platforms: I played it on the Xbox 360 , but it is also available for the Wii, 3DS, and PlayStation 3 .
Story: The story is pretty simple. Kaos (the evil guy who is comparable to Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb – and voiced by Richard Horvitz of Invader Zim fame) is back. He goes through a portal and takes over a really big robot. The Skylanders' job is to help Captain Flynn (voiced by Patrick Warburton) put his ship back together and track down Kaos before he can get into too much trouble. Though the story is very simple, the voice acting crew and musical score by Hans Zimmer give the feel of watching a Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
Continue Reading "Review: Skylanders Giants Is Tree-mendous!" »
10 Hot Holiday Toys for GeekKids
- 10.08.12
Is it too soon to start thinking about the toys you should be tracking down for your GeekKids this holiday season? Time to Play Magazine doesn't think so. Every year around this time they host the Time To Play Holiday Showcase to show off what they will believe will be the hottest toys of the season based on their kid testing and reviews. Among these were ten that are sure to appeal to your geeklets.
Readers of this blog know how excited we are for Skylanders Giants. In addition to the game itself, Mega Bloks is coming out with Skylanders building sets. I really wanted to grab this off the display and run home with it. Kids will love the details from the video game as they bring their Skylands fun offline.
Innovation First, the creative minds that gave us Hexbugs, have expanded their line to include cars. Oh, but these are no ordinary cars. These Tagamoto motorized vehicles use Hexbug technology to send cars around the track you build. But they don't stop there. Stickers and signs that you place along the raceway cause the cars to follow traffic signs and turn on their headlights.
Get Ready, Skylanders Giants Is Coming!
- 09.30.12
If your kids are fans of last year's hit Activision game Skylanders Spyro's Adventure, then get ready for a whole new wave of gaming fun with Skylanders Giants. This expansion hits stores on October 21st and includes new characters and gameplay options that your kids will love.
I was thrilled to be able to attend a preview event at Activision and get some hands-on time with Sklyanders Giants. Well, I didn't so much get time with the game as did my kids who were also invited and were completely blown away.
Continue Reading "Get Ready, Skylanders Giants Is Coming!" »
Skylanders Giants Video Preview!
- 09.15.12
You can't get your hands on the Skylanders Giants game just yet, but you can get a sneak peek of the game right now!
It's set to include a whole new range of Skylanders characters for kids to collect and enjoy. There are Giants who tower over standard-sized figures and have their own special powers and new Lightcore figures that light up when placed on the Portal of Power. Kids can also collect Series 2 of the original characters they already love along with some new standard-sized characters who will be joining the fight.
Skylanders Giants hits stores on October 21st and will be available in a Starter Pack ($74.99) complete with Portal of Power for those playing for the fist time, or in the Portal Owners Pack ($59.99) for those who have already purchased Skylanders Spyro's Adventure ($69.99).
Skylanders, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones Cupcakes by Just Jenn Recipes
- 04.29.12
I love making cupcakes and have enough cupcake books that if I made a new batch every day for a year, I think I'd still have plenty left to try. But most of my cupcakes are not as fantastic as the ones created by Jenn Fujikawa of Just Jenn Recipes. I interviewed her on the most recent episode of The GeekMoms Podcast and she talked about how she got started down the path of geeky cupcake greatness.
Jenn didn't set out to become a baker and wasn't trained in some fancy school, which should give all of us hope that you don't need formal training to turn out something that looks amazing. Since she's always been a geek, her cupcakes ended up themed to things like Star Wars, Skylanders, and Game of Thrones. Although she bakes what people request, on her own she bakes what she loves.
I discovered her a year or so ago when I found her Princess Leia cupcakes online. They were cute, and when I went to her website I was thrilled to see that she had written out step-by-step instructions that anyone could follow. This is the case with all her recipes. She's not trying to keep everything secret, but wants to share the fun with the rest of us.
You can check out all of Jenn's recipes on her website, Just Jenn Recipes, and listen to her talk about how she designs her cupcakes and how you can too on the latest GeekMoms Podcast.
The GeekMoms Podcast #20 Geeky Cupcakes And Food With Just Jenn Recipes
- 04.27.12
As Moms, we've probably baked about five gazillion cupcakes. Some of them were simple but some, usually the ones that were special requests by the kids, have been a bit more challenging. In this episode, GeekMom Nicole Wakelin talks with Jenn Fujikawa of Just Jenn Recipes about her geeky food creations, especially cupcakes. From Star Wars to Skylanders to Game of Thrones, she's created it all and has recipes and step-by-step instructions on her site so you can, too. Listen in and find out how she got started, and how you can make these delicious treats!
Subscribe in iTunes, via RSS or direct download
Nicole's Twitter
Jenn's Twitter
Music by Rebecca Angel
Birthday Week: Conquer Kaos with a Skylanders Birthday Party
- 04.20.12
A few of you have been asking in our previous Skylanders posts for ideas on what to do for a Skylanders birthday party. Couple that with the fact that I'm planning a party for my soon-to-be-seven Skylanders fanatic, and my tech gears have been turning. Here are some of my ideas and I invite you to add your own. With our hive mind, the Skylands will be saved from birthday Kaos!
My daughter and I tend to identify with some of the elements over others, me Undead and her Air, and that is the thread that carries through my party planning.
With a little bit of Photoshop trickery, I was able to swap my daughter's name in for Spyro's. Sure it's not my finest digital work, but it's enough to convince a group of kids. Stick that logo into an Evite and I'm good to go! For those of you who admirably kick it old school and send out invitations, the element icons from the logo are easy enough to draw to adorn your invitation.
Following the same icon drawing idea, grab balloons in the various colors of the elements and doodle the element icon on with a marker. Group the balloons to create element stations around your home or party space.
Name Tags
On their way in the door, have guests make name tags where they choose their Skylander name, their element, and their power. They can choose an existing Skylander, but judging from our recent writing contest, kids have no trouble coming up with Skylanders of their own invention.
Plan a game or activity for each of the elements. Depending on the size of your party, you can either set up stations or have the kids hang out together as they transition from one game to the next.
- Earth: Head to Michaels or your local gardening store to buy cheap clay pots. Provide paints or Sharpies (at your own risk) and have the kids decorate the pots in the theme of their favorite element or character.
- Tech: Have the kids put together some Snap Circuits or wire up some potato batteries.
- Air: Divide kids into teams and see which team can keep a balloon afloat the longest without touching the balloon, only blowing it.
- Undead: This is a tough one. Zombie face painting, perhaps? Pin the femur on the skeleton? Or have the kids draw the scariest undead monsters they can imagine.
- Water: If it's a warm weather party, water balloons are the go-to game here. If not, how about some watercolor battle scenes?
- Fire: Seeing as how you don't want to burn the party to the ground, sparklers are always a crowd-pleaser. Or, save the fire element to be the candles on the birthday cake.
- Magic: Teach kids a simple magic trick, like the classic magnetic pencil.
- Life: Plant seeds in the pots that are now dry from the Earth activity. Voilà! Party favors.
To stick with the elements theme, you can decorate cupcakes in the colors and icons of the eight elements, or you can go all out and make a Portal of Power cake topped with a real Skylander for your birthday boy or girl. Have a look at Flickr for some inspiration, and watch this mom's how-to.
Please add more ideas in the comments! Together we can plan the best party ever.
"If I Were a Skylanders" Writing Contest Winners
- 04.16.12
When we announced our "If I Were a Skylanders" Writing contest, I had now idea the deluge of creativity that was about to come our way. Not only is it clear how many of you love this game as much as I do, but you all are a terrifically inventive bunch. It was difficult to choose a winner, so I enlisted GeekMoms Andrea and Kelly to help me narrow it down to four finalists which we put to a GeekMom vote.
And the winner is… <drumroll>
Kira, age 13
Name: Seth
Element: Undead
Powers: Sonic fear, tail spin
Sonic fear: Seth has a special power that allows him to screech deafeningly and induce fear in ones mind.
Tail spin: Spins his tail at the speed of light.
Seth is a wolf with an unusual power, to manipulate sound using fear-based magic. Seth has a love for art and began to incorporate it into his sound-waves, although the sound-waves last for a few seconds, the shapes and colors dazzle the inhabitants of Skylands. Eventually, the great Eon heard of this wolf's talent and had an audience with the legendary artist. He proposed that set use his art to scare Kaos, seeing as how at the time, Kaos was thinning ou the Skylanders and attacking the core of light. The odds changed in the Skylanders favor when Seth arrived and created a ten headed monster with his sound-waves. To this day, Kaos is terrified of Seth and his "art".
Marvelous writing, Kira! You'll be taking home the prize package of seven Skylanders and the PowerA's Skylanders Adventure Case.
And to our two runners-up, I have great news! Activision said they's send a special prize your way, too. Congratulations to Aidan and also to Melissa who entered with her son, Cory.
Aidan, age 10
Name: Happy Masher
Element: Tech
Powers: #1 Uses hammer! #2 Uses orange gear on hammer as boomerang!
Happy Masher is cool because his hammer can do more things than Stump Smash's hands. The hammer also holds many surprises. For example, the yellow circles turn into long, yellow poes, and he can spin the handle of the hammer to propel himself into the air, away from enemies! He would be useful in Skylnads because being in the air can give you time to think up a battle plan! He's also a very cute tech type!
Melissa, age 29, and Corey, age 4
Name: Rhino Blasti "Outta my way chump!"
Element: Earth
Crystal Blast- Fires crystal shards from his staff.
Earth Shake- He can stake his staff in the ground with great strength to draw out the rocks and gem shards from underground damaging surrounding enemies.
Temper Tantrum- With a groan, staking of his staff and stomping of his feet; this crumbles the ground around the enemies feet, fixing them to the spot.
Soul Gem Bonus- A super charged sprint, knocking enemies back.
It'd be fun to see his tantrum shake the ground stopping overwhelming enemies in their tracks. He could then finish them with his Crystal Blast. His personality is super charged, so you'd hear him mumble to himself when not in action and shake his head. He will even turn purple when in Temper Tantrum, sending the trapped enemies green with fear. Releasing steam from his ears as stops. Earth Shake will also be able to attack Terrafin while underground, unlike any other character can. This gives a balanced foe for Terrafin during PvP.
Thanks to everyone for the great entries!
"If I Were a Skylanders" Writing Contest
- 04.02.12
The son of Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg wrote a poem entitled "If I were a Skylanders." The poem included new names and powers for Skylanders, and as this story goes, this Skylanders dream team inspired the upcoming Skylanders Giants.
I love Skylanders. And I love it when kids write cool things. And I love prize packages. Put all those things together and you have our GeekMom "If I Were a Skylanders" writing contest. The winner will get a prize pack worth over $75! The prize pack includes 7 figures and a carrying case. The figures include three new characters (Warnado, Camo, and Wham-shell) and four legendary characters (Trigger Happy, Spyro, Bash, and Chop Chop).
Here's what to do. Dream up a new and awesome Skylander, and tell us the following information about your new character.
- Skylander Name
- Element
- Power(s)
- A few sentences about why this character is awesome, and how your character would be useful in the Skylanders' universe.
- Optional: Picture of your Skylander
- Please include the first name and age of the person writing. This contest is open to Skylanders fans of all ages.
My six-year-old Skylanders fan did a sample entry:
Name: Woodbomb
Element: Life
Power: Shoots log bombs
Once the log bombs hit a bad guy, they explode. It only takes one to kill a full bad guy, unless it's an extra big bad guy. Her wheels help her move around faster so if a bad guy tries to attack her she could move away from them really fast. Where I got the idea of what she looks like from Stealth Elf and Hex because they have alien-looking eyes and I think that looked really cool so I wanted this one to look like it, too.
A few of my fellow GeekMoms and I will judge the entries for creativity, originality, and usefulness in the game. We will score on a curve based on age so that a six-year-old and a sixty-six-year-old each has a chance.
Send your entry by 8:00 PM EST on Tuesday, April 10, and we'll announce a winner later that week.
There are three ways to enter:
- Write your entry as a comment on this post.
- Write your entry and upload a picture (optional) to the GeekMom Facebook page.
- Email your entry to me.
Good luck!
Toy Fair 2012: Toys for GeekTots
- 02.21.12
Every year I begin Toy Fair the same way, strolling the aisle searching for the big trends and narratives of the show, and every year I end up gravitating to the same things: toys that I would buy for my kids right now. All my six-year-old wanted was news about Skylanders, so I found myself looking at toys that would appeal to my 21-month-old. These are some of the best toys I found for toddlers.
I fell in love with these smooth wood magnetic blocks at last year's Toy Fair, and this year they've added mobility. The magnetic wheels pop right onto any Tegu blocks. These blocks don't come cheap (car building sets are $38), so I've permanently put them on the grandparent wish list, and they came through with a set this past Christmas. We'll need the wheels come birthday time.
Speaking of blocks I can't afford, I love the shapes and colors of these new sets from Brinca Dada, which retail for $59. I need to stay far, far away from the Brinca Dada booth. Last year the thing I coveted most at Toy Fair was their super-deluxe Dylan House dollhouse. I still want it. (You know… for the kids.)
Rubik's Toys from Jakks Pacific
Okay, I'll lay off the expensive hardwoods long enough to tell you about this new block line from Jakks Pacific based on Rubik's Cube. I'd love to see some research done to see if playing with these blocks as a toddler can enhance your ability to solve a Rubik's Cube later in life.
Campfire Kids Camping Sets
Upon discovering these delightful campground sets from Campfire Kids, I have determined that every kid needs a toy ax. So many pretend play possiblities!
Lego Building Books
Of course Duplo blocks are always a good bet for little builders, but now Lego has incorporated some storytelling into the building. This Busy Farm set comes with the book plus all of the blocks to make the animals on each page: a sheep, a pig, a rooster, and a cow. There's also Let's Go! Vroom! featuring vehicles, and Grow Caterpillar Grow with cute little critters.
Our living room floor is currently covered in stackers and vehicles from Green Toys, so you could call us fans of these lovely toys made from recycled milk containers. Some new things in their line caught my eye, including the Twist Teether and the volumetrically accurate Stacking Cups. All of the cups are numbered, and you can pour them into each other to work on some early equations. Fill cups one and two, and pour them to fill cup three!
I like this Count 'Em Up Popcorn game from Learning Resources both as an early math manipulative (see how perfectly the right amount of popcorn fits into each container) but also for pretend play. I can see my six-year-old setting up a movie concession stand with this one.
Yes, they're hand-painted and made from sustainable woods and azo-dye-and-formaldehyde-free fabrics, but I really like these Anamalz environmental toys because they're super cute!
New to the line of Topozoo animal-building playsets are a donkey and an elephant. I think we should all buy both for our kids and teach them how to mix the two together.
Previous Toy Fair 2012 posts:
Oh, Lego, I Can't Stay Mad at You!
Also, if Skylanders is your game, I'm giving away the Toy-Fair-exclusive Cynder on Media Macaroni, and Anton is giving it away on GeekDad.


text:
On Nov. 7, Akron Childrens Hospital Pediatrics will welcome the practice of Pediatric Care Associates, 8720 E. Market St., Warren, to its network of pediatric primary care offices. The name of the practice will become Akron Childrens Hospital PediatricsWarren.
Physicians at this practice, which include Drs. Gary T. Backner, K. Gurumurthy, Amy Rice Young and Angela M. Pettenati, will continue seeing patients at the current location.
The practice provides a full range of care for infants, children and teens, including:
Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 a.m.-noon. To schedule an appointment, call 330-856-9699. Learn about the 18 Akron Childrens Hospital Pediatrics locations throughout northeast Ohio including a location in Boardman at akronchildrens.org/pediatrics.
Leslee Dennis
Annie Sofran
What to expect when coming to Akron Children's
For healthcare providers and nurses
Residency & Fellowships, Medical Students, Nursing and Allied Health
For prospective employees and career-seekers
Our online community that provides inspirational stories and helpful information.


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So I'm guessing you did not check the Oil Pump Pickup to pan clearance at assembly time? I don't know how you would adjust this with a long screwdriver through the drain plug, because it is supposed to be welded to retain it (besides the press fit). Crunching it with a screwdriver does what? You also said a "local proffesional engine tuner that builds dirt track motors" built the motor, so is it a race motor or a street motor? I do know that most racing engines have High Volume Oil Pumps, and bigger than stock (as in 6 or 7 Quart capacity) oil pans. They usually have different clearances than a street motor as well. As it has been said here already, a HV Oil Pump will pump all of the oil out of a stock pan, up to the lifter galleries where it does NOT belong.
I'm also assuming that you (or your Engine Builder) checked the oil pump over,
as in gears to housing clearance, and inspected the pressure spring before assembly (as in test it and make sure it works, and doesn't malfunction. I personally always replace the Oil Filter Bypass (filter adapter thing on SBC) with a non bypassing one to make sure all oil goes THROUGH the filter, but that wouldn't explain your pressure loss. I don't see how a windage tray would cause this either. It would stand to reason that as your engine warms up the pressure will drop some but 60 to 30 sounds extreme (not to mention 60 pounds of oil pressure unless this is a race car 35 is adequate for most street purposes IMHO, I usually have like 40-50 in Dirt track engines that we build). None of you have stated what you are running for oil pumps (as in stock, HV, aftermarket), Oilpan (as in capacity) or oil (synthetic?, viscosity), so it's hard to guess, but I would say that BstMech has a pretty good explanation, at least it makes sense. He's also right about Pressure Verses Volume and the bypass spring. :-)
I probably would re check the Main Bearings, and Oil Pump Pickup clearance, Oil Pump, and add a bigger capacity Oil Pan, or a stock Oil Pump that was properly checked out first. My 2 cents for what it's worth.
Almost forgot.....Most racing motors also have plugs that restrict oil to the lifter galley area, and lifters. I personally also tap and plug up the drain back holes over the camshaft because
oil draining back on a rotating assembly = lost HP, and the valve train does not need the ammount of oil that a stock block supplies, The Mains and Rod Bearings need it! (you shouldn't restrict it as much with a hydraulic cam as a mechanical or roller), if this was done, maybe that combined with your maybe loose Main Bearings could explain this? It's important to enlarge the front and rear drain holes (the big ones) and deburr and paint the lifter galley area to help drainback when restricting the oil flow upwards. Thisa is all guess work of course. 2 cents more. :-)
[ November 19, 2002: Message edited by: Airport Towing ]

I would look at two things. Pan to pickup clearance. If a HV pump was installed in place of a stock pump with a stock pan and pickup then you'll have a problem. The HV pump is about 1/2 inch taller than a stock pump and although the stock pickup has a raised section that holds the screen off the pan, the assembly just doesn't fit right. Another would be someone forgetting the welch plug that sits under the #5 main cap that directs the oil form the pump to the oil filter. That can lead to goofy oil pressure readings.
Something you might want to try to see if the theory about "sucking the pan dry" is to add an additional quart of oil. A word of warning though is that overfilling the pan would only be to prove out that theory. Too much oil leads to excessive windage which can whip the oil into a useless foam.
BSE Racing Engines
airport towing - this is the oil pump that was installed in my Firebird 400 during the rebuild:
Vendor: Sealed Power
Product Line: Sealed Power High Pressure Oil Pump
Material: Cast Iron
For heavy loads
Pontiac: 326-455, high pressure oil pump
Higher oil pressure aids in maintaining the oil film thickness in many areas subject to extreme loads. Engines that operate under heavy loads but still use stock bearing clearances will benefit from a high pressure pump. A stock rebuild with a supercharger or nitrous also needs a high pressure oil pump.
__________________________________________________ __
Would this require a non-standard oil pump installation. Unfortunately, I was not personally involved in the assembly so I'm kind of fishing for the most direct solution to the problem. I checked out Summit's inventory of oil pans that fit the Pontiac 400. Which would you recommend? I am always a little concerned about maintaining ground clearence. This car has factory long branch manifolds and does reasonably well over bumps. My other firebird has after market headers that seem to drag on every speed bump (I hate those #@!!%# things)
Pontiac: 326-455, 7 quarts plus filter, 8 in. sump depth, low profile, steel, gold iridited finish, performanc...MIL-30355
Pontiac: 326-455, stock style, steel, gold iridited finish, replacement oil pan ...MIL-30770
Pontiac: 389-455 6 qt. road race oil pan, fits all chassis ...MIL-31660
I did a test on my drive home last night. While the car was still pretty cool (150 degress) I jumped on the accelerator on the freeway. The oil pressure rose quickly to 60 psi and stayed there well beyond the magic RPM where I noticed the drop occuring in the past. Does this shed any light on our problem???
[ November 19, 2002: Message edited by: jobu ]

Is the crank crossdrilled? Are the main and rod bearings grooved? Partial or full groove? These factors will change dynamic pressure readings substancially. What about main bearing clearnaces? Rod?
She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself.
Han Solo
For heavy loads
Pontiac: 326-455, high pressure oil pump
High Pressure = High Volume? (One would assume)
SEaled POwer make quality parts, I've never used their Oil Pumps, but I assume they are OK. I couldn't tell you for sure if this pump requires special installation procedures, but it would definately need to be checked for proper clearance or depth in the Oil Pan (just as any other pump stock or otherwise) (Engineczar already said this, so I'm echoing his ideas) :-)
Well, being as I'm a Chevy kind of guy, I can only answer in those terms.... (hee hee)...but seriously...
If you have 60 lbs of Oil Pressure at cruising speeds, then there can't be too much wrong. It would also stand to reason that at higher speeds the pump would pump more oil, as long as the oil is availiable (in the oilpan). What "magic rpm is this pressure drop occuring? I would guess at 2500-3000 RPM. Could this problem be heat related (or is heat contributing to the problem?) An OIl Cooler would probably keep your oil at a lower temperature, which will definately help. I mainly build Engines for Modifieds and Sportsman stock cars, so I'm always concerned with basically 3 things in an oiling system:
1. Adequate Pressure
2. Keeping oil in the pan and on the Mains and Rod bearings.
3. Keeping oil off of rotating assemblies ie windage trays and drainback principles.
As I said before, I prefer more than 5 quarts of oil in the pan, but I can appreciate your ground clearance issues, same deal on race cars. All of Miloden's oil pans are pretty good, especially as far as clearance and oil control. I usually use Moroso's, because they are tough, they sponsor 2 of my stock cars :-) , and they fit without sacrificing ground clearance. Seeing as how almost any car will do fine with 30-40 lbs of oil pressure I wouldn't worry too much about a drop from 60 to 50, especially if you maintain 60 lbs while at cruising speed. Below 30 is a problem for sure. Again, I build Chevy motors, so I'm not a Pontiac expert. My father owns an Automotive Machine Shop, so I see and assemble allot of engines, but not too many Pontiacs. Sorry I can't offer better help.
My buddy with his 71 split bumper Z-28 camaro had the same problem when he put his rebuilt motor in. He simply replaced the oil filter and that fixed it.
I have a similar problem with my 69 camaro with a sbc 400, but It only happens when the oil is at the lower end of the safe mark on the dip stick. All I do is throw half a quart of oil in it and that fixes it.
I say try changing oil filter with a high flow one, maybe the oil filter is restricting the flow of oil, thats what my buddy thinks was happening to his car. Just a thought.
First let me start by thanking all of you for your insightful advice! This board and it's contributers have helped me out a lot!
Airport Towing - the magic RPM where the oil pressure drop occurs is around 2800 degrees. As I stated, the unusual oil pressure behavior ONLY happens when the car is running at 190+ degrees. When the car is still warming up (below 180) the pressure at 2800 RPMs is pegged at 60 (At lower temperatures the higher oil viscosity is keeping the pressure up and I'm assuming that the pressure/flow is being restricted by a 60 psi pressure limiting valve). When the engine is cold, further increases in RPM don't cause any oil pressure deviations one way or the other.
When the engine is warm it's another story. Here's an example of the unusal oil pressure behavior: Running at 195 temperature, the oil pressure at 2750 is around 54 psi. Under these conditions, when I speed it up to 2800 RPM within 2 seconds the pressure drops dramatically to around 43 psi. Further increases in RPM actually make the pressure go back up slightly, but to not more than 46 psi. If I slow it down below 2800 at any point, the pressure jumps dramatically back to 54 psi. This will happen back and forth every time this RPM is hit one way or the other. I will check into the Moroso pans. If I can get a higher total oil volume in this engine without sacrificing ground clearance that has to be a good thing (except for the MONEY - but, in this case, the "pay me now or pay me later" rule might be in effect.
chevyelc81 - I rummaged around at the Kragan parts store and after some trial and error found that a Fram PH-11 is exactly the same dimensions, threads etc, as the PH-25 (specified for the Pontiac 400) EXCEPT that it is around 3/4" LONGER. I bought one and will replace it on the car tonight and see what happens. My thought is that the larger filter will pass more oil than the smaller one.... If that fails, perhaps your could recommend a higher flow brand and I'll try that next. This is an experiment that's easy and cheap, so what have I got to lose? Maybe I'll get lucky! Keep your fingers crossed for me!?
[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: jobu ]

I installed the Fram PH-11 oil filter last night. I think the problem is solved!? I didn't get around to replacing it till after 10 PM and took it for a quick spin on the freeway to confirm the results (the lights on the gage haven't worked since I took it out of the dash to bleed it of air) so it was a little tricky keeping track of the readings. The pressure seemed to be behaving as one would expect. Higher RPM - higher pressure regardless of engine temperature. It is a little jumpy when you accelerate hard but the problem with the dramatic plunge of oil pressure at 2800 PRM seems to be fixed! I hesitate to completely say for sure until I can test it further. The #!@%! traffic was so bad on the freeway this morning that I couldn't go fast enough to get confirmation! I'll report back tomorrow with more conclusive results. Best Regards....
The pressure was steady as a rock at 50 psi with the engine running at 200 degrees last night and steady as a rock at 53 psi with the engine running at 195 this morning. I think this is as high as it would get at these temperatures, because after I hit 2500 RPM further increases in RPM had no effect on the oil pressure (NO BIG DROP LIKE BEFORE). I was going pretty darn fast when I gave up this test.
If you guys wouldn't mind, I would like some feedback on a related matter. When I sit idling in traffic this engine gets HOT! (over 220 even in 80 degrees weather with the temp still creeping up). My plan is to still replace the oil pan with a larger version the next time I do any serious poking around down there: 1) because although the symtoms of the wierd oil pressure are gone I have a feeling that I'm perched on the edge of this problem reappearing. I think Airport Towing was right on in his conclusion that I was sucking the oil level in the pan down to the point where the pump wasn't working right. The bigger oil filter is just enough to keep things working OK for the time being. 2) I think the extra oil might help in keeping the engine running cooler. My thought is that the oil is doing its share cooling the engine, and more is better than less. What do you guys think? Also, does anyone think an oil cooler is a good thing to invest in? Is there a downside to using one? Would it rob oil from engine parts? Where is the best place to mount it? I presently have a large 4 row radiator with a fan shroud and filler panels. Finally, does anyone think that I casued any accelerated wearing of engine parts by running my engine for 5000 miles with this restricted flow at high RPMs? The pressure never got lower than 40 psi while running at freeway speeds.
Thanks again everyone! Please reply if you try a version of this oil filter swap.
[ November 25, 2002: Message edited by: jobu ]

Sounds like you have another problem, not necessarily related. A new pan would probably keep the high pressure oil pump from sucking the sump dry, but overheating at idle is a cooling system problem. Oil certainly contributes to cooling, but I don't think the bigger pan is going to fix your problem. An engine oil cooler might be an option though.
When you had the motor rebuilt, did you replace the fan/fan clutch, make changes to the shroud, etc.? If you do a lot of driving where you have to sit at idle, you might want to consider an electric fan to keep air moving even when your rpms are low.
If you never dropped below 40 psi, I wouldn't be overly concerned with wear. Heat is definitely and enemy though. I'd look into that asap.
Glad to hear the larger oil filter worked out for you. I guess I generally assume everyone will use the BIGGEST Oil Filter that fits on their engine, just for that reason, restriction. Very good example of the KISS Principle in action. Oil Coolers are great for keeping the oil substantially cooler, which helps keep it from breaking down or thinning out, which should help oil pressure remain more constant (in theory anyways) With the lines and the filter, you can usually pick up another quart, or quart and a half in oil capacity without a pan change. You can also use a remote filter or dual remote filter adaptor with this setup (or by itself)which will give you more filtration and more oil in the system. Again, this is race proven stuff here anyways, the oil cooling would seem to be insignificant compared to the cooling system, but it really makes a big difference. Cooler is better at least with oil. You can mount the cooler portion in front of your radiator,or anywhere else you can find that air will pass over it. We usually use the ones from the JEGs catalog, but if you want a cheap alternative, look for a 3/4 or 1 ton truck in your local bone yard with the towing package. It's a nice setup that you can get for almost nothing. Sorry for any typos, it's still early here. :-)
Thanks again! Installing an oil cooler sounds like the way to go. If I can get some extra oil capacity as a bonus, I might save some money and skip the bigger oil pan.
I also posted my version of the overheating problem on the topic "engine running really hot!!" and got some good feedback from there as well. There was a good link posted on general cooling system do's and don't's www.inccn.net/techforum.htm I tried thinning out the water antifreeze mix from 50/50 to 75% water/25% anti-freeze. She's definitely running a bit cooler. Tooling along at freeway speeds the temp stayed UNDER 195 til I hit the traffic pile up. The temp still wants to climb while idling in #@$%%!@ traffic, but I think progress has been made there as well. Today she stayed below 210 after idling for 10 minutes, and as soon as I was able to proceed at 35 mph it dropped back down to 200 within a half mile. I think that when I put on the higher flow rate water pump I ordered, and an oil cooler I might be out of the woods?!?
30coupe - I've got the factory shroud with a flex-lite #1319 19" - 6 blade fan, no fan clutch.
I know running with the timing set incorrectly can cause excess heating of the engine. Do any of you hotrodders have a good feel for the ultimate timing setting at 600 PRM on a 1967 Pontiac Ram Air 400, 0.030 overbore, factory specs cam, factory long branch exhaust manifolds and 800 qjet carb? This weekend I reset the timing to 10 deg BTDC and she seemed to help run better (stronger/cooler). I have a hard time getting the engine to "ping" under load no matter how far I advance the timing so I'm trying the "tweak it - test it" method of finding the sweet spot in the timing. Kind of fun... but what's my next move advance or retard?
[ November 25, 2002: Message edited by: jobu ]
[ November 25, 2002: Message edited by: jobu ]

Depends on the grade of oil also 5w-30, 10w-30, 10w-40, or 20w 50.
I am running 20w-50 in mine, the machine shop that built my engine recommended 20w-50, they warranty it for 3 yrs/36000 so I run 20w-50.
With a high volume oil pump when I start the car cold I am at 60 to 70 PSI of oil pressure at idle. I have a Summit gage. The same gage I had before I rebuilt my engine. When I start to move it can get to 80 psi when its under 180 degrees. Once it warms up and the oil thins it will go down at idle to 35 psi. When you stomp on it, it jumps up to 60 to 70 psi.
I've had a lot of conflicting advice on what grade of oil to use. I've always had a gut feeling that 20w-50 was superior, but the argument I've heard against using this grade of oil on a freshly rebuilt engine is that the cleacence between engine parts is so close that the thicker oil can't get in there as well when cold so you have a excess friction event happening when you first fire up the engine. It seems to me that the reverse would also be true; once the oils in there between moving parts it wouldn't drain off as easily and therefore keep lubricating better/longer. I'm thinking of switching all my cars to full synthetic (Mobile 1 15w-50 or Casrol Syntec 5w-50) I reason that the low number would keep the oil thin when the engine is colder (5w or 15w) and the high number (50) would keep the oil more viscous when hot. Does this seem to make sense to everyone or am I missing some important assumption? What do you think Airport Towing?
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Stand By Your Man
By JACKIE WILLIS
October 03, 2013
The then democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama kissed his wife Michelle during a primary election results night rally in Nashua, 08 January 2008.
' More Sad Details Revealed About Robin Williams' Final Resting Place'(Fox News)
' WOW: 'Dating Naked' Is In Big Trouble'(Fox News)
' Katie Holmes Talks More About Tom Cruise'(Celeb Dirty Laundry)
' Are Taylor Swift and John Mayer Back Together?'(Celeb Dirty Laundry)
' What Is Really Going On With Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey?'(Hollywood Hiccups)


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Few industries have faced greater upheaval over the last 5 years than the natural gas industry due to the development of "fracking," which elevated inventories 30% higher than the 5 year average. This additional supply has caused natural gas prices to drop well below $3 per MMBtu. Negative pricing pressure has created a situation where once viable projects must be shelved, and most exploration and production (E&P) companies are reducing their drilling plans to focus on "liquid rich" plays, to take advantage of the much better relative pricing of crude oil and other liquids that these wells produce. Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN) is one of the largest independent E&P companies in North America. The company's strong balance sheet, prudent capital allocation, and exceptional growth profile should allow it to be a consolidator in the depressed energy sector. At around $57 a share, the stock offers a very compelling value.
Oklahoma City-based Devon made a radical decision several years ago to focus its drilling efforts on onshore U.S. and Canadian projects. To accomplish this, Devon divested nearly $10 billion in deepwater and international assets. This decision put the company in a position to reduce debt and buy back its own stock, which is in stark contrast to many other E&P companies, such as Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK). Chesapeake leveraged itself to the extreme, forcing unattractive financing deals at inopportune times. As of May 2, 2012, Devon was sitting on $7 billion of cash and short-term investments, and the company boasts a net debt to capital ratio of only 11%. Since 2003, Devon has reduced its net debt by greater than $4 billion, and since 2004, the company has reduced the share count by 20%, while increasing dividends by 26% per year on average. This shareholder-friendly capital allocation not only rewarded the owners, but it also kept the company from overpaying for resource plays simply for the sake of expansion. Devon should be able to fund its expanded drilling plans through operating cash flows, reducing the company's reliance on buoyant capital markets.
As of Q1 2012, Devon's production mix was 21% oil, 16% natural gas liquids, and 63% natural gas. The company believes that by 2016, the mix will be 32% oil, 20% natural gas liquids, and 48% natural gas. This heavy exposure to natural gas is worrisome, but the benefit of lower prices is that many operators are forced to cut production, which will eventually reduce supply and prices should slowly recover. Natural gas is a primary element to the United States' shift towards energy independence, and I'd expect to see increasing investments in developing the infrastructure for its use in vehicles, and as a source of fuel for utilities. Many of the highly leveraged E&P companies that have a focus in natural gas are likely to be consolidated by the stronger players like Devon.
Devon's MMBOE production growth has been and should continue to be explosive. From 2006-2011, the company has grown production by a compound annual growth rate of 7%. For the next five years, Devon expects a production CAGR of 19% in oil, 13% in liquids, and 1% in natural gas. Production is projected to increase from 240 million barrels of oil equivalent in 2011, to 340 million by 2016. The firm has large positions in the Barnett and Cana-Woodford Shales, Permian Basin, Rocky Mountains, and both conventional and oil sands projects in Canada. Additionally, 100% of the company's capital allocation for 2012 is dedicated to developing oil and liquids rich projects primarily in the Cana-Woodford, Permian, and oil sands properties. Due to lower natural gas prices, Devon is reducing its drilling plans in its natural gas heavy positions in the Barnett Shale, the Carthage region of eastern Texas, and the Horn River Basin. Devon's portfolio is low-cost relative to more aggressive deepwater operations, and it isn't as susceptible to regulatory risks that have dramatically slowed down production in areas such as the Gulf of Mexico. The company owns 13 million net acres and still has about two thirds to develop in the future, so it is very likely that its best days are ahead.
Devon has proven reserves of 3 billion BOE and 16.2 billion BOE of risked resources, consisting of 4.7 BBOE of oil, 3.1 BBOE of natural gas liquids, and 8.4bboe of natural gas. In Q1 2012, production rose to 694 MBOED, which is the highest daily production rate in the company's history from its onshore properties, and it represents a 10% increase from last year's first quarter. The company earned $416 million, or $0.97 a share in the quarter. In 2011, Devon's cash margin per BOE was $22.73 and earnings over the last twelve months have been $5.87 per share.
At $57.12, Devon has a market cap of $22.9 billion and an enterprise value of $26.8 billion. With an EV/EBITDA of 4.36, Devon is not getting any credit for its outstanding growth prospects and rock solid balance sheet. While earnings in 2012 are likely to be depressed at $4.50 per share due to extremely low natural gas prices, the company boasts a P/E on trough earnings of only 12.69. Within three years, I believe that Devon has in excess $10 of earnings power as growth projects accelerate and natural gas prices stabilize. Even if prices remain depressed, Devon's downside is limited by the fact that, at current prices investors can buy the company for $9.30 per BOE. To put this in perspective, when Devon exited its Gulf of Mexico and international projects in 2009 and 2010, the company realized about $45 per BOE of proved reserves. I believe Devon should trade at about 7 times EBITDA, which would value the company around $91.70 per share. For investors worried about prices over the short term, it may make sense to look at selling the January 13 $65 calls for about $1.90, which would provide a cash flow yield of 3.3% in addition to the 1.38% dividend, while allowing ample room for upside.


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Mar 26, 2013|
John Ziegler spoke to Dennis and Callahan about his 3-plus hour conversation with Jerry Sandusky and came away feeling kind of bad for the guy.
Transcript - Not for consumer use. Robot overlords only. Will not be accurate.
John ziglar is a former John -- and turn -- channel seven he's a former radio talk show host and currently a documentarian who's spent on three separate occasions. A half hours with Jerry sandusky. At the up Pennsylvania State correctional institute in ways burg Pennsylvania my friend John's river joins us on the AT&T hotline. AT&T forgy LTE the justice -- long time no talk what you're was 1986. It was actually 1988. 88 that was the year where the US open was at Brookline all the Red Sox won like one he comes straight games to make the play out so -- but some of my life and turning for you guys. And my father still live in Boston so this is not a mystic you're. Well as my father would say you'd Doug good -- you'd done good how are. I'm a little exhausted especially after -- knock down drag -- the piers Morgan on CNN last. Yes yes yes I did -- did pierce see things your way John. He's a guy convinced him and where we're actually going to black justice and you are that's -- the candidate now I'm. Did I did not speak it during the commercial break or after the official results are subtle but they'll be back any time. The end of the documentary putting together is the framing of Joseph Paterno I wanna get into exactly what the context of that means -- as an overview to kick this thing off John. You say that Jerry sandusky in your route three separate occasions for a total of more than three and a half hours in Williamsburg Pennsylvania came across as incredibly sincere and remarkably un polished. I didn't know what to like him and for the most part largely because of his rather obvious Doris narcissism and I didn't however much to my surprise. I didn't come away aiding him either. That's a large limb to crawl out on and having its sought out from underneath -- John. Well probably still put on my part tonight I have this pathological need actually -- truthful and honest and I'm dispute. You know quartet that's one paragraph out of probably -- very -- he sit at our website claiming Paterno dot com. Be clear just about is pat while how to make sure there -- understand that I believe that. I do think it so -- Caricatures of the nature of his brother believe that the media has created is. Actually detrimental to the cause of combating child sex abuse explain I don't I could I don't believe it. I don't believe that most -- of files are like that I don't believe Jerry was like that I think he's in the good guy. Pillar of the community category which is much more difficult to disarm in the large part of the reason why Penn State was full. Well Archie or our most Metafiles at least that kind of Metafile charming and don't you think -- just charmed you John. What limit all the uncertainty -- -- on the deet tails here I -- like this very very clear I always concerned about what Jerry about it you can tell me. About the nature of the rest of this story with very few exceptions to that one exception being what happened. With regard -- Q what was the Mike McQueary episode which we get the great veto it. I'm much more -- instance you don't look at sports guys apparently about it -- little tidbit. I've concluded. After -- worried about security about. That it would -- -- jets did not lock their last three games in the 2000 season. There would be no Penn State scandal. And whatnot what I mean by the system that nobody thought this whole thing is that it outgrow doesn't decide at the last second he was coaching the -- to that time. That because they -- the three gave it to play out there aren't enough good about that I have on the bottom line to be the head football coach at Virginia. In December of 2000 and totally convinced that -- corroborating evidence for that but I figured I'd like Brothers expensively. And apparently during his last interview that it could get caught -- in the room how well all. As their leader in either that the -- mater Virginia he was on the search committee for that job. And -- and -- I think out of that Jack I want the job all the sudden a guy comes back and has called and said that he. He's done that he's wondered what backlog and extend -- welcome -- good job. Five weeks later is the -- episode. So does that mean that's the one of the many many bizarre little tidbit. And I'm able to pick up in half -- that is -- part of -- that I have been part of -- previously. -- I'm focused -- trying to figure -- okay. Now the that was great about the -- media that Penn State Joseph Paterno knew that they probable that they covered it up with that make any sense -- practically every single step it doesn't. Bull Joseph Paterno didn't know he admitted he knew correct Joseph Paterno. Out yet. But what what did he actually said he never heard of sex and a man before but it was something sexual. But that that mcqueary reported. And what two days later he went to. -- -- But here's the problem in -- -- exactly right although his testimony is far more ambiguous and has been. Reported yet America -- thought he's eighty or almost 85. -- was not too old to coach in division one football program. What book I am I thought -- look back at Penn State no connection the paternal family. And I was one who believed for years Joseph Paterno should have retired and that look at and very badly I was outspoken about that so like that but. That's not a lot gondola that I'm not at Joseph Paterno. As recommended by any stretch -- match. How old how old was he John when mcqueary went to his house. I would have been 74 years nobody would hear that thing now. People are misunderstanding what the most important conversation in this entire situation what aquarium of the tunnel was important but -- target exactly the right thing. And he told disappeared. And up in the longer working for him at that time. Obviously to open part out Lebanese side -- going to be looked that was a greater magnitude that we did exactly the right into the economic so it would actually -- -- athletic director. Why -- this -- you get a table was it's all about we have this report. If you do something inappropriate with a -- a shower or not look my integration and I'd be able to glean from the Kennedy was critical because I have. The actual statement by the brilliant rush -- many ironically on the day at all I was fired. At 824. Year old married sergeant in memory walk pro actively -- forward. Where -- -- -- we have camp that say look. On the measure our aquarius -- nothing happened. I don't know what I believe occurred was because they thought he knew -- The couple it was -- back about whether because nothing actually did happen that night or simply because of the nature of his relationship with the -- and by the way it was not ten years old but he was -- site its fourteenth day. I had the identity of that board and I am considering repealing it because. He revealed himself. In letters to the editor that he wrote earlier that year defending series and -- he had his own name a Republican newspapers so I believe he no longer has the right -- anonymity although I'm. In considering -- depending on whether or not I can speak to -- but find out why he does not want his name revealed the reality here is there is great ambiguity as to what happened. After mcqueary and Paterno talk and that's the beauty and it's also important point -- are both the mcqueary. Month later said are you okay it would volatile and on the record I'm Mike McQueary and mcqueary said yes. And the aquarium -- playing into the food and the golf tournament in the following years. And conduct himself development. It was the -- would fly up until 2010. Without the elaborate in the. Well would subsequently got called him about he didn't know where it was when it -- that an incredibly important fact that what it showed what. Query only realize what he thought he saw. After prosecutor Jayne demands that you argue he saw something we think about the pop up while we have other victims can help us out here. That's what his story changed and got augmented by prosecutors would that -- for a witness separate three year grand jury investigation. We're -- would documentarian John Ziegler whose piece is called a friend of Joseph paternal here's what does that add up for me John. -- he goes paternal goes to his so called bosses everybody who's ever had anything to to a Penn State knows that Joseph Paterno is the boss and everybody -- athletic director. Absolutely everybody and we're to believe that after decades and decades of Joseph Paterno saying. I'll take care of that when it comes to an academic -- -- scandal when it comes to a kid getting in trouble with the law when it comes to anything to do with the football team Joseph Paterno somehow -- that somehow go to the academic advisors it's all these things mixed in in this particular situation which without question. Is the most serious thing in the entire. Tenure of Joseph Paterno he defers to somebody else says I don't wanna deal with that you. Well that's. I understand and believe me I guess like people have that reaction but when you dig into the -- felt -- not quite so simple because when you're dealing. We looked at a climb at the end of the things this and and that allegation that it. Not nearly as an ambiguous as we're led to believe now it would now mcqueary says now it will mcqueary said. In 2001 that matters remember -- believing get the day of the month of the year correct here right. -- that -- that -- huge red flag instead it was market 2000 Q it would actually February 2001 and you know in that state it was carried -- So I'm not quite so are we -- as dramatic as as what we can we now believed to be in hindsight knowing what Jerry sandusky is public -- That in that situation what a lot on is very clear if you must -- you must. Continue with the Chinese diplomat because if you do not. And everything you're gonna break down you have to worry about the anonymity -- up that shot out that the warning about protecting the potentially innocent. Person who's being investigated because. As we all know a false claim the big job electric Carrie -- and quotable Spain but I want to possibly over -- -- by the way is why it was illegal. -- illegal or jump out to be in the loop of 1998 investigation what Jerry that he was not charged so I don't believe. Paterno had any knowledge of the 99. You don't really think that John Joseph Paterno. That had no knowledge nothing happens on that campus to do with the football is that Joseph Paterno a guy it would -- Wear them for what 35 years of being investigated and and this guy -- return of the king of state college. Knew nothing new nothing. It was not a -- -- about a guy. Think about why it's illegal. For your box. And know that you are being investigated. Today. Potential tax crime with a minor. That'd been incredibly important law. An -- absolutely in my opinion. Not one shred of evidence at the double time I was kept in the loop or what was actually happening there and the most bizarre update when talking to -- about the by they way it's clear you've got into tomorrow -- did want land it's -- they needed each other. -- John. I hated -- kept them honest after thirty years. Yelled as he was activity as a coach and certainly there is a question about that means many people thought it was one of about the -- -- over the last year he would be difficult to be here. So -- your reality is the talk it's been. I was stunned even in jail and thought he after having single handedly brought down Joseph Paterno was entire legacy still as. And regrettable that they implement high. What are -- amazing but he also made it very clear that the tunnel ever had any information about any of that mind. By the argued investigation was no big deal -- -- to -- bizarre a bizarre statement from and out he. Does that make any sense if you're Joseph Paterno that -- comes to you you go to your superiors and then you never checked back and find out what's going on after that. In. Fact that you wanted to mcqueary had. Mike are you open without it would -- Probably query with the with the powers that be to say so where does as things stand with with -- dust. I mean if you know how Joseph paternal and I'm sure you do operates at Penn state university this isn't something you say here or we don't dissing your lap I'm gonna go away and never inquire about this again we anybody forget we even if -- not Joseph Paterno even if you don't have the power the -- the -- eternal rest. Anybody in that situation would go back a day week a month later and say where we stand on the -- ASCII thing. Good thing two things first of all time we don't know because we haven't heard from Curley -- and they got indicted yet one of the major problems. We're quiet on Persian turnovers is guilty allegations against Jerry -- thought he would probably neighbor -- 2000 walk out to mcqueary episodes. All the way up to about 2005 or six when they had nothing to do what Penn State it would exempt from high school and ended up beat the number one who's battled an errant picture now. It does so to a degree the notion that somehow. Given that he's behavior did not change or or that nothing happened to him is bought. That does not file was all about the episode and it won't let -- wives will become number two wide. And and -- he was so I'll go to the second -- Kerry indicated that. At -- Alabama like that yeah -- This kid did because it was so well not all of -- number till they can't put zoned lot react yeah. Mean I don't know for sure who would you believe it gives statement might be nothing happened that particular night. But the reality is the thought OK we know this kid there -- -- the worry about here this bag that looked like the -- John -- framing Joseph Paterno. Accept it -- I'm glad he had that because our web site planning Paterno about probably conceded that documentary problem free we don't put any advertising it's not commercial venture backed megabits per minute but cleared going to be destroyed by that. All -- about trying to figure out what the alternative in this matter because -- the terabyte which was just let's find out what happened don't want to do that I'm stupid enough to try. And a little pale I realized that I mean it's very clear that the last couple days later immediately react -- -- I'm gonna fail I'd get it I understand. I gave it my best. Although -- Quad -- quit his dying wish this to find out the truth. You securities. You didn't see you didn't see what you'd see him say that they were just. I I -- and if you would -- -- with with let's Sally Jenkins he lied it that would let his. They reported that it's been widely reported that was. If you I'll -- -- is dying wish but in his last days he said. Very very clearly that he just wanted people to find out what the truth here wasn't part of -- word on our web sites we mean that. Figuratively not literally this is not a conspiracy. This is everybody working in our own perceived self interest. In a way that ended up. Essentially effectively slamming Joseph Paterno about the web site framing Paterno back. -- does it go before let's go give us some context of of Jerry sandusky is -- demeanor his personality. His mindset and his environment right now is mr. Canada relatively short period of time. Well for those laid -- and understandably so you should -- that it is not possible for him to be punished anymore -- he that he is at least at least under our current legal system. He's going through hell. He cried during good portions of the interview I was very tough on him. I believe I got into acknowledged criminal behavior he never acknowledged before I would weirdly are I think you understand it actually criminal behavior. He does maintain what he thinks it is an offense. And what I take out across and here he saw one polished on. It's it's really impossible -- how that the guy that gets away with a long butcher of the spot I don't like a bit about what got this question like that. I mean. I I thought I'd found. I do not believe. -- we understand the full troupe of its crimes I think we've created a caricature of it. And I think that part of that happened because of the rush to judgment against Joseph Paterno -- Penn State in the media hysteria that was created surrounding this. Story do you think the sentence that was handed down the life that he is living is fair and just punishment for what it is you believe he did. Yeah I mean if if what if he's. And if he's actually guilty of the crime he was convicted for. And an absolutely. I think you got to getting worse treatment and he would normally because of the nature of the crimes and his celebrity and they put on suicide watch several part because I was not suicidal he gets one visit -- a week. He gets one phone call a week it's one hour of fitness a week I mean it's a hellish experience have you he -- -- and understandably so. You should not be concerned that it -- partisan -- the F. So -- -- you admit you felt bad form. As a human being out of it would be hard not to because look. It's -- -- -- -- and we know about him it is true. You know there aren't those who would argue that it's more of an element -- is. Something like somebody decides to tell somebody. That doesn't make it right at me should be out and and Fareed but I do think dated. You know it's far I don't believe that Jerry thing he ever -- these kids I really don't I don't think he thinks he -- these kids. Any would constantly talking about I'm not that monster that they made me out to be I'm not the monster or not this monster which is an interesting. You know description -- if you think estimate what I think he's actually doing it acknowledging. Highly inappropriate and in criminal behavior but also denying some of the most -- horrendous act. -- -- but would you agree that's not unusual had a files they look at themselves as mentors and people who are helping I tell people already. John I I doubt that I am I've been negligent commentators such crimes expert from the Paterno report. Almost everyday for the past month before and after the interview -- what they ask questions based on what he wanted to ask him about it I get compliant victimization I'd get. I get the way to have filed work I understand all that I'm being I'm giving a very honest human reactions. Look I took very seriously and historically important interview with with a guy at the center of the biggest allegedly biggest scandal mr. -- -- Our RV Paterno is Joseph and Jay Paterno Scott Paterno got and these the on your side on this helping you -- -- Not a doubt at all mean -- to completely throw me under the bus Scott Paterno I believe is actually more possible for the demise of his father's legacy than just about anybody other than Jerry and husky. And stop the turnover is afraid of me and that's just the reality already knows that I only care about the truth here and and that I know how he screwed up. And ambulance so he he he got -- -- rush to judgment on what I was doing here. Which are proud to be particularly those markets during the rush to judgment that -- happened to his father and the fact that I said I've been in touch with -- sex crimes expert every single part of this entire process. He has documentarian John -- the documentary is called the frame of Joseph Paterno but you can check it out at -- paternal dot com where you can check out John's website. John Ziegler dot com John great catch up with you I don't even working your ass off on this and -- -- to talk to get after all the Asia is -- at work and partner John Dennis and Callahan on the AT&T hotline AT&T four GL TEZ that nuts when he worked snowed on on an oh it was he learned the art at the -- and -- -- the past there.


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Lahore: At least 21 children and a teacher received burn injuries when a fire erupted in classroom of a private school in Lahore city of Pakistan's Punjab province, rescue sources said.
The sources said that the incident occurred due to gas leakage in a private school located in Shahdara area of the city. They added that the fire erupted classroom when the teacher tried to light the gas heater.
The injured have been shifted to Meo Hospital for treatment.
According to a private television, four children are said to be in critical condition.
(Source thenewstribe)


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The Mysterious Island HTML version
Chapter 19
The next day, the 22nd of May, the arrangement of their new dwelling was
commenced. In fact, the settlers longed to exchange the insufficient shelter of the
Chimneys for this large and healthy retreat, in the midst of solid rock, and
sheltered from the water both of the sea and sky. Their former dwelling was not,
however, to be entirely abandoned, for the engineer intended to make a
manufactory of it for important works. Cyrus Harding's first care was to find out
the position of the front of Granite House from the outside. He went to the beach,
and as the pickaxe when it escaped from the hands of the reporter must have
fallen perpendicularly to the foot of the cliff, the finding it would be sufficient to
show the place where the hole had been pierced in the granite.
The pickaxe was easily found, and the hole could be seen in a perpendicular line
above the spot where it was stuck in the sand. Some rock pigeons were already
flying in and out of the narrow opening; they evidently thought that Granite House
had been discovered on purpose for them. It was the engineer's intention to
divide the right portion of the cavern into several rooms, preceded by an entrance
passage, and to light it by means of five windows and a door, pierced in the front.
Pencroft was much pleased with the five windows, but he could not understand
the use of the door, since the passage offered a natural staircase, through which
it would always be easy to enter Granite House.
"My friend," replied Harding, "if it is easy for us to reach our dwelling by this
passage, it will be equally easy for others besides us. I mean, on the contrary, to
block up that opening, to seal it hermetically, and, if it is necessary, to completely
hide the entrance by making a dam, and thus causing the water of the lake to
"And how shall we get in?" asked the sailor.
"By an outside ladder," replied Cyrus Harding, "a rope ladder, which, once drawn
up, will render access to our dwelling impossible."
"But why so many precautions?" asked Pencroft. "As yet we have seen no
dangerous animals. As to our island being inhabited by natives, I don't believe it!"
"Are you quite sure of that, Pencroft?" asked the engineer, looking at the sailor.
"Of course we shall not be quite sure, till we have explored it in every direction,"
replied Pencroft.
"Yes," said Harding, "for we know only a small portion of it as yet. But at any rate,
if we have no enemies in the interior, they may come from the exterior, for parts


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I got this in the Snow Day birchbox that was available in december. I used this soak on a snowy cold day and really enjoyed it. I did not smell an intense smell or anything but it smelled good and my skin is very soft.5