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A Great Experience: Nautica Cruise Review by Hershey1981
Overall Member Rating
A Great Experience
Destination: Asia
Embarkation: Hong Kong
Embarkation: This was fairly smooth. Our family arrived on 2 different flights. One group of us arrived on a flight that arrived in the morning. As a bonus, since the cabins were not ready yet, a bonus tour of Hong Kong was provided, which was most welcome with almost everyone. Better to see some of the city than to sit around waiting for the stateroom to be ready. This was included in the airport transfer fee. A few guests had a similar tour of the city booked for the next day, and had to get that canceled, but this was definitely a bonus. Once on board the ship, More things went very smoothly.
Service: To me, this is Oceania's greatest strength. Everyone aims to please, is tremendously polite, seemingly happy, and hard working. There is seemingly nothing you ask for that cannot be arranged. This extends from stateroom stewards, dining staff, sommeliers, concierge, destination services, to maintenance folks and the officers on board. The staff is phenomenal, friendly, and really makes cruising with Oceania a great experience.
Dining: The food on board is fantastic. On board is the Grand Dining room, which offers open seating, meaning you can go when you like. The menu varies daily, and on a 16 day cruise, only a couple, very popular menu items repeated. The food is fantastic and consistent. There are two specialty restaurants on board, Toscana and Polo Grill. Reservations are necessary, but we got 2 meals at each. I honestly prefer the Grand Dining Room to the specialty restaurants as there is more variety, but they are fun for just mixing things up a bit. There is also a buffet restaurant, which we used only for breakfast on days that began early. There was a bit more self-service than we had experienced on Riviera, and we were not big fans of that for sanitation reasons. It also tended to be crowded at breakfast time, and tables were hard to get. There is a burger place by the pool, which was great for days we got back to the ship a bit late. Generally speaking, the food service is, after the service, a major selling point for choosing Oceania.
Beverages: Beverage service is a la carte. There are a couple options for per diem all you can drink packages if you are into that sort of thing. The wine list at the restaurants is solid, if not a bit overpriced. There is a team of friendly sommeliers that know the list well. You can bring wine and other beverages on board, provided you consume them in your stateroom, which we took full advantage of in some of the ports of call where the weather was nice and we could enjoy a glass of wine on the balcony looking out over Shanghai or Hong Kong. If you choose to bring a bottle to a restaurant or lounge, the corkage fee is $25. We are mostly wine drinkers, so I am not sure about the pricing of cocktails and other beverages.
Stateroom: We had a standard veranda room. It was a big smaller than on Riviera, but cozy. The bathroom is shower only, and small, but you're on a ship. Furnishings were great, and towels, soft drinks, and water were replenished constantly. During warmer weather, we made good use of the veranda. The room serviced twice daily, in the morning and at turndown. A couple times we got back during servicing, and found our stewardess, fluffing curtains, sanitizing all surfaces. Just phenomenal service.
Public Areas: We spent a lot of time in Horizon's Lounge, which offers a great panoramic view in front of the ship. Tea is served there, and is a lot of fun if you can handle more food. Later in the evening, it becomes more of a lounge atmosphere. The only downside is that it is the only place smoking is allowed indoors on the ship (albeit in one corner). They have a ventilation system that helps keep the smell out, but it's not always effective, and sometimes the smell permeated throughout Horizons and into the stairwells. I'd prefer they keep smoking to outdoors only. The Nautica Lounge is used for lectures, shows, and receptions. There is a casino on board as well as a couple bar areas, which we did not utilize. There are two shops as well offering luxury items, which we also did not use.
Entertainment: The string quartet and the band on board were quite good. We did not get to any of the shows. They had a couple cooking demonstrations with the head chef which were fun, and wine tastings which were expensive but fun on days at sea. Also they had lectures on board which were fantastic about history and issues relating to upcoming ports of call.
Fellow Cruisers: This is an older crowd. I would not recommend taking kids on an Oceania cruise, as entertainment options are limited. The people who travel on Oceania are mostly experienced and well traveled people. I am in my 30s, and enjoyed it just fine. There were a few of people who were quite elderly and debilitated, which is of no concern except that it can slow you down on excursions.
Destinations: Oceania bills itself as creating destination-oriented cruises. While they offer plenty of Caribbean cruises, they also offer lots of cruises to off the beaten path destinations or destinations that one would not typically associate with cruising. Our cruise stopped at Hong Kong, Keelung Taiwan (30 minutes from Taipei), Naha in Okinawa, Kobe (an hour from Osaka and Kyoto), Hiroshima, Shanghai, Incheon (45 minutes from Seoul), Dalian, China, and Tianjin (2 hours from Beijing which is inland). There were overnight stays in Hong Kong, Kobe, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Dalian was not exactly a tourist destination, but it was fascinating to see a mushrooming Chinese city that is not tourist oriented. All other destinations offered plenty of things to do.
Excursions: My main criticism of this cruise was that the excursions were mediocre. Often, groups on excursions were quite large (30+). My family is relatively young and energetic, and sometimes it felt like significant time was wasted in shuffling the large group around. I wish more options were available for more fit people. Most of the excursions lay out what degree of stairs and walking will have to be navigated. I would love it if each destination offered an excursion or two which are sort of "If you have to ask how many stairs there are, choose something else". In other words, something a little more fast-paced and agile. Our excursion in Taipei was not the best. We went to the National Palace Museum, which houses some of the great treasures of ancient China. To say it is a crowded place is an understatement, but with a group of 30+ people, significant time was wasted just herding the group around. We did Shanghai on our own, which was quite doable. We were able to do much more than one would have been able to do with any of the excursions Oceania offered. Additionally, in Kobe, we booked an independent tour of Kyoto, which saw more of the city using public transportation than the excursions did, and avoiding long bus rides and the herding issue. To top it off, this was a far cheaper option. The only issue with independent arrangements is that you may not get priority in going through immigration procedures and disembarkment at various ports, and if you get delayed for any reason, the ship may not wait for you. Nevertheless, in the future, we will lean towards independent arrangements.
Pricing: I believe the cruise itself was priced fairly, and may even be a bit of a bargain. It's not a Carnival sort of pricing, as you get a heck of a lot more service, but for the length of the trip, I thought it was priced well (booked with 2 for 1 and airfare included). Internet costs are simply outrageous, and from those who used it, I was told it was slow. The spa and gym services were also priced stiffly. Excursions are quite pricey as well, and in my opinion, overpriced. At the end of the trip, you'll get a bill for a service charge, but I actually appreciate this, as you don't have to spend a bunch of time deciding how much to tip. In short, the cruise is fairly priced, but they hit you hard for anything extra you do, which is often more than you are getting. I suppose this is the business model of the cruise industry.
Flight Arrangements: I added this category here because this is a common criticism I heard from fellow cruisers. My flight arrangements were quite reasonable, but for some, the air itineraries were quite absurd. Some fellow family members from Chicago were sent to LA (2 days before the first day of the cruise, which is admittedly a bit complicated in light of the long flights and time zone issues) despite there being a couple of daily direct flights available to Hong Kong from Chicago. Several cruisers I spoke with take a credit and make their own flight arrangements independently to avoid situations like these. Were I to have had a similar itinerary to the rest of my family, I would have been in trouble and either had to cancel or have a big mess in arranging extra vacation time at work.
Summary: There are a few hassles, but overall, this was a second fantastic experience. I thoroughly enjoyed this cruise, and have learned a bit in terms of how to optimize the experience further for the next one. From Oceania, you will get reasonably priced luxury, excellent food, and intriguing destinations that offer you an opportunity to "travel" and not just cruise. Even days at sea were highly enjoyable. The staff makes this work more than anything else. I would highly recommend Oceania. Less
Published 03/16/14
Cabin review:
Port and Shore Excursions
Huangyaguan Great Wall
The cruise is billed as Hong Kong to Beijing, but it actually docks in Tianjin. Tianjin is the closest port to Beijing, but it would be akin to docking at Virginia Beach to visit Richmond. It's a good 100 miles away, and in Beijing traffic that is not all that close. In addition, there is a ton of reclaimed land along the Yellow Sea Coast here, and the port is not all that close to the city center of Tianjin either. None of this is the fault of the cruise line, just geographic reality. We had, however visited Beijing before, and chose the Huangyaguan Great Wall excursion. It was about a 2 hour drive up there, with a stop for lunch. The restaurant was kind of typical China - fine, but not necessarily nice. The drive up was fascinating. Once we got to the wall, we were given an hour and a half of free time, which was perfect. We certainly had enough time, which is perhaps the only excursion we took where I felt we got enough time at the most interesting destination. The wall here is spectacular (more so than Badaling, I think), and it's a physically challenging walk that is well worth it. We were transported back to the ship after another long drive. This excursion was fantastic.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Our cruise arrived in Hiroshima in the morning, and left early in the afternoon. We went to the A bomb dome as well as the Peace Memorial Park and museum. I could have used more time in the museum, but we were on a limited schedule. We also visited the Shukkeien Garden. I could have sacrificed that to instead have more time at the museum, but it honestly was a very beautiful spot, especially with the plum blossoms out, so I didn't mind too much. It does highlight the fact that Hiroshima is not just about August of 1945, and is a thriving city.
The cruise docked on Kowloon a couple hundred meters from the ferry terminal there. For those that have been to Hong Kong before, there is not possibly a more attractive place to be docked. You could sit on the back of the ship in the evening and view Hong Kong's spectacular skyline. We had been there before, so we chose the 9 Dragons tour to see a bit of the New Territories. We saw a temple, which was interesting, and eschewed a second temple in favor of a very nice garden in the city. If we hadn't been there before, you easily could have just done the city on your own.
The ship docks in Kobe, which is a modern city with decent access to other cities like Osaka and Kyoto. We booked a tour of Osaka through Oceania, which went to the Osaka castle, as well as a Buddhist/Shinto temple. It was not the best excursion, as our group was quite large, and a significant amount of time was spent going back and forth on the bus. To no fault of Oceania, unfortunately Osaka was obliterated during WWII, so the sites on the tour are reconstructions. We booked a Kyoto tour independently which was fantastic. One interesting aside was the immigration was a huge headache. Immigration officials boarded the ship and set up in the lounge. They did an infrared temperature check, followed by a face to face passport inspection. Priority was given to those on excursions, then those with independent arrangements, and finally, by floor number. We stood in a massive line. In other ports, where the passport inspection took place in a customs facility, things went much more smoothly.
DMZ Third Tunnel & City Tour
The cruise docks at Incheon, which is rather interesting. Incheon has some of the world's highest tides, and the ship must pass through a lock to get to the pier (the lock appears to be half the size of the ship, but they make it work). We went to the north, and made a brief stop at the Freedom Bridge, then moved on to the observatory where you can look across the DMZ into North Korea. They then took us to the third tunnel, a tunnel the North Koreans constructed for a possible invasion. The only issue here was that we apparently missed our appointment time and had to stand around waiting to descend on the train into the tunnel. The excursion then took as to lunch in Seoul, and concluded with 45 minutes of free time in a shopping district in Seoul that was unimpressive. I am not sure if there was more to see in Seoul or not.
We had been to Shanghai before. We choose to do it independently. The ship docks half a kilometer from the Bund and we awoke the morning of arrival to see the spectacular Pudong skyline out our window. Excursions included tours of the city, a ride on the Maglev train, and other things. We did 90% of what were offered on several of these excursions on our first day there on our own at a far lesser cost. Shanghai has an impressive subway system, and the ticket machines have English language options, which made getting from place to place easy (and insanely cheap). Cabs are plentiful and cheap as well (if not a bit harrowing). A ride from the Bund to the Maglev station cost about $5 equivalent, and took 20 minutes. Shanghai is walkable, and best experienced that way. It's one of the world's great cities, and in my opinion, was the highlight of the cruise.
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By Deena Winter | Nebraska Watchdog
LINCOLN, Neb. – A campaign video by U.S. Senate candidate Ben Sasse, in which in he accuses President Obama of provoking a constitutional crisis, has gone viral.
The impetutus for the crisis, the Republican Sasse says, is Obama's decision to allow insurance companies to extend plans that were set to terminate in 2014.
"What the president has done is outrageous, it is illegal and it is unconstitutional," Sasse says in the video, which racked up 270,000 views in fewer than 48 hours after being quickly picked up by the Drudge Report.
During a Thursday news conference, Obama apologized again for the fumbled rollout of Healthcare.gov, the website where Americans can shop for new insurance plans if they're uninsured or if their individual health insurance plans are terminated because they don't comply with new mandates. He offered to let insurers extend the plans for a year.
After holding a town hall meeting in Imperial, Neb., Sasse quickly responded with a video, saying he was "frightened" by the president's "supposed fix," noting even former presidential candidate Howard Dean questioned whether Obama had the legal authority to offer a one-year reprieve.
"The president did not actually fix anything, but he did provoke a constitutional crisis," Sasse says on the video. "Understand, President Obama cannot legally do what he proposed to do yesterday and the media let him get away with claiming. He can't fix part of a law that he doesn't like by fiat. Our president is not a king. He doesn't get to make decrees. He doesn't even have a line-item veto under our current system of government. The only branch of government under our constitution that has any power to change this law is the Congress."
Sasse said the Obamacare debate is no longer just about health care, but has "morphed into a battle over transforming our system of separate, coequal branches of government" and whether Congress will cede its constitutional power to a "runaway executive branch."
Sasse contends Obama "can't change parts of law he finds inconvenient now for political purposes."
"If he had this kind of power, what's to stop him from mandating what kind of cream we must take in our coffee?" Sasse continues on the video. "Or mandating or expanding the individual mandate to require us to join certain kinds of gyms?"
Sasse challenged Republicans in Congress to demand that the health-care law be "repealed and start over" and refuse to be part of an "unconstitutional attempt to prop up this bad law."
Another Senate candidate, Omaha attorney Bart McLeay, said he doesn't think Obama's Thursday statement would constitute a violation of the Constitution, but he thinks the Obama administration has overstepped its bounds and created an unenforceable law with numerous waivers.
"The president has effectively gutted the statutes and, in doing so, has usurped the role of the Congress," McLeay said. "That can create a constitutional crisis."
The campaign manager for Sasse's chief opponent, former State Treasurer Shane Osborn, said he noticed "Ben's beltway buddies posted his latest video to Drudge."
"Fiat is a big word but it doesn't take the place of his past actions," Bill Novotny said via email.
Sasse has made his opposition to Obamacare the centerpiece of his Senate campaign, but critics have questioned his resolve based on his past writings and speeches. In a 2010 column, Sasse suggested the individual mandate requiring all Americans to have health insurance might be a good idea, he supported the prescription drug benefit Medicare Part D when he was assistant secretary of Health and Human Services under George W. Bush and, in 2010, said Republicans didn't have the votes to repeal or defund Obamacare and called the law an "important first step" in thinking about health care coverage.
Contact Deena Winter at [email protected]. Follow Deena on Twitter at @DeenaNEWatchdog
Editor's note: to subscribe to News Updates from Nebraska Watchdog at no cost, click here.

subset: commoncrawl


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For The kingfisher River Bank, Potter killed a whole family of kingfishers (and seized seven of their eggs).
The kingfisher was common; the swallows had not yet taken their flight, and in some places the sandpiper was seen upon the bank.
The great or broad-billed jacamar is very like a kingfisher.
The only kingfisher that occurs abundantly throughout the Nilgiris is the common kingfisher (Alcedo ispida).
It was not until it had disappeared that she realized that it was a kingfisher which had just crossed the pond.
Like most birds of brilliant plumage, the kingfisher prefers a quiet and secluded haunt.
The kingfisher had been somewhat more to the south than we were when we sighted the chase.
This just suited Mr. kingfisher, and he went about his business very well content to be let alone.
A kingfisher was sitting on it, when we came along, and flew off with a screech.
Mr. A. I can tell you what that bird was—a kingfisher, the celebrated halcyon of the ancients, about which so many tales are told.


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IT IS one of the great works of American literature, a hit film and a touring theatre production.
It also gave us the famous saying "Catch 22."
This play goes some way to explaining what it means.
In a nutshell, if you pardon the pun, people who think they are mad can't be mad because they can rationalise between being mad and not being mad.
Well, that's one way of looking at it.
Joseph Heller's novel based on his World War Two exploits when he himself had been a B-52 bomber pilot screams from the page.
On stage, the drama also demands your attention from start to finish - erratic behaviour becomes the norm as you cope (that's the word) with people with double and triple standards.
This could be about 2014 - as certain characters personify greed, compassion, capitalism and, thankfully, the saving grace - a sense of humour.
Set in the closing months of WW2 in Italy, a bombardier named Capt John Yossarian is desperate to be sent home after endless, mind- and soul-destroying bombing missions.
Yossarian cannot understand why people he doesn't even know want to kill him.
A huge B5-2 bomber dominates designer Jon Bausor's magnificent, iron-walled hangar set.
And director Rachel Chavkin keeps the pace frantic and furious.
Dialogue is wild and very funny and also poignantly reflective.
The nine-strong cast are electrifying with Philip Ardutti- deserving a medal for his performance asYossarian - including some brief nudity when he climbs up a tree for some thought-provoking moments.
David Webber as manic Major Major (so two-faced and so well-named) and Christopher Price as the aptly-tagged Milo Mindbender both fresh out characters that are borderline lunatic asylum cases.
The music is used beautifully with September Song oozing in the background and a Jitterbug dance sequence was reminiscent of the musical Pennies From Heaven.
Indeed, other moments reminded me of the classic series M#A#S#H.
But this look at under pressure pilots, dubious doctors, flighty nurses, weary civilians and black marketeers all dealing in a world gone mad is much darker.
At times this satire about war has you shaking your head - then laughing: tragedy and humour making for uncomfortable allies.
The Northern Stage production is three hours 15 minutes long- and inevitably certain scenes could be discharged without affecting the play.
But what do you leave in and what do you leave out? A Catch 22.
The work is one of the American greats and I went home to read the book all over again.
The message of this classic is still ingrained on me: "He was going to live forever or die in the attempt."
And director Rachel adds in her programme notes "The laughter and pain stems from these imperfect creatures trying to win the war in their own way."
Globe Verdict: 8/10 - Plane crazy
Liverpool Playhouse until May 31.
For tickets telephone 0151 709 4776.


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The System Solution for ATSC Digital Video Multiple Stream Real Time Monitoring
AT970 has been specifically designed to meet the exacting requirements of DTV real-time monitoring in a transmission environment. Following the FCC's mandate for a rapid deployment of digital terrestrial and cable television, it is now necessary to ensure that digital broadcasts can be decoded by subscribers' set top boxes (IRDs) and that pictures are of optimum quality. AT970 helps to achieve this by continuously monitoring up to four transport streams in real time, verifying that they conform to the MPEG-2 and ATSC specifications.
In a modern broadcast environment, transport streams originate from a variety of sources, including contribution links and pre-encoded material. These sources need to be monitored in real time prior to the final multiplex and transmission.
AT970 is designed to meet your complete real-time monitoring requirement, forming part of a network control system solution. AT970 provides you with a cost effective, flexible and upgradable monitoring architecture.
Put simply, AT970 future proofs and protects your investment in network monitoring.
Through continuous monitoring at multiple points in the broadcast chain, stream errors and equipment failures can be quickly detected and rectified.
AT970 detects errors like PSIP failures, which cannot be detected by a wall of picture monitors.
Incorporated into a networked monitoring system, multiple AT970 units can be linked to a central monitoring point for efficient management.
AT970 has been designed to be used by operators who are not MPEG/ATSC experts. The intuitive GUI presents error status in a simple, powerful format which is easily understood.
AT970 provides a detailed fault log which can be used to pinpoint regular failures, allowing remedial action to be taken.
AT970 integrates seamlessly into a monitoring and control network, allowing the entire broadcast chain to be monitored from a single point, thus reducing manpower requirements. An intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) provides at-a-glance status information for the entire broadcast network. Its simplicity reduces the need for operator training. Further in-depth error reporting is available for each individual transport stream.
AT970 provides continuous real-time monitoring of up to four DTV transport streams simultaneously, performing essential ATSC and MPEG measurements as well as monitoring the bit rate of each service against user-defined limits. All test limits are user configurable.
AT970 performs all measurements in real time and displays PSI/PSIP table information from each TS.
AT970 is supplied ready to mount in a 19" rack.
AT970 performs all of the essential ATSC and MPEG-2 measurements to ensure that the TS is present and compliant with the standards.
AT970 also monitors program bit rate against user defined limits, providing early indication of multiplexer malfunctions, or infringement of minimum bit rate limits for statistically multiplexed streams. AT970 dynamically represents individual PID bit rates and displays the information carried, be it video, audio, EMM or ECM.
For broadcasters requiring a fully integrated monitoring tool, AT970 is the solution, providing full remote control and monitoring via Ethernet using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Multiple AT970 units can be linked to the global control network. The status of the broadcast chain can be checked by simply connecting to the monitoring network using a PC with a web browser.
For applications where networking and remote control is not required AT970 can be used stand-alone.
Front panel LED indicators provide transport stream error status at a glance. The VGA-integrated color display supports an intuitive GUI, minimizing operator training. The display provides PSI/PSIP table information, multiplex occupancy views, detailed error information and alarm configuration to enable fast fault detection and isolation.
With AT970 each stream has its own dedicated error log providing a history of the status of each TS.
The error log can be inspected remotely and saved for future reference. This assists fault tracking, allowing error statistics to be compiled, pinpointing common equipment failures and enabling remedial action to be taken.
AT970 provides both remote and local error alarms for each monitored TS. Remote alarms are provided by the remote control protocol with local alarm outputs provided as TTL and closed contact relay alarm outputs.
All alarms are user-configurable, and can be used to trigger other equipment like the AD953-II MPEG Test System, which can record the TS or drive other equipment like audible alarms which can alert operatives to error conditions.
AT970 has been designed to integrate into a transmission environment and supports all of the following TS interfaces:
A different interface can be used on each of the four monitors within one AT970.
Voltage - 90 to 135 or 180 to 265 V switch selectable.
Frequency - 45 to 63 Hz.
Power - 300 W (max).
Operating Temperature - 5 °C to 40 °C.
Cooling - +ve pressure front-back.
Max. Data Rate - 60 Mb/s*1.
Min. Data Rate - 250 kb/s.
Flexible monitoring capability. Up to four transport streams per AT970.
Ethernet interfaces allowing remote control and monitoring via SNMP or Windows NT.
SMPTE310M Serial Interface - Accepts 188, 204 or 208 byte MPEG-2 transport streams.
Synchronous Parallel Interface (SPI) - Accepts 188, 204 or 208 byte MPEG-2 transport streams.
Asynchronous Serial Interface (ASI) - ASI Input: Buffer allowed to remove ASI transmission aperiodicity: <1 transport packet.
L-Band - With support for SCPC and MCPC (for details refer to L-Band data sheet).
*1 The maximum bit rate of the monitored stream depends on the information content of the transport stream.
Physical Characteristics
Weight (system unit)
Width (19" mount)
Height (4U)
ATSC Single Stream Monitor System
Opt. ASPC - ASI/M2S Interface.
Opt. LBPC - L-Band + Card.
Opt. GPPC - GPSI II Card (SMPTE310M, RS422 Serial, DVB SSI, DHEI).
ATSC Two Stream Monitor System
Opt. ASPC - ASI/M2S Interface.
Opt. LBPC - L-Band + Card.
Opt. GPPC - GPSI II Card (SMPTE310M, RS422 Serial, DVB SSI, DHEI).
ATSC Three Stream Monitor System
Opt. ASPC - ASI/M2S Interface.
Opt. LBPC - L-Band + Card.
Opt. GPPC - GPSI II Card (SMPTE310M, RS422 Serial, DVB SSI, DHEI).
ATSC Four Stream Monitor System
Opt. ASPC - ASI/M2S Interface.
Opt. LBPC - L-Band + Card.
Opt. GPPC - GPSI II Card (SMPTE310M, RS422 Serial, DVB SSI, DHEI).
Last Modified: 2002-12-01 08:00:00
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Sometimes I'll share a rumor that I don't really think is accurate just because I find it interesting. Today is one of those days.
The rumor in question is that next week at E3, Sony will announce the acquisition of a cloud gaming provider, with both OnLive and GaiKai called out by name. The rumor comes from MCV which doesn't list a source.
I'm doubtful of this one for a few reasons. First and most obvious, the complete lack of a source. Second, the fact that I first heard this rumor being spread around some gaming forums (not the most reliable sources for accurate info). It was only after that buzz died down (well, maybe 'buzz' is a bit strong) that MCV posted their findings.
The good news is, we'll know for sure in less than a week.
But let's assume the rumor is accurate. What would Sony do with this technology? Would it be primarily as a way to bring high end gaming to their Android devices? (Onlive already has an Android client for this.) Or would it be meant for one of their gaming consoles, either the Playstation 3 home console or the Playstation Vita handheld (or even the much-rumored but never confirmed PS4, aka Orbis).
Here's what's interesting about bringing a cloud gaming service to the PS3. Most, if not all, of the games on the OnLive service (I'm not as familiar with GaiKai but I believe this is true there as well) are Windows games, not console games. By bringing a cloud gaming service to the console they could open users to a whole new library of games, and by owning the company, they can make sure that service never appears on Microsoft's Xbox 360.
At the same time, there's the old "Bring a horse to water" adage. Are PS3 or Vita gamers really clammoring to play PC games on their consoles? I'm not sure they are, particularly since a lot of the games require a mouse and keyboard; not many gamers have those accessories hooked up to their Playstations.
Anyone have thoughts as to whether such an acquisition would be a smart move for Sony? Personally it seems like a long shot to me.
In other Sony news, or perhaps non-news, a while back there was a rumor going around saying the PS4 would be a fully digital system with no support for physical media. This generation seemed too early for a fully digital console (look how well the PSPGo did) so I wasn't surprised to hear the rumor debunked by the Wall Street Journal. The same article re-affirms the rumored Holiday 2013 launch date.
Read more of Peter Smith's TechnoFile blog and follow the latest IT news at ITworld. Follow Peter on Twitter at @pasmith. For the latest IT news, analysis and how-tos, follow ITworld on Twitter and Facebook.


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Washington leaves the door open
Page Tools
The US Administration has signalled that division over Iraq need not end the alliance.
Perhaps the Bush Administration has changed its view of the US-Australian alliance over the course of the weekend. Or perhaps it hasn't, and the opinions expressed last week by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage did not reflect those prevailing in the White House. Or, just perhaps, the White House and the State Department have decided that the warnings from Washington about the withdrawal of Australian troops from Iraq by a Labor government are at risk of becoming counter-productive.
Whatever the reason, the assurances given by a senior Bush Administration official in an interview with The Age's international editor, Tony Parkinson, are a welcome shift in emphasis from Mr Armitage's views. When the Deputy Secretary was interviewed on the ABC's Lateline last week, he said Australia could not "cherry pick" from the alliance. In the context, this could only have meant that Washington would regard an Australian withdrawal from Iraq as a desertion of the alliance. The Administration official whose remarks we report today, however, has effectively repudiated the implicit threat in Mr Armitage's comments.
The official continued to insist, as have President George Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Mr Armitage, that an Australian withdrawal would have profound repercussions for the US-led coalition. The Australian Defence Force personnel in the Gulf region are a tiny fraction of the coalition deployment there: only 800, compared with 140,000 Americans. And of that 800, only 80 are potentially involved in combat operations on the ground, by providing security for Australian diplomats and other officials.
But Australia was one of the four coalition nations that took part in the invasion of Iraq, and in US eyes an Australian withdrawal would have much greater symbolic weight than the Spanish withdrawal; it could be interpreted as heralding a collapse of will among Washington's closest allies.
The official also acknowledged, however, that although the Bush Administration's attitude to Labor's policies reflects the strong US desire to keep the coalition together, disagreement on Iraq would not be fatal for the alliance. If Mark Latham became prime minister later this year, the official said, he would still be welcome in the White House.
So he should be. The US would send a dangerous signal to the world if it refused to accept the result of an election in a longstanding ally. But this clarification of US policy should also prompt a clarification on Labor's part, for Mr Latham has still not said what an Australian withdrawal would involve.
Officially, he says that he would take advice once he is in office, a stance that appears to raise the possibility of some Defence Force personnel staying in Iraq. But Mr Latham and his frontbench colleagues should stop being evasive. The time when voters must choose is drawing near, and Australians have a right to know precisely what Labor intends.


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Mr. McGroovy's
Who doesn't love a good fort? This basically Fort in a Box will get your child's mind into creative mode.
Etsy has everything, from modern to vintage in art, jewelry, clothing etc. I can spend hours browsing the links and shops of individual designers and entrepreneurs. I receive inspiration each time I visit.
recycled motherboards turned into coasters make a great conversation piece or gift for your favorite geeky friends.Added 8 Years Ago from Perpetualkid
This is a ceramic, double walled (for insulation), coffee cup that resembles a take-out paper cup. This particular design has a silicone lid that securely attaches to the cup. The outside is matte and the inside is glazed. I ... This is a ceramic, double walled (for insulation), coffee cup that resembles a take-out paper cup. This particular design has a silicone lid that securely attaches to the cup. The outside is matte and the inside is glazed. I prefer a version that Starbucks put out a few months ago. Their version is pretty much the same, but the outside is glazed (and of course has their logo) and the lid is plastic with a silicone liner to keep liquids sealed in. The key difference between the two is the price. "I Am Not A Paper Cup" is roughly $20 and the Starbucks version is $12. The upsides to either is that if you are a daily coffee drinker, you don't have to trash a paper cup and plastic lid every time you get take-out coffee. The downside is that both of them hold about 8 oz. - not favorable if you normally order a "grande" at Starbucks. Another issue for commuters is that it is not spill-proof or splash-proof. And finally, the Starbucks version CANNOT go into the microwave.Tags: home, gifts, tea, humor, food, kitchen, environment, cooking, accessoriesAdded 8 Years Ago from Chiasso
These cool notebooks are made from recycled paper and screened with soy ink. And, to top them off, they have fun facts about bettering the planet on the inside cover.
These are just awesome like scented markers without the mess. If you have kids you know what I mean!
Handmade wallets made from old cassette tapes. Awesome. It doesn't get much cooler than that.Added 9 Years Ago from Designboom
Speakers that you can decorate and make your own. The speakers are universally compatible. They are also eco-friendly.Tags: audio, gifts, art, ipod, music, color, technology, gadgets, accessoriesAdded 9 Years Ago from Urban Outfitters


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Theme: Rubber Ducky
They make bath time so much fun, surely they have the same effect on…showers.
Plan the Menu
If the party is around a mealtime, serve Dry Rub Baby Back Ribs. But if you're looking for lighter fare, a spread of cheese and quackers, or, crackers is perfect.
Get Creative with Cocktails
Bubbles, of course. Take your pick from Cava, Prosecco, or Champagne.
Spread the Word
These bright and cheery yellow invitations might just increase your RSVP list.
To buy: Ducky Baby Shower Invitations, $64 for 25, minted.com.
Pick the Perfect Favors
Send guests home with a lushly scented bar that will keep them squeaky clean.
To buy: Lucia Soap Set, $19 for 8 bars, paper-source.com.


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Wednesday, March 14, 2007
It's been 6 whole day since I "blogged" last. I don't really have much to say but I've missed the whole publishing connection. You know, it makes me feel as if I'm doing something that will be around a while. Kind of like that one time that I helped finish the Zimmerman's driveway (or that one time… at band camp). So I figured I just start writing and see where it takes me.
There is one thing that should be known about me. I'm snoopy… and not in that cute cartoon kind of way. Ask the neighbors. It's not a coincidence that I happen to show up just as they're pulling their mail out of the box. I usually start a casual conversation like hey, what was your adjusted gross income last year? Do you frequent those 12 step program groups? Were you pregnant when you got married? Does your husband have something wrong with his left ear? Do your kids have ADD? While I'm blowing them away with invasive conversation, I'll look at their mail. It's amazing what you discover about a person by doing something as simple as looking at their mail. You can find important things like their middle initial (or a bonus of the WHOLE MIDDLE NAME) and the grocery stores in which they've "signed up for great savings." The great thing too, is if you're like me and you feel life is one giant marketing research campaign, you can see what types of stuff they buy and THEN PUT THEM IN A DEMOGRAPHIC!!!! (Isn't that exciting?)
Let's take one neighbor (and I won't name any names like I named the Zimmermans), there are many interesting items delivered in their mailbox. (Okay… so I don't want anybody turning me in. I realize that it's a federal crime to mess with a mailbox that doesn't belong to you, but I'm not reaching into the mailbox. I'm gazing below the sunglasses with my strategic 20/20). Back to the neighbor. This neighbor would have a wild collection of stuff delivered. You might find a letter from attorneys Emerson, Lake, Palmer, & Howe that would conclude that they're undertaking some fancy pants legal work. Like say, oh, maybe a will or divorce or if they have a lot of money a trust or foundation. If it's a will, it would be time to suck-up so that you can get yourself written in there somehow (even though you're just a neighbor). If it's a divorce, I'd suggest staying as far away as possible. Speaking of which, there's this new show that starts on Monday (3/19) on Court TV called "Till Death Due Us Part." Each episode is a re-enactment of a real life marriage that ends in the murder of one of by the other (can you claim the Qualified Widow(er) Filing Status if you're the one that did the actual killing? But then you have to have kids to qualify). Anyway, it's hosted by the "Groom Reaper." I might report on that. Stay tuned.
Another item of importance that might be found in said neighbor's mailbox is a Cabela's catalog coupled with Backpacker and Outside magazines. This just screams "Hey look at me! I'm outdoorsy and love to be outside but I don't have time to do it so I'll just buy all the gear and read about adventure while I'm on the can!" You could top it off with the Title 9 Sports catalog and then get on their case because their feminism single-handedly killed Men's Gymnastics in colleges across the country. Ah… that's a bummer.
The next day they might get Guns 'r Us (not to be confused with Guns 'n Roses… that's a rock band that produced such hits as "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Welcome to the Jungle.") This magazine demonstrates that they like guns but know nothing about them. I can bet my last ten bucks that the PITA monthly will be sent to their PO box with the smut. JUST KIDDING! I have more than ten bucks.
1 comment:
- Vera said...
Dear Ms. or Mr. Runner,
It has come to our attention that you are going through your neighbors' mail, asking inappropriate questions, and well…just being snoopy. We at Emerson, Lake Palmer & Howe would like you to cease and desist or we will throw all of our "Lawyers, Guns & Money" at you. Follow these instructions, or we will be forced to take action:
Take the "Passage to Bangkok" in your "Beautiful Pea Green Boat", not to be confused with the "Yellow Submarine"
Proceed down "Electric Avenue" to "Alice's Restaurant" where you will find the "Knights of Cadonia" waiting. These men are "Godless" and "Ruled by Secrecy". Deliver to them " One" huge pile of
"R.E.S.P.E.C.T", turn and "Run Like Hell" through the "Alpha Beta Parking Lot"…Hurry, your "Time is Running Out".
As far as mailboxes, if you had "Been Caught Stealing", you would be spending time with a "Ball and Chain" around your leg singing the "Folsom Prison Blues".
Do you ever wonder "Why's Everybody Always Picking on Me"? It's because you are a "Strange Little Girl" and "Simply Irresistible".
Robert Palmer Esq.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer (Howe Retired)
- March 16, 2007 at 6:34 PM


text: This winery has 25 hectares of vineyards, which use the trellis system and drip-irrigation. The bodega cultivates Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,Monastrell and produces about 50,000 bottles a year. It has 100 oak barrels, 80 American oak and 20 French, as well as stainless steel tanks with a capacity for 125,000 gallons.The premiere wine of this here is the Atalaya Crianza and its can be tasted in a tasting room that offers winery visits.


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'Once again the power play was fired up as they provided three of the Sabres' tallies. Chris Drury scored two goals on the power play and Maxim Afinogenov scored one as well. Drury, Afinogenov, and Jochen Hecht all recorded three points. Hecht scored an even strength goal as did Ales Kotalik.'
The Sabres Report - October 1, 2005


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Today's Devotional
A Word to the WealthyWhat resources, talents, or other gifts has God given you?
Top Music Videos
firefighterjohn's FavoritesBack to firefighterjohn's channel.
- By His WoundsThis is the music video for By His Wounds. I hope everyone enjoys!david-nasser2008-03-17T00:00:00100,793 views00:04:05
- Logan, The Sky Angel Cowboy(A FrankLozano.com Production) We have had a lot of requests to replay the phone call that Pastor Mike shared during our church service on Sunday, Nov. 11th, 2007.
Here you'll find the video clip that was created just for you. We've placed the...fr8nklozano2008-03-17T00:00:00731,452 views00:02:24
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- Tim Hawkins "Cletus Take the Reel"Buy Album!
Christian comedian Tim Hawkins performs a hilarious parody of "Jesus Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood. Send this on!crownentertainment2008-03-17T00:00:00447,817 views00:02:14
- A Little Girl Sings IndescribableKaylyn a 4 year old sings at Madison Campus Church
www.madisoncampus.orgunclemac12008-03-17T00:00:00375,009 views00:03:04
- You Are My KING (Amazing Love)This vlideo slide show speaks it all, we have nothing to boast of but that we're dearly loved by God. The music came from the Adoration The Worship Album by the Newsboys.
As we walk along the road of life, we can sense that Jesus is thre too; as ...kamoteus20032008-03-17T00:00:0024,454 views00:04:35
- Who Am IThis is another Picture Slide Show! :-)
Song "Who Am I" By Casting Crowns.
Pictures taken by Asher Carson.
Slide Show put together by Asher Carson.
Again please let me know what you think! Also if you like it you may like my other v...ashercarsonmusic2008-03-17T00:00:0027,534 views00:05:32
- InheritanceGod says it is our job to be outrageously loved. He loves you 100% as you are right now. A powerful word spoken by Graham Cooke and music by Jonathan David Helser...believe truth about how God sees you and His outrageous love for you. Some of t...vordererika2008-03-17T00:00:00149,063 views00:08:41
- My Redeemer LivesHi, My name is Cheryl Blake. I was listening to this song one night and had the thought of making a movie with it. I first started getting pictures of various nature things, but really felt deep inside to really proclaim what My Redeemer really me...cherylblake2008-03-17T00:00:0024,860 views00:05:00
- Will You Ever Know?Teens holding different signs with statistics regarding problems
facing teens today. Mixed with scenes from the Passion of the Christ. Drama team video for Easter.miltman32010-10-01T22:13:467,074 views00:04:47
- Louie Giglio - LamininThis blew me away! A snippet from a great message entitled How great is our God! by Louie Giglio, this section talks about Laminin, an amazing molecule in the human body. A must see!
Full DVD available at www.268generation.com
...thefacelesswarrior2010-10-01T22:19:331,078,426 views00:08:43
- In Christ Alone (My Hope is Found)The song In Christ Alone ( my hope is found) set to moving and beautiful pictures. I heard this song at Monadnock Bible conference center in Jaffrey NH. I have wanted to make this ever since.joeymore12008-04-02T00:00:0028,275 views00:04:11
- Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou ArtThis is video of Carrie Underwood performing "How Great Thou Art" at the Grand Ole Opry.hwmabire32010-10-01T22:20:4160,696 views00:05:23
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- Mighty to Save - Jeff JohnsonSitting in a hotel tonight in Santa Fe, NM and was bored. So Wes and I went to the vending machine room (for good acoustics) and recorded 'Mighty to Save'. This song is one of my favorites and has been such an incredible song to lead worship wit...jeff-johnson2010-10-01T22:43:1742,683 views00:04:25
- Swan Lake - Amazing Dance Part 2!!WOW!! This is incredible!!hulahan2010-10-02T00:16:05127,738 views00:03:57


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If you graduate from Macalester, you might become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate or a professional magician--and you wouldn't be the first grad to do either. You might write a bestselling novel or be chosen one of Popular Science's "Brilliant 10 Young Scientists."
At Macalester, a liberal arts college, we have 46 majors and programs to choose from and time for you to explore before you commit to a major. That major may lead you directly to your life's work, or it may be an internship, study abroad, or a community connection that opens that window.
Working Wall Street
An Investment Banking course connected Kunal Chauhan '15 to a Mac alum, whose mentorship helped him land a job on Wall Street.
Software Engineer
Sam Naden '15 landed a job as a software engineer with Thomson Reuters, a multinational mass media and information firm.
Alumni who pursue an advanced degree within three years of graduating.
Alumni who are satisfied with their education from Macalester (60% are very satisfied).*
Fulbright Awards in the last 10 years.
Mac students with a GPA of 3.5 and solid MCAT scores who are admitted to medical school.


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Willy's Beach Hotel
Fall in love with Boracay Island like its the first time when you stay at Willy's Beach Hotel. This 2-star property guarantees safety, convenience, and luxury as well as all the natural beauty found in the Philippines' most famous island at very reasonable rates.
Let us woo you with our cozy and well-appointed accommodations that face the fine sands and clear waters. Each room features the essentials like a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi Internet. Other facilities in the hotel includes both Western and Asian cuisine at the Becca's Cafe and Restaurant, plus a garden for weddings and leisure walks.
The hotel is located in front of the iconic Willy's Rock along Station 1 –- an excellent venue for morning devotion, exercise, and sunset watching. It is just a 15-minute drive from Boracay Jetty Port and a short walk to various clubs, establishments, and souvenir stores at D'Mall. Lastly, Willy's Beach Hotel is 900 m from Boracay White Beach and 1 km from Bolabog Beach.


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This event is in the past.
July 10, 2013 | 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Category: Grand Rounds
Location: Harper University Hospital #930 | Map
4160 John R
Detroit, MI 48201
Detroit, MI 48201
Cost: Free
Calendars: School of Medicine, Research Events, Neurosurgery, Main Events Calendar
Audience: Alumni, Community, Current Graduate Students, Current Undergraduate Students, Faculty, Parents, Prospective Students, Staff
Neurosurgery Grand Rounds Conference
Schedule for July 10, 2013
All events held in the Rengachary Memorial Neurosurgery Library unless noted.
8:00 to 8:30 AM
Children's Hospital of Michigan M & M Conference
Elizabeth Klein, MD
Matthew Schreckinger, MD
8:30 to 9:00 AM
Detroit Receiving Hospital M & M Conference
Neena Marupudi, MD
Gary Rajah, MD
9:00 to 10:00 AM
Harper University Hospital M & M Conference
David Hong, MD
Elizabeth Klein, MD
10:00 to 11:00 AM
C-5: Continuity of Care Clinical Case Conference
Neurosurgery Residents
Neurosurgery Clinical Faculty
11:00 to 11:30 AM
Vascular Case Conference
Neurosurgery Clinical Faculty
Neurosurgery Residents
Neurosurgery Fellows
For more information about this event, please contact Nancy Triggs at 313.745.4523 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Saturday Night Live funnyman Seth Meyers is featured in this Sunday's issue of PARADE Magazine. In his interview he dishes about the funniest people in politics, how he's not funniest person in his family, and his take on President Obama's cameo on SNL.
Check out some of the highlights below:
On Obama's Saturday Night Live appearance before he was elected President: "He was great, incredibly charismatic, really nice and fast and funny. We had a sketch where he came into a costume party wearing a Barack Obama mask, and when he took it off he was the actual Barack Obama. I said, 'If the mask is hard to get off, we'll think of something else.' And he said, 'I think you'll find I can take off a Halloween mask.' I remember thinking you probably don't get to this point without knowing how to do that."
On writing jokes: "If you write jokes too far in advance, they tend to go stale or you lose interest. You don't get into committed relationships with jokes, you become very promiscuous and you want to see what other jokes are out there."
On others in his family being funny too: "Everybody in the family thinks my dad is the funniest. My mother has laughed at everything he's ever said, which taught my brother and me, at a very young age, that you can punch above your weight if you're funny. It's a nice thing that God gave women that one blind spot."
photo: Wenn.com


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Physical Knobs Interface With Digital Applications
Designers are beginning to explore how to enrich our interactions with touch screens.
Last month in our post Physical-Digital Interaction Evolves we commented on how device inputs are moving towards more than just touch, and have the potential to incorporate interesting interactions between physical objects and digital screens. The designers at DS-Labs have developed a proof-of-concept that gives a glimpse of what these interactions might look like, using a physical knob to interact with a Google Earth interface. We expect to see this idea manifest itself in the form of physical counters or game pieces that interact on iPad screens, adding a layer of richness to the mechanics of digital games.
Watch a video demonstration below:
[via CreativeApplications]


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The generic chess engine will adapt a chess program to play other variants, using object oriented programming.
One of our goals is an endgame database generator that allows the user to make up their own pieces, generating perfect play for reduced material.
We may also have discussions of variants such as Endgame, by David Cope.