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A Minor, Insignificant Question about Mainstream Comics from Abhay
Posted by: Abhay Khosla on January 9, 2012
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Abhay
Dear Savage Critic readers,
I'm very sorry to bother, but an extremely minor and insignificant question about mainstream comics occurred to me the other day, one that's been nagging at me, that I thought I'd put to you and request your assistance with. Extremely minor; extremely insignificant.
I probably haven't been paying as close attention to mainstream comics as some of you, and so some of you may be more knowledgeable on this topic than I am. (Indeed, those less knowledgeable should be warned that there may be spoilers for comics you may want to read someday below).
I'm sure this is a question that's already been asked elsewhere, already discussed at great length by my betters, so I apologize that this is likely well-trod ground. I'm a bit behind. Just a simple question for the more knowledgeable among you.
I was spending my free-time the other day the same way I imagine most you spend your free-time: idly day-dreaming about how awesome THE FLASH is right now, and how THE FLASH is better than all of the other comics, and how anyone who disagrees with that can SUCK IT. You know: normal thoughts for an adult person to be thinking with their brains. (I just happen to be particularly enjoying THE FLASH at the moment, in a way that probably far exceeds any of that comic book's actual merits.)
And so, as I'm reflecting upon THE FLASH— basking in its glory, some might say– my thoughts turned to what the book was like for me before the relaunch: Not Good.
After the relaunch, DC let the book's art team, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato, handle the writing. Neither gentleman being professional comic writers by trade, the two instead naively decided to tell a story about how (1) The Flash is a decent guy, (2) The Flash has the coolest powers, (3) The Flash has to face-down gnarly bad guys, and (4) making THE FLASH comics lets them draw/color super-cool things. Mainstream comics usually aren't about any of those four things because some writer's busy showing off that they know things about, like, politics or whatever, instead; e.g., 2011 was the year where Captain America, Iron Man and Superman all had opinions about THE ECONOMY.
But that wasn't what the comic was like before the relaunch. No, before the relaunch, The Flash employed a comic writer and the couple issues I checked out in anticipation of our Roundtable discussion on FLASHPOINT, they weren't as focused on those four things.
Instead, the comic writer was building towards his epic crossover, FLASHPOINT, built on the premise that "EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT THE FLASH'S MOM WAS WRONG."
The FLASHPOINT crossover included a BATMAN spin-off called BATMAN: KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE. The premise of that comic was "EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT BATMAN'S MOM WAS WRONG."
Both comics were published contemporaneously with Marvel's FEAR ITSELF crossover, which was about how "EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT THOR'S DAD WAS WRONG." (Uh: and also something about "escape", apparently).
Which … and here's where I show my ignorance, and mention comics I haven't read…but this was published around the same time as the relaunch of ULTIMATE SPIDERMAN. Which I've been told began with stories about how "EVERYTHING SPIDERMAN KNOWS ABOUT HIS DAD AND UNCLE IS WRONG."
And published within the vicinity of a series called S*H*I*E*L*D*, which again I've been told is about how "EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT MISTER FANTASTIC'S DAD AND IRON MAN'S DADS IS WRONG."
And in spitting distance of the highly publicized BATMAN R.I.P., which teased readers with the prospect that "EVERYTHING BATMAN KNOWS ABOUT HIS DAD IS WRONG."
And spitting distance of the mystery of the Red Hulk– another comic I didn't read, but the resolution of which was apparently that "EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT THE HULK'S WIFE'S DAD IS WRONG."
I mean, I know this isn't the most unusual theme in fiction. It's been done before. I have half a memory of a stretch of either John Byrne or Jerry Ordway's SUPERMAN that concerned the mystery of whether Lex Luthor or Perry White had impregnated Perry White's wife. The way I remember it, Lex Luthor mistakenly thought you could get a girl pregnant from the mouth. They were trying to make a point how Lex Luthor post-Crisis wasn't a scientific genius anymore, but Jesus, that was a pretty extreme way of going about it, if you ask me. My memories are pretty fuzzy, though, so I may be off on some of the minor details there.
That comic RUNAWAYS was well-liked– I suppose that was built on the same basic foundation of Parent Secrets. Or I want to say that I heard YOUNG AVENGERS might have had similar ideas in it somewhere…?
So my questions:
1. Am I misremembering details of comics I've never read that I only half-heard about, or are mainstream comics especially fixated on this theme lately?
2. If the latter, were comics equally fascinated with this theme in earlier periods?
My loose, under-educated and malnourished understanding of mainstream comics history bros is that, basically, you had the Obscure WW2-Era Bros whose themes were that evil can go fuck itself and that dudes be getting stabbed in the eyes; the 60's Bros who cared a lot about people who were different being treated equally; the Acid-Stoner Bros, who cared about acid and skulls and just contemplating the concept of motherfucking infinity; the Punk Bros (followed by the Acid House Bros, though they arguably did their best work out of the mainstream, with obvious exceptions); the Crosshatch Bros, and then, the Movie Brat Bros, right? None of whom really struck me as being especially parent-oriented, thinking back on them.
Granted, in WATCHMEN, "EVERYTHING LAURIE JUPITER KNEW ABOUT HER MOM AND DAD WAS WRONG." They didn't shy away from those themes. But I don't know that I'd especially call it a dominant feature of 80's British Invasion superhero comics, either.
Did we shift into the Parent Bro Era of Comics at some point and I just didn't notice?
3. Is this a theme that's meaningful to… anybody? If I found out everything I knew about my parents was wrong, I'd be pretty bummed about it, I guess, but at the end of the day, I'd still have to make rent. So. I suppose it's a powerful theme for little kids…?
4. Also: are comics outside of the mainstream, from Image, Vertigo, Oni, Boom, D&Q, Fantagraphics,etc., are those comics fixated on this theme too right now?
In one of the Appendixes of PAYING FOR IT, Chester Brown did theorize about a world where "EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT A GIRL YOU PAY FOR SEX'S MOM IS WRONG" (spoiler: you can also pay the mom for sex), but that doesn't seem like the same thing.
Those are my questions. I apologize for those of you bored by these questions, as this has probably been discussed ad nauseam elsewhere. Thank you in advance for your assistance, and Happy New Year.
33 Responses to " A Minor, Insignificant Question about Mainstream Comics from Abhay "
It's a change from the 60s and 70s when all the superheroes were orphans, and none of them knew anything about their parents at all. This is what they get for asking…
So I started laughing out loud after "EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT THE FLASH'S MOM WAS WRONG." and continued to laugh out loud through much of the post.
We like to think of ourselves as living in enlightened times, but maybe all these professional comic writers had Moms and Dads that threw their comic books out. "Mom and Dad, I thought I knew you, but then you threw my comic books out!"
I know my Dad still harbors a little resentment that his Mom threw out his "Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold" and "Human Torch Fights the Sub-mariner" and whatever other comics. And maybe if he just kept holding onto these comics, instead of getting interested in cars and girls, maybe today he would be a millionaire. And through eventual inheritance, maybe someday I would be a millionaire.
Of course, if he just kept admiring his comic collection and never got interested in girls, perhaps I wouldn't exist. So, you know, mixed feelings.
Or … somebody introduced those few writers who are writing those countless series a second, new idea. They grew up with EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT HERO XY WAS WRONG. And in a flash of inspiration they knew how to make their mark. They may not have it in them to write the next classic which will still be sold twenty years from now, but this they could. EVERYHTING YOU KNEW ABOUT HERO XY´ MOM/DAD WAS WRONG. And it is not only ONE new idea, it is TWO. Enough material für at least 40 crossover-events.
I think you can pretty much nail it down to coming from RIP – and like most things inspired by Morrison, it was a hell of a lot better when he did it.
I think a lot of the problem is that no one knows what to do with these characters anymore, what their motivations should be. Revealing mysteries about parents at least motivates them to 1. pursue the truth, 2. deal with the repercussions, 3. confront their parents, and/or 4. strive to right the wrongs of their parents.
But all of those have become cliches, and as someone else said, part of the initial appeal of these characters was that their parents weren't in the picture at all.
That seems to be the major thrust of both Fraction's and Hickman's comics seem very usually always focused on parent dynamics usually being Fathers and Sons.
Right now, Dan Slott is kicking himself, because Spider-Man's parents were already revealed to be super-spies decades ago, AND there was already a story where it turned out they were still alive but then they were actually robots. (AND they almost did the story where Aunt May was his birth mother but then they chickened out.)
I think a couple of your examples are kind of stretching though (Flashpoint being an alternate reality, everything you know about everybody is wrong; and the Red Hulk thing — well, Ross has been a jerk who's on Banner's case since 1962, so I'm not sure having him turn into a big red guy is an "everything you knew was wrong" scenario.) But yeah, there's probably something to this.
Superheroes = Gods
God = Dad
Comics = Parents
We can be cynical and say that comicbook writers are stunted manchildren selling tales to readers that are even more stunted. We can be literary and say that the Hero's Journey requires one to move out from the shadow of one's parents and become your own person, and being orphaned was just the quick way out. I am sure the truth is somewhere between the two.
At the same time, I feel the political zeitgeist contains a lot more generational resentment. Maybe comics are just more intouch with concerns over Social Security than Hollywood. (Certainly novelists have been milking "You can't go home again" since "Catcher". And 80's genre films at least we terribly afarid of their children.)
A few thoughts:
There's a big difference between a new story beginning with a character discovering something (like RUNAWAYS) and an established title playing the "everything you know is wrong" card (like JUSTICE, or the Vision being declared to be the Human Torch).
In the days when comics were very keen on continuity, there was a lot of "everything you know is wrong" because when writers wanted to change something, they felt obliged to explain it. That sort of thing has tailed off.
Nowadays, I think it's more a product of writers trying to find something new to do with the increasingly small range of characters and concepts that the market seems willing to support, and desperately hunting for new angles on old ideas.
I will beat Jeff Lester to the punchline and say that if Mssrs Fraction and Johns had just gotten a few more hugs, modern comics would not exist. And this site would be preoccupied with discussing whether digital day and date will hurt Sugar and Spike's sales, or whether the movie success of Wheelie and the Chopper bunch REALLY justifies a fourth spin off title, "Ultimate Astonishing Wheelie"
@simmered, because RIP was so good? You must of read a different version than I did.
"Superheroes = Gods
God = Dad
Comics = Parents
I like this.
It could be more that this is a generation of comic writers who grew up in an era where divorce is more prevalent leading to the "Daddy Issues" we see being presented.
I noticed this a lot with Hickman's writing. It seems he was writing three stories with the same time traveling dad who abandoned his son (Nathaniel Richards in FF, Night Machine in Shield, and plot of Red Wing).
I know it's tempting to lay this problem on the altar of some kinda crisis of maturity (c.f., EDDIPUS REXXX #523: "Eddipus Rexxx: Dark Vengeance of the Ultra-Dad, Part 2 of a 4-Part Graphic (and We Do Mean GRAPHIC) Novel-Thing" (Lee / Liefeld / Hackjob)).
However, I suspect this has more to do with key creators coming of nerd-dom at an impressionable age when nothing could be more mind-blowing than SAY WHA–??? LUKE SKYWALKER'S DAD WAS *WHO*, NOW, WHAT?
(*Spoiler Alert* — His Dad was Darkseid Vundabar, of the metallic moon/space stayshun Apokolabia which used its awesome Anti-Life beams to wipe out peaceful planets; and after Luke Moonrider discovered he was secretly Darthseid Vundabar's son, he learned to use the Source and teamed up with rogue hero Scott Solo and his wookie Oberon to take down the Forces of Darkness. It's all very mythic on the Zero's Journey. Op. cit., Q.E.D., ergo, hence.)
Like most things that look like Meaningful Cultural Patterns, it's probably not the result of a Zeitgeistical Shift or some stirring in the Collective Unconscious but merely a conspiracy of rip-offs. Just like we're inundated with fairy tale revivals now in cinema, television & bitter drinking sessions among Vertigo comicbook writers who know they started it all. Why this sudden Once Upon a Wave? Not because of some major kultural moment, a deep-seated confrontation with the myths of childhood, guh-blah-blah-blah-blah, but more because the Development Execs of Hollywood tend to be lazy-ass copycats. I mean, Sweet Jesus, Mother of Mambo, they still think twist endings are The Shit (TM) because they haven't actually *READ* anything since the 8th fucking grade and therefore still regard O. Henry as *THE FIZZUCKING BIZZOMB.* (FUN LITERARY FACTOID: O. Henry was actually kind of a hack. See "Trademark Infringement of the Magi," P. Arse, Citeman & Ann O'Tate, University of Fullcourt Press. )
In other news, how can you write this whole piece about the Dark Sekrit of the Ultra-Dad and not bring up INVINCIBLE? For the love of God, Montressor. Yes… for the love of God.
"… if Mssrs Fraction and Johns had just gotten a few more hugs, modern comics would not exist."
I laughed, Corey.
1. I'd argue that Red Hulk is a different beast. Ross became the Red Hulk in his continuing quest to take down Incredible Hulk. It's definitely a change for the character, but it doesn't contradict or alter the character's history. Additionally, the title Hulk (which is not about the original Hulk but is instead is about the Red Hulk (comics!)) is focused on how Ross' transformation affects his own life; the affects on his daughter's life haven't been explored (yet; looks like Parker might be getting around to that with this weeks issue.)
2. Maybe fascinated isn't the right word, but let's see if there are other titles where the EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT YOUR PARENTS IS WRONG theme is dealt with.
The one that springs to mind immediately for me is Omega The Unknown:
Not really the focus of the book, but it is an aspect of the plot.
A good chunk of Peter David's Incredible Hulk run dealt with Banner's repressed memories about his father, so I'd mark that one as "sort of."
Hmm… Maybe there's more?
*Also could be included in the Parent Bro Era of Comics:
X-Men: Deadly Genesis was essentially about how EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT PROFESSOR X IS WRONG, and he acts as a surrogate father to the members of the X-Men. Of course, that story was the first step in writing Professor X out of the X books, so…
Invincible? I haven't been reading it, but I'm pretty sure that EVERYTHING INVINCIBLE KNEW ABOUT HIS DAD WAS WRONG.
3. It's probably meaningful to people who are deeply involved in comic book continuity, but I can't say that it gets me to pick up a comic that I'm not already reading.
4. I don't think this is happening too much with other publishers, but… I guess EVERYTHING BUDDY BRADLEY THOUGHT HE KNEW ABOUT HIS WIFE'S PARENTS WAS WRONG, but he didn't really know anything about them so I don't know if this still applies.
I'm not sure that I'm done with question 2 though.
Oh shit, EVERYTHING ORION AND SCOTT FREE KNEW ABOUT THEIR DADS WAS WRONG.
Well fuck, when you get right down to it EVERYTHING SUPERMAN KNEW ABOUT HIS PARENTS WAS WRONG.
Oh crap, I forgot about Invincible. I read that for a few issues after all the reaction of that reveal happened. I kept thinking "there's probably something in Walking Dead" but …
My memories of the color half of HATE have gotten so weak– I remember liking the black and white Seattle stuff more, not really getting it until I'd seen that stuff. I really should revisit Hate…
Ok, so it's not exactly a new plot in general in fiction.
But.It's a natural consequence of the particular dilemma that the Big 2 Superhero titles are in as regards continuity.
You can't really move the story forward easily in any Big 2 superhero comic. You can't have the characters make dramatic decisions that will have long-term irreversible consequences. Whatever they do in their "present" will just be undone later. Not even because a later creator doesn't like what you did, but because moving the story forward at some point advances the character towards middle-age, old age, death. If Spider-Man goes to college and then to graduate school and then becomes a professor and then gets tenure, or gets married and has children and has to move to New Jersey because of the schools, it's not just that boymen get frustrated about reading about a grown-up, it's that (rather like in life) there are things he can't do any longer, stories that can't be told, etc.
So the only way to make dramatic developments happen that 'stick' and have meaning is to read them back into the character's history, to do retrocontinuity. You can't move Bruce Wayne towards death, so ok, tell us more about Thomas Wayne. Tell us that all the Waynes were something we didn't think. Then the character in the present doesn't have to move towards death, but he does have to change in light of the new information about his own history. It doesn't have to be about DAD and MOM and DAD's SISTER's DENTIST's SEX LIFE, of course. The most startling move of this kind ever was Moore on Swamp Thing–not EVERYTHING HE KNEW ABOUT HIS PARENTS but EVERYTHING HE KNEW ABOUT HIMSELF. Of course, Moore's Swamp Thing then actually carried his story forward to new places, but the gambit obvious impressed everyone, even hacks, as making storytelling possible in an age of continuity fetish.
Yes, Abhay, clearly you need more HATE in your life.
Now that the cold meds have worn off, let me state this more succinctly: is it not possible that the Wave of Shocking Parental Revelations are a direct result of nerdish creators encountering that infamous "Luke, I am your father" moment in EMPIRE at a tender age? (A plot turn which itself is alleged by some to have been nicked from NEW GODS.)
It was a deeply impactful moment for young nurdz everywhere and might have set a certain standard for some of the major creators who have been propagating this trend.
I mean, it's real easy to overthink this stuff… I remember a hysterical bit in Bill Warren's exhaustive review of 1950s sci-fi flicks where he demonstrates that a whole slew of otherwise cryptic and mystifying motifs in "big bug" movies come from one simple fact — every single goddamn script was aping the key plot turns of THEM! Even in cases where it made no sense. THEM! was structured so that the reveal of the [*SPOILER ALERT*] Giant Ants was a surprise reveal — other movies copied this structure, even though they had titles like THE DEADLY MANTIS or THE GIANT EARWIG where any "suspense" or "reveal" was kinda kneecapped by the TITLE of the furshluggin' thing.
Doesn't the primary driver behind all superhero fiction come from the idea that EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT EVERYTHING IS WRONG? Or at least everything about the laws of physics. The entire fantasy is based on looking at your life and thinking "WHAT IF EVERYTHING WAS DIFFERENT?"
What if I could fly?
What if I had power and money, could break the rules, and was in charge of my own destiny?
What if my life was full of action, mystery and crazy secrets?
And what if all of the above really is true, and I just don't realize it???
The easiest way to toss that last one at the main (usually young) character, is to have his/her parents reveal it.
I wonder if, as comics readership ages, the characters themselves will be older when they experience their origin stories? Is there any pattern with Golden Age heroes having their origins at younger ages (a very young Bruce Wayne's parents are murdered and baby Superman is rocketed away from Krypton)? Compared to many silver age heroes having their origins in the prime of their (forensic scientist, test pilot, weapons manufacturer, space explorer, etc.) career?
Maybe soon we'll see empty nesters sending their kids to college only to discover a nefarious plot the kids set in motion before they left?
"Maybe soon we'll see empty nesters sending their kids to college only to discover a nefarious plot the kids set in motion before they left?"
I would totally buy this comic.
Could J.K. Rowling share some of the blame? No wait come back, hear me out, remember once upon a time we all thought the Harry Potter books were about the adventures at Hogwarts of Harry Potter and his contemporaries, and then about halfway through the series whatever the present-day characters were up to started to seem like less of an actual plot and more of a means to find out stuff about Harry's parents and *their* friends and all the things *they* did at school, and the theme of Big Important Plots Are About Parental Revelations might thus be floating in the air more than usual around the years when the last installments of the film series came out?
(This line of thought about Harry Potter came from my vague recollections of an Andrew Rilstone post, btw, probably this one http://www.andrewrilstone.com/2007/08/harry-potter-and-qualified-recantation.html )
Don't get me wrong, I'm also happy to blame George Lucas as a matter of principle.
I think Timothy Burke gets at the mechanics of it very well.
How to tell stories where the heroes are emotionally invested without changing anything about the hero leads down a very well paved road.
It's basically become a choose your own adventure book with one choice.
Now, Hulk (which I haven't read) sounds at least surface compelling because it's a mutation of the concept. Ross as a supporting character is dead. Ross as a protagonist has now started his cycle of viable story options. He goes from being a spoke in the Banner's wheel to being the center of his own story wheel.
A lot of people are doing a lot of very fine work in comics. Part of me just wonders if somewhere along the line the formula for creating good super hero comics became utterly damaged by corporate efforts at commodification. Then those companies further damaged it by tailoring said commodity for a dwindling audience that they themselves "dwindled" in an effort to be more efficient at making money.
This site has the best comments bar none. I heard a guy on the bus say that so it's quoted for truth.
Also, hearing something is about "Fathers and Sons" the reader automatically assigns any story with unconscious and unearned cachet. Man, do modern comic writers like that trick. Someone says (in all probability, by pure coincidence, The Writer) something like, "FEAR ITSELF is about Fathers And Sons." and…whoa, now…I'm already thinking this baby is gonna be like THE ROAD but with magic hammers! And the little people, too, because it's about The ECONOMY! It is informed! The little people, oh, it's the little people who hurt the worst when The Bad Economy Thing (note to Writer: research this bit)hits! Which is a bit odd because the little people are supposed to have a pot o'gold at the end of their rainbow. But…Fathers, Sons, Leprechauns, magic hammers! Cormac McCarthy, you didn't try hard enough, you didn't want it bad enough, Cormac McCarthy, you failed, Cormac McCarthy! Your hands are stained with Fail!
(Tha "little people" thing feels familiar? Did I steal that? Have I been plagiarising the magnificent Abhay again? Will I spend this year being sued until I am turned inside out?)
Dagnabbit, people, we gotsta wipe the stardust from our eyes and realise that just because something has fathers and sons in it, it doesn't mean it's *about* fathers and sons! ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ain't exakkerly John Irving! Not even John Irving read at a funereal pace by Robert Mitchum on Mogadon it ain't.
Now, I don't know if it was the first instance of this particular idea but if it wasn't the first I think it was the best: EVERYTHING ISAAC THOUGHT HE KNEW ABOUT ABRAHAM WAS WRONG! (I mean I'm assuming Isaac didn't already suspect his Dad was a schizophrenic subject to auditory hallucinations with barely repressed infanticidal tendencies. If he did I think Isaac would have left home sooner.)
When I came back from Polytechnic I found my Mom and Dad had thrown out all my comics. This is a *true fact*. Years in therapy have revealed that my refusal to actually achieve anything, to be a constant source of woe and fret and to selfishly allocate all my resources to collecting all those *exact* comics again has been a systematic act of revenge on them for their complete and utterly unforgivable act of betrayal. So I'm probably not the best person to be commenting on these issues.
So, no, I don't know. But I know that they have made a film about Margaret Thatcher and it isn't a horror film? Oh God, EVERYTHING I KNEW ABOUT MARGARET THATCHER WAS WRONG!
I have this extremely fuzzy memory of Harlan Ellison, in one of those columns he used to do– probably one buried in one of those Essential Ellison volumes somewhere– writing about how… Hemmingway or Kafka or Faulkner, one of those guys, said that all stories are about a man's search for his own father. (It was a whole essay about how that quote made him feel; his father's passing being a turning point with him).
"Man's search for his own father"– has a ring to it.
At the end of some of those searches, though, it turns out that Dad thinks that Batman's mom would be the Joker if the Flash's mom didn't die, or something…? I don't know– Hemmingway, Kafka and/or Faulkner aren't really around to explain that one.
I'm surprised no one's mentioned Wonder Woman yet.
If only one of these superheroes had killed his father and married his mother, than we would have a Greek tragedy.
But seriously, once you have children and you essentially become your father, things just get weird.
Maybe the writers are young dads?
You cant just have superheros fight bad guys anymore, every has to be super personal.
But superhero can't change, not really, and readers are aware of this fact.
One obvious way to address this problem is EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT THEIR PARENTS IS WRONG. Its also probably part of why there are tonnes of evil secret organizations in comics, cos then EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT GOTHAM/WHATEVER IS WRONG.
Late, as always.
I think your questions have been answered adequately in aggregate above (and pretty well too), so I'll just make some passing points:
1. Star Wars had a detrimental effect on nerd culture (which now = all American culture) by making it too coherent. It seems like, circa 2012, everyone working in making stories was propelled outward by the same big bang, and as this recombined with other interests, it took a while for the "everyone's got the same momma" effect to become noticeable, By the time of Lost (which is almost like the big crunch – the beautiful macaroni sculpture they built when everyone was so sick of mac and cheese they couldn't stomach any more) the inbreeding was so obvious that everyone with half a critical brain cell was perpetually disgusted. So we can take the inbreeding effect as given.
2. You have to be careful in unknotting this Venn diagram of tropes – I think your thing is an "everything you know about the basis of the character/backstory is wrong" mixed with "preternaturalness is a communicable disease, and your most intimate associations are at risk." They coexist, but it affects the discussion as to how common the use of these tropes have been to note they exist separately (example first, Spder-Man wasn't just bit by a radioactive spider, he this all was about some super-hindsight-bias-inducing spider god; example second, Colossus' sister started out as a family token of innocence, but wound up as Satan's process server, or something).
3. The organizational instinct imposed by everyone reading McKee or whatever three act structure bullshit is partially responsible for the idea that they have to take everything that ever happened and make it curve back on itself. How can the Green Goblin not have been involved in Spider-Man's origin? That's crazy talk. I mean if you fight him, he must have done your girlfriend at some point. Name one Hollywood superhero movie where the first movie villain's not involved in the origin sequence in some way.
4. Some one mentioned David's Hulk, which goes back to that one Mantlo story (right?), but it seems like the Byrne generation was the one that first got preoccupied by this. Lee just wanted to quip some banter while good artists did crazy stuff, Roy the boy wanted to bring in every other possible influence, but it was the next era, I think, that this stuff started in earnest as creators started to confront the "what now?" problem. Byrne started the "everything you know about Reed Richard's dad" is wrong thing. Byrne dug up all the "everything you know about the Vision's "dad" is wrong" in WC Avengers. The Richard and Mary Parker agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. thing was a few years after that. So was the Cable thing. The shenanigans of Wolverine/Sabertooth – who's your daddy – ran through the era. Oh, and Corsair – tough to beat orphan (of 15 story years) finds out his father is a space pirate who has sex with a squirrel (that wasn't Byrne, but I blame him anyway).
"The Richard and Mary Parker agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. thing was a few years after that."
That one's actually from back in 1968.
You won't believe this (or care) but not only are your right (about Richard, anyway), but that issue was published on the day I was born (Nov 5 1968, the day Elvis recorded If I Can Dream, the day Nixon was elected president the first time). Crap. In any event, it was a story totally ignored/forgotten until it was dredged back up in the mid 90's. It found it's time.


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Baby, You're a Firework! – Humanism and the Hereafter
"I do not know how to prove physically, that we shall meet and know each other in a future state; nor does Revelation, as I can find, give us any positive assurance of such a felicity. My reasons for believing it, as I do most undoubtedly, are that I cannot conceive such a being could make such a species as the human, merely to live and die on this earth. If I did not believe in a future state, I should believe in no God. This Universe, this all would appear, with all of its swelling pomp, a boyish firework." – John Adams
To this, a Humanist reply: in the words of noted philosopher Katy Perry, "Baby, You're a Firework!"
This post originally appeared at State of Formation, an interfaith community blog. [Read more…]
The Tolling Bell: Do Some Deserve to Die?
Outside the White House, citizens gathered to wave American Flags and chant "USA! USA!" At Ground Zero and Times Square people came out in droves. Right now as I type people are pressing onto the T in Boston, heading to the Common. Heading to celebrate the death of another human being.
This leads me to question, as a Humanist: Do some people deserve to die? Is it ever right to celebrate the death of another human person? [Read more…]


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Sky Ray 3*T6 3800Lumens 5-Mode Memory Flashlight (2*18650)
Brand: SKY RAY
Model: skyray 3t6
Emitter Brand/Type: Cree
Emitter BIN: T6
Color BIN: White
Total Emitters: 3
Battery Configurations: 2 x 18650 rechargeable battery(Not include)
Voltage Input: 8.4V Max.
Switch Type: Clicky/Clickie
Switch Location: Tail-cap
Modes: 5
Mode Memory: Circuitry Features Mode Memory
Mode Arrangement: Hi > Mid>Low > Fast Strobe>SOS
Brightness: 3800 lumens maximum brightness (manufacturer rated)
Runtime: 1.5 hours (manufacturer rated)
Lens: Coated Glass Lens
Reflector: Aluminum Textured/OP Reflector
Other Features: Features 6 tapered tips for glass breaking
very bright and good light to run on 2 batteries...have the skyray king t6 ....4 and 6 bulbs...not much of a different except the 4 and 6 light have more of a flood...all work well and very bright.....
best flash light i have ever had
Recommended for general purposes. The case is made from durable aluminium, the finishing is ok.
I've been using the flashlight for a few months now, and I have no complaints. It does not come with a holster, which would be nice, but definitely not expected. It is extremely bright and easy to use.
I like it becuase is small Good for what i paid.
i collect LED flashlights and this is my favorite. I use rechargeable batteries works just fine. You will love this flashlight too. Remember this, rechargeable batteries will never leak and ruin your light. ENJOY!
I love the flashlight. Excellent machining and finish. Incredibly bright
I knew the product. I got exactly what I ordered and expected. I purchased these before as gifts. I even had two of my own, but I kept giving them away to friends. This one I'll keep.
when purchasing a flashlight, if you want one that lasts and is solid, you can't go wrong . Purchased as a gift and would recommend to anyone. I will even consider purchasing this for myself next time I purchase a flashlight
when purchasing a flashlight, if you want one that lasts and is solid, you can't go wrong . Purchased as a gift and would recommend to anyone. I will even consider purchasing this for myself next time I purchase a flashlight
good flashlight , my daughter really love it so mach . Thanks for the seller
Very good company, fast aswering, good communication, i am satisfied
Causes my friend loved it so much I had to order more for all my friends. ..
I love this flashlight. Got it for mounting on my beach cruiser and its perfect. Great range of beam. I highly recommend this Flashlight.
Really though these are good little flashlights! I waited a while to review these lights so I could put them to the test a bit first. So far I'm surprised at how well they work and how bright they are, especially for what I paid. Of coarse they don't feel like fifty dollar flashlights, but the quality is still good. The power just went out in my house and since I can have one in each room I was glad I had got them.
It may not be 3800 lumens, but for the price nothing comes close to the brightness with rechargeable batteries. I like it !!
good throw beam
memory mode
I compared this light to utrafire c8 deep reflector and it is the equal
in throw distance and a clear winner with brightness because of the 3 t6 emitters.
Excellent service thumps-up 5stars
Regular Price: $64.60
Special Price: $59.95
Regular Price: $24.50
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In The PinkFavorites [+]
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Running Time: 114 minutes
Released: 11/2014
Studio Name: Pounding Pink
Series: In The Pink
Categories: Big Tits Gonzo High Definition
Description: 7 Girls in 6 scenes fucking their brains out!!
6 Scenes from In The Pink
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Sex Acts: Showering/Bathing, Masturbation, Breast Play
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Content. This buzzword in the SEO space has grown to astronomical levels. As I speak with companies on a regular basis, they constantly tell me that they've been advised to write new and unique content by the boatload — no matter the Web site or space they're in.
It's time we review the advantages of content, and where it may be applicable. Let's look at a few sites that will either need heavy amounts of content or little to no content.
These sites need content:
- Affiliate sites, which typically add little to no value by simply copying from others. These sites need a specific value-add, to differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack.
- Sites with heavy amounts of graphics, Flash, video, or any other site that may be difficult for a user requiring a screen-reading program to view.
- E-commerce sites that use a set amount of content from a massive distributor, like Ingram Micro or Tech Data. Each merchant has access to the exact same data — what makes your site different from the rest?
These sites don't need heavy amounts of SEO-specific content:
- Sites with a large community of content contributors who spend a good portion of their time writing about the topics surrounding the subject matter of each site.
- Sites that generate content on a regular basis, such as news sites or blogs.
Instead of trying to manipulate search engines, consider providing a way for your users, distributors and/or manufacturers to give you unique and well-written content. It's likely that they have written marketing materials that won't make it to their standard (and usually expensive) forms of distribution. This content could add a great deal of value to products and/or services that may be offered by many other online dealers with either the same or slightly different data.
When creating content, keep in mind that it can come in multiple forms — services, contests, games, video, and even news . It's critical that the content is interesting and compelling, so it has the chance of being linked to by a "fan."
It's very important that if you offer a special guarantee, such as a price match, you honor it to any possible level. By having complicated terms that make it nearly impossible to use — the Starwood Price Match Guarantee, for example — you'll wind up upsetting your client base. While you may get links to your site, it will hurt your reputation.
It's also extremely important to have a "yes we can help" customer service attitude. Your loyal customers can be solicited to come back and write about their experience. This most important feature has helped companies such as eBay and Zappos.
The retail sector, such as stores like Best Buy, has lost this attitude. In many cases, no matter how small the request, they just say no. You wind up spending an enormous amount of time arguing with them that you're right.
However, if you buy the same product at a site like Zappos, with their very friendly customer service attitude, you'll be satisfied through the entire process and come back to buy more.
Related reading
6 ways to turn your website into a niche knowledge hub
It might have been sufficient to start a niche blog to build authority ten years ago. These days, you'll need to go the extra mile. Here are 6 ways to turn your website into a niche knowledge hub to build a stronger, more recognizable brand presence.
How to scale web design to improve page loading speed
Even a 1-second delay in page loading time can make a difference to conversions, page views and customer satisfaction - not to mention SEO. Here's how to optimize your website design for the fastest possible experience.
5 little-known tools for a holistic digital marketing campaign
Everyone knows digital marketing is a field of constant evolution. In many cases, a strategy is only as good as the tools it employs.
6 ways to build a more productive remote content marketing team
You no longer need to find and move content marketing talent to your office: You can work effectively with content writers from all over the world using the tools to build a productive team.


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The Heart of the Lion was an Ikoma Bard technique which taught the Ikoma were tasked with conveying the emotions which the rest of the Clan kept bottled away in stoic rectitude. [1]
- ↑ Legend of the Five Rings; Fourth Edition, p. 119
|This Lion Clan related article is a stub. That means that it has been started, but is incomplete. You can help by adding to the information here.


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I have been busy doing flea market sales here in Dubai.
I have received a consignment from india of plastic, aluminium and brass bangles. It is huge quantity and will take more than 2 years to sell in my experience of selling at flea markets.
Any advice on alternative ways to sell would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards.
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by Nathan McDonald, Sprott Money:
Another boom and another crash. The story of Bitcoin has been a roller coaster ride of rises and falls to say the least. Once again, people have either engaged directly in the bubble, or stood on the sidelines and watch in awe as Bitcoin has catapulted higher in recent weeks.
Yet, this was not meant to last. Once again, as it has so many times before, Bitcoin has suffered a serious setback, falling roughly 31% overnight!
The recent rise in price was almost entirely driven on the news out of China, in which capital controls have begun being imposed upon its citizens, proving once again that your money isn't your money unless you're holding it in your hands.
This was a bubble that some knew had a shelf life, while others were simply being blissfully ignorant of the reality surrounding the situation.
The fact of the matter is, if the Chinese government was imposing capital controls and knuckling down on its people, then why wouldn't they take notice of those trying to escape with their money via Bitcoin?
Well, the obvious answer is now clear to all, even those who didn't wish to see what was unfolding. The Chinese government has crashed the price of Bitcoin overnight by simply suggesting that they will begin controls on "virtual"capital.
These comments, which will likely be followed through on and cause even further pain in the price of BTC, brought the virtual currency from a high of 8,896 yuan to 6,101 yuan in one fell swoop.
This is not to say that Bitcoin does not have value, which clearly it does as I have written about numerous times in the past, and I am a fan of any competing currency, especially one that is decentralized from government meddling officials.
For the time being, history has once again repeated itself and the saga that is Bitcoin has undoubtedly made many short term traders very wealthy and others, very poor, but don't worry, we doubt this will be the last pump and dump that we will see out of this crypto currency.
Please follow SGT Report on Twitter & help share the message.


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OutletLeopard Print Brazilian brief – Tribal Chic
Leopard Print Brazilian brief – Tribal ChicRef 03X0£ 7,00
Ref 03X0http://www.wonderbra.co.uk/p/leopard-print-brazilian-brief-tribal-chic/W03X0CA-04J.html£ 7,00
Product description
There is nothing quite like animal print to personalize your lingerie. You simply won't be able to resist this brazilian brief from the Tribal Chic collection. With its perfect cut, this brazilian brief features animal print flock tulle at the front and and fine black tulle at the back. For optimal comfort, the wide opaque waistband is made from microfibre for a perfect fit over the hips.
- Cut-away skin-tone tulle brazilian brief with black flock design
- Elasticated microfibre waistband in opaque black
- Transparent black tulle at the back
- Cotton-lined gusset
This season's must-have brazilian brief is great for freshening up your lingerie collection! Pair it with the push-up T-shirt bra or full effect bra from the Tribal Chic collection and effortlessly slide into a simple little skirt or cropped jeans.
Material and care
80% Polyamide, 20% Elasthane
handwashing / tumble dryer forbidden / Bleaching not allowed / Do not iron, do not dry clean / Aucun nettoyage à sec possible
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Maybe more than any other high-volume builder of turning and machining centers, Doosan Infracore has continually kept one foot firmly planted in the "commodity" machine tool market while the other traverses the ever-changing landscape of machines based around multi-function, hybrid, and emerging technologies. Yes, Doosan's lineup includes a fair number of traditional style three and four axis vertical and horizontal machining centers, and two-axis lathes. But the preponderance of new machines being introduced by Doosan feature advanced functions, higher speeds, combined process, and multi-axis capabilities.
Sure, there are always going to be a few companies who carve out a "specialty" or "advanced technology" niche. These companies don't necessarily foretell an industry-wide shift or direction. But when a conservative, more traditional company like Doosan introduces advanced technology equipment at the rate they have been, something is up.
What does this tell us about the future of machining in the United States? The future is now and the most successful metalworking shops know that they must do more to add value, reduce cost, improve quality, and deliver parts that are difficult to produce in an efficient manner. So, when a company that has always exceled in the production of basic but solid machinery, shifts its emphasis to the production of more sophisticated machines, it's showing us the direction of the new normal in metalworking.
With the introduction of their latest machines, Doosan continues its strategy of addressing market trends and needs by "filling in" the small, medium and large envelope of more complex machine tools already in their lineup.
The PUMA SMX series of multi-tasking turning centers feature 5-axis turning/milling centers with X, Y, Z, B, and C axes. The B axis enables unlimited secondary milling function on and off centerline of the part. The 7-axis "S" version includes a programmable sub spindle (A1 and C2). The A1 axis allows the sub spindle to move along centerline to pick up the first operation completed part directly from main to sub spindle. And the C2 axis provides unlimited rotational positioning and feed of the spindle like a rotary table. Doosan introduced the SMX 2600 and SMX 2600S models with 35 HP, A2-8" spindle, and 10" chuck first and have now filled in with the SMX 3100 and SMX 3100S models with 40 HP, A2-11" spindle, and 12" chuck. With practically infinite capability to handle any part geometry, machining capability is limited on by the imagination.
The PUMA 5100 series offers the 5100 version, a large envelope, heavy duty 50 or 60 horse power 2-axis turning center (the one foot firmly planted in the traditional side of the machining marketplace). Taking the series one small step further, the 5100M is a basic turning/milling center with simple on-center secondary milling capability. The 5100Y offers turning and on and off center secondary milling function, with considerably less flexibility than the SMX series. The main difference between a B and Y axis is that a B axis is programmable infinitely both above and below centerline but also in the rotational axis in 0.001 degree increments as well as at a feed rate in the rotary axis.
The PUMA GT series is expanded to include the GT2100 and GT2600 2-axis and 2100M and 2600M 3-axis versions. These box way equipped models reflect the traditional solid, though basic function design of traditional Doosan lineup.


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Zapatero "absolutely" rules out economic rescue for Spain
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero "absolutely" ruled out Friday an Irish-style rescue for Spain even as markets cranked Spain's debt risk premium up to record highs.
The prospect of a rescue for Spain's economy, which is twice the size of that of Ireland, Greece and Portugal combined, is sowing deep concern in world financial markets and in.
Investors are demanding increasingly high rates in return for taking the risk of buying Spanish debt, adding to the problems faced by Madrid in raising fresh cash.
The gap between safe-bet German 10-year bonds and comparable Spanish bonds leapt to a record 2.60 percentage points in morning trade. A few months ago the gap was 1.70 percentage points.
"I am not delivering a message of confidence just because I want to but because of concrete facts," Zapatero said in an interview with Catalan radio RAC 1.
The prime minister said Spain's public debt was considerably lower than the European average.
European Union figures show public debt averaged 74.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product for member states in 2009, hitting 78.1 percent in France and 73.4 percent in Germany.
But in Spain the public debt amounted only to 53.2 percent.
Asked if he could rule out a rescue in the wake of Ireland's banking emergency, the prime minister replied: "Absolutely."
"Those who make short term bets against Spain will be making a mistake," Zapatero said, adding that there was "no scenario" under which a rescue of Spain could be envisioned.
"Those who push this idea are not contributing to calm," he said.
Spain was cleaning out the bad elements which "grew the economy, in part artificially" said Zapatero, referring to a property boom which collapsed and pushed the country into recession at the end of 2008.
"We are carrying out the deficit reduction plan scrupulously and in an exemplary fashion, we have one of the soundest financial systems and the regional savings banks are being restructured at a good pace and will be consolidated at the end of the year," he said.
Analysts warned any rescue for Spain could have vast consequences.
A former head of the German council of economic experts, Juergen Donges, told the Spanish daily El Economista that Spain's economy was nine times the size of Ireland's.
"If according to some calculations Ireland needs 80 billion (euros) then Spain would need 800 billion," Donges said.
"The European Financial Stability Fund does not have that much money so you would need either to give the plan more resources, which is not the solution, or tell Spain to fix things as best it can, which is not a remedy either," he added.
Spain's economy was hard hit by the property bubble and international economic crisis in 2008 and 2009, and it now suffers from an unemployment rate of about 20 percent, along with zero economic growth in the third quarter.
After the Greek financial crisis, the government suspended dozens of road and rail projects and cut civil servants' wages as part of the deepest spending cuts since Spain returned to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.
It aims to bring the public deficit down to 6.0 percent of GDP in 2011 and to the eurozone limit of three percent in 2013. The deficit hit 11.1 percent last year, the third highest in the eurozone after Greece and Ireland.
Zapatero said he had no plan to call early elections, due in early 2012.
"I was elected for a four-year mandate and I am going to complete it responsibly. It fell to me to live through a major economic crisis. I know this country needs reforms and I am going to carry them out."


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The Forever Hot Instant Hot Water Dispensers by Whitehaus Collection are the perfect addition to your kitchen or prep area. These dispensers produce a cup of steaming hot water in less than 30 seconds, making the convenience of these faucets unparalleled whether you are cooking, or simply wish to make a cup of tea. The WHFH-H4640 dispenser is available in seven different finishes, guaranteed to give you a completely cohesive look in your kitchen or prep design.
- Vibrant antique copper finish resists corrosion and tarnishing to maintain a pristine appearance
- Whitehaus Collection recommends using the heating tank WH-TANK only (not included)
- European, stylish design
- Solid construction will stand up to the test of time
- Fits counter tops up to 2-3/8 in.


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The Odd Blogg
A Monkey in India Adopts a Stray Puppy and Stunned Locals (Video)
I have no idea what will be the end for this poor little puppy. The little dog does not seem to be happy. The incident happened in Allahabad, India and people gathered to watch the unusual sight.
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Electric Bass Guitar Strings
Results 1 - 40 of 445 matches
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Ernie Ball is the pioneer of rock and roll guitar strings. Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, and Slash are...$27.99Compare Compare Now site1prod100872
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Your electric bass guitar strings have a huge impact on the way the instrument sounds. With many combinations of types, materials and gauges available, it can be a frightening proposition for new players to pick out their first set of strings. Fortunately, once you break down each option that you're facing, the decision can be easier than it seems at first. Roundwound winding strings are the most common type. Perfectly round, these strings offer the brightest sound and give the strings a deeply-grooved feel that makes them a bit rougher to the touch with more finger noise than other strings. Roundwound strings are the go-to shape for slapping, popping and tapping. Flatwound winding strings, on the other hand, are shaped like ribbons and give a mellow tone. This type of string is a good fit for jazz and reggae. Smooth to the touch, flatwound strings make very little finger noise. Sitting in the middle are groundwound winding strings, which are based on a round shape but shaved down on two sides to combine some of the brightness of roundwound strings with a sense of the silky-smooth feel of flatwound. Electric bass strings are primarily made in stainless steel and nickel-plated steel varieties. Steel is a great material for strings because of its strength and its corrosion resistance that allows it to stand up to sweat and humid environments. Nickel plating is a bit easier on frets and fingers, with a slightly softer sound than the clear, poignant tone of straight-steel strings. Other less common bass string materials include plain nickel, chrome, copper, phosphor bronze, silver and nylon. The final considerations are gauge and getting the right fit for your bass. Choosing a gauge for your strings is essentially striking a balance between tone and playability. Lighter-gauge strings place less emphasis on tone but are much easier for a beginner to play. Heavier strings take more effort to fret and pick, but reward that effort with great tone. Your goal should be to find the gauge that hits the sweet spot for your experience level and desired tone. Naturally, you'll also need to choose a set that comes with the right number of strings for your instrument and has the correct scale length, since a short-scale string won't reach the head of a long-scale guitar and a long-scale string would be too thick to wrap around a short-scale guitar's posts. Ultimately, no one can tell you which strings will be best for you. There are so many variables that you may have to experiment before you find the ones that suit your needs. This process of trial and error is normal—and when you find that perfect set of strings your bass lines will sound better than ever before.


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text: >> THE MODELIZER —The January 2009 issue of Vogue promises "Change," and so far has delivered twice — Coco Rocha's newfound red hair, and the replacement of the infamous leaping Brazilians (Caroline Trentini, Raquel Zimmerman, Gisele Bundchen) with a couple of new inductees: Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn. In the straight-off-the-runway editorial, of course Chanel gets to wear the Chanel. And if that doesn't get you, how about this: Chanel Iman's dog is named Louis Dior. [SansArtifice, Net-a-Porter]


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Oil and Gas Investments
Joint Drilling Projects
Renewable Energy Projects - Mining Investments
Oil Field and Drilling Equipment Sales
Oil and Gas, Mining, and Renewable Energy companies often need funding to maintain or expand their ongoing operations. In the same way home sellers list their homes with Real Estate's Multiple Listing Service (MLS), energy companies may list their projects with Texas Energy Exchange .net, a multiple listing website that provides a bridge between the financial community and the oil and gas, mining, and renewable energy communities. Texas Energy Exchange .net is a multiple listing service for the various types of energy and mining projects including oil and gas projects, coal mining, gold and silver mining, wind energy, solar energy, nuclear energy, geothermal energy, hydroelectric projects, biomass, bio-fuels, electric power, and other projects that need funding and investors. We are not brokers — we are technical and financial consultants who introduce funding sources to the owners of various types of energy projects. There are no constrictions on the type and scope of energy and mining projects we may list.
We also would like to announce that Texas Energy Exchange .net will also start listing oil and gas field and drilling equipment for sale through our Oil Rigs Now website.
The geoscientists, engineers and financial professionals of the Texas Energy Exchange strive to present buyers with quality energy and mining projects that match their investment criteria. You will purchase your interest in a venture directly from the energy or mining company, not from Texas Energy Exchange .net.
At this time there are no costs to Texas Energy Exchange membership. You can list and review any and all projects. We are particularly interested in listing oil and gas drilling joint ventures.


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Reawakening after two years of beauty sleep for a complete makeover, Trou aux Biches brings a new level of luxury to the northwest coast of Mauritius.
Located on one of the best beaches on the island and being just a 10 minute drive from the best shopping and dining options in Mauritius in Grand Baie, this couldn't be a better spot and will appeal to couples or families.
The splendid and stylish accommodation comprises of spacious suites and villas scattered through the tropical gardens. All of the Beach Front Suites and Villas have their own outdoor showers and private pools and the villas also have their own barbeque areas and valet service.
When it comes to dining you'll be spoilt for choice with a selection of six restaurants (one of the largest choices in a Mauritian hotel!), including buffet, International and Italian a la carte restaurants, and two fine dining venues for adults and children over 12 years old only featuring Thai and Indian cuisines respectively. The Caravelle Bar, being close to the beach is the perfect place to be for those sunset, pre- or after-dinner cocktails.
Although Trou Aux Biches is designed with romance and couples in mind, families are welcome and special Family Suites are offered with a separate bedroom for up to three children sharing. There is also a Bob Marlin mini-club for children with its own restaurant and a 'You Club' for teenagers with activities.
Away from the beach there's an excellent range of sporting activities, many complimentary (except scuba diving, deep sea fishing, bikes and tennis equipment or tuition). Trou Aux Biches boasts its own HEAD Tennis Academy with 6 floodlit courts and a good choice of water sports including waterskiing, sailing and windsurfing. Finally but certainly by no means least, the Spa by Clarins features two hammams, 17 massage cabins (6 for couples), and speciality rooms for balneotherapy and algotherapy treatments.
Amazing place to visit, service at both hotels was perfect and made us feel very welcome.
Our honeymoon was absolutely fantastic and surpassed expectations. Many thanks to Sally for arranging the room upgrade - really appreciated. Can only say positive things about the hotel and the staff there - gorgeous resort, attentive service, excellent food and great value with the Full Board Plus option. We visited the Spa three times and thoroughly enjoyed being pampered and buffed ahead of our return journey. Overall, the ideal destination for a honeymoon, a romantic holiday and even a family visit - the resort appeared to be very well geared up for kids with clubs and activities to give the parents a well earned rest. Please do not hesitate to recommend this resort to your clients!
Fantastic holiday. The hotel, facilities and service exceeded our expectations, would highly recommend this hotel for anyone looking for a luxury hotel with great service, water sports and tennis facilities. Variety of restaurants and food options, and the meals were of a great quality. Thank you Erica for your advice on Mauritius and in both recommending this hotel and booking the holiday.
We are happy to give you a call back to discuss your holiday at a convenient time for you or we welcome you to come to our office in central London to discuss your holiday in detail.
Our destination experts provide a personalised service to tailormake your dream holiday. Within our experienced team we have visited most of the properties we feature and will be able to give you expertise and specialist knowledge from our first hand experience. You will be offered a direct telephone number, so you are able to speak to the same specialist from the time you pick up the phone until your documents are sent out.
No, we tailormake all our holidays and subject to availability you will be able to travel on any date. The itineraries and holidays on our website are for inspiration and are suggestions only, you can change any aspect according to your personal requirements and available spend.
Many customers are under the illusion that booking late secures the best prices. This is often not the case and it is advisable to book early especially if travelling in peak seasons such as Christmas, Easter or school holidays. Many hotels and airlines actually offer special "Early Booking Offers" so you are able to secure the best price early on.
It's always a difficult decision to make before you travel. Call one of our destination experts, who will be happy to advise you on local restaurants and prices you can expect to pay in resort.
There are many excursions, activities and highlights that are not to be missed out on, whilst in the country. Please contact our experts for advise on whether to prebook these before travel.
When booking through Western and Oriental, if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to bad weather or you have a problem in resort it is our responsibility you are taken care of. We offer a 24 hour emergency number to assist with any issues you may have in resort and all of our flight inclusive holidays are financially protected through ATOL bonding for your protection.
Dress Code in all restaurants is casual in the daytime and elegant (shirt and trousers) in the evening
L'Oasis is the main restaurant and overlook the pool and sea. It offers international cuisine and live cooking stations. A Mauritius Market buffet operates once a week. Open 7.30am - 10am and 7pm - 10pm. The bar overlooks the main pool
La Caravelle is the international a la carte restaurant and bar close to the beach is open 6 days a week, buffet breakfast 7.30am - 10am, a la carte lunch or buffet from 12.30 - 3pm and a la carte dinner on reservation from 7pm till 10pm.
Le Deck beach restaurant is open 6 days a week and serves a la carte lunch from 12pm - 3pm and a la carte dinner on reservation from 7pm till 10pm
Blue Ginger Thai restaurant is open 6 days a week for dinner on reservation between 7pm - 10pm and offers a Discovery Menu included in the half board package
Mahiya Indian Restaurant is open 6 days a week and serves dinner on reservation between 7pm - 10pm and offers a Discovery Menu included in the half board package
Il Corallo is an a la carte Italian open in the evening on reservation between 7pm - 10pm
With its classic tropical climate, Mauritius is generally blessed with warm, sunny weather throughout the year; however, you may prefer to visit the island during the cooler, drier months of May to October, when it is not quite as humid.
The South-East trade winds mean that generally twice as much rain falls in this area of the island at this time, so we recommend staying on the North West coast as they are protected by the mountains. Cyclones are possible between Novemeber and April.


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One Degree of Difference
By Ron Rosenberg
One of the great things about living in North Carolina is that you can spend time outside most of the year. And for me, this means being on my bicycle.
We have an incredible public greenway system here with over 100 miles of paved trails. And this makes cycling significantly more safe and enjoyable than riding on the roads where you literally take your life in your hands when you start rolling!
On a couple of recent rides, I noticed that my speed was a bit lower more...
A Picture or a Photograph?
By Ron Rosenberg
To be a photographer in the "olden days" you needed a camera and film. You took some pictures, sent the film off to a lab to be processed, and waited a few weeks until the negatives and prints were returned.
Over time, the concept of "one-hour photo" became reality, and you could simply drop off your film and pick up your final copies an hour later. There was also the option of "instant film" with Polaroid cameras where you could take more...
Process vs. Event
By Ron Rosenberg
There are way too many areas that compete for your attention each day, and it can be challenging - if not downright impossible - to keep them all organized.
If you happen to own your own business, you know this all too well - you wear so many hats it can be difficult to even know where to start!
That's why it's important to understand and appreciate the difference between a process and an event.
It's Tax Time!
Every year my accountant sends me a reminder to more...
Close to the Edge
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Kurt Vonnegut was a prolific author, having written14 novels, five plays, and several short stories and non-fiction works.
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I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without more...
Mid-Century Modern
By Ron Rosenberg
There's an old expression that says, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
This is certainly true in business and in life, as things cycle back and forth between different extremes: one year carbs are good, the next year they're evil; ties are fashionably wide, and then narrow is in.
I experienced this just yesterday when we stopped in to visit our daughter and son-in-law. They had just bought some new furniture and were excited for us to see it. But when I walked into their more...
Thank You - Really!
By Ron Rosenberg
Wednesday was a "travel day" for me, with a lot of time spent on airplanes. And because I fly a lot, I generally don't pay attention to the pre-flight announcements, but this time was different.
The flight attendant addressed us as we were leaving the gate, introduced herself, and said, "I want to personally welcome you on board our flight to Atlanta. I know you all spend a lot of time on our planes, and I want to thank you for your loyalty."
This was pretty normal, but then more...
Using Your Brain
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When it comes time to make decisions, it's important to use your brain. But which brain, exactly, should you use?
You see, according to some research, we have two"functional" brains: our thinking brain and our emotional brain, and these can deliver two vastly different sets of results.
From the perspective of marketing and sales, this is a very important distinction and can significantly impact your promotional strategies.
People Buy on Emotion and Justify on Logic
This is a fundamental concept that drives everything from point-of-purchase displays in supermarkets to deadlines in infomercials. It comes back to more...
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There's an old adage that says, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
I think this is certainly true in the way of personal communications - specifically in the area of smartphones.
These devices are truly incredible, and are the current-day versions of the science-fiction devices we were introduced to over 50 years ago on Star Trek. We hold access to virtually the sum total of human knowledge in the palm of our hands and have the ability to connect with almost anyone in the world instantly.
Of course, what we do with more...
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text: All Web content and electronic publications, to the extent feasible, should be made accessible to people with disabilities. If accessibility is not feasible, the information should be available by alternative means. University web sites may be subject to the State of Oklahoma HB2197; Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and University non-discrimination policies. Web account holders are responsible for verifying that their pages meet all university requirements including accessibility guidelines. Additional information on HB2197 can be found at https://www.ok.gov/abletech/IT_Accessibility/HB_2197.html. Section 508 and HB2197 are only a minimum standard for accessibility and Web pages. Developers are encouraged to go beyond the minimum whenever possible. The Web Communications departments is the central point of contact for Web-related accessibility questions: email@example.com or (405) 325-0058.


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He has covered everything from high schools to horse racing to the college and the pros. The only thing he likes more than his own voice is the sound of readers telling him when he's right and wrong.
Michael Hiestand has covered sports media and marketing for USA TODAY, tackling the sports biz ranging from what's behind mega-events such as the Olympics and Super Bowl to the sometimes-hidden numbers behind the sports world's bottom line.


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You can also log in to Delaware Investments financial advisors website using your LinkedIn account.
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Ty Nutt , Brad Frishberg, Bob Zenouzi
May 15, 2013
Many investors have become increasingly concerned about the likelihood of interest rates rising in the future, perhaps accompanied by bouts of inflation.
Instead of trying to read the monetary tea leaves, we believe active investors may be well served to focus on what they can control: picking securities and controlling portfolio risk. We also believe that interest rate and inflation preparedness goes beyond traditional bond asset classes, expanding to include traditional growth and value-oriented equities, listed infrastructure, and listed real estate. In the sections that follow, portfolio managers from each of these areas share brief thoughts — at the portfolio level — about accommodating inflation and rising rates.
By Ty Nutt
We believe we're nicely positioned if inflation revives or interest rates finally rise because we maintain a sizable allocation to energy companies and are underweight in financials and utilities.
Of course, much will depend on the details. If inflation increases quickly and by a lot, all sectors could be affected and potentially hurt quite badly (the chart below takes a look at this relationship). But if a normalization of rates happens gradually, we believe the market could come through fine, notwithstanding some valuation compression and sentiment deterioration.
Even within those sectors that overall might be hurt by elevated inflationary pressures or rising interest rates — financials, for example — there could be pockets of strength. Banks could actually benefit from a higher rate structure because it would potentially improve their net interest margins, which have suffered as of late. Insurance companies also could gain because they could finally squeeze some yield out of their fixed income portfolios. The main casualties of higher rates and inflation would potentially be in the utility and consumer discretionary spaces, which are areas in which we currently maintain significantly underweight positions.
(Data: U.S. Department of Commerce, Federal Reserve, accessed in April 2013.)
Chart above is for illustrative purposes only and are not representative of the performance of any specific investment.
Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.
The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of 500 mostly large-cap stocks weighted by market value, and is often used to represent performance of the U.S. stock market.
By Brad Frishberg
Inflation protection is one of the key aspects that we believe makes global infrastructure attractive as an asset class. About half of the portfolios we manage have some form of inflation protection, and often times this protection is direct and formulaic.
For example, one of our current holdings, an international toll-road developer with major assets in Australia, has more than 20 years remaining on its concession: we believe it will likely raise tolls automatically every year to reflect the inflation rate. (For a look at how this relationship has played out in the past decade, see the chart below.)
(Source: Transurban Group, as of May 2013.)
Regulated assets, another type of listed infrastructure, can also have inflation hedges built into its contracts. Regulated assets include businesses involved in electricity and gas transmission and distribution (that is, the poles and wires, or suburban gas pipelines) that deliver electricity and gas to households, and water companies that provide fresh water and remove waste water.
In determining the price that may be charged to customers, the regulator typically ensures that the regulated company is able to earn a return in excess of its cost of capital, including permitting the regulated company to raise its tariffs in future years by a level linked to the inflation rate. Thus, regulated entities are able to generate revenue streams that have the potential to grow at least in line with inflation. In our opinion, these kinds of contractual, inflation-linked revenue bases may provide infrastructure investments (including many of those within our portfolios), with a direct inflation hedge.
By Bob Zenouzi
We believe current Federal Reserve policies are forcing some investors to: 1) invest in hard assets (that is, real estate) that may endure during the eventual inflationary result of current policies, and 2) buy financial assets that provide what the Fed policies are taking away (that is, yield). As a result, today's loose global monetary policies seem to be a potential win-win for the real estate sector, even if the monetary policies that drive it are misguided, in our opinion.
Historically, real estate investment trusts (REITs) have been hedges against inflation, and we believe that this pattern may continue if inflationary pressures begin to increase. In today's environment, for example, approximately 85% of the debt of U.S. real estate companies is fixed; this figure is higher than was the case during the last cycle (data: Citigroup). It also bodes well, in our opinion, for the real estate sector, since borrowing costs are going to rise along with interest rates at some point down the road. In addition, many commercial tenants are locked into six- and seven-year leases, with rent step-ups over the life of the lease that are tied to inflation.
We still have to choose the right companies, but overall we believe that real estate has the potential to perform quite well in either a rising rate or an inflationary environment.
No one has a perfect view of the macroeconomic developments that lie ahead. There are many factors to account for, and the links between them can be difficult to spot. Nevertheless, both equity and fixed income portfolio managers at Delaware Investments are keeping inflation and rising rates in mind as they assess the bigger picture and analyze the preparedness of the portfolios they oversee.
As noted in their comments, the implications of rising rates and inflation may not be the same across all sectors and industries. But each of their portfolios contains some facet — whether it's a sector position or a specific industry concentration — that can potentially aid performance in the midst of an inflationary upturn.
Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/literature or calling 877 693-3546. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
International investments entail risks not ordinarily associated with US investments including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability in other nations.
Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility and lower trading volume.
Narrowly focused investments may exhibit higher volatility than investments in multiple industry sectors.
Investment strategies that hold securities issued by companies principally engaged in the infrastructure industry have greater exposure to the potential adverse economic, regulatory, political, and other changes affecting such entities.
REIT investments are subject to many of the risks associated with direct real estate ownership, including changes in economic conditions, credit risk, and interest rate fluctuations. A REIT fund's tax status as a regulated investment company could be jeopardized if it holds real estate directly, as a result of defaults, or receives rental income from real estate holdings.
"Nondiversified" funds may allocate more of their net assets to investments in single securities than "diversified" funds. Resulting adverse effects may subject these funds to greater risks and volatility.
Senior Portfolio Manager, Team Leader — Large-Cap Value Equity
(View bio)
Senior Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, Team Leader — Large-Cap Value Equity
D. Tysen Nutt Jr. is currently senior portfolio manager and team leader for the firm's Large-Cap Value team. Before joining Macquarie Investment Management (MIM), which includes the former Delaware Investments, in 2004 as senior vice president and senior portfolio manager, Nutt led the US Active Large-Cap Value team within Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, where he managed mutual funds and separate accounts for institutions and private clients. He departed Merrill Lynch Investment Managers as a managing director. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Investment Managers in 1994, Nutt was with Van Deventer & Hoch where he managed large-cap value portfolios for institutions and private clients. He began his investment career at Dean Witter Reynolds, where he eventually became vice president, investments. Nutt earned his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College, and he is a member of the CFA Society New York and the CFA Institute.
CIO of Infrastructure Securities — Macquarie Capital Investment Management LLC
Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer of Infrastructure Securities — Macquarie Capital Investment Management LLC
Brad Frishberg oversees the firm's infrastructure securities investment activities and serves as chief investment officer of infrastructure securities. He is also a co-portfolio manager for certain infrastructure portfolios within North America. He has more than 20 years of asset management experience. Prior to joining Macquarie Asset Management in 2009 as managing director and deputy head of infrastructure securities, Frishberg was managing director and U.S. equity portfolio manager at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, where over a period of 13 years he was responsible for managing portfolios and businesses in London, Tokyo, and New York. He started his career at Aetna Asset Management as an international analyst and then as a portfolio manager for Japanese equity and fixed income. Frishberg earned his bachelor's degree in business economics from Brown University and his master's degree in economics from Trinity College.
CIO — Real Estate Securities and Income Solutions (RESIS)
Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer — Real Estate Securities and Income Solutions (RESIS)
Bob Zenouzi is the lead manager for the real estate securities and income solutions (RESIS) group at Macquarie Investment Management (MIM), which includes the former Delaware Investments. Zenouzi created this team, including its process and its institutional and retail products, during his prior time with the firm. He also focuses on opportunities in Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia for the firm's global real estate securities strategy. He is also a member of the firm's asset allocation committee, which is responsible for building and managing multi-asset class portfolios. He rejoined the firm in May 2006 as senior portfolio manager and head of real estate securities. In his first term with the firm, he spent seven years as an analyst and portfolio manager, leaving in 1999 to work at Chartwell Investment Partners, where from 1999 to 2006 he was a partner and senior portfolio manager on Chartwell's Small-Cap Value portfolio. He began his career with The Boston Company, where he held several positions in accounting and financial analysis. Zenouzi earned a master's degree in finance from Boston College and a bachelor's degree in finance from Babson College. He is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts and the Urban Land Institute.


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