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Bang Bang: Hrithik, Katrina sizzle in the new poster
Bollywood's super hot onscreen couple Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan look sizzling in the new poster of their much-talked about upcoming film 'Bang Bang'.
The trailer of the film has already created abuzz ripples across the globe and the two lead Hrithik and Katrina are being admired all over.
The new poster of Farah Khan's Happy New Year' is out with the film's cast dressed in suits of gold with blue. While the actors - Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani and Vivaan Shah look deadly, lead actress Deepika Padukone sizzles in a gold and orange outfit.
The film, which has been in the news for months now, has succeeded in creating quite a buzz even before the trailer launch. The second poster of 'Happy New Year' shows the cast - Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani and Vivaan Shah dressed in dark colours as they seem set for some kind of heist.
And finally the third poster is similar to the exctiting motion poster which has also been revealed. It gives us not only the stars looking sharp and sexy, but reveals two versions of the film's star cast - Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani and Vivaan Shah.
First poster of Priyanka Chopra-starrer biopic on Olympic-winner Mary Kom has been unveiled, showing the actress posing as the boxer.
Priyanka Chopra, who stars as Mary Kom in the film with the same name, can be seen in a workout attire, with her hair tied in a pony tail, striking a similarity with the boxer's look.
She is seen in an aggressive and fighting mood in the poster. The film, directed by Omung Kumar and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, also stars Minakkshi Kalitaa, Shishir Sharma and Zachary Coffin.
Mary Kom is said to have shared boxing tips with the 31-year-old actress. 'Mary Kom' is going to release on September 5 this year.
Blood-streaked and shaved head, Shahid Kapoor looks fierce in the first look of Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming film, 'Haider'. Said to be an adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, 'Haider' has been shot in Kashmir and portrays Shahid Kapoor as Haider, a man who avenges his father's death. (Source: Twitter)
Shahid Kapoor has shed his chocolate boy image for this new avatar in 'Haider'. The actor looks fierce and awe-inspiring in the action packed mode.
Shraddha Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, who will be seen together for the first time onscreenm, are shown locking lips while embracing each other. While Shahid plays the title character, Haider, 'Ek Villain' actress Shraddha will portray Arshia, a reporter. (Source: Twitter)
For 'Haider', the Kapoor boy shaved off his head and grew a beard. (Source: Twitter)
The first look of the much-awaited action flick 'Bang Bang' is finally out, giving us a glimpse of the smoking hot Katrina Kaif entwined around her onscreen lover Greek God, Hrithik Roshan in a cool half under-water photo shoot.
Bollywood is gearing up for a hot new jodi in 2014 – after pairing up with Sidharth Malhotra, 'Aashiqui' girl Shraddha Kapoor will now be seen opposite another 'Student' Varun Dhawan.
Varun and Shraddha will be putting their best foot forward in Remo D'Souza's hit dance-drama 'Any Body Can Dance 2′ (ABCD 2). The film, which also stars Prabhu Dheva in the lead role, is the sequel to 2012′s hit film 'ABCD: Any Body Can Dance'.


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SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo baseball team shook off the struggles of the past weekend's series as they dominated visiting Valdosta State 16-8 in NCAA Division II South Region action at Thomas B. Southard Stadium on Wednesday night.
The win gives Saint Leo its 19th victory of the season, matching the mark the Lions put up for the whole of 2011 as they are now 19-11 overall and with just half the season in the books. Valdosta State heads back to Georgia 15-10 overall.
"It was a good regional win for us," Head Coach Russ McNickle said. "We needed some offense and we got it with Brendan Collins going 0-2 and getting on base, and we were able to get some home runs there, back-to-back. They answered (in the fifth inning) and we came right back and answered again. I thought it was really neat to see our offense do what we've been doing a lot early in the year, but as we start the second half it was neat to see the runs and see our guys play well."
It was an evening where the Lions matched, and eventually bested the visiting Blazers through the middle innings. Back-to-back homers by Chris Newcomb and Zach Miller in the fourth inning helped the Lions take a 5-2 lead, but VSU would respond to knot things in the fifth.
The Lions would put an exclamation point on the ballgame with a five-run fifth inning that saw the Blazers use three pitchers to get out of the frame. With the advantage now 10-5, the Lions would manage to hold the visitors off, save for a three-spot in the ninth inning, for the rest of the game.
In a game that saw a combined 39 players register playing time, and was the Lions' longest this season at three hours and 40 minutes, the win went to reliever Shaun Gough. Gough (2-1) was the pitcher of record when the lead switched hands for the final time. He came in for starter Ryan Sadler who managed 4.2 innings of work, surrendering four runs before being sidelined by injury.
A battery of seven Valdosta State pitchers took to the hill with Zach John (0-1) picking up the loss.
An astounding number of multiple-hit outings greeted the Lions on the final stat print out as Miller led the way with a 5-for-6 night racking up four RBI and two runs scored. His name was all over the final stats as he also added a double to his fourth-inning round-tripper.
Collins, whose work at the plate with two outs kept the fourth inning going, went 4-for-5 in the leadoff spot and is now batting over .400 for the season.
Valdosta State's Ryan Noelte was unblemished at the plate as he went 3-for-3. VSU's Cameron Graves and Bryant Hayman went 2-for-4 and 3-for-4 respectively as both were responsible for six of the Blazers' eight runs.
The Lions will continue to host out-of-conference play when Palm Beach Atlantic University comes to town for a weekend series. The first game of the three-game battle is scheduled to get underway on Friday night at 6 p.m. For the latest news, information, and updates on the baseball team, visit SaintLeoLions.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio officials are confirming the state's intentions not to run its own health insurance exchange but instead have the federal government operate the new online marketplace under President Barack Obama's health care law.
A letter sent Thursday to the Obama administration reiterates what Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) said in November. Ohio will keep its authority to regulate health plans in and out of the exchange, but leave running it to the federal government.
Exchanges can be run by the states, the federal government, or a state-federal partnership.
The federal government had initially instructed Ohio officials to submit a more detailed blueprint of its plan, which is required of those pursing a federal-state partnership. But recent conversations between officials clarified Ohio no longer fit into that category.


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"Game changer" is a term you hear often when people talk about how technology has changed their industry.
While retail sales are likely to remain flat or dip this holiday season, online sales will actually grow 8 percent, according to a new report from Forrester Research. In its "U.S. Online Holiday Retail Forecast 2009," the research company predicted online retail sales will reach $44.7 billion in the months of November and December.

 Despite this boost, the percent increase is substantially less than the year-over-year growth seen in years past. Excluding last year's modest increase of 5 percent, between 2003 and 2007, online retail sales were up between 20 and 31 percent annually.

 The growth hinges on several advantages that shoppers see with online buying versus visiting a store. Sixty one percent of online consumers said they like shopping online because they can find products that are unavailable elsewhere, per Forrester's North American Technographics survey conducted in the third quarter. More than half of respondents (52 percent) said they are better able to compare features and prices online than in-store.

 "You can and find whatever the deals are for any retailer out there, be it free shipping, or 30 percent off or whatever," said Mike Kraus retail adviser for AllBusiness.com. Kraus also points to "shopping aggregator" sites that help consumers find what the cheapest price is for any given product or brand. "If you know what you're looking for, shopping online is absolutely the way to go."

 The Technographics survey also found that 33 percent of respondents said they will do more research online before purchasing. The Web has become the go-to place for deals and discounts, including free shipping and coupons, but the report emphasized that retailers will also be protecting their bottom line by offering these deals for limited time or in limited quantities. It also predicted that social shopping online tools will grow as well as enhanced online merchandising tools such as American Eagle Outfitters' virtual closet or J. Crew's "shop that look" display.

 Some online retailers are more likely to see growth than others. A recent survey of retailers that Forrester conducted with Shop.org indicated that of the companies reporting year-over-year sales decreases, 39 percent were small companies, while only 17 percent were medium-sized and 21 percent were large. Mass merchandisers like WalMart are predicted to do well online. It also predicted that categories such as apparel and accessories will perform better than home goods.

 "For certain product lines, it's a very substantial part of the business," said Eugene Fram, Emeritus Professor of Marketing of Rochester Institute of Technology's E. Philip Saunders College of Business. He cites such Web-savvy brands as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as software companies, as likely to see continued online sales strength.

 At the same time, Fram downplays the significance of the forecasted online growth, pointing to the small proportion of total sales that online sales account for. "An 8 percent increase in terms of retail sales is not a particularly meaningful statistic in the long term. At some point, unless buying habits change radically, it will probably level off."


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Our buddy Hickory Pete threw down the gauntlet and challenged me to come up with a new thread, and I'm not the type to turn down a challenge or a cold beer.
So let's try this one on for size...
What does everyone do with their Holiday leftovers?
Are there any unusual recipes, favorie treats, amazing taste sensations?
Let's face it sometimes the leftovers are the best part!


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Monte Rosa group > Punta Giordani > Climber's Log
Punta Giordani Climber's Log
[ Sign the Climber's Log ]
|Route Climbed: Normal Route Date Climbed: july 2014 / july 2015
|2014: Quick visit / break on the summit of the Punta Giordani on our way to the Piramide Vincent via the ESE Ridge.
2015: On the way to the Rifugio Mantova, we decide to pass by the Punta Giordani again. Bad weather comes in and we turn back before we make it to the summit.
|Posted Aug 3, 2014 7:41 am
Date Climbed: Apr 16, 2014
|Ascent with skin and descent though east couloir and Likke-Schlosse to Alagna
|Posted May 20, 2014 7:17 pm
|Cresta del Soldato
Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2013
|Climbed with andrea.it the Cresta del Soldato. Very nice route and weather conditions. We climbed all the day w/o gloves.
|Posted Aug 26, 2013 9:44 am
|Cresta del Soldato
Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2013
|Climbed along the "Cresta del Soldato"
|Posted Aug 11, 2013 2:11 pm
|Silvia Mazzani
|Punta Giordani Normal
Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2006
|Nice training ascent.
|Posted Sep 16, 2012 3:01 pm
|Climbed an unkonwn route
Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2011
|We climbed what we though it was the Cresta del Soldato..It turned out not to be that..It was much longer more difficult and it did not end up on the summit. We reached the summit by joining the normal route for the last part.
Great Day of adventure!
|Posted Aug 11, 2011 5:46 pm
|Normal Route
Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2010
|Climbed from Mantova Hut. We had a fantastic day, warm, no wind and not a cloud in the sky, absolutely perfect conditions.
|Posted Sep 25, 2010 5:44 pm
|Fall skitour
Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2009
|Great fall skitour. Good condition on Indren glacier and grat condition on the way form passo dei Salati to Indren glacier (new hard snow).
|Posted Sep 24, 2009 5:53 am
|the first time
Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2006
|The first time for Paolo and Shaul
...and it was the first 4000m for Shaul
Nice but a bit foggy
Normal way from Punta Indren. Easy
|Posted Aug 28, 2006 6:19 am
|Normal by Indren
Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2006
|In a hot day we reach top in 2:20.
A lot of ice, too soft snow above 3800
Be carefull with crevasses: i felt in one just 200m far from the way from Punta Indren to Ref Gnifetti.
Nice view form the top
|Posted Jul 18, 2006 5:54 pm
|Route Climbed: Soldato Crest Date Climbed: 04 august 2005
|Extremly windy day, heavy cold and 80 cm of new snow falled in the previous days!
|Posted Dec 26, 2005 5:21 am


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Be sure to browse all of our Wee Away pet products to make sure you find just the right earth friendly, super effective stain and odor remover for whatever mess your dog or cat leaves behind. Pet Mountain is pleased to be a leading vendor of great Wee Away pet products.Pet Mountain is proud to offer you a wide selection of Wee Away pet products, at the very best prices available anywhere! Take a look at all of our huge selection of great deals! Cant find something youre looking for? Let us know! Wed love to help. Be sure to check out our online coupons and discount shipping on all your favorite products.Pet Mountain your have everything, online low price leader for all pet supplies!
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BASIC EDUCATION minister Angie Motshekga has admitted that the Limpopo textbook and teaching crisis could have been handled better, but has not apologised for the shameful mess.
"You will find that in terms of our records, some consignments had gone out, but the books had not reached schools because of the sabotage that we experienced, especially around the dumping of books in the province," she said yesterday.
"It's regrettable that we were unable to deliver books on time. That one is a statement we have made repeatedly," the minister said. "we are not even wanting to give excuses because it's something that should not have happened, but we are also saying education is a very scientific process.
"You just don't do anything at any time. You have to do everything systematically and scientifically."
Motshekga, speaking at a briefing in Polokwane after her meetings with principals in the Capricorn district yesterday, said they had primarily discussed a catch-up plan for teaching in the embattled province.
Motshekga said principals were critical for the successful implementation of the recovery plan.
"The idea of meeting principals, one, is to ensure that the recovery plan is credible, because the principals run the schools."
Motshekga said she would meet all the principals in the province by the end of this month.
Yesterday they also discussed the effect of the national intervention. Motshekga said it was important to clarify the role of the intervention team.
She said her officials were still verifying the number of schools that lacked books and those that had received extra books by mistake. She said she was aware that books for the Tsonga language were still missing.
"The only supplier who provides Tsonga books in this province had billed us for 15 000 sets, R57 million, which we didn't have, because for a bigger number of 45 000 sets [in other provinces] we wouldn't even pay R5m."
The department had decided to move their business elsewhere.
"Because Gauteng and Mpumalanga also use Tsonga books, we are using the service providers from those provinces."
She said the delay in the delivery of some textbooks was caused when books were dumped.
A provincial department official was arrested last month and charged with malicious damage to property in relation to the dumping of textbooks in Giyani.
Asked whether she would heed the calls for her resignation made by the ANC Youth League and student movement Cosas this week, she responded: "I just don't know why you are impatient.
"The president has set up a task team, which is going to give a report, and on the basis [of it] we move forward…
"What's this whole rush about?"
She said nobody had been found guilty.
"I really think it's very unbalanced and very unfair, and that's why I refuse to answer.
"I am saying be patient… It will come, in your lifetime, it will come and we will take things from there," said Motshekga.
Last week The Star reported that Motshekga knew about the looming textbook crisis in July last year.
This was four months before the bankrupt provincial department was placed under national government administration.
According to a report handed to the presidential task team, Motshekga was told that the original R633m budget had been reduced by the province to R372m and that this would not be enough to buy textbooks and stationery.
Motshekga has repeatedly said she could not intervene until the provincial department was placed under administration.


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I'll be holding this space for a while, as Greg Henderson, the editor of Drovers/CattleNetwork for nearly 30 years, resigned his position in August to pursue other opportunities. Greg served our publication and the beef industry well over those years, striving for editorial excellence while championing issues such as beef quality, value-based marketing and anything that contributed to producer profitability. I worked with Greg for the past 20 of those years, most recently as managing editor, and enjoyed his easy-going management style and knowledge of the beef industry. I also serve as editor of Bovine Veterinarian magazine, though, so you soon will see a new editor on this page.
Speaking of change, is it time for the U.S. beef herd to shift into expansion mode? Market forces and Mother Nature have driven an extended period of contraction in our beef herds, with numbers now at the lowest since the 1950s. Some say the traditional "cattle cycle" is dead. There are, however, numerous signs the contraction trend is about to reverse.
The weather this year improved dramatically in many key growing areas. We have what appears to be a record corn crop in the works, and most producers have better supplies of hay and standing forage than they did last year at this time. Economists generally project strong prices for calves and feeder cattle over the next few years. Our beef exports continue to grow and add value to cattle.
There are, of course, barriers to expansion including continued high production costs, land prices, market volatility, the aging population of U.S. ranchers and the value of feeder heifers.
Producers sometimes comment that a shrinking herd is a good thing, since those with cattle to sell benefit from higher prices. That is true to a point, but eventually, a shrinking industry hurts all shareholders.
Here at Drovers/CattleNetwork, we believe expansion benefits the industry in several ways:
• It preserves U.S. beef 's domestic and global market share.
• Growth supports the infrastructure that keeps U.S. beef competitive.
• Expansion creates jobs across the beef-production chain.
• It restores and preserves rural economies.
• Opportunity brings the younger generations into beef production.
• Beef production prevents development and rural sprawl in agricultural areas.
• Growth provides incentives for research and development for new products and systems to improve production efficiency.
We thought expansion would begin last year, but the historic 2012 drought brought another year of herd liquidation. Now, economists and industry insiders are once again talking about opportunities for expansion, which could begin in earnest in 2014. But as we know, the nature of the bovine animal prevents rapid increases in beef production. If a rancher this fall decides to keep 20 percent more heifer calves for breeding, the first calves those heifers produce won't become beef until sometime in 2016. In the meantime, heifer retention reduces the available supply of feeder cattle and further limits beef production.
We hope to see more heifers staying on the ranch this fall and next, so the industry can return to a growth trend. We'll continue to provide market analysis and management information to assist readers in their expansion decisions. But we realize it will be a slow process. For more information on the possibility of cow-herd expansion, read "Can the cattle cycle return?" on page 16 of this issue.


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(SALEM, Ore.) - State public health officials have filed administrative rules to implement a new law that requires hospitals to offer emergency contraception to female victims of sexual assault. The law, passed as HB 2700 by the 2007 Legislature, makes Oregon one of just nine states nationwide to have such a requirement. It became effective Jan. 1 and requires hospitals to inform female sexual assault victims about emergency contraception, the option of receiving it, and to provide it to the victim if she asks for it. (To continue reading article, visit this link)
© 2016 National Sexual Violence Resource Center – Founded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
This site is supported by Grant/ Cooperative Agreement No. 1UF2CE002359-04 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


text:
Franklin Pierce led troops in the Mexican-American War
August 20, 1847 — Churubusco, Mexico
During the Mexican-American War, "as the Battle of Churubusco approached, [Franklin Pierce] was ordered by Scott to the rear. He responded, 'For God's sake, General, this is the last great battle, and I must lead my brigade.'
-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Pierce


text:
Pantone declared Tangerine Tango the color of 2012, and stars like Jennifer Hudson, Vanessa Hudgens, Rashida Jones, and Alexa Chung have already incorporated the hot hue into their beauty routines. Tangerine is a sunnier, warmer alternative to the traditional red, and even better, it flatters almost every skin tone. Case in point: a punchy citrus pucker looks great on both Hudson and Jones, while Hudgens and Chung both tried a spring-appropriate mandarin polish. Tell us: Will you be wearing orange makeup this year?
Plus, get more celebrity-inspired manicure ideas in the gallery!
• SAG Beauty Trend: Black Nail Polish
• Sneak Peek: Chanel's Newest Nail Polish
• YSL's New Lip Color Hybrid: Already Selling Out!


text:
I just wanted all of you to know that I viewed Steven's full Season 1 and 2 boxset of Primal Grill this past week in preparation for the 2013 grilling season. I have to say that it's great to have 2 entire seasons to watch and they're downright addictive in their own right.
I also looked them up in Steven's store on this website, and the boxset is there, and at a really good price, too:
I'm looking forward to new seasons of PG as well in boxsets like this one, because it's great to see every single episode like this.


text:
We were unable to find results for "breil milano secretly thin interchangable medium bangle set rose gold lilac"
Search Tips
- Double check your spelling.
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text:
A man is due in court today charged with murdering two friends found stabbed to death in Leytonstone last month.
Wail-Suleiman Alawi, 23, from east London, was arrested on Wednesday and appeared at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Aaron Carriere, 21, and Josiah Manful, 20, were attacked with knives inside a black Ford Fiesta in Montague Road, Leytonstone, on March 1.
Two other men, Casey Jones, 18, of Walthamstow, and Devonte Campbell, 19, of no fixed address, have also been charged with the murders of Mr Carriere and Mr Manful.
Jones and Campbell have been remanded in custody and will enter a plea at the Old Bailey on May 28.
Police were called to the Leytonstone address by London Ambulance Service just before 1am on March 1 following reports of two injured men.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
In total, 19 arrests have been made in connection with the murders.
16 suspects are bailed until later this month, including a 46-year-old woman accused of assisting an offender.
Alawi was denied bail at yesterday's hearing and remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.


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30 in 30: Is Saint Leo the Next Sunshine State Success Story? - Written by Mark Macyk
Click HERE for the full Lacrosse Magazine Feature
With sunshine, Disney World and all the oranges you can eat, who wouldn't want to play college lacrosse in Florida?
Six years ago few could, because there were no teams. But since then in Division II, Rollins has proven Florida can support a powerhouse, going from new program to final four participant in just five seasons. Florida Southern started a team last year and finished ranked 15th in the country.
There's a third D-II team in Florida, at Saint Leo, outside Tampa. The Lions were also new in 2012. They're going to be better this season. Is Saint Leo the next Sunshine State success story?
Saint Leo (5-9) didn't have the same Year One success as Florida Southern (12-4), but when you consider it lost six of its first seven games, against teams like Rollins and Limestone, the record doesn't look as bad. And that was with a small roster filled with underclassmen and several players with no lacrosse experience.
Saint Leo has 14 new players this season, all recruited for lacrosse. The newcomers nearly outnumber the returners.
"The hardest thing with starting a program is that by the end of the season our roster was pretty small," Saint Leo coach Lesley Graham said. "At that point you don't have anyone pushing you to be better because you already have a starting spot. What's so great about this year is every single one of these freshmen have a way to make an immediate impact and the upperclassmen will have someone pushing them."
Last fall saw four teams struggling to share one muddy field. Some squads would begin practice at 6 a.m., some would go until 9 p.m. Not any more. Last month, Saint Leo dedicated a brand new $14.4 million turf field. It's just another step toward the big time.
The Lions wrap up their fall season with a scrimmage on Nov. 10 and until then will continue use the time to teach the system an see how the new players fit. That's a drastic difference from 2011.
"Last fall was a lot more teaching of the fundamentals," Graham said. "[This year it's] making sure that what you learned in high school is going to translate to the college level. Exposing them to the pace of the game."
What those players experienced in high school differs based on who you're talking to. The Lions have a core of 10 homegrown players from Florida, but also boast players from New York, Missouri, Delaware, Minnesota, Texas, Connecticut, Illinois and Massachusetts.
"We're an equal opportunity employer here at St. Leo," Graham said. "There are some really talented kids in Florida. We went to non-traditional areas and got killer athletes from Minnesota [Cassie Miller] and Texas [Allie Sheftall]. It's nice that kids are getting the chance to showcase their talents and it's not just Maryland, New York, New Jersey. Granted, I love those kids, but it's nice to give these overlooked players a chance. There are people who still think Florida doesn't know what lacrosse is."
Many Long Islanders are known to retire to Florida, but the core of the incoming freshman class has made the move 50 years early. And while the roster is diverse, it's that balance between the Floridians and Long Islanders that should have Saint Leo contending soon.
One of those Floridians, senior Alyssa Viscomi, played basketball at Saint Leo for two years, before opting to join the new lacrosse team. Last fall she learned the finer rules of the game and now she offers athleticism – and the leadership that comes from four years of college athletics – on a team that's only existed for two.
Long Island's Stephanie Marran transferred in from Post University in Connecticut before last season and promptly led the team with 45 goals. LI freshman Paige Leggio hasn't played yet this fall but should have a huge impact in the spring.
"She's a spitfire," Graham said. "She brings such a level of intensity. She's a whole whopping 5-foot-1, but watch out if she's coming for you."
Delaware native Jessica Torrent and local product Kasey Tanner anchor the back line. Tanner played attack at Wesley Chapel (Fla.) High, but converted to defense last season.
"She's aggressive but smart with her aggression," Graham said. "And she kills it in the weight room."
The spring will see the addition of Leggio from injury and Marran from soccer, so the product should be even better than it's looked so far.
They'll need the help. Saint Leo's Southern location makes it an ideal winter vacation for top Northern teams. The Lions open in February with Long Island-based Molloy, then host Adelphi a few days later.
"I don't want a schedule of easy wins," Graham said. "Don't get me wrong, those games are nice, but I'd rather have to battle hard. Even if you come out with a close loss, you learn more about the sport and your own character from that."


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PHIL Simkin faces a race against time to find a solution to the Magpies' injury worries ahead of their daunting trip to record-chasing Welling United tomorrow (3pm).
The county town side's boss has been busy trying to call in favours from other managers in a bid to remedy the situation.
Monday night's 4-0 defeat at Chelmsford had extra repercussions for the Magpies aside from the loss itself.
Nick Crittenden picked up a hamstring strain and misses the Welling game while Charlie Clough and Mark Jermyn both suffered ankle problems.
Simkin was assessing the fitness of Clough and Jermyn at training last night while the same went for Sam Malsom and Lewis Morgan.
The Dorchester manager will be working flat out to ensure his team has a fighting chance against a side that is on the brink of setting a new Blue Square Bet South record for consecutive wins.
Welling have won their last 10 matches, are unbeaten at home in the league this season and haven't lost in the competition since October 27.
They have also lost the fewest games, have the best goal difference, hold the second best defensive record and sit six points behind leaders Salisbury with three fixtures in hand.
The Magpies did beat their opponents at the Avenue back in September but are currently the division's lowest scorers with 21 in as many matches.
Simkin and his men already faced a tough test anyway but the injury problems have made their task even harder.
"We are racked with injuries at the moment," he told Echosport. "It's exactly what we knew was going to happen with two games in three days.
"I'm having to use all my contacts, local and further afield, so these are difficult times.
"I've been running around asking managers for favours and I'll be ringing a few more before the game.
"I've made a lot of friends over the years so I'm hoping they can help me out.
"Between now and the game I'll see who is available and play it by ear. You have to take these things on the chin though and deal with it. I'm managing as best I know how to and that's all I can do.
"It's no good crying and moaning about it, this is how it is."
Simkin confirmed that Dan Way and Calvin Brooks are likely to play a more prominent role as Dorchester head to the league's form team.
Situated as close to London as they are, Welling have been able to utilise the loan market well and that's something Simkin recognises.
"Their position is ideal because they've got so many London clubs around them," he added. "It's a great position to be in and it wasn't that long ago they had Carl Jenkinson on loan who then went on to Arsenal.
"I've always said Salisbury will win this league but Welling can push them close, there's no doubt about that."
Magpies: (from) Walker-Harris, Bell, Smeeton, Jermyn, Walker, Pugh, Nicholls, Watson, Clough, Martin, Way, Brooks, Malsom, Carlile, Matthews.
*For match updates tomorrow follow us on Twitter


text:
LITTLE ones at Ladybirds Pre-school in Lydeard St Lawrence are celebrating a "glowing" Ofsted report.
The school was given 'Good' ratings across the board after its November inspection.
Among its findings, staff were praised for providing "a stimulating range of experiences" for the children, supporting the children's individual needs, and developing positive relationships with them.
Meanwhile the children were said to be "happy and confident" and actively involved in their learning.
Pre-school Manager Ali Morley said "I'm really pleased the hard work of our staff has been acknowledged in this report; in particular the ways we strive to ensure that each child thrives at Ladybirds, from the settling in process to the transition to school.
"We are a small, rural pre-school with a real community feel so this is very much a team effort."
To read the full report, click here.
Contact Ali Morley on 01984-667342 for more information on Ladybirds Pre-School.


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2013 Star Scholar Awards
Ventura County Star
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (PDT)
Event Details
The Ventura County Star proudly presents the 30th Annual Star Scholar Awards.
Join us as we honor Ventura County's top graduating seniors at this celebratory event. All honorees will be eligible for a scholarship through the Ventura County Community Foundation and one deserving recipient will receive this year's $5,000 Julius Gius Scholarship.
The evening's highlighted keynote speaker will be WWII prisoner of war survivor and US Olympian, Louis Zamperini. Mr. Zamperini's story was most notably featured in the book, "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand.
Have questions about 2013 Star Scholar Awards? Contact Ventura County Star
When & Where
Serra Center
5205 Upland Road
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (PDT)
Add to my calendar
Ventura County Star
2013 Star Scholar Awards
Things to do in Camarillo, CA
Family & Education


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- Description
Elegant and eye-catching, the stunning Avery Living Room from Meridian Furniture is the perfect addition to any space. Top Quality Bonded Leather covers the plush, comfortable seat, padded with high-density foam. Strength and beauty is guaranteed with a solid wood frame and durable bonded leather.Includes
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Other Decorations are NOT included.
Dual Reclining Sofa: 84"L x 38"D x 39"H
More from this collection: Avery
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SKU 30500195 MPN 645GRY-S GTIN UPC 635963990893 Brand Meridian Furniture Collection Avery Assemble Length N/A Assemble Width N/A Assemble Height N/A Assembly Required Yes Material N/A Color N/A Styles Contemporary Shipping Time 2-3 Weeks Free Shipping Yes
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But film is fragile and we need your support to preserve and restore it.


text:
Preheat the oven to 300°. Place the shells in a tortilla warmer or a covered casserole dish. Heat until warm.
Heat the oil in a large skillet and sauté the onions for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the rice and beans and the refried pinto beans. Mix thoroughly. Cover and simmer on low until hot, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
When the shells and rice and beans are hot, place a lettuce leaf on each shell. Place an equal amount of rice and beans on each. Place red pepper strips, sliced avocado, and salsa on each. Roll up and place on individual serving plates.
Per serving - 436 calories, 17 gram fat (33% calories from fat), 14 gram protein, 62 gram carbohydrate, 15 gram fiber, 0 milligram cholesterol, 760 milligram sodium


text:
Results 101 to 120 of 137
19 or 20. The days in my diary bled into each other a little.
Anyway, a hearty congratulations/you're welcome/I'll see you in hell to Khryses. And a sincere apology to liquorish. This was definitely an interesting game.
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
- Posts
- 20
Yes, in that spirit my sincere apologies to anyone who feels I may have stabbed, betrayed or otherwise screwed them over somewhat. It is that kind of game, but that doesn't mean I enjoy that side of it.
And with a 12-player match it winds up more chaotic than most...
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
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- 3
That actually ended quite anticlimactically. I got up in the morning and saw that the game was over!
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- Jun 2011
- Posts
- 20
Well I may as well get the ball rolling:
Oak, I'd love to see your daily diary - if you're willing, want to send me a copy or should we find somewhere to post our impressions?
Either way as the only one who stuck to 'daily', seems like yours should be the first to go in, so we can use it for a scaffolding for our serried notes...
I wrote something on set up; when compared to the way actual events turned out it reads like the deluded ravings of an utter madman. The next entry never actually got written, but could be summed up as "Rakysh got crushed".
So. I am in the green trunks, and Ive spent early points on science (Is this a good idea? I dont know) and focused on the economy. To my north is target #1, The Traveller. This is for three main reasons. One, he didnt agree with my proposed boundary, and two, I later found out his proposal for the boundary gave him a very tasty planet, which I am now heading for, and three, hes the weakest player on the board so far. To the south is Mechimp, who I have allowed a passageway out of his block off; he will probably be the second to be crushed. Finally among my neighbours is Endelnurk, in yellow, who has been gracious so far in allowing me planets as well as apparently willing to provide military support. Im also involved in a three way tech alliance with Wolfenswan in dark red and I think Legatus in the white, which is ok because they are months away. Long term strategy is make an early dash against TheTraveller and then play it cool and take his planets, then consolidate until someone else looks weak; maybe pink, I think. Long term psychological strategy is to appear like a foolish mewling babe, emphasise how little I know about the game, and hope I get underestimated. This is probably unlikely, seeing as the bar of my understanding is already set so low on the conga set up of gaming that a slightly squashed bumblebee would have difficulty forcing his way underneath.
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
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- 23
2nd target :P
Everyone underestimates Pink!
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- Jun 2011
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- 20
Lessons I learnt and put into practice:
-Talk to EVERYone. I think I spoke to all but Vectron and Rakysh in the first day, and that was largely a matter of time than anything else.
-Use the spatial terrain - since I was lucky enough to start between two spacewalls and a chokepoint, while I did technically have other powers on all four sides I had a fairly large sphere of influence, which I promptly glomped.
-Don't lie to anyone - it's all very well to have new names, but if you're ever hoping to play with your friends again, they have to be able to trust your word. The letter of your word.
-Don't commit to a decisive war if a small war will do. When I attacked Rond (and Liquorish), in both cases it was more or less as a decoy. I seized a small bundle of fairly valuable stars and then 'let' my allies (yes, having allies is fairly important here too) expand past my territory and 'cut me off' from the wealth.
-Don't attack anyone who will come back to bite you. Over the course of the game I fought Mechimp (accidentally, sort of), Rond, EndelNurk, Legatus (sort of), Liquorish, Oak, Wolfenswan and Mechimp (less accidentally this time). With the sole exception of the 'agreed' skirmishes with Mechimp and Legatus early on, I tried to make sure there wasn't anyone left to carry a grudge.
-Don't commit to a decisive war unless you know all your neighbours are fighting elsewhere. When I attacked EndelNurk I knew that Oak and Legatus were fighting Rond (so he was busy) and Mechimp was killing Rakysh - so noone was in a position to invade me in turn. In counterpoint... poor Liquorish who in a fit of sleep debt attacked DaN and I simultaneously while the galaxy was at 'peace' and triggered a five-front war.
-Speed kills. There's nothing more irritating than a large fleet ricocheting around your home systems - with enough speed you can bring it to battle on your own terms. And stop said fleet from penetrating to your industrial heartland.
-Money buys everything else - so buy money first.
Most of that's pretty obvious in hindsight - and the rest is highly debatable - but it wound up being the philosophy I used.
Last edited by Khryses; 04-07-2011 at 01:53 PM.
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
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- 28
Good philosophy/plan of attack khryses, but now everyone knows your plans... But I'd have to agree.Bam. Tit job.
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- Jun 2011
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- 23
My recipe of success was my starting position, nothing more really!
Here it is. Lightly edited for readability, but there was only so much I could do. Anyway:
A Record of the Neapolitan Wars

So, I'm not in the best of positions. Plum in the middle of the galaxy, as it happens. The center of a hexagon of other players. A hexagon of intrigue, no doubt.
Khryses reaches out for advice, Wolfenswan tells me that Vectron and Liquorish are already planning against me, and Liquorish tells me that Vectron wants him to plan against Wolfenswan. Wolfenswan wants Liquorish gone first, while Liquorish wants Vectron gone first. Wolfenswan seems on the up and up, though I don't think Liquorish will try anything until I attack Vectron. Liquenswantron. Liquorish wants a tech trade agreement, which means he's either NOT attacking me, as Wolfenswan suggested he wanted to, or he's...living recklessly? I don't know.
I send welcome messages to Rond, EndelNurk, and The Traveler. I do not get responses.
I'm fairly certain that Vectron is Alex Bakke, whom I've played with previously and who admitted after our last game to plotting against me in secret. I will remember to trust him even less than everyone else, in the event that he even tries to talk to me before attacking.
Expanding healthily, but the free stars are running out already.
DaN contacts me about ganging up on Liquorish. I've decided at this point to side with Liquorish if it comes to blows; Wolfenswan seems nice, but Liquorish got the ball rolling on a tech deal and that's what counts.
Share pleasantries with Vectron/Alex Bakke. We negotiate borders, and he's taking a lot. He brings up our previous alliance and later asks for speed tech. Boy howdy, do I ever not trust him. Hoping Rond, who still hasn't responded (nor has The Traveler) will trouble him soon. Nor have I heard from anyone on the farther reaches of the galaxy. I'll meet them if I survive the coming week.
Khryses is very open about everything. I trust him, but I'm also stupid. He could be a good ally if I need one, especially since he's far enough away.
Wolfenswan says he wrote Rond, and that we wants an "honest war". Me too! However...
Khryses has a significant lead at 25 stars. He's also on the level. That or an excellent con artist. I'm a bad judge of character, but the information is flowing freely back and forth and with none of the usual moustache twirls.
Rond proposes that Wolfenswan and I join him in attacking Bakke. I think we can pull it off, but it'll inevitably lead to a new fight over territory so I'm going to try to get Rond attacked while it happens. 30+ fleet on its way to collect more. Bakke, later on, mentions being attacked by Rond, and I promise to help. Is he really being attacked by Rond? Dunno, Rond didn't say so. Does this provide a good excuse to have a massive fleet on a border planet? You bet!
The Traveler accidentally lands on a planet right after me. We fight, I keep it, he doesn't respond afterwards. That's two one-way messages.
Liquorish asked about my dealings with Rond last night. Liquorish asked about my dealings with Rond this morning. A fellow could get the impression that Liquorish has an interest in my dealings with Rond. Rond doesn't trust me, wants Liq to stab me in the back, I don't know.
Gathering fleet to head to Sheraton, border with Bakke.
Ask Khryses to attack Rond. Complies.
Liquorish in scuffle with Traveler. Nobody seems to like that guy.
Wolf asks about plans, calls me trustworthy. Suspicious?
Mechimp wants a tech deal. I give him the runaround, but mostly because I can get scan from Khryses.
The ploy worked: Bakke bought my story and sent me scan tech on the promise of speed when I got the money to send it. I had the money, Alex. I had the money. A big honking fleet took his border star Izar with little resistance, and my membership in the war became official. I'm hoping (as is Khryses) that this and EndelNurk's attacks will wear Rond down enough to be taken out, I'm hoping to not have to do much of the work myself, and I'm hoping that whatever lie I eventually cook up will convince Wolfenswan that Rond was the bad guy all along. In the meantime, I'm letting everyone else plan. The less I have to contribute, the better.
The Traveler, ostensibly weary of being early-game target practice, announced in chat that he was being attacked, and by whom.
Khryses and I continued our long chat. I think I have yet to lie to him.

Wolf and I are heading north to kick Bakke's corpse around while Rond heads south to fend off his growing number of attackers.
Killing Rond has become the hot new thing amongst the other players, and I flatter myself in thinking I had something to do with that. A quick email letting my new pal Legatus know that times were rough in the north and no one would stop him from taking free stars turned into a tech deal and him sending fleets into Rond's territory. EndelNurk and, bless his heart, Khryses are doing a number on him as well. In fact, Wolfenswan asked me to see if I could get EndelNurk to lay off him. Not likely, my friend. My only regrets are that I can't think of how to attack Rond myself without setting off any alarms, and that I can't somehow revive Bakke so that he can kill the now-vulnerable Rond for me and then meet his own, second end at the hands of my gigantic eastern acquaintances. Rereading that, there doesn't seem to be as much method to my machinations as I'd previously thought.
Khryses and Wolf both gave me some unsolicited information about my western neighbors. According to Khryses, Dan and Liquorish are now partnered. According to Wolf, Dan and Liquorish both have sizeable fleets on the border he shares with them. They don't appear to be sharing tech, but they've both been silent for a while and I'm stupid enough to suspect anything. Further in his email, Wolf mentioned growing bored of the game. I genuinely hate to see people turn AI, but it'd free me from obligations to Rond and almost certainly keep the aforementioned duo busy while I think of a way to defend against a hypothetical attack.

Very quiet day. No plotting, no gossip. Just waiting for my fleet to arrive on Alfirk for the killing blow against Bakke.
Ate a whole bag of sour cream & onion chips. What's wrong with me?
Bakke launched his remaining fleet from his home base right before Wolf took it. If his last star is taken before it lands, it might die in the air.
Wolf said, without naming a source, that Khryses sent Bakke the speed tech to outrun Wolf's fleet. Realistically, this is the casual, almost prosaic double-dealing that gives the game its spark. Yet I'd be unhappy to find out it's true, even if it was done without malice, since Khryses is something of an in-game confidante. I won't bring it up.
I convinced Wolf that securing Rond's remaining stars was in our interest. Rond would understand. Wolf's doing the legwork. Following that, some mildly tense border negotiations with Legatus.

Khryses admitted to sending the tech, without prompting. Might be a good sign. Whatever.
War, Endel, Liq conspiring, etc.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: What this entry should have done was explain that EndelNurk asked Liq and I for help against a surprise attack by Khryses. I lied and said I'd help, but Liq was serious and interested in countering any of Khryses' imperial ambitions. It was in my interest that he stayed out of Khryses's way.]
EndelNurk is basically dead. Khryses and, presumably, Mechimp cleaned up what was left of him. I sent a massive fleet to take one of his tiny stars, understandably but inadvertantly rousing suspicion from Khryses. Further proof that I am no strategic genius: I brought a tank to a fistfight.
Small talk with Liquorish continued. He's serious about attacking Khryses.
Liq seems to have launched a proper attack on Khryses. He'll expect me to join soon. I need to think of a way out of that.
I ended the day by sending a couple of letters off: one to mechimp, imploring him not to trust Liq and using Dan's recent capture of a nearby (to mechimp) star as proof of a future allied attack, and one to Wolfenswan, telling him that Legatus built industry up along our freshly-minted border. Legatus is being phenomenally suspicious. Giving his carriers names like Tyrant and Conquest does nothing to help his case.
Is the Great War starting now? Part of me hopes so: I do love the opportunity to be dramatic.
War were declared.
Liquorish has attacked Dan, Mechimp has attacked Liquorish, Khryses is helping, and Wolf & I are on our way. Then there's Legatus. Legatus emailed to say he's concerned about my fleet build-up on our border, and thinks Khryses will attack him tomorrow. I promised to help.
Khryses is hitting Liq's thin eastern border. Dan is in bad shape already. Wolf hasn't told me what he's doing, exactly, but I saw his fleet a-flying in a westerly direction.
Dan managed to take Mizar, one of Liq's stars near our NW border, but Liq is about to hit it with a big fleet and almost certainly move on into my territory. I think I underestimated him. Yeah, I underestimated him.
Ah, the friction of war. Due to a little miscommunication, I got the idea that Wolfenswan would be helping in the fight against Liq. No, no, nothing so silly as that. He meant he expected me to join him and Legatus in attacking Khryses. Won't think of attacking Liq, of course. Why didn't I expect that they were buddy-buddy? Maybe I did. I'm losing track of the possible conspiracies that have run through my mind.
A day having passed, and even in light of this knee-slapper of a mistake, this whole thing doesn't seem to be the disaster that the paranoiac corners of my lizard-brain anticipated it would. Liq, certainly not dead, *is* ailing, and - surprisingly - has yet to counterattack. I've captured seven of his stars. Wolf agreed to attack Dan, which...doesn't help at all, but at least he's still with me in spirit. Shame I might be forced to kill him soon.
He mentioned wanting an honest war at the start, and I wonder if his objection to the war on Liq is an ethical one. Perhaps he promised he'd never attack him. That'd be awfully noble. I'm still willing to kill him, mind you.
War going very well. Liq on the ropes. Write more later.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Did not write more later.]
I said I love the opportunity to be dramatic. I must be careful what I wish for.
I left for work this morning with my and mechimp's fleets surrounding Liquorish's last redoubt, ready to strike a killing blow. I came home from work this afternoon to find that Khryses had launched an all-out attack on me. 3 stars down, more fleets - bigger fleets - on the way. Honestly, it was really clever. He caught me with my fleets in all the wrong places, and in the war with Liq I'd allowed him to create a border that spanned a whole side of my empire. It's perfect: I'm going to die, and quickly. It's funny, I'd never actually been betrayed before. I'd lost a few games, been attacked indiscriminately, been attacked by openly hostile players, but never been stabbed in the back by an ally. Done it to others, though, so I don't think I'm really allowed to feel bad. But I do.
Anyway, fighting back still won out against pleading and nonviolent resistance. Three new carriers were hastily assembled, christened, and scrambled to evacuate stars in his crosshairs. If I'm to survive for longer than a smoke break I'll need to protect Sabik, my home star, against this initial flood. I pledged allegiance to Wolf, sending him (and Leg) tech, and offering him Sasin as a forward base.
At the end of the day, Legatus began attacking me too. Vulture.

I guess I deserve this. I'm not the good guy.
Dying quickly. Mechimp is taking the stars I took from Liq, Legatus is moving through my eastern border, Khryses is doing whatever he wants, wherever he wants. Single-ship garrisons don't make much of a dent in him. I wonder if begging for mercy would have helped. He's unstoppable.
$80 income. This'll be my last big payday. I send $100 to Wolf.
13 stars to 2 stars in a day. Sabik gone. I'm homeless. It's amazing how little effort it seems to be taking him.
Alfirk taken. 0 stars. $24. Vulture.
EndelNurk points out in chat that the galaxy looks like Neapolitan ice cream now.

I died for a good cause.
Last edited by Oak; 04-07-2011 at 05:19 AM.
Re: Day 10, I wasn't asking for help, I knew I was already dead. I was inviting you two to take the western part of my empire so that Khryses would not be left too powerful after killing me.
Glad I could donate a name to the war, even if I contributed little else.
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
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- 28
That was a brilliant diary Oak, but I must say that me and liq were only in cahoots in that we didn't attack each other, apart from that we wern't in any kind of alliance sharing anything really. Although that's part of the fun as well! Being paranoid about other people is great, and I must say I did like the attacks in liq after he started attacking me, made me feel a little better, so up for the next one.Bam. Tit job.
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- Jun 2011
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- 23
I wasn't grumbling :(
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- Jun 2011
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- 3
Wow excellent commentary! However I object to being called a vulture, although I can see how it appeared that way from where you were sitting. Khryses and I had been planning for quite a while to attack you, but he launched the attack earlier than I expected and I wasn't in position. That's why it appeared that I showed up late to the fight, but more on that later. :)
Thanks all!
Maybe vulture was a little harsh, but your joining in dashed what already meager hope I had of hanging on to a couple of northern stars in Wolf's vicinity.
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- Jun 2011
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- Dublin
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- 247
So could people who actually want to play again, take the list with two names and add theirs in a reply here so we have a firmer idea of numbers?
Man, I'd almost be up for the next game if this wasn't a really, really bad time. Ya'll have fun, though.
Good diary, Oak. I don't remember my last (only) game being anywhere near that interesting.
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
- Location
- Here be dragons.
- Posts
- 144
No apology needed Oak, I screwed myself over. Having not slept for three days for reasons not related to the game, I ended up sending an attack towards Khryses with no intention of following it up, since I was attacking DaN. No politicking, no preperation, just a single measly fleet.
After that blunder my fate was sealed.
I'll just dump my diary in another post, might add pictures later on.[URL="http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/forums/showthread.php?28-ArmA-2-Combined-Operations-We-have-our-own-server"]Play ArmA with RPS![/URL]
[URL="http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/forums/showthread.php?459-Spiral-Knights"]Also Spiral Knights![/URL]
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
- Location
- Here be dragons.
- Posts
- 144
Here is my diary. It get's a bit sparse later on, account of not sleeping and gaining apathy, but hopefully it'll be interesting to someone.
11.6.2011 9:18
The game started a few hours ago. have been having interesting conversation with the australian. we're both researching speed now, so no initial tech trades, but we might work something out later on. (Khryses)
Sent a message to bakke, but i suppose he's not awake yet. he seemed rather fervent in his politicking, so it might be an idea to turn people against him. Hopefully I'll be able to get at least weapons tech off of him.
11.6.2011 9:55
Nothing new to report. Khryses seems to be very willing to share information with me, which is indicative of quite a useful mindset. I should keep him around until much later on. I think he'll be a much better ally than bakke would be.
11.6.2011 10:42
Nothing new happening. A little bit more contact with the australian. People are posting in the forum thread now. Must maintain an air of silliness. I have named all of fleets after lost cosmonauts.
11.6.2011 10:52
DaN responded to my message Re: him being hemmed in by me. It appears he's going to be totally passive, and basically screw himself! This is excellent. Once I'm in a position of power, I should be able to sieze his core stars without much resistance.
11.6.2011 17:24
Bakke wants to invade wolfenswan, and has already threatened him. I'm working on turning everyone else against him, so he wilts alone and without allies.
11.6.2011 19:22
Apparently wolfenswan won't tech trade with bakke, but he has agreed to invade oak together with him. Should be interesting to see how this turns out.
11.6.2011 19:49
Around half of the players still haven't taken any new stars, which is strange/reassuring. Maybe simply being better at the game will give me an edge.
My positioning is still kind of awkward, but it doesn't seem like DaN is up to much, and oak very passive. I'll just have to wait and see how things go.
I invested in science earlier, and plan on investing in economy as this production cycle draws to a close. Not sure what I'll do after that. There doesn't seem to be much chance of war just yet, so I might put off industry further still.
12.6.2011 6:38
Almost a new production cycle. Going to go out for a smoke first. Some people are barely siezing any stars - the traveler is still at 4.
12.6.2011 6:55
30 minutes until payday. I need to stay awake. My borders are becoming much more defined. I should be able to take mirzam before wolfenswan, especially as keid seems like a much more logical place for him to put his ships. Mesarthim is definitely mine, but i think I'll stop southwest expansion there, unless DaN turns out to be even more passive than I thought. Scheat is mine too, but that trinity of stars is weird overall. If I'm luck I'll get Albiero too. Although, the traveler still hasn't taken any stars. I might be able to get that entire consetellation.
12.6.2011 7:05
I seem to have managed to turn at least Khryses against Bakke. This is good. Wolfenswan should already be against him, since he says that Bakke threatened him, but he might already be playing mindgames. Oak was also 'warned' of Bakke, and seems to have taken the message to heart. We are tech trading in a bit.
The detail screen says that traveler has won a game, but he still hasn't done anything. Odd.
I have now sent messages to every single other player. I won't have much to do with most of them, but it's good to know what's up.
If I do grab the entire constellation near the traveler, and build up enough industry there, it'll be a nice power base, since it should protect my entire south eastern flank.
12.6.2011 13:37
Oh dear, I overslept. I'm sending a fleet to ALbiero, Hopefully it doesn't tourn out to be too unwise. I'd say something about fortune favouring the bold, but fortune tends to favour those that know what they're doing.
Oak has the next level in weapons and I sent him speed, hopefully when he's around I'll get those weapons.
Fuck fuck fuck. The traveler has taken at least one star, meaning he's probably got a ship headed for the ALbireo-Dschubba-Scheat constellation. Hopefully it'll be Dschubba, but still, this is really unfortunate. Five total fleets, headed to five different locations unless he's strange.
I need those weapons before I accidentally make contact with the traveler.
12.6.2011 14:03
Welp, the fleet Ivan Kachur is now headed to Albireo. Hopefully this will work out, despite being stupidly ballsy.
12.6.2011 14:11
SHIT. The Traveler has Dschubba. Fuck fuck fuck. I can't pull my ship heading for Albiero back, either.
Five hours and I'll know how screwed I am.
Sent a message to him, asking him to not send ships to Albiero or Scheat. Hopefully it gets through.
This is so incredibly inconvenient.
12.6.2011 14:29
I'm speaking with Khryses a lot, although we don't seem to have agreed to anything solid yet.
12.6.2011 16:09
Talking with bakke on mumble. He wants to set up a deal with him, rakysh and I, with me teching speed, bakke teching weapons, and rakysh doing range/scanning. Not sure what I think of this. I'm going to wait it out a bit more, and hopefully get weapons from Oak.
12.6.2011 19:26
Received weapons from Oak. Khryses is research range, which doesn't really help me immediately, so I think I'll also keep trading with Oak for weapons.
One my fleets (Ivan Kachur) is going to crash into The Traveler's at Albireo. He has taken Dschubba and built an industry and science on it. I am sending Pyotr Dolgov with eight ships to take Dschubba, initiating a minor border skirmish that should be over without too many losses on either side. I need to set up heavy industry in the area, the check that's coming in 12 hours should help. I'll actually be able to take Dschubba before payday too, so that's a bit more than ten space dollars just wasted for him, and ten space dollars for me. Also, a free point of industry in an important location.
I plan on resolving this conflict quickly, suing for peace as soon as the constellation is mine, and before he arrives with reenforcements.
13.6.2011 1:47
I have taken Dschubba from The Traveler, and one of my fleets was detroyed fighting ALbireo. I am going to send a fleet of five ships from Dschubba to Albireo, since if he techs up he an take out 4 ships in one go. This leaves Dschubba momentarily without defenses, but in less than twelve hours a ship will spawn there.
Oak sends word that DaN is plotting against me, which is reasonable.
13.6.2011 3:12
I've sent a message to The Traveler asking for peace, hopefully he won't try and take the stars back.
DaN has taken Furud, but I don't think he's ready to do anything to me yet.
1 day 9 hours until the next speed upgrade. Not sure what I'm doing after that. Oak also switched to range, god knows why. Maybe nobody else actually wants to attack people. I'm contemplating switching to weapons, but I fear I might already have invested too much into speed.
Best not. Hopefully I'll have no fighting any time soon anyway, after I've taken Albiero.
I need to invest more into science, but it's expensive, so I think I'll be better of waiting another 24 hours and instead investing in more industry around my borders, and economy with what's left over.
13.6.2011 8:09
Got my money, spent half of it on industry around my borders, the other half being saved for economy or something unforeseen. Oak is letting me take Mizar and is being generall reasonable.
Khryses is getting way too many stars. Hopefully his neighbours will do something about him. Heh. He still only has 13 economy and 7 industry. How absurd.
13.6.2011 14:12
The Traveler says that I'm too close to his home star and that he can't let those stars go. He doesn't seem to be a very rational player.
I might have to hold off on building science further still while I deal with this.
The good thing is that he doesn't seem to be that good at politics, so there's a chance he won't get the next weapons upgrade any time soon, which would make defending the constellation much much easier.
I'm sending Aleksei Ledovsky on its way with 31 ships, but it'll take a while before it reaches the border area.
13.6.2011 19:06
Apparently both Rakysh and Oak have had problems with The Traveler. Hopefully nobody on the other side of the map realizes that supporting him would be a detriment to everyone around him.
Rakysh has agreed to trade scanning for speed, which will be marginally useful. MOstly I just don't want him getting deals from anyone else.
We are also sharing information on The Traveler, talking about invading him from both sides. This could be very good, and put both Rakysh and I in a position of power.
If I am lucky, I'll even be able to snag Phad, The Traveler's home star.
Excellent, Oak agreed to let me have Zuben-el-Akrab.
14.6.2011 1:13
Things are very quiet, nothing new to report.
I am just about to take Zuben-el-Akrab. Will be able to add a bunch of economy.[URL="http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/forums/showthread.php?28-ArmA-2-Combined-Operations-We-have-our-own-server"]Play ArmA with RPS![/URL]
[URL="http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/forums/showthread.php?459-Spiral-Knights"]Also Spiral Knights![/URL]


text:
ByAlistair Barr
Google is using a novel strategy to build one gigabit Internet services in several metro areas, but its broader goal of speeding up the Web needs other companies to take its approach to the rest of the U.S.
This is starting to happen. Giants like AT&T and CenturyLink are adopting Google's method, which involves building fiber only where there is enough demand. Verizon has suggested that if it jump-starts FiOS expansion again, it might follow the same model.
In Mississippi, a private company called C Spire is adhering to Google's approach even more closely than other providers.
First, C Spire slices towns into "fiberhoods" — the same term Google uses for the small neighborhoods it targets. Then it goes door to door preregistering homes for its one-gigabit Internet service. C Spire only builds if a certain percentage of residents sign up — again, just like Google Fiber. It even hired Joe Reardon, the former Kansas City, Kan., mayor who worked on the city's Google Fiber project, as a consultant.
One difference: C Spire goes ahead with building out the service if 35% to 45% of residents in each fiberhood preregister; Google Fiber generally uses thresholds of 5% to 25%.
C Spire primarily used to be a wireless company. But Google's build-to-demand method persuaded the company to get into the gig game because the model is less risky and potentially more profitable than the traditional path of covering whole areas regardless of demand.
"It's something we know we will get a return on," said Suzy Hays, senior vice president for consumer markets at C Spire. "The key to that, and the inspiration from Google, was the crowd-sourced model."
C Spire had about 4,600 miles of fiber-optic cable before 2014. This year, the company is on course to add 1,400 miles — the most it has ever built in a year.
"I honestly don't think we would have done it with the traditional model," said Jared Baumann, who oversees fiber-market development at C Spire. "It's such a risky businesses."
C Spire is in the sign-up phase in nine Mississippi towns, including Starkville, Clinton and Ridgeland, according to its website.
Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman said incumbent Internet providers have been reluctant to upgrade their services and new entrants have struggled because franchise agreements used to require new networks to reach all residents. "If you require a new entrant to absorb all those upfront build out costs before they serve a single customer, it becomes cost prohibitive," he said.
The Federal Communications Commission is changing its tune, Wiseman said, ruling that such franchise agreements were unenforceable in early 2007. That has made business models like Google Fiber's and C Spire's possible, he said.
"A day is coming when this will be standard," Wiseman said. "Cable and telecom companies will be pushed to make market-based decisions to upgrade their networks too."


text:
Huge sums risk being wasted because government programs costing billions of dollars are not subject to independent and transparent evaluation, according to a report by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research.
The report warns that closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians and other policy aims risk being undermined by a secretive public policy culture.
Written by the institute's director, Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark, it proposes a new body independent of government be given the task of commissioning policy evaluations that are then subject to public scrutiny.
Professor Cobb-Clark says it is imperative that indigenous welfare reform, education reform and the National Disability Insurance Scheme be subjected to ''high quality'' and public evaluations.
Her report, to be published on Tuesday, says the billions being spent in each of these areas carries ''huge opportunity costs'', given the political imperative to return the government budget to surplus.
''Unfortunately, our current evaluation system generally produces poor quality evaluations that in the end do not tell us very much. Often evaluations are conducted within the very government agencies responsible for meeting program objectives,'' her report says.
''When external evaluators are used, it is common for the government to insist that the results not be published. In short, the results of these evaluations are typically not independent, transparent or widely distributed. As a result, methodological quality is undermined.
''All of this is inconsistent with the move to evidence-based policy and undermines our ability to deliver on closing the indigenous gap, raising educational achievement and reducing social exclusion.''
Professor Cobb-Clark told Fairfax Media her critique applied to Labor and Coalition federal governments and state governments alike.
The report argues that a ''sensible evaluation plan'' should be embedded - and funded - in the design of major programs from the start.
''The lack of a willingness to commit to eventual publication of results has meant that Australian academics are increasingly disengaged from evaluations of major economic and social initiatives,'' the report says.
''If we truly wish to make progress on the economic and social agenda we have set ourselves, better than nothing will not be good enough,'' it concludes.


text:
Oaks Mall shops seeking 100-plus holiday workers
Published: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 11:18 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 11:18 a.m.
FloridaWorks, in collaboration with the Oaks Mall, is hosting an informational session on Thursday for stores in the mall that are looking for people to fill more than 100 job openings during the upcoming holiday season.
FloridaWorks employees will be in the Belk pavilion, across from Cotton On and Buckle, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the mall, 6419 Newberry Road.
Positions range from entry to managerial level, both temporary and permanent, according to a news release. The FloridaWorks tabling area will serve as a one-stop informational area for job seekers. Attendees will learn which businesses are hiring, expected hiring dates and the employers' preferred method of contact and application submission. Job booklets containing available positions will also be available.
More than 20 stores — including Express, Macy's, Aeropostale, Spencer's and Things Remembered — are participating by posting their available jobs online at www.EmployFlorida.com, the state's job-matching database.
Applicants should register in advance on www.EmployFlorida.com, attend the informational showcase and bring multiple copies of their resume. Dress for this event is business casual. The first 50 attendees to bring proof of EFM registration (username) will be eligible to receive a $25 valued gift certificate from Gift Certificates and More.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


text:
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/2/2013 (1639 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
MUSCAT -- The orange sands of the Wahiba desert ripple across Oman's Sharqiyah region for nearly 200 kilometres, a geological fact that was of little concern to me and my friends as our four-wheel-drive vehicle teetered on the crest of a towering Wahiba sand dune.
Switching gears, our grinning driver plunged the vehicle down the steep slope at an angle that seemed certain to overturn us. Somehow, we stubbed bottom upright, and the driver loudly switched into a higher gear, sending us bumping against the slope of the next dune with a jolt that launched us toward the car roof.
Dune-bashing drivers are skilled at the wheel, though few get trained like our 20-something guide, who aimed for a career in the Omani air force and practised driving on flight simulators.
An excursions into Oman's sweeping desert can easily be arranged, whether it's a day trip or extended stay at tiny luxurious resorts that pamper visitors. Taxi drivers in the capital, Muscat, offer to book tours, bargaining in the serviceable English widely used among Muscat's residents.
Frequented by growing numbers of Europeans but still largely undiscovered by North Americans, Oman offers long tracts of public and private sandy beaches, startling desert beauty, souks and bazaars, 3,000 years of rich cultural history and a stable political environment without the strife of its southern neighbour, Yemen, or the severe social restrictions of bordering Saudi Arabia.
Foreigners to this Muslim country are expected to dress modestly, to refrain from elaborate public displays of affection and to respect Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who has ruled Oman with a velvet glove for more than 41 years.
Unlike Dubai, Oman has not sought to impress the world with skyscraper skylines. Instead, Muscat, a chain of suburbs amid hills linked by the four-lane Sultan Qaboos highway, largely retains a human scale. The predominant architecture consists of white-walled residences with pointed-arched windows in the Islamic style.
Government ministry buildings and embassies are stately and elegant.
In the mid-1980s, western-style hotels began to open, welcomed by the sultan, who wisely seeks to diversify Oman's predominant petro economy (gas is so cheap that an SUV fill-up costs about $12). Some hotels are spectacular edifices with towering atriums, such as the one in the 250-room Al Bustan Palace on the coast some 20 minutes' drive south of Muscat, or the Grand Hyatt, an over-the-top mix of African motifs and Arabian Nights fantasy in Qurum, the most modern part of Muscat and site of most big hotels.
The sultan himself supervised construction of two of Muscat's most magnificent buildings, the Grand Mosque, opened in 2001, and the Royal Opera House.
Non-Muslims may enter the white-walled compound of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque only in the morning and never on the Muslim holy day, Friday. A visit begins at a large gate that leads to geometrically arranged gardens of low shrubs, small trees and delicate fountains. A women's prayer pavilion serves as a prelude to the nearby main mosque, approached on wide expenses of spotless white marble.
Stepping past the mosque's ornately carved doors of Indian teak, your eyes immediately rise toward the high dome where thousands of points of light sparkle from a Swarovski-designed chandelier -- the world's second largest. Together with smaller surrounding chandeliers, the mosque is a symphony of reflected light. Some Muslim faithful find the chandeliers too glamorous, a distraction for the thousands who fill the mosque on Fridays in silent prayer. But whatever one's beliefs, the harmony between chandeliers and dome is undeniably attractive.
Underfoot is the world's second-largest Persian carpet, hand-woven by hundreds of weavers over the course of four years. Before leaving the grounds, I paused at the small office of the Islamic Learning Centre, where a gentle-toned cleric explained Islam in English perfected at the London School of Economics.
The sumptuous Royal Opera House was opened just last year with a production of Puccini's Turandot featuring more than 300 foreign performers. The sultan admires western opera and dance (in November, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal performed there), but he rarely attends Opera House performances, preferring to watch a direct video feed at his palace in Old Muscat. Performances bring out a well-dressed crowd, women in colourful, long, embroidered dresses and men wearing the ubiquitous square cap, the kumar, and the dishdasha, a white, floor-length robe with a small tassel at the collar for splashing a touch of frankincense, produced in Oman for thousands of years.
Bedouin still inhabit Oman's more remote desert areas, and day tours inevitably stop at a Bedouin tent for what is essentially a tourist's eye view of desert life. While my friends and I sat on a rug thrown over the sand, our hosts offered tiny cups of coffee along with some celebrated Omani dates. Handmade rugs and metal ware were shown hopefully for sale. The visit was topped off by a ride aboard a skinny but game camel led on a rope by an intrepid lad of five named Said.
From the Bedouin tent we headed toward the hills an hour away where lay Wadi Bani Khalid, one of many attractive oases that dot Sharqiyah. The wadi is a series of linked pools embraced by limestone cliff faces. One merry couple jumped into the water from a 10-metre bank, swimming through a narrow pass into a grotto that led to yet another pool flanked by a sheer rock face. There lay Muqal Cave, where you must crouch to enter before proceeding under a flashlight's glow through chest-high water, bats lurking overhead, to exit on the other side.
Muscat has little nightlife outside the imported acts at big hotel bars or at the Royal Opera House, but you can spend some agreeable hours exploring the city's indoor bazaars, or souks, which remain open until 11:30 p.m. The largest souk is in Mutrah, opposite the docks where cruise ships lay anchor.
On quiet days, the souk offers an easy walk among stalls selling frankincense, Kashmir scarves and both machine-made and handcrafted kumars in scores of patterns. One lane is dedicated to gold and silver crafts, though it must be said that Omani silver work is not particularly refined. You might find the exquisitely crafted silver-gold earrings that caught your eye were really designed in Italy.
The souk fills quickly when cruise passengers are in town. At such times, leave the tourist-filled lanes and explore the souk's back alleys. Here you'll find local women shopping for floor-length black robes or multi-coloured, sequined raiments.
You'll find some gem stores, too. If you want a gemstone ring for that special someone, stand your ground and fix your price -- you'll get a good deal.
-- Postmedia News


text:
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando could be one of the most health conscious cities across the country. Or more hypochondriacs could live here than anywhere else.
It's a tough call, but today ZocDoc, an online resource for medical appointments and doctor locator service, announced that Orlando is the second most health conscious city in the U.S. (Austin, TX. ranked first).
The rankings are based on preventive appointments booked by residents in 2012 via ZocDoc.
Orlando women, it seems, are very diligent about their reproductive health. In a sub-category, ZocDoc ranked Orlando number one for OB/GYN appointments. The service also found that in 2012 women nationally booked 8 percent more appointments than men through its site.
According to ZocDoc, two million patients each month use its free service to find a nearby doctor or dentist and instantly book an appointment online.
Copyright 2012 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
Results 1 to 5 of 5
Thread: [MISSION] [co40]Force Ten (CO)
[MISSION] [co40]Force Ten (CO)
This is a description thread. We're working on a searchable mission database offsite (mostly so we can more easily plan events), but will be putting up [MISSION] threads for on-site discussion and feedback.
A massive hostile push has swept all friendly units from Zargabad. The city itself is largely undamaged; surprise and sheer numbers won the day.
Your company has been tasked with retaking the city. First, we must push through the city and recapture the outlying firebases and their mortar / AA emplacements.
Then light armour and close air support will be able to force the enemy back into the desert.
Your platoon must recover Firebase Dynamo. Expect no support before you have completed this objective; until those Firebases fall we cannot risk our more vital assets.A simple two-part assault mission across an urban area.
First, cross Zargabad whilst under constant attack. Then capture a fortified emplacement (whilst still being attacked).
If you stop advancing, you tend to run out of bullets and blood before the enemy run out of men.
JIP: No (untested, probably bugs out)
Scripts: F2, UPSMON, Norrin's Revive, DWRinger's TGInit, Ei8ght's Defense Towers, Ghostfire's USMC FOB, and bespoke scripts
Requires: Combined Ops
This is a mission I whipped up whilst trying to bend the F2 framework into an RPS Stub for easier mission making (i.e. enabling Toys, Body armour, Revive/Respawn, etc). The secondary aim was to create some intense, close-ranged encounters.
- Weather/Time of day randomisation (parameter)
- Player equipment choice (parameter; Normal/Stealth/Toys)
- Dynamic enemy spawning and patrolling
- Enemies spawn in semi-random locations defined by preplaced markers and a script
- Enemy groups have random composition, from OA forces only
- The number of enemies spawned in each group depends on the number of players connected and the time into the mission
- (later 'waves' feature larger, more numerous groups and sometimes vehicles)
- Enemy population is controlled by a minimum and a maximum value
- Enemy equipment depends upon the gear set the players pick (they use the same F2 gear tables)
- Enemies use UPSMON for enhanced AI and urban patrol/combat performance
- Semi-random roadblocks
- Random chance of presence (for sandbags+mgun/pile of logs plus a couple of sentries/etc) at various intersections
- Norrin's revive is present in a limited form; players cannot respawn, have a limited number of "knockdowns" and must see a medic after being revived.
Thus far, the mission has only been completed once. In an earlier, easier, buggier form. By fleeing directly to the objective without stopping to help casualties.
I'm an evil person so it's now much harder. The credits read "Made by Nullkigan, with Hate" for a reason :)
However, there are several "invisible" bugs in the mission that I need to fix for the next version. The new version will take a while as I'll be redoing it from the ground up using a new stub.
I'm taking feedback/requests for the new version.
(As of this post, v7 is currently on the Combined Ops server. The firefights get intense.)
20 minutes of glorious death - and that isn't even the most recent version.
Last edited by Wolfenswan; 30-12-2011 at 08:30 PM.Play ArmA with us. (Competence not required.)
It's okay to not like things.
You missed out, Wolfen.
We already have a newer version of the mission on the server. :D
The unofficial RPS Rising Storm group!
V8 is now on the server. It's CO40 now.
- Ansob's Shame Setting (aka Body Armour)
- Completely changed the direction of the advance; there's now more urban area to cover and no stupid dash across an airfield.
- Therefore the layout of preplaced defences and patrols has changed.
- Added 6 new slots in three two-man teams: HMG (tripod/deployable), Mortar (deployable) and HAT (Javelin).
- You're probably suicidal if you take the deployables, as stopping is death.
- There's no armour heavy enough to require the HAT team, but they say that there is no kill like overkill.
- Moved assistant gunner spare ammo for AR, MMG, HMG, MAT and HAT teams to backpacks. Should be easier to rearm now.
- A whole bunch of bug fixes under the hood.
Hopefully we'll get to try it out soon.
I can't quite remember what the difference between v8 and v9 was (I might have skipped a number due to the upgrade) but we're now on v10:
- Reduced number of extraneous IED objects
- Increased probability of IED explosion if acting like a lunatic
- Reduced number of dynamic town buildings (performance ++)
- Reduced view distance to 600 m (performance +, helps hide spawns given previous point)
- Added minimum levels of fog
- Improved body armour slightly
- Made two of the generated building clusters totally random (should be different each time we play, testing for another mission idea)


text:
Downtown Waco Development
Downtown Waco is the heart of the city where the Brazos River
provides a beautiful landscape and businesses are bringing in people
for work, play and even to live. Development in this vital area has
included renovating treasured buildings and new construction. From
restaurants and retail to office space and residential, Downtown
Waco is coming alive.
Waco Loft Living •
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED • Privacy


text:
Planning minister Nick Boles saw first hand the problems facing Guiseley and the A65 corridor in a visit to the area.
He stressed the need to look at the existing pressure on infrastructure when considering future plans – and he pledged that changes in legislation meant there would be less chance of decisions on developments being overturned on appeal.
The minister met campaigners who have been fighting overdevelopment and he saw for himself the extent of the problem in Aireborough.
He said: "It has been good to see first-hand the development of new housing that has taken place in recent years. However, it is very important that future plans take into account existing pressure on the local infrastructure.
"I also enjoyed meeting local groups such as WARD and the members of High Royds Sports Campaign Group."
Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew who invited Mr Boles to the area said: "I have been campaigning against excessive development in my constituency for many years and have raised my concerns in the House of Commons on numerous occasions.
"It has been a worthwhile visit for the Minister who has been able to see how the area has been over-developed and the pressure this is having on the infrastructure. Local residents, campaign groups and councillors were able to voice their frustrations direct to Mr Boles. I will continue to raise our concerns in Parliament."
Mr Andrew said one of the issues raised was the way in which council decisions on planning were repeatedly overturned on appeal.
"That has been going on for years and it isn't fair," he said. "He has said to us that with the new planning legislation that is coming in and the development of local planning there should be much less of that happening in future.
"What he said was 'invite me back in a year and if you have lots more appeals I will have something to answer to'," he said.
Guiseley and Rawdon councillor Graham Latty, who accompanied the Minister, said: "We were able to show him a lot of the development that is taking place right along the A65 corridor and in Guiseley and Aireborough generally. It brought home to him the fact that we really have been hard hit by development and the plans for more housing are going to severely tax our resources. I think he was quite sympathetic to the fact that we had taken a very big hit."