text:
- " We, like many planets, will always be grateful to you and your service! "
- ―The Chancellor of Calzon in a transmission to Captain Starshield.
Captain Starshield was an intergalactic hero born in Metropolis, Kerwan.[1] He saved several galaxies, and many planets before being lured into the Shadow Sector by a phantom distress signal where he was forced to compete in the illegal combat sport DreadZone.
In DreadZone, Starshield quickly became the number one ranking contestant. In his first day, he wiped out a years' production of DZ Strikers, and reached the rank of Vindicator within one week.[1] After two weeks he had broken many records and other contestants refused to face him, except for Ace Hardlight who shot him in the back with a Quantum-Demoleculizer.
Early life
Starshield was born in Metropolis, planet Kerwan.[1]
Private Starshield
Starshield first operated as Private Starshield, where he had the shiniest toilets in his unit, showing his potential from an early start.[3]
Saving galaxies
According to a Vox News update about Captain Starshield's origins he had saved many galaxies.[1] In galactic date G2.16.918 he saved the Solana Galaxy from a robot ghost pirate invasion.[1] In G2.14.173 he saved the Bogon Galaxy from a pan-galactic Amoeboid mafia ring.[1] He also saved the Thyrullian Galaxy on two separate occasions from ravenous space locusts.[1]
Citizen of the Millennium
One month prior to his forced participation in DreadZone, Captain Starshield was declared Citizen of the Millennium in Metropolis.[1]
Baron Masseter and planet Calzon
- " The Baron Masseter should never bother you people agai-- "
- ―Captain Starshield's ship malfunctions after saving planet Calzon.
Captain Starshield destroyed Baron Masseter's ship saving the planet Calzon.[4] The Chancellor of Calzon then made a transmission to Captain Starshield to express his gratitude, Starshield insisted he was doing his duty and explained that the Baron Masseter would no longer bother the people of Calzon but was cut off by a cracking sound at the back of his ship.[5] The ship informed him that there was a critical malfunction with a Nav-Grid error and Hyperdrive malfunction.[5]
Planet Fractis
The Hyperdrive malfunction sent him to the Kavorian Galaxy where he switched to manual overrides and managed to crash the ship on top of a ledge on planet Fractis, avoiding injury but leaving his ship damaged.[6]
Survival on Fractis
- " But where there's Kragmites… There's… Cantors! "
- ―A Cantor attacks Captain Starshield.
Left with no option but to jump out of his ship and down from the ledge he soon encountered several Kragmites.[7] Instead of engaging with them he immediately recognized the more dangerous threat of a nearby Cantor when the Kragmites ran off.[7] The Cantor sent Starshield flying through the air after emerging from the ground.[7] Landing safely on the ground Starshield fired his blaster at the Cantor which had little effect.[8] Dodging an attack by the Cantor, Starshield lured it under the ledge where his ship was still perched and fired his blaster at the ledge.[8][9] The ledge collapsed onto the Cantor, killing it and allowing Starshield to reach his ship.[9]
Leaving for the Shadow Sector
- " Incoming distress signal. Location: The Shadow Sector. "
- ―Captain Starshield's ship.
After the combat Starshield's ship had finished running its repairs ensuring all systems were functional.[9] The ship then informed Starshield of a distress signal from the Shadow Sector.[9] Unsure of the Shadow Sector, Starshield told his ship to set a course as he left the planet.[9]
After entering the Shadow Sector Captain Starshield went missing along with several other heroes of Metropolis.[1] He had actually been tricked into following a phantom distress signal.[1] A Vox News pdate suggested Sasha Phyronix may have been involved in an attempt to hide how Starshield had been forced to take part in DreadZone, an illegal combat sport run by Vox Industries.[1][10]
Entering DreadZone
Captain Starshield was fitted with a Deadlock collar and was forced to take part in the combat sport.[1]
- " This guy is setting records faster than a Tyllurian lava beast devour spleens! "
- ―Dallas during a Sports News update about Captain Starshield.
Captain Starshield quickly established himself as a powerful competitor, setting records at a fast pace.[1] During his first day Starshield defeated a year's worth of DZ Strikers.[1] After one week in DreadZone combat Starshield had reached the rank of Vindicator and this success caused the DreadZone construction team to increase their efforts to build a challenging BattleCourse for him.[1] His reputation at DreadZone scared commentator Dallas Wanamaker and even the Exterminator team were afraid of facing him.[1]
Due to his instant success a News Update from Dallas and Juanita looked into his background and claimed he was taking part voluntarily without any blackmail, intimidation or coercion.[1]
Combat with Ace Hardlight and death
- " A dramatic conclusion to one of the most exciting episodes of Dreadzone I have ever seen. Captain Starshield, the #1 gladiator, has been terminated by Ace Hardlight. Ace has now eliminated a record thirteen contestants in the regular season. "
- ―Dallas Wanamaker providing commentary after the death of Captain Starshield. [Deadlocked]
A month after his disappearance and after two weeks of competing in the competition Starshield beat all DreadZone records and topped the DreadZone leader board with 234,400 Dreadpoints.[1][10] The Exterminators refused to fight Starshield except for undefeated Exterminator champion Ace Hardlight who set up a life-or-death battle with him.[1][11]
During the battle Captain Starshield destroyed several DZ Strikers before he was shot from behind with an illegal Quantum-Demoleculizer Hardlight had secretly obtained from Juanita.[10][11]
Captain Starshield's death was a shock to many including Big Al, Ratchet and Clank.[10] Ace Hardlight took Starshield's position in the DreadZone leaderboard leaving the deceased Starshield's rank as second place until Ratchet later surpassed both of them before rescuing many of the heroes and destroying the DreadZone Station, ending the competition.[10]
- " My pleasure Chancellor, just doing my duty. "
- ―Captain Starshield after saving planet Calzon.
Captain Starshield was devoted to helping those in need as a super hero across many galaxies.[1][4][5][9] After standing out as Private Starshield it did not take him long to progress and he became a famous intergalactic hero as Captain Starshield.[3] Despite this fame he continued to help those in need and as such was extremely popular, especially in Metropolis.[1][10]
Skills and abilities
Captain Starshield was extremely proficient in combat and was able to break many records in combat at DreadZone including destroying a year's worth of DZ Strikers in just one day.[1] He used several weapons including two separate blasters.[8][10] He also favored a Versa-Wrench Striker.[12]
In addition to his combat skills Captain Starshield was a capable pilot, travelling across many galaxies and engaging in space combat where necessary.[1][4][5]
Behind the scenes
Phil Morris was the voice actor for Starshield.[2] Insomniac Games released an online comic about Starshield on their website in six episodes leading up to the release of Ratchet: Deadlocked.[13] Permission was later gained to display the web-comic on the Ratchet & Clank wiki after they were removed.
Released Ratchet: Deadlocked concept art for Captain Starshield shows very little changes between the released concept and the final version of Starshield with only some major changes to his weapon.[14]
"Starshield" is a free skin in single player and co-op play in Ratchet: Deadlocked.[3] He is also available as a skin in multiplayer.[10]
- The Adventures of Captain Starshield (first appearance)
- Ratchet: Deadlocked
- Non-canon
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 News update: 17 OCT 2005 - [[wikipedia:Insomniac Games|]]'s website (backup at web archive)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0606862/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ratchet: Deadlocked Starshield skin description.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Adventures of Captain Starshield episode 1
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 The Adventures of Captain Starshield episode 2
- ↑ The Adventures of Captain Starshield episode 3
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Adventures of Captain Starshield episode 4
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Adventures of Captain Starshield episode 5
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 The Adventures of Captain Starshield episode 6
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 Ratchet: Deadlocked
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 News update: Current, 2005 - [[wikipedia:Insomniac Games|]]'s website (backup at web archive)
- ↑ Ratchet: Deadlocked Versa-Wrench Striker description
- ↑ [[wikipedia:Insomniac Games|]] website (backup link at web archive)
- ↑ Ratchet: Deadlocked concept art under the extras menu.


text: Edmund Baldwin Hill (b. 1891) was born in Rutherford, New Jersey, to John E. (b. 1854) and Ida F. Hill (b. 1857). During World War I, Edmund and his close friend from home, A. Dudley ("Dud") Wade (b. 1893), were part of the Intelligence Section of the 78th Division of the American Expeditionary Forces. They were trained at Camp Dix, New Jersey, before their division was sent to France. Near the end of the war, they fought on the front lines in the battles of Saint-Mihiel and Argonne Forest. Edmund decided not to re-enlist after the war and instead became a writer and a broker. In 1932 he married a teacher named Winifred L. Morrow (1895-1964).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested over 500 members of the Biafran Zionist Movement (BZM) for allegedly re-declaring the Republic of Biafra.
The arrested BZM Members, who wore vests bearing Biafra inscription and carried different flags including those of the defunct Biafra Republic, United States and Israel, were arrested around Akwata Axis of Agbani Road at about 6.45am as they were singing pro-Biafra songs.
They had after the declaration ceremony that lasted for about an hour, embarked on a peaceful procession from Mbanugo heading towards Ogbete Main Market area acknowledging cheers from residents and motorists along the road.
Leader of BZM, Barrister Benjamin Onwuka, after his declaration speech, stated that he was now the President of Biafran Republic, saying that the Ministers that would pilot the affairs of his government would be announced in due course.
He averred that the life and property of the Biafran people were no longer safe and guaranteed in the entity called Nigeria, hence their resolve to re-declare their independence with effect from November 5, 2012.
"Today November 5th 2012, the re-birth of the Rep of Biafra is finally actualized at the long last. I thank all Biafrans for the sacrifices that they have made since this struggle began in 1967," Onwuka said.
Source: Naija.ng


text:
- Gold Miner
- Location: Ottawa
- Join Date: 1/5/2011
- Posts: 390
- Minecraft: Cooldudepoke
- Member Details
Credit to: Tiharo For the Banner!
If updating the mod from 0.51 to 0.6 your old saves WILL NOT WORK!...Make new saves...
Edit: For V0.6:
When I tested it crashed(simple fix) Here's How:
Before copying the files to the jar, rename emeraldOre.PNG to emeraldOre.png, otherwise it can't recognize it and it crashes :sad.gif:
Before copying the files to the jar, rename emeraldOre.PNG to emeraldOre.png, otherwise it can't recognize it and it crashes :sad.gif:
Edit: I renamed the mod to "New Ores" from "Emerald Tools and Ore" because I decided to add more than just emerald ore.
Edit: Can someone please make a video review(with commentary about the mod, i'd really appreciate it! :smile.gif:
I've made my first Minecraft mod and it took about 3 days to make.
I might soon make a video about it.
I also may soon add images.
Also the Emerald Ore takes a long time to mine even with a diamond or emerald pickaxe, If you know anything about making mods please help me out with making the correct pickaxes break the ore faster(aka Iron, Diamond, Emerald) Thanks.
The emerald tools and sword are crafted the same way as the rest except using emeralds.
The emerald tools are a bit faster than diamond.
I tried to make emerald ore harder to find than diamond(I think it worked)
To find emerald ore you need to either make a new world or go to non-generated parts of a current world.
For the art for the mod I just recolored other textures and items.
If the new items and/or emerald ore doesn't appear right it means your texture pack is not compatible.
PS. I'm hoping this might appear in someone's LP Someday.
Note: I used the Single Player Commands mod and X-Ray mod for the video.
This video was done for V0.2.
Images(note...some images may be very big):
Ingame(note...I used X-Ray and Single Player Commands Mods to find the Ore):
Emerald Ore:
Crystal Ore:
Titanium Ore:
Credit to: Zer0Rebirth for the pixel art!
Credit to: Zer0Rebirth for the pixel art!
Titanium Ingot:
Emerald Tools:
Crystal Tools:
Titanium Tools:
Sulphur Block:
Emerald Ore and Crystal Ore are found at layer 12 and below.
Emerald Tools are a bit faster than Diamond.
Crystal Tools are a bit faster than Emerald(but it's not very noticeable).
All new tools have better durability(emerald better than diamond...crystal better than emerald).
Emerald Tools and Crystal Tools are crafted the same way as the rest.
ID Numbers:
Gems and Ingots:
Emerald: 356
Crystal: 386
Titanium Ingot: 406
Emerald Sword: 360
Emerald Shovel: 359
Emerald Pickaxe: 358
Emerald Axe: 361
Emerald Hoe: 357
Crystal Sword: 387
Crystal Shovel: 388
Crystal Pickaxe: 390
Crystal Axe: 391
Crystal Hoe: 392
Titanium Sword: 407
Titanium Shovel: 408
Titanium Pickaxe: 409
Titanium Axe: 410
Titanium Hoe: 411
Block Ids:
Emerald Ore: 95
Crystal Ore: 96
Titanium Ore: 98
Fossil Ore: 99
Sulphur Block: 97
- Fixed the crashes
- Renamed emeraldOre back to .png
- Fixed Texture Bug
- Bugs were caused by something in ItemPickaxe.java and ItemSpade.java, So I was forced to make the mining of the new ores the same speed as redstone(...UGH...)...
- Made Titanium Tools have Infinite Durability(Yay!)
- Updated to 1.3_01
- Made Sulphur Blocks a tiny bit more common!
- When I tested it crashed(simple fix) Here's How:
Before copying the files to the jar, rename emeraldOre.PNG to emeraldOre.png, otherwise it can't recognize it and it crashes :sad.gif:
- Now requires Modloader
- Fixed Mining Speed of Ores and Sulphur Block(by Accident)
- Still modifies some of the MC Classes but not as much.
- Changed Fossil Ore Texture(Credit to: Zer0Rebirth for the texture)
- Fossil Ore
- Fixed spawning of Sulphur Blocks
- Sulphur Blocks drop 1-3 Sulphur
- Titanium Ore
- Titanium Tools and Sword
- Titanium Ore Is As Rare As Diamond but can be found on layer 64 and below(same as iron)
- Titanium Ore needs to be smelted
- Titanium Ore can be mined with a stone pickaxe or better!
- Sulphur Blocks
- Sulphur Blocks drop 4 Sulphur
- Sulphur Blocks are affected by Gravity(like sand and gravel)
- Sulphur Blocks can be found anywhere(above ground and underground) and are the same rarity as Gravel.
I think that's everything...I hope i'm not forgetting something.
- Crystal Ore
- Crystal Tools and Sword
- Crystal Ore is the same rarity as Emerald Ore(layer 12 and below).
Known Bugs:
None at this time
Edit: Modloader can be downloaded here(on the following page): viewtopic.php?f=25&t=80246
Note: V0.6 and newer Requires Modloader v4 or v5 it doesn't matter :smile.gif:
V0.61(Beta 1.3_01): http://www.mediafire.com/?f8hxo2co36seimm
V0.6(Beta 1.3_01): http://www.mediafire.com/?3mvumrw69edtnmu
V0.51(Beta 1.2_02): http://www.mediafire.com/?s9v5eueavwdom0d
*Bugged* - V0.5(Beta 1.2_02): http://www.mediafire.com/?06v2hl4ms425yiy
V0.41(Beta 1.2_02): http://www.mediafire.com/?u25s3987dfcxw16
V0.4(Beta 1.2_02): http://www.mediafire.com/?7nd8otkrz74vdi4
V0.3(Beta 1.2_02): http://www.mediafire.com/?pr1wmnxkt2wt9xl
V0.2(Beta 1.2_02): http://www.mediafire.com/?i2c45u1aoz14duz
V0.1(Beta 1.2_02): http://www.mediafire.com/?hieeqi3lvzebvy1
Minecraft Emerald Tools and Ore V0.1 made by: cooldudepoke
IMPORTANT: Backup your saves and minecraft.jar before installing or you could corrupt it(then i can't help you)!
Step 1: Drag/Copy all files from the "Put into Minecraft Jar" folder into minecraft.jar using Winrar or any other compatiable program.
Step 2: Still in minecraft.jar Delete the META-INF folder
Step 3: Exit Winrar or whatever program you're using.
Step 4: Enjoy the Mod!(and your emeralds...)
On mac:
IMPORTANT: Backup your saves and minecraft.jar before installing or you could corrupt it(then i can't help you)!
Note: Some steps may be incorrect because I can't remember how to do it on macs very well.
Step 1: Make sure minecraft.jar is in it's place(aka you've run minecraft before)
Step 2: Copy and paste the following code into terminal and press enter:
cd ~
mkdir mctmp
cd mctmp
jar xf ~/Library/Application\ Support/minecraft/bin/minecraft.jar
Step 3: In your username folder(i think it's called your home folder) you should have a folder called mctmp.
Step 4: Copy the files from the "Put into Minecraft Jar" folder into mctmp
Step 5: Copy and paste the following code into terminal and press enter:
rm META-INF/MOJANG_C.*
jar uf ~/Library/Application\ Support/minecraft/bin/minecraft.jar ./
cd ..
rm -rf mctmp
Step 6: Run Minecraft and Enjoy the Mod!(and your emeralds...)


text:
Ho-hum, just another US vs. Mexico battle in the recently completed Gold Cup. El Tri were the worthy winners, taking home their second straight CONCACAF title in front a "home" crowd at the Rose Bowl.
That also marked the fifth time in the tournament's 20-year history the two archrivals squared off for regional dominance, and the third consecutive US-Mexico final to boot. No surprise there. And, don't forget, the US and Mexico have finished one-two in World Cup qualifying for the past two cycles.
If you've been a fútbol fan for the past decade, you'd think La Guerra Fría is the only CONCACAF rivalry that matters. After all, it's a battle between the two most populous nations in the region, the countries with the strongest domestic leagues and the two most prolific exporters of talent to Europe.
That's fair enough. The US and Mexico have so dominated the region in recent years that everything else has been a race for No. 3. But that competition for third has proven to be fascinatingly unpredictable and more mercurial over the years than Dwayne De Rosario's hairstyles.
If you've paid close attention to the battle for CONCACAF supremacy in recent years, you no doubt know that Honduras have consolidated themselves as the clear No. 3 in the region. That's no accident. Los Catrachos are enjoying the peak of a generation of talent that has speed, strength and big-game experience in the top leagues around the world.
European-schooled hard men like Wilson Palacios, Hendry Thomas, Maynor Figueroa and Emilio Izaguirre — all of who are in their mid to late 20s — have honed their craft on big stages and bring a dose of the big time to a nation that is enjoying the height of its footballing powers.
That's trickled down to the rest of the pool as Honduras cashed in with their second-ever World Cup appearance last summer, their first Copa Centroamericana title in 16 years this past winter, and a semifinal slot at this Gold Cup. In fact, the Catrachos forced Mexico to extra time in Houston and came close to really shaking up CONCACAF.
Still, it's pretty inarguable that Honduras are firmly entrenched as the third-place horse right now, right behind the duopoly at the top. And according to midfielder-defender Roger Espinoza — who played a solid near-120 minutes in central midfield vs. El Tri — there are worlds of possibilities right now.
"This generation has seen the difference in how soccer is played around the world, and we've brought that to the national team," the Sporting Kansas City man told MLSsoccer.com. "The World Cup was such a great experience. Our generation has a lot more to give, but we have young talent coming out at the [U-23] level. The Olympics are our next goal."
In the shifting sands of No. 3 in the region, it's a pretty mighty accomplishment for Honduras. The Central American republic has a population roughly the same size as the state of Virginia, a top-flight league of only 10 teams and — most tellingly — 65 percent of the population living beneath the poverty line.
It's those kinds of limitations that have made No. 3 such a precarious spot to be in. Honduras stole it, in a way, from a neighbor just down the coast in Costa Rica. Los Ticos didn't just have a stranglehold on third-best in the region for nearly 15 years, they were second-best for decades before the US redeveloped themselves in the 1990s into a country that took soccer seriously.
Costa Rica's peak came in back-to-back World Cup appearances in 2002 and '06 as the golden generation of Paulo Wanchope, Walter Centeno and Rónald Gómez used their own European experience to lift the Ticos to the height of their powers.
"That's definitely gone now," Chicago Fire defender and Costa Rican national-teamer Gonzalo Segares lamented to MLSsoccer.com. "Players have a lot of pressure on them now because of the media and fans. They all expect us to be in the World Cup all the time. People in Costa Rica need to understand it's not that easy."
The economy has hit Costa Rica hard, as really only two clubs — Saprissa and Alajuelense — are in good financial standing, Segares says. That makes it tougher to develop and sell homegrown talent — especially when clubs are asking inflated prices that scare off buyers. And a rash of turf fields all over the country are causing premature knee and ankle problems for kids who are far too young to have to deal with that kind of rehabilitation.
Still, Segares remains hopeful of some young talent coming down the pipeline, especially as the Costa Rican Under-20s get set to kick off at the U-20 World Cup in late July. Nineteen-year-old striker Joel Campbell, who scored on Cuba during the Gold Cup, is a bright young hope for Costa Rica.
But it wouldn't be surprising to see another new face supplant Honduras eventually. Jamaica are enjoying a renaissance under Theodore Whitmore that could see them reach the heights of the magical 1998 World Cup squad, of which he was a member. The Reggae Boyz dazzled in the group stage of the Gold Cup before a quarterfinal collision with their own personal kryptonite: the US, against whom they're winless in 18 games and who have a knack for exposing their weaknesses.
"We have talent, and we look good on paper," said Real Salt Lake's Andy Williams, who was also a member of that France '98 squad. "Now we need to get everybody on the same page, believing in one another. Apart from our '98 team, I don't think our players have ever been 100 percent supportive of the program and each other. Theodore's the right guy to change that."
Panama haven't shown too poorly for themselves in recent tournaments either, and you never know when it could all come together for talented nuclei in El Salvador and Guatemala. And numbers-wise — both in terms of money and population — there's no reason why Canada eventually won't get it together. For now, No. 3 isn't a bad place to be.
"When you're one of the smallest countries on the continent, being in third is pretty good," said Honduras' Espinoza. "We've been able to keep up with Mexico and the US — think about how impressive that is. But our goal is to be No. 1."
Jonah Freedman is the managing editor of MLSsoccer.com. "The Throw-In" appears every Thursday.


text:
This site uses cookies, by continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies...find out more
Designed to enhance your laser-guided accuracy and control on the ball, the Concave Halo+ Mens FG soccer cleats feature a TPU outsole with bladed studs to provide reliable stability on firm ground.
PRO Online Price
Saving $95.00
Pro:Direct offers competitive on shipment to all US mainland states to bring you the latest products from the biggest brands.
Order by 3PM EST for Next Day delivery
Copyright © 2005-2017 Pro:Direct. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Pro:Direct Privacy Policy.


text:
Welcome to the Zoo
Working in the burnished, crackle-varnished surfaces that are her signature, Jay (1-2-3: A Child's First Counting Book ) takes the idea of a cageless zoo to the extreme, imagining humans and animals mingling with all the privileged coolness of habitués of a five-star resort. Pairs of self-possessed raccoons and humans in chic sunglasses regard each other as fellow hipsters; families and a panoply of bear species tuck into some al fresco snacks with impeccable manners; and a monkey buys ice cream from a vendor. As in many of Jay's works, there are virtually no words. Richly populated tableaux are threaded with ministories, and readers can follow the respective trails of a runaway balloon and bonnet, as well as the vain attempts of a zookeeper to corral an ostrich. But the overall effect falls short of Jay's best titles with fairy tale or nursery rhyme themes. The more ordinary setting (however extraordinary some of the elements) results in an emotionally flatter impression; the experience is more cerebral than beguiling. Ages 3–5. (Oct.)
Release date: 10/01/2008


text:
- Released: Sep 22, 1981
- Sound: 10
- Lyrics: 8
- Overall Impression: 10
Users' score:
(4 votes)
Sound — 10
After King Crimson was announced dead before the release 1974's astounding album "Red," very few would have guessed that the prog-rock behemoth would return... as a new-wave, gamelan-pop, polyrhythm playing, 4-piece. But that is exactly what happened when former Crimson players Robert Fripp (guitar) and Bill Bruford (drums) teamed up with Tony Levin (bass/chapman stick) and Adrian Belew (vocals/guitar). Compared to the line-up before it, this King Crimson relied more on intricately crafted pieces as opposed to the improvisational nature of albums like "Starless" and "Bible Black."
The main sound that sticks out immediately in tracks such as "Frame by Frame" and "Thela Hun Ginjeet" are the two guitars interlocked together in a poly-rhythmic madness. Fripp playing complicated arpeggios and Belew playing counter-point with carefully placed chords or alternate arpeggios. Quite frankly, it sounds incredible and no other band has quite matched this style since.
Bruford further adds to the sound by utilizing a mostly cymbal-less drum kit. Oddly enough, Bruford's accents typically fall outside the accented notes in either the guitar or bass lines. Levin showcases a wide range of styles with his bass, somehow reeling in the madness surrounding him into a beat the listener somehow can tap their foot to. Levin also showcases his skills on the chapman stick, which adds an exceptional amount to album opener "Elephant Talk."
Lyrics — 8
In my personal opinion, Belew's voice is what brings this music down the most. I enjoy his humorous spoken-word listings in "Elephant Talk" and his strange monologue in "Indiscipline." But his singing is what gets to me. I can't escape how "goofy" his voice sounds. Many others would disagree with me, and I am fine with that. I will admit that I do enjoy the melodies that he somehow manages to craft into the complex songs. "Frame by Frame" especially showcases an excellent melodic ear. Lyrically, "Discipline" is all over the place. From "Elephant Talk" listing various "words with a 'D' this time," to "Thela Hun Ginjeet"'s lyrics regarding the treacheries of visiting New York, the lyrical content is nowhere close to boring.
Overall Impression — 10
Perhaps what is kind of disturbing about "Discipline"'s incarnation of Crimson is that there is almost no trace of the band we know from the seventies. Gone are the subtle influences of classical and folk. Gone are the whimsical lyrics and the mellotron-drenched soundscapes. The only remnants of "Red" is the unhinged "Indiscipline." So while this King Crimson is not same group that brought us "21st Century Schizoid Man," they still brought us a landmark album.
"Discipline" further stretched the boundaries that progressive rock had been known to exceed. The musicianship is superb, whether shown on the barbaric poundings of Bruford's drums in "Indiscipline" or in gradually-building, interlocking guitars on the meditative, articulate "Discipline." Arguably, this album brought the Crim the closest to traditional pop (I use that word knowing full well that no one in their right mind would think to use the word "pop" to describe this) than any other album before it, thus widening their commercial appeal. Even though this is not the Crimson of yore, anyone open-minded enough for the average King Crimson album will fully embrace this masterpiece of '80s prog.
Personal Likes: "Frame by Frame," "Indiscipline," "Discipline."
Personal Dislikes: "The Sheltering Sky."


text:
Mandaue City
|Central Visayas (Region VII)
|Thadeo Z. Ouano (Lakas-CMD)
|Physical characteristics
| 34.87 km²
|Total (2000)
| 259,728
| 7,448/km²
The City of Mandaue (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Mandawe; Filipino: Lungsod ng Mandaue) is a 1st class city in the province of Cebu, Philippines. It is known as the "Emerging Convention City in Asia." The city is one of the two highly urbanized cities in the province of Cebu and form the core of the Metropolitan Cebu area.
Mandaue lies right across from Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu City is located. Lapu-Lapu City is the site of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the country's second busiest. Mandaue is connected to Mactan Island via two bridges: the original Mactan-Cebu Bridge and the relatively new Marcelo Fernan Bridge. These bridges are the only two routes between the airport and Cebu City.
According to the 2000 census, Mandaue has a population of 259,728 people in 54,882 households.
Investors and businessmen favor the bustling metropolis of Mandaue not only because it the "Furniture Capital of the Philippines." Mandaue has a long history of commerce. It was once a busy port where merchants traded and conducted business.
Today it is a modern metropolis with incredible energy, extraordinary entrepreneurs, and enterprising and talented people. About 40 percent of Cebu's export companies are found in Mandaue.
The city rakes in millions of pesos in revenues annually through its low taxation scheme, and continues to offer investors the New Mandaue City at the South Special Economic Administrative Zone as an alternative to other volatile commercial sites. And with the Cebu International Convention Center in place, Mandaue City poised to become the "Emerging Convention City in Asia."
The City of Mandaue was founded in April 7, 1521, when a "Cove of Cebu", called Mandawe, was sighted by a Spanish expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan. The "Cove of Cebu", which is located in the present Barangay Tipolo, became the host to the first
facility in the country. Its establishment marked the origins of the industrialization of the country as it helped in the promotion and sustainability of the Acapulco Trade which took place at that time.
In 1571, Legaspi established the country's first drydock complex on the shoreline of Tipolo, Mandaue, in order to hasten the colonization of the area. The drydock facilities, which were a few meters away from the existing location of the San Miguel Brewery Complex, reportedly serviced the Galleons of Legaspi.
Historically, Mandaue got its name from a thick, clinging vines known as "mantawi", which were abundant in the early times, long before the coming of the Spanish conquestadores. During these times, Mandaue, with its eastern and southern boundaries facing the Mactan Strait, was already referred to as the "merchants' paradise". The major economic points within the area were already interlinked with several crude transportation network.
The "Cove of Cebu" was formally constituted into a "pueblo" between 1580 to 1700 and was officially known as the town of Mandaue in the year 1899.
From that "Cove of Cebu" emerged the now industrial city of Mandaue. Mandaue became a chartered city on June 21, 1969 through Republic Act 5519. It was considered a highly-urbanized city in the year 1991.
Mandaue City: Emerging Convention City in Asia!
|Cebu International Convention Center
|Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines
|Technical details
|Floor count
|Floor area
|28,000 sq. m
Where the Cebu International Convention Center is build is a very important historical landmark of Mandaue City. Where this convention center sits is witness to Mandaue involvement in trade and international relations even before its discovery of the west.
This was once a was a beautiful cove known to service the trading vessels from neighboring places before the continent was known to be Asia. This cove was chosen by the western explorers to service the ships of the Galleon trade and the Acapulco trade as a dry-docking facility.
This convention center serves as monument of this historical landmark, in recognition of Mandaue's involvement in the international stage since the beginning of history.
As venue of the 12th ASEAN summit, the city continues to play an important role in international relations, becoming the core of development and strengthening its role as the growth engine of the province of Cebu.
The city management team, together with world renowned urban planner PALAFOX and ASSOCIATES formulated a strategy to position the city as a preferred destination for international expositions and conventions.
The development strategy will be anchored on the CEBU INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER (CICC), the upcoming Export Mall and mixed-use development around it.
Its strategic location makes Mandaue City central to world-class amenities.
Just ten minutes away to five star resorts and tropical hideaways; five minutes to world class shopping; and surrounded by the best lifestyle destinations of the metropolis.
The city's seaport can take one to the wonders of the islands and enjoy year-round festivals.
Across the bridge, an international airport can fly you to major destinations in Asia and the rest of the world.
These make Mandaue City the "Emerging Convention City in Asia!"
Mantawi Festival
Unique and exotic, dance steps are accompanied by a different beat, played by a brass instead of the usual drum and bugle. This makes up a one-of-a-kind festivity that entices and seduces the crowd to gather and witness one of the most anticipated celebration in the City of Mandaue, the Mantawi Festival.
In April 7, 1521, Magellan first sighted the island of Sugbo in search for food and supplies for his vessels' voyage back to Spain. Mandaue at that time was called "Mantawi" - derived from a vine that grew abundantly in the coves of the area. This community with abundant vines has even been mentioned by Antonio Pigafetta as a flourishing settlement nearest to Sebu under the leadership of Datu Lambuzzan.
Through Mantawi Festival, Mandaue City reconnects to its roots as the merchant's paradise of Cebu during the time of Ferdinand Magellan and its role in Cebu's economic growth through the centuries. Mandauehanons take pride in their heritage and historic role as Cebu's economic powerhouse, as the city continues to energize its economy, attracting even more investors and generating more jobs for its people.
Today, the economic excitement in Mandaue City is concentrated on the Mandaue Reclamation area, making it the country's fastest growth center in the South. The site of the Cebu International Convention Center, the Mandaue Reclamation area now becomes the "New Center of the Metropolis."
Aside from the Cebu International Convention Center CICC – the venue of the ASEAN Summit in December, other developments in the area includes the construction of Cebu Doctors University for a new campus, the Cebu Boardwalk-a multi use development project that will feature a marina and the Taft I.T Zone which will feature world-class facilities for IT companies.
The proposed Cebu International Trade and Exhibition Center (CITEX) has also been already endorsed by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to JICA for funding.
With all these developments at hand, Mandaue City is now gaining the reputation as Cebu's new economic driver . . . the city to watch for in terms of economic prowess.
This year, the Mantawi Festival both pays homage to the past and recognize its potential for the future, kicking off with the theme "Taking Roots, Soaring High with ASEAN".
Participants from all corners of the city will join the celebration as they showcase its unique culture and interpret the city's trading systems that has become a tool for progress and prosperity of the Mandauehanons.
Various contingents will take the entire city in revelry of dancing and merry-making as the parade kicks-off at the Mandaue City Hall and onwards to the Cebu Boardwalk at the Reclamation Area.
New Center of the Metropolis
With Mandaue City as the pivotal venue for the ASEAN Summit, the Mantawi Festival is the initial thrust of the local government's effort to support the successful hosting of the event.
The year 2006 draws international attention to booming Mandaue City with the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). Located on a 3.8 hectare reclaimed land worth half a billion pesos, the CICC heralds the foray of Mandaue City as the "Emerging Covention Center of Asia."
The CICC is expected to boost the economic dynamism of Mandaue City, which at present is driven by over 10,000 micro, small, medium, and large enterprises. The city accounts for 40 percent of the total export in the furniture sector, thus making Mandaue the "Furniture Capital" of the country.
Mandaue City is an attractive investment option for businessmen seeking opportunities in Cebu because of the lower cost of doing business (no sales tax, lower taxes and cost of living), excellent delivery of basic services, and peace and order. On top of its business friendly policies, Mandaue's sound fiscal management relieves its taxpayers with the burden of unnecessary loans.
During the nine-year term of Mayor Thadeo Z. Ouano, the Father of Mantawi Festival, Mandaue City's annual income was tripled from P270 million to P800 million, thus growing at a pace twice faster than of the national average.
Today, the economic excitement in Mandaue City is concentrated on the Mandaue Reclamation area, making it the country's fastest growth center in the South. Aside from the CICC, other developments in the area includes the construction of Cebu Doctors University for a new campus, the Cebu Boardwalk-a multi use development project that will feature a marina and the Taft I.T Zone which will feature world-class facilities for IT companies. The proposed Cebu International Trade and Exhibition Center (CITEX) has also been already endorsed by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to JICA for funding.
With all these developments at hand, Mandaue City is now gaining the reputation as Cebu's new economic driver. The Mandaue Reclamation Area is now the "New Center of the Metropolis."
2006 will be the year expected to create an indelible mark for Mandaue City in both the business and tourism sectors, truly giving homage to its historic role as Cebu's economic powerhouse.
Mandaue City is Cebu's new economic driver with more than 10,000 business establishments. Its fast and stable economic growth couple with the city's steadfast support for booth local and foreign businesses boost investor's confidence and make the city an ideal business destination. No wonder the city is home to some of the world's best and biggest companies: San Miguel Corporation, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Shemberg, the number one exporter of carrageenan. Mandaue City also accounts for 75 percent of the country's total export in the furniture sector, thus making the city the furniture capital of the country.
After clinching a business deal, you can enjoy Mandaue's dinning and entertainment life. Mandaue has fine-dining restaurants which cater to gourmets with international tastes. A variety of restaurants also serves sumptuous meals of local cuisine. For a wonderful gastronomic feast, treat yourself to the best chicken and seafood offered by restaurants along A.S. Fotuna Street near Oyan's haus. The culinary possibilities are endless. Cap the evening with a drink or two at the numerous bars and nightspots around the city.
Food defines a people and this holds true in Mandaue. The local cuisines tells the Mandauehanon's passion for life and creativity. From bibingka (rice cakes) to masareal (ground sugared peanuts), and from tagaktak (fried ground rice) to budbud (sticky rice rapped in banana leaves), these delectable home-made concoctions sit well with visitors. You will crave for these delicacies' unique taste found only in Mandaue City. They are excellent souvenirs to take home too!
Join the city fiesta every May and watch the historic and colorful Mantawi Festival, with its dancers using native delicacies such as bibingka, budbud and tagaktak as props for their dances, while broom and salt making are trans- "Delicacies and Trading System," which has become a tool for progress and prosperity by the Mandauehanon's. You can also visit the National Shrine of St. Joseph with its one-of-a-kind life-sized statues of the Señor de Cena (Jesus Last Supper) or the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Mandaue Also Boasts of the famous performances of the Mandaue School for the Arts students. For a touching experience in Mandaue, you can catch the sunrise illuminate the city under its two famous bridges, which are both works of art and engineering masterpieces themselves. The Native delicacy Otap is also produced in the city of Mandaue.
Initiatives that enhance the ROADMAP of Mandaue City:
1. The city has simplified transactions on civil applications with the end in view of lessening the cost of doing business. Systems and procedures are regularly streamlined to realize the target of processing Business Permits within five minutes after payment of tax assessments.
2. Business Permit application is decentralized at the barangay level and payments are made at accredited banks to decongest city hall and minimize long queues that usually occur during Business Permit applications and/or renewal.
3. Systems and procedures on Building Permits and Occupancy Permits are also reviewed and streamlined to allow processing within a day.
4. A "No Wrong Door" policy has been adopted to ensure that all taxpayers are guided and served even if they happen to drop by at the wrong office.
5. An Investments Incentive Code has been promulgated to entice more investments and ensure a more profitable business endeavor in the city.
6. A Boardwalk, a Mixed-use Mall, and a Hotel and Casino Complex are now in the drawing board and will soon rise to complement the Cebu International Convention Center.
7. Academic institutions are sprouting in the city. The academe sector will welcome two more institutions that shall operate and open their doors during School year 2007. These are the Cebu Doctor's University and the Sacred Heart School.
8. The new City Public Market is due for completion come July 2007. A "Bagsakan" (Farm Products Terminal/Storage) will be constructed sometime February 2007 and will complement the economic activities of the City Public Market.
9. An Export Mall is on the drawing board and once constructed and opened, shall assume the role of a "Business Incubator" to allow small and medium enterprises to start up and grow.
10. A Center for Training on Entrepreneurial Development and Management shall rise on a 5-hectare property in Barangay Casili to provide a venue for management excellence and entrepreneurial advancement.
11. The Mandaue City College is now operational and has opened its doors to poor but deserving Mandauehanons pursuing college education in nursing, industrial engineering, entrepreneurial development, education and information technology. 12. Socialized Housing Projects are now being undertaken to provide decent and affordable housing and livelihood opportunities to informal settlers and other urban poor beneficiaries and realize the objectives of the city's Integrated and Comprehensive Urban Renewal and Enhancement or "CURE Program" and transforming these communities into empowered development centers.
13. Beautification and environmental management initiatives are being pursued to attain a balance between economic development and environmental protection and conservation.
14. Contingency plans to ensure the full protection of both residents and investors have been formulated to make sure that development initiatives are covered and complemented by security measures.
15. An integrated and holistic infrastructure development program has been prepared to serve the mobility needs for goods and services thus enhancing productivity and return of investments due to lessened travel time.
16. An annual Strategic Plan has been formulated and consolidated into an Executive-Legislative Agenda to pave the way to a more coordinated and effective partnership between the Office of the City Mayor and the Legislative Body.
See also
External links
- The Official Website of the City of Mandaue
- Philippine Standard Geographic Code
- 2000 Philippine Census Information
- "Mandaue." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
- Jobs in Mandaue City
- Careers in Mandaue
- Random Things in Mandaue
- JCI Organization in Mandaue
Carcar • Cebu City • Compostela • Consolacion • Cordova • Danao City • Lapu-Lapu City • Liloan • Mandaue City • Minglanilla • Naga • San Fernando • Talisay City
ilo:Ciudad ti Mandaue nl:Mandaue City ja:マンダウエ pl:Mandaue war:Syudad han Mandaue zh:曼達維市
==Original Source==


text:
Browse by Advisor
Group by: Degree Date (Year Only) | Authors | No Grouping
Number of items: 3.
Chiu, Arlene Yuen-chin (1981) Biochemical and immunohistochemical studies of the egg-laying hormone of Aplysia californica : purification, primary structure, neurosecretion and morphological distribution. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09272005-141028
Toevs, Lois Schloemer (1970) Identification and characterization of the egg-laying hormone from the neurosecretary bag cells of Aplysia. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:08282015-154034894
Weisblat, David Allan (1976) Electrophysiology of the Somatic Muscles in the Nematode Ascaris lumbricoides. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:01302017-144757378


text:
Ancient Aliens' Native American Contributor Objects to Using the Word "Aliens" to Describe Visitors from the Stars
I've often complained that alternative history tends to overemphasize white, male views while ignoring or minimizing the views of the native peoples whose history they appropriate. When it comes to Ancient Aliens, I've often noted that they at least seek out opinions from women, African Americans, and Native Americans—even if they are all equally delusional believers in demonstrably untrue ideas. The program's most frequent black contributor is a creationist, and its most prominent Native American voice—well, he apparently doesn't believe in aliens per se.
At least that's what he told someone filming him for the Star Knowledge Conference shortly after taping a segment for Ancient Aliens. In a clip released to promote the upcoming conference, Chief Golden Light Eagle, who also goes by the name Standing Elk and his legal name of Loren Zephier, explained that he was upset that the Prometheus Entertainment production crew wanted him to talk about "aliens" when he does not believe in flesh-and-blood beings from another planet but rather spirit beings from the stars:
Now, I was having a little bit of a problem with the term "alien," and especially with EBEs, ETs—extraterrestrials, extraterrestrial biological entities—because they're a form of negativity, a sound (?), and our brothers and sisters of the stars, they work with light. They work with a very high vibration. So these terms, alien and all that, sets up a negative vibration within you that's not very good because of the laws of attraction. The Star People will not hang around you very long. They're very sacred people, very enlightened people; they're beings and people of light.
So that must be why so many visitors to this website complain about my negative vibrations: I am scaring away the aliens!
Zephier is not a "chief" of his enrolled Native tribe (variously reported as the Yankton or the Dakota) but rather is a "chief" of the "Galactic Federation of Light," a New Age group. He came to UFO believers' attention when he claimed that symbols allegedly found on the control panel of the Roswell UFO (but of course) were the same symbols he received telepathically from metallic beings from Orion. He also claims that his book, Maka Wicahpi Wicohan, described as a Star Law Manual of the Galactic Federation, was "inducted" in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. I have been unable to find any record of the book in the Smithsonian collections, much less an "induction" ceremony. If this website is to be believed, the actual event was very much the other way round, with Golden Light Eagle presenting a copy of his book to the Cultural Resource Center of the National Museum of the American Indian in Maryland, which houses the museum library and would therefore have accepted the gift as part of its mission to collect Native American literature. That said, I can find neither the book nor Golden Light Eagle in a search of the museum archives.
Golden Light Eagle apparently has earned the enmity of many Native Americans for his jumbling and repurposing of elements of traditional Native beliefs in service of New Age mystical mumbo-jumbo tied to conferences and appearances that net big bucks. (He apparently mixes Apache words with Lakota dances and shout-outs to Jesus.) The Star Knowledge Conference does not, as of this writing, list prices, but people who have called to get the price say it runs about $400 per person, with $20 surcharges for particular "workshops." Worst of all, they are encouraging children to come and be exposed to lies about how multicolored energy bubbles can protect them from harm, at $11 per child. (Click here only if you want to be depressed by what people want their children to learn.)
The whole thing makes me sad, both because of the numbers of New Agers who make a fetish of the indigenous in a bastardized form, and because people like Zephier/Standing Elk/Golden Light Eagle who are happy to cater to this fetish with fabricated fictions about UFOs and Native spirituality. But I guess it's slightly better that Zephier wants to differentiate his Star People from Giorgio Tsoukalos' extraterrestrials, though given David Childress's claims that the "aliens" are really trans-dimensional time travelers, I think we're talking a difference of degree, not kind.
Paul Cargile
6/3/2013 08:25:59 am
About the link:
Tara Jordan
6/3/2013 06:53:24 pm
"It's an odd thing but when you tell someone the true facts of a mythical tale they are indignant not with the teller but with you. They don't want to have their ideas upset. It rouses some vague uneasiness in them, I think, and they resent it. So they reject it and refuse to think about it. If they were merely indifferent it would be natural and understandable. But it is much stronger than that, much more positive.They are annoyed."
6/4/2013 02:47:30 am
That is a nice quote from a mystery author, but this guy doesn't tell anyone "true facts" about any "mythical tales". I looked Josephine Tey up (she was born in 1896), and 'In 2012, Peter Hitchens wrote that, 'Josephine Tey's clarity of mind, and her loathing of fakes and of propaganda, are like pure, cold spring water in a weary land.' " according to wikipedia.
Dave Lewis
6/3/2013 07:01:57 pm
After reading this blog for a few weeks I'm learning that the alternative spirituality industry must be a multi billion dollar per year enterprise.
Erich Von Blavatsky
6/4/2013 06:49:16 am
ah the old fake native con a la Robert Ghostwolf (aka Robert Franzone, Robert Parry, Robert Wolf, Robert Wolfe). The more things change...
James Deans
9/11/2015 04:19:21 pm
Wow ... I am so fed up with people who down their life trying to discredit other people on the internet ... Even me typing this , is hurting my heart ... But your slander even hurts worse ... I'm sure all of you who commented try hard everyday to make the world a better place ... When you're not playing video games, watching TiVo or writing blogs .... May Life have Mercy on your Soul and let you finally feel what it is to surrender to Love
6/17/2016 09:19:26 pm
I watched a few of his videos, then watched one where he introduced himself and then stated he was chief of noone. I had to play it back to double check; I guess the truth always comes out somehow.
Ashley Davis
8/5/2016 07:38:34 pm
So tired of listening to people speak about something they know nothing about. Loren Zephier (I prefer to call him Chief because he deserves that respect) is a good person who has helped many people. He helped me for free and has many free videos where he can explain what he talks about and is a very honest person. He IS real and does know what he is talking about. He probably saved my life and many others as well because he knows what we are going through. Ignorant people such as the author of this article would rather throw us in a mental home like they did to medicine men. One day you idiots who bash these Native Americans for what they believe in will be begging them for help. Why dont you learn about the subject before you speak about it. Ignorance is bliss..
wendy davis
11/21/2016 07:39:08 pm
I had the honor of hosting "Chief Golden Light Eagle" and his family, at my home for 5 days, in august 2015. I had never heard of him, or his mission before that time. I had NO preexisting ideas whatsoever. we shared coffee early mornings on the deck, talked of many things. I found him to be an amazing, wonderful, wise, saddened man, who loves mother earth and all upon her very deeply. I do testify that he has knowledge and wisdom that he perhaps, is not given enough credit for. "Eagle" is a special gift to all who wish to receive it. ah ho
2/5/2017 10:54:42 pm
Chief Golden Light Eagle is a Nakota Sioux Chief and so was his father and great grandfather who signed a famous 1851 treaty. He was named chief from his tribe. Thats how it works. He is a man of prayer, love, ceremony, spirit and service.
Lourdes Zephier
7/4/2017 12:08:19 pm
His grandfather, David Zephier, was half French. David's father was Antoine Rencounter, French man. David changed his name to Zephier because he was a minister and did not like his brother's drinking alcohol. Loren's dad, Adelbert Zephier was a WEII veteran. Loren collected feather's from various people, some were veterans. He put together a bonnet with eagle feathers. He created an honoring at the Marty Indian school gym. The first veteran to wear this made-up bonnet was Adelbert. The bonnet did not belong to him he was honored by it. It was something that Loren made up. Adelbert kept the bonnet, he called it his, "lucky bonnet." When I asked him why he called it that he replied, "because it gets me money." He also said it got him women. The Yankton Sioux tribe did not put a bonnet on Loren's grandfather's head. David was an interpreter for the 1868 treaty. Loren's great grandfather was a Frenchman. It is so sad to see so many fall in love and admiration for someone as loathsome as this piece of shit. You have no idea of who Loren, Many Faces, Chief of many Lies and Manipulations. If you need to believe that Loren is a chief of something, go right ahead.
Leave a Reply.
I'm an author and editor who has published on a range of topics, including archaeology, science, and horror fiction. There's more about me in the About Jason tab.
Enter your email below to subscribe to my newsletter, The Skeptical Xenoarchaeologist, for updates on my latest projects, blog posts, and activities.
Blog Roll
Terms & Conditions
Please read all applicable terms and conditions before posting a comment on this blog. Posting a comment constitutes your agreement to abide by the terms and conditions linked herein.
November 2017


text:
Arkansas tobacco tax revenue down 5.2%
Tax revenue is strong for the state of Arkansas in many of the largest collection areas, including income taxes, where year-to-date revenue is up more than 9%.
But one area where revenue has noticeably fallen is the area of tobacco taxes.
According to a memo from John Shelnutt with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, revenues from tobacco taxes are down more than 5%, or $10.3 million, compared to this same time last year. In the July 2012-April 2013 period, tobacco tax revenue totaled around $188.2 million, down from the $198.4 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
The tax is on a variety of things, but mainly comes from the initial sale of tobacco products from distributors to retailers, according to Roland Darrow, an attorney for Arkansas Tobacco Control.
"That's excise taxes. In other words, the tax placed on the first sale of a tobacco product in the state of Arkansas," he said.
There are a variety of reasons, Darrow said, that revenues from the sale of tobacco products could be declining. Locally, he said smokers and other tobacco users could be going out of state to purchase the cigarettes they smoke everyday.
"There are places, the Missouri border in particular, where their cigarette tax rate is 17 cents a pack, while the Arkansas rate is $1.15 a pack. If you buy a carton of cigarettes in Missouri, you'll save $10, $15, $20 a box over what you spend in Arkansas," he said, adding that such purchases were not practical unless a tobacco-using consumer lived within a short drive of another state.
He said it was not uncommon for Arkansans who live in border regions, such as Northwest Arkansas and the Fort Smith area, to buy up to the personal possession limit of a carton plus an individual pack of cigarettes and bring it back to the state.
Another possibility for the reduction in revenue is that any non-cigarette items are not stamped, meaning Arkansas Tobacco Control and the DFA depend on retailers to accurately report the their purchases of tobacco items from distributors.
Some retailers, Darrow said, also buy their wholesale goods from out of state and pay lower rates.
"In Tennessee, I believe their rate is 6.2% or 6.6%. Arkansas is 68%," he said. "All you have to do is drive across the Mississippi River and purchase products there."
He said while it is legal to purchase the items in Tennessee, it becomes illegal once the purchaser drives back across the river.
"At that point, you're breaking the law," he said, adding that a retailer normally purchases between $2,000 and $5,000 worth of tobacco related products and smuggles it back to his or her store in Arkansas.
In order to try and salvage the revenues, Darrow said his agency has conducted anti-smuggling crackdowns and had even charged some violators criminally. But, he said, "I'm sure there's a lot we don't catch."
Dr. Gary Wheeler, the branch chief of infectious disease at the Arkansas Department of Health and the medical director for the department's tobacco program, said other factors could be at play with the decrease in tobacco tax revenues.
"This could be due to decreased tobacco consumption, which is the goal of our programs," he said.
Wheeler also acknowledged sales of tobacco in other states, before mentioning that the sale of new nicotine products, like electronic cigarettes, as well as black market purchases and internet sales, could be to blame.
"We're not going to know which of these are true until get new tobacco consumption survey information, which won't be available" until 2014.
ADH Public Information Officer Ed Barham said while the revenues are down year to date, it was too early to tell if that would last through the end of the fiscal year.
"It's month-to-month. It will vary up and down pretty dramatically," he said.
While some may genuinely want to believe that the rate of smokers has gone down, the open speculation by Wheeler and Darrow leaves open other possibilities. Seeing tax revenue flee the state of Arkansas could have a negative impact on services that rely on the tobacco tax revenue for funding.
One of those is the trauma system established across the state.
"I know that when the tax was originally passed, there were some specific things that were to be funded and the trauma system was one of them," said Debra Pate, communications director for the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement.
According to Pate, Arkansas was one of only two states in the nation to not have an established trauma system.
She said programs funded through the tobacco tax also include school health and wellness centers, as well as nearly two dozen other programs.
Back at Arkansas Tobacco Control, Darrow said the only program in his office funded through the tax was the minor smoking prevention program.
"We have basically put a 16 or 17 year old into a store to see if (merchants) will sell that individual tobacco products," he said, adding that the program has been successful and has landed Arkansas in the top 10 states in the nation for having one of the lowest sale to minor rates.
But he said the money is not just used to bust merchants who sell to minors, but also to educate merchants.
"There are seminars they can send their employees to to avoid accidentally selling to a minor," he said. "For stores having a difficult time, we will have individual training for those stores. We have worked with the retailers to make Arkansas one of the top ten (states) for the lowest sale to minor rates."
While many of these programs could be at risk should revenues continue to drop from the tobacco tax, Barham said it would not have an impact anytime soon.
"Budgets for the Health Department's programs for FY14 are already approved by the legislature and are being put in place to begin the years on July 1," he said. "We do not anticipate any changes in this year's budgets as a result of the shortfall in the tobacco tax revenue."


text:
Salman Khan definitely had one of the best Sunday-outings ever the previous Sunday. The actor was out for a Being Human event and displayed his soft and loving side to his fans at the finale of VEER campaign. The actor was spotted exchanging warm bear hugs with visually challenged malkham performers from India's Got Talent.
In the first lef of this awareness and fundraiser campaign the team managed to collect a whopping Rs 75 lakhs. he campaign focusses on – Unleashing the Inner Potential of Persons with Disabilities.
Dressed in his usual trademark ripped denims, sporting a cool orange shirt to beat the heat Sallu miyaan was all smiles as he interacted with the participants. This Dabangg hero certainly made this Sunday a fun day for his fans and onlookers


text:
Committee to Hold Hearing in the Coming Weeks
WASHINGTON, DC – House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) today announced that the committee has opened an investigation into the General Motors Company's (GM) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) response to consumer complaints related to problems with ignition switches in certain vehicles. General Motors has announced the recalls of six vehicle models to correct the problems and stated that the defects may have been linked to 31 frontal crashes and 13 fatalities. While the recalls were first announced last month, a recent New York Times report claims NHTSA has received a large number of complaints expressing safety concerns and describing these problems spanning over the past 10 years.
It has been over a decade since the enactment of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (or TREAD) Act, which was passed by Congress to enhance the federal government's ability to protect against auto safety defects. Chairman Upton authored the TREAD Act after spearheading an extensive investigation into the Ford-Firestone tire malfunctions as then-chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. The legislation was intended to improve communication between auto manufacturers and the federal government and increase NHTSA's ability to collect and analyze information about potential threats. In light of GM's safety problems, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will seek a progress report on the TREAD Act's implementation and pursue answers relating to the complaints filed with NHTSA, the response, and the eventual recalls.
"To better protect the public, I sponsored the TREAD Act back in 2000 so that regulators and companies could better identify safety defects in vehicles before they escalated into an ongoing problem. Congress passed this bipartisan solution with the intention of exposing flaws and preventing accidents and fatalities. Yet, here we are over a decade later, faced with accidents and tragedies, and significant questions need to be answered. Did the company or regulators miss something that could have flagged these problems sooner? If the answer is yes, we must learn how and why this happened, and then determine whether this system of reporting and analyzing complaints that Congress created to save lives is being implemented and working as the law intended. Americans deserve to have the peace of mind that they are safe behind the wheel. We plan to seek detailed information from both NHTSA and GM and will hold a hearing in the coming weeks," said Upton.


text:
Trevor's Trip, Continued
Our first feel of the lake's cold, clear water comes at Michigan"s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising. Our daylong kayaking tour will run along sandstone cliffs that rise nearly 200 feet overhead, often with seductive curves stained by minerals, producing something like Navajo rugs interpreted in rock. Carl Hansen of Northern Waters Adventures gives a quick lesson on the beach as we sit in the boats, churning sand with paddles to practice turns and backstrokes. Dad says he feels like a sea turtle burying eggs. Despite Dad's joking, I see he's a little tense on the brink of his first-ever kayaking trip. Thanks to all the tales of Superior's big waves, deep water and appetite for ships, the lake has gotten inside his head.
As we slide our kayaks into the lake, Carl says, "Everyone you see today, whether they're on the beach or on a tour boat, will wish they were in your boat. " And when we paddle to Miners Castle, we gaze up 100 feet at tourists standing near the stone turret like we're celebrities watching paparazzi. We paddle close together as Carl explains that the legendary Father Marquette stood on the tower and preached to Ojibwa floating in canoes. It's no surprise when Carl says he used to be a teacher. "I still teach every day. It's just not the chalkboard dust kind, " he says.
I (a salty veteran of one prior kayaking trip) keep an eye on Dad. But after he pulls off a few smooth turns of his long yellow boat, I notice his shoulders relaxing and his head tilting back to gaze up at the high cliffs.
A few days later, along another cliff in Lake Superior Provincial Park, we see the Ojibwa version of Misshepezhieu. We pick our way along a trail squeezed so tightly between cliff and water that rangers leave ropes hanging from the rocks, giving anyone who washes off a way back up. Here we find the ancient Agawa Rock pictographs, red figures including a canoe-borne war party and the lake spirit. When Misshepezhieu"s tail starts swishing, I wouldn't want to get caught standing on this spot exposed to the lake's fury.
It's our next-to-last day when the lake's spirit shows itself in the Slate Islands. Our guide is Doug Caldwell, a retired electrician who drinks straight from the lake, met his wife while he was playing hockey and worries over the Slates like they"re his children. Doug is telling us about caribou when we hear splashing. He says, "Here comes one. " I'm lucky enough to have my camera ready.
When I look now at the photo of Dad and the caribou locking gazes, I realize that we couldn't really hope to know a 31,700-square-mile lake after just five days. But I think we at least know what it's all about. And that's something worth going full circle for.


text:
Dem Franchize Boyz ft. Lloyd - Turn Heads
For those not keeping track of Dem Franchize Boyz' label issues, the Booth will now provide a recap: after their debut on Universal, Jermaine Dupri bought out their contracts for a deal with So So Def/Virgin, but once JD took So So Def to Island Urban Music, the Atlanta quartet was left behind as Virgin got absorbed into Capitol, which they subsequently got dropped from. Okay, take it all in. Fortunately, the DFB foursome was able to keep their master tapes before moving to their new home at Koch. On September 30, a collection of old and new records will be featured on their third studio album, Our World, Our Way. The first official single, Turn Heads, is similar to their previous hit, Ridin' Rims, with the primary difference being producer LT Moe's smoother low-tempo beat and R&B singer Lloyd's trademark soft vocals.


text:
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Two teenagers accused of killing a man after he introduced them to a female prostitute will be charged with second-degree murder, a judge ruled Thursday morning.
Juan Xolo and Jose Carlos Llano, who are charged with killing Gregory Hypollite, will also be tried as adults.
"This is just - it's obviously very shocking to the family and his friends," said Angela, a friend of Hypollite.
Angela said Hypollite was a father.
"All his friends would say he was the one person you could go to to talk to. There was no judgment," said Angela, who declined to give her last name. "No anything besides love and understanding."
Hypollite's body was found behind the Advanced Auto Parts store at 126 N. Federal Highway about 4:30 a.m. Dec. 12.
According to an arrest affidavit, Xolo, 17, and Llano, 14, met with Hypollite, 32, about 2 a.m. and agreed to give him $40 if he introduced them to a female prostitute. But the woman refused to have sex with the teenagers because they only had $10 between them.
Hypollite still wanted to be paid for introducing them, and Llano went home to get cash, said police. He instead returned with a HP laptop and offered that as payment.
Hypollite refused to take it and an argument began, said police. The three then began fighting, and Llano told police he had Hypollite in a choke hold while Xolo stabbed him with a pen and hit him with a broken glass bottle.
Xolo denied using the bottle but admitted to stabbing Hypollite with a pen.
When officers arrived, they saw two teenagers hitting a man who was on the ground, said Hallandale Police Chief Dwayne Flournoy. The teenagers then ran away. Officers soon found Hypollite's body.
"Obviously, the situation surround this are nasty. He certainly - the Gregory I know, this is not him," said Angela.
The teenagers told police the killing was in self-defense. There is nothing in the police report to indicate that Hypollite was armed.
"He was complete teddy bear. Absolutely complete teddy bear," said Angela.
The teenagers face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Copyright 2013 by Local10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
SEATTLE, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The majority of the people in the world live longer, but spend more years in poor health compared to 20 years ago, U.S. researchers say.
Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, and colleagues found life expectancy increased in 19 of 21 regions around the world but people are spending their later years living in relatively poor health.
Comparing healthy life expectancy for 187 countries in 1990 and 2010, the researchers were able to evaluate major patterns and trends in global health over two decades.
Gains in healthy life expectancy during the last two decades have been made primarily through reductions in child and adult mortality, rather than reductions in years lived with a disability, the researchers said.
"In the past two decades, there has been less attention toward reducing the impact of non-fatal disease and injury than towards reducing mortality," Dr. Haidong Wang, professor of global health at IHME, said in a statement. "As the global population is living longer, efforts to improve health need to also incorporate the burden of disease that affects how we function."
With more people surviving to more advanced ages, there is increased recognition of the need to prioritize healthy aging, the researchers said.
The findings were published in The Lancet.


text:
It has not been a banner year for J.P. Arencibia but, for a split second on Saturday, he had his moment in the sun.
In a screwy kind of game against the Kansas City Royals, the Blue Jays scored three unearned runs in the eighth inning to surge into a 4-2 lead — an inning set up by an error by shortstop Alcides Escobar on what should have been a double play, and compounded by the wildness of reliever Aaron Crow with a couple of back-to-back four-pitch walks with the bases loaded. Apparently, he doesn't throw a ball as straight as the crow flies.
The Royals deserved to lose just because of those glaring mistakes.
The game, though, was far from over as closer Casey Janssen has had some rough landings of late and the one on Saturday was another white-knuckle job.
A hit batter, a strikeout and a single placed Janssen in a jam, one that he alleviated by striking out Alex Gordon.
Now steps Emilio Bonifacio to the plate and, in the minds of press box row, leapt thoughts of a headline: Bonifacio three-run home run downs Jays.
That's when Arencibia jumps to the fore.
On a 2-2 pitch to Bonifacio, Royals pinch-runner Chris Getz takes off and Arencibia, who had thrown out just eight of 61 base-runners this season, fires a strike to Jose Reyes covering the bag. Umpire Jerry Meals gives the out sign and the Jays win another one.
Arencibia, it should be noted, opened the game on the bench — with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey starting — and didn't enter the game until the eighth as a pinch-hitter.
Arencibia this season has had little in the way of glory. He is hitting just .212 and has been knocked for his defensive lapses. Just not on this Saturday.
"Casey holds runners on very well," Arencibia said. "He does a great job of that, so he gave me a chance to throw him out. A lot of the battle is having a chance to throw him out."
Given the situation — the Royals down by two and Getz in to pinch-run — Arencibia wasn't surprised he took off.
"There's speed on there. He pinch-ran for the guy so I thought they could do something. They lead the league in stolen bases and all that," Arencibia said. "That's not my main concern because I was trying to get the guy out at the plate (the final pitch was a ball to run the count full). It's definitely the pitch over trying to throw the guy out. It worked out."
In the second half of the season, Arencibia has been bothered by bursitis in his right knee and that may be a contributing factor in his poor throwing stats. But he won't use it as an excuse.
"It's just catching in general, some days are tough than others," he said. "But everyone deals with stuff. More than anything it's blocking and moving quick but, other than that, you figure a way. A lot of people have to find a way to make it work."
Up until the eighth inning and a hometown call from the umps on the last out, the Jays defined their game with some questionable base-running. On three occasions, in fact — the first, third and seventh innings — their over-aggressiveness resulted in outs and a loss of runs.
Rookie Ryan Goins was thrown out trying to go first to third on a single by Edwin Encarnacion in the first. Jose Reyes was tossed out at second attempting to stretch a single into a double in the third while, in the seventh, Josh Thole singled home their first run but then was thrown out by 10 feet attempting to make it to second.
Manager John Gibbons was not amused.
"The base-running wasn't real good tonight. We gave them an inning's worth of outs" Gibbons said. "The one with Goins going to third base, that's right in front of him (a ball hit to left) and he'll learn there are certain left fielders (you don't run on), Gordon is one of the best, a Gold Glover. Reyes, I have no problem, a ball hit out there, that's kind of who he is. The Thole one (not smart), especially in a tight ball game. We're lucky they didn't come back to bite us."
With the win, the Jays have won back-to-back series (they took two of three from the Yankees) for the first time since the end of July and have won three games in a row for the first time since the opening week of August.
On the season, they are 62-74. Last year, at this point they were 61-75.
Who says they're not making progress?


text:
H & H Consulting | All rights reserved |
|Risk Profiling
Assessing the true extent of "Risk"
Why Risk Profiling?
Risk profiling is to a company what cartography is to an explorer: it gives an organisation a clear picture of the hazards it might encounter as it progresses, and the information on which to formulate a strategy to avoid or handle them. It is also a science that calls for a great deal of skill.
Conventional theory defines risks as falling into four categories – assets, liabilities, personnel and fiscal. From an insurance viewpoint these may be adequate, but for most organisations these definitions are too narrow to encompass the full spectrum of risks that could hamper business performance and service delivery.
Protection of the Business
Risk profiling adds a fresh dimension to the established view of risk by looking beyond the protection of assets, and focussing instead on the protection of the business. The process calls for a broader and more disciplined approach than that taken by a conventional insurance led decision. It requires a defined systemic process to identify all the risks faced by an organisation, together with a robust methodology to assess and analyse these – you cannot manage a risk you don't know about! This will allow an organisation to not only demonstrate good corporate governance and best practice, but also provide confidence to take business opportunities and operational decisions in the knowledge that the downside risks are managed.
Top Down
The process of risk profiling starts at the top. Rather than set out to assess the tactical risks of the day to day operation, the senior management of the organisation is asked to look at risks in terms of how they might affect their business plans and aspirations. By adopting this approach, a much clearer picture of what really needs to be protected soon begins to emerge. The trick to risk profiling is to identify the threats to key business and operational drivers, measure their risk tolerance, and establish measures to protect them.
Broad-based Approach
Such a broad-based approach calls for a significant level of senior management input and covers all departments. The process involves a mix of extensive interviews with senior management and heads of department, together with "brainstorming" sessions that have a particular strength in enhancing the team awareness of the interdependencies of risk. The process also assists in overcoming the operational politics that so often hamper rather than promote good risk management practice. It helps to identify common ground and the risks that all parties perceive to be significant. Once these foundations are established, it is possible to define a common framework within which all parties can work, achieving not only departmental aims, but also promoting the overall success of the organisation.
What emerges from the process is a comprehensive picture of the risks faced by the organisation both from within its own operations and from outside dependencies.
This gives the management the ability to prioritise them and develop solutions to manage or overcome them.
Although most organisations undertaking a risk profile exercise will identify opportunities to improve their risk management tactics, there are also significant benefits to be gained from the process of re-evaluation that that risk profiling involves. In many cases the process can lead to a far higher level of awareness among senior managers that moves risk management up the corporate agenda, leading inevitably to a better risk experience for the organisation, and greater confidence to take the organisation forward.
H & H Consulting
Cronk Beg
Ballagawne Road
Isle of Man
Tel: 07624 493844
Web: www.handhconsulting.co.im


text:
Contact Info / Websites
Entry #4
Taking some much needed time for this sure to be AMAZING L.A. Trip next week. Looking forward to new faces, oppertunities and getting out of this wintery asshole we call the midwest. GOOD RIDDANCE!!!
- 0 comments
You must be logged in to comment on this post.


text:
Falcons vs. Cardinals Odds
GLENDALE, AZ (The Spread) – The Atlanta Falcons hope to win back-to-back games for the first time this season on Sunday when they face the Arizona Cardinals at 4:25PM ET on FOX.
Arizona is 3-4 overall, 2-1 at home and 4-3 against the spread. Atlanta is 2-4 overall, 0-2 on the road and 2-4 against the spread. The home team has won six straight in this series.
Trends show that Atlanta is just 1-4-1 against the spread in its last 6 road games. These two have hit the over in 8 of their last 10 overall meetings and in 5 straight meetings in Arizona.
According to oddsmakers from Bovada.lv, Arizona is the slight favorite at home, as the Cardinals have odds of -1 points against the Falcons. The over/under total for the game has been set at 45.5 points (View Matchup). The opening odds for this game had the Cardinals favored by 2.5 points. The spread held there most of the week before making the big fall to 1 point. The over/under total opened at 45 points and fell to 44.5 before moving up to 45.5.
Atlanta is coming off a 31-23 win over Tampa Bay last week at home. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Falcons. All four of Atlanta's losses have come by 7 points or less. Atlanta is averaging 374.6 yards per game on offense while the defense is allowing 367.4 yards per game. Despite a lot of injuries on offense, Matt Ryan has thrown for 1,922 yards and 13 touchdowns while Tony Gonzalez has 35 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns.
Arizona is coming off a 34-22 loss to the Seahawks last week. The Cardinals have now lost two straight, but by 12 points. Arizona is averaging 309.7 yards per game on offense while the defense is allowing 349.7 yards per game. Quarterback Carson Palmer has thrown for 1,741 yards and eight touchdowns, but also has 13 interceptions. Karlos Dansby is leading the defense with 62 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception.
In terms of Injuries, Arizona running back Rashard Mendenhall (toe) and linebacker Dan Giordano (toe) are both questionable. Atlanta running back Steven Jackson (hamstring) and receiver Roddy White (hamstring) are both questionable.
The Public Bets for this game are currently backing Atlanta, as the Falcons are getting 72% of the wagers with odds of +1 point at Arizona on Sunday.
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!


text:
When I found out that Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Sunshine) would shift his control down from director to production status for 28 Weeks Later, I was a bit skeptical. It's a shame I doubted Juan Carlos Fresnadillo at the helm, because he delivers an equally riveting continuation to the original narrative that I didn't expect. Though 28 Weeks Later doesn't carry the same consistent flow of disturbing sociological dialogues as its predecessor, this high octane flick can really unnerve you with vicious grotesqueries and spine-tingling tension.
The Film:
28 Weeks Later takes place in Britain around seven months after the vile outbreak that plagued the city of London with a wrathful disease. This pestilence sent its victims into a dizzying, unquenchable bloodlust merely seconds after a bite, scratch, or light contact with projectile vomit. Military control has gutted and closed off the core of the city, paving out a resemblance of society filled with the dire necessities a civilization needs. That happens to includes sniper protection in the rooftops ready to suppress any reemerging threat. The area outside these boundaries, however, still sits quarantined as a dilapidated wasteland. Inside this inner bubble, precursors of order begin to form as medical military personnel like Major Scarlet Ross (Rose Byrne) work to fight off the potential threat. London is now a safe zone primed for any potential return of the disease. It's grown so safe that even two children (Imogen Poots and Mackintosh Muggleton) are let back into its confines - after extensive testing is conducted to ensure there is no infection within their bodies.
These children belong to Donald (Robert Carlyle), a survivor who escaped certain death from a swarm of infecteds that stormed a communal hideaway house. When he and his wife Alice (Catherine McCormick) got separated in this struggle, he assumed her to be food for the creatures and tried to go about living whatever existence he could muster. Now, twenty-eight weeks after the outbreak, he welcomes his children back into this new life from a refugee camp outside the city. Despite their father's explanation, his children fail to believe that their mother is dead. The only way for them to find out for certain is to see it with their own eyes in the quarantined sector. His children seem to forget that whatever taints them and follows back into the London "bubble" will spread and, potentially, contaminate. But what happens if a cure for this pestilence slips within this bubble, closer than we'd expect?
Once air-tight London seeps in that imminent speckle of malignance, the dominos begin to fall within 28 Weeks Later. After we've had our nerves simmered a bit with a strong build-up and grown adept to London's cause, then we really begin to see chaos ensue once the quarantined area starts to crumble. Difficult decisions must be made within this militant society to ensure some survival through this hysteria. To say the least, London takes a turn for the worst during a "Code Red" situation, and we're shaken and rattled along every grating second.
28 Weeks Later crafts a seamless shift from terse anarchistic sketch to a stomach-churning thriller with the blink of an eye and the splattering of blood. Much like its predecessor, it grasps a gritty style that relies on aggressive filth to soak us into the situation's madness. Fresnadillo's film is more crisply shot, but it's still dirty as hell. If you liked the first film's style, then you'll feel right at home with 28 Weeks Later. You'll have to watch out for some really sporadic editing, however, that pumps the film full of convulsive choppiness. Lots of jittery handheld camera work takes us into the action, exasperating our breath as we run with our characters through towns and winding tunnels littered with the infection's afterthoughts.
Strength of character isn't running rampant here, but we care enough about the children and their protectors (including Jeremy Renner as an enlisted sniper) to give us some spine-tingling moments as we follow alongside. Tammy, our young "heroine" stands out as the strongest of our characters, purely based on her demeanor and piercing looks. Plus, the smarmy presence of Robert Carlyle as a derelict father kept things very tricky and transfixing. Most of the characters aren't written with a heap of substance, instead relying on formulaic demeanor and natural presence. We get enough kicks out of the support to get a jolt or two out of it if, you know, something were to happen to them. And, of course, it's always great to see Harrold Perrineau surface, even in a smaller supporting role as a helicopter pilot.
What stands out well is how stringently the "infected" are portrayed here once again. As with the original film's no-holds-barred aggression, these aren't lumbering, brainless sloths coming to chomp the flesh slowly from your bones. No, these are ravenous, thirsty transformations that bolt at their victims with ridiculous fervor. These things invoke legit fear, something akin to a sickly discomfort in your gut at the thought of being their prey. Within that stands the core power of this horrific "zombie"-esque flick, much like with 28 Days Later. Even though they're not in vision nearly as long as we'd like, these infecteds are a truly alarming menace.
This threat is omnipresent, even though these predators and their grueling hunger aren't always thrashing on screen. 28 Weeks Later doesn't just run at you with the intent to tear out your insides in every waking moment; it lets the menace soak in, gives a blast of intensity, then retreats to allow pondering for the next moments while alternate chaos erupts. Little scenes, like the usage of night vision through a hallway littered with unsavory ornaments adorning the floor, really slam home tension without throwing gore in our face. Conversely, there's also one gloriously bloody scene in the film that'll really widen the eyes and probably drop a jaw or two. Lots of gory action and physical displays also seep into 28 Weeks Later that teeters the film along genre lines.
Alas, we'd be missing something without the first film's compelling interchanges regarding humanity's desperation. 28 Weeks Later musters up similarly gripping developments, but not quite to the caliber of the first. Boyle's film played with several themes later in the film: repopulation, exploitative gender differences, as well as containment of a beast that was once human. Some of the same sociological play surfaces, but it's not quite as satisfying or gripping. We get a bit at the start and again once anarchy floods the clean area, but it doesn't challenge us quite to the same degree. However, the relentless action and tersely fleshed gore fill that gap nicely.
But listen to me desiring more brains, and not in a physical sense. That's a true sign of how immersed I was with the film: I wanted even more from 28 Weeks Later. It's a wholly satisfying piece of action-filled horror that fumes with terrifying vigor. Though it weighs heavily on the bombast action side instead of the more terrifying option, the film imposes a similar grinding pulse on you that Boyle's flick offered. Fresnadillo's venture into the "infected" world gave me some unexpected jolts and, thankfully, a bloodcurdling blast of a time.
The DVD:
The Video:
As this is a special screening copy from Fox, you can't really make out much more beyond the use of color in the visual department at most times. That, and the fact that the disc is anamorphic. It's an acidic film with many grating greys, lush tans, and stony blues. Of course, heavy pixelation, aliasing, and the dreaded Fox logo stink up the screener presentation. Once the final gloss gets tossed over 28 Weeks Later, I'm sure it'll be represented solidly with its lower-budget roots in full force.
The Audio:
This Dolby 5.1 track, however, is a beast for 28 Weeks Later. Surround usage is quite solid all the way through, from the usage of gunshots and usurping thumps to the musical accompaniment. Here's where the film's audio track sounds flat-out stellar: the music. My goodness, did this erratic soundtrack pour through with fluent solidity. Making plump use of the LFE channel, the throbbing score that shifts between smooth electronic throbbing and grating guitar riffs truly rocks. Though this is a loud film all around, the bass levels maintain a steady keel with the rest of the higher-pitched noises. It's not a demo level Dolby track with activity, but it'll provide a fully pleasing experience from start to finish. Audio is also available in English SDH (as a language track), as well as French and Spanish Dolby surround tracks. Subs are offered in English and Spanish.
The Extras:
28 Weeks Later comes loaded with a solid barrage of supplements that stands out more with quantity over quality. This package includes:
- Audio Commentary with Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and Enrique Lopex Lavigne -
An audio commentary with the director and key producer is featured. Most of their dialogue is a bit dry, but it provides some interesting textual insight into the specific scenes. They give us little nuggets about joke scenes being improvized, character motives, and tonal discussion. It's a fairly solid track that stays moderately focused on each scene.
- Deleted Scenes w/ Optional Commentary -
Two deleted scenes are featured with optional commentary and unfinished color palette. Interesting, these two scenes make me wonder how I'd see the film if the palette wasn't tinkered with. Outside of that contemplation, these are wise cuts that feel a little forced and uncomfortable with the rest of the film's tone. The second scene is a form of alternate ending that's compellingly bizarre, but still feels like a wide cut. Here, the commentary is much stronger, sporting some very interesting bits about the reasoning not to include these parts and why they're clipped out.
- Code Red: The Making of 28 Weeks Later -
This 13-minute making-of featurette serves the direct purpose of such a production, giving us little flashes of behind-the-scenes work and idea reasonings. There's a lot of discussion about how they formulated the sequel's story, which are great to hear. It rehashes the plot and the key themes a bit, but the glimmers of interest peek out more than the marketing gloss. This Making Of piece is undoubtedly not a safe watch before the film.
- The Infected -
This is a short piece that displays the actors and actresses who play these menacing creatures chasing around our main characters. It also shows us a bit on how they're choreographed and other ways how they achieved their motion.
- Getting Into The Action -
Basically, this is a featurette that reminds us that there's a load of commotion going on in 28 Weeks Later, and that the film isn't just packed from head to toe with horror. We see how some of the visual effects are conceived, as well as how the taxing spans of running depleted the actor's energy.
- 28 Days Later: The Aftermath: Stage 1 "Development" and Stage 3 "Decimation" -
In line with Fox Atomic's graphic novels, these animated shorts are film versions of segments included in the books that help to connect the two films. "Stage 1 'Development'" is chock full of acid coloring and jumpy images that make it difficult to watch, while "Stage 3 'Decimation'" is packed with rich flowing artwork and very watchable content.
Finally, Scene Selection access and a non-anamorphic, spoiler-filled Theatrical Trailer are available, as well as trailers for 28 Days Later, The Hills Have Eyes 2, Lake Placid 2, Pathfinder, Perfect Creature, and Wrong Turn 2.
Final Thoughts:
If the question sits in your head whether 28 Weeks Later is a worthy follow-up to the first flick, then scratch your head no more. It's a little bit different than Boyle's 28 Days Later in tone and achieved thematic presence, but every other bloody second of it stands strong as a respectable action-based horror fusion. With frenetic camera work and sharp tension that sits like an urchin in your gut, you'll easily get sucked into this second gruesome foray with the "infecteds". If you can stomach a more high-octane film with a lower sense of mystery than its predecessor, then 28 Weeks Later comes Highly Recommended.


text:
Ricciardo takes first win amid Montreal drama
|D. Ricciardo
|N. Rosberg
|S. Vettel
8 June 2014 – Daniel Ricciardo claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory during Sunday afternoon's Canadian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver pulled a late move on Mercedes rival Nico Rosberg to take the chequered flag first, while team-mate Sebastian Vettel completed the podium after a massive final lap crash between Sergio Pérez and Felipe Massa. Lewis Hamilton's title challenge took a blow as he retired due to a brake issue.
As the lights went out, there were the first signs of trouble for Mercedes, with Rosberg pushing Hamilton wide at Turn 1, allowing Vettel to slip past.
After an early Safety Car period, sparked when Marussia drivers Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi collided upon entry to the Turn 3/4 chicane, Hamilton was able to dispose of Vettel, restoring a Silver Arrows one-two.
Rosberg held a steady advantage over Hamilton throughout the opening Super Soft-shod stint, but the German began to struggle after the first round of pit-stops, when the pair switched to the Soft compound.
Hamilton forced Rosberg into an error soon after, with the German gaining time by cutting the final chicane.
Although Rosberg ultimately avoided a penalty, drama struck as both Mercedes cars began to lose power, allowing the field to slash their massive lead and move back into the mix at the next round of pit-stops.
Both drivers fell behind the Williams of Massa when they dived into the pits, with Hamilton crucially jumping Rosberg. But Hamilton's race was run on the next lap, as his car developed a terminal brake problem.
When Massa peeled in, Rosberg took the lead but continued to struggle with his own technical issues. This allowed Pérez and the Red Bull drivers to close in and form what was a four-way battle for the victory.
On fresher tyres, Massa soon brought himself back into contention, latching on to the back of the leading pack. While the Brazilian overtook Vettel, Ricciardo found a way past Pérez, and set about hunting down Rosberg.
Ricciardo's decisive move came with just over a lap to spare, using DRS to pass Rosberg on the back straight.
And it was all over just moments later when, having lost a position to Vettel, Pérez went side-by-side with Massa along the start/finish straight, the pair dramatically banging wheels and sliding uncontrollably into the barriers.
With the Safety Car out, Ricciardo had a clear route to his first Formula 1 win, ahead of Rosberg and Vettel.
Jenson Button benefitted from the carnage to take fourth, ahead of Nico Hülkenberg and Fernando Alonso.
Valtteri Bottas slipped to seventh amid late brake problems, while Jean-Éric Vergne, Kevin Magnussen and Kimi Räikkönen took the final points. The sidelined Pérez and Massa narrowly missed out in 11th and 12th.
In terms of the championship battle, Rosberg now holds a 22-point advantage over team-mate Hamilton.
The seventh round of the 2014 Formula 1 season takes place in Austria from June 20-22