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Yearly Archives: 2011
Rosh Hashanah Pie Fest
One of the challenges of being an interfaith Jewish family is that at times we find ourselves without a large Jewish family gathering to attend. (Full disclosure: Even with my Irish Catholic upbringing I have long held a fantasy of large, warm, boisterous Jewish family gatherings. I'm not sure where it comes from—movies? books?—but there you go.) A few years ago we were trying to figure out how to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with just the five of us, when our middle child suggested making our favorite pies and inviting a few friends, in keeping with the whole sweet New Year theme. At first she wanted to make it an anti-cake rally, too, complete with a poster of a cake in a red circle with a line through it (she isn't too fond of cakes, obviously) but we decided in the end to keep it positive and focus on our love of pies. And thus our first annual Rosh Hashanah Pie Fest was born.
After going to morning services and Tashlich on the shores of Lake Michigan, we turned our kitchen into a veritable pie factory. Along with covering our kitchen in flour, smears of butter, and sugar we churned out a fair number of pies, among them apple, lemon meringue, pumpkin, key lime, cherry and blueberry. I have to admit we cheated on the chocolate French silk, buying it from Bakers Square. The hardest part turned out to be the crust, and I ended up buying pre-made crusts from the grocery store after a few failed attempts. I felt a little guilty about doing this, as my mother was an expert baker, who had learned the art of making pastry crust from her mother, whose own mother was a cook in the Duke of Norfolk's kitchen (more on that in later blogs). We laid out the pies on tables in our backyard and had about ten people over, most of whom brought even more pies. It was lovely. The kids ran around, laughing and playing (and hyped up on sugar!), a wonderful sound. We ended up sitting around our outdoor fire pit, stuffed with all the different pies and feeling that we had done our part to start the New Year off as sweetly as possible. Every year Pie Fest has grown a little larger, and this year—our fourth—we're expecting about thirty guests. I'm going to try my hand at the crust once again, this time using a recipe that our cantor suggested. We'll see how it goes. L'Shana Tova!
Soccer and Sunday School
My kids just walked in the door. The boys are laughing and retelling stories of their afternoon and laughing some more. As they grab something to eat, they both agree that they love to go to Religious School. Assembly was so much fun this week, they tell me. The Rabbi is hysterical.
Jewish education is part of developing a strong Jewish identity. I was always uncertain about how the kids would respond to what seemed to me to be "extra" school. But the Educator does a great job making it fun for everyone. This is great, because our belief is that unless you are sick, you are going to Religious School. My husband and I do not generally let the kids miss for social events.
The problem is soccer, which is almost religion in our household. Our kids play soccer every single day, even in the snow. They kick the ball in the house, in spite of the fact that I tell them not to kick the ball in the house. Last winter, our middle son started to play on the local travel team. The travel team uses fields that are not available on Saturday mornings, so games are generally played on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
Can you guess what the conflict is? Do we as good Jewish parents let our kids miss Religious School to play soccer? Do we let the one kid who would die on the sword for soccer miss occasionally to do the one thing he truly loves? As the schedules were being determined for the soccer season, we request no practice on Wednesday. We ask for no games on Sunday mornings. But this isn't always feasible.
We agree that it is important for the kids to develop a strong Jewish foundation and going to Religious School is part of creating a Jewish identity, it is also important to consider the whole child. Right now my kids like to go to Religious School. They understand the importance of going. We recognize that "making" them go when they might want to do something else could cause resentment.
Granted it is a slippery slope: miss a day for soccer and another for a play date, what if soccer practices conflict with Wednesday Religious School, everyone is too tired from the week, when does it stop? We walk a fine line maintaining the importance of obtaining a religious education/identity and living our lives in modern society. We work hard to keep that balance for our kids. This Sunday, while our youngest and oldest are in Religious School, our soccer player will be on the soccer pitch stopping goals. (He promised to study his Hebrew extra hard this week and to get the assignments he will miss so that he will be prepared.)
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – no – not Christmas and not back to school – but back to Hebrew School. Remember that amazing Staples commercial from a few years back with the dad dancing through the store while tossing school supplies into the cart with the song playing in the background? Well that's how I feel now that it's back to Hebrew School for my almost 7-year-old first grader. My family joined a wonderful Reform synagogue in our area last year, just before my son started Kindergarten. He had been at the JCC for daycare and preschool since he was 10 months old, so on a weekly and daily basis he got all of the loveliness of being at a Jewish school – Shabbat, challah, Jewish holidays, songs, crafts, PJ library books, Shabbat box, etc. I also work at that JCC so we got plenty of opportunities to participate in Jewish activities. So when he wasn't going to be getting that from school we felt we needed to step up to the plate and choose a synagogue and choose to send him to Hebrew School on Sunday mornings.
I don't have particularly strong or happy feelings about my own Hebrew school days and my husband is Episcopalian so his Sunday school was completely different – although probably similar in many ways – holidays, bible stories, music, prayers. We both wanted our son to enjoy his time at Hebrew School but wasn't sure that was going to happen based on our own experiences. Many people I know have said, "Well, I went to Hebrew School, so now my son/daughter is going to go – whether they like it or not". In our case, I think the "liking it" factor has definitely gone beyond my son – I actually like it.
I like it because he gets to spend time with other Jewish kids on a weekly basis – solely for the purpose that they are all Jewish and that their families think it's important to have a Jewish education. I like it because he gets to learn more about the holidays, prayers and Hebrew than I am able teach him. I like it because it gives my husband and me another Jewish community to belong to. I like it because the families there are all Jewish, yet all different in their own way – whether the parents are both Jewish, intermarried, gay, single parents or adoptive parents. I also like it because our temple invites the parents to join the service every Sunday at 11 am. I am able to see my son listening to the rabbi, going up on the bimah to lead songs and see his Jewish education in action.
The best part for me is that I really enjoy the service myself – and I am not one to go to temple on a weekly basis on my own – no regular temple go-er here. I love the songs and the sign language that the rabbi and cantor teach the kids. I love connecting to Judaism through music and the absolute best part is the last song of the service. It's Tefilat Haderech by Debbie Friedman z"l and the rabbi asks everyone to "hold someone close to you" – and simultaneously all the kids put their arms around their friend's shoulders and join in singing. It brings me to tears – almost every time – to see this and to see my son grab his friends swaying in song. It brings me back to my days at Jewish sleep away camp – which hold a special place in my heart. It also brings to mind my dad, who passed away 2 years ago, and how proud he would be of me and my husband for choosing this kind of education and Jewish path for our family.
I also have to be honest and say that I also like having two hours to clean the house, go to Trader Joe's and Target, go to the gym or spend quality time with our 2-year-old son. I'm not going to lie – its pretty great. But I mostly look forward to the 11:00 hour when I can be in the sanctuary and be an active participant in the Hebrew school service.
Deciding to Raise Our Children as Jews
When Bryan and I started talking long-term, I
Never having expected an interfaith relationship to become the love of my life, I had never really thought about what religion I'd raise my children. I took it for granted that they'd be raised the same way I was, in the Christian faith. Now, I needed to think about it, seriously, carefully, prayerfully. I realized that it was important to me to raise a child with one religion. But which one? How do you make that call? If you're going to raise a child in one faith when there are two faiths in the home, the parents have to agree on which faith to instill. I knew Bryan wouldn't feel comfortable raising a child in only the Christian faith. However, he was quite comfortable raising Baby the same way that Bubba and Bear are being raised (exposed to both Judaism and Christianity). So, it was on me to decide what I was really comfortable with, and what was truly important to me.
After some initial study and lots of talking together, I told Bryan that I thought I wanted to raise our kids Jewish. He was floored. He insisted that I take more time – MUCH more time – to think about it, study more, and really be sure I knew what I was getting into. We found a synagogue and rabbi with whom we felt comfortable (Congregation Beth Israel). We took an Intro to Judaism course at that synagogue. We found InterfaithFamily.com. We read. A LOT. We got engaged and started premarital counseling with both our rabbi and a minister. We studied some more.
Bryan gave me plenty of time for an "out." I took several more months to study, learn more, and make my decision. As I learned more about Judaism, I realized that the basics of the two faiths were very similar. (Yes, I know that oversimplifies it, but work with me here; this is a blog post, not a thesis… hopefully.) And it came down to this: I feel very comfortable with the Jewish faith. It's the basis for my own religion, and the major tenets of being a good person and doing the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing are the same values I was raised with. Yes, there is the major difference of whether Jesus was or was not the Messiah, but for me, that argument has become less important than the emphasis that both religions place on doing the right thing, acting in the right way, and just in general being a good person.
There really was so much more that went into my thoughts and decisions, but like I said, this is a blog post, and I fear I've gone on too long already. I'm happy to answer any specific questions anyone might have (yes, Baby had a Brit Milah ceremony on his 8th day). But, what I hope you've gotten from this feeble attempt at explanation is that my decision was entered into willingly, with lots of thought, study, and prayer behind it. I didn't come to my decision to be any kind of martyr or "give a gift" to the Jewish side of the family, or to disregard my own past or heritage. I simply felt in my heart that it was the right decision for me, for our family, and now, for Baby. It's not always easy for me or my non-Jewish family (that's another post altogether), but it's the right decision for us.
Converting a Corner of My Heart
Someday, when I finally adopt, my child will be converted to Judaism. This is, of course, necessary and halakhic (according to Jewish law) and even joyful but somewhere, beyond the bounds of reason, there is a corner of my heart that rebels against it. The other day I figured out why.
Adoptive parents have already warned me: wherever I am, Wal-Mart or shul (synagogue), with the child by my side or not, and especially if we are a transracial family, people will ask, "is he/she adopted?" And then some will question "what happened to his real mother?" or "didn't her real family want her?" (As incredible as this sounds, I've never talked to any adoptive parent that has not had this type of experience.) Whether this is callousness or simple ignorance, adoptive parents face a struggle to become real, recognized as legitimate parents, attached to their children with a bond every bit as unbreakable as biology.
So I imagine that moment at the mikvah, my child and I entering the water and blessings and Jewishness, and my heart fractures between joy and resentment. I think "but I'm the Jewish Mommy so isn't my child Jewish too? And if I am why do I need a ritual to confirm this?" Am I not the real mother? Am I not the real Jewish mother?
This is when being a Jew by Choice (JBC) makes things easier. I converted 2 ½ years ago so most of my life has been lived as a non-Jew. Our sages taught that that a convert should never be pointed out in public as a convert, but there are times when it's right to do so. When Passover rolls around my Jewish friends know I don't have a family to celebrate with so they invited me to their seders. Several of my friends also serve as simultaneous Yiddish translators at Torah study because they know that I didn't learn mama loshen (the mother tongue; Yiddish) at my grandmother's knee. This is a great hesed (act of loving kindness) that speaks to both being a member of the community and being a convert.
The other day, these two threads of thought, my child's conversion and my experience as a JBC, crossed and that unwilling, hurting corner of my heart healed. By converting my child I am acknowledge that child's whole life: a non-Jewish origin and her/his Jewish beginning, as my child and as adopted. Going to the mikvah does not submerge any part of his/her identity or mine but allows both embrace who we really are – a great gift that this real Jewish mother can give with all her heart.
The Great Cross-Cultural Interfaith Baby Name Divide
Deciding upon a name for your child can be one of the most fun and most stressful experiences parents-to-be can face during nine months of pregnancy. Honoring family members, naming after favorite authors or television characters and the age old close-your-eyes-spin-three-times-and-point-to-a-name-in-the-baby-book are all perfectly good methods of deciding on the name of your child.
Even after all those discussions, you have to go through the obligatory fail-safe name rules:"Nope, can't use that as the middle name… look what the initials spell."
"No, that name rhymes with a part of the anatomy I do not want associated with my sweet child."
"Hannah Hannah Bo Bana… Fi Fy Fo Fanna, Hannah!"
On top of all this, we, as an interfaith couple, have had extra "rules" to follow.
First, of course, our Jewish child should have a Hebrew name. Per my husband's Ashkenazi side, the baby cannot be named after a living relative, but should honor a relative that has passed on. Per my husband's Sephardic side, we should name after a living relative so that person may enjoy the honor. Per my husband's Israeli family, our child should have a modern Israeli name. Per my husband's Orthodox family, only traditional names from the Torah are acceptable.
Wait… what?!
Confused yet? Then we have to take into account my husband's particular sensitivity to names since he grew up with a very traditional Israeli name in the United States that turned out to be the name of a Disney character while he was in third grade… a girl Disney character. Poor guy. So since we plan on living in Israel and the United States during the child's life, the name has to work in both Hebrew in English (sorry: Nimrod, Dudu and Moron are out!).
Plus, my American family has to be able to pronounce this Hebrew name (not an easy task with Southern accents).
After months of searching, throwing out names, rediscussing names, arguing and maybe just a few pregnancy hormone induced tears, we finally have a name for our child!! Baruch Hashem! We happily share the name with our family. Yes, sharing the name before the brit milah is a big no-no, but I think we deserve a break on this one. What do you know? They hate it.
Oy vey, what's an interfaith family to do?
On how to stop time
Fifteen years ago, when I smashed the glass at my wedding, signaling my signing up to raise my kids as Jews and create Jewish household, I dismissed a bar/bat mitzvah as a possibility. It was something that would never, ever, ever happen. I recognize that shows a complete lack of respect for the time/space continuum, but when thoughts of this celebration would enter my head it set off a panic attack. Denial seemed like a good way to go.
Saturday, we went to our first bat mitzvah. It was the very first coming of age celebration I had ever been to, in my entire life. I went with my oldest son, Mac, who will be 13 in 2 years. In November, we will get the date for his bar mitzvah. The day that I said would never come is now bearing down on us with all the intensity of a hurricane.
Upon entering we were given a program that listed all the people participating. When I saw the list, my heart began to beat a bit faster. Oh no, I have to find friends and family who can read Hebrew to participate. Where in the world am I going to come up with 7 people to do the aliyot? These Special Seven have to be able to recite the aliyot in Hebrew, so that rules out… umm… most everyone we know. Will I be able to find 7 adults that are able and willing to participate?
But, even more daunting than the service is the party that follows. To listen to the other mothers talk about addressing 180 invitations, planning brunches and dinners for out of town guests, interviewing DJ's, worrying about center-pieces, sends me running for my happy place. Not even mentioning the expense associated with this type of event. Words like mini-wedding make my stomach turn.
The party we attended was lovely. They did a very nice job. It was tasteful, not over the top, the kids had fun and it was a really great party (I took copious notes). What did my kid do? Walk out. It was too stimulating for him. Not only do I have my own fears about planning and paying for this type of event, I am also beside myself about how he is going to handle it. He has yet to have a birthday party that didn't involve at least one tantrum.
As we were leaving, I asked him, do you want a party like that? "NO! I want to go on a trip, just like Dad did," was his response. I let out a small sigh of relief, you might have heard it. It seems I might be able to avoid the whole "big party" part with Mac, but there will still be out of town guests to entertain and other things to worry about. Also, Mac is the last one in his class to have a bar mitzvah. As he goes to more and more of these events, he may change his mind. I guess we have two years to watch it unfold.
My baby is not a baby, or toddler, or preschooler, or elementary school kid anymore, he is almost a man in the eyes of Jewish law. The time/space continuum did its thing and now I have to deal with the one thing that I feared the most when I made the decision to raise my children as Jews. I have procrastinated and now I only have two years to figure out how to stop time.
Sad Event at Baby's School.
One of the teachers at Baby's school (aka daycare) was killed in a car accident last weekend. She was much loved at the school and has a daughter who would have moved up to Baby's class in the next week or so. (That child is safe with her grandma, out of school right now.)
While I'm thankful that Baby is too young to comprehend this loss; my own confusion on how to react has me thinking about his confusion when situations like this–death–arise in the future. Death, unexpected or not, is confusing enough for adults and adults of one faith. How much more so will it be for Baby as he grows, when he'll be dealing with two faiths? While he's being raised with a Jewish identity, half of his family is not Jewish. Plus, we live in the Bible Belt, where most people assume you're like they are and that words like "He/she is safe and at peace with Jesus now" will give you as much comfort as it gives them. How will we help him navigate the well-meant condolences of others, and offer his own? How will we help him understand (far, far in the future, G-d willing) that we'll sit Shiva for Bubbe and Zayde and Grandma and Grandpa D, but not for Granny and Popi or Grandma and Grandpa G? (Or, wait, will we sit Shiva for Granny and Popi because they're Daddy's Mommy and Stepdaddy, even though Granny and Popi aren't Jewish? See? Confusing!)
Probably people are going to tell me not to worry about these things yet; that there's lots of time to figure it out, and they're probably right. I HOPE AND PRAY they're right. But as time and this blog goes on, you might discover I'm a bit of a planner. And while this is hopefully very long-term planning, it's still something I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments on. How would you/have you handled it in your own families?(Author's note: I promise to not post such "downer" topics all the time. This is just something that, sadly, has been on my heart since I found out Monday.)
Introducing Lisa
Greetings interfaith families!
As a Catholic who converted to Judaism three and a half years ago, I thought at first that my family and I had put the "interfaith" part of our religious life behind us. I was raised in an interfaith family—my mother was Catholic and my father at turns Baptist and Methodist—and let's just say that religion was hotly debated in my childhood home.
My Jewish husband and I are raising our three children—ages 16, 11, and 7—as Jews. I've memorized the prayers and figured out how to make latkes. We're active participants in our interfaith synagogue. I faithfully sat in on my older daughter's Hebrew lessons and watched with tears in my eyes as she recited her portion at her bat mitzvah. In fact, her bat mitzvah was what finally spurred me to convert. Religious identity, complete at last.
But I'm learning that in reality we will always be interfaith. When my mother died a few months ago after a brief, heartbreaking struggle with cancer, I found myself thrust back decades. Memories of my mother and I attending Mass, going to confession, and saying the rosary together came flooding back. It turns out the language of my grief right now isn't Jewish—the prayers that pour out of me are Hail Marys and Psalm 23. I tried to say Kaddish to myself in her final moments, but couldn't remember the words. Our family and friends, Jews and Christians alike, came to my mother's funeral in a beautiful, old Catholic church on a chilly spring day. My youngest asked what the kneeling pads were for, which came as a weird shock to me. I'm trying to take comfort now in the fact that, as my husband pointed out, my mother is remembered in (at least) three faiths.
Introducing Susanna
HI! Welcome to the Interfaith Parenting blog. Since we are starting with introductions, I will take a moment to introduce myself and my brood. I am the non-Jewish partner in an interfaith family. When my husband and I got married, we were told: It will never last, you will get divorced, it is doomed, interfaith marriages never work out, don't get married unless you convert. Having just celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary, I want to say pppbbbttt to all the nay-sayers! We are still going strong and I would be very surprised if we divorced because he is Jewish and I am not.
I am still not Jewish. I really don't plan to become Jewish. It isn't part of what I want to do for me. It isn't part of my reality. That does not mean that I don't drive the kids to Religious School every week, make challah for Shabbat, take them to temple… alone, and do what a "real" Jewish mother would do. My relationship with G-d is mine, and it isn't Jewish.
We have three wonderful, Jewish children, two boys (11 and 8) and a girl (5, almost 6 (she wanted me to say that)). They are more than Jewish, but living in what seems to be the epicenter of Christianity, I find that describing them as Jewish happens more often than not. Oh the looks I get when I tell people that our babysitter is going to Israel for a semester and wants to be a rabbi.
As a family we struggle to educate people that Christmas is a Christian holiday, that Santa Claus does not go to shul and that Easter is not for everyone. One of my biggest surprises was going into my son's kindergarten class and asking how many of them had heard of Hanukkah. It was shocking how many really didn't know anything about it. Our challenge is to teach people about tolerance, and we believe that education is the route to that.
We are also embarking on many life cycle events: our oldest started middle school and is preparing for a bar mitzvah, our middle son is starting Hebrew school on Wednesdays, and our baby is going to kindergarten. We are experiencing a great deal of change. How that impacts our family and our sense of who we are, well, I guess you will have to keep reading to find out.
Hope you take some time to put us in your RSS reader and keep coming back. It is a great group of bloggers.


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Chief Executive Officer, and member of the Investment Committee. Mr Masek joined the firm in 2000. From 1990 to 2000 he worked as a founding partner for KPMG Corporate Finance in Paris. Mr Masek graduated in 1987 from Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris and also holds a degree in Law from Paris University and an MA in International Economics from Yale University.
Chief Investment Officer, Head of the Investment Committee, and Head of the DACH team. Before joining the firm in 1996, Mr Dinsel worked as a manager for Bain & Company and as Managing Director of the Schmidlin division of Hilti AG, Liechtenstein. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Munich.
Mr Soudry joined the firm in 2003, prior to which he worked respectively for ABN AMRO Capital, KPMG Corporate Finance and Paribas in Paris. Mr Soudry graduated from l'Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) in 1993, having majored in Law, Tax and Finance. Additionally, he earned a postgraduate degree (DESS) in Law from Paris Sorbonne in 1994.
Head of Investor Relations. Mr Ryum Larsen previously worked for two investment boutiques in Denmark before joining the firm in 1990. Mr Ryum Larsen holds an MSc in Finance and International Economics from Copenhagen Business School.
Mr Van de Steen joined IK in 2017. He began his career at Siemens before joining McKinsey & Company, then was an operating partner at KKR Capstone. Mr Van de Steen holds a MBa. in Business Administration from INSEAD in France and an MSc. in Electronics Engineering from the University of Leuven.
Mr Hilhorst joined the firm in 2001, prior to which he worked at HAL Investments in Rotterdam. He holds an MA in Economics from the University of Amsterdam.
Mr Buttiaux joined IK in 2001. From 1999 to 2001 he worked in the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley in London, after spending one year at Paribas Affaires Industrielles (PAI) in Paris. Mr Buttiaux graduated in 1999 from l'Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) in Paris majoring in Finance.
Mr Etemad joined the firm in 2015. He previously worked at SEB Corporate Finance and Booz Allen Hamilton in Stockholm as well as Credit Suisse First Boston in London. He studied engineering at Linköping Institute of Technology and also holds a degree in Management from Institut National des Télécommunications in Paris.
Mr Klitbo joined the firm in 2007 after having worked as an Associate Consultant with The Boston Consulting Group in Copenhagen. He holds an MSc in Economics from the School of Economics and Management at The University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Mr Carlsson Kemppinen joined the firm in 2001, prior to which he worked in corporate finance for Mandatum & Co in Helsinki. He holds an MSc with a Major in Finance from Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration.
Mr Gallix joined IK 2014, with 20 years of experience of the Small Cap segment. Prior to IK, Mr Gallix worked at Ergon Capital Advisors as a Managing Director and Partner. He holds a MBA from the Wharton School in Philadelphia.
Before joining the firm in 2002, Mr Petersson worked in the Investment Banking Division of J.P. Morgan in London. He holds an MSc in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Uppsala.
Mr Yates joined the firm in 2002. From 1997 to 2002, he worked for Arthur Andersen, prior to which he was employed at Moores Rowland International. Mr Yates qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1997 and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

subset: commoncrawl


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Belize health information goes digital
The tiny central American nation of Belize is digitizing its health information systems. Concerns about privacy need to be set against benefit to patients. Janelle Chanona reports.
Perched on the Caribbean coast and as ethnically and culturally diverse as it is geographically, Belize has launched a cutting-edge web-based health information system. The Belize Health Information System (BHIS), which was inaugurated on 16 September 2008, links the Ministry of Health with the country's public and private hospitals, laboratories and clinics. The system allows data to be made available to authorized users anywhere in the country almost as soon as they are entered in the system. Benefits include the use of alerts and reminders to decision-makers connected to the system, a greater ability to track and monitor infectious disease outbreaks, and country-wide support for such programmes as the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
For Ian Smith, one of the founding developers of BHIS, the system not only improves the efficiency of the country's health system, but also encourages a more holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment: "Instead of focusing on a specific disease whenever a patient comes to them, doctors have access to their medical history, allowing them to ask the type of leading questions to provide a thorough check-up," Smith says, noting also that the system encourages participation from birth, establishing a patient ID "from cradle to grave".
BHIS's official roll-out was in September 2008, but the system's first modules were in fact piloted in 2005 at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, the country's flagship public health institution located in the capital, Belize City. The system has faced many challenges since then, including local bandwidth limitations that obliged the founders to scale down systems designed for developed countries; an erratic grid – electrical surges are commonplace in Belize and could damage the equipment needed to run the system; and the perennial budgetary constraints that limit many public health initiatives.
Smith is keen to stress that the system is not just a server designed to store health information. It is an adaptable system that serves many different users. "The type of information that a director [of a health centre or hospital] may need to make evidence-based decisions is different to the type of information that a maternal-child health nurse needs when they are vaccinating a child. The system is designed to meet these different requirements," he says. The director might require aggregate data for decision-making on such issues as medical supplies and human resources, while a nurse needs individual data such as patient history.
The system, which currently serves two-thirds of Belize's approximate population of 300 000, was financed initially through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the Caribbean Development Bank, with technical support received from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Accesstec of New Brunswick, Canada. In 2006, a grant was received from the Health Metrics Network, a Geneva-based partnership hosted by WHO, committed to facilitating better health information at the country, regional and global levels. That grant first brought the Belize system to Health Metrics Network's attention. The Network subsequently developed guidelines for all countries and, after studying the Belize model, found that it was in line with those recommended guidelines. In May 2008, Belize became the first country in the Americas to be granted priority technical support from Health Metrics Network and that means it will eventually receive financial resources for continued work on BHIS.
But while support has certainly come from outside, BHIS is very much a home-grown phenomenon. "Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, Belize has pioneered an outstanding example of a national health information system," says Dr Nosa Orobaton, chief of country programmes for Health Metrics Network, while Smith stresses the importance of consultation with the domestic health sector's key participants, including, notably, the director of health services, who is responsible for the delivery of services within the Ministry of Health. "Because we stayed close to the experts, we were able to understand clearly the problems and then come up with the best solutions to them," he says. Lessons learned in that process are now benefiting others facing similar challenges, notably Cambodia, Saint Lucia, South Africa and the Syrian Arab Republic, who have all come to Belize to see what has been achieved there.
But the system is not without its critics, notably those who fear that the centralization of health data may lead to abuses of privacy. According to Smith, BHIS's technology is "highly secure", including electronic audit trails that log and track every activity in the system. "We also use world class encryption technologies to transport our data, which is stored in highly secured database management systems," Smith says. For Peter Allen, chief executive officer at the Belize Ministry of Health, everything has been done to make the system secure, yet there is an inevitable trade-off between transparency and confidentiality. "Access and confidentiality are inversely proportional," Allen says. "We want care providers to have access but we want to preserve confidential data; as in all things there must be a balance."
The fact is that all the security in the world cannot prevent someone with the right access from looking at a patient's medical records and then leaking information to someone else – a problem that paper-based systems also face – or, worse, from passing on a password, giving unauthorized persons access to the system.
Dr Fernando Cuellar, an internal medicine and intensive care specialist working in a private hospital that doesn't use the BHIS, believes that Belize's small size creates particular problems in this regard. "I've found that people are very uncomfortable with the idea that their employer might find out that they suffer from X, Y or Z," Cuellar says. "Insurance is another issue – the possibility that information might leak to the insurance companies, which would in turn affect people's premiums."
Similar concerns are echoed by Kim Smith, a chickenpox patient, who says that while the system may be useful for treating minor ailments, in other instances it might lead to discrimination: "What if somebody is HIV positive?" she says. "Or someone is suffering from a sexually transmitted disease? I think it would be unfair to that person, because I feel that maybe people would judge them on their health status, as that could be an issue."
While concerns that confidential data could be leaked are legitimate, the benefits of the system are obvious. Dr Melissa Diaz-Musa, medical coordinator at Matron Roberts Polyclinic, says the ability to access people's medical history makes a huge difference in her work and allows her to make better diagnoses. For Diaz-Musa, one of the main obstacles to the system's further development is people's fear of technology. She believes that as she and other medical workers become more computer-literate, the system will become more effective. The system is, in other words, a tool that must be used to be of benefit. This is a view with which Peter Allen concurs: "The measure of success is the positive outcomes for those who encounter our system," he says. "There will always be challenges since no system or tool is ever perfect – the focus must always remain on the benefits to patients and our people." ■


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101 in 1 Party Mega Mix Wii (Wii)
Release Date: 30 October 2009 | Certificate: Suitable for 3 years and over
£16.39 includes FREE UK Postage (other delivery options available)
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UK - Shipping Included
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Europe Zone 3 - £1.69
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101-in-1 Party Megamix Wii is a collection of 101 games set in a broad range of themes, featured as a series of TV shows. As the player progresses throughout the games, new TV stations and shows are unlocked, containing new mini-games and game modes. Whether you like racing games, sports games, puzzle games, arcade games or action games – you will definitely find something for your taste. Furthermore, since you can play with your friends, there are tens of hours of gameplay that await you in 101-in-1 Party Megamix Wii!
101 mini-games in different genres, including racing, sports, arcade, action, puzzle games and many others
In addition to single player, most of the mini-games can be played by 2 or 4 players
Easy to pick up and play gameplay, targeted at people of all ages
High-score tables, unlockable bonuses and extra features
In addition to single player, most of the mini-games can be played by 2 or 4 players
Easy to pick up and play gameplay, targeted at people of all ages
High-score tables, unlockable bonuses and extra features
Release Date: 30 October 2009
Certificate: PEGI 3+ - PEGI Minimum Age 3
For more information and our Delivery Policy see here.
For more information and our Returns Policy see here.
Catalogue No: ZZZ38041


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2012 INFINITI M - Consumer Review
Build Quality
Reliability Value
Build Quality
Reliability Value
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Great Car
By esquire1001 on
Vehicle2012 INFINITI M M37 4dr Sedan (3.7L 6cyl 7A)
ReviewI just traded a Lexus 460L for the M37h which is the hybrid version.
I have seen some reviews for the hybrid and some are better than others.
In general, i really like this car and I am fairly picky about cars.
I have only had it a few days, but from what I can tell, it is a big upgrade from a performance and technology standpoint from my 2007 Lexus.
Nothing wrong with the Lexus and it was a great car, but the Infinity has a much tighter feel, better performance, better infotainment and better sound system.
Not to mention better performance if you want it or better gas mileage if you want it.
Best FeaturesThe Bose 5.1 surround stereo is the best sounding car stereo I have heard, and I have owned and heard just about all of them. I hear things in my music that i never noticed before, and it links with bluetooth to my Iphone, so I don't have to plug anything in to listen to Rhapsody or whatever. I also really like the collision prevention measures and the relatively seamless transition from electric, to gas to both. I also like the range of settings and customization.
Worst FeaturesI wish the collision avoidance features could be set to remain on (you have to activate them each time you start the car, I think for liability concerns so that they driver chose to use them). People drive my car from time to time and would like to know they are using them in this multi-distraction text message world. I really think they will reduce accidents if cars start universally adapting this technology. I also wish it had remote start and an app that would allow remote start and vehicle tracking.
Recommend (10) (0)
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To make reservations by phone, call 1-800-331-3131 in the USA and Canada (or any of our worldwide reservation telephone numbers).
3443 Busbee Drive
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport - ATL
Airport Phone: +1 404 530 7300
Hotel direction: 33.5 miles SW
This hotel does not provide shuttle service.
Traveling North on I-85, to I-75 North Take I-75 North to Exit 271/Chastain Road. Turn Right onto Chastain Road and proceed to 1st light. Turn left onto Busbee Drive. Hotel is on the left. // Traveling South on I-75, take Exit 271/Chastain Road. Turn left onto Chastain Road and proceed to 2nd light. Turn left onto Busbee Drive. Hotel is on the left.
8931 Georgia 92
woodstock, GA, Georgia 30189
Phone: +1-678-494-6144


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Need to strrrrretccchhh a little meat to feed a lot?
This chicken pie is just the thing.
It's also a good way to use up the vegetable bits and bobs you have in the crisper.
Simply combine your chicken (either a breast, thigh or leftover roast chicken) and vegetables in a gravy, pop on a lid and you've got a tasty, inexpensive meal for the whole family.
To make the gravy, you can use a basic white sauce or a veloute sauce, which is made from stock rather than milk. Use your own homemade stock for an ultra-cheap meal. Flavour it with mustard or herbs and garlic or a splash of wine if there's some in the fridge.
Top the pie with store-bought puff pastry or shortcrust pastry for an easy meal. Or you could scrunch up some leftover filo pastry for a decorative, flaky top.
Alternately, if you have some spuds or sweet potato that need using up, or you're avoiding pastry, top your pie with mash for a delicious cottage-style pie.
- 1 chicken breast, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1-2 carrot, diced
- 1-2 zucchini, diced
- handful of button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1 Tbsp. plain flour
- 3/4 cup milk or stock
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
- Pastry to top pie
- Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a pie dish or baking dish.
- Sauté chicken over medium heat in a little olive oil until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- Sauté onion in a little oil until it starts to soften. Add the carrot and cook for a further few minutes, add the zucchini and cook another few minutes. Finally add the mushrooms. Add the garlic and thyme and stirring well, cook until the mushrooms are cooked and the vegetables are tender. Remove from pan.
- Turn the heat down to low and melt the butter in the pan. Add the flour and stir for a minute or two to incorporate into butter and cook off some of the raw flour taste. Add the milk or stock a little at a time, stirring well, to make a white sauce. You may not need to add all of the liquid, just enough for pie consistency. Bring to the boil and then simmer stirring to thicken.
- Flavour the sauce with the mustard. Return the chicken and vegetable mixture to the pan and season with salt and pepper. If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
- Pour pie filling into greased pie dish. Top with pastry, cut a slit in the pastry to release any steam, and bake until the pastry is golden, approx 30 – 45 minutes. Let cool a minute or two before serving.
- Serves 4 with accompaniment like salad, bread or mash and veggies.
- For a creamier version or to use up extra cream, substitute part milk for cream.
- For a different flavour, add a splash of wine instead of the mustard.
- Try oregano, basil or tarragon instead of the thyme or use fresh herbs for an even better flavour.
- Add a little bacon for a flavour variation. Exchange the onion for leek. Use whatever veggies are in the crisper.
other fridge recipes
Disclosure: Links to merchants within this post may be affiliate links.


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What Type of Passes?
Hi Daniel-san
After going through all the comments and travel books.
Here are my questions:
Here is my first draft copy of my 7 days Itinerary for Kyoto/Osaka.
Kyoto Hotel: Toyoko Inn Kyoto Gojo
Hi Daniel -san
I just found out from internet that I can use unlimited 1 Day pass(Enjoy Pass-Eco) for each Day 5 and Day 6. Is this a better option than to purchase a 2 or 3 Days Kansai thru Pass to cover my transportation in Osaka area. Where can I purchase the Unlimited Enjoy Pass Eco in Osaka? Please advice what is the morning and evening peak hour for train and subway in Kyoto and Osaka.
According to my research for my own trip, the Kansai thru pass is only good if you're travelling between cities, for example visiting Himeji or Mt Koya. Maybe you could consider using the Kansai Thru Pass for Day 4&5? The Enjoy Pass Eco in Osaka is only 800 yen on weekdays and 600 yen on weekends. It's cheaper than Kansai Thru Pass.
Hi Robin,
You are planning your trip well and budgeting will be easy with all the day trip passes and I think that the The Enjoy Pass Eco in Osaka would be a great buy in Osaka!
1.) Yes I think you are buying the most economic tickets, gives that you use them to travel around enough to cover their cost.
2.) Can I purchase 2 time 1 day JR Pass for my seven days duration. I hope that I understand your question correctly, the Kansai Area Pass / Kansai thru pass is limited to 1 purchase / per person / per visit to Japan. So you can only buy one.
3.) I think that most of your trip works out well, maybe day 4 with Kobe and Himeji is a little busy but it could work out well if you plan ahead.
4.) I believe you should get the Enjoy Pass-Eco and buy a normal ticket if you decide to visit Koya-san.
I hope this helps,
Hi Daniel san
Thank you very much for your reply. Appreciated very much for your work done!
You mentioned that I can only purchase for single time on Kansai Area Pass(KAP) for my seven day duration. Before, I wrote to you today, I did checked with the local JR Pass agent in Malaysia and they said that I can purchase 2 single day 1 Day KAP during my visit. The only catch is that I have to exchange( activate ) to pass each day I want to use the Pass.
Is the Single purchase of KAP is applicable to those visitors purchase KAP inside Japan only? Those purchases KAP outside Japan can purchase KAP 2 times as in my case. You clarification on this issue is most importation to me as my itinerary require two Single Day Pass.
Can you recommend some economical eating joints in area around Toyoko Inn Kyoto Goyo and Shinsaibashi in Osaka?
Your response is very much appreciated.
Hi Robin!
I would look into eating a couple of times at places like Yoshinoya - Sukiya - Matsuya and the like. The joints serve serve so called ''Gyudon'' (beef bowl in English) as well as different kinds of sets which can include, ride, miso soup, ramen and / or salmon for a very low price.
As for the KAP I guess you could buy 2 if you don't show them to the JR Pass at once, I do think it is against the rules but you can probably get away wit it. I think that they ask for your ticket back home when you buy your ticket, I guess you could just print your ticket twice and use a different one each time but again I don't think this is officially allowed.
Hope this helps!
Hi Daniel-san
Thank you.
I understand that Himeji is going through restoration now until 2015. Is this still a good visit now or I should skip it.
If I will to purchase Kansai Area Pass or 1 Day Hankyu-Hanshin Pass( unlimited ride ). Does both also cover to Himeji.
Order your Japan Rail Pass Online
Starting from $257.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel
Please note: we are only able to handle order related enquiries via our online direct support. Commercial advertising is prohibited as per our website terms.


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An Interview with Stephen and Rebekah Hren on Planet Green
On a recent trip down to Durham, North Carolina, I was lucky enough to stay with Stephen and Rebekah Hren, authors of The Carbon-Free Home. Their beautiful two-story house produces enough energy to fill all of their energy needs and is outfitted with all kinds of ingenious projects straight from their book. In front, a garden grows everything from artichokes to pomegranates, while chickens roam around in the backyard. They were gracious enough to talk to me about how we can become a more sustainable society.
What's the simplest home project people can do to start towards having a carbon-free home?
Two biggies are phantom loads and hanging up clothes to dry instead of using an electric dryer. Phantom loads are things like TVs and computers and also battery chargers that often are on standby and therefore partially on at all times. Using a power strip or motion-activated outlet to turn these things on or off when not in use can often reduce their power consumption by three-quarters. By one estimate, if people in the US were more conscientious about not having phantom loads, that would save enough electricy to power the continent of Australia. Folks often say that solar power is expensive and only for the wealthy, but much of our book is focused on things that both renters and homeowners can do that gives them access to renewable energy and also saves them money. Probably our favorite is hanging up clothes to dry on a solar clothes dryer instead of using a fossil-fuel powered dryer. For a typical household, installing one of these solar devices is roughly equivalent to installing $8-10,000 of solar electric panels.
Read the whole article on PlanetGreen.com…
The Carbon Free Home is available in our bookstore.
The Hrens' new book, A Solar Buyer's Guide for the Home and Office, is available for pre-order now!


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Letter: Minnesota West nursing staff thanks MNA, others
The nursing faculty at Minnesota West Community and Technical College greatly appreciates the relationship we with have with District 9 of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) and other health care organizations in the area. Recently District 9 donated $1,000, which the nursing department is using to update some extensively used nursing lab equipment. This equipment will be utilized by students across Southwest Minnesota.
Only when nursing educational settings, nursing organizations, health care facilities and community members work together can students and the people in our communities be served effectively. We highly value the support and cooperation we receive from organizations like MNA District 9, health care facilities and the public.
Thank you from the nursing faculty at Minnesota West Community and Technical College. We appreciate the opportunity to work together with District 9 MNA, health care facilities and community members in the area.


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Co-founder of online encyclopedia Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, has called for a system to check contributor's credentials following the event last month when a well-respected contributor and administrator to the site lied about his qualifications.
Wales wants to bring back a proposal he made two years ago for accrediting contributors who claim to have advanced degrees. Details of the system are still being finalized but include requiring professors, for example, to give a link to their faculty page at the college or university where they work. It could also require them to provide an email address so they can be contacted to confirm their identity. Other suggestions include faxing copies of degrees to the Wikipedia office. Wales' proposal is expected to be put into practice next week.
The change to Wikipedia's system comes as a result of a contributor and administrator called Essjay who falsely claimed to be a professor in Catholic law. He was asked to resign his position within the community. On Jimmy Wales' Wikipedia user page he said, "EssJay has apologized to me, and I have accepted his apology on a personal level. Despite my personal forgiveness, I hope that he will accept my resignation request, because forgiveness or not, these positions are not appropriate for him now."


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ALT1Games has announced that there will be updates for adding new and improving contents for Troy online. For the convenience of the users, they have provided a tentative changelog for the next 4 weeks.
These updates will focus on balancing issues, introduction of a new battlefield, new battlefield system, and various functions for the convenience of the users.
If you look closely at the schedule of updates, 9/22 updates will be balance related, 9/29 will focus on the introduction of a new battlefield, 10/6 will revolve around convenience based functions for the users, and 10/13 will center on the new battlefield system. Most notably, the update regarding the new battlefield system will allow users to have a completely new battlegrounds experience unlike any before.
As you all know these will be the biggest updates since Troy online has started service commercially, therefore many users, old and new alike, will garner interest. To coincide with the release of these patches, ALT1Games is preparing to release various events as well. More details regarding these updates will be announced on the homepage soon.
Through these updates and events to come, ALT1Games would like to thank all the users for their support and interest in Troy online and we hope everyone's enjoyment continues to grow with TROY.
For more information, visit troy.alt1games.com or email email@example.com


text:
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Abigail Serves It Up— All the men at the party help the hostess in the kitchen!
Claimed by the Futanari Ch. 03: A Price to Pay— Ali's not out of the woods yet.
Great Cup of Coffee— A guy who meets some very interesting new neighbors.
Rule of Thumb Ch. 07— Rick takes Loren's training into his own hands.
Madame's (Milked) Dry Bar— A bound boy, milked for the tastes and amusement of dommes
Shrink Wrapped Ch. 02— continuing adventures of Silky the Spy
After a Birthday to Remember— Marg fucks Steve and his two friends.
A True Slave Daughter Ch. 04— Love juices.
Game Night— Moody bf leaves and girlfriend 'entertains' his game friends.
Training Ch. 03— Today she would show him what foreplay was all about.
Sultry Tales of Sultana Nirtasia Ch. 02— Curiosity leads to hot and rare encounters.
Transforming Genevieve Ch. 18— Gen and Steve change their agreement.
How I Became a Slut Sub and Loved It— How I got to this stage in my Sub life.
Dot Makes Tim a Cuckold Ch. 05— Lee brings Dot back home to Timmmy.
Oral Values: Exploring Exploitation— Discovering feminine wiles work wonders.
New Horizons— A tale of newly discovered explorations.
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This is a thread where you can bemoan Mewtwo's removal in Brawl.
You know, Mario, Link, Samus, etc., everyone in Smash Bros. has appeared in all three Smash games to date, and they're likely to be in the fourth. Now, if Mewtwo had been in the first (along with other cut characters Bowser, Peach, Meowth, Dedede and Pit), perhaps he might have been added after all in Brawl? He has a working model and sounds, including maybe even a Final Smash. If someone can make him a proper character and not just a Lucario replacement, then I would consider you god.


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Cauliflower Casserole with Ham Recipe
When making this casserole for company, I sometimes replace ordinary ham with prosciutto, an Italian-style ham found in larger grocery stores.
- 4 ounces fully cooked ham, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 large head cauliflower, broken into florets and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
- 1. In a large skillet, saute the ham and garlic in butter for 2 minutes. Add the cauliflower; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Combine the flour and cream until smooth; gradually stir into skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
- 2. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6-8 servings.
Nutritional Facts
3/4 cup: 220 calories, 16g fat (10g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 341mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.
Reviews for Cauliflower Casserole with Ham
Average Rating
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2015
"Made for our ladies American Legion Auxiliary meeting. Ladies loved! My hubby took some before I took to the gals. Said I must make again. GREAT RECIPE as written."
Reviewed Dec. 8, 2009
"This recipe is a big hit for special dinners as well as potlucks. Everyone asks me to bring this dish."
© 2017 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC


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Get ready for some big, metallic battles with giant robots. MechWarrior Online is formally launching its online beta test today, bringing back the vaunted giant mech fighting franchise as a downloadable game on the web. The title already has 140,000 active players, and now the maker of the game is ready to usher in a lot more players.
The game was developed by Vancouver-based Piranha Games and is the first major title published by Infinite Game Publishing, a new Montreal-based hardcore online game publisher. The title is yet another example of a free-to-play game (where users play for free and pay real money for virtual goods) that aims to offer console-like game quality to online multiplayer gamers.
"We are targeting people who expect AAA quality," said Nick Foster, chief executive of IGP in an interview with GamesBeat. "We are talking about console levels of game play and fidelity. We put free-to-play on top of that. We feel that casual gamers have been served well by free-to-play games, but core gamers have been left behind. We want to step into this market aggressively."
Infinite Game Publishing, based in Montreal, was started in August, 2011 with a seed investment from Canadian institutional investor FSTQ. On top of that, 70,000 MechWarrior Online fans have place pre-orders for more than $5 million through the MechWarrior Online Founder's Program.
IGP's parent company is 7G Entertainment, also headed by Foster, who has 20 years of experience in entertainment. He was previously the No. 2 executive at online game publisher Outspark and worked in high-profile roles at Starz Media and Dreamworks Animation.
The company is making hardcore games in the form of massively multiplayer online games for core gamers on the web. More than 400,000 players have registered for the beta, but not all are playing yet.
MechWarrior Online is a reboot of the MechWarrior franchise, which was started decades ago and was re-acquired from Microsoft recently by Smith & Tinker, the game company founded by Jordan Weisman, the creator of the BattleTech universe that includes MechWarrior. IGP, in turn, has licensed MechWarrior Online from Smith & Tinker. MechWarrior Online uses Crytek's 3D graphics engine, CryEngine 3. That means it is targeting some of the highest quality levels for online imagery.
"The key that drew us to Mech Warrior as a property was the passion that Piranha Games had for the series," Foster said. "They understood the language of game play and we were confident it would translate well into the free-to-play model."
Players want, for instance, to upgrade their mechs to be more competitive in combat with other players. MechWarrior Online will charge players who want to decorate their mechs in a unique way.
"People can scale their investment in the game based on how much they enjoy it," Foster said. "The free players are valuable because they provide the numbers that make the game more playable and fun."
But the game won't have all the bells and whistles that disk-based games have. The download size is limited to around 2 gigabytes before initial game play is possible.
IGP is also working on MechWarrior Tactics, a one-on-one fighting browser-based game that emphasizes the art of tactical combat between giant mechs. It's a one-versus-one collectible strategy game, based on the BattleTech universe. Another title in the works is Sins of a Dark Age, a real-time-strategy game (where players move lots of units simultaneously). Ironclad Games, maker of Sins of a Solar Empire, is making the game and taking it online as a free-to-play game.
IGP itself has more than 50 employees. Foster said the strategy is to select products that can compete on a global level and which already have a built-in fan base that is accessible online. IGP is partnering with seasoned developers to make its games.
"We're planning on responding quickly to customer feedback, and we'll be adding to the games over time," Foster said.
Mech fans are in for a treat this fall. Meteor Games is preparing to launch Hawken, another free-to-play mech-oriented online combat game in December. Meteor announced this morning that it has raised a second round of venture funding to fuel a whole series of online games. MechWarrior Online will be focused on team play and collaboration, with four players playing against four.
"We feel that is a very different genre within the first-person shooter realm," Foster said.


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Biasi Riva Flat Gasket 3/4 inch - for Riva or Riva Plus Condensing Boilers - BIN 3090 - RI BI1001108 - Non-returnable
Product ID • RIBI10011080
Basi Riva Plus Condensing Hydronic Gas Boiler Flat Gasket 3/4 inch RI BI1001108 for Riva Plus Condensing Boilers or Riva Non-Condensing Boilers.
These parts are non-returnable - so make sure you know what you are getting. If you did not buy the Biasi Riva Boiler from us - we will not be able to help you trouble shoot any of your issues - please contact an installer for help. The Biasi Riva or Riva Plus Flat Gasket 3/4 inch RI BI1001108 is non-returnable.


text:
Office Furniture, Home Furniture, Child Furniture, Office Chairs, Glass Table
Office Chair, Office Table, Home Office Furniture,Dining Room Furniture, Bedroom Furniture, Glass Coffee Table, Dining Tables, Dining Chairs, Dining Room Furniture, Bedroom Set,Bedroom Set ,Wardrobe,Hotel Bedroom Set
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Plastic Chair Eames:
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Decorative Plastic Chair
Set of 4Easy stackingPlywood seat & backChrome plated steel tube frameShown in WengeAvailable in VariousProduct Details Brand Guarantee Reviews Product Attributes Available in Various Colors16.5 in. W x 17 in. D x 32 in. H (Seat Height: 18 in. H)Take a step into the 21st century with these classy stackable chairs, which can be used for almost any seating arrangement. Available in painted gloss or wood veneer, with black, white, natural, and wenge the color options. Chairs must be ordered in ...>>more
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Acrylic splashbacks have stood the test of time
Have you ever thought a splashback comes in anything other than glass, tiles or stainless steel? Perhaps you've heard of acrylic splashbacks and thought, "what … plastic?"
Well before you think that glass, tiles or stainless are superior to acrylic then consider these things: What is acrylic? Where is it used? How long has it been around? Is it used in other countries? Is it durable for splashbacks? How does it compare to other splashback materials like glass and tiles?
Most people wouldn't be able to answer most of these questions. And that's OK. We've been bombarded with the same old options for walls time and time again. Often from architects and builders who prefer not to venture outside their regular products.
What is acrylic?
Technically speaking, acrylic is a type of thermoplastic, and more broadly a type of polymer. And while this isn't a chemistry lesson, thanks to chemistry and innovation there are actually thousands of different types of plastics. There are so many categories of plastics/polymers, and include adhesives, vinyl, rubber, PVC, coatings and the list goes on and on and on. Some plastics are used as aircraft windows. Some help cars weigh less and make them more fuel-efficient. Others stop bullets, preserve food by blocking oxygen from reaching it (food packaging) while others are transparent like glass yet much stronger.
How long has plastic been around?
Incredibly, plastic dates back to around 1600BC. The Olmec civilization used rubber to make balls, bands and even figurines. Fast forward 3000 years to the industrial revolution and the first modern day plastic was created in 1856 and used as buttons, piano keys and billiard balls to replace ivory. Now with the history lesson and background information on plastics out of the way…
Where is acrylic used today?
Because acrylic is so versatile it's used literally everywhere around the world. And some of the more unusual uses include commercial aquariums (instead of glass), ice hockey protection screens, aircraft windows and even bone cement!
What type of acrylic is used as splashbacks?
The acrylic commonly used for splashbacks is a form of Poly (methyl) methacrylate (PMMA). Either extruded or cast forms of PMMA and monomer (MMA) are used. PMMA is optically transparent, meaning it's clearer than starfire glass. And there's no green tinge in acrylic whatsoever. PMMA was developed back in 1928 by Rohm & Hass and has been used world-wide since 1933. And there are a number of brands on the world market. The original brand is Plexiglas and since 1928 it has stood the test of time. It sets the benchmark for quality, versatility and durability. It also has the highest level of UV protection possible, and offers an unmatched 30 year no UV yellowing warranty.
Plexiglas PMMA acrylic also:
- Contains no toxic materials
- Is known as the "non-smoker" because in case of a burning building it will not produce the acrid, toxic smoke that restricts view
- Does not emit any harmful or toxic gases – unlike some other polymer materials used as splashbacks and wall panels.
One of the troubles with glass splashbacks…
This is an example of cracked or commonly termed "exploding" glass – which was toughened to Australian Standards and what is used in kitchens, bathroom and laundries. This is not a rare occurrence for toughened glass splashbacks, it is well known to occur and does for a multitude of reasons. One thing for sure is that you will NEVER have this happen with Innovative Splashbacks thanks to the unrivalled PMMA acrylic – Plexiglas we use!
Other uses for Plexiglas include, windscreens, TV, PC and tablet monitor screens to prosthetics, even contact lenses. Little wonder it's absolutely ideal for splashbacks. Interestingly, while glass is the 'standard' splashback in Australia, acrylic splashbacks are the standard in Europe. And have been since as early as the 1970s. Even the lesser quality acrylics; vinyl and colour coated PVC have been used in North America as splashbacks since the 1970s. There are no Australian "pioneers" when it comes to polymer and acrylic splashbacks – the Europeans and Americans have long been producing acrylic and polymer splashbacks and using them in their kitchens, bathroom and laundries.
When looking at splashback materials it's wise to know the toxicity of the material. Don't put up with blanket terms such as "polymer", because as you have learned, that term can mean thousands of different plastic materials. Suppliers using that term should set off alarm bells that they are as phony as a $3 note. And potentially have something to hide regarding exactly what plastic material their splashback product is actually made out of.
Find out exactly what plastic (polymer) material the splashback is made of and find out if the material is known to be toxic in any way. A quick search on independent sites will soon give you the information you require to make an informed decision on how safe the splashback materials actually is.
In the case of splashbacks and wall panels the big ticket considerations when comparing acrylic, glass, tiles and stainless steel include:
- Cost to purchase
- Cost to install and ease to install if you want to Do It Yourself (DIY)
- Ease of cleaning and maintaining – tiles come with grout and with glass you have to buff to a shine or else you will see the streaks
- Durability of the material – can it survive knocks and bumps?
- How easy the material can damage and/or break – acrylic is 25 times stronger than glass
- If the material can be repaired easily or not - you can repair scratches to acrylic splashbacks, however if you scratch glass there's not much which can save you
- The final look you want to achieve for your space.
Features and benefits of Innovative Splashbacks and why they are Australia's favourite splashbacks
Innovative Splashbacks manufactures and supplies high quality painted and printed acrylic splashbacks and decorative wall panels.
They are ideal for residential and commercial applications, wet areas and virtually any surface. They are made with Plexiglas PMMA cast acrylic. The reasons are now obvious as to why – there simply is no better quality acrylic in the world – and we would be clearly insane to use anything else!
Our unrivalled acrylic splashbacks are ideal for architects, designers, builders, renovators and DIYers who need a stylish, high quality finish without the cost, trouble or delays of glass and tiles. They have fast become a popular glass alternative splashback choice for good reason. Innovative Splashbacks:
- Look exactly like glass
- Half the weight of glass and 25 x stronger
- More affordable than glass
- Install four times faster than both glass and tiles = phenomenal cost savings
- Available in any colour or shade, including metallics
- Available in any print image, graphic or pattern
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments
- 6 mm thick featuring stunning colour depth equal to glass
- Available cut to size to suit any project = savings on cost, time & labour costs
- Greater rigidity than alternative acrylic/polymer splashbacks & wall panel products
- No splitting, yellowing, cracking – due to only using the best acrylic in the world
- Durable, hard wearing high-gloss surface
- Australian made and first ever acrylic/polymer splashbacks certified Australian made
- Industry leading 10 year warranty on painted splashbacks.
Where can Innovative Splashbacks be used? Virtually any vertical surface including:
- Kitchens
- Shower wall and cubicles
- Vanities
- Bathroom walls
- Bath/spa surrounds
- Laundries
- Bars/counter fronts
- Feature walls and foyers
- Commercial displays
- Commercial wet areas
- Commercial fit outs
- Noticeboards.
Innovative Splashbacks allows you to reduce costs and get the high class finish for your home and commercial projects.
Innovative Splashbacks specialise in high quality acrylic splashbacks and decorative wall panels for residential and commercial applications, wet areas and virtually any vertical surface.Learn more
Head Office
Innovative Splashbacks
PO Box 7481
Geelong West, Victoria, 3218
Phone: 0418 548 ...


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Actually Suna doesn't count as an akatsuki member because she just a fictional character. i know my drawing sucks and i know...the lines is not aligned And my colouring skills is super bad so forgive me... Sorry for the bad Grammar.
DragoArt members upload artwork and drawing tutorials! They are also allowed to leave comments on tutorials, profiles, etc. Many more features, as well; it's way better than just being a boring guest! Register Now!


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Father: Harry NORTHCOAT b: in Timaru. New Zealand
Mother: Jessie BEATON b: 1876 in Lochcarron, Ross, Scotland
RootsWeb.com, Inc. is NOT responsible for the content of the GEDCOMs uploaded through the WorldConnect Program. If you have a problem with a particular entry, please contact the submitter of said entry. You have full control over your GEDCOM. You can change or remove it at any time.


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Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement yesterday about my decision to stay home with Emerson. They were like someone sending me flowers out of the blue and came on a day when I especially needed it! We've been struggling with naps for 3 weeks now and it wears a momma down! One of these days he'll go to sleep without a fight and I won't know what to do with myself. Until then, I'm learning to lower my expectations, of him and me! (probably something I've needed to do for a long time!)
I'll keep you updated on my adventures staying home, but today I'm dreaming of spring. I'm craving green grass, wearing shoes without socks (I tried this the other day and wouldn't recommend it), and sunny skies!
I get cabin fever every year at this time. I wish I would have stashed some bulbs in the refrigerator this fall like Laura so I could be enjoying blooms right about now. Maybe next year!
I do have fresh flowers in the house from my (former) boss–how great is she? I tell her I'm not coming back to work and she gives me flowers! I decided to take apart the bouquet to make smaller arrangements I could put around the house. Does anyone else do this? It makes a simple grocery store bouquet go a long way!
How are you coping with the last weeks of winter?


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MELBOURNE, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Andre Agassi overwhelmed German Rainer Schuettler Sunday to win the Australian Open for the fourth time and claim his eighth Grand Slam title.
Agassi, 32, recorded a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 victory that made him the first non-Australian to win this tournament four times. He moved into a tie for sixth place on the all-time Grand Slam victory list, drawing even with Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Ken Rosewall and Fred Perry.
He needs two more Grand Slam championships to tie Bill Tilden for fifth place.
It was the 21st straight Australian Open match won by Agassi, more than any player in history. He won the title in 2000 and 2001 before withdrawing from last year's event with a wrist injury. He also won the tournament in 1995.
Schuettler, appearing in his first Grand Slam final, was overmatched from the start. He did not win a point in either of the first two games and was broken eight times.
His hopes of staying in the match came crashing down in the middle portion of the second set. With that set still on serve in the fourth game, Schuettler won the first two points on Agassi's serve.
But Agassi then ran off four straight points to hold serve, after which Schuettler slammed his racket to the court in disgust. He followed that up by losing the first three points on his own serve and was eventually broken.
Schuettler then battled back to win the first two points on Agassi's serve again, only to lose four points in a row once more to fall behind, 4-2. The German held serve only once more for the remainder of the match.
"There is not a single day that is guranteed or promised to you," Agassi told the sellout crowd of 15,000 at Rod Laver Arena in accepting the championship trophy. "Days like this are very rare. You never know when it will be your last win.
"I'll never forget being here and I'll never forget the love I have always felt coming down here. I feel like I am half Australian. I'll come back and work as hard for you as long as I can, I promise."
Agassi has said that his wife, retired superstar Steffi Graf, would play mixed doubles with him at the French Open later this season if he won the Australian Open.
Schuettler made reference to that when he was introduced in the post-match ceremony.
"There is not a lot to say. I tried my best, but Andre was too good for me today," he said. "I think everybody now is looking forward to the French Open."
Agassi dropped just one set and lost only 48 games in his seven matches during the past two weeks. The one lost set came against Frenchman Nicolas Escude in the fourth round.
It was the 14th Grand Slam final for Agassi.
Schuettler became only the second German in the event's 98-year history to advance to the men's championship match. He did so with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over ninth-seeded Andy Roddick.


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no double posting or bumping within 24hrs - Search for the rules
Use my sig
If this is the wrong place to post/against the rules, just let me know and I'll do what I need to do.
I recently asked a friend to soft mod my Wii, and load it with an SNES emulator with a public US translation of an old Japanese Super Famicom game. The game works great, but I'm not able to save. I'm using SNES 9x (same thing I use on my PC) and the game won't save to the SD card or do a screenshot save.
I've tried every imaginable setting in the preferences menu. Does anyone here have any idea what I should do or can any of you point me in the right direction?
I've used the search and tried everything. The error I get says can't save and gives me path of FAT:/something/something
Last edited by oddgriffin; 05-07-2010 at 08:33 AM.
no double posting or bumping within 24hrs - Search for the rules
Use my sig
Just a tip but with most apps you download there will be a readme file with it that answers questions like this. This is what youor SD card should look like.
SD:\apps\snes9xgx (cointains the boot.dol, icon.png, etc..)
Just like the roms folder you will have to create a saves folder too.
Thanks for the tip, Krafter. I've already got my folders set up that way and still getting the same reaction :/
Then I'm guessing that the paths are out of wack in the settings. Check the settings again and make sure they match exactly the way you have it setup on your SD card.
i just would like to say thank you for this thread, it helps out greatly with my question ive been having all day :3 lol
If i helped you please click thanks.
II. Posting Rules and Guidelines
1. Posts themselves should be made following additional rules and guidelines:
a) Before posting your question, use the SEARCH function. Look through the site Tutorials, Guides, and FAQs.


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Picture of Nearly Naked Gwyneth Paltrow Posing Topless in Jewellery and Fishnets For Vanity Fair
Gwyneth Paltrow Goes Topless For a Sexy Vanity Fair Shoot!
Gwyneth Paltrow has stripped off to nothing but some Louis Vuitton jewellery and a pair of fishnet tights for the August issue of Vanity Fair! Photographer by Mark Seliger and showing off her toned physique, the mother-of-two appears as Miss August in a special jewellery supplement in the latest edition of the magazine, which has a bikini-clad Emma Stone on the cover. It's a sexier side of the actress that flaunts the results of her healthy lifestyle, which includes lots of yoga, good food and meditation.
But Gwyneth isn't only getting attention for her hot photo shoot — she also took the stage at the O2 Arena in London at one of the Glee! Live performances, where she reprised her role as fun-loving teacher Holly Holliday from the second series of the show. She also hung out with some of the Glee cast when they checked out Beyoncé's special London performance.
Keep reading to watch some of Gwyneth's performance . . . <iframe width="550" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bJ6geTGvy0g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


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Barack Obama could announce his choice for vice president as soon as tomorrow morning. When he does, his campaign says that Obama's supporters, and anyone who has signed up online, will be the first to learn the news because they'll receive a text message from the candidate on their cell phones.
All Things Considered host Tom Crann talked with Future Tense's Jon Gordon about what this means for the campaign and for voters.
To read more about technology, go to Jon Gordon's Future Tense blog from American Public Media.


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One Hundred Kisses Sculpture by Gerstein
One Hundred Kisses Sculpture by Gerstein
Product Description
A kiss talks when words become superfluous!
Intense love is communicated with a kiss and reverberates with a host of little kisses. In this tantalizing sculpture Gerstein leaves us guessing – Who is receiving? Who is giving? A colorful sculpture that will bring joy to the heart of your loved one. What about presenting it as a gift to those very special parents or that darling son or daughter?
World-renowned artist David Gerstein lives and works in Israel but almost every capital in the world proudly displays his art works. His sculptures reflect his passion for color and his humorous observations on human emotion. Enjoy his expressions of love!
Height: 8" / 20cm
Depth: 8" / 20cm
Material: Laser cutout metal
Made in Jerusalem
Year 2008
Artist: David Gerstein


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Take the course
1.4 Create valuable content
The key to creating a great website is to create the best possible experience for your audience with original and high quality content. If people find your site useful and unique, they may come back again or link to your content on their own websites. This can help attract more people to your site over time.
As you begin creating content, make sure your website is:
- Useful and informative: If you're launching a site for a restaurant, you can include the location, hours of operation, contact information, menu and a blog to share upcoming events.
- More valuable and useful than other sites: If you write about how to train a dog, make sure your article provides more value or a different perspective than the numerous articles on the web on dog training.
- Credible: Show your site's credibility by using original research, citations, links, reviews and testimonials. An author biography or testimonials from real customers can help boost your site's trustworthiness and reputation.
- High quality: Your site's content should be unique, specific and high quality. It should not be mass-produced or outsourced on a large number of other sites. Keep in mind that your content should be created primarily to give visitors a good user experience, not to rank well in search engines.
- Engaging: Bring color and life to your site by adding images of your products, your team, or yourself. Make sure visitors are not distracted by spelling, stylistic, and factual errors. An excessive amount of ads can also be distracting for visitors. Engage visitors by interacting with them through regular updates, comment boxes, or social media widgets.
Be careful of things that can make visitors not trust your site or leave:
Errors such as broken links or wrong information
Grammar or spelling mistakes
Excessive amount of ads
- Spam such as comment or forum spam
Google Webmaster GuidelinesIt's important to familiarize yourself with our Webmaster Guidelines. Our guidelines outline practices that could negatively impact your site's performance in Google Search. If content on your site violates any guidelines, we'll inform you through Search Console. We'll focus on Webmaster Guidelines in Module 2.4.
Remember, it's about creating high quality content and providing a good experience for your audience!


text: Troubled former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel told TMZ that he is planning to get "completely sober" by July 1 and attempt an NFL comeback–after his vacation in Mexico. TMZ spoke to Manziel after a woman staying in the same Cabo mansion as Manziel posted photos of what appeared to be drugs on social media. Manziel claimed to TMZ that "they're absolutely not mine" and added, "I don't even know the girl." The Browns released Manziel in March and he has yet to catch on with another team. Since he was released, Manziel has reportedly been "charged with misdemeanor assault, has been in two car accidents and has allegedly trashed a luxury home in the Hollywood hills, for which he's being sued." As the Dallas Morning News noted, Manziel has been "accused of kidnapping, hitting and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, in January at Hotel ZaZa in Uptown Dallas during a fight over another woman. They broke up in December after dating for two years." Crowley reportedly told police that "Manziel had invited her to his hotel room to talk and that he slapped her head, rupturing her eardrum and causing her to lose her hearing. She said he then dragged her


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The Galle Fort, a landmark in Sri Lanka's Southern Coast is a must-see attraction owing to its distinguishing local character. It is considered a living museum showcasing the Dutch colonial rule and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can witness the unique Dutch architecture well preserved for generations, and can also pay a visit to the former Dutch warehouse building which now houses the National Maritime Museum.
Whether you need to know more about local public holidays or seasonal highlights, we hope you will find the below facts useful for travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.
Quick Reference
Seasonal highlights
|Thai Pongal Festival: Usually held from the 13th to the 15th of Januray, this festival is associated with thanking the nature and the Sun in particular for a bountiful harvest of paddy.
|Maha Shiva Rathri Festival: This is a Hindu festival celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Maagha, a grand night dedicated to worship Lord Shiva
|Donald Steel Golf Tournament: An annual golf tournament that is organised in honour of Donald Steel, the architect of the challenging and picturesque Victoria golf course.
|Sinhala & Tamil New Year Celebrations: The event, generally known as Aluth Avurudda in Sri Lanka, is the new year of the Sinhalese and Tamil people in Sri Lanka.
|Vesak - Festival of lights: Celebrated by Buddhists around the world, the significance of Vesak lies with the Buddha and his universal message of peace to mankind.
|Poson Poya Celebrations: The full-moon of June is of special importance to Sri Lankan Buddhists as it is the day on which Buddhism was officially introduced to the island in the 3rd century BCE.
|July & August
|Esala Perahara: The Esala Perahera which is thought to date back to the 3rd century BCE, was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall
Public Holidays
|Tamil Thai Pongal Festival
|14th January
|Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet's Birthday)
|14th January
|Duruthu Full Moon Poya
|15th January
|National Day
|04th February
|Navam Full Moon Poya
|14th February
|Mahasivarathri Festival
|27th February
|Medin Full Moon Poya
|16th March
|Day prior to the Sinhala/Tamil New Year
|13th April
|Sinhala/Tamil New Year
|14th April
|Bak Poya
|14th April
|Good Friday
|18th April
|May Day
|01st May
|Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
|14th May
|Day following Vesak Full Moon Poya
|15th May
|Poson Full Moon Poya
|12th June
|Esala Full Moon Poya
|12th July
|Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramazan Festival Day)
|Nikini Full Moon Poya
|10th August
|Binara Full Moon Poya
|08th September
|Id-Ul-Alha (Hadji Festival Day)
|Vap Full Moon Poya
|08th October
|Deepavali Festival
|22rd October
|Ill Full Moon Poya
|06th November
|Unduvap Full Moon Poya
|06th December
|Christmas Day
|25th December


text:
As we mentioned in last week's article, we are providing our most current outlook on global economic growth. We will update our projections periodically to reflect our latest views.
Economic indicators have been very confusing for investors. "Good news" about economic growth has been perceived by the markets as "bad news", as it could lead to reduced monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve. In this article, we will identify some key economic information and separate each point into good news and bad news, then come to a final consensus as to our specific views about the economy and how it will impact stock market growth moving into 2014.
1. Slow Economic Growth
Economic growth in the United States has been mostly flat coming out of the recession in 2008-09. In the 2nd quarter of 2013, real GDP growth was a mere 2.5%. The economy has been "muddling along" for quite some time. We anticipate slow economic growth will continue into 2014.


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Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues - On Kickstarter
Richard Garriott's new Ultima'ish game is up on Kickstarter.
Backed and excited…the ign video they have for this looks cool.
Thank you Mr Rune. That IGN exclusive is here.
I'm a huge Ultima fan, so I'm in at $25… I might bump it up to $150 later on, but I have concerns (as I posted on BluesNews)…
"Our team is built around a core of industry experts" … Ok, then who is on the design team?
"We are using powerful, proven tools" … Like what? What game engine are you using?
Is this game an MMO playable offline, a SP game playable online, or a co-op game?
If this is an MMO, is there a monthly fee?
If those who pledge $500 or more will have persistent tax free housing, and the housing is very limited… Will there be any housing left for the rest of us, or will we be homeless?
Is the tax on persistent housing payable with in-game money or real dollars?
Why is there no boxed version?
Sure, it adds to production costs, but if someone is willing to pay $150 for a map and coin, they will certainly pay $25 extra for a nice CE box and game discs.
Did Richard Garriott ever finish building his 3rd castle, Britannia Manor III?
If Richard is so confident in this project, why doesn't he offer to match the pledge total? After all, he's not poor.
The comment about "re-playable scenes" worries me… Having a dragon attack every time I cross a mountain pass doesn't sound like fun… nor does re-clearing the same dungeon over and over.
The problem that I, and most other Ultima fans, have with an MMO is that we all want to be the hero of the game, the Avatar… not a dirt farmer, blacksmith, town jester, or the butler to some baron who coughed up $3000 for his city home!
Unless, of course, we can rise to the level of Avatar and skewer that filthy rich baron who made us clean his damned chamber pots!
"Game development remains inherently risky"… Um, excuse me while I flush more cash down the Black Gate.
Big interview at Polygon.com (thanks to Gamebanshee for this one).
"I like this area"
The game looks very bland in art design and the MMO'ish combat looked awful.Not a good pitch.
Past 250k so far, looking good.
The limited persistent housing thing is kinda turning me off. Vindicator asks some good questions, would like to see what they have to say on those. And, in particular - where's the rest of the funding for this MMO (?) coming from?
Am I alone in not fully grasping what type of game he is trying for? Whether a traditional single player game with some multiplayer added in or leaning more the other way towards MMORPG gameplay?
I think he went too far into the minute details of design choices such as scaleable player housing and forgot to clue us in on the broader aspects of the world he wishes to create. Or maybe I'm just being dense.
Not pledging on this even if my life depends on it.
From what I see he is appealing to the hardcore RPG players familiar with Ultima for support. I have no doubt it will get funded.
As for me MMO-style combat, social integration..I think I'll pass.
I'm confused. Can I play this thing completely single-player?
tax free persistent housing?
so is this a real money rental system for persistent virtual housing?
kickstarter shouldn't be used to fund creative ways to find revenues for games. they typically find the crowdsourcing revenue by doing the opposite. crowdsourcing is a way to get 0 sum costs or at least lower it with little in return.
It doesn't look like its going to be UO, Horizons, or Tabula Rasa or nickle and dime you with microtranslations but rental housing seems like a dud.
I pledged to WL2, Project Eternity and Torment: Tides of Numenera. I am one of the biggest Ultima fans out there but sadly I am not pledging this as it really looks nothing like his "earlier" work but seems to be more like Ultima Online which honestly doesn't need a kickstarter, publishers are more than happy to fund it - infact it looks like the game is well into its development cycle. Player housing sounds like a cash grab and the dialog system (could still be in development) is nothing like the best ultima games. If it had of been single player only I would have pledged in a second and it probably would have been for a substantial amount.
It appears LB has strayed too far from the Virtues of Ultima.
A lot of questions are answered here http://sota.ultimacodex.com/intervie…hard-garriott/
I'm pleasantly surprised. I think he did a fine job in trying to pitch it. I still agree that it is not entirely clear what it will be all about but that seems to be pretty standard for most of the high profile KS projects. At this stage I think much of the in-game shown was quite bland. Graphics reminded me a bit of the first NWN and the dialog seemed very placeholder like.
I never played UO but it seems like housing was a big issue there and I don't like the sound of paying rent.
I'm at this point uncertain whether I'll pledge to this project but if I do it will probably be at one of the lower tiers.
Looks like another WoW clone. I like the insights in the IGN, but I'll wait for reviews. No advance cash for me. I smell BS, at best another Amalur with MMO tacked on.
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UK Madeleine detectives to open new probe in Portugal
BRITISH detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann pictured, are poised to stage new operations on Portuguese soil. Investigators from Scotland Yard are waiting for an official agreement later this week, and hope to begin "operational activity" linked to the case in the near future.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt said he was "cautiously optimistic" Portuguese and British officers could act soon.
He said: "I am cautiously optimistic that in the not-too-distant future we are going to start to see activity."
Mr Hewitt would not reveal what the operations will involve.
Police also revealed that they are now looking at five more cases in which young British girls were sexually assaulted during holiday home break-ins by a lone intruder in the Algarve.
One of these was in 2005 on a 10-year-old girl in Praia da Luz, where Madeleine, then three, vanished two years later.
Scotland Yard made public appeals to try to trace the paedophile last month, and so far more than 500 people have made contact with information.
Officers are now looking at a total of nine sexual assaults and three "near misses" on British girls aged six to 12 between 2004 and 2006.
British investigators are looking at 18 potentially linked break-ins in the area, where little or nothing was stolen. This includes the nine sexual assaults, three near-misses and six incidents where the intruder was disturbed before anything happened.
In the previous appeal, the suspect was described as a tanned, dark-haired man who spoke English slowly, with a foreign accent and possibly slurred speech, had unkempt hair and was unshaven, and smelled strange. Some witnesses said he had a pot belly.
There is a £20,000 (€24,000) reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for Madeleine's disappearance.
Irish Independent


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PressMark delicious clone is a highly customized version of the popular WordPress cms system that functions as a social bookmarking site like del.icio.us. PressMark allows users to submit their favorite links into the system which are then categorized by tags, submitted bookmarks can be individually set to private or public for obvious reasons. Installing PressMark is exactly like installing a normal version of wordpress and at the time of writing PressMark is based on v2.6 of wordpress.
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