text:
"The warm toasty fur -snoooooooooooooooooooooooore!- " Dark continued rubbing Robin's warm, downy cloth.
'Oh, dear
' I almost giggled, but I tried to keep it to myself. It was very hard, but I managed.
It was a bit hard for me to fall asleep, as I was not really comfortable having to sleep with other people, but I should really try to adapt to this, lest they would hate me for real. I tried sleeping while I was sandwiched between the two Links... and thankfully I did. I eventually nodded myself off to dream land...
"Mommy, where are we going?"
"Why, it's the summer festival, Vaati... it's where we go to have fun every summer."
Mommy smiled at me as she fixed my outfit for the day. She put a flower around my neck that almost felt like a neck cape and a lei at the same time. She put one around Daddy's neck too, who was tying his hair in a ponytail.
"Well, we should really go now. Master Ezlo is probably waiting." chuckled Daddy at us before he looked at himself one last time in the mirror shard stuck on the leaf. Daddy was Master Ezlo's apprentice before he took me in as his next apprentice.
"I guess we should... I don't want him to get angry with you." Mommy replied, fixing Daddy's hair a bit after fixing mine.
"Don't worry about it, honey... if he gets angry, he gets angry only with me. Not you. Not Vaati."
"Teehee, oh you! Stop it! Let's just go already." Mommy giggled, though I really didn't understand what they were talking about at the time.
Daddy then went closer to me and carried me over his shoulders, like he always did. It was really fun! I loved it when he'd run fast, holding me tight as we go through the village! This day was tad different though, for I remember this day was when we held the annual picori festival.
And this event, as far as my memory takes me back, happened four years before Gufuu, my shadow, corrupted my soul and took over my body and all of Hyrule.
"Ah, my young robin!" it was Master Ezlo, welcoming my father. He was dressed differently, as were the other Minish dressed for this annual event. He wore a similar robe, though it was made of different material, and still held that staff with his hand. He also wore a hat similar to what all the other Minish wore, with a small leaf stuck in it.
"Master!" Daddy hugged Master and lifted him off the ground in doing so.
"Whoa there, son! No use getting too excited now, right?"
Daddy chuckled sheepishly, and I swear his face turned red when Mommy giggled at them.
I squealed when somebody suddenly grabbed me from behind and so I called out for my parents. Then that person just made me face him and lifted me off the ground.
"Quite the peculiar yet adorable little child." said a man with glasses and a tall hat, wearing a robe.
"Let me go... you... you stranger...! Daddy, Mommy, a stranger touched me...!"
"Unhand him, you stranger!" I heard Daddy say, and then he snatched me from the stranger's grip. He hugged me and told me that everything would be alright. Then he told me to go to Mommy.
I saw him go to that robed man and faced him. I closed my eyes for I thought that he was going to hit him, but he didn't. Instead, he hugged him tightly; the same manner that he hugged Master. I was quite puzzled, but then Daddy brought him along and went in front of Mommy and I.
"There's no need to be afraid, Vaati... this is my friend, your uncle. He's not a bad man." he urged the other man to shake my hand. I was reluctant, but since Daddy told him so, I guess it must be fine... right?
Yes, he didn't hurt me. Now I could see his kind eyes behind those spectacles of his. He let out a sweet smile, but not as sweet as Daddy's nor Link's...
"Little Vaati, I am Festari." he said, smiling at me.
"UNCLE Festari." Daddy corrected him.
"I refuse to be called as so. It feels so awkward as it makes me feel somewhat older than I should."
"Hey, I'M a father already."
Uncle Festari just shrugged it off and went on with his business. He left Mommy, Daddy, Master, and I and made his way to where the other Minish hung out.
I remember that the Minish Village was so full of vigour... the sun was shining so brightly as the heavens smiled down upon us. The flowers and the mushrooms stood so tall and colourful, beautifully giving vividness and life to the festival as we enjoyed ourselves. It was also the time I saw many butterflies in the air, and sometimes even dragonflies, as the other Minish from the town come home to celebrate with us and their families they left behind here.
It was happy indeed, as they hug their loved ones as soon as they land on the flowers and get off their butterflies and bring along with them scrolls made out of receipts humans use, which in turn, we use for packing up our necessities like spare clothes. Some of them do not come home from the town at all... Daddy said that it's either the butterflies weren't enough, or they have no relatives to go back to here.
If I may compare the festivity back here from the Picori festival the humans held, I must say that I enjoyed it most back here in the village. It was far simpler, no doubt, but I was happy to have celebrated it with both of my parents as well as Master, who was indeed my godfather.
Little Minish my age were bouncing up and down the different-sized mushrooms, colourful and delightful to the eyes; such eye candies for young Minish.
Others were making kites out of dandelion seeds, but it was tad hard to make them. The dandelion seed was very delicate, and so one must be good enough to make one.
Daddy approached me. "Vaati, I got you a-"
"A dandelion seed kite!" I squeaked. I got it from his hands and almost wrecked it, but thank goodness he stopped me before I ruined the poor thing.
"Now let's make it fly up in the air, like all those other people do!"
We went to the open space where many of our kind went to for kite-flying... it was just wonderful. Such a beautiful sight to behold seeing all those dandelion seeds in the sky, along with the free dandelion seeds swaying with the wind, whom I considered to be a mysterious stranger at the time.
Daddy and I had fun playing with the kites until we had to stop and eat for both of us were hungry. I see that Mommy already got some water drops in small, rolled-up leaves for us to drink. On the other hand, Master Ezlo got us some food. It was a strawberry the size of ten Minish... a regular-sized strawberry in the world of the humans. It was more than enough for the five of us, including Master Ezlo and Uncle Festari, to eat.
We did have a very fun time together while eating. We sat on the ground covered by a leaf of a mango tree so that we wouldn't get too dusty or dirty as we ate. It seems that they spoke in words I couldn't quite understand back then, but now as I look back...
"I remember I saw a beautiful girl who looks like your wife back then, in my days..." Master told my daddy, who in return gave a questionable look.
"Must be her grandma." answered my dad.
"Now I'm not THAT old, am I?"
".......... I'd best not to answer that." Daddy said with a chuckle, as he flinched as if he waited for a-
"BONK!" went Master's rod on Daddy's noggin.
Mommy giggled at this, seeing that they got worked up again. Uncle Festari tried to keep it all in, but nonetheless also gave a slight chuckle at this.
Now, I remember my thoughts about Uncle Festari... I always thought that he was a cool guy with glasses, and that I wanted to have glasses like him! I always wondered what power he had as he wore those glasses... was he able to see through things? Does it turn into a butterfly so he can fly off with it? Oh, maybe he has laser vision!
Oh, those thoughts... looking back at it now, I chuckle at my own self. I honestly can't believe how wild my imagination was.
"More strawberries, anyone?" Uncle Festari asked them.
Mommy gave me another serving of the sliced strawberry, a little smaller than the average human pinky nail. But, I think I gave up... I was far too full. I think I remember that they asked who would eat my left-over... Daddy and Master pointed at each other... and they even played rock-paper-scissors for it!
"DARN PAPER." Daddy said, giving himself a double facepalm.
"Ha. And thus does the master always beat his student." Master said proudly, giving a look of victory at Daddy.
"Fine. Fine. You're the man."
It wasn't as if Daddy didn't want to eat my left-over, but I think he wanted to win against Master that time.
"Now who wants to go bounce on the mushrooms?" Daddy asked, and I know he wanted me to answer.
"Eeeee! I do! I do!" I squeaked as I jumped up and down with my arms upward so Daddy may carry me. He did lift me up and carry me over his shoulders like he usually does and went along with Mommy to where the mushrooms were.
Master volunteered to stay with Uncle Festari... I guess they had some "adult matters", as I fondly called it as a child, to attend to.
"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~!" I squeaked the loudest of them all while bouncing on the mushrooms.
There were different-sized mushrooms, and as I could remember, some of them looked like platforms that were aligned as if we were to jump from one mushroom to another... like in one of Dark's video games!
I couldn't quite understand back then why Daddy fussed so much... he was indeed bouncing with me as Mommy watched us from below, but I didn't get why he fussed over me jumping to different mushrooms a bit far away from where he was.
I mean, come on.... it was really boring staying in one mushroom like what he did. I went to... twenty different mushrooms, I think? And mind you, I didn't jump in a single fashion, sometimes I jumped doing a cartwheel or a somersault, and those were the only times I could do such things. Surely enough, Daddy chased me all the way...
Now that I go back thinking about it, I feel sorry for Daddy.
"Okay. That's enough, you little rascal." Daddy chuckled as we were done bouncing on the mushrooms.
"Daddy, your face looks funny! It's the same color as your outfit!"
"I-Indeed..." Daddy chuckled, trying to keep it all in.
I think Mommy was busy talking with some of her girl friends, while Daddy was just there to take care of me. I could see Uncle Festari in the distance, talking with some others looking at a rather peculiar object.
It emitted bubbles.... bubbles! Such a pretty sight, I wanted to go to it! But of course, I couldn't go without Daddy... I asked him to go with me, but he just shook his head and rubbed his tummy with a sour look on his face. I saw Uncle Festari going away from the bubble-making-thing-a-ma-bob. Oh, sweet heavens, please don't just yet! Ah well...
"Vaati.... stay...here..." Daddy groaned.
"Huh? Daddy?"
He ran away to who-knows-where and left me there near where Mommy and her friends were talking. I tried to understand what they were saying, but it was adult talk AND girl talk. I couldn't comprehend any of them, let alone both types.
I thought it was boring, so I sneaked out of their reach and went over to where that peculiar thing-a-ma-bob was. The others were peering in it, as it looked like a broad, short cylinder of some sort. It was filled with liquid that really looked like water...
But what really amazed me is that a lot of bubbles came from the liquid... and not only did it stay down there, the bubbles rose up to the air, glimmering in the sun as it rose higher and higher! Such a wonderful sight to behold it left me staring at all the bubbles in astoundment.
I peered in like some other Minish did, but they did not stay as long as I did. I tried catching a bubble, preferably a big one, but it was hard. I squeaked as I almost fell in the pool of the water-like substance, but a giant bubble just caught me before I did. And.... wait, did I just fall INSIDE the bubble?
I... I did. And I was now floating in mid-air! I could see the glimmering sun above me as the objects and the people looked as if they were slowly shrinking. I looked around... I saw other bubbles floating around with me as we slowly drifted up in the air. Some of them were slowly ascending as my bubble, but some of them were pretty quick.
And then Daddy... I saw him down there, as if he was relieved of something. He just wiped his mouth as he left a place. Seems that he felt better. Mommy was still talking to her friends, but then...
She looked like she suddenly panicked. I wanted to tell them "Mommy, Daddy, I'm floating in a bubble! Look at me!"
She did panic and met up with Daddy who just went to where we were just a little while ago and talked with him. Daddy looked troubled... but then I think he looked straight at me for a while and pointed at me with a startled face. Mommy turned to me as well and was frozen.
Now I remember my thoughts as a child... "Wow! They're so amazed at what I could do! Maybe I should do some stunts!"
I played around in my bubble like a little hamster in his wheel... and all the more Mommy stared at me with that look... Daddy, on the other hand, went to the bubble machine and jumped on one of the bubbles. I was excited as I thought he wanted to play with me.
With his bubble, he slowly ascended into the air, trying to maintain balance as he hugged the bubble with his whole body. I remember giggling as I saw his bubble rotate on its own axis, making it look like he was slowly spinning.
Now I remember a classic song that I just heard recently from Grandfather Smith's phonograph just the other day... he played two songs, in fact, but this scene from my dream of the past reminded me of the classical songs, "The Blue Danube" and "The Skaters' Waltz". Hahaha, absolutely charming.
"Ooooo~!" I marveled seeing all the Town Minish returning home.
Now the Minish Festival was a season for the Town Minish who have their beloved relatives back here in the forest as I had mentioned earlier... it was a tradition for them to come home every time we have a festival, the annual Minish festival and Christmas being among the many events.
Some of them were looking at me... and the most I could think of at the time was, "Wow, even they're amazed! I'm sure they're jealous of me!"
I couldn't care less, but I saw Daddy trying to maintain his balance on the bubble. I think he was about to slip, but he managed. Mommy was down there, looking up at us... in my young mind back then, I thought she was amazed by Daddy and I... but it was the other way around, now that I see it.
"Hang on, Vaati!" I could remember Daddy shout as I was looking at the different butterflies in the sky.
The scene shifted to where Master Ezlo was... he was with my Mommy and Uncle Festari. He looked the same way he did when I did something wrong. He did not talk with Mommy, but he sure looked angry with Uncle Festari as my uncle was rubbing his head. I suppose that he received the same punishment Daddy and I get from him when we do something outright foolish.
"YOU. WANKER. LOOK at what your human fascinations did to us! Your bubble machine made the child float all the way up there... without stopping!" I could now hear him say.
Wanker? Oh, Master Ezlo...
"I'm sorry... I didn't know... but I'll try my best to save him." Uncle Festari, being a cool-headed guy, collected his wits and looked for a nearby butterfly.
"W-Why didn't my husband think of that....?" thought Mommy out loud.
Uncle Festari shrugged at this and rode on a butterfly, preparing to soar to where Daddy was.
"My apprentice WAS a little short up in the noggin." Master told her. "Which is why I constantly reprimand him. He has to learn it the hard way."
"OR it was the result of you bonking his noggin each time he had a mistake, so a lot of his brain cells died in the process." Uncle Festari cynically said as he hung on tight and flew up to my Daddy.
I could see him chuckle as Master was getting worked up again down on the ground with my Mommy... oh, Master.... the many things you go through AND you put yourself into.
"Why didn't I think of that?" Daddy said as he held onto Uncle Festari tight, as Hylians would with a motorcycle ride or a horseback ride. Uncle just chuckled at this... I think he remembered Master at that instant.
But then, I think this dream allowed me to hear what he mumbled under his breath. "Why don't they share my utter fascination with the human race? Sure they do like them... but no one really understands me when I express what I really feel."
"What?" Daddy asked him.
"Nah, nothing. I said your son looked good."
"Of course. WHO'S his dad? A mango tree wouldn't bear an apple."
Uncle Festari sighed and smiled at this. He couldn't help but be humoured by my father, who was quite the joker around people he was closest to. Wait... they went on top of my bubble....
"NOW!" Uncle told him, as Daddy jumped off the butterfly and landed on my bubble, the same way he did with his own bubble back then.
"Don't worry, I got you, Vaati!" Daddy told me as he tried to keep from slipping.
Then, my sight became clear... it wasn't shiny anymore, and I could see Daddy clearly. Wait... what? I...
"Uh-oh..." Daddy froze.
We both screamed as we realised our bubble just popped and we came rushing to the ground. Why, oh why weren't there any soft cushy mushrooms to fall on?!
He got my hand and embraced my tight, defending me. He turned his back against where we are going to land... I never understood back then what he was doing. All I knew is that I was excited for such a free fall... but Daddy....
"AGH!" he moaned as we landed...
"Did you really think I'd just let you be, honey?"
When we came to, Daddy was lying down on his back, with me on top of his torso, snuggling on him tight. We saw that Mommy was riding on a butterfly, and that we landed on its back. Apparently, she was all alone on the butterfly, so we could assume that she piloted the thing.
"Next time, you had better be careful..." she reprimanded him, looking both angry and worried. "I was so worried for you and Vaati that I thought I would die!"
"..." Daddy looked sorry as I looked up to him. He got up and hugged Mommy so tightly. Of course, I was happy that they were happy... and that they loved each other so much. "I'm sorry, dear... I wasn't careful enough. That's what Master always told me..."
"And that's why he's so worried for you... please do take care of yourself, we need you..."
As soon as they parted from their embrace, Mommy came for me and hugged me tightly, as if she would never let me go. I had no idea what had just happened... all I knew was that I was having fun in that bubble down to that free fall... but she looked so worried. I thought it was just one of those "adult matters", so I went with the flow and hugged back.
Once we landed, we saw that Master was talking with both Uncle Festari and another old man... I swear I had seen him before...
Of course! How could I forget... he had a big needle with a string on it which scared me a bit, for I remembered that Master always told me that he uses it to poke bad children and tie them up with his string...
I was scared and I hugged Mommy tightly as we went to them after landing.
"A job well done, Festari. I knew I could count on you in times like these." the old man said.
"No problem, Gentari. Just doing my job." he replied, with a kind smile as he fixed his spectacles.
They all turned to Mommy and congratulated her, as well as my Daddy. But of course, they were surprised at how Mommy could have saved both of us...
"MOMMEEEEE!!!" I cried as I held her back.
"What...? What's wrong, Vaati?" she looked quite puzzled.
"Mommy, he's scaring me! I... I'm a good boy... right?"
"Of course you are..." she turned to Daddy, who gave a shrug with a questionable look.
Master Ezlo was a bit nervous as he tried to divert our attention and change the topic.
"A-Anyway!" he cleared his throat. "Aren't we here for the festival to have fun? I mean, really... look at all that had just happened!"
"You're right." smiled the old man called Gentari, who I discovered later in my life to be a good man who helped my best friend Link. "Well? We must not stop having fun, we still have some events waiting... oh, would anybody be in favor playing with Festari's bubble contraption? Maybe we could hold some contests regarding..."
"NO!" everyone gave out a surprised look and a hesitant gesture. I looked up at them and tilted my head to the right, wondering why they would do so. But surely enough, I laughed at them, for they DID look quite silly.
"Oh? Well, if you say so." Gentari was tad shocked. "Well, maybe we will just hold a butterfly riding contest... racing if you must call it."
Daddy looked at Mommy and smiled. Then he said, "Let us enter that contest... with the best pilot there is."
She chuckled as Daddy embraced her from behind and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek.
"EEEEWWWW!!!" I retched as I saw them, as I covered my eyes with my hands. Well, curious as I am as a child, I peeked through my little fingers after a few seconds and then covered them again.
They both chuckled as the other sages merely stared at them, feeling for me, I suppose. But the sages just smiled at them and decided to leave them alone for a while.
"We will be waiting for your registration then. Just stop by the only luminous mushroom we have, where we will be staging some live events later on in the evening." Uncle Festari said, as he followed Gentari. Master Ezlo also went with them, chatting as they walked away.
Indeed Mommy and Daddy joined in the butterfly racing contest, with Mommy piloting their butterfly as I watched them from below with Master. They flew by so quick, I swear Daddy was screaming while Mommy kept her eyes focused on the path. The others found it hard to fly past them, for Mommy seemed to be an expert in this... I never knew!
"No! No! To your right.... no no no, to your left! YOUR LEFT!" Daddy screamed as he was panicking.
"I know! I know! Will you just let me drive?!" Mommy shouted back while focusing.
And you know what? They did win! I was so happy that I hugged the both of them as they landed, with Daddy looking tad dizzy and haggard, but with Mommy looking as fresh and dainty as ever. Master Ezlo tried to talk with Daddy as I hugged them, giving him some calm words, including some words of sympathy.
"Please excuse me...!" Daddy ran away for a while, and I soon heard a retching sound not too far from where we were.
Later that night, all the Minish settled on top of the giant luminous mushroom, watching the night skies as we saw all the beautiful sparkling stars. That night was one of the best I ever had, for it was the first time I ever saw a meteor shower... they were so beautiful as they descended from the heavens and disappeared into the night.
But of course, this was also an opportunity for us to ride the fireflies after the meteor shower viewing. Mommy said that she passed for now... she said that fireflies are different from butterflies, and that she had enough flights in one day. Daddy still rode with me though, with me in front of him, having the front view of the firefly we rode. He piloted the firefly as we took a flight around the forest, looking beautiful even in the night.
"Honey, we will be going to the town for a while... alright? It's not everyday we get to do this!" Daddy said as we returned to ask permission.
"Oh.... fine. But be here before it gets too late, alright?" Mommy kissed Daddy, and then away we flew.
Daddy and I flew past the forest and went to the town of the humans... Hyrule Town.
It was truly lovely and simplistic, as we were met by its rustic beauty. It wasn't a mini city as Link introduced me to it just now, but it was the simple town I almost conquered in my youth. We both flew around it as we saw the different lanterns lit up and about. Some people were playing their band drums altogether as they played a single rhythm. It was noisy, but joyful, as we saw how the humans celebrated this fiesta.
I also saw some sculptures made out of.... rice? Rice sculptures, very colourful at that, met us in different forms. They were really big... as big as humans or even bigger! And they embodied different things, like stars, a stereotype Minish, and a hero welding a sword.
Children were having fun, playing hide-and-seek even in the night, for it was safe with their parents and relatives watching over them. Different stalls were there, mostly for food and merchandise like toys for the children.
I could see... a young, blonde boy? Yes, he was a bit away from the other children as he just got his luminous sword of some sort, while talking to a boy who looks like him, who had black hair instead.
"Look at my light saber!" said the blonde as he excitedly showed it to the other.
"So you got a light saber, so what?" said the black-haired one, a bit mean in tone. "Daddy also bought me one. Oh wait, TWO of them!"
"No fair!"
"YES fair!" the black-haired one said as he gave a thumbsup, with a questionable smiling face I had never seen before. He... was creepy, but funny in a way.
"Remember, Vaati.... don't show up to bad little children such as that little boy over there. He's not such a good boy, taunting his playmate like that." Daddy warned me. "Who knows what they will do with you?"
I swore never to show myself to that boy, even as I grew up. But I just know I broke my promise...
We saw some Town Minish waving at us, some of them probably Daddy's friends as he landed our firefly to chat with them. I was right, they were some childhood friends of his who settled in the town. We had fun ourselves, as we got some of the offerings the humans gave us. The humans apparently believed in us, and gave us some offerings like a piece of fruit on a plate in each of their houses.
We passed the night in the town, and had some fun before we left for the forest, where we met Mommy in our house since we saw that the meeting place earlier was left almost empty. I suppose it was already late, for I was half-asleep by then in my Daddy's arms as he piloted our firefly.
I could hear ourselves coming home, as I felt my Mommy take me in her arms and cradle me gently, singing the ever resonant lullaby in my head...
Ili ili
tulog anay
Wala diri
i mong nanay
Kadto tienda
bakal papay
Ili ili tulog anay..."
A Festival in the Forest :LoZ: by MayJasmineWatch
©2011-2017 MayJasmine
A little oneshot I named after a picture of mine. It's all about how the Minish celebrate their festival in the forest, as the Hylians celebrate it in the town. Little Vaati celebrating his younger days as a Minish.
Link to the full-sized image~ [link]
This takes place in Vaati's subconscious mind in my full-length fanfic "Aftermath", which can be found here... [link]
Link to the full-sized image~ [link]
This takes place in Vaati's subconscious mind in my full-length fanfic "Aftermath", which can be found here... [link]
"But I just know I broke my promise..." haha i loved that part XD
AWE! SOO Cute and I love the story!
waw~ kawaii~ XDDD
So cute! I love this story!
AWWWWWW!!!!!!!! Vaati is the cutest thing ever!!
I didn't know that Festari was Vaati's uncle...
I didn't know that Festari was Vaati's uncle...
That's why I just love him! >w<
Haha, I didn't know how I came up with it either, frankly... but they're not really blood-related, more like a family friend type. :'D
Haha, I didn't know how I came up with it either, frankly... but they're not really blood-related, more like a family friend type. :'D
Oh my god, this made me smile and laugh
I wondered when you would include Festari but here he is! yay
And little Vaati is even cuter >w< his silly thoughts
I feel bad for Robin, him and his weak stomach oh well glad they all had fun
I just love little stories like this
I wondered when you would include Festari but here he is! yay
And little Vaati is even cuter >w< his silly thoughts
I feel bad for Robin, him and his weak stomach oh well glad they all had fun
I just love little stories like this
Glad it did!
Well, I figured Festari was a really neat character I just had to write about him sometime... and that sometime is this one. xD
LOL yeah, oh Vaati... the things you put your daddy through~
Thank you so much!
Well, I figured Festari was a really neat character I just had to write about him sometime... and that sometime is this one. xD
LOL yeah, oh Vaati... the things you put your daddy through~
Thank you so much!
oh Festari and his thick glasses XDD
yes! I was laughing so hard. Robin has a weak stomach
Your welcome!
THIS IS AWESOME! and i love the story! your so good at these!!!
This is awesome, I loved it.
I especially like how you managed to put Festari in there. He has no fans. :c
I especially like how you managed to put Festari in there. He has no fans. :c
Thanks so much!
Awww yeah... that guy really needs more love! D;
Awww yeah... that guy really needs more love! D;
Ezlo: Somebody call an ambulance! This limey needs urgent medical assistance! Apparently he has Wanker's Cramp.
Vaati: Oh no! Uncle, speak to me!
Festari: Wanker's Cramp: The most deadly of British diseases.
XD Cute Vaati, my favorite <3
Vaati: Oh no! Uncle, speak to me!
Festari: Wanker's Cramp: The most deadly of British diseases.
XD Cute Vaati, my favorite <3
LOLOOOL Wanker's Cramp! You just made my day~
Thank you! He is a cute little darling, isn't he~
Thank you! He is a cute little darling, isn't he~
Ironically though, I learned the word from Iggy~ :'D
LOL, I remember that episode...h e was supposed to be saying "Staaare", but I dunno what's up with the translation!
Awwww, same here!
LOL, I remember that episode...h e was supposed to be saying "Staaare", but I dunno what's up with the translation!
Awwww, same here!
I don't even know why he's doing that D: But I don't care cause wanker is a whole lot funnier! XDDD
But don't lose the little guy! <3
But don't lose the little guy! <3
Being totally random, that Iggy~
Hahaha, yeah... I agree! X'DD
Oh, of course not~
Hahaha, yeah... I agree! X'DD
Oh, of course not~
aww, that's so cute...
but i'm a bit confused about that part with the two hylian boys, are they Link and Dark, or am I crazy???
but i'm a bit confused about that part with the two hylian boys, are they Link and Dark, or am I crazy???
Awww that was cute but i might have to read it again today
Vaati is so cute...


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ASUS Officially Launches ROG Swift PG27AQ, 4K IPS G-Sync Monitor
Subject: Displays | October 9, 2015 - 06:13 PM | Ryan Shrout
Tagged: asus, ROG, swift, pg27aq, 4k, g-sync, gsync
Back at CES we first got to see the ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQ, a 4K resolution IPS G-Sync enabled gaming monitor with all the fit and finish we came to love with the first ROG Swift display. Today, as part of the ROG Unleashed event being held in San Jose, the monitor has been officially unveiled.
The build and specifications remain pretty much unchanged though pricing and availability are still up in the air.
The ASUS PG27AQ updates and changes the ROG Swift design and style in small areas including adding an illuminated Republic of Gamers logo to the base along with the red circle. The stand includes supports for height adjustment, rotation, and tilt - basically mirroring the capability of the original ROG Swift.
Seeing a 4K IPS G-Sync monitor warms my heart though I wonder if we will need the next generation of NVIDIA GeForce GPUs to be able to power it effectively with a single card. G-Sync variable refresh rate technology does mean that gamers will be able to run at lower frame rates without the worry of screen tearing or judder.
Finally, even though the display has support for HDMI, it will only run at 4K / 24 Hz or 1080p / 60 Hz - there is no true HDMI 2.0 support to be found. The full resolution and refresh rate, as well as G-Sync support, are enabled through the DisplayPort connection only.
Dell UltraSharp UP3216Q: 31.5-inch 4K Monitor with 99.5% Adobe RGB
Subject: Displays | October 3, 2015 - 09:12 PM | Sebastian Peak
Tagged: UP3216Q, ultrasharp, UHD, monitor, ips, HDMI 2.0, display, dell, calibration, Adobe RGB, 4k
While not officially launched in the U.S. just yet, on Thursday Tom's Hardware reported news of a trio of upcoming UltraSharp monitors from Dell, the largest of which - the UP3216Q - I was able to locate on Dell's Bermuda site.
For anyone looking for a 4K display for photo or video editing (or any other color critical work) the new Dell UltraSharp UP3216Q looks like a great - and likely very pricey - option. Just how much are we talking? The existing 31.5-inch 4K UP3214Q carries a $1999 MSRP (though it sells for $1879 on Dell's site). For this kind of money there are probably those who will never consider a 16:9 option (or ever give up their 16:10 30-inch displays), but the specifications of this new UP3216Q are impressive:
- Diagonal Viewing Size: 31.5 inch
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (16:9)
- Panel Type, Surface: In-Plane Switching
- Optimal resolution: 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz
- Active Display Area (H x V): 273,996 sq-mm (424.7 sq-inches)
- Contrast Ratio: 1000 to 1 (typical), 2 Million to 1 (dynamic)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m2 (typical)
- Response Time: 6ms fast mode . GTG
- Viewing Angle: 178° vertical / 178° horizontal
- Adjustability: Tilt, Swivel, Height Adjust
- Color Support: 1.07 billion colors
- Pixel Pitch: 0.182 mm
- Backlight Technology: LED light bar system
- Display Screen Coating: Anti-Glare with 3H hardness
- Connectivity: DP, mDP, HDMI (MHL), 4 x USB3 with one charging port, 1 x USB3 upstream, Media Card Reader
With the 60 Hz 4K (UHD) IPS panel offering full sRGB and 99.5% Adobe RGB, and a factory calibration that promises to be factory color calibrated with a deltaE of less than 2, the UP3214Q sounds pretty much ready to go out of the box. However for those inclined to strive for a more perfect calibration Dell is offering an X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter as an optional accessory, providing their own Dell UltraSharp Color Calibration Solution software.
A couple of points of interest with this monitor, while it offers DisplayPort and mini-DP inputs it also supports 4K 60 Hz via HDMI 2.0. Color support is also listed as 1.07 billion colors, but it's not specified whether this indicates a 10-bit panel or if they are implementing 10-bit color processing with an 8-bit panel - though if it's in the $2k price range it would probably safe to assume this is a 10-bit panel. Lastly, in keeping with the UltraSharp branding the monitor will also carry Dell's Premium Panel Guarantee and 3-Year Advanced Exchange Service warranty.
IFA 2015: ASUS ROG Swift PG348Q: 34-inch 21:9 100Hz IPS G-SYNC Monitor
Subject: Displays | September 3, 2015 - 08:58 AM | Sebastian Peak
Tagged: ROG Swift, PG348Q, monitor, ips, IFA 2015, gaming monitor, g-sync, asus, 3440x1440, 21:9, 100Hz
The latest ROG Swift monitor from ASUS is the PG348Q, which features a curved 34-inch IPS 21:9 display.
The ROG Swift PG348Q offers 3440x1440 resolution from its 100 Hz IPS panel, and includes NVIDIA G-SYNC technology. The new ROG Swift is said to have a "frameless curved design", but as we saw with the recently reviewed ASUS PB258Q monitor this might not be quite as frameless after all, but we shall see.
The ROG Swift PG348Q features full tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, and offers a couple of ASUS-specific features including GamePlus, which "gives users four different crosshair options, an in-game timer and an FPS counter for an added advantage in first-person-shooter and real-time-strategy games", and GameVisual, which "provides six preset display modes for optimized gaming visuals".
Pricing and availability of this latest ROG Swift has yet to be announced.
IFA 2015: Acer Predator Z35 and XB1 G-SYNC Gaming Monitors
Subject: Displays | September 2, 2015 - 06:00 AM | Sebastian Peak
Tagged: Predator Z35, IFA 2015, gaming monitor, g-sync, curved, acer, 2560x1080, 21:9
Acer has announced a pair of gaming monitors, beginning with their first curved NVIDIA G-SYNC monitor, the Predator Z35.
This 21:9 UltraWide display features a 2560x1080 resolution and supports overclocking for up to 200 Hz refresh. The Predator Z35 certainly looks the part, with angular styling and a dramatically curved (2000R curvature) screen that promises to help provide immersive gameplay.
Next up is the Predator XB1 Series, which consists of both 27-inch and 28-inch models.
All monitors in the Predator XB1 Series feature NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, with resolution the differentiating factor between the two 27-inch models.
From Acer:
The 27-inch models (XB271HK / XB271HU) feature a ZeroFrame edge-to-edge design with 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) or WQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS panels that support 100% of the sRGB color gamut, while the XB271HU supports NVIDIA ULMB and refresh rates of up to 144Hz. The 28-inch model (XB281HK) features a 4K UHD panel that has a fast GTG (gray to gray) response time of 1ms, rendering fast-moving actions or dramatic transitions smoothly without smearing or ghosting.
Pricing for the Predator Z35 will be $1199, with XB1 starting at $799. The Z35 will be available in the U.S. in December, while the XB1 will be available in November.
Dell 27-inch S2716DG Gaming Monitor Announced with NVIDIA G-Sync
Subject: Displays | August 28, 2015 - 10:02 AM | Sebastian Peak
Tagged: wqhd, TN, S2716DG, gaming monitor, G-Sync Gen II, g-sync, dell, 27-inch, 2560x1440
Dell announced a new 27-inch WQHD gaming monitor yesterday, and while the 2560x1440 resolution and TN panel are nothing new the real story is
the inclusion of NVIDIA G-Sync Gen II that there was a typo in the release.
Dell provides these details about the S2716DG monitor:
- Nvidia's G-Sync Gen II support feature synchronizes GPU and monitor to minimize graphic distortions and screen tearing
- Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1440 with close to 2 times more onscreen details than Full HD
- A full range of adjustability features, like tilt, pivot, swivel and height-adjustable stand allow for long hours of comfortable gameplay
- A wide range of connectivity features, including DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, four USB 3.0 ports, USB 3.0 upstream, Audio line-out & Headphone-out
- 144 Hz maximum refresh rate and 1ms response time
Pricing is listed as $799 and the S2716DG will be available October 20.
UPDATE: Looking at the Dell announcement page, the company links to a Quadro PDF using a technology called G-Sync II. The problem is that technology was releaesd in 2011 and served a very different purpose than the G-Sync we use for gaming monitors today. We always knew that re-using that name would haunt NVIDIA in some ways...this is one of them. So, that means that Dell's reference to a second generation of G-Sync here is simply a typo, or the naming scheme is correct but the writer of the press release linked to something unrelated.
It is possible that a new version of the G-Sync module is on its way with updated features and possibly support over other display outputs, but I haven't heard anything official as of yet. I'll keep digging!
UPDATE 2: Just confirmed with Dell, this was a typo! The S2176DG "was incorrectly listed as "G-Sync Gen II" and the accurate name of the technology is NVIDIA® G-SYNC™." There you have it. False alarm!
Introduction, Specifications, and Packaging
We have reviewed a lot of Variable Refresh Rate displays over the past several years now, and for the most part, these displays have come with some form of price premium attached. Nvidia's G-Sync tech requires an additional module that adds some cost to the parts list for those displays. AMD took a while to get their FreeSync tech pushed through the scaler makers, and with the added effort needed to implement these new parts, display makers naturally pushed the new features into their higher end displays first. Just look at the specs of these displays:
- ASUS PG278Q 27in TN 1440P 144Hz G-Sync
- Acer XB270H 27in TN 1080P 144Hz G-Sync
- Acer XB280HK 28in TN 4K 60Hz G-Sync
- Acer XB270HU 27in IPS 1440P 144Hz G-Sync
- LG 34UM67 34in IPS 25x18 21:9 48-75Hz FreeSync
- BenQ XL2730Z 27in TN 1440P 40-144Hz FreeSync
- Acer XG270HU 27in TN 1440P 40-144Hz FreeSync
- ASUS MG279Q 27in IPS 1440P 144Hz FreeSync (35-90Hz)
Most of the reviewed VRR panels are 1440P or higher, and the only 1080P display currently runs $500. This unfortunately leaves VRR technology at a price point that is simply out of reach of gamers unable to drop half a grand on a display. What we need was a good 1080P display with a *full* VRR range. Bonus points to high refresh rates and in the case of a FreeSync display, a minimum refresh rate low enough that a typical game will not run below it. This shouldn't be too hard since 1080P is not that demanding on even lower cost hardware these days. Who was up to this challenge?
Nixeus has answered this call with their new Nixeus Vue display. This is a 24" 1080P 144Hz FreeSync display with a VRR bottom limit of 30 FPS. It comes in two models, distinguished by a trailing letter in the model. The NX-VUE24B contains a 'base' model stand with only tilt support, while the NX-VUE24A contains a 'premium' stand with full height, rotation, and tilt support.
Does the $330-350 dollar Nixues Vue 24" FreeSync monitor fit the bill?
Introduction and First Impressions
The ASUS PB258Q is a "frameless" monitor with a full 2560x1440 resolution from a fairly compact 25-inch size, and at first glance it might appear to be a bare LCD panel affixed to a stand. This attractive design also features 100% sRGB coverage and full height/tilt/swivel and rotation adjustment. The price? Less than $400. We'll put it to the test to see just what kind of value to expect here.
A beautiful looking monitor even with nothing on the display
The ASUS PB258Q came out of nowhere one day when I was looking to replace a smaller 1080p display on my desk. Given some pretty serious size constraints I was hesitant to move up to the 27 - 30 inch range for 2560x1440 monitors, but I didn't want to settle for 1920x1080 again. The ASUS PB258Q intrigued me immediately not only due to its interesting size/resolution of 25-inch/1440p, but also for the claimed 100% sRGB coverage and fully adjustable stand. And then I looked over at the price. $376.99 shipped from Amazon with Prime shipping? Done.
The pricing (and compact 25-inch size) made it a more compelling choice to me than the PB278Q, ASUS's "professional graphics monitor" which uses a PLS panel, though this larger display has recently dropped in price to the $400 range. When the PB258Q arrived a couple of days later I was first struck by how compact it is, and how nice the monitor looked without even being powered up.
Read on for our complete review of the ASUS PB258Q frameless IPS monitor!!
Intel (Allegedly) Plans DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync
Subject: Graphics Cards, Displays | August 19, 2015 - 08:03 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: Intel, freesync, DisplayPort, adaptive sync
DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync is a VESA standard, pushed by AMD, that allows input signals to control when a monitor refreshes. A normal monitor redraws on a defined interval because old CRT monitors needed to scan with an electron gun, and this took time. LCDs never needed to, but they did. This process meant that the monitor was drawing a frame whether it was ready or not, which led to tearing, stutter, and other nasty effects if the GPU couldn't keep up. With Adaptive-Sync, GPUs don't "miss the train" -- the train leaves when they board.
Intel has, according to The Tech Report, decided to support Adaptive-Sync -- but not necessarily in their current product line. David Blythe of Intel would not comment on specific dates or release windows, just that it is in their plans. This makes sense for Intel because it allows their customers to push settings higher while maintaining a smooth experience, which matters a lot for users of integrated graphics.
While "AMD FreeSync" is a stack of technologies, VESA DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync should be all that is required on the monitor side. This should mean that Intel has access to all of AMD's adaptive refresh monitors, although the driver and GPU circuitry would need to be their burden. G-Sync monitors (at least those with NVIDIA-design modules -- this is currently all of them except for one laptop I think) would be off limits, though.
It wouldn't hurt to take another look at the ASUS MG279Q
Subject: Displays | August 17, 2015 - 05:07 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: video, monitor, mg279q, lcd, ips, freesync, display, asus, 90Hz, 2560x1440, 144hz, 1440p
The response to Al's review of the ASUS MG279Q was, to be polite, somewhat energetic. While not much was learned a lot of opinions were voiced and occasionally they were even on topic. The Tech Report, not dissuaded by the response just posted a 10 minute video offering their thoughts on the new Freesync technology in general and this monitor specifically. The Closed Caption feature offers some rather amusing translations of what is being said but you should pay attention to what is actually being said as the video offers a good overview of what FreeSync is.
"Asus' MG279Q is a 27" FreeSync monitor with a 144Hz, 2560x1440 IPS panel for an appealing price. Our own Gyromancer, Nathan Wasson, has spent some quality time with the MG279Q, and he's collected his impressions in video form."
Here are some more Display articles from around the web:
- Asus MG278Q FreeSync Game Monitor @ Kitguru
- BenQ GW2765HT @ Kitguru
- BenQ RL2755HM @ Kitguru
- SilverStone SST-MR01 Aluminium Monitor Riser @ eTeknix
Gameworks VR, NVIDIA's Direct Driver Mode for the Oculus Rift
Subject: General Tech, Displays | August 13, 2015 - 06:51 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
availability of the beta version of their GameWorks VR. As mentioned on this podcast, until now your GPU has treated the Oculus as a secondary monitor but with this update your graphics driver will directly talk to the Oculus as a separate device, which should help greatly with latency and development of the tricks and treats yet to be discovered when programming for this type of interface.
Tagged: nvidia, oculus rift, gameworks vr
NVIDIA's Gameworks VR, as well as AMD's LiquidVR will provide a platform for developers to program for the Oculus Rift as well as the competeing products from other companies. The new beta SDK from NVIDIA has been updated to support VR SLI and is compatible with the new 350.60 Game Ready drivers. Programmers working with the Maxwell architecture will benefit from Multi-Res Shading which should increase the performance of your current programs. Follow the links if you are interested in developing for Oculus, otherwise wait patiently for the day you can pre-order them.
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text:
XML VPN Version 4.3 Uses Digital Signature to Ensure End-to-End Security for B2B Web Services Transactions
SANTA MONICA, Calif.? July 13, 2005?SOA Software (formerly Digital Evolution), the leading provider of comprehensive SOA and Web services management, security and governance solutions, today announced XML VPN version 4.3. This new version of SOA Software's groundbreaking XML VPN product adds several key capabilities, including last-mile security, external service virtualization and support for WS-Policy.
"SOA Software's notion of an XML VPN is catching on with customers,"
said Jason Bloomberg, senior analyst at ZapThink. "Unlike a traditional
VPN, the XML VPN is content-and application-aware. SOA Software can therefore connect companies to their business partners and customers in a secure, flexible, intelligent manner, leveraging the power of Web services and SOA for business-to-business interactions."
SOA Software designed and built XML VPN to make it easy for enterprises to securely provide and consume B2B Web services. It ensures the usability, security and reliability of Web services, enabling companies to create new business models for their partners to consume. XML VPN's innovative workflow mechanism enables companies to publish Web services, and invite their partners to securely and easily consume them.
"Web services are emerging as one of the most effective ways to share and consume information with partners," said Diana Kelley, senior analyst at Burton Group. "Managing and exposing these services securely is a challenge. Solutions that help companies leverage their existing identity management investment in a federated SOA environment can help speed adoption while maintaining an end-to-end trust model."
Last-Mile Security
With version 4.3 the XML VPN proxy can digitally sign messages destined for internal services to prevent end-run attacks by external applications that could otherwise directly contact internal services protected by the XML VPN. This helps ensure the security of internal services and provides an end-to-end audit trail for all partner transactions.
Inbound Service Virtualization
XML VPN version 4.3 can act as a proxy for any external Web services, whether provided by another XML VPN device or not. This allows a company to use the XML VPN to provide its developers with internal versions of important third party services, and ensure the security and reliability of these services.
WS-Policy Support
XML VPN version 4.3 is the first B2B Web services security solution to support the emerging WS-Policy standard. Support for WS-Policy ensures that third party providers can discover the policies they must implement before attempting to communicate with a service.
Availability and Pricing
SOA Software's XML VPN is available today as software and an appliance. Software starts at $5,000 per CPU. Appliances start from $50,000.
"As companies move away from expensive proprietary integration mechanisms toward XML, Web services and SOA, the need for security and management of these services will continue to grow," said Eric Pulier, chairman and founder, SOA Software. "The XML VPN makes it easy for providers to enforce strong security policies and for their partners to comply with these policies."


text:
Upstream / Downstream
Explore pathways related to this product.
To Purchase # 13357S
|100 µl (10 western blots)
Find answers on our FAQs page.
PhosphoSitePlus® Resource
- Additional protein information
- Analytical tools
ARD1A (E1J2B) Rabbit mAb #13357
Western blot analysis of extracts from various cell lines using ARD1A (E1J2B) Rabbit mAb.Learn more about how we get our images
Immunoprecipitation of ARD1A from 293 cell extracts using Rabbit (DA1E) mAb IgG XP® Isotype Control #3900 (lane 2) or ARD1A (E1J2B) Rabbit mAb (lane 3). Lane 1 is 10% input. Western blot analysis was performed using ARD1A (E1J2B) Rabbit mAb.Learn more about how we get our images
Gallery: ARD1A (E1J2B) Rabbit mAb #13357
Western Blotting Protocol
For western blots, incubate membrane with diluted primary antibody in 5% w/v BSA, 1X TBS, 0.1% Tween® 20 at 4°C with gentle shaking, overnight.
NOTE: Please refer to primary antibody datasheet or product webpage for recommended antibody dilution.
A. Solutions and Reagents
From sample preparation to detection, the reagents you need for your Western Blot are now in one convenient kit: #12957 Western Blotting Application Solutions Kit
NOTE: Prepare solutions with reverse osmosis deionized (RODI) or equivalent grade water.
- 20X Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS): (#9808) To prepare 1 L 1X PBS: add 50 ml 20X PBS to 950 ml dH2O, mix.
- 10X Tris Buffered Saline (TBS): (#12498) To prepare 1 L 1X TBS: add 100 ml 10X to 900 ml dH2O, mix.
- 1X SDS Sample Buffer: Blue Loading Pack (#7722) or Red Loading Pack (#7723) Prepare fresh 3X reducing loading buffer by adding 1/10 volume 30X DTT to 1 volume of 3X SDS loading buffer. Dilute to 1X with dH2O.
- 10X Tris-Glycine SDS Running Buffer: (#4050) To prepare 1 L 1X running buffer: add 100 ml 10X running buffer to 900 ml dH2O, mix.
- 10X Tris-Glycine Transfer Buffer: (#12539) To prepare 1 L 1X Transfer Buffer: add 100 ml 10X Transfer Buffer to 200 ml methanol + 700 ml dH2O, mix.
- 10X Tris Buffered Saline with Tween® 20 (TBST): (#9997) To prepare 1 L 1X TBST: add 100 ml 10X TBST to 900 ml dH2O, mix.
- Nonfat Dry Milk: (#9999).
- Blocking Buffer: 1X TBST with 5% w/v nonfat dry milk; for 150 ml, add 7.5 g nonfat dry milk to 150 ml 1X TBST and mix well.
- Wash Buffer: (#9997) 1X TBST.
- Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA): (#9998).
- Primary Antibody Dilution Buffer: 1X TBST with 5% BSA; for 20 ml, add 1.0 g BSA to 20 ml 1X TBST and mix well.
- Biotinylated Protein Ladder Detection Pack: (#7727).
- Prestained Protein Marker, Broad Range (11-190 kDa): (#13953).
- Blotting Membrane and Paper: (#12369) This protocol has been optimized for nitrocellulose membranes. Pore size 0.2 µm is generally recommended.
- Secondary Antibody Conjugated to HRP: Anti-rabbit IgG, HRP-linked Antibody (#7074).
- Detection Reagent: SignalFire™ ECL Reagent (#6883).
B. Protein Blotting
A general protocol for sample preparation.
- Treat cells by adding fresh media containing regulator for desired time.
- Aspirate media from cultures; wash cells with 1X PBS; aspirate.
- Lyse cells by adding 1X SDS sample buffer (100 µl per well of 6-well plate or 500 µl for a 10 cm diameter plate). Immediately scrape the cells off the plate and transfer the extract to a microcentrifuge tube. Keep on ice.
- Sonicate for 10–15 sec to complete cell lysis and shear DNA (to reduce sample viscosity).
- Heat a 20 µl sample to 95–100°C for 5 min; cool on ice.
- Microcentrifuge for 5 min.
Load 20 µl onto SDS-PAGE gel (10 cm x 10 cm).
NOTE: Loading of prestained molecular weight markers (#13953, 5 µl/lane) to verify electrotransfer and biotinylated protein ladder (#7727, 10 µl/lane) to determine molecular weights are recommended.
- Electrotransfer to nitrocellulose membrane (#12369).
C. Membrane Blocking and Antibody Incubations
NOTE: Volumes are for 10 cm x 10 cm (100 cm2) of membrane; for different sized membranes, adjust volumes accordingly.
I. Membrane Blocking
- (Optional) After transfer, wash nitrocellulose membrane with 25 ml TBS for 5 min at room temperature.
- Incubate membrane in 25 ml of blocking buffer for 1 hr at room temperature.
- Wash three times for 5 min each with 15 ml of TBST.
II. Primary Antibody Incubation
- Incubate membrane and primary antibody (at the appropriate dilution and diluent as recommended in the product datasheet) in 10 ml primary antibody dilution buffer with gentle agitation overnight at 4°C.
- Wash three times for 5 min each with 15 ml of TBST.
- Incubate membrane with Anti-rabbit IgG, HRP-linked Antibody (#7074 at 1:2000) and anti-biotin, HRP-linked Antibody (#7075 at 1:1000–1:3000) to detect biotinylated protein markers in 10 ml of blocking buffer with gentle agitation for 1 hr at room temperature.
- Wash three times for 5 min each with 15 ml of TBST.
- Proceed with detection (Section D).
D. Detection of Proteins
Directions for Use:
- Wash membrane-bound HRP (antibody conjugate) three times for 5 minutes in TBST.
- Prepare 1X SignalFire™ ECL Reagent (#6883) by diluting one part 2X Reagent A and one part 2X Reagent B (e.g. for 10 ml, add 5 ml Reagent A and 5 ml Reagent B). Mix well.
- Incubate substrate with membrane for 1 minute, remove excess solution (membrane remains wet), wrap in plastic and expose to X-ray film.
* Avoid repeated exposure to skin.
posted June 2005
revised November 2013
Western Blot Reprobing Protocol
Reprobing of an existing membrane is a convenient means to immunoblot for multiple proteins independently when only a limited amount of sample is available. It should be noted that for the best possible results a fresh blot is always recommended. Reprobing can be a valuable method but with each reprobing of a blot there is potential for increased background signal. Additionally, it is recommended that you verify the removal of the first antibody complex prior to reprobing so that signal attributed to binding of the new antibody is not leftover signal from the first immunoblotting experiment. This can be done by re-exposing the blot to ECL reagents and making sure there is no signal prior to adding the next primary antibody.
A. Solutions and Reagents
NOTE: Prepare solutions with reverse osmosis deionized (RODI) or equivalently purified water.
- Wash Buffer: Tris Buffered Saline with Tween® 20 (TBST-10X) (#9997)
- Stripping Buffer: To prepare 100 ml, mix 6.25 ml of 1M Tris-HCl pH 6.8, 10 ml of 20% SDS and 700 μl β-mercaptoethanol. Bring to 100 ml with deionized H20. Make buffer fresh just prior to use.
B. Protocol
- After film exposure, wash membrane four times for 5 min each in TBST. Best results are obtained if the membrane is not allowed to dry.
- Incubate membrane for 30 min at 50°C in stripping buffer (with slight agitation).
- Wash membrane six times for 5 min each in TBST.
- (Optional) To assure that the original signal is removed, wash membrane twice for 5 min each with 10 ml of TBST. Incubate membrane with LumiGLO® with gentle agitation for 1 min at room temperature. Drain membrane of excess developing solution. Do not let dry. Wrap in plastic wrap and expose to x-ray film.
- Wash membrane again four times for 5 min each in TBST.
- The membrane is now ready to reuse. Start detection at the "Membrane Blocking and Antibody Incubations" step in the Western Immunoblotting Protocol.
posted June 2005
revised October 2016
Immunoprecipitation for Native Proteins
This protocol is intended for immunoprecipitation of native proteins for analysis by western immunoblot or kinase activity utilizing magnetic separation.
A. Solutions and Reagents
NOTE: Prepare solutions with reverse osmosis deionized (RODI) or equivalent grade water.
- 20X Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS): (#9808) To prepare 1 L of 1X PBS, add 50 ml 20X PBS to 950 ml dH2O, mix.
10X Cell Lysis Buffer: (#9803) To prepare 10 ml of 1X cell lysis buffer, add 1 ml cell lysis buffer to 9 ml dH2O, mix.
NOTE: Add 1 mM PMSF (#8553) immediately prior to use.
- 3X SDS Sample Buffer: Blue Loading Pack (#7722) or Red Loading Pack (#7723) Prepare fresh 3X reducing loading buffer by adding 1/10 volume 30X DTT to 1 volume of 3X SDS loading buffer.
- Protein A Magnetic Beads: Use Protein A (#73778) for rabbit IgG immunoprecipitation.
- Magnetic Separation Rack: (#7017) or (#14654).
- 10X Kinase Buffer (for kinase assays): (#9802) To Prepare 1 ml of 1X kinase buffer, add 100 µl 10X kinase buffer to 900 µl dH2O, mix.
- ATP (10 mM) (for kinase assays): (#9804) To prepare 0.5 ml of ATP (200 µM), add 10 µl ATP (10 mM) to 490 µl 1X kinase buffer.
B. Preparing Cell Lysates
- Aspirate media. Treat cells by adding fresh media containing regulator for desired time.
- To harvest cells under nondenaturing conditions, remove media and rinse cells once with ice-cold 1X PBS.
- Remove PBS and add 0.5 ml ice-cold 1X cell lysis buffer to each plate (10 cm) and incubate on ice for 5 min.
- Scrape cells off the plate and transfer to microcentrifuge tubes. Keep on ice.
- Sonicate on ice three times for 5 sec each.
- Microcentrifuge for 10 min at 4°C, 14,000 x g and transfer the supernatant to a new tube. The supernatant is the cell lysate. If necessary, lysate can be stored at -80°C.
C. Immunoprecipitation
Cell Lysate Pre-Clearing (Optional)
A cell lysate pre-clearing step is highly recommended to reduce non-specific protein binding to the Protein A Magnetic beads. Pre-clear enough lysate for test samples and isotype controls.
- Briefly vortex the stock tube to resuspend the magnetic beads.
IMPORTANT: Pre-wash #73778 magnetic beads just prior to use:
- Transfer 20 μl of bead slurry to a clean tube. Place the tube in a magnetic separation rack for 10-15 seconds.
Carefully remove the buffer once the solution is clear. Add 500 μl of 1X cell lysis buffer to the magnetic bead pellet, briefly vortex to wash the beads. Place tube back in magnetic separation rack. Remove buffer once solution is clear. Repeat washing step once more.
- Add 200 μl cell lysate to 20 μl of pre-washed magnetic beads.
IMPORTANT: The optimal lysate concentration will depend on the expression level of the protein of interest. A starting concentration between 250 μg/ml-1.0 mg/ml is recommended.
- Incubate with rotation for 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Separate the beads from the lysate using a magnetic separation rack, transfer the pre-cleared lysate to a clean tube, and discard the magnetic bead pellet.
- Proceed to immunoprecipitation section.
IMPORTANT: Appropriate isotype controls are highly recommended in order to show specific binding in your primary antibody immunoprecipitation. Use Normal Rabbit IgG #2729 for rabbit polyclonal primary antibodies, Rabbit (DA1E) mAb IgG XP® Isotype Control #3900 for rabbit monoclonal primary antibodies, and Mouse (G3A1) mAb IgG1 Isotype Control #5415 for mouse monoclonal primary antibodies. Isotype controls should be concentration matched and run alongside the primary antibody samples
- Add primary antibody (at the appropriate dilution as recommended in the product datasheet) to 200 µl cell lysate. Incubate with rotation overnight at 4°C. to form the immunocomplex.
- Pre-wash magnetic beads (see Cell Lysate Pre-Clearing section, steps 1 and 2).
- Transfer the lysate and antibody (immunocomplex) solution to the tube containing the pre-washed magnetic bead pellet.
- Incubate with rotation for 20 min at room temperature.
- Pellet beads using magnetic separation rack. Wash pellets five times with 500 μl of 1X cell lysis buffer. Keep on ice between washes.
- Proceed to analyze by western immunoblotting or kinase activity (section D).
D. Sample Analysis
Proceed to one of the following specific set of steps.
For Analysis by Western Immunoblotting
- Resuspend the pellet with 20-40 µl 3X SDS sample buffer, briefly vortex to mix, and briefly microcentrifuge to pellet the sample.
- Heat the sample to 95-100°C for 5 min.
- Pellet beads using magnetic separation rack. Transfer the supernatant to a new tube. The supernatant is the sample.
- Analyze sample by western blot (see Western Immunoblotting Protocol).
NOTE: To minimize masking caused by denatured IgG heavy chains (~50 kDa), we recommend using Mouse Anti-Rabbit IgG (Light-Chain Specific) (D4W3E) mAb (#45262) or Mouse Anti-Rabbit IgG (Conformation Specific) (L27A9) mAb (#3678) (or HRP conjugate #5127). To minimize masking caused by denatured IgG light chains (~25 kDa), we recommend using Mouse Anti-Rabbit IgG (Conformation Specific) (L27A9) mAb (#3678) (or HRP conjugate #5127).
For Analysis by Kinase Assay
- Wash pellet twice with 500 µl 1X kinase buffer. Keep on ice.
- Suspend pellet in 40 µl 1X kinase buffer supplemented with 200 µM ATP and appropriate substrate.
- Incubate for 30 min at 30°C.
- Terminate reaction with 20 µl 3X SDS sample buffer. Vortex, then microcentrifuge for 30 sec.
- Transfer supernatant containing phosphorylated substrate to another tube.
- Heat the sample to 95-100°C for 2-5 min and microcentrifuge for 1 min at 14,000 x g.
- Load the sample (15-30 µl) on SDS-PAGE gel.
posted December 2008
revised October 2017
|Western Blotting
ARD1A (E1J2B) Rabbit mAb recognizes endogenous levels of total ARD1A protein.Species Reactivity: Human, Mouse, Rat, Monkey Species predicted to react based on 100% sequence homology: Hamster, Horse
Monoclonal antibody is produced by immunizing animals with a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues surrounding Asp204 of human ARD1A protein.
Protein acetylation is a common modification that occurs both at lysine residues within proteins (ε-amino acetylation) and multiple amino acid residues at the amino terminus of proteins (α-amino acetylation). The N-α-acetyltransferase ARD1 homolog A protein (ARD1A, also known as NAA10) and the highly homologous N-α-acetyltransferase ARD1 homolog B protein (ARD1B, also known as ARD2 or NAA11) are mutually exclusive catalytic subunits of the amino-terminal acetyltransferase complex (NatA) (1-3). This complex, which consists of either ARD1A or ARD1B and the N-α-acetyltransferase 15 (NAA15) auxiliary protein, localizes to ribosomes where it functions to acetylate Ser-, Ala-, Gly-, Thr-, Cys-, Pro-, and Val- amino termini after initiator methionine cleavage during protein translation (1-5). Like ε-amino acetylation, amino-terminal α-amino acetylation functions to regulate protein stability, activity, cellular localization, and protein-protein interactions (4,5). Defects in ARD1A have been shown to cause amino-terminal acetyltransferase deficiency (NATD), which results in severe delays and defects in postnatal growth (6).
In addition to functioning as amino-terminal acetyltransferases in the NatA complex, free ARD1A and ARD1B proteins regulate cell growth and differentiation through ε-amino acetylation of lysine residues in multiple target proteins, including the HIF-1α, β-catenin, and AP-1 transcription factors (7-9). ARD1A-mediated acetylation of HIF-1α at Lys532 under normoxic conditions enhances binding of VHL, leading to increased ubiquitination and degradation of HIF-1α and down-regulation of HIF-1α target genes involved in angiogenesis, apoptosis, cellular proliferation, and glucose metabolism (7). Decreased expression of ARD1A under hypoxic conditions contributes to the stabilization of HIF-1α and upregulation of target genes (7). ARD1A also promotes cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by acetylating and activating β-catenin and AP-1 transcription factors, leading to the stimulation of cyclin D1 expression (8,9). Interestingly, the acetyltransferase activity of ARD1A is regulated by autoacetylation at Lys136, which is required for the ability of ARD1A to promote proliferation and tumorigenesis (9). Research studies have shown that ARD1 proteins are over-expressed in multiple cancers, including breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers (10-13).
1. Arnesen, T. et al. (2005) Biochem J 386, 433-43.
2. Arnesen, T. et al. (2006) BMC Biochem 7, 13.
3. Pang, A.L. et al. (2009) Biol Reprod 81, 302-9.
4. Van Damme, P. et al. (2011) FEBS J 278, 3822-34.
5. Polevoda, B. and Sherman, F. (2000) J Biol Chem 275, 36479-82.
6. Rope, A.F. et al. (2011) Am J Hum Genet 89, 28-43.
7. Jeong, J.W. et al. (2002) Cell 111, 709-20.
8. Lim, J.H. et al. (2006) Cancer Res 66, 10677-82.
9. Seo, J.H. et al. (2010) Cancer Res 70, 4422-32.
10. Arnesen, T. et al. (2005) Thyroid 15, 1131-6.
11. Ren, T. et al. (2008) Cancer Lett 264, 83-92.
12. Yu, M. et al. (2009) Oncol Rep 21, 909-15.
13. Yu, M. et al. (2009) Cancer Invest 27, 978-83.
For Research Use Only. Not For Use In Diagnostic Procedures. Cell Signaling Technology is a trademark of Cell Signaling Technology, Inc. XP is a registered trademark of Cell Signaling Technology, Inc. Tween is a registered trademark of ICI Americas, Inc.


text:
CINCINNATI — Letters to family members sent by a woman a week before she shot two of her four children through the heart and then killed herself gave no indication that she was contemplating suicide or murder, authorities said.
Mary Ann Wittich's letters were "about a caring, loving family," said Delhi Township Police Lt. Ric Ideker. The letters were not about harming herself or her children, he said.
The bodies of Wittich, 44, her 7-year-old daughter, Sydney, and 10-year-old son, Jacob, were found in their suburban Delhi Township home late Tuesday afternoon by an older daughter who did not live in the home.
Wittich had placed an "X" on the girl's chest with a marker to make sure she hit the heart, authorities said. The son also was shot in the heart, before Wittich then shot herself in the heart.
Ideker said Friday that two notes written on a computer and printed out were found inside the home. He classified them as suicide notes, but would not reveal the contents.
Wittich had made comments about being depressed during divorce proceedings, Ideker said. The divorce between Wittich and her husband, John Scott Wittich, became final June 7.
But Ideker declined to speculate about how or when her thoughts turned violent. The investigation has not yielded any warning signs, he said.
"She had just returned from a vacation with a friend," Ideker said. "She had just graduated from nursing school. She was about to go into a new career."


text:
Save Money, Buy Refurbished and Save!
The Crosman G1 is a powerful new rifle with an innovative body style, tailored to the break barrel user. It is the first of a new generation of break barrel designs, featuring sleek, clean and defined lines and all-weather, synthetic stock and forearm. It features a checkered grip and forearm and incredible break barrel power at a velocity of up to 1,000 feet per second. In addition, the G1 two-stage adjustable trigger allows each shooter to customize the trigger pull to accommodate personal shooting preference.
- Caliber - .177
- Velocity: 1000 FPS
- Weight: 6.02 lbs
- Length: 44.5"
- Capacity: 1 Round
- Cocking Effort: 30 lbs
- Barrel: Rifled
- Front & Rear Sight: Bull Barrel
- Scopeable: 11mm Dovetail
- Trigger.: Two-stage Adjustable
- Trigger Pull: 3.75 lbs
- Stock: All-Weather Synthetic
- Cheekpiece: Ambidextrous, Dual Raised
- Buttpad: Rubber
- Action: Break Barrel
- Powerplant: Spring Piston
- Safety: Manual
- Refurbished
- Includes: .177 Cal Refurbished Air Rifle, CenterPoint 4x32mm Scope and Two-Piece Rings
- ManufacturerCrosman
- Caliber0.177 cal
- Velocity1000 fps
- ConditionRefurbished
- Ammo TypePellets
- ActionBreak barrel
- Barrel StyleRifled
- Fire ModeSingle-shot
- Gun Weight6.02 lbs
- Overall Length44.5"
- Magazine Capacity1
- MechanismSpring piston
- OpticsVariable / 1 inch Tube
- RailDovetail Mount
- UsePest Control / Plinking /Target Shooting
- Warranty30 Day Limited
Chris Creed
Boston Ma
5 Stars
I would recommend this item to a friend.
Great DEAL
January 22, 2014
G1 Extreme is GREAT DEAL for the money. Solid construction and made to last. Comes with one piece scope mount and scope stop. I replaced scope with 3-9x32 Center Point scope and GRT III trigger (from Charlie the tuner ) . I also blue loctited the scope mount and all screws that secure gun to stock.
Pros:GREAT starting point for Basic spring gun
Cons:Scope and trigger BUT same mods you would do on more expensive gun (Addition of GRT trigger and better scope)
5 Stars
I would recommend this item to a friend.
Great Rifle
May 29, 2012
This is my first air rifle... I agree with the other posters, I replaced the trigger with a "Charlie the tuna" one. Also spent about 100 on a Lepers scope and it seems dead on not. I've shot a lot of different .177 through it but I guess I like the Crosman Pellets the most, at least that's what I sighted it in with. I added a bipod so its really accurate now. I also thought air rifles might be more quiet but its not a big deal. I would recommend to anyone, but now I thinking I would like to try either a Nitro powered one or get a .22 cal one.
Pros:everything else
Cons:Scope and trigger
J.B. Roche
West Mi.
5 Stars
I would recommend this item to a friend.
new trigger and scope and holly $@?t !!
January 27, 2012
its an R-9 . Well it thinks it is. New scope and CR-3 trigger and presto!!!!! No B.S. 10.5 grain crosman domes and a shooting stick and shoots 1/2 " groups at 40 yards. Chrony 914 F.P.S. with 10.5 grain pellet. wow! Little secret , after 1000 shots oil spring with a good chamber/spring oil ( spring is oil hardened steel) tempers the spring for more power ;) Make sure to blue LocTight screws
Pros:easy to hot rod.
Cons:scope and trigger. throw them away ;)
Austin, TX
5 Stars
I would recommend this item to a friend.
Awesome Rifle
January 23, 2012
What can i say to me there is nothing not to like about it for the price, get a fully functional rifle that hits hard.. no iron sights tho and the scope it comes with is terrible in my opinion.. but alwell just buy another scope when i get the money and compensate for it being off till then..
Pros:hits hard and fun to shoot price is good
Cons:scope is terrible no iron sights
grand rapids mi.
5 Stars
I would recommend this item to a friend.
hard hitter
January 4, 2012
The rifle is great with a few flaws. Super accurate,power,and more power.The stock feels "right" and cocking is easy. The trigger sucks :( The scope that came with mine broke before 300 shots. For the $ great gun. New scope and a triger and wow ya got a tack driver that will put a :) on ya.
Pros:power accurate
Cons:trigger and scope
sauk village, IL
5 Stars
I would recommend this item to a friend.
hits like a hog
December 28, 2011
great small game, rifle scope that comes with is dead on wouldnt recommend for kids hits with lots of power but overall tru hunters pellet rifle
Pros:hard hitting even with flathead pellets durable tuff rifle not made of cheap crap..
Cons:heavy but not so bad once you get used to it .


text:
Looks like Google isn't the only one looking to bring social to its local search results. Microsoft today announced that it is partnering up with Yelp in a bid to push its Bing Local search content.
Yelp will reportedly surface content including, review snippets, photos, and business attributes to Bing users. This content will be featured Bing Local pages, presenting information to help consumers do more with businesses near them.
"Whether it's discovering the right restaurant, planning the evening's entertainment or finding local services, Yelp has emerged as a proven and trusted resource," said Bing general manager Mike Nichols. "Enabling people to do more with search involves building a spectrum of features and data that people trust, and teaming up with Yelp is another important step in helping Bing deliver great value to customers."
At the end of May Google announced that it would be scuppering Google Places and replacing it with Google+ local, which it calls "a simple way to discover and share local information featuring Zagat scores.
It's been a good week for Yelp. At its WWDC conference on Monday, Apple announced that Yelp would be one of the partners for its newly launched 3D turn-by-turn maps and in the updated version of its voice assistant app Siri.


text:
The New York Mets will be taking an Amtrak train from Washington D.C., to Philadelphia to play the Phillies today.
The New York Mets will be stepping back in time several decades following their game against the Washington Nationals today, traveling by train to Philadelphia instead of the chartered plane the team is used to.
Mets will be taking Amtrak from D.C. to Philly postgame.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) August 7, 2014
What sparked the decision has not been reported, so it could be anything from nostalgia for the good old days (possible), to the team being out of money (unlikely), to Jacob deGrom and Eric Young Jr. being train buffs (hopefully).
Also on Extra Mustard: Hunter Pence gets trolled by Brewers fans
The team is not going to take all its equipment on the train and has instead arranged for some of its preferred Phillies moving trucks.
-Brendan Maloy


text:
CARSON CITY, Nev., Nov. 10, 2008 — Wisdom Audio (www.wisdomaudio.com), the leader in planar magnetic technologies, is proud to announce that its new L150i reference line source in-wall speaker system is now shipping. Launched to rave reviews during the recent 2008 CEDIA Expo, the L150i is the tallest line source within the new multi award-winning Sage Series. The L150i will also make its debut at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held in Las Vegas, Nev. from Jan 8-11 at The Venetian, booth 30-235.
"We could not be more gratified with how well the L150i was received by our customers and the media alike during last month's CEDIA Expo," said Mark Glazier, Wisdom Audio president. "The L150i is our highest expression of the core technology and strengths from the Sage Series for those customers that demand the highest level of sonic refinement and performance available in an in-wall speaker."
The L150i combines Wisdom's state-of-the-art transducer elements in a way that takes full advantage of its inherent performance benefits. It offers a no-compromise solution for customers who want a high-end audiophile loudspeaker that fully integrates into their home. The Sage Series L150i serves as a benchmark for industry leading architectural products available to the high-end market today.
The L150i, which has an MSRP of $15,000 each, is available as an in-wall only model and incorporates two all aluminum cabinets and full back box enclosures per channel. It is the tallest line source in Wisdom's acclaimed Sage Series. Incorporating true line sources of this length is unprecedented among in-wall speakers and makes it ideal for large rooms or those with unique architectural challenges including cathedral ceilings, hard floors, etc., since true line source arrays effectively eliminate floor and ceiling reflections. The large, 76-inch tall line source driver complement allows for high resolution, low distortion, outstanding dynamic range, and sound pressure levels in excess of 115 dB in a two-channel system. The result is genuinely effortless reference quality performance at any volume level.
"The true line source behavior of the L150i exhibits less propagation loss than any conventional loudspeaker, resulting in a vastly enlarged 'sweet spot' that is particularly beneficial in any situation with a large seating area," Glazier continued. "Whether in a media room with a casual seating arrangement or dedicated home theaters with multiple rows of seating, everyone in the audience is treated to 'money seat' performance."
The L150i consists of two 76-inch H x 8-inch W cabinets per channel, with the woofer cabinet crossing over to the mid/high frequency planar magnetic line source cabinet at 275 Hz. The mid/high frequency cabinet builds upon the planar magnetic line source array of the Sage Series' L75i model, incorporating three proprietary Wisdom Audio-designed and manufactured PMD drivers resulting in a 72-inch true line source, yielding superior resolution, extraordinary dynamic capability, low distortion and wide dispersion.
The low frequency cabinet within the L150i incorporates 12 six-inch high operating pressure woofers. Each woofer cabinet is driven by a single SA-1 amplifier, thereby using a combined 1,000 watts from its two 500-watt amplifier channels for the 12 woofers. Each channel is a two-cabinet system designed to be installed in-wall within four or five inches of each other (flanking a stud).
"This product was conceived partially in response to the strong dealer reaction to our Sage Series and an expressed interest in an even larger, higher end model," concluded Jon Herron, Wisdom Audio vice president, sales. "The L150i is a true step above our L75i model and addresses the need described by market feedback. It fits within the Sage Series perfectly and supports our goal of offering dealers a unique, high-performance in-wall solution for their most demanding and discriminating customers."
Wisdom Audio has recently brought to market more than 20 Sage Series models, encompassing in-wall, on-wall and freestanding versions of most configurations ranging from 20 inches to 76 inches tall. Multiple center channels, the in-wall subwoofer, integrated Audyssey Laboratories™ room correction software, and dedicated electronics round out the new product offerings. Sage Series speakers incorporate new generation proprietary thin film planar magnetic drivers which allow for its narrow and shallow physical characteristics, thus permitting the unprecedented possibility of the same driver complement and back box enclosure to be used for such varied applications, ranging from in-wall to freestanding.
High resolution Sage Series images are available for download at: www.wisdomaudio.com/news_image-library.php.
For more information, please visit www.wisdomaudio.com or call (775) 887-8850.
About Wisdom Audio
Wisdom Audio is the leader in designing and manufacturing high-performance planar-magnetic transducers with more than 90 man years experience in this driver technology on staff. Wisdom Audio was founded in 1996 to create no-compromise planar loudspeaker systems for the most demanding and critical audiophiles. Wisdom Audio systems employ proprietary, custom-made planar magnetic and dynamic transducers optimized for high-performance, high-end audio reproduction applications. Its hybrid-technology systems have earned praise from the specialized media, earning them the coveted "Golden Ear" award from The Absolute Sound while satisfying a growing base of customers and dealers worldwide.
Wisdom Audio's multi-award winning Sage Series architectural products are handcrafted in limited quantities by specialized craftsmen at its headquarters in Carson City, Nevada.
# # #


text: MSDN Flash – Tuesday, 08 March, 2005 ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ frankarrMarch 8, 20053 Share 0 0 Visit the Microsoft Australia MSDN site | Sign up for other newsletters | Unsubscribe | Update your profile A Brand-New Home for Developers New Site Coming Soon G'day, readers,I'm delighted to let you all know that, finally, our restructured local MSDN site is about to be launched. It's been a labour of love for the whole team but, once you check it out, I am sure you'll agree it's been worth it. As many of you pointed out, the old site was hard to navigate, with information thrown all over the place. It felt a bit like a site designed by committee, and implemented by the work experience kid who didn't know HTML. Well, not any more! We've changed the site for the better, and you'll find it more useful than ever. And, speaking of changes, we've added a new section to the Flash, with news for our readers who happen to be tertiary faculty members or students. You may not know it, but we've been working with universities over the past few years, supporting faculty members with curriculum and providing students with another view of Microsoft, through initiatives such as The Spoke, and the Imagine Cup. I'm pretty confident you will find this new section of interest, even if you aren't a member of faculty or a student. Finally, I wanted to highlight the "Know IT All" Challenge, which is an online IQ test which is part of the IT Fund for Kids activities this year. I know that the readers of the MSDN Flash are a bunch of smarties: here's a great way to confirm that and help the kids while doing it. (More information about this in the newsletter; just scroll down.)In the meantime, If you want to brush up on some of your IT knowledge then check out the range of complimentary tests at the Microsoft Learning Centre that will help to get you started. 'Til next time, happy coding,Frank ArrigoWe are always interested in receiving your feedback. Email us at email@example.com. Connection Feeding Back As an MSDN Connection member, you'll be happy to know we're in the process of collecting member feedback. We want your impressions of our events and training. Your feedback will be incorporated into our future activity. To be informed of the latest offers, you simply need to keep your profile up to date. Faculty Members and Students Imagine Cup Registrations Rising Registrations for Imagine Cup are growing fast with universities opening up for 2005. Many students have already started work on their software design category entry, excited by the possibility of winning huge cash prizes and all-expenses-paid trips to Japan. It's Academic – New Faculty Blog Microsoft has set up a blog for Academic Faculty members, packed with relevant information for Faculty members on programs offered by Microsoft. Visit http://blogs.msdn.com/msozacademic/. 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Visit your retailer or the back to school site for details on how to claim your cash back. Please click here to view terms and conditions as part of the official Claim Form (PDF document, 80KB). Feature Articles Microsoft Security Summit 2005 Resources Now Available to Download The resources from this year's Security Summit are now available for download. MSDN topics include 'Visual Studio Team System Overview' and the major advantages it will give you across all application development life cycle stages plus 'Source Control and Work Item Tracking' and 'Tools for Quality Code'.Click here to access presentations, white papers, worksheets and Webcasts. Your Future with Microsoft Developing for ASP.NET? Get the Lowdown from the Hardcore. Hear the latest benefits of hosting on the Windows platform from those who know, at this complimentary seminar series. Featured speakers include Philip Beadle, one of the world's foremost experts in the commercial application of the DotNetNuke Framework based on Microsoft .NET technology. Learn more about the newly released Windows and Hosted Messaging and Collaboration hosting solutions – technical operations and unlocking new revenue streams will both be covered. Register your complimentary place now. Are You a "Know IT All"? We know how clever you are, so use your smarts to help Australia's seriously ill and autistic children. Enter the IT Fund for Kids "Know IT All" challenge, and test your IQ online. Funds will help the Starlight Children's Foundation Register now, and take the test online until 21 March 2005, at: www.itfundforkids.com.au. Fresh from the Web Coin It with Applications that 'Think in Ink'. Looking to develop applications for Microsoft Tablet PCs? 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text:
Remo Lobetti0000-0002-2871-3104
Remo Lobetti graduated in 1987 with a BVSc degree, in 1990 completed a BVSc (Hons) degree, in 1995 a MMedVet (Med) degree and obtained a PhD in 2005. In 1997 became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Between 1987 and 1989 was in the Veterinary section of the South African Defence force before moving to private practice at the Orange Grove Veterinary Hospital in Johannesburg. In 1992 joined the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, as a senior lecturer and in 1997 was promoted to associate professor. From 1997-2000 was Section Head of Small Animal Medicine at the Faculty. In 2001 moved to Bryanston Veterinary Hospital in Sandton as an internist. Has presented over 170 papers both locally and internationally and has published over 100 papers and 12 book chapters on diseases of dogs and cats and on research in canine babesiosis. On the Editorial board of the journal South African Veterinary Medicine since 1997, editor of the 1998 South African Veterinary Association Congress Biennial Congress proceedings, and editor of the proceedings of a 1999 Canine Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis Symposium. Was a member of the 1999 Iams Company Award Committee and has been the Scientific Editor for the 2006 and 2008 South African Para-Veterinary Congress as well as the Scientific Editor for the 2010 South African Para-Veterinary Congress, the 2011 World Veterinary Association Congress, and the 2014 World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress.
Biography Updated on 27 June 2010


text:
Don't you just love surprises? DiVino Wine Bar is one of the nicest I've received all year. Thus, I decided to save it - the best of 2009 - for last.
Who would have guessed that in this small, 42-seat restaurant, tucked into a modest corner of Commercial Drive, one could find a mouth-watering belly of nouvelle Chinois Wuxi-style pork smothered in a riot of exotic spices, alongside a jaw-dropping selection of iconic old-world wines?
Not me, that's for sure.
When DiVino opened 18 months ago, I felt sorry for the owners, who had moved their successful gelato shop next door to make room for the new venture, yet appeared to have no clue how to run it.
Though purportedly a wine bar, the beverage list was laughably weak (a mere eight labels by the glass). And shockingly overpriced ($7 for a pour of Firriulo Primula Nero D'Avola, which was then selling for $7.50 a bottle at the BCLDB). As if.
Even after the staff changed hands (a couple of times) and the wine offerings had improved, the menu's simple meat-and-cheese platters hardly seemed worthy of a review. I honestly thought it would quietly fade away or morph into a sports bar for the local Italian stallions.
Then, about two months ago, I began hearing some tantalizing whispers: DiVino had hired a new chef and sommelier, both newly arrived from out of town. Well, let me tell you - these guys haven't just turned the place around; they're shaking it upside down.
Admittedly, branding has not been one of their greatest strengths. The restaurant still plays second fiddle to the adjacent ice cream parlour, which is bizarrely touted above sleekly screened windows with a giant neon sign that screams "GELATERIA DOLCE AMORE" in electric blue and banana yellow.
The garish exterior does give way to a comfortably modish interior, smartly clad in dark wood, slate floors, dim back lighting and bottle-lined walls.
But it isn't until you are seated and start thumbing through the thick, leather-bound, 900-bottle reserve wine list that you suddenly realize something quite different is happening here.
Krug? Chateau Palmer? Sassicaia? Ornellaia? The list includes just about everything superstar wine critic Robert Parker has ever drooled over - many in lengthy vertical collections and several at unbelievable prices, if you happen to be in the market for such extravagant tipples. Think Chateau Latour 1988 for $450.
Owner Ted Grippo is a serious wine collector (thus the transition from gelato to grapes). Last summer, a jovial Austrian sommelier by the name of David Fert arrived in Vancouver and strolled onto DiVino's outdoor patio for a drink. Mr. Fert, who has worked at some very hoity-toity restaurants in Europe, somehow convinced Mr. Grippo to hire him on the spot and open his private cellar to the restaurant.
Mr. Fert, who is as endearingly excitable on the phone as he is consummately professional on the floor, recently launched the DiVino Bordeaux Club, which gathers every second Sunday in the month for a $299, seven-course meal paired with a lip-smacking array of trophy wines: Meursault Les Grands Charrons 1996, Chateau Pavie 1998, Chateau Cheval Blanc 1999 and Château D'Yquem 1991, to namedrop a few. After asking around, I discover that this free-for-all wine club is - or was - one of the hottest insider secrets in town.
The regular wine list, while less spectacular, includes an interesting range of about 20 boutique labels. And although not advertised (though it would be nice if it were), the bar is apparently well stocked with a rotating selection of mid-priced "spec" bottles (which means they're not listed at the BCLDB).
Okay, the wines are fabulous. But so is the food.
We start with a charcuterie platter ($18) that includes grilled focaccia brushed with olive oil, a jar of homemade pickles and four lovely house-cured meats - none of which, unfortunately, our waitress is able to identify.
"I'm only here once a week, so I'm usually flying by the seat of my pants," she apologizes.
Luckily, she has support. Even though the restaurant is going full-tilt with a private party of 20, chef Jefferson Alvarez takes the time to steal away from the kitchen and walk us through the menu. As the night goes on, we watch him personally attend to every table.
He steers us well. Duck on toast ($13) is an ambrosial slice of thick, fluffy brioche that is spread with a molten layer of foie gras mousse, piled high with shredded duck confit and bedecked with wild amarena cherries.
Wuxi-style pork ($14), served with ginger-coconut risotto cake, is the perfect harmony of sweet and sour, crunch and tenderness. The pork is seared, braised and slowly simmered sous vide for 36 hours in a magical alchemy of spices (hickory, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, Szechuan pepper and who knows what else). It tastes like something Toronto's Susur Lee might have conjured. And as the chef later explains, it is indeed a slightly modified recreation of Mr. Lee's signature dish.
Mr. Alvarez is an interesting cat. Born in Venezuela, raised in Toronto and schooled in famous kitchens all over the world, he has the restless type of resumé that would make traditional chefs frown.
At 16, he started off as a lowly kitchen grunt working at Centro for two of Toronto's top chefs, Marc Thuet and David Lee. He moved up to Canoe, where Anthony Walsh took him under his wing for a couple of years. Then roamed far and wide, doing short stints and stages all over - Morimoto in Philadelphia, Restaurant Arzak in San Sebastian and back to Toronto at Susur and Senses - soaking up a kaleidoscope of flavours, techniques and inspiration.
Looking for a new frontier where he could make his own mark, the 31-year-old chef, packed up his extensive spice collection and bought a one-way ticket to Vancouver. Once here, he responded to an ad on Craigslist and was hired at DiVino a few months ago.
Mr. Alvarez may fumble occasionally. Vanilla foam on warm chocolate cake ($8) is watery and tasteless. But he is obviously talented.
With only six induction burners and a small convection oven, he creates the most wonderful pan-fried goat cheese gnocchi ($13) - golden parcels of full-bodied gooeyness (with no potato or flour filler added), steamed in a deeply savoury chorizo and red-pepper sauce.
Although the chef professes deep admiration for the local bounty (fish, in particular), his modern fusion cuisine still flits all over the map. Tenderloin tataki ($15) with crispy potato noodles is edged in a nearly blackened, chimi churri crust that yields to buttery soft flesh is hardly the type of food you'd expect to find in an Italian wine bar.
But it certainly is bold, exciting and new for Vancouver. With passionate owners and partners behind him, Mr. Alvarez has great potential. It will be fascinating to watch - and taste - as this unassuming little wine bar develop.
DiVino Wine Bar, 1590 Commercial Dr., 604-258-0005