text:
Koh Samui
Aloha Resort & Spa
18:02 (GMT+7) in Thailand
click to enlarge location map
Aloha Resort & Spa
128 Moo 3, Lamai Beach
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84310
Lamai Beach
Hotel category:
Travel reviews:
Rates from:
37 - 54 $
to receive
Sawadee Cash-back Rewards
Sawadee Cash-back Rewards
Aloha Resort is located on south Lamai Beach, in a quite location but still just a few steps away from the shopping and dining area. Enjoy the white sandy beach, blue sky and azure sea, a tropical garden with plenty of coconut trees which are the symbol of Samui island. Aloha's rooms are either located in a low rise modern Thai style building of only 3 floors which sea, garden or mountain views or in bungalows which are all located in our green gardens. We have a big free form swimming pool with a shallow basin for children and we offer always enough sun chairs for your convenience. For you relaxation we offer various types of massage.
Très bon accueil avec un personnel efficace et souriant. Très bonne prestation et facilite pour les réservations et location en tout genre. Personnel très souriant aimable et efficace Merci
Jun 16, 2017 [Guestname on file]
read more reviews
Hotel summary
Location map
Rates & Reservation
Pictures & Facilities
Travel reviews
Other hotels nearby
Photos of the area
THB ฿ Thailand
Enter arrival and departure dates
Arrival date / Check-in:
Departure date / Check-out:
Length of stay:
adult / child's AGE:
Enter the AGE of the child:
Example, for a child 7 years old, enter: 7
Example for more than 1 child:
2 children aged 8 and 9 years, enter: 8,9
Please enter the
children's AGE
not the number of children.
child age 2-11.
This hotel has special rates for some markets. Please set your nationality:
* more rooms/beds required to fit number of guests *
Payment options:
Your E-Mail
only ONE email address!
Check-in NAME
as written in passport
City / Zip
country of citizenship
country of residence
Mobile phone
optional, used for SMS*
Notes & requests
Terms & conditions
Discount Coupon:
Other hotels nearby Aloha Resort & Spa
within 2 km
within 5 km
within 10 km
map for Aloha Resort & Spa
Travel reviews for Aloha Resort & Spa
Hotel pictures and facilities
[ - ]
Text Size
[ + ]
Aloha Resort
is located on Samui Island which is an ideal tropically paradise set in clear azure water of the gulf of Siam. It is a land of coconut trees, forested hills and soft white sandy beaches - one of the country's most fascinating and exotic holiday destination, attracting a wide range of visitors from all over the world. Touch the natural Sensations of white sandy beach, blue sky, clear azure sea along with greenery landscape that can make your dreams come true.
The resort is right on the beach which consists of bungalows and the low rise modern Thai styled building. The three - story high building features Lamai Bay panoramic view, beach and beach side swimming pool.
Accommodation of 74 units can be either in bungalows, or hotel - room units, featuring ocean, beach and garden view. Each room features private terrace or balcony, individually controlled air condition, bathroom with hot shower, mini bar, IDD telephone and color satellite television.
:: Superior Room - 30 Units ::
Aloha Resort has 30 Superior Rooms, the superior rooms have the same layout as the Deluxe Rooms but either mountain view or no real view at all.
:: Superior Bungalow - 5 Units ::
There are now 5 Superior Bungalows with view over our garden or the pool area to choose from. The bungalows are between 20 - 24 square meters each.
:: Deluxe Room, Seaview - 24 Units ::
You can choose between 24 different Deluxe Rooms with sea view, each room also has 24 square meters for you to move about.
:: Grand Deluxe, Seaview - 9 Units ::
The Grand Deluxe Rooms have a whole 32 sweet square meters for you to enjoy. The rooms offers both sea view and a view over the pool. There are nine grand deluxe rooms.
:: Family Superior Room (4 Pax) - 2 Units ::
These spacious three bed Family Superior Rooms is very convenient for families on vacation, there are also a quite large balcony to move about. One double bed and two single beds are here to fill up these 32 sq.m.
:: Family Suite, Seaview (4 pax) - 1 Unit ::
This Family Suite Room (there is only one) contains two rooms, one room with a double bed and one room with twin beds, this is the second largest room in Aloha Resort with a whole 48 square meters.
:: Grand Deluxe Suite, Seaview (2 Pax) - 1 Units ::
The newly built Grand Deluxe Suite Room offer sea view by one balcony and pool view via another. Beautifully designed and a very nice bathroom with bathtub. Only one room of this type and it comes in 38 square meters.
:: Executive Suite, Seaview (2 Pax) - 2 Units ::
These very large spacious rooms have sea view and pool view, very large balcony, two bath rooms and a separate living room. There are two executive suite rooms available, each with a size of 60 square meters.
:: Beach Front ::
:: Beach Front Suite ::
Just step away from the sand and sea, the Beach Front Suite consists of a bedroom comes with king-size bed and daybed and a living room with full equipment. The spacious relaxing area with sundeck facing stunning sea view. The exclusive bathroom is equipped with a full function of large Jacuzzi, separate standing shower and toilet.
Size of unit: 48 sq.m.
Non smoking room
Air conditioning
Balcony/ terrace
Mini bar
Seating area/ sofa
Satellite/ cable TV.
Television LCD/ plasma screen
In room safe
Hair dryer
Coffee/ tea maker
Ironing facilities
Complimentary bottled water
Free LAN and Wi-Fi access
:: Junior Suite Room ::
Junior Suite room is located with garden view, pool view and partial of sea view, just a few step from the pool and beach. Junior Suite have ample space equipped with a full function of large Jacuzzi including separate standing shower and toilet.
Size of unit: 36 sq.m.
Non smoking room
Air conditioning
Balcony/ terrace
Mini bar
Seating area/ sofa
Satellite/ cable TV.
Television LCD/ plasma screen
In room safe
Hair dryer
Coffee/ tea maker
Ironing facilities
Complimentary bottled water
Free LAN and Wi-Fi access
Fine Dining at Maona Restaurant
Enjoy your breakfast buffet in the Makai restaurant and later order snacks and food from Maona Restaurant & Bar by the poolside. Eat your dinner by the sea under the stars or inside the our restaurant just by the beach, the choice is yours.
Maona Restaurant & Bar
is serving Continental, BBQ & Grill Seafood on the beachside from 10:00 - 23:00 hours.
Happy hours
18:00 - 20:00 hours at the Mahalo Bar.
Room service
available from 10:00 - 22:30 hours
Aloha Spa "pamper yourself" Total relaxation - right on the beach
Aloha Spa is the place you want to be when you're in Samui. We welcome everyone to come and experience our exquisite treatments, which were all designed to pamper you till you reach a feeling of complete "Serenity".
"Pamper you till you reach a feeling of complete serenity"
Take a look our on location treatments : Massage, Body Scrub, Body Treatments, Facial Spa Packages
:: Other Facilities ::
One large free form swimming pool with shallow basin for children
and Jacuzzi
Chaise - lounges and towel service for the pool
and beach area (free of charges)
Thai traditional massage available at reasonable prices
Spa & treatment
2 restaurants & pool bar
Room service till 22.30 hours
Lobby with reception
Free Wi-Fi in the rooms & in the lobby
High - speed wireless internet available
at lobby, garden and pool area
IDD telephone and Tele-Fax
Major credit cards accepted
Tour desk
Transfer service to / from Samui airport or pier
Jeep & motorbike rental
Welcome cocktail on arrival
Safety deposit boxes at reception (free of charge)
Baby cot available on request (free of charge)
Baby sitter can be arranged 24 hours in advance
Laundry service
Electrical power 220 voltages
Tailor shop
That Aloha Resort now is offering "ALOHA VIP MEMBERSHIP"
goto top
Popular pictures around hotel area. Photos taken by travelers.
Hotel summary
Location map
Rates & Reservation
Pictures & Facilities
Travel reviews
Other hotels nearby
Photos of the area
[Koh Samui info]
[Koh Samui hotels]
[Aloha Resort & Spa ]
© 1997-2017 Web Sawadee Plc.
中 文
日 本


text:
American qualifiers Doherty and Lucena storm into Berlin semis
The Americans defeated 5th seeded Pablo Herrera and Adrian Gavira of Spain 2-1 (21-18, 17-21, 15-11) and then booked a 2-0 (27-25, 21-19) over Dutch team Jon Stiekema and Christiaan Varenhorst in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
In the semifinal on Sunday Doherty and Lucena will play Bruno Oscar Schmidt and Alison Cerutti from Brazil, who also started in the Berlin qualification tournament.
"I could not be more excited", said Doherty, who reached his first World Tour semifinal ever. "Nick has been sick and has been playing out of his mind all week. Real bad cough, and he just keeps stepping up big in big situations and now we get to play in our first semifinal. I couldn't be happier."
In their match against the Dutch Doherty and Lucena had some trouble closing the first set. Both teams had opportunities, but it was the Americans who took their chance at 26-25.
The second set was close again till 16-16, when the Americans took the lead to have their first match point at 20-17. It took them another two, but at 20-19 Lucena scored the winning point.
"It's a really good team that can do a lot of good things offensively", said Doherty about the tall Dutch. "They had their opportunities, but me and Nick, we were able to fight it off as good as we could and stole that first one and tried to keep the pressure on in the second." Doherty and Lucena are only in their third World Tour event together and finis
hed 17th in Shanghai and Moscow so far. Doherty played with Todd Rogers one season after his baseball career in the minor league ended, Lucena played with Matt Fuerbringer for a long time and teamed up with John Hyden for a few events last year.
"I am excited", said Lucena. "I think we're playing really well this tournament. We are just trying to be in the moment and enjoy it. Ryan is playing really well. Playing with him is a lot easier. Last year I was a blocker next to Hyden, now I am back to defence again."
First semi too for Hyden and Bourne
USA and Brazil also supply the teams in the other semifinal. USA's John Hyden and Tri Bourne, also qualifiers, will face Emanuel Rego and Pedro Solberg Salgado.
Hyden and Bourne eliminated Canada's Hatch/Redmann (21-16, 21-16) and Moscow's silver medallists Grzegorz Fijalek and Mariusz Prudel in the quarterfinals (15-21, 21-17, 15-12).
"It's our first year on the tour, so we are happy about it", said Bourne about reaching their first semifinal. "We just played as hard as we could and ended on top."
Bourne and Hyden already beat their semifinal opponents Emanuel and Pedro in the pool phase in Berlin. "Every game is a new game, so we'll see what happens. We have high expectations of ourselves. We have made finals before on the tour back home and we know that guys who win our tour can win out here. We have already put ourself at the same level as the top guys here."
Emanuel and Pedro defeated their fellow Brazilians Ricardo Santos and Alvaro Morais Filho in a tough three setter (14-21, 21-18, 15-13) and Latvia's top team Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins 2-0 (21-18, 22-20).
"We played better today, more consistent on side-outs and we never gave up in this game against Latvia, because we were behind many times", said Emanuel.
The Brazilian veteran, who has won and seen it all, was very content with the Berlin centre court on Washingtonplatz. "Since we started to play on the centre court we played better, the sand is really good, the atmosphere. The other tournaments should take this as a model."
FIVB Berlin smart Grand Slam Tournament Page
FIVB Berlin smart Grand Slam women's results
FIVB Berlin smart Grand Slam mens' results
FIVB World Tour Twitter Account

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Transformers: The Ongoing Mission
And then we have issue 2's covers, being seen here for the first time (first one by Don and James, Bumblebee variant cover by Andrew Wildman, who'll be doing variant covers for each issue of the first storyline):
77 comments:
Chris, thanks for more Transformers posts!!! Awesome covers, love Wildman's style, hope to grab these somehow, sometime! (Bit hard on budget with a 10month old now!)
This mission looks set to fire, I hope people that are a bit put off by the art style give the first few issues a go, to see what Costa, Fig and Brown are going to do with this series, cause i'm quite excited. Especially now that we have RODIMUS and he ain't Hot Rod any more!
- September 3, 2009 at 6:49 PM
- Chris Ryall said...
Hey, hope things are going well with the kid, Luke. Don't worry about spending more on comics, though--I found that kids can subsist on half of what doctors recommend...
- September 3, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Give Don to do a movieverse comic book. The guy's butchering G1 comics with this horrid hybrid style.
- September 4, 2009 at 5:34 AM
- James M. Biggie said...
Don's work is always amazing. Hail to the King, Baby!
- September 4, 2009 at 5:41 AM
I agree with the other guy. If Don wants to draw movieverse, please give him a movieverse book.
The G1 books were par to date, nothing exceptional but this new art style really takes the lifeblood out of why I even buy TF comics in the first place. Otherwise I'd stick to the toys.
I'm happy for new continuities but this amalgamation is plain fugly.
Or may I ask is this what Hasbro has asked you guys to do for going forward with the brand?
- September 4, 2009 at 6:31 AM
Beautiful covers. Man, Don and Wildman are on top form here.
Don's bot retain the classic elements with a fresh Alien look to it.
Im absolutly green with jealousy towards James :D.
- September 4, 2009 at 6:34 AM
- Marcus said...
Wow, 4 covers and not a single decepticon. Where are the Decepticons?
- September 4, 2009 at 7:24 AM
- Ryan Yzquierdo - Seibertron.com said...
Hopefully someone realizes how bad an idea it is to do the movie-style with classic characters. Not a fan at all of this style in this usage.
I really miss the days when Transformers comics weren't such a disarray of ideas. I have my fingers crossed that the ongoing story will bring some cohesiveness to the IDW Transformers comics that has been missing the past few years with all of these mini-series-designed-to-be-trade-paperbacks.
Please keep the movie style out of the regular TF comic books in the future.
Ryan Yzquierdo
- September 4, 2009 at 8:00 AM
- Stan said...
I like what I see! But I agree, where are the Decepticons?
Ok..ok..Wheres Soundwave? :)
- September 4, 2009 at 8:16 AM
- Chris Ryall said...
Where the Decepticons are is a point of the first storyline.
And man, some of these comments about the art. I understand you being resistant to change, but why you're so opposed to giving an artist breathing room and letting his style evolve, I just don't get. His art looks amazing, better than ever.
Evidently no Iron Man fans here, since he seems to be able to change his look over the years and not be met with this kind of resistance. Who wants to read/see the same old thing for decades on end? It's still the characters you know.
When we started, we were lauded for not forcing a "house style" on the artists like previous publishers. And now I see people wishing that the "E.J. Su aesthetic" was forced on all the other artists. Leads me to think people only want change if it's change the way *they* would do it.
Give the first issue a chance. I can't imagine everyone won't like what they see there.
- September 4, 2009 at 8:52 AM
People have short memories man.
I remember when people hated the look of Nick Roche's and EJ's bots. Now people crave them.
Fact is guys that a title called Transformers is obviously going to constantly evolve. Artists need room to grow and as long as Don's story telling continues to improve i say let him grow.
I mean no disrespect here but if Comics never evolved then we would basically have everything looking like John Romita Snr and Jack Kirby. And we would never have gotten artists like Ben Templesmith, Pia Guerra, Skottie Young, Nick Roche, or Guido Guidi
Personally i see so much potential in Don's new style, just as an artist its given me a lot of inspiration colour wise!
- September 4, 2009 at 9:17 AM
- wordmongerer said...
I'm intrigued by the new style. I'm not sure it's my cup of tea but the simple truth is I have a massive amount of faith and admiration in Don's work and ability so I'm more than happy to see this evolve and develop. It certainly has has the effect of getting people to take notice!
- September 4, 2009 at 9:37 AM
- wordmongerer said...
And I forgot to say - I'm very VERY pleased to see Andy Wildman doing some TF work again.
- September 4, 2009 at 9:38 AM
pat lee style was always the best a real g1 homage idw your just getting silly now sort it out ..............
- September 4, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Yeah, not liking the Movie elements grafted onto the classic designs. And why do they all have monkey faces?
- September 4, 2009 at 10:34 AM
- glovestudios said...
Red Alert? Where did he come from? Interesting.
Gahhhrrr! That art sucks! I'm so mad. (Sorry, sometimes I just want to fit in so badly.)
- September 4, 2009 at 11:20 AM
- glovestudios said...
Haha. Just in case, and to be clear.... that was a joke. :)
- September 4, 2009 at 11:20 AM
- Ryan Yzquierdo - Seibertron.com said...
"When we started, we were lauded for not forcing a "house style" on the artists like previous publishers. And now I see people wishing that the "E.J. Su aesthetic" was forced on all the other artists. Leads me to think people only want change if it's change the way *they* would do it."
Personally, I'm just tired of all of the different interpretations of the Transformers, especially ones without explanation and especially within the same continuity. I'm up for artist interpretation from here to there, but Spider-Man and Batman have more or less stayed the same during the tenure, and whenever they've strayed, it seems like they more often than not end up back at the basics.
While I love EJ Su's artwork (his and Guido Guidi's are my favorite for Transformers), I was not a fan of a lot of the Transformers designs. I was very happy to see the Decepticon Seekers switch from their original IDW designs to the designs based off their Masterpiece figures. Still have never, ever liked the weird design of Bumblebee.
Honestly, I'd just prefer the IDW robot designs to be based off whatever current version Hasbro has out at retail for their primary line. Bumblebee should use his Classics Bumblebee mold from 2006/2007. Cyclonus? Universe 2008/2009 version. Personally, I think that makes more sense from a company stand point than just letting the artists do whatever they want.
As I stated above, please keep the movie aesthetics out of the G1 based comics. If the artists want to play around with the movie style, give them a movie book to work on.
- September 4, 2009 at 11:55 AM
- Ryan Yzquierdo - Seibertron.com said...
Meant to say "was not a fan of a lot of the IDW Transformers designs" in my post above.
- September 4, 2009 at 11:58 AM
- Fanbot said...
You whiners oughta be ashamed of yourselves. Now admittedly Don's new style is a bit ... well, different, but hello?Remember Galvatron's words in AHM 14 - the only constant thing is change. I mean, look at G2 (best series ever). Look at Dreamwave (Pat Lee). The bots have all gone thru changes at some point. You guys have a serious case of GEEWUN. Get the hell over it.
- September 4, 2009 at 12:22 PM
- Ryan Yzquierdo - Seibertron.com said...
Nothing to be ashamed of here by finally speaking my mind about something I saw a few weeks ago that I didn't like so I decided to voice my opinion about it. Only way things can be fixed is if enough fans make a statement about something they do or don't like.
I am tired of that blanket "GEEWUN" statement being shoved in the faces of people who complain about something with the "classic" Transformers. I love change when it comes to Transformers. I love Beast Wars, heck I'm even a fan of Beast Machines. I really like the movie style as well, but in the movieverse. I also highly enjoyed the look of Transformers Animated once I saw more than the first pic that leaked of Optimus Prime (that piece of artwork still looks bad with TFA Prime's face looking straight at you, but that's just a bad angle).
It wasn't the designs of the bodies that made me decide to post, but the weird faces that just don't look right to me. I think the inconsistent style of the IDW Transformers is probably more frustrating than anything. Perhaps the artists have had too much freedom. Perhaps no one cares.
I certainly do not mind letting the artists have some creative freedom. Some of my favorite Marvel era Transformers comics were issues when the artists did something different than the norm (Marvel TF #16, #33, #34 and Derek Yaniger's art comes to mind). It is my hope that this is just a temporary style to gauge our reactions.
As for Don Figueroa's artwork ... I've never really been a fan. He's a nice guy, I think he's done some great work over the years, and I admire him for being a fan who made it into the world of official folks who work on the brand. I've liked a lot of his concepts (such as the War Within designs). However, I prefer the artists like Guido Guidi and EJ Su ... artists who can draw Transformers AND humans.
I'd personally rather see the Transformers drawn in a more Japanese style than whatever this style is.
- September 4, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Come on Ryan, how can you say that when you run one of the worst looking websites on the planet.
- September 4, 2009 at 12:46 PM
- Ryan Yzquierdo - Seibertron.com said...
Because it's not one of the worst looking websites by a long shot. If you'd like to discuss my website, please feel free to contact me at email@example.com. I'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions if you have some. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.
Ryall's blog is not the appropriate place for that discussion and I'm sure all parties involved would appreciate it if we kept conversations about Seibertron.com off this blog.
- September 4, 2009 at 1:05 PM
- lonegamer8 said...
I'll openly admit, I was taken aback quite a bit on seeing Don's new style in AHM #13 when the previews came out. Part of me was "Movie designs with traditional classic-style?! WTF?!", while a different part of me was "wonder if there's a reason for the change". After reading Don's reason, it made sense that as one of the fan favorite artist he would want to try something different.
I think not many of us thought of another angle to Transformers. It's not just the toys that can change. It's not just the characters that take different shapes throughout the years. It's not just the worlds where we see the stories unfold. There's also those who help create said characters and worlds that change as well over time. While there's always dissonance on something new, at least they're laying groundwork for new directions that can either continue on smoothly with a few bumps, or come to a painful jarring end.
Don deserves to be allowed to change his art style, and he has a point on seeing the same designs year after year (well, month after month) getting a bit tiring. Put bluntly: screw "enforced house style"; each artist - lines, inks, finishes, colors, letters - should be able to dance to the beat of their choices so as long it's within acceptable parameters.
- September 4, 2009 at 1:21 PM
- Marcus said...
hmmm. Wasn't that keen on the story in AHM 13. Also didn't really like the image that was put out during SDCC.
HOWEVER the second image with Prime, Ironhide & Hot Rod had me going WOW!
The new one with Rodimus and Red Alert is even better. It just makes the title feel more grownup and less cartoony. Can't wait for this and Nefarious.
Wish Don was drawing more than just the first arc, hope to see him apply this new style to something like Beast Wars or Beast Machines.
- September 4, 2009 at 1:28 PM
- Fanbot said...
I still like his art. I'll always read TF comics no matter what. But you all right about the faces. WTF is the grille stuff in the mouth? Look at Don's art for issue 2 - serious movieverse styling
- September 4, 2009 at 2:11 PM
- Fanbot said...
And has anyone noticed the inconsistency of Rodimus' altmode? In issue 1 he has his old Dodge altmode while in issue 2 he has his AHM/Sunbow design. WTF?
- September 4, 2009 at 2:14 PM
I still don't like Nick Roche. He's passable and I've come to accept him as part of the stable. I think Nick's stylistic strong but it's not how I like my TFs to look so he barely passes.
I haven't changed my position on IDW's artists from day 1. I still think of them the same as now and some have grown but I do still think they're subpar to the Dreamwave style and particularly to Don's style - which to me was one of the very reasons I got back into collecting TFs again.
This grafting of G1 and movieverse is forced and tries to combine to polar opposites that just do not quite work.
There's nothing wrong about the evolution of an artist but there is something quite distinctly different from drawing something in a different style to amalgamating two different designs. Nick for instance style is still G1. I just don't like his style all that much. Don's here is putting G1 and movie verse in a blender together. I'm happy to read about movieverse but let's keep separate.
You read G1 comics b/c it's a throwback to G1. You read movieverse b/c it's about movieverse. You don't read G1 and expect movieverse. What's happened here is like putting Animated into a a G1 based comic. The Animated comics are the animated comics. The G1 comics are the G1 comics/
And judging by the sales estimates, from day one of IDW acquiring the licence, a lot of people have dropped off, Chris. I think a lot of them aren't around any more to complain b/c they've already voted with their wallet and walked. Guys like myself are still here cos we can live through the general mediocrity, sometimes good, sometimes bad.
- September 4, 2009 at 7:23 PM
I should add too that Don deserves his chance to evolve too. I'm not saying he doesn't. It's just I don't appreciate where it's being done.
So I take it that this is a completely IDW taken direction with the art style? That it's been between IDW and Don? Because my gut instinct was that it came from Hasbro or potentially some new TF cartoon series.
- September 4, 2009 at 7:25 PM
- Chris Ryall said...
>Wish Don was drawing more than just the first arc
He is.
- September 4, 2009 at 7:47 PM
- Fanbot said...
Oh come on man. Dreamwave's art was good, but the story was even more subpar than you allege IDW is at art. And Pat Lee - don't even get me started. He came on and look what happened - Dreamwave blew up. No, I believe IDW have, as with ALL the other companies, put their own little spin on the mythos.
And don't diss the Roche.
- September 4, 2009 at 7:54 PM
- Fanbot said...
Oh and all you who are completely being a bunch of wimps saying "Don's art sucks", you haven't even read the fricking comic yet!!! Talk about judging a comic by it s cover. Read it first and THEn you can gripe about it.
- September 4, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Typical Transformer fans. No wonder no one takes most of you people seriously.
Here. Read this.
And please, grow a set and learn how not to cry.
- September 4, 2009 at 8:26 PM
- camshaftgirl13 said...
I, for one, like the artwork. It's always fun to see the new incarnations of the characters.
And what, Hot Rod is going to be Rodimus now instead? Eh?
- September 5, 2009 at 12:11 AM
- Hans said...
I think it all comes down to: do you like what you see? The simple answer, unfortunately, is: no.
Don't get me wrong, I'll pick up the book as always, but it's more because of habit and having a complete collection this time than it is because I'm really curious to see what happens.
It's not about not wanting change for me. I just don't like the fact that all the faces have the same, morbid look to them. Especially when it's the Autobots we see. I'm sorry, but I agree with some other posters here, let Don do a movie-universe book if that is more to his current style. Guido Guidi and Casey Coller have the G1 aesthetic down perfectly, I think they would be a more natural fit for this universe.
Sorry Chris, this is the first time I'm really not digging what I see. Everyone's allowed to have an opinion, right?
- September 5, 2009 at 12:31 AM
- Hans said...
Oh, and Fabot: it's not just judging by the cover. Don already did AHM 13 in this new style, as well.
- September 5, 2009 at 12:32 AM
- DanielW said...
Andy Schmidt has said that each artist will be allowed their own style for their runs on the comics, Don has opted for a hyper-detailed approach.
No doubt the fans will whinge about "inconsistency". IDW can't catch a break from the community can it? If everything was the same, "house style", if the artist changes his own style "he's taken hack lessons from [insert name of easy to slight artist]", if they change designs to something new "what happened to the proper designs?" if they go back "how dare you change".
Frankly, IDW needs to just stick to their guns and do what they think will work, the fans that strop off in a huff will be weighed with the fans who come one because of great publicity and so forth.
- September 5, 2009 at 1:07 AM
I've warmed to Don's new style. Transformers are ever changing, so why shouldn't the art style? Would we all like to see Jose Delbo's style all the time?(Not a criticism, I enjoyed Jose's work.)
The one thing that I've always loved its Don's attention to detailand the new designs will put him to the test. The story should be great as IDW has not disappointed me yet. Bring it on!!
- September 5, 2009 at 1:22 AM
God those Autobots are ugly! Whose idea was it to make them all look alike with those god awful movieverse faces? There is a difference between evolving and sucking...Hasbro and IDW, total failures. I was looking forward to this series, it's a shame that it is not worth my money.
- September 5, 2009 at 7:04 AM
- puppylove said...
http://tinyurl.com/m4hu8m << comments from tfw.2005
i already posted about my dislike of the new designs here. to the people telling the fans to get over it- if the fans don't like the new designs, they won't buy the comics, and i would hope IDW cares about sales. i also don't understand a company that seems to like angering its fanbase.
alternate style can be good, but within reason. like casey coller's art is different, but still fits nicely into the look. having read through the series in the last year or so (started reading AHM, then was hooked, went back got all the trades) i don't see a huge leap in design from artist to artist. each was respectful of the look. this is clearly a mixture of movie aesthetic with the beautiful former designs that were more G1 related. if i wanted to read movie comics... i would buy the movie comics. *sighs*
i am so frustrated. it seems the opinions of the readers are being disregarded as trivial, or just fans not wanting change. when in fact the comics are meant for the fans! please, listen to us.
in the end, you are losing readership, and if you are willing to do that to keep your artist happy, there is something very wrong.
i for one, will not be buying anymore comics if this is what i have to look forward to.
- September 5, 2009 at 7:24 AM
- James Snelgrove said...
Frankly, I dont mind the changes in the bodies of the Transformers at all. Don's new style might be more movie-verse fiddly but he makes sure to maintain a G1-verse feel to the characters.
Unfortunately, I despise the way he has been drawing the faces of these characters. In his Optimus/Ironhide story it looked like Ironhide was wearing a much oversized helmet, and was really excessively old. Actually, most of these robots come across looking like they have robo wrinkles with their segmented faces, and it just feels wrong.
I'm all for change and, heck, I even got over my dislike for switching the designs between the -ations and AHM (it helped that there was a flashback scene to acknowledge that the Seekers used to be F-22's and not always Masterpiece designs....I also think that sequence was pencilled by EJ Su as a fill in artist) and I know I will grow to like some of the structural changes I am feeling reticent to do with the switch over to Don as artist, but the faces just aren't what I like out of my TFs, and I'm worried that it may ruin the book for me if there is a lot more exposition than action (and I actually want a lot of exposition, I like stories where things get explained and its not just jumping from one set of explosions to the next in my comic books), because then Ill have to look at these segmented faces a fair deal more than I think I will be comfortable with.
And, for the record, I don't dislike the Movie style. I don't particularly dislike any artist that IDW has used (though there was that one who filled in on an AHM issue who's style worked better on the Humans than Robots, clashed with the other fill in artist's style and made the book read weird, but his art had no major faults to it....might be interesting to see him on an Animated comic issue), I just tend to prefer my robot faces in a more traditional G1 aesthetic, especially when dealing with G1-based versions of the characters. If Don were to tone down the changes he made in drawing their faces then I would be completely on board with his new style.
- September 5, 2009 at 9:13 AM
I think "Seibertron" is one of the best people to give his opinion on the quality of the comic books. After all, he has thousands of copies of the Dreamwave series at his house (the unsent copies he kept after stealing the money of the fans from his site).
- September 5, 2009 at 9:38 AM
- Fanbot said...
Why don't we read the first arc and just wait a bit? We've only seen Don do a small number of characters and we haven't seen enough of Costa's penmanship to judge yet. Who knows? His story could make up for Don's controversial art styling. You are right tho, his faces at times ... by Primus, how awful!
- September 5, 2009 at 12:36 PM
- Chris Ryall said...
>i also don't understand a company that seems to like angering its fanbase.
We in no way try to anger anyone. But if a close-minded minority thinks we're going to only do what they demand, that's also flawed logic. I don't want the comics feeling stagnant in story or art. So we try new things with both, in hopes that people appreciate that we're trying new things.
There are probably 20+ different opinions in this blog thread alone. Obviously someone somewhere is going to be angry because there's no way to please 20+ different opinions of how the book should be.
I wish you weren't angry, and would give the book a read before writing it off. But if you don't choose to do that, well, you're welcome to your choice and your opinion.
I also wish all of you would recognize that Don is a human being and an artist and doesn't deserve to just read comments like "this art is ugly." He's doing amazing work, detailed as can be, and whether you personally love it or not, at least be polite about it, before you forever drive away one of the best artists to ever draw these characters.
- September 5, 2009 at 2:49 PM
- Fanbot said...
Too right Ryall. Don was supposed to have stopped doing transformers several times, yet he always came back. This reaction could permanently destroy his association with TF. He could leave to never return. Think about that...
- September 5, 2009 at 5:09 PM
I find these reactions very interesting. If you were to take away the face designs and replace them more traditional, more recognisable ones, I doubt you'd get a single complaint about the 'more detailed' look (OK, maybe a few, LoL).
The thing is, the face is a very important part of what makes a character's relationship with the reader/viewer. If you plonk in a very mechanical/alien design onto well loved cast that people empathise with, you're bound to get this kind of reaction. Even guys I know in my local comic shop who aren't necessarily TF fans went "What the hell?".
I personally could get used to it, but it won't mean I'll like it.
- September 5, 2009 at 5:42 PM
I've loved Transformers comic books since the Marvel days and will likely continue to buy them. Chris, I'm not convinced that it is a minority of people that dislike what they've seen of the art. Don is one of my favorite artists but this artwork seems to make the characters too alien to identify with. Prime looks fantastic but the faces are too detailed (if that's the right word). The same is true of the bodies. I think the comparison to the movie-verse is adequate. I will give the series a chance but I really hope the art is better than we've seen. I also hope that if sales drop, God forbid, that the publisher will at least explore the possibility that the art may be the reason for a drop in sales.
- September 5, 2009 at 8:46 PM
- Hans said...
I hope Don realises that he is probably the most universally loved Transformers artist. People aren't saying they don't like the way he draws (because I believe everyone loves Don's art), they're only saying they don't like the influence of the movie style into G1, a design choice that Don has made. In other words, no one is asking for him to be taken off the title, they're only asking him to rethink his designs :)
But seriously Chris, I really don't think that a close minded minority doesn't like these 'redesigns'... If you look at discussions over at TFW2005.com or Seibertron.com, you'll see that people are talking about them in a negative way across the board. I just hope IDW realises this.
And I suppose passionate fans of a certain property will always have a certain level of close-mindedness about aesthetic changes to that property. That's only to be expected, I think.
By the way, Guido Guidi and Casey Coller are still around as well, right? Guido and Casey are my favourite TF artists.
- September 6, 2009 at 3:28 AM
- wordmongerer said...
Seconded - Don's work ranks amongst the finest TF has seen and I'm going to give him (and me) a chance to warm to this style. MT preference was never EJ's style but I could never fault his ability even if it wasn't to my *taste*. Key word there "taste". It's not like the books are being drawn by someone with no talent, it's just that he's using his considerable talents in a different was than I or anyone is used to.
And I'd definitely like to see more from Casey and Robby who ALWAYS seem to dazzle with their books too.
- September 6, 2009 at 4:44 AM
I like every thing but the faces. Really hate the faces.Hope the comic dosent have those faces too cause they are really turning me off from buying this.
- September 6, 2009 at 7:05 AM
"But seriously Chris, I really don't think that a close minded minority doesn't like these 'redesigns'... If you look at discussions over at TFW2005.com or Seibertron.com, you'll see that people are talking about them in a negative way across the board. I just hope IDW realises this."
All I think Chris is saying is that all of the people that post on the message boards comprise maybe somewhere between 2 and 5% of consumers. So yeah, that would be a minority. You have what, maybe 500 people (I think that's even being generous) that post on the major boards if you don't count those that have multiple accounts (one on each site). I mean, all of the boards were very vocal with dislike for AHM but it still sold consistently. I've scanned a lot of the boards and it always seems like a select few who are always throwing the complaints with a few new people thrown in the mix.
- September 6, 2009 at 1:14 PM
- Ryan said...
[quote]DrSpengler said...
I think "Seibertron" is one of the best people to give his opinion on the quality of the comic books. After all, he has thousands of copies of the Dreamwave series at his house (the unsent copies he kept after stealing the money of the fans from his site).[/quote]
I love when people don't tell the whole story. You received your refund at least 4 years ago, as did everyone else. Let it drop Spengler.
- September 6, 2009 at 4:23 PM
- Nightingale said...
I've posted before, and I feel I should post again. I'm happy that people are putting in their opinion. First of all... I already said Don is one of my favorite artists. It's just the lean on the movieverse that is making me walk away.
I think that in that genre, I'd enjoy the design. Only when I look at it in this continuum, it loses the feelings and attachment to me. In fact, as I stated before, I think of Skeletor (adding in Terminator at that). But, this is all in the faces. The body detail is impressive and almost functional. I mean NO disrespect for Figueroa...
I've subscribed to each round of comics AND bought the compilations... But... I don't think I'll be buying these even if I am curious about what is going to happen.
- September 6, 2009 at 7:20 PM
I've posted before about that art work and I feel I need to again. Don is an AMAZING artist. I myself am an artist and a graphic designer so I realize and agree with the fact that all artist have to grow and try new things. This in no way bothers me. In fact I like to see artists expanding and evolving their styles.
With that being said. IDW is a business. As a Graphic Designer I realize that my work must please the client, the person PAYING. If the client is not pleased then there is a problem. The client wants the style they want. If they don't get what they want, I don't get paid and they walk away to someone else who is going to do the work the way they want it done.
In no way do I mean any disrespect to Don, I think he is amazing, but if he wants to try a more movie verse style, why not let him work on movie verse comics instead of comics that are G1?
If I want to see movie verse art I would go to the movie verse comics. But we have been promised a more G1 continuing saga and I for one would be more pleased to see it stay a little truer to G1 and not try to merge the two designs because frankly it doesn't work, it is not eye pleasing and will simply drive fans to not pick up the comics.
Now, I think it is unfair to say the style is ugly or any other negative comment about it in the reguards of style itself. I'm not bashing the artwork for what it is. I'm simply saying that it's not suited to a more G1 based line, it's not a good selling point.
You can not do a somewhat movie verse style and call it G1, it simply does not work. And comments about it sucking will not get the point across that what we, the fans, want is G1 style art and not movie verse.
While, I think it is great that Ryall is backing up Don in this, that shows some great loyalty and I respect that a lot... I simply ask that you take the time to hear us fans out who are actually not trying to bash and give our honest opinions and please take us into account.
- September 6, 2009 at 7:41 PM
- DanielW said...
Andy Schmidt has this to say:
Don wanted to take different elements from different incarnations and I stood by the decision. Don't not the only artist on here. Look at the "Last Stand of the Wreckers" cover we've released or the Bumblebee cover we've released. Neither of those are movie-fied. What we're doing differently is letting the artists be artists. We're letting them show off their unique skills. Casey, Guido, and many others are working on other TF projects and no one but Don is doing what Don does. No one but Guido is penciling them the way Guido does. It's about letting the artists bring something unique to their stories.
One of the things I love about comics is how I used to argue with my two brothers over who did the best Wolverine or Spider-Man or Batman. I'm just trying give the artists on TF that same kind of freedom. Granted, Don's take on them is the most different from what we've seen before, but if yo look closely, there's elements from "War Within" and "armada" as well as the movies.
Well that rather is that.
Now I predict that people will be complaining about the incosistency.
However - we have Don on art.
An ONGOING series.
A company that has committed to producing the best quality series they can.
The NUMBER 3 COMPANY in the industry no less.
It's a company that takes the fans seriously enough to employ some of them to write, illustrate and illuminate the comics.
A company that has enough guts to speak to the fans, listen to the abuse and to try and change their opinions.
No, I don't work for IDW, but by thunder I have more respect for them then I do certain other companies out there.
- September 6, 2009 at 8:54 PM
- Chris Ryall said...
>While, I think it is great that Ryall is backing up Don in this, that shows some great loyalty and I respect that a lot... I simply ask that you take the time to hear us fans out who are actually not trying to bash and give our honest opinions and please take us into account.
In the five years I've been doing this, I've repeatedly shown that I do take every fan's comments into account. And you'd think that in doing so it would build up some level of trust with the fans, but when I see fans yelling me they will stop buying Transformers comics because they don't like the way a character's face looks, well, that is not something I understand, condone or will cater to. If peoples' affection for these characters is so transitory as to let an art style that isn't 100% to your liking (but it IS a high percentage nonetheless, based on everyone's "we love Don but just not these faces" comments) send you packing, well, there's nothing we can do about that. Change the faces again and alienate other people? Or change a vehicle mode and alienate still others? Change a color, a word balloon, a font? Where does this level of jumping off end? And how do you think we could put together long-term plans if we're expected to constantly tweak little details that some people don't like?
Is it too much to ask that everyone actually read issue 1 and then decide? Because I think most all of this is going to be moot when you see it.
- September 6, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Chris said...
> Is it too much to ask that everyone actually read issue 1 and then decide? Because I think most all of this is going to be moot when you see it.
Mate, you are asking readers to spend their money on something that at first glance repulses them.
I'm really sorry, if your the one trying to win us over, you should be more than willing for us to express our opinions and pass judgement. You put previews to try and woo us in, to get us to spend $3.99. Comics aren't cheap.
It's your job to get us to buy books. Turning around and complaining when we don't respond well to the very previews you're trying to lure us in with is pretty damn hypocritical.
No one should have to try your book and then pass judgement on it. As a consumer, you are from the very outset trying to engage us and attract us to your offering. We should be able to pass judgement on something the moment you put a preview out there.
I don't think there's been anything nasty in these responses here. They're expressing an opinion and I agree with others that you should at least listen.
- September 7, 2009 at 8:20 AM
"I don't think there's been anything nasty in these responses here. They're expressing an opinion and I agree with others that you should at least listen."
When did Ryall ever say he doesn't listen? Did you even read his post where he said he takes every fans' opinion into account?
- September 7, 2009 at 9:16 AM
- Chris Ryall said...
>No one should have to try your book and then pass judgement on it.
Um. No idea how to respond to this kind of thinking.
- September 7, 2009 at 3:06 PM
- Mark Pellegrini said...
Just a heads up to Ryan of Seibertron.com, but this is the real "DrSpengler" and I did not write that comment about the Store.
Looks like someone was playing a joke.
- September 7, 2009 at 3:39 PM
'Is it too much to ask that everyone actually read issue 1 and then decide? Because I think most all of this is going to be moot when you see it.'
We've already given it a chance with issue 13 of All Hail Megatron. And it was not to our liking.
Obviously either my point was not coming across clearly or you just weren't getting it. Which, I can understand with people giving negative comments that are quit harsh and not needed.
Simply having a 5 year old tantrum and saying 'it sucks, it's ugly' is not the way to get the point across because obviously, you're not holding a gun to our heads to buy your comics and bottom line is it's our choice to spend the money or not.
However, there are those of us like myself who want to support IDW and love the transformers comics. Heck, they're the only comics I read and buy.
That being said, they are comics books so the greatest appeal to them is the artwork. It's not a novel with only words.
While, I am sure the story line and plot itself will be fantastic I can not say that I will be able to get into it looking at those faces. I felt very put off from relating to Prime and Ironhide in issue 13 of AHM and I feel it would be the same for this new series.
You ask is it too much to ask that we read the first issue, but really is it too much that you give us what was promised? The first on going GENERATION ONE Transformers series in years?
- September 7, 2009 at 6:31 PM
> Um. No idea how to respond to this kind of thinking.
I don't think you're listening. What I interpreted him as saying was that why should we not be able to pass judgement on a book before reading it?
Given you're trying to lure us in, market to us, can't readers then judge what they see? It's the whole point of these covers you're showing us, right? Trying to whet our appetite?
The art does suck btw.
- September 7, 2009 at 8:41 PM
- DanielW said...
As much as we have something of a right as a consumer to pass judgement on whether or not we intend to buy something based on the art (or the writer or the company or whatever) there must be a line between deciding not to buy something, speaking as a previous consumer and explaining why you're not going to continue with a title (even to the EIC of the company) and just being negative.
I see people saying "I don't like the art" (hell I've said it) as being a judgement.
"The art sucks" is just being negative, and somewhat rude.
I don't like a lot of the New Series of Doctor Who, but love the old stuff. Now, I am within my right as a consumer to say why I don't like it (I love IDW's take on it FWIW), but if I didn't watch the series and was just critical, does that not make me somewhat hypocritical and rude, rather then making judgements as a consumer?
So if you're not going to get the comics because of the art, that's fine. If you want to say "I'm not getting this because of the art" then that's fine too. But to constantly go on and on about it, it crosses the line between a judgement and rudeness IMO.
You see, I'm a teacher.
When I teach kids to critique the work of their fellow students (and it is something we do) language that is constructive, "I didn't like it because of X and Y" that sort of thing, is far more likely to get the person you're talking to listen to your comments then saying "it sucks".
If children as young as 8 can do that, why can't adults on the Internet?
Why can't we be creative in our criticisms? I read a post on the IDW forum, where someone explained that their dislike of the faces comes from the difficulty in them emoting. He could so easily have said "they suck because they can't emote", but instead he toned in such a way to offer a critique that is toned in such a way to offer suggestions for improvement.
- September 8, 2009 at 12:02 AM
- Hans said...
I disagree about the art sucking, it's just the way the bots are designed. When I look at those covers and don't even recognise the iconic image of "Generation One" Optimus Prime, there's just something very wrong.
Like I said, I'm a fan, and I too support IDW, so I'll buy the comic. But these are not the Transformers I knew. And quite frankly, yes, this is hard to look at.
I hate the movie designs. There's nothing "Japanese mecha" about them at all. It's more "American Terminator". So no, I don't appreciate the movie design language imposed on the original character designs. If Don really wants to draw more detail I don't see why he wasn't given a movie Universe book instead.
- September 8, 2009 at 12:16 AM
Thanks for the follow! I also have my own website. Come visit me at
more template Click quick
- September 8, 2009 at 2:57 AM
Ryall, if you consider my post in the context of the entire response it makes much more sense.
Focus on this perhaps: you want to market to us, you want us to buy by offering a preview, expect feedback.
Don't sit there and whine why people won't give things a chance. Be glad that they've given the chance to have a look at the cover art you've supplied. You're trying to market to us, you're trying to encourage us to help you make profits. We should be perfectly entitled to judge what we see - esp. when you're trying to entice us to fork out our hard earned on your books.
- September 8, 2009 at 7:38 AM
- wordmongerer said...
Criticism is not the issue as I see it, it's more the opinion disguised as fact (coupled with a lot of rudeness) that's the problem. I've stated it's not to my tastes and that I'll give it a chance and take it from there. In the days on Marvel G1 (UK) you had such contrasting styles and I liked some more than others and I had my favourite (who just so happens to be doing a cover for this - whoop!).
If you've said you don't like it or that you're not going to buy it - fine. Move on! Chris will ultimately take into account audience reaction, but as a whole not in individual terms. The only way to see whether a risk is worth taking is to take it and then see the results afterwards.
- September 8, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Ryall's not whining, he's saying "give it a chance", hell he's not even saying buy the issue, all he's asking is that we give it a flick through in our LCS and pick it up based on what we see in our hands.
- September 8, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Whoever the "anonymous" is that can't even sign-off - have you noticed how the "feedback" you're describing is actually moreso the nondescript, negative bashing of "the art sucks".
it's fine to have an opinion, but Ryall shares his time with the fans, so please be a little respectful. It really isn't hard.
I honestly found the style Don used in AHM#13 a little bit jarring - but from the FEW pics of #1 and #2 i'm warming to it.
I cannot WAIT to see the pages in the comic, and witness Costa and Fig telling this new story. And I hope it's successful!
- September 8, 2009 at 4:31 PM
DanielW for the win on constructive criticism comparison with his students.
- September 9, 2009 at 5:48 AM
- Fanbot said...
Woo! This comments page is turning into a slagging forum!
And the "Anonymous" who is saying how sucky Ryall is and how he's whining and not taking the consumers seriously and all that slag; well isn't a bit of bad consumerism that you aren't even doing your research to ascertain the product quality by actually investigating (ie reading) the product? As I said before, Mike's writing may make up for this style. Art alone don't make a comic great. Look at Batman Year One. The art was very basic, but the story made up for it.
And yes, others are right, I find the faces annoying because of the faces. The grille things make it hard for them to look emotive, and they are a bit of an eyesore in the way that it's a bit hard to look at them.
So can we PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF PRIMUS, read the slagging comic and actually see what it's like? I mean it's the first ongoing for almost 5 years. FIVE SLAGGING YEARS, people.
- September 9, 2009 at 9:36 PM
- Chris Ryall said...
>Look at Batman Year One. The art was very basic, but the story made up for it.
I was with ya on everything, Fanbot, until this. I think the art in that book is absolutely gorgeous. But that's one of my all-time favorite stories.
Although now I wonder if Mazzucchelli had given Batman Michael Keaton's "Batman Movie" mouth if I would've reacted as badly as some fans have about Don's new style...
- September 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
- Stan said...
So did Sixshot take over or what?
Imagine the Plot twist,Razerclaw & Soundwave are his 2cnd Lt's in command..But puts offswitch's in Megatron, Shockwave, Starscream and Scorponok, and makes them lowly grunts while there down...all out of spite, & becouse he could. HA!
Am I close or way off? Come on Ryall!
- September 10, 2009 at 5:33 PM
I have nothing against artists trying something new. But let's face it, the faces are atrocious on the covers.
And yes, I understand things change... but not always for the better.
- September 16, 2009 at 8:23 PM
- Doctor said...
Well, it's nothing new to say that while these are skilfully rendered drawings, I find the faces irksome. It's not, imo, to do with using a 'movie' style or making them more complicated per se; it's simply that Don's choice of how to arrange the plating means the general template is, unfortunately, redolent of an angry old man with gimlet eyes and sunken cheeks.
I'd also like to point out there's a massive difference between mandating that artists draw in a 'house style' and mandating that they stick to the same basic design of a Transformer. With the exception of Kup and a few minor characters, Nick Roche has always toed the line in terms of the design, following the cues set by other artists. To say that he draws in a 'house style', however, is preposterously wrong.
So I'll be disappointed if this letting artists draw in whatever way they want means the same character turns up with three different configurations over the same time period.
As to the writing? Well, let's wait and see. That's what we're all doing, isn't it? All this reaction is just to do with the 'look'.
Oh, as a final note - nice to see Red Alert!
- September 27, 2009 at 5:46 AM
Not sure why some fans don't like this new look to the transformers, I think the new looks is awesome, Dons a transformer drawing expert and the fact he can make them look like that proves it. I'm looking forward to the release in November and I expect great things from this series.
Keep up the good work Don
- October 5, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Hi Chris,
I wasn't too keen on Don't new style when I first saw the ongoing preview art, but I picked up AHM #13 today with his Prime/Ironhide story, and the new look has grown on me considerably. It's still Don's art, just a bit more detailed and with some inspirations from the movie designs. I personally think I'm going to enjoy the ongoing.
- October 20, 2009 at 6:50 PM


text:
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Las Vegas • Even with an undeniable new layer of muscle, Derrick Favors has a long way to go to catch his newest mentor in terms of bulk. That's because almost any NBA would have a long way to go to catch Favors' newest mentor in terms of bulk. That, in turn, is because his newest mentor is Karl Malone.
Favors, the projected started power forward for the Jazz, has spent nearly two months working out daily alongside the No. 2 scorer in NBA history. No, Favors has not taken to running sprints with parachutes tied to his waist.
Not yet, anyhow.
The two Jazz big men are working primarily on a different muscle, Favors said.
"He just taught me just a lot of mental stuff," he said. "During workouts we're just talking. He was just showing me things here and there, that everything was mostly mental."
Of course, Malone isn't settling for a coaching role. Favors said Malone will "try to outwork me in one little workout or something."
Even at 50 Malone's birthday is, of course, on state holiday Pioneer Day the Mailman sets a high bar.
"Might sound crazy," Favors said, "but the hardest thing was getting ready to work out with him. He wanted me to be in shape, be ready before he got there. We did a lot of things, a lot of conditioning stuff so he wanted me to be ready for him." They have played one-on-one, although he said they haven't kept score (which fits nicely with General Manager Dennis Lindsey's 2013-14 request not to be judged by wins and losses). However, Favors couldn't resist the opportunity to brag a little.
"He don't want me to tell nobody," Favors intoned quietly, "but I beat him at H-O-R-S-E one time." Serious inquiry: How many people on earth can say that?
The Jazz announced earlier this year that Malone would work periodically with Favors, as well as Jazz center Enes Kanter. However, Kanter underwent April shoulder surgery and was rehabbing in Chicago before recently going to Santa Barbara and training site P3.
- Bill Oram


text:
Introduction to Photoshop
Course #4000001
Norman Sanders
Supply List:
note taking materials
three ring binder to hold occasional hand-outs
fill out the below questionnaire and mail to the instructor (address below)
I would like to know more about your experience, if any, using the Photoshop software so that this Introduction to Photoshop course provides you with the greatest personal benefit. The information you and your colleagues provide will serve as a guide to the subjects and techniques to be emphasized and the pace of each meeting.
For that reason I would like you to complete the following questionnaire, the results of which will be very useful in shaping each session. You will notice that there is no formal space provided for your name. Please supply it. Then mail this completed questionnaire to me at the following address as soon as possible:
Prof. Norman Sanders, 1755 York Avenue, New York, NY 10128
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you may reach me at: firstname.lastname@example.com.
Thank you.


text:
As the day approaches when Israel may decide to launch a preemptive strike against Iran in order to cripple its nuclear infrastructure, Israeli policymakers and their allies abroad would carefully assess how the Lebanese-based group Hezbollah would react.
Although Israel is unlikely to launch an attack on Iran prior to the U.S. Presidential election in November, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be running out of patience and is becoming more vocal in warning that Iran's nuclear program could cross Israel's so-called "red line" by next spring or summer at the latest. Other factors, including the outcome of the U.S. elections, the outcome of the P5+1- Iran talks that are expected to follow the U.S. Presidential Election, growing instability in neighboring Syria, and the outcome of the early elections that Netanyahu has just called, will all factor into Israel's decision on whether to use force against Tehran, and if so, when.
But perhaps no single factor, besides Iran's nuclear program itself, will be as important in influencing Israel's strategic assessment as the realization that attacking Iran risks sparking a war on several fronts; that is, one that not only invites retaliation from Iran, but very likely from its regional ally and sometimes proxy, Hezbollah. With the debacle of the 2006 war against the Lebanese group still fresh in Israeli minds, the possibility that the Shi'a organization would renew hostilities against the Jewish state through cross-border raids, terrorism, or rocket attacks against its cities, will have to be part of Israel's calculations for any "day after" scenario.Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.
Besides helping create the "Party of God" on the anvil of the Lebanese civil war and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) invasion of Southern Lebanon in 1982, Iran's support for Hezbollah has become multifaceted over the years, and now includes: military training, arms transfers, intelligence and, perhaps most crucially, financial support. Although a fair share of the funding provided by Tehran has gone towards building schools and hospitals, as well as the provision of social services in poor Shi'ite neighborhoods in Lebanon, the aid has also helped the organization's militant wing. Moreover, Hezbollah fighters are known to have received extensive training from, and to be working closely with, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While Hezbollah is now a political party competing in elections and an important social force in long-neglected parts of Lebanon, and while it has for the most part ceased serving as an extension of the Islamic Republic, its armed wing's ability to inflict pain on Israel remains a powerful bargaining chip, if not an adequate deterrent against an Israeli attack on Iran. As journalist Nicholas Blanford wrote in a recent book on the organization: "the billions of dollars Iran has spent on Hezbollah since 2000 was not an altruistic gift to help Lebanon defend itself against the possibility of future Israeli aggression … through Hezbollah, Iran has established a bridgehead on Israel's northern border, enhancing its deterrence posture and expanding its retaliatory options in the event of an attack on the Islamic Republic."
Indeed, Hezbollah packs a formidable punch. According to IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Yair Naveh, Hezbollah today has at least 60,000 rockets and missiles in its arsenal, or about ten times the number it had during the 34-day war in 2006. While the organization had few rockets that were capable of hitting Tel Aviv during that conflict, today it is said to have several thousands in its arsenal capable of doing so. In addition to the short- and medium-range rockets, Western intelligence assesses that Hezbollah has acquired a Syrian version of the Iranian Fateh-110 surface-to-surface missile, with a range of 200-300km, and may have received Russian-made SA-8 tactical air-defense systems. Hezbollah is also suspected of possessing a number of Chinese systems that were reverse-engineered by Iran or Syria, including the Raad anti-ship missile, the Misagh-2 MANPAD, and the B302 rocket, a Syrian version of the Chinese WS-1 multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Other rockets in Hezbollah's arsenal include the Iranian Fajr-3 (42km), Fajr-5 (~70km), and the Zalzel I/II(125/210km). In recent years, Hezbollah has placed medium- and long-range rockets deeper inside Lebanon and further away from the border with Israel. According to Daniel Byman of the Brookings Institution, many of those are concealed in homes. Such an arsenal, added to geographical proximity, has led some Israeli security officials to argue that an attack by Hezbollah would be more dangerous than Iranian retaliation following a preemptive strike against Tehran's nuclear facilities.


text:
Friday Question Time
12 February 2010
Ok so it's low fi today as I am still in deep writing mode.
Q1 from Kairamon… How do you feel about strangers approaching you because of fame & music, what kind of encounters do you enjoy?
A1… I don't mind people approaching. It's cool. The only time that it's a pain is when I am doing animal things… basic stuff… like if I was having a pee and the guy standing next to me is like "Hey you're that guy…Ahhh…It's you… I love Why Does It Always Rain On Me" and he's splashing all over the place… encounters I enjoy would be umm really anything that doesn't involve someone peeing on me.
Q2 from Pocketchange 78…Your last postings show ABBA & MJ w/different lyrics than released. Which Travis songs started out as something different?
A2… Nice question… here is an example of pre lyrics… click to make bigger.
Q3 from ALLYXIS What is your favourite brand of clothes?
A3 There is a french company called A.P.C. which I wear all the time. I also like a japanese company called 45 rpm
Q4 HArtyLFC…I know you're a wellknown Celtic supporter. Did you catch the match? Thought Keane looked sharp but was unlucky. C'mon you hoops!
A4 I think not having football fans around me whilst growing up left me not really bothering as an adult. If was to chose a team i would chose celtic. I always liked their spirit. They always seemed more noble than other teams, fighters. And the green and white strips always looked so cool. But I have no idea what is going on in football. I also hated that if you were catholic it would be celtic and if you were protestant it would be rangers. It's all indoctrinated. I liked Partick Thistle too because the name is attractive. Footballers and sports people facinate me. It is very difficult to make it to the top of your trade if you are a sports person… there is a lot of dedication there which I really admire.
Q5 Cynthiaolguin … Her husband wonders Blur or Oasis…
A5 Oasis all the way.
Q6 Yauami … I'd like to know about why you chose some of your cover versions over the years. Lets start with Back In Black…
A6 Back in Black was borne from working with a great producer called Niko Bolas. He taught us how to play, how to rock and used ACDC as his example of how one should rock if that is what one wishes to do. I wrote All I Want To Do Is Rock after being inspired by this man. Most covers arrive because we ran out of songs for b sides. This was back when bands had to put 4 b sides out when they released a single and if you were releasing 4 or 5 singles, you were using up alot of material.
q7 minacco …Do you like taking photos? What kind of cameras do you use? I use Richo CX2 and i Phone. sometimes toy-camera like fisheye 🙂
A I love photography and I take pics. I use a Canon 5dMarkii as an slr and the ricoh GR2 digital as a handheld. The Ricoh is amazing. It was suggested to me by David Bailey. I have the Ricoh GR which is the 35mm version. This is one of the best point and shoot cameras ever.
Q8 What`s the difference between Healy`s solo album and a Travis one? After all you are the lead singer / song writer in the band ?
A8 Did I answer this already. If I did then apologies… I guess it's just my songs played by some other people. I have always written about what is going on in my life whether it be falling in love, being chucked, having a child. I was told by the above producer Niko Bolas to write about what I knew, so that is what I do. The style of playing in Travis has always been dictated by the song that arrives. Some bands jam out and have all these sections of music to add lyrics and melody to. We have never been that kind of band.
Q9 fran why are you wearing felt hat recently? i always think you can bring mohawk style back anytime you want, it was cool.
A9 I wore the hat because it looked cool and it was kind of the look of Ode To J Smith. I was also growing out my hair. It is long and unkempt now soon to be cut but into what style I am unsure.
Q10 snemzer… What is your favorite medium & place to listen to music? CD? LP? iPod? Earbuds? Headphones? Huge speakers? Car? Studio?
A10 Great question. I would have to say that listening to a song in a studio from analogue tape has to be the best sound. We took some of the master tapes of The Invisible Band and The Man Who into the studio a couple of years ago to get the glass harp sound and e-bow sound from Drfitwood and the string sound from Sing. Nobody uses tape anymore. It sound SO good. There is a quality which cannot be copied digitally and that is the phenomenon of the tracks bleeding together slightly. Tape is physical and the 2 inch tape is split into 24 parts one on top of the other. You can record "the take" and then come in the next day and it magically sounds better. This is because all the tracks sort of merge microscopically. Listening to a song on headphone is also a great experience. When the walkman came along, it was the first time I had listened to music in the way and it kind of blew my mind.
Anyways everyone was a winner today and for that you all get this
DEMO-LICIOUSleave a response, or trackback from your own site.


text: Terrell County was created from Randolph and Lee counties in 1856. It is named for Dr. William Terrell of Sparta who served in both the state legislature and the Congress. Dawson, the county seat, is named for another legislator and jurist, William C. Dawson. Near the close of the Civil War, Governor Joseph Brown arranged organization of "Exile Camp" near Dawson to shelter some 300 refugees from Atlanta. A short time later, Union troops, kind to both the refugees and local citizens, quartered in the area.


text:
Behind The Scenes At Baked, Red Hook, Brooklyn
It's no secret that we at Serious Eats love Baked in Red Hook (they won our search for the best cupcake in NYC in 2010). Since Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito opened Baked in 2005, they've been churning out baked goods tasty enough for the trek out to Red Hook.
In the four hours that I was there, Eric Wolitzky and his team had baked many trays of brownies and blondies, decorated dozens of cupcakes and made dozens of macaroons. Check the slideshow out for a peek into their kitchen.
About the Author: Donny Tsang traded a life of traffic jams in LA for one of crowded subways in NYC, where he's been since 2003. Now he is a Brooklyn-based food photographer and founded the website Great Food Photos, where he interviews other food photographers.
This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Serious Eats. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.


text:
Bobby Valentine says Red Sox coaches were disloyal
NEW YORK — An otherwise standard radio interview took a sharp turn on Wednesday when Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine was asked whether his assistant coaches have been loyal during his turbulent season.
"No,'' he told WEEI. "You asked me what I feel; that's how I feel.''
Did Valentine feel undermined by some of his coaches?
"Yes,'' he said. "Just what I feel.''
Later in the day, Valentine expanded on his thoughts before the Red Sox played the Yankees.
"I thought I had just a feeling. I don't have any facts, just a feeling once in a while we weren't all on the same page,'' he said.
Asked if that was a factor in the team's demise, Valentine smiled.
"Oh, very little. I don't think that had anything to do with anything,'' he said. "They usually worked their way through anything that might have been misinterpreted.''
Valentine would not name those coaches he felt were disloyal.
"No, no, no,'' he said. "There are situations during the year where I didn't think it was all for one or one for all, or whatever it is.''
Valentine said he could not recall a specific situation.
"I'm just trying to be honest,'' he said.
In a story published in August, the Globe detailed the poor communication between Valentine and his coaching staff. Bench coach Tim Bogar and then-pitching coach Bob McClure admitted to having problems with the manager, and Valentine said his ability to manage the team was hampered by a lack of information getting to his office.
Valentine also has almost no relationship with bullpen coach Gary Tuck. Like Bogar, he was a holdover from the staff of former manager Terry Francona.
General manager Ben Cherington offered little comment on the matter Wednesday.
"[Valentine] expressed his feeling and that's his feeling,'' Cherington said. "If he feels that way, I'm sorry he feels that way. I don't know any examples that would lead to that kind of feeling. But that's his feeling. I'm not in his office all the time; I'm not in the clubhouse all the time.
"I don't know what exactly he was referring to. But he has a right to his opinion and expressed it. If he feels that way, I feel bad. I don't want any manager to feel that way.''
Cherington said Valentine never expressed those feelings to him.
"We talked a lot all year about the coaching staff and we did have to work through some issues,'' said Cherington. "That particular sentiment was not expressed.''
Bogar, Tuck, and batting coach Dave Magadan were under contract before Valentine was hired as manager, and he was urged to retain them.
Because Valentine was not hired until late November, few coaches of major league caliber were available, and McClure was a compromise choice as the pitching coach.
"I think the process was all right. It was just late,'' Valentine said. "It was a difficult process. It was fine, but difficult.''
On WEEI, Valentine said some of the hires he made for the staff were "bad decisions.''
Valentine said he "absolutely'' had the backing of owners John Henry and Tom Werner and team president Larry Lucchino.
"Ownership's been incredible,'' he said. "I didn't know very much of any of the three guys, but it seemed like when the things got worse one of them would always be there to say, 'Hang with them.' ''
Valentine also said that Cherington backed him, although he did not go into detail.
Does Valentine regret taking what he called a "dream job'' only 10 months ago?
"No. It's a great life experience,'' he said. "That's what life is. It wasn't always an enjoyable experience but it's been great. I'll look back on it and I'm sure I've learned from it.
"All of life's lessons. How to deal with good and bads, new people, old people, young people, and circumstance.''


text:
Cookies on the JCB website : This site uses cookies to optimise your user experience. To find out more about cookies, what cookies we use and how you can manage or remove them see our cookie notice. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the JCB website.
LiveLink is an innovative software system that lets you manage JCB machines remotely - online, by email or by mobile phone. Access everything from machine alerts to fuel reports and history information, with all data stored at a secure centre.


text:
The towering giant sequoias at Yosemite National Park would go unprotected from visitors who might trample their shallow roots.
The towering giant sequoias at Yosemite National Park would go unprotected from visitors who might trample their shallow roots.
At Cape Cod National Seashore, large sections of the Great Beach would close to keep eggs from being destroyed if natural resource managers are cut.
Gettysburg would decrease by one-fifth the numbers of school children who learn about the historic Pennsylvania battle that was a turning point in the Civil War.
As America's financial clock ticks toward forced spending cuts to countless government agencies, The Associated Press has obtained a National Park Service memo that compiles a list of potential effects at the nation's most beautiful and historic places just as spring vacation season begins.
"We're planning for this to happen and hoping that it doesn't," said park service spokesman Jeffrey Olson, who confirmed that the list is authentic and represents cuts the department is considering.
Park service Director Jon Jarvis last month asked superintendents to show by Feb. 11 how they would absorb the 5 percent funding cuts. The memo includes some of those decisions.
While not all 398 parks had submitted plans by the time the memo was written, a pattern of deep slashes that could harm resources and provide fewer protections for visitors has emerged.
In Yosemite National Park in California, for example, park administrators fear that less frequent trash pickup would potentially attract bears into campgrounds.
The cuts will be challenging considering they would be implemented over the next seven months — peak season for national parks. That's especially true in Yellowstone, where the summertime crush of millions of visitors in cars and RVs dwarfs those who venture into the park on snowmobiles during the winter.
More than 3 million people typically visit Yellowstone between May and September, 10 times as many as the park gets the rest of the year.
"This is a big, complex park, and we provide a lot of services that people don't realize," Yellowstone spokesman Al Nash said. "They don't realize we're also the water and wastewater treatment operators, and that it's our job to patch potholes, for heaven's sake."
The memo says that in anticipation of the cuts, a hiring freeze is in place and the furloughing of permanent staff is on the table.
"Clear patterns are starting to emerge," the memo said. "In general, parks have very limited financial flexibility to respond to a 5 percent cut in operations."
Most of the park service's $2.9 billion budget is for permanent spending such as staff salaries, fuel, utilities and rent payments. Superintendents can use about 10 percent of their budgets on discretionary spending for things ranging from interpretive programs to historic-artifact maintenance to trail repair, and they would lose half of that to the 5 percent cuts.
"There's no fat left to trim in the park service budget," said John Garder of the nonprofit parks advocacy group the National Park Conservation Association. "In the scope of a year of federal spending, these cuts would be permanently damaging and save 15 minutes of spending."
For years Congress has been cutting funding to the National Park Service, and in today's dollars it is 15 percent less than a decade ago, said Garder, who is the nonprofit's budget and appropriations legislative representative in Washington, D.C. Park spending amounts to one-fourteenth of 1 percent of the federal budget, he said.
One in five international tourists visits one of America's 398 national parks, research shows, and the parks are one-third of the top 25 domestic travel destinations. If the cuts go though, the memo shows national parks will notice fewer services, shorter hours and the placing of some sensitive areas completely off-limits to visitors when there are too few staff members to protect resources.
The park service also writes that communities around parks that depend on tourism would suffer.
Cape Cod National Seashore would close the Province Land Visitor Center, shutting out 260,000 people from May through October. Without monitors to watch over nesting birds, large sections of the Great Beach would close to keep eggs from being trampled.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close five campgrounds and picnic areas, affecting 54,000 visitors.
The more than 300,000 visitors who use Grand Teton's Jenny Lake Visitor Center in Wyoming would be sent to other areas of the park. The park's nonprofit association would lose a quarter million dollars in sales.
Even Declaration House in Pennsylvania, the place where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, wouldn't be spared.


text:
5NEWS, which is broadcast on KFSM-TV and KXNW-TV, has an immediate opening for an anchor/reporter to work from Fayetteville and cover Northwest Arkansas news.
The right candidate will gather all necessary information and resources for a wide range of news stories, and report it accurately. Curiosity is a must. We're looking for a creative storyteller with solid writing skills. You must be a motivated self-starter who is willing to hustle on breaking news and enterprise stories. The right candidate will be able to gather, write and web publish multiple stories a day on several different platforms. Web publishing skills and non-linear editing skills are a must.
Core Job Functions:
- The ability to turn a wide range of hard news stories quickly
- Develop and maintain meaningful contacts
- Must be able to come up with hard news story ideas everyday
- Works with photographer to tell visual stories with compelling interviews and natural sound
- Writes, produces and prepares assigned news stories for air, including the delivery of those stories live from the scene
- Daily web and social media posting
- Performs all other duties as assigned
- Flexible work schedule
Minimum Knowledge Skills & Abilities:
Previous anchor and reporting work experience is preferred. Must possess a valid State Driver's License (or be able to get one).
Education Requirements:
A four year degree in liberal arts or journalism is preferred and/or previous anchor and reporting work experience.
Statement about Other Duties:
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all functions essential to the job for which the employee is responsible, nor an exhaustive list of the minimum requirements and specifications necessary to perform the essential functions, including all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different functions be performed when circumstances change or exigencies require it.
Interested parties should submit resume, application and references to Rick Bagley, News Director, KFSM-TV/KXNW-TV, 4201 North Shiloh Drive, Suite 169, Fayetteville, AR 72703 or e-mail email@example.com . No phone calls please.


text:
Q: Can chlorine in the swimming pool hurt my baby?
A: No. Many natural barriers in your body, including the cervix and amniotic sac, protect your baby from external substances such as chlorine in a pool or even soapy bath water. In fact, swimming is one of the most beneficial and comfortable forms of exercise you can do during pregnancy, as the water imparts a weightlessness that many women find soothing. That said, I recommend that you check with your doctor before beginning (or continuing) any exercise program. Also be forewarned that if there is any concern about vaginal bleeding, the potential rupture of membranes or other signs of preterm labor, swimming--and all other forms of exercise--should be discontinued immediately.


text:
The British Design Awards 2014: the winners
The ELLE Decoration British Design Awards, held in association with John Lewis, celebrate the best new work by UK-based designers and manufacturers. This year, you voted in your thousands for nominees in seven categories. Now, the winners have been announced.
Browse all the categories below:
Best British Product: 'Saddle' magazine rack by Noble & Wood
Best British Interior: Berners Tavern at the London Edition Hotel
Best British Exterior: The Magazine restaurant at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery by Zaha Hadid Architects
Best British Designer: Barber & Osgerby
Best British Sustainable Design: 'Plumen 002' light bulb by Plumen
Best British Pattern: 'Big Smile' fabric and wallpaper by Jessica Zoob for Romo Black Edition
The John Lewis 'Made in the UK' award: Rothschild & Bickers
See previous winners below:
British Design Award winners 2013
British Design Award winners 2012
British Design Award winners 2011
British Design Award winners 2010
British Design Award winners 2009


text:
Sunny Day Real Estate Albums
- Atlas (2014)
- The Rising Tide (2000)
- Lp2 (1995)
- Diary (1994)
Sunny Day Real Estate Lyrics
Sunny Day Real Estate's Photo
Sunny Day Real Estate Biography
Considering their relatively brief existence, Sunny Day Real Estate racked up enough dramatic twists and turns to rank with some of the great rock soap operas. Its key members have engaged in just about every rock cliche imaginable, including finding religion, refusing to work with the media, breaking up, and joining a big-name group, and even recording an ambitious full-orchestra pop album; all before reuniting in 1997. Although they formed in 1992 amid the burgeoning hard rock scene in Seattle (and later signed to Northwest power label Sub Pop), the group could not have been more different from their flannel-clad contemporaries. Originally conceived as a three-piece (guitarist/vocalist Dan Hoerner, ba**ist Nate Mendel, and drummer William Goldsmith), Sunny Day Real Estate garnered attention when it added enigmatic lead singer Jeremy Enigk, whose high-pitched, constantly ascending voice complemented their melodic songs. The group was shrouded in mystery from the get-go: they released only one picture to the press; conducted one interview; and, for some still-unknown reason, never played a show in the state of California with all four members.br /br /With the release of their 1994 debut album, Diary, Sunny Day achieved newfound fame (at one time posing for an ad for department-store chain Nordstrom), while Enigk converted to Christianity. In 1995, the group broke up, but not before releasing that year's LP2 (which, because of its single-hue design, is usually referred to as "The Pink Album") and prompting speculation as to whether Enigk's born-again status was behind the breakup. Goldsmith and Mendel quickly found work with the Foo Fighters, while Hoerner retreated to a farm in Washington. One year after the breakup, Enigk released Return of the Frog Queen, a set of acoustic songs recorded with a 21-piece orchestra. In the meantime, the group maintained a steady fan base on the Internet, and continued to sell copies of their first two albums.br /br /In 1997, after months of speculation, the group re-formed, minus Mendel (who stayed with the Foo Fighters and was replaced first by former Mommyheads ba**ist Jeff Palmer, then by ex-Posie Joe Skyward), and in September 1998 returned with How It Feels to Be Something On, which was met with critical accolades from fans and critics, prompting more media attention than ever as well as a new tour. The dates also yielded 1999's Live, which helped whet appetites for the second studio album of the reunion (and the first not recorded for Sub Pop). The Rising Tide was released by Time Bomb in 2000, marked by a gentler tone and a stronger prog rock influence that resulted in some of the best reviews of the band's already acclaimed career. However, external forces conspired against the band; Time Bomb's distribution deal with Arista fell through, making promotion and touring all but impossible. Additional difficulties with their management soured sessions for a follow-up, and it was announced in June 2001 that Sunny Day Real Estate had disbanded. ~ Brian Raftery, All Music Guide


text:
Major Section: EVENTS
Example: (remove-macro-alias append)See macro-aliases-table for a discussion of macro aliases; also see add-macro-alias. This form sets
General Form: (remove-macro-alias macro-name)
macro-aliases-table to
the result of deleting the key
macro-name from that table. If
the name does not occur in the table, then this form still generates
an event, but the event has no real effect.


text:
Your branded product specialist in Eastern
If you're a business or organisation looking for a promotional expert in and around the Grimsby and Lincoln area - we can help.
From name badges to promotional items, corporate clothing to signage; business gifts and staff awards to large full-colour banners and displays - we are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of our customers.
We pride ourselves on excellent customer service, quality products and a reputation for long-term customer satisfaction. Our professional team made up of industry experts will also provide you with a fast, local and personal service.
Take a look at our products and services pages for our full range of capabilities.
Recognition ExpressEastern
Find us on:
Promotional Items
Promotional items increase awareness, loyalty and preference towards companies that use them in their marketing activities.
Personalised Clothing
Outfit your team with personalised clothing printed or embroidered with your company logo for excellent brand visibility.
For over 30 years we have shown the immense value of name badges in promoting staff pride and accountability.
Our collection of plaques and awards make exceptional ways to promote excellence and drive brand values.
Banners & Displays
Wherever you want to be seen - conference, exhibition or shop window, we'll help you create a big impression.
Latest news and articles
Grimsby Schoolchildren to urge Road Users to be Bike Smart in Tenth Year of Road Safety Banner Competition
Primary school pupils in the Grimsby area are invited to design banners for a competition associated with this year's Road Safety Week campaign: Bike Smart.
Read More
Bags of potential
With a large branding area, promotional bags can deliver just that.
Whether you're looking to bag a new deal or retain existing customers, our range of bags are a cost-effective method of promoting your message. People keep them and reuse them, sharing your message every time! If you're looking to advertise your company, we've got it in the bag!
Read More
Eco products | Promotional Products That Don't Cost The Earth
Ethical sourcing of products is high on the agenda of most businesses today. What better way to demonstrate your company's green credentials than giving customers eco-friendly promotional products?
Read More
Recognition ExpressEastern
Find us on:
Quote Builder
Number of items (0)


text:
Nation & World
Mark Sanford's fiancee, Maria Belen Chapur, breaks silence on their relationship
Maria Belen Chapur, the woman who won former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's heart and ended any chance he'd become the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, broke her long silence on their romance Friday, telling an online Argentine news outlet that she's still getting used to the idea of living with an American politician.
"When we're together, we live together," a visibly nervous Chapur told Carlos Mira on InfobaeTV, the new video streaming venture of the website to which Chapur still contributes columns. "We're itinerant, partly in Washington, partly in Charleston."
Although Sanford used to come to Buenos Aires, "it's more complicated for him now" since he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives. He has not come to Argentina this year. She, however, spends about half her time in the Argentine capital.
"I'm happy," she added.
The interview was the first time Chapur has spoken openly about her relationship with Sanford, whose extramarital affair with Chapur was revealed in 2009 when he disappeared from the governor's mansion for days after telling his staff he was going to hike the Appalachian Trail. Instead, he flew to Argentina.
The two are now engaged, and Chapur appeared on stage with Sanford in May when he declared victory in a special congressional election to replace Tim Scott after Scott was named to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jim DeMint.
But the Argentine has kept a decidedly low profile, refusing to speak to the news media both during the campaign, which featured negative publicity generated by a trespassing complaint against Sanford filed by his ex-wife, and since he was sworn in.
On Friday, she said she was just beginning to figure out her new life.
"I'm starting out, I can't tell you much yet," Chapur said when asked what it was like to live with an American politician. "What I can tell you is that he works a lot and deeply loves his country."
She acknowledged that while she has met Sanford's four children, she has not spent much time with them.
"I've seen them very little because there isn't much time, but, yes, they're doing great," she said.
Before meeting them in person, Chapur had been seeing pictures of them for years.
"We met in 2001 in Uruguay and for 10 years we were friends," she said. "I would receive Christmas cards with photographs of his family" before the two began a romantic relationship in 2008.
Chapur appeared to still be in campaign mode for her fiance, who must stand for re-election in November 2014. She said that he did not stay in politics for the money, implying it was a financial hardship to be in public office.
"Everybody has a fantasy that governors or lawmakers make a lot of money," Chapur said. "I'm going to take away that fantasy because a governor in the United States makes $108,000 per year, and from that you have to take out 33 percent in taxes . . . it's not even enough to pay for private school for his children."
Chapur also said that Sanford has "just won the most difficult campaign of his life," noting that "they invested $7 million against him . . . when his budget was $400,000, $600,000."
When Mira asked Chapur how she met Sanford, she laughed nervously and said it would be the last question she would answer on the air, complaining it had turned into a gossip show. Chapur had been invited on the recently inaugurated online streaming news network to talk about the recent U.S. government shutdown and the risk of a debt default.
She revealed no differences on policy with Sanford, who once famously called her his soul mate.
"Nothing was resolved," Chapur said of the recent end to the government shutdown. She acknowledged that there are "extremists" among Republican lawmakers, but "just because there are extremists that doesn't mean they aren't fundamentally right."
Chapur writes an occasional column for Infobae, the same site that hosts the show on which she was a guest. Her latest, published on Oct. 8, addressed the topic of why a U.S. debt default is "unthinkable." Prior to that, she wrote about the Middle East.
Chapur was once a television journalist and worked for many years with Daniel Hadad, a journalist turned media mogul who runs Infobae. The two are now close friends and Chapur confirmed news of her engagement to Sanford in August 2012 to Infobae, which also published a 15-picture slideshow of Chapur, including several of her and Sanford.