text:
Business Marketing
These very real marketing bloopers have been spotted in the wild and they're so ridiculous, we have to share them with you right away. Enjoy.
Wrong Move
"Peekaboob view" (Yes, I can see one from here.)
"Wine and Chess open" (For those with checkered reputations…)
"Pad reminiscent of the Ratt Pack" (Offered by Savant Realty. Motto: We can spell "reminiscent," but we can't spell "rat.")
"Wall be open Tuesday" (Uh, if you're referring to Berlin, you missed something big.)
"Join us for a moonlit night under the sand" (Methinks you're already lit, pal.)
Wrong Decision
"Saultwater pool" (Memo: Never swim in a pool after Saul has downed a six-pack.)
"Were here foryou 24 hors a day." (Thanks, but get some sleep before you hurt someone.)
"Refi & remorse mortgages" (Tattered sign in a vacant Countrywide office.)
"Nights under stars" ( Here in Hollywood, that's referred to as a casting couch.)
"Wine and 3 piece condo" (Open house hosted by San Andreas Red Flagged Realty.)
Wrong Turn
"Close to shopping and calfes" (For those who have always wanted to live in a silo.)
"Nickanemd Casa Splenddor" (So how are those electroshock treatments going for you?)
"Need designer's touch" (If the designer is Brad Pitt, then so do I.)
"Incurable workmanship" (That's a great spin for "fixer"…or are you referring to Capitol Hill?)
Just Plain Wrong
"Focks of ducks on the canal" (What the fock does that mean?)
That's it for this week, folks. Remember: spell well and sell!
1 Comment
"Pad reminiscent of the Ratt Pack" (Offered by Savant Realty. Motto: We can spell "reminiscent," but we can't spell "rat.") …. now it could be a very clever way to sell a home that needs some repair say like a hotel room after the band Ratt spent a weekend there?
Leave a Reply
Business Marketing
Google Analytics will now filter out bot traffic
(BUSINESS NEWS) Bender won't be happy that Google Analytics will now automatically remove bot traffic from your results, but it'll help your business.
In the competitive, busy world of online content, Google Analytics can help businesses and online publications deliver what their audience and consumers want. Now Google is finally taking the step of filtering out bot traffic in your Google Analytics reporting. This is excellent news!
In the world of websites, online news sites, blogs, and social media, bots are the bane of our existence. In their finest form, they are the electronic equivalent of junk mail. At their worst, they can carry malicious malware and viruses to your site and computer. They can even flood the internet with unfounded rumors that can have an impact on people's opinions–stirring the political pot or lending misleading numbers to drive unfounded rumors, such as wearing a mask is dangerous. No it's not! Chalk that nonsense up to bots and crackpots.
For businesses that rely on Google Analytics to determine what content is not only reaching but also resonating with potential customers, filtering out the bot traffic is crucial to determining the best course of action. Bots skew the data and therefore, end up costing businesses money.
Bots set up for malicious purposes crawl the internet looking for certain information or user behaviors. Bad bots can steal copyrighted content and give it to a competitor. Having identical copies on two sites hurts your site and can dink your SEO ranking. However, good bots can seek out duplicate content and other copyright infringements, so the original content creator can report them.
However, it is important for companies and content creators to know if their content is actually reaching real live humans. To this end, Google will start filtering out bot traffic automatically. The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) actually provides an International Spiders and Bots list, through which Google can more easily identify bots. They use the list and their own internal research to seek out bots in action, crawling through the internet and confusing things.
Google says the bot traffic will be automatically filtered out of the Google Analytics results–users don't have the choice. Some may argue there is a good reason to see all of the data, including bots. Many businesses and online publications, though, will be relieved to have a much clearer vision of what content genuinely appeals to humans, to readers and potential customers. It is a welcomed advancement.
Business Marketing
Opportunity Zones: A chance to do good
(BUSINESS MARKETING) Opportunity zones offer a chance to breathe new life into economically-distressed communities.
Opportunity Zones are a beautiful mechanism for growing communities that are struggling, but some critics have put this process in a negative light. The following is an expert's perspective on just this topic.
Jim White, PhD is Chairman and CEO of Post Harvest Technologies, Inc. and Growers Ice Company, Inc., Founder and CEO of PHT Opportunity Fund LP, and Founder and President of JL White International, LLC. His new book is a heartfelt rallying cry for investors: Opportunity Investing: How to Revitalize Urban and Rural Communities with Opportunity Funds, launched March 31, 2020.
Dr. White holds a B.S. in civil engineering, an MBA, and a doctorate in psychology and organizational behavior. He acquires struggling businesses to revive and develop them into profitable enterprises using his business turnaround strategy.
In his own words below:
Every investment vehicle has a twist some folks don't like. Real estate, stock options, offshore tax havens, and even charitable gifting can be criticized for certain loopholes.
Likewise, some detractors have pointed to opportunity zones, a newer investment vehicle unveiled in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress in December 2017. This bold, bipartisan plan allows for private investment capital to be channeled into some of the most distressed communities in the nation, serving the struggling residents and the investors alike.
Personally, I believe it is one of the noblest initiatives to emerge from Washington in years.
I grew up in a sharecropper cabin in what would have been an opportunity zone in Salem, South Carolina. What would an influx of investment dollars have meant to my low-income community? More and better-paying jobs to offset unemployment. People relocating to my town for those jobs, reversing population decline and increasing real estate values. New life breathed into local businesses. The increased tax revenues could have helped improve failing infrastructure. Social challenges, like crime and drug use, could have decreased. Better resources for my family and our neighbors, such as health care and education, would have emerged.
Today, there are nearly 8,800 distressed communities dotting the country that have been identified as Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs). These neighborhoods were designated from census tracks, treasury, and state leaders as communities that would benefit from an influx of investment dollars directed through Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) to reinvigorate businesses, rebuild infrastructure and bolster residents.
As our economy continues to falter, more and more businesses file Chapter 11 and unemployment soars under COVID-19, I believe we are heading toward a painful expansion in designated opportunity zones. Even with the latest round of CARES stimulus money many people will have no way to rebound from this crisis.
One of the unexpected consequences of the coronavirus quarantine is that many businesses are discovering that, in reality, they can succeed through working remotely. This success is a double edged sword, meaning that if a business can thrive with employees working offsite then commercial real estate will suffer. And when companies no longer require brick-and-mortar locations, a local domino effect ensues; ancillary businesses, from cafés to gyms to print shops in and around a commercial office environment will subsequently close. The ripples will be felt through many other industries, including construction, transportation, energy, and retail.
Qualified Opportunity Zones and Qualified Opportunity Funds are instruments that can help stop a downward spiral. When a sponsor is able to present a project that meets the objectives of the QOZ initiative, both the QOZ and the investors benefit. That's a win!
And, it's not only urban centers that benefit from investment dollars. Forty percent of opportunity zones are rural. Even with often plentiful food, water, energy and other natural resources, deep poverty exists, and too many of America's 60 million rural residents lack access to education and healthcare. A declining population often goes hand in hand with failing infrastructure as tax money for repairs dwindles. Many households lack broadband, something the vast majority of Americans take for granted.
Despite the challenges, rural residents are often surprisingly resilient and resourceful. According to The Hill ("Rural America has opportunity zones too"), rural residents create self-employment opportunities at a slightly higher rate than the national average. Their challenge is to connect with investors and access funding, more of which is directed to small business investment on the coasts.
In fact, many entrepreneurs and small business owners don't know about Qualified Opportunity Funds. If a business is located in an opportunity zone it is eligible for direct funding by reaching out to the QOFs with a specific request for funding.
More than any investment plan that's come before, I believe opportunity zones have the greatest capacity for positive social and economic impact. Spread out over many communities, these investments can help our nation flourish as a whole.
Business Marketing
Gloves that translate sign language in real time
(BUSINESS MARKETING) A new wearable tech translates American Sign Language into audible English in real time.
Advancements in technology never cease to amaze. The same is true right this moment as a new technology has been released that helps translate American Sign Language (ASL) signs into spoken English in real time.
This technology comes in the form of a hand glove – similar looking on the front side to what one would wear in the winter, but much more advanced when in view of the palm. The palm side of the glove contains sensors on the wearer to identify each word, phrase, or letter that they form via ASL, and is then translated into audible English via an app that coincides with the glove.
This is all done in real time and allows for instant communication without the need for a human translator. The signals are translated at a rate of one word per second.
The project was developed by scientists at UCLA. "Our hope is that this opens up an easy way for people who use sign language to communicate directly with non-signers without needing someone else to translate for them," said lead researcher Jun Chen.
The hope is to make communication easier for those who rely on ASL, and to help those unfamiliar with ASL adapt to the signs. It is thought that between 250,000 and 500,000 people in the United States use ASL. As of now, the glove does not translate British Sign Language – the other form a sign language that utilizes English.
According to CNN, the researchers also added adhesive sensors to the faces of people used to test the device — between their eyebrows and on one side of their mouths — to capture facial expressions that are a part of American Sign Language. However, this facet of the technology is not loved by all.
"The tech is redundant because deaf signers already make extensive use of text-to-speech or text translation software on their phones, or simply write with pen and paper, or even gesture clearly," said Gabrielle Hodge, a deaf post-doctoral researcher from the Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) at University College London. "There is nothing wrong with these forms of communication."
What are your thoughts on this advancement? Comment below!
Will cash still be king after COVID-19?
Google Maps will soon display traffic lights
Plastic bags are making a comeback, thanks to COVID-19
Scammers are taking advantage of the unemployed
PopCom designs smart vending machines to automate regulated products
HEROES Act could increase unemployment stimulus benefits, add return to work bonus
A closer look at the HEROES act, and who stands to benefit the most
The White House pushes for $450 per week return to work bonus
Managing bipolar disorder and what I wish my employers understood
The Apple Watch isn't just a way to ignore calls, it could save your life
Anti-surveillance mask – creepy, ingenious, or potentially illegal?
Amy's Ice Cream founder on Austin's business risks and rewards #WhyAustin
Turns out a lot of people are in between introverted and extroverted
P. Terry's founder on the booming economy in Austin #WhyAustin
Ladies and gentlemen, the U.S. National Anthem
Our Great Partners
American Genius
news neatly in your inbox
Subscribe to our mailing list for news sent straight to your email inbox.
Thank you for subscribing.
Oh boy... Something went wrong.
Emerging Stories
Opinion Editorials2 weeks ago
What to do when you can't find your passion and you're feeling lost
Business News1 week ago
New company beats Amazon with next morning delivery?
Opinion Editorials3 days ago
The truth about unemployment from someone who's been through it
Tech News2 weeks ago
HEY needs to fix its issues to be the Gmail killer it claims to be
Business News2 weeks ago
International start up turns LinkedIn profiles into resumes
Opinion Editorials1 week ago
Idea: Color-coded face masks as the new social contract to combat COVID-19
Business Marketing2 weeks ago
Stand out with video as part of your resume (but be careful)
Business News2 weeks ago
Google offers ample support for work from home employees


text:
Porchetta is a deliciously moist, boneless, fatty pork roast marinated with plenty of garlic, salt, pepper, some aromatic herbs and fennel. It can be served hot, but you often see it cold sliced up for sandwiches. You make porchetta from pork belly and if you've cooked it properly, it will have delectably crisp skin but be so tender it almost melts in your mouth. Traditionally, porchetta was made from a whole suckling pig and roasted over an open fire. In Italy, the dish is typically made with a boneless suckling pig. They would rub the meat with lots of delicious seasonings, roll it and then roast. This is an efficient and delicious way to serve a lot of people.
Italian Roast Pork Porchetta Recipe
- 2 lb pork belly (1 slab, approx)
- 1 pork tenderloin (around 1-2 lb)
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 3 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
- 2 tbsp fennel fronds
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
- 1 tbsp fresh sage
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Pat the pork belly dry to remove any excess moisture. Score the fat side of the belly in a wide cross pattern, cutting into the fat but not as far as the meat. Turn belly so meat side is up. Lay tenderloin on top and trim the end if it hangs over the end. You can either tuck the chopped off piece in any thinner bit inside or use for something else. Alternatively you can cut and lay two pieces side by side if it is very long. Toast the fennel seeds a minute in a dry skillet pan until fragrant. Crush them with a pestle and mortar and add all other ingredients. Start with the garlic, which should be roughly chopped then crushed with the seeds. Only use 1 tsp sea salt at this stage.
Spread about 3/4 of the paste over the meat side of the belly and around the tenderloin pieces so they are evenly coated. Tie up the belly by rolling the belly around the tenderloin and tying at one end. Rub the remaining herb paste over the outside of the belly along with the additional 1/2 tsp of salt. Refrigerate at least a day uncovered. Dab once or twice to remove any excess moisture. On day of cooking, allow the pork to come to room temperature as you preheat oven to 275 F. Roast for approx 2 hours. You're looking to cook until a meat thermometer gives internal temp of 150 F. Increase oven temperature to 450 F and roast until the skin is brown and crisp but not burnt. This will be around 15-25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts:
Amount per Serving
- Calories 879
- Protein 57 g
- Fat 69 g
- Saturated Fat 24 g
- Cholesterol 229 mg
- Sodium 592 mg
- Potassium 1100 mg

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I am on my way to Interop which is being held in Las Vegas. For those of you who don't know about Interop, it's defined as " an independently organized conference and exhibition designed to empower information technology professionals to make smart business decisions." -Interop
Vendors from all over the board will be there. This will be my first time attending and I will be posting updates on the event, so stay tuned!
My first day will include 2 workshops:
"Advanced wireshark" and "A structured approach to Network Troubleshooting"


text: All Fiesta Crafts' toys are CE marked and are safety tested to European standards. Hand embroidered words and designs ensure that toys will remain bright and good looking. Fabrics can be surface-washed. Toys have been designed to help children develop core learning skills. These include phonics, letter & number recognition, numeracy skills as well as improving hand to eye coordination. Please note that colours, designs and specifications may vary with the products shown in this web site.


text:
At G/O Digital, we won't try to fit your business into a cookie-cutter mold. We take a strategic approach in building an integrated digital marketing solution based on your local business's unique needs and continually make data-driven optimizations to foster long-term growth and sustainability.
You know your business. We know digital marketing. Together we create the perfect team.
At G/O Digital, we're passionate about helping your business thrive in the digital space. As one of the fastest and most effective methods of reaching a diverse audience, a localized digital marketing strategy is paramount to accomplishing your business objectives.
Are you hoping to drive more brand awareness? Do you want to see more website leads and foot traffic? Our team of digital marketing experts will take the time to understand your needs so we can develop an effective strategy to keep your business ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving digital landscape.


text:
Want to be a professional cricketer?
Register Now
*T&C Apply
The final ODI match between India and Bangladesh was called off due to rain. Too many rain interruptions helped the game end without producing a result. India were in a similar position like in the previous ODI after choosing to bat. With India winning the earlier two games, eventually the series was also won by them.
Here is the FB Wall of Suresh Raina where he over reacted on the series win:
Disclaimer: This is fake FB wall and should be taken as part of fun.
Get the latest news and updates from Indian Premier League, ICC World Cup 2019, Match Prediction & Fantasy cricket. Follow SportzWiki for all cricket news, WWE News & Sports News.


text:
We understand that people with cancer are worried about coronavirus.
Here is the
latest guidance.
We will update it regularly.
Go to your personalised cancer information and support area
Existing Macmillan user? Access your events, volunteering and Macmillan Online Community
Jane is a haematology nurse with extensive experience in stem cell and bone marrow...
Hi Folks,I was diagnosed with light chain MM back in Nov and put on Velcade straight away due to the state of my kidneys. As explained to me to me the NHS will only fund what corresponds to six rounds of Velcade if you are getting a stem cell transplant so I'm now on my last cycle.
As my prognosis is poor my consultant has proposed a tandem (back to back) ASCT. Talking to the transplant team they want to take things one step at a time - fair enough, but I get the sense that tandem transplants are not something they do often if at all. The transplant consultant remarked that a transplant (for all that is involved) will typically add a year to whatever remission is achieved. I don't see how you can be definitive about that as each case is going to be different, I think we'd all hope for more than a year, but I know many don't get it.
So, are there folks on here who have had a tandem ASCT or is it just not that common here?
Thanks for reading,BrenF
Hi Bren,
Welcome to the forum although I am sorry for the reason you had to post.
I had a tandem auto/allo transplant back in 2015/16. I think you are right, I think it is relatively rare and I have not come across many people who have done it.
Please feel free to ask any questions you might have as I'd be happy to help in any way I can.
All the best
What is a Community Champion?
I wondered how long you were in hospital for? My husband was due for an auto SCT but now they are thinking about a tandem SCT.
Best wishes,
Hi Samantha,
I was in hospital for a couple of weeks with each transplant. It may be longer if you get an infection but I was lucky not to get one. I had a a 3 month gap in between to allow me to recover from the first one.
I hope this helps and all the very best to you and your husband.
Hi Greg,
It's very helpful to speak to someone as we had not considered a tandem as a possibility. It is being recommended as Scott has high risk myeloma.
Did you get a good response at the time and have you had any maintenance therapy, as that is another thing for us to start thinking about?
Do you have any tips for coping with these proceedures? It seems like a very long time to be immunocompromised.
I am glad that I can help in any small way. I did have a good response to induction therapy. I think that the medical teams try to get the patient to as good a remission as possible before doing the transplants as that can help achieve the longest possible remission.
I am not having any maintenance therapy and have not been treated for myeloma now for almost 4 years, although I do know some centres advise maintenance therapy, again because there is some evidence it results in longer remissions.
In terms of the process itself, I am not going to lie, it is tough, and with an allo there is every chance that Scott's health will deteriorate before it gets better. It can be a long, slow process to recovery and so the psychological challenges can be tough. The practical advice I could give is to have as many distractions as possible whilst he is in hospital - electronic devices, books, even a hobby that he can do whilst in - I decided to write a book and it definitely helped. As to the mental battle, I just tried to remember that everything was temporary and I tried to remain focused on the reasons why I was doing the treatment. If Scott and you would find it helpful, there is a separate stem cell transplant group - Stem Cell Transplants for Blood Cancers - Forum and you may find people going through the process at the same time, which can be a great help. I am over 3 years since transplant now and the memory gets fuzzy such that there is much I don't fully recall, which is a good thing and shows that life can go back to normal after the treatment.
Wishing you both all the very best
Hi Samatha / All,
Having started this thread with the wrong title I feel compelled to clarify. What my consultant said was, I'm high risk so a tandem auto transplant was his recommendation - is it the same with your husband? I understand Gregg had an Auto (his own cells), followed by a mini Allo (donor cells), but that is NOT on the table for me.
I had enough cell harvested for the transplants last week, but have learned that there is no point in looking beyond the next appointment with MM. It really is one step at a time, see if you even get to the first transplant before worrying about what's next. Not easy to do at first, but that mindset will help preserve your sanity in the long run!
I am curious how they reached the conclusion that your husband was high risk. I had three separate high risk markers found when they did cytogenetics on the marrow they took from by biopsy. Was it the same for you?
If you are happy to share your progress on this thread, I'd be happy to keep the discussion going,
Either way, I wish nothing but the best to both of you.
Safe payments by:
We're here to provide physical, financial and emotional support. So whatever cancer throws your way, we're right there with you.
Contact us
© Macmillan Cancer Support
© Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man
(604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company
number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ. VAT no:


text:
after an early rise (for me, anyway) so that we could get to powell's right when it opened, we met with the book buys and then staggered around, overwhelmed. i actually bought nothing which was surprisingly easy when i thought of all the dribs and drabs of my father's that i already had to find ways to bring back to toronto with me.
after powell's, we went down to the little alberta street arts district to check in on some stores i had sold to there. i was sad to see imp going out of business (sadly, this is becoming a more common sight on my trips south of the border). i wish the owner, chris, all the best and hope the closing doesn't signal some greater worries. that store, and this whole neighbourhood, were places that my father and i stumbled into when we drove from vancouver to los angeles in the spring of 2006. you know, bittersweet stuff.
i did discover a newer space that had open on the strip, together gallery (pictured above). i was drawn in by the window display by ryan bubnis, which inhabited an aesthetic that made me feel i was at home looking at it.
the window is part of their current group show, waiting for the miracle, which is pretty spectacular. oh yes, there was also a terrarium in the window. feelings of home, again...
the woman behind the counter, i came to learn, was an artist named mia nolting. we got to chatting and after she handed me a survey to fill out i had a similar home-like inkling. some later internet stalking has confirmed my feelings. she's incredibly talented and seems to enjoy illustration, typography, lists, surveys and cussing...clearly there is some kindred spirit going on there.
i ended up going home with the book pictured above (by nigel peake) and a multiple choice diary that mia gave me. i love them both a lot. but am i supposed to fill in the diary and send it back to her? is this more of the same personal information hoarding that the surveys feed into? and what glorious/nefarious purpose will all this information feed into, i wonder?
i also got to visit office, one of my favorite portland shops to drool in. they always have great shows in their corner gallery and the shop has the magical feeling of being totally empty and totally full at the same time. you know...when the stuff for sale is arranged so carefully that it insinuates lots of space then when you look closer every single thing is deliberate and well chosen.
john and i then booted it out of the city and made our way home. of course, we had to make a stop in olympia on the way home to stock up dumpster values - the best store in town (and not just because they are my olympia retailer). i love that place.
and i am very thankful to john for redefining whirlwind with me and for treating me to a trip into the world and away from my worries (as much as possible, anyway). i didn't even have to drive once for the whole two days! and he went into a yarn shop with me. now that's a gift.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
portland morning run-arounds.
after an early rise (for me, anyway) so that we could get to powell's right when it opened, we met with the book buys and then staggered around, overwhelmed. i actually bought nothing which was surprisingly easy when i thought of all the dribs and drabs of my father's that i already had to find ways to bring back to toronto with me.
3 comments:
- unclewilco said...
that sheds book is great, do you have your own garden shed?
- January 21, 2009 at 4:28 AM
- Rosemoo said...
As usual you leave me with the feeling that I need to grab a sketchbook, kidnap my fiance, throw him into our little GTI VW Rabbit and drive around America and Canada going to cool art places and meeting people.
But since I can't, I'm glad you are. Thanks for the vicarious experiences!
- January 21, 2009 at 8:43 AM
- sweetie pie press said...
hey uncle wilco and rosemoo,
i wish! we are apartment dwellers and thus our garden is constrained to our shelves and balcony. maybe i bought that book in my own bid for vicarious experience.
- January 21, 2009 at 12:19 PM


text:
Gwendolyn | I am searching dating
To get picked up n suck dick. Are you ready for romance? Do you have a big heart and great mind? Are you an exceptional man and well accomplished? Then I'd like to get to know you...at least, nsa asian Woolsington Kansas City fat women swinger a real time conversation. Single female from a great family with high values and standards who appreciates beauty and truth. If you strive to do and be your best always, 34266 girls wanting sex we may do well. I'm a Caucasian who's taller than average so please be tall also! Can you make a real conversation happen within x hours of sending a reply to this ad????? That's a man! lets meet up i dig you Sexy lady wanting classifieds ads
Looking to suck cock may be more. Senior swingers wants men looking for men single ladies Plano . Tweet
Malinda | I am ready sex date
Iso curvy mature lady in need of attention. Football and dinner out on Sunday I'm looking for someone who would like to take me to supper so we could have a good time, good conversation, fuck tonight Groningen eat and watch football. That's it. That's all. Simple, miss a good conversation with a woman free Vail Arizona adult web cams easy, relaxing. Men always say they want simple and relaxing- I don't know how much more relaxing it can get than to watch football, have a drink, and sit w/a nice girl on a Sunday night. :) MUST SEND FIRST. NO , NO RESPONSE. BBW personals Harford Pennsylvania Horny ebony women wants swinger granny
Looking to fuck, lick, and make you cum!. Sex personal wants chat rooms for adults bbw singles Calistoga blonde women want sex black. Tweet
Michelle | Seeking real swingers
Women web at 100 WSP. RJB.although I hate what happened, horny Dalhart women I miss you so much! I want you and think about you all the time. It's been over a year and you've probably moved on, I know you are back in town as you have been spotted by family of mine. Are you here? Do you miss me too? You wanna come over and just have a beer and "catch up?" I f there's any question.you ride a motorcycle and drink Henrys. Work thing I can't help looking at you today. Every time I glance over, your eyes are there to meet mine and we smile. You are wearing something today that is particularly distracting and I think you know it. Not to mention what you were eating earlier. need fuck buddy for next two weeks Horny black girl search online sex dating
Looking for married attached single 39 east end 39. Lonely older women ready lonely bbw erotic encounters in Slaughter Louisiana . Tweet
|Hot pussy want xxx dating women wanting sex Granollers
Jayne | I am ready dating
Looking for ltr in bbw mature dating Arbor. KISSES DOWN BELOW Light skinned black dude who loves eating a sweet juicy pussy and got a good ass stroke... x ' x brown eyes full lips thick cut dick ddd free very freaky and nasti :) enjoy having a good time... please be able to host x Put "KISSES" in subject Meaningful Relationship Hello I am looking for a meaning relationship, till u had this experiance Columbus cardates Euless mature brunette fucked not NSA, or a fling. I am looking for the real deal. I am very sweet and caring. I always look out for other and am willing to go the extra mile for folks. I have graduated with a x -year college degree and have very much going for me. I don't go to the club or the bar. I rarely drink ( last xxx was over x months ago). I am a very relaxed person and always positive. I am not picky, discreet relationship San Bonifacio but I don't want anyone younger than x or older than x . I am looking forward to hearing from you :) love in berkley Sex older women searching lonely slutts
I will FUCK a COUGAR tonight .. Xxx swinger wants adult friends grandmas in Knoxville Tennessee nd want sex girl wants girl for fuck. Tweet
Do you want a slave husband. 14098 mouth for black pussy only I wanna meet a down to earth girl.
seeking Vincent Kentucky adult ladiess man 57
Former milf looking for real NSA. female Italy looking for sex rather u host. Clean ddf not crazy guy just looking for some pussy x eat and fuck. I will not respond to any or couple so dnt waste your time. Body type doesn't matter to me. Send face please n do the same WANTED: A REAL FWB I want....need a dirty full time lover with a nice tool. do you fit the ??? can you handle a long term relationship and good sex with your best friend?? this is what i want and i will not settle for less. i am a cute thick girl that knows how to treat her man in and out of the bedroom. NOT looking for MARRIED/ATTACHED MEN GOTTA LIKE A THICK GIRL NO REPLY
|Bbw looking to go fast and get down. latin amateur woman professional black male looking to eat Single people want american dating
|Looking for a real bbw that wants her pussy eaten. morning play top looking for Aberdeen 60Happy, Fit, Sane seeking Same.
|Married married lady looking for fat adult hooker buddy. horny men looking for pussy Horney housewives searching dating blacks SUMMERVILLE COIN LAUNDRY.
|"Perfect mustache" seeking " latin adult lonely girl" from omegle. North Little Rock, Arkansas, AR, 72118 Female naughty review Passenger Wanted.
|Good looking Single single female. real girls that fuck in Raleigh North Carolina Naughty teens wanting local dating
|Hooker fuck on East 50. find sex partner in Springfield Missouri I want to slowly remove your.
|Love Giving Oral To Unsatisfied Wives. single Tampa lonely mature sweet single moms Girl woman ready adult classified ads
|420 and us sexdating all alone. chatline number for Itapecerica da serra pr Mixed race pussy women sucking Gentleman prefers to spoil Asian Gal.
|Casual encounter romance and fuck. 38326 to 38326 fem needs ride Mature people wants austrian swingers Need new play mates.
|Seeking fucking teens Black Female under 25. free live webcams vz ortiz fight party Lonely moms looking for a younger nsa.
|Single 30 bi m looking for fun during fantisy fest. cheaters wives Matamoros ga Divorced woman wanting love relationship Ywca midtown workout friend.
|Looking for someone to have couple of drinks.no drama.. need more personal touch I need a big brother PLEASE .
|For One Woman Who Desires More Intimacy. horny granny in Lafayette ark Lonley naugaty women want international dating service Are you on a loose end this weekend.
|Cutie seeking good guy. BBW personals Harford Pennsylvania Can anybody find me, somebody to love?
|Married man not from here. Sex Dating in Heyburn ID. Adult parties. Horny moms want find fuck buddies
|Married discrete 420 friendly. morning play top looking for Aberdeen Is anyone wants a hot Boyfriend?
|Horny pussy in bancouver. real girls that fuck in Raleigh North Carolina Horny singles searching meet women to fuck
|HEY LADIESIM ATTRACTIVE TALL FUN AND SOCIALNEED FEMALE GING OUT BUDY. North Little Rock, Arkansas, AR, 72118 Married with no sex? who else signed up for this?
|Wanting FWB or NSA. Free this weekend. want to avoid the Chattanooga Tennessee blues Sex buddies seeking discreet bbw
|Woman fucking who cut my hair. Colne fuck in car Activity partner new friend.
|Seeking unfulfilled married woman. Mature single search how to have sex larger bbw wanted for Lone Oak and date Cow boy Missing his cow girl.
|Still looking for that mature woman. Nashvilledavidson married women wanting cock Older male looking for tonight or tomorrow evening.
|Looking for a funny girl to text with. Naughty swinger looking how to fuck girls westchester sex personals
|Professional Seeks Ms Miss Mrs Curvy. i want something big blk and hard Need evaluator of my music.
|`!Looking for a Workout Trainer Boyfriend!. Hookers ready dating rich men Hannover cub looking for new fr with hottub
|Horny mature dating hippie gatherings. White male wants Black female 30 Houston 30.
|I seek a willing woman. Lonely housewives ready nudist dating BBW personals Harford Pennsylvania
|Bbc for cheating wives. please i need ur help After class tonight 25 south florida 25.
|Looking for NSA or Car Date. Horney mature searching women wanting men please i need ur help
|Cali woman LOL video poker laughlin. horny women of pulaski wanting sex Hello ladies looking for some fun this weekend.
|Single Dad looking for playmates. Girls looking for cock how to get pussy looking for fun in Gairloch tonight 35 year old female wanting a drinking buddy!
|Vodka, pussy eating, and great sextxt me. Oklahoma City vacation tuesday need some nsa Taco horney females Olive at 99.
|Sexy female looking for pussy to eat!. Mature lonely women wanting women lokking for sex text huge cock adult wivess 26 Fairbanks 26
|Wifes away we must play. hot mature women on Belgium New submissive looking for dominant match.
|Single and lonely and looking for a good man. Hot married woman wants love sex friendship looking bbwmasturbate together
|Tired of the local women for sex and bs. online ladies xxx Seeking cool chick to kick back and 420.
|Seeking a cute BBW for LTR. Sex personal search married couples sex Kill Devil Hills lonely ladies Looking for a woman that knows how to fuck.
|Hot WM Looking for FWB to Swing With. settin up fr tonight 4 17 Beautiful Girls at Choppers dirty sex.
|Big Package Hunk Looking For Ongoing Affair. Sex swingers searching girls for friendship single time to have fun 44 Chillicothe 44
|Looking for a Naughty Grandma. skip the bs and start free mobile text sex chat Help For Single Divorced Mom With The Extras.
|Blk top seeking workout partner fitness premier sthvn. Horny teens looking dating for single parents 14098 mouth for black pussy only
|Asian female in NEED?. effects guy in women amateurs swingers Daphne tee Good hearted sexy man seeking ltr fun.
|Looking to get ass fucked doggy style. Erotic woman looking online singles dating Kill Devil Hills lonely ladies Got roses and a car need head tonight.
|Well hung charming sexy woman seeks something casual and exciting. muscle and sex 420 and chill 22 santa discreet sex 22.
|Attracted to woman of color Asian Black Hispanic. Horney housewives ready women fuck need fuck buddy for next two weeks Not an ad so much as a callout.
|Women looking for discreet Woman Wanted. 32246 lonely girls Seeking a confident show off for nude pictures.
Stud looking to get pegged. xxx New Smyrna Beach girls Looking for a friend to text tonite!
fuck friend Salters South Carolina
Want a woman with a male dog. Los angeles nj sexy girls Lake Charles fuck hookups looking for some sex - (Amsterdam ) Looking for someone to get to know and possible hang out.. Best way to get to know someone is by hanging out.. so possibly talk for a little and once feel comfortable.. about me Im a x yo white female I am short, ladys who want sex in Wimberley Texas I'm not afraid to admit that I am thick, hairy women 38242 I am confident in myself. looking for a ride or die woman (ltr) Hello :) I am a friendly but do not drink or anything else....accept every once in a while haha :) I want a woman that loves to spend time with a chill, nice, calm man....I really love treating a woman like a queen....like she should be treated....I am faithful till the end and want to find someone that is just like me....just reply and talk with me for a little while...
Hot mature sex buddies stud seeking discrete freak. girls in Orlando looking for sex Married lady for senior hookups fun.
mate Wyomissing west Wyomissing
Attractive clean attractive male looking for some discreet fun. sex partner Glen Innes grannies in Providence wanting sex Looking for... I admit sometimes it gets a little lonely sleeping al xxx Maybe you feel the same. Looking for someone who'd like to cuddle up without the pressure of sex (I'm sure it's possible). I'm super nice, my bed is comfortable and I don't have to get up early tomorrow. A restful nights sleep with another warm body would be awesome. NSA Friends w/Benefits Looking for NSA friends w/benefits. I am a good looking man, good build, Denmark seeks patron local teenage slags Ponca City x +. Female must be over x +, clean, girls looking for a Rye fuck attractive, and weight . No hookers, , , or junkies.
As long as you want You want a present? single time to have fun 44 Chillicothe 44 Old fashion Lady, looking good guy age 58 and up.
Do you want your sexy webcams taken. discret sex Brisighella Looking For Some Afternoon Delight? Good-looking Caucasian woman. /Austrian descent. I am looking for any kind of work. I have x , both in college, fuck buddies High Peak and they sometimes come home on weekends. I have many other excellent skills in many different areas. Fredericksburg TX Hotel White Female, adult finder Poverenki blonde, green eyes, x ' x " just looking for a night of anonymous fun in a neutral location like a hotel room in Fredericksburg. Never done this before so understand I'll be somewhat nervous to actually go through with this. Send me your pic and if you peak my interest I'll send you mine. I am alone tonight and looking to get just a bit naughty. DDFree a MUST and condoms will be required.


text:
Riding Obama Wave Into a Second Term
Strong African-American voter turnout is credited with re-electing President Obama, and African- American targeted public-affairs and political satire shows on cable played an important role in keeping black voters engaged and excited about re-electing the country's first black president.
For example, Comedy Central's Key & Peele sketches lampoon the furor over Obama's birth certificate, while on TV One's WashingtonWatch, an informative roundtable features a discussion about voter supression. These shows helped keep viewers engaged in political issues and ultimately pushed African-Americans to voting booths, according to the show's hosts.
Now, those shows are challenged to maintain that interest and even increase their audiences as the president heads into his next four years at the nation's helm.
During the 2012 elections, African-Americans accounted for 13% of all voters, a higher percentage than the 10% of Hispanics who voted and well above the single-digit percentages many political pundits predicted for the group.
With the thrill of helping elect the first African- American president behind them — coupled with the slowly improving economy and high unemployment — many observers believed that African-Americans would not be as motivated to vote for a second Obama term.
But Washington Watch host Roland Martin said those prognosticators didn't understand the intense feelings within the African-American community on a number of of issues that were important to their lives, and were only discussed by blackoriented media outlets. "Black media played a critical role in crystallizing our core issues. Just like there are specific issues that resonated among Latinos, there are issues that are meaningful to African-Americans, and all too often they were marginalized and ignored," Martin, whose one-hour Sunday-morning news and public affairs show is in its fourth season, said. "We understood what was happening the entire time."
Satirical shows like Comedy Central's Key & Peele and FX's Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell put a consistent comedic light on issues that, for the most part, were not heavily covered by the mainstream media.
Such shows also used humor to break down oftencomplicated political issues like the country's debt situation, or poked fun at otherwise controversial issues, like the flap over Obama's birth certificate.
"We'd love to think that there was some influence being made," said Keegan-Michael Key, half of the starring tandem (with Jordan Peele) in sketch-comedy series Key & Peele, which Comedy Central renewed last month for a third season.
One of the show's most popular reoccurring skits is Key's impersonation of a calm and cool Obama interacting with Peele's character — "Luther," Obama's "anger translator" — as they discuss current political issues.
"People are hustling looking for work or are overworked and don't have as much time to spend looking at issues and absorbing issues," Key said. "We wanted to make it our jobs to look at the civics of the situation and then we'll distill it as best we can. When you can distill things down like that, it hopefully allows the populace to say, 'Now I understand and that makes sense to me.' "
The presence of African-American comics and journalists discussing these issues afforded them more credibility and influence with black viewers.
"Black people are looking for black faces on television even in the 21st century, so I feel like my show is keeping black issues out there, while also talking about other issues from a black perspective," said W. Kamau Bell, host of FX's latenight series Totally Biased, which satirizes political issues from an African-American point of view.
The freshman series, which was given an additional 13-episode order last month, averages about 28% African-American viewers — more than double FX's average tally of 13%.
"The most effect I can hope to have is that it initiates the discussion in households, and I think we can get better in initiating that conversation," Bell said.
Both Totally Biased and Key & Peele will continue to focus on political issues and will include criticism of the president when warranted, hosts said.
"The great thing about Obama being back in office is that we can now talk about the times when he's not so great of a president," Bell said. "There are some things that he's done that have been great, but there are certainly other things that we can talk about. I don't want Totally Biased to mean totally Democratic."
T.J. Holmes, host of BET's weekly late-night series Don't Sleep!, which launched this past October, said it's just as important now to keep African-Americans engaged and informed about what's going on in the country politically as it was before the election.
"We absolutely have to," Holmes said. "We have to stay on it and keep viewers engaged, informed. We have an opportunity now over the next four years where we can reel them in because of President Obama, but we can keep them interested past President Obama."
News and satire shows aimed at African-Americans hope to sustain interest following an election-year surge.


text:
In early April my family, boyfriend, and I went to go see "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" on Broadway. That evening featured Tony award winning Lena Hall (her last night!) and John Cameron Mitchell, the writer of the show. The show is about a young man named Hansel who grew up in East Berlin while the wall was still standing. He met an American GI who offered to take Hansel to America but, in order do so, Hansel needed to be able to prove he was a woman…physically. One botched operation later Hansel became Hedwig and immigrated to America. When the GI leaves her, Hedwig needs to find her own way and tries to involve herself with men while also launching her rock career. Hedwig's story is one of confusion, heart-break, and self-discovery.
The story of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" came to mind when we were discussing transgendered issues in class last week. What I find particularly interesting about her story is that she did not necessarily choose to be transgendered (or transsexual for that matter): as a gay man Hansel needed to change to get out of East Berlin. Once the operation was complete, Hedwig assumed a more feminine identity to fit her in-between physicality.
One particularly moving scene is when Hedwig is with her boyfriend, Tommy Gnosis. Although they have
beentogether for quite some time and shared much of their lives, Tommy and Hedwig had never been intimate while facing each other. When he shies away, Hedwig cries: "Love the front of me, honey!" Her plea reminds us all that we should strive to love people for who they are, not what they look like or what their sexual preferences are.
Gender is a spectrum, and one that is ever moving. Over time one's position on the spectrum can shift based on new understanding of one's self. How can we learn to accept people for who they are, and let them grow and change over the course of their lives?


text:
David Schwimmer Posts Hilarious Response to Lookalike Shoplifting
October 24, 2018
A man caught on camera shoplifting at a store in the United Kingdom had a strong resemblance to "Friends" actor David Schwimmer don't ya think?
The internet sure thought so and word got back to the famous actor. So he made sure to post this funny video for his "alibi."
We're pretty sure he's safe from being prosecuted for this one. Although...who remembers "Russ" from Friends??? ;)


text:
Cranberry Cordial
Mixing instructions:
Place the chopped cranberries in a 2 liter jar that has a tight-fitting lid. Add the sugar and rum. Adjust the lid securely and place the jar in a cool, dark place. Invert the jar and shake it every day for six weeks. Strain the cordial into bottles and seal with corks.
Buy shakers, bartending videos, bar tools and supplies in
The Webtender's BarStore.
Copyright © 1995-2020 The Webtender.
About | Disclaimer | Privacy policy


text:
When she was younger, Saori was a shy girl who had a really hard time talking to anyone. Dragged by her sister Kaori once to an otaku meeting, she makes her first friends, until Kaori leaves abroad to get married, which breaks the circle of friends Saori was a part of. Angry at her sister, she decides to make her own group of friends, which explains the reason why she created the online meeting in the first place.
I'm glad we finally got to see this episode 🙂
I always wondered why Saori transformed herself so much whenever she came out of the house. I still don't really have a clue as to why she dresses like a completely different person (except for the glasses, that is), but at least we got to know more background about her, and she already seems like a much more lovely character than she was before. I never thought that the tall, imposing and guy-ish Saori-chan would have been such a shy girl when she was a kid. You can really see that the glasses transform her completely; it's like she suddenly becomes a completely new person. In the end her goal was accomplished, and she made her own little circle where everyone who joined felt more at ease.
I'm not sure what to think about her sister though. Kaori is… Impulsive? Passionate? Whatever it is, she seems like the kind of person who'll admit her feelings to anyone about anything except to her poor little sister to whom she's the biggest tsundere ever. She was obviously jealous when she saw her sister getting too integrated into her own circle of friends, which is probably why she left in the first place. When she told off Saori after that was basically what made me decide that she pissed me off more than anything. I'm glad that in the end Saori stil moved forward though, and when Kaori came back for her sister's birthday I almost forgave her blunder from a few years back. Almost.
Kaori's circle of friends was pretty interesting, though. I particularly liked Kanata/Ganma/whatever other names she had, if only because she gave herself 8 different names. I also liked the way the friends got together and talked about anime; we all have our otaku friends with whom we fangirl about different shows, and it reminded me just how much it gives one a place to have fun and talk about something awesome. Otakus forever~
Apart from that, well, to be honest I don't know what to say about this episode. It was good, but I guess there's just not much more to say about it… Saori was awesome, Kaori was annoying, and I'm expecting to see her circle of friends show up a little more later on… That's it, I guess. Look forward to next episode!


text:
I have a 2010 DMM. When I make 4 wire resistance measurements, the reading drifts down over at least 30 minutes.
For example after initial contact I get a reading of 0.001XXXX, after 30 minutes 0.0002XXX. Is this normal?
The unit had been powered up for 2 hours. It has also been calibrated recently.
Thank you
Tektronix Technical Forums are maintained by community involvement. Feel free to post questions or respond to questions by other members. Should you require a time-sensitive answer, please contact your local Tektronix support center here.
2010 4 wire resistance measurements
2000, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2100, 2110
Post Reply
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
Re: 2010 4 wire resistance measurements
This sounds like a thermal EMF issue, which is caused by dissimilar metal junctions (DUT - Test leads). To verify, you could heat or cool the individual junctions and see if your measurement drift changes direction. What you have in effect is a thermocouple. This can be minimized by using high quality cables(copper) to make your connections and shielding to minimize temperature changes at the DUT. The REL function can be used right before taking your measurement to null out offset voltages.
Post Reply
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


text:
Before I can utter a phrase, I'm silenced with a enthusiastic, French kiss from Kimberly that seals my eyes shut. With this tongues exploring each other's mouth, I finger and wipe her painful and sensitive clit. Her responses to my hands pressing her turn me on enough to talk her over onto her back and eat her pussy around again. Distracted, I barely observe Brenda gently sliding off the bed. Out of my distinct sight, she slides into her bathroom and sets on a band on. Then, she fractures start the restroom door to watch me heading down on Kimberly on her behalf bed. Lord just knows what's going on in her mischievous mind at the moment. Where'd Brenda go? I ask, pausing my language to view about her bedroom. I think she went downstairs to check on Free Latina Sex Cam the party, Kimberly fibs, annoying me with her hands working through my hair. I believed Amber was catering the celebration, I comment, looking up into her bright, orange simple eyes. She'll be right back, Kimberly assures, scrubbing and caressing her breasts to keep my eyes entertained. Darn, that is too simple, Brenda blurts, flinging the restroom door available, wearing a huge, realistic- seeking strap on. What the -, I exclaim, snatching my head around, looking at the band on Brenda's wearing. Hahaha....... The design on your face is fucking important, Brenda jokes, creeping on the bed, laughing. Brenda's laughter infects Kimberly and she breaks out joking, too. I can not support but to giggle correct along side them. Between equally of them, they've were able to surprise me with something which I positively was not wanting - not Ebony Sex Chat in a million years. The night only keeps recovering and better. External, Kryss converts down the headlights on his car. Creeping through the night, he pulls up and parks across the road from Brenda's house. With Brenda's room drapes shut, there's no means for people to see his red Mustang parked in the street, scoping out the all-girls party. Starting a beer, Kryss chugs it down in one single large gulp. Then, he wipes his mouth on his sleeve. Furrowing his brows, he throws the bare container out the passenger window. A spectacular, contemptuous smile stretches across his experience, blistering it with disgust. Opening yet another beer, he chugs down nearly all of it. Learning the silhouettes while they go before the family area windows, he waits, his brain rolling and festering with intoxicated thoughts.
Effectively, I'm heading
back downstairs, Amber utters, tucking the helping tray under her supply as she turns to keep, if you don't require something different, Brenda. Perhaps not at the moment, Brenda answers, sweeping her eyes around Amber's naked body, Thanks for asking. You are perhaps not planning to remain? Kimberly asks, bending her at once Brenda's shoulder. I'd like to, but Rhonda and Tracy want me to hangout with them, Emerald describes, pausing in the doorway, and I however need to cater the party. When Emerald leaves the bed room, Personally i think the center of attention fall upon me again. My Sagittarian gift of gab is put to the check when my eyes move around the space again, searching for anything, such a thing to express to separate the silence. Anyhow, Brenda understands so just how to exacerbate the Free Sex Webcam Sites situation in her very own bizarre way. Designer includes a nice ass, Brenda statements, sitting her glass of champagne on the nightstand. She is got some really nice breasts, too, Kimberly gives, giggling before she downs her glass of champagne in a single gulp. Sure, she n oes, Brenda concurs, giggling as she drags her fingers across Kimberly's chest, but not as lovely as yours. It's too poor she couldn't keep and join people, Kimberly sighs, handing Brenda her clear glass. Why do not you get up on the sleep around, Ashleigh? Brenda suggests, kissing Kimberly on the lips and slipping around to create space for me on the bed. I like this strategy, Kimberly brings, raking her hands through her extended, brunette hair. Brenda's angelic experience and hot look are as seductive as her brown eyes, making her offer to participate them almost impossible for me to pass. Kimberly isn't supporting me to avoid it either. Besides that, I am previously having a hard the full time keeping my anxieties in check as it is. Evaluating from their laughing, I'd claim they are equally a tiny touch tipsy from drinking champagne tonight. Anyway, it's my passion for Kimberly and our blossoming relationship that keeps me from joining them. It's also dangerous and I do not want to get any chances. You're joking, proper? I question, a bare search icy on my experience as I change my eyes back and forth between them, deciphering their intentions.
An awkward moment of silence sweeps through Brenda's room as everyone's eyes turn towards me. Dressed in a tight, dark leather mini-skirt with a corset, quad large stiletto pumps, and makeup, Porn Sex Live Chat I am terribly out of position despite how elegant I appear. From the lounge, I didn't are having issues seeing Kimberly and Brenda creating out with each other. Nevertheless, once Amber set me immediately to have me inside the room, it's a different story. I should've kept downstairs to mingle in Brenda's all-girls party without allowing my awareness intrude on Kimberly's time of fun. Instead, I had to venture upstairs to find her. It's in contrast to I didn't have a concept of what she would be doing. Anyhow, I have an atmosphere Brenda and Kimberly realized what I would do when I acquired to the celebration and planned accordingly. I thought that they'd both be angry with me watching them, but that is not the case. Using my intrusion, they circumvent my anxieties to tempt me with Live Free Sex Chat Video many any guy's desire - getting during sex with two women. It's an effective method, considering that everyone in the space is bare except me. Hi, you ultimately managed to get, Brenda greets, going for a glass of champagne from Amber's dish, smiling at me. You appear beautiful in that outfit. Happy birthday, Ashleigh, Kimberly blurts, smiling at me as she takes a glass of champagne from the plate as well. Yes, pleased birthday, Brenda toasts, going her glass against Kimberly's glass. We have to sing'Pleased Birthday'to you, Designer suggests, sitting the final glass of champagne on the chest of drawers. Uh - let us maybe not accomplish that, I remark, backing my bum against the chest of drawers. Shock, c'mon, Amber asserts, putting her give on her behalf cool and dipping her visit the side. Is something very wrong, Ashleigh? Brenda requires, sleeping her hand on Kimberly's leg as she sips wine, causing traces of lipstick on the glass. No, not necessarily, I giggle, sweeping my eyes across her bedroom, I look to become a magnet for awkward situations. I've been over to Brenda's home countless occasions, but never inside her bedroom. It's clear and neat like the others of her home except for the clothes they were carrying strewn on the sleep and floor. Her drapes are shut, making the entire mood sense distinctive from what I could see out in the hallway. The flickering candles on her cabinet and nightstand produce a myriad of sensual imagery in my mind. Actually the sweet smell of French vanilla incense is more robust. What actually catches my attention is the big mirror on the roof above her bed.


text:
An old favourite: rose 'Albertine'
There are usually good reasons why plants survive the test of time. When you think about how many new roses are introduced each year (there must be dozens) and the fact that most of these must disappear after a few years, only something special can survive for a hundred years or more.
In some circumstances these days the older varieties get a mention in books and magazines simply because the writers don't bother to find out about modern alternatives and so the same old recommendations get trundled out again and again. Not all new varieties are improvements on the old and how could they be when we all want different things from plants. I usually want roses to smell but that wouldn't stop me from planting a scentless rose if it had other outstanding attributes. But some of the older roses, although they are nice, are possibly not worth planting any more.
A problem with roses is that people like them so much. They conjure memories of summers past, of picking strawberries, picnics under apple trees and cricket on the green: that's a lot of responsibility for a plant!
If someone mentions wanting to dig up a plant from their mother's garden you can be sure it is a rose. Rather than buy a new rose people want to dig the poor thing up and move it to a different garden, minus most of its roots!
Rose names are incredibly important and the right name will ensure it is a success. years ago I saw a rose in San Francisco called 'Hot Cocoa' and thought it looked just like 'Hot Chocolate', quite a feat actually as the flower colour can vary a lot. Mentioning this later to Keith Jones he told me that 'Hot Cocoa' was thought to be too soporific for the English market so it was changed to 'Hot Chocolate' which had more exciting associations.
Another problem with some old roses, and I mean from the fifties and sixties, is that they were bred when the air was filled with sulphur from coal fires and the UK was always being blamed for creating acid rain that was ruining Scandinavian forests. This sulphur had an interesting side effect because fungi hate it and it helped to reduce the incidence of blackspot and mildew on roses so many rose varieties, even though they were prone to the diseases, didn't show it. But now that the air is cleaner these roses can be martyrs to disease. It is not that the roses have got worse, just that they were bred for a different age.
But a few roses really have stood the test of time. 'Albertine' is one of these and it is available everywhere because:
1. It has a sophisticated French name but one the English tongue can get around
2. It is pink and we like pink roses
3. It is a rambler but not one that is so vigorous that it cannot be controlled without reducing its flowering potential
4. It is scented – really scented
5. When you were a child it was the rose that grew over the doorway of Miss Marple's cottage in the village.
It only flowers once (now) but it does make a spectacular display. It dates from 1921 and was bred by Barbier Freres (and company) – the name Barbier will be familiar to old-rose lovers. It is a Wichuriana hybrid and will make a plant 3m tall and wide with ease. It is flexible enough to wind through trees though it is more often contained against a wall or fence. It can be a bit of a martyr to mildew and blackspot. It has some blackspot this year but no mildew yet, but it is sure to come later in the season on the ends of the shoots. It is also a wickedly thorny beauty so be careful!
Like all ramblers (as opposed to climbers) it is best to prune it after flowering, cutting out the flowered stems and tieing in the new stems to the support for them to bloom next year.


text:
The Sanford pens in our collection have been carefully chosen because they really work!. The metallic and white gel pens don't jam or leak, they flow, opaque, across the page. Signo gel color hold their own against darker papers and the refillable, stainless Sharpie holds a line even a trained artist would admire.
Price (if multi-sized, see below):
We find these particular gel pens to be significantly smoother and more opague than others. Particularly dramatic on dark Color Vellum papers.


text:
If the thought of traveling the world and discovering new places excites you, a piloting career may be a great option for you. Soaring through the sky at 20,000 feet can be a magical experience, and with the right pilot training, you could be hanging with the clouds sooner than you think!
At Crew Pilot Training, Inc, we offer small pilot classes at our aviation school in Freeport. We are an FAA-approved, Part 142, Flight Training School that provides a comprehensive selection of Boeing 737 flight training courses for commercial pilots who wish to upgrade to an Airline Transport Pilot's Certificate with a Boeing 737 aircraft type rating, or just add a B-737 type rating to your current Airman's Certificate.
Our team is devoted to advancing the careers of professional and commercial pilots, and our classes usually hold two to four students at a time, meaning you can get the individualized attention you need to succeed.
Are You Pilot Material?
To become an airline or commercial pilot, you must be trained to operate aerial vehicles. There is a high amount of stress involved in this career, as you command the aircraft through various weather conditions, you'll be in charge of making difficult decisions while in the air. In addition to making difficult decisions, a pilot should have good communication skills and problem solving skills.
Most pilot careers require individuals to earn an associate's or bachelor's degree in aviation, aeronautics, or a similar discipline. To become an official pilot, it is also required that you have 250 hours of flight time under your belt.
Let's take a look at some steps you can take to start your exciting career as a pilot!
Get A College Degree
Unless you learned how to fly a Boeing 737 in the military, obtaining a college degree is a great first step in earning your pilot's license. While a degree may not be required for some airlines, most employers tend to prefer pilots who have invested in a college education. Whether you get a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, physics, aerospace engineering, or computer science, having a college education will only help you in the long run.
Get Those Flying Hours
As we mentioned above, if you want to become a pilot, you'll have to have 250 hours of practice flight time. This is a rule set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Pilots can log their flight hours through the U.S. Armed Forces.
Earning Your Pilot's License
Once you have 250 hours of flight experience, if you're 18 years or older, you can move on to other requirements set by the federal government. All pilots are required to pass a physical exam. This is to ensure that the pilot doesn't have physical impairments that may interfere with their flight performance (good vision and hearing are a must). Pilot candidates also must pass a written exam that will be observed by an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certified instructor.
To learn more about Crew Pilot Training, Inc. and our Freeport aviation school, or to sign up for a course, contact us today.


text:
Urban development report shows improving land availability
Marlborough District Council's Planning, Finance and Community Committee heard today that there will be a good supply of zoned land suitable for housing over the coming years, primarily in the North West of Blenheim, despite a possible lag in the development of land that is already available.
The monitoring report, part of the requirement for the Council to monitor housing and business market indicators each quarter under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity, shows an increase in house sale prices and a slowing of rental price increases in Blenheim's urban area for the first quarter of 2019. Building and subdivision activity is lower than it has been for some time, reflecting the near-completion of major residential developments at Omaka Landing and Taylor Pass.
However, new developments are coming on stream, primarily in the North West Greenfield area, meaning there will be new sections available in 2020 and significantly more available for development from 2021.
In summary there are:
- 1780 lots (total) zoned greenfield capacity in Blenheim
- 152 equivalent lots serviced and available for development now in greenfield areas
- 197 equivalent lots in specific locations suitable for infill now
- 530 equivalent lots serviced and available for development in 2021
- 1080 equivalent lots (timeline undefined) – 'sequential development', which require planning and infrastructure agreements.
Planning, Finance and Community Committee chairman Trevor Hook says that builders are saying they have up to nine months work ahead of them.
"We need developers to get their plans underway for 2021, when over 530 lots will be available for building houses.
"Council is ready to provide the required infrastructure for these lots in the North West development area."
"The major sewer upgrade has been designed and is now subject to peer review. It is expected to be under construction in the New Year."
And, after 2021, he says, another 950 lots are likely to become available for development in the North West.
"However, some of these areas need to be developed before others – what we call sequential development – and we need the cooperation of landowners and developers to make this happen in the most cost-efficient and well planned way."
"Overall the picture is reasonably good, but we need the cooperation of developers and landowners to achieve optimum results."
Council Chief Executive Mark Wheeler said the total supply of lots is also subject to the outcome of the Marlborough Environment Plan (MEP). He noted as an example a submission to the Proposed MEP last year to rezone an area of land adjoining Battys Road.
"If this application is ultimately approved by the MEP Hearings Panel, it would provide land for hundreds more new houses, on top of the current 1780 lots in zoned greenfield capacity."
Available lots are calculated at 10 per hectare, with demand expected to average around 110 lots per year, over 30 years. Please note: a Residential Development Capacity Update is attached.
More information on the Blenheim Housing and Business Development Capacity Assessment


text:
FRUSTRATED residents were unable to leave for work or other commitments this morning after the gate to their secure car park jammed, locking them in.
The gate, at Spencer's Wood, in Bromley Cross, is usually opened and closed by the use of a fob owned by each resident. A code can also be entered if this fails.
But this morning the gate did not respond to any attempt to open it as people attempted to set off for the day.
People living in the apartments called property management firm Premier Estates, who said they would send someone out to the fix the gate 'as soon as possible', but were unable to confirm an exact time.
A resident who made a further check was told someone should be despatched by 10am.
Resident Phil Edwards, 54, said: "I should've been in Chorley now, people have been waiting since about 7.30am. This is a new system that's been installed about four months ago. The old one that failed had a manual override that allowed you to push the gate.
"The new system has just got a key but nobody knows where it is."
Mr Edwards, who installs CCTV and security systems said he would not be able to make a meeting with a customer he had arranged in Chorley because of the problem.
"It's just an inconvenience," he added.
Another resident, Owen Wright, had booked the day off work to have his car fixed.
He said: "I have got my car booked in to be fixed at a garage today, because the exhaust has dropped down and needs to be rewelded , but now this has happened I can't get there. I
"I've had the day off to get it fixed, it's a real pain."
Mr Wright said the gate becoming jammed was a recurring problem for residents.
He added: "It's happened a few times since I moved here , it's always been a problem, every six months or so it tends to happen, and in winter it freezes, which is a pain."
The 31-year-old, who works at Rimmers Music, in Bolton, said he had lived at Spencers Wood for nearly three years and the gate had broken down 'six or seven times'.
"Sometimes you are lucky and it happens when you don't have anything to do, but the chances are it happens when you have something like your car booked in or something needs doing; it happens at the worst times."
An engineer arrived to fix the gate at about 10am.


text:
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating AgencyHome Menu
Street Supplies
A Library for Temporary Transportation Projects
Street Supplies is NOACA's newest program designed to help communities in Northeast Ohio discover innovative approaches to road design for everyone: buses, bikes, cars, and pedestrians! Our library of roadway materials is FREE for communities to borrow and return. Our library include a range of materials- from the basics of paint, tape, cones, and signs to parklets, bike racks, colorful street furniture, and planters!
By using Street Supplies materials for a temporary project, jurisdictions in Northeast Ohio can gather meaningful public input on a proposed design, evaluate the potential benefits of a transportation project before its permanent construction, and enliven public spaces while improving safety for all modes..
Street Supplies is funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Health. We encourage any communities interested in using the Street Supplies library to contact us at email@example.com or by phone (216) 241-2414!
Resources to help you get started
- Community Guidance document for helpful information on the Street Supplies process
- Presentation given to our Board of Directors in January 2019 that highlights why you might consider using Street Supplies and some ideas for local inspiration
- For a list of what's in the Street Supplies library as of January 2019 - see this inventory sheet.


text:
I was trying to set up another blog this morning to show my son what can be done on here and I wiped out my own main blog and have to rebuild it. It took hours just to find the theme and start to re-add the widgets when I lost it all again. Trying to rebuild it again so please be patient.
Thank you


text:
WITH more than 20 years in the music business under their belts, British pop duo, Go West, are still going strong.
Having laboured for a number of years as a songwriting partnership, Peter Cox and Richard Drummie first hit the charts back in 1985 when We Close Our Eyes became a global hit, catapulting the two of them to stardom on both sides of the Atlantic.
Their debut album sold 1.5 million copies around the world and saw them scoop a Brit Award for Best Newcomer. Typically, such an award has been the kiss of death to many a burgeoning career, but Go West continued to rack up an impressive string of hits, including The King of Wishful Thinking which featured on the soundtrack to Pretty Woman.
However, in the fickle world of pop music, by the mid-1990s, the hits had dried up; Peter Cox was living in Los Angeles pursuing a solo career while Richard Drummie remained in Britain, concentrating on songwriting and production duties for the likes of Debbie Gibson and the short-lived 21st Century Girls.
It was not until the year 2000 that the duo were reunited and began to work on new material before joining the nostalgia-fest of two Here And Now tours, performing back in arenas with fellow 1980s stars such as Kim Wilde and Paul Young.
Peter Cox followed up this success by appearing on Reborn In The USA, where former pop-stars were given another chance to revive their careers. A tour alongside former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley followed and now Go West are back on the road in their own right.
Their new show, which comes to the Lowry tonight, is a concert of two halves. The opening session sees the band performing new material from their forthcoming studio album, followed by a complete rendition of their debut album to satisfy their devoted fans.
The whole performance will be recorded for a DVD as a reminder that Go West are still a force to be reckoned with on the live circuit.
Go West perform at The Lowry on Wednesday, November 1. Tickets, priced é20. To book call 0870 060 1768 or


text:
Guys, Zarya is a character in a video game. Not a real person auditioning to be your girlfriend.
Today at PAX East, Blizzard revealed two new playable characters for its upcoming FPS game Overwatch, announced last November at BlizzCon. You can see a video of the entire presentation here.
The two heroes announced are a futuristic outlaw gunslinger called McCree, and a Russian "tank" soldier called Zarya. Game director for Overwatch Jeff Kaplan introduced them, speaking with obvious enthusiasm and affection.
"There's a hero out there for everyone, and we all have different fantasies," said Kaplan as he
introduced the new characters. "Our goal with Overwatch heroes is that there's fantasy fulfillment for as many players as possible, to really deliver on that promise of a very diverse heroic experience."
With that, he announced the game's first female tank character, Aleksansdra Zaryanova, AKA Zarya:
She is a dedicated and loyal hero. Her goal in life was to become a championship weightlifter, and she was right on the cusp of fulfilling that fantasy . . . then strife broke out in her village, and she put all of that aside to defend her homeland. . . She's lawful good; she's who you wanna be when you grow up. But there's some other stuff to talk about, too. We've been hearing a lot of discussion amongst players about the need for more diversity in video games. And that means a lot of things. They want to see gender diversity. They want to see racial diversity. They want to see diversity along the lines of what country people are from. But there's also talk about diversity in different body types, and not everybody wants to have the exact same body type always represented. And we just want you to know that we're listening, and we're trying hard, and we hope Zarya is a step in the right direction to show you that we're paying attention.
Kaplan obviously had some notes to which he was referring in this presentation, but it didn't appear to be scripted.
I'm honestly shocked to see such a frank acknowledgment that the desire for greater diversity in playable characters has made an impact on design decisions for this game– and not just "diversity," but body diversity. In a game about futuristic heroes which features robots, a genetically manipulated gorilla, and more cyborg-esque augmentation than you could shake a stick at.
I think most character designers for video games might take pause at the idea of constructing
characters with special consideration to cosplay, but here are a couple of basic facts about cosplay:
Zarya would make for some really fun cosplay. It's kind of funny how she's no less an example of physical perfection and beauty than any of the other female characters, but yet she's sexy and powerful and not bizarrely dressed for her role– she looks like a futuristic soldier.
See? It's absolutely possible.
Props to you, Blizzard. We're watching, and appreciate it.
Last November during BlizzCon, I wrote a post critiquing the design of some of the female playable characters as compared to the male characters in the newly revealed but not yet released FPS game Overwatch. In it, I addressed the following comment made by Blizzard senior vice president Chris Metzen:
Specifically for Overwatch over the past year we've been really cognizant of that, trying not to oversexualize the female characters. I don't know if we oversexualize the male characters. But it's something we're very sensitive to.
I boggled at the idea of not knowing whether you oversexualize the male characters in your games, and concluded: No, you definitely are not.
Yesterday on that post, a commenter named "blank" asked:
My question to you is, how would YOU oversexualize a male character?
Here's my answer to that question: I can't. It is impossible for me to oversexualize a male character in a video game.
Here's why:
Obviously I am not any sort of game designer, specifically not a character concept artist for any video game, but let's pretend that I am.
Let's pretend that I have both unlimited funding with which to produce a video game, and unlimited creative control over its content. Let's imagine that having all of these resources and control, I decided to make the most sexual game possible involving male characters.
In order to maximize the sexualization of the male characters in this game, I would leave out female characters altogether. I would, effectively, make a gay porn movie in video game form.
In this gay porn game, because we're talking about the design of fictional characters here, I would exaggerate all of the sexual characteristics of these male characters far beyond what is possible in real life. I would exaggerate their secondary sexual characteristics as well, so that not only would these be the most well-endowed male characters ever, but they would also be the most unquestionably male. And they would be doing…well, what you'd expect to find in a gay porn movie turned video game. That is the greatest extent to which it's possible for me, personally, to sexualize male characters.
(Would I then want to play this video game? Eh….no thanks.)
But that doesn't answer the question. The question was regarding what I would do to oversexualize male characters, and, as already stated, I can't do that.
That's because in this case, the "over" in "oversexualized" refers to frequency.
A trope is a device in story-telling which appears frequently. In today's usage in pop culture, it typically refers to such a device being used so frequently that it becomes hackneyed, cliché. That's the sense in which Anita Sarkeesian's Tropes v. Women in Video Games series is named, something which I've noticed seems to be all too often lost on its detractors. "She totally misrepresented the game mechanics in Hitman!" they will complain, as if such a gripe is devastating to the point of a video series dedicated to pointing out repeated use of depictions of female characters over time and throughout the industry, and discussing how the near-ubiquity of such depictions is bothersome and even harmful.
When Tropes v. Women says that women in video games are oversexualized, that's the kind of "over" it's talking about. Compared to that, my exaggerated gay porn video game would be a drop in the proverbial bucket. Maybe the non-proverbial pond, lake, or sea.
To ask how I would oversexualize male characters in video games is akin to asking how I would make America heterophobic. How I would make the country overly concerned about ending poverty. How I'd render the world's hungry overly fed.
It's funny to imagine, isn't it? But yeah, that kind of "over" is not gonna happen.
Yesterday at BlizzCon, Blizzard Entertainment's annual conference in Anaheim, Blizzard unveiled a new game.
Yeah, I know, so what? New games are announced all the time. Heck, Blizzard announces new games all the time. So what was it this time– a new expansion for World of Warcraft? Starcraft 2? Diablo? Maybe something new for Hearthstone (a TCG offshoot of WoW in app form) or Heroes of the Storm (a multiplayer online battle arena, or MOBA game, still technically in technical alpha, based on all of the previous)?
Well, okay, yes– new developments for many of these things were announced. But also a new game, as in an actual new franchise, and it is called Overwatch. Overwatch, to sum it up in one sentence, is a 6 vs. 6 team-based FPS (first person shooter) which takes place in various settings on a futuristic Earth, is cartoonishly-styled, and the playable characters are all….well, superheroes, basically. They're heroes with super abilities and traits, which I'd categorize as much more sci fi than fantasy (as in, mutations and rocket launchers, not dragons and magic).
In terms of character design, this opens up some huge possibilities. This is an entirely new game world which means that anything is possible, and it's a futuristic world in which the playable characters (at least, the ones revealed so far) are—mostly—human. And a couple of robots. And one bespectacled gorilla, who is already a big favorite.
During the Q&A period following the reveal of Overwatch, the sole female audience member who addressed Jeff Kaplan (game designer for Overwatch) and Chris Metzen (senior vice president at Blizzard) asked about representation in character design. First, she complimented Overwatch's diversity in terms of color, nationality, and body type of the characters introduced thus far. Then she wanted to know if skins would be available for the various characters to swap their genders around—that is, she wanted to know if it might be possible to play a male version of a character originally presented as female, or vice versa. Kaplan's reply to this was (to paraphrase): "That's not something we planned for—it sounds awesome, but we have no plans to do it" which means, effectively, "That's never going to happen."
Which is unfortunate, because the available characters for Overwatch aren't actually very diverse, despite this being a sorta kinda stated goal. Kotaku, PC Gamer, Polygon, and probably other sites have articles up today describing a press conference for Overwatch which took place at BlizzCon, in which Metzen made comments to that effect:
"We've heard our female employees," he said. "And my daughter tools me out about it. She saw a World of Warcraft cinematic of the Dragon Aspects, and my daughter was like, 'Why are they all in swimsuits?' And I was like, 'I don't know. I don't know anymore.'" "I think we're clear we're in an age where gaming is for everybody. We build games for everybody. We want everybody to come and play. Increasingly people want to feel represented from all walks of life, everywhere in the world. Boys and girls—everybody. We feel indebted to do our best to honor that."
He then elaborated regarding the new game:
"Specifically for Overwatch over the past year we've been really cognizant of that, trying not to oversexualize the female characters. I don't know if we oversexualize the male characters. But it's something we're very sensitive to. We want that to be part of who we are, what our brand is. I think [Blizzard president] Mike [Morhaime] talked in a roundabout way to that in his speech [at the start of BlizzCon]. It's something we're very cognizant of. We want girls to feel kick-butt. Equally represented."
At BlizzCon, Blizzard revealed twelve characters for Overwatch, all of whom have character profiles at the game's web site. You can see them all here in as much detail as you like, but I'm just including some images here so we know who we're talking about.
The dudes:
Now, you're thinking– wait a minute, that's only five. I thought she said twelve total.
I left out one genetically modified gorilla (Winston, male) and one robot (Bastion, no gender). Zenyatta is also technically a robot, but I included him with the male characters because a) he's wearing clothes, male clothes, and b) he was referred to as a "he" during the Overwatch panels at BlizzCon.
Reaper and Reinhardt, first and second from the left of the dudes, are presumably human. Reaper (age: unknown) has a tiny bit of visible Caucasian skin on his arms, and Reinhardt's description on the Overwatch web site lists him as being 61 years old and previously a "highly decorated German soldier." Presumably that armored suit of his which makes him a hulking behemoth compared to everyone else is not just a suit of armor but also some sort of mech contraption– that would also explain why each of his hands are roughly three times the size of his head.
Torbjorn, the munitions expert whom you'd swear was a dwarf if this had been World of Warcraft, is 57 years old, making him and Reinhardt the only currently known characters on Overwatch who are eligible for AARP benefits. Hanzo is a comparatively youthful 38, and Zenyatta is listed as a seemingly-meaningless-because-he's-a-robot 20 years old.
The chicks:
From left to right: Mercy (34), Pharah (32), Symmetra (28), Tracer (26), and Widowmaker (33).
That's right; the oldest of the female characters has not reached her thirty-fifth birthday.
Other things to note:
|Has Escher Girls seen this?
And no, "blue" for Widowmaker doesn't count as a race, especially considering the way she acquired her color, which is– I'm not making this up; it's on the web site— because "her physiology was altered, drastically slowing her heart, which turned her skin cold and blue and numbed her ability to experience human emotion."
I can think of a couple of changes to one's physiology which would accomplish those things,
hypothermia and death from hypothermia, but neither of those works very well toward the end of making someone a sociopath assassin, as it did for Widowmaker. Presumably having cold blue skin makes clothing unnecessary as well, so she's wearing very little of it, and it also apparently renders possession of a normal human spine completely optional.
A commenter named StingRay02 on Polygon's story created the following image of the silhouettes of all twelve characters:
|Sexual dimorphism wasn't the goal; it was the starting line
|Pictured: "Cowboy Man," "Katana Man,"
and "Tattooed Enormous Belly Man"
The slight, very similar-looking frames on the right are all of the female characters. The highly varied and significantly chunkier figures on the left are the males (with the two on the extreme left being robots Zenyatta and Bastion).
So the take-away here is that if you're a female character you must be young, thin, conventionally
attractive, and dressed to accentuate your figure (unless you're Pharah), but if you're a male character none of these things must apply. In the poster for Overwatch currently for sale on the Blizzard store, there are three additional "mystery" characters which haven't been introduced. All three are male, all are relatively large, and two are completely covered in armor while a third standing behind them is less so– and also apparently hugely fat.
In the comments from the Polygon article I saw the following exchange:
I call shenanigans anytime a character has high heels in a combat setting. That is pandering to the male gaze, not crafting a cool character. Window maker is the worst with her broken spine, but Mercy and Symmetra are also doing that popped hip pose every time I see them. Tracer isn't so bad, still tight clothes, but that is not inherently a bad thing, but more combat sensible poses, practical footwear….she and Pharah look more practical and combat ready.
They may be taking steps…but they are also still indulging in a little creative sexism.
"I call shenanigans anytime a character has high heels in a combat setting."
I think that's a design choice to distinguish it's a woman more than anything. I don't look at heels and get a boner. I look at heels and think of them as something a woman would wear instead of a man.
My two cents.
I can see your point, but high heels are specifically made to accentuate leg muscles. I think if you want me to take your female characters seriously from a design standpoint, you need to leave the thighhigh boots, heels, and weird boob-exposing outfits on the cutting room floor. Any time I see a female "knight" wearing a breast plate that basically accentuates boobs instead of looking like actual protection, I die a little inside.
I mean, you can design your female characters however you want. I just reserve the right to think they're stupid when you've got your female fighters trying to do shit in heels.
There's an ape running around in a mech suite. I don't think anything in this game is meant to be taken seriously.
No, it doesn't need to be realistic, but I also appreciate when design choices are made that don't pander to the male gaze. Pharah isn't realistic at all, but by god she looks like she is ready for battle, doesn't she? That's what I want. Sell me that this person is geared for a fight. Not a real fight in the real world, but a fight all the same.
Fair enough. I personally don't give two shits either way. Difference in opinion.
In case it needs to be pointed out, the "ape in the mech suit" is not sexualized. T_K85 has missed the point rather spectacularly, but pictor and Mr_McGrumpypants managed to nail it. Perhaps because they do give two shits (or maybe even more) about having options for playable female characters in a game which aren't limited to a very conscribed range of variations on a fashion model holding a massive gun.
To return to that Chris Metzen quote: "Specifically for Overwatch over the past year we've been really cognizant of that, trying not to oversexualize the female characters. I don't know if we oversexualize the male characters. But it's something we're very sensitive to." I wonder which "we" he's talking about there, and whether it includes himself. Presumably not, because how could you be "very sensitive" to not oversexualizing female characters, but then a) do it anyway, and also b) not know whether you oversexualize male characters?
Let me just answer that question: No, Blizzard does not oversexualize its male characters. It barely, if ever, sexualizes them at all. To sexualize a character is to make it look as if it is one of that character's primary goals to be sexually attractive. I can't think of a single male character in any Blizzard game who fits that description. It's hard to think of a female character who doesn't fit it. Okay, yes, Pharah (who originally, according to either Kaplan or Metzen– I don't recall which– was a male character called "Rocket Dude").
Why does any of this matter? Why am I harping on this so much?
Well, for the same reason that Metzen gave– representation is important. It might not be "serious," but important and serious are not the same thing. If you want "girls" to feel "kick-butt," then it's important. If you want to honestly say that this new game reflects diversity for both men and women. then it's important. And as I stressed at the beginning of this post, the reason it's important when it comes to this game, Overwatch, is because Overwatch is a brand new enterprise.
Literally anything is possible– there's no style precedent which has to be matched, the game is still very much in the design phase, and the game is set in a futuristic version of Earth which I don't think it's crazy to imagine would be more progressive than the one in which we live, right now. So why not design it to be? Why not assume that the characters which inhabit it would be more progressive, especially considering they're, you know, superheroes?
Well, some of them are– some of them have apparently turned to the dark side and become mercenaries. Maybe they could be the backwards ones who think that men can do awesome things whether they're thin, fat, nerdy, thuggish, young or old, but women can only be pretty. And the heroes could reject that nonsense.