text:
To understand the cultural significance of Steve Jobs, you have to go back in time: to before the iPad or iPhone or iTunes, before Apple's comeback products made candy-colored plastics and iAnything cool, before Jobs got kicked out of Apple, even before the Macintosh hurled a sledgehammer at Big Brother.
It's 1981. Most people have never heard of Silicon Valley. The country's most famous businessman is Lee Iacocca, the head of Chrysler. He's famous because in 1979 he engineered a government bailout — loan guarantees — that saved the company. He's also famous because, unlike his peers, Iacocca is colorful. He seems to believe in what he's doing.
In 1981, business executives aren't known for either personality or passion. The general public sees business as a boring, impersonal, possibly suspect activity. Its significance seems purely financial.
"Businessmen," Tom Wolfe tells the Wall Street Journal, "no longer have the conviction that what they're doing is exciting and glamorous, which is, I guess, another way of saying intrinsically worthwhile."
That was all about to change.
In the 1980s, entrepreneurs became heroes, celebrities and role models. The Apple whiz kids, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, were the new face of business.
Money was, of course, part of the appeal— millionaires in their 20s! — but there was much more to it than that. The aspirations for pleasure and self-expression that the sociologist Daniel Bell had condemned as the "cultural contradictions of capitalism" turned out to be its fuel.
In the 1980s, business became a realm of passion and personality and, above all, surprises. Big changes could come from anywhere — from backwaters such as Bentonville, Ark., and Memphis, Tenn., and Portland Ore. Or, of course, Cupertino, Calif., and Redmond, Wash. The ethos of Silicon Valley became, if not workaday reality, then the cultural norm.
"Apple was about as pure of a Silicon Valley company as you could imagine," Jobs said in an interview with Newsweek after he was fired in 1985. If he had been born and raised in New York, we probably would never have heard of him. But Jobs grew up knowing about David Packard and Bill Hewlett starting a business in their garage. When he was barely a teenager, he cold-called Hewlett, whose home number was listed in the phone book, and talked his way into a job at HP.
Although the HP Way was Silicon Valley lore, it wasn't a touchstone to the general public. Apple's rapid success, by contrast, made quite an impression. Before long, the ideal of the loyal company man working his way to the top was being replaced by the ideal of the brilliant, arrogant college dropout conquering the world before he was 30: the entrepreneur as Alexander.
Business became more like sports or fashion: a topic of social conversation, a source of rooting interest and an expression of personal taste. The cultural, or even religious, war between Apple and Microsoft devotees would have been as inconceivable in 1981 as a "brand evangelist" or a corporate chieftain who appeared in public without a tie.
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work," Jobs said in a 2005 Stanford University commencement speech, which has been much quoted in recent days. "And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle."
That inspiring philosophy offers the promise of greatness and self-fulfillment, but also perpetual dissatisfaction. If business isn't just about making money, if it is about finding a version of true love and leaving a cultural mark, the stakes are much higher. Your work becomes your identity.
Nobody ever asked why Steve Jobs kept working after he was rich. Everyone understood.
Virginia Postrel is the author of "The Future and Its Enemies" and "The Substance of Style," and is writing a book on glamour.
© 2011 Bloomberg News


text:
Collecting is a dirty business. The pursuit of things can ensnare a person like the nastiest of drugs, swallowing time, money and youth like a hungry animal. This lust is a dangerous part of comic fandom no matter the reader's taste. Whether you prefer self-published, black and white indies or proclaim "Make Mine Marvel" as your personal mantra, getting that next issue, that limited edition lithograph, that alternate cover is an all-important goal, an itch that must be scratched every Wednesday.
Wimbledon Green
The Greatest Comic Book Collector in the World
(Drawn and Quarterly)
US: Nov 2005
The early 1990s were the apex of the collecting boom. Poly-bagged multiple covers featuring foil-embossing and an exclusive trading card announced half the issues on the stands as "collector's items" and "guaranteed" a comic's future resale value. This diabolical sales tactic boosted sales of mediocre books and created a speculator's market for people too stupid for the Stock Exchange. Unfortunately, publishers produced truckloads of these books, flooding the market with dozens of "special" issues every week. Now, well over a decade later, greedy fans are stuck with books barely worth their cover price and retailers find themselves sitting on a mountain of unsold copies of X-Force #1.
But what if collecting was more than just the sad, empty pursuit of things? What if high stakes collectors were not just celebrities but LEGENDS among fans? Somewhere in that variant, hologram-enhanced dream world one finds Wimbledon Green: The Greatest Comic Book Collector in the World.
Billed as "a story from the sketchbook of the artist Seth," Wimbledon Green is the story of a mysterious, rotund comic book collector whose obscure taste and knack for finding rare issues frustrates and delights his fellow collectors. The book is split into episodic, mostly documentary-style strips that reveal Wimbledon's character, his triumphs and defeats. The different testimonials on the character and episodes of his adventures make up a larger tale that's a comment on the sometimes humorous and sometimes harmful effects collecting has on its victims.
Interestingly, the book begins with an introduction which writer/artist Seth suggests reading as an afterword. Then, for those too stubborn to heed his warning, the author begins to tear his work apart, practically apologizing for what he perceives as its lack of meaning and quality. Seth claims this story, begun as an exercise in his sketchbook, was "created on a lark" drawn in the spirit of "good enough."
Unfortunately, this admission—though it seems somewhat disingenuous—holds sway over the book's beginnings. The strips are first person accounts of the title character's legendary collecting habits and are repetitive; as the claim on the cover suggests, they read like an artist's exercise rather than part of a complete narrative. Seth is clearly trying to figure out who this character is, where he's going and why the story needs to be told.
Fortunately, the individual stories soon begin to gel and the larger narrative is refined as the book progresses. Despite his claims to the contrary, Seth's art is crisp and clean, laid out in small, neat panels that still convey a wealth of information. Green is an impossibly geometric, plus-size version of Mr. Monopoly and the supporting cast of collectors—"Cuts" Coupon, Ashcan Kemp, Waxy Coombs—are all well-conceived collector archetypes created with a keen eye and strong sense of humor.
Some of the book's funniest moments feature comics as characters. In a continuing series of one page lists, Seth treats us to a peak inside Wimbledon Green's vast collection. The objects of Green's obsession are imaginary books like Alimony Comics, an "ill-advised romance comic" graded as Very Fine and valued at $4500. Other selections include Gee #48, featuring the death of Captain Well-Being, and the "infamous flatulence issue" of Fatsy. These snapshots of Green's collection aren't just funny, they hint at other exercises possibly hiding between the covers of Seth's sketchbooks.
In the world of Wimbledon Green, collecting is about more than variant covers and poly bagging. Collecting is an intellectual quest, a school of philosophy dedicated to the advancement not just of the graphic art form, but of the whole human race. The single-page vignette "Young 'Cuts' Coupon-1949" is Coupon's manifesto on the the rewards (and perils) of collecting. "I innately [understand the] deep meaning in these tales of masked men and anthropomorphic animals," he says. For him, the wisdom and truth hidden in the four-color world offer more insight and depth than any other art form ever could.
The reverse of this, of course, is simple greed. The characters of Wimbledon Green don't merely seek out the latest hot artist's work, they seek the lost treasures of comics' Golden Age. Digging through the basements of used bookstores and attending strangers' estate sales occupies the time of these art-obsessed archaeologists. The prestige that comes with finding rare comics in pristine condition is second only to the book's inflated value.
Normal comics fans like you and me will probably never know of the joy that comes from owning a priceless issue like Action Comics #1 or Amazing Fantasy #15, but perhaps it's for the best. In Wimbledon Green's world of high stakes collecting, seeking out a rare comic can turn into a James Bond-style adventure, and your competition, in the words of Green's fellow collector Ashcan Kemp, are "a lot of morally corrupt assholes" that will easily lie, cheat and kidnap their way to collecting glory. Maintaining that level of enthusiasm in the real world is rare, unless you have the money or freakish desire for collectibles like uber-collector Todd McFarlane.
Sadly, the underlying message of Wimbledon Green is being ignored. The comics industry is currently trending toward collecting again, with a number of big name books carrying alternate covers by big name artists. Even this book, in which collecting is portrayed as hollow and hilarious, features cover enhancement in the form of embossing and metallic ink. But it's not a point of sale and it's a not a false claim about the book's collectibility. Unlike so-called "special editions," this cover doesn't announce the book's future monetary value, but rather the potential value of the contents within. For its humor, message and reverence for comics as an art form, Wimbledon Green is an investment that's worth the risk.
Rising Appalachia 'Alive' (album stream) (premiere) // Music
Lost Bayou Ramblers "Allons a Lafayette" (video) (premiere) // Music
Jean Caffeine "Winter of Hate" (video) (premiere) // Music
Anthologies of Serial Exposure
// Re:Print
"Serial anthologies challenge us to ask what constitutes a comic and consider the possibilities of what they can be.READ the article

subset: commoncrawl


text:
When it comes time to choose a school, Southlake Carroll quarterback Kenny Hill will have his pick among the nation's elite.
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text:
It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our simple sign up form and login to the website.
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Located someone who looks right? Drop them a line or just a wink and see if anything happens. With a little luck you'll be on your way to an amazing adventure.
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text:
Backup and disaster recovery software
Silver Award:
Permabit's Permeon Compliance Vault 1.2
While disaster recovery is a prime concern, many companies are seeking ways to avoid disaster. Confronted by a slew of data-retention regulations, companies have turned to technology to help them ensure compliance. Cambridge, MA-based Permabit Inc.'s Permeon Compliance Vault (PCV) 1.2 answers the call by providing an effective way to lock down corporate data and rein in compliance costs.
At the heart of PCV is content-addressable storage (CAS) technology, which breaks data into chunks and then uses hashing algorithms to give each chunk a unique identifier. These chunks of data are retained in their original state and can't be altered or duplicated; digital certificates can be used to prove the data hasn't been changed. PCV works with any storage hardware, turning any type of disk media into secure write once, ready many (WORM) storage.
Fault tolerance is built in, with the ability to replicate protected data to other locations. As PCV secures data, it also distributes it across available disks to balance the load and provide fast retrieval.
Calling Permabit "one of the leaders in this space," one judge extolled PCV's "outstanding ease of use, and exceptional CAS and data protection integration." With a starting price of $25,000 for a 2TB configuration, plus $12,500 for each additional 1TB increment, PCV offers an inexpensive route to compliance that can leverage already-installed disk capacity.


text: GW girls handle Bridgeport 55-36 By Tommy R. Atkinson January 4, 2014 Story Share Kenny Kemp GW's Lilly Ash fights for a rebound with Bridgeport's Bailey Campbell (right), Shaie Tomasik (left) and Michaela Antill (rear). CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- George Washington hung its first skin on the wall of the new year and it couldn't have come at a better time.Junior point guard Alanna Mobayed had her best game of the season, turning in 19 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and five steals to propel the Class AAA Patriots past Class AA Bridgeport 55-36 Saturday afternoon. A crowd of about 120 attended the matchup of preseason state-ranked girls high school basketball teams at GW High School.Mobayed, though, was more impressed with GW's defense, which stymied the Indians in the second half. The No. 9 Patriots (2-3) forced 28 turnovers, most of those coming off 13 steals. Fourth-ranked Bridgeport (3-3), the defending AA state champion, only trailed by three points (25-22) at halftime but tallied only 14 the rest of the way."We have this thing called the under-40 club,'' said Mobayed. "So we picked up our defense and wanted to keep them under 40 [points]."It's more of a motivation thing to get our team to play better defense. We've been on the losing side and we really wanted to be on the winning side for once. Back on the road to a winning streak.''GW came out in a full-court press to start the third quarter and scored 12 straight points to take a commanding 37-22 advantage from which Bridgeport would never recover.Mobayed and junior swingman Maria Romeo were the catalysts during the surge, netting six points apiece and causing havoc on defense. Romeo finished with 15 points, four boards and four steals. Bridgeport pulled within nine points (37-28) on freshman forward Quinn Stalnaker's layup at the three-minute mark, but the Patriots scored six straight, including four from Mobayed on a putback and layup, to restore the 15-point edge (43-28) with under two minutes to go in the third and the rout was on."We were anxious to play,'' said GW coach Jamie LaMaster, whose team last played Dec. 21 and only had two practices over the Christmas break. "I was a little worried coming in a little rough."I think some of that showed in the first half, but once we settled down in the second half and made a few adjustments at halftime, I liked the way it turned out for sure.''LaMaster received a belated Christmas gift when senior post Kelli Jo Harrison, a AAA third-team all-state selection last season after averaging 17.1 points and 9.5 rebounds, was cleared to begin practicing on New Year's Eve, six months after a knee injury. Harrison has to get in 14 practices before she is eligible to play in a game."It's just going to take time with some younger faces,'' said LaMaster, who was also replacing three starters this season. "Players have to understand their roles, but more importantly accept those roles for us to be successful. I think we're starting to do a little bit of that.''Sophomore forward Hope Chalfant led Bridgeport with 16 points. The Indians are adjusting to life without Miki Glenn, who graduated after being named state player of the year last season."I'm going to give it more to Jamie and his guys,'' said Bridgeport coach Dave Marshall, who has nine freshmen among his 14 players. "I thought his energy was way better than ours. It got us on our heels and our decision-making became real bad.''Reach Tommy R. Atkinson at email@example.com or 304-348-4811. Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Facebook founder visits Cabin Creek Health Systems 2 Teen pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Oakes Field shooting 3 'Report for America' pilot project begins in Appalachia 4 Rhode Island bank claims Justice companies owe $4.2M on helicopter loan 5 Congressional opioid investigation targets drug wholesaler Miami-Luken Persistent Linsly tops Charleston Catholic Previous Story Herd glad to be home vs. Presbyterian Next Story


text: The legendary skater from the 80′s, Steve Caballero aka. "Cab" is the reason behind Vans' Half Cab shoe. His signature shoe still sells like hotcakes as both skaters and fashion conscious folks buy the shoe to either skate in or just to look good. Here are some new Half Cabs for Spring 2008. Included in the bunch is a bright orange Half Cab, a burgundy red Half Cab and a white Half Cab with a black midsole. Available now at Flauge.


text:
PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
Washington, DC, United States, 2010/07/12 - Advanced Bio-Treatment, one of the industrys premier scene cleanup service providers, has expanded its Washington DC office In order to provide faster local scene clean up response.
In order to provide faster response to local scene cleanup needs, Advanced Bio-Treatment has hired and trained new personnel in Washington, D.C. The office serves Washington, D.C. and all surrounding areas including Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Two senior members of the Advanced Bio-Treatment team recently flew to Washington, D.C. to supervise hiring and training. Because of the sensitive nature of scene clean up work and the inherent biohazards, each team member receives over forty hours of training. Training is conducted both in the classroom and on-site to ensure professionalism. Each new team member must demonstrate knowledge of the Code of Safe Practices as well as OSHA and MSDS compliance.
Advanced Bio-Treatment is one of the industrys premier scene cleanup service providers. Specializing in crime scene, accident scene, suicide scene, and trauma scene clean up, ABT serves twenty-eight states.
About Advanced Bio-Treatment
Founded by former police officer and insurance agency owner Jerry Turner, Advanced Bio-Treatment (advancedbio-treatment.com) is the kind of crime scene clean-up company that understands need for competent and considerate services in traumatic circumstances. They know that folks tend to call on cleanup services in the traumatic aftermath of an accident, crime or unattended death. Whether ABT's called on to clean-up a crime scene, cleanup in the aftermath of a tenant or family member's suicide or to remove, remediate and decontaminate the remains of a busted meth lab; Advanced Bio-Treatment can be relied on to work with your needs in mind.
Agency / Source: Designed by Carla
Availability: All Metropolitan Area
Traffic Booster: [/] Quick PRZOOM - Press & Newswire Visibility Checker
Distribution / Indexing: [+]


text:
Show us your talents.
This is some Ozark Red in a Zig Zag
Show us your talents.
This is some Ozark Red in a Zig Zag
Damn thats a fatty
Old pic, but only one I got of rolled chronic
Last edited by DaHui; 08-02-2007 at 02:38 PM.
nice joints
Nice job DH. I couldn't do that if you paid me. That's why I use a pipe.
Here's some old ones, I'll post some new pics soon..
"Thinking about taking my own life. I might as well, 'cept they might not sell weed in hell. And thats where Im going, cause the devils inside of me"
i havent been able to smoke in about a month & im about ta go crazyyyy.
Last edited by Happy Kitty; 05-20-2009 at 09:20 PM.
Thanks dudes, those are old pics tho... Haven't snapped any jay and blunt pics in over a year.
Big Dog, all you need is a little practice, rollin is easy, you just gotta get used to it
I can't say for sure, but RoleModel might be using Element papers.. They do look very thin and Elements are the thinnest ones on the market... Either that or an other extra thin brand.
i have found papers in europe seem to be alot smaller in all aspects
The joint paper is some Smoking paper De Luxe (king zine). It's rice paper and is very thin. We use thin papers here in Denmark, some use zigzags, but I think they taste too much of paper. I use these at the moment, and also used it for the joint above..
Last edited by 420; 08-20-2008 at 05:44 PM.
"Thinking about taking my own life. I might as well, 'cept they might not sell weed in hell. And thats where Im going, cause the devils inside of me"
Those papers are sick bro, and a filter ... I'm liking your style. People look at me like im crazy as im putting a filter in .. then i just light it and show them, you gotta do it good tho, ive seen people just cobble job them all together than rip the paper lol. But you's roll with the filters in place right?
Back in the day id take a few cigs apart and practice rolling with that, another thing to look at is how well the buds broke up, that'll definetly make a difference.
Last edited by 420; 08-20-2008 at 05:44 PM.
never used those papers lol i like the invisables when you can get them to roll straight but somtimes i cheat . . . i have a roller box 6 bucks at waterbeds and stuff haha
the wet mango will make your mouth water
its like chewing on a fruit roll up


text:
Florals - just too girly and prissy, right?Wrongggg.
The 31-year-old Brit beauty opted for an undone, achingly cool ensemble to watch The Pride play at Trafalgar studios on Monday evening - one which we'd happily replicate, flowers and all.
Hayley donned inky black skinnies with embellished heels and topped off the ensemble with a Ted Baker sweater that looked as if it had had a vase of garden flowers tipped over it. This, ladies, is a lesson in how to do the floral thing without looking like you've wandered out of a toddlers' tea party. Nice work.
Taking the rose theme that little bit further, Hayley accessoried with our favourite old-school chocs, a box of Roses. An interval treat? A present for the cast? Or perhaps the latest trend in star fashion? Whatever the reason, we're enjoying the vibe.
If, like Hayley, you like to wear a stonking pair of heels with your skinny jeans, click on for some retail inspiration.


text:
Honeywell and ACSS have agreed to let a private arbitrator resolve their ongoing legal dispute over EGPWS patents. As a result, Honeywell has dismissed its lawsuit against ACSS (filed last August in U.S. District Court in Delaware) which had accused the smaller company of infringing patents first applied in the enhanced version of Honeywell's GPWS.
ACSS (Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems), a joint-venture company owned by L-3 Com- munications and Thales, is close to certifying a competitor to EGPWS called T2CAS (see page 62), which combines TCAS with a terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS). The TAWS portion of the product, known as the ground collision avoidance module, was originally developed by Dassault as the terrain- following system in Mirage fighters and later purchased by Thales.
While the ACSS device uses concepts similar to Honeywell's EGPWS to help pilots avoid flying into terrain, there are differences in the way the competing systems calculate distances to mountains and provide alerts to the crew. It will now be up to the third-party arbitrator to decide whether T2CAS unfairly uses concepts included in the design of EGPWS. Honeywell and Thales both hold U.S. patents related to their respective TAWS products, but Honeywell has a sizeable market lead, having introduced EGPWS in 1996.
Legal experts predict the arbitration process will take between six months and a year to complete. The agreement is nonbinding, meaning neither side is forced to accept the outcome. Still unclear is the precise reason the companies agreed to enter arbitration rather than allow the case to go to trial. Observers believe the answer may be linked to a prior divestiture agreement related to the spin-off of Honeywell's TCAS and various other surveillance product lines, which L-3 purchased when Honeywell merged with AlliedSignal in late 1999.
The companies have decided that details of the arbitration process–and the arbiter's final decision–will be kept confidential, meaning no public statements will be made during or at the conclusion of the negotiations.
Meanwhile, Honeywell's EGPWS patent-infringement lawsuit against competitors Goodrich, Sandel and Universal Avionics is scheduled to go to trial in October. Honeywell accuses its competitors of illegally using concepts patented during EGPWS development in their own TAWS devices. The FAA is requiring that most turbine-powered airplanes begin carrying TAWS equipment starting in March 2005.


text:
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text:
AN ABERGAVENNY resident has voiced his concerns over the plan to bring a Morrisons supermarket to the town.
The scheme to redevelop the livestock market will see an £11 million Morrisons supermarket, together with a newlibrary open on the site, and the current market relocated to Bryngwyn, near Raglan.
In a letter to the town council, Richard O'Connor, of Chestnut Drive, claims that opening another supermarket in Abergavenny is 'over the top' and fears it will take business from local traders. Mr O'Connor said: "In this case some will close, being detrimental for the Abergavenny town centre landscape, and its varied shopping experiences."
The letter from Mr O'Connor is due to be discussed at a meeting of the town council in the council chambers on Wednesday.


text:
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This is page 1 of 1 (This thread has 11 messages.)
Really need advice about how to gradually STOP EBF.(11 Posts)
After a few challenging weeks, I settled into BF well. All I ever said was that I would give it my best shot, and I know I'm really lucky that it worked for me. DD is now almost five months old and I'm still exclusively breastfeeding her on demand. The thing is, I was so worried about disrupting my successful breastfeeding that I've never even tried anything else - even expressing. DD will be six months old on the 11th of January. I want to gradually get her onto a bottle, introduce solids and get my figure, sanity and life back, please! How can I do this without upsetting her too much? She loves the boob. Have I, as friends have suggested, made a rod for my own back? Should I start expressing, getting her used to sooking from the bottle, before steathily introducing formula? Which feed should I replace first? Is she going to go mad? Other mums' knowing chuckles and shaken heads are freaking me out. Isn't there some possibility that she might love the bottle? Is it bound to be an ordeal? I'm not judgey about bottle-feeding at all, but I actually know nobody who is still BFing a five month old baby.
It's not all about a bottle - try a sippy cup! Could she have that in the day and then BF morning, night and overnight and once in the day?
No you haven't made a rod for your own back! Why are your friends so critical? It is actually quite unusual that out of your friends you're the only person still breastfeeding at 5 months, it's quite normal to carry on for much longer.
There are no "rules"'for how or when to introduce a bottle. If you can, I'd try to express and offer ebm instead of formula. It may help if your DH would offer it instead of you. She's not going to know what to do at first. She'll probably just chomp on it and not get that it's for feeding. Perhaps try to offer it when she's not ravenous. If that doesn't work than it's a matter of persevering, trying different teats, or a sippy cup. It doesn't have to be an ordeal, you may be very lucky and swim through it.
I have ebf all of mine until starting solids and then gradually introduced a bottle. From experience the longer I have waited to introduce a bottle the more reluctant the baby to take it.
If you are ready to move on from the boob, I would get some bottles and a steriliser and give it a go. It took between a few weeks and a few months for each to move from ebf to a bottle in the day and boob at night. Good luck!
I think, with the benefit of hindsight, if we had been able to, waiting until weaning was fully underway before weaning from the breast would have made our lives much easier - would have been a distraction at least, DC loved weaning but hated the bottle to begin with. Probably the biggest mistake we made was lack of consistancy - it was just so easy to go back to breast at the weekend - less mess, less work sterilising - but it made each Monday a fight. So one feed at a time and stick at it. We didnt find it easy I'm afraid, but others may have happier stories. We used the cartons of ready made formula once my stored breast milk ran out - they are a little more expensive than powder but much easier, and when baby is used to having food as soon as he is hungry, and you are not at all used to getting a bottle ready quickly, it makes life much easier!!
You haven't made a rod for your own back you've given your child a great start in life nutritionally, but I would be surprised (and quite jealous!) if your transition to bottle is easy. Just remember that one day, it will succeed and the changeover will be over!!! If you don't want to upset baby, then probably my advice has to be don't do it - she will be upset. Sorry.
If you introduce bottle feeds gradually it doesn't need to be some hellish nightmare. I went back to work when dd was five months, so started graduallly introducing bottles once a day from about four months. She wouldn't take them at first. I never pressed the issue. Over time she came to accept them. I still bf too, when I can - it is quite possible to reduce the amount you bf but still do it sometimes, as your supply just adjusts, if that is something you might want to do. Fairly soon I guess you'll be starting solid food which reduces the amount of milk they need anyway. If I were you I'd just start gradually and take one day at a time. There is no need to fear the worst.
Thanks, ladies - I really appreciate the benefit of your experience. My friends (just the other mums at my baby group, really) aren't really being critical, but there is a bit of eye rolling going on. When they all bring out bottles and cartons, I'm the only one still shoving DD up my jumper. I'm determined to follow WHO guidelines and have her on breastmilk until six months, but I would like to get her taking it from a bottle or cup. If anyone has any advice about how to express successfully, I'd be grateful for that, too. I have an Avent hand-pump that I bought before she was born, still in its box. I do not fancy the idea (makes me think of a cow being mechanically milked!?) but I will deal with it, as I have dealt with the many other "joys" of motherhood!
You know, it really is okay to keep breastfeeding as long as you both want to, including in public. DS is 4 months old, and I will be for some time to come.
When I start BLW at 6 months, I'll introduce water in a cup. We might sometimes try ebm in a cup too, though probably after he's got the hang of it (less spillage). I've played at expressing, but have frozen my attempts, so wolfcub hasn't had anything but straight from the source so far. I think we'll skip bottles.
Its up to you what you do, but try not to feel self concious about bfing in front of other mums who are bottle feeding. Seeing you bf in public might make them feel they can too, if not with this baby, then maybe with the next one. Some mums use ebm in bottles when they are out, others use cartons but they may still be breastfeeding at home.
If you try expressing, then it can be more successful to get a good letdown if you are feeding your baby off the other side, or if she's close by. If not ten try having a picture of her/imagine its her feeding not the pump. Don't be disheartened if you don't get much the first attempt, just try again at roughly the same time the next day.
Just because ebf is recommended till 6 months, doesn't mean you have to stop or hide away after then. If you want to stop, that's totally up to you, but don't expect to get your body/life/sanity back just because you stop bfing, that's more to do with becoming a mum! Breastfeeding once solids are established is usually less intense because the sense of responsibility of being the sole source of food and drink lessens, and they can have a solid meal with water when you aren't around, extending the time you can have away.
Their looks may be more about how they feel about their own choices, or trying to offer you privacy rather than being judgemental.
I think this says more about your friends and their own feelings about BFing. There is such pressure to BF that if people give up (often for perfectly legitimate reasons) there is guilt attached. It sounds like they have ganged together and made each other feel better about their choice - which is fine but not at the expense of making you feel bad or worried. You're doing brilliantly so hang in there.
In practical terms I got the Medela Swing pump which is excellent and it comes with their 'Calma' teat which is a teat designed for BF babies - they have to suck really hard to get anything out. Our DD took to it straight away although I stopped expressing after getting blocked ducts (I think this was coincidental btw and more about my supply settling).
As far as expressing goes I second the Medela pump but dont be disheartened if you get little out on first attempt - I got about 5ml first time I think which was a bit upsetting given how hard I tried!!! But with practice was able to produce a full bottle during a 10minute break at work, you just need to get used to it. We found the Tommy Tippee bottles worked better for us though for actually using to feed DC - if one teat doesnt seem to work for your child then try another.
Do whatever makes you feel comfortable, but the WHO guidelines recommend breastfeeding to 2 years and beyond, not just until 6 months.
It's 6 months exclusive breastfeeding (ie no solids). Then bfing and solids until 2 and beyond.
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text:
Forest Lake High School senior Ryan Sudo was the only local student to bring home a medal from the Class AA state speech tournament held at Blaine High School last Friday, April 19.
Sudo took sixth place in Informative Speaking. It was his second state medal.
Of the 112 Class AA teams that competed in speech statewide this year, 66 Class AA teams made it to the state tournament.
Moorhead led all schools with 14 first-place medals, and Apple Valley was second with 12.
Medals were given to the top eight students in each of 13 categories. Students from 38 schools received medals.
Adding 12 medals to its total this year, Apple Valley leads the list of top medal-winning Class AA schools with 346. Eagan, having won six medals this year, ranks a distant second with 260. Counting its one medal this year, Forest Lake is third with 181.


text:
He's really a liberal.
No, he's seen the light and now he's a conservative.
Well, what is he?
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolit ... 81716.html
Sounds to me like he's a good politician who understands the concept of negotiation, and a decent guy who cares about the people's welfare and healthcare.
Or was.
What do you think?
And does the same shoe fit Mitt Romney?
These guys must spend an hour each night untying the knots in their brains before they can get to sleep.
Tommy Thompson's secret identity
Races for the Senate, U.S. House, etc. and other issues of national importance.
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Re: Tommy Thompson's secret identity
He flops like a fish out of water.
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text:
Science Fiction Timeline Site
Jerry Pournelle's Future History
Framed Site
Timeline • Star - Map • Reading Order • Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and High Justice • Ambiguities and Difficulties • Bibliography • Links
A few quick notes:
Other mercenary units, including the Cossack Adventurers and the Cameron Highlanders, are later absorbed into the CD Armed Services. [FL 206]
The CoDominium rules dozens of worlds but rests on an unstable alliance back on Earth. The Soviet Union and the United States retain approximately their twentieth-century structures, but with a much greater level of corruption. The CD's military force continues to ruthlessly enforce world peace.
In the USA, the Republican and Democratic parties have fused into the "Unity Party" which espouses the CD platform. American society has become a two-caste system: the productive, educated, and privileged "taxpayers" hand out benefits (but not real power) to the welfare-dependent "Citizens".
The political situation in the USSR is chaotic. The Communist Party continues to be the upper-class, but now devoid of any ideology dogmatic Marxism exists only in Western universities. It is unclear whether the symbols of pre-1917 Russia are ever in vogue. Around 2040 (during Lermontov's youth) the military briefly rules the USSR (At some point the East Prussian city of Kaliningrad returns to its German name of Koenigsberg: why?) It is likely that St Ekaterina is founded by involuntary Russian colonists, but this is not stated. It should be noted that there is no explicit mention of voluntary Soviet colonists on any planet! [FL 215; GTS 71.]
In countries other than the USA and the USSR, the CoDominium is resented but not resisted. It does manage to prevent the use of nuclear weapons almost completely although Bakersfield is nuked by a militant group and Seattle is held ransom by nuclear-equipped criminals. [FL 230; PS 320.]
The CD itself is governed by the Grand Senate located underground on the moon (Luna). The Fleet the CD Space Navy and Marines has complete control of nuclear weapons and space weapons, and effective veto power over all human military actions. The Fleet includes:
The Grand Admiral of the Fleet commands from the moon and worries about the preservation of the human race and the safety of the colony worlds. Meanwhile, most Grand Senators angle to maximize their profits from the colonies.
- the Navy: an armada of Alderson Drive space cruisers and smaller ships,
- the Fleet Marines: prestigious upper-class fighting units,
- the Garrison Marines: police-style riot suppressors stationed on the colonies,
- the Line Marines: rugged low-class fighters preserving the Foreign Legion military traditions.
By 2050, there are over 40 human colonies (not counting fuel stops and asteroid mines). Many human colonies now have limited self-government, but all remain subject to CD rule. Voluntary emigration levels off as the hardships of frontier life become more well-known. Some ethnic and separatist groups are "encouraged" to emigrate: this includes Eskimos, Inuits, Black Separatists, Mormons from the USA, and Finns and Russian Nationalists from the USSR. And after 2040, forced emigration of convicts and "undesirables" eventually reaches 15 million persons per year. Only a handful of colonies become truly pleasant places to live (usually those planets which were settled and subsidized by parent nations on Earth). [FL 302; PS 2; WWCD 111; WWD 119, 173.]
A tremendous increase in nationalism in all countries. Outside the USA and the USSR, this involves outright hatred of CoDominium. In the USA and the USSR, this means a revival of the 20th Century rivalry and demands that the superpower alliance be dissolved. The American and Soviet governments continue to support the CD, but compromise with nationalists by slashing the CD budget repeatedly.
The Unity Party, formed by the merger of the Democratic and Republican parties, has ruled the USA for many decades, and its loyalists are convinced that only the CD stands between mankind and nuclear war. But its power is waning; President Lipscomb maintains his power through blatantly dishonest methods. The "Green" environmentalists have lost much of their power [GTS 51]. The welfare-dependent "Citizens" are freely supplied with the Tanith-grown drug "borloi" to keep them passive. Peace is no longer a novelty. New political factions begin to grow:
The situation in the USA seems typical: very few true democracies still exist on Earth. [PS 83.]
- the Patriot Party, led by Harmon, demands an end to the CD and a strong stance against the USSR.
- the Freedom Party, led by Bertram, aims to end corruption and attracts many young idealists.
- the Liberation Party, led by Millington, wants to abolish the Citizen/Taxpayer division. This is a radical left-wing party with ties to violent Marxists. It is outlawed sometime between 2082 and 2093. [FL 223; PM 34, 156; "Dark Hole" 20.]
In the USSR, anti-CD sentiment takes two main forms. One is the revival of hard-line Communism, led by Kaslov. The other is the Pamyat movement, which advocates a return to pre-Soviet Russian nationalism. [FL 213; WWCD 300.]
CoDominium Space is now 200 light-years in maximum diameter and contains 70 inhabited worlds. [These numbers are given on FL 297. GTS 248 counts "more than 100" human colonies, while PS 2 counts "more than 130" and the Mote prologue claims "200" by the end of the century. And New Washington is 320 light-years from Earth, per FL 432.] But as the CD weakens, it abandons worlds far from Earth or minor in economic value. It maintains Tanith and Fulson's World as common destinations for exiled convicts, and Haven as the main dumping ground for "undesirables" of every sort.
Science on Earth remains at a standstill (except for medical science, which develops sophisticated regeneration techniques). The main scientific marvels of this century are the Alderson Drive and advanced materials such as Nemourlon. However, scientific reserach is being quiely revived on Meiji, Xanadu, and Sparta. [GTS 97, 316, 335; PS 40. For technical details on the Drive, see "Building the Mote in God's Eye" 125-128 and "Dark Hole" 23-25. Despite Horvath's statement in the prologue to Mote, the Langston Field does not seem to exist in the 21st Century.]
The strongest planets are becoming independent and establishing their own spheres of influence. Planets which possess their own space navies include Xanadu (by 2082), Danube (by 2082), Friedland (by 2087), Meiji (between 2081 and 2087), Dayan (by 2094), and Frystaat (by 2094). Covenant and Churchill may have small fleets as well. These planets are all quite rich and have populations as high as 50 million. [FL 229, 351; PM 143; GTS 20, 55-56, 102, 299.] Many national wars begin to break out on the individual worlds, but the CoDominium still manages to prevent interplanetary wars of conquest.
Unable to use their military for off-planet conquests, some of the worlds (Friedland, Covenant, Xanadu) begin hiring out their national armies as mercenary bands to serve on other planets. This trains their soldiers and raises substantial revenue [FL 348]. As this practice proves successful, truly independent mercenary units begin to appear as well. Through the early 2080's, the badly-enforced "Anti-Mercenary Codes" forbid such groups. Eventually the CD permits mercenary bands but requires the Fleet to enforce the "Laws of War". The Fleet is scrupulous in enforcing these conduct codes, especially in the case of atrocities against CD personnel or Earth corporations. As a result, the successful mercenary groups the Nouveau Légion Étrangère, Moolman's Commandos, the Katanga Gendarmerie tend to pride themselves on their precision and on their care in distinguishing combatants from civilians. [FL 205-209, 335-336.] As Earth moves towards nuclear war and the colonies move toward interstellar anarchy, Senator Martin Grant, CIA Director John Grant Sr., Admiral Sergei Lermontov, Dr. Caldwell Whitlock, the Blaine family, and the Leontin family meet to discuss whether the CD is doomed and what might follow its demise. They contact King Alexander Collins of Sparta to discuss possibilities. The date of these discussions is unknown, except that Whitlock was invited around 2075/6. ["Dark Hole" 20; GTS 21; PS 73.]
After the campaign, Owensford and Barton join Falkenberg's Legion, which has a recruiter on Thurstone.
[Note: It never stated that Falkenberg's Legion is involved in the civil war. It is equally possible that they have recruiters on many planets, or that they are on Thurstone to purchase rifles from the city of New Aberdeen. It is stated that the Legion was involved in some military action in one of the nations of Thurstone during the next decade. GTS 11; PM 170.]
July to Nov: PRINCE OF MERCENARIES, Ch 5-6. (Silent Leges 3-4.)
Tanith, spring and early summer: Working the fields.
Late in year:
New Washington: After two years, the war for independence from Franklin is going well. Then Franklin hires mercenaries from Friedland and Covenant; New Washington's rebellion is crushed in three weeks. Franklin begins a blockade of New Washington and contemplates further conquests. The remaining Washington rebels decide to contact Falkenberg's Legion for help.
Sparta: King Alexander has second thoughts about his plans for Lermontov and Falkenberg. Prince Lysander leaves for Tanith (five month journey). [PM 97]
Feb to early April: PRINCE OF MERCENARIES, Ch 7. (Silent Leges 5.)
Tanith, late summer to harvest: Working the fields.
Mid-April: PRINCE OF MERCENARIES, Ch 1-2, 8.
Tanith: Lysander arrives. He meets Ursula Gordon, Gov. Blaine, and Col. Falkenberg.
Late April to Early May: PRINCE OF MERCENARIES, Ch 9-10. (Silent Leges 6-7.)
Tanith, autumn: Fuller in Free State for ten days. Raid.
Mid-May: PRINCE OF MERCENARIES, Ch 11, 14(end), 15-20.
Tanith, autumn: Parties, plans, and scouting. Falkenberg receives a request for aid from New Washington and sends a reply.
Late May: PRINCE OF MERCENARIES, Ch 21-28.
Tanith, autumn: Campaign against rebel planters.
Early June:
Tanith: Barton's Bastards absorbed into Falkenberg's Mercenary Legion, bringing its size to around 4400 soldiers. [GTS 11]
June: FALKENBERG'S LEGION, Part 2, Ch 12. (Mercenary 12.)
Luna: Lermontov and Martin Grant learn of Tanith campaign.
New Washington: Falkenberg's reply received. Howard Bannister heads for Tanith (4 month journey) while Glenda Ruth Horton organizes ranchers.
c. July: GO TELL THE SPARTANS One pp. 22-28.
Earth: Senator Bronson and Geoffrey Niles lay plans.
July: GO TELL THE SPARTANS One pp. 8-12, 14-21; Two pp. 38-47.
Tanith: Peter Owensford promoted to Major, commanding 5th Battalion of Falkenberg's Legion. The batallion departs for Sparta (5 month journey).
c. Oct: GO TELL THE SPARTANS One pp. 12-14, 28-34; Two pp. 47-53.
Sparta: Skilly Thibodeau leads the Helot terrorist group. (Around this time, Melissa von Alderheim has an altercation with Dion Croser and Skilly.) [PS 175-6]
Nov or Dec: FALKENBERG'S LEGION, Part 2, Ch 13-14. (Mercenary 13-14.)
Tanith: Bannister arrives and hires remaining four battalions of Falkenberg's Legion. They depart for New Washington (4 month journey).
["Mercenary" gives the year as "2093", but this date was deleted when the story was reprinted in "Falkenberg's Legion". See Falkenberg Ambiguities.]
Late Dec: GO TELL THE SPARTANS Three; Four pp. 69-88.
Sparta: 5th Brigade arrives on Sparta. First progress report sent to Falkenberg. [PS 129]
Feb: GO TELL THE SPARTANS Five.
Sparta, autumn: Riot in the Spartosky.
Before March:
Earth: Vice-Admiral Townsend, grandson of Sen. Bronson, continues to undermine Adm. Lermontov's plans. John Grant Sr. dies. Capt. John Grant Jr., commanding CDSN Intrepid, heads for New Washington (timing unknown, but it's after he learns of his father's death.) Unity Party election prospects look grim. Whitlock prepares to leave Earth permanently.
c. March: GO TELL THE SPARTANS Six - Eight.
Sparta, late autumn: Dion Croser elected to Sparta Senate. King Alexander's Own Regiment formed.
April: GO TELL THE SPARTANS Nine.
Sparta, autumn/winter: Ursula undercover.
[Dates from GTS 205, 256.]
April: FALKENBERG'S LEGION, Part 2, Ch 15. (Mercenary 15.)
New Washington: Falkenberg's Legion lands. Allansport secured. Falkenberg receives Owensford's 12/94 progress report, and sends his own (which is apparently garbled in transmission, confusing Allansport with Astoria).
May?: FALKENBERG'S LEGION, Part 2, Ch 16-21. (Mercenary 16-21.)
New Washington: Battle for Astoria. Falkenberg sends another progress report. Campaigns in the north. Return to Allansport.
[In the text, there is no reason to suppose the gap between the first securing of Allansport and the battle for Astoria is much more than the three day sea journey (FL 366). But Karantov claims this communique is "somewhat more recent" than the first one (PS 151). Oddly, Falkenberg seems to have mentioned Glenda Ruth Horton in the message (PS 374).]
June: ? FALKENBERG'S LEGION, Part 2, Ch 22. (Mercenary 22.)
New Washington: John Grant Jr. arrives in the CDSN Intrepid.
July: GO TELL THE SPARTANS Ten - Fourteen.
Sparta, mid-winter: "Battle of the Dales".
[PS 96 shows this is not the very end of winter; PS 7, 14 show that it is two months prior to spring. Spartan seasons last an average of 4.75 months.]
Late July: GO TELL THE SPARTANS Fifteen.
Sparta, winter: Hal Slater speaks of the need for Empire.
Between July and Nov:
New Washington: Franklin grants independence to New Washington. John Christian Falkenberg III appointed Protector of New Washington. He sends message to Sergei Lermontov (possibly via John Grant Jr.?). [PS 374]
Sparta, late winter: Follow-up campaigns in the Dales. Ursula elopes to Friedland. Around this time, Jason Freedman dies; David Freedman becomes King.
Sept: PRINCE OF SPARTA One; Two pp. 30-37.
Sparta, early spring: Mopping-up operations.
Oct: PRINCE OF SPARTA Two pp.38-48; Three pp. 50-54.
Sparta, early spring: Croser plans referendum.
Oct or Nov: PRINCE OF SPARTA Three pp. 54-61; Four.
Sparta, spring: Whitlock arrives from Earth. Referendum begun. Four companies of ex-Helots sent to New Washington.
[Note that Whitlock's comments about New Washington on PS 87 must refer to the parts of that planet already sympathetic to the rebels, since PS 129 makes it clear that there is as yet no news of Falkenberg's campaigns. Also, there is insufficient time for the Helot troops to reach New Washington before the end of "Prince of Sparta", much less send a message back to Owensford. Presumably his comments are in error or refer to their training on Sparta. PS 66, 301.]
Nov or Dec: PRINCE OF SPARTA Five.
Sparta, spring: Lysander at Colchis Gap.
Jan and Feb:
Earth: Major budget crisis in USA. Political crisis in USSR. First mutiny breaks out in a CD warship. By February, probably more mutinies, confusion, disinformation. Admiral Lermontov receives Falkenberg's Summer '95 report.
Late Feb or Early March:
Luna: Senator Bronson makes speech decrying terrorism on Sparta.
[Dated 17 May 2094 on PS 126, but this contradicts date of council meeting. See Falkenberg Ambiguities.]
Early March: PRINCE OF SPARTA Seven pp.169-177.
Sparta, early summer : Referendum complete.
[Voting did not quite take "half a year", as Croser boasts on PS 170.]
Earth and Luna: Grand Senate dissolved. New elections look unlikely. Rump Senate meets and orders Admiral Lermontov's arrest; Lermontov sends final message. Vice-Admiral Townsend (or General Nguyen?) orders arrest of Falkenberg's troops on Sparta.
[PS 321, 351, 365, 374. Forrest is wrong to interpret this as the "breakup of the CoDominium".]
March: PRINCE OF SPARTA Eight - Ten.
Sparta, early summer (but still snow in the mountains): Incident at the Stora Mine.
April: PRINCE OF SPARTA Eleven - Thirteen.
Sparta, summer: Meeting of CD officers. Spartan Senate meets (17 April). Attack on Helot base.
May: PRINCE OF SPARTA Fourteen - Eighteen.
Sparta, summer: Battle of Sparta City.
"Exodus of the Fleet": the former CD Navy abandons Earth and seeks a new home. Russian elements of the Fleet choose St Ekaterina as the home for their dependents.
[Date given in timelines as 2103 (misstated as 2108 in WWTO 427). The exact details are unclear. GTS 299 and PS 72, 97, 377-8 suggest that interstellar war would probably follow the collapse of the CD, but it's not clear if this happens before 2111. Mote 179 suggests that the war might not have started right away.]
(This must be the same Lysander as before; he is probably also the "Lysander the Great" of Hand 58, 96. If so, it's unclear what new title or position he is given in this year. Perhaps at this point the dual monarchy of Sparta is abolished; perhaps this refers to his new position as monarch of two planets. Date given in timelines; also see GTS 3-4.)
Earth's Great Patriotic Wars of 2103 are brief but devastating. After this point, Earth will never again be a major player in interstellar politics, and for the next thousand years no human planet will ever approach the population of 20th or 21st Century Earth (Mote 245).
The extent of the damage is unclear. WWIII 9 claims this ends all life on Earth, and this is also implied in WWBS 152, but that can't be correct. WWI 65, 227 refer to the "virtual depopulation of Earth". There certainly are a lot of nuclear weapons in use: WWBS 152 describes "cobalt-encased thermonuclear bombs" used to make the planet (or part of it) uninhabitable. Mote 275, WWTO 426, WWIV 146 also refer to nuclear wars; the last of these speaks of the nuclear winter and the "years without summers" which followed. Entire regions become uninhabitable Afghanistan is annihilated, per WWIII 37 , and WWTO 427 states that "large portions of the Earth" are now "a poisonous mass grave". Nonetheless, some areas are spared, including Jamaica and the Tyrolean Alps, per Mote 254, 275.
The loss of Earth devastates those colonies which are not self-sufficient. 75% of Haven's population dies, and the inhabitants of the orbital station Ayesha flee to Haven and found the undersea city of Castalia (WWBF 1; WWIV 32, 185-8).
Among the surviving human worlds this is a period of war and interstellar anarchy. The "Spartan Hegemony" manages to protect Sparta from major damage, but is unable to completely protect St Ekaterina; the Russian planet is badly hurt during the Formation Wars (Mote 179).
There are other small empires besides the Spartan Hegemony. The "Republic of Frystaat" controls a small dominion; it later joins the Spartan Hegemony as a semi-autonomous member, and its "Jarnsveld's Jaegers" become the Hegemony's irregular shock troops (WWI 227-8). The "Falkenberg Protectorate" presumably based on New Washington is almost certainly allied with Sparta, but remains somewhat separate for a while. Tanith is part of the Falkenberg Protectorate, and is thus shielded from major damage during the Formation Wars (WWII 166).
By the year 2250, the Spartan Hegemony controls all of human space. (WWI 121 refers to "wars with the Outies in the early days of the Empire", but presumably that refers to the pre-2250 period.)
This era sees the revival of aristocracy. The Spartan royal family is at the head of this, but the names Blaine, Barton, and (surprisingly!) Townsend also become marks of nobility. (But despite John Christian Falkenberg III's comments about founding a dynasty, there will be no "Falkenbergs" mentioned in later stories; nor Grants, nor Lermontovs..... nor Bronsons.) The nobility are quite popular in this early era, probably due to their willingness to lead from the front rather than from the rear, and also due to their perceived concern for their subjects. Nine centuries later (Hand 75), Lysander II will be remembered for tearing down the old CD prison in Sparta City and turning it into a park for his people.
For over three and a half centuries, the Empire of Man rules hundreds of human planets and prevents the outbreak of interstellar war. There are a few minor local wars and rebellions, but the Marines mostly function as planetary police (timelines; WWI 58). The period from 2250 to 2603 is perhaps the longest and most widespread peace in human history.
The exact size of the Empire is not stated. It contains "hundreds of planets" (WWII 35); moreover, since the revived Empire in the early 31st Century does not seem to be settling new planets, we can assume that the First Empire is at least as large as the Second, which is around 1000 light-years in diameter and contains over 400 (and possibly as many as a thousand) human worlds (Mote prologue, 458; Hand 73, 83).
Not much is known about the government of the First Empire, though it may be similar to that of the Second. The Emperor is a descendant of the Collins Kings of Sparta. There is an Imperial Parliament and an Imperial Senate; the latter, at least, does not have representatives from every planet. The armed forces are held in respect, and veterans are given land grants on various planets (KDS 54; WWI 61, 122; WWIII 61, 319).
Despite its Spartan origins, the Empire of Man still retains a number of the characteristics of the CoDominium. Newly-settled planets are divided into American and Russian "spheres of influence", which may merely refer to different internal governmental systems. And unpleasant planets including Haven are still used as penal colonies for criminals or other transportees. (These points are only mentioned on WWBV 17 and Hand 138, and this could possibly be an error.) The Imperial standard has an illustration of a Phoenix, but there is no mention of the Eagle-Hammer-Sickle of the CoDominium and the Second Empire (WWIII 319).
The Imperial Orthodox Church a state-sponsored Christian church is the official religion of the Empire. However, this fact is only mentioned twice ("Motelight" 122 and WWIV 138), so it is possible that the Church is not as central to the First Empire as it will be to the Second. This church may be the same as the reunified Christian Church led by Pope John XXVI in the 2020's (PM 143). It was probably the monarchy on St Ekaterina that pushed for the idea of an official Church, since it's hard to imagine that Sparta, with its libertarian bent, would have lobbied for an official religion of the Empire! Yet the Church probably makes its home at the city of New Rome on Sparta as this seems to be the home of the Church in the Second Empire, per Mote 415. In any event, there is complete religious freedom in the Empire. Indeed, some planets have very few members of the established Church for example, Dayan remains mostly Jewish, Levant mostly Muslim, Covenant mostly Presbyterian, and Sauron mostly atheist. In any event, centuries of peaceful commerce and migration causes the cultures of many planets to blend together (WWI 84).
Science reaches a peak early in the First Empire; by 2350 knowledge of physics reaches a plateau (WWI 83, 85). The Langston Field is discovered accidentally, sometime between 2100 and 2640; by the 2600's entire cities can be covered with Langston Fields (WWII 20, 61; Mote 227; see "Building the Mote in God's Eye" 130 for technical details). Spaceships power their Alderson Drives with deuterium fusion. There are tethers connecting connecting small planets to space stations in geosynchronous orbits which can be used to transfer fuel or personnel. Biology is understood well enough that a computer can design a vaccine and an antidotes for a virus once its genetic structure is read. Other engineering marvels include mono-filament cables, direct-conversion units which draw their power from "the heat in water", guns which can generate contained fusion reactions, food conversion machines, and nearly-indestructible windshields and fabrics. (KDS 245; Mote 28, 468; WWI 66, 82; WWII 171; WWIV 2, 96, 147.)
Sauron launches a sudden and massive attack on St Ekaterina. Around one billion Katerinas perish. Sauron and the Coalition of Secession declare independence. Beginning of the Secession Wars.
[Timelines; Mote 30-31, 179; WWII 35]
As interstellar law breaks down, the war becomes three-sided. In addition to the loyal "Imperials" and the Sauron-led "Secessionists", a royal pretender leads a "Claimant" faction.
[WWI 57, 68, 74, 78, 228; 59, 83, 87. The Claimants appear before the First Battle Off Makassar, which is either 2623 or 2637.]
Haven: Cummings arrives to coordinate the redeployment of the Land Gators. Maj. Adam Soltyk returns to Haven.
[WWIV timeline; WWI 62]
It is probably around this time that Makassar, a sparsely-settled recreation world, is fortified for war. [KDS 64]
The Saurons have been unable to inspire many allies, and their original partners in the "Coalition of Secession" have proved to be less than helpful. Anti-Sauron propaganda has filled the Empire, and even the human-norm Saurons are seen as monsters. Sauron attacks are being rebuffed, although Imperial counter-strikes are rarely successful either.
The damage to the Empire has been awesome. A dozen of their worlds have been sterilized by the Saurons. The Imperials have been forced to compromise with local secessionists ("Outies") so that they can focus on the Saurons.
Hoping for a route into the heart of the Empire, and needing borloi for its anaesthetic properties on Cyborgs, the Saurons begin probing the Tanith Sector again.
Jan/Feb?: "The Face of the Enemy" (WWII 42-70 only) = BATTLE OF SAURON, Ch. 5:iv-8:ii.
Imperial convoy (half of the 11th Fleet) and Sauron Second Fleet arrive in Tanith system. Loyalists give no quarter in battle. Sauron First Fleet arrives and turns the tide. Saurons occupy Tanith.
Two Sauron Soldiers desert and take an escape pod to Tanith. They raid the Curtis farm. [WWII 186]
Imperial Command orders all available fleets to Tanith system. [WWII 77]
Feb?: "The Face of the Enemy" (WWII 70-83 only = BATTLE OF SAURON, Ch. 8:iii-9).
Several Imperial fleets arrive in system. Fomoria escapes with cargo of borloi. The Second Battle Off Tanith: First and Second Sauron Fleets destroyed. Tanith city and spaceport destroyed. Massive Imperial casualties do not deter them from completely annihilating all Saurons in the Tanith system.
[Also WWIII, WWIV timelines; WWIV 322-3.]
Feb/Mar?: BATTLE OF SAURON, Ch. 10-16.
Sauron: The Fomoria returns to Sauron. Sauron allies arrive. [WWBS 104]
Sparta: More pretenders to the throne arise three new nobles claim to be the rightful Emperor. Senate in turmoil. [WWII 79]
Mar/Apr?: BATTLE OF SAURON, Ch. 17-18.
Sauron: The Wallenstein arrives. Galen Diettinger becomes dictator of Sauron. Preparations for invasion begin. [WWBS 157]
Levant liberated from the Saurons. [WWI 54]
c. May to August: "Brenda" (WWII 170-2, 176-7, 178-182, 185-7, 190-4, 199-201 only).
Tanith: Lt. Terry Kakumee, veteran of the Second Battle of Tanith, meets Brenda Curtis.
[Tanith local time Nov 2640A to March 2640B, thus middle of standard 2640.]
The Offensive of 2640. Imperials, flush with victory, drive towards the core of Sauron power.
Summer?: BATTLE OF SAURON, Ch. 19-20.
Sauron: Preparations for invasion continue. [WWBS 179]
c. Oct: BATTLE OF SAURON, Ch. 21-30.
The Battle of Sauron. Massed Imperial fleets attack Sauron system. Sauron Home Fleet destroyed. Sauron homeworld assaulted with laser and nuclear bombardment. The damage is so great that the planet's crust cracks and magma is exposed; the oceans boil above the obliterated undersea cities.
[Timelines; WWI 145, 150-1; WWIV 323. Invasion begins on December 1 on the Sauron calendar per WWBS 193.]
BATTLE OF SAURON, Ch. 31; "Some Things Survive" (second half of prologue: WWII 221-3 only); "The Coming of the Eye" prologue (WWI 144).
The Fomoria eludes assualt craft of INSS Centurion and makes a "Random Jump" out of the Sauron system.
[Timelines; WWIV 323; WWI 145. See Haven Ambiguities for comments on the "random jump".]
Autumn?: "The Boatswain" prologue (WWIV 125-6).
Haven: Haveners believe the wars are far from their planet.
Late Nov: "The Coming of the Eye" (WWI 145-151, 154-6 only expanded in BATTLE OF SAURON pp. 292-309, 317-9).
After several Alderson jumps, the Fomoria enters the Byers' System. Vessel First Rank Diettinger and Second Rank Althene choose to hide their ship's Sauron identity by masquerading as pirates, styling their titles after The Lord of the Rings. Fomoria renamed Dol Guldur.
[Also WWIII, WWIV timelines]
Dec 3: "Introduction" (WWIV 1-13); "The Gift of the Magi" (WWIV 188-198 only); "The Coming of the Eye" (WWI 157-9 only same as BATTLE OF SAURON pp. 322-3).
Fomoria destroys refueling station tethered above Haven's sister-moon Ayesha. A few Ayeshans survive. Sauron fighters begin small raids on Haven.
Dec 4: "The Coming of the Eye" (WWI 151-4, 156-7, 159-178 only expanded to BATTLE OF SAURON pp. 310-7, 320-2, 323-333, 341-50, 356-7, 360-66); "The Railroad" (WWIV 17-29 only).
Haven: Fomoria's scout craft engage aircraft from Redfield Satrapy and Novy Finlandia.
Dec 5: "The Coming of the Eye" (WWI 178-180 only expanded to BATTLE OF SAURON pp. 366-8, followed by 334-40, 350-5, 357-60); "The Railroad" (WWIV 29-45 only); "The Boatswain" (WWIV 127-134 only).
Haven: Bombardment of Haven begins. Nuclear destruction of Castell City, Hell's-A-Comin', and Falkenberg (including the University). Other sites destroyed by beam weapons.
[Ft Fornova not nuked, despite WWIV 128-9.]
Dec 6-8: "The Coming of the Eye" (WWI 180-2 only expanded to BATTLE OF SAURON pp. 369-376).
Haven: Col. Kettler meets iwth Gen. Cummings at Fort Fornova. Bombardment continues for three days. Redfield Satrapy and Khanut nuked.
[Also WWBF 499.]
c. Dec 9-15: "The Boatswain" (WWIV 134-140 only).
Haven: Raft leaves Ellington. Around this time, Saurons begin ground actions in Shangri-La Valley and occupy the Citadel in Karakul Pass.
Dec 28-29: "The Coming of the Eye" (WWI 183-213 only expanded to BATTLE OF SAURON pp. 377-434).
Haven: Fomoria downed. Citadel becomes new Sauron HQ. Galen Diettinger takes the title of "First Citizen".
Dec 29: BATTLE OF SAURON pp. 435-440).
Haven: Aftermath of the battle.
Dec 29?: "Death's Head Patrol" prologue (WWII 84-86 same as BATTLE OF SAURON pp. 440-2).
Haven: Baron Hamilton refuses to join the resistance.
Dec 29: "A Better Kind of War" (WWIV 53-54 only same as BATTLE OF SAURON pp. 443-4).
Haven: Cyborg Rank Koln surveys the Shangri-La Valley.
Dec 29-30: "A Better Kind of War" (WWIV 54-64 only).
Haven: Staff meeting.
Early Jan: "A Better Kind of War" prologue (WWIV 47-52).
Haven: Cummings and Kettler coordinate Haven resistance.
c. Jan 20-30: "A Better Kind of War" (WWIV 64-124 only).
Haven: Cyborgs Koln and Sargun confer. Attack on Russian village.
Feb 9-11: "Death's Head Patrol" (WWII 87-99 only).
Haven: Cummings uses his last nuke on Sauron Firebase One. His militia retakes Fort Kursk. Saurons nuke Fort Kursk.
Mid and Late Feb: "Death's Head Patrol" (WWII 99-139 only).
Haven: John Hamilton joins militia. Sorties against Boyle and Sargun's troops. Cyborg Revolt at the Citadel.
[Not many details about revolt. Also see WWBF 119; WWBV 341.]
Late Feb: "The Gift of the Magi" (WWIV 198, 200-4, 205-9 only).
Haven: Ayesha survivors land on Haven. They soon find Castalia. After another year passes, they will begin covertly supplying helpful technologies to outlying communities.
[Also see WWIV 199.]
The early Secession Wars, from 2603 to 2640, were devastating, yet the villainy of the Saurons also roused a unifying battle spirit within the core of the Empire. After the fall of Sauron, this ended, and the First Empire of Man quickly fell apart.
Second Empire historians will later assign the date of "2640" to the end of the First Empire, but Sparta still claims a small dominion well past this point. The core of the Empire Sparta, St Ekaterina, Crucis, Dayan (now "Dyan"), Tanith, Frystaat is still theoretically united in the late 27th Century, but fewer and fewer ships actually travel between star systems. [Timelines; WWI 361-2, WWII 1, 169, 182, 196, 219, 224, 229; WWBF 1]
The later wars, from 2640 to around 2800, are no longer conflicts spanning human space. Most of them are more localized battles between planets trying to secede and planets loyal to the nearly powerless "Empire of Man". Interstellar trade had broken down almost completely. Terry Kakumee's small ship has few competitors when trading from planet to planet, but must avoid the regions controlled by the "Outies". (Kakumee doesn't even know if his ancestral home Nuliajuk is still in the Empire!) There is peace near Frystaat in the 2670's (indeed, its government believes the wars are over). [WWII 182, 196, 219, 224, 226, 229]
Most of the former Empire worlds are entering "dark ages", or even collapsing all the way back to barbarism. This is due to the damage sustained during the wars and the lack of supply shipments from more advanced worlds. Local conflicts and civil wars are widespread. [WWIV 295]
Earth itself was involved in the Secession Wars, and injuries to man's homeworld from these wars are heaped on top of the destruction of the Formation Wars. Most of Earth is ruined and uninhabitable after this era, though a few places (including Jamaica and the Tyrolean Alps) have survived undamaged. [Mote 254, 275; KDS 27, 61; WWBF 408; WWBV 156]
The fate of the planet Sauron is uncertain. The destruction during the Battle of Sauron is portrayed as rendering it completely uninhabitable; Imperial scholars sift through the ruins in the 2640's [WWII 2, 220; WWI 145, 150-1; WWIV 323; WWBF 1]. But there are Sauron natives in the 31st Century who seem to be descended from the original inhabitants [Mote 31; Hand 193; also see WWIII timeline].
On Haven, the descendants of the last Sauron warship have made themselves rulers of the native population. But Haven is completely cut off from the rest of human space, and will remain so at least until the late 31st Century.
(Quilland Base is established about this time, per WWIII 271. Angband Base is already in use, according to WWIV 259, but it must still be under construction, since it will still be unfinished in 2674 per WWIV 283, 291.)
(A variety of quotes from these figures are strewn through the War World books. See WWII 261, 275, 349-350; WWIII 167, 174, 205-6.)
(Hel Diettinger is the last to hold the title of "First Citizen". A "First Soldier" Diettinger will be mentioned in 2708; this is very possibly Hel himself. As late as 2993 there is an "Acting First Citizen" Ansel Diettinger. See WWIII 86, WWBF 491, WWBV 143.)
This will be the last "Grand Muster" of Saurons for two hundred years. After this point, the Citadel begins to lose control of distant groups of Saurons, including those in Angband Base and Quilland Base.
[WWBF 121, 499; WWBV 341; WWIII 272. For dates between the 2790's and the 2990's marked with asterisks, see Blood Feuds / Blood Vengeance Ambiguities.]
By the year 2800, the wars have ended. (Although Second Empire historians will give "2870" as the official end of the Secession Wars, the only interplanetary war mentioned between 2800 and 2870 is between New Scotland and New Ireland, two planets in the same star system.)
The collapse of interstellar civilization is now complete. Sparta manages to keep in contact with a few nearby systems, including Crucis, but for the most part interstellar communication has ended. Although the former Imperial fleet succeeded in defending Sparta during the Secession Wars, it was wiped out in the process. [Timelines, "Reflex" 17; "Motelight" 118-9]
At some unspecified point, the Spartan monarch apparently drops the now-pretentious title of "Emperor of Man". It may even be that the monarchy itself is abandoned for a while, though Lysander's bloodline is not lost.
(A variety of quotes from this text are given. See WWIII 1, 8, 81, 116.)
WAR WORLD: BLOOD FEUDS, Ch 7-9 (pp. 148-209 only).
Haven: Sigrid leaves the Citadel and begins to roam. Aisha found on the steppe by Barak bar Heber and Josepha bat Golda. Hammer-of-God Jackson tells of the haBandari alliance with the Sons of Liberty and the New Soviet Men.
[Much-expanded version of "Seven Against Nûrnen", WWIII 207-228.]
WAR WORLD: BLOOD VENGEANCE, Prologue.
Haven: Shulamit learns the truth about Sigrid.
Around this time, an Imperial ship arrives at Makassar and establishes a small outpost in Jikar. The planet is classified as "primitive"; the Imperials are unaware of the Library in Batav.
[KDS 6, 168-169; Mote 29]
The Second Empire of Man has spread through a large region of space, annexing (peacefully or otherwise) human colonies which were once part of the First Empire. Some of these worlds are actually being rediscovered, although it is hard to picture what kind of disaster in the Secession Wars would have annihilated every electronic and paper atlas on each of hundreds of worlds.
The capital is still on Sparta, although a much-devastated Earth is the "honorary capital". The Imperial Naval Academy is kept at New Annapolis on Earth, and by 3017 it is customary for the royal heir to spend some time in the Navy (KDS 27, 61; Mote 6, 108). The Imperial Seal features a crown-and-spaceship, an American eagle, and a hammer-and-sickle (Mote 6); this may be a deliberate attempt to claim a continuity with the CoDominium, since the Spartan flag was a crowned mountain (PS 378)and the First Empire's standard was a Phoenix (WWIII 319). (Of course, these latter two are from much later writings.)
The government has a variety of deliberating bodies. The multi-house Imperial Parliament has great powers; each Sector also has its own Parliament. The Imperial Council, Senate, and Assembly are also mentioned; these may be part of the Parliament (KDS 162, 350; Mote 75-6). The Imperial Traders Association has great influence over policy, but any defense-related policies are prerogatives of the Crown (KDS 32, 184-5; Mote 79). Aristocrats are given significant roles in the government; by now, the Collins, Blaine, and Townsend lines are over nine hundred years old. (Note, however, that the Blaines have only held the "Marquis of Crucis" title for eleven generations; see entry for "2670's".)
The Imperial Church is the official religion of the Empire; it is based at New Rome (which is probably on Sparta; Mote 415 implies it's a city, not a planet). The Church still finds uses for Latin, and seems similar in structure to the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican Churches of the second millenium. [KDS 65-66; Mote 162, 405]
After Sparta, planets subject to the Empire are given various degrees of power:
By the late 2900's, only worlds which have space travel when contacted by the Empire are ranked Class Two or above. These rules were not so strict in the early 2900's. [KDS 27-8, 162, 308, 350; Mote 14]
- The Member Kingdoms are allowed strong militaries and possibly semi-autonomous space fleets. These have representatives in all the levels of the government. Most have aristocratic rulers, but at least one is a republic.
- The "Class One" and "Class Two" worlds are allowed self-government. They each send observers to the Court and one Representative to the Imperial Parliament's lower house. These Classified Worlds also get Imperial Naval protection from aggression, Imperial advice on extra-planetary policy, and open access to all technology.
- "Class Three" (and maybe "Class Four") worlds are Colonies. The Empire appoints Civil Service bureaucrats to administer these planets and noble families to rule them. Generally the Imperial Trade Association is the prime power on these worlds; no new technology may be introduced by any Imperials to colony planets.
- Primitive ("Class Five") worlds may end up with small military outposts or furnish sources of trade, but are primarily left alone under a paternal watch by the Empire. These planets are under strict technological quarantine, though the Empire does not insist that its existence be kept secret from the natives.
A few planets outside of the Empire are advanced enough for space travel. In some cases, these planets are in contact with each other and are maintaining some degree of resistance to the Empire. In other cases, these worlds even forment rebellion on planets already annexed by the Empire. These "Outies" are the most significant military threat to the Empire in the era from 2903 to 3017. [KDS 82, 328; Mote 436, 455, 461, 504]
Technology is not quite as advanced as that of the First Empire, but is similar in most ways. In 3018, Dr. Horvath estimates that the Second Empire will pass the First in science and engineering by the year 3100, but this progress is radically altered by contact with the Mote.
In 3017, the Empire is at least 650 light-years in diameter. In 3029, it contains 200 worlds and has a diameter of around 1000 light-years. By 3046, the Blaine Institute has collected specimens from 400 Imperial worlds and 30 Outie worlds. (Also in 3046, Renner claims the Empire rules "1000 worlds", but this is perhaps an exaggeration.) [Mote prologue, 390, 458; Hand 73, 83]
New Chicago: Rod Blaine lands with at least one company of Marines. Sally Fowler's prison camp liberated.
[Like "Reflex", this was a scene cut from "Mote"; it seems to never have been reprinted. Also Mote 6-8, 19-20.]
THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE, Ch 1-3.
New Chicago: Rod Blaine given MacArthur. Departure from New Chicago.
THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE, Ch 4-11.
New Caledonia System: The MacArthur refuels at Brigit and intercepts Crazy Eddie Probe. Political and religious arguments on New Scotland.
THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE, Ch 13-22.
The Mote System: Ships arrive in Mote System. Rendezvous with Engineer. Ambassador ship arrives with Mediators.
THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE, Ch 46-47.
Second passage through Murcheson's Eye. Rod and Sally depart aboard the Hermes.
THE GRIPPING HAND, Part 3, Ch 2.
New Scotland: Meeting with the Commission on Moties.
THE GRIPPING HAND, Part 3, Ch 3-6.
The Sinbad leaves the New Caledonia system for the red dwarf MGC-R-31. Trip through Crazy Eddie's Sister. The Hecate takes a similar route shortly thereafter.
THE GRIPPING HAND, Part 3, Ch 7-8; Part 4, Ch 1-8.
The Mote System: The Sinbad in the custody of Medina. The Hecate in the custody of the Crimean Tartars. More activity through the Sister. Stern Chase.
Chronology of Jerry Pournelle's Future History
Updated 17 May 2012 by Larry King
Back to the Future History Page
Home to the Science Fiction Timeline Site
Send email to Larry King


text:
Technical Article => Web => Web design
Web Design 101: Get Your Color Contrasts Right
Nonetheless, I've always had a good eye for things that look good and for sites that look like they were built with an early version of Microsoft FrontPage <yuck!>. Futhermore, there are several aspects of design that I consider low-hanging fruit: elements that anyone can get right. One of these very simple elements is getting the color of text to contrast enough with the background color to ensure the text is easy to read. This is design 101 in my opinion and yet I still see it as a common mistake in web design.</yuck!>
There are easily a million examples of this, both good and bad. I've chosen a few to mention based on sites that I've recently noticed.
1) PandoDaily is a new tech news site focused primarily on, gasp… Silicon Valley! The site is only a couple weeks old and already seems to be doing really well. In terms of design, I like it. It looks clean and for the most part is very easy to read (free tip: if in doubt, black text on a white background works well :-). The only issue related to readability is their choice to use medium blue for the anchor text "Follow PandoDaily" on a dark blue/gray background. Can you read it? Sure. But it would be so much easier to read if the anchor text were a lighter color! And in web design EASY = GOOD!.
I'd give PandoDaily's an overall design score of 9 out of 10. Most of it is good, but the link that points to social media outlets could be better. It may be a small item, but that is what separates good from GREAT!
2) I stumbled on another site today that in general looks nice: Blimp. I like the contrast between the dark grey background and the bright orange text. It's CLEAR and clean! Nice. However, note the "Get notified when we launch" text. It is barely readable! If that text were simply white it would crystal [clear].
Again, overall this site looks very nice (and hopefully there product will be good too!), but the finer points of attention to each detail of design has been forgotten. Also note that this less than effective color contrast is on a very important element of the page: The part about getting people to sign up!!! In order for this page to convert the highest number of possible visitors, this detail needs fixing.
3) Lastly, Isotope 11, a local software development shop, recently redesigned their website. The main page employs a carousel design that highlights the various types of services they offer. Note that darker text is on lighter backgrounds within the carousel and below the carousel, lighter text is on darker backgrounds. Yes this is web design 101, but it makes a BIG different in the readability and therefore usability of a web site.
Conclusion Are you ready for it? This is going to be earth shattering! Make sure to get the color contrast right between the text of your site and/or application and the background. In general, the greater the contrast, the easier it is to read! We'll all make some design mistakes along the way, but don't fail out of Web Design 101! :-)
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- Cost: $175. pp
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To BOOK your seats, click on the name of the TOUR. Roll up until you see the GREEN CHECK MARK. Enter your information in the blanks and enter your passenger's names and credit card information in the COMMENTS section. Please only click submit once. We will send you a response between 8:30-4:30 PM, Monday-Friday.
Full payment must be received within 5 business days after booking tickets - 2 Seat minimum


text:
Category: werewolf baby names
Nameberry intern Danielle Miksza, who wrote for nameberry last Halloween on vampire names, turns her attention now to names inspired by the new popular monster in town — werewolf names.
Last year the world was falling into the icy clutches of the vampires. The Salvatore brothers of L.J. Smith's The Vampire Diaries were fighting over the beautiful Elena Gilbert, lethally handsome Edward Cullen once again rescued his mortal love, Bella Swann from a gruesome death in the new Twilight movie, Eclipse, and a vampire child by the name of Abby has been terrifying audiences in Matt Reeve's new film Let Me In.
Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky enough to escape the bite of immortality, but fear not fellow name lovers! There is hope for us mortals yet, a hope that comes in a very furry form.
This Halloween goes to the wolves. The vampire reign is in danger of coming to a close as the popularity of werewolves quickly rises. The vampire-werewolf rivalry is one of the oldest feuds in existence, so it's no wonder that we humans have been caught in the middle once again. At least the wolves will get the vampires off our backs for a bit. Right?
Okay. You may be thinking that werewolves are just as bad as vampires, but let's think about this. Unlike vampires who have absolutely no escape from their condition, unless they go a day without sunscreen, werewolves only change during a full moon. So if someone you love is carrying the curse of the Lycan, it's best to take a little vacation from them once a month. After all, we all need a little me time. Also, werewolves aren't constantly craving your blood. They're actually quite normal in human form (I should know because I used to date one), whereas vampires obsess over the sound of blood pumping through your veins. Hence, werewolves are the lesser of two evils.


text: Features 2012 Scion tC Photo Gallery Following a successful first-generation model, Scion introduces the all-new 2012 Scion tC sports coupe. Courtesy of the Manufacturer photographerJanuary 25, 2012 Courtesy of the Manufacturer photographerJanuary 25, 2012 Following a successful first-generation model, Scion introduces the all-new 2012 Scion tC sports coupe. Share this article in: Facebook Twitter Google Plus Email Free Price Quote From a Local Dealer View Special Offers No Obligation, Fast & Simple Free New Car Quote Change Car Select Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Buick Cadillac Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari FIAT Ford Genesis GMC Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lotus Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz MINI Mitsubishi Nissan Porsche Ram Rolls-Royce Scion smart Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo Select Model FR-S iA iM iQ tC xA xB xD GO 1. Vehicle Option Trim Exterior Color No Preference Black Blue Brown Gold Green Orange Red Silver White Yellow Interior Color No Preference Beige Black Blue Gray Green Other Red White Buying Time Frame Within 48 hours Within a week Within two weeks Within a month More than a month Payment Method Undecided Loan Lease Cash Trade In? Yes No 2. Contact Info First Name Last Name Address City State -- AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY Zip Code Phone Email 3. Dealer Selection Receive your free dealer pricing information by completing your contact information! The 2012 tC sports coupe will come standard with a new Pioneer(TM) audio system that features Bluetooth(R) hands-free, Bluetooth(R) streaming audio and HD Radio(TM) technology. The 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 comes exclusively in High Voltage yellow exterior paint with contrasting black side view mirrors and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The tC's aggressive exterior are further stylized with a TRD body kit that includes front and rear lower valences and side skirts. The front bumper incorporates a honeycomb lower grille that is unique to this Release Series. Share this article in: Facebook Twitter Google Plus Email 2012 Scion tC Photo Gallery /36 Advertisement to Skip 1|36 2|36 3|36 4|36 5|36 6|36 7|36 8|36 9|36 10|36 11|36 12|36 13|36 14|36 15|36 16|36 17|36 18|36 19|36 20|36 21|36 22|36 23|36 24|36 25|36 26|36 27|36 28|36 29|36 30|36 31|36 32|36 33|36 34|36 35|36 36|36


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Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL)
Armed forces manpower increased substantially throughout the 1970s as Shah Reza Pahlavi implemented Iran's "guardian" role in the Gulf. Following the outbreak of the Revolution, there was a sharp drop in the number of military personnel, which in 1982 stood at 235,000, including the Pasdaran, but excluding reserves. In contrast, total military personnel, including the Pasdaran but excluding reserves, stood at 704,500 in 1986. In addition to active-duty personnel, some 400,000 veterans, organized in reserve units after the outbreak of the war, were subject to recall to duty. Two-thirds of army personnel were conscripts. In the Air Force and Navy, the majority were volunteers.
The National Military Academy was the largest single source of commissioned officers in the 1970s, but since 1980 a significant number of commissions were awarded for wartime heroism and leadership at the front. Although Air Force and Navy officers had attended military academies or participated in cadet programs in the United States, Britain, or Italy before 1979, few foreign contacts were recorded initially following the Revolution. In the few instances in which contact was established, it was with Asian states, namely China and North Korea. Unlike the Army, the Air Force and Navy had experienced high attrition, and it was assumed that operations had been streamlined to be effective with fewer personnel.
Class differences in the armed forces remained virtually undisturbed by the Revolution. Commissioned officers came from upper class families, career noncommissioned and warrant officers from the urban middle class, and conscripts from lower class backgrounds. By 1986, an increasing segment of the officer corps came from the educated middle class, and a significant number of lower middle-class personnel were commissioned by Ayatollah Khomenei for leadership on the battlefield.
Iran's 1986 population of approximately 48.2 million (including approximately 2.6 million refugees) gave the armed forces a large pool from which to fill its manpower needs, despite the existence of rival irregular forces. Of about 8 million males between the ages of eighteen and fourty-five, nearly 6 million were considered physically and mentally fit for military service. Revolutionary leaders repeatedly declared that Iran could establish an army of 20 million to defend the country against foreign aggression. After the beginning of 1986, women were also encouraged to receive military training, although no women were actually serving in the regular armed forces as of late 1987. The decision to encourage women to join in the military effort appeared to Western observers to indicate an increasing demand for personnel or an effort to gain increased popular support for the Revolution or that conscription was not replacing war losses or retirements.
Compulsory conscription had been in effect since 1926, when Reza Shah's Military Service Act was passed by the Majlis. All males had to register at age 19 and begin their military service at age 21. The law, however, was of limited significance in view of government pressures for volunteer enlistments in military units at an earlier age. According to the act, the total period of service was 25 years, divided as follows: 2 years of active military service, 6 years in standby military service for draftees, then 8 years in first-stage reserve and 9 years in second-stage reserve.
In 1984 the Majlis passed the new Military Act. It amended conscription laws to reduce the high number of draft dodgers. Newspapers carried reports of people caught trying to buy their way out of military service, at an unofficial figure of about $8,000 USD for forged exemption documents. Under the pre-revolutionary law, temporary or permanent exemptions were provided for the physically disabled, hardship cases, convicted felons, students, and certain professions. Draft evaders were subject to arrest, trial before a military court, and imprisonment for a maximum of 2 years after serving the required 2 years of active duty.
Few draft dodgers, if any, were sent to jail. The normal procedure was to fine them the equivalent of $75 USD (1986 exchange rate). Under the 1984 law, draft evaders were subject to restrictions for a period of up to 10 years. They could be prevented from holding a driver's license, running for elective office, registering property ownership, being put on the government payroll, or receiving a passport, in addition to being forced to pay fines and/or receive jail sentences. Exemptions were given only to solve family problems. Moreover, all exemptions, except for physical disabilities, were only for 5 years. Those seeking relief for medical reasons had to serve, but were not sent on combat duty. Under the amended law, men of draft age were subject to conscription, whether in war or peace, for a minimum period of 2 years and could be recalled as needed.
In the past, a consistent weakness of the armed forces had been the high illiteracy rate among conscripts and volunteers. This reflected the country wide illiteracy rate, which stood at 60 percent in 1979. Compounding this dilemma, many conscripts came from tribal areas where Persian was not spoken. Thus, the military first had to teach the conscripts Persian by instituting extensive literacy training programs.
By 1986, the country's overall literacy rate was estimated at 50 percent, a dramatic improvement. This gain was also reflected in the regular armed forces. Of the three services, the Air Force fared best in this respect, as it had always done. Yet even the air force, which had developed training facilities for support personnel and homafars, was short of its real requirements. With the 1979 withdrawal of foreign military and civilian advisers, particularly from the United States and Pakistan, the operation, maintenance, and logistical functioning of armed forces' equipment was hampered by a critical shortage of skilled manpower. As purchases from non-Western countries increased, Iran came to rely on Chinese, Syrian, and North Korean instructors and those from the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), among others. The reunification of Germany in 1989 ended that level of cooperation between the two countries.
In 1987, the impressive progress of the regular armed forces was counterbalanced by manpower shortages. Without the support of large numbers of irregular forces and volunteers, it was difficult to foresee how this shortage might be overcome in the immediate future.
By 1990, Iranian armed forces personnel totalled around 504,000, with around half being conscripts, all in the Army. The Air Force and Navy continued to be all volunteer. Iran also claimed to have 1 million in the Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army) and a Home Guard that could call upon 2.5 million. By 2000 the estimates for total force had been increased to 545,600, with between 40-45 percent of the total being conscripts. Reports of a 2.5 million strength Home Guard, and the Basij forces had been revised to 40,000 active personnel, though Iranian authorities continued to suggest that up to 1 million could be raised in time of need. These numbers remained relatively static through 2002 and 2008. As of 2008 the estimated strength of the Iranian military, including the Pasdaran, stood at 545,000.
As of 2008, 19 was the age for compulsory military service, 16 years for volunteers, 17 years for Law Enforcement Forces and 15 years for Basij Forces. All males were required to serve 18 months of active military service, while women were exempt from military service.
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