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How many times have we heard President Obama deliver one version or another of this standard stump speech item? "If you like your health insurance plan, you keep your health insurance plan. If you like your doctor, you keep your doctor." And whether you're reading the actual wording of H.R. 3200 or the various takes of analysts in the field, that seems to be true… at least for a little while. But there are some significant monkey wrenches tossed into the machinery by this essentially flawed legislation which voters should take a close look at before endorsing it. That promise of being able to "keep your plan" looks like it will have an expiration date on it for most people, and it's not too far in the future.
A solid, balanced, decidedly not "Librul Bashing" analysis can be found with this St. Petersburg Times PolitiFact article, where they analyze the President's statements on this issue and find that, at best, it can be rated as "half true." Of the many problems with this aspect of H.R. 3200, big questions surround the creation of the government monitored and regulated "exchanges" and how many companies it would apply to. The somewhat benign sounding purpose of the exchange would be to provide a virtual shopping center for individuals and "small business owners" seeking the best rates under the watchful eye of the Federal Government. But there's a back door provision stuck in there.
Pending legislation in the House says that only individuals and small businesses of fewer than 10 employees would be able to use the exchange during the first year, and only individuals and small businesses with fewer than 20 employees in the second year. In the third year, businesses are allowed in "based on the number of full-time employees of an employer and such other considerations as the Commissioner deems appropriate." This sounds like employers will gradually be allowed into the exchange based on size, as well as "other considerations as the (health exchange) Commissioner deems appropriate." This obviously gives tremendous leeway to the commissioner, who is presidential appointee in charge of the health exchange. So year three becomes a question mark as to how many businesses will be allowed into the exchange.
There is no upper limit, in reality, and it's based entirely on the whim of an official appointed by the President. Now, many of you may be saying that this isn't a big deal because who is "allowed" in won't matter if your employer doesn't want to check into the program anyway, right? Not so fast there, skippy. They may not have a choice.
Take a look at the actual bill (download the PDF at that link) and go to page 16 where you will find Section 102, ironically enough called "PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE"
Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for purposes of establishing acceptable coverage under this division, the term ''grandfathered health insurance coverage'' means individual health insurance coverage that is offered and in force and effect before the first day of Y1 if the following conditions are met:
Among the various restrictions which can hit private insurance plans is one that may sound great on the surface, but has some ominous undertones. The private plans can't change their rates for any risk groups without being disqualified, thereby driving the employees into the government exchange.
The issuer cannot vary the percentage increase in the premium for a risk group of enrollees in specific grandfathered health insurance coverage without changing the premium for all enrollees in the same risk group at the same rate, as specified by the Commissioner.
So why would they raise their rates? Aside from the fact that continual advances in medical technology deploy increasingly expensive equipment and medicines which drive up costs, under H.R. 3200, the Federal Government will help drive up their costs by imposing additional fees on private insurers to help pay for all this. Let's open our PDF file back up and all turn to page 828 under Section 4375.
SEC. 4375. HEALTH INSURANCE. (a) IMPOSITION OF FEE.
There is hereby imposed on each specified health insurance policy for each policy year a fee equal to the fair share per capita amount determined under section 9511(c)(1) multiplied by the average number of lives covered under the policy.
(b) LIABILITY FOR FEE.—The fee imposed by sub section (a) shall be paid by the issuer of the policy.
Before rushing in to support legislation such as H.R. 3200, I suggest you stop to ask yourself if you really want such an unlocked, open back door buried in it which can spread out government control to any number of companies of whichever size they choose. And if the government is going to drive up the costs of the insurance companies through fees and then take away your choice of "keeping your plan" because they can no longer meet the cost curve, is that really a choice to keep your current coverage at all?
The next time you go out to deliver that line you should practice keeping your teeth together, Mr. President. We can see your forked tongue poking through.
Copyright 2009 The Moderate Voice


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Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a memorable 2010/11, making history as the first player to score 40 goals in a Liga campaign. Even that was only good enough to inspire Real Madrid CF to second place behind FC Barcelona and, after finishing third in the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, he tells UEFA.com it is time to translate personal glory into team success. Indeed, for the Portugal forward, Manchester United FC's 2008 UEFA Champions League success remains "the highlight of my career so far" – it is an achievement he is eager to match.
©UEFA.com 1998-2017. All rights reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


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Brundle expects "a little bit of unpredictability" in 2011. "I think it's going to be very exciting."
Martin Brundle articles archive
Martin Brundle
Brundle and Coulthard take over from Legard at BBC
2011 F1 seasonPosted on
Brundle will take over Legard's commentary role and Coulthard will join him.
F1 drivers who won at Le Mans
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This weekend sees the 77th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours. The great race has been won by 117 different drivers and over half of them – 62 – also competed in the Formula 1 world championship at some point in their career. Many of them were race winners in F1, some were even … Continue reading F1 drivers who won at Le Mans
Martin Brundle at BBC in 2009
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Brundle confirms commentary role
FIA trying to ban Martin Brundle?
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Mosley's man wants commentator out
BBC's 2009 F1 team: Legard, Brundle, Coulthard, Humphrey and McKenzie
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Pitpass claims the BBC has named its 2009 F1 coverage presenters as Jonathan Legard, Martin Brundle, David Coulthard, Jake Humphrey and Lee McKenzie. Legard has previously commentated for the BBC on Formula 1 on Radio Five Live and has an expert knowledge of the sport. Pairing him with Martin Brundle, who's won awards for his … Continue reading BBC's 2009 F1 team: Legard, Brundle, Coulthard, Humphrey and McKenzie
How will BBC TV cover F1 in 2009?
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Top Gear has launched a new Formula 1 blog but will the BBC?������s hit motoring show play any role in the corporation?������s coverage of F1 which begins in 2009? Speculation about a Top Gear-F1 link up has mounted after The Times ran a front page story suggesting Richard Hammond would front the BBC?������s coverage which … Continue reading How will BBC TV cover F1 in 2009?
The men who might replace Max Mosley
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I was planning to write an article about who Max Mosley's successor as FIA president could be as he was expected to stand down in 2009. However following the allegations about his sex life made today his immediate future is now in doubt. So who is likely to take over from Mosley, one of the … Continue reading The men who might replace Max Mosley
F1 news review: Traction control debate
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In the F1 news this week there are fresh concerns over the banning of traction control this year. Plus more reviews of 2007 and more debate over who was the best driver of the year – which invariably boils down to a discussion about two drivers: Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen. All this and more … Continue reading F1 news review: Traction control debate
Martin Brundle hits back at the FIA over 'bullying'
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Martin Brundle has hit back at the FIA following the news that the sport's governing body intends to sue the Sunday Times over one of his articles. In a new piece today entitled "How can Formula One justify blatant double standards?" Brundle defends his earlier claim that the FIA is engaged in a witch-hunt against … Continue reading Martin Brundle hits back at the FIA over 'bullying'
FIA suing Sunday Times over McLaren article
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The FIA are taking legal action against the Sunday Times over an article concerning the McLaren-Ferrari espionage case, according to an article on Pitpass. The complaint appears to relate to an article written by Martin Brundle over the Italian Grand Prix weekend. That article is still online but carries the notice 'This article is subject … Continue reading FIA suing Sunday Times over McLaren article
F1 07 review: Year in quotes
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It's been a years of big news – and big talking. Here is how they year unfolded from the mouths of the people who made it what it was, from Lewis Hamilton to Bernie Ecclestone, and Martin Brundle to Kimi Raikkonen.
F1 in the news 52: Jackie Stewart 'a halfwit'
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In the F1 news this week FIA president Max Mosley created headlines by describing Jackie Stewart as a 'certifiable halfwit'. Also this week you can buy Martin Brundle's old car, find out where Bernie Ecclestone ranked in the 100 Most Important People in (American) Sport and read about the Russian former F1 tester who was … Continue reading F1 in the news 52: Jackie Stewart 'a halfwit'
Working the Wheel reviewed
F1 reviewsPosted on
Martin Brundle's first and thus far only book is his tour around the great motor racing circuits of the world.
25 best groups for F1 fans on Facebook
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A bit of fun for those of you who, like me, use the Facebook social networking site. There are all kinds of F1 groups to join from those who want Ferrari to sign Danica Patrick, fans who want the original Nordschleife back on the calendar, to the Canadians who want their own F1 team. Some … Continue reading 25 best groups for F1 fans on Facebook
Damon Hill to commentate at Hungary
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Damon Hill will be joining ITV's commentary team for next week's Hungarian Grand Prix. The ITV team made the announcement following their coverage of today's British Touring Car races. He is expected to be joining James Allen in the commentary box in place of Martin Brundle, who usually misses the Hungarian race.
F1 Racing's driver rankings look familiar…
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I opened up this week's F1 Racing magazine to discover their rankings of the drivers' performances so far this year look pretty similar to my own that I posted last week. F1 Racing polled 28 top F1 personalities on their opinions to compile their list, including Martin Brundle, Flavio Briatore, Keke Rosberg, Jody Scheckter, Pat … Continue reading F1 Racing's driver rankings look familiar…
Murray Walker vs James Allen
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British F1 fans – will you be tuning in to BBC Radio 5 Live's qualifying and race broadcasts with Murray Walker this weekend? Or will you be sticking with ITV's James Allen for the European Grand Prix? I'm in a bind – I've always been a huge Murray Walker fan (and was thrilled to interview … Continue reading Murray Walker vs James Allen
F1 in the news 44: Labour, Tories & Hamilton
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Not only are the two main political parties in Britain trying to claim credit for Lewis Hamilton, he's even got his own poem now. Happily the newspapers have remembered there are other British drivers and the Daily Mail has interviewed Anthony Davidson. Plus Martin Brundle has a go at Toyota and US commentators ponder the … Continue reading F1 in the news 44: Labour, Tories & Hamilton
Watching F1 in the cinema
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Formula 1 made its big-screen live debut last weekend – 30 Vue cinemas showed the British Grand Prix live. I wasn't able to go because I was at the race but my brother did. With F1 in the Cinemas rolling out across the country for the rest of his season, here's what he told me … Continue reading Watching F1 in the cinema


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Time Gentlemen, Please is the sequel to the previously featured Ben There, Dan That. The crude graphics, great writing and ridiculous plot bring out the the best of the old-school Lucasarts adventure games. I simply lost count of the many laugh out loud moments in Ben There, Dan That. Time Gentlemen, Please looks set to top that bar.
The sequel is better done so far in almost every way. The graphics are clearer and don't leave you hunting for pixels, the writing is snappier, the music is great and the plot is just as ridiculous as ever. Don't worry about understanding the story if you've never played the first game as there's a great "previously on ..." animation just before you start the game that explains all you need to know.
This game is very friendly to new users. In fact, this game has the best running tutorial system I've seen for an adventure game. You don't have to be familiar with any of the adventure game tropes here, the interface is explained very well by some floaty in-world text and the solutions to the puzzles are frequently hinted at with a witty remark or two by the main characters. If you've been wanting an excuse to dive into an adventure game, this would be a good one.
Besides the improved visuals, music and gameplay the other major difference is that Time Gentlemen, Please now costs $5 whereas the previous game was free. There's a very good demo available however - and of course the first game is still free if you want to see an example of their work. If you're still not convinced by all that, you're probably a robot.
Why You Should Check This Out: The old-school Lucasarts flavor is brought out in this adventure game, with some clever jokes and great puzzles. It's hilarious, zany fun. The sequel to one of the best recent comedy adventure games, and it still manages to improve on it.
[size=20]Download Demo Now[/size]
[size=16]Buy Full Game ($5)[/size]
I'll definitely give the demo a shot - but the Trine demo sitting on my desktop at home is calling to me too. Great weekend ahead!
That was a very short demo. Fun, though; they're getting my $5. It definitely has a very "Monkey Island" feel to it. For those curious, it works well on a mac with Crossover running.
I'm not sure I'd call it "fringe," especially with the recent flood of Telltale titles. As happy as I am to see point-and-click make a bit of a resurgence, it may preclude such games from this space. Or maybe that's like trying to argue the meaning of the word "ironic."
I loved BTDT, and if this is Ben-ter Dan the other one, I can't wait. I might have to wait though if a comprehensive FAQ hasn't been put together. The other one gave me some problems.
I loved BTDT, and if this is Ben-ter Dan the other one, I can't wait.
That has got to be the worst pun that's ever Ben put Dan on paper.
Considering that there is no paper, I'd say you just topped it.
I've completed both BDDT and TGP and I'd definitely recommend them to anyone who has an interest in adventure games and some pretty hilarious British humor.
PandaEskimo wrote:
I loved BTDT, and if this is Ben-ter Dan the other one, I can't wait.
That has got to be the worst pun that's ever Ben put Dan on paper.
I don't want Ben putting me anywhere near his "paper."
I played the first one and enjoyed it so bought this without considering the demo. It certainly has higher production values, with particle effects, nice introduction and good music. I'm not far into the game because I hit a crippling problem where Dan got stuck at the top of some stairs and just kept turning back and forth for eternity. I'll have to redo a few puzzles before I can continue.
The writing is still sharp, witty and delightfully self aware, but unfortunately there's also a sprinkling of toilet humour and genital jokes which seem out of place and awkward. The UI also seems a bit cumbersome but I'm attributing this to the limitations of Adventure Game Creator.
I don't know what value this has as a demo as it is so very short. If I hadn't played the other game I wouldn't be buying this one - but the other one was great so I'm getting this one.
If you have already played other ones in the series, then this is like a reassurance they haven't started making bad games.
It's definitely a lot of good old fashioned fun. If you liked the first one, you can't go wrong here.
Of course, it helps that I got it for free, having donated for the previous title.
Demo (and presumably full game imminently) now on Steam.
Nice to see. "Ben There, Dan That" is also available. Both together for $5. That's about the price it is from their official site and "Ben There, Dan That" is free from their site. On their site they are both DRM free.


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Open source advocates are gloating following the leak of a Microsoft memo. It details the results of a Microsoft-conducted survey which shows that IT professionals are not nearly as wary of open source software as the company would like.
This embarrassing revelation has buoyed up open source supporters who believe it shows that Microsoft is losing the PR battle. Open source software fans see it as just a matter of time before they win out against the software giant.
The memo was posted this week at Opensource.org, a website run by the OSI (Open Source Initiative).
"The overall tone of the memorandum is very defensive," said Eric Raymond, president of OSI, in advising open source advocates on his conclusions to the survey. "It's not quite panicky, but the researchers are not able to name any argument with the open source community that their own figures show them to be winning. In fact, their figures indicate that we are winning. It looks like all we have to do is stay the course."
In an interview Thursday, Raymond said the memo was given to him by a source, but he declined to provide any further description of its origin. He said he was satisfied that the document is genuine. Microsoft spokesman Jon Murchison declined to comment on the memo, citing company policy not to comment on leaked or speculative reports.
The memo describes the results of a telephone survey of a range of IT professionals. The project was developed to provide a greater understanding of how key "audiences" perceive open source. The survey was conducted in the US, Brazil, France, Germany, Sweden and Japan.
The researchers who conducted the survey found that familiarity and favourability for OSS (open source software) and Linux was high across the board. They also found that respondents cited OSS's "low total cost of ownership" as one of the best reasons to support it, but "because it is an alternative to Microsoft" was second.
"I saw a lot of admission that [Microsoft's] PR tactics haven't been working," Raymond said.
OSI also believes the survey shows that Microsoft's "fear, uncertainty and doubt" attacks on open source have not only failed but also backfired, and the open source community needs to "keep Microsoft's feet to the fire" on the total cost of ownership issue.
"Their figures indicate that we're winning that battle," Raymond wrote. "Microsoft will attempt to reverse this with all the money and marketing clout it can muster. One effective counter would be to point out the time and money overhead of keeping track of all your Microsoft licenses — forever — lest Microsoft send its jackbooted BSA (Business Software Alliance) thugs to shake you down."


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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A small earthquake struck the East Bay about a mile southeast of Vallejo on Monday night.
According to the USGS site, the jolt registered 2.9 magnitude at about 8:18 p.m.
A KRON 4 social media follower said his house shifted and that the quake lasted about six seconds.
Mobile App users click here to view the video
(Copyright 2014, KRON 4, All rights reserved.)


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Montana's Big Sky is offering several lodging deals to save you a few dollars on your ski or snowboard trip.
You can get a night's free lodging if you stay four nights or more at Big Sky. The offer is good for Huntley Lodge, Shoshone Condomiuniums, Village Center Studios, or the Big Horn Condominiums. It's also available for a two-queen hotel room or studio in Summit.
The fourth night free lodging deal is available throughout January and February. Blackout dates, however, include Jan. 16 - 19 and Feb. 14 - Mar. 1.
Rooms are available in hotel, one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. The more inexpensive lodging is found in Huntley Lodge where rates start at $168 per night and Village Center Studios where rates go up from $179 per night.
You also can receive a fourth night free in a luxury Moosewood Meadows Home. The four-bedroom, timber-frame homes with pickle barrel wood floors, granite countertops, private hot tubs, and large flat screen television are located adjacent to the White Otter Chairlift. Rates run $930 - $1,454.
Stay four nights or longer during January or February to receive the free night. Blackout dates for Moosewood homes include Jan. 17-19, Feb. 14-16, and Feb. 20-Mar. 1.
You can make reservations for either of these fourth night free deals online. You also may phone (800) 548-4486.
Big Sky, MT
Jun 1, 2009
Starting at $168/night


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Interviews with candidates for the top job at Tampa International Airport will be open to local news organizations after all. At least some of the questioning.
Steven Burton, a member of the airport's governing board, said Tuesday that he will let reporters sit in on his interviews of the four finalists at the Tampa Airport Marriott this afternoon. He decided to open his interviews after reading a St. Petersburg Times editorial online Monday night, he said.
Managing partner of the Tampa law office of Broad & Cassel, Burton criticized the lack of transparency of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority under the direction of former executive director Louis Miller. Miller resigned in March after clashing with Burton and board member Joseph Diaco. He was appointed Monday by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to run Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
"The lack of openness led to some of the problems we had," Burton said.
Diaco said Burton's decision wouldn't change his mind about interviewing the candidates in private. "I may ask some personal questions," he said. "It's not the business of the public."
Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio suggested a third way: a public meeting where board members question the finalists in the open in addition to private one-on-on sessions. She asked if an open session could be arranged before the board votes on a new executive director. The decision is now scheduled for Oct. 7.
"I have to have a one-on-one," she said Tuesday. "But if the public or press want to see how the candidates react to questions, let's do it."
It's unclear whether the other two board members — Hillsborough commissioner Ken Hagan and developer Al Austin — will open their interviews. They didn't return calls Tuesday.
The search firm, SpencerStuart, advised authority board members to ask questions in private. Each board member is scheduled for one-hour interviews with each of the four candidates today and Thursday. The finalists are:
• Kent George, 63, director of aviation for Broward County, home of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. He previously served as executive director of Pittsburgh International Airport.
• Kevin Dillon, 54, chief executive of T.F. Green Airport in Providence, R.I. He was one of three deputy executive directors at Orlando International Airport in 2007 and 2008.
• Lester W. Robinson, 58, chief executive of Detroit Metropolitan Airport from 2002 until the Wayne County Airport Authority board decided not to renew his contract in May.
• Joseph Lopano, 55, executive vice president of marketing at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. He is in charge of bringing new airline service to the airport and previously worked for Lufthansa Airlines and Continental Airlines.
Steve Huettel can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or (813) 226-3384.


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Wendy's, 676 Saint Andrews Road: late 2000s 10 comments
This closing continues a recent series of dead restaurants on Saint Andrews Road. One of the very first closings I did was of the Wendy's on Two Notch in Dentsville. If I recall correctly, I said how much I enjoyed Wendy's when they first came to town, and how they gradually seemed to lose their way as many fast food chains have.
I don't know specifically what happened to this store (being on Saint Andrews can't have helped!), but the last two times I have had occasion to stop at a Wendy's (once in Aiken and once on Forest Drive), the service and food have been very indifferent -- not at all like the can-do! store that could get you a decent burger the way you wanted it almost by the time you finished being rung up. I don't doubt the disasterous ad campaign with the guy wearing the red "Wendy" pigtails helped more than a few of their stores shuffle off this mortal coil as well.
UPDATE 8 September 2017: Added full street address and some tags. Also found this LoopNet listing that says the building is still vacant, but has recently had a plan approved to connect to the traffic light and "would be great for a breakfast restaurant".
10 Responses to 'Wendy's, 676 Saint Andrews Road: late 2000s'
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This Wendy's closed up shop recently in early December 2008. I remember stopping by the week prior to their closing and grabbing a bite to eat, oblivious of any knowledge to their demise. Then driving by the next week, and surprised at seeing the whole restaurant stripped bare and closed up!
Clearly, the St. Andrews/Dutch Square area is cursed. :/
2 Feb 09 at 7:04 pm
Wow. I used to work here when I was in high school...
23 Feb 10 at 9:00 am
this one I think was in an akward location and Wendy's opened up a few miles up the road at 6019 St. Andrews Road which I think couldn't have helped. I think whatever opens up in its place would do best to have access to the stoplight at the intersection of Jamil Road as it is so challenging to get out of
8 Jul 10 at 12:33 pm
After checking my photo archive, a photo I took of this place right after it closed allows me to confirm J.P.'s notion of this Wendy's closing in late 2008
20 Jan 11 at 11:37 pm
So one day I'm driving up the big hill on St. Andrews Road. I happen to look over at Wendy's, and, at the pick-up window, is an OSCAR MEYER WEINER MOBILE!! I nearly ran off the road.
23 Sep 11 at 6:55 pm
Folks, I noticed some folks working on what appeared to be the HVAC system on the roof of this building and the lights were on inside giving me the impression that something is about to go down here (will advise if I can conclude anything further)...
4 Dec 14 at 4:58 pm
@Andrew- Any ideas? A Golden Chick?
13 May 16 at 12:12 pm
There was a sign listing the space for sale and signage referring them to the Auto Money Title loan office further up St. Andrews Road...so I don't see anything and frankly I wish that when something does open that they could sync it up with the traffic signal at Jamil Road...
I would welcome Golden Chick but I think I also would love to see Popeye's...I've even thought about tearing it down and building some other shop of some sort and then redoing the entrance to sync it up with the Jamil traffic signal...
13 May 16 at 1:10 pm


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ONE of the more neglected -- both by the government and society at large -- areas of public life in Pakistan is the institute of Darul Aman. It is supposed to be a 'shelter home' for women who need security from even their own near and dear ones.
In Punjab there is a Darul Aman in almost each of its 35 districts and almost all of them remain overcrowded, as violence and discrimination against women is rampant in our society.
For example, Multan's Darul Aman is made for 30 women but there are more than 80 of them while in Sahiwal space for 15 is filled with 35 inmates. The same is the situation in Lahore and other cities.
Leaving one's own home for an unknown destination must be the severest of pains and an act of last resort for any human being, particularly for a woman and that also in a society like that of ours heavily tilted against the female face.
It means when a woman leaves her home (it may be of her parents or her husband), she would be facing very hostile environment and unbearable life. And searching for more favourable and friendly environment she would reach Darul Aman. But alas!in many cases she finds herself in a worse situation. Darul Aman is a 'shelter home' but mostly it would acquire the shape of a jail.
Last year the situation saw a little bit improvement when the Punjab government recruited new in charges of Darul Amans who are mostly women whose behaviour has started sending positive signals about the institution. But in some cases where men are still in charge, the situation resembles hell.
Most of the inmates of Darul Aman are there through courts but it is rather unfortunate that even courts are under the influence of patriarchal society and are not fully sensitive to the emotional and environmental needs of the victims.
These hapless women are admitted in Darul Aman by court orders but in some emergency cases the court process proves counter-productive as the victim needs immediate protection.
Also these women cannot leave Darul Aman on their own without court orders, and when they wish to do so sometimes, they are given in the hands of their relatives who were the primary cause of their leaving the home. And in some such cases we have heard the news of the victim being killed.
Some international organisations such as Medicine de Monde (MDM) are also working for the betterment of Darul Aman inmates but the basic responsibility of making these 'shelter homes' worthy of their name -- which at present are neither shelter nor home in the real sense of words -- lies with the government.
Pakistan is signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which puts added legal and moral responsibility on the shoulders of the government, central as well as provincial.
They need to take immediate and effective measures to improve physical and environmental conditions of this institute of importance. There is immediate need to improve the hygienic condition in all Darul Amans. Next the quality of food should be improved.
Moreover, the inmates should be provided free, proper and prompt legal aid which should be coming forth from the provincial government. Also there should be proper and pertinent arrangement for mental and physical rehabilitation and vocational training so that when a victim of domestic violation leaves this shelter home, she is an efficient and effective member of our society and not a psychiatric patient.
A bill passed by the National Assembly some time back against domestic violation is a refreshing sign on the part of the government but the real test would be its implementation as there already exist some women-friendly laws on the statute book but they are not being acted upon.
Last but not the least is the role of courts, especially superior courts. Recently superior courts of the country have taken cognizance of the plight of the more vulnerable sections of society and passed very courageous and unprecedented orders for their security, welfare and rehabilitation in society.
One hopes that the same courts will take care of the interests of this most oppressed and suppressed section of womenfolk (who are already a disadvantaged part of our population) and issue orders/guidelines for improvement and better working of the institute of Darul Aman.
Via email


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PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
Ouray, CO, United States, 2008/06/16 - Team Double-Click announces its new, innovative home-based business opportunity!.
Team Double-Click®, the country's largest and oldest virtual staffing agency, popular for its meticulous virtual assistant screening, interviewing and training process, recently announced the creation of a new business opportunity for virtual assistants, the Licensed Virtual Assistant program.
Under the new program, virtual assistants can opt to pay a flat monthly fee to be licensed by Team Double-Click®. Licensing will allow virtual assistants to use the Team Double-Click® name, brand, logo, and marketing messages to obtain their own clients rather than wait for Team Double-Click® to find clients for them. In growing their virtual assistant business, a Licensed Virtual Assistant will have the ability to perform the work themselves or to earn supplementary income by placing clients with Team Double-Clicks® highly trained support-level virtual assistants.
Licensed Virtual Assistants will have access to numerous Team Double-Click® services including, but not limited to: their own Team Double-Click® website, a Team Double-Click® phone extension through the companys toll free phone number, invoicing completed by the company, use of a Team Double-Click® email address, use of the My Team Double-Click Virtual Office program to keep track of their time and share files with their clients, access to tens of thousands of trained and interviewed support-level virtual assistants, continuing education opportunities, inclusion in the Team Double-Click® annual conference, and the backing of the premier and original virtual staffing agency in the industry.
Through the licensing program Team Double-Click® will place its industry-renowned stamp of approval on each Licensed Virtual Assistant who enters the program. If they dont meet our standards, they dont work with our clientssame as always. Explains Gayle Buske, President and CEO of Team Double-Click®. Buske adds, The Licensed Virtual Assistant program is designed to give easier access to Team Double-Clicks services and virtual assistants and to help put more virtual assistants to work. To ensure that the high industry standards of Team Double-Click® are continuing to be upheld, all Licensed Virtual Assistants will be required to be relicensed annually.
Applicants only have until August 03, 2008 to apply for consideration for the Licensed Virtual Assistant program. The company will only accept 200 Licensed Virtual Assistants into the program.
About Team Double-Click®
Team Double-Click® offers a variety of virtual assistant services including general administrative, sales and marketing, human resources, finance, and real estate transaction coordination. The company does the screening, managing, and payment processing of virtual assistants. They don't just tell the client where they can find a virtual assistant; they assess the clients needs and match them with one of their highly-skilled Team Double-Click® trained virtual assistants. To ensure that the client gets the most out of hiring their staff virtually, Team Double-Click® closely monitors the relationship between the client and virtual assistant on an ongoing basis.
The company has an unwavering commitment to its clients' and virtual assistants success. Team Double-Click® combines unparalleled staffing expertise with a dedication to improve their clients' and virtual assistants business processes and profits.
Clients have the ability to work with the nations largest virtual staffing firm, and the only virtual staffing firm to offer a 30 day money-back guarantee. With over eight years of success in virtual staffing, Team Double-Click® is confident that it can match its client with a professional who has the skills and personality to help them manage their business. Best of all, the companys virtual assistants own their own businesses and take personal responsibility in helping the client take their business to the next level.
For more information on how a virtual assistant can help you save time and money in your business, visit our website or call.
Agency / Source: Team Double-Click, Inc.
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No Boosters Allowed
If you're expecting another flag-waving book about astronauts, well, Houston, we've got a problem. The man who founded Mission Control, Chris Kraft, sets the record straight in his autobiography, Flight. "I think the astronauts wrote books because someone offered them money to do it, and I think Kraft and [fellow flight director and author Eugene Kranz] wrote because we wanted to tell the story," Kraft says. "That blunt enough?"
Yessir. Flight gives credit to the thousands of people behind the scenes. The astronauts "were the guys who took the risk, don't misunderstand me," Kraft explains. "Those weren't the guys who built the program." The limitations of what the pilot could do confined in his capsule were what led to forming Mission Control. "What did [Jim Lovell] know that was going on about Apollo 13?" Kraft asks. "Nothing. How could he? He wasn't on the ground."
Concerning Scott Carpenter's near-disastrous flight, Kraft pulls no punches either. In his chapter "The Man Malfunctioned," Kraft accuses Carpenter of wasting precious fuel sightseeing in space, and ignoring a disturbing instrument discrepancy that resulted in his straying a hundred miles off course and almost cost him his life. "I swore an oath that Scott Carpenter would never again fly in space," Kraft writes. "He didn't."
Chris Kraft will sign books and answer questions
Barnes 713-783-6016
A review of the book prompted Carpenter to write a letter to The New York Times, blaming Kraft's dislike on a controversial decision to have Carpenter replace Deke Slayton because of his heart condition.
Upcoming Events
"If you read my book, you find that I was opposed to him going in the first place," Kraft responds. "I was opposed because my experiences with him indicated he did not have the smarts to be there."
Others have reacted positively. Neil Armstrong apparently called and said, "You were kind of easy on some of these people, weren't you?" Kraft makes no apologies. If people hadn't kept their mouths shut, he believes disasters like the Challenger and Enron could have been avoided. "You better believe it," Kraft says. "People are so intent on being politically correct that the right or moral approach to doing things has been forgotten."
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SWNASEA City councillor Ioan Richard is objecting to the four-week closure of a mountain road between Ammanford and Morriston, claiming that such a move is unnecessary.
Rhydypandy Road is frequently used by Ammanford commuters in the morning and again in the evening.
But residents of Mawr Ward have learnt it will be closed for four weeks from Monday, February 3, to allow the laying of electricity cables for a solar park.
Saying he was objecting "on behalf of many irate constituents", Cllr Richard said: "Two large farms in Mawr currently have planning permission for such ventures and another two farms are believed to be planning such ventures – these are taking farms out of food production.
"The construction traffic will be immense, involving many, many HGVs and vans travelling back and forth and, no doubt, "shipped in" construction workers.
"This proposal means total closure of Rhydypandy Road for at least four weeks just to lay cables."
And Cllr Richard maintains there is no need for such a closure.
"A good stretch of water mains renewal was recently laid along this very same stretch of road with no closure – only traffic lights controlling "one way" sections," he told the Guardian.
"My personal objection is that this is not of any national strategic interest and recent work here laying water pipes was done with traffic tights controlling single flow for a few weeks."
"In a rural area like Mawr any diversions can be many, many miles unlike urban side streets where it can only be a few metres to the next street."
Swansea City Council said last month they would be looking at ways to minimise the disruption for traffic.


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"In My Life — A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles" is the award-winning musical biography of the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein and features the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road.
The show performs Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Old Town Temecula Theater. Tickets are $27 to $37 and may be purchased by phoning 866-653-8696, online at www.temeculatheater.org or visiting the theater box office at 42051 Main St. in Temecula. The show is appropriate for all ages.
The Chaparral High School String Quartet will accompany on three ballads.
"In My Life" performed to a sold-out audience at Old Town Temecula Community Theater in 2011.
"In My Life" takes the audience to pivotal moments in the extraordinary career of the Beatles — from Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club, to the "Ed Sullivan Show," Shea Stadium's 50,000-plus screaming fans and their final live performance on the rooftop of their Apple Corp. offices.
With Epstein narrating, "In My Life" allows the audience to get a glimpse inside the world of the Beatles from their point of view, as well as hear some of the greatest songs ever written.


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PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
Santa Clara, CA, United States, 2009/09/22 - Agitos RoamAnywhere Mobility Router honored for delivering exceptional IP communications solutions for enterprise mobility.
Agito Networks, Inc., the company delivering innovative solutions in enterprise mobility, today announced that Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) has named Agitos RoamAnywhere Mobility Router as a recipient of the 2009 Internet Telephony Excellence Award presented by Internet Telephony magazine.
Agitos award-winning RoamAnywhere Mobility Router is the industrys most powerful mobile Unified Communications product, purpose built for enterprises to help them mobilize enterprise voice and UC applications to increase mobile worker productivity while reducing costs. It uniquely fuses WiFi, cellular and Unified Communications with location information, improving the accessibility and responsiveness of mobile workers, while drastically reducing mobile costs. RoamAnywhere extends UC, PBX and deskphone features to mobile phones, while providing industry-leading handover between WiFi and cellular networks to reduce mobile costs and improve in-building coverage. RoamAnywhere uniquely delivers an FMC product with high availability, redundancy, security, enterprise scalability, and the industrys broadest IP-PBX and mobile handset support, including support for the Research In Motion (RIM®) BlackBerry® smartphone. RoamAnywhere works with all cellular networks, and natively integrates with enterprises existing equipment, including WLAN infrastructure and directory stores.
The editors of Internet Telephony were pleased to grant Agito Networks an Internet Telephony Excellence Award for their achievements in advancing IP communications and providing genuine solutions in the marketplace, said Erik Linask, Group Editorial Director of Internet Telephony. Agitos RoamAnywhere has proven its outstanding contribution to IP communications and delivers winning solutions for its customers.
We are pleased to be recognized in the industry again, this time by Internet Telephony, an authority in IP communication since 1998, said Pejman Roshan, Agito Networks Chief Marketing Officer. Enterprises select RoamAnywhere due to its unique high-availability and security capabilities, and for the broadest handset and PBX support it offers. Now shipping with RIM BlackBerry smartphone support, Agito is bringing its cost-savings and coverage benefits to a whole new realm of mobile users, presenting an exciting growth opportunity for the company.
The 2009 Internet Telephony Excellence Award winners are published in the October 2009 issue of Internet Telephony magazine.
About Internet Telephony Magazine
Internet Telephony (itmag.com) has been the IP Communications Authority since 1998. Beginning with the first issue in February of 1998, Internet Telephony magazine has been providing unbiased views of the complicated converged communications space. Internet Telephony offers rich content from solutions-focused editorial content to reviews on products and services from TMC Labs. Internet Telephony magazine reaches more than 225,000 readers, including pass-along readers.
About TMC
Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) is a global integrated media company helping clients build communities in print, in person and online. TMC publishes Customer Interaction Solutions, Internet Telephony, Unified Communications, and NGN magazines. TMCnet, TMCs Web site, is the leading source of news and articles for the communications and technology industries. TMCnet is read by two million unique visitors each month on average worldwide, according to Webtrends. TMCnet has ranked within the top 3,000 in Quantcasts Top U.S. sites, placing TMCnet in the nations top .03% most visited Websites. In addition, TMC produces ITEXPO, 4GWE Conference (in conjunction with Crossfire Media), Digium|Asterisk World and AstriCon (in conjunction with Digium), and Communications Developer Conference.
About Agito Networks
Agito Networks (agitonetworks.com) is the award-winning technology leader in enterprise mobility. Its product, the RoamAnywhere Mobility Router, is an innovative enterprise fixed mobile convergence (eFMC) platform enabling enterprises to extend voice and Unified Communications to cell phones. RoamAnywhere is the first and only network appliance that fuses enterprise wireless LANs, carrier cellular networks, IP telephony and location technology to mobilize voice and data applications, while remaining agnostic to customers choices of carrier and equipment vendors. Agito enables low-cost in-building voice coverage, reduced cellular costs, improved enterprise visibility and control over cellular usage, and better accessibility and responsiveness for mobile workers. With Corporate Headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., and European presence in Reading, England, the company is venture backed by Battery Ventures, Castile Ventures and ITX International.
Agito Networks and RoamAnywhere are trademarks of Agito Networks, Inc.
Agency / Source: Agito Networks, Inc.
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It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our simple sign up form and login to the website.
This step is optional but will drastically increase your chances of getting interest from other over 50s members on the site. Let people know a bit about yourself, your pasttimes and upload some good photographs of yourself.
Utilise our website's advanced search to encounter over 50s members who match your criteria. Or just flip through listings and encounter folks that attract you.
Identified someone who looks right? Send them a message or just a wink and see what they say. With a little luck you'll be on your way to an amazing adventure.
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Family Law
Family Law Questions? Ask a Family Lawyer Online.
Hi - my name is XXXXX XXXXX I'm a Family Law litigation attorney here to assist you.
If the divorce is not agreed to by both spouses, one spouse must file a petition for divorce and claim one of the following grounds:
1. Insupportability.
2. Cruelty.
3. Adultery.
4. Conviction of a felony.
5. Abandonment.
6. Living Separate and Apart.
7. Insanity and confinement to a state mental hospital.
The domestic violence would fall into the insupportability and cruelty categories, giving you grounds to proceed. While he can contest the divorce, he can't stop it if you can prove the domestic violence with your testimony and physical proof.
Here is a link that outlines the general procedure for a divorce: http://www.divorcenet.com/states/texas/txfaq01
I would recommend that you hire a local attorney to file for divorce and also ask that the restraining order stay in place throughout the proceedings.


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Shahid Khan Locks Arms With Players Tagliabue: Trump Comments "Insulting And Disgraceful" NHL Hopes To Build Upon First China Series Little Caesars Arena Hockey Debut Impresses A's Player Takes Knee During Anthem NHMS Hosts Final Fall NASCAR Race NFLers Protest During Anthem T-Mobile Signs Sponsorship Deal With Riot Games Could Trump Comments Help NFL Ratings? Trump Rescinds Warriors' White House Invitation
SBD/April 6, 2012/Research and RatingsPrint All
T'Wolves Lead All Western Conference Teams With 16.6% Attendance Bump At Target Center
The T'Wolves are averaging 17,684 fans per game through April 3, up a Western Conference-best 16.6% compared to the same period last season. Also seeing healthy gains are the Clippers (+8.4%) and the Grizzlies (+6.2%). Four Western Conference clubs are filling their respective arenas to 100% capacity or better. The Mavericks lead the way with 105.8% capacity, and are seeing a 1.2% jump in attendance compared to last season. The Suns are the only Western Conference club seeing a double-digit percentage decline, down 11.7% to date. Listed below is team-by-team attendance for the NBA Western Conference through April 3, with comparisons to the same period last season. See Thursday's issue for Eastern Conference figures (THE DAILY).NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE THROUGH APRIL 3
HOME TEAMGMSTOTALAVG.% CAP.PREV.% +/-GMS ('10-11) Trail Blazers28574,08220,50398.6%20,5000.0%38 Mavericks28568,97720,321105.8%20,0731.2%37 Jazz26499,96119,22996.6%19,541-1.6%39 Clippers28537,72219,204100.8%17,7108.4%40 Lakers28531,91618,997100.0%18,9970.0%38 Warriors27512,70018,98996.9%18,6102.0%38 Spurs25458,44718,33898.7%18,2950.2%39 Thunder28509,68418,203100.0%18,1440.3%38 T'Wolves26459,78917,68491.4%15,17316.6%39 Nuggets27457,13016,93188.4%16,8440.5%38 Suns27418,59315,50384.2%17,553-11.7%39 Hornets26383,68614,75785.9%14,812-0.4%38 Grizzlies25385,54915,42285.1%14,5186.2%38 Rockets28422,47215,08883.6%16,193-6.8%38 Kings27384,92514,25682.3%13,7483.7%39 W.C. TOTALS4047,105,63317,58893.5%17,3731.2%576 NBA TOTALS79813,784,08617,27389.9%17,2770.0%1,148
NOTES: NBA teams this year are playing 66-game schedules and started the season in late December, compared to '10-11, when teams played their traditional 82-game schedules and began in late October. All attendance data is based on totals posted immediately following games. Figures do not reflect any subsequent adjustments made by teams or the league.


text: I just bought an uncummon(at least for me)Fender MIJ Silver Series 1991 precision bass on ebay, I think it was a good deal. It has dimarzio will power pickups on it and they included me the original pickups as well. I understand those basses are prety light weight. Any experience with those silver series line in general?


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Super Pong1.1
Notes and Credits (added by uncleclives)
This is a test version of Super Pong- while making a breakout clone I had this crazy idea!
Press the mouse to the release the ball use the mouse to move both bats left or right. Don't allow the ball to get past either bat!
As the game progresses the speed of the ball increases.
Any feedback back or bugs appricated.
Favorite this project 3
Love this project 4
Total views 111
View the remix tree 2


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Please type at least the first 4 letters of the school name.
Virginia Military Institute
VMI. It means something to be here.
VMI Parent Guide
VMI Viewbook
Academic Overview
Women at VMI
Photos and videos don't tell the full story. Be sure to visit Virginia Military Institute campus in person.
© 2017, Cappex.com, LLC
College Greenlight is a service provided by Cappex.com, a leading college search website that has relationships with hundreds of colleges nationwide and years of experience helping millions of students achieve their college dreams.


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Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs) can emulate the classic microscopy techniques, including differential interference (DIC) contrast and (spiral) phase contrast. Their programmability entails the benefit of flexibility or the option to multiplex images, for single-shot quantitative imaging or for simultaneous multi-plane imaging (depth-of-field multiplexing). We report the development of a microscope sharing many of the previously demonstrated capabilities, within a holographic implementation of a stereo microscope. Furthermore, we use the SLM to combine stereo microscopy with a refocusing filter and with a darkfield filter. The instrument is built around a custom inverted microscope and equipped with an SLM which gives various imaging modes laterally displaced on the same camera chip. In addition, there is a wide angle camera for visualisation of a larger region of the sample.
© 2013 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article
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Opt. Express 20(14) 15377-15384 (2012)
Severin Fürhapter, Alexander Jesacher, Stefan Bernet, and Monika Ritsch-Marte
Opt. Express 13(3) 689-694 (2005)


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Contact InformationHeirs Of The Kingdom Church International, Inc.
6300 North Davis Highway
Pensacola, FL 32504
Other InformationEntity Status: Active
Type of Entity: Non Profit Corporation
Entity Creation Date: Feb 23, 2007
Days in Business: 3865 days
Company Description
Heirs Of The Kingdom Church International, Inc. is located in Pensacola, Florida and is listed as an active Non Profit Corporation. Heirs Of The Kingdom Church International, Inc. was started on Feb 23, 2007 which was 3865 days ago.
EmployeesVincent Warren: Director
Royal Scott: Director
Paula Jackson: Director
Registered AgentVincent Warren
1297 Fernando Circle
Cantonment, FL 32533
Edit ProfileEdited: 12/1/2011
To edit this profile, please click here. You will be able to add a custom description, social networks, website, phone number, and many more features to your ISHCC.org profile.
Reviews0 Reviews
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By ExpatBriefing.com Editorial
07 August, 2013
The majority of offshore jurisdictions experienced a decline in company incorporation activity in the second half of 2012 compared with the first half, according to legal services consultancy the Applebly Group. However, company registrations in certain jurisdictions offered signs of optimism.
Despite tough economic conditions, levels of new company registration activity in one major offshore jurisdiction continued to increase, according to Appleby's latest "On the Register" report, which provides insight and data on company incorporations in offshore financial centers. Bermuda reported a 7 percent increase in activity compared to the first half of the year, according to the report, which looks primarily at the data for the last six months of 2012.
"There are signs that 2013 will be a watershed year in terms of seeing a universal return to pre-2009 activity levels across the offshore jurisdictions," said Farah Ballands, partner and global head of fiduciary and administration services at Appleby.
Nonetheless, the on-going weakened economic conditions continued to impact the overall market in the second half of 2012. There were 37,881 new offshore company formations in the jurisdictions covered by the report, a decrease of 3.6 percent from the second half of 2011, and a deeper decrease of 11 percent on the preceding six months in 2012.
Taking the entire year into account, the overall number of new company incorporations for the majority of jurisdictions stayed flat in 2012, which proved to be a year of consolidation following large increases in annual new incorporations between 2009 and 2011.
"Continued uncertainty in some markets and the shift in focus from China/Asia to Africa for jurisdictions such as Mauritius and the Seychelles are preventing a speedy return to the numbers of company formations recorded prior to the global economic crisis," Ms. Ballands said. "Add to this several major international events during the second half of 2012 including the US Presidential Elections, continued economic uncertainty in the Eurozone and the once-in-a-decade change in leadership in China, and it's hard to be surprised at the company registrations barometer struggling to quickly improve," she added, "but we are seeing growth in some markets."
The story is similar for the total number of active companies, with most jurisdictions showing little movement from the previous year as new company formations cancelled out the numbers leaving the registries. Hong Kong, as a comparator, saw a 9 percent increase in the total number of active registered companies, with the local register there breaking through the one million mark for the first time. The Mauritius and Cayman registries are steadily returning to their pre-recession peaks, experiencing a 3 percent and 1 percent rise respectively.
Among the report's key findings is that in the second half of 2012:
Tags: Isle Of Man | Company Formation | Mauritius | Legal Services | Bermuda | Cayman Islands | China | Guernsey | Virgin Islands | Offshore Company Formation | Offshore | Hong Kong | British Virgin Islands | Seychelles | Services | Expats | Africa
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The Expat Briefing brand is owned and operated by Wolters Kluwer TAA Limited.


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Miami Falls 4-3 Against Colorado - Game Recap
Colorado moneyline bettors cashed on Sunday courtesy of a 4-3 win against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park.
Colorado was favored by -108 and came through for bettors backing them. The game went UNDER the consensus closing total of 7.5.
Colorado got 5 innings from Jorge De La Rosa, who gave up 3 earned runs on 5 hits, while striking out 3. He earned the victory, while the Rockies got 1 RBI from Nolan Arenado in the win.
Miami's starting pitcher Jacob Turner worked 5 2/3 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 1 in the loss. They got 2 hits from Justin Ruggiano in a losing cause.
Colorado outhit their counterparts 7-5 in the game.
The game was closed out by Rex Brothers who got the final outs in the victory. He allowed 0 hits, 2 walks and fanned 2 batters to earn the save.
Next game, Colorado takes its act home to face San Francisco looking for another win. For Miami, they head on the road to face Washington.


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Raleigh, N.C. — With the Senate one vote away from approving the state budget and House votes on the $22.34 billion spending plan set for Thursday and Friday, lawmakers are eyeing the exit, saying they want to wrap up the 2016 legislative session by Saturday.
That means the pace is picking up at the General Assembly, and proposals are popping up left and right to beat the weekend deadline.
A new coal ash bill, for example, to replace one that Gov. Pat McCrory vetoed wouldn't revive the Coal Ash Management Commission that the governor disbanded and would allow Duke Energy to leave toxic ash in pits at seven sites instead of excavating it if the utility meets certain conditions.
The House added a provision to a bill calling for drinking water at schools to be tested for lead that would require licensing and inspections of "water recreation attractions," such as the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, where an Ohio teen contracted a fatal amoebic infection.
Outside of the Legislative Building, Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus, was indicted by a Wake County grand jury on three felony counts of filing false campaign finance reports. The indictment alleges that, from 2010 to 2013, Hartsell used campaign donations to pay for upkeep and maintenance of his property as well as other goods and services through his law firm and personal credit cards.


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The debugging team has just released the Debugging Tools for Windows version 6.3.17. There are several new improvements in this release, the most obvious of which is the new UI enhancements which allows you to dock windows, window tabs, and tear window off. A more complete changelist is also on their website.
I'm a big fan of the new UI. I recommend setting up your default workspace with the windows setup the way you like them, so that all other projects inherit from them. In my default workspace, I setup the command window, disassembly, and source code in a big window, in the top left of the WinDbg screen. Registers and scratch pad are docked together in a thin column along the left side of this large window. The bottom portion of my screen is split in half. On the left goes process and threads and the watch window. The bottom right gets calls and locals.
If you're at all a fan of WinDBG I recommend grabbing this update.


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Multiple Names - Need Ideas For Design
Decorating By mrswendel Updated 1 Feb 2012 , 5:53pm by mrswendel
Hi everyone!
One of my clients is requesting a birthday cake for her mother. She wants it to have all of the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids names on it (31 names in total). I talked to her about a family tree cake (like many on here) but she didn't like the idea of a tree...she wants some elegant and clean.
Anyone have any ideas or pictures? Everything I sketch out looks too busy because of all of the names.
I did one like that years ago. Don't think I still have a picture. Anyway, I put Happy Birthday and the usual bc flowers on the top of the top tier. (It was two tiers as I recall.) and then just wrote all the names on the sides of the cake at various angles.
Maybe a hexagon cake -or square, if you tier it then you can put just a few names on each side (maybe kids on smaller tier, and grandkids on bottom)....then decorate top with flowers -or something pretty....also if you do white on white -it's elegant lookings and cuts down on the busyness....
If you use fondant, maybe you could put names in little gold frames.
I think if you do a nice round tiered cak would look really nice. Do you know how some wedding cakes look when they have all the sayings on them like " I love you, forever together etc etc...and it goes all around the cake on all or some of the tiers. I think i saw an example in the Wilton Books of what I'm saying inside on the pages with tiered cake examples/ideas.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm going to play around with a few of your suggestions and see what I can come up with.


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Monthly Archives: March 2012
Haj 2012 forms being issued
Staff Reporter | KMNN Bangalore. March 8, 2012. Forms for Haj 2012 are being issued and accepted since 28 March and the last date for submission of forms is 16th… Read more
'Fine-tune Urdu syllabus for modern needs'
One-day seminar on "Preservation of Urdu language, literature, and culture in present scenario" held at RC College Staff Reporter | KMNN Bangalore. March 8, 2012. Drastic changes are needed in… Read more
Centralised work of Muslim body worth replication
Staff Reporter | KMNN Mysore. March 8, 2012. Central Muslim Welfare Council, Mysore an umbrella body of Muslims of city, conducted coaching classes for students of Class 10 who will… Read more
M. Ahmed Khan nominated to Lok Sabha Press Advisory Committee Member
Bangalore. March 8, 2012. Mr. Muhammed Ahmed Khan, Bnagalore Bureau Chief of the Daily Munsif, Hyderabad, has been nominated as member of the Press Advisory Committee, Lok Sabha for 2011… Read more
Professor Alia Begum
Bangalore: Professor Alia Begum, former Principal, Abbas Khan Degree College, died here on Feb. 27. She was the wife of Omer Hayat Saheb and sister of Major Abdul Bari Saheb…. Read more
Alhaj Syed Imtiyaz Agha
Ramnagar: Alhaj Syed Imtiyaz Agha, silk and fruit merchant, passed away here on Feb. 21. He was 83 years old. Agha saheb was a close associate of Alhaj Nabi Sharif… Read more
Rooh-e-'Nasheman' Ameerulla Nizami
Bangalore. March 7, 2012. The octogenarian, Syed Ameerulla Nizami, is the grand old man of Urdu journalism in Karnataka. The single-man army, the secret of the successful survival of once… Read more
Udupi-C'magalur by-election: Mahaz backs Congress candidate
Staff Reporter | KMNN Bangalore March 7, 2012. The Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz (KMMM) has appealed to voters in the Udupi-Chickmagalurparliamentary constituency to exercise their franchise in favor of the… Read more
SIO holds discussion on use of social media
Bhatkal. March 7, 2012. As a part of national campaign 'Whither! Students' the Bhatka unit of Students Islamic Organisation of India conducted panel discussion here about the usage of social… Read more
Noor Saira tops Comed-K PGET
Staff Reporter | KMNN Bangalore March 7, 2012. Noor Saira Wajid Hajira is one of the few from Karnataka who figure in the top ten of Comed-KPGET this year. A… Read more


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Vail Cascade Offers Special Ski Conditioning Weekends in November
VAIL, Colo. – Sept.– As the winter season approaches, skier and snowboarders have an opportunity to shape up at altitude in the backyard of the largest single-mountain ski resort in North America as the Vail Cascade, managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, offers two special Ski Conditioning Boot Camp weekends in November.
During the weekends of Nov. 6-8 and Nov. 13-15, 2009, skiers and riders can shape up for the season with the resort's Ski Conditioning Boot Camp lodging package starting at $99 per night. The offer includes a one-night hotel stay, access to Aria Spa & Club, admission to unlimited ski conditioning and athletic yoga classes at Aria, and continental breakfast. Guests can also enjoy 40 percent off of treatments at Aria Spa; the ideal remedy for soothing newly relocated ski and snowboard muscles.
During these two special weekends, Aria Club is adding six ski- and snowboard-specific conditioning classes, four ski conditioning classes and two athletic yoga classes to an already packed schedule of training opportunities.
"Vail Cascade's Aria Club has become known locally as the best place to get in shape for the season," said Dan Timm, general manager of Aria Spa & Club. "Our ski conditioning classes have become legendary. We wanted to open these classes and our expertise to anyone interested in fine-tuning their training technique to maximize time on the mountain this winter."
Aria Club is the fitness facility of choice for Vail Valley residents, visiting guests and professional athletes. In addition to an extensive list of athletic pursuits, including high-tech machines, an indoor running track, tennis courts, racquetball and squash courts, a basketball gymnasium, an outdoor swimming pool, and a calendar full of unique classes, the Club's training staff sets this gem apart.
"The Ski Conditioning Boot Camp package is ideally timed for those hoping to be physically ready for opening day at Vail Mountain on November 20," added Timm.
In addition, Aria Spa is offering 40 percent off all spa services (excluding Songs of the Mountains packages and waxing) and 20 percent off all nail services from Sept. 16 through Nov. 15, 2009. Aria is recognized locally and nationally as one of the top spas in the Vail Valley and in Colorado.
For information or to book at Ski Conditioning Bootcamp weekend getaway visit the website at www.vailcascade.com or call 800-420-2424 and refer to booking code: VCSKICON2.
The 292-room Vail Cascade offers 27 suites, more than 80 spacious condominiums and private homes to choose from. The resort recently completed a comprehensive $30 million renovation featuring: a complete transformation of the creek side decks and patios, including an Infinity edge pool and hot tub, and three outdoor fire pits, all overlooking Gore Creek and Vail Mountain; a new restaurant, Atwater on Gore Creek, featuring contemporary American cuisine and a sleek new design; a remodeled and updated porte cochere; a new café serving grab-and-go meals and beverages; an update for the Fireside Bar; remodeled spa locker rooms; additional meeting space bringing the resort's total to over 45,000 square feet; and a furnishings update and the addition of air conditioning to each guest room.
Nestled at the base of Vail Mountain, Vail Cascade is Vail's only ski-in/ski-out AAA Four Diamond resort. Guests can easily access Chair 20, the Cascade lift, to explore Vail Mountain, the largest single-mountain ski resort in North America. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, an abundance of off-slope activities abound in the winter including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, dog-sled rides, winter fly-fishing, ice climbing, indoor and outdoor ice skating, hot air balloon rides and hut trips.
Vail Cascade features the 78,000-square-foot Aria Spa & Club. The Spa offers more than 10,000 square feet of rest and relaxation found in 14 treatment rooms. Guests also can train and take advantage of one of the fitness center's many programs from group classes to personalized instruction. After an afternoon of working out at the fitness center or in nature's playground, guests can refuel at the new Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant, which opened in December 2008.
Vail Cascade is one of more than 30 independent, upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, which is consistently rated one of the top 10 independent hospitality management companies in the United States. To protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates, Destination launched Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program in 2008. New for 2009 is the 582-room Terranea Resort situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southern California, which opened to the public in June. The 102-acre ocean front resort features a 25,000-square-foot destination spa, three swimming pools, three ocean view restaurants and a Todd Eckenrode-designed par three golf course. In addition to Terranea in the greater Los Angeles area, Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com or to join the company's loyalty program for the best offers available, visit www.destinationdelivers.com
For high resolution, downloadable images of the Vail Cascade, please visit www.leonardo.com/destination
Media Contacts:
Emily Jacob McCormack, for Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, (970) 331-6145, email@example.com
Kristin Yantis Mettler, for Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, (775) 831-4422, email@example.com


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The freefall that the Romney campaign is experiencing is plain for all to see. Well, almost everyone. Matthew Continetti demonstrates the typical right-wing immunity and aversion to reality, blaming it all on that darned liberal media for bringing up those stubborn facts that disturb his almost touching self-delusion.
The election is over, and Mitt Romney lost. He's toast; his goose is cooked; put a fork in him he's done; he's yesterday's news. Disagree? That's too bad. The American media have made up their minds. And on this they are certain: Barack Obama is a lock for reelection. They may not be sure when Romney lost exactly—was it his trip to England, Israel, and Poland? Was it the Clint Eastwood speech at the RNC? Was it Romney's response to the attacks on our embassies in Benghazi and Cairo? Was it his leaked remarks on government dependency? The exact date doesn't matter. What matters is that the chorus has spoken. The politburo has decided. A consensus has been reached. Romney will lose, and the only question is by how much. The voters might as well stay at home.
The conceited arrogance with which our most sophisticated and well-schooled editors, writers, and journalists voice this conclusion makes it that much more annoying. Their eagerness to judge Romney a failure is not only premature but also erodes whatever credibility they had left. Indeed, the ridiculous manner in which the political press has covered the 2012 campaign suggests that "bias" is no longer a suitable description of the character of the media establishment. "Partisan toadies" may be a better one. "Obama's army" is another.
There must be a course taught somewhere for conservatives called Blaming the Media 101. It's almost a kneejerk reaction, a way of filtering out all those pesky facts that contradict what they want to believe. Romney hasn't lost the election yet, but it should be clear to any reasonable observer that a loss is becoming more and more likely by the day. The last month has been one disaster after another for the Romney campaign and they are reeling. Anyone who could possibly see otherwise is simply filtering out inconvenient realities in order to preserve their wishful thinking.Continetti never bothers to mention the tidal wave of criticism coming from Republicans, or the constant leaks from inside the campaign about how desperate things have gotten. It isn't the press that has made one unnamed Romney adviser or staffer after another go to reporters and point the finger at everyone other than themselves. Has he noticed that there hasn't been a single instance in this election of anyone in the Obama camp doing that? They have no reason to do so. Romney staffers, on the other hand, have already begun the post-mortem phase, trying to get ahead of the curve in directing the blame to others, including the candidate himself. That sound you hear coming from Romney headquarters is the sound of a thousand staffers and consultants updating their resumes.
It isn't the liberal media that has made House and Senate candidates try to build a firewall between them and the Romney campaign. It isn't the liberal media that made Peggy Noonan, Bill Kristol and many others talk openly about what the keystone cops-like operation of the campaign. When you start hearing a campaign talk about "retooling" and "rebooting" a few weeks before the election, that isn't because things are going great — it's because they know they're going to lose if they don't do something dramatic. It's a sure sign of a desperate and flailing campaign.
The thing about reality is that it doesn't disappear no matter how tightly you close your eyes and scream "LALALALALALA" at the top of your lungs.


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" Brand: HEAD / Equipment Type: Poles / Sport: Skiing "
This adjustable ski pole from Head must be taken with you wherever you go with it's safe and stable design. It handles beautifully and has / high level of driving comfort. / SPECIFICATION Grip: Ergo Soft Grip Shaft: 7075 Aluminium / haft Size: 16/14 Strap: Automatic Basket: Race 50mm / ip: Carbide


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Sometimes a really simple song can make you dam pleased. 2008's Business Acumen (Kitsuné music 078) by In Flagranti does that to me. Every time the guitar comes in at 2:05 I always start smiling. I hear a Roland TR-707 and TR-727. In Flagranti are from Switzerland.
"the song is amazing and the vid soooo strange but…what's? its sense?i couldn't understand it…" – cieloazzurro09 (Youtube)
For more info: discogs.com/In-Flagranti-Business-Acumen


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Our shop is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
We are closed on Sundays.
To help assure on-time delivery during the busy holiday season, place your order at least 3 to 5 days prior to the following major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, Administrative Professionals Week, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
Our shop will always be closed on the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
|We also deliver to the following facilities
|Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park
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We specialize in the following services:
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us by calling us directly at (800)248-1059. We're always here to serve you and make your flower-sending experience a pleasure.
Karen's Flowers I
2048 E. Baseline Rd., Ste. 9
Mesa, AZ 85204
A local delivery fee of $8.00 to $12.50 will be added to each order, for each address. (For deliveries outside our local delivery area, this fee will be $13.75 & up)
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We will do our best to accommodate deliveries at specific times of day, but we cannot guarantee it.
We are unable to make deliveries on Sundays. Deliveries requested on this day will be delivered the following business day.
Delivery of orders to rural route addresses or cemeteries cannot be guaranteed.
We will be happy to accept your international orders if you call our shop directly. We are unable to accept international orders over the Internet.
Occasionally, substitutions may be necessary to create your bouquet due to the availability of certain flowers in various parts of the country. Care is taken to maintain the style, theme and color scheme of the arrangement, using flowers of equal value. Additionally, the substitution of certain keepsake items may be necessary due to increased demand, especially during major holidays. In single-flower arrangements, such as an all rose bouquet, or orchids, we will make every attempt to match the flower type, but may substitute with another color.


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Final Fantasy XIII
Review by Das_Regal
"FFXIII is best JRPG released in at least 5 years."
As the tagline states, I believe this game easily surpasses any other JRPG of this generation and possibly even last (with the exception of FFX, which I think it ties). It manages to do something engrossing and unique while avoiding many of the pitfalls that nearly other JRPG of this generation have meandered aimlessly into. I'll try to give a brief idea of what you should expect if you pick this up and discuss the wedge points which will make you love or hate this game in particular.
Graphics: 9/10
Square is known for making incredibly beautiful, stable graphics with rich art design, and FFXII is no deviation from that tradition. This game offers a variety of colorful environments and truly amazing FMV sequences that are top notch. You find a more technically impressive RPG experience no matter how hard you look. The later open areas in the game especially showcase the power of the Crystal Tools used to create this game. When things open up around chapter 11 (that's when the linearity decreases) you'll enter a rich world full of interacting, living, breathing creatures that fly through the sky, battle each other, and roam the plains. It's truly amazing.
However, it's best to keep in mind that the game does run at a higher resolution on the PS3. It is noticeable if you have a large HDTV, so if you have the option and the proper setup, I'd suggest snagging a PS3 to have a graphically superior experience. That by no means implies that the graphics are bad for the 360 version, just not as good as the PS3's. The XMB's you unlock are better than the gamerpic unlocks as well.
Sound: 9/10
I'd heard some reviewers claim that the musical score isn't as impressive as in previous entries, and I couldn't agree less. I was apprehensive at first when I heard about the songs being incorporated that include actual singing, but I have to admit that they really do integrate into the game rather well, and even in the forest that you rush through that has a vocal soundtrack, it doesn't detract from things at all. In fact, I think it enhances the mood.
I find the battle music especially impressive, and the sound effects aren't bad either. The voice acting is excellently done for most characters, but Vanille's voice does get on my nerves a tad. I can't say Snow's performance is perfect all of the time however.
Battle System: 10/10
One thing that I think a lot of reviewers failed to mention is that the positioning of your opponents is relevant in the same way that it was in Chrono Trigger. This isn't just an ATB battle system souped up so that the action is more real time; you have to take into account the position of your enemies in order to judge your area-of-effect abilities and utilize your ATB gauge to the fullest. You only control the main character directly, but you give general roles to each party member, and I can't imagine how insane it would be if you tried to control more than one at a time (one is often challenging enough to input commands for which is why they added an auto-battle function).
Some reviewers also suggested that using the auto-battle command is the best way to play, but in doing that you're missing out not only on the gameplay experience, but the auto-battle AI cannot match the effectiveness of a human player. The ability to execute commands early, take enemy positioning into account, and develop more in-depth strategies is entirely lost if you rely the auto-battle command. After the game opens up a bit once unlock paradigm shifts, the battles are fast-paced, beautiful, and incredibly challenging.
The paradigm system allows for on the fly class-switching (think jobs from previous installments) so that you can dynamically adapt your strategies and give your AI partners a general role to fulfill (though it also changes the party leader which you are controlling). This paves the way for deep, challenging fights where strategy is the most important element.
Gone are random encounters, replaced by a familiar system where you try and get initiative in battle by engaging your enemy before being sighted. There's items called shrouds which help you obtain the advantage on the field, similar to the way that some games allow you to set traps. These features aren't new, but they're well-done for FFXIII and create an additional layer of gameplay.
Upgrading/Customization: 8.5/10
The bad news is that there's only two types of items for you to equip on your characters. The good news is there's a fair degree of involvement in those particular slots, including leveling up your weapons and accessories using components, plus you can unlock additional accessory slots as you advance in the game (up to a max of 4). Compared to FFX and FFVIII, the game's equipment system is amazingly rich and involved; in both of those installments things were vastly oversimplified and revolved entirely around upgrading via collecting specific components. The tedium is gone here, in FFXIII you only need specific components to evolve your items, not level them up.
As far as progressing the characters themselves go, the new system is like the Sphere Grid with a little bit of the license board thrown in. You unlock stat upgrades, abilities, and auto-abilities (think passive traits) by spending points earned in battles to try between nodes. Each character has a different path to traverse for upgrades for each of their paradigm roles (think jobs), where abilities learned can only be used by that paradigm but stats affect the character in all roles. It's an amazing system which gives you a great degree of freedom and choice in character progression, especially when all six roles open up later on in the game.
Story: 9/10
It isn't Shakespeare, but it's a vast improvement on the storyline offered by the previous installment. Where FFXII focused largely on an over-arching plot, FFXIII is focused on a more personal level, though the personal struggles of the characters do eventually become part of a larger saga that is every bit as far-reaching and relevant to the world as it has been in previous Final Fantasy games.
This is one area where FFXIII finally breaks the precedence of cheesy, uninspired dialogue with plenty of philosophical, unbelievably trite lines set by JRPGs of this generation. There are a few times where you'll be wincing at the stupid things characters say and do, but the game often recognizes that and realizes that the characters in question are behaving foolishly (and will often punish them for it). There's only a handful of bad cutscenes in the game and they pretty much all involve Hope.
Sazh and Lightning are the most sober, realistic, and mature characters to breach the genre in a long time. They serve as a perfect counter-balance to the cliches of Snow and Vanille, and keep the plot grounded in believability and decent writing where Infinite Undiscovery, Star Ocean IV, and other JRPGs of this generation fell off the cliff of shoddy-dialogue and into the abyss of storyline apathy.
Exploration/Freedom/Pacing: 6.5/10
I've heard people claim that this game is nothing more than running from one battle or cutscene to the other, that's really not the case, but they have distilled out a lot of traditional features that some fans enjoy.
Sidequests don't open up until much later in the game, though there are a lot of them. There's not a lot of backtracking, but this could be considered both good and bad. Towns are no longer places to relax, they still serve a purpose in the storyline and are impressive, but shopping is done from save points. There is some NPC interaction and a few sequences where you run around and talk to people however.
It isn't until later in the story when exploration elements even begin to crop up, because you travel through packed corridors for the first disc or two of the game. The same can be said of the game's progression system: for the first 1-2 hours you haven't even unlocked the ability to have your characters progress. It takes awhile for all of the features to open up to you, this is undeniably the biggest problem with the game, but if you stick it out long enough, the open world exploration elements make a strong return in chapter 11.
Replayability/Length: 10/10
I'm already thinking about playing through again to revisit the old cutscenes and storyline revelations with a new perspective. The upgrading system allows you to focus on different aspects of your characters while you're leveling, so if you play through again you could try and focus on Lightning as a caster instead of a physical damage dealer. This seems like the sort of game I'm going to play again every year for a long time.
As far as length goes, if you don't rush and take your time, you can easily extract 60 hours of gameplay out of this. 100+ if you go for achievement completion. And unless you skip cutscenes, you will not beat it in less than 45 hours.
Final Score: 9/10
This really is the best JRPG to come out in forever, but I cannot emphasize enough that it's very Japanese. Western RPGs focus on open world exploration, non-linearity, and freedom of choice. But where Final Fantasy XIII shines, is in the creation of a character-centric completely linear plot, a challenging combat experience, and graphical immersion. There are more open elements with a focus on sidequests later on, and it's well done, but you have to be willing to wait 25-30 hours for it.
Much like FFX, FFXIII creates the feeling that you're coming along for the journey with a team of six individuals with an extraordinary fate. In some ways you're just a spectator along for the ride, but if the trip is worth taking (and it is), sometimes you don't mind stepping back and taking in the grandeur around you.
Reviewer's Rating: 4.5 - Outstanding
Originally Posted: 03/09/10, Updated 03/15/10
Game Release: Final Fantasy XIII (US, 03/09/10)
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ahead of time(redirected from leave ahead of time)
ahead of time
Earlier than a given deadline. If we get to the theater ahead of time, we'll have our pick of good seats. My term paper isn't due until next week, but I finished it ahead of time.
*ahead of one's time
Fig. having ideas or attitudes that are too advanced to be acceptable in the present. (*Typically: be ~; think ~.) Sue's grandmother was ahead of her time in wanting to study medicine.
*ahead of time
beforehand; before the announced time. (*Typically: arrive ~; get there ~; leave ~; show up ~.) If you show up ahead of time, you will have to wait. Be there ahead of time if you want to get a good seat.
ahead of time
before something happens We'd better buy our tickets ahead of time if we want to avoid waiting in a long line.
ahead of your timealso before your time
having very modern ideas The inventor was years ahead of his time in realizing the importance of being able to record sound. Taylor's ideas have been before his time on many occasions.
ahead of time
Earlier, sooner, as in The meeting was scheduled for three o'clock, but most people arrived ahead of time. [Early 1900s]