text:
How is Ewing's Sarcoma Treated?
This information has been written for patients, their families and friends and the general public to help you learn more about and understand the treatments used for Ewing's sarcoma, what they are and how they are given or carried out.
Once an abnormality is found in a bone that suggests the possibility of cancer, the medical team will carry out tests in order to answer two essential questions:
1 - What is it? and
2 - Where is it?
The type of treatment for Ewing's sarcoma and how likely it is that treatment is successful depends on the answers to these two questions.
1 - What is it?
X-rays and scans may show that the patient is very likely to have Ewing's sarcoma, doctors cannot be fully certain without taking a small piece of the suspected tumour (biopsy). The biopsy goes to a special laboratory so that it can be examined under a microscope and have other tests carried out on it, such as cytogenetic tests. Patients will also have a bone marrow aspirate (removal of a sample of bone marrow fluid). By looking at the cells under the microscope, and from the results of these other tests, an expert pathologist can make the diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma.
2 - Where is it?
X-rays and scans help the doctors to see the size and exact place in the body of the tumour and to look for evidence if the cancer has spread to any other parts of the body. This is known as 'staging' of the cancer.
In around 25-30% of patients with Ewing's sarcoma, the scans show the cancer has spread, usually to the lungs. Sometimes the cancer may have spread to other bones, bone marrow or more unusual sites. Cancer that has spread away from the primary site is called 'secondary cancer' and doctors called these secondary tumour 'metastases' (met-AS-ta-seas).
Treatment for Ewing's sarcoma, involves treatment to the whole body (systemic) with chemotherapy and local (site of the tumour) treatment by surgery and radiotherapy. Before chemotherapy drugs were developed and widely used to treat cancer, Ewing's sarcoma was treated with radiation alone to the local tumour site. Without chemotherapy, over 90% of patients died because their cancer spread. The overall 5-year survival rate for Ewing's sarcoma is now around 60%, meaning around 60 out of every hundred people with Ewing's will be alive 5 years after diagnosis.
Detailed survival and incidence rates for Ewing's sarcoma will be available on BCRT's pages for healthcare professionals, which will also be fully accessible to patients, families and the general public.
Patients undergoing treatment for Ewing's sarcoma will be under the care of the treatment and rehabilitation part of the multidisciplinary team including:
- Oncologists, radiologists, radio oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons other doctors, specialist nurses.
- Physiotherapists and occupational therapists will help with rehabilitation (rehab) after surgery.
- Social workers and psychologists will help with patients' emotional, social and educational needs.
Your doctor (oncologist) is the best person to describe to you the treatment choices. Your doctors will also tell you what is to be expected from the treatment. Treatment of cancer involves patients and the doctors working together to find a care or treatment plan that fits your needs.
Following the diagnosis and the first tests, patients are given a combination of chemotherapy drugs before surgery. The number of drugs and how long for and how many times they are given can be different from country to country.
In the UK, and much of Europe the current standard treatment before surgery is made up of four chemotherapy drugs (Vincristine, Ifosfamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide, (VIDE)). Each course of these four drugs is given over 3-4 days every 3 weeks (1 cycle) for 6 cycles. This takes about 18 weeks.
Chemotherapy given before surgery is called neo-adjuvant (NEE-oh-AJOO-vant) chemotherapy. The aim of this course of chemotherapy is to shrink the primary tumour, and to kill any cells that have spread to other parts of the body.
Following the first few cycles of chemotherapy, the main tumour site has to be treated. Where possible patients have surgery to remove the primary tumour. This is more likely to be possible if the main (primary) tumour is in a limb (arm or leg) or easily accessible position in the body. For many patients the main tumour is not easily removable, for example, if the tumour is in the pelvis or spine.
The decision about whether surgery is possible is usually taken by the multidisciplinary team, which includes expert surgeons.
The aim of surgery is to remove the primary tumour safely and at the same time try to keep the body working as normally as possible. If the primary tumour is in a limb then it is usually possible to remove the tumour without removing the limb. There are many different ways that surgeons have developed to preserve limbs, the main one being replacement of the affected bone with a metal implant and false joint. Another technique is to carry out an autologous (aw-TOH-low-gus) bone graft in which bone is taken from another part of the body to replace the bone, which has been removed. Even with these advances in surgery around 10% of patients require an amputation (removal of the limb) to safely remove the tumour.
Tumour removal from other sites can be very complicated and requires very careful individual planning for each patient.
When the tumour is removed, it is examined under a microscope by the pathologist, to make sure that the tumour has been completely removed and to find out how much of the tumour has been killed. The results of this examination may affect treatment after surgery.
Radiotherapy is often also used to control the primary tumour site, either after or instead of surgery if surgical removal is not possible. Radiotherapy means treating the tumour with high doses of concentrated radiation.
After surgery, radiotherapy is given if
- a) Not all the tumour is completely removed, or
- b) If more than 10% of the tumour is still alive when examined under a microscope.
The exact dose and length of radiotherapy treatment will also be decided by a special team of doctors, but it is usually given as a single dose each day (a few minutes) for approximately 5 - 6 weeks. Chemotherapy will usually continue during radiotherapy treatment.
Once again, the number of drugs and length of treatment may be different from country to country. Most treatment courses last for a further 8 cycles over about 24 weeks after surgery.
In the UK, Ireland and much of Europe the current standard chemotherapy treatment after surgery is made up of the four drugs (Vincristine, Actinomycin D, Ifosfamide, Cyclophosphamide) and lasts for 24 weeks after surgery, (VAI for 1 cycle, VAC for 7 cycles). Chemotherapy given after the surgery is known as adjuvant (a-JOO-vant) chemotherapy.
If there is evidence that the tumour has spread to other parts of the body then an oncologist and surgeon may want to think about the possibility of removing the secondary cancers by surgery.
- In most cases, chemotherapy is used before surgery to kill the tumour cells. This helps control any spread of the tumour outside the bone and usually makes it easier for the surgeon to remove the primary tumour. It is also used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy may be given as part of a clinical trial - a study used to investigate new or different treatments or side effects of treatments.
- In some patients, chemotherapy is given to help slow down the growth of the tumour and decrease symptoms when their cancer is advanced and unable to be cured. This is known as palliative chemotherapy.
- Surgery is used to remove the primary tumour.
- If a joint has to be removed it is usually possible to replace it using an implant with a joint replacement.
- Limb sparing surgery: is complex surgery, which aims to keep as much normal function in the limb as possible.
- Autologous (aw-TOH-low-gus) bone graft: this is bone , which is taken from another part of the body to replace the bone that has been removed.
- Other surgical techniques include resection alone, allografts (donated tissue), irradiation/ reimplantation.
- Amputation: sometimes because of the position or size of the tumour, the surgery involves removal of the whole limb. If possible, then a prosthetic (false) arm or leg can be made for the patient. Amputation may also be needed if the cancer has spread to major blood vessels or nerves or if the patient develops a bad infection or other serious complications after limb-sparing surgery.
- For many patients the main tumour is not easily removable by surgery, for example, if the tumour is in the pelvis or spine. Compared with other sarcomas, Ewing's tumours respond well to radiotherapy. Sometimes when surgical removal is not reasonable, radiotherapy can be used alone.
- Surgery may also be used to remove tumour that has spread to the lungs.
- Surgery may be needed in future if the reconstruction of the limb wears out or if the tumour comes back.
- Radiotherapy is administered by a radiation oncologist.
- Radiotherapy involves the patient receiving high doses of concentrated radiation.
- Radiotherapy is usually given as a single dose each day (a few minutes) for approximately 5 - 6 weeks.
- It is used alone when removal of the primary tumour may not be possible, for example if it is in the pelvis or spine. Radiotherapy may also be used after surgery if not all the tumour is completely removed or more than 10% of the tumour is still alive when examined under a microscope.
What are the chemotherapy drugs called that are used to treat Ewing's sarcoma?
Types of chemotherapy drugs used to treat Ewing's sarcoma:
- Doxorubicin (dox-oh-ROOB-issin)
- Etoposide (ee-tow-POH-side)
- Vincristine (vin-KRIS-teen)
- Actinomycin D (AK-tin-oh-MY-sin)
- Cyclophosphamide (SY-kloh-FOSS-fam-ide)
- Ifosfamide (eye-FOSS-fam-ide)
Chemotherapy, often called chemo (key-mo) for short, is the name for drugs used for the treatment of cancer. These drugs kill cancer cells or stop their growth by interfering with the way cells divide and grow (also known as the cell cycle), or by damaging the cell's DNA.
Cancer cells divide and grow rapidly, so chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells. Different chemotherapy drugs affect different parts of cells and that is why more than one drug may be given. This is called combination chemotherapy.
Most healthy cells are not dividing rapidly. However, some cell types do divide rapidly, such as hair follicle cells, skin cells, bone marrow cells, and those lining the digestive system. This means chemotherapy drugs can also affect these 'healthy' cells and this is what causes side effects.
Side effects can be unpleasant, such as,
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Diarrhoea,
- Hair loss,
- Mouth sores and ulcers,
- Taste changes, (metallic taste, bitter taste),
- Tiredness (fatigue).
Medications can be given after chemotherapy to help with some of these side effects. There are also tips on some good websites about dealing with side effects such as mouth sores, skin care and coping with hair loss.
Coping with hair loss: Teenage Info on Cancer (TIC) and Teenage Cancer Trust
Mouth sores and eating problems: Teenage Cancer Trust and TIC and Macmillan
A book written by a former osteosarcoma patient, Megan Blunt called Chemotherapy, Cakes and Cancer is available to download in PDF format published by CLIC Sargent.
There are different ways patients are given chemotherapy: tablets, liquid medicine, injection or directly into the blood.
When a patient is given chemotherapy directly into their blood, the drug is given through a cannula (venflon), which is a flexible thin plastic tube that sits in a vein in the arm or hand. Alternatively, patients may have a central line, PICC or implantable ports (Portacath®).
Portacaths®, PICCs and central lines can be kept in for weeks or even a few months. These lines enable the number of needles required during treatment to be minimised and more than one drug or treatment (such as fluids or nutrition) can be given at the same time because the lines can have multiple openings or 'lumens'. Because central lines, PICCs and Portacaths® are all slightly different; the decision on which type of line will best suit the patient's needs can be discussed with the nurses and the doctor.
Figure 1(a). A Central Line. Image Courtesy of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Figure 1(b). Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC). Image Courtesy of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Figure 1(c). Implantable Port, (Portacath®). Image Courtesy of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
The chemotherapy drug enters the blood through the cannula by an infusion usually called a drip. An infusion or drip is a method of giving a set amount (dose) of I.V. medications such as chemotherapy over a set period. This period can be hours or days. The infusion can also be controlled by an infusion pump, which is connected to a central line or a PICC line. Some of the pumps are small enough to fit in a pocket meaning that patients can use them at home.
Chemotherapy is given in 'cycles.' A cycle is the treatment time plus a resting time. For example, a patient may be given a combination of chemotherapy drugs over 3-4 days and then there may be a resting period of 2 and a half weeks. Therefore, the cycle is 3 weeks long. The resting period helps the healthy cells of the body to recover before the next treatment cycle begins.
Although complementary and alternative medicines are often called CAM for short as if they mean the same thing, there are differences between them. Other names you may see to describe CAMs are 'traditional medicines,' 'unconventional medicines' and 'integrated healthcare/ medicine.'
Alternative medicines or therapies, such as extract of mistletoe (iscador) and laetrile (bitter almonds) are used 'instead' of what are called conventional medicines. Conventional medicines for cancer are the treatments prescribed by doctors, for example, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Some people may chose to stop taking conventional medicines because they may no longer be working, or they may not wish to begin their treatment using conventional medicines for many different reasons. However, alternative medicines do not have to go through the very careful testing (trials) that conventional medicines do, and therefore may not be safe.
Adverts for alternative medicines on websites may claim to cure cancer. However, there is no scientific evidence to back these claims up. It is always best to talk to an oncologist if people are thinking about trying alternative therapies.
Complementary medicines are used alongside conventional medical treatment. Some patients use complementary medicine to help with symptoms or to aid relaxation.
Techniques used by some Ewing's sarcoma patients include:
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Herbal products
- Vitamins* or special diets*
- Visualization
- Meditation
- Spiritual healing.
* Patients should make sure they tell their doctors about any supplements they may be taking. Some complementary medicines, such as antioxidants may interfere with conventional treatments.
Doctors use clinical trials to test new treatments or changes to existing ones. Clinical trials usually have three stages called phases:
Phase 1: If a drug looks promising in laboratory studies, a phase 1 trial may be carried out. This is usually the first time a new drug is tried in people. These types of trials do not usually look at the effect on specific types of cancer but look at things such as side effects and the safest and most effective dose. These types of trials are usually done with a small number of people, usually 10-30.
Phase 2: This type of trial may be open to people with specific types of cancer or a number of different cancers. They are usually carried out on more patients than phase I trials, usually around 100; mainly to look at, which type of cancer the drug works best against, to look at the best dose and side effects again, and to find out if the drug is worth taking to a much larger phase 3 trial.
Phase 3: If a drug in a phase 2 trial looks as if it works as well or better than an existing treatment, a phase 3 trial is carried out. These trials are usually open to people with a specific type of cancer. Many more people are included in these trials, this helps to make sure doctors can see how well the drug may or may not help.
The new drug or treatment is usually compared to an existing treatment. Patients will be put into one of at least two groups. For example, either the 'new drug group' or the 'existing treatment group.' This is done randomly by a computer. Randomisation reduces bias and also helps doctors to be certain that it was the drug that caused the effect and it did not just happen by chance.
You may see the terms 'blind' or 'double blind' randomised clinical trial. A blind trial means the patient does not know if they are receiving the existing treatment or the new one. In a double blind trial neither the doctors or the patients know which treatment they have received.
A single phase 3 trial can be carried out in hospitals in many countries.
An ongoing randomised international trial known as EURO-E.W.I.N.G.99 is aiming to improve disease outcome (survival) in patients with Ewing tumours. Its main aim is to increase survival by improving the response to chemotherapy by an increase in its intensity without increasing toxicity (side effects).
Clinical trials may not always be available, as the patient may not meet some of the requirements to be treated on a trial. If a clinical trial is suggested by the doctor, they will speak to, or give the patient information to read, about the trial.
Doctors will describe what taking part in the trial will mean for the patient, what happens before and during the trial and about possible risks. Patients will be given time to think about whether they wish to take part in the trial.
If a clinical trial is suggested by a doctor, as part of making a decision, patients or parents may want to think about the benefits and risks involved in taking part in a clinical trial. Benefits may be that parents and patients will have an active role in his or her health care, may have access to new treatments before they become generally available, and helping others by contributing to medical research.
Risks could include side effects of the drug, which may be unpleasant, or the treatment may not be safe or effective for the patient. The trial may involve frequent stays in hospital and extra cost. Upon contacting a trial coordinator, it may be helpful to have a list of questions written down.
Although Ewing's sarcoma survival has dramatically increased compared to the 1970s since chemotherapy has been used, the survival rate has only slightly improved over the last 20 years. Therefore, there is a need to find new treatments to improve outcome in patients, especially those in which their tumour has spread.
Research into the biology of Ewing's sarcoma, helps scientists to find specific targets for treatments. The biology of cancer is what is happening at the cellular and molecular level to start and promote the cancer. Targeted or specific treatments given alongside chemotherapy may help to improve outcomes. Also, the more specific or targeted the treatment, the chance of side effects and toxicity is reduced.
The Bone Cancer Research Trust is actively involved in funding research, especially translational research to help to find new treatments. Translational research is research that bridges the gap between promising findings in the laboratory from basic research and their clinical use in patients.
Research into targeted treatments is still at a very early stage; however, some promising results have been shown with the following.
Antibodies against insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGF-1R)
- There have been some promising results from preclinical and clinical studies looking at the anti-tumour effects of antibodies such as Figitumumab (fig-I-tue-mm-YOO-mab) in Ewing's sarcoma. However, not all Ewing's sarcoma patients responded well to this treatment so it may only be effective in certain patients.
Phase 1 clinical trials looking at mTOR inhibitors have shown it to have anti-tumour activity against Ewing's sarcomas. mTOR or mammalian target of rapamycin, is an enzyme involved switching on and off processes involved in cell division and growth, and cell survival.
- Bisphosphonates are drugs usually given to patients to help with bone loss in certain diseases.
- From the results of laboratory studies, it is thought Bisphosphonates may also help to slow down the spread of Ewing's when used as an add on treatment.
- Fenretinide (fen-RET-in-ide) is a drug related to vitamin A, laboratory studies have shown that it may be toxic to cells of Ewing's sarcomas.
- Preclinical experimental studies using cells from Ewing's Family of Tumours have shown that TRAIL Receptor Agonists selectively bring on cell death (apoptosis).
- DNA molecules with known genetic sequences may possibly be directed against particular genes or translocations. These genetic sequences are called 'anti-sense' oligonucleotides (OL-lee-go-NEW-clee-oh-tides).
Last reviewed: October 2010; Version: 1.1
Review due: October 2011
The authors and reviewers of this information are committed to producing reliable, accurate and up to date content reflecting the best available research evidence, and best clinical practice. We aim to provide unbiased information free from any commercial conflicts of interest. This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. BCRT can answer questions about primary bone cancers, including treatments and research but we are unable to offer specific advice about individual patients. If you are worried about any symptoms please consult your doctor.


text:
AUSTIN -- Austin police say 26-year-old Matthew Bacon murdered 36-year-old David Villarreal. According to an arrest affidavit, Bacon beat him over the head with a hammer, then slit his throat.
Investigators say Bacon admitted he wanted to steal electronics from Villarreal.
The gruesome death has left friends asking "why," but detectives now have a clue.
"Bacon told us his mind had been telling him he wanted to kill someone for a while. When the opportunity presented itself, he took that opportunity," said APD Sgt. Brian Miller.
It took 20 hours to process the crime scene. By comparison, a typical murder scene takes six to eight.
"I felt sick that someone would do that to another human being and take someone as good as David for as little as they took," said Bradley Barmer, Villarreal's friend.
Villarreal met Bacon at Rain on 4th Street. They had some drinks then went back to Villarreal's condo. Bacon stole his credit card and booked into a hotel in Belton. From there, police traced Bacon to Louisiana where he was being held in jail on drug charges.
Bacon admitted to police he had the murder weapons in his car. His bond is set at $500,000.
"He was almost apologetic. I think he was still trying to get it clear in his mind to try and figure why he did what he did," said Miller.
Detectives say they are gathering evidence and tying up loose ends to prepare the case for prosecution. They don't know when Bacon will be extradited to Austin.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Discussion about math, puzzles, games and fun. Useful symbols: ÷ × ½ √ ∞ ≠ ≤ ≥ ≈ ⇒ ± ∈ Δ θ ∴ ∑ ∫ π -¹ ² ³ °
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#1 2012-07-14 16:31:54
Who I am - Super Lynx
Hi, I'm Super Lynx. I'm more of an Artist, but I'm learning programming, programming math and a few other things, slowly but steady. I invite you to visit my web site at http://www.thecreativesheep.ca and tell me what you think, I'm open for comments and suggestions. I hope to land a Job in Graphic Design or Game Design.
#2 2012-07-14 21:05:35
Re: Who I am - Super Lynx
Hi SuperLynx
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about! ― Richard Feynman
Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most. ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
#3 2012-07-14 21:44:10
Re: Who I am - Super Lynx
Hi SuperLynx,
Character is who you are when no one is looking.
#4 2012-07-14 23:05:20
Re: Who I am - Super Lynx
Hi SuperLynx,
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
I have the result, but I do not yet know how to get it.
All physicists, and a good many quite respectable mathematicians are contemptuous about proof.


text:
Phil Rogers
On Baseball
9:41 PM CST, March 9, 2013
PHOENIX — Are you ready for a true world champion in baseball?
For the first time, Major League Baseball is beginning to explore an event that Commissioner Bud Selig calls "a real World Series'' that would pit the MLB champion against Japan's champion in a best-of-seven-game event on two continents.
It's an idea Bobby Valentine strongly endorsed in 2005 when he proposed that his Chiba Lotte Marines get a shot at the White Sox.
"Everybody thought I was crazy,'' Valentine said on Saturday, after returning from World Baseball Classic games in Japan. "I'm not sure if it could be done. It's all up in the air … but there's no question that it would be a really good revenue producer.''
With baseball gaining the foothold in Japan that football has in places like Texas and the Southeast, even at the high school level, a Japan-U.S. World Series looks like a financial windfall for MLB. It could bring about some fundamental change to the sport — possibly even a return to a 154-game regular season — and serve as a home run for whoever replaces Selig as commissioner.
It could even shape who is the next commissioner, strengthening the hand of Tim Brosnan, who as executive vice president/business has overseen MLB's international growth.
This intriguing sub-plot has bubbled beneath the surface over the last decade, when Selig has largely been occupied expanding baseball's testing program for performance-enhancers and growing revenue with the addition of an Internet division and a television network, but has surfaced this week thanks to developments in the World Baseball Classic.
While many American baseball fans continue to scoff at the notion of the WBC, wanting the every-fourth-year exhibition to go away so they won't be distracted from following their favorite teams, it is practically a national holiday in Japan.
On Friday, the MLB Players Association — which runs the WBC in partnership with MLB and the International Baseball Federation — issued a press release that showed the Japan-Brazil game on March 2 drew a 35 share on Japanese television, meaning more than one of every three viewers was watching. That topped all broadcasts of the 2012 London Olympics, and Japan is an Olympics-loving country.
Later Friday night, Selig visited the press box at Chase Field during a Mexico-Team USA game played before a crowd of 44,256, and told reporters the growth of the sport internationally has convinced him a U.S.-Japan World Series would be successful.
"Someday you will get the United States versus Japan, a real World Series,'' the 78-year-old Selig said. "It's a long way off, but yes, I really believe it. That's the final goal. … The thought of having a real World Series, and the interest in the world, is breathtaking to me.''
Valentine agrees.
"You'd have to count the TVs that weren't on,'' said Valentine, who managed Chiba Lotte for seven seasons in between jobs managing the Rangers, Mets and Red Sox. "That would be an easier thing to do (than count the audience). It would captivate the entire country. Ninety-five percent of the country would be fascinated.''
Valentine says a best-of-seven, home-and-home series would not work because of the strains of at least one of the teams having to make two transcontinental flights within a week's span. But that could change.
"There's a new plane (being designed) that can turn a 14-hour flight into five,'' Valentine said. "That would make it a different ballgame.''
Is this all science fiction? Hardly, but it seems a long shot for the foreseeable future, even with Selig behind it, as there are many hurdles.
A lot of people, including some of the game's bright young executives, would love to see it, especially if it could be a way to shorten the length of the work season — from the first day of spring training until Game 7 of the World Series — for 29 of the 30 teams. Exhaustion seems to be the order of the day for everyone in October, when baseball plays its biggest games, but no one believes owners will shorten the season from 162 games to 154 unless revenue is found to replace that from the four home dates each team would lose.
Selling the event to players also would be difficult as the United States champion would have to find a way to regain focus shortly after holding a ticker-tape parade to celebrate what always has been considered the ultimate victory. Then there's the question of whether it is smart to create an event that potentially could devalue the World Series.
Would a Japan-U.S. series be competitive? American fans might be surprised at how competitive it would be, sort of like NFL fans were when the AFL's Jets beat the Colts in 1969.
America has many more talented players, without question. But the Japanese teamwork and execution has proven to be a huge equalizer in the WBC. The Japanese also would be far more motivated, and perhaps less fatigued, than the U.S. team.
"The winning Japanese team would be very competitive,'' Valentine said. "A good team from Japan would be just as good as a wild-card playoff team and wild-card teams have won (World Series). I don't know if a Japanese team would be as good as (a major league) team that wins 110 games in the regular season, but in a (short) series could be tough. They pitch it, hit it and catch it.''
Here's hoping Selig, Brosnan or someone else can make it happen, even if it means the old World Series needs a new name.
Copyright © 2014 Chicago Tribune Company, LLC


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Comfortable on long rides. Great fit and awesome price. Much more comfortable than a full face for UTV use.
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METAXPON ("Metachron" in Greek letters) is a small and fast audio DSP library for time-scale manipulation of 16-bit integer or 32-bit floating point stereo audio data streams. It employs a rigid phase-locked vocoder with dedicated transient detection and processing, and can work in real-time or non-real-time. Four editions are included - a portable edition and three x86 editions. The portable edition can be built with any ANSI C compiler and is OS- and architecture-independent. The three x86 editions are written in assembly using the FPU, 3DNow!, and SSE instruction sets, respectively, with automatic selection between them depending on the CPU capabilities. They can be compiled with MASM, JWASM, or NASM, producing libraries of object files in 8 formats.
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cpuid.c is a very simple C abstraction that provides an interface to common cpuid feature flags. It can be useful when implementing dynamic CPU feature dispatch that relies on optional processor feature extensions or basic processor-specific variables. This package is meant to be a very simple feature detection interface that you can easily integrate into your project. It is not meant to be complex and it is geared for projects implementing dynamic CPU feature dispatch.
A Web service to edit an XML configuration file.
An automated solver for the puzzle game ABC Path.


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Determined to strengthen their defense against the Armada, the Rangers head to a mystical airborne island named Animaria in search of the wild yet powerful Red Lion Zord.
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COLUMBIANA - Mr. and Mrs. Richard Snay, West Salem Street, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 20 with a family dinner hosted by their sons at Cafe Capri.
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Adobe's Lightroom is a staple in the editing workflow of most photographers. The new, much-anticipated mobile version shows off a clever workaround for handling RAW files in a simple, if limited, interface. Read More >>
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When Adobe unveiled its first attempt at building hardware tools—a stylus called Project Mighty and a digital ruler called Project Napoleon—last April, the company was careful to describe the devices as experimental projects, dancing around whether we'd ever be able to, you know, buy them. But today, Mighty and Napoleon are real: Adobe has announced that both devices will likely ship in early 2014. Read More >>
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Welcome to the Guild 9littlebees!
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Great Expectations Membership Costs Revealed
Posted by Newtonraphson on 02/10/2008
I think you'll find this review pretty revealing into the Great Expectations dating service.
Great Expectations requires individuals to come in for an interview and later for a personal video. I called their company because I was interested and found their staff to be cordial but they would not reveal the cost of the service over the phone. Instead they asked me first to come in for an interview. During my interview their service seemed to be decent, but when they finally revealed the costs, I was surprised. Here goes:
$7000 - 15 month membership
$8000 - 3 year membership
$8500 - Unlimited membership until you find someone
-$2000 - If you opt out of national match making (only look at matches in your city)
-$1000 - ONLY if you sign the contract on your interview date
50% off - For a 7 month trial membership only valid on that date
CHEAPEST PLANS YOU CAN GET (with discounts)
$4000 - 15 month membership (only good on interview date)
$2000 - 7 month membership (only good on interview date)
Furthermore, based on my questions I learned that they get 50 to 100 new members per month. Also, 2 of their members per month gets married (one man, one woman). Based on statistics that is between a 2% and 4% success rate (this site was meant for serious dating). That means at best you have a 1 in 25 chance of finding someone throughout your membership. All that for a few thousand dollars?
If you are wealthy, this service may be good for you. But most people probably cannot afford this site. So how do they get their membership? Through pushy and misleading tactics (they leave out information unless you ask). They put a lot of pressure on you to join. They are very good sales people. But my father taught me never to make a quick decision on a large sum of money. This saved me a few thousand dollars. When a company offers you to save you a thousand or more by joining today, it makes the decision process very difficult. Just be careful. Know what you are getting yourselves into. If you have more questions, feel free to email me at newtonraphson at yahoo.
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Posted by tnchuck100 on 2008-02-10:
"When a company offers you to save you a thousand or more by joining today, it makes the decision process very difficult."
On the contrary. The only logical decision is an easy one. No thank you and walk away!
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-10:
Being married over half of my life companies like this have had little interest to me. My single friends tell me asking for help in the produce section of a supermarket can provide some interesting conversations. Plus you get your shopping done at the same time.
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-02-10:
Dang!!! At those prices, prostitution becomes a realistic economic alternative
Posted by StraightShooter on 2008-02-10:
I'm with the dealer on this one!
Posted by Slimjim on 2008-02-10:
Although I never did, I always considered starting a dating service business. With a good business plan, you almost can't go wrong. Your inventory are your clients. Everybody pays in, you set them up with profiles and videos, regardless of how they matched, you're already paid. Thousands of dollars for the privilege of being able to ask someone out from a book who spent thousands of dollars to have you ask them out. Whoever dreamed this business model up has their genius only trump by the one who invented the self-serve launderette mat. Go to work, open the door, then come back 12 hours later to close and collect your days revenue.
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No Valentines Found Here - Fraudulent Sales Practice and Bloated databases
Posted by AdelineRose on 02/09/2010
SCHAUMBURG -- You are offered the standard 3 business days to cancel your contract (you MUST include Saturday as this center is open Saturdays) yet, I was told I was not allowed to look at the database until AFTER your video and pics are done. I was denied an appointment within the three days hearing the photog was "booked." Coincidence? Perhaps? Since then, I have found profiles on line w/o photos and w/o videos. How did they get there? Don't all members have the same rules? I was told the large upfront fee ($1800 - $2500) was all inclusive only to learn, there is a $180 maintenance fee to the database host every 6 months, and a $200 fee to upgrade your photos to look like the quality you are shown in your sales pitch. I was told there were 100s (hundreds) of profiles in the age range I specified to select from. After a thorough review (26 pages) I found there were 317 posted profiles (in my age range) HOWEVER, 148 of them were set to INACTIVE. This database is bloated over 50% by profile you CAN NOT select. I have checked weekly since that initial review to find little variance. Worse, I was shown 8 profiles during my sales pitch, 2 beautiful, seemningly smart, business women (to show I wasn't alone in making this BIG spending decision) and 6 attractive gentlemen. In my search I could only find 1 of the women in the database. Of the men's profiles (whom I was told quite clearly WERE available to select from) only 5 of the profiles could be found and 4 of them were INACTIVE. I was told that I would get my saleslperson cell number and she is diligent about returning calls within a day. Neither of these promises have come to pass. In fact - Despite being told I would get a call to give me online access, I wasn't given that courtesy call for my password to get online (yes, photos and video were done.) I had to get it from the site administrator on my own. To date, my email requesting a follow up from the manager have not been returned. A letter sent asking for a copy of my contract AND a corporate address was returned with a ONLY a compy of my contract.
Unfortunately, I can not update my review with positive words. It has been more than 4 months since I joined and those men who I was told were "inactive" by electing to "freeze" their accounts are STILL inactive.
I repeat: 60% of the database is on perpetual INACTIVE. There are even 2 postings (in my age group of 40-50 yr olds) who are EXPIRED.
Please, do not give Great Expectations your trust or your money. Google "Great Expectations" and "Schaumburg" to open your eyes.
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Posted by Anonymous on 2010-02-09:
internet dating is expensive...
Posted by Anonymous on 2010-02-09:
How is it expensive?
There are plenty legit free or inexpensive online dating services.
Are confusing services like E-harmony and the above service with online dating?
In my opinion if one has to pay to find companionship, they need to look within themselves. Good luck.
Posted by AdelineRose on 2010-02-10:
Thank you for the discussion. Let me clarify a few things though. Great Expectations touts itself as being MORE than an internet dating site: with monthly group events (plural), matchups (plural) and among the CURRENT photos they take themselves, they also record member videos for review from their "site." I was also assured thee were 100s (neglection noted above.) As it turned out...
*The montly events are AN event if any at all.
*The photos are only as good as the ones they show as examples IF you pay an extra 200-500 for "enhancements" and retouching.
* I have never been offered the "personal matchups" promised, yet I have heard from male members - they get this extra special attentive service often.
Great Expectations has a variable fee - based ON:LY om how much they sucker someone into. Some bite at $4000,some get it negotiated down to $1500. IF the company did as promised, a member would get MUCH more than an internet dataing site. I have tried many, free and otherwise. I found that since the daters make their own profile,unfortunately, their powers to self-market don't always measure up in person. I have found daters with pictures as many as 10 yrs old, eloquent profiles that were not backed by the same eloquence in person and the worst, only seperated, even married individuals.
As for the comment that a person that needs to spend needs to look within: I forgive your presumption. I do not feel the need to justify my motivations or my limitations. But I remind you, unless having walked a mile in someone else's shoes, it is unwise to judge.
Posted by Anonymous on 2010-02-10:
Church, mutual friends, the workplace, chance meeting, social events, clubs, and lastly bars are good places to meet people in my experience.
Good luck.
Posted by old fart on 2010-02-10:
The Bancroft hotel bar worked for me... we've been married for 43 years March 18th,...
Posted by AdelineRose on 2010-02-11:
OldFart: Congratulations on 43 years. You are both wonderfully blessed and I hope you are as happy today, and in the years to come as you were in year one. Thank you for sharing your good news with me. Stories such as yours give us good gals hope. (I can almost hear your pride in this stellar milestone.)
And for my dear, persistent and still presumptuous zzorkk. Church is a lovely thought, unfortunately I am one of less than a dozen single persons in my congregation - IF I wanted to live in a fishbowl,I might find dating in our very very close community an option - alas, I do not.
Forgive me, for I was under the impression my3cents was a source of honest review meant to help consumers find great businesses and be warned, in good faith, of those from which they should stay away.
While I had hoped, and even stated, that I did not want to justify my actions - perhaps this will help to silence your not-so-innovative ideas. As my issue is not lack of attractiveness, all the other venues result in many approaches from the most courageous (or intoxicated fellas,) neither of which is most attractive to me. The smart, quiet and tasteful fella is however thrawted by the unwanted attention I tend to receive.
Add to the (sometimes) curse of attractiveness that I am a 44 yr old single mom with 4 classes (yes full-time law school), 3 children, 1 job and a few volunteer activities. Despite these these very good things in my life, time - that is time when my children are in their dad's care and I can go out without guilt - is at a premium. THAT is why I chose to pay for a bit of help in the intro game.
Please, while I am still of the the mind to be a lady, refrain from further assumptions. Mine was never the intent to belly-ache about being dateless - but to warn good folks of the fraudulent practices of one particularly bad business.
Posted by Glenza44 on 2013-07-19:
Great Expectations has lived up to all of the comments in the opening long paragraph. Total disappointment and major waste of time. I went to one monthly mixer event and I did have a great time -- but it cost me money -- for gas, for food and beverage, and a tarot card reading. I don't begrudge that -- but I DO believe they are fraudulent.
As for the person who thinks those of us who seek dates via online site, I believe the internet opens up more possibilities than in-person does. Not always good ones, I grant you -- I've been tinkering with them now for 3 years and as a 69 year old woman, I've been pleased and dismayed and every emotion in between. But I've made some cool friends along the way and had some dates. So it's not a total loss.
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Great Expectation... Not A Great Experience
Posted by Whydidibelievethat on 02/19/2009
DFW, TEXAS -- This is to warn all you single girls out there about this dating service company. They are preying on the desperation of single girls and women in this metroplex. I signed up recently in one of their branches after I had been promised heaven and earth about how quickly I would find a match and they described by potential experience as going to be like a kid in the candy store. I paid over #3,000. and a month later have not found a single match. Half of the members are inactive, that is, they are taken or discontinued their memberships. Of the 8 pictures I was shown in there office, only 2 were actually active when I checked them out online. One of the guys I was shown his picture did not even exist in their member profile. The lady who signed me on promised to be my "dating coach", I called to complain to her that I had not found anyone 2weeks after I had signed up contrary to what she had promised. She became so mad at me for being inpatient and told me not to call her again because Rome was not built in a day and I should quit calling her so she could have time to serve other clients. If you are an African American, your chances of getting a date if you are not open to interracial dating is less than 2%. If you are, your chances is about 3%. They do not tell you about their non refundable policy until you have paid. So ladies beware. Another thing, the two selections I got are from guys 22- 24 yrs older than I am, live thousands of miles away and of races I had said I was not interested in dating. You stand a better chance of getting a match on match.com and Christian singles.
I signed up for the free trial periods on these two sites and on the average, in a day, I get 5 to 10 matches. The guys I selected on Great Expectation are yet to respond after several weeks. If you are absolutely wanna go to their office, leave your credit card or other forms of payment at home. They would also offer you financing to pay, but please do not fall for this.
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Posted by Anonymous on 2009-02-19:
$3000.00 to find a date? Holy Smokes!
reminds me of that SNL skit 'Lowered Expectations'
Good Luck,im sure Mr. Right is out there waiting for you...
Posted by Anonymous on 2009-02-19:
$3,000. Really? D.Crash would have gone out with you for $500. You could have saved $2,500 for a car down payment, or 5 more dates with M3C men. Actually, zz'z rate is only $50, so you could have courted him for quite some time. Long enough to know if it was true love.
Posted by Anonymous on 2009-02-19:
Wow!! Thanks for the information, that's a lot of money to be jerked around like that...any chance you can get some of your money back? I'm not familiar with online dating sites but I've seen others mentioned here on M3C that are free to use.
Posted by whydidibelievethat on 2009-02-19:
unfortunately, I cannot get my money back. They make you sign the contract, then flip the paper around and have you inital the no refund clause. They dont tell you about that prior to signing and they dont let you initial until you have signed. i am actually considering a law suit against them, not so I could get my money back, but to prevent other singles from falling into this pit trap. I am thinking of class action law suit if I could find enough client to join.
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Save your money and use an online dating service instead!
Posted by Ticked Former Employee on 08/05/2008
FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA -- As wonderful as the idea of meeting the love of your life is, Great Expectations does have some great points and it also has some not so great points. Please don't take this review as my bias opinion as to tell you what to do, but as any consumer should know; only you can make the best decision for yourself.
I worked for Great Expectations in the Charlotte Center in Fort Mill, SC. I was not fired. I got so fed up with their un-ethical practices that I decided to get up and walk out.
The best thing about GE is the fact that they do run criminal background checks on everyone who joins. They will refuse a potential client if they have a felony. What they don't tell you is, they're not running them when you walk into the door, but they run it after they already have your money. GE is located in SC due to the fact there is no 3 day refund clause. Once you sign the contract, you're liable for the money.
The Charlotte center is a little over 1 year old. They do have approx 2,000 clients, however a little under 924 are active. They do keep expired members and members who fought to have their membership canceled still on the site but they list them as "inactive, please check again soon."
Most of the members are average working men and women who live pay check to pay check, however they state these are all professional people. There are some who make a very nice living, but if I'm paying money for a service and I'm making six figures, I don't think I'm going to want to date someone who dropped out of school and is barely making ends meat. Now not to say, he or she might not be a wonderful person or could be the love of my life, it's just not fair.
They typical price on the packages ranges in price from $4,000 to $5490. There is also a monthly dues of $28 a month. With this you get to use the website, have a video done by the front office staff and professional photos. Right now the photographer is amazing and he is professional, but before he came, they just hired someone to take sub-standard pictures. If you want more than one picture, you will be charged hundreds to thousands of dollars. To upgrade to global (you can select and be seen by all the other members in the United States, approx 56 centers) is an additional cost. To have a V-Gram which is a little email with your picture on it is another few hundred dollars. By the time you leave you're paying close to $10,000. Now if you're luck enough to meet your true love spending several thousand dollars isn't going to bother you.
When you walk in, they give you a screener which asks for your personal information and some useless dating information. The only thing they're after on that form is your social security number. They are not out to sell it, as a matter of fact all member files remain locked once you leave for the day, but they run your credit to see how much money they can get you for. If you though buying a car had some ruthless salespeople, try dealing with the Relationship Specialists. They feed on your emotional well being. Not everyone is even charged the same amount. They say the fee does depend on the length of your membership. That's a crock. You can have 6 people with a 12 month membership and they all can be paying anywhere from $595 to $2950, depending on their credit and how much of a fight they put into the 2 hour interview.
Once you become a member, you are invited to join in the events they have. The events are not free. Even the staff that goes to the events has to pay (and they don't get reimbursed). The events are fun, so that's a plus. Aside from the background checks and the events, GE is no different than match.com, plenty of fish, perfect match and all the other online dating sites out there, aside from the amount of money they get from you. You will stand a better chance using an online dating site.
Some people say GE is a scam. It's not. It will work, but it's not worth the money!
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Posted by Anonymous on 2008-08-05:
My buddy used this service and "invested" $1000 in a "lifetime mate." When he didn't find one with the time frame they gave him, they tried to plug him for $3000 more. When he refused they told him he must be some kind of loser for not wanting a lifetime partner. So, Ticked, I fully and completely believe everything you are saying. Oh, and they sent their unsolicited literature to my dad two weeks after my mother died. Unethical, immoral, and unbelievable.
Posted by madconsumer on 2008-08-05:
as someone who performs background checks, they cannot do one before any money is exchanged. if they did, this is a violation of privacy. once they have a signed document and money, they can do any kind of checks.
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Buyer Beware!!!! One Sided Contract....
Posted by Phenomom on 03/13/2008
DALLAS, TEXAS -- During the initial interview (12/22/07) process I was presented w/ membership prices starting @ $6000 min. differing by $500. While viewing what I thought was a very expensive complete pkg. for $6995 Stefanie Hogan swiped my credit card for $7400. At that time I inquired about the refund policy should I change my mind by the time I got home. Stefanie then told me that there was absolutely no refund policy. While I was bothered I felt trapped. Unable to view the membership database until after photos were taken the next week, I was disappointed to find:
1. Copies of the photos were an additional fee
2. An outdated web interface with little search capabilities
3. 40% of the database included inactive members and
4. Very few African American clients.
My disappointment lead me to search the web for complaints. To my surprise there are at least 58 printable pages of complaints about Great Expectations. It was here that I also discovered that I had been charged more than twice what others have paid for the same membership. GE will not deny that I have paid more than others for the same membership and has not offered any reason as to why I was targeted for this amount. As I understand it, contract fees are determined based on the amount of available credit each individual has. I feel deceived and no longer want to participate in the Great Expectations Dating Service. I have not gone on a single date with any member of GE and have no intention of doing so.
Essentially, GE has provided nothing but unnecessary credit card debt. The GE contract allows them to charge consumers who never use the service without any means of cancellation. In addition to disputing the charge on my credit card, I have repeatedly asked for a refund via email only to be refused.
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Posted by Suusan B. on 2008-03-14:
The time to research a company and review the contract you are considering is BEFORE you hand over your credit card.
Posted by dechef25 on 2008-12-26:
This is about that den of thieves that operate under the name of Great Expectations dating service. I have seen other complaints and it is obvousthat I am not the only one that has been duped out of thousands of dollars. The old slogan there's a sucker born every minute. After I enrolled and was driving home I decided that I really did not want to pay that much for a "promise" that I will find the love of my life. WhenI got home I actually read the contract to discover that there was no way they were going to allow me out of the contract. The really sad thing is that I was stupid enough to sign this contract before actually reading it. If anybody out there is smart enough to research this dating service, before you actually enter the high pressure sales pitch, my advise is to stay far away from these people.
I now sit here still alone, but with an added $5000.00 + credit card bill to pay.
Posted by old fart on 2008-12-26:
What ever happened to the old tried and true methods like picking up a girl or a guy in a bar...?
I met my wife at the La Salle bar in Saginaw and have been married for 42 years..
Didn't need no stinkin' dating service..
Met her February 1st. 1967, got married March 18th, 1967 and had our son December 19th, 1967...
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-12-26:
I always thought that when you have to pay to take a person on a date that you were committing a crime.
It's called "soliciting".
Who would pay one of these outfits when there are bars, the Church, mutual friends, work and 100's of other free social gatherings.
To bad that you live in Texas, Phenom!
Posted by whydidibelievethat on 2009-02-19:
I wish i had read this before i fell for them. There should be a way to stop this fast talking b*@*@*#.
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Deceptive tactics
Posted by Brilliantbarry on 06/12/2007
WISCONSIN -- Great Expectations, 1033 N.Mayfair RD. Suite100, Milwaukee, WI 53216 414-777-578(www.greatexpectations.com) is responsible for many Brazilian Highlands' street children to be missing (and from my contacts in Brazil)some are probally dead.
Why? Because GE kept asking me to drive to Milwaukee to hear what their program could do for me. Sales counselor Tracy asked me many times how much money I in the bank. I told her that it didn't matter how much I left from the sale of my house because it was all needed because I was the only person saving street children in Brazil's Highlands.I explained that it is well-known that in Brazil police&former police shoot street children.I have been traveling there caring for them since 2001. Other parts of Brazil have some sheltering, but in the Highlands its only me. Often kids only 4 & 5 yrs old. I have seen it. I told her I take out bank loans every year and then pay the loads back each year.
Tracy told me GE is always looking for worthy causes to do fund raisers for. In fact GE had just completed a successful fund raiser for her son who was in a drastic motorcycle accident.... It paid large medical bills and gave him extra money besides.
Tracy told me it was a win win situation because I would a whole lot more money
from the fund raiser they would do for me than what it would cost me to join. She told me they have a history of big name local contributors such as Harley Davidson and the Milw Admirals to name just a couple. She said that one of their members is vice president of Sheridan Hotels who lets them use a banquet room free... that raffel tickets are sold and the winners usually donate their take too. Tracy told me to write a description of what needs to be said and provide some street children photos I had to her. And let the fund raiser begin! Well, I was estatic because over the years I have contacted lots of people to raise money for the street children unsuccessfully. I joined. She told me not to list my childhood handicap because it would signify low self-esteem to a future date or partner.
When the fund raiser was not done, I phoned and visited GE many times. I was told they do not do fundaisers and that I would get out of their dating service how much effort I would put in.
When no fund raiser was done I called Tracy and other GE staff many times. I was told I was told that Tracy is really from their Schaumburg office, not their office. Whenever I phoned the Schaumburg GE office and asked for Tracy, all I would get was her voicemail. She did not return my calls. I have not selpt good knowing I let myself get taken. Somedays it is even hard for me to function at work knoewing that I ran out of money and those beautiful children are missing and many believed dead.I have asked for my money back so I can go back to Brazil and try to find them and give add to other street children there. They told they would not refund my money.
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Posted by Starlord on 2007-06-13:
I find this review almost impossible to understand. This person is claiming that children are dead because of a dating service? The grammer and syntax is impossible to follow. I hope this person gets their problem straightened out.
Posted by *Brenda* on 2007-06-13:
So... those children are dead because you wanted a date?
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-06-13:
Something is not adding up here?
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-06-13:
This review is very hard to understand, it would greatly help if you would re-write it and add some more details. From what I could decipher, it sounds like you were a member of Great Expectations and they offered to do a fund raiser for the street kids if you gave them money to sponsor it, and then they didn't follow through. If what I'm understanding is correct, did you receive any documentation to back this up and if so, you might be able to pursue legal action against them if they are now not holding up their end of the bargain and refusing to call you back. Again, more details would be helpful in understanding specifically what the issue is.
Posted by runaway on 2007-06-13:
Why would you have to join a dating service in order for them to do a fundraiser for Brazilian street children? That would have been my first clue.
Posted by lobo65 on 2007-06-13:
What the heck was this person smoking?
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-06-13:
Posted by brilliantbarry on 2007-06-13:
Thank you to all who have speedily responded with comments. Yes, clarification is appropriate. I left out street children details so that my complaint does not sound like I am using my3cents.com as a fund raiser. I am not. Understand that Great Expectations is a very expensive elite dating service. If you wish, go to www.ripoffreport.com. After you read about them, it will be more clear. I wish I had known sooner about their tactics. Because I believed this wonderfully sweet sensitive representative Tracy, I paid big bucks because she said she would produce big and fast results. I ran out of money to provide protection and services to Highland's area street children when I returned to the State of GOAIS in Brazil because GE dating did not do their promised fund raiser. The US dollar buys a lot in Brazil. I find them safe places. Set up meal plans, new clothing and of course shoes.I also see to it they have tools and supplies for learning and doing a trade. It is most confusing to learn that many of them do have
parents, but they are on their own because their parents cannot afford to keep them.Two summers back I was in heavy traffic in the city of Goiania when a young mother tried to hand her toddler boy through the window of the car in front of mine. I t was an act of love because she felt that anyone who had a car could offer a better life for her son than she could. Typically street children pair up for protection. For more information anyone can log onto Amnesty International or other human rights websites. Only one book could I find that addresses Brazil's street children. You can find it at Amazon.com. There are laws passed in Brazil for protecting children, but I have seen little children killed first hand by the military dress style police. For more information on Brazil's politics log onto Brazzilmagazine. There are great things about Brazil and its culture, but there is widespread poverty and harsh colonial rule. Further clarification is that I have several times
Western Unioned money. But the kids don't receive the care unless one goes there in person.The churches in Brazil have enough trouble just taking care of their own members. I have found them not to be reliable to follow through. I have over time developed specific techniques to gather the street children and distribute the needed care. Also, I wrote that I was told not to write about my childhood crippling. Imentioned this so that Great Expectations would look foolish. Their Phoenix office suggested to one of their female members who was interested in meeting me, that she should sue me for not including it in my narrative. Over the phone I told the woman that I had a crippled hand. For every 100 complaints against Great Expectation, there could be 5,000 who are too embarrassed for a public complaint.
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-06-13:
barry, I admire what you are doing for these kids and wish you the best of luck going forward. What is still confusing (to me at least), is were you already a member of GE when they solicited you and said they would do a fund raiser on your behalf, or did they offer to do a fund raiser on your behalf IF you became a member? What is it that GE promised to do and what documentation do you have from them to back up your claim that they did not follow through?
Posted by brilliantbarry on 2007-06-14:
Here are the answers to your questions.
1.They are smooth. Great Expectations could not get me to join in order to find someone special. Tracy learned my passion for helping the poor and also Brazil street children. She convinced me that their fund raisers were outstanding. I didn't realize the extent of the inducement until later. They are the smoothest people to ever walk on eath.
I wrote my narrative stressing my involment with helping Brazilian street children. I took notes during the conference with them, but they painted such a beautiful picture, it didn't seem needed to have them give me written plan. Tracy had all the specific details for a fund raiser laid out as part of their individualized service to me. I gathered the 8x10 photos and wrote up the documentation they requested.
I have heard others members who joined tell me that they had been told that their membership would be absolutely free because they needed someone like them with their background to list on their pr pages. That they would do that for them free if they agreed not to tell anyone that their membership was free. They were told to provide a credit card any way so it would look good in their file should anyone check. But later, they discovered they paid full price, I have talked to senior citizens in Sun City who were scamed by having them go in pairs. Then they would separate them and tell them their friend they came in with signed up and they should too. In my case they had me sign a paper stating that I would never reveal how much I paid. There are a lot of papers they have you intial that make it seem like they are doing you a favor.
I have traveled back to Brazil, but with much limited resources so I could not do as much as I needed to do.
Some of the kids and spotters were not where they were suppose to be. I got empty looks when I showed pictures of them in tough areas. I am just sick about this.
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