text:
Social media marketing will be increasingly important in the future, most online retailers agree. But for now, web merchants view social media more as a medium to build up brand awareness and customer loyalty than as a way to drive immediate sales, according to Internet Retailer's latest survey.
The survey of 175 companies that sell online—85 web-only merchants, 40 consumer brand manufacturers, 34 retail chains and 16 catalog companies—finds that a growing number of web merchants are convinced of the importance of engaging consumers on online social networks. Of the retailers responding to the survey, 95.9% say social media marketing is important to the future of their Internet business, including 53.2% that label it very important.
Today 90.7% of the responding merchants have a Facebook page, and 75% are active on Twitter and 54.1% on Pinterest—a barely 3-year-old site where consumers share products and photos they encounter online. 51.2% post videos on YouTube, while 39% use Google+ (Google Inc.'s social network) and 14.5% Instagram, a photo-sharing social network owned by Facebook Inc.
But most web merchants are only now ramping up their spending on social media marketing. The Internet Retailer survey finds that 87.1% of responding retailers will spend $100,000 or less on their social media programs this year, including 59.4% who will spend less than $10,000. But going forward 64.1% of retailers say they will increase their social media marketing budget. Their goals are varied, with 31% aiming primarily to attract more customers, 29.8% to build customer loyalty and 29.2% to drive sales.
Coastal Contacts Inc., a web-only retailer of contact lenses, eyeglasses and certain related merchandise with annual sales of about $177 million, is typical of the growing number of retailers looking to reach more consumers on social networks.
Prior to using any form of social media, Coastal Contacts relied on more traditional forms of marketing, including e-mail, affiliates, and paid and natural search to get the word out about its brand and latest promotions.
But an initial experiment to promote its new eyeglasses business on Facebook just two years ago has morphed into a social media marketing program that's becoming an increasingly important customer acquisition tool for Coastal Contacts, says vice president of marketing Aaron Magness.
Costal Contacts, which in North America goes by Coastal.com, has used social media to identify about 1 million new customers, Magness says. What's more, the traffic that Coastal.com receives from social media sites such as Facebook now totals about 104,027 monthly unique visitors, or about 25% of the e-retailer's total web site traffic, according to Compete Inc.
Two years ago Coastal Contacts only had about 10,000 Facebook fans, but that's grown to 860,000 today. "Social media represents just a great way to engage more people and add an extra element to our marketing strategy," Magness says. "It's becoming a big driver of new customer acquisition for us."
Coastal Contacts credits a unique promotion to give away free eyeglasses as the catalyst that taught the company how to use social media as an effective marketing tool. Coastal Contacts used Facebook Offers to promote its First Pair Free program, which gives customers free frames selected from certain eyewear brands and styles and standard lenses. The glasses advertised in the First Pair Free are created at no expense to the customer redeeming the coupon but the customer must pay for shipping and handling and for any specific upgrades such as lens coatings, progressive lenses, bifocals, tints and other options.
When Coastal Contacts ran its first Facebook Offers coupon, the promotion was an immediate hit with its Facebook Fans and resulted in about 20,000 coupon redemptions and a nice increase in incremental revenue from shipping and handling fees and upgraded orders, although the retailer declined to reveal specifics. A second Facebook Offers campaign generated even bigger results including 860,000 consumers that clicked on the offer on Coastal Contacts' Facebook page and 21,000 that redeemed the coupon. "We have become Facebook's largest vision care brand," Magness says. "Facebook has allowed us to respond to customer questions on our pages instantly any time of day or night."
In general, web merchants see their involvement with social media as a way to increase customer loyalty and service, better understand customer behavior and deliver timely offers that shoppers can also pass along to family and friends. Online merchants also see social media and social commerce as a way to drive sales with a very engaged group of customers.
The Internet Retailer survey finds that the web sales merchants currently generate from social media channels is relatively small. For 89.8% of merchants, annual web sales from social media initiatives amounted to $500,000, and less than $100,000 for 64.1%. Overall 78.4% of merchants responding to the Internet Retailer survey say 5% or less of their total annual web sales now come from social media outlets such as Facebook, including 31.6% who say it's less than 1%.
At online jeweler Ice.com, which will post Internet Retailer-estimated social commerce sales of about $1.2 million in 2012, or about 2.4% of its 2011 online sales of $51.05 million, the company views revenue from Facebook and other social media outlets as sales that are coming from its most loyal and engaged customers, says president and chief marketing officer Jonathan Kowit. After several years of developing a following on Facebook, Ice.com now has a base of about 600,000 fans.
At any given time Ice.com may have as many as four promotions running on its Facebook page. Examples include offers that give consumers a chance to comment on a certain style of ring and then purchase it, or a limited-time offer that lets a shopper mix and match her favorite gem with different styles and colors of gems and purchase her favorite at 20% off.
But those promotions aren't just about driving revenue, Kowit says. More important, purchases generated from Ice.com's Facebook page help the online jeweler learn more about what's driving shopping behavior among its most loyal customers. "We are still very early on in understanding social commerce because people don't go to our Facebook page just to shop," Kowit says. "They come to our Facebook page to immerse themselves in what they like and don't like about jewelry, and the purchases they make give us insight into what they find engaging about our customer experience and what's not."
The Internet Retailer survey found that 71.6% of merchants view Facebook as the social media outlet that's the most effective for generating online sales compared with 13.6% for Twitter and 8.6% for Pinterest. A total of 74.2% of retailers currently advertise on social networks or plan to within the next year.
Most online retailers maintain only a very small full-time staff dedicated to social media marketing and commerce, with 49.4% of merchants having only one full-time employee concentrating on social media.
But there are exceptions, such as W.W. Grainger Inc., a business-to-business distributor of industrial supplies and spare parts, a category known as maintenance, repair and operations, or MRO. Grainger, whose annual e-commerce sales exceed $2 billion, is a relative newcomer to social media and has been on Facebook less than a year. But Grainger already has four full-time employees working on social media initiatives and expects to increase the number of dedicated social media analysts and designers to six within a year, says senior director and head of online/digital marketing Pavez Patel.
Growing its social media base quickly is strategically important to Grainger as it looks to engage and build long-term relationships with next-generation MRO buyers, Patel says. "Many of the current executives who make MRO purchasing decisions and our current buyers will begin to retire in the years ahead," Patel says. "We are using social media to engage younger buyers making their way up the organization in the channels they use to engage each other, and that's on Facebook and LinkedIn."
Using social channels like LinkedIn, a network for businesspeople and professionals, also helps Grainger reach individuals interested in very specific business-to-business topics, such as finding and hiring skilled workers and workplace safety. A recent forum on LinkedIn on the employment outlook for skilled tradesmen drew 133 participants.
But more important for Grainger, the experience helped Grainger use social media to identify MRO professionals with a particular interest in a topic important to them, Patel says. "Grainger wants to shift the public's perception of the skilled trades and wants to take the conversation from 'jobs' to 'careers,'" Patel says. "LinkedIn was chosen as a medium for this discussion since it is a channel targeted to the discussion of careers, workforce development and networking."
That's an example of how many online retailers are viewing social media: an important way to engage important audiences, even if not yet an important way to boost sales.Favorite


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VOX adds video and applauds Google's low bit rate vp8 video codec and jellybean video support, bringing quality video to portable devices.
White Plains, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/15/2013 -- Pervasip Corp.'s (OTCQB: PVSP) wholly-owned subsidiary, Vox Communications, a cloud-based voice and video communications solutions, apps and services provider, has now added free video calling to its Android Mobile VoIP calling application. The app is immediately available to all Amazon Kindle devices via the Amazon App Store.
Over a billion devices currently have access to the VoX VoIP app via the Google Play Store, the Samsung App Store and now the Amazon App Store. All subscribers also have access to the VoX "Pay And Go" subscription-free calling plans. The subscription-free plan called "Pay and Go" can be topped up with amounts as little as one dollar and enables calling anywhere in the world without paying a monthly subscription fee.
VoX's Chief Information Officer, Mark Richards, noted, "We continue to spend our time and energy working to make our app the leading app available on Android, and are pleased to finally release a video version, as promised to our shareholders some time ago. We are releasing the app to the Amazon store with a video plug-in for very good reasons.
First, we applaud Google's great vision for the VP8 codec and we support that codec. Also, we are very aware that VP8, specifically under Jelly Bean, supports hardware abstraction for the encoding and decoding of video. Coupled with a multi-core processor, we feel that the video experience is now ready for prime time. We are confident that given the above ingredients, the call quality and user experience will be superior to other video apps currently available.
We chose to load the video application into the Amazon store as our first step so that we can garner feedback from devices that support the required experience. All being well, we plan to release the app to the Google Play Store as soon as we predict an exceptional and sustainable user experience. We are expecting an even higher conversion from free to paid subscribers, currently at a rate between 5% and 8% on any given day for our voice app. We are also aware that once launched into the Google Play Store where a billion disparate devices 'hang out,' we need to be prepared operationally for that potential growth while continuing to maintain the user experience of our flagship product. Not all devices, and certainly not all VoIP, are created equal."
"We are very confident that Google has planted the technology seeds for video to finally go mainstream in 2013 and WebRTC will only serve to accelerate that adoption," added Richards.
A VoX user can subscribe entirely on the phone or tablet and choose a U.S. phone number without leaving the interface, which makes the sign up process more elegant than many competitors. The Mobile VoIP paid plans are a low cost of entry for a high quality and reliable mobile VoIP service offering. New subscribers can download the app for a free 60 minute trial and make calls to any country on the unlimited calling list or sign up for the "Pay And Go" plan for as little as a dollar, literally a "Pay as you go" plan with no monthly subscription fees.
A Juniper Research Report projects that mobile video calling users will exceed 160 Million by 2017. http://www.juniperresearch.com/viewpressrelease.php?pr=362
The VoX Mobile VoIP Android Video App can be downloaded to your Kindle tablet here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dmobile-apps&field-keywords=vox+mobile
About VoX Communications:
VoX Communications delivers VoIP and video telephone service anywhere in the world that has a stable broadband connection. It recently entered the mobile VoIP services and applications arena so that its VoIP can utilize any 3G/4G or WiFi connection. VoX differentiates itself through a unique combination of high quality voice services, flexible back-office capabilities and automated provisioning systems that enable a quick turn-up for app users who are looking for a second mobile phone line or low-cost international calling, without using any voice-plan minutes from their mobile phone carrier. It offers a feature-rich, low-cost, high-quality alternative to traditional wireless phone services. For more information, please visit www.voxcorp.net.
Forward-looking statements: The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
Paul H. Riss
Chief Executive Officer
Ph: 212-404-7633

subset: commoncrawl


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NOTES from the UNDERGROUND No. 178 | April 4, 2009
Wyeth & Peterson, THE LOCAL ARTIST
Editor's Note: One of the immediate pleasures in writing to various websites is the work itself. Some of it comes easy. But most of it requires considerable time, thought, reading, research…and finally the act of putting it all together so that it will mean something, register in the hearts and minds of readers. Which is why the writer remains engaged at all in this habit.
Given our present age of communications (the screen you are reading from as I write) some call what I am momentarily caught in the act of doing, "blogging"–a term I intensely dislike. I call it good, old fashioned writing. I have essayed this topic before, (http://norbertblei.com/code/blog.asp?blogId=11) . And I'm sure I haven't written the last word on the subject.
Those about to test the blogging waters for the first time sometimes ask for tips. I have none. You get into it because you believe you have something to say that matters. Given the shortage of real readers these days, given the publishing predicament for those who know in their bones they are writers who must get their words out—there are not a hell of a lot of options left to practice the trade, pursue the art. And none of this, whatever you want to call it, however you my feel about it, in any way guarantees readership.
The payback for all this (writers and 'bloggers') remains an indeterminate factor. Readers' response. Reaction. (Hello, out there!) I tell you…You tell me.
The disappointments are plenty. You may end up hating what you "blogged" and put out there without thinking through. You may easily lose hours, days, weeks, putting in (up, on the screen) what you consider your very best–and hear nary one damn word from anybody. (Why the hell am I doing this?) Or you may get the most incredible response from a friend, a total stranger, readers in distant parts of the world.
Now, that's exciting. (For me.) To be 'in' all those countries.
There is absolutely no accounting for, no telling how many readers may have seriously taken your words/ideas to heart—but just plain can't, won't. don't respond, for reasons entirely…well, for the same reasons (many of them legitimate) you can't, won't, don't respond when someone rings your bell.
I'll leave it at that. Except to share some responses to a piece recently put together after reading about the death of American artist, Andrew Wyeth…then remembering my friend, 'local' artist, Charles (Chick) Peterson who lives just a few miles from me…juxtaposing these two artists, the idea of 'local' artist…my own fascination with 'the ordinary'—which I "read" in the images of both these painters… and, and…well, I'm just pleased and thankful for these 'early returns'/responses from a variety of folks I know from a little to nothing about except: three of them are writers (novelist, poet, essayist, newspaper writer—Midwest, Northwest coast); one a photographer (Florida/the Midwest); one a cantor (East Coast); and one a potter/poet, the Southwest. Such a thoughtful gathering of minds and hearts.
This makes it all worthwhile. –Norbert Blei
Thanks for this, Norb. Peterson is a marvelous artist! I recall your fine piece on him in one of the books?
Best, Aryeh
appreciate this, Norb … damn, the format in which you present things is so utterly rich…jb . [kudos to Monsieur K.]
Norb –
A wonderful piece–on Peterson & Wyeth, on familiar things as medicine, on the bleigeist.
Interesting thoughts on art. I would be interested in the viewpoint of your good friend Emmett Johns on the relative importance and relationship between traditional representational art and contemporary abstract art. He is, in my estimation, equally facile at both.
My personal view is that they are not mutually exclusive, nor does the recognition of quality in one diminish the validity of the other. As usual, thanks for a piece that inspires consideration.
Hi Norb,
I really enjoyed your Wyeth and Peterson story. They are two of my favorite artists. I've like Wyeth for years. I like so many of his paintings, but my favorite painting is "Distant Thunder." Not sure what it is about the painting that makes it stand out more than others. I think it's the peacefulness of the woman lying in the grass with the pine trees nearby and her dog also resting near her. I can remember times when I was picking berries and how peaceful it was to lie down in the grass out in the middle of nature, far from artificial sounds. I can just hear the sound of that distant thunder!
I have a couple books of his paintings, plus the Helga book, and also the books of Peterson's paintings. We always have at least one of his paintings on our walls.
Hope all goes well on your side of the fence. Hope to get up your way again sometime before or after the majority of tourists descend on you.
Hi Norb-This one got my motor running.
"What we yearn for are those values that refute our materialism…simple pleasures, country people, solitude, beauty of the commonplace, nature serene…the quietude of the country…Something to comfort our spiritual blight."
It is pretty hard to separate out the material from life which is both material and immaterial. I keep thinking the material stuff is there to remind us of the things we can't touch even though we can feel them. Spiritual blight and too much stuff. But, I do not think of country people, solitude, nature as simple. Or maybe it is simple and I don't know how to be.
Pictographs could communicate such urgencies before the written word evolved; a penetration of the spirit world through a direct appeal to our subconscious, art being more like music than literature (which involves the reading and thinking ).
I think that letters, words, literature, poems can certainly be as direct an appeal to our subconscious as can art. Especially well chosen words. I sometimes think/feel that there are circumstances when one word can be worth a thousand pictures. The wonderful thing about pictographs and petroglyphs is that, for the most part, we cannot translate directly what the artist may have meant. We create our own meanings, whether its pictures, music or words. We can't help it. We often assume that the ancients who created the petroglyphs were using a symbol set that their contemporaries understood. But we don't really know if that is so. If we agree exactly with the artist or the author, and they confirm that is exactly what was meant, the wondrous miracle of cross-referenced experiences and the same understandings has occurred.
the iconic Christina's World is an amazing portrait of both a woman and a place. When I first saw the painting, I remember thinking of the loneliness of farm landscapes in New England, West Virginia and the Midwest, anywhere really outside the population centers, anywhere that you feel that you are the only person, literally and figuratively. And I thought that the house, a supposed place of nurturing, of family and fellowship, was so far away, symbolically unreachable from the woman's emotional point of view. I thought that the woman's perception of her alone-ness had felled her. When I later read about Christina Olson and her physical disability, her crawling across the fields, the painting changed for me and became a symbol of perseverance rather than desolation. The words, the reading and thinking part, changed my mind, appealed to my subconciousness about this life.
Guernica and Goya and Rothko: The abstractions of Guernica and Goya are close enough to our nightmares of war and senseless destruction to translate immediately. Rothko is just as facile at bringing me quickly to a similar sort of fugue state where I'm walking and talking on the outside but grieving about death in my heart. Then, you go back to Lascaux Cave and the drawings: marvelous running horses and oxen and mammoths and then those strange untranslatable abstract shields that make me think of Rothko's paintings. What? Some say they are clan shields. Are Rothko's painting not clan shields of a sort? Shadows on the cave wall? Abstract art here in the cave of the ancients too? And they supposedly did all this in the dark? Or have the flashlights disintegrated?
Representational art expressing spiritual aspiration. A sort of contradiction on the surface but then Charles Peterson paints then and now, the quick and the dead, even the ghosts of sounds and music. We are reminded of our past times, past people and places forever changed. Yes, representational art can make it easier to get there. Your thinking is guided carefully to the place of understanding. Words can get you there too. Abstract art can get you there. But you have to admit that it is interesting that we use all these visual surface clues to get us to the invisible, the non corporeal, the subconscious. How did we end up with so many surfaces? Why are we so interested in the one we can't see at all?
Andy Warhol's soup cans: So is the medium the message; or how far from reality can you go? Why is it we can trust, feel a level of comfort with the realists, the Wyeths, Charles Peterson, and even the abstractionists, Picasso and Rothko? They paint lifetimes and places we can recognize. On the other hand, Warhol shows you your trained reactions to things out of context. Would the Campbell's soup can be OK if it was a ghost on a table in an old abandoned Midwestern farmhouse with the ephemeral family smiling, slurping up warm soup next to the long gone woodstove on a cold winter's day? What if Warhol takes the screaming woman from Guernica and puts her on a soup can and labels it WAR? What if Wyeth paints the windows in the bedroom to match Rothko's canvases. What if the Dadists write poems by cutting the words out of the newspaper, putting them in a paper bag, shaking them up, throwing them out, and recording the order as poetry? What if it takes a profoundly deaf Beethoven four years to write Missa Solemnis? Me, I'd rather eat the soup, look at the paintings and read the newspaper. But I have to keep making art and writing words.
It takes a consummate artist to bring us into the picture. The crux of the matter-not many of us actually enjoy alienation. Composition, where objects are placed, in or out of context, gives us balance, draws us in or throws us out-whichever the artist might want if good enough. We like the artists that include our lives in our perception of their works.
"They TALK a good painting." I can remember reaching the point with my writing and my writing education, where I became disgusted with words. Writing became just a snobbish erudite manipulation with no truth in it. I stopped writing and began to make art. I can remember reaching the point with the pots that I decided there were enough objects taking up space in the world and went back to words as more ecologically and materialistically sound. Then I saw that the words take up invisible space in the mind that can become just as cluttered as the attic in that old farmhouse we love to look at with the ghosts paging through the old books in the abandoned library.
Ordinary life: I bought a book of Charles Peterson's paintings a while back to give to an old friend because we had spent good times in Door County long ago and then after some 30 years had become ghosts in one another's lives. There is a refrain that runs through Peterson's paintings and Wyeth's paintings and Francis Mays' poems and your books, Norb, that keeps us turning into ourselves. Our ordinary lives-that is all we have and it's grande. We like to be reminded of this.
"Art or illustration?" This ongoing argument is much like the one for potters, ie is it art or is it craft? The NCECA recently asked the NM Potters and Clay Artists to donate $1,000 to their proposed $100,000 conference in Santa Fe next fall for a symposium "Criticism on Contemporary Ceramics." to address this problem again. They want to raise the ceramic arts to be the equal of the fine arts like painting. I'll bet they use a lot of words on this one. We can't give them $1000 but will probably have a reception and serve them some green chile or something.
Thanks for this piece. I've taken a long lunch break from working on a big old pot, played with visions and words, and now I'm ready to go back to moving the clay around with my fingers. I don't know where art comes from but I'm glad it is here. But you know that.-Kris


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PCCs and the democratic deficit
And so the inquest begins. Why were the people of England and Wales so emphatically indifferent to being given the power to elect their police and crime commissioners (PCC)?
There will be arguments about the wisdom of holding an election in November, the lack of information, the fact that many details were only available online, concerns about politicisation of the police, the vast constituencies, the shortage of high-profile candidates and on and on.
Those were contributory factors, but I suspect the real flaw was something more fundamental - the voters were never persuaded they needed an elected police and crime commissioner.
The creation of PCCs was the centrepiece of Conservative proposals to reform the police in England and Wales. "Giving people democratic control over policing priorities is a huge step forward in empowering communities," the party manifesto claimed in 2010.
The coalition's Programme for Government retained the idea, arguing for radical reform of the criminal justice system, with directly elected individuals to make the police "much more accountable to the public they serve".
Earlier this year I met Gordon Wasserman, now Lord Wasserman, who was the architect of the Conservative party's PCC policy. A Canadian by birth, it was his experience of US law enforcement, particularly in New York and Philadelphia, which shaped his ideas.
"I want people to see their police commissioner in the street and say 'Hi Commissioner! How are you doing?'" he told me. When I suggested to him that this sounded rather un-British behaviour and that most people wouldn't even recognise their MP or council leader in the street, Lord Wasserman dismissed my scepticism.
However, I had reason to recall our conversation when I was in Lancashire recently, talking to local people about the PCC elections. "It's an American idea," one man told me. "Over there they vote for everything. They even vote for their sewage man. We don't do that here."
There is a perfectly good case to be made for greater accountability of the police.
The old police authorities were, in some cases, less than inspiring - "unaccountable and invisible" as the 2010 Tory manifesto put it.
Recent allegations of police corruption and institutional cover-up help make a case for more scrutiny, and all three major political parties at Westminster have talked about a need for reform of police governance.
One can understand how some policy wonks and politicians became enthusiasts for extending democracy into policing - part of a wider agenda of community empowerment, localism and transparent governance.
But it was a vision that never really escaped the rarefied world of Westminster think tanks. The public were not excited by the language of democratic empowerment - they were much more interested in someone stopping kids creating mischief and local dogs turning pavements into obstacle courses.
With both recorded crime and people's experience of crime and anti-social behaviour at their lowest levels in decades, the issue has slipped down the list of public concerns. Confidence in how the police are doing their job has been rising in recent years - the latest official figures suggest 62% of people agree with the statement "police and local councils are dealing with the crime issues that matter in the local area", up from 57%.
Neighbourhood policing has been a great success in most areas and there seems little evidence of profound frustration that police priorities are seriously awry.
As a consequence, getting the public out to vote for a highly-paid and relatively remote politician, to tackle a democratic deficit they weren't persuaded they had, was always going to be a hard sell.
It wasn't just that the weather was a bit chilly or that the candidates all seemed to be saying the same thing. It was that the electorate had not been convinced there was a need to change the system.
As a man in Lancashire put it to me: "If it ain't broke, why fix it?"


text: In my last blog I created a mechanism to fetch data from Salesforce using rJava and SOQL. In this blog I am going to use that mechanism to fetch ad campaign data from salesforce and predict future ad campaign sales using R Let us assume that Salesforce has campaign data for last eight quarters. This


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Mixed emotions for parents and students as move-in day approaches
Going off to college for the first time is both an exciting and nerve-racking experience for students and parents. As the new school year begins, incoming college freshmen prepare for a time of transition and new experiences.
Trey Turner, a recent North Lenoir High School graduate, is moving into his dorm at ECU this weekend and expressed a mixture of excitement and nervousness about the transition to college.
Items packed and ready to be moved include an ironing board and little things that remind Turner of home. According to his mother, Charlene Turner, the longest Trey has ever been away from home is two weeks.
As a parent, Charlene is worried about her son, but with ECU only being a 30 minute drive away, some of her concern has been negated. She has also been helping by buying dorm supplies and taking care of final pieces of paperwork to help ensure a smooth transition.
�Trey will have plenty of help with the move,� she said,
It will be a family affair as his two older sisters, younger brother Zachary and father will be on hand to see the ECU freshman start a new chapter in his life.
He knows going from a high school classroom to the college setting will be hard, but Turner has confidence.
�I know I�ll be able to buckle down and do the work,� Turner said.
Like Turner, Katie Lee is also attending ECU. Due to the five years she spent attending Lenoir County Early College High School, she will enter with an associate�s degree already in hand.
For Lee, she said she knows she can handle the coursework, but the prospect of living in the dorm with someone she has never met is a bit of a worry. Thanks to LCC, though, Lee has all of her prerequisites out of the way and can focus on her coursework as an English major immediately.
The short distance between school and home, along with the quality of her department, made ECU an easy choice for Lee, who has never been away from home.
�It (ECU) had everything I needed,� Lee said.
Josh Dawson, who was the point guard for three Kinston High School state championships, is going to Fayetteville State on a basketball scholarship.
To Dawson, going off to college means following his dream � but being away from home and family will present new challenges.
�I have to stay focused on my own now,� Dawson said.
For his mother Litisha Dawson, there is a feeling of mixed emotions as the last of her two children leave the house.
�I�m excited. He�s growing up, but at the same time it�s my baby leaving the house,� Dawson said.
Saturday, the Dawsons will load up two vehicles with food, pillows and other supplies necessary for dorm life, and make the trek to Fayetteville, where Josh will begin living away from home.
�It�s going to be a new experience,� Dawson said.
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or at email@example.com.
Move-in dates/ class starts
School Freshmen move-in Class starts
Appalachian State Today Tuesday, Aug. 20
Campbell Saturday and Sunday Wednesday, Aug. 21
Duke Tuesday, Aug. 20 Monday, Aug. 26
ECU Today through Sunday Tuesday, Aug. 20
Fayetteville State Saturday Thursday, Aug. 22
UNC Chapel Hill Today through Sunday Tuesday, Aug. 20
UNC Charlotte Today Monday, Aug. 19
UNC Wilmington Saturday Wednesday, Aug. 21
Wake Forest Thursday, Aug. 22 Tuesday, Aug. 27


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According to sources with direct knowledge at both ends of the major sub-assembly supply chain, temporary parts, including fasteners, are causing significant slow downs in the 787 program.
The source of the slowdown in progress on Dreamliner One originated in the rush to meet the July 8th roll out. The push to achieve this milestone forced supply chain partners to use over-the-counter parts and prevented assembly teams from being able to document the location of these temporary fasteners on the first 787.
Boeing has previously acknowledged that temporary fasteners would be required on early 787 airframes while a shortage of flightworthy fasteners was being remedied. Flightblogger has learned that many of the temporary fasteners, which were painted red and installed in place of flightworthy parts, were purchased from run-of-the-mill chain hardware stores, including Home Depot and Ace Hardware.
The use of hardware store parts has been confirmed by multiple sources working directly with the aircraft at assembly sites in both Everett, Wa. and Charleston, S.C.
As a result, Boeing must now comb through the aircraft to locate, document and replace all of the temporary fasteners to prevent a single non-flightworthy fastener from flying.
The slowdown is occurring at several different levels.
The first is the difficulty in identifying where these fasteners were installed on the aircraft. All fasteners have to meet FAA conformity standards and engineering requirements for flight worthiness. A record, or travel tag, is required to show that the installation was authorized by an engineer based on the temporary nature of the part. According to sources directly involved with the program, no concrete or consistent documentation existed for fasteners on large portions of Dreamliner One.
Without adequate documentation, assembly teams in Everett have had to allocate significant resources for identifying and replacing the temporary fasteners.
The second is the challenge in physically replacing the parts. "Composite only like fasteners installed once," according to one source working directly with the aircraft.
When it came time to install flightworthy fasteners, the removal of the temporary fasteners damaged some of the composite parts of the aircraft causing time-consuming repairs.
For example, the vertical tail was removed following roll out and reattached on August 26 after undergoing composite repairs.
As of print date, Boeing continues to progress with structural work as Dreamliner One prepares for its flight test program. Wiring and systems installation have not yet begun.
The replacement of the fasteners is an example of the type of "traveled work" that is necessary on Dreamliner One. Because all work has to be documented and accounted for electronically, Boeing has employed the VELOCITY system to track the assembly process. Engineers and mechanics who are working directly with Dreamliner One have found the paperless work environment an impediment to progress.
One veteran engineer put it this way, "Boeing has missed a fundamental element in Lean Manufacturing. When building and assembling the aircraft in VELOCITY, the paperless assembly environment system shouldn't be something that creates more work for us."
Though the process may be difficult, according to another source working directly with Dreamliner One, "Progress is slow, but steady."
The third challenge is that when Boeing conceived the global supply chain for the Dreamliner it never envisioned having to assemble a completely bare aircraft with temporary parts in Everett. The sections would arrive stuffed with flightworthy fasteners, systems, ducting, wiring and insulation from Italy, Japan, Kansas and South Carolina. The first Dreamliner arrived completely bare.
Sources say the fastener issue is indicative of a larger fundamental problem in the global supply chain.
"Traceability to the source [of manufacturing] is something that is missing in this program. When you receive a travel tag from a partner and it is written in Japanese with English subtitles it sure makes you wonder if something got lost in translation," remarked one Boeing engineer.
An assessment by one Boeing veteran engineer of how to avoid these problems in the supply chain was unequivocal,
"Boeing needs to create a server based system that all the partners can log onto and sign off the work they complete. This way when [the part] finally ends up at the next partner or here in Everett, we can see what tasks were not completed. This would also keep any 'lost in translation' tags from getting through the system. There has to be a direct line of communication at all levels. You can't put an aircraft through final assembly in three days in Everett if the documentation takes you three months."
When approached about this situation, Boeing 787 Communications spokesperson Yvonne Leach declined to comment or provide details in the lead up to a program update late this week.
Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] Commercial Airplanes Chief Scott Carson and 787 Program Manager Mike Bair are hosting a conference call with media, investors and analysts on the morning of September 5th to provide a comprehensive update on progress.
Flightblogger has learned that a delay of first flight will be announced. The specific length of that delay is currently unknown.
Even with a potential delay looming, internally at manufacturing and assembly sites around the United States, sources describe the overall quality of the design as excellent.
"Boeing and its partners have taken on a huge responsibility to their customers and the millions of travelers who fly on their products. To build an aircraft of this caliber you need to build it with the best the aerospace industry can provide. Boeing hired the best minds to design the new 787 and they hired the best minds to put in place a world class lean manufacturing team. The issue has been one of execution."
However, at sub-assembly plants such as Global Aeronautica in Charleston, less experienced workers whose expertise lie outside of the aerospace industry are being relied upon to assemble and inspect major structural components of the aircraft.
The veteran engineer added, "[Boeing] allowed their partners to use unskilled technicians to build the assemblies. The 787 Dreamliner should be built by the best the aerospace industry has to offer. What seems to have happened here is that Boeing has built a house starting from the roof down. Any time you build anything as complicated as the 787 you need to build a good base and work up from there. All the best engineering and planning are nothing without the skill and dedication of seasoned professionals who give so much of themselves to build what we all hope will one day be the safest and most economical aircraft in the world."
The veteran engineer concluded, "No problem is insurmountable. This is a wonderful airplane. These problems can be overcome. There has to be a reckoning about the realities of what it will take to ensure that this program gets off the ground safely and successfully."
Temporary Fasteners Causing Major Problems for 787 Program
According to sources with direct knowledge at both ends of the major sub-assembly supply chain, temporary parts, including fasteners, are causing significant slow downs in the 787 program.


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Bring color into your home for spring with this super groovy Square shape floor pillow poufs with happy pompom borders. Imagine moving dinner parties to the floor, lounging in a reading book, or creating a magical, comfortable playroom or just everybody who enjoy sitting or lying on the floor this really easy , decorative and comfortable cushions are a great idea.Perfect for reading, meditating, or just relaxing on! With our giant Floor Pillow, made using your favourite mandala fabric! those dreams are now realities! Soft, comfy, and oh-so-pretty square floor pillows that are great on their own.
They are addictive in that each one is a work of art and adds to your collection. Just another dimension of Incredible India!
These Beautiful Pillows are sold with or without the filler. They are filled with Poly-Fill 100% Premium Polyester Fiber. Backside is printed with zipper enclosure. Great as mediation pillow, kids play room, or as an accent pillow on your bed. Mix and match with other colors!
The Printing on this fabric is an example of fine workmanship of Indian artisans, the fabric used is 100% cotton and printing is screen printing.
Product Description :
- Product Code : TS-CC-490
- Decorative Mandala Pillow Cover
- Size ( 26" X 26" Inches )


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Quick update now before I go to bed: the red bits are now on Patches - assembly by mallet is so satisfying! - and I had to redo the Y bed to centralise the drive shaft more. There is also one more 608 to further constrain the left-hand Y rail. The right hand one remains relatively lightly guided.
I've got the switches mechanically located and functioning, though the Y bed motor bracket needs a protrusion on it to strategically poke the switch with. I just free-welded some PLA into place by hand and I'll update the files later.
If I run in to an unsolvable problem with even-sided drive on the bed, I can simply duplicate the Z axis drive components and run two drive rods. It's tempting but I want to go really minimal for this build.
The mounting bracket for the stepper drivers needs designing, but that'll be an integral component of the Arduino mounting backboard. There will also be a patch-pad holder for discrete components. This one is designed not to have a custom PCB, and to be ultra accessible. Replacing or substituting components will be a relatively simple process with no soldering. I hope.
Vik :v)
Thursday, August 9, 2012
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Notice to Members 01-36
NASD Regulation Requests Comment on Proposed Interpretive Material IM-2110-7 Regarding Actions That Interfere With The Transfer of Customer Accounts
NASD Regulation, Inc. (NASD Regulation) is requesting comment from members, associated persons, investors, and other interested parties on a proposal to adopt Interpretive Material related to Rule 2110, which would provide that it is inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade for a member or person associated with a member to take any action that interferes with the ability of a customer to transfer his or her account. The proposed Interpretive Material would not prohibit a firm from seeking to enforce employment agreements with their former representatives. Nor would it affect the operation of National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD®) rules governing account transfers, and therefore would not, for example, restrict the ability of a member to reject or delay an account transfer pursuant to Rule 11870 when the transfer request is inadequate to identify the account to be transferred.
NASD Regulation is aware that some members are seeking court orders that have the effect of preventing customers from transferring their accounts to follow a registered representative to his or her new employer. NASD Regulation believes that, as a matter of policy, customers should have the freedom to choose the registered representatives and firms that service their brokerage accounts. Further, NASD Regulation is concerned that customers whose account transfer requests have been delayed in this manner could be deprived of brokerage services and access to their accounts while their registered representative and his or her former firm attempt to resolve an employment dispute.
Questions regarding this Notice may be directed to Sarah J. Williams, Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, NASD Regulation, Inc., at (202) 728-8083.


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Personal Development Program Manager
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
|Serving as Personal Development Program Manager can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle.
| Personal Development
Program Manager
The Personal Development Program Manager is a position of responsibility appointed by the Captain who supervises five activities in this field of emphasis: Spiritual development, leadership, citizenship, social and cultural attributes, and physical fitness.
Position description
The Personal Development Program Manager is an appointed leader of the team's and his own personal development activities in five specific areas. In four of the areas (Spiritual development, citizenship, social and cultural attributes, and physical fitness) he plan activities, award opportunities or other achievements for individual members or the team as a whole. Leadership may be satisfied by carrying out the duties of this program, or by taking a leadership course. He works with an adult Personal Development Program Adviser to plan and perform primary leadership for these team events. He usually serves a 6- or 12-month term.
Multiple concurrent program managers for this field
The team captain may appoint multiple concurrent personal development program managers. Each program manager fulfills their own leadership area requirement; the Team Coach assigns the primary leads of the remaining four areas evenly among the program managers - each will have specific areas they are primary leader, and then they will assist the other program manager(s) with carrying out the other activities.
Reports to
- Plans and coordinates team and individual activities in the five areas of personal development.
- Communicates with team members to determine special needs.
- Locates speakers and consultants.
- Works with program managers for the other fields of emphasis to coordinate activities.
- Keeps informed of community activities of interest to the team.
- Takes advantage of guidance offered by the adult Personal Development Program Adviser.
- Sets a good example for fellow team members.
- Enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform (all four parts).
- Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
- Shows Scout spirit
This position is responsible for helping team members make the most of opportunities to further their personal development. The area of leadership may be satisfied by carrying out the duties of this program, or by taking a leadership course either outside of Scouting or within Scouting (such as Junior Leader Training, National Youth Leader Training, VLCS or Kodiak, den chief training, etc.).
For the areas of spiritual development, citizenship, social and cultural attributes, and physical fitness, look for appropriate individual awards, activities and achievements. Review the ideas listed in the "Program Features at a Glance" for program ideas. A wide range of other activities outside the printed program could be planned including inviting guest speakers, viewing presentations on a country or culture, visits to a museum, ethnic festival, play, or a courtroom session. Invite young women and hold ethics forum or a panel discussion on a current event or courtship and dating. Attend an inter-religious festival, invite a guest to speak on a religious or spiritual topic. Hold a merit badge clinic in citizenship, genealogy or a sports/fitness type; earn award with the entire team such as the Crime Prevention Award, Hometown U.S.A. Award, the Mile Swim award, or the James M. Stewart Good Citizenship Award, or the BSA Physical Fitness Award.
Working with an adult advancement program adviser
The Personal Development Program Adviser is the adult counterpart to the Scout program manager. The program adviser helps and encourages the youth program manger to:
- Help plan activities to meet the requirements of this field of emphasis.
- Work with the team committee and other program managers to integrate personal development activities into all team events.
- Locate speakers and consultants who will be informative and helpful to the team.
- Be familiar with the standards of safety and youth protection in the BSA to keep all activities safe for all participants.
The Personal Development Program Manager is a youth special program leader in its unit. Other youth program leaders are:
Program helps
Event and ultimate adventure planning
- Varsity Scout Team Activity Planning Worksheet (25K PDF) BSA 2003.
- Varsity Scout Team Activity Planning Worksheet (33K PDF) Modified, Team 336 Omaha, NE (6/06).
- Varsity Scout Team Activity Planning Worksheet (8K PDF) Modified, Utah National Parks Council, Provo District (2001).
- Varsity Scout Sample Trip Plan (29K PDF) BSA 2003.
- Ultimate Adventure Planning Checklist (33K PDF) BSA 2003.
See also
|Varsity Scout portal
External links
- James M. Steward Good Citizenship Award on the Boyscouttrail.com site.
Team Positions of Responsibility and Adult Advisers
|Team Leadership:
| Captain • Cocaptain • Team Secretary • Squad Leader • Quartermaster • Chaplain Aide •
Librarian • Instructor • Den Chief • Order of the Arrow Team Representative
|Program Managers:
|Advancement • High-Adventure/Sports • Personal Development • Service • Special Programs and Events
|Other team leadership:
|Historian • Bugler
|Team Coach • Assistant Team Coach(es) • Committee Secretary • Committee Treasurer
|Program Advisers:
|Advancement • High-Adventure/Sports • Personal Development • Service • Special Programs and Events


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(Duties and shipping cost excl.)
This Manila Grace bag will light up all your outfits with its metallic finish. You'll love this sophisticated, modern accessory to pair with your trendy outfits. Its inner clutch will hold all your essentials on the go. Dimensions 28 x 15,5 x 26cm
Shipments: Orders are processed generally within two working days from the order confirmation, subject to receipt of payment. Delivery usually occurs within three-four days from the date of shipment.
Returns: The withdrawal right can be exercised within 14 working days from the goods delivery.
Our Customer Care team will be pleased to help you from Monday to Friday, 8.30 - 13:00 / 14.30- 18.00 (GMT +1: Rome / Paris / Berlin time),by phone at the following number (+39) 041/8380022 or by email at email@example.com


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I'm running Xubuntu 12.04, and after I ran the update, my login started slowing down big time. I've dabbled a little bit with the programs in Settings -> Settings Manager -> Session and Startup, and tried closing and opening these programs, and then rebooting.
Anyways, I narrowed it down to a combination of 2 processes, "Network" (the connection manager) and "Xfce Volume Daemon". Their corresponding terminal commands are:
~$ nm-applet
~$ xfce4-volumed
If I disable them, and then run them after login is complete, everything works just fine. Is there a way for me to run these commands automatically at start up? I want to maybe write a shell script and save it somewhere, or at least edit the order things happen after login, so the desktop can load before these processes.


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List Of Ubuntu snort debconf Variables
I find myself on a regular basis looking for various debconf variables to set before installing packages on Ubuntu. This is typically to not have to type in the answers on the various configuration screens or because I want to script an install of some package. If the package has never been installed before on that specific server then the debconf variables will not display. You can always login to another server where the package is installed to see the variables but I am going to start posting information for common packages here so others can easily find them when searching.


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Top a sassy Mexican filling with flaky Crescents in a quick and easy casserole ready in just 30 minutes. Speed up your prep time by using thawed Make-Ahead Mexican Ground Beef in place of the ground beef and taco seasoning in the recipe. Heat Mexican beef with corn as directed in the recipe.
© 2019 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved


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A lot has been written and said over the last couple of months about management strategies for glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth. Of course, the one strategy many folks talk about is rotating out of cotton or soybeans into corn.
On the surface this would seem to be a solid recommendation to help reduce the Palmer amaranth soil seed bank. In fact, I made that very recommendation to some cotton growers in 2008 for a couple of fields that were heavily infested with GR Palmer amaranth that year.
However, in late August 2009, I stepped into a couple of these rotated fields and was very disappointed to find that as the corn was drying down, a large, late flush of GR Palmer amaranth was thriving. Much of this Palmer was as tall as I am, with a few plants even taller than the corn. The Palmer had flowered and was in the process of producing a large seed load.
I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but right then and there, it became apparent to me that rotating to a Roundup Ready corn hybrid and spraying glyphosate plus 2 quarts of atrazine was not going to cut it as a solid way to reduce the Palmer soil seed bank.
If not glyphosate plus atrazine, then what should be used in corn to combat GR Palmer amaranth? The traditional corn premixes hold the best option, particularly if they are not used in a traditional fashion. What I mean by that is if the premix is in part or totally applied postemergence instead of all pre-emergence, it has the best chance to curtail late GR Palmer flushes.
Once the herbicide that provides soil residual has been applied, the clock starts ticking on how long it will last and it is unknown when the clock will run out. Many factors come into play on how long a residual herbicide will last, including the rate of the herbicide applied, the soil type and most importantly, how much rain falls after application.
Therefore, if you can apply a residual herbicide as close to time as possible when you need it, the more consistent the control will be. In our research we have put this strategy to the test and looked at most of the atrazine premixes. We compared the given labeled rate for the soil type all applied pre or in split applications.
The split applications consisted of one-third of the labeled rate being applied pre-emergence and the other two-thirds applied to V1 to V3 corn. We found that we received more consistent late-season pigweed control with the split applications.
So which premix should you use? Confusion surrounding which corn premix to use is nothing new. Marshal McGlamery, a famous Extension weed scientist who retired a few years back, coined the term "can 'em and confuse 'em" to describe the premixes decades ago.
The reason there have been so may premixes marketed in corn is due to the simple fact that all herbicides work better with atrazine. Typically, the first part of a corn premix is atrazine, which provides contact and residual control of most broadleaf weeds and some control of grass weeds. The second component of a herbicide premix for corn enhances the residual activity on the grass and small-seeded broadleaf weeds.
Historically, the most popular corn premix was Bicep II Magnum (Dual II Magnum + atrazine). But others like Harness Xtra and Degree Xtra (acetochlor + atrazine) have also been widely used. In our work, all these herbicides provided about the same level of residual pigweed control. In other words, it wasn't so much which premix we used but how we used it that provided the most consistent late-season pigweed control.
Some more recently developed corn premixes contain one of the newer bleaching-type herbicides (Callisto, Impact and Laudis). These herbicides have a lot of utility in corn and Jason Bond will discuss them in his next article.
e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Weekly digest of gig opps and cool news:
Be social:
The #1 Record Pool for DJs:
Hand-crafted with ♥ in Brooklyn
© 2019 Gigwax Inc.
Gigwax is a platform connecting the dots between DJs and Event Organizers.Whether you're a DJ looking for events to play, or an organizer looking for DJs to book, Gigwax is your destination.
The more people you share your profile with, the more booking requests you get.
Besides, bookers can see how many times your profile has been shared and will often use it as a benchmark.
You know what to do:
You are one step away from applying for this gig. Fill in your email, paste a link to the mix you'd like to feature, write the host committee a message, and click submit below!
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Gigwax is limited to select gigs in New York City at the moment. But please let us know what you have in mind and we'll get back to you ASAP!
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Game Changing Z-Force® Power Pack
The Zero FX is available in two configurations:
Zero FX ZF3.3 – "Refuel" in seconds with removable power packs. The Zero FX ZF3.3's hot-swappable system allows riders to purchase multiple batteries that can be charged on or off the bike using optional accessories. Add a second module to match the performance of the ZF6.5.
Zero FX ZF6.5 – Equipped with an integrated, higher capacity 6.5 kWh battery, this option is simpler and more cost effective while delivering more power "out of the box."
- Z-Force® power packs are backed by a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty
- Worry-free, zero maintenance batteries are designed to last the life of the motorcycle.
- Fully modular Z-Force® quick-swap technology allows you to swap power packs on the Zero FX ZF3.3 in seconds. You can also upgrade the motorcycle's max capacity from 3.3 kWh to 6.5 kWh
- Note: Adding a second power pack may require an update of the vehicle's registration documents. Please check with your local vehicle approval authority for details
- State-of-the-art power pack configuration and cell chemistry
- Cells last 2,500 full charge/discharge cycles before hitting 80% capacity, yielding as much as 185,000 miles on the original power pack
- Highest energy density in the electric vehicle industry
- Isolated power systems and 12 V system for running accessories
- Modules can be fully removed from the motorcycle and transported to charge anywhere (this requires the purchase of a stand-alone Quick Charger and the Power Pack Module Charging Adapter)
- Module locking system for increased security and peace of mind
- Scalable off-board charging options available to reduce recharge times (see specs for details)
Revolutionary Z-Force® Motor
Thrilling acceleration with 78 ft-lb of torque
The motor in the Zero FX is configured to produce incredible torque and sits inside the lightest motorcycle in the lineup. The result is thrilling acceleration. Zero Motorcycles designed the Z-Force® motor from the ground up to be compact, efficient and powerful. Completely air-cooled, the motor is designed to provide a fantastic riding experience minus the need for any regular maintenance. When slowing down, the motor generates electricity that is channeled back into the power pack to help extend ride times.
View Details
Charge Easily.
Frame and Bodywork
Light Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
At the core of the Zero FX lies the ultimate dirt bike frame that Zero engineered from the ground up and handcrafted using aircraft-grade aluminum. The resulting combination of lower weight and higher strength means more responsiveness. In the corners and off the line, this translates into greater acceleration. For added durability, each frame is shot-peened and anodized.
View Details
Showa Suspension
Zero worked in close collaboration with Showa to develop suspension systems that provide excellent small bump compliance, predictable control of bigger impacts and exceptionally smooth action under all conditions. Torsional rigidity of the front end improves handling, and a hollow front axle reduces unsprung weight. Suspension settings are completely customizable to meet the demands of a wide variety of riders.
- Exceptionally smooth action for improved comfort and control
- Fully adjustable settings to meet the demands of a wide variety of riders
- Hollow front axle reduces unsprung weight
- Durable and highly protective fork guards
- Developed in close collaboration with Showa
Bosch Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
The Zero FX features an advanced Bosch anti-lock brake system (ABS) that improves control in a wide array of conditions and ensures the best braking performance.
- Advanced Bosch ABS is standard
- ABS can be switched on or off depending on rider preference
- Incredibly smooth actuation for improved control under extreme braking
- Refined hydraulic ratios improve braking power and modulation
Wheels and Tires
Paved Road. Dirt Road. No Road.
Pirelli tires are standard on the Zero FX, providing improved traction in a wide variety of conditions, excellent durability and road feel. The Zero FX alloy wheels are designed to reduce unsprung weight while not compromising on strength.
View Details
Direct Drive Gearing
Instant torque with a twist
Featuring a clutchless direct drive, the Zero FX is geared for rapid acceleration and maximum efficiency. Without ever needing to shift, the Zero FX provides controlled and powerful acceleration at any speed between 0-85 mph. The carbon fiber belt achieves minimal frictional losses for increased overall range and is integral to making the powertrain maintenance-free.
View Details
Dash and Controls
The dash is designed by Zero to quickly and accurately provide useful data on such information as state of charge, power output and your selected riding profile. You can toggle through three riding profiles using the ergonomic right-hand switchgear to better meet the needs of your ride: Sport, Eco, Custom. The dash screen features a cool blue backlit LCD display and integrates seamlessly into the front of the motorcycle. Want more information about the motorcycle while riding or at home? Try the Zero Motorcycles App.
- High-contrast blue backlit LCD screen features data that allows you to better understand your state of charge, see your current riding profile and view other useful riding information
- Ergonomic right-hand switch assembly with integrated switch to toggle on the fly between Sport, Eco and Custom riding modes
- Custom riding mode setting allows you to set your own performance profile (custom mode performance profile must be configured within the Zero Motorcycles App)
- Projector beam headlights and integrated fly screen provide a refined and contemporary front profile
Zero Motorcycles App
Get Your Motorcycle Dialed
Using the Zero Motorcycles App you can see detailed information about your motorcycle such as the time until charged, average watts per mile, total charge cycles and much more. When parked, the app allows you to set the custom riding mode's performance profile by adjusting the parameters for top speed, maximum torque and maximum regenerative braking. While riding, your phone transforms into a customized dash that provides detailed real-time motorcycle information. Synced using Bluetooth, the app works on iPhone and Android mobile devices.
View Details


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Gary Payton, Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond Named Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists
A trio of 1990s basketball greats were among 12 finalists named for possible election into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.
Former Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat star Tim Hardaway and Warriors and Sacramento Kings' great Mitch Richmond were all selected as finalists for the Class of 2013. Inductees will be announced at the Final Four in April.
Payton was a nine-time NBA All-Star whose defensive prowess resulted in him being nicknamed "The Glove." Hardaway was a skilled point guard and five-time all-star whose crossover dribble left many opponents flailing as he drove to the basket. The NBA Rookie of the Year in 1989, Richmond was named to six all-star teams. Hardaway and Richmond were teammates with the Warriors, joining with Chris Mullin to form the so-named "Run TMC" attack.
Former Houston Cougars coach Guy Lewis, current Louisville coach Rick Pitino and former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian were also named finalists for the 2013 class.
Other finalists included NBA greats Maurice Cheeks, Spencer Haywood, Bernard King and Tom Heinsohn as a coach; he's already in as a player. Longtime North Carolina women's coach Sylvia Hatchell and five-time WNBA All-Star Dawn Staley were also named as finalists.


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Video: UNGEI and Girls' Education (2013)
Globally, nearly half of the 61 million* children out of school are girls. Why is this happening and what more can we do?
In April 2013, UNGEI Global Advisory Committee members and partners met in New York to discuss the future of UNGEI as we countdown towards the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals. We took this opportunity to get their thoughts as well as a special youth perspective.
*Please note that since this video was produced, the figure for out of school children worldwide has been updated to 57 million, according to the UNESCO Institutes of Statistics (UIS) and the Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report.


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Earth: The Operators' Manual
Earth: The Operators' Manual Previous Broadcasts
KQED 9: Wed, Apr 2, 2014 -- 11:00 PM
Humans need energy. We always have and always will. But if we continue to burn fossil fuels until they're all used up, we'll cook our planet through the inevitable warming effects of carbon dioxide. But we don't have to do that: there are many sustainable energy options. If we look at Earth as if we have an operators' manual, we can create clean energy for a growing population, bring power to the billion and a half who live off the grid, improve the environment and create an age of technological innovation full of new "green" jobs. Hosted by Penn State geologist Richard Alley, and taped on location worldwide (New Zealand, Brazil, China, Morocco and Spain, and all across the United States) the program includes case studies of how and why the US military is reducing its "carbon bootprint," targeting emissions levels and energy efficiencies more ambitious than many nations. The program also looks at wind energy and communities coming back to life in West Texas, and provides hard numbers on how much power we can harvest from other sustainable resources such as solar, geothermal and biomass.
Repeat Broadcasts:
- KQED World: Sat, Apr 5, 2014 -- 5:00 PM
- KQED Life: Sat, Apr 5, 2014 -- 4:00 AM
- KQED Life: Fri, Apr 4, 2014 -- 10:00 PM
- KQED 9: Thu, Apr 3, 2014 -- 5:00 AM


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The Village Archive Group, Woolsthorpe & Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, NG33 5**, UK, recording social history & local people's memories in text, video and audio to preserve vital oral history and accounts of village life in the twentieth and twenty first century.
The Parish of Colsterworth encompasses the Hamlet of Woolsthorpe, Dunkirk (down church) an area below the Church and Twyford, which was originally larger than Colsterworth itself. Woolsthorpe is especially steeped in history with Woolsthorpe Manor being the birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton. Now owned by the National Trust it receives approximately 20,000 visitors per year. Woolsthorpe has its own designated conservation area. Colsterworth is an historic coaching village, which was an important staging post on the Great North Road (now the A1) until the 1920s. This whole area has changed from an industrial open cast mining community, within living memory, and is now evolving into an affluent commuter village. Most people were employed locally and have interesting tales to tell. We hope that by recording this social history we will add a personal dimension to already documented historical facts.
About Us
In forming the Village Archive Group our aim was to record the memories of the village people in sound, vision and print for future generations, and to preserve vital oral history and accounts of village life in the twentieth and twenty first century.
The original idea came from Joy Isaac and Margaret Winn who both feel strongly that it is very important to record this type of social history, also the Lincolnshire accent and use of dialect, as it is ever changing. A committee was formed and other volunteers joined the group to help with the interviewing, recording and planning events. We have been well supported by local people who have donated or lent us old photographs and material to scan and archive, and shared their stories.
Firstly, we recorded life styles and accounts of the village during the 1900�s, also wartime memories and experiences. Secondly we recorded a snapshot of village life today. This snapshot of the present will not only be of interest now, but a useful resource to another generation possibly for use as an educational tool in schools and as a record of social history of the present day.
Margaret has been successful in applying for funding from Lincolnshire Community Champions at www.dfes.gov.uk/communitychampions/ also the Local Heritage Initiative, now under the control of Heritage Lottery Funding at www.hlf.org.uk/English/InYourArea/EastMidlands/ This funding will ensure that our project can become a reality. As well as hosting this website we are producing the project as a book with DVD.


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LAHAINA - In 2007, Sacred Hearts Middle School teacher Mary Anna Waldrop led her students on a charge to protect Honolua Bay and Lipoa Point.
The West Side Catholic school posse joined forces with the Save Honolua Coalition and other students from across the island at the County Council Chambers in Wailuku to urge the allocation of funds to buy lands around the bay and the point. Their support helped to corral $1 million for the future acquisition of this community treasure.
Fast forward five years; Waldrop is celebrating a landmark, 60-year birthday.
Article Photos
Students in Sacred Hearts Middle School teacher Mary Anna Waldrop's class recently received ukuleles donated by Wayne Cochran.
"I went to Maui Surfboards to invite friends Wayne (Wayno) Cochran and his wife, West Maui Councilwoman Elle Cochran, to my birthday party," she told her students and the Lahaina News.
She was stunned when Wayno made an offer she couldn't refuse.
"I want to do something for your kids," Wayno told her. "I want to do something for your school, to thank you for being a part of, from the beginning, the Save Honolua Coalition and for taking your students, getting them involved at the County Council.
"So I've decided to give you some ukuleles. How many do you want?" he asked her in his signature Wayno laid-back style.
"And he gave us 15 ukuleles," she said, just like that.
"I wanted them involved, because I was passionate about saving Honolua. I was passionate about students getting involved in government, and so that's how it happened. I never knew that I was going to get 15 ukuleles back," she added.
Cochran has owned Maui Surfboards since 1966. He's an instructor at Casco's Taekwon-Do at Lahaina Civic Center, lives in Honolua Valley and was one of the cofounders of Save Honolua Coalition.
He has a track record of giving back.
At his store across from the Kaanapali North Beach subdivision, "We give $2 every time we rent a snorkel. We gave (the proceeds) to the reef fund for a couple of years and then gave to the University of Hawaii," he said.
"We're so small, and we only gave a couple of thousand. I thought better to just donate ukuleles," he commented.
"We gave 24 to Lori Koyama up at the (Lahaina) intermediate school, so they could have a ukulele club last year.
"Then we gave 15 to Mary Anna," he remarked.
Wayno may be casual about his donations, but Waldrop and her students are not.
Max Easler is a seventh-grader at Sacred Hearts.
"I think that the person who donated these is very generous, and I think it's great that he remembered a good deed that Mrs. Waldrop and her class did five years ago and thanked us for it by giving us these ukuleles today," he said.
Fellow student "JP" (James Preston) agreed with Easler.
"I think these will benefit the school in the long run, because once we can learn how to play them, we can teach the lower grades. If we're proactive about it, eventually we'll have everybody playing in a band," JP added.
Erin Tsue has the highest respect for Cochran.
"He's my Taekwon-Do teacher," she commented.
The gift of music has taught her "how music can connect everyone. My cousins in Korea - they play ukulele, too. It can connect us everywhere around the world," she said.
Waldrop considers the lesson well learned.
"The little gestures that we do are timeless. We never know where our gesture is going to go or take us," the gifted teacher surmised.


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Superheroes Both Real and Make Believe
Yes both REAL and make believe!
A lot of comic book superheroes fight for justice in a city like New York, or New York City itself. Peter Parker -- AKA your "friendly neighborhood spiderman" hails from Queens. But, not all New York City-based superheroes are make-believe.


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My friend, Coby Dillard, has posted a rather lengthy screed on his Facebook page about the lack of Republican outreach to the black community. My response to him is far too long to post there, even if I wanted to. So here it is.
I believe Coby missed a much larger point in his missive, a point often missed by people who only see race in terms of a black/white issue. I know – I used to make the same mistake myself. The Republican Party doesn't have a black problem; they have a non-white problem.
Anyone who is not white is dismissed as a potential Republican voter. Voter ID laws that have passed in a number of states weren't targeted just at black folk, but all minorities. Harsh stances on immigration weren't targeted at black folk at all.
At 12.6% of the population (pdf), blacks aren't even the largest minority group any more. Hispanics claim that mantle, with 16.3% of the population – and growing. The Asian population, pegged at 4.8%, was the fastest growing minority group from 2000 to 2010. Most projections put whites in the minority in this country by 2050, but it could be as early as 2019.
According to exit polls, the electorate is less white – 72% – than it was just four years ago – 74%. Blacks made up just 13% of the electorate in both years, so we weren't responsible for the decrease in the white vote. Hispanics increased from 9% to 10%, and Asians from 2% to 3%.
President Obama received 93% of the black vote, which is actually down from the 95% he received in 2008. But he received 71% of the Hispanic vote, an increase of 4%, and 73% of the Asian vote, an increase of a whopping 11%.
Yes, Mitt Romney received 59% of the white vote, an increase of 4% over that received by John McCain. But if the numbers are true – and exit polling is about all we have to look at – the Republican Party is banking their efforts on a decreasing share of the electoral pie.
Republicans have lost the popular vote in five out of the last six presidential contests. More Democrats voted for Congressional candidates than did Republicans. Only because of gerrymandering* do the Democrats not have control of the House of Representatives.
(And while this post is about race, let's not forget that women are the majority of the electorate at 53%. And 55% of them voted for Obama. How's that transvaginal ultrasound thing working out?)
Bottom line: this isn't just about the black vote. This is about the increasing non-white vote. Until the Republican Party figures out not only how to reach out but also appeal to those voters, they will continue to lose elections.
* – Gerrymandering occurs because the turnout among non-white and younger voters in other than presidential election years is far lower. It's why Virginia has a Republican governor, a huge Republican majority in the House of Delegates and a 20-20 State Senate. Those are the folks who approved the Congressional lines that made Democratic seats more Democratic and Republican seats more Republican, the result being not a single change in our Congressional delegation, where Republicans enjoy an 8-3 majority. If the 2009 electorate had looked like that of 2008, it is likely that would not have been the case. Here's hoping the 2013 Virginia electorate looks more that of 2012, which voted for President Obama and Tim Kaine.


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Hi all
I am new here and I need to submit my cancer story. It is long and complicated, but here goes:
I was born 50 yrs ago with a saccrococcygeal teratoma. The drs. didn't know what it was, and as it was largely internal (class 4) they did not remove it until I was almost 14 mths old. This left me paraplegic, with a severe spinal deformity and many internal organ problems due to crushing, and distortion of the rib cage. In 1969 I had a urostomy diversion created, because of renal reflux Additionally, I had many orthopedic operations to try and get me walking. But these were largely unsuccessful, and I've been a full time wheelchair user all my life. But I got on with the business of living! During my teens, I took part in disability sports at national level; I had a career as a local govt officer; and a family (2 healthy children now grown up, and four grandchildren so far!)'
As an adult I began to be plagued by sacral abscesses. Then in 2008, during a routine excision of an abscess, the drs found some suspicious tissue which they sent off for analysis. During my post-op 6 week check up, I was informed I had a malignancy somewhere in my lower abdomen.
After 18 mths of visits to my local hospital and then to Christies Cancer Hospital, Manchester, and various tests including a colonoscopy, MRI. CT etc, it was decided that I had a large stage one mucin secreting neoplasm of unknown origin, but possibly related to my original teratoma. It was also decided that here was nothing that could be done to remove/reduce it. No-one could give me a prognosis and I was sent home bewildered and confused. Now, I see no-one unless the tumour create a problem that has to be dealt with, such as an abscess.
Because it resides in my pelvic area and was most definitely uninvited, I decided to refer to it as The Squatter In The Basement!
So, the Squatter makes its presence felt by creating large abscesses in my sacral area from time to time (I've had 27 in 24 yrs) and most recently by puncturing my ileal conduit causing me to bleed into my urostomy. I am undergoing further tests to try and ascertain whether this is going to be a regular thing now, and if so how to get around it.
So, at present, I am recovering from another abscess (this one ha left a hole 6 cm deep and 7 cm across which nurses are packing and dressing each day). Once this has healed i wait to see what the next assault will bring. In the meantime, I enjoy time with my family, and friends. I have a strong and abiding faith. I have many hobbies and interests, I live on a beautiful island off the UK coastline. All these things combined help me through the tough times.
Thanks for reading!


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OOC Thread
As mentioned on the Aegis forums, please move your first posts to the new website so that we can continue, and place your character sheets in the character sheet sub-forum.
My intention is to keep a good pace, and in order to do that I will be adopting a few rules my Rokugan GM has started using:
1) Post deadlines: From this point onwards, I will be placing deadlines of about a week, more or less, to respond to each storyteller post. This is to encourage everyone to keep the story moving, since one person's negligence of the game slows everyone else down and ruins it for them. I don't foresee this being a major problem for our own group, but I'm putting the rule in place anyway.
If after the appointed time your character has not posted, I will take control of them myself and roleplay in your place to allow the story to continue. If this continues for four weeks with no prior notice to me about why you are absent, I will start working the character out of the story.
2) Dialogue: When your characters interact with NPCs or each other through conversation, I encourage you to use our ventrilo chat box or something equivalent with the other party so that you can finish the discussion quickly. Just type out the dialogue, as we did in Champions Online, then have one of the two participants copy//paste the entire chat log into the thread as a single post.
3) Length Requirements: I don't plan on strictly enforcing this, but I prefer it if players attempted to write at least 10 sentences per post if outside of dialogue. If you can't think of anything to fill those sentences, talk with me and we can arrange some background for you. Posts need to be constructive and substantive for everyone to get something out of the game.
The person who posts will have editing rights for the post, and as such should clean up the text so that it easy to read and consists with the rest of the thread's format. You can then add your own character's narration to make the storytelling more fluid if you want (which I highly encourage). Drenik's first post was a collaborative effort by him and myself, and I think it turned out well. Let's keep it up.
Last edited by Foxtrot; 12th of December, 2011 at 17:53.
Valawyn and Dagney both have an opportunity to play up their roll successes, then roleplay whatever else they want to accomplish in the four hours before sunrise. After that, I will make another storyteller post and we will repeat the process.
Hey Foxtrot. Looks like you've got yourself a lurker.
Cool. We aim to please here.
Didn't RP the 4 hours, because I'm stuck in a bit of an unfriendly situation. RP'd only my next step.
Dagney: We will assume you successfully feed on the addict you find under the overpass - feel free to narrate the episode as you see fit. Does your character kill him in the act of feeding?
Your character will feel a strange inclination to hide himself shortly. While the effects of the Change aren't instantaneous and you can still survive in the sunlight, Landis will still feel a primal craving for a dark, safe place to hide from the Sun.
The moon has risen on the next evening, 8:54pm. Landis' situation is described in detail in my post.
Serenity: Assume you wake up in your haven uneventfully. Save for an impatient text message from Trogg: Well? You got the sauce?
Val: You are able to make it back to your haven without incident, the two women in tow if you desire. You spent 1:30 with them before having to enter torpor, in whatever manner you think your character would. Describe your haven, what you did with the girls, etc.
Digi: Landis' and your scene begins with you. Describe your awakening and finding this fledgling in your haven.
Digi: Your character is in the throws of Wassail, and is reduced to a primal creature of rage bent on destroying Landis. You must do everything in your power to kill him until frenzy wears off. Write your piece of the narration to include this eruption of rage.
Dagney: after Digi has posted his bit, go ahead and describe your character's reaction to being assailed by a literal bloodthirsty monster in a graveyard.
A note for Serenity and everyone else: vampires in WoD have to exercise great effort to stay awake during the day. The Beast within despises the light of the Sun, and wants to bury itself whenever it is risen - this includes when you are underground and can't see the Sun. You can try to stay up during daylight hours, but the length of time you can manage is dependent on your humanity rating.
Alex: go ahead and roll me Composure+Resolve -1 die in the dice rolls thread. This is to determine if you are in the fear frenzy, called "Rotschreck", or if you are still in control of your own thoughts while running.
Drenik: roll me Intelligence+Computer for your information search on the hospital.
4 successes (!) on your data search roll.
There isn't a great deal of detailed information, but through some detective work and careful net searching you find much more than the average person should be able to find out without actually visiting the asylum.
Greystone mental hospital was founded in the 1870's by a wealthy philanthropist following the US Civil War to treat some of the war-shocked veterans that returned to the North less than whole. The original building is a massive stone structure built in colonial Gothic style from local granite, hence the name. The institution filled a much-needed niche in the state welfare system, and over time grants from the state government expanded it, turning it into the regional mental hospital for all of the extreme and violent patients other hospitals were unsuited to care for.
The hospital usually keeps about 400 patients under its care, with 100 medical staff and perhaps another 150 staffers and orderlies. Though a patient or physicians roster was not given in any official place, your extensive searching is able to turn up quite a few names of doctors and patients that were transferred there. The caliber of doctors is quite high, the nature of the patients demanding a high level of expertise. A recurring name is Doctor Franklin Grisham, the head physician of the hospital, as well as Doctors Ana Merryl and Anthony Clark, respected researchers in the fields of Alzheimer's and schizoaffective disorder.
A few years prior, there was a controversy that medical negligence caused the deaths of two patients from drug overdoses, though the patients had no living relatives and therefore the state prosecutor never put much effort into examining the events. Likely, an orderly switched two medications by accident.
There is no information on the patient in question available without the skills of a hacker, however. There are some tidbits about the fire and police investigation of it, the consensus of evidence now leaning towards a break-in by a group of individuals who vandalized a section of the hospital before lighting it on fire. No official info has become available, but to you the clues are perfectly obvious. It was likely a less-than professional group of thugs looking for trouble or medication to steal, and the asylum was not equipped to keep determined criminals out (it is designed to keep patients in).
Drenik: the hospital is miles away, outside of town. How are you getting there?
Serenity: if you want to speed up your conversation with Jacoby, we should schedule a chat in Ventrilo or something similar and do it all at once instead of line by line. You also receive a prompt saying that you have new email.
Val: We need a description of what your character is up to the next day.
Alex: you successfully escape from Digi's character, outrunning him through the cemetery and stumbling through the woods, finally finding a highway that winds towards the city beyond. Feel free to describe it as you see fit, then tell me what your character does. You are in control of your wits, since you did not succumb to frenzy.
Digi: Your character chases Dagney's to the edge of the cemetery, where the prey climbs the crumbling stone wall and tears through the forest. You are compelled to return to your haven and protect it. You precious, safe place. No one can see you here. Sssshhhh.....
Last edited by Foxtrot; 21st of October, 2011 at 03:42.
Val: you need to make a degeneration roll for vicious murder.
roll 2d10
Seventy and Landis' scenes have obvious lead-ins.
Vincent, your character should have a conversation with Dietrich for your next bit. We'll take care of that next time you are online.
Gina: I don't feel like forcing you out of your sanctum this early in the game, please be patient.
Digi: describe what your character is up to downtown.
Digi and Drenik: Give me a brief cue what your characters are up to and where they are going.
Valawyn: You have an opportunity to enter dialogue with your new friend, take any action you want to escape or fight, etc., or let me narrate the next bit. If you want a conversation, we should get together in steam or vent chat in the near future.
Added a deadline for player responses. As stated before, if I have to do this regularly I will begin rotating characters out of the story.
Continue on without Val or Dagney. Their stories will remain a mystery until they decide to come back or I draw them back in.
Last edited by Foxtrot; 16th of November, 2011 at 17:22.
Digi has asked about common gathering places for Kindred in Port Elizabeth. I think all the players would like to know this, so I am posting it here. This list is not exhaustive, but it's a starting point of common knowledge all of your characters (except Dagney and maybe Serenity) would have.
Kathryn, a Daeva vampiress, owns a hotel in the business district named "Fiore". Classy place, declared Elysium.
Dietrich the Nosferatu owns a building by the docks he keeps stocked with humans. It's his domain, but he charges guests for nightly rooms.
A Gangrel named Richmond owns a grungy nightclub in the seedy part of town. Not Elysium, but he won't be happy if you cause trouble there.
The Prince himself holds court in Bedlam Abbey - a former monastery the Catholic church sold to an associate of his decades ago. This location is Elysium.
Last edited by Foxtrot; 17th of November, 2011 at 16:03.
I blame Skyrim for the lack of posts recently
Have a lot of schoolwork between now and the 13th. ill try to keep updating, but we'll see how it goes.
EDIT: all done! may the posts resume
Last edited by Foxtrot; 7th of December, 2011 at 14:32.
I used to post here, then I took an arrow to the knee.
Added a new guideline to the RULEZ:
3) Length Requirements: I don't plan on strictly enforcing this, but I prefer it if players attempted to write at least 10 sentences per post if outside of dialogue. If you can't think of anything to fill those sentences, talk with me and we can arrange some background for you. Posts need to be constructive and substantive for everyone to get something out of the game.
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Hand-picked by Diesel founder Renzo Rosso, this capsule collection features three heritage timepieces and a pair of sunglasses from the Diesel archives reimagined in new materials. A fourth watch and a pair of sunglasses, both created using transparent light smoked materials and pops of red, add to the overall modern concept.
Each timepiece represents a benchmark in the evolution of the Diesel watch.
They pay homage to the brand's core values of authenticity and bravery, taking iconic pieces from our past and updating them with new and advanced materials.
Heavy metal is replaced with heavy transparency where acetate gives a lighter look and feel, while maintaining our design philosophy.