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For over six thousand years, since the early days of the Magan civilization in the fourth millennium BC, Omani seafarers and merchants have traversed great distances, reaching both East Africa and Canton, China. Drawing upon Oman's unique geographical location, at the mouth of the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf, where the continents of Asia and Africa meet; the ancient Omanis developed historic trading centers in Muscat and Sohar as merchants sought to link East African sea routes with Arabia, Persia, India, and China. With them, the ancient Omani merchants brought precious metals, perfumes, and wood while returning to their land with silk and porcelain.
By the tenth century, the port city of Sohar, tucked away outside the Gulf and shielded from seasonal winds, rapidly developed into a trading hub where ships stopped for supplies while waiting for suitable winds to continue their journey. Consequently, Sohar grew into a prosperous trading center where flourishing glass and textile industries were developed, and from there glass bottles and clothing were exported to Yemen and Africa.
In an apparent bid to link Oman's maritime history to forging strong present day diplomatic ties with India, China, and Singapore, Muscat has since the 1980s supported three major sea bound ship construction projects. Most notably, in 2008 the Omani and the Singapore governments began a joint venture towards constructing a ninth century Omani merchant ship inspired by the design of the Belitung shipwreck, an Omani Dhow found off the coast of Belitung Island, Indonesia in 1998.
The Jewel of Muscat
Drawing inspiration from the salvaged Belitung shipwreck, the newly constructed ninth century vessel was named The Jewel of Muscat. Adhering to strict historic Omani shipbuilding techniques, two short years after the project was launched, the Jewel embarked on a sea voyage to Singapore where it was gifted to the people of Singapore.
Aside from using a modern day GPS system, the Jewel strictly adhered to ninth century navigation practices while sailing from the Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat into the Sea of Oman. From there, following ancient trade routes that opened up for today's global economy, the Jewel sailed through the Arabian Sea, along the western coast of India, around Sri Lanka, across the Bay of Bengal, and through the Straits of Malacca, arriving in Singapore in July 2010.
Aside from the Jewel's successful voyage, the ship also played an important diplomatic role towards forging friendly ties between Oman and Singapore as the two countries have since deepened bilateral cooperation primarily focusing on business and tourism. Additionally, political and diplomatic consultations are held on a regular basis, revealed Oman's United Nations Ambassador, Lyutha Al-Mughairy.
Prior to taking up her post at the United Nations, Al-Mughairy chaired Oman's joint working group with the Singapore government where she was responsible for the Jewel's ultimate success.
As a testimony to how shared values with a particular emphasis on education and economic development have culminated in robust diplomatic ties, Singapore officials frequently refer to Oman "as the Singapore of the Middle East," Al-Mughairy reveals.
Singapore's Muscat Street
During historical times, Omani seafarers, en-route to and from China, would stop in what is known as Singapore's "Arab quarter," where they would rest and wait for suitable winds before resuming their journey. Inevitably, commercial goods were also exchanged there.
Building on the Jewel's diplomatic accomplishments, Singapore and Omani officials inaugurated "Muscat Street" in the heart of the city's historic Arab quarter last month with glamor and fanfare.
At the inaugural ceremony of Muscat Street, Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi, the Secretary General of Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that through international cooperation, "Oman can have an impact much larger than its size." On a similar note, Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs, K. Shanmugam, underscored how historic ties between the two peoples can serve as an important catalyst for forging stronger ties.
Preserving Traditional Shipbuilding Techniques
In addition to the Jewel, the Museum of Culture and Heritage sponsored the construction of two additional seabound historic vessels, the Sohar (1980-1981) and a boat from the Magan civilization (2005-2006). While the Sohar sailed to China, where it was gifted in honor of the two countries deep maritime history, the Magan boat sank off the coast of Oman en-route for India.
Following the Jewel's successful but demanding Indian Ocean voyage, the Omani government allocated additional funding for reconstructing a series of historic model ships as part of an overall effort to preserve its maritime history while passing on traditional shipbuilding techniques to the next generation of Omanis.
Under the auspices of The Qantab Institute, an impressive number of skilled master carpenters, hailing from India, Oman, and the West, are currently intensively working towards constructing a series of traditional Omani model ships.
Qantab Director Dr. Erik Staples, a University of California educated specialist in Islamic shipbuilding traditions, reveals that his institute employs a staff of 30 skilled shipbuilders and master carpenters working out of dockyard facilities outside of Muscat and Salalah.
Inside his office, overlooking the Arabian Sea, Staples describes how his team is currently constructing a traditional Omani vessel known as the Baden Seyed, a historic ship primarily used for fishing and cargo.
In accordance to a historic Omani shipbuilding tradition, carefully following a drawing by the nineteenth century French Admiral Francois Edmond Paris, Staples reveals how his crew are meticulously reconstructing the ship made out wood while stitching it together with date palm and coconut fiber.
Once the full size vessel is completed, the ship will prominently be featured at the Museum for Maritime History, a part of the country's Museum of Culture and Heritage. The new institution is scheduled to be inaugurated by the end of 2013, Staples says.
In addition to the Baden Sayed, Staples and his men are also constructing two smaller vessels, a boat dating back to the Magan civilization and a second Shasha raft made out of reed.
Once the 4.5 meter long Magan boat is completed, the vessel will also be stitched together with coconut and date palm fiber by Qantab's skilled shipbuilders. The construction of the Shasha has meanwhile been subcontracted to an older Omani man as part of an effort to revive the little known building techniques of the traditional raft.
Staples and his men are also assembling three partial models; one of them being a twentieth century ship known as the Fatah al Khair, which, once completed, will be stitched together by coconut and date palm fiber.
Additionally, two models of an 8-12 meter Batille ship are also being constructed; one of which will be stitched together in line with coconut and palm fiber tradition, and the other with nails.
Staples subsequently revealed that his institute also intends to construct a scale model of the following traditional Omani vessels: The Beden Saffar, The Gharookuh, and The Baggalah.
Meanwhile, celebrating the three diplomatic ship initiatives prompted by the Sohar, the Magan boat, and finally the grand success of The Jewel of Muscat, the Qantab Institute is currently constructing a scale model of each of the ships. Once constructed, all of them will be stitched together by coconut and palm date fiber.
Adhering to Oman's quest to link its rich maritime heritage to its diplomatic history, Staples' center is currently also planning on constructing a scaled vessel of The Sultanah, a merchant ship dispatched by Sultan Sayyid Said bin Sultan Abu Said to New York in 1840.
Additionally, The Qantab Institute is also planning on constructing a scaled model a of a traditionally sewn Dhofari boat known as the Khambari and of a regional vessel known as the Sambuq.
Deviating from the coconut and palm date fiber shipbuilding tradition, all the three scaled models will use nails.
Ahead of the much anticipated 2013 inauguration of the Museum for Maritime History, a part of the Museum of Culture and Heritage, Staples and his men are also constructing a series of traditional Omani navigation tools.
Summarizing Qantab's mission, Staples explains, "Oman has such a rich and diverse maritime heritage, but much of it is in danger of being lost due to the recent rapid pace of modernization. One of our main goals therefore is to preserve this wealth of tradition that still remains, and pass it on to a new generation of young Omanis before it disappears completely."


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As Black Friday Looms, Will Consumers Show Up?
Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, but retailers still aren't sure how strong a showing consumers will make.
New reports Monday didn't paint an encouraging picture. The Conference Board released a survey of spending intentions that showed U.S. households expect to spend an average of $390 this season, down 7% from estimates of $418 last year. That number is especially distressing because consumers were unusually pessimistic last year as the financial crisis went into full swing just as holiday shopping was getting underway.
"Job losses and uncertainty about the future are making for a very frugal shopper. Retailers will need to be quite creative to entice consumers to spend, both in stores and online this holiday season," said Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board Consumer Research Center.
A separate report from retail-tracking firm NPD Group indicated consumers may not be flocking to the mall for Black Friday. Just 32% of respondents said that they expect to begin their holiday shopping on Thanksgiving weekend or earlier.
But some analysts think expectations for the season are too low. "While much is made of the $13.2 trillion destruction in household net worth over the course of the credit collapse, the 65% rally in the S&P 500 has helped household net worth rebound, according to the most recent data, by $2 trillion," said Dan Greenhaus of Miller Tabak + Co. "We have long detailed our belief that higher income individuals — who are much more secure in their employment this year than last — account for anywhere from 40-50% of spending in this country while simultaneously owning the vast majority of equities through IRAs, personal investment portfolios and 401(k) retirement accounts. As such, a rebound in the equity market goes a long way to helping boost sentiment and thus consumption levels among the upper income brackets."
And some are warning not to read too much into Black Friday sales. "Strong sales on Black Friday may simply reflect households bringing forward some of their intended holiday spending rather than a sign that spending over the whole holiday period will be strong," said Paul Dales of Capital Economics. "It is a warning not to get too excited if Black Friday sales are reported to be strong or too downbeat if they are not."

subset: commoncrawl


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When Halloween approaches, mythical creatures are all the rage with children and adults.The mermaid look requires oceanic colors and other unusual makeup techniques. Learn how to create the mermaid look at home.
1. Start with a clean face. Apply moisturizer evenly all over your face, and use a foundation brush to apply foundation.
2. Using a makeup sponge, apply your skin pigment to the hair line and blend down to produce a natural fade of the color. The color should be strongest along the hairline, from the top of the ear on each side.
3. Carefully apply the sky-blue eyeshadow to the entire lid and blend up to just under the eyebrow. Cover with the turquoise sparkle shadow. Follow up with the turquoise glitter paste on the eyelid only.
4. Apply the silver glitter shadow only on the inside corner of the eyes and just under the crease of the top lid.
5. Using the eyelash glue, attach the sequins and crystals alternately and haphazardly along the temples, and near the eye. Follow up with eyeliner along the bottom of the eye.
6. Blush should be applied next. A light dusting to the apples of the cheeks should suffice. Also, run a mascara wand along the outside lashes to lengthen and separate.
7. Apply a light dusting of all-over sparkle to illuminate your face. To capture the effect properly, dust along the hairline and cheeks.
8. Apply lip liner to the top and bottom of the lips. Using your finger, dab lip balm along your lips to smooth them, and then cover them with lip gloss. Apply the lip gloss in one swipe along the bottom lip only to appear more authentic. Your look is now complete.
Want to master Microsoft Excel and take your work-from-home job prospects to the next level? Jump-start your career with our Premium A-to-Z Microsoft Excel Training Bundle from the new Gadget Hacks Shop and get lifetime access to more than 40 hours of Basic to Advanced instruction on functions, formula, tools, and more.


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Item Details | Reviews (1)
Premier Sponsor:
|Princeton Tec
This item may be available at:
L.E.D. technology comes to life once again at Princeton Tec with the introduction of the new Yukon headlamp. Whether you're nighttime climbing, paddling, setting up camp or reading a book, the Yukon is destined to become your best friend. Incorporating the best of both worlds, the Yukon combines the pure power of a focusable high output Xenon bulb for the darkest of nights with the 3 space-age super bright light emitting diodes for those low light and long burn situations. The L.E.D.'s are designed to last a lifetime and are configured in a triangle pattern to keep the beam of light even and smooth. With extended burn time and cold weather applications in mind, the Yukon is designed for use with 3 Lithium AA batteries or the included alkaline batteries. Like the lamp housing, the extreme battery pack was designed to fucntion like a small compact waterproof case ensuring waterproof integrity. The hinged lamp housing lets you point the beam where you need it and is mounted onto sturdy elastic webbing that offers a ton of adjustment for that perfect fit.
1 Review
Review by: xprompt, 2004-06-01
I like the hybrid-ness but it lacks quality i think. the big batterypack at the back gets a bit heavy and the screw that holds the light up (angle of the beam)always loosens and flops down. maybe mine is defective. i have to search around for a better one.


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Aigurande-Super Besse, 195.5km
What will happen?
The much-anticipated stage to Super-Besse in the Massif Central is likely to see the favourites for ultimate victory eye each other nervously rather than seek to land a serious blow. With some very hard Pyrenean days around the corner, this will be a day for shadow-boxing. The exception to that rule will be if one of the big names shows a hint of weakness and the others choose, en masse, to exploit it. Now we've said this, Damiano Cunego and Alejandro Valverde will probably attack at the foot of Super-Besse.
What are the climbs like?
After two fourth-category hills in the first 90 kilometres it's steadily upwards to La Bourboule – where Stephen Roche won his final Tour stage in 1992 – and on to the second-category Col de la Croix-Morand. That's eight kilometres long at an average of 5.2 per cent, so not to be taken lightly. Super-Besse is 11 kilometres long at 4.7 per cent with a final 1,500 metres at 10 per cent. That'll sort the men from the boys.
Will Schumacher stay in yellow?
His lead is very slender and although he's strong on the climbs of Amstel Gold and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, this is a very different challenge. He will have to hope both Bernhard Kohl and Markus Fothen are able to stay with him until the latter stages too, otherwise he'll be isolated. Keeping the lead depends on how soon the others start to attack him. With Kim Kirchen so well-placed to take over the lead, it's difficult to imagine he won't have a go.
Can David Millar take the yellow jersey?
The Garmin-Chipotle rider lies third, just 12 seconds behind Schumacher and level with Kirchen. He has been saying he wants to try to take the yellow jersey at Super-Besse but it looks a big ask considering the difficulty of the final climb and the fact he's unlikely to be allowed any leeway. Schumacher is the equal of Millar on a climb like that and Kirchen is superior. The only chance is if he could slip away in a move and the chances of that are pretty slim. But if Millar, Christian Vande Velde (who is sixth at 37 seconds) and Jonathan Vaughters can cook up some kind of plan, it will be fun to watch.
Who's wearing the jerseys?
Yellow Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner)
Green Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole)
Polka-dot Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom)
White Thomas Lovkvist (Team Columbia)
CW's tip for the win
We've got a feeling Alejandro Valverde may want to hit back after losing ground to Evans in the time trial. On the other hand, Evans may seek to scare the rest into docility by attacking. The most likely scenario, though, is that the favourites will stay cool and someone from lower down the order will win the stage. For a laugh, we'll say Riccardo Ricco. Kirchen will end the day in yellow.
>> Subscribe to Cycling Weekly this Autumn and save 35%. Enjoy the luxury of home delivery and never miss an issue <<
Stage five: Cavendish takes first Tour win
Stage four: Schumacher wins TT and takes race lead
Stage three: Dumoulin wins stage from break
Stage two: Hushovd wins chaotic sprint
Stage one: Valverde wins
Millar to go for yellow [stage six]
Team Columbia's reaction to Cavendish's win [stage five]
Cavendish talks about his Tour stage win
Tour comment: Why Evans should be happy [stage four]
Millar: Still aiming for Tour yellow jersey [stage 4]
Who is Romain Feillu?
Cavendish disappointed with stage two result
Millar too close to Tour yellow jersey
Stage 2 preview: A sprint finish for Cavendish?
Millar happy after gains precious seconds in Plumelec
Valverde delighted with opening Tour stage win
Comment: Is Valverde's win a good thing for the Tour?
Stage five
Stage four
Stage three
Stage two
Stage one
Tour de France 2008 homepage>>
News and features>>
All the riders (start list, list of abandons)>>
Tour 2008: Day by day summary
Route & stages>>
Teams and riders>>
About the Tour>>


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Author(s): Graham Swift
Set in Southeast England, friendship and love among a group of men whose lives have been intertwined since World War II. When one dies, the survivors are brought together and are forced to take stock of the paths their lives have taken, by choice and by accident, since the war. Winner of the 1996 Booker Prize.
'Beautifully written, gentle, funny, truthful, touching and profound' Salman Rushdie
Graham Swift was born in 1949 and is the author of eight acclaimed novels and a collection of short stories; his most recent work is Making an Elephant, a book of essays, portraits, poetry and reflections on his life in writing. With Waterland he won the Guardian Fiction Prize (1983), and with Last Orders the Booker Prize (1996). Both novels have since been made into films. Graham Swift's work has appeared in over thirty languages.


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FORT MEADE, Md. — Army Pfc. Bradley Manning stood at attention in his crisp dress uniform Wednesday and learned the price he will pay for spilling an unprecedented trove of government secrets: up to 35 years in prison, the stiffest punishment ever handed out in the U.S. for leaking to the media.
Manning, 25, showed no reaction as military judge Col. Denise Lind announced the sentence without explanation in a proceeding that lasted just a few minutes.
A gasp could be heard among the spectators, and one woman put her face in her hands. Then, as guards hurried Manning out of the courtroom, about a half-dozen supporters shouted from the back: "We'll keep fighting for you, Bradley!" and "You're our hero!"
With good behavior and credit for the more than three years he has been held, Manning could be out in as little as seven years, said his attorney, David Coombs. The soldier was also demoted and will be dishonorably discharged.
The sentencing fired up the long-running debate over whether Manning was a whistleblower or a traitor for giving more than 700,000 classified military and diplomatic documents, plus battlefield footage, to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. By volume alone, it was the biggest leak of classified material in U.S. history.
In a statement from London, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange decried Manning's trial and conviction as "an affront to basic concepts of Western justice."
Manning could have gotten 90 years behind bars. Prosecutors asked for at least 60 as a warning to other soldiers, while Manning's attorney suggested he get no more than 25 because some of the documents he leaked will be declassified by then.
Military prosecutors had no immediate comment on the sentence. The White House said only that any request for a presidential pardon would be considered "like any other application."
The case was part of an unprecedented string of prosecutions brought by the U.S. government in a crackdown on security breaches. The Obama administration has charged seven people with leaking to the media. Only three people were prosecuted under all previous presidents combined.
Manning, an Army intelligence analyst from Crescent, Okla., digitally copied and released Iraq and Afghanistan battlefield reports and State Department cables while working in 2010 in Iraq. He also leaked video of a 2007 Apache helicopter attack in Baghdad that mistakenly killed at least nine people.
Manning said he did it to expose the U.S. military's "bloodlust" and generate debate over the wars and U.S. policy.
He was found guilty by the judge last month of 20 crimes, including six violations of the Espionage Act, but was acquitted of the most serious charge, aiding the enemy.
Coombs read from a letter Manning will send to the president in which he said: "I regret if my actions hurt anyone or harmed the United States. It was never my intent to hurt anyone. … When I chose to disclose classified information, I did so out of a love for my country and a sense of duty to others."


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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 26th, 2012 at 7:22 am and is filed under Milestones. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Happy 3rd Birthday Evan!
2 Responses to "Happy 3rd Birthday Evan!"
This is wonderful! Lots of love to all of you!
See you tomorrow!
Awesome video and year's capture of Evan antics! Loved it! Have fun you guys. If I'd known it was a hat theme, I could have sent several options to share! :-) Big Loves, Ree & Eric


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Hi-Tec CDT Power 501 Golf Shoes Review
|TG Rating
|Owners' Rating
Better grip and stability, built to work in harmony with your foot motion during the swing. Directional cleats are angled to work with the opposite forces created through the ground during your swing. Wax laces ensure your shoe fits correctly...


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Our classes are great for getting back in shape,
and sheading some extra weight. Our instructors are blessed with over 20 years of experience in martial arts. Keep fit & Healthy with high level cardio and strength training for those who realy want to move, and low level exercises for beginers. Classes are designed to get your heart racing while at the same time learning key skills in the art of self defense and how to protect yourself.
Dr Peter is also a qualified Doctor of Chinese medicine & Acupuncture which offers our clients unique dietary and lifestyle advice while ensuring there are no dangers in specific exercises for those who have sensitive issues that have plagued their lives for far too long such as knee and back injuries etc.
With all that said, there is nothing to stop you from attending one of our classes and bear witness yourself to all that we offer.
For class times & schedule click Here
To enquire about a class shoot us an E-mail
or contact us directly.
M.0414 824 973 (Peter)


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Royall Grills – For Those Who Want That Smoky Flavor With Real Wood
The Royall Grill Wood Pellet Grill lets you use real wood to get that real smoky flavor grillers love. You load the wood into a side compartment separately. Since you can set up to the max load of 23 pounds you do not have to continuously load up every time you start the grill.
The wood chips should last a while inside the grill. Also you could load it in smaller amounts to preserve the wood if you still prefer that method. This allows you to access the front of the grill with ease and turn your food over. Since it is a side compartment you also won't have to worry about burning yourself or putting it under the grill grates before or after the cooking process.
You would need this product if you absolutely need or crave the wood flavors in your food and do not have time to sit and watch a grill. Who does have the time to sit and watch a grill with the busy lifestyles we all lead now?
Main Features
• A wood pellet compartment separately from the main grilling area.
• It can hold up to 23 pounds of pellets for your convenience.
• Automatic temperature control- makes your life easy for completing dinners.
• Make large meals for a large group of people up to 8.
• It can grill a whole turkey in one grill attempt.
• Steel construction of the grill keeps the heat where it needs to be.
• A very large grilling area
• The grilling area is expandable up to 1254 square feet.
• Large BTU capacity of 20,000 per hour.
Who is it best for?
This grill is ideal for the charcoal and wood fans out there that crave the real smoky flavor of wood in their foods. It is also ideal for those who make meals for a large group of people, whether it is for a party or a large family. It is a great buy because you can make a whole turkey inside of the grill.
Pros and Cons
This grill can cook large amounts of food no matter what your reason for cooking for that amount. It uses real wood chips and holds up to 23 pounds of them in a separate compartment. So that you can access the front of the grill and your food as you need to sometimes while you are cooking. You can also set the automatic temperature control to cook your food while you prepare the rest of the meal.
Moving on to its downsides, it does feel a bit heavier at 349 pounds. The price is a bit steep if you are just looking for a nice grill to fit your needs and you do not require the wood pellets. If you have not used wood pellets before the cost of the pellets might be enough to be an extra cost you do not want to pay.
Why You Should Buy It
This amazing grill is a well-put together product that will serve its purpose as a quick easy way to grill in the convenience of your kitchen. You can load up any flavor of wood pellet you want up to 23 pounds of pellets for your enjoyment. It features automatic temperature control, which makes your life easier. You can set it and leave it and go do your errands, go back inside and make the side dishes without worrying about overcooking or starting a fire.
Royall Grills Wood Pellet Grill – Final Verdict
The Pellet Grill is a bit on the pricey side but if you are a grilling or a wood enthusiast with your cooking you will enjoy this grill.


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Cape Town - Springbok and Bulls flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff is set for more time on the sidelines after revealing he will again undergo knee surgery.
The 29-year-old, who played one Test for the Springboks against Scotland in Port Elizabeth in 2014, has struggled with injuries in recent times.
While attending a Bulls sponsorship event in Magoebaskloof this past weekend, Boshoff was on crutches after undergoing a scope that revealed he had damaged his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and would require surgery.
It comes after Boshoff had earlier undergone surgery for a meniscus injury which he thought would solve the knee problem he's suffered this year.
But when he began rehab from that operation he was still suffering pain, with a further diagnosis revealing the damage to his ACL.
"It's been difficult and frustrating. You work hard to come back and then there's another setback. I spent a few days being quite down about it, but fortunately I have a strong wife who said she wasn't going to have anymore sulking around the house," Boshoff said via a press statement.
"I'm aiming to be back training at the end of March, beginning of April. I'll know in more detail after the surgery on Wednesday. But my biggest goal for now is just to get back on the field again. If I can get back to playing consistently good rugby, then the rest will take care of itself.
"You know, injuries build character and you just keep looking for the positives. I've never been out of the game for this long. It makes you appreciate how privileged you are to be able to play this game.
"But you also need good support around you and then you need to make that mind shift and start working hard to get back. I've got my targets and I'm ready to work towards them as soon as the operation is over."
Boshoff started his professional career at the Bulls, but left to play for Griquas in the 2012 season, before playing for the Lions between 2013 and 2016.
He then spent time at Irish club Connacht before returning to the Bulls in 2017.


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World Bulletin/News Desk
The French foreign minister has praised Turkey's efforts to shelter the Syrians fleeing the violence in their country.
"I would like to congratulate the Turkish government for its efforts. Syrians are being hosted in the best possible way in Turkey," said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, speaking at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara, the Turkish capital.
"Turkey's way of dealing with the Syrian conflict is approved by and in line with the French government's stance on the matter," the minister also said.
Fabius noted that the question of Syrian refugees had been the core issue of his talks in Turkey, the last stop of his regional tour after Jordan and Lebanon.
"The drama in Syria gets deeper everyday and Bashar al-Assad's brutal regime is responsible for that," he said, noting that both Jordan and Lebanon had limited capacity to deal with Syrian refugees.
Fabius said Turkey had managed to organize the sheltering of Syrians successfully despite the increasing number of new comers.
He also said the refugee issue would be assessed in a detailed way at the UN Security Council meeting to be held on August 30.
Fabius said that efforts should be displayed for a structure to replace the current regime in Syria, however, such transition should be implemented under control in order not to lead to a chaos afterwards.
Commenting on Lakhdar Brahimi's appointment as UN's new peace envoy in Syria, Fabius said Kofi Annan's mission had ended as there had not been the necessary conditions neither for the envoy, nor for the observers to fulfill their duties.
"Now, what is being discussed is to open a political bureau there and to assign a prestigious person to lead the process," Fabius said, underscoring the importance of the "effectiveness" of such initiatives.
Relations between Turkey & France
Fabius also said that cooperation between Turkey and France had been gaining a positive momentum in the recent term.
"Despite several problems that need to be addressed, Turkish and French governments' shared vision is to work together on as many issues as possible and that's exactly what we are doing," he said.
Responding to a question on the French government's stance on the incidents of 1915, Fabius recalled that the issue had given rise to discussions in France last year as a draft law had been voted at the French parliament and later overturned by the country's Constitutional Council.
"We need to resolve this situation, and frankly speaking, this issue affects Turkish-French relations negatively," he said.
"I believe we will find a solution to this matter within the framework of a historical approach cleared of emotions and based on concrete reality," he added.Last Mod: 18 Ağustos 2012, 11:40


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Library eBooks Come to the Blackberry
Overdrive has released an updated version of its Media Console app for Blackberry. The previous version, released last year, only supported audiobooks. The new one adds support checking out and reading eBooks from your local library.
Overdrive works with 13 thousand libraries around the globe, and its eBooks can be read on a wide variety of eReaders including the Sony Reader, Kobo eReader, Nook, and many others, as well as Overdrive's other apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and OSX. To see if your library is an OverDrive partner, visit OverDrive Search.


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Aloha - and welcome to paradise on Earth. The islands of Hawaii are blessed with so much natural beauty that only seeing is believing. Think South Pacific meets Pirates of the Caribbean, and you might get somewhere close to the kind of lush landscapes, superb beaches, towering peaks and astonishing coastal panoramas that make up this supremely stunning destination. Not to mention the volcanoes.
Anchored like jewels in the crystal blue waters of the Pacific, the six islands of Hawai'i are different and unique. Varying in size and perhaps the tally of ancient historic sites, they do however all boast wonderful panoramic views at every turn; verdant rainforests to explore; fantastic snorkelling and surfing; and superb scenic trails - all wrapped up in a fantastically warm Hawaiian welcome.
Just how much you see and do on holidays in Hawaii is entirely up to you. It's quite possible simply to relax on a white sand beach day after day, slipping into the water whenever the mood strikes before easing into ocean-side cocktails at sunset. But if you want to see the sights, then there are plenty to see - everything from volcanic lava flows to hidden valleys, coastal cliffs and sacred temples. If you're thinking this would be a great destination for a honeymoon, you'd be right. Hawaii is often ranked as one of the best honeymoon spots in the world
You'll want to get a taste of Hawaiian culture during your stay as well, and highlights like the Polynesian Cultural Centre offer a fascinating insight into the history and traditions of the islands. Plus you can experience hula dances and sample traditional dishes like a plate lunch (meat with rice and macaroni salad) almost everywhere you go.
Then there's the modern face of Hawaii to enjoy too - Honolulu with its shops, galleries and night-life, as well as pulsating Waikiki Beach. Picking an island has never been harder. Let Hawaii Happen.
You can also explore our other popular USA holiday destinations including Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
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The diverse culture of Hawaii is expressed in language, music, art, theatre, dance, film, cuisine, and a multitude of festivals. At the core of each is the spirit of aloha, gracefully conveyed in a painter's brush stroke, in the fluid arc of a hula dancer's hands, or in the soft rhythm of a slack key guitar. Warmth, open-hearted generosity, and passion tempered by gentle humour are the primary elements of aloha that distinguish – and unify – the individual components of Hawaii's Art & Culture. Find yourself at a sunset Luau on the shores of Hawai'i and soak up the traditional atmosphere.
There are countless fantastic views to be had across Hawaii. Many are accessible by car, including Maui's famous Road to Hana; but using your feet offers up the best rewards. The Kalalau Trail along Kauai's Na Pali coast is unparalleled for its vistas of sheer cliffs and secluded valleys; and Big Island's Waipi'o Valley has spectacular waterfalls.
Hawaii has several dormant volcanoes, and Oahu's Diamond Head crater delivers great views over Waikiki and Honolulu, while a trip up Maui's lofty Haleakala to catch the sunrise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But Big Island has active Mauna Kilauea, and offers the chance to watch molten lava pouring spectacularly into the ocean.
Besides stunning scenery, Hawaii has some lovely laid-back seaside resorts, historic towns, and an exciting capital in Honolulu. Hilo on Big Island has centuries-old wooden storefronts, shops, and cultural sites; Maui's Lahaina, an old whaling village, is a hot-spot for historic buildings; peaceful Hanalei on Kauai does galleries and culture; and Honolulu has just about everything, including fantastic restaurants, shopping and night-life.
It's hard to go wrong when you're looking for a honeymoon in Hawaii. The deep blue water, the pristine beaches, the Aloha spirit… Romance is everywhere you look. There are also some stunning luxury hotels and resorts to choose from. Enjoy a pampering spa day, explore the unique underwater ecosystem together or sit and watch the sun set from the privacy of your beachfront balcony.
Hilton Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort
Fronting Waikiki's best beach, this unique getaway offers a wide selection of shops, award-winning restaurants, plush lounges and a pampering menu of treatments at the upscale spa. Find out more about this hotel >>
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Situated on Waikiki Beach, the Outrigger Waikiki features deluxe rooms with a selection of fascinating shops and five restaurants. Workout facilities and a full-service spa are also available.Find out more about this hotel >>
The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
Bordering a pristine white-sand beach, this beautiful retreat offers premiere accommodations ideal for golf-lovers on the go, indulgent honeymoons and fun family getaways.Find out more about this hotel >>
Sheraton Maui Resort
Set on the widest expanse of Ka'anapali Beach at the foot of legendary Pu'u Keka'a, Black Rock, this ocean side Hawaiian resort greets travelers to a world of relaxation and discovery. Find out more about this hotel >>
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
The Fairmont Orchid offers guestrooms with private lanai, a full-service spa featuring outdoor massages and a variety of dining venues from which to enjoy the spectacular sunset. Find out more about this hotel >>
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
This gracious Hawaiian hotel offers oceanview dining, the Mandara Spa, free-form swimming pools, snorkeling and sunset sails along with 36 holes of championship golf. Find out more about this hotel >>
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Reminiscent of the grand hotels from Hawaii's golden age, this resort offers a world of invigorating lava rock showers, sparkling pools and manicured gardens in a welcoming open-air setting. Find out more about this hotel >>
Sheraton Kauai Resort
Nestled amidst sprawling oceanfront gardens, Sheraton Kauai Resort is the ultimate gathering place boasting magnificent views of Poipu Beach and the famous First Break Surf Spot.Find out more about this hotel >>
San Francisco - Los Angeles - Hawaii
Start this amazing holiday combination with a stay in San Francisco where you can enjoy the sights whilst taking a ride on a cable car and sample the fantastic shopping of Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. Travel onto the City of Angels that is Los Angeles. Take a trip to Hollywood before relaxing on one of LA's finest beaches or discover the magic of Disneyland in Anaheim. Then end your holiday on the magnificent Hawaiian Island of Oahu, where you can relax on golden beaches, witness breathtaking scenery and enjoy warm Hawaiian hospitality.Click here for more details
Los Angeles - Maui - Oahu
Enjoy an island-hopping Hawaiian holiday with a stop in Los Angeles along the way on this suggested multi centre itinerary. Your trip starts in the City of Angels, where you can mingle with the stars, watch the body builders on Muscle Beach or window shop in Beverly Hills. From here, fly to the Hawaiian island of Maui, where you'll find unspoilt natural beauty combined with huge choice of outdoor activities. Next it's on to Oahu and Hawaiian capital Honolulu. Click here for more details
Big Island - Oahu - San Francisco
Enjoy a chill and thrill holiday combination with this Hawaiian island hopping itinerary, finished off with 3 nights in San Francisco. Fly into Hawaii and spend 4 nights on the Big Island, an unspoilt paradise and home to one of the world's most active volcanos. From here, just a short flight will take you to Oahu and the buzzing Waikiki Beach where you have 3 nights to relax and soak up the party atmosphere. From Oahu, fly to San Francisco for the last stop on your holiday. Click here for more details
Las Vegas - Hawaii
Combine the bright lights of Vegas with the island paradise of Oahu on this magical twin centre itinerary. Start in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, where you can experience fantastic themed hotels and spectacular shows. Then hop across the Pacific to Hawaii and spend a leisurely few days soaking up the scenery, relaxing on the beach and enjoying warm Hawaiian hospitality. Click here for more details
Things You Must Do On Your Holiday To Hawaii
E komo mai and welcome to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. Whether you want to have fun in the sun with a buzzing atmosphere in Honolulu, hike across the untouched landscape of Kauai or delve into Polynesian culture, Hawaii is a destination which will surpass all of your expectations...Read More Here >>
Honeymoon Dreamin' Across America
You've sought the planet and managed to find your perfect match. Now you've had your dream wedding, you're faced with finding your next perfect match - your dream honeymoon destination. When it comes to honeymoons, the USA has a huge range of destinations with something to suit anyone...Read More Here >>
Top 10 National Parks in America
When people think America's National Parks, they think of the vast, wild landscapes with the big, iconic names such as The Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks. And whilst these are definitely standout destinations, the USA has so much more to offer in the way of National Parks...Read More Here >>
10 Things You Didn't Know About The USA
We've put together our pick of unique and fascinating facts about the USA that you may not know about – including some Independence Day trivia of course. With 50 states to choose from, picking a top 10 was no easy task but here is our list of things that you didn't know about the USA...Read More Here >>
You will need your ESTA!
The US authorities have imposed a requirement for passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), to register for Electronic Travel Authority if you are travelling to the US. Any passengers who have not made an application for and received their travel authorisation via ESTA before travelling may not be permitted to board the aircraft or could be denied admission at the US entry destination. But of course, neither possession of a visa, nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa-free on the VWP will guarantee a passenger admission to the United States. The final determination of admissibility is made by the immigration office at the port of entry.Where can I apply for ESTA?Prior to travel, you will need to visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. and fill out an online application form.When should I apply? This will need to be applied for at least 72 hours prior to travel if you intend to travel to America.How long is my ESTA valid for?
Your ESTA will be valid for up to two years, or until your passport expires. It is also possible for you to use for multiple entries to America. Just be sure to amend any necessary data, such as date of travel and your address whilst in the US.
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The contrarian buy signal for property
A very narrow gap between gross rental yields and mortgage interest rates is a buy signal for investors.
When did you last handle a cheque? If you're not a banker or professional cashier the answer is probably 'not recently.' But within the residential property industry, a cheque remains a currency of choice.
And it's not just for that 10 or 20 per cent deposit a buyer passes to an estate agent on signing a contract of sale. Go forward in time 60 or 90 days – the typical period in Australia between contract signing and settlement – and a clutch of professionals will gather in a room to effectively just swap cheques on settlement day for that property. And around them in the same room, and together with other rooms in cities across Australia, hundreds of other similar professionals will be dancing this elaborate cheque-spinning waltz, despite us supposedly living in the era of contactless payments.
This highly choreographed process has of course been absolutely necessary to ensure the title of a property isn't passed from vendor to buyer before all parties with a financial interest in the transaction – the lending institutions, the state revenue office, the rates-collecting local council, utility firms and the solicitors – are paid what they are due and that the responsibility for those payments is correctly apportioned between the buyer and seller, based on the terms of the contract.
This process is now in the throes of becoming purely electronic. Conveyancing and settlement is a state-based system of rules, but a concerted effort is being made to move all jurisdictions to online settlement in the next two years.
The big four banks are instrumental in this migration to PEXA, the electronic settlement system, according to Garth Brown, principal of Sydney-based firm Brown and Brown Conveyancers. "The big four banks are on board for the switch online. That's 80% of the home loan market. And the smaller banks and credit unions are gradually coming on board as well. The banks are driving this because it is a cost savings to them."
Once PEXA is mandatory sometime in late 2019 across Australia, the days of DIY conveyancing will be gone. "Only registered practitioners will have access to PEXA," says Brown. "Which isn't a bad thing, as you want a professional to do it properly for you."
I couldn't agree more. There are so many horror stories of buyers losing tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars because they tried to do the due diligence on the vendor's statement and title documents themselves. Robert Ball, a partner at Melbourne-based law firm Henderson & Ball, singles out developers who try to hand ball their own obligations to unwary buyers. "Some developers try to pass on any problems that might arise out of, for instance, soil degradation and other matters," says Ball. "But the buyer should object to those sorts of clauses and have them removed from the contract."
The varying rules across the country for conveyancing make it hard to give general advice that applies everywhere. But Brown believes there are some universal procedures buyers need to follow to ensure a smooth settlement with no surprises:
The dance of the manual settlement cheques may be dying out, but the beat of the conveyancing conga line continues.
Richard Wakelin


text:
Things have been really heavy, both 'out there' and 'in here' for me over the last couple of weeks, and I'm feeling the need to unpack some of it today. I am going to hone in on the 'out there' stuff. Please bear with me, because these thoughts are flying out of my fingers faster than I can think.
Out There, there are conversations happening about racism and cultural misappropriation that I have felt convicted to attend because I teach spiritual things. As a teacher of said spiritual things, I find it really important to address things like sourcing our spiritual modalities with integrity, with respect for the cultures from which we draw our practices. My personal stance has been to examine all of my practices, and ask myself if they actually belong to me. I even went so far as to have a DNA test so I could get a grip on my blood lineage. What am I made of? What were the pre-Christian practices of my ancestors? A lot of this work has been inspired by Leesa Renee Hall, who teaches expressive writing, and runs a 'Decolonize Your Ancestry' program on her Patreon.
My public posts about these subjects (mostly on Facebook) have resulted in a lot of push back, sometimes public, but mostly in the form of things landing in my inbox or PMs. Included amidst the push back are thoughtful messages in which important questions are being grappled with, and those aren't the kinds of messages I'm talking about. I'm talking about messages in which people seem to want to debate me on my stance, point out how my stance is wrong, express anger or disappointment in me, or tell me how my stance is making them feel bad about their stance.
It's been hard, and annoying, because I'm not the sensitivity police. I can't tell anyone else what's right or wrong for them. I can point out blatantly racist content or marketing, but I stay in my lane, by which I mean that I will arrive to back up the voices of BIPOC, but I don't 'go after' these things on my own initiative. And I don't 'go after' individuals who appear to be misappropriating culture unless they're bringing it into my spaces in a way that harms or disrespects BIPOC. I don't mean to be telling anyone what is or is not okay for *them*. I take a stance about my own personal convictions, and I establish what's okay and not okay in my *spaces*, but it seems that taking that stance is interpreted as issuing orders or assuming I know about the contents of your character or your own soul.
I'm not the boss of you. Just because I think something is wrong for *me*, doesn't mean I'm saying it's wrong *for you*. I have no idea what's wrong for you. I prefer to let you figure that out for yourself. Honestly, I have enough work to do over here in this little puddle of Effy flavoured goo without taking on other people's work as well.
Sometimes what happens, I think, is people feel personally convicted by my personal convictions, and that is super uncomfortable. The thing I'm convicted about not doing – for example, smudging, using the word 'tribe' to describe my on line community, using the word 'gypsy' when I mean 'free-spirited and colourful lifestyle', or chakras, or deities from lands and cultures that have nothing to do with my ancestral lineage – is something they really enjoy, and so my eschewing it makes them feel bad about doing it. Instead of examining why they are feeling that way, people feel free to inundate my inbox with why I'm wrong and why I should continue smudging or using the word tribe or why I should just shut up about all of this political stuff and make art.
Like, I didn't ask them. You know? I've drawn my conclusions on my own after much education from BIPOC. My stance is not up for tweaking or debate. I didn't take it lightly. I took it after much personal examination.
But I'm not saying YOU can't do whatever it is you want to do. I may have a boundary around what we share in the temple space I run (Moonshine), but it looks like this – "In this space, I'm asking for sensitivity around the use of spiritual modalities that belong to BIPOC. I don't want memes about smudging in here. I don't want discussions of 'spirit animals' in here. What you do in your own personal practice is none of my business, but in here, let's keep our discussions to spiritual modalities that we can claim based on our ancestry. So if we're white, we source our spiritual practices from our European ancestry."
It seems this has set me up for a lot of extra work, because people get *pissed at me* for this, or they examine their own conscience around this and want me to help them untangle it (which is great, but it's not really my area of expertise). I have a handy 'you must do as your conscience dictates' ready for these kinds of messages, which feels like good boundaries, but I'm not sure what to do with the people that *get upset with me* over my stance. Like, how do I answer those messages? What do I do about those? How do I say 'you know, your stance and integrity are none of my business, and I'm not auditioning to be your Jiminy Cricket."
There is a feeling arising out of all of this that when people follow my posts, or read my blog, and 'reward' me with their time, attention, likes, loves, etc. they feel a sense of entitlement about what I post in those spaces. If I'm posting about racism or cultural appropriation on my personal Facebook wall, and it upsets them, they feel entitled to ask me for my (unpaid) time in helping them resolve those feelings. Like, they want to continue feeling good about me, or good about themselves for liking my content, so they ask me to help them feel better about *me*.
But it seems like what they're really asking is that I change my stance so they can feel more comfortable. It feels like they're asking me to stand down on the cultural appropriation issue. "Let me smudge, let me 'namaste', let me 'Aho', let me 'spirit animal' without questioning it, without investigating my own right to do so…Let me feel okay with myself so I can continue feeling okay about you…"
Um…so not my job.
Because, first of all, I can't 'let you' or 'prevent you' from doing anything, except in the context of what's okay to share in my spaces. I have those boundaries in my spaces, not because I want to be the sensitivity police – good gods, y'all, I have enough to do without adding that to my job description. I have the boundaries I have because my personal stance has attracted BIPOC into my spaces, and their safety from racist rhetoric and cultural misappropriation in my spaces *is my responsibility* as a holder of that space. If I'm welcoming in BIPOC, and then I'm encouraging or condoning practices that disrespect them or cause them harm, I'm a shitty facilitator. I don't want to be a shitty facilitator.
But it seems that some people in my spaces are now uncomfortable. I hear things like "I'm walking on egg shells" or "I'm afraid to say anything". So I've failed somehow, and I'm not sure how to fix it. Like, how do I say 'this is my stance, your mileage may vary, just don't bring it in here, please!' in a way that won't alienate people? Maybe that's impossible. Maybe I should just accept that people will be alienated and maybe my content isn't for those people.
It would be really great, though, if they could decide that for themselves and just wander away, because I didn't sign up for this part – this part where people feel free to ask me to help them be okay with me *when they are obviously not okay with me*.
Like, it's okay to not be okay with me. Be not okay with me. Own that. Don't ask me to fix it, because that is not my job.
It takes an enormous amount of self awareness and self-accountilbity to question your own sense of entitlement to the spiritual modalities of BIPOC. Why do you feel entitled? There's a treasure trove of healing to be done around that question and I admit it isn't for the faint of heart. That I ask people to do that in my paid content means I have to show up for the consequences of asking that. I admit I was ill-prepared for that. I blithely included these requests for self-examination in Moonshine expecting that the people who were going to be attracted to this program would have already made some headway in this area. It didn't feel like such a big ask that we switch out misappropriated spiritual practices for practices that were not stolen from other cultures. It felt, in fact, like a no brainer.
I'm teaching art witchery. For me, that doesn't include smudging or spirit animals or shamanic journeying or anything else that's been sourced (stolen) from lineages that are not my own. I, personally, have no desire to end up as a thread on this forum, where plastic shamans are called out and examined. I have no desire to steal culture when I have so much of my own rightful ancestry to explore and indulge. I have a primarily pre-Christian European Witchcraft based practice that uses art as its primary method of raising energy toward the attainment of my desires. That's what I'm trying to present. That's my area of expertise.
But it seems that because my witchcraft, which doesn't include practices sourced from spiritual modalities I believe I have no right to use, bumps up against witchcrafts which include whitewashed, misappropriated spiritual practices, I'm now in an awkward position. I'm having to field a lot of 'who do you think you are' type 'nobody tells me what to do' style push back.
And I guess this is what I signed up for when I designed this program with requests that people respect BIPOC. Because in this time, and in this political climate, asking that people respect BIPOC is, apparently, super controversial (WTF?). Which makes me sick, because it really should be a no brainer. We are sourcing our energy from this land we're living on – land we stole from First Nations. Let's have some respect. We are sourcing our energy from this land we're living on – land cultivated by and built on the backs of People of Color. Let's have some respect.
Why is this so radical? Why is this such a big ask?
I don't know, but I'm here, showing up in all the ways I can, answering the questions – even the ones that are insults in disguise – and I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for this. I'm here to keep asking this ask. I'm here to design content that asks for respect for BIPOC. I'm here to help you create a spiritual modality that can enrich your art journaling practice, to help you create an art journaling practice that can energize and inform your spirituality. I might be failing, but I'm listening, and I'm trying. And if you're not interested in sourcing your spiritual practices in a way that respects BIPOC, my work is not for you. And it saddens me that there are those of you who feel that way, but that's okay. I can deal. I know there are just enough of you *that are* interested in that, so I'll turn my attention there in the certainty that what I do serves *you*.
Thanks for listening.


text:
Wale House of Blues January 30, 2012
Ralph Victor Folarin, known to his hip-hop fan base by pen name Wale, has just released a mixtape, titled after his surname: Folarin. Reviewers praise the new effort, saying it rounds the bend toward coming full circle back to Wale's lyrically quirky early efforts.
We agree; despite a litter of regrettably dumbed-down songs and albums dropped while lapping up the leftover limelight of Lord Rick Ross and his MMG minions, here Wale returns to lyrical fighting form on Folarin. His only changes are production; he swaps his trademark go-go clangs for African drums.
Wale must sense fans' appetite for the mixtape, since the majority of his show at the House of Blues Wednesday night served from that well-cooked roux of songs -- once he finally showed up to the venue.
"Make some noise if you're ready to see Wale!" shouted DJ Mr. Rogers at around 10 p.m., a phrase repeated by DJ 5'9 an hour later, to be repeated by opening act Black Cobain a little after that. Finally, at approximately 11:30, Wale did finally rush the stage, and the responses had turned from those initial screams into half-hearted cheers; it was nearing (most of our) bedtimes.
Ironically, the room's collective quiet created the perfect scenario for Wale's drop-kick show-starter: a lively performance of "Chun Li" from the new release. Stirred from their slumber, the crowd once again screamed for more, and Wale was ready to give it to them.
But not before a tiny technical tweak.
"These lights are too bright. This ain't a Broadway musical," the rapper shouted, nearly walking off the stage. With the "error" fixed, Wale finally felt comfortable enough into a couple more mainstream spins.
For the Folarin set of songs, a bass guitarist and drummer joined the DJ already onstage in what may be the greatest metaphorical example of what Wale is: a curious mix of substance and synthetics -- a pairing that doesn't always work, neither in Wale's music nor onstage.
But when it does, it congeals supremely, particularly during the rapper's performance of the "Rack City (Remix)," the infamous dirty-bass plucks of that song made even dirtier by the guitarist plucking them out onstage.
The night would provide more treats. Ever the spontaneous showman, Wale jumped down into the crowd during a song, prompting his beefy security guard into the depths with him. He unabashedly pulled a funny-looking cigarette out in full view of the audience during "Money Changes," huffing out a puff of smoke, despite his claims to wait to smoke with key audience members (read: groupies) later.
"I'm smoking ganja tonight!"
His best surprise came as assistance by crooner Tiara Thomas, who blended her voice and acoustic guitar into a live performance of the pair's duet, "Bad."
There have been media claims that Wale's skittishness in interviews of late is due to increased drug usage, but the rapper showed no signs of a problem Wednesday. Instead, by performing crowd-pleasers like "The One Eye Kitten Song" and "H20" with a shot of equal parts lyrical accuracy and surefire chauvinism, he assured that MMG's late cancellation last year was made up for -- in full.
Lord Ross would've been pleased.
Personal Bias: I was first introduced to Mr. Folarin when he performed at my college's Homecoming concert. Back then, he was an introspective and funny lyricist. I (and my peers) lost interest as he got more mainstream, but Folarin proves that you can go home again. Welcome back, old friend.
The Crowd Older people like Wale, too! But mostly 20- to 30-year-olds.
Seen in the Crowd: A sloppy, fall-down-drunk man, who had to be kicked out of the VIP area and escorted out of the venue.
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Random Notebook Dump: House of Blues is kind to small people. I saw Wale the entire concert.
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That moment when you see thin red lines followed by starry visuals while Hans Zimmer is building up his crescendo of drums and snares live in front of you.
Click here for more words
That moment when you see thin red lines followed by starry visuals while Hans Zimmer is building up his crescendo of drums and snares live in front of you.
Click here for more words
Sir, Madam, are you familiar with Ghosts 'n Goblins ' (1985) most iconic tune?
If not, I urge you to first check out a minute or two of any of the playthroughs below.
Got that theme memorized?
Time for some chiptune-infused drum 'n rocksteptrance overkill, courtesy of Capcom's 30th Anniversary Music Best: Original & Arrange:
It's crazy. I like crazy.Click here for more words
And if you gotta start somewhere, start by checking out Lee Hardcastle's awesome slash gruesome "claysploitation" videos.
This is not your daddy's DOOM.Click here for more words
...can always count on the world wide web to provide.
Although it's more of a synth rock metal orchestral chiptune fusion kinda thing, no?Click here for more words
These games were hard as balls.
And it made the atmospheric MegaDrive soundtracks all the more memorable.
Take it with a grain of nostalgia salt.Click here for more words
Disclaimer: last-gen handheld soundtracks can sound grating to the uninitiated ear. Imagine you're on a battlefield or something. Enjoy!
One of my favorite handheld games - it's still plugged into the old dusty DS for when the need arises - is a turn-based war sim called Advance Wars - Days of Ruin, and it caught me completely by surprise when it came out in 2008.
It introduced us to a grim post-apocalyptic madness that was the complete opposite of the colourful and playful Dual Strike - the third game in the Advance Wars series - and its predecessors on the GameBoy Advance.Click here for more words
Of course I'm alluding to the cult classic Chrono series, brilliant games to which many an RPGamer became enamored with one time or other.
The soundtracks to both Chrono Trigger (1995) and Chrono Cross (1999) have played a great part in this unconditional love-giving, but I will leave you with the most striking and memorable tracks for now: the intro themes and their accompanying animation...
All hail Yasunori Mitsuda.Click here for more words
For I have witnessed The Cybertronic Spree - aka the cast from the real Transformers movie - cover not only the soundtrack from said movie, but the Power Rangers theme as well, with a splash of Doom.
Also, Pokémon and Ghostbusters.Click here for more words
Bionic Commando is rad.
Its protagonist, Nathan Spencer, is Rad.
The soundtracks are, most of the time, super rad.
No, seriously.Click here for more words
Don't even bother.
All your arguments are invalid.
Why am I bringing this up now?
First of all, Jak X - Combat Racing is COMING BACK!Click here for more words
This is the future of bigger budget music videos.
Give us a story.
Give us a beat.
Give us the feels.
That's what went through my head when checking out the opening to Mob Psycho 100.
Go on, admit it.
You're intrigued, right?
Don't worry, the pilot isn't your standard anime binge-bait that's followed up by a sluggish season.
Go watch it. I'll hold.
And yes, you're right.
It IS by the same guy as One Punch Man.
Click here for more words
Alter Echo's got a rad soundtrack.
It's even so rad, I fell in love with it and the prospect of, one fine day, experiencing this hidden PS2/Xbox gem from 2003.
Click here for more words
Hoppípolla by Sigur Rós
blossom by Ordet (known for Black Rock Shooter's story scenes)
More cri at Zapuni, where animation and music join hands with charity for the Tohoku / Fukushima disasters.Click here for more words
For all you Mega Man fans out there, there's been something up and about for a few years now.Click here for more words
With an artist name like that, there's no reason for me to get all witty with clickbait titles.Click here for more words
We went and done the alphabet, soundtrack style.
With a little luck, we'll manage to do the same for full-blown reviews before we celebrate our first anniversary!
But first, let's do a recap episode. From 1988 to 2017. The time is right. The time is now.Click here for more words
"It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you we have lost our final bit of integrity, with this upcoming Collector's Edition re-release of Final Fantasy XII - The Zodiac Age."Click here for more words
I particularly like how they take 4 minutes to tell a better story than all seasons of Scooby Doo combined.
To the beat y'all.
Oh and look there's a sequel. Another musical series to keep your eyes and ears on!
Also, big up to their Phoenix Wright spoof. Gotta love that intro .Click here for more words
Not named Zombies Ate My Neighbours in the UK, or the rest of Europe.
Just Zombies, and the "censorship" didn't stop there.
Even between the SNES and MegaDrive versions there were many differences - with SNES coming out on top for most discrepancies - which was almost considered standard procedure in that bygone era.
Thank the lord I was taught how to slay 'n spray Z's at the beat of the SNES' soundtrack.Click here for more words
I sometimes imagine hearing this track in other games, just because it fits the INSTANT PUMP UP THE BATTLE RAGE bill so much.
This is Milanor's fighting theme. This is Milanor.
Milanor is a main character in the turn-based RPG Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone (DS and PSP), which is part of the Yggdra Union series, which is part of the Dept. Heaven series.
But none of that matters.
Only music does.Click here for more words
It's hard to find games that start with an X.
And of those few that are worth playing, it's even harder to find a game with a decent soundtrack.
So allow me to cheat this once, and come clean at the same time: Xenogears.
Never played Xenogears. It's a darn shame but I haven't touched this piece of JRPG history from the PS1 era as of yet.
But things are going to change.
After all, with such a resplendent soundtrack, it's clear I've missed out on much.
One of Yasunori Mitsuda's best works, Xenogears' soundtrack managed to touch the hearts of many a gamer in its time (1998), and plays a big part in the cult following the game itself garnered.
Also, you can kinda kill God.Click here for more words
At least, the soundtrack does, with its plethora of excellent licensed music. This is grade-A car radio material.
On the other hand, the game itself, with its acrobatic gunplay and clunky swordplay, made me rather furious at times.
While it has insane action and lacklustre storytelling - much like Total Overdose (2005) and Stranglehold (2007) before it - WET (2009) became such an unwieldy mess on higher difficulties - when trophy hunting required extreme precision, absurd Fingerspitzengefühl, and an unhealthy amount of luck - that it really made me reflect on where I was going with my life.
Those tunes though.Click here for more words
I... I don't... I can't... my game brain is overloading.
Music choice aside, what a feat to stuff this many obscure and/or mainstream video game references into one short but excellent AMV, courtesy of SpeedoSausage. Not a stranger to the more edgy stuff that floats around the web, he even managed to throw in some totally random J-pop culture.
Blink and you miss it.
Proof that Ubisoft can provide gripping experiences without relying on franchise exploitation.
Point and click adventure on the outside, emotional roller coaster on the inside.
Set during the First World War, you are confronted with the worst and the best life on the edge has to offer, accompanied by the giddiest and tearjerkiest tunes this side of the trenches.
Try it.
It's educational. It's inspiring. And I'm still not crying. I'm really not.
Unlimited SaGa.
Oh how I wanted to love you so bad.
Superb curves, in an age where you paid extra for the slightest alteration. Smooth self-introduction, gorgeous on the eyes, a delight to listen to.
2002 intro showing off sketch motion technology
But whenever we got into a fight, you became so unwieldly. You were the opposite of putty in my hands. More like a clump of radioactive waste with jagged edges protruding everywhere.
To me, you were the harbinger of vile randomness, the scourge of many a roguelike nowadays. But let's not get into that today. I want us to remember the good times.
Click here for more words
This song is pure SM
Sixteen-bit funkadelic greatness. This is how I chilled on a rainy afternoon in the early nineties.
Good times, simple times.
Soundtrack to the original ToeJam & Earl on Megadrive / Genesis, these tunes set the stage for two funky sequels which I promise I will play before the kickstarted reboot comes out in all its funkified glory.Click here for more words
This soundtrack is unfit during those traffic jams when you really want accidents to happen.
I always associate mobile gaming with GameBoys or PSP's or other derivatives, and taking a big dump, commuting for many hours, or travelling abroad in someone's back seat.
Nowadays your mobile phone can partially take over this guilty pleasure, but to me it means about 5 to 10 minutes of distraction before the game, any game, gets tiresome.
The same almost goes for Shooting Stars!, a very enjoyable epileptic laser-fest by Blood Irony. What makes this game different however, is its killer soundtrack that pumps you up to go that extra mile!
Did we mention Risk of Rain was ported from PC to PS4 and PSVita? Sony repair centers won't know what hit 'em.
So invite your friends, put some beers in the fridge, and get your weekend off to a great start! And thanks to cross-platform play you can even spend the night on the toilet and still join the fray! Be vigilant for all-nighters!
Oh and the soundtrack is ridiculously intense!
Originally published on: Jul 22, 2016Click here for more words
That's one way to describe Holden Boyles' soundtrack for Qora.
Qora itself can be defined by that same word, but also by 'bizarre', 'weird', and 'a slow 2D walking talking simulator'.
Very enjoyable, with the right mindset, in your own time.Click here for more words
You'd think I refer to the butchered localization of the first games, when they were originally released on PlayStation.
Or the fact that the plot is all over the place, making it hard to connect to the characters at first.
No, those are stories for another day. I'm talking about the soundtrack of the first game's PSP remake, Revelations: Persona.
Listen to this for a minute.
That's the battle theme.
Considering the frequency of random encounters, you probably hear this for 99% of the time playing this game. I would say it's not half bad either, but that's probably because I'm completely brainwashed by now.
And those lyrics... God those lyrics... What. The. Hell.
Worse, I'm having a go at Persona 2 - Innocent Sin at the moment, where the music is far more neutral and lyricless - for now.
But whenever I put down that game... and I think back on the adventures I just had... I CAN HEAR THIS FUCKING SONG.
But hey. There are worse things than having one Persona's catchy tune stuck in the back of your head. You could, like, have them all stuck in the back of your head.
Here's the intro movie for reference. Welcome to hell.Click here for more words
I'm talking about Humble Bundle's simultaneously running bundles on offer, namely the...
... and the...
If you're into Assassin's Creed, you can get all but the latest game for only 15 bucks. No questions asked.
If you're into varied, revered, or notorious indie games with superb soundtracks - whose albums are sadly not included as a bonus - the Overwhelmingly Positive Bundle will be right up your alley.
For a mere 10 bucks you get access to...Click here for more words
Remember that thing I posted about Furi and its awesome synthwave tunes? Let's focus on one of the artists from that soundtrack, and go from there.
Carpenter Brut, the mythical French synthwave artist, not only has his music featured on The Crew, Hotline Miami 2, Hacknet, and Furi, but he gets the raddest music videos as well, courtesy of Seth Ickerman.
Watching the 'Making Of' is at least as fun as the original video itself, and yes, a 30-minute long movie is in the works, with Carpenter Brut on board.
Check out the kickstarter for BLOOD MACHINES.Click here for more words
You can't go wrong with a mix of Samurai Shamploo, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Afro Samurai, and some oldskool Ultraman to top it off.
Sung by Kouichi Yamadera - Spike from Cowboy Bebop, Ryoga from Ranma ½, Doflamingo from One Piece - this short from the Japan Animator Expo can't get any more contemporary Nippon.
Please make another Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan rhythm game. Really. Right now.Click here for more words
Soundbyte "o"? And the game is called "Elite Beat Agents"?
Why yes, young padawans, go back to the roots you must!
This incredibly addictive NDS rhythm game finds its origins in the even more bonkers Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! and its sequel Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii: Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2. Quite the mouthful indeed.
But also quite the handful! If you have the chance to play these Japan-only games, don't hesitate and go for it! Even though you probably won't understand what's going on, you can still have hours upon hours of button-mashing fun !!
Or you could just try out freeware Osu! for tablet pc's, that'll work too. And by work I mean it will blow your rhythmic mind.Click here for more words
Journey. Remember Me. Ascension of the Metatron. I see and hear nothing but the good things in life.
Let me just leave this here.
Click here for more words
... geeking all over your face about this hidden gem and its gripping story or equally awesome soundracks.
BUT, just to be on the safe side, even if you never played the game and are not aware of the contextual gravity of some songs, you can't go wrong with nearly all of them.Click here for more words
The sequel to 2010's most underappreciated game, NieR, is being steamrolled in by Platinum Games somewhere next year, which is all kinds of awesome. Not wanting to s(p)oil myself too much, I couldn't resist listening to the upcoming theme song of NieR Automata. I'm not sure why, but they made two versions:
One is sung by NieR's mainstay vocalist Emi Evans, in her homemade futurespeak...
... while the other is sung by Tokyo-based J'Nique Nicole, in plain English.
The latter feels more like it's made for an Anastasia sequel. Am I too biased here? Which one do you prefer?
Pro-tip: Playing both songs at the same time kind of makes it all okay.
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Sep 5, 2016
I'm kidding, this ain't blues. This is 80's chiptune so rad your brain will never be able to compute it, from a game series as hardcore as the soundtrack itself.
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Little Big Planet and all of its sequels and spin-offs are mostly known for their {Play - Create - Share} tagline, inciting all kids on the block to peak at their most artistic and creative.Click here for more words
You know what triggers me?
Catchy 'exotic' music. Tribal even if you will.Click here for more words
Arcade games from the nineties are friggin' awesome. Their console ports... not so much.
But still a load of fun, due to the fact you weren't spending all your allowance in one go with prying eyes in your back.
And some ports - although graphically or musically inferior - gave a little extra in the form of new modes, more skins, and in the case of Killer Instinct (1995)...
That's right.
Inside the SNES box of Killer Instinct you'd find a CD with arranged tracks from the arcade game. I even played this disc so much it evaporated into awesomeness.
That said, the new Killer Instinct (2014-2016) on Xbox One is also pretty rad. The music is very... modern. It'll probably grow on me, but nostalgia hasn't kicked in yet.Click here for more words
You know what's hard?
Playing 90's video games on PC. Without instruction manual!
I know, hardcore right?
Not only did I manage to save parts of the universe in Duke Nukem 3D without the use of a mouse, conquer half of the world in Civilization without knowing how to build cities myself, and finally, get my team of mercenaries to leave the first area in Jagged Alliance.
Which took me about a day.
Which makes me a rather bad gamer as a kid, with even worse intuition.
To distract you from this embarrassing personal revelation, here's a snippet of chill music from Jagged Alliance 2, a worthy successor that improved upon almost every aspect. Especially leaving first areas.
This music actually plays when you're shopping online for mercenaries, so I put this on loop whenever I go on amazon for maximum effect.Click here for more words
...and It Follows that music composer Disasterpeace is awesome.
He's got a knack for providing your daily horror dose through eerie music and psychedelic sound effects, as well as making sure certain mobile, flash and indie games become more iconic than the sum of their parts. And even if you care nothing about movie or game scores, I'm sure everyone can find a tune to their liking in his evergrowing repertoire.
If you're not convinced, at least hear him out in Bandcamp's latest interview right here which came out right after I saw It Follows and when I wanted to do a [soundbyte i] piece as well as write something about Disasterpeace...Hmm...Paranoid much? Who's that behind me?
I'll leave you with one of his latest creations. Enjoy.
Click here for more words
What more do you need when laying waste to scores of pixelated mobsters, dogs, phone company employees and Biker Men from Hell ?
A Killer soundtrack.
Both Hotline Miami and its sequel Wrong Number bring out the worst in people, with the best of tunes.
Many of the licensed music artists know their way around games, but all of them have a knack at driving you to virtual psychotic blood lust.
Put your hands together for these electro/synthwave wizards, and enjoy the auditory madness from Jasper Byrne (Lone Survivor), Scattle (Super Meat Boy), El Huervo (else { Heart.break()), Perturbator and Carpenter Brut (Furi), Mitch Murder (Kung Fury), and so many more.
Full playlists below, game impression coming in a few weeks.Click here for more words
Because if there's anything crazier than Clover Studio/ PlatinumGames' oldskool brawler hit God Hand, it's the soundtrack.
Although it's not every day you fight a demon disguised as a man in a gorilla suit who also happens to be a luchador.Click here for more words
Are you a fan of synthwave? Good.
Are you a fan of bitching hard games? Great.
Time to destroy those ears and fingers with The Game Bakers' too-hard-for-its-own-good Furi, to the beat of original compositions by Carpenter Brut, Danger, The Toxic Avenger, Lorn, Scattle, Waveshaper and Kn1ght.
Can you believe this game was 'free' on PS Plus upon release? I'm still convinced someone, somewhere, f*cked up real good.
Click here for more words
In case you missed it, I wrote some sort of review on the Endless games recently.
Let's take our time to put French composer FlyByNo in the spotlights again, as he worked his musical magic on all three games (and upcoming sequel Endless Space 2) with great success and it's just too damn chill to appreciate his tunes in and out of the games.Click here for more words
...or the perfect blend of pseudo-3D from over two decades ago.
I remember not being able to sit through the intro theme, on account of me running off to get my dad while screaming "I SAW THE FUTURE AND IT IS NOW".
He was impressed but it wore off a few days after, on account of him trying to peel my hands from the controller.
If you're a true Nintenboi / Nintengal, you might remember our favourite ape dabbled in full 3D for a while - much like his Zelda /Mario counterparts - before reverting to the tried and true DK formula in Donkey Kong Returns (Wii) and Tropical Freeze (WiiU).
Nintendon't break what you can't fix.Click here for more words
"Vampire Killer" and "Bloody tears" are bad-ass tracks that grew along with Castlevania from 1986 to date.
Here's a compilation of both for your listening pleasure, but if you tackle them in one go, don't come complaining about becoming brain dead or blood deprived or something.
Originally Published
That's the name of the band who propelled Borderlands into the colourful cell-shaded maelstrom they're stuck in now, with this intro:
If you're into drunk rock, look em up, they've been blasting through my radio forever.
You like Borderlands' style? Have a look at where they got some of their ideas...
For the HD version and many other cool shorts (Harry Potter, Heavenly Sword, League of Legends, Alien: Isolation, ...), do visit Ben Hibon's http://www.statelessfilms.com/
Drunk rock. Drock? Runck?
Originally Published
Transformers have it rough. They are loathed, they are loved. Trust me, I'm a biased fan.
But with the upcoming lineup of October's PS Plus, NO ONE can go wrong. Not only will your PS4 get Transformers: Devastation, Platinum Games' oldskool take on the franchise, but you'll get the remake of classic zombie horror game Resident Evil as an added bonus - not counting the games for PS3 and PS Vita.
Do it. Renew that subscription. You have the power. You've got The Touch.Click here for more words
One of the first flash-to-console games that entered my collection, Alien Hominid is simple fun and endless entertainment, up until your brain has turned to mush.
Case in point, the music follows suit:
And let's not forget about the 4 player ALL YOU CAN EAT button-mashing bonanza! (past the 13sec mark)
Thanks, Matthew Harwood.Click here for more words
I never played The - critically acclaimed horror puzzle game - 7th Guest (1993), nor its sequel The - less than stellar - 11th Hour (1995), but if the music's any indication, I should really be getting to it.
Loving the main theme , and I keep hearing Minnie the Moocher in the ending song .
When a cult game reminds me of a cult movie, that's never a bad thing.Click here for more words
Galaxies unfold before your very eyes, and you wonder where next to go.Click here for more words
Big up to Robo-Shroom for taking over these last couple of weeks, even though he couldn't quite get Facebook to show correct links to posts.
THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE. Off to the Boom Festival grounds with you, and save us a spot for next time!
And here is a youtube snippet of Solar Fields' evening performance, which totally doesn't do it justice, AT ALL, but believe me when I say this was one of the highlights of the festival.
Keep it up Magnus.Click here for more words
After 25 years, this title finally makes sense. The tunes are absolutely positively ageless though.
Click here for more words
Have you heard of Tokyo Jungle? You'll never look at a Beagle the same way again.
Click here for more words
Dear shroomies,
Adventure abroad is clamoring for my attention, and I must heed its call.
Even so, my quest for game related mush continues, as I will soon gaze upon the glory of Solar Fields (soundtrack Capsized - Mirror's Edge - Mirror's Edge Catalyst), and many others.
But fear not! I will leave this website in the able hands of Robo-Shroom, an advanced alien A.I. that will curate your daily needs - except it will be every other day, not daily.
There is, however, a slight possibility not all posts or pictures will show up in your browser. Don't mention it. He doesn't take well to criticism.
I'll be back in action in two weeks, so this place better not have burned down or collapsed into a singularity by then.
Enjoy our next review later tonight, a few days before schedule!Click here for more words
This was the soundtrack of my life when I was an 80's kid.
Please kill me.Click here for more words
90's music can only wish it was this good.Click here for more words
Il Credo Degli Assassini.
This is where our musical journey to Rapture begins. Not through waves of sound, but through moving images…Click here for more words
Sometimes when driving past unsuspecting pedestrians, I like to crank it up while this particular song is playing. Everyone be all like "ooh classical how distinguished" or "shit holmes that scared the bejeebus outta me", and I'll be like THAT'S HOW I ROLL
'Cuz Katamari.
Click here for more words


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Posts Tagged 'miniatures'
Activision "Skylanders": Collectible Toys with Gaming Powers
Another really awesome experience at Toy Fair 2011 was getting a sneak peak at Activision's new "Skylanders, Spyro's Adventure" video game. Their booth was totally dedicated to debuting the game and featured giant replicas of the game pieces, including the familiar Spyro the flying purple dragon. Developed by Toys for Bob, the game is an imaginative and immersive adventure with puzzle, treasure hunt and battle components. What sets it apart from other games are it's collectible figures each representing a character from the virtual world. These beautifully rendered miniatures can be "put into play" by placing them on the circular "portal of power". Each has a unique set of abilities which can unlock different worlds or accomplish different tasks. Most importantly every toy figure has embedded tech which "remembers" its achievements inside the game and those level-ups and experiences travel with the toy.
Players can place a maximum of two characters at a time on the portal and play cooperatively or in battle mode. Characters exit and enter the game simply by placing or removing them from the portal base giving the player an opportunity to call in creatures as needed for their special masteries. It this manner game play varies endlessly based on which characters are in play, what tasks attempted and the level of each game pieces' achievements. For instance, a friend who owns a character you do not, may be invited over to help unlock a new level or complete a task.
There will be over 30 characters to collect and use in gameplay, including Terrafin, Chop Chop, Gill Grunt, Trigger Happy and Stealth Elf. The game is set for release in fall of this year and will ship with Spyro, 3 other characters and the portal base, which resembles a castle turret. The game is scored by movie composer Hans Zimmer but Activision opted for AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" as the soundtrack to the promo video. While aimed at a younger audience is not hard to believe older siblings and even parents will be charmed by the chance to pop a figure on the portal and take a trip to Skyland.
See PiercingMetal's Toy Fair 2011 Features here.
Click any photo to launch lightbox display.
Safari LTD. Collectible Fantasy Figures
It was a pleasure to meet the nice folks from Safari LTD at Toy Fair 2011. They kindly gave us free reign to photograph the gorgeous dioramas highlighting their products.
Anyone who has visited a museum gift shop is already familiar with Safari LTD's expansive line of collectible wildlife and dinosaur figures. They are noted for their detailed sculpture and beautiful hand painted finishes. In addition to the array of scientifically accurate animals Safari LTD. has begun to add a wonderful group of fanciful and mythological characters to their product line.
Under the groupings Mythical Realms, Fairy Fantasies, Once Upon A Time, Days of Old the company offers collectors (young and young at heart) an amazing array of choices. I'm particularly fond of the selection of Dragons, love the mini's found in the company's Toobs canisters, and I quickly became a fan of the Cyclops, Medusa and Minotaur on display at the fair.
Check out Piercing Metal's Toy Fair 2011 Coverage here.
Click any image to launch lightbox.


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Can I get a first time buyer mortgage with a bad credit rating?
Hi Damien,
I am a first time buyer with a 20% deposit of £40,000. I am in permanent employment with earnings of £45,000. I have a default from an ex-partner's mobile bill settled, but registered 21 months ago. I do have 3 other defaults again from mobile bills, 3 years, 4 and 5 years respectively. I have finance for a car which has been open 2 years in June, with all payments made. I have no other adverse credit issues. What are my chances of getting a mortgage with my low credit score, my Equifax score is 357 and my Experian score is 659?
On the face of it I'd say your chances of getting a mortgage with your credit score are good and certainly better than you think. From your figures I assume that you are looking at buying your first house for £200,000 with a £160,000 mortgage.
The first thing I'd question is have you allowed for the cost of purchase (including solicitor's fees, stamp duty etc.) separately to your deposit of £40,000? A common mistake that first time buyers make is to not factor in all the potential costs and to end up short.
Your scenario is a good example of when getting advice from an independent mortgage broker is your best option. Many people look at mortgage comparison tables and assume that they a) would be accepted by the lenders shown and b) xxxxx also receive the rate shown even if they were accepted. A whole host of factors, including your credit history, determine whether you can get a mortgage. They will also dictate which is the best mortgage for you to apply for to increase your chances of being accepted. You want to avoid numerous failed mortgage applications as these will be a mark on your credit history and hamper any future credit applications (including a mortgage).
A good mortgage adviser would able to say for definite whether you will be able to get a mortgage once they've seen your credit report (and that of your partner if you will be living together). Each mortgage lender takes a different view on whether to offer a mortgage to a person with a poor credit rating so dates and amounts of defaults really matter. A good mortgage adviser will also look at your other commitments such as the car loan and credit card balances. These will all affect the mortgage affordability criteria.
How to get a mortgage with a bad credit rating
The good news is that it can be possible to get a mortgage even with a poor credit record, although it admittedly won't be at a market leading low interest rate. That is why we provide access to a free mortgage review for everyone to help people in your exact situation. Most people assume that they will never get a mortgage and so give up on their dream of owning a home prematurely. I strongly suggest that you follow the simple steps below, which takes seconds, to start the ball rolling and have the best chance of obtaining the mortgage you need:
- Start the mortgage tool and select the 'adviser type' as 'mortgage adviser'
- For the 'specific area of advice' select those that are appropriate (i.e 'first time buyer' and 'sub prime')
- Select the mortgage size you'd like to get if you were able to
- At the bottom of the form a logo will now appear that says 'free mortgage review' - make sure you select that
- you can also add any comments before submitting the form.
Good luck!


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Auto Bill Pay
With the Van Doren Oil Company auto bill pay system, you can automatically pay your bills from your checking account, or by a major credit/debit card. To sign-up for auto bill pay, you can contact one of our customer service agents. They will be happy to assist you.


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Superintendent of Police Jason Loke does not just catch crooks.
He also catches problems - the personal kind.
The 40-year-old is one of a growing number of volunteer police para-counsellors who are trained to help their colleagues deal with life's issues, whether marital, financial or work-related.
Once, he noticed how another policeman was under-performing at work. He took him out for drinks, and the married colleague revealed that he was having an affair with an old friend.
"He wanted to end the extramarital affair. He was concerned that it would affect his family and career," said Mr Loke, an assistant director of the Forensics Division at the Criminal Investigation Department. "I told him that if he gave up his family or career, it may not be the best way forward. Ultimately, he ended the relationship."
A 2008 police survey showed that work, relationships and issues with other colleagues were the top three problems which para-counsellors had to deal with.
Mr Loke, who has served in the force for 16 years, noticed how officers are more comfortable sharing their problems with one of their peers instead of an in-house psychologist.
That was one reason the voluntary para-counselling programme was launched in 2001. It started with 100 counsellors, but there are now 330, with at least one para-counsellor in every division.
It may be a volunteer position, but those who sign up have to go through a rigorous selection process, which involves passing a psychometric test to see whether the volunteers have the traits of a good counsellor, and a selection interview.
And then there are five days of training. During this time, they are taught basic counselling skills and learn how to support officers and their families in a crisis.
They also go through a suicide intervention and prevention course, in which they learn to spot signs of suicidal behaviour, such as depression and sudden withdrawals from social interactions.
Ms Ho Hui Fen, 32, the head of resilience and counselling at the Police Psychological Services, conducts the training. She believes that suicides can be prevented when signs are spotted early.
The work of a police officer can be challenging and stressful, added Ms Ho, pointing out that some may be reluctant to seek professional assistance since they view their job as providing help to others.
Others may be embarrassed to discuss financial problems. But it is easier to talk to a colleague one is familiar with, explained Ms Ho.
The volunteer para-counsellors also work with full-time national serviceman.
Staff sergeant Dalip Kaur, 37, remembers how the para-counselling skills she learnt helped her deal with one of her recruits at the Training Command.
He was having problems dealing with the fact that he could not go home to play computer games, said Madam Dalip.
"It was just a few more weeks to passing out and the trainee had refused to talk, as if he had lost his voice," she told The Sunday Times.
"I showed him a calendar and tried to explain to him that he could go home to his games soon, after taking away the Saturdays and Sundays.
"After that, he seemed okay. I didn't think that a calendar could do such wonders."


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Click here to see more information on Facebook
The Winfield Village Board of Trustees has called a special meeting this Thursday, July 26, at 7 pm in the Board Room at Village Hall.
According to the agenda for Thursday's meeting (available by clicking here), the Trustees intend to consider a referendum to increase property tax. If approved, this referendum increasing taxes will be placed on the November 6, 2012 ballot.


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Plan 037H-0072
Click to enlarge. Views may vary slightly from working drawings. Refer to floor plan for actual layout.
Click large image to zoom.
Plan Details
Plan Features
Plan DescriptionThis exquisite Mediterranean house plan is second to none showcasing Tuscan style and a design well-suited for a lot with spectacular views. A stucco façade punctuated with exceptional details offers outstanding street appeal. This spacious model has many rooms for gathering and entertaining plus places for peace and tranquility. From the parlor to the family room to the covered lanai, there is a space for any type of gathering or get-together. Practical features include an island kitchen overlooking the family room and dinette and a study nook while upscale amenities include a theater, library and abounding stylish ceiling treatments. You will find soothing relaxation in the decadent master suite flaunting and enchanting garden bath. Two interior staircases and an outdoor spiral stair lead to the second level hosting three deluxe bedrooms and an exercise room that overlook the living areas below. The loft is just right for a quiet reading nook. Enjoy beautiful sunsets from the spacious balcony. With so many exciting features and amenities, it is easy to see why this prestigious two-story Mediterranean home plan will shine in any neighborhood.
First floor wall framing is CMU. Second floor wall framing is wood.
NOTE: These plans are not available for purchase for anyone planning to build Collier County or Lee County, FL or on Marco Island, FL.