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Brother HL-P2500 Toner
Cartridge prices starting at $25.95Carrot's compatible laser toner cartridges and supplies for Brother HL-P2500 are designed to offer the best print performance, dependability and consistent yields that meet or surpass Brother OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) specifications for the Brother HL-P2500 and offer high-quality output. These compatible toners are brand new and are a smart alternative to high-cost OEM Brother laser toner cartridges and supplies, offering substantial savings over the brand-name TN460 laser toner cartridges and supplies. Using compatible replacement laser toner cartridges and supplies for your Brother HL-P2500 will not void your printer warranty. Carrot Ink offers 100% satisfaction with great quality HL-P2500 laser-toner cartridges and printing supplies. OEM laser toner cartridges are also available for your Brother HL-P2500
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The OPA170, OPA2170, and OPA4170 devices (OPAx170) are a family of 36-V, single-supply,
low-noise operational amplifiers (op amps) that feature micro packages with the ability to operate
on supplies ranging from 2.7 V (±1.35 V) to 36 V (±18 V). They offer good offset, drift, and
bandwidth with low quiescent current. The single, dual, and quad versions all have identical
specifications for maximum design flexibility.
Unlike most op amps, which are specified at only one supply voltage, the OPAx170 family
of op amps is specified from 2.7 V to 36 V. Input signals beyond the supply rails do not cause
phase reversal. The OPAx170 family is stable with capacitive loads up to 300 pF. The input can
operate 100 mV below the negative rail and within 2 V of the positive rail for normal operation.
Note that these devices can operate with full rail-to-rail input 100 mV beyond the positive rail,
but with reduced performance within 2 V of the positive rail. The OPAx170 op amps are specified
from –40°C to +125°C.

subset: commoncrawl


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Editor's note from Mel: "This is not my car, but I was really glad to meet it. #OneDay"
Many of you #TeamBlackBerry members may have noticed a new face amongst our social networks. Our new Community Manager Melanie has hit the ground running and doesn't appear to be stopping any time soon.
We thought our Inside BlackBerry Blog readers may want to get to know her a little better, so I grabbed a few minutes with her to ask a few questions:
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where do you hail from?
I was born in Toronto but moved to the small town of Colborne when I was four. I know people often say they're from a small town, but Colborne is actually SMALL. There are approximately 2000 people in Colborne and not a single traffic light. Small-town girl is an understatement. My whole hometown can fit into a single city apartment building.
What is your favorite BlackBerry-related memory?
I remember the day that I received my first BlackBerry device. I was so happy that I'd be able to stay connected with friends, family and colleagues. I laugh when I think back to that day as I remember thinking I'd never be able to type quickly with it. Needless to say, that feeling didn't last long. Using a T9 keyboard is now the challenge.
What is your favorite type of UGC ("User Generated Content") created on a BlackBerry smartphone?
Pictures! They really do say a thousand words. That said, most recently some amazing music has come out of #TeamBlackBerry. Who doesn't love a good tune?
What is the most-used tool on your BlackBerry smartphone?
BBM hands down, especially with the new BBM Voice that has just launched. I am addicted to the R and D – texting just doesn't do the trick.
What is your favorite app?
My banking app. I am pretty much a full-time mobile banker. I'm looking forward to testing out the newly released NFC mobile credit card payments. I can already picture how this will affect my closet! 😉
What do you do for fun outside of work?
Let's see…I've recently taken up golf and I'm hooked. However, I prefer to go early or late in the season. I get stressed out when there are people waiting for me to play though. I have a lot of Happy Gilmour moments.
I'm also a movie fanatic! I have a completely useless skill of being able to watch a movie once and remember all of the classic lines. I live in movie quotes and references.
Coolest thing in your cubicle?
Many people have pictures of their family and/or children. I have pictures of other people's children. I have what I call my "wall-o-babes" which are pictures of my friends' children. My most favorite is a picture of my friend's twin boys' passport photos. These 15-month-old boys have hilarious mug shots. That said, the newest addition to the wall is the sonogram of my first niece or nephew. My baby sister is due in March. I think the wall will soon get a lot bigger.
What is your favorite website?
I love IMDB.com. Being a movie buff, it's really the best place to get all my movie trivia and quote details.
What are you most excited about for BlackBerry 10?
I love seeing the excitement of #TeamBlackBerry around BlackBerry 10. January 30th should be a great day. Personally, I can't wait for the camera! Time shift is going to be amazing!
Thanks for this, Mel! Readers – if you have any questions for Melanie, please post them in a comment below.


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Oracle Insists Competition Doesn't Account for Wan Q4
Jun 21, 2013 2:11 PM PT
Oracle's stock slumped Friday in response to a disappointing fourth-quarter earnings report. Shares closed the day at US$30.14, down 9.26 percent.
Oracle reported its fiscal 2013 Q4 GAAP total revenue as unchanged at $10.9 billion; however, analysts had been expecting about $11.12 billion.
New software licenses and cloud software subscription revenue rose 1 percent to $4 billion. Software license updates and product support revenue was up 6 percent to $4.4 billion, and hardware systems products revenue came in at $849 million.
GAAP net income was up 10 percent to $3.8 billion, while non-GAAP net income was down 1 percent to $4.1 billion.
What's Wrong With Oracle?
Oracle gave a number of reasons for the company's performance. During a conference call with shareholders, CEO Larry Ellison pointed to the poor global economy, saying it was not a "product, competitive issue."
President and CFO Safra Catz noted that Oracle lost some Q4 business not to competitors, but because a prospective customer pulled back.
Oracle did not respond to our request to comment for this story.
The Competitive Edge
While these reasons -- a poor economy, still-nervous buying organization -- may have played a role in Oracle's disappointing quarter, there were others as well.
Competition across its product lines has increased, according to a report Global Equities Research released following Oracle's earnings call. For example, Amazon's RedShift has started to hurt Oracle's Exadata Sales, thus reducing hardware revenue estimates. Also, VoltDB has started to hurt Oracle's TimesTen sales.
Oracle will continue to dominate the existing IT market, the Global Equities report concludes, but it may struggle against VoltDB, Pivotal, Salesforce.com and Amazon.com.
And Then There's Marketing
Another factor contributing to Oracle's Q4 weakness is that it has not learned to properly market its growing cloud product line, suggested Nucleus Research Vice President Rebecca Wettemann.
"Obviously they have the technology, and it is an excellent platform," she told the E-Commerce Times, "but cloud technology -- and even a cloud brand -- is not enough to sell the cloud. A vendor needs a cloud sales strategy, which means selling based on references and being able to show customers how they will get incremental value over time with their subscriptions."
The cloud has been around for a while, but companies still need to be convinced of the value of a subscription service, Wettemann said. "That has to be part of the sales approach, even for companies like Oracle."


text:
Browse by Category
Browse by Brand
Leading his rock tribe legions on a quest to conquer all of Bara Magna, Tuma is a massive warrior and master of sword and spiky Thornax launcher. With an enormous blade and armor, attacking him is a dangerous business. To be able to understand why LEGO has been successful for so long, just look to the name. LEGO originally got its name from founder Ole Kirk Christiansen by combining the Danish words Leg Got that means play well and later realized that the word LEGO in Latin translates to I put together. The LEGO set became a standard of creative play for children around the world, unlocking the creativity to build vehicles, buildings, cities and more. Most historians point to the invention of the wheel as a major turning point in world history. The invention of the LEGO wheel had the same monumental effect in the history of LEGO, making it possible to create cars, trucks and eventually the LEGO train building set that is one of the most successful LEGO sets of all time. LEGO innovation continues to this day with product lines like DUPLO that was created in 1969 for smaller hands and still thrives. Movie tie-ins, such as LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Indiana Jones Adventures and LEGO SpongeBob are some of the most popular sets. The Sci-Fi LEGO Bionicle sets have a huge following but the number one selling LEGO set of all time is The LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System. Over 1 million of these sets were sold around the world. In 2009 LEGO introduces the next generation LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0! LEGO currently produces about 20 billion LEGO bricks a year and has sold over 400 billion LEGOs in their history - enough for every person on the planet to have over 60 LEGOs each!


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[Verse 1]
Yeah, time for my warm-up
Cause it's about time I got my throne back
Up out the underground like a domesticated mole rat
I'm dope but shit, you know that
So watch your fucking tone, Jack
Before I run up in your crib rocking a Casey Jones mask
Toss your fucking furniture out of the second floor glass
And ransack your Advil, Penicillin, and Prozac
Follow it with a fatty and a 40 full of Cognac
Dropping shit so dirty they're asking me where the soap's at
Lost without a road map, way too far to go back
So slick I don't even leave fingerprints using a phone app
Intricate when spitting it, no one knows how I wrote that
Always making hits, yo, for real you're watching a pro bat
The way I be scaring them make them wanna start carrying
A bar bearing barbarian, the bars bury them
Holding up the weight of the world in my arms carrying
Coming with the flame like Daenerys Targaryen
I'm stacking like the Lannisters and tougher than Baratheons
I'm coming out of Winterfell and fuckin' body bagging them
Pop a couple Addies, then I zone out with a pad and pen
And scribble down my thoughts, and them I'm back up in the lab again
So baby if you're getting at me, I'll be getting at you
I know you don't want it
So listen up to Webby as I'm killing the beat, like they know me to do
So you better back of it
[Verse 2]
You know that I'm a, boss bitch, and the booth is like my office
Competition sweating like I got em doing Crossfit
Drop shit since '09 and still I haven't lost it
Stepping to me's about as safe as swimming laps with Jaws, bitch
Got em feeling car sick, moving at a fast clip
Crash into the median and wake up with a cracked hip
Forty feet in front of my Chevy covered in glass chips
Brush my fuckin' shoulders and walk it off into traffic
It's mandatory that I wear a fucking strait-jacket
My dark passenger is riding with me into madness
A mother fucker, yeah I do it like your dad, bitch
Well connected, pulling more strings than Lenny Kravitz
Boxes full of mixtapes next to the subs
And I gave it out for free so everyone knew who I was
Began my journey locally and built myself a buzz
Shit I started from Connecticut and now we here, what?
Been on it for a minute and never gonna stop
And I'mma keep my sound dope whether you're getting it or not
Fuck selling out, I'm still getting high on the same blocks
Shit, I'm the reason that the suburbs got a Neighborhood Watch
I'll be climbing in your windows and I'm snatching all your people up
Intruding on the beds of any lady that's a decent fuck
Dolly Parton tits, with a slim waist and a Trina butt
Who doesn't mind cooking and gets down with all the freaky stuff
Bust a nut and then it's right back to rappin'
Cause it's homegrown music, we about to get it crackin'
Tasmanian Devil with a bottle full of Absinthe
Doing things that these other rappers can't even imagine
EP on the way and then an album after that
Making sure your iTunes is supplied with some new tracks
With no time to react because we going to fast
All I can promise you is the best in the burbs is back
[Hook x2]
Episode 1 of a series of upcoming Freeverses over mainstream beats. This one uses the beat from Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey's "I Know What You Want".


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Mark Hayward's City Matters: Crossing guards endure rush hour rudenessBY MARK HAYWARD
New Hampshire Union Leader
January 29. 2014 7:16PM
I like to think of morning rush hour traffic as a daily flood.
The trickle starts about 6 a.m., a half hour or so after bedside alarms rouse sleepers. They enter their cars, which wash down a quiet residential street, then stream through a crowded city street and eventually flow into a roaring, congested, multi-lane road that gushes cars and buses into the downtown, the Millyard or an interstate entrance ramp.
If this flow can be halted anywhere, it is at the corner of Elm Street and Queen City Avenue. There stand Sandra Wenzel and Richard Hebert, two modern-day Moseses who part the waters long enough for school children to cross and to Bakersville Elementary School.
Armed with hand-held STOP signs and an unforgiving eye, the two crossing guards hold back 10 lanes of traffic. They inconvenience drivers late for work or school, drivers juiced on their third cup of Dunkin,' drivers distracted by the radio morning crew or whatever's coming out of their earbuds.
"The people don't want to stop for lights. They don't obey us," said Wenzel, a 65-year-old great-grandmother who knows many of the children's names and steals a kiss from a mother's baby. She's had the job for four years and earns $13.80 an hour.
"Every day it's bad here, even in the afternoon," Wenzel said.
The intersection is a monster. Queen City Avenue drains most of South Willow Street and its south Manchester neighborhoods. Elm Street traffic comes from the downtown in one direction, Calef Road neighborhoods in the other direction. Traffic counts have nearly 20,000 cars going through the intersection on a given day.
Most are headed toward Interstate 293.
"I've almost been hit crossing my grandson," said Wendy Glidden as she walked to Bakersville one afternoon to pick up the boy. "Cars just fly through, they turn right on red. It's a bad intersection."
Nearly every elementary school has crossing guards at intersections near the school. Bakersville is the only one where two guards direct a single intersection.
Wenzel and Hebert have their system down. They know the 2-minute, 49-second rotation of the traffic light and when the walk light will come on. At that point, they march into traffic with their signs held aloft.
Hebert is flat footed, so he walks with an awkward, seemingly painful gait. Nonetheless, he dutifully marches out into the lanes.
"You let the traffic know you can't move. Does it always work? No," he said. Once the children cross and the walk light turns red, he trudges to his corner. Big trucks and school buses make turns and come close to him.
"It doesn't phase me anymore," he said.
Just last week, Wenzel said she heard an earful from a driver, stuck in an intersection, as she blocked him during a crossing.
The school-hour speed limit is supposed to be 20 mph, but Hebert has given up on that. While Wenzel spoke recently, a pickup gunned it to get through the intersection as the light turned red. That doesn't even bother the crossing guards.
Their biggest concern is right turns on reds. Signs forbid such turns during school hours, but drivers will stop and scoot through the turn.
On afternoons, teachers and City Year volunteers actually stand in the turn lane to prevent the turns.
"We're in the middle of the street with the kids, and they go through," Wenzel said. Police said there's not much they can do. The intersection is wide open, and there are few places for a police cruiser to hide.
"People tend not to break the law when they see us," said Sgt. Andrew Vincent of the police departments Traffic Unit, which oversees crossing guards.
So what do do? Vincent said you could build a bridge or tunnel for the children, but that will never happen. Why not, then, let the crossing guards write tickets?
"I would have a ball," Wenzel said.
Mark Hayward's City Matters appears Thursdays in the New Hampshire Union Leader and on UnionLeader.com. He can be reached at email@example.com.


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Doctor Who: Kamelion Tales - Part 1 (UK - DVD R2)
The Wilson Bros put down the Devils' Brew to review The King's Demons...
Kamelion Tales: Part 1: The King's Demons
After a stressful time during the intergalactic Cowes-Week, the Doctor, Turlough and Tegan find themselves in the Kings' court on the eve of the signing of the Magna Carta. The appearance of a red-bearded warrior mysteriously bent on thwarting the historic document spoils a potentially relaxing holiday for the time-travellers, but Who is this ginger with a mission?
The irksome arrival Sir Geoffrey de Lacy finds something amiss: the King is away in London taking the Crusader's Oath, so how can he be in two places at once? The King's Champion is being awfully cagey and kills Sir Geoffrey, but not in time to stop the Doctor from picking up the trail. With a sword deftly blessing each shoulder, our knighted Galactic traveller is out to save King and country.
Yes, we are back in History Lesson mode for this particular Doctor Who story, with the dastardly Prince John being their target this time. The figure depicted in popular culture is the arch enemy of Robin Hood—or that guy from Die Hard—and little more to the great unwashed. He was a key figure in getting the Magna Carta signed, taking away a good deal of the power the reigning monarch had over the country, paving way for a governmental system. But while William Hartnell's time did such historical fare very well ( The Romans being a prime example) during Peter Davison's era, this simply wasn't the case.
Whilst the decision to create forty-minute episodes during the shows' run wasn't a popular one, The King's Demons is an example of a story which would have worked better using that particular format. In fact, it's more suited to the way Nu-Who is set out, that once the story is set up, it all flows nicely for the three quarters of an hour running time, with little padding and a cliff-hanger which organically fits into it. OK, nothing much really happens, but it moves at a reasonable lick.
Other than that, there are the usual space-filling shenanigans of the 'which companion gets captured this week/which one stays with the Doctor' variety, punctuated by moments to keep the story going. The killing of Sir Geoffrey served a dual purpose, both providing an instance of action/violence to keep the audience awake and to nicely tie up a loose end. John's son Hugh being shown as a complete wimp, by losing a joust and generally being kicked around by all and sundry is another nice little inclusion. Sure, the plot isn't labyrinthine, but other stories can learn from its brevity.
The lack of finances shows itself early on, when in the jousting sequences, the use of close-ups to cover the under-populated spectacle can be detected by those with even the most rudimentary knowledge of filmmaking. The trivia-track details that some of the extras were left shivering on the side-lines, a most curious decision when using them more carefully would have given it higher-looking production values, rather than coming across as footage grabbed at an underwhelming medieval fair.
The whole project is handled with a dearth of seriousness, but this could be a result of the brevity of the story. How else can you explain the Doctor describing the Master's plan to stop the signing of the Magna Carta as 'small-time villainy'? With The Master's criminal CV including trying to destroy time (using a chronovore), his efforts in The King's Demons is a Timelord scale of shaking up a can of Coke and waiting for some poor schmuck to open it. It's rather depressing that history has fallen by the wayside in schools these days, as the generation of us kids at the time actually had a grasp on just what the Magna Carta was, and its relevance/importance in modern society. Most little bastards these days probably think it's an edition of a digital encyclopaedia. In the words of a depressive, suicidal egomaniac: 'Does the Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?'
What is most remembered for (but not in the way hoped) was the introduction of Kamelion. While there is no doubt that Kameleon was deeply and most profoundly crap in a practical sense, he was also pretty useless in concept. There was never any room for subterfuge in the world of Doctor Who, aside from using the alias John Smith on occasion, so bringing in a character who's sole purpose was to allow him to change into anyone they wanted/needed was questionable. Should he have been able to have been utilised as intended, it would have pushed the show more into the direction of Mission: Impossible and away from the carefree adventures in time and space. Still, it would have been interesting to see how far they would have gone with it, bringing back former companions for the odd story every now and again, courtesy of good ol' Kameleon…
The whole Kamelion debacle is similar to the situation which occurred during the making of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. Both had effects commissioned through seeing impressive footage, but when it came time to deliver for their respective projects, they were let down by effects which were patently inferior to those they were promised. The results of both were painfully embarrassing, but things were too far advanced to do anything about it, just having to live with the inevitable flack which waited for them. As for it walking around, well, the legs on it looked as unsteady as Tom Baker's after a lunchtime visit to the pub. In any case, he turned out to be the most useless companion in a while, tying with Vicky and Adric in their lack of scope and overall achievements during their respective time on the show. Some might argue the even with the lack of articulation Kamelion was able to outdo certain assistants in the dramatics department.
Even those with a vague memory of the era will remember The King's Demons containing one of the coolest images from 80s Doctor Who, that of the Master's TARDIS with its' chameleon circuit working perfectly to blend into the surroundings. Here it is a deeply cool Iron Maiden, in which our dastardly villain makes a cracking escape from justice. It's even more rad than Bruce Dickinson singing 'Flash of the Blade'.
Performance-wise, Anthony Ainley was still relatively fresh as the Master, and gives the role more of the serious which he would eventually come to jettison once he became bored with the show. He still does that annoying slow, feeble cackle, but even that seems to have a little more life to it. This freshness even helped to pull off one of most ridiculous, obvious cliff-hangers in the history of the show, when the dastardly, mysterious stranger with red hair (who looks a lot like the Master) transforms himself into… the Master. OK, with Ainley still with the ink fairly wet on his contract, they just about pull it off, but looking back at it today, it's as patently obvious that he's the Master is it was that Mr Lee was Hannibal Smith in The A-Team. OK, he was Sir Estram, which is Master spelled backwards, but even a modest anagram can't make it stick out any less.
Davison has more of a backbone than we were used to seeing up until that point, with a stronger turn this time. It might be because he had real events to grapple with and a crucial one in English history at that. The one genre actors hate doing is sci-fi, as they have little to bring to it from their own experiences. Stick a thespian among the Whidull-Whidull people of the Bogg-Bogg world and they won't be too happy about it, but drop them into the court of Prince John during the signing of the Magna Carta and they are spurred on to greater things, and this is the case here.
Gerald Flood provides an appropriately extravagant performance as King John, drawing of a very theatrical approach, which is certainly the right one, as though trying to deflect any criticism with the air of '...it was supposed to be a robot'. According to his lute-led song, the paying of taxes will help your chances in the afterlife, and you can call us cynical, but we're expecting Cameron to come up with something similar once he reveals his first budget in the next few weeks.
Playing host to the royal court is Sir Ranulf Fitzwilliam, who has signed over his money and property in service to Prince John, little knowing that his majesty is really not himself. Ably played by Frank Windsor, who can contrast ignorant with indignant, his sire raises Ranulf's ire when the prince asks een more of him 'Your Majesty already has my whole fortune…', he notions in protest, making you wonder if he has he taken in by the same life insurance policy Windsor was plugging all those years? Still, he can at least offer the prince an attractive carriage-clock to help finance the Crusades.
The inclusion of Christopher Villiers as Hugh, Sir Ranaulf son, comes a real lift, bringing back fond memories of his treacherous, bull-buggered resistance leader in Top Secret!. He recently spent quite a time as part of the Emmerdale cast, so appearing in a show about illiterate peasants prepared him nicely for the soap. In his father's shadow, Hugh is a wimp in battle, a disaster with the ladies and too easily manipulated by the Master. There is a bromance movie just waiting to be made about this guy.
The usually cowardly Turlough actually gets a melodramatic flourish at the end amusingly, preparing to show his manly, ginger prowess. Such notion is swiftly curtailed by the Doctor. Due to the odd nature of the script, this contrasts sharply with earlier on in the story, where Turlough finds it his turn to be captured this week. Mark Strickson was always saddled with being an irksome whinge, but he's agreeable here. Let's lump them both in together and say that Tegan is OK in this one too, Janet Fielding doing enough with too much. There was little time for the companions in a story this short, so both acquit themselves adequately without drawing attention to themselves.
It seems that this story was a time of heroism, and Davison gets to buckle his swash, too. He takes up arms against the Master for a second time, looking to finish what he started when he had a bigger ego, white hair and was tackling the Sea Devils at the same time. Davison makes a good stab at it (pun intended) but don't expect to see him up there with Errol Flynn, as the script called for him to be a decent swordsman, through rather out-of-practise.
Well, it might not be classic Doctor Who, does the image quality deserve a knighthood or will it be consigned to the dungeon? Let's find out…
The 1.33:1 image is exactly as you would expect of the Davison era and is presented in a nice, clean transfer from the original transmission tapes. There was a more lavish feel to the sets, owing to the small number needed, and they are done justice here. Too often a scrubbed-up image will make inexpensive futuristic design look embarrassing, but your visual enjoyment of The King's Demons will be enhanced herein. It's a solid effort, of the sort we have come to complacently expect from 80s Doctor Who.
The audio is of the same solid calibre, with no annoying gremlins to spoil the experience. Nothing much more to report on this one.
Kamelion—Metal Man: A look at the history of this most questionable of additions to the Doctor Who cast. Let's just say that the overall opinion isn't a favourable one, proving that you really shouldn't make important decisions based on the optimistic spiel for the designers. Said co-creator Chris Padmore admits that he was overreaching to get his machine to talk around—or even work properly from the waist up. They wanted Iron Man, but barely even ended up with Professor X. Nicola Bryant tells of her dread at doing a dialogue scene with the temperamental servos of Kamelion, whilst Peter Davison reveals spending most of his time propping him up—hardly the first time he has had to do that with some of his co-stars. If you dislike Kamelion, you'll rightly love this piece.
Commentary Tracks: Yes, you read it right, we have two of them. First up is Peter Davison, script editor Eric Saward, and actress Isla Blair. Things start rather ominously when Davidson states from the outset: '…and Isla can't remember an awful lot about The King's Demons, so it's going to be a very interesting hour.' Turlough never was flavour of the month, as Davison clarifies at the instance of a sword held at the companions' throat: 'Oh, kill him and get it over and done with.' There is a jolly atmosphere on this track, ,and is a fun listen, but best of all is Davison mentioning about having to give up his lucrative beer commercials when he was signed to play the Doctor.
The second track is of the more practical sort, and an engrossing one at that, although it's only for the first episode. Director Tony Virgo keeps the information coming at a breakneck pace, and is never short of entertaining anecdotes about the production. From difficult dogs (real ones) to bonding with the actors through nightly drinking, it's a very entertaining listen.
Magna Carta: The complicated history of the document is examined in this twenty minute documentary, hosted by numerous experts. The tone is exactly right, explaining the Magna Carta in a fashion which doesn't zap you back into school or dumb down the material. Illustrating it with clips from both The King's Demons and The Crusades is a very smart move, preventing it from being a dry documentary and keeping it in the Whoniverse. Good stuff.
Photo Gallery: Given that The King's Demons was shot a period piece shot on a limited number of sets, there is only so much in the way of variation for the pictures presented here. Be that as it may, the images—in both monochrome and colour—are thorough, showcasing production stills, publicity stills, prop shots, along with set photos. Once again, they will make every reader of the Doctor Who Monthly smile when watching them, and all presented to the music of Jonathon Gibbs.
Isolated Score: Speaking the melodic work of Mr Gibbs, his music for The King's Demons is presented in its entirety, without the intrusion of pesky actors. It's always nice to hear the unmolested version of the score, and it bring the Davison era flooding back when the select the option to hear it.
Trivia Track: As reliable as ever, this is a goldmine for titbits from the production, with some insightful info about how the killing of Sir Geoffrey had to be carefully and economically shot through unfortunate circumstances. We always look forward to these, and this is no exception.
Coming Soon: They nearly manage to make a silk purse out of a right sow's ear with this trailer for The Dominators. As many fans have asked before: 'why did this one have to survive intact above all others?' Still, it will be another of the very few compete Pat Troughton ones to be released on DVD, so you can forgive it being rather crap. This story might win the award for the most impractical costumes ever seen on the shot, regardless of the Draconians having to turn sideways through narrow doors being in their favour.
PDF Materials: Although brief, the Radio Times listing are always welcome. You can see the enigmatic listing of Sir Giles, as played by James Stoker (an anagram of 'Master's Joke') to keep the identity of the enemy a secret from eager fans.
Well, it isn't great art, nor particularly Great Davison-era Who, but The King's Demons is a nice historical effort, even if it is far too brief for a complex story. Gerald Flood is a luxurious Prince John, the sets are lovely and Kamelion is sh*t. We all knew that anyway, but it's a nice package with honest, worthy extras, and a great way to shore-up the Kamelion Tales box set.
Review by Wilson Bros
Existing Posts
The concept was indeed ahead of its time, certainly further ahead than the technology they had back then would allow.
Certainly, Kamelion was an interesting idea, which could have been better handled if they had just dressed someone up as a sodding robot. What appeared in the show could quite honestly be best described as "pathetic".
The story isn't great, as The Master's small-time villainy is really as devastating as travelling back to Tudor times and booted Henry VIII up the khyber.
There's no denying that the period setting was very nice, but the Beeb have always handled that sort of thing well.
The Wilson Bros
Certainly, Kamelion was an interesting idea, which could have been better handled if they had just dressed someone up as a sodding robot. What appeared in the show could quite honestly be best described as "pathetic".
The story isn't great, as The Master's small-time villainy is really as devastating as travelling back to Tudor times and booted Henry VIII up the khyber.
There's no denying that the period setting was very nice, but the Beeb have always handled that sort of thing well.
The Wilson Bros
I don't like this story at all. I do think they could have used Kamelion better, but maybe the concept was ahead of it's time and the character could have worked better on Nu-Who.
Suitable for all
Disc Details
Release Date: 14th June 2010
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Dual side, single layer
RCE: No
Video: PAL
Aspect: 1.33:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 English
Subtitles: English
Extras: Audio Commentary, Kamelion - Metal Man, Magna Carta, Photo Gallery, Isolated Score, Subtitle Production Notes, Coming Soon Trailer, PDF Materials
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Tony Virgo
Cast: Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Mark Strickson
Genre: Sci-Fi
Length: 50 minutes
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text:
In this episode: A mountain architect, Daniel Achilles from Berlin has been voted Gault Millau Chef of the Year 2014, artist Thomas Kluge, food pairing, and snowmobiling in Sweden.
Snowmobiling in Sweden
Driving a snowmobile through northern Sweden is a great way to see this winter wonderland and check out the gourmet delicacies of the Sami minority.
Food Pairing
The Belgian duo of chef Peter Couquyt and scientist Bernard Lahousse are identifying foods whose tastes go together well, and finding out why. They carry out most of their work at their testing kitchen at the "Sense for Taste" agency in Bruges. One example: Combining chocolate mousse with freshly ground coffee, crispy fried onions and breakfast bacon is delicious!
Portrait Painter Thomas Kluge
We visit the Danish artist in his atelier west of Copenhagen. He has just finished a grandiose portrait of the entire Danish royal family - something that hasn't been done in 130 years. However, it's a controversial piece of work.
Daniel Achilles: Chef of the Year
Daniel Achilles is one of the top chefs in Germany. His restaurant "Reinstoff" specializes in turning locally-sourced regional ingredients into spectacular explosions of taste and texture. That's why the Gault Millau restaurant guide has crowned him "Chef of the Year."
Mountain Architect
In our series we feature six people who make a living for themselves up in the mountains. Today we look at the work of the international architectural firm Plasma Studio which has overcome the challenges of working at high altitudes and created some fascinating buildings. We meet architect Ulla Hell in Sexten, a village in the Italian Dolomites, who shows us around.


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In all likliehood, the Andy Reid era in Philadelphia will come to an end some time between now and the Super Bowl.
Many will likely chase the most-tenured coach in the NFL right out of town, but shouldn't we stop for a second to remember all the good things he has done for the city and its football team? Division titles, an NFC Championship, and a list of memorable quotes that could fill an entire play sheet.
Here's a look at some of Reid's most interesting, memorable, and perplexing quotes during his time as the Eagles head coach:
What did we forget? Leave your favorite Andy Reid-ism is the comments section...


text:
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - Tomas, Lukas and Jan - CZECH UP
Latest Sets at WilliamHiggins.com
Lukas Pribyl had an accident on a motorcycle, on his first ever ride on one. His ankle was set in plaster and we invited him in for a Czech Up with our very own medical team, of Tomas Kukal and Jan Sadecky. We first see the medics, and they are discussing the fact that Lukas is coming in. Tomas says he wants to have some fun, but that they must be nice to Lukas. There is a knock on the door and Lukas comes in, on crutches. Jan tells Lukas to get undressed so they can do a full check up. They help him off with his clothes, and dress him in a white surgical gown. Then Lukas climbs onto the examination chair and puts his legs in the stirrups. The gown is lifted, exposing his cock and balls, as Jan listens to his chest. Meanwhile Tomas busies himself checking Lukas' cock. He slowly wanks it and as it gets hard he starts to suck on it. Lukas' hand goes on to Tomas' head and pushes him down on his cock, at the same time kissing Jan. they really enjoy that kissing as Tomas sucks on the cock and balls. Tomas then kisses Jan, who replaces him in sucking on that cock. After some kissing Tomas joins Jan in sucking Lukas' cock and balls. Jan then puts a glove on and starts to finger Lukas ass as well. Jan then gets naked himself and his cock is rock hard too, as he kisses Lukas. He climbs up so his cock is close to Lukas face, but Tomas leans over and starts sucking it before Lukas has a chance. Then Tomas goes back down on Lukas' dick and Jan's cock is available. Lukas wastes no time, he wanks it and then takes it in his mouth. Tomas sucks on Jan again and then gets naked himself. So now Tomas is being sucked by Jan as he himself sucks on Lukas again. Those cocks are all throbbing and ready for action. Tomas moves around and sucks Lukas, but his ass is presented to Jan who rims it and then fingers that hole. Once it is loose enough Tomas climbs up and sits his ass down on Lukas rigid dick. He rides up and down on that cock as Jan sucks him. Tomas takes it very well indeed, but wants something different. So they change positions so that Tomas can now fuck his cock into Lukas hot hole. While Lukas is taking that cock Jan sucks him as well. Lukas is really feeling that dick in his ass and wanks himself hard, shooting a big creamy load. Tomas pulls and shoots his cum too. Jan goes down on Tomas cock to suck him dry and then stand and cums over Lukas. Tomas returns the favor, sucking Jan's dick dry of cum. All three guys, having dumped their loads end with a final kiss.
Egon Kubalak is a really horny guy. In his casting he was hard as he removed his underwear. The same is the case in this massage shoot. As he gets naked his hard cock flops into view. He completes a 360 turn to show us his ass as well before climbing onto the massage table. The maasseur arrives and oils his hands and then begins to work on Egon's back. His hands concentrate on the shoulders and then all over the back before moving down to Egon's thick thighs. The legs and feet are massaged gently and, as we see between his legs, Egon's cock is hard, with a nice shiny head. The hands work on Egon's ass, squeezing the cheeks and pulling them apart to show a nice, hairy crack. Then one hand takes hold of that hard cock. Egon moves up onto his knees and the hand wanks on that rock hard cock, as the other one rubs all over the hole. After dripping some lube on that ass crack a black dildo appears and is pushed into Egon's tight hole. It moves in and out, gently as his cock stays rock hard, being wanked. Egon turns over and lays down and the masseur takes hold of his cock again and wanks it. He builds up the speed and soon Egon shoots a very nice, creamy load of cum. His cock doesn't go down and the masseur carries on wanking on that cock for another few minutes. It seems that Egon never goes soft and after wanking that cock the masseur lets it flop onto Egon's belly and leaves him to relax. What a very horny guy Egon is and he gave us a great scene.
Honza Baros is aged 19 and lives in Chrudim. He is currently unemployed and enjoys parties and football. Honza is a very nice looking guy, with a good build too. He starts off with his interview, as he is sitting, and then he stands to begin his show. As he stands we glimpse into an open fly, which it seems he forgot to zip up. Honza then lifts his tee shirt and begins to rub his body. A nice happy trail is visible as his hand runs over his stomach. Then the tee shirt comes off completely. The hands continue to explore Honza's body until he turns around and he grabs his jeaned ass. Bending over he continues to feel that ass, as he lowers the jeans. That sexy ass comes into full, naked view, and then his balls and hard cock. Honza's hole looks so nice and tight as a hand pulls the cheeks apart. The other hand pushes that hard cock back between his legs, and wanks on it. Kneeling on the sofa Honza continues to play with that ass until a helping hand arrives and takes over. The hands quickly take hold of Honza's cock and wank it. Then some oil appears and is used to massage Honza's feet, with more being dripped into his ass crack. The hands take a vibrator and, lubing it with the oil, slide it into Honza's hole. As it fucks his ass the other hand wanks on his cock. Honza takes the vibrator well and is then turned over, with his cock still rock hard. Laying back on the sofa his legs are lifted into the air to show his hole some more. A dildo then slides deep into hia ass, stretching the hole as his cock is wanked. Removing the dildo the hands spread Honza's cheeks to show that open hole. The vibrator comes into play again and fucks in and out of his aaa while his cock continues to be wanked. Then, with his legs down, Honza's cock is wanked some more, until he shoots his cum for us, the final act in a very nice video.
Juri Svenseu is from Merunice and is aged 21. He works and in his spare time he enjoys sports, rugby and fitness. What a handsome guy Juri is, and with a great body too. He poses very well in this shoot, as he slowly removes his clothes. We see his cock, in its flaccid state as well as his sexy ass, with the cheeks spread to show his tight hole. Juri certainly knows how to present himself to best effect and ensures we get some great shots, including his cock, hard and standing proud, with a beautiful upward curve to it. I am looking forward to seeing how he does with his video shoot.


text:
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
|Lanten Tiberiu
Lanten nods in affirmation at the barman's troubles, adding a simple "Shame all that with this dwarf and Uncle then; looks like I'll have to keep looking for him," he gives the man the extra coin and finishes his drink. He gives Edan a glance to see if he has anything to add or ask the man. Otherwise after mulling things a bit in the tavern, he suggests they move on.
|Edan Crosier
This was an unfamiliar place to Edan, and while he was not fearful, he had learned to keep his mouth shut in places where he was unfamiliar. Still, he knew enough of social interactions to know that he had to separate himself from under Lanten's shadow to keep himself from being immediately associated with him in any future dealing with this place. However, he could really not think of any particular way to do so, not here. He was an agent of the church, anyway. Deception was not something that came natural to him, and he did not want to make it part of his character.
When Lanten suggested they move on, he nodded, considering the taste of the ale that he had purchased perfunctorily, uncertain about whether or not he liked the taste of it. A couple of copper went onto the bar to tip the barman for the service, and he rose, uncertain about how best to proceed.
Once they were out of the bar, Edan was thoughtful. "Where to now?"
|Lanten Tiberiu
Once they were out of the bar, Edan was thoughtful. "Where to now?"
Lanten glanced at the cleric to speak. He had a pained look of frustration for a moment before he focused on the question. "We could check out this dwarf's bar, but I suspect that you've had enough of dim pubs and grimy glasses for one afternoon. You looked about as comfortable in there as I did in that library earlier...," he finishes this off with his regular grin of jest.
But his tone turns more serious. "I think I've wasted enough of your day chasing down one errant old man for today. I suggest we either check on this Desthen fellow or maybe see about making arrangements to get into the Dryad - what with the fancy clothes we bought."
Whatever they chose to do, Lanten seems to remember Akalvin words about sending a tail after people and glances around as they walk to see if anyone is following them.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Oh - so clueless I don't notice the elephant that's following us around. ;-)
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
|Lanten Tiberiu
|Edan Crosier
Edan looked a bit sheepish at Lanten's accurate observation of what he was thinking in the Urchin. "If we are going into the Dryad, I will need an hour with the spellbook.." It was not that he was expecting trouble, but more like, he knew who he was going to be accompanying, and wanted to prepare. "..just in case", he added with a slight grin.
"If they are not.. shopping", he said the word with some hesitance, mostly dreading the thought of being seen by them and then roped into accompanying them during which he would be laden down with things he had no idea of and barely knew what they did. The minimal amount of shopping that they had needed to do was all he cared to do.
Grudgingly, he nodded. "We should try to find 'Lina and 'Shari." There were things that were still unfinished, but they had done enough for the day, he thought.
|Lanten Tiberiu
"If we are going into the Dryad, I will need an hour with the spellbook..."
"Fair enough - we should have time to spare for that effort...good thinking," Lanten responds. He gives a small chuckle at the way in which Edan dryly assessed what 'Lina and 'Shari might be doing.
"As my pa used to say of womenfolk: 'You make small sacrifices for a bigger reward.' Hopefully, they'll make a good impression at the Dryad; and that could mean we gather some good information. Let's go see if we find them at the Boat, eh?" He gives the cleric a light clap on the shoulder to encourage him forward and gives a grin as he walks.
But his face has a worried look and remained quiet on the walk back - allowing to Edan to fill the silence if chose to do so. Mentioning his father brings back the story Akalvin told him. His father had always tettered on drunkeness, but his pride in his tavern had kept him sober. He had hoped that his flight to Saltmarsh had some meaning - some reason; not merely an excuse to get stone drunk and footloose. A certain level of frustration with this situation was coming to a boil.
A chance to walk off his impulsive anger proved beneficial once again and allowed his mind to wander. Thoughts of taking 'Shari to the Dryad; and what she might look like in a dress became a welcome distraction. By the time they arrived back to meet, he had an easier stance to his gait.
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari finishes helping 'Lina out of her evening dress and hangs it up in the closet, along with her own gown. "No need to spoil the men's surprise just YET, right 'Lina?" She smiles evilly. "It is up to you whether you want to keep walking in those heels or not, it is a bit unusual to wear those with your well-worn pants and blouse I will say."
As the men arrive, she rushes over to give Lanten a big hug. Looking into his eyes, she is amazed at how blue they are. "How did it go, did you find anything out?"
|Edan Crosier
Able to at least keep the smile that showed at 'Shari's display of affection, Edan looked to 'Lina with a nod and a raised eyebrow over a slight smirk. The glance he shot the two was slightly amused, but approving for her being happy. 'Shari's question made him frown slightly, remembering the information that they had gathered, as well as where they would be going tonight.
He excused himself from the group, carrying his paper-wrapped parcel that contained his clothing to go put into his room. "Going to see how well memorizing spells go", he said to 'Lina in passing, the smell of ale remaining on his breath, despite the small amount that he had consumed. Now, he wanted a bit of a nap, something slight to eat, and to figure out what trouble they might run into, so he could plan accordingly.
|Lanten Tiberiu
Although a little surprised, Lanten returns the hug - holding the young lady a moment longer than expected. It was the kind of thing he needed right now, and it buoyed his spirit. When he let go he gave her a warm smile.
Glancing towards Edan's quiet frame, he spoke for both of them. "Oh the usual way - gambling, singing, mischief..." he paused with a grin and sat down to continue his explanation more seriously. Once they were gathered, he spoke more plainly.
"Some ideas, but nothing concrete on either the Asmodean cult or the Black Market. The biggest thing Edan noticed was that it seems like every church in town - not just Iomedae's - has seen a decline in followers. Whatever's going on isn't just an theft on her church - it's all of them. We also noticed that someone's funding this mess very quietly...and someone with alot of money usually means a Noble and that makes things harder. I suspect we'll need to talk to City Councilers - maybe start with Edan and 'Lina's superior to get some insights into who's considered important around here."
"That artistic wizard - Desthen - that's a puzzle, but I don't know what's about. The records in City Hall don't match those from the Temple of Nethys. In Cheliax, that would sound like someone's hiding something from the authorities...so that's my guess."
"That's about all we found in the Hall of Records...," he pauses and takes a quick drink of water,"and that when I took my friend here to another bar. Turns out the man I'm looking for has been wandering drunk around town. The trail's kind of cold, but we have another lead at another tavern run by a dwarf. But, by that point, I think we had enough of drunken longshoremen and came back for more pleasant company." He finishes his statement with a wink and grin for 'Shari and a tip of his head to 'Lina.
Feeling a bit tired after his long recitation, Lanten leaned back and looked at the two women with a curious eye. "And how was your venture? More interesting than ours, I hope..."
Hopefully - I've recapped the sum what we found out. Sounds alright?
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari enjoys the closeness of the handsome half-elven man, his blue eyes drinking her in and feels a pang of disappointment when he lets her go. His smile however chased away her doubts and filled her with a very pleasant feeling, one she had not felt in quite some time.
By the Gods...I think I have...feelings for him!
She blushes even harder after his wink. "I am sure you would like to know what WE ladies did whilst you gentlemen were working HARD for us...BUT I think you and Edan will both like what 'Lina and I did!" The look of promise in her eyes made 'Shari look much older than she actually was. "If you need me to help you with anything with finding...uhh...whoever you are trying to track down, just let me know. I would be more than happy to help!"
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
|Lanten Tiberiu
Lanten chuckles at 'Shari's teasing hints and his mind wanders on the implications a bit.
"Thanks for the offer; we'll see what happens. I think I gave Edan a bit of a scare this time when it looked like we might be in for a brawl at one point." He waves the last part away, as if to dismiss it as serious.
"Question is, do we feel ready to check out the Dryad tonight? It might make for a pleasant night and maybe we can find someone or something that can help us in our searches. We even went and found Edan a nice suit for the evening," he finishes with a grin.
"Aside from that, nothing so fancy comes to mind...we still have the park and the Gorumite temple to check out. Or, as mentioned, another bar of probably questionable quality." He shrugs, leaving things open for discussion.
I'm pretty much ready to go with next step. I think the Dryad's the option we are most looking towards, but am flexible if we want to check out other locations instead. Seems we have the dwarf's bar or maybe the temple to check out; don't think going to the park late in the day would be helpful. There's always the notion of a stakeout at the Orphanage to see if we spot anyone as well.
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari laughs, "Wow, to see Edan in a fancy suit, that is what I am MOST looking forward to for our special evening! I hope 'Lina does appreciate the sacrifice he has made for her!" Her voice teasing both of them.
"We should have time to head over to that Temple before we make our reservations at the Dryad. I wonder how long Edan will take..." Her voice trails off uncertainly. "If you want to check out that bar you mentioned, I'll go with you. I have worked at seedy bars before, you just need to have a sharp instrument ready...be it an elbow or a blade."
I don't know if we can get into the Dryad tonight, so if not we can set that date for tomorrow. If Edan is going to stay here the rest of the day, then we should FF to this evening or tomorrow. I don't really want to split up the group again, at least not right now.
|Lanten Tiberiu
"We should have time to head over to that Temple before we make our reservations at the Dryad. I wonder how long Edan will take..." Her voice trails off uncertainly. "I have worked at seedy bars before, you just need to have a sharp instrument ready...be it an elbow or a blade."
Lanten lets out a small smile at 'Shari observation.She's is more resourceful than I thought...good thing there.
"True enough...that or a sturdy chair...thanks for the reminder," he adds. "Sounds alright by me. I think Edan was planning on resting and learning some spells - in case we need them in a pinch."
Agreed with that thought on the party. So we can move forward with the evening or even tomorrow is fine too. I'm a little worried we haven't heard from 'Lina in awhile - I know she said she had been busy. Would like to have her chime, if she has any thoughts.
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
Edan spends the hour preparing spells in his room. Just put up a list of spells prepared in your profile As he is doing that the girls decide to get ready for the night, slipping away to put on dresses and makeup. Lanten has about 45 min to wander around waiting for Edan to get done before they both go and change into their new outfits as well. Everyone meets in a common area and sees each other for the first time where you all spend some time talking before putting on cloaks to keep the cold air blowing in from the sea at bay for your trip to the Dryad. Once there you get into the line in front of the building about an hours wait from the front door. Time passes and you finally make it to the front. Once you step inside it is like entering a new world. There are gambling tables in various places around the room, the center is cleared out as a dance floor, there is an orchestra playing on a stage to the left of the room and everyone seems to be talking too loudly and laughing too boisterously. The women wandering the floor have outfits cut dangerously revealing, some having occasional malfunctions and becoming embarrassed, others just letting it all hang out as though they don't notice. Thankfully the sexual acts seem to be kept behind closed doors. There is a grand stage in the center back of the room with no one currently on it and a large bar to the right of the room. If you have any weapons concealed let me know. Looking around you see large men positioned around the room in strategic locations looking for trouble. Feel free to RP first meeting in new clothing and such. I just wanted to get you too the Dryad.
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari spends her time alternately helping 'Lina do her makeup and her hair and fretting on how best to wear her own hair. She eventually decides on braiding her hair and wrapping the braid tightly allowing it to drape down her shoulder. Rather elegant she though. Her own makeup was impeccable, dark eye shadow blending perfectly with her pink blush, just a touch of red. Her lipstick was a darker shade of pink, which made her lips glisten. And her black satin gown clung perfectly to her slender body. Paired with her stocking and heels, she had to admit she looked stunning.
Lanten won't know what hit him...or Edan for that matter...
Finally, she decides to arm herself discreetly...
Use Fast Fingers to conceal her dagger.
SoH #1 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 = 16
SoH #2 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24 <== THIS ONE
As she looks at Lanten, she cannot help but be aware of how her dress clung to her body, and how he must be reacting. She let her own gaze wander over him, appreciating how he looked in his own outfit. Dashing and very handsome. She allows him to take her arm.
"Ready, Lanten?"
|Edan Crosier
After discovering that memorizing spells was not as hard as he thought it might have been, Edan took the dime to get ready as well, cleaning up as best he was able. It turned out that magic could help a lot of things, so he exited his room looking like he was freshly scrubbed and cleaned, despite not having many implements for doing so. His hair was neatly combed, and the clothes that he had purchased fit him admirably.
He walked out, looked at 'Shari and smiled, then completely ruined the image by fidgeting in his clothing. While the shirt and vest fit well, it was the new boots that made him fidget. They were new and not worn, so there was a bit of tapping either toe or heel on the wood, and bouncing on his toes as he tried to find a comfortable fit.
Then he realized what she was wearing. It was something akin to wonder, the expression on his face, and his mouth even dropped open slightly, before a throat clearing from Lanten brought him back to himself. "Ooh.. Wow 'Shari. You look.. Wow--Imean, good-- Imean.." Sighing, he turned around and regained his composure.
|Lanten Tiberiu
Sorry for the delay on my part - been under the weather all week.
Before meeting the ladies, Lanten waits as Edan works on his spellcraft - the sounds of the tavern providing a familiar feel and he takes a small nap to recover from the days' activity.
Once they are off, he goes about shaving; cleaning up; and getting the new clothes getting adjusted. The suit's colors and his grooming efforts combined to give him a darkly refined look - accenting his Chelish heritage moreso. Although his look may bear resemblance to a Chelish noble, any attempt at the illusion is broken by his general stance - more that of a fighting man than a refined dignitary.
Finally, he does his best to try and carry his daggers - but suspects they won't stay hidden to a sharp eye. Slight of Hand: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8
Upon arriving and seeing 'Shari and 'Lina, he lets out a low whistle of amazement. He wonders if Edan's awkwardness masked his own staring -but he suspected his blue eyes (standing out even more in contrast to his dark attire) gave him away to 'Shari. Wanting to regain a little composure, he placed a reassuring hand on Edan's shoulder before turning to respond to 'Shari's offer.
He found her slim form moved perfectly with the dress, but it was her vibrant eyes and smiling face that kept his attention. "Seems I've been given the good fortune of escorting a wayfaring princess tonight," he stated - taking her arm in motion that starts with a chaste kiss to her hand before wrapping it around his own arm.
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari nods understandingly at Edan's greeting knowing he was very bashful around women, especially pretty women. If he thinks I am stunning, just wait until he sees 'Lina! We may have to pick his jaw up from the floor after--
Lanten's statement nearly took her breath away. Princess? He called me a Princess? I...I have never been called that before...
Hurriedly turning away from Lanten to brush the glimmer of a tear starting to form in her eye with her hankie without smearing her makeup, she then takes his arm with hers and replies, "The fortune would be all mine, my PRINCE!"
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
|Lanten Tiberiu
|Lanten Tiberiu
"The fortune would be all mine, my PRINCE!"
"Well, now...,"Lanten - a little embarassed for such attention, pauses before going on. Looking at Edan and 'Lina, "OK, you two, ready?"
Will do a retro post of 'Lina steps in with details from her end of things.
On the way to the Dryad:
Despite the attire and excitement, Lanten tries to do a little planning. "Not sure what we'll find in here - but do we want to spread out and look for anyone in particular? Otherwise, I guess we need to listen if anyone's heard of the cult or maybe the Black Market." He turns towards Edan and 'Lina, "I think you two are going to get more attention; hopefully someone will blurt something useful to try and impress you." Hoping not offend, he sort of gives 'Lina a once-over look to imply his meaning.
At the Dryad:
Although 'Shari (and 'Lina's) style may draw some looks, Lanten tries his best to remain mundane to the bouncers/bodyguards. As mentioned - trying to keep daggers concealed Once inside - despite his years of experiencing tavern/bar life - he's unprepared for the glamorous and hedonistic style of the place. "Didn't think Saltmarshers had it in them for this kind living," he mutters to 'Shari. He gives the place a onceover - trying to ignore the more scandalous sights - in hopes of seeing something/someone that stands out.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari is flooded by the sensation, of the sights and sounds of the party atmosphere. She recalls all too well why she refused the job offer to waitress here, instead electing to work at the far more sedate Fish tavern .
She nods in reply to Lanten. "I have been here...before. This is actually fairly mellow for them. Still, I do recognize a few people here." She leans into his body closer. "Would you mind walking with me while I talk to some of the waitresses?"
She will go over to some of the employees and chat with them. Diplomacy (Gather Info) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
|Lanten Tiberiu
"Would you mind walking with me while I talk to some of the waitresses?"
Lanten listens while still looking around. Seeing one of the waitresses' walk by in racy attire, thoughts of 'Shari in such an outfit cross his mind. Given how she pretty she looks now...wouldn't like it if I knew this is what shehad to wear....
When he turns back at her request, he looks on her with a warm look and nods in acknowlwedgement to follow her.
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
Looking around all Lanten sees is people trying to sate their vices.
Shari begins small talk with some of the servers but anytime the conversation turns away from innocent topics to patrons or other topics they become tight lipped, you feel they are very professional about not talking about anything of import on the floor.
|Lanten Tiberiu
Lanten continues to glance around as 'Shari does the talking - not helping but glancing at her in her lovely attire once in a while. When they are more isolated, he mutters: "Doesn't seem like we are having much luck finding anything out for now."
Lanten sort of shrugs and adds: "Not sure...maybe a drink to clear the decks. Can I get you something, Mi'Lady?" Lanten finishes with a grin and a slight flourish - hoping to lighten the mood a little.
Hoping Edan and 'Lina can add to the conversation/investigaton.
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari thanks the waitress for spending the time chatting with her. As she turns to leave, 'Shair cannot help but feel a sense of relief in refusing to work here. There was a sense of...hidden secrets here, secrets which would lead to someone being hurt or worse, should they come to light. Still, she knew her questions would draw the attention of someone, so now it was time to wait.
Her mood somewhat soured, she turns to face Lanten as she hears his muttered comment. She only nods in reply. Still seeing how he looked at her made her feel much better.
"Why thank you Lanten! A glass of Rose wine for me, if you please!"
|Edan Crosier
Edan was.. Uncertain about being here. Just the type of place that the Dryad was did not appeal to him. That, and he had no idea about how he should be acting, so he was fairly certain that he was a bit awkward here. Still, they were here with a mission, and to do that, he had to be social and speak. So, he spoke to a passing waitress in requesting a drink, something light and fruity he hoped, since he knew nothing about drinks. He was also trying not to blush at some of the things that he was seeing, surprised that some people would do what they were doing in a place like this.
To try to at least find some place to gather his somewhat scattered wits, Edan moved over to the edge of the dance floor, studying the dancing that was going on, to see if he knew any of it, and perhaps join in for a dance. They had a goal, and he had to remember that. So he could at least keep his ears open while he was here.
|Godelina Evelyn
Sorry about that, I wasn't notified that there have been any posts for weeks and weeks. Also forgotten how the dress looks to bare with me if it isn't EXACTLY like it was described in the past.
Before leaving:
Godelina comes out after Edan has already arrived and seen 'Shari. Her clothing is something you would certainly never see a paladin wear under any circumstance. Her dress wasn't too revealing, but it did have exposed cleveledge and gripped to her shape in a tasteful way, giving her a look that would fit in with the Dryad based on what 'Shari said, but at the same time not wanting to reveal too much.
It was a beautiful flowing blue dress that went well with her golden hair and eyes. She also had a matching pair of saphire earrings to go with it and was wearing, for the first time in her life, high-heeled shoes. After practicing with them for some time she appears to be standing up fine in them and able to keep her balance and effecting her posture as high-heels were designed to.
As she notice's Edan she blushes and then clears her throat.
"That's disturbing news about the temple Lanten. Possibly more people woreshipping this "god of luck" but I'm worried my theory might be right about someone working with those evil creatures that tried to take this town or both of these events might be seporate, but end up helping each other."
She steps over to Edan defiantely and grabs him arm so that it's locked with her's.
"We better try to blend in. Will be hard, but if something bad happens." she smiles reaching down and pulling a dagger out and giving a wink. "The blade here will give me the armour and weapon I'll need."
With that she heads off with Edan, keeping her head up and looking determined. Godelina remains well balanced, only once or twice not being used to the road, however she keeps her balance well and smiles towards 'Shari. She wouldn't say it outloud, but she is enjoying being dressed up for a change and attracting everyone's gaze.
At the Dryad:
Godelina wrinkles her nose at the sight of the events that are going on. "Such Chaos! Inheretor help us this might become of the town if things get much worse. Women dancing and showing no concern for their bodies." Godelina followed Edan and sat next to him, crossing her legs as she sat down, being careful how she sits and thinking that if she just sits there and looks like a average patron, she'd get hit by men who might wish to talk too much.
Bluff to look conving, if required. Bonuses possibly for dress and makeup, ect 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Godelina then had a thought as she leans over to Edan to whisper:
"Let's seporate. Men might wish to speak with me if I don't appear spoken for." she gives a wink and leans back.
normally DC 15 to hear the details of a whispered conversation, but considering the loud noise it might be harder for anyone nearby.
She takes a careful look around the room, wondering if any familiar faces will reveal themselves and possibly ruin tonight's plan or if she can catch the eye of someone who might be in on whatever's going down. with her seated potion her legs appear to be partially exposed, almost inviting vagabonds to give it a try.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
|Lanten Tiberiu
Lanten nods at 'Shari's suggestion, and proceeds to the closest barkeep to order drinks for 'Shari and himself - wines for both of them.
He looks at the barman as he gets the drinks and then glances around at the sights before asking with a swagger: "Lot's a fella can himself into 'round here - anything you recommend?," he finshes with a wicked grin.
On his way back with the drinks, he looked towards where 'Lina had placed herself. The combination of the golden hair and her appearance with the dress and makeup gave a her an exotic, alluring look that made Lanten let out a low whistle and a small grin. He hadn't noticed it so much as they got ready to depart, but in this environment - such things became more noticable.
Hard to believe this was the same zealous crusader who went face to face with an evil cleric not two days ago. Here she is struggling to keep her balance on high-heels and playing the siren's call.
He had to wonder if - under other circumstances - he might find himself attracted to her. Given his difficult, personal experiences with those of "outsider" heritage, he doubted it. That aside, as he turned towards 'Shari, he realized just how stunning she looked and how he made him feel...better, excited?
He handed her the drink and gave her an unexpected smile.
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari's gaze wanders the main room drinking in the chaotic scene. She feels a pang of worry over 'Lina's decision to leave herself un-escorted. I know the men here will swoop on her like vultures picking a corpse clean!
Her gaze lingers over Lanten as he walks over to the bar, watching how his body moves in his tight fitting outfit. The smile on her face dims somewhat as she notices him looking over 'Lina, but then returns in full force as he approaches their table, his own gaze running over her body. She cannot help but notice the look in his eyes. It was definitely having a not-unpleasant effect on various parts of her body.
As he hands her the glass of wine, her eyes meet his and a flush rises on her face. Trying to maintain some decorum here (admittedly difficult considering the circumstances), she takes a rather long sip of her wine, marveling at how sweet and fruity it tasted. Trying to ignore the warmth spreading through her body, she returns Lanten's smile and asks with a note of huskiness, "How is 'Lina faring?"
|Lanten Tiberiu
At the exchange of glances and the sound of her voice, Lanten also feels a little redness as certain thoughts about 'Shari linger. He takes a deep drink of his own and then answers as a welcome distraction - smiling a little as he looks toward 'Lina.
"She seems alright so far. Considering she was just a holy fury the other day, I'm worried she might slug some fella if he gets too untoward her in her quest for information," he finishes with a chuckle of humor. He also gives 'Shari a rueful smile, adding: "Why do I suspect she had a helpful hand in turning in making her look so lady-like?"
He also pointed towards Edan's own efforts to be social near the dance floor. Jokingly, he added: "Maybe we should be more worried about our scholarly friend - some hungry noblewoman might snatch him up."
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari laughs lightly, her face dimpling. "Why Lanten, what makes you think I had anything to do with that? 'Lina picked that dress out on her own." She then leans closer to him and continues with a twinkle in her eye, "However, I did pick out her shoes!"
She then turns to watch Edan and recalls a talk with 'Lina before concerning the scholar. She remembers how the paladin talked about the scholar and could not help but chuckle. "Ohhh Lanten, I think Edan will be quite safe from any lady. I suspect there is an angel watching over him." She glances at 'Lina and winks at Lanten, making it clear to him just who his angel is.
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
A few minutes after Edan stands to watch the dancing a rather corpulent well dressed woman, with her breasts falling out of her too small outfit every way they can, surprises him by grabbing his arm as she dances by and pulls him out onto the dance floor, crushing him to her bosom. She is obviously a few drinks in and starts mumbling into his ear once she has him in her grasp.
Suddenly she starts trying to kiss him on the neck.
At nearly the same moment a very well dressed man with an overly large codpiece steps before Lina's sitting form and bows to her with a rose held out to her. He is wearing a finely cut suit and a masquerade style mask. "My beautiful butterfly, your hair is the color of gold and you positively glow, I simply must be your escort for tonight. Grace me with your presence?" He maintains his bow until Lina responds or takes the rose.
The bartender hands Lanten his drinks without acknowledging his question.
A very well muscled man, wearing a outfit cut to pronounce that, while still looking tasteful, walks up to Lanten and Shari (from behind Lanten) Placing a ham sized hand on Lanten's shoulder he winks at Shari and says. "Beautiful miss, is this man bothering you? You obviously deserve better company then this ragamuffin, come and walk with me."
|Godelina Evelyn
Can't stop laughing, reading 'Shari's and Lanten's talk about who possibly got 'Lina to act more lady like, not to mention the man eater who grabbed Edan.
Godelina is a little surprised at a man who appears so finely dressed to be in this place, let alone asking for a her specifically. Noticing the codpeice she assumes that it's stuffed, though she never understood why men would stuff codpeices, though she assumed it was the same reason women suffed bras.
"I am charmed by your words, good sir." she offers her hand out to be kissed "I would like to exchange names. A lady never gives her name, let alone anything else without a name, good sir."
Since 'Lina has no Knowledge nobility, I'll leave it up to the DM if he's so notable everyone knows him or not.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 This is to try and determin his intentions, though I think a blind catholic girl could probably guess them, but to also see if he is being truthful about the name he gives.
Diplomacy to hopefully make sure she's stepping lightly and not being too personal for asking for a name: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
You watch this, next combat we get into I'll be rolling natural 1s :p
|Lanten Tiberiu
Placing a ham sized hand on Lanten's shoulder he winks at Shari and says. "Beautiful miss, is this man bothering you? You obviously deserve better company then this ragamuffin, come and walk with me."
Lanten starts to grin at 'Shari's coy words when the hand is placed upon is shoulder. The gaiety of the evening suddenly came to a halt, and Lanten went back to the same feeling he had this afternoon in the Drunken Urchin. While a brawl would normally just make him anxious, the man's words towards 'Shari made him angry - angry in a way he hadn't felt in awhile.
Whatever these jealous thoughts, he held his tongue for the moment - looking into 'Shari's eyes to gauge her reaction of her would-be suitor. Did she want to be "rescued," or deal with this matter herself? He also glanced to see if there was any reflection from which he could see the man. He gripped his glass very carefully - ready to smash it if it would give him an opening.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari is momentarily caught off guard by the approach of the drunken nobleman. Briefly she recalls tales told of how agressive the patrons were in their pursuits of pleasure. She pauses for a moment awaiting Lanten to defend her and is briefly confused when he does not react immediately.
It is with a start when she realized he is waiting for her approval, as if she wanted to be anywhere else other than with Lanten. She remembers her ex-boyfriend and the brawl which ensued one time after another sailor had propositioned her.
She glances at the inebriated nobleman wondering if she has ever met him or seen him before, and then she takes a sip of her wine before replying to the boor. "Actually, good sir, the only ragamuffin I see here is yourself! Kindly leave us be so we..." She slides her hand up Lanten's arm here, "may enjoy the rest of this evening together." She makes it clear who she wants to spend the evening with here.
Knowledge Local (to recognize the man.) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Diplomacy 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
|Edan Crosier
Diplomacy:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7, K.(local) 10: 16
Edan's current location, and the woman's.. [i]Affectionate[/b] behavior was unsettling, and somewhat disturbing for him. While he was aware that some people had decided to act differently while here, this was.. not to his liking. At the kiss on the neck, he jumped, unable to help himself. Exerting some of his strength if he had to, he raised himself to at least a proper posture for this dance that he was partially distracted by. "Madam, while your actions are a compliment, are you not worried that such a display may be a bit... Overt?"
Inheritor, he hoped that 'Lina was nowhere near to see this.
|Lanten Tiberiu
She makes it clear who she wants to spend the evening with here.
As if on cue at her answer, Lanten turns around to face the man (with 'Shari at his side) and adds his own response. Habits made as guardsman suddenly come back.
If she were to glance at his hand, she would see that he tightly grips the stem of his glass - like the handle of a weapon. Any warmth is gone from his voice - his tone level and calm, but harsh. If she were to see his eyes, she would see his stare bears a cold and unwavering look - intended to be unnerve.
"The lady's spoken for, neighbor. I'd suggest you stop bothering her...put your drink down elsewhere, eh?"
Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
|Narrator of the lost Tomes
@Lina, He comes out of his bow with a grin on his face, hearing your response he proclaims, still holding out the rose rather awkwardly. "Why, I am Mistertique! Worlds greatest ladies man, for I exude the masculine mystique! It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Miss..."
@ Edan, the woman laughs as she continues to pull you around the dance floor with her, probably not even listening to what you say to her. You feel that if you do not escape her quickly this could turn into a very long night.
@Shari and Lanten, The man immediately backs down once he sees he is not welcome there, "Your loss miss." He states and then spits into Lanten's glass, turning and walking away.
No one seems to be paying any of you any particular attention other then to look at clothing and the like, everyone is caught up in their own revels or drunk. The lights dim a little and a bit of a strip tease starts on the stage and then moves into the dance floor and audience and now naked women are intermingled with the guests and dancers. You occasionally see one saunter off with a man or woman attached to their arm up to the second level. You notice that there are darker booths along the perimeter with curtains as well as booths in the upper level overlooking the dance floor and stage.
|Godelina Evelyn
@Lina, He comes out of his bow with a grin on his face, hearing your response he proclaims, still holding out the rose rather awkwardly. "Why, I am Mistertique! Worlds greatest ladies man, for I exude the masculine mystique! It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Miss..."
@ Edan, the woman laughs as she continues to pull you around the dance floor with her, probably not even listening to what you say to her. You feel that if you do not escape her quickly this could turn into a very long night.
@Shari and Lanten, The man immediately backs down once he sees he is not welcome there, "Your loss miss." He states and then spits into Lanten's glass, turning and walking away.
No one seems to be paying any of you any particular attention other then to look at clothing and the like, everyone is caught up in their own revels or drunk. The lights dim a little and a bit of a strip tease starts on the stage and then moves into the dance floor and audience and now naked women are intermingled with the guests and dancers. You occasionally see one saunter off with a man or woman attached to their arm up to the second level. You notice that there are darker booths along the perimeter with curtains as well as booths in the upper level overlooking the dance floor and stage.
Good thing Godelina doesn't woreship the christian god, or she'd have to burn this place to the ground.
Godelina for a moment thinks it best to lie, but knowing the danger of if he figured her out she decides to give her real name, hoping he didn't hear about her or atleast think it's a coincidence of names.
"Evelyn. Godelina Evelyn, Mr Mistertique." she states and takes the rose off him, being careful of the thorns. She decides to take a sniff of the flower's scent. "What plans did you have in mind during this escort?"
Why is my spidey-sense going off over that flower?
|'Shari Velnokal
@Shari and Lanten, The man immediately backs down once he sees he is not welcome there, "Your loss miss." He states and then spits into Lanten's glass, turning and walking away.
'Shari places a hand on Lanten's other hand forestalling his reaction to the crudity of the lecher. She eyes him as he walks away, filing his description for future reference. "What a boor he is, Lanten. Here allow me..." She picks up Lanten's wine glass and looks for a place to pour out the spoiled wine. Not seeing any, she waves a waitress over. "Please, can I get a new glass? Thank you very much."
As the waitress moves off to get a new glass, 'Shari turns to Lanten a warm look in her eyes. "I suppose we will have to share this glass until she returns." She fills up the goblet and hands it to him. "Don't mind the lipstick!" She giggles as she takes out her compact and touches up her makeup. As she brushes her face reapplying her blush, she glances in 'Lina's direction. "Who is that with her?"
|Lanten Tiberiu
'Shari places a hand on Lanten's other hand forestalling his reaction to the crudity of the lecher...'Shari turns to Lanten a warm look in her eyes. "I suppose we will have to share this glass until she returns...Who is that with her?"
There is a tension in Lanten's frame at the man's act and as he walks away. Something about his demeanor struck a nerve - maybe it was the man's insult, but moreso it had to do with how he had approached 'Shari and Lanten stood quietly by. Fearful that what?...they might be kicked out of the place...seemed hardly right. In any case, he felt ready to knock him on his behind just then. He tried to remember if he he'd ever seen the man before.Knowledge(Local): 1d20 ⇒ 11
It was 'Shari's touch - like a light rain - that seemed to drain the stress and bring him back to the moment. He gave her a slight smile in relief, and took the offered glass. He seemed to be puzzling something before speaking:"'Shari, I-I want to 'pologize for not defending your honor sooner when that horse's ass stepped in. I didn't want to speak for ya like you were a 'kept' woman or somesuch. I hope that doesn't make you think I won't stand-up for you."
Before she can answer, he glances in the direction of 'Lina - trying to see if he can help 'Shari identify the masked man giving the paladin a rose. Knowledge(Local): 1d20 ⇒ 18
|'Shari Velnokal
'Shari moves her hand down to cover his own hand, enjoying the warmth of his body. "Lanten, it's all right. You don't have to defend my honor as if I was your consort. I am not spoken for..." YET "so you did all right there." She smiles as she look into his eyes. "You may not believe this, but I have to deal with such asses all the time!"
|Edan Crosier
Edan was unhappy at the situation that he had been literally pulled into, all while trying to not make it look so much like he was being dragged around the dance floor. When the song ended, he pulled back and stuck a smile on his face, giving her a courteous nod. "Thank you for the dance.. Shall I get a drink for the both of us?"
He was out of ideas after that, and simply fleeing was quickly rising to the top of his list of ideas, just under 'Avoid the dance floor'. There had to be a better thing to do in this place, and gambling was not on the list of considerations. If he could manage to escape, perhaps he could find a table a little out of the way to see if he could regain his bearings.


text:
February 19. 2013 11:20PM
Nashua South deals Central boys first basketball setback
By JIM FENNELL
New Hampshire Union Leader
Manchester Central's Troy Pelletier goes for a shot against Nashua South's John Preston in the first period at Central High School on Tuesday in Manchester. (THOMAS ROY/UNION LEADER)
MANCHESTER - The Central High School boys' basketball team's bid for an undefeated regular season ended in an uncharacteristic flurry of turnovers and forced shots Tuesday night.
Nashua South's zone defense frustrated the Little Green and led the Panthers to a 70-62 win that left the top spot in Division I wide open.
Central (15-1) and city rival Trinity each have one loss, while Nashua South (12-3), Spaulding of Rochester and Memorial all have three losses.
"That was our signature win so far, but we don't want it to be our best win," South coach Nate Mazerolle said.
The Little Green turned the ball over 14 times, leading to 22 points for the Panthers.
"I think that was the state of the game," Central coach Doc Wheeler said, "It seemed like whenever we made a little run, we had a meltdown."
The Little Green struggled with Nashua South's zone defense, going without a field over the final four minutes of the second quarter as they went into the halftime break down 35-24. They got to within four late in the third quarter, but turned the ball over twice, leading to four points by South's Travis Knight (14 points).
Nashua led 57-45 after three quarters and never led the lead get under six in the final quarter.
Tim Preston led Nashua South with 27 points, 18 in the first half.
"I think he hurt us the worst," Wheeler said.
The Panthers sealed the win by making nine of 11 free throws in the final two minutes.
Troy Pelletier led Central with 27, while Brett Hanson and Tyler Kelly had 10 each.
Central went 0-for-4 from the field - including a pair of rejections by South center Jack Preston - and turned the ball over three times to end the first half. The only points the Little Green had were a pair of free throws by Pelletier.
On the other end, Central was struggling to stop Preston. The junior had 18 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer off the dribble to end the first quarter and put the Panthers up 17-14.
In a half where the possessions were long, the defense grinding and the turnovers surprisingly high, Central held South to three points over the first four and half minutes of the second quarter to tie the game at 20-all, but a 3-pointer by David Dunham (15 points) sparked a 7-2 run to put the Panthers back in front.


text:
Remember the 'Service' in SOA
But what if firms don't know what 'service' means?
There is, of course, no widely agreed definition of Service Oriented Architecture – I know this to be true because I read it on the Web. However most people might agree, if they happened to be chilled out and mellow at the time, that, as my Web source (Wikipedia as it happens) continues "Service-orientation describes an architecture that uses loosely coupled services to support the requirements of business processes and users."
So as developers, we have to remember that we are pulling services together not just for the fun of it but to support the requirements of the business process and the users. It appears to be easy to lose sight of this in the cut and thrust of the web. As you will probably have already guessed, this article was promoted by an excellent example where sight of this ideal appears to have been lost already.
There I was, on Tuesday night, making my travel arrangements from Birmingham to Scotland. This is not a problem. I have this under complete control. I'm too smart to visit all of the airline sites and all of the car hire sites and then spend several unhappy hours cross correlating times, dates and prices. I use a site that does all of that for me: I use Expedia.
Not only does Expedia do the hard work and save me money ("Great value trips worldwide. Let yourself go & save money!") it also makes helpful suggestions. When it offered to sell me a slot in the Servisair lounge, I 'Let myself go' because I often turn up at airports early and lounges are conducive environments for work. (My decision had nothing to do with the free nibbles and drink, natch.)
On the appointed day, I checked in to terminal 2. Locating the lounge took longer than expected but I finally tracked it down. It's in terminal 1. Modern security restrictions rendered it completely unreachable on my ticket.
Attempting to use up some of the non-productive free time I suddenly found on my hands, I rang Expedia and spoke to a charming young lady called "Michelle". She sympathised and asked if I wanted a refund. "Fine", I said. She then crammed a large quantity of lift music into my ear before returning with the bad news. No refund.
She said it was clearly printed (in black and white she was keen to stress) on my paperwork that the lounge was in terminal 1 and the flight left from 2. The small print also said no refund, so no refund. I checked the documentation and she was quite right. There it was in black and, indeed, white. So, no refund, no argument.
Well, a slight one. Whilst it is true that the incompatibility is flagged on the site, the flagging consists of ten words on a page that contains 1,255 other words. It does tend to get lost in the clutter – see Figure 1, below. If we zoom in a little, it is still, in my opinion, easy to overlook in the rush of organising travel [it's a bit hard to fit on our web page too – sorry, Ed].
So I wrote to the company, which was kind enough to reply:
To provide as wide a range of choice to customers as possible, Expedia will offer all facilities available at the airport; anything which may not be suitable is clearly marked as such. Due to the technical complications involved in differentiating between terminals at airports, airport lounges are the only Attraction and Service we provide that require our customers to check their details.
As a database designer I find this idea of 'technical complications' difficult to understand. As Michelle had pointed out, my printed documentation contained enough data (albeit on different pages) for me to identify the clash - depart terminal 2, lounge in terminal 1 [although I don't think it points out that you can't get to Terminal 1 from Terminal 2 – Ed]. So Expedia clearly had the data; how difficult can it then be for the database/application to detect the incompatibility? At best, it's incredibly simple, at worst you might guess some string parsing and data type conversion might be required. I am not convinced that in a well designed database system this presents any significant challenge whatsoever.
Secondly, if we accept for a moment that it is technically difficult to do, well, this is exactly what Expedia claims to cope with. The service it offers is 'joined-up travel' which means it has to check the data it brings together for compatibility. Saying that it is technically complicated would be like British Airways excusing a late flight by saying that "flying is technically complicated, you know". As it happens, flying is complicated, yet we still demand that airlines do it on a daily basis for the simply reason that, to warrant the name 'Airline', you are expected to get those babies off the ground and into the air. It's what airlines do. Joined-up travel is what Expedia does, or is supposed to do.
Expedia says, above, that "airport lounges are the only Attraction and Service we provide that require our customers to check their details". So I wrote back asking:
"Is Expedia prepared to guarantee that this is the only one and that (baring genuine mistakes) it will never offer any other incompatible options that are left to the customers to sort out?"
If the answer is 'No' then Expedia customers are left in a position where they can never be sure, in which case they have to check every part of the travel manually, in case it is incompatible. This seemed to me to be an important point. Expedia's reply suggests that it doesn't agree:
I have passed your comments to the in-house team, and they would like me to thank you for your feedback and they have taken it onboard.
Whilst this doesn't say "No", it most certainly doesn't say "Yes". The problem is that Expedia seems, already, to have forgotten that the service it provides is in doing the incompatibility thing. If it can't guarantee that, then why would we want to use it? For the "…& save money!" bit?
On the flight back I found that the ServiceAir lounge in Edinburgh could be reached using my ticket but was unimpressed to discover that Expedia had charged me 27% more for pre-booking than the lounge would have cost me on the day – see Figure 2, below.


text:
SAN BRUNO — A Caltrain construction crew working on a $155 million project in San Bruno struck a gas main Sunday night, halting Caltrain service while crews worked to repair the damage.
The incident occurred about 9:15 p.m. on San Bruno Avenue, according to a Caltrain spokeswoman. Caltrain service in both directions was stopped, and BART and SamTrans were providing alternatives.
There is no indication the broken gas main is creating other problems in the area. There have been no injuries or evacuations according to Caltrain.
The Caltrain project is underway to elevate train tracks above three streets in San Bruno: San Bruno, San Mateo and Angus Avenues. Caltrain is taking the tracks above street level to improve traffic and safety in the area, and hopes to finish the project next spring.
Howard Mintz covers legal affairs. Contact him at 408-286-0236 or follow him at Twitter.com/hmintz


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