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Even Legends Die: The story of the Deaths of Meeko and Keeko
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Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 1479
Location: Minneapolis MN
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:24 pm
Post subject: Even Legends Die: The story of the Deaths of Meeko and Keeko
Note: I've found with stories this long it works better to resize the window to about the size of a piece of paper so the lines aren't so long when reading, especially with the story below. "Longest Individual Synopsis" should be the title. lol (Game was played on Saturday May 26th, 2007)
Even Legends Die: The story of the Deaths of Meeko and Keeko
A synopsis written through the eyes of Cooncarin Trunks
Thank you young man, you may leave I said as I handed the messenger boy at my door a couple copper for his troubles. This cant be good I thought to myself as I opened the letter. It was addressed to me, but Lytle, Solomon, Urza, and Hewill as well. Theres no way the king would contact so many highly experienced adventurers unless it was either an emergency or was finally granting us all lordships and giving thanks for what wed done for Givemea. I had little doubt it was the former.
After reading on, I learned my first instincts were correct. The letter didnt describe much except to come to the castle the next morning. The others all lived in Pleasantville, so I would have to wait until they arrived to get word with them. Knowing that we would almost for sure be leaving the city I packed my bags and told Lucky to take good care of the guild while I was away.
The next morning I arrived at the castle at the same time as Solomon, Lytle, and Hewill. Urza was nowhere to be found. Wheres the pretty and strong one? I asked.
Urza is busy now, but we brought Number One to help with whatever problem the King may have replied Lytle. Number One is a fairly experienced magic user, and we almost never have enough of those.
Good enough I answered. After some reminiscing and discussion of what may be going on, Lytle became impatient.
I dont care if our meeting isnt for another 30 minutes, were going in now, he yelled at the guard.
But, but, sir, I was told muttered the guard as Lytle pushed him away, marching towards the throne room. Upon arriving to the throne room the king was nowhere to be seen.
The king is in the war room, waiting for you now said Vader from a corner. Vader is the Kings highest ranking magic user, out experienced by none in Givemea that I know of.
To have a meeting in the war room means this is of the most serious of matters I thought to myself, but was smart enough not to say anything at this point. I was with much more experience adventurers than myself, and anything I said would probably be dismissed immediately. Better to sit quietly I thought.
Thank you for coming Lytle, Solomon, and Hewill, said the king, I know you are very busy managing Pleasantville, and I appreciate your haste. I was disgusted at the fact that he didnt even mention Number One and I, but once again decided it was best not to say anything. Let me start by saying that we dont have much time, and the world is in danger.
Interesting way to start a conversation smirked Solomon.
So, this isnt about you donating a new building to us, is it laughed Lytle.
This is a very serious matter. We dont have time joke. Now lets get down to business roared the King.
Theres always time to joke, and whatever it is, Im sure I could handle it with one arm tied behind my back smirked Lytle again. Almost laughing he said Bring whatever it is on. And all the king said in reply was
Keeko. That shut everybody up. We were all listening. Do you all remember a few years back when you discovered the gem of swirling colors, and sold it to me for a an outrageously expensive price. We did. Cooncarin, I think you were a part of that group, but were still fairly new to adventuring Finally, some recognition. Well, anyway, its stopped swirling. In fact, its slowly starting to turn black
What does that mean asked Solomon?
We arent 100% sure, but we have a good idea replied the King. We think it has to do with the balance between Meeko and Keeko. Just hearing their names made everyone shutter. Although Keeko is the only one who could almost be considered evil, neither of them ever really meant good news. Combine their immense knowledge and insurpassable magical power with a curiosity as strong as Meeko and youve got one interesting combination. Nobody has seen Meeko in a while, and our sources think they know why. It seems that Keeko has done the impossible. Somehow, he split Keeko into 4 parts, while stealing almost all of his powers. Before, when they were equal the gem was swirling different colors. Now that Keeko is slowly able to control all the magic it is turning black. If and when that gem turns completely black its all over. Im sure some of you have noticed that not all magic is working properly right now
Yes, said Hewill. Just yesterday I had another explosion with one of my simpler spells.
We told you to stick with garbage control chuckled Solomon.
I believe we have no choice but to find these 4 parts of Meeko, and somehow get that back together said the King. And if it means killing Keeko in the process, so be it he added.
Well, good luck everybody murmured Hewill. Im going back to Pleasantville.
Youre not going anywhere said Lytle. Its going to take all of us to get this done. Well be leaving right away. Any clue as to where the first one will be, King?
Oh, theres plenty I havent told you yet, replied the King. Not only do we think we know where the first Meeko part is, we have also developed a way to hopefully stop or at least slow down Keeko if you come across him. We are almost 100% positive that it was Keeko who was influencing the Swatrs government, causing them to act so abnormally. When we discovered this, we started work on some very powerful magical items that took quite a while to finish. The King handed Lytle a dagger, and Hewill a ring. He continued, The ring is a very powerful magical ring of holding, that we designed specifically to hold Keeko in place. It wont hold him for long though, which is where the dagger comes in. The dagger is meant to stab and kill Keeko. Remember, only use these items if you must.
Cool, a ring of Keeko holding, and a dagger of Keeko stabbing said Hewill, effectively naming the new found artifacts.
Whatever, lets move out said Lylte, clearly eager to leave.
One last thing said the King hurridly. We think one of Keekos parts is in the Black Forest. We are also confident that one Keeko part can point out where the others are. Like a trail of bread crumbs.
Sounds good I said, finally adding something of my own. Even if it wasnt much.
Chapter One
The Black Forest was nearby, so we left almost immediately. All we had to do first was purchase some food, magical components, and of course check out the local magic shop for new fairs. (They had none) Luckily, Lytle had Boots of Speed, which would be instrumental to the success of this adventure. After packing up we got on, and went off. Lytle was almost always ahead of us on the trail, until we came to the edge of the forest. After double checking our maps we decided it was just too big to explore all of.
What about a flying spell on Lytle? suggested Hewill.
Thatll be perfect, replied Solomon. Even after it runs out he can run much faster than we can and scout out the rest of the forest, and return with the results.
Ok, if Im not back in 1 ½ days then, come looking for me said Lytle as Hewill prepared the spell. Declaring Up, up, and away declared Lytle, as he took off blazingly into the air like some sort of super human. We waited a full day until Lytle returned.
Good news? asked Hewill.
I guess you could say its a good news, bad news sort of thing replied Lytle. He quickly told us what we were going to be up against. After the flying spell wore off I kept running until I discovered a small clearing. I drank a potion of invisibility so nothing could see me, and checked the place out, Lytle continued. There were two iron golems in the middle of this clearing, surrounded by bug bears with displacer beasts. The displacer beasts seemed to be under the control of the bug bears.
Bug bears are usually too stupid to use pets or conjure Iron golems. This must be Keekos doing, said Solomon.
Thats what I thought replied Lytle. Luckily, they do sleep sometimes. So that will be our best chance to attack.
I have an even better idea said Solomon. Ive always wanted to use this spell, insect plague. It will send forth millions of bugs to literally eat away at the living creatures. We can all surround the opening so if anything runs away we can kill them
Perfect said Lytle. We put the plan into action as soon as possible. The spell worked perfectly, with only a couple bug bears running out, and Lytle quickly killing them. With the creatures dead, we just had some inactive (currently) iron golems to deal with.
As soon as we get to close theyll attack, and they have poisonous breath said Hewill.
This will be no problem, said Lytle. Ill take on my own, if you guys can handle the other.
Deal we all replied Hewill, Number One, and I all cast lightning bolt on the first golem. It practically melted as it died. With the first dead, and the second slowly moving towards us, Lytle snuck in from behind. Using his wonderful strength and thieving techniques he back stabbed that golem. One shot, and it was dead, on the ground.
So let me get this straight. Three lightning bolts, or your backstab. Equal? How is that possible? I asked.
I am Lytle is all he said. We pried both iron golems open to find a little fuzzite, that looked just like Meeko, except smaller. Boy, did he seem excited. When Solomon asked,
Wheres the rest of you? all he did was point north. Looks like were heading north
We need a better mode of transportation, argued Lytle. Call the King with the magic mirror After some arguing we got our way. Vader teleported to us and handed over two, thats right TWO, magic carpets.
How long has the king been holding out on us? asked Solomon jokingly.
As long as youve known him was Vaders only reply.
Chapter Two
Flying into Swatrs didnt take long at all with the magic carpets. After a couple hours the little Meeko slowly started to point downward, until he started pointing backwards. He reversed until we found our destination. A huge lake. Some simple spells revealed the dangers down below. First off, a dragon turtle. Something none of us had seen before. Blending into the water was a water elemental as well. It could literally create 20 foot waves, and pound you to death with them. The water elemental wasnt much of a problem.
Well just use our bag of tricks said Solomon. He kept throwing magical cows or sheep into the water, causing the elemental to come up and attack. And thats when wed hit him with lightning spells. That only worked a few times until he figured it out. After Solomon tried a dismissal type spell (which failed) Lytle came up with an idea.
Ill just float down there with my moccasins of levitation, hell attack and Ill run away. Then you guys hit him again. So we cast water walking spells, and he floated down. As soon as the water elemental attack he ran across the water and the elemental gave chase. A huge wave was about to hit Lytle when he yelled NOW Bam, ZAP. The creature disappeared into the waves, dead. But now the dragon turtle was coming to attack. Lytle thought projected to us with my magical amulet, Leave him to me It was a one on one epic battle, but the dragon had no chance. Lytle kept slashing away until the dragon gave up and swam away. We knew wed have to kill him though, so Lytle swam down (thanks to a spell of water breathing) and finished him off. He sliced him up until he found the next Meeko. Lets move out he proclaimed after returning to the carpet.
Show off said Solomon sarcastically. Wheres the next Meeko? he asked next to the little guys. Both hurridly pointed South East, and then began playing games together.
Chapter Three
This trip wasnt as quick since we had to keep asking the Lil Meekos where to go, as they kept playing with each other.
God, you guys are annoying kept proclaiming Solomon. Finally, were almost there he gasped when the Meekos began to point downward when he asked the same question wed been asking for hours. This time we were above a cave, but what we saw wasnt pleasant at all. There at the entrance, next to a dozen worgs and 4 etins, was Gary the Green dragon.
Impossible I said. You killed him years ago, and then I helped stop the evil from resurrecting him. We cut his head off, and burned his body. There was nothing left
Anything is possible when it comes to Keeko, but lets check to make sure said Solomon as he began to cast a spell of true seeing. Definetly an illusion. Nothing to worry about was his answer.
Id still rather not fight the etins and worgs if we dont have to said Lytle. Hewill, what can you do about that?
Keeko isnt the only one who can use illusions replied Hewill. Give me a minute Soon, there appeared to be a huge rockslide next to the cave. The stupid worgs and etins began to run and fall down the side of the mountain.
This is our chance yelled Lytle as he jumped off the carpet, running into the cave The rest of us stayed back, knowing that Lytle could hide much better than the rest of us. But, the little Meekos were so excited to find their 3rd brother they jumped off as well, distrupting our plan. Solomon and I took one of the carpets into the cave to follow them, just in time to see Lytle killing an etin and grabbing the 3rd Meeko in the back of the cave. He jumped on the carpet screaming Go, go, go, and we listened.
Where to now, Meekos? asked Solomon. He had inadvertently become the babysitter of the little tikes. All of them pointed towards Acirema.
Chapter Four
It was at this point that we realized almost all of our magic spells had stopped working. Luckily the magical items were still alright. A couple hours later we found our destination, not even really needing the Meekos to realize we were in the right spot. Down below was a small shack surrounded by chimeras. Solomon used true seeing to find out that there was a ghost inside of the shack, which nobody wanted to deal with. Like good adventurers we started to plan out what to do. But, the little Meekos all jumped off and ran towards the shack, alerting the chimeras to our position.
What are they doing! yelled Solomon, but it was to late. We thought we were as good as dead, but the three little Meekos seemed to have gotten some power back. They blasted the chimeras, scaring them all away. We landed just in time to see all four little Meekos surrounding the ghost, holding him in place. Sol walked up confidently, and as a high level cleric of paladin turned the ghost. Now that the Meekos were free they recombined into one normal Meeko.
Hello! he chirped in his high pitched voice normally, like nothing had even happened.
Yes, hello came from behind us, in a similar Fuzzite voice, but much lower. We turned around to see Keeko standing there. Hewill held his hand up to use his ring, and the over confident Keeko did nothing to stop him. The ring worked perfectly, holding Keeko in place. We knew we only had a couple minutes though, and the look on Keekos face made us want to hurry. Lytle quickly called the King. Very calmly he asked what we should do
Kill Keeko he said.
Are you sure, King? Will that ruin magic? What will happen if we do that? asked Solomon.
We dont have much of a choice, now do we was his only answer.
Number One, Solomon, and I all flew away with as much of our personal belongings that we could hold, leaving Lytle and Hewill to do the dirty deed. We flew away because we figured there would be a small explosion when Keeko died, like when he touched Meeko. We had no idea how big it would actually be.
From the distance we could just make out Lytle stabbing Keeko. But, just as Lytle began to stab Keeko, Meeko yelled No and jumped in front of the blade, causing them both to be hit by the dagger. Later I found out that the dagger slowly transformed into a huge sword as Lytle stabbed Keeko. It was also slowly draining the life energy from Lytle. Thats where its true power came from, which is perhaps why the King had given the dagger to him. The blast was huge, utterly destroying everything around. We flew back to the site, just as the carpet fell apart. (The blast had damaged it quite a bit) We gathered Lytle and Hewill, and Solomon used a raise dead spell to bring them back to life. But, they would also need a restoration spell to fully heal Lytle since the dagger had aged and taken away some of his strength. After begging the King to send Vader to come pick us up, he reluctantly did so.
Chapter Five
Back in Givemea Lylte ended up buying both a restoration and wish spell to fully heal him back to the way he was. Tell me, did you know the dagger would do this to me the whole time? asked Lytle of the King.
Yes, but we did not tell you for good reason. For the good of the country.
Well then, pay for the spells to heal me was Lytles answer.
Im afraid not. You did this for the country, not for reward. I will not pay you money to do something you are supposed to do. Especially you who are a lord in my country.
Thats bull is all I could think. We also asked for a parade in return, but the King said that nobody would know what the parade was for since we couldnt tell anybody what really happened.
Very few even know who Meeko and Keeko are was his justification. So in return for all of that work our only reward was a meal at the Kings table. But, I did go home proud of what we had done. For ever more, we would be remembered as saviors of the word, and killers of the impossible.
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:05 pm
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The king is a jerk. Why did we elect him anyway?
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:33 pm
Post subject:
Who said anything about an election?
AD&D Dungeon Master
The master of all!
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:18 pm
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SteveB wrote:
Who said anything about an election?
I thought we were a non socialistic collective. Supreme executive power arises from the masses.
*guards surround Oswald*
Help, I'm being oppresed!
"Shut up, bloody peasant!"
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No more Monty Python for you!
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SteveB wrote:
No more Monty Python for you!
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Mass Effect 3 Gets An Ending
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Yeah well like, that's just your opinion man.
OT: Ending was meh but whatever, I had fun with the trilogy and i'll continue to buy more Bioware games. All I got to say.
The original ending as envisioned by the original lead writer of the ME series was not the ending we got. For two games the series builded the themes that were meant to be explored in the ending. That ending would have even explained the meaning of the the franchise's name. It would not have been any happier, maybe it would have been even more tragic and depressing, but it would have made sense and would have taken in to account what has happened before during the entire series. Not only that: even the leaked script of November 2011 has in many ways a different ending. That alone contradicts anything Yathzee has to "offer" on the theme. The ending wasn't planned at all. They pulled it out on the fly, just like Lost authors, mixing sources that do not fit with ME themes at all, like the original Dues Ex or Matrix Revolution.
In my opinion, ME3 endings suck on any level: writing, art, gameplay, storytelling. You name it. Is it a tragedy? No, off course. And I agree that the rest of the game is mostly good (even if it has his problems too).
But when someone judges the loud reaction of Bioware's fanbase, he should take in to account that the company in question have done anything in the last years to break the relation of trust with their player base. I'm talking of the long list of lies that the devs has fed us during the last years. Like, you know, "you can have the better ending without playing MP". I'm talking of their crappy and rushed games of late, where recycling and cutting corners have become "innovation". Like, you know, DA2, defined by the free and illuminated critics of The Escapist as "the best RPG of the year". I'm talking of the business model they are trying to impose on their fanbase. Like, you know, day one DLC that were part of the damn original CD.
ME3 endings are just the last drop. Only if you know what has happened before you can understand the dire situation of late. Btw, I do not want Bioware to rewrite the ending: I hope they stay the same so anyone can judge on his own what's happened to that incredible, creative and friendly company when EA has come in to the picture. It's important that nothing is touched so we, as simple gamers, can judge the credibility of the gaming press and their perfect scores on metacritic.
Having said all of that: anyone is entitled to his opinion. But it's strange to see a reviewer, one who lives thanks to his criticism, that questions the intelligence of fans who are simply expressing their criticism about a piece of art and asking for an alternative ending they are willing to pay for.
Especially from Yathzee, who has allways talked about the special nature of videogames as an interactive form of art, who has allways talked about the general stupidity of game storytelling. Now he questions the demand for more interactivity, more intelligence and more respect on any level. Now he plays the "it's art" card. Well, I guess that I should not come to The Escapist if I want to read/see something honest about EA/Bioware...
PS: Btw, corporate companies like Bioware use focus groups to test their games and they change their plans according to the result of those testing. If games were really art and could not be questioned, companies should not use such tools. But games are not art, at least not AAA games. So, tell me, what's the difference between focus group and the feedback of the fans?
With all due respect to Yahtzee, I can't help but feel that he had missed the main points over the furor of the endings.
A. During the lead up to its release, the developers promised us (aka: their customers) that Mass Effect 3 would have multiple endings (at least 16 I believe). Instead we got 3 variations on the same one (Red, Blue and Green).
This is akin to Mercedes promising us the next evolution in car technology and then providing us a somewhat inferior product. While still charging us the same price.
B. The endings themselves are filled with plot-holes, bizarre logical fallacies and break some concrete rules of narrative. In just ten minutes we have transformed the "Cthulesque" horror of the Reapers into the more "well-intentioned extremist" trope. When combined with their bizarre methods of achieving their goals (seriously didn't anyone consider Asimov's three laws of robotics?) made the ending sequence akin to deflating a balloon.
C. By changing the endings, Bioware will not be succumbing to political correctness. Instead it would a company acknowledging the fact that a significant proportion of their customers are displeased with the product. This would be seen on the same level as test audiences rejecting ridiculous endings or publisher's telling novel authors to fix/remove awful plot points. Most forms of art have always had some form of interaction with the creator and the viewer. Perhaps the furor over the ending is the next evolution of that interaction?
PS: Anyone else confused as to how the damn "Starchild" looked exactly as that one kid?
Well, with all due respect... Yahtzee, you've missed the point. Aka the reason for outrage.
But most people who take the movement seriously see those people the same way you do, whiney and entitled. They don't support or condone those who are making unreasonable demands because they're just giving them a bad name. For all intents and purposes they are not part of the movement
I... don't really get that guy, neither to most of the retakers. I'm guess he wasn't actually expecting to get very far, he just wanted to make a statement. The retakers don't want to do any irreverseable damage to Bioware anyway, we want them to work with us, that would be counter-productive.
Us retakers fully respect Bioware's right not to respond to us, but they have to live with the consiquences if they don't. Consumer trust is a very important commodity that can be easily lost if a company doesn't handle their PR well.
Oh hell yes, I hate boycott groups. But they're usually formed from a group of people who want the thing they're attempting to boycott, and are often driven to protest because of a business decision or something else they don't like. NOT because they simply don't want the product. Ask any retaker and they'll tell you the ending pretty much ruined their desire to play any further DLC and they don't really trust future Bioware games to deliver on the studio's promises.
So it's not activism, it's simple cause and effect consumer economics. Retakers want to like Bioware again, but if they just blow us off then we wont be enclined to purchase from them.
Well where did you hear about them? Because all the offical statements from both the charity and the movement organizers have insisted they do not condone or support any of those people. But many articles have been trying to put a negative spin on everything we do, god knows why, maybe they just want us to shut up.
But the majority of the retaker protest stratagies have been positive and constructive. (though quite a bit of them come at great personal cost to us, but maybe that just puts a dent in the 'entitled' argument)
For example, check out this thread I posted if you haven't already: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.357872-Angry-ME3-fans-send-cupcakes-to-Bioware?page=1
I can't really justify the actions of people who actually are friggen annoying, and you're well within your rights go tell them to STFU. But I don't want them to shine such a negative light on the entire movement. There's always people who take a cause too far, but that doesn't take away from the cause itself.
We're really a respectful bunch, though there's still lots of crazy speculation and joke threads on BSN anyone who tries to make us look like 'whining entitled children' is promptly slapped down when confronted by the core of the movement.
Just for the hell-of-it here's a thread from BSN that pretty much everyone who's part of the movement agrees with. It's basically our mission statement.
The way the games press handled this was in many ways a mistake. IGN's Colin Moriarty takes a platitude that the outcriers are a minority that is entitled and will compromise Bioware's artistic integrity. Destructoid's Max Scoville likens fans to a manbaby horde. The press is presenting the grass roots outrage to the creators regardless of how the message is actually presented. The rhetoric is currently, "Change the ending because we're pissed off," when in reality most of the things expressed are, "That ending was terrible and made no sense."
I don't care if they don't change it, but what else does Bioware have to offer with their DLC that they immediately proposed after the end of the game. What Yahtzee mentioned seems like an ideal solution, appease the fans with elaboration of alternation of the current ending with added content.
That being said here's what I'm fine with about the ending:
Here's what I hate about the ending:
I think the indoctrination theory explains the plotholes enough to avoid an entire overhaul of the ending. Personally, I have a bad feeling BioWare deliberately left an opening for one of those DLC resolutions. Also, Squad characters don't all necessarily die like you seem to be saying, so there is room for closure with them. And I call bullshit on the "hopeless cycle" interpretation. Mass Effect is a friggin' RPG, it's supposed to be all about making choices with significantly different outcomes. During the development stage, BioWare specifically claimed there'd be much more depth to the endings, not just "A, B or C", the latter being pretty much what happens in the game. I think you might just be making excuses.
I do admit, part of what pissed me off about the ending was the entire lack of closure. The complete derailment and how the series jumped off the rails was bad enough, but I could have taken comfort knowing that for all the efforts you put into playing the game and making choices and seeing them pay off, not just straight away but in the future too. At least knowing your sacrifice wasn't in vain.
I believe someone on this very website once said:
And I believe that statement holds true to this instance. It's really the only thing I have left to say in any Mass Effect related thread now. I might as well smash my head against a brick wall than try debating with anyone who dislikes the endings of the game. Oh, I know all of the arguments. But you see, the thing is? I just don't care. I have better things to do than get outraged over a video game ending. Which is saying something, because pretty much all I do with my free time is play video games.
The counterpoint to the "artistic integrity" argument is very simple.
Mass Effect is commercial art. The "artistic integrity" of the product is already beholden to its financial backers (For instance, Javik and his mission were removed to cut development time to meet a release date determined by the publisher).
As the old maxim goes, "he who pays the piper calls the tune", and ultimately we as gamers are the ones paying.
Yes, and I'm sure you came up with all this indoctrination stuff yourself.
I'm not trying to attack your or anything but all this "indoctrination theory" nonsense just reeks of fanfiction to me and the fact that people are clinging to it so desperately just goes to show how much Bioware dropped the ball with the ending.
I should go on record (as I have elsewhere) as saying the writing the situation of the ending is not something I am clamoring to get changed. That's the ending they wanted I suppose they had some reasons, fine okay, not thrilled with it but it's not my hang up.
I DO want them to slap an Epilog on it though. I am gunning for that. I am willing to shell out for it as DLC if need be, but I want some closure and yes, maybe that does make me a bit entitled, but let me lay it out from my perspective.
I have bought their games - many of them, not just ME - and I have "liked" all their FB pages when they asked me to, and all the subsequent posts they've asked me to to get X or Y. I have bought things I don't particularly need to get extras and bonuses. I have followed their blogs and their tweets and their e-mails faithfully. I have done, in short, everything they have asked of me as a consumer so far as I was possibly able to do. I am asking them for something in return: an epilog to tell me what happened to the characters and the story they made me care about so deeply and then left open and seemingly unfinished. If that makes me seem entitled it might be because I do feel entitled to what I was told would be delivered when I stuck with them all this way listening to them tell me it would be delivered and believing they would make good on that promise. Tell me what happened. Let me be done. Let me have closure so I can go play all your games again and again and again in happiness and contentment even if I don't love every single thing about each and every one of them - I love them as a whole.
Thank you for the understanding though, of my feelings. I do appreciate it. I think people are losing sight of the fact that this whole thing started with the emotions of players, not the rights of players vs. the rights of artists, not the argument about what is sacred and what is mutable, but with an emotion felt by a player at the end of a roller coaster ride of emotions brought about by a game - which is really a beautiful thing turned so ugly now that the conflict keeps going on.
How come the only people who knows what the F they're talking about when it comes to why people hate the ending is Shamus Young and This gamefront article on why the fans are right
Did he? Did he REALLY miss the point? Did he "assume" your stance despite the countless thousands of threads spent by so many of you solidifying your points? Is it more likely he characterized your positions in a way that made you look unfavorable and now you're just assuming he "doesn't understand"? Maybe you guys are assuming his position.
For starters, there appears to be zero fucking solidarity in the Retake crowd on what exactly they want Bioware to do.
"We want more varied endings!"
Yahtzee might be misrepresenting YOUR particular stance, but there's about a thousand other people that seem to have the stance he's talking about. Maybe this is why so many of us see you all as whiny children, who never quite understood life's gonna let you down sometimes, because you can't even agree on what you WANT. And then you just write off any criticism as "people who just didn't get it" (sound familiar?)
Second, there seems to be an assumption of Yahtzee's stance on the ending, as is typical when people are simply blowing off valid criticism. I don't think Yahtzee likes the ending, in fact he probably hates it. But he understands that allowing the fans to set the precedent that all stories must adhere to their specifications and expectations is a terrible idea. Moviebob raised the point that taking control out of the writers' hands means they'll take absolutely zero risks. Why would they if the audience is just gonna make 'em change it to what they want?
TL;DR:Yahtzee didn't miss your point A: because there's not even one single point to begin with and B: you're just pissed he's not agreeing with you.
I would be able to accept it too, but what you say is false. The only real permutation in the endings that keep tracks of what you have done before it, is a 5 second scene that happens if you choose the red ending and have more than 4000 EMS points: Sheppard lives and start breathing in London's ruined rubble (don't aske me how he survived: probably it's another kind of SPACE MAGIC).
Honestly, I believe that no amount of context can save the ending since its premise are circular and does not make any kind of sense (I will avoid the point that thematically the ending are out of place and do not fit the series at all). So, since the synthethics will allways revolt and kill the organics in every cycle, then the Starchild have created a race of syntethics that save organics killing them all and turning them in to monsters? Hu?
Honestly, what kind of context can you give to these mess. If the Starchild is all about saving organic and avoid that tecnology advancement kill them, he could have used better means than killing organics and turn them in to ugly and rabid monsters, using procedures that would have make Mengelev smile in the process. Like, you know, destroying the syntethics every now and then. Or using indoctrination to create a universal religion where intellingent AI are tabù. Or trying to make them coexist thanks to his superior intellingence. Like, you know, just what you have done in the game some hours before when you were able to reach some kind of peace between the Geth and the Quarians.
Ultimately doesn't trump over immediately.
The important bit you left out though is that the reapers leave. They take away the ugly monsters and let new civilizations advance. Meanwhile, the synthetics of a less-farseeing culture might have slightly more power-grabbing goals. For instance if the reapers didn't kill everyone with the capacity to make synthetics, what's to stop the Geth eventually saying "fuck this, leave us alone crap and roll on these bitches"? And then if the Geth succeed in dominating everyone, what's to stop them from eradicating all organic life? The goal was never to preserve organic life in it's current state, but rather to ensure it's continued survival entirely.
There might have been better methods, but eh, this is what the team went with.
Well yahtzee let me explain it to you by using a series you love.
If that had happened you would throw a fit so massive it would be recordable from space.
And you are forgetting the flat out promises made to us from memebers of the development team.
If I made a game for you and i PROMISED you a gun that shoots shurikens and lightning has tits and is on fire. and then, when you played the game, it turned out to actually be a pop gun that lights on fire burning you when you use it, you would absolutely demand that get fixed.
I am just mad because the ending didn't make sense to me. I have this little kid explaining to me that Synthetics and Organics could never get along. Meanwhile I have two different types of Synthetics out there (EDI and the ENTIRE GETH FLEET) proving it wrong. I wanted to scream at it "LOOK, LOOK RIGHT OUT THERE!" However this subject was not even acnowledged by the kid. Hell a simple "it will not last" would have been better than nothing.
And on the subject of cycles. All my Mass Effect gameplay up to that point told me that cycles could be broken if people are willing to work together.
I am not asking for a new ending, but I am still disapointed.
I know what you mean. I was expecting some Fallout3-esque montage about how our decisions had resonated through the galaxy, seeing a krogan shake hands with a turian or geth helping quarians build homes. Something like that would at least have the feel that our decisions bore some weight in the universe.
They mean about how all of your crew is somehow, due to "SPACE MAGIC LAPOFJAOISFJIO!" crashed on a random planet in the middle of nowhere and will no doubt starve to death and even if they tried to reproduce there would be huge amounts of inbreeding and death.
This is the funniest thread in a while! Im so ridiculously happy I never liked mass effect and I dont have to deal with the "change Mass effects ending" whiny fanboy bullshit. Who am I going to listen to on this matter eh? Some asshole on a forum calling me stupid and telling me im missing the point or well-respected people in the gaming community like Yahtzee/Moviebob/Graham Stark/Extra Credits and so on.
People would rather live in happy ignorance than sad truth, I suppose.
I believe in the indoctrination ending. Even if it wasn't intentional, I believe its BioWare's best chance of getting out of this clean.
Mass Effect 3 gets an ending!
The gaming-media circlejerk, however, continues.
The solution to an Endingtron-3000 isn't linearity, it's having an ending that follows logically from a variety of choices made throughout the game.
Alright then, here's what people don't seem to be getting:
To be honest I hate putting down a link and calling it "proof" or whatever but the guy who wrote that said it all a million times better than I could.
He is completely missing the point because he is speaking of something he has no idea about and he is not even interested a lot to begin with by his own admission. He is just supporting Bioware so his editor will be happy.
Ask Moviebob why gaming companies use focus group and the like then. That's ridiculous: game stories change all the time. But when it's corporation processes or "professional reviewer" insight, it's all fine and legit.
When it's fan feedback it is called entitlement. That's simply ideologic and the fact that gamers are willing to support this shit is depressing.
The writers HAVE NO CONTROL in videogames. They never had. Suggesting the idea that they are free like Cormac McCarthy to write their own tale is beyond ridiculous and insulting. Videogame writers need to take in consideration all kind of pressure in to account: business, design, burocracy, etc. etc..
What's wrong with fan feedback when it has been allready proved that in many games it has helped a lot? Fallout 3, The Witcher, Infamous 2. They have all been changed because of fan feedback.
The fact that the devs have changed the original ending as envisioned and supported by the original lead writer during the two previous games of the series is proof enough of my point.
I just thought it was strange that they decided to destroy the Relays, and essentially end the ME universe.
Shep dies heroically, sure, kind of expected. I don't think multiple endings where necessary, and even the final ABC was pretty pointless.
You pretty much got the full story of your crew members and know where their lives were heading, all good, no epilogue required. Right?
Then everyone in the galaxy gets stranded on half destroyed/deserted planets or presumably dies in space when their ships explode(?), um ok. It seems like the creators really don't want to make more ME games.
It would have been an easy out to just have a customized memorial service for Shep cutscene, with a bit for any of the surviving allies/armies the player had collected, and not end the universe.
Nevertheless, I'd play a Mass Effect Mercenaries prequel as long as it has more co-op.
Probably because they don't. According to a number of people, Bioware promised that their choices would matter in the end, but it didn't, at least in their eyes. They felt that Bioware pretty much lied to them in this area, thus the reason that so many people are demanding that they change their ending (might be too late for that though). For once, I would like to see someone who disagrees mention that, even if it's denying it completely.
Meh...I'm just tired of trying to explain what our problem with Bioware is to people when they just refuse to listen.
I'll try to make it really simple:
By the sounds of it, they were holding back the 'real ending' from day 1 to be used as DLC, which makes it even WORSE that they would abuse their consumers in such a manner.
So... what? You'll only lay down The Dolla for happy endings?
Human Revolution's ending is good. Inelegant, but it serves it's purpose to a tee.
OT: I finished it about 5 minutes ago. Whilst it is not the best ending ever, it is definitely not the worst thing in the world, by any means. And even if it was, people need to seriously consider what they want this industry to be before they demand a rewrite.
I can understand the desire for every sweeping epic to end like Return of the King, but at the same time, people need to accept that not every writer wants to end their stories like that - and that's who ultimately calls the story shots. Design-by-committee is rarely (if ever) good, and making that committee out of a few thousand people doesn't change that.
And whilst the thing with the kid was a little odd, they'd hinted at whatever he was fairly strongly.
But yes, I would have preferred a RotK, let's all get down with Frodo on the bed ending too - I'm a soppy fuck, I guess. And yes, I would have preferred an ending that did take into account your previous decisions; even so, your choices to do have consequences, they just happen on the journey, and not at the destination.
This summaries my feelings mostly: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/19/whats-right-with-mass-effect-3s-ending/
In combination with this: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/14/mass-effect-3-the-end-of-an-epic/
Not a great ending, not the worst ending, could have been handled better, but the last 5 minutes should not wipe 90 hours of goodness, and we should not have collective creative control of a writer's work.
Funny how this comes from the same guy who said that if it were up to him he'd rewrite the new Star Wars trilogy after sending the ACTUAL author off to play with a colouring book.
Sure, it was a joke, but i'd really love to see him defending THAT abomination, which is ACTUALLY what the author wanted (or so he stated), while accusing us of being out of line when, it appears, most of the writing staff wasn't even aware of ME3's ending's content.
You dropped the ball, Croshaw. Big time.
I'm both shocked and disappointed that Yahtzee of all people doesn't understand what the issue is.
It does not make sense still. The fact that they leave so they can do the same kind of holocaust over and over again, every bloody 50'000 years, make no sense at all if their goal is to protect organic life. Killing a child or an old man is still a form of homicide. Homicide is not the best way to preserve someone. Not to say that the whole 50'000 years cycle make no sense if it's related to technological advancement wich could go in any other way and it's hard to predict (instead it made sense in the original vision of the endings since it was linked to the way the ME universe worked in term of law of physics).
But the Reapers themselves off course. Why kill any intelligent form of life every 50000 years if they could protect us form a race like the Geth? They could make any kind of miracle with their godlike powers. They could guide evolution anyway they want. They could intervene clinically and resolve any kind of problems with indoctrination and such.
That's not what the Starchild has to say on the issue. But most of all you must admit it is contrived at best.
That's all that the fan who have criticized the endings have said. Point is, I've read a lot of fan fiction and constructive proposal on ME3 ending. And most of them are better than the ending we actually get.
Barely read the first page. The last time I read an Extra Punctuation (are these things still called this?), it was the same deal. This is missing the point, to put it softly, on so many different things.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Coping with osteoarthritis (OA) is no simple thing. The resulting pain can make it difficult to handle basic daily activities, including work. Yet, it's possible to manage and treat OA—and in many instances reduce the inflammation and pain. Understanding the disease and taking the right actions is paramount.
Nathan Wei, MD, director of the Arthritis Treatment Center in Frederick, Md., suggests that osteoarthritis patients take a proactive approach to managing and treating the disease.
What is osteoarthritis?
Dr. Wei: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It's what we think about when we hear the word "arthritis." It's the older person who limps along and complains about hip and knee pain. OA is a disease of the cartilage. It affects joints, mostly in weight bearing areas. When the cartilage begins to wear away, patients develop pain, swelling, and stiffness. Eventually, if it's left untreated, it results in a lack of function.
What is the cause of OA?
Dr. Wei: The most common causes of osteoarthritis are genetic factors. However, long-term overuse of joints can lead to OA. It's more common as we grow older. About 70 percent of adults between ages 55 and 80 suffer from it. Studies show that excessive weight is an aggravating factor, particularly for the knees and lower back. Inactivity also worsens osteoarthritis.
Think it could be OA? Yes: Take a doctor-guided assessment test and find out »
How does OA impact a person and what does he or she experience?
Dr. Wei: As tissue begins to degrade, inflammation and pain follow. Most people who suffer from OA experience stiffness in their joints and the problem is usually worse the first 30 minutes after waking up in the morning. Once the joint loosens up the pain usually subsides. Some patients experience swelling, cracking sounds and have limited range of motion in the joint. As the joint further degrades they may experience bone spurs and more severe pain.
How does a doctor diagnose OA?
Dr. Wei: We look at where it hurts and whether the problem occurs in a weight-bearing joint or a non-weight-bearing joint. We ask questions. Does the pain last more than 30 minutes in the morning? With rheumatoid arthritis it's not uncommon to have two hours or more of morning stiffness. How much joint swelling is involved? Then a doctor launches into diagnostic tests. These typically consist of X-rays and MRIs.
How can individuals with OA manage the disease on their own?
Dr. Wei: A lot depends on how far the disease has progressed. Weight loss is often the easiest remedy for the pain. If this is not an issue for the patient, and the OA is caught early on and it isn't severe, over-the-counter analgesics or anti-inflammatory medicines can help. Exercise is also important, including swimming, riding a stationary bike and possibly using an elliptical trainer. Exercise is crucial. It can help strengthen muscles and aid in weight loss, which greatly relieves OA symptoms. In fact, in some cases, weight loss can also lead to some restoration of cartilage. Hot and cold wraps are another effective treatment. And some patients take dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Some studies indicate that these supplements are effective and there are no serious side effects associated with them.
Visualize how OA affects your joints. Take a virtual tour of a knee affected by OA »
What if the disease is more serious?
Dr. Wei: It might be necessary to use a brace to unload a weight-bearing surface such as a knee. A doctor might also prescribe stronger pain medication, including opioids and use corticosteroid injections to relieve inflammation, including joint swelling. Another approach is the use of hyaluronic acid derivatives through injection. These provide additional lubrication, but they are expensive and there is no evidence that they are more effective them less expensive treatments like NSAIDs. Some patients also benefit from physical therapy.
At what point does surgery enter the picture?
Dr. Wei: If other treatments don't work or the disease has progressed to an extreme state it might be necessary to resurface or realign a joint. A person is a candidate for a joint replacement when there's bone on bone. But it's important to recognize that highly effective therapies exist and, as long as the osteoarthritis hasn't progressed to an extreme stage, it's often possible to manage it without surgery.
What is the typical recovery period?
Dr. Wei: Typically, there's a six-to-eight-week recovery for a joint replacement surgery. The potential for complications is relatively low. Nonetheless, it's an expensive procedure—often in the $30,000 to $40,000 range after you factor in all the costs, including physical therapy. Of course, there are risks associated with any kind of major operation and sometimes a joint replacement doesn't help.
Is there any promising research in the OA field?
Dr. Wei: There is a lot of research going in the field of stem cells—particularly autologous stem cells that are harvested from a patient's own bone marrow. Doctors are using these stem cells for some experimental procedures that show promise.
Any final comments or suggestions?
Dr. Wei: Lose weight, stretch, and exercise. These are the most important factors in managing osteoarthritis.
Want more expert advice on OA? Yes: Get tips from a sports medicine specialist »


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Agency approves land sale to Canadian company and project applications from March board meeting
The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors has accepted applications for assistance from Power Greenhouse Integration LLC for a greenhouse renovation project in the Town of Wheatfield and Plati Niagara Inc. LLC for another new hotel in Niagara Falls. Both projects will generate approximately $33 million of investment while creating 88 new jobs and 30 part-time jobs, as well as temporary construction jobs.
The NCIDA board of directors also approved the sale of 7.5 acres of land to a Canadian manufacturing company for future development, and approved two applications for assistance the agency received at its March board meeting.
"We continue to build a critical mass of projects in the green energy and hospitality and tourism sectors, which are targeted industry clusters for our region," said Scott Kiedrowski, NCIDA chairman. "In addition, we are starting to see a return on our investment of the aggressive marketing efforts in Canada with the land sale to a Canadian manufacturing company. This is all positive news for our economic development efforts on behalf of Niagara County."
Plati Niagara Inc., a subsidiary of the Strangio family and owner and operator of a Quality Inn Hotel franchise and Antonio's Banquet and Conference Center on Niagara Falls Boulevard (LaSalle), plans to construct an upscale hotel under a national franchise on a land parcel at 333 Rainbow Blvd., in downtown Niagara Falls. Plati Niagara plans to build a 65,000-square-foot hotel with 110 upscale rooms and up to 4,000 square-feet of retail space for lease. The project will create 28 full-time jobs with a total project cost of $9.6 million and an estimated annual community benefit of more than $1.94 million. The company is requesting a 10-year payment in lieu of taxes, sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax abatement.
Power Greenhouse Integration (PGI) plans to purchase and fully renovate a 12.5-acre greenhouse at 7341 Shawnee Road in the Town of Wheatfield. The facility will be modernized with lighting, heating, cooling and the ability to absorb the carbon monoxide emissions from the boilers and engines directly into the plants and vegetables as fertilizer.
When fully renovated, the greenhouse will operate on a year-round basis. The proposed project will create 60 full-time jobs and 30 part-time positions. The total project cost is $24 million, with an estimated annual community benefit of more than $5.93 million. The company is requesting a 15-year PILOT, sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax abatement.
The NCIDA also approved the sale of 7.5 acres of land in the Vantage International Point Industrial Park, Inducon Corporate Drive, Sanborn, to WHITING Group of Canada Inc. for $52,500. The Burlington, Ontario-based company manufactures overhead rollup doors for the trucking and trailer industry. The NCIDA said WHITING's interest in the parcel of land and ultimate purchase was a direct result of the board's ongoing strategic marketing efforts in Canada.
The board of directors also approved applications for assistance for two projects that were submitted at its March meeting. These projects will create approximately 46 new full-time jobs and approximately 28 seasonal and part-time jobs. The projects also will generate more than $5 million in capital investment.
Diversified Manufacturing plans to consolidate its Amherst operations to Lockport and is proposing to build a 47,000-square-foot addition, including 37,000 square-feet of manufacturing space and 10,000 square-feet of office space. The proposed expansion will create 46 full-time jobs and 13 part-time positions in Lockport. The total project cost is $4.8 million, with an estimated annual community benefit of almost $11 million. The company was granted a 15-year PILOT, sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax abatement.
Lake Effect Ice Cream, an ice cream manufacturer that sells its products to retail stores throughout Western New York, will acquire, renovate and expand a building at 79/81 Canal St., Lockport. The project is estimated to cost $211,000 and will create 15 part-time jobs while providing an estimated annual community benefit of $293,000. Lake Effect Ice Cream received a five-year Opportunity Zone PILOT and sales tax exemptions.


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Sol 151 Update on Curiosity from USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: Younger Rocks7 January 2013
A short "bump" toward slightly younger rocks in front of the rover was planned for Sol 151, and no MAHLI observations were included so I had an easy day as PUL. The contact science activities in the current location went well, including the first brushing of the surface. In order to characterize the geology and chemistry of the rocks at the edge of Yellowknife Bay, we intend to repeat the set of brushing, APXS, MAHLI, ChemCam and Mastcam activities at the new location starting on Sol 152. These activities won't be planned until Tuesday, because we are taking a day off Monday while Mars and Earth schedules sync up again. About every 5 weeks, such a "skip" sol is scheduled, giving Earthlings a break, but the rover won't notice.


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September 20. 2017 10:53PM
Organizers of Keene's 40th annual Clarence DeMar Marathon prepare for hot, humid conditions Sunday
By MEGHAN PIERCE
Union Leader Correspondent
— Organizers of the 40th annual Clarence DeMar Marathon and its 4th annual DeMar half-marathon met with city officials Wednesday to talk about concerns over Sunday's predicted warm weather.
"On Wednesday, race officials are meeting with the City of Keene Emergency Management Services and Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth Hitchcock Keene to assess the most current weather forecasts and discuss any actions for Sunday," organizers said Tuesday in an email to all registered runners for Sunday's marathon and half marathon.
The warm weather predicted includes temperatures up to 89 degrees Sunday with conditions being sunny, warm and muggy. The marathon begins in Gilsum at 8 a.m. and ends 26.2 miles later at Keene State College.
Organizers and health professionals on hand the day of the marathon are typically dealing with crisp fall weather.
Any changes in the marathon, including start time, will not be announced until late Thursday.
"We will update all registered runners by email by the end of the day on Thursday with an update. We are monitoring things very closely and will make decisions based on the safety of our runners, volunteers and community at large," the email said.
The DeMar is a Boston Marathon qualifier for marathon runners.
The DeMar marathon is named for former Keene State College professor and seven-time winner of the Boston Marathon, Clarence DeMar, who was an advocate of active and healthy children.
Children and seniors are also encouraged to participate in the marathon on a smaller scale. In recent years, the DeMar has included a Kids' DeMar and a Super Seniors DeMar Marathon, which encourages children and seniors to log 25 miles of walking or running over the summer and then complete the last 1.2 miles of the 26.2-mile course the day of the DeMar Marathon.
The DeMar Kids' Marathon was started in 2011 to promote the health and well-being of children in the region by the Healthy Monadnock 2020 Organizational Champions.
The Champions include the Keene Elm City Rotary Club, the Advocates for Healthy Youth Coalition, Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene and the Cheshire Health Foundation, MoCo Arts, the Keene Family YMCA, the city of Keene Parks and Recreation Department, Beeze Tees, area elementary schools, and many other individuals and volunteers.


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Priests for Life-Staten Island, NY
Staten Island, NY - The Pro-life Freedom Rides, which were inaugurated last month with a ride from Birmingham to Atlanta, will initiate the second phase of this movement with a nine-week period of prayer and action starting on September 1 and concluding on Election Day. People can sign up at http://www.prolifefreedomrides.com/.
This period will be marked by the following elements:
These activities are part of the 10 Steps to End Abortion, that provide the practical steps that Pro-life Freedom Riders will implement throughout their various campaigns. This second Freedom Ride emphasizes steps 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 of those 10 steps.


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TOKYO (AP) — An exhibition of Chinese art from Taiwan has opened as planned after the Tokyo National Museum revised promotional materials that had omitted the word "National" from references to Taipei's National Palace Museum.
Taiwan is sensitive to how other governments portray it, and last week its first lady, Christine Chou, canceled a trip to Tokyo for the exhibition.
But on Monday, the Taiwanese museum's director accepted an apology from the Tokyo museum's curator at an opening ceremony for the exhibition, whose centerpiece is a lustrous white and green cabbage carved of jadeite.
"I believe this will suffice to restore the positive sentiment toward Japan among the Taiwan people," said the Taiwan museum's director, Feng Ming-chu. She said the past two or three days had been "regrettable," but added that once the problem with the name was fixed the exhibition could proceed.
"The most important thing is trust, sincerity and mutual respect," she said.
The National Palace Museum houses many treasures taken to Taiwan when the Nationalists fled there from mainland China during a civil war in 1949. China still claims Taiwan as its own territory.
Japan formally recognizes mainland China but also has close ties with Taiwan, which has full diplomatic relations with only 23 countries, most of them in Latin America, Africa, and the south Pacific.
"The upcoming exhibition in Japan of some of Taiwan's most treasured collections of antiques would have been a perfect example of cultural exchange if not for a row over the name of the Taipei-based museum that owns the items," the Taiwan newspaper The China Post said in an editorial.
It noted that the word "national" in the Taipei museum's name indicates it is a government-run museum.
"We are disappointed at the Tokyo museum," it said.
Staff at the Tokyo museum would not give a reason for the original incorrect references in the posters for the exhibit.
Masami Zeniya, executive director of the Tokyo museum, acknowledged having "upset" the Taiwanese with the misnaming. "We take this matter very seriously and made the corrections immediately," he said. "We would like to apologize for causing trouble."
The exhibition opens to the public on Tuesday. The jadeite cabbage will return to Taiwan in two weeks, as planned, but 200 other items will be on display until the exhibition moves in September to the Kyushu National Museum on the island of Kyushu.
Associated Press writers Miki Toda and Koji Ueda contributed to this report.


text: I personally have always liked the early Assassins Creed games. My enthusiasm began to wane somewhat with the release of Brotherhood and then Revelations, yet I still held a candle for the franchise and eagerly awaited the release of Assassins Creed 3 by Ubisoft. Assassins Creed fans will know Ezio is no more and that's . . . → Read More: Assassins Creed 3 Review


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PALMDALE, Calif., -- The man suspected of creating a fake Twitter account as the girlfriend of University of Notre Dame star linebacker Manti Te'o was hiding behind thin black veils and curtains at the suburban home of his father on Wednesday night.
Deadspin.com alleges that Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, a once promising high school football player, created a Twitter account under the name of Lennay Kekua and began an online relationship with Te'o.
Kekua, who became an Internet love interest of Te'o and perhaps others, might very well be a 22-year-old man who lives with his parents in a modest, two-story house on a quiet cul-de-sac in Palmdale, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Whether or not Tuiasosopo created Lennay and his motives behind doing it, if he did, remain a mystery, but he is now doing whatever he can to avoid the media storm beginning to envelop him. Television news vans and reporters from as far away as England were camped out on his street waiting for a comment from Tuiasosopo.
He did not offer one.
Several people in the home told the reporters they had no comment. People came in and out of the house all night. At one point, two men brought Popeye's chicken to the house for dinner. People could be seen inside the house, upstairs through the windows and on the side of the house. Three cars were parked in the driveway and several more on the street.
Neighbors did not know much about the Tuiasosopo family. One couple only knew them as the Samoan family at the end of the block. Titus Tuiasosopo, Ronaiah's father and a pastor at the Oasis Christian Church of the Antelope Valley, was described as friendly by one of his neighbors.
Avo Adeney said the Tuiasosopo family moved into the house next to his in 2006. The Adeneys have lived in the neighborhood for eight years.


text:
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text:
2 men accused in several burglaries caught
2 men accused in several burglaries caught
OCOEE, Fla. —
Two men are waking up in jail Wednesday accused of going on a burglary spree in an Ocoee neighborhood.
Police said the victims told them the suspects stole thousands of dollars worth of items.
According to documents, officers were already on Sand Pine Avenue, near Wurst Road, investigating a burglary Monday afternoon, when someone noticed two men at an abandoned home.
Officials said those two men are Walter Guffey and Richard Kirshman.
One officer said Guffey even jumped a fence to try to get away.
Both men are charged with burglary and grand theft.


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Spot gold and gold futures markets have been thrown into disarray following Ben Bernanke's appearance at Wednesday's Federal Reserve Q&A session. Gold and gold derivatives prices were maintained by the central bank's stimulus program, as many investors see the precious metal and its counterparts as being the most effective possible inflationary hedges. In the market conditions that the Federal Reserve's implied intentions would generate, inflation would no longer be a pressing concern, and demand for gold as a protective instrument would theoretically unwind.
Price action in gold has followed a trend that an adherent to the aforementioned belief system would expect; spot and futures markets have both tumbled as far as 7% following the announcement. This trend has, however, been interrupted by Chinese buyers this morning, who paired with Indian markets were able to pull gold out of its most recent slump during April of this year. The efforts of these and other overnight buyers the world over lifted the price of spot gold by 1.51%, and August gold futures were boosted by 0.80%. This time, however, it doesn't appear that demand from China or India, the latter of which having been hobbled by government controls on imported gold, will be enough to save the value of gold. To compare, bullion futures slid down 6.4% in the day's trading in New York to reach $1,268.70/ounce, the lowest level it has reached since mid-2010. The yellow metal will likely show further downward action in the near term, as a significant round number has been broken in $1,300 and fearful gold hoarders are pressured into selling off their deteriorating fortunes.
So how can a trader speculate on movements in the gold markets?
- Trade physical gold. Although this would offer the best exposure to the price of gold it is extremely capital intensive.
- Trade the ETF's. There are several ETF products to choose from that offer exposure to the spot price of gold and double and triple ETF's can offer some leverage to investors. However, all ETF's have expense ratios built in so they can never track their underlying 100%.
- Gold futures and options. Using gold futures and options offers the inherent leverage and capital efficiency that make them an attractive alternative to physical gold or ETFs. Using futures and options is the most efficient way to speculate on gold in the short term.
If we want to take a trade in gold we first must calculate upside and downside targets. With August gold futures trading around $1,295.00 we can use the August 1295 straddle to derive targets. With the straddle trading at $76.00 this implies an upward or downward move of $76.00 by August expiration. This gives us an upside target of $1,371.00 and a downside target of $1,219.00. We can now use these targets to set up a bullish or bearish strategy.


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42 U.S. Code § 7151a - Jurisdiction over matters transferred from Energy Research and Development Administration
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, jurisdiction over matters transferred to the Department of Energy from the Energy Research and Development Administration which on the effective date of such transfer were required by law, regulation, or administrative order to be made on the record after an opportunity for an agency hearing may be assigned to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or retained by the Secretary at his discretion.
Section was enacted as part of the Department of Energy Act of 1978—Civilian Applications, and not as part of the Department of Energy Organization Act which comprises this chapter.
LII has no control over and does not endorse any external Internet site that contains links to or references LII.


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Project Description
This project will develop and validate new drag force correlations for the case of particle clustering, based on direct numerical simulation of gas-solids flow structures in risers and vertical columns; and validation of the proposed drag law by using the Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFIX) multiphase flow simulation code to compare the experimental data generated in this project with computational results generated by MFIX simulations.
Project Benefits
This project will focus on the development of an accurate drag correlation for gas-solid multiphase flow that includes the effect of clustered particles. These developments will allow scientists and engineers to more realistically simulate the hydrodynamics, gasification kinetics, and thermal behavior of complex gas-particle flow systems; enabling more efficient and less costly advanced fossil energy based power generation systems to be designed and built.
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Japanese Import, OXFORD, Animal Head Dot Natural (23" panel)
Fabric is sold by Panel. For example, if you would like to purchase 1 Panel, you would enter 1 in the Qty. box at Checkout. Yardage is cut in one continuous piece. The design runs the width of the fabric.
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Rosacea Takes Toll on Sufferers in the Workplace, Survey Shows
Unless effectively controlled, rosacea can play havoc on job interactions and employment, according to a new survey by the National Rosacea Society (NRS) on the impact in the workplace of this widespread, red-faced disorder now estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.
In the survey of 1,134 rosacea patients, 60 percent of all respondents and 88 percent of those reporting severe symptoms said the disorder had negatively affected their interactions with others in the workplace. Among those with severe symptoms, 51 percent said they had even missed work because of their condition.
"Because the signs and symptoms appear on the most visible part of the body, rosacea is much more difficult to ignore than many other conditions," said Dr. Boni Elewski, professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. "Beyond any physical discomfort, such as facial burning and stinging or eye irritation, the effect of rosacea on personal appearance can be emotionally and socially debilitating."
In the new survey, 69 percent of all respondents and 87 percent of those with severe symptoms said they had noticed others staring at their face when they were experiencing a rosacea flare-up. Forty-five percent of all respondents, including 66 percent of those with severe symptoms, reported that they had heard rude or inappropriate comments in the workplace about their facial appearance.
Nineteen percent of all respondents and 39 percent of those with severe symptoms felt they did not receive a job offer because of their appearance. In addition, 19 percent of all respondents and 41 percent of those with severe symptoms believed they were denied a promotion or new responsibilities because of the way they looked.
"While there is no cure for rosacea, the good news is that medical therapy is available to bring it under control and maintain remission of its signs and symptoms," Dr. Elewski said. "Patients may also be able reduce the frequency and severity of their flare-ups with gentle skin care and by identifying and avoiding environmental and lifestyle factors that trigger flare-ups in their individual cases."
More than 64 percent of all respondents reported that effective treatment of their rosacea had improved their interactions with others in the workplace.
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By now you've all heard about the untimely death of the gifted Robin Williams, and so I felt compelled to weigh in; I'm aware of the circumstances of his death, of course, but unlike CNN last night--who (I thought unwisely) brought on people like "Dr. Drew" Pinsky to speculate on the how and why of Williams' demise--I have no desire to put Williams on the couch. I've always resented it when people have tried to psychoanalyze me, and I hope--if I died--people would focus on my work, my reporting and the things I've written. So, I'll extend him the same courtesy, especially because he leaves behind such an eclectic and marvelous resume.
Most know him as a manic comedic performer, but he was adroit in serious roles, as well--indeed, he won a best supporting actor Oscar for his performance in "Good Will Hunting." He won that award for unforgettable scenes like recounting Carlton Fisk's transcendent home run in game six of the 1975 World Series, warning an insolent Matt Damon "I will end you," and eventually breaking through the kid's considerable barriers by repeatedly telling him, "It's not your fault, Will, It's not your fault."
He was superb in a little movie it seemed nobody but me saw called "The Night Listener," an unsettling psychological thriller. He was the height of creepy as a supermarket photo technician who becomes more-than-a-little-too-attached to a family in "One Hour Photo" (yes, kids, you used to have to take actual film to someone and have them develop it for you to get pictures), and he was almost as psychotic as a murdering writer going toe-to-toe with Al Pacino's detective in Christopher Nolan's masterful "Insomnia" (a movie I really love.)
I adored Williams, and the rest of the cast (Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Hank Azaria, Dan Futterman, Calista Flockhart, and Dianne Wiest), in Mike Nichols' hilarious "The Birdcage." Williams played straight man to Lane's flamboyance, but he got to let his own freak flag fly when he was opposite straight-edges like Hackman and Wiest, all in the same picture.
He was smart to star opposite other excellent thespians, which always raises one's game, acting with aplomb alongside of Damon, Pacino, and the sterling "The Birdcage" cast as mentioned above. But, he also played with Jeff Bridges in Terry Gilliams' wonderful "The Fischer King" (Williams was won a Golden Globe and grabbed an Oscar nomination) and as the doctor trying to cure catatonic patients like Robert De Niro's character in the sad but worthy "Awakenings" (another Golden Globe nom. for Williams). He snatched a Golden Globe and an Oscar nom. in Barry Levinson's "Good Morning, Vietnam," the film that made him a movie star. Like in "The Fischer King," it was a performance of vibrancy, vivacity, and boundless energy, like he was living under the fast forward button on his own remote control.
People in my generation will always remember him for "Dead Poets Society" (his students standing on their desks and saluting him with "O Captain,!My Captain!"), as the genie in "Aladdin," and, of course, in the uproarious "Mrs. Doubtfire"--a performance I can honestly say I can't see any other actor pulling off with the elan he did, which, come to think of it, is probably the best compliment one can give or receive.
He was a sublime talk-show guest; he always brought it and always came ready to perform. Unlike some, he was never shy with his gift; he was more than happy to make you laugh, and he'd work indefatigably to do so. He was also one of the most unforgettable guests on "Inside the Actors Studio." In fact, viewers voted his as their favorite interview of all-time in a special show just a few weeks ago--which seems all the more poignant now, of course, after his death.
I caught him doing standup from someplace in New York City on HBO a few years ago, and I pulled muscles laughing. Like he'd shown in so many films, he depicted truly incredible stamina, working himself into a lather along with the crowd. He does a bit on the utter futility of golf that--and I say this as a devoted golfer--ranks right up there with George Carlin's famous monologue on the differences between football and baseball in the annals of sports comedy.
Yes, in recent years he was most often flailing away in ill-chosen scripts, and his return to TV was unceremoniously cancelled after only one season. No matter, though; the work he did before stands on its own, and, because of that, I have no doubt he'd have returned to form--had he lived. And that's sad. His death deprives us--and himself--of even more memorable performances.
Walt Whitman's "O Captain! My Captain!" plays an integral role in Peter Weir's "Dead Poets Society," with the English teacher played by Williams using it--and almost any other means necessary--to inspire his charges, and he eventually becomes their captain. Now, after his real-life death, it plays as a sad coda.
"O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,//The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,//The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,//While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;//But O heart! heart! heart!// O the bleeding drops of red,//Where on the deck my Captain lies,//Fallen cold and dead."
Ryan Anderson can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com and followed on Twitter @randerson_ryan


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Hang this multi-purpose spoon in your kitchen for easy access and convenience! This 13 inch solid basting spoon with black handle will offer you several advantages in the kitchen. The solid spoon head is designed to aid in the art of basting, a technique used to moisten, flavor, and add texture to foods by spooning juices over the dishes as they cook. The length allows you to safely spoon the top of your dishes with juices, melted butter, sauce, or marinade and avoid burning your fingers. This spoon is specifically designed to be long and narrow so that it can reach into tight areas - perfect for basting meats and poultry without having to remove the entire dish from the oven or stove top. Its Bakelite handle is molded with a hanging hole for easy storage and retrieval, and offers comfort and improved grip. Use this basting spoon for grilling, roasting, rotisserie, pan-frying and more. Also used to drain food, and remove ice and foods.
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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partners. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Eye and Vision Care
Length of Dilation
Are there eye drops that are weaker in strength for eye dilation? Last time my eyes were dilated they stayed dilated for 10 hours.
I am not sure which drop you were dilated with at your recent eye exam, but there are different dilating agents. The most common dilating agent is Tropicamide and is available in two strengths, 1% and 0.5%. The 0.5% should have a more mild effect than the 1% and therefore should not last as long.
The other drops commonly used in the eye care setting are much longer acting than the previously mentioned drops. It is possible that you may have been dilated with one of these drops, accidentally or for a diagnostic purpose. Fortunately side effects are typically minimal except for duration of dilation.
If you have light colored eyes (blue or green) the effect may have lasted longer as well.
Aaron Zimmerman, OD, MS
Clinical Associate Professor of Optometry
College of Optometry
The Ohio State University


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BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali's interim president has named a replacement prime minister after soldiers behind a coup earlier this year forced out his predecessor and placed him under house arrest, provoking international condemnation.
The political turmoil has deepened concerns about Mali's stability at a time when the international community is considering backing a military intervention, including Malian soldiers, to regain the country's north from the hands of radical Islamists.
The president of neighboring Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaore, who has served as a mediator, said Wednesday that the latest developments threaten to only worsen the Malian crisis.
Longtime civil servant Diango Cissoko was chosen late Tuesday as the new prime minister in Mali's transitional government, first set up after the military coup in March.
Cissoko said his priority would be addressing the country's problems in the north, where radical Islamists have carried out public executions, amputations and whippings as they implement their version of strict Islamic law.
"It is united and together that we can rise to the challenges that face our country today — a nation amputated of two-thirds of its territory and whose democracy is threatened," he told France 24 television after his nomination.
The military ouster of Prime Minister Cheikh Modibo Diarra has prompted fierce criticism from the United Nations, the United States, the African Union and the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS among others.
The president of the African Union commission strongly condemned the recent events in Mali and called for the "complete subordination of the army and security forces to civilian rule."
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also warned that the forced resignation makes Western countries wary of getting involved in a military incursion in the north.
"One thing is clear: Our offers of help come with the condition that the process of restoring constitutional order in Mali be conducted credibly," he said.
The latest developments also have raised concerns among ordinary Malians.
"We don't really understand the reaction of Capt. Sanogo (coup leader). Instead of creating an atmosphere of understanding between politicians in Bamako to resolve our problem in the north, Sanogo still continues to create trouble in Bamako," said Maouloud Daou, who lives in Hombori, a city under the control of radical Islamists.
The 62-year-old Cissoko held a number of positions under the administration of longtime President Amadou Toumani Toure, who was overthrown by mutinous soldiers in March. Coup leader Capt. Amadou Haya Sanogo never relinquished control despite pledges to do so, and on Monday forces loyal to him arrested Diarra at his home.
Junta spokesman Bakary Mariko acknowledged that soldiers allied with the coup leader had detained the prime minister and now have him under house arrest. Mariko said Diarra was "not getting along" with either the interim president or Sanogo.
Two security officials, including a police officer and an intelligence agent, confirmed that Sanogo had ordered the prime minister's arrest.
On state television Tuesday, Sanogo accused Diarra of pursuing his personal ambitions rather than the good of the country.
"We didn't force him. We facilitated (his resignation). A few weeks ago, he himself told us that if we really wanted him to leave, that he would hand in (his resignation) but not to the president of the republic, nor to any other authority — only to us," said Sanogo. "Yesterday we realized that it was really necessary for him to resign. And it's for this reason that we brought him to Kati."
Diarra was initially seen as being in-step with Sanogo. Critics lambasted him for frequently driving to the Kati barracks to see the coup leader, long after Sanogo was supposed to have handed power to civilians. In recent weeks though, Diarra has taken stances that sometimes conflicted with Sanogo.
The new prime minister, Cissoko, won favor with Sanogo by giving him equal standing with the interim president and prime minister during mediation efforts to resolve Mali's political crisis.
The military's meddling in state affairs has concerned the international community. Many worry that supporting the operation will simply further arm and embolden the very officers responsible for Mali's current state.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland called Diarra's arrest a setback for Mali. "We need Sanogo and his brothers-in-arms to stay out of politics," she told reporters.
The U.N. Security Council threatened to impose sanctions against those blocking a return to constitutional order in Mali and called on the armed forces to stop interfering in state affairs.
The council is currently considering a French-drafted resolution that would authorize the training and deployment of a Malian-led force to oust al-Qaida and allied militants who have seized the north and call for political reconciliation and a roadmap for a political transition, including elections.
The United States has proposed amendments that would slow the military process, initially authorizing training but holding up on authorizing the deployment of Malian and African troops for a second resolution because of concerns that the soldiers lack training in desert fighting, council diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations have been private.
France's U.N. Ambassador Gerard Araud told reporters Wednesday the question isn't whether there should be one or two resolutions but to determine how the Security Council can best monitor the political process and the military force once it is deployed.
"I'm quite convinced we will have an agreement between us for next week," he said.
As for the Malian military's ouster of the prime minister, Araud said "it shows how much there is a crisis in this country, that we can't simply let the things going on because at any moment everything could become much more serious."
Associated Press Writer Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report from the United Nations


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Among the Texas Tech students helping record audio for our Lubbock days is Roxie Bustamante, who also recaps several sessions for us. Including this one:
It's not a problem unique to journalism. But what are journalists doing to fulfil a vital need for diversity?
Moderator Roger Witherspoon kicked off the session saying that environmental journalism is unique, because it encompasses all aspects of the news.
The panelists tackled segregation's sources. Zoning committees can purposely place different races in different sections of the city, which affects housing, general health, and has a long-term economic impact. This type of segregation started generations ago and still affects millions of people today.
Terry Greenberg, editor of the Lubbock Avalanche – Journal, said, "West Texas is behind in race relations." Greenberg continued by explaining that the content of the news should always reflect the community. Newsrooms may have gender inequality, but it's a bigger problem that races aren't equally well represented in them.
Many of audience members discussed the conflicts they have run to regarding diversity, including people of different races reluctant to talk to reporters, because they are of a different race or gender.
Another challenge with diversity may lie within the classroom. Some assert that journalism students are not being taught to look for ways to present diversity in their stories; others say they are. Aspiring journalists need to present stories reflecting their communities accurately.
In the end, Greenberg emphasized that documents are colorblind, factual, and can lead a journalist to a story. Journalists must have enough information on a story, to present to their editor, so their editor will want diverse stories that effectively represent a diverse community.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Response joins the Walt Disney Company's relief and rebuilding efforts announced by Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company
The Disney/ABC Television Group announced Tuesday that the national "Day of Giving," held on Monday, Nov. 5, which seamlessly integrated outreach messaging into programming across news, daytime, primetime, late night, owned stations, local affiliates, syndication, cable, online and stores, raised more than $16.8 million for the American Red Cross to aid those impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.
This unprecedented response joins The Walt Disney Company's existing relief and rebuilding efforts announced by Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company, which include a $2 million cash commitment to those severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy. One million dollars will be donated to the American Red Cross for immediate, critical assistance, and another $1 million will be designated for organizations working on rebuilding efforts. In addition, employee-eligible donations to organizations involved in disaster relief will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Disney Employee Matching Gifts: A Program of The Walt Disney Company Foundation.
Commenting on the announcement, Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, said "Our 'Day of Giving' was an enormous success, raising more than $16.8 million to help those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. From 'Good Morning America,' 'The View' and our owned TV stations to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' ABC Family, and Radio Disney, the Disney/ABC TV Group came together in an unprecedented fashion to address the storm's devastation, and I could not be more proud. But we didn't achieve this alone. ... The Walt Disney Company led the way with its initial multi-million dollar relief and rebuilding donation, and other divisions of our company, including Disney.com, consumer products and ESPN, joined in our daylong outreach. Working together, we achieved a response to these efforts that was so massive our colleagues with parks and resorts were asked to donate their time to help handle the dramatic increase in call volume. This success would not have been possible without everyone's support and enthusiasm."
Peggy Dyer, chief marketing officer for the American Red Cross, added, "The American Red Cross was thrilled to work with the Disney/ABC TV Group and The Walt Disney Company yesterday in an unprecedented fashion that will provide additional care and comfort for the families affected by Sandy. While the amount of money raised was impressive, their ability to drive the message into the hearts and minds of millions of Americans is truly breathtaking. We are deeply thankful that we were able to mobilize thousands of donations from Disney/ABC's viewers to help so many in need - the 'all hands on deck' effort by Disney/ABC TV made that a huge success."
The "Day of Giving" messaging was seamlessly incorporated into "Good Morning America," the eight ABC owned television stations and local affiliates across the nation, "The View," "The Chew," "LIVE with Kelly and Michael," "Katie," "General Hospital," "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," "World News with Diane Sawyer," "Dancing with the Stars," "Nightline," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," ABC Family, SOAPnet, Radio Disney, the Disney Stores, Disney.com and ESPN. Social media also played a huge role, as talent took to the digital space to raise awareness and much-needed funds.
In addition, Samsung partnered with the "Day of Giving," matching donations with a $3 million contribution.


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Class Year: 2018
Hometown: Hollis, MA
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Mathematics
Involvements on Campus: Colleges Of the Fenway Dance project, Chemistry Club, Gamma Sigma Epsilon, Research, Academic Resource Center Peer Tutor
Meet Krista, one of your 2017–18 Admissions Ambassadors!
Kelly was a public relations intern at Regan Communications Group. She graduated from Emmanuel College in 2017 with a degree in communication and media studies and management.
Shennah was a graphic design intern in Emmanuel College's office of marketing and communications. She will graduate from Emmanuel College in 2017 with a degree in communications and a minor in graphic design.
Maan is an area, people and culture intern at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Inc.. He will graduate from Emmanuel College in 2017 with a degree in business management with a language certification in Arabic.
Meghan is a resident assistant at St. Joseph Hall. She is studying english communications and will graduate from Emmanuel College in 2019.
Adam is an Art of the Americas intern at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. He will graduate from Emmanuel College in 2017 with a degree in graphic design with a minor in art history.
Kenny was a marketing intern at Liberty Mutual Insurance and World Sports Camps. He will graduate from Emmanuel College in 2017 with a degree in management.
Marwah was a clinical care technician/unit coordinator at Tufts Medical Center. She will graduate from Emmanuel College in 2018 with a degree in biology with a health science concentration.
Kelly was an editorial intern at BOSTON COMMON Magazine and Spotted Media and a copywriting intern at BIGfish Communications. She graduated from Emmanuel College in 2017 with a degree in english.
After earning their diplomas, Emmanuel graduates apply their talents at leading businesses, nonprofits and service organizations, as well as prestigious graduate programs.
Emmanuel is not only in the heart of the world's greatest college town—it is an integral part of one of Boston's most dynamic and growing neighborhoods.
The construction of a modern 18-story residence hall marks a historic step by Emmanuel to enhance the vibrancy of the student experience and to position the college to compete and thrive in its second century.
Emmanuel is a place where students drive the research behind scientific breakthroughs. Captain championship teams alongside fellow athletes who become everlasting friends. Gain valuable connections to companies and organizations that help them develop real-world skills and a strong resume.
There are no halfway measures when it comes to happiness: it drives from giving your all to the passions and pursuits that move you. You're ready to put your all into something bold and ambitious.


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King under the Mountain
The title taken by Thráin I, founder of the Dwarf-kingdom at Erebor, the Lonely Mountain, and maintained by those Kings of Durin's Folk who dwelt there. The line was broken twice, once by Thorin I (he and four generations of his descendants ruled from the Grey Mountains, not Erebor), and once by the dragon Smaug (who claimed the title for himself). In both cases, the line was restored to a rightful heir.
Kings under the Mountain
- Thráin I
- Thorin I
- (abandoned)
- Thrór
- Thráin II (in exile)
- Thorin II Oakenshield (briefly)
- Dáin II Ironfoot
- Thorin III Stonehelm