text:
As a professional sportsman Antrim's Mark Allen spends a lot of time away from his nearest and dearest.
The 26-year-old is due to tie the knot with local woman Kyla McGuigan in a lavish ceremony surrounded by family and friends.
The world's number eight, who has a daughter Lauren from a previous relationship, will also become a proud step-father to Kyla's son.
Due to his work commitments the couple is regularly separated for days at a time. Already this year, Allen has traveled to Blackpool for the Snooker Shoot-Out and to Berlin for the German Masters.
[Source: Antrim Guardian]
Speculation is rife that a lucky couple who scooped $670,000 on the Euromillions lottery draw may be from the south Armagh area.
The winning jackpot was sold in Watters shop at Annavackey, close to the border with Crossmaglen, and a popular lottery stop with locals.
The National Lottery confirmed that a young couple from County Armagh won the draw and has already come forward to claim their winnings.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]
The shamrock is the familiar emblem of Ireland, but these days the snowdrop might be a better one.
In full bloom by early February, the white flower offers a defiantly cheerful face in the bleak winter landscape. For a people still waking with anger, pain and regret from a ride on the Celtic Tiger, the snowdrop offers a lesson in humility, hardiness and hope.
Robert Millar, a 37-year-old plant geek, snowdrop lover and nurseryman in Carlow, refuses to let Ireland's slow economic recovery dampen his spirits. Earlier this month, he held a festival — a "gala" — that drew more than 100 other snowdrop fanciers from across the country to revel in a craze known as galanthomania, after the plant's botanic name, Galanthus.
[Source: Washington Post]
A man who received a 14-year sentence for possession of $8.7 million worth of cannabis more than seven years ago claims he is being wrongly denied a chance to get temporary release from prison.
Shane O'Rourke (34), New Inn, Enfield, County Meath, received a mandatory 10 years with another four years suspended in Naas Circuit Court in March 2007 arising out of the 1,500 pounds of drugs found in a container parked at the rear of a house between Enfield and Carbury in Co. Kildare, on August 23, 2005.
O'Rourke, a father-of-two who formerly operated a plant and tool hire business, has served his sentence in a number of prisons and is currently held in Loughan House in Cavan, which is a recognition that he has been of good behavior, his counsel John Fitzgerald told the High Court last Monday.
[Source: Irish Independent]
The West Clare Economic Task Force, which was formally established five years ago, is to be disbanded due to lack of interest from the agencies involved.
Last Monday's Kilrush Electoral Area meeting of West Clare's six county councilors heard claims that the task force didn't manage to create a single job since it was set up.
Electoral area chairman Bill Chambers told the meeting that a recent letter sent to the stakeholders, establishing their interest in remaining involved in the task force, had not elicited a single response.
"That's sad," Councilor Christy Curtin replied. "We had a full day of a task force review on September 14, 2012. I don't know what has happened, the report, it hasn't been made public. We all got a copy of it but I think it should be made public and I think we should join with the community and get on with phase two of the project," he urged.
[Source: Clare Champion]
A fight that took place between two teenage girls is being investigated by Gardaí (police) in Cork. The fight, which was prearranged, took place in Kinvara Estate in Ballyvolane on Friday, February 15, between two girls who are believed to be from both the north and south sides of the city.
Several videos of the fight were uploaded to video sharing site YouTube, although they have all since been deleted as such content contravenes YouTube's terms and conditions. The videos show the two girls fighting and surrounded by a large group of about 200 teenagers. The disturbing footage shows the two girls pulling each other's hair, as well as one of them kicking the other in the head.
[Source: Cork Independent]
The grieving family of a Derry man who died just hours after he was assaulted in the city center has appealed for the public's help in tracing his final movements.
Terry McCartney's body was discovered at his John Street flat at 10 a.m. on February 5.
Earlier that morning, at 2:50 a.m., Mr. McCartney was involved in an altercation with a group of men at Shipquay Gate, during which he was punched to the ground.
Police later said they were not treating his death as suspicious following the results of a post-mortem analysis.
However, the 42-year-old's heartbroken mother, Margaret, is urging members of the public to come forward with any information that can "help me come to terms with my son's death."
[Source: Derry Journal]
Shay Given hasn't given up on his dream of keeping goal for Donegal's inter-county footballers.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was a spectator at Celtic's Champions League draw against Juventus on Tuesday night, February 12, alongside Donegal manager Jim McGuinness.
"I've gotten to know him through the Donegal football team goalkeeping coach — Pat Shovlin — who said Jim would like to meet up with me at the Juventus game," Given write in his column in The Sunday Sun.
"So we met up in Glasgow and it was a really good night despite the result against Juventus. I enjoyed his company and we spoke a lot about sport. He's an intelligent guy who's really passionate about sport and it was interesting to hear his slant on various things."
[Source: Donegal Democrat]
A Newry man has pleaded guilty to possessing an "arsenal of weaponry."
Christopher McManus from Aileen Terrace, had been due to go on trial at Belfast Crown Court Wednesday, February 13, but instead, his lawyer requested that some of the charges be put to him again. McManus entered a guilty plea to six indictments: four firearms related and two terrorist-related charges.
The court heard the 56-year-old engineer plead guilty to possessing eight firearms, including one which was disguised as the removable handle of a walking cane. He also admitted to having a rifle, component parts of weapons, seven magazines and various ammunition including armor-piercing and "dum-dum" bullets, all with intent to endanger life.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]
The constant jangling of wind chimes in a neighbor's back garden was described by an 83-year-old last Tuesday as a deliberate act of cruelty against her and her husband.
Mary McBride, of 40 Villa Park Gardens, Navan Road, Dublin, told Judge Alison Lindsay at the Circuit Civil Court that next door neighbors Michael and Marian Hanway, who live at Number 38, would deliberately hang out several wind chimes at a time.
"It was torture," she said.
Barrister Pat O'Brien, counsel for the McBrides, asked Judge Lindsay for maximum damages of $51,000 against the Hanways, who are demanding a similar amount of compensation for bad neighborliness.
[Source: Evening Herald]
A Fermanagh community organization will be able to carry out energy saving improvements to its venue and save money, thanks to a grants windfall from the Big Lottery Fund.
Colaghty Orange Lodge 365, Ederney has been awarded a grant of $76,067 from the Big Lottery Fund's Energy Efficient Venues program towards improvements to their hall.
The group, which opened their hall in 1955, is in a rural area between Ederney and Lack and offers community activities, including bowls, social evenings and summer barbecues.
[Source: Fermanagh Herald]
A 42-year old accountant has gone on trial at Galway Circuit Criminal Court charged with sexually assaulting four schoolgirls over a 10-year period.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies 24 charges of sexual assault against the four girls, which are alleged to have taken place in a rural village between 1996 and 2006 when they were aged between five and 12 years of age.
Two of the victims, who are now aged 18 and 19 respectively, gave evidence on the first day of the trial last Wednesday.
[Source: Galway Bay FM]
A county councilor has told how she was "emotionally bullied" in the lead-up to a vote on marriage rights for gays.
Labour's Gillian Wharton-Slattery had to switch off her phone on Sunday, February 17, because she "couldn't take" another call criticizing her support for same-sex couples.
Councilors in Kerry last Monday supported the married mother-of-two's motion by an 18 to seven majority, becoming the 14th local authority in the State to support same-sex marriages.
[Source: Irish Independent]
Anti-crime texting schemes, which would help communities in Leixlip and elsewhere in Kildare, could be approved and up and running this summer, writes Henry Bauress.
Following requests from members of the public in Leixlip and the town's Joint Policing Committee heard on February 18.
Garda (Police) Inspector Paul Dolan told the J.P.C. public meeting at Newtown House last Monday that there was a report on the desk of the Garda Commissioner which is "awaiting approval."
[Source: Leinster Leader]
The first phase of the $2.1 million overhaul of High Street will begin in the next fortnight, scheduled to take place over an 11-week period until May.
It will involve new pavement, curbing and road surfacing from the Patrick Street junction to William Street junction.
The improvement works will also involve a reconfiguration of the junction at The Field pub, and the removal of the left-turning slip lane there – although this measure has not met with universal approval.
The works are part of Kilkenny City's much-vaunted "Medieval Mile" project.
[Source: Kilkenny People]
A Portlaoise man in jail for running a $1.5million cocaine factory whose finances are being investigated by the State has told the Circuit Court that numerous lodgments to his bank accounts over a period of almost two years were due to him carrying out carpentry jobs for cash.
John Troy (37) was one of three men convicted of running the drugs factory at Troy's property in Ballyknocken in 2005. When Gardaí (police) raided the house they discovered around 13 pounds of cocaine, which the men were in the process of cutting with mixing agent to turn into 22 pounds for sale. Paraphernalia including mixers, bowls, weighing scales and bags were also found on the premises. It was estimated that the drugs had a street value of $1.544 million.
[Source: Leinster Express]
A day that started in celebration for Allen Gaels G.A.A. club as they gathered to celebrate the memory of Tony McGowan ended in shock for the town of Drumshanbo with the sudden passing of Gerry Keane, described as "larger than life" by Club Chairman Sean Wynne.
Leitrim Club Player of the Year in 1991, Gerry Keane was one of those legendary players who come to symbolize their clubs, their dedication legendary and commitment to the club marking him out as one of those unsung local heroes who do so much for their communities.
Gerry won three Leitrim Senior Championship medals as a player in 1991, 1996 and 1997 and was part of the Allen Gaels management team who won two further titles in 2001 and 2002
[Source: Leitrim Observer]
A car salesman stole tens of thousands of dollars from his employer by selling cars off the books a court has heard.
Denis Curtin (42) of Woodview Park, Newcastle West, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft relating to offenses on dates during 2008 and 2009.
The total amount of money stolen by the defendant was $59,716.
Limerick Circuit Court has heard the defendant was employed as a sales manager at Liam Cleary's Car Sales, Eastway Business Park and that he was a "trusted" employee who had "full control" over the sale of cars at the premise.
[Source: Limerick Leader]
Gardaí (police) were last Tuesday night expected to arrest two suspects they believe viciously attacked a newly-married couple with a hatchet in Edgeworthstown on Sunday afternoon, February 17.
Up to half a dozen officers from the Gardaí's armed Regional Support Unit (R.S.U.) were drafted in to assist local Gardaí as part of a planned operation.
Both men, who are related and well-known to Gardaí, were last Tuesday evening being quizzed by senior Gardaí over the assault after Gardaí swooped on a house in the Lisnanagh area of Edgeworthstown.
Investigators have already spoken to the victims of the incident, which occurred two weeks ago in broad daylight at around 2 p.m. along the town's Main Street.
[Source: Longford Leader]
A 65-year-old local man who was arrested in a Garda (police) surveillance operation where they seized $227,000 worth of drugs had sentence adjourned for Judge Leonie Reynolds to obtain an up-to-date medical report on the accused.
Dundalk Circuit Court heard on Friday, February 15, that Francis McDonagh a father-of-three of Cocklehill, Blackrock, who was present in a wheelchair, became involved in what was described as a "one-off" venture into the drugs trade. He admitted a charge of possession of drugs for sale or supply.
He was apprehended when Gardaí monitored the movements of a co-accused as he traveled from Coolock. They nabbed the pair outside town and seized $227,000 worth of cannabis resin. They also found $40,000 cash in a boot of a car owned by the accused at his home.
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]
Gardaí (police) in Castlebar have interviewed a number of people as part of their ongoing investigation into the aggravated burglary at the home of Castlebar businesswoman Regina Sweeney earlier this month.
Ms. Sweeney was the victim of a second savage assault in her home/business on February 6. She was also the victim of a similar attack on December 1.
While no arrests have been made yet, a Garda spokesperson said they had interviewed a number of people who are "assisting" them with their inquiries.
The spokesperson said a "mammoth" investigation into the attack was ongoing and that "no stone is being left unturned."
[Source: The Mayo News]
Kells will receive a massive tourism boost in June when the world-renowned Hay Festival comes to town, bringing writers and book fans from all over the world.
Up to 10,000 visitors are expected to flock to the festival, and among the writers already confirmed are Booker Prize-winners John Banville and D.B.C. Pierre.
As reported in the Meath Chronicle last year, the home of the Book of Kells will host the three-day festival from June 28 to 30.
The festival will bring together the best of Irish, English-speaking and international authors and thinkers to celebrate the sharing of stories and ideas.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]
Two men being sued over the Omagh bombing have no case to answer, the High Court has been told.
Lawyers for Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly claimed the lawsuit against them should be thrown out due to lack of evidence.
Both men are defending an action over allegations they played central roles in the Real I.R.A. attack in August 1998.
Relatives of some of the 29 people killed in the atrocity brought proceedings against them in an attempt to have them held liable.
Murphy, a Dundalk-based contractor and publican, and former employee Seamus Daly, from Culaville, County Monaghan, were ordered to face a civil retrial after their appeals against being found responsible for the bombing were upheld.
[Source: BBC News]
Four Offaly students have been named as finalists in the fifth annual Doodle 4 Google competition.
They are now amongst 75 Irish students in with a chance of having their doodle displayed on the Google Ireland homepage for millions of people to see. Everyone in Offaly is now being urged to visit www.google.ie/doodle4google and vote for Conor, Darrell, Annie and Caoimhe.
The following students are among 75 regional finalists in with a chance of winning the competition: Conor Ryan (Group 3) from Scoil Bhride, Kilcormac; Darrell Lally (Group 4) from St. Brendan's Community School, Birr; Annie Nichols (Group 4) from St. Brendan's Community School, Birr; Caoimhe Mahon (Group 5) from Banagher College Collaiste Na Sionna, Banagher.
[Source: Offaly Express]
This was posted on the Off the Ball Facebook page recently, but just in case you missed it, it's worth another look.
Chris O'Dowd commented on the St. Brigid's man of the moment and all-around goalkeeping sensation, Shane Curran.
"He could save a penalty and he could score a 45, but at the same time he'd be just as happy to ride a bull into a church."
[Source: Newstalk]
It's bad enough for hard-pressed shoppers in the center of Sligo to have to pay for parking.
But if An Taisce has its way, shoppers using out of town car parks will also have to cough up.
The proposal is part of an effort to protect town centers.
But Sligo's mayor, Clr. David Cawley, is not impressed.
His solution: rather than penalizing people for shopping in out-of-town outlets, make town centers attractive enough to draw people in.
[Source: Irish Independent]
Gardaí (police) are appealing for witnesses following a two-car collision in Thurles, County Tipperary on Friday, February 15.
At about 10:40 p.m. a 22-year-old man was seriously injured when the car he was driving collided with a second car on the N75 at Rathmanna, Thurles. He was taken by ambulance to South Tipperary General Hospital with serious injuries, and later transferred to Cork University Hospital where he was pronounced dead late on Saturday night, Feb. 16. The driver of the second car (22) was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later discharged.
[Source: Tipperary Star]
Burgers have been recalled from local schools and hospitals in the Mid-Ulster and south Tyrone area amid the ongoing horse meat scandal.
Burgers were recalled two weeks ago from schools in the Southern Education and Library Board, which takes in Dungannon and Cookstown, and the North Eastern Education and Library Board, which takes in Magherafelt.
The Tyrone Courier has seen a letter sent by the Southern Education and Library Board to school catering staff members, instructing them to "quarantine" their stock of the burgers for collection by the supplier.
The letter, which was sent on Thursday, February 14, states that Henderson Food Service, the supplier of the Board's frozen food contract, "is withdrawing supply of burger items as a precautionary measure and is instigating a full product recall pending further assurances from the producer that there is no contamination of the products supplied."
[Source: Tyrone Courier]
A shopping complex developed a number of years ago at Rathculliheen, in Ferrybank, just three miles from Waterford City center has been placed on the property market at a fraction of its building cost.
Ross Abbey, which was built as a "substantial" neighborhood center, never actually opened its doors, and not one of the 13 units – varying in size from 900 sq. ft. to 10,500 sq. ft. – was ever occupied.
The entire complex located on a 2.35 acre site with parking for 80 vehicles has been put up for sale on the instructions of Tom Kavanagh, receiver and manager for KavanaghFennell.
The guide price for the entire property is $764,000, which, according to the selling agent Des Purcell, "seems extraordinarily competitive notwithstanding the current very difficult economic climate."
[Source: Waterford News & Star]
Scottish singer Paolo Nutini certainly won't forget his attendance at the 2013 Westmeath Hunt Ball in a hurry.
The chart topper, who was recording his new album at the Grouse Lodge Recording Studio outside Moate, was forced to come out and voice his opposition to blood-sports after he came under fire from animal rights activists for attending the Hunt's shindig in the Bloomfield House Hotel earlier this month with studio owner Paddy Dunning.
Activists bombarded the singer's Facebook page with critical messages after the Westmeath Examiner published a picture of him at the black tie event. Such was the level of the criticism directed at Nutini that he issued a statement on the social networking site – marked February 14 – letting his fans know that he "in no way supports fox hunting or any other type of animal blood-sports."
[Source: Westmeath Examiner]
The community of Ferns is in shock following the tragic death of local man who was killed in a road collision while out cycling last Monday. The man has been named locally as Martin Mimnagh of Boolnadrum, Ferns.
The collision, which is believed to have involved a 4×4 jeep, happened around 4 p.m. on the N30 at Ballymackesy, and the road was closed off for a number of hours afterwards to facilitate an exam of the scene by a team of forensic collision investigators.
[Source: Wexford Echo]
A U.S. bond market wizard named in classic book "Liar's Poker" is expected to buy the luxury Ritz Carlton Powerscourt hotel after the Wicklow venue went into liquidation Tuesday night, February 19.
The company behind the five-star, 200-room Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt Hotel was put into liquidation at the High Court after a 100-day examinership failed to save the business.
Liquidation could threaten almost 300 full-time and part-time staff members at the high-end venue.
[Source: Irish Independent]


text:
Expanded relationship to also further VeriSilicon SoC Application Platform for key vertical segments
SHANGHAI, CHINA AND CAMBRIDGE, UK – May 9, 2007 - VeriSilicon Holdings Co., Ltd. (VeriSilicon) and ARM [(LSE:ARM); Nasdaq:ARMHY}], today announced that Verisilicon has licensed the ARM926EJ-S™ processor. In addition to offering the ARM922TTM processor and the ARM7TDMI® processor, the licensing agreement extends VeriSilicon's ARM926EJ-S processor-based current offering to fully synthesizable capabilities and configurable cache systems, as an ARM® Approved Design Center. It also further strengthens VeriSilicon ASIC Turnkey Design capability in consumer electronics applications such as audio/video, voice and multimedia.
With this agreement, VeriSilicon will be able to directly provide customers ARM® technology-based designs for any foundry/process node.
VeriSilicon is a fabless ASIC design foundry focusing on providing best-in-class vertical platform solutions, system knowledge and services to help SoC customers go from chip specification to production. Customers can choose from a number of VeriSilicon design services such as chip specification, system software development, front-end and back-end design, and manufacturing services for a wide range of foundries. In addition to accessing the ARM7™ and ARM9™ family microprocessors, customers can also choose from VeriSilicon's V.Blox IP Library a rich, complementary assortment of IP products and services such as DSP offerings as well as high speed PHYs, analog and mixed-signal functional blocks for their SoC needs.
"VeriSilicon's extensive SoC offerings and advanced design capabilities will provide our customers and Partners significant product performance advantages across a wide range of devices," said Jun Tan, president of ARM China. "With this agreement, VeriSilicon will be able to increase its already large momentum in securing complex designs for high-growth markets such as mobile, consumer, and networking."
"We are very excited to expand our partnership with ARM and look forward to integrating these technologies as a part of our SoC platform offerings," said Dr. Wayne Dai, president & CEO of VeriSilicon. "By offering a complete range of ARM processors in our ASIC Turnkey Services, VeriSilicon can address the most challenging product need and provide ultra-competitive solutions at low cost and reduced risk."
About VeriSilicon
VeriSilicon Holdings Co., Ltd ("VeriSilicon") is a fast growing silicon solutions company providing products and services that enable customers to meet their chip design objectives, accelerate development programs and deliver market proven silicon products - on time and at lower cost. VeriSilicon specializes in providing expert design services, market leading ZSP® licensable cores and platforms, industry standard semiconductor IP and scalable ASIC turnkey services across a broad range of application markets, including multimedia, voice and wireless communications. VeriSilicon has design, operation and sales and support offices in Santa Clara, California, Dallas, Texas, Shanghai and Beijing, China, Taipei, Taiwan, Tokyo, Japan, Nice, France and Seoul, Korea.
For more information, visit www.verisilicon.com
About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from mobile, home and enterprise solutions to embedded and emerging applications. ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, graphics processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with the company's broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.
ARM and ARM7TDMI are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM7, ARM9, ARM922T and ARM926EJ-S are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc; its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; ARM Belgium N.V.; AXYS Design Automation Inc.; AXYS GmbH; ARM Embedded Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; and ARM Physical IP, Inc.; and ARM Norway AS.

subset: commoncrawl


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text:
|2009-06-24, 09:17
|Link #1
Last Engage
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Florida
|2009-06-24, 09:50
|Link #2
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: France
Age: 28
The adaptation is hardly a surprise, not long after CrossOver is released. I haven't had a chance to actively get into the games, so this should be a nice introduction, so long as the right studio's working on it.
...and the idea of getting yet another OP/ED set from Ayane and Asriel, respectively, makes me more than happy. I'm sure 5pb will have they say in who sings what for the anime too, so changes shouldn't happen... I hope. Midonin, I'm counting on you to post the theme song announcements whenever they appear!
|2009-06-26, 04:44
|Link #5
阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv168
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Belgium, Brussels
Age: 32
If they manage to fix the numerous and retarded issues of the original plot, that might be watchable: that is definitely a series that SHOULD NOT be a carbon copy of its original VN or it won't be pretty at all.
At least, another Opening from Ayane would satisfy me plenty (**** tears... pattern probably?)
|2009-06-26, 07:49
|Link #6
Lost in my dreams...
Join Date: Jun 2006
Age: 32
Can't say i am all that surprised - ever since i played the original VN, i thought it looked like something to be animated one day. That said, i am not sure how enthusiastic i am about it - the original premise had a fair bit of potential, but much like Klashikari, i found the story plagued by a lot of problems, and it degenerated a fair bit towards the end it in plot quality. Still, this should be fairly atmospheric to watch (at least at start), and if they actually do something to improve the story - all the better. At worst, i dare to hope for another wonderful OP single, as the game's opening was a treat to my ears . Things not worth looking towards to: the male lead, who makes all the other clueless harem leads look like insightful relationship counselors. Kakeru managed to reach new heights (or was it lows ...?). At any rate, we shall see what the anime does with it.
|2009-06-26, 19:47
|Link #7
Senior Member
This does not bode well for the anime then... God I am so sick and tired of these mail leads. They give you absolutely no reason to like them, nor to see why the girls would even give a damn about them.
|2009-07-14, 08:18
|Link #8
Miracle Man
Graphic Designer
Anime Scans
Anyone can translate what written there ?
|2009-07-14, 09:09
|Link #9
Last Engage
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Florida
Just the listing of the staff, some basic background info on the characters (nothing that Lass' website can't provide) and what basically amounts to "The game is getting animated!". Nothing overly important.
Except for the swimsuits, of course.
|2009-07-14, 11:17
|Link #10
~ You're dead ^__^* ~
Graphic Designer
Gin sama clone WHERE!!!!
In all seriousness though...I won't be putting too much hopes on this one since it reminds me of how Chaos;Head ended up as an adaption. Oh the horrors
|2009-07-14, 23:14
|Link #11
#1 in ♦YouR♦ ♥HuRt♥ ♂
Join Date: Aug 2006
Stopped watching the series after the first 6 episodes.
|2009-07-16, 12:15
|Link #12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PMB Headquarters
I am not sure what to expect..
Nowadays.. If a visual novel gets a 7th gen edition, there will most likely be an anime adaptation. A few good examples:
11eyes CrossOver (X360)
Clannad (X360)
Tears to Tiara (PS3)
Personally, I don't like the idea of the main characters to appear so young but I do realize that this is a popular trend. Oh well...
I am expecting the anime to be aired either next season or the one after it.
|2009-07-23, 08:52
|Link #14
Last Engage
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Florida
The primary cast went up at MoonPhase today, and just as I expected. It's the cast from the Xbox 360 version, which is in turn the cast from the original version. All voices will be as they were.
Who They Were/Are/Will Be:
Kakeru Satsuki: Daisuke Ono
Yuka Minase: Mai Goto
Shiori Momono: Emiko Hagiwara
Misuzu Kusakabe: Yuu Asakawa
Kukuri Tachibana: Noriko Rikimaru
Yukiko Hirohara: Oma Ichimura
Takahisa Tajima: Showtaro Morikubo
Three shows this fall with Mai Goto in a major role. (This one, Shin Koihime and Nogizaka).
|2009-07-24, 06:42
|Link #18
Last Engage
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Florida
Official site is up, with the anime versions of Kakeru and Yuka on the front page.
|2009-07-24, 09:21
|Link #19
The same director as Polyphonica?
We're doomed.
At least it'll have a good opening and ending... probably? I'll be giving the show a chance anyway, because it has the opportunity to minimise the tedious school bits that stopped me finishing the game in the first place.
|2009-07-24, 09:42
|Link #20
Last Engage
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Florida
The only predictions of doom to worry about are the ones Kakeru and company have to deal with. After all, if it hasn't aired yet, we can't declare it doomed or undoomed or Houndoomed in any way.
Edit: Ayane for OP, Asriel for ED once more. Huzzah!
Edit Edit:
Official anime promotion image
Last edited by Midonin; 2009-07-24 at 10:23.
|eroge, seinen
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A no-poaching agreement is exactly what its name entails: it's an agreement between two companies not to hire each other's current and/or former employees. Courts are not particularly happy with these kinds of agreements because they limit the freedom of employees to seek employment where they desire, and it also keeps the price of labour down. If an engineer working at Apple can get a better deal working for Google, but there's a no-poaching agreement between the two companies, the value of his labour is artificially being held down. Even if he applies for a job at Google on his own accord, his application will just be ignored.
The act of poaching employees is not illegal. If I see a competent employee working for a competitor, and I can offer him a better deal - higher function, better pay, more benefits, more freedom - I'm entirely within my right to do so. No-poaching agreements are designed to make it harder for employees to switch jobs by creating artificial barriers. This, in turn, could lead to price-fixing and reduced competition in the marketplace for both jobs and products.
As a result, the US Department of Justice investigated the no-poaching agreements in the technology industry. These weren't official, signed agreements, but rather, "gentlemen's agreements". However, several large technology companies agreed on a settlement to escape prosecution. "In 2010, Google, Apple, Adobe Systems Inc, Intel, Intuit Inc and Walt Disney Co's Pixar unit agreed to a settlement of a U.S. Justice Department probe that bars them from agreeing to refrain from poaching each other's employees," Reuters recalls, "The Justice Department and California state antitrust regulators then sued eBay Inc late last year over an alleged no-poaching deal with Intuit."
However, this wasn't the end of it. Five employees banded together as they felt that Apple, Google, Intel, and others entered into an "illegal conspiracy to eliminate competition for each other's employees and drive down wages". They're seeking class-action status and requesting damages that could potentially run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. The technology companies had filed requests to keep documents about the case secret, but judge Lucy Koh has denied parts of this request, meaning we now have access to a treasure trove of communications between the accused companies.
For instance, it seems Google's Eric Schmidt knew perfectly well that what the companies were engaging in was potentially illegal, as in an email Schmidt said that he wants this to be handled "verbally, since I don't want to create a paper trail over which we can be sued later?" Similarly, Intel CEO Paul Otellini states in an internal email about the gentlemen's agreements "We have nothing signed. We have a handshake 'no recruit' between eric and myself. I would not like this broadly known".
However, the most infuriating email exchange comes courtesy of Steve Jobs and then-CEO of Palm, Ed Colligan. Steve Jobs had a phone conversation with Colligan, in which Apple requested that a no-poaching agreement be set up between Apple and Palm. If Palm did not agree to this, Apple would file a patent lawsuit against Palm. After - most likely - consulting with lawyers, Colligan replied to Apple's threat in an email directly to Steve Jobs (the full email exchange is available at Scribd).
That said, I want to be clear that we are not intimated by your threat. Palm has a very robust portfolio of patents, having been in the handheld and smartphone business since the early 90's. In addition, Palm now owns the former Siemens mobile patent portfolio, most recently held by BenQ Corporation. This mobile computing and communications portfolio includes over 1500 patent assets, the majority filed in Europe. If you choose the litigation route, we can respond with out own claims based on these patent assets, but I don't think litigation is the answer. We will both just end up paying a lot of lawyers a lot of money.
Steve Jobs' reply to Colligan's email sent chills down my spine, and fully illustrate everything that is wrong about the technology industry today. Jobs basically states that the patents don't matter, because due to Apple's financial reserves, Palm's patents don't matter, strong or no. In other words, agree to the non-poaching agreement, or we'll sue you to death. It's all quite "magical".
It is not just a matter of our employees deciding they want to join Palm. They are being actively recruited using knowledge supplied by Jon Rubinstein and Fred Anderson, with Jon personally participating in the recruiting process. We must do whatever we can to stop this. I'm sure you realise the asymmetry in the financial resources of our respective companies when you say: "We will both just end up paying a lot of lawyers a lot of money."
Just for the record, when Siemens sold their handset business to BenQ they didn't sell them their essential patents but rather just gave them a license. The patents they did sell to BenQ are not that great. We looked at them ourselves when they were for sale. I guess you guys felt differently and bought them. We are not concerned about them at all. My advice is to take a look at our patent portfolio before you make a final decision here.
The sheer mafia-like feel of all this is stunning. Schmidt and Otellini want to avoid papertrails because they knew full-well what they were doing would have legal ramifications. Steve Jobs threatened to sue a small company - which Palm was at the time - into oblivion if Palm didn't agree to a likely illegal no-poaching agreement. By this point, anybody who still claims the patent system works as intended is not just delusional, but an actual idiot. This is not what patents were meant to do.
Of course, the people responsible for this - Jobs, Schmidt, Otellini, and others - have already escaped any form of scrutiny by agreeing to a (likely secret) settlement with the DoJ, but the people who were actually affected - the employees - have to fight expensive legal battles against the largest companies in the world, with the best lawyers and giant financial war chests.
As these documents show, this industry is sick. To its very core. These companies have become so powerful and so rich they essentially operate outside of the law. Even if their shady practices get investigated - as happened in this case - their lawyers make sure nobody gets in trouble, while smaller companies or individual employees are discarded like used toilet paper.
I'm pretty sure some will just call this "business" - but with that attitude nothing will ever change. This is not good for employees, not good for the market, not good for consumers, and not good for innovation, and thus, the progress of mankind. This must be stopped. I hope Koh elevates this to class action status, and that the affected employees get their hundreds of millions of dollars. It would be a drop in the ocean for these companies - further illustrating they essentially operate outside of the law, since punishments mean nothing to them - but at least it would set some sort of example.


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Married in Stages
Thinking it over in the light of the Supreme Court's history-making, family-honoring twofer of equality-enhancing decisions, I realize that my husband and I got married in stages. This could, I suppose, be true of any couple who end up at the altar; but I suspect that there's more to it in our case, and I think it's a gay thing.
After all, for the first 19 years of our relationship, we were not allowed the benefits and protections of marriage. When we finally could say our vows and have them mean something legally, it was a covenant with limited civil scope, recognized only in Massachusetts. In the nine years since then, the lonely toehold of family freedom has expanded to 12 states and the District of Columbia, with California set to regain marriage rights in as little as a month and a further two states distinct possibilities for marriage equality in the near future.
But even before then, our marriage was a long process -- starting with our incomprehensibly long courtship. Who, even among straight couples, meets in September and then does such a drawn-out mating dance that they don't get down to business until the following May? If it had been a sitcom, I'd have tuned it out mid-season.
Then there were the bumps, swerves, and jags along the road to simply coming out. (I know straights sometimes have to resort to hiding in closets when friends of their partners drop in, but it's especially irksome when you're a gay college student... who's in the closet to begin with... and who's then asked to, well, hide in the closet. And don't even get me started on the time when I was compelled to flee through the window of his dorm room.)
Five years into our relationship, he moved abroad for work. We spent a year apart. Were we together? Had we gone our separate ways? Things came into focus when he came back to the States to pay a visit. We were sharing a shower (listen, I'm from the desert; it's the eco-friendly thing to do) when he asked me to pass the soap, and followed that with, "With you marry me?"
I gave it some thought. "Will you marry me?" I rejoined.
"Then," I said, as I handed him the soap, "I will."
But marriage for us back (1990!) meant something very different from what it would mean fourteen years later, when we had returned to America and settled in Boston. As the date approached when marriage would come to America, landing like a latter-day Mayflower on the shores of Massachusetts, I broached the subject of legal marriage to my husband.
Not that we needed the state or a church or anybody else to tell us that we were married; we knew that for ourselves. But we had also tolerated a huge amount of anxiety, difficulty, and expense as an unmarried couple trying to deal with bureaucracies foreign and domestic during our years abroad. As a married couple, we'd never have had to deal with all of that. Civil marriage may not have changed a bit of the internal situation of our commitment and devotion, but it could, and would, have a huge effect on the externals: How governments, and acquaintances, and employers, and even family members looked at us, and the treatment they accorded us.
At first, my husband was dismissive of the idea. But then, as he made his way to work on a cold and snowy February morning in 2004, he had an epiphany and a change of heart. He phoned me on his cell; I picked up on our landline. (I'm happy to be at the forefront of social stuff, but I'm a bit of a slow adapter when it comes to technology.)
"Yes," he said.
So it came to be that on May 21, 2004, we gathered with friends and family from near and far and entered a very traditional marriage by saying our very traditional vows. I mean -- honestly, we didn't want to "change" or "redefine" marriage. We simply wanted to participate in it.
Now here we are, post-DOMA, post-Prop 8. In the eyes of the law, we are more married than we were a week ago. The federal government will no longer penalize us financially every year at tax time simply because we, unlike mixed-gender married couples, were shunned when it came to filing jointly. We won't be thrashed financially if it comes to inheritance issues, or spousal Social Security benefits. Bit by bit, we've been granted more complete entrance into the cathedral of civil marriage with all its privileges and protections. We're not there yet, but one day soon, perhaps we shall have achieved true and genuine marriage equality.
So, as I say, it's been a matter of becoming married by degrees. Our legal bond has developed in a manner not unlike the bond gay and lesbian families have established with this nation, which step by step has responded to our courtship -- the suit we've paid with all our winning charm and our most heartfelt arguments -- and become more and more wedded to the notion that, hey, we do kinda look good in a tux... so why should we be denied a place at the altar?


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Vestal, NY (WBNG Binghamton) It was the battle of the cans between Vestal and Binghamton High Schools.
Each school had two weeks to collect as many canned foods as possible. All of those items are now headed to the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW).
"It really couldn't come at a better time," said Mike Leahey, director of CHOW. "We're coming up on the holidays and a very long school break where a lot of students who stuffer with food insecurity -- they'll be at home without the breakfast and lunch the schools provides so this is going to directly affect them."
Vestal won the competition by collecting more than 1,900 cans with around 3,500 food items collected between both schools.
"For me personally, what makes it all worth while is that it's staying in the community," said Nathan Grossman, a senior at Vestal High School. "I think it's great that we can know it in our hearts that it can stay in the area and it's going to improve the lives of the people in Binghamton."
All of the food was loaded up on a truck on Tuesday and delivered to CHOW.
It will then be distributed to the 60 CHOW programs in Broome County.


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Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick says that David de Gea "kept us in the game" after playing a starring role in the Red Devils' 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The Spaniard was in superb form on Wednesday night, making several crucial saves, to give his side the upper hand against Jose Mourinho's men, and Carrick feels the young goalkeeper handled the pressure well.
|Manchester United are 9/1 to beat Reading 3-1 with bet365
"There is no bigger pressure cooker really than this stage of the Champions League and coming to a place like the Bernabeu," he told reporters.
"He was coming back home to Madrid as well, so there was an extra spotlight on him.
"Some of his saves kept us in the games at times. It just showed what he is all about."
De Gea has often seen his performances criticised since moving to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in 2011, but Carrick has backed his colleague to improve.
"It is never nice when people question you but that is natural at a club like Manchester United. You are always getting questioned and criticised. That is just how it is. That is fine. You have to deal with it," he added.
"He is a top keeper and he is only going to get better. To play at this club at such a young age and have so much on your shoulders, says enough on its own."Another youngster who impressed for the Red Devils in the Spanish capital was striker Danny Welbeck who netted the opening goal, who Carrick was pleased to see on the scoresheet.
"Danny was magnificent. He has all the attributes to be a top player but probably doesn't get the credit he deserves," he added.
"If the team is winning, who is scoring is not such an issue.
"As a Manchester lad, he loves the place. He is genuine and gives everything. He worked so hard again and I am delighted for him."


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One way to look at it is as the "property tax" election.
We refer to the April 9 Consolidated Election that's coming to a polling place near you.
Almost all offices up for election have to do with taxing bodies that get their share of your tax dollars each year from your real estate tax bill.
An exception is county government itself, whose representatives were elected in November.
If you review the list of governmental units on your tax bill, and compare them to a sample ballot for the April 9 election, you will see the names repeated:
• City government.
• Village government.
• Township government.
• Park districts.
• Public library districts.
• School districts.
• Community college districts.
• Fire protection districts.
All those governments take your tax dollars.
All those governments spend your tax dollars.
And many people who decide how that money will be spent will appear on the April 9 ballot.
Yet the people who make these important decisions often are selected by only a small percentage of the voting public.
In the last consolidated election in DeKalb County, in 2011, only 11.5 percent of the electorate – about 6,700 of the 57,800 eligible voters – showed up at the polls.
That doesn't make sense to us. It is our money these government entities are spending, after all, and almost all of it is being spent for local use.
Further, its incredibly easy to vote. Beginning today and continuing for the next 45 days, voters can cast a ballot in these local elections. Pre-election voting is available at the DeKalb County Legislative Center at 200 N. Main St. in Sycamore through April 8, and the polls will open on Election Day April 9.
In order to vote in the April 9 election, you have to be registered. Residents who are not sure of their registration status need to check with the county clerk. The last day to register is March 12 – less than two weeks away. Even if you miss that deadline, there's a grace period to register, which runs from March 13 to April 6.
People who register at that time must cast their ballot at the same time.
It has never been easier to vote, and although these elections might not have the glamor of the Presidential race, they have the potential to more directly affect our lives.


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In Internet,circulate the news that Miyabi Maria Ozawa meninggal(die) because HIV/AIDS. About that news,maybe true also maybe false.who do not know with Miyabi Maria Ozawa . Artist sexy famous through films heat (Blue Film). Who are not obsessed with the future beauty and a Very sexy body. At the sites download movies hot, he is one of the most downloaded AV Actress.
This could be bad news or even be good news for some people.Diva Sex in this newspaper has just died. Either news or gossip is correct, Miyabi tell the world died due to HIV / AIDS.
Maria Ozawa is one of the Actress JAV Idol, who was born on 8 January 1986 in Hokaido, Japan. Maria Ozawa has a beautiful face has made himself into a new icon in the world of adult films in this decade. Because Maria Ozawa so popular in Japan and even in Indonesia itself, make the name Maria Ozawa recorded more than google search on the name of President of Indonesia itself.
Miyabi is the artist who has many fans in the world.In order disappoint her fans, Miyabi always keep her appearance.She often do sports to maintain health and her stamina.Miyabi also often doing fitness in fitness center.Maria Ozawa always consume nutritious food such as fruit and vegetables . And one thing more important, Miyabi always perform routine health checks in hospital.
Miyabi success in the world 'slime' could not be separated from the women's desires to be successful.Although some opportunities in the interview he confessed to the scene difficult-porn scene with the man who is not be familiar.
As well as, artists and movie stars porno other Japan, Maria Ozawa is managed by a specialist production house film or porn is normal in an AV. The last few years, this Miyabi in a production specialist sexual violence such as rape and sexual harassment.
Body beautiful Maria Ozawa inherited from the mother blend elegance of the original Japanese with his father who came from France and the descendants of Canada.


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November 9, 2005
Planes of the 142nd Fighter Interceptor Group blazing across the sky over Hood River Friday will be just one part of the community's annual tribute to Americas veterans.
On the ground, the 11 a.m. ceremony will be firmly grounded with familiar faces as well as new participants.
Boy Scouts and the folks from American Legion Post 22 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1479 are the familiar faces, with their roles involving in recognition of the national colors.
Singer Arlene Allegre and her son, Mike Allegre, who will speak, are among the new faces to the event, along with trumpter Kate Brownback, who will close the service by playing Taps.
This year, as war in one part of the world creates ever-wider rifts in American society, it is more important than ever to pay tribute to the men and women who have served, and are now serving, in our military. They deserve our gratitude and respect.
Young National Guard soldiers stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan are soon to return home to Hood River, and this is the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Veterans Day touches us all.
If you can take the time Friday to come to the ceremony at Overlook Memorial Park at the junction of Second and State streets, you will experience an event that each year is filled with meaning.
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The PRX Flight Case for the PRX735 Speaker from JBL is constructed with 1/2" plywood. It has truck pack dimensions, and an 18mm caster board with four 3.5" swivel casters featuring black tread; two of which have lockable brakes. This case also features four PENN-ELCOM medium MOL recessed twist latches and four caster dishes on the lid for more convenient one-person handling.
This case is made in the USA.
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Modern Doll House and Furniture
We can't stop looking at the photos of the dollhouse that Joel – of the brand-new-but-destined-to-become-a-favorite blog Made by Joel – made for his two children. The simple, open design of the house and the chunky, tactile furnishings (how awesome is that shag rug?) make for a super-fun, highly playable toy.
Says Joel on his blog:
I'm sure I'll never stop making furniture for it. It's too much fun. Jack especially loves organizing and arranging the furniture. The guys in the family are playing with dollhouses and the girls are out riding bicycles. Nice.
See more photos, along with other fantastic kid-related projects, at Made by Joel. You can also check out Joel's non-kid-related art here.
(Images courtesy of Joel Henriques)


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Property heavily zoned for Industrial site -150 + or - acres - no Flood Zone. Excellent Industrial zoned property location. May be subdivided. Good property for larger industrial venture. 50 adjacent acres available to make a total of 200 + or - acres available for sale in one large contiguous tract. SEE ALSO B1213883, B1101495, B0903256
Living Area includes any square footage under the air conditioning. In these calculations, it is the gross house area, inclusive of walls. The Total Area will include porches, garages, balconies, etc..
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STAMFORD, Conn. — When Assistant Public Works Director John F. Canavan gathered his plow drivers on the morning of Feb. 6, 1978, Frank Fedeli said his boss scrambled to fit every available truck with plow blades to help clear roads during one of the most prolific blizzards in memory.
"It was like he declared martial law," said Fedeli, 60, the city's customer services supervisor. "We worked for something like 19 hours and then got a call back, and if anything the snow seemed to be picking up."
As the wind-driven snow continued to pile up, Fedeli and drivers were shuffled between using garbage trucks fitted with plow blades to clear the city's major streets and driving smaller, slower Diamond Reo trucks equipped with plows and sanders to clear side streets, he remembered.
As plowmen continued working for nearly 24 hours, high winds thwarted their efforts as the unusually fine snow blew back into streets, rendering them impassable almost as soon as they were cleared, Fedeli said.
(MORE: New Storm to Bring More Blizzard Conditions)
"Normally in a regular snowstorm a good driver will knock off a route in three and a half hours, but it was easily double that, because the ground was very slick and the truck was in low, low gear," Fedeli said. "And there was almost zero visibility."
Former area officials and those who experienced the Blizzard of 1978 — 35 years ago last Wednesday — remember the prolonged storm for its nearly two days of continuous, heavy snow which ground life to a halt.
Between the morning of Feb. 6 and the afternoon of Wednesday Feb. 8, the storm dumped 18 inches of snow in Stamford and flooded homes in parts of Shippan and the Cove late Monday. Overnight Monday into Tuesday, about 40 volunteers assisted in evacuating residents of Tupper Lane, Soundview Avenue, Weed Avenue and Chestnut Hill.
"There have been snowier winters, but that was the biggest single storm I can remember," said Pat Standaert, a city resident who has run a weather data station at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center since the 1960's. "As far as a single storm goes, that was the one."
After heavy snow began early Monday morning, Mayor Louis T. Clapes declared a state of emergency in Stamford, with wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour creating blizzard conditions, according to news reports.
Later Monday, Gov. Ella T. Grasso followed suit with her own emergency declaration, effectively closing schools and state and local offices and businesses. By late Monday, Grasso also shut down the state, issuing a ban on traffic on state and local roads, including Interstate 95 and the Merritt Parkway, for all but public safety and road clearing crews.
In some parts of the Northeast, hurricane-strength winds created towering snow drifts and abnormally high tides damaged homes and beaches.
Dan Warzoha, Greenwich's emergency management director, recalled the chaos and severity of the monstrous blizzard. Warzoha was working in the sewer division of the Greenwich Department of Public Works at the time, and also as an assistant chief with the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company.
"We knew there was going to be a snow storm, but we didn't know how bad the intensity would be," he said. "It started snowing, and it kept coming."
As the blizzard heaped snow upon Greenwich and lashed its shoreline with ferocious winds and high tides, Warzoha worked around the clock for four days straight.
He recalled the frenetic atmosphere at the firehouse, which was fully staffed and deploying trucks with seven or eight firefighters to tend to the needs of the town as conditions rapidly deteriorated.
When he wasn't working with fire crews, Warzoha was administering to some of the town's key pieces of infrastructure, which were stressed to the breaking point.
"I remember literally climbing over the barbed wire fence of the Grass Island treatment plant," he said. The road to the plant had been flooded out, and large chunks of ice from Long Island Sound were washing ashore.
Compounding the town's woes were failing pump stations in Old Greenwich and additional slabs of ice washing up in residential neighborhoods, crowding yards and blocking roads, Warzoha said.
"The Shorelands section took the biggest pasting," he said, adding that some firefighters, who were drenched with water during rescue efforts in flooded-out areas, had to be taken to the hospital with hypothermia.
The water was so high in some places that a propeller of a rescue boat suffered damage as it cut through the roof of a parked Volkswagen, Warzoha said.
(MORE: Tornado Threat Looms Across the South Sunday)
Residents also resorted to desperate means to try to extinguish fires.
"There were guys literally throwing snowballs at fires," Warzoha said.
That storm prompted the elevation of many homes in the area — homes that survived later storms because they were raised, Warzoha said.
"It was a winter hurricane," he said. "It was a pretty crazy event."
Mauro Loparco, now 76, who ran a Greenwich business collecting garbage and plowing driveways and parking lots, said in a previous interview with Greenwich Time that the 1978 blizzard was the single worst storm he could remember.
Loparco, who also remembered the Dec. 26, 1947, nor'easter that buried the town under 26.5 inches of snow, said not even that storm compared to the Blizzard of '78.
In Greenwich, police found few drivers intrepid enough to venture out in the face of Grasso's ban, but were kept busy getting doctors and nurses to and from Greenwich Hospital for their shifts and carrying those in need of medical care to the facility.
In Norwalk, an estimated 200 people were evacuated from their waterfront homes because of flooding, according to news reports.
On a statewide basis, volunteer aid during the storm was also pivotal in assisting state authorities protecting the safety of residents, said Grasso's former press secretary Larry deBear. With more than 400 owners of four-wheel-drive vehicles answering the call to patrol state highways for stranded motorists, carry patients for treatment at hospitals and other tasks.
"That was an important factor in there not being any loss of life on the state highways because Gov. Grasso was very concerned about people being stuck on the highways," deBear said. "We knew that we were in for a bad storm and we got ready and attacked the storm on a number of fronts."
The storm was also a breakthrough for the National Weather Service's forecasting skills, lending credence to the somewhat fledgling and unproven use of computer driven numerical analyses to forecast the size and track of storms, said Louis W. Uccellini, director of the National Centers for Environmental Protection, a division of the National Weather Service.
The successful forecast of the storm was considered a milestone, and helped drive technological advances that have increased the potential ability of meteorologists to track the approach of a major storm from 12 to 24 hours to nearly a week out today, Uccellini said.
"The predictability limits that were accepted for predicting major storms was still just 12 to 24 hours even into the mid-1970s," Uccellini said. "One of the reasons this storm was so intriguing to meteorologists is that it was like tripling the level of predictability that we had."


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Despite the uncertainties of global economic conditions last year—a downgrade in the U.S. credit rating, political gridlock in Washington, Europe's lingering debt crisis, as well as falling home prices, and higher oil quotations--the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to end the year up 5.6%, thanks to a 12% increase in the fourth quarter. The broader-based S&P 500 Index closed unchanged for the year, while the NASDAQ and the Russell 2000 Index lost just 1.8% and 5.4%, respectively.
As per usual, investors, faced with economic and political uncertainty throughout the year, turned to safer haven in high-quality bonds and gold, as well as convertible bonds and preferred stock. But the drag on stocks during the months between June and November resulted in disappointing results for convertible investors. In fact, the average convertible showed better results in the fourth quarter (up 2.6%) after two consecutive negative quarters. The index ended the year down 3.9%, compared with a gain of more than 17% in 2010. The Value Line Arithmetic Index* lost 6% in 2011.
Our Especially Recommended convertibles fared somewhat better, gaining 7.3% for the fourth quarter and finishing the year up 4.6%. All Rank 1 convertibles, as a group, gained a small 1.2% in the final quarter, but finished up 2011 with a loss of 2.5%. Meanwhile, Especially Recommended rank 1 convertibles rose 10.0% in the fourth quarter, and 6.2% for the year.
As the underlying common stocks lost value, so did warrants recommended during the year. For the fourth quarter, they lost almost 11%, and for the year, they shed about 46%.
Our Methodology for Selecting Recommended Convertibles
Each pricing period, our proprietary model assigns a rank, 1 (Highest) through 5 (Lowest), to convertibles whose underlying stock is ranked by either The Value Investment Survey or its sister publication, The Value Line Investment Survey Small and MidCap Edition. From the list of Rank 1 convertibles, we cull issues that meet or surpass certain required criteria to be recommended for purchase. To be selected, an issue, besides being ranked 1, must possess the following attributes:
1. A current yield advantage over its underlying stock, except in cases of zero coupon bonds or warrants.2. Favorable leverage, meaning that the security is expected to participate to a greater degree in an increase in the underlying common's price than in a decline of similar magnitude.3. Some degree of call protection, or is not a likely call candidate for redemption.4. Fairly liquid for easy trading.
Note: Illiquid issues are sometimes listed on our Especially Recommended table because previously liquid issues can become illiquid, and, therefore, difficult to trade. Too, as holders convert or companies repurchase outstanding notes, issues that were once considered liquid become illiquid. Still, although illiquid issues are listed on our Especially Recommended table, we suggest investors avoid them.
Recommended convertibles are categorized into four different risk groups based on Relative Volatility--an internal indicator of the level of risk in holding a convertible vis-à-vis its underlying common stock. The relative volatility of the stock is a measure of how risky that stock is in relation to the median stock in The Value Line Investment Survey universe of more than 1,700 stocks, and the over 1,800 stocks in The Value Line Investment Survey Small and MidCap Edition. Our High Risk group consists of warrants only, and has the highest profit potential. The Above Average Volatility group carries convertibles with Relative Volatility of 95% and above, with above-average profit potential. The Modest Volatility (moderate profit potential) group has convertibles whose Relative Volatility is between 65% and 90%, and the Low Volatility (modest profit potential) group has convertibles whose Relative Volatility is 60% and below. Higher returns are expected from convertibles in the Above-Average Volatility group than those in the Modest Volatility group. So too are convertibles in the Modest Volatility group expected to outperform convertibles in the Low Volatility group.
Performance Results of Recommended Convertibles and Warrants Ranked 1 and 2
Group performances were mixed in the fourth quarter and for the year. For the short period, convertibles in the Above-Average Volatility group posted a gain of 7.8%, those in the Moderate Volatility group, 3.5%, and the Low Volatility group, 8.0%. For the year, the Above-Average group lost 9.6%, while the Modest and Low groups posted gains of 0.1% and 7.0%, respectively. Warrants lost 10.9% in the fourth quarter, and finished the year down 45.6%.
Performance Results of Recommended Ranked 1 Convertibles and Warrants
Our Especially Recommended Rank 1 convertibles portfolio (including warrants) posted a gain of 9.7% for the fourth quarter, and 2.9% for the full year; Rank 1 warrants gained 23.1% in 2010. Without warrants, the convertibles portfolio gained 10.0% in the fourth quarter, and 6.2% for the full year compared to 19.1% in 2010. Meanwhile, all convertibles ranked 1 in our Survey, as a group, posted a return of 1.2% for the quarter, but lost 2.5% for the year. In 2010, the group posted a gain of 21.3%.
By volatility groups, the Above-Average Profit Potential group performed the best posting a gain of 20.1% for the quarter, and 4.0% for the year; the Modest Profit Potential group, 4.1%, and 1.9%, respectively; and the Low Profit Potential group, 10.3% and 8.3%, respectively. The group with warrants lost a mere 0.4% for the quarter, and 38.4% for the full year.
Convertibles are defensive in nature, which becomes evident when their underlying common stocks are caught in a downward spiral. Downward trending equity markets reduce a convertible's value, but a convertible tends to fall less then its supporting common stock. The Value Line (Arithmetic) Index*, as well as the broader-based Russell Composite 2000 and NASDAQ, all suffered greater losses than the average convertible in 2011.
Our results serve only as an indication of how investors would fare following our recommendations at the quoted trading levels. As we depend on outside sources for quotations on these convertibles, these prices may not be available when investors act on our recommendations. Moreover, commission costs and other expenses are not taken into consideration in our calculations.
While past results are no guarantee of future performance, Value Line's Convertible Ranking System has proven effective over the years. We remain confident that our proprietary model will continue to discriminate effectively among our universe of convertible securities, giving subscribers an edge in the convertible market.
At the time that this article was written, the author did not have any positions in any of the companies mentioned.


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The original Darksiders literally came out nowhere in 2010. A new IP born from a relatively new developer and supported by a conservative marketing campaign, Darksiders managed to quickly stand out in the market and make a name for itself for being a solid game.
The next chapter
Featuring a unique graphic style and enjoyable action RPG gameplay, Darksiders quickly became a cult hit before growing into a mainstream darling. As a result, expectations for the sequel have been high ever since the game was first announced.
The good news is that Darksiders II is just as good, if not better, than the first instalment. The game forgoes the War character in the first game to focus on Death, who comes with his own set of moves and abilities.
The original Darksiders was known for its sharp difficulty curve near the end of the game and sometimes confusing level design, and the developers seem to have taken the feedback on board to make the game a bit more well rounded and accessible than before. Darksiders II has a higher level of polish overall, and it shows in all aspects of the game, from the fluid combat to slick presentation.
- Darksiders II sports a more varied colour palette than the first game, as well as detailed environments and impressively scaled boss fights.
- Level progression and puzzle solving is enjoyable from start to finish. With a long single player campaign, Darksiders is guaranteed to last for many hours as well.
- The game comes with an atmospheric music score that helps set the scene. Sound effects are impressive, but the real star is the impressive voice acting carried over from Darksiders.
- Controls are quite tight and responsive overall, leading to satisfying battles in-game.
- Not that many outdoor environments, so most of the in-game progression takes place in underground caverns.
- Mastering the camera controls during combat can be a bit tricky at first.
Bottom Line
It is not often that well produced action adventure games such as Darksiders come along, especially in the middle of the year outside of the Christmas season. Do yourself a favour and go on an adventure with Death to stop the apocalypse.


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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Murray State races into the Eblen Center Monday night on a three-game winning streak, looking to knock of host Tennessee Tech in an East versus West match-up. The Golden Eagles are 1-2 in their past three games and need to play well to win a key game in Ohio Valley Conference action. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
Tennessee Tech (11-9, 5-2 OVC) vs. Murray State (12-7, 5-3 OVC)
Monday, Jan. 28, 2013
7:00 p.m. CT
Hooper Eblen Center - Cookeville, Tenn.
The Broadcasts
TV: none
Radio: Fox Sports Radio, 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: OVC Digital Network (Brandon Goodwin)
Live Stats
Setting the Stage
The Golden Eagles are back in the win column thanks to a dominating performance over Austin Peay Saturday. Tech is pitted against West rival Murray State, who is entering the contest hot off a three-game winning streak. Both teams have five wins over conference opponents but the Racers' wins include wins over UT Martin and Eastern Illinois, two teams the Golden Eagles have fallen two by 10+ points.
A Glance at the 2012-13 Golden Eagles
In four of its last five games, Tech has shot 50+ percent from the floor. Thanks to Tech's high percentage offense the Golden Eagles have acculumlated a 5-2 conference record. In the Golden Eagles last time out, seniors Kellie Cook and Jala Harris lit up the arc shooting a combined 12-15 from behind the three-point line. Cook hit 7-straight three's, only missing her first and last attempt.
Harris finished with 17 points and eight assists, just shy of her first double-double. Tech has only had one player turn in a double-double performance this season, in an exhibition game against Lee University Nov. 5.
For the past three games, the Golden Eagles have had three players score in double-figures, but Tech is only 4-4 with three players scoring double-digits, and just 1-3 in conference action. The key to the Purple and Gold's success is a balanced attack which can come from a number of guards. In the past four games, Tech has had four different leading scorers.
The anchor to the Golden Eagles is three-point shooter Lashay Davis. Davis has led the team in three's made seven different times this season, shooting at a 37.3 percent clip from behind the arc.
The Golden Eagles are still searching for consistency in the post, but thanks to a break-out game by Mariah Dean and Candace Parson against UT Martin, head coach Jim Davis adds depth to his bigs. Sophomore T'Keyah Williams continues to lead the Golden Eagles with 5.4 boards per game, and junior Molly Heady adds 4.7.
As a team, the Golden Eagles average 65.8 points, 6.5 tres, 34.6 rebounds, 12.6 assists, 7.9 steals and 2.4 blocks per game.
A Look at the Racers
Murray State has won three-straight games in conference action, and are 4-1 in their last five games. In those past five games senior Mariah Robinson and Erika Sisk have averaged a combined 34.2 points per game, averaging 17.6 and 16.6 points per game respectively.
The Racers are averaging 68.1 points, 6.2 threes, 43.3 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 9.9 steals and 2.8 blocks per game.
Head coach Rob Cross is in his fifth season at Murray State.
Series History
This will be the 73rd meeting between the Golden Eagles and the Racers. Tech leads the series 58-14, and is 34-3 in the Eblen Center. The Racers also have five wins over conference opponents including wins over UT Martin and Eastern Illinois, two teams the Golden Eagles have fallen two by 10+ points.
The senior class is 4-2 against the Racers. Last season the Golden Eagles went 1-1 in a home and away series, losing at Murray State 76-72, but downed the Racers 88-51 in Cookeville.


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Clear Lake Area Writers Meeting
Invitation from Google Calendar
You are receiving this email at the account firstname.lastname@example.com because you set a reminder for this event on the calendar Clear Lake Area Writers.
You can change your reminders for specific events in the event details page in https://www.google.com/calendar/.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Reminder: Clear Lake Area Writers Meeting @ Sat Aug 11 10am - 12pm (Clear Lake Area Writers)
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text: I have just finished my M.A in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art and thoroughly enjoyed it. I consider myself an illustrator and I work for a company called 'Creative Minds' who take art and craft sessions to older adults and adults with learning disabilities. The following entries are my drawings and musings. All images are copyright of Kerina Strevens. Please contact me on my website kerinastrevens.co.uk.


text: "I barely know what to say," she writes on her Facebook page, Tuesday. "I've been hiding a show injury and chronic pain for some time now, [and] over the past month it has worsened. I've been praying it would heal. I hid it from my staff. I didn't want to disappoint my amazing fans. However, after last night's performance I could not walk and still can't." The pop star, 26 – whose Twitter page explains that she has a case of synovitis, which is severe inflammation of the joints – was forced to postpone two concerts in Chicago, one in Detroit and one in Hamilton, Ontario. "I hope you can forgive me, as it is nearly impossible for me to forgive myself," the rest of her Facebook post says. "I'm devastated & sad. It will hopefully heal as soon as possible. I hate this. I hate this so much. I love you and I'm sorry."


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This event occurred in the past
USD Welcomes Pulitzer Prize Winning Author for 25th Annual Nathaniel L. Nathanson Memorial Lecture
This event occurred in the past
Date and Time
- Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
Mother Rosalie Hill Hall, Warren Auditorium
Pulitzer Prize winning author Jack Rakove will discuss "The Poverty of Public Meaning Originalism"
The lecture will critically discuss the currently fashionable, "public meaning" theory of constitutional interpretation which suggests that the best way to reconstruct the original meaning of the Constitution is to imagine how a somewhat neutral but informed and literate observer would have read the language of the constitutional text.
Watch the lecture.
Jack Rakove is the William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies, and professor of Political Science and (by courtesy) of Law at Stanford University, where he has taught since 1980. He studied at Haverford College, the University of Edinburgh, and Harvard, where he earned his Ph. D. in 1975. His major fields of research include the political history of the American Revolution, the origins and interpretation of the Constitution, and the career and thought of James Madison. He is the author of five books, including Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution, which won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1997, and Revolutionaries: Inventing an American Nation, which will appear next spring. His edited works include Interpreting the Constitution: The Debate over Original Intent, and The Unfinished Election of 2000. He has written numerous op-eds on constitutional issues for such newspapers as the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune, and recently authored historians' amicus curiae briefs in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld and D. C. v. Heller. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, and was also the historical consultant on the PBS sponsored cartoon series, Liberty's Kids. He lives on the Stanford campus with his wife, Helen, an attorney in San Jose.
In 1997, Rakove won the Pulitzer Prize for History for Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution (Alfred Knopf, 1996), which cast serious doubt on whether originalism is a viable theory of interpreting the Constitution. He is also the author of The Beginnings of National Politics: An Interpretive History of the Continental Congress (Alfred Knopf, 1979), James Madison and the Creation of the American Republic (revised edition, Addison, Wesley, Longman, 2001), and Declaring Rights: A Brief History with Documents (Bedford Books, 1997).
The University of San Diego School of Law is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider and certifies that this activity is approved for one hour of general credit.


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If re Pilate all we had were Josephus we would have good grounds to consider Pilate historical for the following reasons:toejam wrote:
With no Philo or Pilate Stone, we would still have Josephus and the gospels to verify Pilate's existence beyond reasonable doubt, yet neither of those sources were contemporary.
- Josephus is writing in a genre that is compatible with an author's intention to communicate what we think of as historical events of the past;
- The contents of Josephus's writings can in key respects be confirmed by archaeology;
- The contents of Josephus's writings are in key respects also confirmed by other independent writings;
- We therefore (on the basis of the above three factors) can find reasonable grounds to place general trust in those details in Josephus that cannot be confirmed in the above ways;
- Our trust in Josephus is always balanced against our knowledge that he was writing according to the norms of ancient historiography which did allow for myth at times to be considered valid historical past and especially relied upon what "seemed would naturally have happened" to justify a good story.
In the case of the gospels, however, none of the reasons we accept Pilate's existence from Josephus's writings apply.


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A traditional shawl with a damask inspired lace pattern
Finished measurements: Width: 74" / 188 cmLength: 31" / 78.5 cm
Yarn: 2 skeins SweetGeorgia Yarns Merino Silk Lace (765 yds / 700 m per 3½ oz / 100 g skein; 50% Merino Wool, 50% Silk) in Raspberry
Needles & Notions: Size 3 US / 3.25 mm circular needle, 32" / 80 cm long Size US E-4 / 3.5 mm crochet hook for provisional cast on, waste yarn for provisional cast on, stitch markers
Gauge: 24 stitches and 36 rows = 4" / 10 cm in Chart 2 pattern after blocking
Construction Notes: Beginning at the point, this traditional shawl is worked outward to the largest part of the triangle. The edging is worked after and joined to the body as it is knit. The pattern includes both written and charted instructions.
This is a pdf download, not a mailed pattern. An email with a link to download will be sent to the same email used for your paypal account. These links expire after 3 downloads or 100 hours (whichever comes first).
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Modus.Ponens wrote: Wow. It was actualy easier to prove that you're wrong than I thought it would be. Without pali arguments (which would be similar to me giving you a lecture on Lie groups without you even knowing what topology is and demanding that you understand what I'm saying), you have no argument. Basicaly, as I have seen in many different discussions on many topics, when you need to have a technical discussion of the pali involved it means that those who are starting those pali arguments don't have a sound argument in the first place. The Buddha spoke informaly in the suttas. He didn't speak with absolute rigor, which, only then, would make a technical pali discussion necessary. If you can't put it in english, your argument is most likely null (as is the present case).
If you think this non-sequitor will not be called out as eel-wriggling, you're sadly mistaken. My inability to understand topology does not mean that the subject and propositions advanced must be reduced to the dumbest level, so as to cater simply to my inability. It just means that I should stay out of topological conferences, instead of pretending that a pop digest of the science should dictate how the subject is to be understood.


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The last time I went to Santini I got stuck in the lavatory. I tried shouting for help but the loo is a long way from the restaurant area: up some stairs, along a corridor, through a pair of double doors. Nobody could hear me.
I rifled through my pockets, but no mobile phone. I thought I'd wait, but nobody else in the crowded restaurant seemed to feel a need to relieve themselves. I looked out of the window at a car park, but it was deserted.
I was resigned to a long wait when a lonely motorist drew up outside. When she got out of her car I started to shout and gesticulate. It took a long time to convince her that the head poking out of the top-floor window belonged to someone sane. She listened to my pleas, went around to the front of the building and alerted the staff, who came upstairs and let me out.
There are many restaurants where such a traumatic experience might put you off for life; but not Santini, where such malfunctions are probably rare. Gino Santini , the patron, sits by the door, keeping an eye on everything, often in company with one, if not both, of his glamorous manageresses, Paula and Prisilla.
Gino opened the restaurant in 1984, bringing with him his chief chef Giuseppe, and both are going strong. The cooking is timeless Italian – lots of pasta and fish, with a distinctively Venetian accent. Santini used to be Frank Sinatra's favourite place when he came to London, and Robert De Niro ate here too. The more worldly and sophisticated type of Italian football manager is to be discovered eating at Santini – as was Terry Venables.
I regarded pasta as a stodgily inferior substitute for bread until I discovered this restaurant. Giuseppe's is light and alluring. His pasta e fagioli (pasta and bean soup) is an unbeatable starter, but the pièce de résistance is tagliolini al granchio, made with fresh, hand-picked Cornish crab.
This was the choice of my companion, an army officer who was just off to Afghanistan. Not normally sophisticated about food – nor, for that matter, anything else – he reserved his highest form of praise for his tagliolini: "bloody superb". I grabbed a large forkful, and then another. The combination of flavours, the lightness of the pasta, the faintest hint of chilli, made it magical. It was so good that it made my fusilli al ragout di Vitello Bianco – a white wine and tomato sauce with veal – seem boring, which it wasn't.
I have been coming to Santini in the course of my not specially onerous duties as a political reporter for a number of years. This is not solely because of the food and the warm Italian welcome I always get from Paula and Prisilla. It makes me feel at ease. There are quite a number of restaurants around Westminster where inevitably one finds oneself sitting next to rival columnists or political editors, each with their own MP or cabinet minister, all looking earnestly proprietorial and writing notes. We eye each other, try not to listen to each other's conversation and can't help but form assessments of who is doing what to whom. With the rise of social media, these lunches nowadays often get instantly publicised through Twitter. It's not healthy, or good for business, and it makes lunch rather a strain.
But Santini is a proper, old-fashioned place. People do not, I guess, come here to lunch as much for business as for pleasure. The atmosphere – plus Paula, Prisilla and Gino in the corner – raises the tone.
My friend said: "It's a bit Starsky and Hutch," meaning that it exuded an air of the Eighties. And it is true that Santini conveys the mood of an era of civilised opulence, when Italian culture was more self-confident than it is today. It would come as no surprise to find the industrial magnate Gianni Agnelli or the film star Sophia Loren at the next table. But Silvio Berlusconi would be hopelessly out of place. Roberto Mancini, the admirable Manchester City manager, would fit in comfortably, but his appalling compatriot Mario Balotelli would definitely not.
In summer, Santini opens out on to a garden, where eating out on a sunny day can be blissful. Some politicians, mainly Conservatives, do drop in. The Prime Minister ate at Santini a few months ago, and so did Baroness Thatcher. Boris Johnson pays a visit from time to time. But I don't think my lunch has ever been disrupted by a rival, meaning that I can exchange confidences in peace, and get my nose stuck into the grappa afterwards.
Not on this occasion, however, because I have given up drink for January. At most restaurants abstinence is rather a strain, with everyone shouting at the top of their voices and moderate food that demands alcohol to make it taste better. At Santini the atmosphere is more civilised and the food so delicious that even mineral water tastes good.
Besides, my army officer friend – possibly conscious of six months of impending abstinence – was drinking for two. After a while he became so coarse and boring (at least to my ill-tempered sober self) that I skipped the pudding – the lemon sorbet is always delicious – and called for the bill.
Matthew Norman is away
Santini, 29 Ebury Street, London SW1W 0NZ. 020 7730 4094; santini-restaurant.com
Meal for two with wine, about £100


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March 06, 2014
Beware of financial pitfalls that you've set for yourself. Strengthen all your relationships by understanding motivations of others. Spend time at home. Enjoy what you already have. Soul Affirmation: Often it's not what I say but the way I say it that gets the message across. Lucky Numbers: 4, 6, 47
Don't expect to win every battle, especially with your lover. This week winning is losing. Backing down is winning. Shyness produces a bold result. It's easy to collect that long-standing debt. Soul Affirmation: I keep money on my mind this week.
Lucky Numbers: 18, 25, 39
Possibilities of hearing good news about home are greatly expanded. Savor the news rather than thinking about other annoyances. Travel is on the horizon. Plan the trip this week. Soul Affirmation: Jewelry reflects the beauty of my feelings about myself.
Lucky Numbers: 26, 44, 52
Feather the nest. Stock up on stuff for the long haul. Cement relationships. A friend needs your support. Enjoy giving it. You will receive good news about a pal. Soul Affirmation: Cheerfully handling what comes at me is the test of who I am.
Lucky Numbers: 13, 22, 31
Be cautious and conservative with money. You are extremely witty this week. Allow others to enjoy your good humor. Your leadership skills are very high, and others will follow. Soul Affirmation: Luck is my best friend this week.
Lucky Numbers: 14, 20, 44
This is a good time for you to seek agreement on a plan that involves a relative. Take the time to remind your lover how much you care. Get a little sentimental if you have to. Don't be too critical of that softer side of your personality. Soul Affirmation: Self confidence is the key to my success this week.
Lucky Numbers: 2, 9, 19
You've made your point. Now wait. Wait for the feedback about the impact it had on the people around you. Be careful of those who don't celebrate with you. They feel the impact and are resisting the positive effects. Soul Affirmation: Before goodness can come I must expect goodness.
Lucky Numbers: 5, 16, 23
Be sharp! All of your needs will be met in indirect ways. Gifts will come from unexpected sources. They will be carefully packaged to go unnoticed. Unwrap everything and look inside. There will be empty boxes, but there will also be a prize in an unanticipated situation. Soul Affirmation: I look for the good in all that comes to me this week.
Lucky Numbers: 3, 10, 41
Push. Now is a good time to push. Your energy is higher than ever. Someone might get offended, but you can't please everyone. Hire a pro for something that you planned to do yourself, especially if a expertise is involved. Soul Affirmation: Success is mine because I feel successful.
Lucky Numbers: 5, 7, 12
Review your "to do" list again. You may need to slow down to discover something that you didn't realize while you were in the flow of events. Your lover is going to be a little difficult to understand. Soul Affirmation: To live is to love
Lucky Numbers: 5, 16, 23
Back off if an argument arises. You're probably the one who is too busy. Forgiving yourself is often harder than getting someone else to forgive you. Go easy on yourself. Soul Affirmation: Two hats fit well on my big head.
Lucky Numbers: 3, 20, 32
Make a special effort to spend all week with your lover, husband or wife. Your sense of the importance of relationships is keen and this is a good time to strengthen your passionate partnership. Take your lover to a party. Devote attention. Soul Affirmation: Change is my middle name.
Lucky Numbers: 12, 51, 52


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Posted on May 4, 2012
I knew this would happen, of course. Response to Wednesday's blog, in which I tried to explain the principles behind our Biography section, brought forth a certain amount of comment, most of which ran along the lines of the remark of the lady who said, "I see my problem. I was trying to figure out your system, but now I see you simply don't have one."
I was preparing to snap back with a withering reply, but she went on, "I guess I'll just have to look at every book in every section to find what I want."
Feeling that my vile plot had at least succeeded to that extent, I was able to move on. If the confusion my explanations cause is profitable, I shall go on to tell you about a couple of other categories.
(I may go on to define each of our categories for you, but don't despair. All you need do is print out these explanations, put them in alphabetical order, fit them into a looseleaf binder, and then forget to bring them with you to the Book fair. Given the number of customers who each year forget to bring their glasses with them to the Book Fair, this will not be difficult.)
The Classics section confuses a few people every year. They expect to find Charles Dickens and James Fenimore Cooper and all the other characters from their old deck of Authors cards in it. But Classics here refers to the works of Classical Greece and Rome: Herodotus, Sophocles, Plato, and those other chaps. It also includes books about the great Greeks and righteous Romans, and books about their world generally. Most people are content with this, but I do always get complaints from people who feel the works of ancient Babylon or early China should be included, as belonging to the same time period. I'm sorry, but China was never part of the Roman Empire.
I also get a few remarks from people who would not read Aristophanes if you paid them. "Why even bother to have a category for something real people won't buy?" We do manage to sell between ninety-five and one hundred percent of the books in that section every year, so I guess we just have a lot of customers who aren't real people. I always suspected as much, but it's nice to have these things confirmed.
The Books and Authors category just drives some people nuts. One otherwise sensible person once asked me, "That's the category where you throw everything you don't know what else to do with, isn't it?"
Um, no. It's a category for books about books and books about authors. I thought you might pick that up by reading the sign. We mix literary criticism with biographies of authors and discussions of publishing and bookselling. So you can get a life of Robert Browning here, or an analysis of the narrative style in Browning's poems, or a catalog of rare Browning items, or a book about Thomas J. Wise forging rare Browning items.
I explained this once to another volunteer, who asked, "But what if it's a book about things browning wrote for magazines? Shouldn't you call it Books and Magazines and Authors?"
Some people think WAY too much. I think this was the same person who put books about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer into religion. (See, the books take place at Christmas, and Christmas is a religious holiday, and…. Maybe next week I'll go back to blogging about Smurfs and banana boxes.)