Courtesy Dominic Hobbs of WoW.com

Create Soulstone: The cooldown on this spell and duration of its buff have been lowered from 30 minutes down to 15 minutes. Cannot be used in Arenas.

I’ve always felt that the cooldown on this ability was rather long, and it’s nice to see it’s being shortened to bring it in line with the fact that instances these days are much shorter and faster than they used to be. More wipe recovery is good, no?

Affliction

Improved Drain Soul: This talent now reduces threat by 10%/20%, up from 5%/10%.

There have always been issues with Warlock threat, whatever Blizzard have said, and hopefully this will address some of them. The main problem is often that we can’t simply just let our dps drop to 0 to prevent any threat being generated, as our DoTs will continue to tick. Obviously this problem is therefore especially apparent with Affliction, which relies heavily upon DoTs, and so 20% less threat from two points in this talent will help out the spec quite a bit.

Improved Felhunter: This talent now also reduces the cooldown on the felhunter’s Shadow Bite ability by 2/4 seconds.

The developers are pushing quite hard for the Felhunter to be viable again (so Affliction will use it instead of the Succubus or mana battery Imp) and allowing the puppy’s main attack to hit more often – leading to increased damage – is a good way of doing it.

Shadow Mastery: This talent now also increases the damage done by the felhunter’s Shadow Bite ability by 3/6/9/12/15%.

As above – the more damage done by the pet, the better. Whether or not we’ll see the Felhunter become the de facto Affliction pet again I’m unsure, but it’s certainly going to be more of an option.

Demonology

Decimation: Redesigned. When Shadowbolt, Incinerate or Soul Fire hit a target that is at or below 35% health, the cast time of Soul Fire is reduced by 20/40% for 8 seconds. Soul Fires cast under the effect of Decimation cost no shards.

Right, wowee, some major changes happening here. So the current effect needs SB or Incinerate to hit a target at 35% health or less to activate it. This will be the same with the new effect, except Soul Fire will also proc it, which is nice. However, the current effect will reduce the cast time of the next Soul Fire by 60% (assuming two points), whereas the new effect will reduce the cast time of the spell by 40% for 8 seconds.

What this means is you’ll be able to cast more SF spells per proc – the number depends on your haste – meaning more dps per proc, despite the relatively slower casting times compared to the current effect. I would also assume that casting SF then refreshes the effect, so you can just keep going and spamming it, providing you don’t have to move or do anything else for more than 8 seconds. I haven’t tested this on the PTR, but if correct, we can say goodbye to the weaving technique of mixing SB and SF, and hello to constant SF spam under 35%. It’s simpler, but less interesting. Of course, we still don’t get charged any shards for Decimated SF spells.

Demonic Pact: This talent now also increases the warlock’s spell damage by 1/2/3/4/5%.

A simple buff to give us some more damage, since we Demo Warlocks are often bullied into speccing into this by our raid leaders for the bonus to raid dps, and it’s only right we should have some personal gain.

Molten Core: Redesigned. This talent now increases the duration of Immolate by 3/6/9 seconds and provides a 4/8/12% chance to gain the Molten Core effect when Corruption deals damage. The Molten Core effect empowers the next 3 Incinerate or Soul Fire spells cast within 15 seconds (Incinerate: increases damage done by 6/12/18% and reduces cast time by 10/20/30%; Soul Fire: increases damage done by 6/12/18% and increases critical strike chance by 5/10/15%). Molten Core now has a new spell effect.

Another pretty large change to dissect. The effect today (with 3 points) gives our Shadow and DoT spells a 15% chance to increase the damage of our Fire spells by 10% for 12 seconds. Lots of numbers there, but lots more coming up. So the new effect is firstly going to give our Immolate spell a longer duration – this is nice; more dps for less mana usage and less time casting. The next part of the redesigned effect will give our Corruption spell a 12% chance to trigger MC; we therefore have less chance of proccing it, as it can only be from one spell and the % chance is less, although admittedly it’s a spell we should all have up anyway.

When we do trigger it, instead of a bonus to Fire damage, we’re going to get a reduced cast time and more damage on the next three Incinerate spells cast in 15 seconds. Alternatively, we get more damage and crit chance on the next three SF spells within 15 seconds. Obviously you can cast either spell and get the respective effect, up to three times. What this change means for you in terms of dps depends on the fight really, but I suspect in general it will be a dps increase when the effect procs – the downside could be its chance to proc, which is less than it is now, as mentioned. It does definitely mean that we need Corruption up when we’re Decimating under 35% however, for the SF bonuses.

Destruction

Conflagrate: Redesigned. This talent now consumes an Immolate or Shadowflame effect on the enemy target to instantly deal damage equal to 9 seconds of Immolate or 8 seconds of Shadowflame, and causes additional damage over 3 seconds equal to 3 seconds of Immolate or 2 seconds of Shadowflame. In addition, the periodic damage of Conflagrate is capable of critically striking the afflicted target.

This is a nerf unfortunately, but let’s be fair, Conflagrate was getting pretty crazy, especially in PvP. The fact that the DoT damage (which only lasts 2-3 seconds) is a slight relief, but it looks like you Destruction folks will just have to spec Demo live with it.

Destructive Reach: This talent now reduces threat by 10%/20%, up from 5%/10%.

Similar to the threat reduction given to Affliction really.

Ruin: This talent now also increases the critical strike damage bonus of the imp’s Firebolt spell by 100%.

More dps from the pet favoured by most Destro Warlocks in PvE, whilst not increasing damage in PvP too much. This is simply balancing.

Pets

Avoidance (passive): Now reduces the damage your pets take from area-of-effect damage by 90%, but no longer applies to area-of-effect damage caused by other players.

More balancing of PvE with PvP – your pets will die far less often to those nasty bosses, but still will be killable by those nasty players.

Doomguard/Infernal: These pets now innately have Avoidance like all other warlock pets.

Again, just a balance to bring these pets on par with the regular ones.

Inferno: The cooldown on this summoning spell has been reduced from 20 minutes to 10 minutes. Cannot be used in Arenas.

Good for those few of us who use this pet to finish a fight with, or for if you need a really quick AoE stun, as we can now use it more often.

Shadow Bite: This pet ability now does 15% increased damage for each of the warlock’s damage-over-time effects on the target.

Summon Imp: This ability is now available from the trainer for level 1 warlocks and no longer requires a quest to learn.

Glyphs

Glyph of Life Tap: The effect of this glyph now has a chance of activating when Dark Pact is used.

While you should always be proccing this with Life Tap, because it’s frankly better and doesn’t prevent your pet doing damage, it will be nice to proc it “by accident” when you do use Dark Pact.

Glyph of Quick Decay: This glyph allows for the warlock’s haste to reduce the time between periodic damage effects of Corruption.

A thrilling new glyph which looks set to help Affliction back up from the bottom of the spec pile, having this will allow your Corruption to tick faster according to haste, so while the effect will run out faster and require renewing, your dps should increase as it literally is more damage per second. Expect to need to make some changes to your Affliction rotation to allow for more regular refreshing of this spell.

Bug fixes

And to finish, a whole swathe of bug fixes…

Conflagrate: This spell will no longer benefit inconsistently from the talents Emberstorm and Improved Immolate, as well as the Glyph of Immolate and Tier 9 set bonus. Just as for Immolate, all stacking percentage increases will be applied additively instead of multiplicatively (+10% and +20% make +30% instead of +32%). In addition, Conflagrate used with Shadowflame will now scale properly from spell power.

Curse of the Elements: Rank 4 has been increased to 11%, up from 10%.

Drain Soul: This spell now deals 4 times the normal damage for all ranks. Previously it was only ranks 6 and above.

Glyph of Conflagrate: Now updates the tooltip of Conflagrate to remove reference to Conflagrate removing an Immolate or Shadowflame effect on the target.

Glyph of Siphon Life: This glyph will now modify the tooltip on Siphon Life correctly.

Glyph of Unending Breath: Now updates the tooltip on Unending Breath to indicate it increases swim speed.

Hellfire: Dealing damage to another player with this ability will now put the Warlock in combat.

Improved Shadow Bolt: This talent no longer causes a bug that removes all resilience from pets.

Soul Link: Damage transferred via this ability can now be prevented by damage absorption effects.

Suffering (Voidwalker): Ranks 5-8 had the incorrect taunt radius of 5 yards and have all been adjusted to a 10-yard radius.

Overall, it’s pretty good, and where it’s bad, it’s needed for balancing. I’m looking forward to testing the new Demonology changes in particular, and expect a report once 3.3 hits as to how everything is working. For detailed information on how the different raiding specs will perform with these changes, see the WoW.com article here.

Feel free to comment on anything I’ve missed or gotten wrong with regard to the changes. Also, what are you looking forward to most?

Vel.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. . . (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).

While growing up, my dad was an interim preacher for many churches. We traveled with him, and sometimes would hear the same sermon for weeks. One of his favorites was entitled “Beginning to Sink”, based on the story of Peter walking on the water to Christ. Dad focused on one’s eternal future and dying. Now however, I relate the story to living.

Initially, Peter had enough faith to step out of the boat into the crashing waves, blowing wind, and darkness. Rather than viewing his situation from an earthly perspective, he looked with eyes of trust in and love for the One towards whom he walked. But when his eyes were drawn away from Christ and toward his surroundings, he lost his faith. The moment that happened, his fears became reality.

I am much like Peter. When I take my eyes off Christ for even a moment, I begin to sink. I look at others and am envious. I remember my past and grieve. I think of the present and despair. I look toward the future and am afraid. I lose my faith. Faith is total trust in God, believing that He is good, and that His plans for me are the best even now in my life of trials and pain.

Christ has said He will never leave me or forsake me. He is upholding me with His victorious right hand. He is greater than the one who is in the world. He is a God who works wonders. He is accomplishing His purpose for me. When I keep my eyes focused on Christ and his promises only, I too experience His miracles: endurance to press on during pain and discouragement, strength to touch others despite my weakness, enjoyment and refreshment in the midst of struggles. He surely is worthy of my complete faith and trust, and will keep me from sinking.

Prayer: Lord, give me a steadfast faith that will not waver, fixing my eyes on You alone. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bronlynn Spindler is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and lives in Fredericksburg, VA. God’s grace and strength give her the ability to deal with chronic back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com
or contact her at spindler@cox.net.

Sun is the brightest star in our solar system and has always been of great significance in both religion and astrology. A major influence in any natal chart, sun takes a back seat in Horary as the all mighty Goddess in our art is Moon. However, it maintains some critical importance in delineating horary charts as, besides being a possible significator or a ruler of a house, sun also has some unique attributes based on its very nature.
The strongest and most unlucky is combustion.

Combustion is the worst possible debilitation in any horary chart. Naturally, it is one of the main considerations in Horary. Lilly wrote:

And you must know that the combustion of any planet is the greatest misfortune that can be

and he mentions Arabs insisted on the obscure:

If the Lord of the Ascendant be combust, neither question propounded will take, or Querent be regulated.

Sun is hot and dry. Excessively hot. He burns every other planet that happens to be too close, even the moon. Any planet within 8 degrees and 30 minutes the Sun, in the same sign, is considered combust. It doesn’t alter its meaning if the conjunction is separating or applying (though is somewhat more powerful when Sun “hastens in conjunction” than when it recedes. It matters if they are separated from a sign cusp; combustion works ONLY if it is happening within a sign.
Keep in mind that sometimes, if the other planet is strongly dignified and has power over the sun (like being its domicile dispositor), it softens the impact.

Any planet suffering combustion, is rendered weak at the very best, downright malicious at worst.
The combust planet is extremely weakened, or shows mischief (especially in the case of Mercury), or shows “inability to be seen or heard”, or shows death, health detriment and so on, depending on what the planet being combust signifies and what matter the question is about. The fortunes lose their power to do good and the infortunes are rendered either weak or more malicious depending on their dignities.

If moon, without being a main significator is in combustion, gives a “not fit to be judged” chart, or gives a negative answer (the later especially if it is applying). You can go ahead and read the chart but you already have a red alert that something will go south.

If the querent’s significator is combust, is in “great fear”, overpowered by someone and/or hidden. I will add that, the querent may also find themselves facing some danger or trouble and upheaval.
If we ask about someone’s ability or dignity and his significator is combust, we can judge he is not good or suitable or honest.

“Is this lawyer a good one?” with his significator combust -> No, he is too weak or a swindler.
“Is she honest with me?” with her significator combust -> No, she is hiding something.

If you care to investigate further you will find out that there is dispute on the exact degrees of combustion but here, I will use Lilly’s choice of 8º30′ degrees. You can also find articles and books about the use of combustion in natal chart delineations.

“So, what if I ask a love horary and Sun is my sweetheart’s significator and my own significator is applying a conjunction to sun? Isn’t this combustion? Am I in danger?”
Yes it still is combustion and no, no danger here, but you are burning hot about your sweetheart, rendered weak due to your love and perhaps in fear of losing him/her. If though, in addition to that conjunction, moon is in Via Combusta, I would be cautious.
Context and common sense are important.

© 2009 All rights reserved – Με επιφύλαξη παντός νόμιμου δικαιώματος

Depuis un moment, Dana White semble faire la paix avec ses ennemis.

On a pu entendre les insultes se lancer d’un côté comme de l’autre entre Tom Atencio (regarder le vidéo), président d’Affliction, et Dana White. Une fois la promotion de galas de MMA signé Affliction ont cessé, Dana White a fait la paix et à invité à nouveau la compagnie de t-shirt à faire leur promotion via les fighters et les galas de la UFC.

Tito Ortiz et son mémorable t-shirt avec la mention : «Dana is my bitch» (regarder le vidéo), donne une idée de la tension entre les deux hommes. Le combat de boxe organiser entre Dana et Tito ne s’est finalement jamais réalisé. Il faut croire qu’ils ont réglé leur compte d’une autre façon et ainsi s’entendre pour effectuer le retour de Tito avec la UFC.

Finalement, au nombre de fois que Dana White à déclarer que Kimbo Slice était sans talent (regarder video) n’était qu’un bagarreur de bbq, qu’Urijah Faber 145 lbs vaincrait sans l’ombre d’un doute le gros de 205 lbs. Ce n’est sûrement pas avec sa performance contre Roy Nelson que Kimbo Slice a convaincu White qu’il avait le talent qu’il faut pour faire partie de l’organisation du UFC.

Évidemment, Dana White n’a jamais prétendu à ce titre d’homme de paix, mais on se doute fort certainement que finalement, malgré toutes les choses qu’il peut dire contre une personne, l’homme d’affaire est prêt à changer son fusil d’épaule une fois une bonne affaire $$$ est flairée.

The term “haute couture” is French for “high sewing”, and has for 150 years referred to exclusive tailored Parisian clothing. Somewhere along the line, the abbreviated version of the term gained favour, with “couture” custom-fitted clothing being produced in fashion capitals such as New York, Milan, London, and Tokyo. Recently, the bogan has become aware of the prestige cachet of couture, and it wants in.

A decade ago, some forward-thinking clothing companies identified the ability of the couture concept to fleece buckets of cash out of the bogan female who wanted to feel an affiliation with high fashion. In order to neatly package the idea for the bogan though, there needed to be an anglicising “zazzing up” of the term, similar to the “All Berry Blast” beverage at Boost Juice. Ironically, the first major example that appeared was “Juicy Couture”, an American label that sold mass-produced velour tracksuits at department stores. The “couture” term allowed an astounding price premium to be applied, and the endorsement of Madonna cemented the brand at the top of the new female bogan “want” list.

The cat was out of the bag; the new way to double the amount that a bogan was willing to pay for clothing was to incorporate the C word into the brand name, and the potential to pitch to the bogan male also became apparent. The actual meaning of the term had been completely lost by this point, and the bogan just interpreted it to mean “fancy”. The increasingly chronic boganisation of the term has continued through to the present day. Low quality “fight branded” clothing for bogan thugs now even contains the word “couture” plastered across it (in reference to a wrestler), in a font that makes them feel like they have Ben Cousins’ Ned Kelly slogan tattoo across their stomachs.

At this point, the bogan male is able to enter the nightclub in his “XTREME COUTURE” gear, which eloquently portrays his nuanced understanding of his embodiment of not only brutal power, but the refinement of 19th century bespoke Parisian tailoring.

Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson will face interim champion Gilbert Melendez in a five-round rematch at Strikeforce “Evolution” on Dec. 19 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

The bout, which will unify the promotion’s two lightweight titles, had been twice scheduled and cancelled due to injuries sustained by Thomson in 2009.

Thomson’s shutout decision over Melendez in June 2008 is considered one of the high points of the San Jose fighter’s career.

As a 3-to-1 underdog, the American Kickboxing Academy product established confidence with the Pride Bushido star early, and actively used lateral movement to keep Melendez at bay throughout the 25 minutes. The loss marked only the second in the highly touted Melendez’s career, and solidified what many suspected of the Thomson’s potential in the lightweight division.

In his last performance in September 2008, Thomson, 31, made quick work out of an overmatched Ashe Bowman in a non-title bout, cutting down the Lion’s Den prospect in only 74 seconds at Strikeforce’s second event at the Playboy Mansion.

Melendez earned the interim title with a second-round technical knockout of Rodrigo Damm in April 2009. The voracious 27-year-old wrestler defended the title in August when he demolished Mitsuhiro Ishida with strikes inside three rounds. Melendez also holds key victories over standouts Clay Guida and Tatsuya Kawajiri.

Thomson-Melendez II joins a previously announced roster that includes a main-event middleweight bout between Cung Le and Scott Smith, as well as the promotional debut of Muhammed Lawal against Mike Whitehead at heavyweight.

Strikeforce “Evolution” will be broadcast live on Showtime.

Do not even such things as are most bitter to the flesh, tend to awaken Christians to faith and prayer, to a sight of the emptiness of this world, and the fadingness of the best it yield? Doth not God by these things (ofttimes) call our sins to remembrance, and provoke us to amendment of life? How then can we be offended at things by which we reap so much good?…. Therefore if mine enemy hunger, let me feed him; if he thirst, let me give him drink. Now in order to do this, (1) We must see good in that, in which other men can see none. (2) We must pass by those injuries that other men would revenge. (2) We must show we have grace, and that we are made to bear what other men are not acquainted with. (4) Many of our graces are kept alive, by those very things that are the death of other men’s souls…. The devil, (they say) is good when he is pleased; but Christ and His saints, when displeased.

John Bunyan

Our whole life under the Gospel should be nothing but thankfulness and fruitfulness. But oh! take heed therefore of turning the grace of God into wantonness. The honor, grace and authority of the Gospel all require that we should deny all ungodliness, and worldly lust, and live righteously, and soberly, and godly in the present world. Therefore, when we find ourselves tempted to act otherwise, instantly we should think – oh! this is not the life of a Christian under the gospel. The gospel requires a more fruitful, a more zealous conduct, more love to Christ.

We have oftentimes occasion to bless God more for crosses than for our comforts. There is a blessing hidden in the worst things to God’s children, as there is a cross in the best things to the wicked; to the saints there is a blessing in death, a blessing in sickness, a blessing in the hatred of our enemies, a blessing in all losses whatsoever. Therefore in our afflictions we should not only justify God but glorify and magnify Him for His mercies, that rather than we should be condemned with the world, He will graciously take this course.

It is the peculiar wisdom of a Christian to pick arguments out of his worst condition to make him thankful; and if he be thankful he will be joyful; and so long as he is joyful he cannot be miserable, but happy.

Richard Sibbes

Meditations in Job : 64. God of Correction

Job 36:5,6 God is mighty, but does not despise men; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose. He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights.

Elihu is aware that he is giving a long answer to Job: “Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.” (v.2)  He believes that what he has to say comes out of his relationship with the Lord: “I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker. Be assured that my words are not false; one perfect in knowledge is with you.” (v.3,4) His knowledge comes from the Lord and he will show that God is just, for God is here to make it clear.  Then he makes the declaration we have in our verses above, that although God is great He doesn’t look down on men. He is true to His nature, true to His purposes for the earth – He will disregard the wicked and bless those who are in need. He comes to bless the righteous: “He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.” (v.7). He purposes to exalt them.

But then there are those who are suffering because of what they have done: “But if men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, he tells them what they have done– that they have sinned arrogantly. He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.” (v.8-10) He comes to them and points out the reason why they are like they are; He brings conviction with the objective of bringing change to them: “If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.” (v.11)  Yet, He will not force them and so, “if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.” (v.12)

The reality is that there will always be those who refuse to heed Him: “The godless in heart harbour resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help. They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines.” (v.13,14) They have no one to blame but themselves, for those who have an open heart will heed Him for He speaks to them, calling to them: “But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.” (v.15)  What is He doing?  “He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.” (v.16)  i.e. He is trying to draw you to a place where you can face the truth about yourself and be set free.

But not everyone will let God do that: “But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you.” (v.17) This appears to be directed at Job. Read it carefully though. He’s suffering from the judgment that is usually reserved for the wicked and has become the focus of a whole argument about judgment and justice. This doesn’t necessarily mean that he has been judged, just that he’s in a place where he’s suffering in the same way as those who are judged. A fine distinction!

In this place of suffering it is easy for our thinking to be distorted and we can be vulnerable to temptations, so Elihu warns him, “Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.” (v.18) i.e. in your thinking, don’t let the thoughts of riches, of the life you’ve known in the past, bring you into wrong thinking. Don’t even think that a bribe could get you out of this. No, don’t even let your mind go in that direction; money can’t help in this sort of situation: “Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?” (v.19) No, nothing of what you have known in the past can help here.

Don’t let your imagination wander to getting back at others who are less fortunate than you when no one else can see: “Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes.” (v.20) Elihu has heard Job scrabbling to make sense of what has happened, almost coming to the end of himself and the end of his righteousness, so he gives him a further nudge in the right direction: “Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction.” (v.21)  Don’t give up, don’t step over the line, off the path of righteousness.

Then he turns back to the Lord again and maintains His greatness and His integrity: “God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, `You have done wrong’?” (v.22,23) Make sure you maintain a right perspective about the Lord: “Remember to extol his work, which men have praised in song. All mankind has seen it; men gaze on it from afar. How great is God–beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.” (v.24-26) In the closing verses (v.27-35) he speaks about the way the Lord works in nature, revealing His mighty power. The inference is that we would do well not to contend with such a Mighty One.

There are commentators who are very negative about Elihu’s words in this chapter. I have sought to interpret them in line with the grace that comes from this young man earlier on. He has shown that he respects the aged and so I believe his words are gracious words. I believe he recognises, with the wisdom given him by God, that in deep anguish our minds wander (v.18-21) into wrong thoughts. How many of us fanaticise about what we might like to do – but that it very different from what we would actually do!   Elihu, I suggest, is helping Job face his fantasies and thus see that they are foolish. Perhaps here is a very great lesson that comes through in Job.  It is one thing to let your mind wander all over the place, even into completely wrong thinking, because who knows how much of that is inspired by the enemy, but the righteous, at the end of it all, will still remain righteous and will not give way to those thoughts. Take hold of what you think; assess it and make sure you do not step off the path of righteousness in what you then say and do.

I am lucky enough to be invited to lots of interesting events from the most rocking concerts to fringe to freak flag waving nights of hedonism. Sometimes, though it may be a bit off topic for me, I am offered a curiosity I just can’t pass up on.

My friend, Harmon Leon, is the brilliant and warped mind behind Strike TV’s Infiltrator and Freedom Haters. As you might remember, I wrote an essay on the Hollywood dream for his book American Dream. I also played his tacky girlfriend in a brilliant Infiltrator piece on gun control which you can read about here.

From time to time Harmon and I will chat about what projects we are working on or events we are covering:

ME: I’m going to interview Wolfmother this weekend. How about you?

HARMON: Oh, I’m going to Vegas to join ‘Hookers for Jesus’ for the weekend.

Say wha? Well, no offense to the Cosmic Egg dudes but that kinda trumps my rock journo dealio. No question.

So when Harmon had to preach to sinners and hand out bibles in casinos with former ladies of the night, I gladly stepped in for him when he couldn’t be in LA for the 2009 PUA World Summit. That’s PUA, as in: Pick Up Artist. A whole hotel convention ball room filled with pick up artists running their ‘game’ on girls and spreading the word on how to land birds. Um, yeah. I have to go.

With Harmon’s best wishes and a little Hooker Jesus prayer, I tarted myself up in my tiger dress and went to the Renaissance hotel.  I thought about this move and knew I had two options. Wear three multi-media Cosby sweaters and glasses and make it easy for them to talk to me as an asexual journalist…or basically go dressed as a blow up doll personified and see if they can contain themselves long enough to make a slimeless impression on the world. Yes, I knew I was throwing myself to the wolves, but it’s what we embedded journalists do. We put ourselves in harms way for the story. I braced myself for the onslaught of Drakkar Noir.

I checked in as Harmon’s replacement – he being a columnist for Penthouse, and whipped out my little flip camera. I was a bit concerned I was going to be shunned – I thought I would be seen as the enemy seeing as I had ovaries and all, but I was greeted with open arms, a gift bag filled with k-y jelly and condoms, and lots of pick up lines. Someone thought their game was going to work and work fast.

I met with the PUA summit founder Vince Kelvin and he introduced me to a few of the speakers, Hypnotica, Speer, Mehow and Sexual Chocolate who all proceeded to tell me that they were NOT like Mystery and the OLD game. That was about trying to trick a woman into bed. Boo to that. The real purpose of this weekend’s conference was to help men become better men so that they could be better for us women.

Wow, that’s like just what I wanted to hear. Because I’d be a bit turned off if they were trying to pick me up or trying to just get me into bed. But I can really get behind a bunch of guys who are trying to improve their lives and be better for me. I guess I had this whole ‘pick up artist’ and ‘game’ scene wrong. Mea culpa.

True, the tables of ‘Cassanova Crew’ tees, Affliction and Ed Hardy clothes racks, and flyers promising to be part of the ‘pussy pounding posse’ didn’t quite match what they were telling me. But when I brought this up to them, I was told that all the merch was just promotional to get the guys in the door. Once the dudes were in the door, that’s when the real healing and transformation began. It was set up that way. For us women. For women all over the world.

It was very educational. From learning about how to loosen a girl up, to discovering that the holy spirit is actually spunk – I can only imagine the knowledge passed on to the guys who went through the whole weekend master class.

I’ve included some clips of my conversations below complete with bits of NLP, subliminal anchoring via touch and speech patterns, and blatant inappropriate flirting. And yes, I did get asked out on a couple dates. They seemed really nice. I think they’d like me even if I was wearing a big ole Cosby sweater. Should I go?

Dreadful affliction, revolting infection
Breathing repugnance and death
Hear the cries, the putrid sounds
The beauty of the plague upon your tongue
Distorting every face, with foul disease
The lord of the rotten marches on
From waste there is no escape
Embrace, accept the plague
Live eternally rotten, as maggots seal your fate
Vermin eat your flesh, skin falling from bone
Delight in your sickness, now rot and decompose
Repulsive salvation
Bow before the filth, your rotting god
Worship the divine decay
Delight in the rot, the disease and pestilence
Praise the lord of the plague
Bow before the filth, your rotting god
Worship the divine decay
Delight in the rot, the disease and pestilence
Praise the lord of the plague
Infested you cry out in ecstasy
Rats and maggots cleanse your flesh

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson goes to Reno for Ultimate Reno Combat to check out some of their fights last weekend.

The Kids love RUMBLE!

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson with KNOXX Video Host Meredith Divita

Part 1: KNOXX Video with Meredith Divita talks to Anthony “Rumble” Johnson about his upcoming fight against Josh Koscheck, weight cutting, not getting knock out of the night and Pat Barry.

Part 2: KNOXX Video with Meredith Divita talks to Anthony “Rumble” Johnson about all the Haters, Josh Thomson being in his corner, TUF 10, being a coach on TUF, not making weight for Yoshida and being a good citizen by helping others in need of help.

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson rocking the KNOXX Lifestyle Limited Edition “HELLA FRESH” crew neck

I would have at least offered cash for that Affliction T BROOOOOOOO

[Battle of the Bands]

2nd Semi-Final, 14 Nov 2009

Candy~Flippin’ will be adding to the mix with a bassist as the Grand Wizard won’t be available for another week. We will be showcasing fresh, up-to-date music that even we haven’t heard yet!? Scary? Yes. Intense? Of course!
The image above symbolises the road we’re on. Both roads lead towards the future, only one raod has a pit-stop @ the Final Battle.
Help us be there!

Competing;

Candy~Flippin’

Dutch Party

FoxHound

Affliction

Lately, I’ve been dealing with a heavy mind; a LOUD mind.  Sometimes I can’t even hear myself sing when I’m woprshipping, or when I’m listening to music in the car.  Why does the Lord let me go through this?  Why does the Lord let you go through the things you are going through right now?  I didn’t take my problem to the Lord like I should have.  I didn’t fall to my knees quick enough.  I thought I could go through it with my strength and on my own.  Yes, Jesus has given me authority and I have the Spirit in me that raised JESUS FROM THE DEAD, but I have to call on the name of Jesus to help me get through certain things.  Well, He has to help me get through everything.  Without Him, I’m death and I have no life apart from my Father in heaven.  He is LIFE.  He is BREATH.  Let Him take care of what you’re dealing with right now in this world we’re living in right now.  Things may not look hopeful, but with JESUS; EVRYTHING is HOPEFUL…amen!  Think of the hell you’re going through, or the hell you see around you; just a way to get closer to the Lord.  I know what I’m going through is putting me in my place.  Last night I had to go in my room, shut the door, turn out the lights, light a candle and praise and worship the Lord.  I didn’t “feel” like it and I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway because I knew it was what I needed.  At one point, I looked at the candle and the carpet and my mind was clear.  I was refreshed.  In HIS presence is REFRESHMENT.  Acts 3:19 says, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”  Yes, my refreshment came last night and it came only until I entered into the presence of the Lord.  You don’t have to go to “church” to enter His presence, or worship and praise.  Have “church” in your room, car, living room, etc.  Praise and worship Him where ever you go and what ever may be going on in your life.  It’s DIFFICULT to be content in all circumstances, but I’m learning that in ALL THINGS; God knows what He is doing and He IS a sovereign GOD.  Amen.  Philippians 4:11 says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”  It is difficult for me to read this verse and believe I can be content in all circumstances, but this verse reminds me of what a pastor said.  When he read this verse, he put emphasis on the word: learned.  He said that Paul didn’t miraculously become content in all circumstances, but he learned.  I’m learning to be content in the circumstance that I am in right now.  Now, I see that all of the afflictions, tribulations, sufferings, persecutions, etc. are for His Glory and not my own.  They are to draw me nearer to Him and it is a chance to get to know His character even more.  2 Chronicles 4:17 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal Glory that far outweighs them all.”  These tribulations, trials, sufferings, afflcitions and hard-ships are nothing compared to the eternal glory.  Tribulations=eternal glory.  I should be waking up asking God for trials and tribulations.  I have never seen how important they are until now.  Thank you Holy Spirit. 

…Praise GOD in ALL things…

Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le will make his much anticipated return to the cage at the promotion’s year-end show “Evolution” on Dec. 19 in San Jose, Calif.

The heavy-handed Scott Smith, in his first appearance since a June submission loss to Nick Diaz at “Shields vs. Lawler,” will welcome the fighter/actor back to the cage.

In September, Le relinquished the middleweight belt citing a busy filming schedule as the reason he was unable to defend his title. He had not defended his title since last March when he defeated Frank Shamrock to win the belt.

The 37-year-old Vietnamese-born fighter recently had a starring role in the major motion picture “Pandorum” starring Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster and is due on screens this fall in the martial arts flick “Tekken.”

Smith, 30, migrated to Strikeforce last September when his EliteXC contract was bought out by the San Jose promotion. The former union steel worker and UFC veteran defeated Terry Martin and Benji Radach before falling prey to Diaz.

At press time, it was unclear whether the Le/Smith bout would headline the December event.

-Jason Emanuel