And it was good.  Here is the first bit of crunch for the Dhol Chants.  This feat is designed to allow players and NPCs to swear their loyalty to the forces out there in the multiverse.  Obviously, we’ll be focusing on how it applies to demon worshipers, but it could just as easily apply to powerful celestials, Princes of Elemental Evil (or Good) and the like.  It will have it’s own home on the site in the next few days, so keep an eye out!

Vassal
You have sworn allegiance to being of almost godlike power.
Prerequisite: Alignment must match patron
Benefit: Choose one power that is not a “true”diety.  This power may be a demon lord, a powerful angel, or something else.  Once per day, when you are acting in in the interest of your lord, you may reroll any one roll that you have just made before the Gamemaster declares whether the roll results in success or failure. You must take the result of the reroll, even if it’s worse than the original roll.
Special: You may take this feat only once, and may not change your patron.  If your alignment changes, or you act in a matter opposed to your patron or it’s goals, you no longer gain the benefits of this feat until you receive an atonement.  If you die, your soul becomes the property of your patron, who may, at it’s discretion, prevent spells like raise dead or resurrection from functioning.  A wish, miracle or true resurrection has only a 50% chance of functioning if your patron does not wish you to return to life.

Expect to see this feat again, when we start building Demon Worshiping prestige classes!

To point out that David Tallerman lists Crunch amongst his favourites from the recent issue of Ballista.

You can read David’s story, Feeler, and my story, Crunch, in the current and final issue of Ballista.

The feathers on the little angel’s wings brushed her florid cheek. This was the last performance of The Nutcracker, and all she wanted was to make her hard work worth the while.

The angel’s stomach was in raveled knots. She was never one to experience stage fright but tonight her nerves had gone mad. Mad as a hatter. Perhaps the severe pain in her left toe thanks to her ingrown toenail was to blame…

As a novice to pointe (thanks to her two year absences), she’d never had to perform under grave circumstances like some of the more experienced dancers. According to some of the other girls, they’d danced on purple nails, broken toes, and swollen feet before. It was one of the many challenges of ballet.

The curtains rolled open for the second act, and the little angel kissed her purple toe goodbye. She bourreed across the stage, a smile spread upon her face, and shared her passion of ballet with the 450 audience members.

After they introduced the Sugar Plum Fairy to Clara, the cluster of angels waltzed off the stage and into the feverish wings of the performance center.

“You were so graceful it looked as though you were flying,” the little angel’s mother whispered as she ushered the Spanish Chocolate dancers on stage.

The little angel limped to the dressing room with a sense of pride that emanated from within her. Prior to those curtains opening, she felt like she just could not do it. She didn’t have the stamina nor strength to block out the pain and simply deal with it. And running away from her problems was always her flight response of choice…

But not anymore. The new little angel, Karina Pinzon, does not run from her problems… she is no weakling. She faces her problems, looks them in the eye, and roars at the top of her lungs: “bring it!”

dress rehearsal

**********

Good afternoon, everyone and Happy Thanksgiving! All of you, be strong today and enjoy yourselves <3.

I’m really sorry that I did not come back when I said I would, I hate it when I’m flaky like that… but Monday and Tuesday were chock-full of doctors appointments and yesterday I had no internet. See? Doctors both save and steal our lives!

I must say that the Nutcracker was a wonderful time! Our production took place at The Berry Center on Friday the 20th, and Saturday the 21st with guest performers Lauren Anderson and Andrew Murphy of the Houston Ballet. I am so sad that it is over. It will be strange to not have the stress of rehearsing choreography every day… but at least I have the Spring Show to look forward to . I think stress is one of the beauties of a dancer’s life.

But anyhoo, I promised you guys I would have tons of breakfast recipes to share and… I do! Eight of them, to be exact. I’m going to post them along with the story of our Nutcracker production. Shall we begin?

Wednesday Nov. 18- 1 packet instant oatmeal cooked in Spiru-tein Cookies & Cream protein powder and hemp milk. Topped with pecans, 2 chopped dates, 1/4 c. cottage cheese, and 1 1/2 tbsp. of raw Maranatha almond butter.

Thursday Nov. 19- 1 packet instant oats cooked in Jay Robb’s Whey Tropical Dreamsicle powder and hemp milk. Topped with coconut, pineapple chunks, 2 bocadillos, blueberries, soy nuts, sunflower seeds, and almond butter. Spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and blueberry syrup.

Drosselmeyer gives Clara a nutcracker and her jealous brother, Fritz, breaks it. Drosselmeyer attempts to fix it.

After the party guests leave and the Stahlbaums go to bed, Clara goes downstairs to check on her nutcracker… but is attacked by mice!

Luckily, the Nutcracker comes to life and his band of soldiers help save Clara.Clara throws her shoe at The Mouse King, giving the Nutcracker the chance to stab him. He dies!The Nutcracker turns into a prince and takes Clara to another world where they are greeted by the Snow Queen and her Snowflakes…

Saturday Nov. 21- 1 packet instant oatmeal cooked in Spiru-tein banana protein powder, 1 tbsp. cocoa powder, 1 egg white, and hemp milk. Topped with almonds, pumpkin seeds, raisins, and 1 sliced banana.

The Snowflakes danced…and danced…and danced. (I love this picture!!!)

When Clara and the Nutcracker arrive at the Land of Sweets, the Angels had a dance for them….

and so did the other people, such as Spanish Chocolate,Chinese tea,the Marzipan Shephards, The Candy Canes,

Arabian Coffee,Mother Ginger and her polichinelles,the Waltz of the Flowers,

the Sugar Plum Fairy,her Cavalier,and their Pas de Deux.

After the people of the Land of the Sweets dance for her, Clara wakes up and realizes that it was all just a beautiful dream.

The End.

I wrote on Monday that I’d demonstrate some total body movement exercises that will increase body fat loss all over by working several muscles at once.  Here’s the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyWj57xRncA

I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!  (Enjoy everything; in moderation!)

Crunch tandem ready to push each otherNovember 24, 2009

by Maggie Walters || AHL On The Beat Archive

When Kevin Lalande found out he had been traded from the Calgary Flames organization to the Columbus Blue Jackets, it was just a few minutes before the NHL trade deadline for the 2008-09 season.

The call came so late in the day that Lalande began to believe he wasn’t going to be traded, despite the personal inkling that he was on the move due to Calgary’s organizational depth at the goaltending position. When the call finally did come, one of the first people he shared the news with was his good friend, Crunch goaltender Dan LaCosta.

LaCosta, who met and befriended Lalande three years ago, had been talking to Lalande just a few minutes before he received the news. Although it looked as though he would not be traded, LaCosta remembers telling Lalande to remain optimistic, since he was hoping for a better opportunity to prove himself with a different team.

“You never know what might happen,” said LaCosta. “The deadline hasn’t passed yet.”

Just 15 minutes later Lalande not only learned that he had been traded, but that he was now a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization and more specifically after being assigned by the big club, part of the Crunch roster, where he would join his comrade in the nets for Syracuse. He quickly called LaCosta back and told him what had transpired, but LaCosta didn’t take the news quite like Lalande expected he would.

“He thought I was playing a joke on him,” said Lalande. “He made a few phone calls and didn’t believe me until he saw it on the internet.”

When Lalande officially joined the Crunch, it was the second time he and LaCosta donned the pads for the same team. Although they had played against each other frequently in the Ontario Hockey League, they met for the first time when they were both selected to play for the Eastern Conference squad at the 2006 OHL All-Star Classic. After rooming together at the All-Star game, the two continued to keep in touch.

“We found out that we both spent our summers in Ottawa,” said LaCosta. “We started getting together over the off-season and eventually became pretty good friends.”

Despite playing on different teams, the two continued to keep in touch through the season. Both LaCosta and Lalande are familiar with the ups and downs associated with the rigors of being a goaltender. Their careers have taken a very similar path, leaving them with much in common.

LaCosta had been playing in the OHL when he was selected by Columbus in the third round, 93rd overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. After being drafted, he played out the rest of his junior career with the Barrie Colts, turning in a solid final junior campaign in 2005-06, where was among the OHL league leaders in wins (36 – 2nd), goals-against average (2.55 – 2nd), save percentage (.915 – T-4th), and shutouts (6 – 2nd).

LaCosta joined the professional ranks in 2006-07, splitting time between the ECHL’s Dayton Bombers and the Crunch. Since then, the native of Labrador City, N.L., has been a constant presence between the pipes for Syracuse at the War Memorial, compiling a cumulative 36-33-7 record with a 2.89 GAA and .909 save percentage in 90 career games.

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Just like LaCosta, Lalande was also playing in the OHL when he was selected by Calgary in the fifth round, 128th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. While his buddy LaCosta was getting his feet wet in his first professional season in 2006-07, Lalande put together a fine final junior year of his own with the Belleville Bulls, going 27-17-3 with a 3.01 GAA and .919 save percentage, the third-best save percentage in the league that season.

The Kingston, Ont., native made his professional debut in 2007-08, splitting time between Quad City and Calgary’s ECHL affiliate, the Las Vegas Wranglers. The 2008-09 season was a breakthrough campaign for Lalande, as he went a combined 13-5-1 with a 2.17 GAA and .928 save percentage in 21 combined AHL games with the Crunch and Quad City.

“We went through a lot of the same things, I was just a year behind,” said Lalande. “It’s never easy your first year as a pro, there’s a learning phase and Dan really helped me get through it. He had been through what I was going through, he was a big help.”

LaCosta continued to be a big help to Lalande even after his arrival in Syracuse, when he challenged LaCosta’s spot as the club’s starting goaltender. Lalande played 15 games down the stretch for the Crunch last season, going 9-5-1 with a 2.26 GAA and .927 save percentage.

Despite the competition between the two netminders, they did not let it affect their friendship.

“He was a great support when I came at the end of the year,” said Lalande. “It just shows the kind of character he has; he always shows support for his teammates.”

LaCosta calls Lalande a positional or percentage goalie, who reads the game really well.

“He always seems to be in the right position,” said LaCosta. “He makes it look easy most of the time. I’m bigger and maybe a little quicker, that’s how I make up for his positioning being better than mine.”

Regardless of the style of whomever is in net, both goalies have come into the 2009-10 season with the same goals: improving as individuals and to give the team a chance to win every night. They are both also committed to keeping their friendship intact despite going head to head to earn the Crunch’s number one goaltending slot.

“We discussed after I got traded that competition for time wouldn’t affect our friendship,” said Lalande, “we’ll push each other to be better but the competition will stay at the rink.”

It’s clear that regardless of who starts in between the pipes for the Crunch this season, these two friends will have each other’s support no matter what.

Former foes now teammates and friendsAtletico make Sporting enquiry

Crunch to host AHL’s first outdoor gameNovember 24, 2009

The Syracuse Crunch, along with Senator Charles E. Schumer and New York State, announced today that they will host the Mirabito Outdoor Classic, the American Hockey League’s first-ever outdoor game, on February 20, 2010, at the New York State Fairgrounds against the Binghamton Senators. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

“On behalf of our entire organization, we are excited about staging this tremendous event and are extremely appreciative to all those who have supported our efforts”, said Crunch President and CEO Howard Dolgon.

“This first ever outdoor AHL hockey game – which I hope will become an annual tradition – will bring the eyes of the sports world to Syracuse,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer. “It has the potential to bring in serious tourism revenue for Syracuse and be a financial shot in the arms in difficult times. I look forward to seeing the puck being dropped and watching the Crunch and the Senators battle it out on our fairgrounds. This will be a boon to hockey fans from Syracuse to Binghamton and beyond!”

Mirabito Energy Products, the title sponsor of the Mirabito Outdoor Classic, is a New York-based company that has been providing energy needs for families and businesses throughout upstate New York since 1927. Mirabito Energy Products offers a variety of products including heating oil, propane, natural gas, coal, gasoline, diesel fuels, kerosene, and lubricants.

“Our family organization, Mirabito Energy Products, is thrilled to be a part of this first-time AHL event,” said Joe Mirabito, CEO of Mirabito Energy Products, “We are even more thrilled that many of our friends and customers from Central New York will be able to enjoy the Mirabito Outdoor Classic here in Syracuse.”

The Mirabito Outdoor Classic is being presented by Time Warner Cable, which will broadcast the game live on Time Warner Cable Sports; Toyota; Dunkin’ Donuts; Labatt Blue; Renaissance Syracuse Hotel; Syracuse Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; Coca-Cola and Wynit.

The Mirabito Outdoor Classic will make history as the first minor-league outdoor hockey game ever played. Outdoor hockey games, which honor the heritage and roots of the sport being played by children on frozen lakes and ponds growing up, have been a proven success at the collegiate level as well as the National Hockey League level, with the NHL’s Winter Classic now becoming a yearly event every New Year’s Day.

The Mirabito Outdoor Classic will feature the hometown Syracuse Crunch (AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets), the AHL’s sixth-longest tenured franchise (16 years-tied) and longest-running independently owned team, against their Interstate-81 rivals, the Binghamton Senators (AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators).

In addition, the Mirabito Outdoor Classic will be a celebration of hockey in New York State and will recognize all levels of hockey from youth to recreation to professional players.

Notable NHL players from the Empire State include Dustin Brown (Ithaca), Ryan Callahan (Rochester), Eric Cole (Oswego), Tim Connolly (Syracuse), Craig Conroy (Potsdam), Brian Gionta (Rochester), Chris Higgins (Smithtown), Patrick Kane (Buffalo), Mike Komisarek (West Islip), Rob Schremp (Syracuse), Rob Scuderi (Syosset), Tom Sestito (Rome) and Lee Stempniak (West Seneca).

Notable Hall of Fame NHL players that have played for the three New York-based NHL teams include Mike Bossy (NY Islanders), Pat LaFontaine (Buffalo Sabres, NY Islanders and NY Rangers), Brian Leetch (NY Rangers), Mark Messier (NY Rangers), Gilbert Perreault (Buffalo Sabres) and Denis Potvin (NY Islanders).

Tickets for the Mirabito Outdoor Classic can be purchased starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25 by calling the Crunch office at (315) 473- 4444, calling TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000 or by stopping by the Oncenter Box Office, located on the State Street Side of the War Memorial.

Escude out for two weeksFormer foes now teammates and friends

This day is a good day. Its actually started late afternoon. I didn’t expect I would think of doing this sweetness I call. For I actually spend few pesos just to make a girl smile at me.

About five in the afternoon, I asked someone to get few papers I need for graduation, one of these is this girl. This not an ordinary act that I usually do for a girl but this one is a bit special. Yes, I admit it she’s special. I love her since we first met but I haven’t told her what I feel about until this day comes. No words even actions can express what I feel for this girl. Until I got this simple yet perfect day to ‘propose’. I had to get a cake care of Red Ribbon, a simple well lets just say

uncompatible card though. I put some words inside, sealed it and thats it! yay~ I remember when I did something like this few months prior to this date. Anyhow, I don’t want release it again as past is past na. So back, as I am saying earlier the day is perfect, eventhough she didn’t got something for me but still I got a part of her, and its her time. With the help of my bestfriend I got the moment. Yay~ swweeett!

Hay, it shouldn’t be my priority this day yet I guess that counts as one of. It was an ohhlala day, wish for more and probably get a chance, you know..

I am amazed at how many people are still falling for the spot reduction myth.  I hear so many people tell me that they are doing umpteen crunches and can’t figure out why they don’t have a flat stomach. 

I want to make it clear that there is no such thing as spot reduction.  Don’t get me wrong, the crunches do have their place.  They will help to develop the abdominal muscles so when the body fat comes off they will look nice.  Again, the key here is body fat reduction.  The best way to reduce body fat and show off those abs are to do total body movement exercises.  These exercises combine and utilize the large muscle groups like the legs, back, and chest.  When you are working out try to do mostly exercises that will use as many muscles as possible.  Not only will this help to burn more body fat but it’s also how the body works, as a whole unit.

Think about how the body works in everyday situations.  It does not decide to isolate out a muscle, it uses as many as it can to get the job done efficiently.  A great way to achieve this would be to combine exercises together.  Add overhead presses or bicep curls when you are doing lunges or combine a squat with a cable row.  If you are working on your abs combine a dumbbell fly with a crunch motion on the stability ball.  There are many ways to combine exercises and get the most out of your workouts.  Also, when it comes to working the core you want to hit all of the muscles.  If you only do crunches you are primarily hitting the front part of the abs.  You need to also work the sides and the deep muscles as well.  You need to add rotational movements in order to hit the muscles from all angles. 

Some of the best exercises include chops, reverse chops, side leans, and lunges with medicine ball rotations.  I will be demonstrating these exercises in upcoming videos.  Like the old saying goes “work smarter, not harder.”

Please leave a comment or a question by clicking the “comment” link below! 

If you hear any information that contradicts what I am posting, please let me know so that I can make sure that my research is as correct and up-to-date as possible.

Ci sono molti fattori che stanno interessando il settore assicurativo in questo momento, da un aumento nelle richieste di falsi per l'economia stessa.

I crediti di assicurazione di viaggio fraudolenti da parte dei clienti potrebbe essere in aumento, a causa del credit crunch, gli esperti hanno messo in guardia.

Indicazioni di viaggio fraudolenti sono aumentate del 80% è stato rivelato. Molti clienti sono riferito, fingendo che gli oggetti personali, come iPod e telecamere sono stati rubati all'estero,mentre altri clienti stanno aumentando il valore di un elemento che è stato rubato.
L'Associazione di Assicura britanniche hanno dichiarato che i suoi membri hanno provocatoriamente assistito a un aumento delle frodi: "La gente guarda i modi di portare quello che credono di denaro è facile". Tuttavia, vi è un basso numero di processi penali per questo crimine, in quanto è molto difficile da provare.

In contraddizione con questo, ci si preoccupa che gli adolescenti che andranno in vacanza genitore prime libere non assicurati. Circa 100.000 gli adolescentinon hanno l'assicurazione quando se ne vanno per la loro pausa estiva.

È stata esposta una quota relativa alta dei 500.000 giovani che si stanno svolgendo il loro viaggio non sarà coperto, mentre altri potrebbero invalidare l'assicurazione che adottano attraverso il proprio comportamento irresponsabile.

Un esempio di questo è che il 45% degli adolescenti si pensa a bere troppo sulla loro prima vacanza senza supervisione. È stato inoltre precisato che 1.500 cittadini britannici sono stati arrestati in Spagna a causa di pericoloseun comportamento che potrebbe anche portare ad un grave incidente.

Si è detto: "Il tuo primo padre-vacanza libera può essere una grande esperienza, ma a causa della loro età e delle nuove libertà trovato, i turisti in erba può essere uno dei gruppi più a rischio. Stiamo incoraggiando gli adolescenti per essere preparati e soggiorno sicuro in modo che la loro vacanza può essere uno da ricordare per All The Right Reasons ".

Si stima che circa il 20% di tutti i cittadini britannici che si recano in vacanza non stipulare un'assicurazione sanitaria di viaggio prima diessi jet off.

Più di recente il credit crunch ha seriamente fornito un enorme knock back per le compagnie di assicurazione di viaggio. Attualmente è stato rivelato che il Regno Unito il terzo gruppo più grande pacchetti vacanze hanno cessato di operare.

Il fatto è che tali società sono particolarmente vulnerabili in tempi di recessione. Quando il pubblico sente lo sforzo economico, in quanto sono il momento presente, vacanze tendono a prendere un sedile posteriore. Con l'aggiunta di pressioni da impennata dei prezzi dei carburanti alle stelle e il congelamento finodei mercati del credito a livello mondiale hanno contribuito alla scomparsa delle compagnie di viaggio.

Con centinaia di viaggiatori sono ora abbandonati a causa della implosione della compagnia di viaggio, le persone stanno aspettando con il fiato innescati per ricevere aiuto dal governo, e se il loro regime di assicurazione che regolano il settore in grado di proteggere adeguatamente i clienti che hanno prenotato in buona fede nella solidità delle l'azienda.

Se il regolamento di assicurazione di un settore nel settore dei viaggi èAnche la luce, i clienti finiscono per essere penalizzato a livello finanziario, quando non lavoro. Tuttavia, se i regimi di assicurazione commerciali sono troppo costose, i clienti non possono permettersi questo tipo di assicurazione di viaggio, in modo da finire con meno scelta.

Related : Faucet Filter Revolution Helmets Douglas says

If you’re looking for amazing deals on brands such as, Stilla, DuWop, and Two-Faced head on over to www.beautycrunch.com.  The discounts are insane and they have a ton of different products to choose from.  Free shipping on orders $50.00 and up.

A very wise woman once said to me “You really get like 30 seconds between undercooked and burned with candy.” Which made me question WHYYY I had to be just two seconds early to the party?

Party, being crunchy toffee. As I’m sure you’ve already gathered.

That’s right, another oopsy in my kitchen. That’s what I get for casting a magic spell on my meat thermometer and trying to turn it into a candy thermometer. WHICH, in my defense, I’m sure would have worked out just fine….. IF the temperature didn’t stop at 190 degrees. *thud* Way to do my homework.

BUT, I WILL be making this again. Without a doubt. Why? Well, regardless of the aforementioned and lask-luster crunch (it was somewhat soft to the bite) the flavor was PHENOMENAL!!

The fiance even liked it. Is this thing on? *taps microphone* THE FIANCE LIKED IT!! This….. is huge people. One for the books.

I halved the recipe and it yielded about 3/4 of a standard cookie sheet and changed nothing else. It was my first time, I wanted to play it safe.

My favorite part of making this was chopping away at my 10 lb bar of Guittard chocolate and the amazement that followed due to the chocolate slivers melting as SOON as they touched my hands. I really should get a picture of this next time.

“I’m the chocolate monster. Arraarrrr grrrr…” *wiggles fingers childishly*

Ok. I’m done. Scout’s honor.

You want this recipe. Trust me. Visit Kaitlin at Kait’s Plate.

I am still working my way through Dragon Age, and still thoroughly enjoying the game. While people agree in general that the game is of high quality, there is a split of opinions online as to how well it actually works … as a game. All of these games which tell stories have to provide a mix of storytelling (ie. exposition, introduction of NPC characters, exploring the world) and actual gameplay. So it isn’t surprising that different players value different parts of that mix in different ways.

Brainy Gamer has a fair summary of gameplay issues, particularly with how persuasion works in the game. (This has been an issue with pen and paper games since forever also. How DO you play a character who’s smarter or more persuasive than you are in real life? In P+P we either roll the dice, or the GM shrugs and has the characters respond as though you were being convincing.)

evizaer picks apart the combat gameplay

Mitch Krpata finds that the game doesn’t do anything to show a non-RPG guy how to play or relate to it.

It’s also not surprising that a lot of MMO players are really digging Dragon Age. The mixture of quests, exposition, combat gameplay, and large world setting isn’t that different from the MMO standard, but being a single player game, DA is far more tailored for the single player experience. The UI is familiar, the basic tactics are familiar (crowd control? heals? tank? check.)

Neither is it surprising that a lot of gamers like the game, but criticise the gameplay. It does feel awkward to show such awesome storytelling, and then follow it up with a scene where you run around picking up everything that isn’t nailed down. That doesn’t really help the story, and it feels old fashioned. Really, everything your character owns or acquires should have some sort of story behind it, whether you earned some money and bought it from a merchant, or it was gifted to you. Picking up loot from random monsters is often daft, and grabbing everything in sight in town is just stealing.

I also agree that letting you queue up commands on characters in combat, or switch to a full turn based option, would have improved the combat experience. In many ways, DA isn’t even trying to raise the bar or change anything major about RPG gameplay – a genre which is old and already feels strained. Even as a roleplaying game, DA is an awkward mess of old skool D&D tricks such as old fashioned puzzles, problems that can be solved by killing more stuff and dungeons with the equivalent of 10′x10′ rooms with traps and wandering monsters, and more modern RPGs which take a more story based or character based approach and offer more nuanced moral dilemmas.

But still, somewhere along the line players have to decide whether the good side outweighs the bad, and that’s a personal decision. Whether the fluff (everything that isn’t direct gameplay, like dialogue, story, worldbuilding, character design and animation,  achievements) outweighs the crunch (hard gameplay, stats, how gear relates to performance). And when the fluff is this good, it feels churlish to ignore large steps forward in one side of the game and just cavil about locked chests.

Dragon Age is one of the most immersive RPGs I have ever played. The human noble origin brings tears to my eyes (I’m a sucker for stories where a character’s beloved parents die, probably because my mother died young). I have felt genuine regret at decisions I have taken in the game, I’ve certainly wanted to shout at some of the characters. And I’ve laughed at others. That sort of strong emotional response shouldn’t be brushed away as ‘Well, the storytelling is OK I guess.’ It’s far more than OK. It’s the response you feel to a good film or a good book. This is why people love it, and the tactical gameplay is probably better than most MMOs.

You can’t compare that to a game on rails like Uncharted 2. Yes, the cut scenes in Uncharted are great. But they’re just bridges to the next platform/shooter section. I don’t care about those characters, except that they amuse me. The cut scenes in DAO are interactive, and although that just means picking options from a list, it also means that you have ways to drive the story forwards in different directions.

As a gamer, I’d love to see better gameplay for interpersonal interactions. There’s no reason why dialogue shouldn’t be as exciting as a shooter – it’s easy to imagine scenarios where someone’s life could just as easily depend on how a conversation proceeds as how quick a player is on the draw. It’s totally fair to criticise DAO for not even trying to advance the state of RPG gameplay.

But it feels harsh and one dimensional to me to fail to note the advances the game has made in the areas of storytelling and immersion. I never wanted to cry when I was playing Uncharted 2 (except possibly in frustration at not knowing where I was supposed to go).

*crunch*

A whistleblower at the International Energy Agency has accused the organization of deliberately underplaying the seriousness of a looming oil shortage.

The whistleblower, identified by the Guardian newspaper in the U.K. only as a senior IEA employee, told the paper the world is much closer to running out of oil than official estimates admit but that the agency has toned down its warning to avoid triggering panic buying.

A senior official with the International Energy Agency is accusing the group of downplaying a looming shortage of oil. (CBC)

The official claimed the agency is responding to U.S. pressure to downplay how fast existing oilfields are being depleted while overplaying the chances of finding new reserves.

Both the unnamed current employee and a former staff member quoted by the Guardian raise concerns about the ability of the world to increase oil output. The IEA predicted in its latest report that demand will increase to 105 million barrels a day by 2030 and that the world’s energy resources are “adequate to meet the projected demand increase through to 2030 and well beyond.”

The two dissenters question whether production can be raised from its current level of 83 million barrels a day. Even in the oil industry, there are those who say world production has already reached its peak.

One of them, Matt Simmons of Simmons & Co. International, told CBC News he agrees. Simmons is the author of Twilight in the Desert:The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy, in which he argued that Middle East reserves have been overstated.

Simmons said it’s impossible for the world to meet expected demand, and once India and China return to normal growth rates they “will drain up every scrap of oil we’ll ever be able to produce.”

Predicts the end of globalization

He predicted the world will be forced into conservation measures including a reversal of globalization, and changes will include curtailing long-distance commuting, growing food near where it’s consumed, and carrying goods by truck only where ship or rail transport cannot reach.

Even that, he said, will reduce consumption by at most 25 per cent over the next 10 years, and this means the world will have to find a substitute for transportation fuel.

Simmons predicts it won’t be high prices that kill demand for oil but the industry’s heavy use of water, which will become so scarce worldwide that it will be priced like other commodities.

The Guardian report came as the IEA released its annual World Energy Outlook on Tuesday, warning that the worldwide financial crisis has led to a dangerous drop in energy investment, which could stifle any hope of economic recovery.

The agency is a policy adviser to 28 mostly industrialized, oil-consuming nations. It estimates investment in finding oil and gas has dropped by $90 billion US this year, down 19 per cent from 2008. As a result, the IEA said, future supplies of oil and electricity could be constrained and “undermine the sustainability of the economic recovery.”

Natural gas glut seen to 2015

The IEA’s prediction about natural gas, which represents two-thirds of the activity in Canada’s energy industry, also has potentially serious consequences. The agency expects new supplies of natural gas from previously untapped shale formations will create a glut that will extend until 2015.

However, Simmons dismisses the idea that shale gas will create a sustained glut as the “single biggest illusion in the industry in the last 40 years,” saying it overestimates by 20 to 25 years how long shale gas wells will be able to keep producing .

The IEA report came a month ahead of the UN Copenhagen conference, where world leaders will discuss measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Among the agenda items is an initiative for developing countries to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as wind and solar.

The IEA report said investment in renewable energy sources has been hard hit, falling by a fifth this year compared with 2008.

With files from The Associated Press

Resale housing on rebound: TDOil briefly above $80 as earnings beat forecasts

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop tells a Holyrood committee the recession has slowed progress on cutting class sizes…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: teaching vacancies. The blog is also related to: educate.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop tells a Holyrood committee the recession has slowed progress on cutting class sizes…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: previous recessions. The blog is also related to: bush recession.

I’m pleased to point out that Ballista issue 7 is now available to pre-order and contains my short story Crunch.

This is Ballista’s final issue and, while I am naturally biased, it would be nice to send them off in style so please buy one. Hell, buy lots.

You can order them here: http://www.flapjackpress.co.uk/page2.htm

Enjoy.

Taste: Made from imported Australian 60% dark chocolate, this bite size goodie is going to be the talk of the day when served to visitors. The good thing about this is, 60% dark chocolate is not too sweet or bitter and just nice for all ages. See how much chocolate is used to cover the little cup of corn flakes. This ensures that the cereal inside is still crunchy even after a few weeks! Best served when chilled in the fridge.

Portion: 50pcs per container.

Price: $15 per container.

Orders: Please email to festivegoodies@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: festivegoodies do not have food licence and is only doing this as a hobby. This website is meant for relatives and friends who have tasted these goodies before and wish to order for their own consumption.

When I started bodybuilding, the first major hurdle I had to cross was excess belly fat. The fat decreased to a certain extent but wouldn’t go away completely no matter how many cardio exercises I did. At that point in time, when I was searching possible answers, I came across an article on High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). And believe it or not, when I tried it, my body hasn’t accumulated an ounce of belly fat ever since.

Well, HIIT isn’t a complex workout but the difference it makes is due to intensity. The high intensity exercise causes fat burnout in a shorter period. This is because the body uses up energy through aerobic as well as anaerobic processes during the workout. It burns away fat while remaining in the anabolic or muscle building state. This prevents the degeneration of muscle tissues into energy. The exercise is more effective because the fat burnout does not stop even during the recovery period. This means that you are torching calories even while watching your favorite TV show at night! Additionally, as the time period for the workout is limited, you can spare enough time for other things.

HIIT must be done two to three times a week in between the weight lifting routine. The exercise requires ample resting period so that the body recovers completely. The training can be completed in five simple steps:

Step 1: Do warm up exercise for five minutes
Step 2: Sprint at your maximum speed for about 30 seconds
Step3: Rest for about 2 minutes, which includes brisk walking or jogging
Step 4: Repeat this cycle at least 6 times
Step 5: Give time for your body to cool down

The number of cycles will depend on your level of fitness so it is advisable that you consult a medical practitioner before beginning. Moreover, the most important thing you need to take care of while doing HIIT exercises is your diet. Like weight training, it is necessary to have a post workout drink so that glycogen level is maintained and muscle repair does not stop.

Hope this helps you lose fat and get back in shape. If there are other ways of high intensity training that you want to know or would like to share, please post it in the comments section. Happy exercising!

http://www.ultra-musclebuilding.com

Muscle groups train best with the help of sets and repetitions, and abdomen is no different. The problem with most people figuring out ways to reduce belly fat is that they look out for spot reduction. This is not right at all. Hard work with consistency is needed to achieve results. There are no ‘tricks’ or ‘easy ways’ to build six pack abs.

When I get down doing abs exercises, I focus mainly on upper and lower abdominal areas. I use weights for simple abs exercises and avoid bending or rotating movements. This helps me avoid accumulating fat in the waist area. Moreover, as I mentioned in my previous blog post, I do high intensity interval training to minimize the fat percentage.

For lower abs muscles, I do crunches with knees bent and at a higher position. To begin with lay down with your back touching the ground and breathe out as you move up. At the end of the crunch movement, feel the squeeze in your abs section. Do at least three sets of these exercises and then switch over to weighted crunches. Repeat these crunches holding a weight firmly with both hands. Keep the breathing rhythm like the previous exercise. While doing weighted reps, remember to keep yourself few inches high in the starting position without letting the back of your head touch the floor. I always remain consistent with these exercises except that I increase the weight or try to do more reps the next week.

Similarly, for upper abdominal muscles, lie down on your back with arms behind your head and knees bent. Now pull your body upwards slowly but do not let it touch your knees. Keep yourself in this position for 2 seconds and let your upper back touch ground again. Also, take care that the position of your legs remains rigid.

Another important point to remember is that you must not do abs exercises more than thrice a week as it lengthens the recovery phase. If you would like to share any suggestions or want to ask anything related to these exercises, please feel free to post it in the comments section.

http://www.ultra-musclebuilding.com

PARIS, Nov 3, 2009 (AFP) – Five-times kings of Europe Liverpool could be facing an early Champions League exit if they fail to put massive injury woes behind them to beat Lyon in France on Wednesday.

While Lyon, Sevilla and Arsenal look to build on solid campaigns so far by qualifying early for the knockout phase, the writing is on the wall for Rafael Benitez’s stuttering Reds.

Liverpool’s domestic worries worsened at the weekend when both Jamie Carragher and Philipp Degen were sent off during a 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

It was Liverpool’s fifth defeat in 11 English Premier League games this season but if Benitez is worried at the lack of domestic bliss the Spaniard should be even more concerned about not being able to fall back on, and remain competitive in, the Champions League.

Making Wednesday’s task harder is the fact Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are both struggling for fitness, while reports claimed Monday that up to 12 players could miss the match through injury.

If Lyon win and Fiorentina beat Hungary’s Debrecen in Italy, Lyon will remain top of Group E, on 12 points, with Fiorentina on nine. Liverpool, on three points, would then have two games in which to make up what would be a massive deficit.

When Benitez was asked about his future after the Fulham game, Benitez simply replied: “My future is against Lyon.”

But the under-pressure Spaniard sounds increasingly like a desperate man.

“We have to think about what we have to do now. We have too many injuries and I have to analyse how many players I have available,” he said.

Despite currently playing second fiddle in the French league to champions Bordeaux, Lyon are, in contrast, in rude health as they bid for their fourth group win having beat Liverpool at Anfield last time out.

Lyon coach Claude Puel had Bafetimbi Gomis to thank for the goal which gave his side a 1-0 win over derby rivals Saint Etienne at the weekend.

Real Madrid’s captain Raul Gonzalez attends a training session at San Siro stadium in Milan, on November 2, 2009, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League group stage football match between AC Milan and Real Madrid. (AFP photo)

And except for one or two players Puel will have an entire squad at his disposal for a match they can start, theoretically, under no pressure. A draw would see Lyon safely through to the knockout phase.

“It’s good that we won the derby, for us and our supporters. It was our third straight match away from home,” said Puel.

Other than Lyon, Sevilla are the only other side playing on Wednesday to have won all three games so far.

Having beaten Stuttgart 3-1 in Germany a fortnight ago, Sevilla also have a formidable home record of being unbeaten at home since defeat to Real Madrid in April 2009.

That statistic does not bode well for Stuttgart, who sit below mid-table in Germany and were dumped out of the Cup by Greuther Fuerth last week.

With two wins and a draw Arsenal sit on seven points and they will qualify for the next round if they take three points from AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates.

After drawing with AZ last time out, Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas said the offence-minded Gunners need to also play tighter if they are to stamp out the kind of mistakes that cost goals.

“Of course we wish we could score four or five goals in every single game, but we must realise that sometimes that is not the way football is and sometimes to win the games, you just have to not make mistakes and work hard to keep the ball better,” said Fabregas.

Barcelona outclassed Manchester United in the 2009 final, but Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions lead Group F in spite of an inconsistent campaign so far.

After holding Inter to a scoreless draw in Milan, Barcelona followed their 2-0 win over Dynamo Kiev with defeat at home to Rubin Kazan.

The Russians have home advantage on Wednesday when Barca will have to contend with a highly motivated team that is used to playing in the sub-zero temperatures and strong winds that have been forecast.

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By Sam Mircovich and Edwin Chan

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – U.S. authorities seized nine failed banks on Friday, the most in a single day since the financial crisis began and the latest stark sign that substantial parts of the nation’s banking industry are being crippled by bad loans.

The move brought the total number of failed banks in 2009 to 115 — their highest annual level since 1992 — with analysts expecting more to come. Among the lenders seized Friday was Los Angeles-based California National Bank, in what was the fourth-largest U.S. bank failure this year.

The largest institution to fail in the current financial crisis was Washington Mutual, which boasted $307 billion in assets when it was shuttered in September 2008.

U.S. Bancorp on Friday acquired the nine banks that had been held by FBOP Corp, picking up $18.4 billion in assets and $15.4 billion of deposits.

Visibly worried employees lined up to file into Cal National’s head offices in the heart of a deserted downtown Los Angeles on a chilly Friday evening, where they had their employers’ fate explained to them, regulators said.

“We’re getting ready to turn everything over to U.S. Bank,” said Roberta Valdez, a spokeswoman for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, which helped supervise the transfer of FBOP’s assets. “They will continue to operate as normal in the interim,” she added, referring to lenders acquired from FBOP.

U.S. Bancorp — which has been buying up distressed assets this year — is picking up the lenders once owned by FBOP, a private Illinois group with over $18 billion in assets that owned banks in Texas, Illinois, Arizona and California.

Cal National is FBOP’s largest bank by branches. Others that will now go under the U.S. Bancorp umbrella included BankUSA, Citizens National Bank, Madisonville State Bank, North Houston Bank, Pacific National Bank, Park National Bank, San Diego National Bank, and the Community Bank of Lemont.

“This transaction is consistent with the growth strategy that we have outlined many times in the past, which includes enhancing our existing franchise through low-risk, in-market acquisitions,” said Rick Hartnack, vice chairman of consumer banking for U.S. Bancorp.

“This transaction adds scale to our current California, Illinois and Arizona footprints.”

NEXT BIG HEADACHE

In the “near future”, all nine lenders’ branches will be re-branded U.S. Bank, which is the California-focused unit of U.S. Bancorp’s that operates a network of more than 770 branches across Illinois, Arizona and California.

U.S. Bancorp did not specify what would happen to the new employees it inherits.

Cal National operates 68 branches across Southern California with more than $7 billion in assets. As of June 30, the lender maintained five times as much foreclosed property on its books and twice as many non-current loans as it had a year earlier, according to the Los Angeles Times, which first reported news of its evening takeover on Friday.

Cal National lost about $500 million on heavy investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred shares, the newspaper added, referring to securities rendered nearly worthless by the government takeover of the mortgage firms last year.

According to FDIC data, Cal National was the fourth biggest bank failure this year in terms of assets, just edging out Corus Bank, seized Sept 11 with a flat $7 billion of assets.

A bank official who answered the main number at Cal National’s headquarters said they could not talk at the time.

Banks are still cleaning up their balance sheets from the recent credit boom that fueled banks’ appetite to extend loans, many with poor underwriting and triggers that caused borrowers’ payments to spike to unaffordable levels.

More lenders are expected to go under this year as the industry tries to get a handle on commercial real estate loans that will continue to worsen, as more strip malls go vacant and residential developments stall.

Banks held about $1.7 trillion in commercial real estate loans at the end of September, according to Federal Reserve data, or about 15 percent of their total assets. But to the extent these loans weaken, small banks are likely to be hit the hardest because larger banks were better diversified.

Banks that analysts say could risk big losses include Salt Lake City’s Zions Bancorp, Columbus, Georgia’s Synovus Financial Corp and Dallas-based Comerica Inc.

Before FBOP, U.S. Bancorp bought Downey Savings of Newport Beach and PFF Bank & Trust of Pomona when those thrifts failed last November, the newspaper said. Just this month, U.S. Bancorp bought 20 Nevada branches from BB&T Corp, which had acquired them as part of its deal to buy Colonial BancGroup Inc, it added.

(Additional reporting by Mary Milliken; Editing by Bernard Orr and Dean Yates)