You may have read my earlier posts about the seats for Star Wars: In Concert, and how complaining about them eventually translated into two free seats for yesterday afternoon’s Trans-Siberian Orchestra show.

Our seats were in the EI-2 section, row L.  We were ridiculously close to the stage and not so far up & to the side that we couldn’t appreciate the view.  I need to write to Mr. Scalzott again for providing the free tickets and hospitality of the arena.

I’ve got to say, this was an excellent show… and I’d love to go back if I can afford to next time they’re in town.  The TSO really knows how to put on an event.  The Star Wars: In Concert crew could learn a lesson from them in lighting, lasers, fog machines,  floating remote stages, hydraulics, and pyrotechnics.  Actually, they could learn a few lessons.  I can imagine a hybrid of the two that would be absolutely ridiculous.  Maybe I need to write to the TSO, John Williams, and George Lucas.  Ha ha ha.

A few things surprised me about the show…  I had no idea that there were vocals & power-ballady type songs, and that there  was a cohesive story for the most part.  I feel like it kept it entertaining for all types of people.  The narrator & vocalists were awesome.  Sadly my prior knowledge of the TSO consisted of an mp3 with an incorrect ID3 tag, mislabeling “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24″ for “Carol of the Bells” (which it arguably is… along with “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”).

I had no idea that Alex Skolnick or the other guys from Savatage were associated with this.  Skolnick wrote articles for just about every guitar magazine that I ever picked up back when I was learning to play & read tab.  They made the show like a metal concert at times… I thought one guy in the front was going to have a heart attack and die when he threw metal with both hands as Alex was molesting the fretboard in front of him.  When the show reached it’s second half, they introduced some stuff from the new album, Night Castle.  I swear they snuck some Sabbath & Metallica riffs in there.  There was even an old-school 80’s-rock drum solo… and I think I loved the fact that old ladies were watching the solo in abject horror as much as I liked the spectacle itself.  They also had a girl playing the electric violin… I saw it more than I heard it… but it was visually pretty cool element, like the spinning keyboard.

I didn’t know that it had heavy religious overtones.  I mean, I knew it was a holiday concert… and I’m certainly not opposed to religious ideals.  I just didn’t know, and found it surprising… especially with tightly clothed women dancing like strippers in front of fire.  I think it’s cool that they can integrate the stuff, maybe some overzealous idiot out there got the message to loosen up a bit.  While they played a medley that included the melody of “Canon in D”, the girls were dancing scantily-clad on the stage… and I asked my wife Bethany if we had to call t “Canon in Double-D”.

Like I mentioned before, it being entertaining to everybody…  I mean everybody.  There were all kinds of people there… classes, ages, stereotypes, whatever group  you want to name, they were there (except maybe race… it was all crackers up in there).  I did see an extraordinarily high amount of mullets though.  I’m talking prize-winning specimens like the comb-over on top/hair down to my ass & the trimmed up top/pony tail in the back.

I can’t say anything negative about the show itself, the seats, or the arena… except (you knew it was coming) that I found the parking rate to be amusing.  By looking on the Arena website, it listed parking in the lot where we parked as $7, but it does note “Event parking rates differ for each Mellon Arena event. Check your event’s information page on this website for specific parking rates”.  The funny part is that it said nothing about parking on the event page other than the fact that no pre-sold parking would be available.  Parking was $15… more than double the normal rate, which is fine, but there was no prior indication.  I paid in mostly $1’s and even some quarters.

I hope the TSO and the Mellon Arena don’t mind if I share some crappy quality cell phone photos…

By Michael MacLeod

A HOGMANAY disco inferno was sparked when a top Scottish DJ launched two giant fireworks into a nightclub.

Fire rained onto the dancefloor from the ceiling of Edinburgh’s Luna club moments after the midnight bells between 2008 and 2009.

Some booze-fuelled clubbers danced around the falling flames chanting: “The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire.”

But others suffered burns after the fire melted a plastic cargo net on the ceiling, sending a stream of flames across the 650-capacity room.

DJ Jason Cortez claimed he was wrongly advised that the six-metre pyrotechnics were suitable for indoor use.

But a Sheriff slammed his “unbelievable attitude” today (Tuesday), saying it was fortunate nobody had died.

Sheriff Graeme Warner compared the blaze to a nightclub tragedy in Russia earlier this month, for which the death-toll is currently 148.

Hardcore dance, house and trance DJ Cortez, 33 – real name Jason Cormack from Wester Hailes in Edinburgh – was fined £1,000 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

He was due to stand trial but yesterday admitted responsibility for a catalogue of fire safety failures at the Picardy Place venue on January 1.

Video shown in court

He blamed a Glasgow supplier, insisting he was given fireworks with a range twice the height of those he ordered.

A three-minute video was shown in court of the aftermath of the firework blunder.

Fiscal Depute Gillian More said: “He has pled guilty to failing to carry out an adequate fire safety assessment.

“On arrival the fire and rescue service were told two fireworks had been ignited.

“They had set fire and burned away plastic netting above the stage and the fire crew entered and extinguished it.

“Two pyrotechnic devices were discovered on the stage.”

Luna’s general manager David Ross had the same charges against him dropped after Cormack admitted sole responsibility for the New Year bash.

“People had been burnt”

He pleaded with police later on New Year’s Day during an interview, saying “I didn’t intend to put anyone’s life at risk.”

He told them: “I organised the firework display tonight but I didn’t know I should have fire service approval first.

“I saw the ceiling netting falling and we started to evacuate people.

“I found out later that people had been burnt.”

When asked if he undertook a fire safety risk assessment, he said: “The company I bought them from said the conversation we had was a form of risk assessment.

“I was relying on the expertise of the company to supply me with the correct equipment.

“But I was unaware of the height restriction on the firework and I have no experience or training with indoor pyrotechnics.

“If I had any doubts about the firework I wouldn’t have set it off.”

Having played alongside some of the world’s biggest DJs, including Italy’s Mauro Picotto, and had songs played on BBC Radio 1’s Judge Jules show, Cormack is now jobless and on benefits.

“In financial ruin”

His defence agent Angus McLennan said: ““He is in financial ruin as a result of this.

“He ran his own business as an events manager and was also paid by this nightclub.

“It was a very unfortunate set of circumstances and very fortunately there wasn’t any tragedy arising out of this.

“It was thanks to the fire service and actions of staff that there wasn’t any more significant injury than being burnt by molten plastic.

“He had spoken to the company in Glasgow who supplied the fireworks, specifically a friend who was familiar with Luna.

“There was a suggestion these particular fireworks were suitable.

“Ultimately the wrong fireworks had been supplied.

“He set off the fireworks at midnight expecting them to go up three metres and instead they travelled six metres up causing the net to catch alight.

“Some people were treating this occurrence as part of the entertainment of the night.”

After watching a video of the fire, Sheriff Warner told Cormack that the maximum fine for breaching the Fire Act was £20,000.

“Foolhardy”

He said: “I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you I recall seeing an incident in the news recently about a similar event in Russia where over 100 were killed.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the comparison.

“It seems to me that to even consider setting off fireworks indoors was grossly risky and to say the least a bit foolhardy.

“You may as well have given a child a revolver handgun and then expressed astonishment when an injury occurs.

“I had in my mind a fine of £5,000 while I was watching the video.

“Your attitude was almost unbelievable in these days of health and safety.

“You had no risk assessment and no knowledge other than a chat with a guy who had been in the club once.

“It almost beggars belief.”

Only “sheer luck prevented a more catastrophic outcome” according to Mike Partington, the group manager of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue’s Fire Safety Department.

“Warning to others”

He said: “This incident highlighted very worrying breaches in public safety and management control. There is no doubt that it was sheer luck which prevented a more catastrophic outcome.

“The decision to use fireworks indoors with no risk assessment carried out to consider the implications, put the lives of 400 clubbers celebrating the end of the year in serious jeopardy.

“Most shocking was footage shot from inside the club which showed clubbers dancing whilst burning debris fell from the roof. They were clearly oblivious to the danger they were in.

“When the fire service arrived there were still a number of people inside the premises and no sign of an organised evacuation process.

“Three people suffered burns from molten plastic and required medical attention.

“We want to stress that duty holders have a responsibility to ensure premises are safe for their customers.

“We are happy to give advice and help individuals and businesses comply with their obligations. But in cases where we find there has been a negligent approach to fire safety we will investigate and where appropriate report offenders to the procurator fiscal.

“We hope the outcome of these court proceedings will serve as a warning to others who hold positions of responsibility for the safety of the public.

“To neglect the importance of these responsibilities could quite literally cost lives.”

See more of our pictures at our Flickr site and videos at our dedicated channel,  Deadline TV.

Although this looks very dangerous, Everrett Bradford’s “Prometheus Device” is a remarkable hand-mounted fire spraying appendage that turns him into Pyro from X-men. It’s an awesome contraption; you can find his build notes and schematics here.

From YouTube:

Prometheus is version 3 of the Pyro System. This is the culmination of about 6 months of thought and 2 months of building during whatever spare time I could find. This is just a basic demo video. I’ll be uploading a detail video with some design and component discussion later. A lot of my design notes, schematics, and pictures are here.

My arm dropped back down to my side, the dark skinned man comes back with a fire extinguisher and puts out Joseph’s body. He removes the sword from his chest and dragged the body out of the arena.

I turned around, not saying anything, and walked towards the exit: an elevator at the back of the arena. I pushed the call button, and while I stand waiting for the elevator I say to the crowd, “Fuck you, you ignorant assholes.”

Just as the elevator doors open David catches my attention, he makes an “R” in sign language with his left hand and an “F” with the right, “RF” roof. I walk into the elevator and press the button for the roof.

What in the hell does he want? Probably a scolding.

What I did will probably get me kicked out of this tournament. They’re too much of pussies to look reality in the face, perhaps I made them think. Probably not, the masses hate thought, that’s why they follow the chancellor’s order blindly.

My thoughts are interrupted by the elevator’s “ding”, the doors slide open. Davis is there, sitting on the edge of the roof, facing me, with the posture and expression of “The Thinker”.

He sees me, the elevator doors slide shut, and he exhales deeply, clearly pissed. “Rasputin, what the hell is wrong with you? Why do you act this way?”

“I’m an anarchist, chaos is something that I enjoy, naturally I want to cause as much as possible.”

“Even at the expense of your life? And before you answer that, do you realize not only did you embarrass me, and insult everyone in the crowd, but you insulted the chancellor as well?”

“I don’t care about the god damned chancellor,” I say frustrated. and what makes me even angrier is the fact that David knows I hate the chancellor and 100% meant to insult him.

“You should, he’ll have you killed for this. He’ll take you down to the arena, in front of everyone and personally put a bullet through your skull.”

“Let’s see him try.”

“David gets off the roof’s edge and walks over to me, “Rasputin, stop being so damned reckless, it’ll be the death of you.”

I ignore the statement and ask him, “Where is the chancellor’s office?”

“I’m not obligated to tell you that,” David says nervously, he knows what will come next.

“Do you wish to die today, David?”

“N-No, but I still won’t tell you . . .”

I raise an eyebrow at him, “Oh, really? Have you ever wondered what it’s like for those poor souls who get boiled alive?” I pop my knuckles. David swallows hard, and I can tell he is about to cry, I win. He tells me the chancellor’s office is on the tenth floor.

I leave David sobbing on the roof, I don’t need him anymore. I call the elevator and press the button marked “10″, my eyes are wide, an evil grin washes over my face as the elevator goes down one floor then “dings”. I walk out into a beautiful office, fit for a chancellor, and know that it is about to be soaked in blood.

There was really no way to prepare myself for the task at hand, sure I had killed before but that made little difference. Those people were criminals, they deserved it, Joseph, however, was five years younger than me, and more importantly, innocent. He hadn’t done anything wrong. Sure he attacked me, but he was desperate for his freedom, as were all of us.

I walked, tiredly, down to gray hall to the arena, two men in dark suits escorted me down to the arena. I don’t think they were the men from before, there was really no way to tell.

When I reached the arena I was on an elevated platform, on the opposite side of the stands. Cameras zoom in on me, and ignorant people cheer.

On the opposite side of the platform Joseph emerges from a tunnel and he waves to the crowd, they cheered.

He jumps off of the platform, translucent blue energy twists around his feet and he gently floats down. Once he is about five feet from the arena floor and the energy disappears and he drops to the floor. People cheer.

I carefully climb onto the railing and jump down to the arena floor. People still cheer, not that it matters.

A man with dark skin, a shaved head, and a black suit like the men at the holding center. He has two one-handed swords, holding them upside down. He stands in the middle of the ring, Joseph and I each take a sword. The man tells us to turn around and walk twenty paces in the other direction. He tells us when he yells “GO!” we whip around and start fighting. This is done for suspense.

“GO!”, he yells. The man turns around and runs for the exit.

I move my arm in an upward diagonal motion and send an arc of flame in Joseph’s direction. He fires back with a wave of telekinetic energy. I rips through the flames and straight towards me. I’m sent flying backwards, my body skips across the arena floor. I get up and see Joseph charging at me. He is shooting more telekinetic blasts at me, not hard enough to knock me back, but hard enough to keep me still.

Joseph stops with the barrage about five feet from me, he swings his sword at me. I block it, we clash for about the next thirty seconds. Joseph forces my sword over to my side, he delivers a hard roundhouse kick to my face. I fall on my stomach. Joseph is prone for a killing blow, I roll out of the way.

I sit up and slash Joseph in the shin. He stupidly lowers his guard. I get up and make a downward swing at Joseph. Joseph blocks it. However, my sword goes farther than expected, Joseph’s sword broke. My blade falls into Joseph’s shoulder, it goes in about an inch. I pull it out and his blood sprays onto the left eye of my Domo-kun jacket.

He tries to attack me with the broken sword, but I blocked it. I knocked the blade from Joseph’s hand.

The tip of my sword is at Joseph’s throat. “This is technically a defeat,” I tell him.

“Yeah,” he says. “But this isn’t what they want, they want you to kill me.”

I prepare to push my blade forward but Joseph pushes me with telekinesis. I roll across the ground and stop ten feet away on my back, gasps among the crowd.

Joseph walks up to me with my sword in his hand.

This is the . . . end . . .?

No, fire, it wants to be . . . fed . . .

“Hey,Joseph,” I say.

“What?”

“‘Bye . . .”

I snap and set him on fire, he staggers backwards and drops the sword. He falls to the floor, thrashing wildly. I look down at the sword and decide to stop his screaming. I pick it up, turn it around and stab Joseph in the heart, he is dead almost instantly.

The flames eat away at his body, and the blade, it decides against it and goes back to Joseph.

The crowd erupts into cheers.

Among them it looks as though a riot is about to break out. And they start to chant, “Rasputin, Rasputin” over the great match I gave them.

I raise my fist, well it was almost a fist, except for one finger.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” I say to the crowd, they stop cheering. “I just killed someone and you’re cheering! I killed someone . . .”

My body is in pain from the impact, slowly I got up off of the wooden floor. There were many questions that I wanted to ask him. But now is not the time, I knew he would attack again, soon.

I snap sending an arc of flame in Joseph’s direction, he rolls away and in mid-air sends a wave of telekinetic energy in my direction. The wave hits me, and I am launched into a bookshelf along the left wall of the library. Pain overwhelms me. I fall and hit the floor, hard. Books fall onto me.

Ignoring the pain I spring to my feet and pick up a large tomb that weighed at least fifteen pounds, and had over two-thousand pages. I throw it at Joseph, while it is in mid-air I set it on fire. The book hits Joseph square in the chest, he falls over from the impact. He pushes the flaming book off of his chest and puts out the flames by smacking them with his hands. He gets up, blowing on his blistered hands.

While his guard is down I send an arc of flame in his direction. In the split second before he is set ablaze he sees the flame and ducks underneath it. He rolled across the mahogany floors. I shot more flames at him, he rolled away from them as the fire hits the shelves. He kept dodging until he was backed into a corner, he had nowhere to run, he was right where I wanted him.

I picked up a chair and threw it at him. He braced himself with arms in front of him. The chair collides with his body, it shatters on impact he is knocked over into the corner.

Joseph got up from the amass of broken wood and he was in a daze. I was prone to snap with both hands but was stopped by a buzzing pain in my left side, it spread quickly throughout my body. My body shook rapidly, uncontrollably,  couldn’t stop it, I’d been tazed. Three other men in Special Forces uniforms ran into the library. Two of them had fire extinguishers and were putting out the flaming shelves. The other tazed Joseph. The two men who tazed us put PlastiCuffs on our wrists. They walked us over to the  elevator.

“Why, Joseph?” I ask him as we walk past the tables I grab my Domo-kun jacket.

“They said they’d pay me,” he replies. The Special Forces take us into the elevator. The one behind Joseph presses the button marked “7″.

“You should have known better,” I say, “not only is the government untrustworthy but they’re caniving  too, they probably want ratings, and nothing more. This sort of thing makes for good T.V.”

“You’re probably right,” Joseph says admitingly, “what the hell would I have done with the money anyways.”

The elevator “ding”s and the men in uniform walk us down a straight hall with gray stone walls and steel doors that are painted white.

“Tomorrow our fight will get an ending,” I say sadly. In these last few minutes I had grown to like Joseph for his relent and strength.

“Yeah,” he replies distantly, “I don’t really wanna fight you though, Rasputin. If these guys hadn’t come you would’ve killed me.”

The Special Forces signal us to stop. Joseph’s room and my room are across from each other. Joseph and I open our doors almost simultaneously. Before we head in for the night he turns around and says: “G’night, Rasputin.”

Without turning around I say back: “See you on the chopping block.”

David begins to walk over to  Joseph and attempt to help him calm down. I stop him and say, “David, is it alright if I leave?”

“Sure, Rasputin. Just take the elevator that brought you up here,” he says pointing at the elevator. He then walks over to Joseph, trying to comfort him but fails miserably. Joseph shouts some obscenities at David, and through all his curses his message is clear: “Leave me alone.”

David gives up and walks by me, he presses the button marked with an up arrow on the elevator’s outside panel. I follow him.

While we are in the elevator David says: “The first match will be starting soon, are you coming?”

“No. I’ll watch the live showing on T.V. Is there a library in this damn place?”

“A library? Well, yes, the entire fourth and fifth floors are one huge library, used not only as a hall of knowledge but as a safe haven for the contestants. The arena is below the first floor.”

“After he says this the elevator “ding”s and he steps out. “Are you sure you would not rather come down to the arena and watch the fight?” he says.

“No. I want to be in that arena as little as possible. I’ll watch from the library,” I reply.

“Well alright, be seeing you, Rasputin,” David says.

“‘Bye.” I say then press the button on the elevator control panel marked “4″. The elevator doors close as David walks away, towards the death chamber.

As the elevator ascends a robotic voice sounds over the P.A., “The first round of the tournament will begin shortly, those not yet in the arena who wish to attend must do so now, the doors are closing.”

I contemplate sending the elevator back down to the arena, but ultimately decide against it. I wanted my privacy. I began to wonder if Joseph had attended, but didn’t linger on it too long as I had more important things to worry about.

“Ding” goes the elevator when it reaches the fourth floor.

I step out of the lift, and the doors shut behind me, into the mahogany clad library. A slight smile washed across my face, there were enough books in here to last me months.

I unzip my Domo-kun jacket and drape it over a nearby chair. I had on a white undershirt underneath. I began exploring the library. Starting at the first floor I glance over the shelves, trying to find something that would catch my interest, there were quite a few old volumes, I would have to look into them later. As a whole the place must have been worth a fortune.

I turn on the T.V. hanging over in the corner of the library, there was but one channel, the fight. It wasn’t anything special, I didn’t know the fighters, they were clanking swords and throwing balls of psychic energy at each other. Standard fair.

About five minutes later an invisible force threw me across the room, I slid across the row of tables in the middle of the library. The books that were piled neatly on top were pushed aside by my body. I fell off and onto the floor.

“Oh, what the hell?! Who did that?!” was all that I could think of at the time.

“Me, Rasputin,” says Joseph.

• LED – LEDdauertest

User RH aus dem Led-styles-forum hat sich einmal die Mühe gemacht, die Angaben der Hersteller von LEDs zu deren Lebensdauer  zu überprüfen. Wie zu erwarten, sind in der Realtät 50000h Lebensdauer ziemlich freundlich geschätzt. Im realen Langzeittest kommt RH auf einen Wert, der sich wohl bei ca 30000h einpendeln wird. Das soll jetzt nicht heißen, dass die LEDhersteller ihre Kunden hinters Licht führen, aber wie auch bei anderen standarddisierten Testverfahren ( siehe Verbrauch bei PKWs ), scheinen die Testverfahren doch ein wenig idealisiert zu sein.

Getestet wurden weiße SMD-Leds, die jedoch erfreulicherweise keine Verschiebungen im Farbspektrum aufwiesen. Je nach Aplikation ist das ja mindestens so wichtig wie die absolute Lichtleistung.

LINK

• Gimmick – Handfeuerwerk

Die Freunde der Comickultur sollten die Figur Pyro aus dem X-Men Universum zur genüge kennen. Für den Rest: Pyro hat die Fähigkeit (wer hätts gedacht ) Feuer zu kontrollieren und in bevorzugt destruktive Bahnen zu lenken . Oft gezeigt, der Held mit Flammenball in der offenen Hand. Halloween ist zwar gerade vorbei, wer fürs nächste noch ein zünftiges Kostüm im Auge hat, benötigt natürlich  auch irgendwas Feuerspuckendes.

Mit Feuerzeuggas und ein wenig Steuerelektronik lässt sich da auf jeden Fall ein eindruckvolles Handfeuerwerkgerät bauen.

LINK

Victory in the G1 Cigar Mile did more than add a third victory at the premier level this year to the resume of the 4-year-old Posse colt Kodiak Kowboy. It put him directly in the spotlight as a contender for the Eclipse Award as leading older horse.

Previously, Kodiak Kowboy had to be considered primarily as a high-class sprinter, but his victory in the Cigar Mile came over Metropolitan Handicap winner Bribon, the high-class 3-year-old Vineyard Haven, and G1 winner Pyro. Nice going.

The Cigar score also foregrounds the consistent colt’s form, which has maintained a high level throughout the year, something a couple of his notable competitors for the award have not managed.

And who else would rise to the top of this group? Einstein is an admirable and courageous racehorse who seems to have lost a step or two since last spring. Likewise, the form of Well Armed crashed after his Dubai World Cup victory. Macho Again, Bullsbay, and Rail Trip have shown very good form on their day but have not progressed when called on through the fall.

I had not really considered Kodiak Kowboy for best older horse till today’s result. Part of the reason surely is that the “older horse” category typically goes to a racer who has campaigned at nine to 12 furlongs, but the stronger segment of older horses this year seems to be the sprinter-milers, and off his showings in the Carter, Vosburgh, and Cigar Mile, Kodiak Kowboy is the best of them.

Here is the link to the story the local paper (Alton Telegraph) did on my glass art as an eco-friendly gift alternative…Kerry Ellen is the last half of the article…

http://www.thetelegraph.com/articles/gifts-33535-alton-green.html

Dream green: Eco-friendly gifts mean more, cost less Comments 0 | Recommend 0 November 25, 2009 2:07 PM By JILL MOON The Telegraph ALTON —

Sustainable gift-giving, especially in dim economic times, brightens up the season instead of the big box stores’ bottom lines. Eco-friendly gifts tend to be more cost-effective in that they are produced locally, often with recycled materials, and usually are inherently less expensive than store-bought items.

Making gifts for loved ones is even more special, but not everyone has an artist’s touch. Fortunately, there are those artisans who provide eco-friendly gifts at special shows and exhibits. Flea Bags creator Marie Georges, who assembles tote bags from fabric remnants, and Kerry Vincent, a glass artist who owns her own glass art business, Kerry Ellen, are both River Bend artists who took their talents to the next level.

Georges, who also owns Cheesecake Gourmet Desserts and Catering, started Flea Bags in June 2008 at her sister’s suggestion. Georges always loved sewing, cooking, gardening and working with her hands. “Basically, when I’m not cooking, I’m sewing,” Georges proclaimed. While Georges was recovering from surgery, her sister told Georges she should sew and make eco-friendly bags while she was sitting around. “Fabric is expensive, and I knew remnants existed and how to get them,” said Georges, of Alton. Georges gathers fabric samples from furniture stores, upholsterers, interior designers, and from big books that contain samples for drapes, curtains and furnishings. She disassembles the books and recycles all of the components. “It’s not only green to try to get people to ‘go green’ and use the bags for shopping, but it prevents the fabric from going into a landfill, because that’s where it goes,” Georges explained. “I hate to think of how much fabric is in a landfill.” Georges’ Flea Bags serve many more purposes than carrying groceries or retail items. She created several different sizes, including sizes that are perfect for a bottle of wine or two, a lunch from home and gift bags. She features three sizes as market bags for shopping and an even larger size for oversized items. Flea Bags gifts can be had for $20 or less, with most of the bags priced between $10 and $18. “Each bag is totally unique. Flea Bags are like snowflakes — no two are alike,” she said. Last year, Georges sold her Flea Bags at a holiday market held by the Sierra Club at Alton Square and at Edwardsville’s Land of Goshen Community Market on Saturday mornings during its season from May through October. “A friend of mine bought two bags, walked around the market and filled one up for her boss’ birthday,” Georges said. “People use them for all kinds of things. I know a lady who carries her knitting in one.” Georges will have Flea Bags available at the inaugural Edwardsville Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Edwardsville Moose Lodge on Illinois Route 143. More than 25 local and regional artists and craftspeople will show at the market. Many of them are regular vendors of the Goshen Market. Call Georges at (618) 514-1854 for more information or to view her Flea Bags elsewhere.

Vincent, who chose her middle name of Ellen as the second moniker in her business title, began creating art from recycled glass after a neighbor invited her to an art glass class. The neighbor’s husband did not want to go, so it was Vincent’s lucky break in that she discovered her passion for glass work.

Vincent started out “flameworking,” which is creating beads from rods of glass, she explained. Then, she took a class in stained glass and liked that, too. But her sister did stained glass art, and Vincent tried to contain her desire to create the same type of glass art. “Then last year, for my birthday, I got the gift of a fused glass class,” said Vincent, of Alton. “That’s the one that really captured my attention. It’s my passion.”

She describes fusing glass by way of heat as a bit like magic. “Things turn out so beautiful — the mystery,” she said. “I can start with one color, and the heat will make it turn out to be another color.”  Vincent’s artistic interests always were in glass, because her Swedish ancestors were glassblowers, she explained. “I like to burn things — a little bit of the pyro,” joked Vincent, who works full-time as a technical writer for Scott Air Force Base. “This is as far as you can go in the other direction. This is my creative outlet.”

Vincent learned everything she knows about creating glass work from Lynne Ulett, who owns Alton Stained Glass Works at 412 E. Broadway; that’s also where Vincent buys all of her supplies. Ulett teaches through Lewis and Clark Community College.

Vincent makes jewelry and small specialty dishes such as for sushi, cheese boards or simply decoration. Vincent’s items usually sell for less than $25 with sales tax already included. One of Vincent’s friends found the perfect place for a Kerry Ellen piece on a table under recessed lighting, where the dish accents a large oil painting, illuminated by the lamplight.

Last year, Vincent reused stained glass that had blown out from the Concordia Lutheran Church in Cottage Hills during a tornado. “I used salvaged stained glass from its windows and made it into stained glass crosses for members of the church,” Vincent said. Vincent said that nothing goes to waste when working with glass. Broken pieces could make a great beak for a bird figure or texture for an abstract design. “If something turns out differently than I hoped it would, I just throw it back in the kiln and re-fire it,” she said.

Vincent also suggested that sentimental wine bottles from a trip or event can make a great gift by using the process of “slumping,” which flattens the bottle. Thus, it can be used for a cheese board or similar object. Ulett can flatten wine bottles at her store, Alton Stained Glass Works. She reattaches the label, if desired, after slumping.

Vincent will show her most recent Kerry Ellen line from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, at My Just Desserts on East Broadway in Alton, where she will sell most items for half-price, because she is creating a new line. “Get away from the box stores and the retail stress; come down, have some pie and look at stuff,” Vincent said. She also will show her glass art from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Webster Groves’ Hawken House, 1155 S. Rock Hill Road. Visit http://kerryellen.wordpress.com/ to see Vincent’s work. jmoon@thetelegraph.com

The yearly event that I love going to has been moved to January 2010. It is just so sad but who would argue when its a matter of safety. Too bad, I thought I could practice fireworks photography there before the new year’s eve comes.

According to their website the recent rains and flooding have become an issue for them. So for all of us eager folks we’ll just have to wait next year… I hope it lands on my birthday, it’ll be a bang for me!

The competition features amazing fireworks and will be held at The Fort instead of its usual venue in SM MOA.

The Orange Box es un pack de videojuegos creados por Valve para las plataformas Xbox 360, PS3 y PC. Incluye Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal y Team Fortress 2. The Orange Box en PC también trae Half-Life 2: Deathmatch, Half-Life 2: Lost Coast y Peggle Extreme. La versión que he jugado es la de PlayStation 3, por lo que estos últimos juegos no pueden ser analizados (excepto Lost Coast), pero después de haber probado Half-Life 2 y Team Fortress 2 en PC, puedo compararlas. El videojuego más diferente entre las versiones es, sin duda, Team Fortress 2. El resto solo cambian pocas cosas. Analizaré los cinco videojuegos y la nota final será la media de éstas puntuaciones.

Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2 es la secuela de uno de los FPS más exitosos de la historia de los videojuegos. Ésta vez, con nuevo motor gráfico (Source) y físico (Havoc) con niveles rediseñados. Salió a la venta en DVD el 16 de Noviembre de 2004, semanas más tarde de su lanzamiento en Steam.

Requisitos: 1.2 GHz de procesador, 256 MB RAM, DirectX 7

¡AVISO! Posibles spoilers.

Todo comienza después de los acontecimientos del primer Half-Life. Nuestro protagonista, Gordon Freeman, tras haber derrotado a Nihilant y aceptar el trabajo de G-Man, fue puesto en un estado de hibernación, congelado en el tiempo, y transcurrieron diez años. En ese entonces, se creía que por la muerte de Nihilant cesaría la Tormenta de Portales, pero no fue así, sino que se creó una nueva e inestable tormenta de portales que se extendió por el planeta, y criaturas de Xen se teletransportaban a la Tierra. Los Xenianos ya fueron conquistados anteriormente por una nueva raza alienígena, denominada el Imperio Combine (La Alianza según el doblaje español). Son una fuerza interdimensional formada por razas modificadas de todos los planetas que conquistan, es decir, una multi-raza que ha conquistado infinidad de mundos y universos, y crean ejércitos controlados por un administrador (en el caso de la anterior entrega, el ejército sería los Alien Grunt liderados por Nihilant) para conquistar un planeta. Cuando lo conquistan completamente, los Combine originales lo ocupan.

Nihilant controlaba mentalmente a los Vortigaunt, que son criaturas pensantes y racionales, a diferencia del resto de los Xenianos y los humanos. Eran controlados mediante brazaletes en el primer juego. Cuando Freeman destruyó al líder, fueron liberados, y junto con el resto de los Xenianos fueron teletransportados a la Tierra. El Imperio Combine, al enterarse del incidente, mandan un ejército a la Tierra, ya que hasta el momento no lo tenían en cuenta, pero viendo el gran potencial entre los habitantes, suponía una amenaza para ellos. Y así conquistan tanto a la raza humana como al resto de Xenianos.

Los Combine vencen a las fuerzas terrestres en la denominada “Guerra de las Siete Horas” que, como bien indica el nombre, tan solo duró siete horas antes de que los humanos se rindieran. La causa de su rendición fue gracias al Dr. Wallace Breen, antiguo director de Black Mesa (complejo donde se desarrolla la primera entrega), que tras realizar esta acción y consultar con los Advisors, es nombrado por los Combine como el administrador del planeta Tierra, y nombra a Ciudad 17 (la ciudad donde se desarrollará este juego) su sede principal. En esas ciudades se hayan gigantescas y kilométricas torres sobre la mayoría de los centros urbanos, y cada una de ellas se les conocen como ciudadelas. Desde allí, Breen y los “Advisors” o “Consejeros” (seres con forma de gusano que representan a los verdaderos Combine) dirigen las operaciones.

Algunos humanos han sido capturados y mutados para conformar el ejército de despliegue rápido Combine del planeta Tierra, fuerza conocida como Combine Overwatch (Fuerza Transhumana). Otros humanos no aptos para el combate fueron convertidos en Stalkers (Acechadores). También se encontrará la fuerza Synth, que son robots como los Striders (Zancudos), Gunships (Naves de batalla) y Dropships (Naves de transporte Combine). En las ciudades se encuentran Combines que actúan a modo de guardias, conocidos como Metrocops (Protección Civil).

Aunque, para defenderse, los humanos restantes se unieron y formaron la “Resistencia” para combatir contra los Combine. Y justo en medio de toda esa batalla, G-Man descongela a Gordon Freeman y le deja en un tren de llegada a la Ciudad 17. Su misión será ayudar a la Resistencia a detener al Imperio Combine. En el camino se encontrará con personajes que ya salieron en el primer Half-Life, como Barney Calhoun (protagonista de Half-Life: Blue Shift) y el Dr. Eli Vance, uno de los supervisores del experimento del Laboratorio de Materiales Anómalos del Centro de Investigación Black Mesa.

Finaliza el spoiler

El videojuego es largo. No es demasiado intenso como por ejemplo un Call of Duty, pero es muy bueno. Todo el juego se ve en primera persona, no hay ningún momento donde se ve el modelo de Gordon ni apenas ningún momento donde no puedas moverte; siempre tendrás el control del personaje. La dificultad ajustada del juego lo hace más desafiante, ya que en este juego raras veces tendrás la vida y el escudo al máximo. En todo momento debes sobrevivir a todos los peligros. El videojuego incluye niveles de conducción, donde controlaremos un Hovercraft para el nivel de canal, y un Buggy para el de la carretera.

El repertorio de armas es extenso. Desde tu clásica palanca, pasando por pistolas, metralletas, revólveres, bazookas… La que más destaca en éste videojuego es la pistola de gravedad, con la posibilidad de coger cualquier objeto, atraerlo y repelerlo. Es útil cuando, por ejemplo, devuelves una granada lanzada por el enemigo.

La variedad de enemigos está bien. No es muy impresionante ni muy extenso, pero es aceptable. Tres tipos de Headcrabs, con sus correspondientes zombies humanos, los cuatro tipos de Combine, Antilions y naves de despliegue enemiga, que normalmente derrotas con lanzacohetes. Cabe destacar que los lanzacohetes los puedes controlar una vez lanzados.

En algunos momentos puedes liderar un grupo de la Resistencia. Están los ciudadanos, los que de verdad trabajan para la Resistencia y los médicos. Éstos últimos, como es obvio, pueden curarte si estas herido. Puedes darles órdenes básicas como avanzar o esperar.

Gráficos

El motor Source está muy bien diseñado, sin apenas fallos en la física y los movimientos. Es perfecto para la Pistola de Gravedad y para los vehículos. La calidad de los detalles es muy bueno, está a la altura de lo que un videojuego de 2005 puede dar. La ambientación, sublime; la metálica Ciudad 17, los canales, las carreteras nublosas, las costas, la escalofriante Ravenholm, la futurista ciudadela… Mucha variedad en el escenario, no te cansas de ver el mismo paisaje una y otra vez, ya que cada capítulo puede cambiar de lugar, tanto de día como de noche. Los efectos están muy logrados, pero el humo podría mejorar tras las explosiones de las granadas o cohetes. En ningún momento del videojuego verás algún vídeo que no sea ingame. Todo lo ves en directo y los acontecimientos los vives tú mismo, aunque algunas veces tus aliados u otros individuos te contarán cosas interesantes con respecto a la historia. Ésto sería un punto en contra para las versiones de consolas, ya que están en completo inglés.

Sonido
Nos encontramos con un apartado difícil de analizar. El sonido en sí, lo que se oye, está currado. Los efectos, el sonido ambiente… No hay demasiado que contar, todo está al nivel esperado. El doblaje es excelente, tanto en inglés como en español, sin ningún tipo de fallos ni salidas de tono, además que están bien elegidas. La música del juego ha cambiado con respecto al Half-Life original. Ahora su banda sonora es de género música electrónica, y suele sonar en los momentos más intensos y emocionantes, normalmente gran parte del juego la juegas sin música de fondo, algo que también puede considerarse positivo si deseas una experiencia más realista.

Opinión personal
Sin miedo a equivocarme, es uno de los mejores juegos de la historia. No es perfecto, y tiene cosas extrañas como la mudez del protagonista, algo que para mí, personalmente, le queda bien tal y como está. No me gustaría que el personaje soltara varios comentarios en éste tipo de juego, pero la gracia es que no se con certeza porqué prefiero eso, si soy de los que me molan los personajes carismáticos. Aunque en éste juego, la sensación es diferente… Eres tú, eres Freeman, no le das órdenes a un personaje, es que eres el personaje. Esa es una de las cosas que hacen especial este juego en mi opinión.

Lo Mejor:

• El motor Source.
• La forma de desarrollar la historia.
• La duración, se te hace largo.
• La ajustada dificultad.
• La banda sonora, a veces te motiva en los peores momentos.
• El misterioso G-Man.
• Tener el control del personaje desde el principio hasta el final, sin ninguna pausa.
• El nivel de Ravenholm.

Lo Peor:

• Una historia demasiado simple.
• Ausencia de jefes finales.
• Te puede acabar frustrando.

Nota: 9´6

Half-Life 2: Episode One

Half-Life 2: Episode One es la primera entrega de una trilogía de expansiones que continúan la historia de Half-Life 2. Éste videojuego es independiente y no requiere el Half-Life 2 original para jugar. Los requisitos son los mismos que Half-Life 2.

Ésta vez Gordon y Alyx deben escapar de Ciudad 17 antes de que explote, y para ello deben atravesar parte de la ciudadela y los edificios destruidos para salir. El argumento es más sencillo que Half-Life 2, centrándose solo en escapar de la ciudad. Es un juego muy corto, por lo que se le puede considerar como un puente para Half-Life 2 y Half-Life 2: Episode Two. A pesar de eso sigue teniendo el mismo reto que cualquier otro Half-Life; sobrevivir. La única novedad llamativa de ésta expansión es que casi siempre vas con Alyx Vance (menos ciertos momentos donde os separáis momentáneamente). La compañía de Alyx y Dog en algunos momentos da un toque de variedad al videojuego, ya que, por ejemplo, Alyx puede usar torretas y neutralizar esa especie de pelotas que te persiguen de los Combine, y Dog a veces ayuda a abrir caminos y eliminar enemigos.

Gráficos

Una pequeña expansión y tan poco tiempo no han permitido a Valve desarrollarlo mejor, por tanto se mantiene igual que Half-Life 2 pero con mejoras, como las expresiones faciales o las animaciones, que en este videojuego hay más concentradas al ser más corto. Dispones de menos escenarios que el original, ya que solo se basa en huir de Ciudad 17, y solo volverás a ver la ciudadela, una derruida Ciudad 17 con un tono anaranjado (por el gigantesco portal que se ha creado en el cielo), y pasadizos subterráneos. Las texturas han mejorado de forma notable.

Sonido

Como en el original, los sonidos del motor Source se repiten, con algunas novedades. La banda sonora es completamente nueva, aunque escucharás menos voces, ya que casi todo el juego solo aparecen Gordon y Alyx, y como Gordon no habla… Eso sí, aparecen Barney, Kleiner y Eli en algún momento, pero muy breve.

Opinión personal

Una expansión pasable, no es para tirar cohetes, pero es imprescindible si quieres continuar las aventuras de Freeman. Es algo barato, y en un pack de calidad como The Orange Box, es imposible que te arrepientas aunque te decepcione algo la expansión, por no incluir demasiadas novedades. Personalmente lo considero el peor de los cinco videojuegos que forman el pack, pero eso no quiere decir que sea malo. Es simplemente una continuación, ni más ni menos.

Lo Mejor

• Estar acompañado de Alyx y Dog.
• La imagen de la Ciudad 17.
• Pequeñas mejoras gráficas.

Lo Peor

• Muy corto.
• Sin fases de conducción.
• Menos variedad en el ambiente.
• Si el anterior tenía una historia demasiado simple, éste ni la tiene.

Nota: 7´5

Half-Life 2: Episode Two

Half-Life 2: Episode Two es la segunda entrega de la trilogía de episodios de Half-Life 2. Al igual que Episode One, éste videojuego es independiente y no requiere el Half-Life 2 original para jugar.

Requisitos: 1.7 GHz de procesador, 512 MB RAM, DirectX 8

¡AVISO! Posibles spoilers.

La historia se reanuda tras los sucesos de Half-Life: Episode One. Gordon y Alyx despiertan tras el accidente de tren, cuando intentaron abandonar la ya destruida Ciudad 17. Donde estaba la ciudadela ahora se encuentra un haz de energía gigante, proveniente de un enorme círculo resplandeciente en el cielo, que emana explosiones espontáneas cada cierto tiempo. Tras un corto camino, consiguen comunicarse con Eli y Kleiner, que les explica los detalles de su nueva misión, y es conseguir traspasar White Forest para llegar a la base de la Resistencia y traer la información que dejó la doctora Mossman en la ciudadela de Ciudad 17, ya que en esos datos se encuentra el código de apertura y cierre del portal, la principal razón de porqué los Combine perseguían a Alyx y Gordon. En éste episodio hace su aparición un nuevo personaje; el doctor Magnusson, del que dispone de un cohete cuyo objetivo consiste en cerrar el gigantesco portal. Por esa razón necesita la información de la doctora Mossman.

Finaliza el spoiler

Éste episodio supera todo lo visto hasta ahora en la saga, incluyendo escenarios abiertos y muy dinámicos. A diferencia del Episode One, ésta expansión tuvo más tiempo de desarrollo, y es más larga, aunque no tanto como Half-Life 2. Sin embargo, no incluye demasiadas novedades jugables, pero técnicamente llega a un nivel superior. Puedes controlar un nuevo vehículo, y el número de enemigos en pantalla ha incrementado. El lanzamiento de éste episodio fue la principal razón para la salida de The Orange Box.

Gráficos

Como ya dije, el nivel técnico ha alcanzado un nuevo nivel. Las texturas se visualizan a mayor resolución, las animaciones han sido rediseñadas, escenarios abiertos y dinámicos, con muchísimos elementos destruibles, tales como cabañas o árboles. Por todo lo demás, igual que sus predecesores, aunque existe todavía menos variedad en el escenario. Solo uno o dos capítulos en las minas y el resto es en el camino a White Forest, todo campo menos algunos pueblos o ciudades.

Sonidos

No existen novedades en éste apartado. Tan solo las nuevas conversaciones y una nueva banda sonora, más extensa que la de Episode One.

Opinión personal

A diferencia de Episode One, ésta expansión si es imprescindible. La idea de campos abiertos y de objetos destructibles ha sido buena, aunque no aporte demasiadas novedades con respecto a Half-Life 2. No se le puede pedir demasiado a las expansiones, ademas de que lo que realmente interesa es ver como acaba todo y descubrir al menos algo del misterioso G-Man. Sobretodo los últimos capítulos son los más intensos.

Lo Mejor

• Escenarios abiertos, con libertad para explorar.
• Mejoras gráficas notables.
• Física rediseñada y más dinámica.
• Se desvelan más detalles de la historia, además de continuar de forma más interesante la actual.

Lo Peor

• Es algo corto.
• Extremadamente poca variedad en el ambiente.
• No hay apenas novedades jugables.

Nota: 8,5

Portal

Portal es un videojuego de puzzles y desafíos. Estás en un experimento desarrollado en Aperture Science, la empresa rival de Black Mesa, cuyo experimento se basa completamente en el Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device (ASHPD), una especie de arma que crea portales en superficies planas, permitiendo realizar viajes instantáneos y una conexión visual y física entre dos puntos cualquiera. Sólo se pueden mantener dos portales del mismo color abiertos al mismo tiempo. El jugador debe superar obstáculos y sortear torretas y abismos para avanzar, usando la lógica de la Portal Gun.

Gráficos

Gráficamente llega al nivel de Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Con un estilo futurista y científico, nos da la sensación de estar atrapados en los experimentos de un robot demente. Un diseño bastante limpio y elegante, cómodo para la vista y perfecto para un juego de puzzles. En éste videojuego, la física es importante, ya que la necesitas para pulsar botones con otros objetos, lanzar cajas encima de las torretas para destruirlas, o tu propio movimiento.

Sonidos

Al ser un estilo minimalista, los sonidos se mantienen en un segundo plano. Lo más destacado son los comentarios de GlaDOS, la IA que controla todo Aperture Science en el momento. Su banda sonora es muy buena y pega bastante con el estilo del juego, recuerda mucho al primer Half-Life. Pero de entre todas las canciones del juego, la que más destaca sin lugar a dudas es Still Alive, la canción de los créditos, cantada por GlaDOS. La canción es muy original y con una letra hilarante, ha sido condecorada como una de las canciones más emblemáticas de la historia de los videojuegos. Aunque, si no habéis jugado al videojuego, no os recomiendo que la escuchéis, ya que, aparte de explicar cosas sobre su posible secuela, esa canción puede considerarse como “premio” al completar el videojuego.

Opinión personal

No es un juego demasiado complejo, pero sin duda es una gran experiencia. La Portal Gun abre muchas posibilidades y has de ser rápido y preciso para superar todos los obstáculos. Por supuesto, al terminar la historia principal, te dan la posibilidad de rejugar los niveles con diferentes objetivos, tales como el modo Avanzado (mapas rediseñados para dar mayor dificultad), menos pasos y menos portales. Un buen juego, sin dudas, muy original.

Lo Mejor

• La Portal Gun en sí, el sistema de portales y su control.
• Gráficos a la altura.
• Ambiente futurista y limpio.
• Historia buena que, sin ser demasiada compleja, tiene principio y tiene final. Además, tiene un “ligero” vínculo con el universo de Half-Life 2.
• Still Alive, un tema a recordar.

Lo Peor

• Demasiado corto.

Nota: 9

Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2 es la secuela del videojuego para PC Team Fortress, actualmente conocido como Team Fortress Classic. Se trata de un videojuego Online con toques de estrategia, donde el jugador puede elegir entre dos equipos y controlar una de las nueve clases del videojuego, cada una con diferentes armas y habilidades.

Actualmente, con las últimas actualizaciones, el juego dispone de 7 tipos de juego en total:

-Control Point (CP): Un equipo debe defender sus puntos de control y evitar que el otro equipo los conquiste. Si el tiempo se acaba, el equipo defensor gana, y si antes de que se acabe el tiempo el equipo atacante conquista todos los puntos de control, ganan ellos.
-Capture The Flag (CTF): Cada equipo dispone de un dossier que deben proteger y evitar que el equipo contrario se los lleve a su base. El equipo con más capturas gana.
-Payload (PL): Igual que CP, un equipo debe evitar que el otro empuje la carga explosiva hasta su base. Si la carga llega, el equipo atacante gana.
-Arena: Los equipos simplemente se enfrentan entre sí, y no se puede regenerar hasta que la ronda la ganen uno de los dos equipos.
-Payload Race (PLR): Variante de PL, con la única diferencia de que los dos equipos disponen de cargas explosivas. El primero que llegue, gana.
-Territory Control (TC): Se basa en capturar el punto de control enemigo mientras que defiendes los tuyos. El que conquiste todo el mapa, gana.
-King Of The Hill (KOTH): Los dos equipos deben conquistar un punto central, cada equipo dispone de una cuenta atrás que solo se activa cuando el punto está en su poder. El primer equipo que consiga que su cuenta atrás llegue a 0 gana.

En los mapas tipo CP, CTF y TC, en caso de que ninguno de los dos equipos ganen al finalizar el tiempo, la ronda se convertirá en Arena.

El videojuego dispone de más de 50 mapas oficiales, y de muchos mapas creados por usuarios, con la posibilidad de descargarlos desde el mismo juego para jugarlos.

Clases

Existen 9 clases en total, y a su vez en tres categorías: Ofensiva, Defensa y Apoyo.

Ofensiva

-Scout (Explorador): Es la clase más rápida del juego y permite hacer doble saltos, aunque es la más débil. Tiene una escopeta, una pistola y un bate de béisbol.

-Soldier (Soldado): Su punto fuerte reside en su lanzacohetes, y es capaz de hacer saltos cohete con él. Es algo lento y es fácil de usar. También tiene una escopeta y una pala.

-Pyro (Pirómano): Su arma es un lanzallamas, y ésta clase es la única que no se le queda prendido el fuego, aunque no es del todo inmune. También tiene una escopeta y un hacha.

Defensiva

-Demoman (Hombre Demolición): Dispone de dos lanzagranadas. Una lanza granadas que puedes chocar con paredes y cambiar los ángulos del lanzamiento, y otra lanza bombas lapa que se quedan pegadas en la superficie y explotan pulsando disparo secundario. También dispone de una botella de whisky.

-Heavy (Infante Pesado): Es la clase más resistente del juego, y la más lenta. Dispone de una ametralladora Gatling que suelta grandes ráfagas de balas, y puede recoger munición de otras armas. También dispone de una escopeta y sus propios puños.

-Engineer (Ingeniero): Su habilidad especial es la de construir. Puede construir centinelas, dispensadores y teletransportadores de entrada y salida, solo uno de cada. Cada una se puede mejorar hasta el nivel tres, ofreciendo mejor rendimiento. Dispone de una escopeta, de una pistola, de su llave inglesa, del panel de construcción y del panel de demolición.

Apoyo

-Sniper (Francotirador): Su rifle francotirador es su especialidad. Con disparo secundario miras por la mira, y esperas a que la barra se rellene para obtener un disparo mortal en la víctima. También dispone de un subfusíl y un machete.

-Medic (Médico): Es capaz de curar a sus compañeros, y rellenar su barra hasta llegar al 100%. Con esto podrá ser el médico y su paciente invulnerables durante un corto periodo de tiempo, se activa con el botón de disparo secundario. La vida del médico se regenera. También dispone de una pistola de jeringuillas y de una sierra de huesos.

-Spy (Espía): Puede infiltrarse en la base enemiga. Se puede volver invisible por un corto periodo de tiempo y de disfrazarse de cualquier clase de cualquier equipo, e incluso se le cambia la voz. Tiene un revólver, un zapador para eliminar construcciones de los ingenieros, un cuchillo que es letal para cuando se ataque en la espalda y su kit de disfraces. Al atacar se quita el disfraz que llevas puesto, menos con el zapador.

Se han lanzado actualizaciones para el videojuego que añaden contenidos extras gratuitos, tales como sombreros desbloqueables, armas desbloqueables (como el fraskungfú del Sniper, el bocata del Heavy y el Bonk del Scout) y nuevos modos de juego, y piensan seguir sacando más actualizaciones por el momento.

Gráficos

Es curioso el cambio gráfico entre Team Fortress Classic y Team Fortress 2. El original tenia un estilo gráfico tipo Counter Strike, y en 1999 ya se tenía planteado que su secuela tendría un estilo aún más militar y más realista. El resultado final acabó por una estética caricaturesca de dibujos animados. Todo un cambio drástico. Los colores son muy vivos y coloridos, con movimientos hilarantes y cómicos, y con buenos efectos especiales. La resolución de texturas es un poco pequeña, para igualar el posible lag.

Cabe destacar que existen videos en YouTube hechos con el motor del juego para presentar a las clases. Todavía quedan el Medic y el Pyro, aunque no se descarta alguno más. A continuación, algunos ejemplos.



Y más que podrás encontrar en YouTube.

Sonido
Uno de los puntos fuertes de este videojuego es su gran doblaje. Cada clase tiene su propio estilo e idiomas, y más de 100 lineas de diálogo cada una, cargadas con mucho humor y carisma. La banda sonora está bien, normalmente se usan más en los “Meet The” que en el propio videojuego, con la posibilidad de oírla solo en el menú principal. Los efectos son muy variados, cada sonido tiene tres o más versiones diferentes que se ejecutan de la misma manera.

Opinión personal
Que no te engañe su aspecto. Team Fortress 2 es un videojuego muy original y divertido, para mí, el mejor juego Online que he jugado, un respiro entre tanto contenido descargable de pago y tanto soldado militar en los shooters. Imprescindible para todo aficionado a los FPS y al juego en red.

Lo Mejor

• Su variedad en las 9 clases.
• Su increíble cantidad de mapas.
• Contenido oficial gratuito.
• Cargado de humor.
• Muy original entre tantos shooters bélicos.

Lo Peor

• La traducción en español es mejorable e incompleta.
• Honestamente, nada más.

Nota: 9,5

Diferencia entre versiones

Las versiones analizadas han sido para la versión de PC. Las versiones de Xbox 360 y PS3 son inferiores en ciertos aspectos. Éstas son las diferencias:

-Ambas versiones están al completo inglés.
-Ninguna de las dos están actualizadas, algo grave sobre todo para Team Fortress 2, cuyas versiones de consolas solo disponen de 6 mapas y sin desbloqueables.

Pocas, pero graves.

Conclusión final

Un excelente pack, recomendado para amantes de FPS, con buena variedad de videojuego; una aventura con dos expansiones, un puzzle de desafíos y un online multijugador. Además, su precio es irresistible (20€), y te llevará mucho tiempo completarlo al 100%.

Nota: 8,8

Saludos

LeviathanDominator

I awoke in the square gray room. Groggily I got off the bed, rubbing my eyes I walked out of the room. The two men in suits escorted me back to the man in green’s study. This time they didn’t grab my jacket or point guns at me, they merely walked on either side of me.

The suited men and I reached the cherry wood door to the man in green’s study. The men stood guard on either side of the door. I turned the knob and opened the door shutting it behind me.

“Ah, Rasputin, good morning,” says the man in green in a giddy sort of tone.

“Is it? I ask. “Your men break into my apartment, beat me with their plastic rods, break my finger, point guns at me, and you tell me that I will be competing in a death tournament against my will. Is it really a good morning?”

“Listen Rasputin. I don’t need your shit this early in the morning. Why don’t we start over?”

“Fine,” I say agreeably, it isn’t like me to compromise so quickly but he could have me killed in a matter of seconds, “I’m Rasputin Write, and you are?”

“I’m David Schneider,” he says, ” and I’m about to have nineteen deaths on my conscience.”

“Hurm. So you d feel guilty,” I say, “I have gained some respect for you. Now, down to business, can you tell me about this tournament?”

“Uh, sure, Rasputin. I owe you that much. First off, I need to tell you not to be angry with me for this tournament, as I said before this is the fault of the high chancellor. I am a T.V. Executive and the chancellor gave me a small number of his Special Forces to round twenty psychics at random. I had called all of them here previously, as I did with you, to tell them basically what I am telling you now. Also, he will be doing these tournaments for years until there are only the winners left, and they will be almost brain washed into joining his army and spreading his propaganda bullshit.”

“Do you realize that you could be killed for saying such things, David?”

“Yeah.”

“Hurm. Very well. I must apologize for earlier, didn’t mean to come off as rash. Can you tell me of the rules for the tournament?”

“Yeah, the tournament will work as a tree, each match being a branch. The matches will be one on one, using any weapons they’ll give you, such as swords, knives, clubs. And as of last night you will be using your psychic powers.”

“So, David, can you tell me who my first opponent is?”

David opens a drawer in his desk and he takes out a file and drops it on his desk. I walk forward, leaning over the desk, and open the file. There is a page titled “Basic Information”, it says his name is Joseph Kovacs and that his psychic power id telekinesis. “Hmm. Think that he could beat my fire.”

“That’s the idea,” says David.

“Think it could stop me from boiling the water in his body?”

“Rasputin, we made that skill illegal for anyone with pyrokinesis, if you do that they’ll kill you.”

I close the file. “When are we going to leave to meet the other contestants?” I ask, then add: “Soon, I hope.”

David takes the file and puts it back in the door and closes it. “Well, we could leave now I suppose,” he says,”the men outside will show you to the Psychic Containment Vehicle. All of the fighters were here but they left already in the other nineteen containment vehicles.”

“Fine by me,” I say.

Then I turn around and walk out the door. The men each grab one of my arms and lift me up and carry me to a huge double door. The door opens as we approach and they walk down a small flight of stairs into a stone courtyard with many beautiful statues. They take me to a black truck, one of them opens the door and the other throws me inside, it is like a silver box.

After about fifteen minutes the truck comes to a stop, the men in suits come around the back and pull me out of the truck.

They escort me inside the building. The place is very sterile, even more so than a hospital. I didn’t have much time to look around (not that there was much to look at) before the men in suits directed me towards an elevator. But from the brief look that I got the interior almost matched that of a waiting room. But what would they be waiting for?

“So,” I begin, “where are we going?”

The men in dark suits give no reply.

When we get to the elevator one of the men presses the button with the up facing arrow.

We walk into the rectangular lift. The same man who pressed the button before steps forward and presses the button marked “RF”, roof.

The ride upward wasn’t long, about two minutes. There was a “ding” when the elevator reached its destination. There was a man standing there, I knew him, and there was another person, he wasn’t really a man, more like a kid, he looked to be about sixteen.

“Hello again, Rasputin,” chimes David.

“Hmm. Good to see you, David.” As I say this the two men silently leave through the elevator behind me.

“Likewise,” says David.” Uh, I believe we should begin with introductions,” David takes a piece of cloth from his suit pocket and dabs nervous sweat from his forehead. “Rasputin this is Joseph Kovacs, your opponent in the second match. Joseph this is Rasputin Write.”

“Good to meet you Jo-”

I am cut off by Joseph.

“Shut the fuck up!”

“Well, no need to get all pissy,” I reply.

“Argh!” he says in frustration,” Stop! Just fucking stop it! Stop with all your mind game bullshit!” It is at this moment that Joseph breaks down and starts crying.

“Er, Joseph?”

“Didn’t I tell you to shut the fuck up?!”

“Er, David?”

“Rasputin,” he says them walks over to another corner of the roof while Joseph cries, I follow. “Joseph is . . . mentally disturbed, e,g, he hears thing; says that are strange; and just plain breaks down like that . . .”

“Well,” I interrupt,”does this affect his powers at all?”

“In some ways yeah.”

“Hurm. A psychopathic telekinetic fuckwit versus a pissed off pyrokinetic. This is getting interesting.”

Esse cara desenvolveu um laça-chamas manual, que apresenta um efeito bem parecido com Pyro dos X-Men. veja com seus proprios olhos.

E agora ele como um dispositivo em Mutantes & Malfeitores:

Lança chamas de pulso: Dispositivo 2 (dificil de perder):  Raio 5 (descritor: fogo , falha: Inconstante)  [total6]

Esse dispositivo pode ser usado por capangas bem equipados, para dar aquele estilo e medo nos seus jogadores.

When I awoke there was a throbbing pain in my head from when the Special Forces smacked me over the head. I tried to move but was chained to a metal chair. My middle finger was still broken, it was really uncomfortable because there were these sort of metal mits on my hands. I sat waiting for whatever the hell the world was going to throw at me next, I didn’t have to wait long. Two men in dark suits with shaved heads and black leather gloves. They unchained me from the chair and out of the solitary room. One of them dragged me along by my jacket through the Psychic Ward, and the other had a pistol to my head. Behind every sanitized door was a psychic waiting to be executed.

But to my surprise they dragged my right by the WWII style gas chamber and into a sort of study. With walls and shelves of  cherry wood, every shelf was filled with books, and once all the shelves were filled there were books piled onto the floor and desks and tables. There was a man sitting at a desk at the back of the room, he had thinning gray hair, and a green plaid suit. The dark suite men released me and left, closing the door behind them.

“Hello, Rasputin,” the man in the green suit began in an indifferent tone. “I have been expecting you.” I am gaping, expecting me? What the hell for?

“U-Uh,” I stammer trying to think, “Why?” The man in green adjusts himself in his chair trying to get comfortable, he exhales deeply.

“Because you are one of twenty psychics chosen to be in a tournament. I was most excited to meet you, because you have killed before. You are the one I will win.”

“M-Me, really? And just what the hell is this tournament?”

“Just a little something to be held for the chancellor’s entertainment. The psychic’s will be his personal gladiators.”

“Rrr! He can’t just toy with people’s lives like that! They may be freaks to him but they’re still human’s!”

The man in plaid puts up a hand as to tell me to calm down. “There is no need to get snippy with me, Rasputin,” he says keeping his cool. “If you win you will not only get your freedom, but you will have enough money to purchase your own continent.”

“Money? Money!? You think you can buy me?! Fuck you!” I turn around for the door.

But the man in plaid stops me, he exhales deeply, clearly angry, and says. “Rasputin, just listen, if you walk out that door the men in suits will kill you. Please, I beg of you, agree.” The man lowers his voice to a whisper. “If you agree I’ll give you something special.”

“What?”

“The use of your powers.”

“What?”

“Originally we were going to have locks on all twenty contestants until the last match. However, if you agree there will be no locks.”

“None?”

“Nadda.”

“Hurm. Alright.”

“Good. Good, Rasputin, we will give you proper living arrangements for the night. Tomorrow you will be taken to a training center to further master your psychic abilities, and meet the other contestants.”

“Hmm. Sounds fun.”

I leave the room and the men in suits walk me to a plain room with gun metal gray walls and a small bed in the far right corner. Groggily, I walk over to the small twin bed and collapse. I drift away to Dream Land anxious to meet the other contestants.

Ayer miércoles tuve la oportunidad de participar en un taller en Ficod y aprovechando el viaje me quedé a la sesión en la que el CEO de Zed iba a comentar Planet 51. Finalmente Javier Pérez Dolset no pudo asistir y le sustituyó una persona de su equipo (siento no acordarme de su nombre) que contó cosas realmente interesantes de esta producción española que creo se puede considerar ya un hito en la historia de la industria audiovisual española.

Planet 51 se estrena este viernes en Estados Unidos y la semana que viene en España. Uno de los aspectos que me llamó la atención fue la selección de la fecha. En el caso de Estados Unidos es justo antes del fin de semana de Acción de Gracias, una ventana ideal para el estreno de películas de carácter familiar que ha sido elegido por otros títulos que acabaron siendo éxito de taquilla.

Su estreno en Estados Unidos será en 3.500 salas, todo un hito para una producción que aún viniendo de más allá de sus fronteras ha sido concebida desde su origen como un producto internacional. Y eso se nota. Y tal vez por eso han conseguido que Sony sea su distribuidor allí.

El concepto de producto internacional ha estado en el origen de esta producción desde su concepción. El guionista elegido fue el creador de Shrek,  Joe Stillman (tal vez por eso los personajes son verdes…). El idioma original ha sido el inglés, las voces las han puesto actores de primer orden (por ejemplo, el Capitán Charles T. Baker es Dwayne Johnson, el protagonista de La Montaña Embrujada) y los productores son veteranos de la industria en Estados Unidos. Un dato curioso: el Director es Jorge Blanco, un diseñador gráfico que viene de la factoría de videojuegos Pyro (también de Zed)

El coste ha sido de 70 millones de USD (menos mal que el cambio está como está…) y en marketing tienen previsto gastarse más de 160 millones. He aquí la importancia de la promoción… Pero también se mostraron las vías de retorno de esta inversión en marketing vía licencias. Cereales para el desayuno, agua, juguetes, libros, comidos para niños, comics… Todo está listo para explotar la marca de Planet 51 en todas las plataformas: ya hay videojuegos que distribuirá Sega (y que ha desarrollado Pyro), un juego en la web para los más pequeños, descargas para iPhone,… Un auténtico producto multiplataforma.

Pero si creo que todo este tiene mérito para una película española, lo que creo que es más destacable aún es que el software de animación es un producto español desarrollado por Ilion (la productora de la película que pertenece a Zed). No es por hacer patria, pero lo más sencillo habría sido comprárselo a alguna de las grandes productoras de animación (Pixar vende su software). Pero, según comentaba la ponente, esto habría supuesto estar limitado a las funcionalidades ya desarrolladas y no poder acometer retos creativos en la producción. El producto que han desarrollado permite animar rostros en tiempo real, con lo que en ahorros de costes (tiempo) supone por ejemplo en la animación de los personajes secundarios.

Nos deleitaron con varios minutos de proyección y he de decir que la experiencia fue genial. Lo que se pudo intuir del guión promete hacer pasar un rato divertido y la calidad de la animación es excepcional. Ahora falta conocer lo que dirá la taquilla, pero lo hecho hasta aquí promete un buen resultado.

Um cara nerd e doido, fan do pyro inimigo dos x-men,membro da irmandade mutante! Resolve criar uma lança chamas igual ao do seu idolo e o faz,para fritar todos os inimigos que ele adquiril durrante a infancia.  Brincadeiras a parte não foi esse o motivo do cara,mas o seu lança chamas ficou irado olha ae: O cara chama a invenção de The Prometheus Device e estaria na sua terceira versão. Ele dá dicas de como construir a sua própria arma.

Qui n’a jamais rêvé d’avoir des pouvoirs spéciaux? De pouvoir voler comme superman, cracher du liquide collant comme Spiderman (pas de mauvaise blague s’il vous plaît…), avoir des yeux laser comme Cyclop ou d’être invisible comme l’homme…

Et bien Everett Bradford lui voulait cracher des flammes comme Pyro ou Ironman. Je me souviens étant petit avoir construit mes propres armures de chevalier du Zodiaque en carton, mais Everett a poussé le vice un peu plus loin. Il a construit le Prometheus, un système qui lui permet de générer une flamme dans le creux de sa main et d’en contrôler l’intensité de manière intuitive.

Je vous laisse avec la vidéo qui vaut bien mieux qu’un long discours.

Etter måneder i hi, har bandet endelig fått puls igjen! Til tross for traumer etter sist hotellbesøk (pipebrann, strømbrudd og sultans of swing syv ganger) varmer Nervewrag opp for Svenssen 1. jule dag på Jæren hotell.

Med overhengende fare for vannblemmer og andre belastningsskader har bandet startet på en ambisiøs øvingsplan fram mot serverdigheten 1. juledag.  På repetoaret står minst en ny låt: “Nekt”. Tekstforfatter velger å være anonym da den handler om et anstrengt naboforhold i Vardheia.

Vi lover, som alltid, spektakularus (les: pyro, tights å vaovao-pedal).