You know why the world is going to end in 2012!!! I do!

I’m graduating.

Na már megint nem írtam egy ideje =(

Viszont megint zenét fogok ajánlani.

A Brokencyde az Egyesült államokban,Albaquerke-ben [Albakörki] lett alapítva.

A The Artery Foundation nevű cég figyelt fel rájuk,akik már több eggyüttest is segítettek az áttörésben.Például az Alesana,The Devil Wears Prada vagy a Carnifex.

A banda négy tagból áll:

Se7en : Dalszövegek
Mikl : Hype,Vokál
Phat J : Szintetizátor,Backup Vokál
Antz : Hype

Zeneileg a Screamo, Crunkcore,Electronic illetve HipHop stílusokba sorolják.

A legelső albumjuk,a 2006-os Blue Steel nagy sikert aratott Amerikában, amit két számuk,a Freaxxx és a Bree Bree követett.

Elérhetőségeik:
YouTubeMySpace

És most itt a legfrissebb számuk, a Booty Call!

Források:

LastFM.com
YouTube

Fordítás by Adam Toxic

The fever is getting to me, my emotions are crazy, it feels like every day is a diffent emotion. Todayis rage, I’m not a voient person. Just that if my friend gets hurt by the hand of another person. I’d try and take them out. I mean, why cause harm to another person. It’s the type of thing I advocate against, but would I use my fists to help my best friend? Yes. I always have believed that the pen is mightyer than the sword, but some times anger is needed. I’m a little rattled, the holidays are coming up. Maybe I’ll get some rest, but I really want only one thing for Christmas is my baby. I’m starting to think it won’t happen though. This blog is an outlet for me to get out some of the things on my mind. Because I’m in my own head a lot. It gets tiresome.

Ceci n’est pas la question que je me pose en regardant la série de The Lunchbox

The Lunchbox, c’est un blog sur le design, sur la musique, la photographie. Tu sais, le jenre de truc qui t’intéresse. Le jenre de truc qui m’intéresse aussi.

The Lunchbox, c’est aussi Fred Gx. Fred GX est aussi photographe. Il est aussi mon ami.

Okay j’avoue, j’ai un parti pris… Mais je dois avouer avoir sous-estimé grandement ses talents photographiques.

Il lance ça sur son site, un peu comme si de rien était alors que la série, hyper cohérente, très graphique et très émotive(selon moi) fait partie des très beaux travaux que j’ai vu dernièrement.

Sincèrement, ça m’impressionne. Ça m’impressionne beaucoup.

Gros props, au blog Lunchbox et puis une forte recommandation à aller voir la série “Don’t worry, I’ll bring the matches”

On clique ici s.v.p :

verfasst von Joe

Wenn man im Bus oder im Zug sitzt, auf etwas wartet, oder gerade auf dem Heimweg ist, dann ist die beste Möglichkeit, Zeit totzuschlagen eindeutig Gaming. Wenn man dann noch seine liebsten Retro-Titel unterwegs zocken kann, dann fängt der Spaß erst so richtig an. Ich liste euch heute ein paar meiner Retro to go Games auf.

Dragonball Z Buu's Fury

Mein erster Tip ist gleichzeitig ein Geheimtipp. Mit Dragonball Z Buu’s Fury ist nämlich eines meiner liebsten GBA Spiele erschienen. Das tolle Action Kampfsystem mit den Rollenspielelementen und der Dragonball Saga rund um Buu macht diesen Titel für mich zu einen wirklichen Hit. Ich habe viel Zeit mit diesem Titel verbracht, auch nach dem Story Ending war es spaßig, die Charaktere hochzuleveln, die Welten noch ein bisschen zu erforschen und neue Fertigkeiten zu lernen. Sehr cool: Man kann zwischen allen Dragonball Z Charakteren, die in diesem Teil der Saga tätig sind, spielen und wechseln nach Lust und Laune.

Final Fantasy IV Advance

Ein weiteres Rollenspiel darf hier in diesem Artikel dabei sein. Dabei handelt es sich um Final Fantasy IV Advance, welches ich schon seit SNES Zeiten gut kenne. Damals hat mich das Spiel schon begeistert, heute laufe ich noch gerne mit dem Gameboy Advance herum und spiel den Teil. Busfahrten werden so nie langweilig und auch der ein oder andere Sitznachbar ist sofort still und schaut gespannt auf dem Bildschirm um die sofort ergreifende Story mitzubekommen, oder die toll gemachten Kämpfe mitzuverfolgen.

Klar, es gibt noch viele andere Final Fantasy’s auf dem GBA, aber die müssen nicht alle genannt werden. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance etc. sind alles wirklich gute Titel, aber das hier ist einfach das beste Handheld Game der Reihe!

Mega Drive Collection (PSP)

Um auch eine gelungene Collection zu erwähnen, bringen wir diese mit ein. Schon allein die zwei Phantasy Stars (II und IV) berechtigen den Kauf dieser Collection allemal. Die anderen Titel sind auch wirklich gut. Wer mehr Info’s zu den einzelnen Titeln will, sollte einfach auf Amazon nachschauen…

Castlevania - Aria of Sorrow

Auf sämtlichen Handhelds ist Castlevania nun schon erschienen, aber auf keinem konnte es mich mehr überzeugen. Aria of Sorrow ist eines der wenigen Titel, dass die Elemente von Videospielen so gut verbindet wie sonst. Die RPG Elemente und das gut umgesetzte Metroidvania Prinzip, sowie die Liebe zum Detail seitens Konami machen den Titel unheimlich gut. Man spielt ausnahmsweise keinen Belmont und peitscht auch nicht in der Gegend herum, stattdessen sammelt man verschiedene Waffen und Seelen und läuft im Schloss von Graf Drakula umher, besiegt gigantische Bossgegner und erkundet die Umgebung.

Meiner Meinung nach eignet dieser Teil sich sowohl für lange als auch für kurze Sessions, da man jederzeit in Speicherräumen sein Spiel absichern kann, jedoch auch einfach fortfahren kann.

The Legend of Zelda - The Minish Cap

Schade dass ich Minish Cap erst jetzt nachhole. Denn hätte ich dieses Zelda Abenteuer früher gekannt, wäre ich wohl öfter mit dem früheren Bus gefahren,  um dann vor der Schule sitzend Zelda zu spielen. Stattdessen darf ich jetzt daheim spielen, weil ansonsten keine Zeit für das langwierige Adventure bleibt.

Ich habe übrigens bewusst zu Minish Cap gegriffen, da mir dieser Teil von den Handheld Zelda’s am besten gefallen hat, neben Phantom Hourglass. Aber Phantom Hourglass ist noch kein Retro Game, von daher…

Pokémon - Silberne Edition

Diese Videospielreihe prägte mein Leben als Gamer. Dank ihr spiele ich jetzt Rollenspiele, durch sie hab’ ich lesen gelernt und mit ihr gehe ich gerne auch heute noch aus dem Haus. Zwar nehme ich, um nicht mit dem klobigen Kultklumpen Gameboy aufzufallen, lieber meinen GBA mit, allerdings kann es schon oft passieren, dass genau dieses Spiel im Slot steckt. Die unheilmich gute Spielmechanik packt einen unheimlich gut, man kann allerdings auch jederzeit speichern und dann ausschalten.

Wer mehr über die Pokémon Reihe in Erfahrung bringen möchte, kann sich auch gleich die Retro-Perspektive dazu durchlesen. Hier hat Edgar mit mir über die gesamte Pokémon Reihe gechattet und wir konnten neben hilfreichen Details auch einiges an Material und Zusatzwissen bieten.

Hier zur Retro-Perspektive!

Jetzt seid ihr an der Reihe, was sind eure Lieblingsspiele für Handhelds? Wo und wann spielt ihr? Postet eure Geschichten einfach in die Comments!

I was probably 12.5 years old when I heard Franz Ferdinand for the first time. I think it was early 2005, they just released their debut album. I was exploring music by that time, and this was the first thing that really got me, and it got me good. Since that moment, Franz has been my favourite band for about 2.5 years. But then I discovered Ben Folds, and I got more into ‘listening’ music, like Fleet Foxes and Andrew Bird. Anyhow, I still have a small weak spot in my heart for them.

I’ve seen Franz Ferdinand earlier this year. They played at the Paradiso in May, it’s a smaller venue than the HMH. To be honest, I wasn’t really impressed that day. Was it because I went to the best gig in my life a few days earlier(Andrew Bird)? Was it because I was stressed because I had some important tests at school? Were it the 11-year olds with moms and dads that annoyed me? I don’t know, because it was a pretty good set, but I wasn’t impressed, so I decided to give Franz Ferdinand another chance.

But good, let’s move on to the show at the HMH. The night kicks off with the Cribs. They’re probably support act because Kapranos is good friends with the brothers Jarman, he produced their third album. I’ve always had a bit of a weak spot for the Cribs. Maybe because I met Ross Jarman last year at a festival. He’s a really nice, sweet, friendly, cute/handsome chap. Musically, they’re not really my cup of tea (anymore) but I definitely do respect their music. Anyway, most songs they played were from their last album. I don’t know what it is, but I feel like I don’t connect that much with that album. Still they’re a good band and they did give a good performance, though I don’t really understand what Johnny Marr is still doing there.

Franz Ferdinand kicked of their show with ‘This Fire’, a good choice, a good song. Immediately, half the crowd (maybe even 2/3) became a jumping mess. I don’t know, I don’t really like that. But you know that’s going to happen when you go to a band like Franz Ferdinand. At the moment I felt like that this could really become a pretty good evening and a pretty good show.

But no, it didn’t turn out to go that way. The first half of the set was just pumping songs into the venue. And they didn’t sound different than the album tracks to me. I mean, I could just put on the album on my iPod if I wanted to hear that. And after 30 minutes I was rather disappointed, again. Come on Franz! You folks have such great stuff, you can get more out of that.
Luckily the second half of the show was much better. 40′ was the start of the better half. I don’t know what it was that made it better. Musical variation, more guitar noise? It seemed at least more spontaneous.

Also ‘Outsiders’ was pretty nice. The band grouped around a drum kit and smashed it in pieces (well, not literally), good stuff, good variation, that’s what I want to see(you can see it on the picture . Sadly enough, only those two songs for the encore did really draw my attention and made my feel a bit of my ‘old’ love for the band.

After the encore, the band was capable of following that good line. ‘The Dark of the Matinee’ and ‘Darts of Pleasure’ were performed slightly different from the album version, also ‘Turn It On’ was performed nicely. The band ended their set with ‘Lucid Dreams’, that ended in a massive electro beat song. Great stuff, but I’ve seen that before in Paradiso (in may).

I was pretty happy that I managed to keep a good view, even with all those jumping and dancing people. It’s absolutely clear that Alex Kapranos is the leading man in the group. Nipping his wine, crazy little jumps, waving his arms. He’s one of the most charismatic people I’ve ever seen. He plays the crowd with ease (but that could also be experience).

Something that really bugged me was the level of the sound. It was way too loud. My right ear still hurts (yes I visit the doctor), and still I have an annoying beep/buzz in my ear. I hope it’s over tomorrow coz it’s freaking annoying! I don’t think that was supposed to happen. Also the sound changed, with that I mean that it didn’t sound like it should sound. Not good! And it didn’t benefit anyone, so why so much volume?! I really should get earplugs!

My conclusion is that Franz Ferdinand is a pretty good live band, if you want to jump around and dance. And that are the crowds they attract. And that’s just not my cup of tea, but that’s just me. I do understand if people love their shows. But if you want to be musically challenged and get inspiration, they’re not the right band, at least, not for me. They show that they’re capable of giving me that feeling in the second half of their show. But no hate to Franz, the only person to blame here is me (and probably my change of music taste). They are definitely a very good live band!

Overall, it was good show, but no tears and weird feelings in my body this time, well the only weird feeling is an injured ear. And that ’s not a nice feeling! It’s never a good sign if you’re wondering what time it is during a show(in other words: how long will it last?), right?! I’ll probably won’t go to another Franz Ferdinand show, but I’ll definitely check them out on a festival. With earplugs!

More pictures can be found here

Setlist (again, I might miss a few songs):
This Fire
Live Alone
Walk Away
Tell Her Tonight
Can’t Stop Feeling
Bite Hard
Do You Want To
Michael
No You Girls
The Scottish Song
Ulysses
40′
Outsiders
Encore
Dark of the Matinee
Darts of Pleasure
Turn it On
Lucid Dreams

[7.2/10] (but if you love this type of shows, probably higher)

i wanted all things to seem to make some sens, so we could all be happy, yes, instead of tense. and i made up llies, so they all fit nice, and i made this sad world a paradise….

mengembalikan jati diri bangsa

Kita semua sudah diperingatkan tentang pencurian identitas yang adalah apa yang terjadi ketika penjahat mendapatkan informasi pribadi Anda dan mengembalikan jati diri bangsa menggunakannya untuk berpura-pura bahwa mereka Anda. Menurut Federal Trade Commission FTC pada tahun tahun terakhir statistik yang tersedia lebih dari juta orang dewasa Amerika menyadari bahwa mereka adalah korban dari pencurian identitas.

Biaya yang mempesona. Selain Jati Diri Bangsa dari hilangnya pendapatan yang dialami oleh bisnis para korban juga menderita kerugian finansial. Menurut laporan FTC amp quot Sepuluh persen dari semua korban melaporkan out-of-saku biaya . atau lebih. Untuk Rekening Baru amp amp Other Frauds kategori bagian atas persen dari biaya yang dikeluarkan para korban setidaknya dan bagian atas persen biaya yang dikeluarkan setidaknya . . amp quot Selain itu survei Bangsa menemukan bahwa bagian atas persen korban menghabiskan setidaknya jam berusaha untuk mendapatkan kembali identitas mereka. Jika lebih dari juta orang dewasa yang terkena dampak dalam satu tahun Mengembalikan Jati Diri total kumulatif pencurian identitas korban yang mengejutkan.

FTC survei Namun dalam ruang lingkup terbatas kepada mereka yang melaporkan penyalahgunaan kartu kredit yang ada penyalahgunaan non-rekening kartu kredit seperti rekening giro atau penyalahgunaan informasi pribadi untuk membuka account baru atau jenis lain penipuan. Dengan kata lain statistik ini hanyalah puncak gunung es.

Banyak Jenis Pencurian Identitas

Walaupun kita banyak mendengar tentang kejahatan kebanyakan orang tidak menyadari bahwa ada beberapa jenis pencurian identitas. Mereka termasuk

. Karakter pencurian identitas. Seringkali jenis yang paling sulit ID pencurian untuk pulih dari karakter pencurian terjadi ketika seseorang impersonates Anda dan kemudian melanggar hukum. Anda mungkin tidak akan pernah melihat hal ini Kebangsaan ketika Anda memeriksa laporan kredit Anda tetapi jika seseorang melakukan suatu kejahatan dengan nama Anda Anda mungkin tidak dapat mencari pekerjaan ketika Jati Diri Bangsa majikan yang potensial cek database kriminal – atau Anda mungkin berakhir di penjara.

. Pencurian nomor Jaminan Sosial Anda. Ketika seseorang mencuri nomor Jaminan Sosial seolah-olah mereka telah mengambil alih bagian dari kehidupan Anda. Mereka bisa misalnya menggunakannya untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan. Jika itu terjadi Anda mungkin kehilangan tunjangan pengangguran Mengembalikan Jati Diri karena negara berpikir bahwa Anda bekerja atau akan dikenakan biaya dengan penipuan pajak karena tidak membayar pajak atas semua

. Medis pencurian identitas. Dengan semakin biaya kesehatan di Amerika Serikat pencurian identitas medis menjadi biasa. Ketika orang lain menggunakan nama Anda untuk mendapatkan manfaat kesehatan atau resep Anda dapat kehilangan jaminan kesehatan Anda karena informasi palsu di catatan medis Anda. Hal ini dapat menghantui Anda selama bertahun-tahun karena database medis terkenal lambat untuk update.

. SIM pencurian. Serupa Kebangsaan dengan karakter pencurian SIM pencurian terjadi ketika seseorang mencuri nomor SIM dan kemudian rak atas pelanggaran mengemudi. Ketika sebuah bangku perintah ini Mengembalikan Jati Diri Bangsa dikeluarkan Anda Jati Diri bisa dijemput dan dijebloskan ke penjara. Sementara itu tingkat asuransi Anda bisa meroket Bangsa atau lisensi Anda bisa diskors.

. Mengembalikan Jati Diri Kredit pencurian identitas. Ini adalah jenis pencurian identitas bahwa kebanyakan mengembalikan jati diri bangsa orang mendengar tentang. Penipuan kredit si pencuri menggunakan informasi Anda untuk mendapatkan kartu kredit jasa perumahan dan produk lainnya dan kemudian tidak membayar tagihan. Kredit Anda – dan kehidupan Anda – adalah rusak.

Ada beberapa jenis penipuan lainnya yang menjadi lebih umum. Ini termasuk pencurian bisnis pencurian anak kuliah pencurian dan eBay pencurian.

]]> http://bestbook2009.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/the-defector-gabriel-allon/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:43:24 +0000 bestbook2009 http://bestbook2009.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/the-defector-gabriel-allon/

Buy Cheap The Defector (Gabriel Allon)

Buy Low Price From Here Now
In the #1 New York Times bestseller Moscow Rules, Gabriel Allon brought down the most dangerous man in the world. But he made one mistake. Leaving him alive…

Over the course of a brilliant career, Daniel Silva has established himself as the “gold standard” of thriller writers (Dallas Morning News), a “master writer of espionage and intrigue” (The Cincinnati Enquirer), and the creator of “some of the most exciting spy fiction since Ian Fleming put down his martini and invented James Bond” (Rocky Mountain News). Now Silva takes that fiction—and his hero, the enigmatic art restorer and assassin Gabriel Allon—to a whole new level, delivering a riveting tale of vengeance that entertains as well as enlightens.

Six months after the dramatic conclusion of Moscow Rules, Gabriel has returned to the tan hills of Umbria to resume his honeymoon with his new wife, Chiara, and restore a seventeenth-century altarpiece for the Vatican. But his idyllic world is once again thrown into turmoil with shocking news from London. The defector and former Russian intelligence officer Grigori Bulganov, who saved Gabriel’s life in Moscow, has vanished without a trace. British intelligence is sure he was a double agent all along, but Gabriel knows better. He also knows he made a promise.

Do you know what we do with traitors, Gabriel? Many things have changed in Russia since the fall of Communism. But the punishment for betrayal remains the same. Promise me one thing, Gabriel. Promise me I won’t end up in an unmarked grave.

In the days to come, Gabriel and his team of operatives will find themselves in a deadly duel of nerve and wits with one of the world’s most ruthless men: the murderous Russian oligarch and arms dealer Ivan Kharkov. It will take him from a quiet mews in London, to the shores of Lake Como, to the glittering streets of Geneva and Zurich, and, finally, to a heart-stopping climax in the snowbound birch forests of Russia. Faced with the prospect of losing the one thing he holds most dear, Gabriel will be tested in ways he never imagined possible. And his life will never be the same.

Filled with breathtaking turns of plot and sophisticated prose, and populated by a remarkable cast of characters, The Defector is more than the most explosive thriller of the year. It is a searing tale of love, vengeance and courage created by the writer whom the critics call “the perfect guide to the dangerous forces shaping our world” (Orlando Sentinel). And it is Daniel Silva’s finest novel yet.

…….
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Technical Details

– ISBN13: 9780399155680
– Condition: NEW
– Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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 “Defective” 2009-11-15
By Stoney (Miami, FL)
“The Defector” is an espionage thriller in the Gabriel Allon series, a sequel to “Moscow Rules”. Gabriel is an art restorer and a reluctant Mosad assassin. In this novel, we learn that Gabriel is in line to become the head of Mosad.

THE SETUP

In “The Defector” Gabriel is living in an Italian villa with his girlfriend Chiara working on a painting for the Vatican. This idyllic life is disturbed when (defector) Grigori Bulganov disappears from London. Because of events in “Moscow Rules” Gabriel is drawn into investigate.

CRITIQUE

Too many reviewers concentrate on comparing “The Defector” with previous novels in the series. It should be evaluated on its own merits. On that basis, it is an exciting espionage thriller, featuring a very interesting protagonist, although a little slow in places. A solid 4 stars.

But, in context to the previous novels in the series, “The Defector” feels shallow and repetitive. Most of the backstory, although fascinating, is just inherited from previous novels in the series. Gabriel comes off more a government-sponsored gangster, rather than the admirable avenging angel of previous novels in the series. Still worthwhile, but one could wish for better.

 “I should have read Moscow Rules first, but The Defector was still pretty good…” 2009-11-15
By Thomas Duff (Portland, OR United States)
Even with all the reading I do, I still feel like I need a whole ‘nother 24 hours a day to read all the stuff I’d *like* to catch up on. A friend and reader of my blog recommended I read Daniel Silva’s The Defector, so I picked it up at the library. I have read one other Silva novel with the Gabriel Allon character (2006 – The Messenger), and I remembered the basic makeup of Allon. The Defector would have been a bit more enjoyable had I at least read the previous episode (Moscow Rules), but it wasn’t a show stopper. Defector was a good espionage thriller that had solid characters and an interesting plot.

Allon is pulled away from his honeymoon and an art restoration project to track down Grigori Bulganov, a Russian defector who has disappeared in England. Allon would have told the Mossad no on this assignment for a number of reasons, but he kept coming back to a promise he made to Bulganov many years ago, a promise to not let him die in an unmarked grave should anything happen to him. Rescuing Bulganov sends him back into Russia to go head-to-head with a powerful Russian crime lord, a confrontation escalated when Allon’s wife is drawn into the drama. Allon is willing to sacrifice everything to save the one he loves, and he really doesn’t care who ends up dying in the process. The tension continues to escalate to a final showdown in a snowy Russian forest, next to an unmarked mass grave…

Not having read all the other novels with the Allon character has its pros and cons. On one hand, I’m not up on some of the character nuances that may deepen the plot. There wasn’t anything overtly obvious that I felt I missed, but I’m sure there was a layer of color that would have made the story even better. On the other hand, not reading all the other books means I’m not burned out on the plots or characters. It’s not unusual for that to happen over time, feeling like you’ve read the general plot before and wonder what, if anything, is going to happen that you haven’t already seen.

Overall, I thought The Defector was good, solid, and entertaining. And like I said at the end of The Messenger, I really *should* go back and catch up on his earlier stuff. Now to find the extra hours I need…

 “Who is Gabriel Allon?” 2009-10-29
By Editright
My neighbor loaned me his copy of THE DEFECTOR. I may have read one of Silva’s earlier books–I am not sure. It quickly became obvious to me that the story was a continuation of MOSCOW RULES. I wish I had stopped and read MOSCOW RULES before continuing. I am sure the story would have made more sense. Thus my heading: Who is Gabriel Allon?

Since the plot and characters have been more than adequately covered by other reviewers, I will limit my review to impressions. Gabriel Allon is a hero for men and women sick of political correctness. The story is set in the present (2009) and revolves around several disturbing facts: Iran’s quest for THE BOMB; Russia’s cozy relationship with Iran; and the balancing act by the U.S. between supporting Israel and not causing too major a flap with Russia. Silvia allows his characters to be injured, and then show the effects of their injuries. No super heroes who suffer horrendous injuries and then continue on with super human strength.

I noted other reviewers questioning “An eye for an eye” vs. “Turn the other cheek.” In the Middle East, and many other places, turning the other cheek is an invitation to be beheaded, and peacemakers are taken for soft fools. So, Gabriel’s approach wins respect where it counts–with his enemies. Israel cannot afford to be seen as weak, thus Gabriel Allon and his crew may be closer to reality than we realize.

What will Silva do with Gabriel in his next book? The ending leaves several possibilities.

Another exciting series, the Clash-of-Civilization trilogy starts with a nuclear terrorists attack on the U.S. A retired USAF general becomes president, has no use for PC, and never turns the other cheek. The second book, Behold, an Ashen Horse, presents a chilling picture of events after the attack, and the final book, AMERICA REBORN: Book Three of the Clash-of-Civilizations Trilogy, almost finishes the story, and introduces an American heroine (actually there are four, one being a 12 year old girl) who has the potential to become a female Allon in a future series.

 “A Gripping Page-turner” 2009-10-26
By W. Terry Whalin (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Once again Daniel Silva has captured my reading attention with THE DEFECTOR. From the opening page until the final paragraph, I was spellbound with his storytelling skills. The characters and dialogue are excellent. I loved this book and recommend it.

 “Interesting and suspenseful but somewhat unconvincing” 2009-10-20
By Bohdan Hodiak (Lviv, Ukraine)
This spy thriller has two big things going for it. It is skillful escapist entertainment and you will read it with interest until the finale. Also, it gives you some idea of what it is like to live in Russia and the character of its leadership. It will also give you some understanding of why living in Russia is such a miserable experience for the average, decent Russian. But Daniel Silva is no John le Carre, not by a mile.

As I read the first chapters I felt the hero of the novel, Israeli assassin and art restorer Gabriel Allon, was something of a cipher, someone to move the plot along. Maybe Silva fleshed him out in earlier novels and felt no need to do it here. Secondly, there are parts in the plot that, seem implausible. For example, near the end of the novel, Allon, who is Israel’s top secret agent, decides to kill everyone who participated in the kidnapping of his friend, a Russian defector who once saved his life. So Allon’s team fans out across Europe and soon there are 11 corpses. I think it would not be that easy to find out who they were, where they were and how to kill them. Now we know that in real life the Mossad was given the task of killing the Black September terrorists but things did not go smoothly. Several innocent people were killed because the Mossad had faulty information and there also was some “collateral damage” And not everybody was caught. I doubt very much the prime minister of Israel would sanction Allon’s project. After all the novel takes place in 2009 and there are more pressing issues involving Israel’s national security to have him send his best assassins on a mission of revenge involving a Russian defector.. The finale also was not convincing. Stop reading here if you don’t want a spoiler but you will guess anyway as you read that Allon will eventually kill the Russian arms dealer. How does he do it? Well, the oligarch loves St. Tropez and Allon’s team finds out he will attend a riotous party in a St. Tropez restaurant. While the oligarch is at the party he gets a phone call and steps outside the restaurant because there is too much noise inside. There on the street sitting on a motorcycle is our hero with his Glock. Bang, bang, and Russia’s most evil man is dead. Supermensh then drives off. Piece of cake. At one point in the novel the head of Israel’s secret agents tells the Russian ambassador that his people better watch out because if the Israelis get mad enough they will kill all of Russia’s KGB agents (now with a new acronym). Wow! David and Goliath. Allon’s team piles up some 30 bodies in the course of the novel and I would have liked to have a page or two on the morality of it all. After all, these guys are educated, smart and brave.Have they never thought of Moses and Mt. Sinai and “Thou shalt not kill”? How do they justify their actions? Is the real commandment an eye for an eye? The only problem with this is that the violence will never end. It will go on forever.

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Buy The Defector (Gabriel Allon) Now

A SURPRISING array of marine species ekes out an existence on the ocean floor…. From The Australian. Full story

This site may contain information about: deep ocean. The blog is also related to: water ice.

It’s time for my list. I will be working on it, because there are still some things(latest Swell Season, Devendra Banhart, Julie Doiron etc.) that I have to hear. Anyway, some of my favourites:

Dan Mangan – Nice, Nice, Very Nice [9.8/10]
I think this is my favourite album from this year. Cute, teddy-bear-ish-looking singer-songwriter from Canada. He makes you feel loved inside. Good, strong and dynamic songs, nice vocals, good instrumental work, wonderful lyrics. The best indie pop album from this year. It’s unbelievable that he’s just 25 (date-material! haha!). Dan’s a keeper and you should keep your eye on him!

Andrew Bird – Noble Beast/Useless Creatures [9.5/10]
Again, a masterpiece made by Andrew Bird. It’s balanced, beautiful and unique. It’s pop, folk, it’s wonderfull. I only miss the electric guitar a bit. Still, great lyrics, interesting, wonderfull compositions and vocally pretty strong. Useless Creatures is the best instrumental CD I’ve ever heard, might have even listened more to that one than to Noble Beast. Good Stuff.

St. Vincent – Actor [9/10]
Annie Clark manages to float above her instrumental chaos. Or at least, it looks like that. Her compositions are actually well made. Vocally, Clark is really strong. It’s a pretty unique CD that you’ll love or you’ll hate. I love it.

Jesca Hoop – Hunting My Dress [8.8/10]
To me, she’s live even stronger. Hoop mixes various styles and makes them her own. Great guitar work, great vocals. It might sound weird during your first listen, but it will grow. Especially ‘Murder of Birds’ is a wonderful track.

A.A. Bondy – When The Devil’s Loose[8/10]
I know I didn’t give A.A. Bondy such a high mark in my review. But the album did really grow on me. I listen to it a lot, so points for that!

Franz Ferdinand – Tonight[7.2/10]
Surprising new album from Franz Ferdinand. Still the have their own Franz sound. Good stuff. Typical Franz.

Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest[7/10]
Pretty interesting album, on moments to difficult for me to understand maybe. There are some ‘killer-tracks’ on it, but overall it’s just a pretty solid, nice, album that isn’t really my cup of tea at moments

Regina Spektor – Far [7/10]
Not as strong as Begin to Hope, but again a very good album. Spektor goes from weird classical stuff to pop, not being afraid of sounding ’silly’. Vocally strong, but you have to love her voice. No complains about her instrumental stuff, but it’s not really ‘new’. (Best tracks of the album are simply ‘Laughing With’ and ‘Folding Chair’, these are perfect songs)

Wilco – Wilco(the album) [7/10]
Wilco deliverd another good album. Still, it can’t beat Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but it’s a good try. It’s again the typical Wilco sound(that isn’t really my sound). But it’s a strong, balanced album.

Buy Cheap The Year of the Flood: A Novel

Buy Low Price From Here Now
The long-awaited new novel from Margaret Atwood. The Year of the Flood is a dystopic masterpiece and a testament to her visionary power.

The times and species have been changing at a rapid rate, and the social compact is wearing as thin as environmental stability. Adam One, the kindly leader of the God’s Gardeners—a religion devoted to the melding of science and religion, as well as the preservation of all plant and animal life—has long predicted a natural disaster that will alter Earth as we know it. Now it has occurred, obliterating most human life. Two women have survived: Ren, a young trapeze dancer locked inside the high-end sex club Scales and Tails, and Toby, a God’s Gardener barricaded inside a luxurious spa where many of the treatments are edible.

Have others survived? Ren’s bioartist friend Amanda? Zeb, her eco-fighter stepfather? Her onetime lover, Jimmy? Or the murderous Painballers, survivors of the mutual-elimination Painball prison? Not to mention the shadowy, corrupt policing force of the ruling powers . . .

Meanwhile, gene-spliced life forms are proliferating: the lion/lamb blends, the Mo’hair sheep with human hair, the pigs with human brain tissue. As Adam One and his intrepid hemp-clad band make their way through this strange new world, Ren and Toby will have to decide on their next move. They can’t stay locked away . . .

By turns dark, tender, violent, thoughtful, and uneasily hilarious, The Year of the Flood is Atwood at her most brilliant and inventive……..
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 “highly recommended” 2009-11-22
By B. Capossere (Rochester, NY USA)
Margaret Atwood’s Year of the Flood is set in the same world as her earlier novel Oryx and Crake. Like Oryx and her much 1980’s dystopia The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood extrapolates from modern scientific and cultural/social trends to depict a horrifying future. Here we have corporate control (HelthWyzer Corporation), genetic manipulation (one example: the libam — half lion, half lamb), heavily secure compounds for the well-to-do (the future’s “gated” communities), jobs schlepping “burgers” for the less-well-to-do at Secretburgers (with a nod to Soylent Green) or doing “plank work” at SeksMart (say it out loud) or Scales and Tails. The even worse-well-to-do end up disappeared (check those burgers) and criminals are thrown into the Paintball Prison–a combination of incarceration and reality TV. Various religious sects preach their dogma, including a group of vegetarian pacifists known as The Gardeners, who predict the coming “Waterless Flood,” which comes in the form of an amazing quick and virulent plague, wiping out much of humanity.

The book opens post-plague with two survivors, both former Gardeners: Ren, who was locked into a secure room at Scales and Tails and so avoided contamination; and Toby, at the AnooYou spa. The book then alternates between real time and flashbacks showing us how the two ended up where they are, using first person for one character and third for the other. Between such chapters we also get sermons from the leader of the Gardeners (Adam One) and Gardener hymns. Along the way, we meet a host of other characters, including the two that would eventually become Oryx and Crake of the earlier book (the events of the two books eventually dovetail to some extent).

This is typical Atwood, which means it all (or near enough all) pretty much just works, seemingly effortlessly. You begin to inhabit this world very early on, nodding your head as you’re introduced to yet another reasonable trend forward from our time–it’s all fully realized and concrete. The same holds true for the characters as Atwood shifts from one to the other without missing a beat, capturing the inner voice of a young girl or the more confident voice of a group leader with equal sure-footedness, and showing the changes in characters over time in her usual subtle fashion.

The plot is compelling from the start thanks to the use of the split chronology; simply telling it in linear fashion would have necessitated too much intro as the society was explained. This way we get both the world building and the tension of how/if Ren and Toby, two very different personas–one tough, the other gentle– will survive. Atwood also throws in other tension pre-plague: a viciously violent former boss out for Toby’s blood, concern over the Gardener’s more illicit activities, and so on. The tension throughout is leavened by humor–sometimes overt, sometimes wry–and the warm relationships among several characters, especially the women.

A gripping story that becomes more so as the book moves on, compelling characters, serious thematic content, a wonderfully inventive not-so-far-flung future–it’s all here in The Year of The Flood, one of the my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. Highly recommended.

 “The Year of the Flood: A Novel” 2009-11-21
By K. B. Tipton (Albany, NY)
I love Margaret Atwood, have been her follower for years. This book sets the scene for an earlier book, “Oryx and Crake.” It is a scary and thrilling book, written in several first persons view points.

 “I liked Oryx and Crake better” 2009-11-21
By Someone’s Mom (Chesapeake, VA)
Once I figured out that Atwood was essentially retelling the same story as that of oryx and Crake from a different viewpoint, I lost my desire to finish the book. THere was simply very little suspense left for me when I figured out that I already knew what had happened and how the book would end. I actually LOVED the world which Atwood created in Oryx and Crake, a sort of modern dysutopia where the corporations own everything and provide for everyone who falls within their unit but where those who don’t belong to a corporation live in a sort of no man’s land within America. Essentially it’s a series of gated communities, where the divisions between the haves and have nots are even sharper than they are today. This time, the story is told not from inside the corporation, as it was in Oryx and Crake, but rather from one of the fringe doomsday cults which arose as America went down. The God’s Gardeners cult and its members, their rituals and beliefs form the basis of the story — with excerpts from their religious writings and hymns sprinkled in with the story. Atwood’s writing is so convincing that you can almost spell the unwashed children in the cult, and taste the vegan food and picture the hand-dyed robes which leave the children spattered with blue dye. But the signs and wonders which accompany the last days of America are much less miraculous and wondrous if you already know the story is going to end — and there’s really no NEW social commentary (which is what Atwood does best), since we’ve already heard the story before. For me, the best part of the story was reencountering some of my favorite characters from Oryx and Crake from a new viewpoint — but I think it might have simply been better had she written a more conventional sequel to the first book, picking up the story where it left off, rather than revisiting old ground.

 “great book bad read” 2009-11-19
By Kelle Brucker
i loved the idea of the book and characters. however i can not stand the way she jumps from time to time. the characters go back and forth thru their lives and its grating. also dont care for the way she ends the book which she seems to do with all her books i have read so far. love the ideas but she doesnt seem to give anything close to a conclusion maybe this is so we will buy more of her books? overall it could happen. will read more of her books.

 “Like a train wreck, you can’t look away!” 2009-11-18
By S. M. Reilly
I buy into the strong feasibility that is an undercurrent of most of Margaret Atwood’s novels. They are parables, cautionary tales that are just real enough to take seriously. This one started slower than most, but by the end I was racing to find out what happened. The fact that is it part of the puzzle that was Oryx and Crake only adds to its appeal. You have to read both. The ending is alluringly oblique, just more evidence that Atwood is a writer who entertains you and makes you think.

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Darayonan Lodge

Darayonan is a Cuyonon word that means a place to stay. The lodge is situated in a residential part of Coron town, strategically located along the National Highway. Darayonan Lodge aims to provide its guests with clean and comfortable rooms, good food and quality service. Aside from that, one has options on choosing the rooms to stay at: in the native bamboo, sawali and banig set-up or in the modern concrete and tile two-story building.

Darayonan Lodge is an accredited tourist inn by the Philippine Department of Tourism. It has played host to a number of VIP’s and celebrities, the most notable of whom are Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and then U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone.  In fact, Congressman Baham Mitra was amongst the guests of the lodge during our stay from October 21-24, 2009.

What is striking about this place aside from its homey atmosphere is the owner’s love for the arts. It definitely is a reflection of the owner’s strive in achieving perfection in everything. From the lodge’s interior decorations to the food being served for each meal. He personally goes over every little details right before being served or handed over to the guests. We stayed here for 4 days and 3 nights; and it was a part of the overwhelming positive experiences that I have had during my stay in Coron, Palawan.

The place is clean all the time! They see to it that the rooms and private comfort rooms get cleaned everyday during your stay. They also make sure that the entire lodge is spic and span all throughout the day. I have never seen any litter at all in my entire stay.

The facilities in this lodge pass the normal standards of travellers: hot and cold shower, all air-conditioned rooms, centralized water system. It’s like you never left home at all. I’ve had a comfortable stay at this lodge.

It’s also probably the only lodge that includes breakfast for two along with the daily room charge. And what’s more, drinking water and coffee is unlimited, no extra charge. I should say that staying at Darayonan is really a value for your money.

Darayonan Lodge has facilities and amenities as follows:

Cafe which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner

Choice of fan or air-conditioned rooms

Queen-sized beds, single-sized beds plus two extra beds if necessary

21″  colored television sets on all their rooms

Refrigerator/Mini Bar

Closets

Writing desk cum dresser with mirror

Bigger rooms with higher ceiling

Bigger bathroom

Veranda

Darayonan Lodge not only offers bed and breakfast for travelers. In fact, they also  arrange tours/trips for you so you’d have a grand vacation for you or your family or even with your friends.  They have enticing packages which includes everything (accommodations/rooms, land transfers from and to Busuanga, food and tours) and you won’t have to worry a single thing about your vacation. Every single detail of your vacation will be taken cared of  at rates that would suit your budget. Group or barkada packages also await travelers who  wish to visit Coron in groups or together with their families and loved ones. Darayonan Lodge does not have a website at this point in time. So if you like to get price quotes for your stay with them, you may get in touch with the owners through these contact numbers:

Chin Fernandez owner of Darayonan Lodge

Location:  132 National Highway, Barangay Poblacion 1, Coron, Palawan

Cellphone: +639178811151

Landline: +6327443209

Email: dipulao@gmail.com

URL : http://www.flashgame-girl.com/Puzzle-board/Tiles-of-The-Simpsons.html

Game description :

Click groups of the Simpson icons on the tiles to make them disappear.

Game controls :

Use Mouse to interact.

Lady Gaga did not disappoint this evening with her awesome performance of “Bad Romance” and “Speechless”  at this year’s AMA’s. Both songs can be heard in her album “The Fame Monster,” in stores tomorrow. Are any of you buying her album? We know we are.

Title: I Want To Be Like You
Artist: FFH
Label: Essential
Original Release Date: February 9, 1999
Track Listing:
1. One of These Days
2. Take Me As I Am
3. Fall To You
4. I Want To Be Like You
5. I’m Alright
6. Big Fish
7. Wholly To You
8. So Is His Love
9. Only You
10. Breathe In Me
11. Little Change
12. Power In His Blood

Title: Found a Place
Artist: FFH
Label: Essential
Original Release Date: March 7, 2000
Track Listing:
1. When I Prasie
2. Found a Place
3. Why Do I
4. Lord Move, Or Move Me
5. Daniel
6. Your Love is Life To Me
7. Because of Who You Are
8. Be My Glory
9. I’m Not Afraid To Love You
10. It’s Been a Long Time
11. Every Now and Then

Title: Have I Ever Told You
Artist: FFH
Label: Essential
Original Release Date: August 21, 2001
Track Listing:
1. You Write The Words
2. Fly Away
3. We Sing Alleluia
4. Jesus Speak To Me
5. Astronaut
6. Have I Ever Told You
7. I’m Amazed
8. Millionaire
9. Open Up The Sky
10. Before It Was Said
11. On My Cross

Title: Ready To Fly
Artist: FFH
Label: Essential
Original Release Date April 15, 2003
Track Listing:
1. You Found Me
2. Good To Be Free
3. It’s A Good Day
4. Ready To Fly
5. I’ll Join The Rocks
6. Follow Love
7. Never Gonna Be Alone
8. Ready For A World
9. Waltz For Jennifer
10. His Love Goes On Forever
11. If Not For Christ
12. Here I Am

Title: Still The Cross
Artist FFH
Label: Essential
Track Listing:
1. You Drive I’ll Ride
2. You Love Me Anyway
3. Without You
4. Still The Cross
5. You and Only You
6. Long Haul
7. In This Moment
8. Cover Me
9. All Part of The Walk
10. Another Day Without You