text:
May the force be with Electronic Arts. It'll surely need all the help it can get to pull a Jedi-rabbit out of this sarlacc pit of a hat.
In case you missed it, the world's third-largest video game conglomerate just swooped down, presumably with dump trucks full of cash, and scooped up the exclusive multi-year rights to make new Star Wars games for a "core gaming audience." Disney, which bought LucasFilm and Star Wars from George Lucas for about $4 billion last October, will retain the rights to design games for mobile, social and online audiences.
This, after Disney shuttered historic game developer LucasArts last month. The AP apparently (and amusingly) read that as Disney possibly "giving up" on Star Wars video games. As if. That was just Disney winding up a developer that hadn't made or published a really memorable Star Wars game — The Force Unleashed included — in over a decade.
Now the license falls to the company Trip Hawkins built, one of gaming's behemoths and a player that already has skin in the game: EA subsidiary BioWare put together Star Wars: The Old Republic, the second Star Wars MMO (after Sony's defunct Star Wars: Galaxies), and by most accounts a reasonably successful one, even if it transitioned to free-to-play much more quickly (and worryingly) than expected.
And yet EA has a spotty track record when it comes to franchise tie-ins. Whereas handing a major property off to a smaller, more creatively flexible studio can yield the occasional (and completely unexpected) Batman: Arkham Asylum, LEGO Star Wars, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay or Star Trek: Bridge Commander, the challenge when you ritualize conceptuality, then attempt to wring creativity from individuals on exacting timelines complicated by multi-platform demands and implacable shareholders is…well, it's all but insurmountable. The result, more often than not, is mediocrity, and that's typically your best-case scenario.
With that in mind, here's why I think the EA-Star Wars deal can't possibly work…or, you know, maybe could, given the stars and planets aligning.
EA's initial trip down Star Wars lane was confused and tedious
Star Wars: The Old Republic is a decent single-player romp masquerading as a mediocre massively multiplayer one. For all its nerdy narrative depth, The Old Republic runs out of steam too fast, sacrificing dynamic longevity for at best storytelling competency. Compared to NCsoft's Guild Wars 2, the apotheosis of sprawling world-building MMOs, The Old Republic feels quaint and sadly upstaged.
The company's tie-in track record is disgraceful
Observe the Harry Potter games, based on J.K. Rowling's ridiculously successful books: The films alone are among the highest-grossing of all time. EA had the Harry Potter film license from The Sorceror's Stone to the final Deathly Hallows duology, and yet — with the arguable exception of EA Bright Light's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix — the games, in particular those final few, were utterly forgettable. Then you've got stuff like: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Aliens Versus Predator: Extinction, Batman Begins, The Godfather II, Rango, the so-so 007 series and all of the depressingly pedestrian Lord of the Rings tie-ins (save for The Battle of Middle-earth II). Those two exceptions aside, I can't think of a truly memorable EA video game/movie tie-in. Can you?
EA wrote the book on franchise fatigue
What if the bean counters at EA develop the Star Wars games into a once-a-year event, rolling out new titles with the regularity of more often than not ho-hum perennials like Madden or FIFA? By establishing metrics whereby the Star Wars games are required to meet certain revenue goals to bolster quarterly financials (and ultimately placate shareholders), the company's almost surely condemning these games to failure (and the brand to further tarnishing), whether immediately or eventually.
The company has a troubled relationship with consumers
Remember Spore's launch in 2008? The DRM backlash? Will Wright's swan song EA game still hovers at just above a single star on Amazon (with over 3,000 negative user reviews). Through the mid-2000s, EA had to fend off disturbing allegations of employee/workplace abuse, and in 2008, it signed an exclusive deal for the NFL license (viewed as anti-competitive, despite EA's claim that the NFL pushed for the arrangement). And in 2012, the company won The Consumerist's annual "Worst Company in America" award, easily beating Bank of America in the final round with over a quarter million voting. EA won again this year, too. In short, EA has debilitating public perception issues.
But okay, let's round things out — here's a list of reasons why, however improbably, the deal could produce something of consequence despite my concerns.
EA has the resources to pull it off
If anyone has the economic muscle to invest big in Star Wars gaming, it's EA. The company's revenue in 2012 alone ($4.143 billion) exceeds the price Disney paid Lucas for all of LucasFilm. How the company approaches this investment is everything, of course, i.e. using all that cash to identify then furnish talented developers with the creative environment needed to deliver more than flavor-of-the-week material.
The game engine already exists (and it's a thing of beauty)
The new Star Wars games will reportedly use EA DICE's forthcoming Frostbite 3 engine. I would've been thrilled if they used Frostbite 2.0, the engine that powered Battlefield 3 (not a fan of that game, but hello beautiful!). I'm really just extending my last point, but having pockets deep enough to basically hand a design team their game engine in advance should help whichever EA subsidiaries wind up getting the Star Wars gig focus more on designing the games themselves.
The company's incentive to prove naysayers like me wrong is sky-high
I would love nothing more than to be wrong about EA's prospects here — Star Wars games don't have to be poor, or merely competent. So the best of luck to executive chairman Larry Probst and whoever backfills ex-CEO John Riccitiello's shoes. Let's hope a presumptive desire to flout cynical expectations yields something unexpected. LucasArts made some terrific and influential Star Wars games back in the day. It's not too late for someone bold (and talented) enough to start again.


text:
second time in as many weeks, the International Space Station has been forced to reposition to dodge a four-inch chunk of Chinese rocket.
Just before the Discovery docked, the ISS crew was forced to crawl into the Soyuz TMA-13 in anticipation of a possible junk impact. That threat passed, but just days later and with the crew of the Discovery present, another piece of space junk has threatened to punch a hole in NASA's equipment and/or humans.
It bears repeating that this manoeuvre came in anticipation of possible junk impact. That is to say the survival of the crew of the ISS depended on our ability to detect the position and velocity of a four-inch piece of metal (or, as I suspect, a frozen, smiling Spacebat), which, by my calculations, makes the ISS about 5% less fun. [Daily Mail]

subset: commoncrawl


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Noyce Scholarship
The PhysTEC Noyce Scholarship program was active from 2009-2015. Scholarships were awarded to future physics teachers at the following PhysTEC Noyce sites: Ball State University, Cornell University, Seattle Pacific University, the University of Arkansas, the University of North Carolina, and Western Michigan University. Scholarships of up to $15,000 per year supported junior and senior undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students pursuing teaching certification, for up to two years per student. For each year of scholarship support, recipients committed to teach for two years in a "high need" school after graduation.


text:
Road finale in San Diego
Lots of Dodger fans were here last night hoping to see a celebration. Here's hoping we've got a lot in the house tonight and we can finish this thing off before we head home.
Don't forget that on Friday back home, we're near a sell out for the celebration of Tommy's 60th anniversary. The first 50,000 fans will get replica Hall of Fame plaques and there's even seats still available in My Town: Italy, where Tommy is going to pay a visit on top of the Italian food and the limited edition t-shirts.
Lineup is pretty standard, but it looks like Andre dropped toward the back end, as he's had a pretty rough road trip. And Casey Blake gets another day off to get his hamstring where it needs to be for the postseason.
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Manny, LF
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Loretta, 3B
Ethier, RF
Martin, C
Garland, P
No Comments
Holy crap
Sorry, but if Ethier was 0-100, he should still be batting above crappy Loretta. I'm telling you guys, the lack of a consistent lineup card – injuries aside – has killed this offense.
Go Dodgers!!!!! Let's not give the Rockies the opportunity to win the division by sweeping us this weekend. Finish it here and now!
I hope it's not 1996.
Give me a break……….Andre wasn't the only player to have a lousy road trip…………in fact, the whole damn team had a lousy road trip!!!! I guess I ahould be glad Joe didn't bench him! What a crock!!!
I know, we will probably win this game tonight and, everyone will be happy and celebrating. I, probably will too, even though I am really fed up with the way Joe jerks his players around.
Loretta can hit left handed but Ethier should never be that low.
At least flop Hudson with Ethier.
I am not one to comment much about lineups but who would ever figure Loretta protecting Ethier! Wow! At least Andre strikes out swinging while Manny looks at called third strikes. I agree with an earlier post that the Dodgers are missing Blake and Belliard.
Forget the road trip, what about the kind of season that Manny has had the past MONTH or so, but he never moves from being either #3 or #4 in the lineup. Maybe if he was put behind Loretta, he's shake his f'king a** and do something for a change.
Well glad Torre learn Loney need to be in there against a lefty handed pitcher and not having him be replacement by Loretta but than again we have no choice since Belliard and Blake out and it seem Torre don't want to trust Dewitt since he been send down 6 times already this year.
Might be a rewrite, don't know if this has been done before… but here we goooooooo…
Paradise in the L.A. Lights
I remember every little thing as if it happened yesterday
Crashing down the gates and there was not another team in sight
And we never had a team looking any better than they did
And the fans around the country, they were wishing they were us those nights
And those rings, they were, oh, within sight
Never felt so good, never felt so right
Manny knocking all those homers in the April nights
Knocking all those homers in the April nights
C'mon, hold on tight!
C'mon, hold on tight!
Wasn't cold and lonely in those springtime nights
We could see paradise in the L.A. lights
Ain't no doubt about it, we were doubly blessed
Because we had won all 13, playing at our best
Ain't no doubt about it, everybody, go and shout it
Ain't no doubt about it, we were doubly blessed
Yeah, we had won all 13, then there was Manny's test…
He blew it all to hell that day
Lucky we had Pierre to save the day
He blew it all to hell that day
Lucky we had Pierre to save the day
:: radio broadcast ::
Okay, here we go, got a real humdinger here, deuces wild, no score, bottom of the ninth, here's the windup, and there it is, a chopper through the infield, Look at him go! Pierre can really fly! He's rounding first, and turning up the after-burners, he's not giving up at all, the ball's bobbled out in center, and here comes the throw, and what a throw! Pierre slides head first, and he's out! No, wait, he's safe, safe at second base, Juan's making things happen out there.
O-Dog steps up to the plate, here's the pitch, and Pierre's going, and what a jump he's got, charging for third, here's the throw in the dirt, Pierre safe at third! Can you believe that, stolen base!
Pierre's got a big lead out there, almost daring daring him to try and pick him off… the pticher glances, winds up, and it's bunted, bunted down the third base line, the suicide squeeze is on! Here he comes, squeeze play, it's gonna be close… will Pierre make it…
:: Ned in the McCourt's Booth ::
STOP RIGHT THERE! I want to know right now
Before we go any further do you want me
Would you have me forever, do you need me?
Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life
Colleti: Dodgers GM, with Frank McCourt and Wife
Do you want me? Would you want me forever
Do you need me? Would you never leave me
Would you make me happy for the rest of my life
You can be Andy Taylor, and I'll be Barney Fife
I gotta know right now, before we go any further
Do you want me? Would you need me forever…
:: Frank looks up from a copy of the Boston Globe ::
Let me sleep on it, Neddy, Neddy, let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it, I'll give you an answer in the morning
Let me sleep on it, Neddy, Neddy, let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it, I'll give you an answer in the morning
:: Ned throws the paper aside and belts out ::
Do you want me? Would you want me forever
Do you need me? Would you never leave me
Would you make me happy for the rest of my life
You can be Andy Taylor, and I'll be Barney Fife
I gotta know right now, before we go any further
Do you want me? Would you need me forever…
"Let me sleep on it"
"Would you need me forever?"
"Let me sleep on it"
"Would you need me forever?"
:: Fade to Ned today, sweating bullets in his office ::
Frank couldn't take it any longer, lord, he was crazy
Then the feeling crept up on him like a tidal wave
And he swore upon his wife September 28th
We win the West, and then the job is mine
HE SWORE, we win the West, and then the job is mine…
So now I'm waiting on Clinching Time to hurry up and arrive
If he remembers Jones, Gonzo, Nomar and Schmidt, I don't know if I would survive
We had the handshake, our spoken vow
But lord only knows what he is thinking now
I'm waiting now for Clinching Time, it's all I can do
Waiting here on Clinching Time, so I can Spend My Life With…
:: Looks at ITD audience ::
I wonder how long did it take him to type that on his blog?
Bills and than Weaver of course you can probably lol
I see Billz had his usual problems in the 6th last night. Somebody pointed out yesterday he's probably only good for 5 innings and then out. Doubtful you can take that approach in the play offs. You'd have to go into the game with the knowledge you were going to yank him early and go to one of the other current starters. That piggy-back thing we hear about. If you used him at all.
I'll say it again: we'd better win this thing tonight. This hit-or-miss crap won't work when Colorado comes to town.
NSB, fantastic song!! Fire Ned now!!
Houston is helping us 2-1 thru 3 and Cincinatti is helping us 2-0 thru 2 1/2. Now it's the Dodgers turn to help them selves. Git 'er done!
Indians fire manager Wedge
Maxwell slam off K-Rod helps Nats sweep Mets
Knoblauch charged with felony assault on wife Rumors
A ittle bit late to fire Wedge and wow anything could had Mets got I still think we can beat those Cards.
Astros 3-1 and Reds 6-0. Go Blue!!!!
So the Red Sox clinch last night with the Rangers lost and they can't win no more?
Oh oh someone got a no hitter in Boston.
but than again they have their C lineup there.
Well Gathright just broke up Halladay no hitter.
The Brewers coming back now 5-4
Coming from an Ethieraholic, that is a very lame excuse to move Andre to the bottom of the lineup. I am soooo with Messagebear on this one. Manny hasn't done squat this entire monthn(and yes, it's been more than this month), and yet, he remains in his 3/4 spot in the lineup.
If I recall, Andre, even though he was out, created the only RBI of the game last night. Not to mention the 13-pitch at bat compared to Manny's first pitch popup to the short stop. And, it's not like Matt has been tearing it up out there either. Not to mention, the entire team has lost 3 consecutive games to the bottom feeders………..why? ………because nobody hit the ball………….nobody.
However, I will remain positive because just maybe he will be the spark to the bottom of the lineup because I have no doubts Andre can bat from anywhere in the lineup.
With that said……………………
I think ownership wants to Win this division at Home, that is why we have the laughable line up tonight. Ha Ha!
Already Matt and Manny have done better than they did last night. I am so glad that getting a run across was not left up to Lorreta to fail, with DRE on deck.
Hi Everybody,
Here we go again.
It's hard to tell if the Dodgers will get home field advantage or how they'll do in the postseason but this would be a good time for Dr. Jekyll to come out of Mr. Hyde.
Tonight would be a good night to clinch (if ever), their second consecutive N.L. Western Division title, a wonderful accomplishment and stepping stone, because they'll have all day tomorrow to celebrate.
GO DODGERS!!!!!!(or Brewers)
Garland does not look sharp
Northstate ~ Great song, another classic! How do you do it!
Tonight is going to be the night! The Cards lost. My plane reservations are looking better!
WOW!!!! I just read the thread…………………..awesome song Northstateblues!!!!!!
Good evening all…………
Crash and North very cleverly written tunes 🙂
I can't wait until we get Casey Blake back at third.
I heard Moyer went on the DL. I want to play the Phillies.
Hi'Ya Gang!!! Great songs North and Crash!!! Outstanding!! I needed a good laugh. Thanks!!! OK, let's win this game and put this baby to bed!!!
It's time to worry about the Phillies, TBW.
The Brewers are threating 1str and 2nd with 1 out.
These guys look like they've got the confidence of a bunch of 3rd graders who are about to have their lunch money taken away by the school bully!!! Come on!! Who's the 1st place team trying to clinch here!?!? Sure looks like the Pads to me!! argh!
Jhall's in the ITD House!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's go Brewers.
I think I spell that word wrong but who care.
It look like the Cubs can't beat the Pirates lol.
Howdy jhall……did ya bring your brother to game today???
oldbrooklynfan ~ The way we've been playing lately I would worry about playing the '62 Mets.
It looks like we'll be playing your beloved Cardinals (lol) in the first round. That could be good because they're playing just as bad as we are.
Shad – Are you talking about the word "threatening". There you go 🙂
Let me rephrase that..Howdy jhall…Did you bring your brother to the game today???
Well of course I was and is amazing how I spell that word wrong considering I was a spell bee champ in the 3rd and 4th grade. Well the Brewers left the bases loaded and good job to get out of that with a lead offf double Garland.
TBW, I thought you had trouble if the Dodgers don't win HFA and the Phillies are right up our a**, right now.
While I type that the rockies scored another run
Make that 3 runs
Let's crash in on Cabrera error.
We better win tonight…..I think the equipment manager is getting tired of hauling 160 bottles of champagne from city to city!
Freakind dp geez
Freaking dp geez
BonJour Nelle'!! Hi'Ya D4. LOL!! No, I don't know where the Beav is!!
TBW, doesn't that effect you if the Phillies win home field advantage?
Rocks blowing it open, we need to win tonight if we are to celebrate. Also to keep the Phillies off our butt' for best record!!!
I am working on an Amber Alert…….New at Ten!!!
oldbrooklynfan ~ You are right I need HFA so I don't have to change my plane reservations. If the Dodgers finish behind the Phillies but ahead of the Cards they will still have HFA for the NLDS, which is all I need.
Dodger4life…. Is the amber alert because you're wondering where the FU*K our team has wandered off to!?!?!?
I imagine Beav is way beyond just plain disgusted by now, and just plain piss'ed!!!
I'm about to throw up.
LMAO, Brandon!!!!!
Right now the Padres look like a much better team than us.
LOL Brandon!! Good to see you. Better put out and APB for our bats!! They've been kidnapped!!!
jhall – I think you nailed that on the head about Theodore………………….justplainpissssed!!!!!!!!
I don't think we need the Amber alert anymore…. I found them…. the team has been found!! IN THE GUTTER!!! This is ridiculous….. Someone needs their *** kicked for these kinds of performances!!!! I'm seriously doubting our ability to even win the division now…. Thank God we clinched a playoff berth, or we'd not have made it at all!
If the Phillies win HFA, how could the Dodgers have it too?
Only one team can have that?
Explain when you have time.
This team… the way they're playing right now… Get's swept easily by the Rox
Too Funny….
PATHETIC!!! Garland's a washed up, has been bum! Another bogus late seaason acquisition from Ned.
I don't like what I'm seeing from this team right now. This is not the time to get ice cold with the bats like they are. The puds are taking out their seasons frustrations on the Dodgers. It's not the first time they've played spoiler on this team.
Can we have something good happen please? I mean seriously!?!?!?
Call the fire department, this one's outta control!!!
I think I know the problem, though: The Champagne's not Korbel! ©
At least no one else playoff-bound is doing extremely well… except for the Rockies. In all fairness, though, I'd rather be choking now than in the playoffs.
Hi'Ya VL4!! It's just about beyond pathetic and on to absurd!!!!
LMAO North!!!
The Padres are feeling good and they are loose and it looks like they are going to be hard to beat.
We need Bowa to argue a call and get thrown out of this game…..then refuse to leave, then go on a tirade….then whack the Gatorade cooler…..then refuse to apologize for doing it…..
Let's go Brewers, Lets go Brewers
We need your help.
We need Bowa to argue a call and get thrown out of this game…..then refuse to leave, then go on a tirade….then whack the Gatorade cooler…..then refuse to apologize for doing it…..
The Red Sox won the wild card last night after losing their game and went back to celebrate.
WTF?!!! It just goes from bad to worse!!!!
That was the opportunity to argue???
justplainpathetic perhaps?
They are painful to watch right now. It's like Groundhog Day over and over and I want it to stop!
When it rains it pours!! Our boys left their sacks in San Francisco.
Apologies to Tony Bennett!!!
10-5 in Colorado 🙂
10-5 in Colorado 🙂
oldbrooklynfan ~ If the season ended this way: 1. Phillies 2. Dodgers 3. Cardinals 4. Rockies. In the NLDS the Phillies would play the Rockies, with the Phillies having HFA in that series and the Dodgers would play the Cardinals, with the Dodgers having HFA in that series. If the Phillies and Dodgers advanced to the NLCS then the Phillies would have HFA in that series. Do you get it now?
This team is tighter than a Frogs a**!!! And that is water tight!!!
If it is a three way tie the Phillies get HFA also…
Garland is not are problem the offense/defense and Broxton(totally messed up are momentum.)
Thanks Trumom and hello!!! Actually, that is not a terrible scenario!! Phillies are hot right now. Not sure I want to play them in a short series.
Well, the Pads know how to start the 4th: with Fireworks.
All the Dodgers have now are those "snakes" that kinda bubble around when you light them.
Wake up, Dodgers!!!
I really do still have hope.
Listening to the radio simulcast, sometimes I just wish Rick would either put a muzzle on, or just slap Charlie.
He's starting to annoy me about as bad as Kornheiser, or Morgan………
jhall – you are absolutely right about being justplainsh*tty right now. I am sure Beav is thinking of hundred more "juicy" not so nice words to decribe this team right now. And if he is thinking this way, can you imagine your father, Dad/Chevelle? You know him and his temper. It is not going to be pretty.
Brandon – LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Video to pass the time away.
You know…………..my son is pitching, and yes, it's highschool, but he just got the side out……………..strikeout, ground out, a walk and a pickoff. Three up three down 🙂
jhall – Frank is justplainstupid 🙂
jhall – you are absolutely right about being justplainsh*tty right now. I am sure Beav is thinking of hundred more "juicy" not so nice words to decribe this team right now. And if he is thinking this way, can you imagine your father, Dad/Chevelle? You know him and his temper. It is not going to be pretty.
Brandon – LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Video to pass the time away.
You know…………..my son is pitching, and yes, it's highschool, but he just got the side out……………..strikeout, ground out, a walk and a pickoff. Three up three down 🙂
jhall – Frank is justplainstupid 🙂
Dodger4life ~ What is the tie breaker in case of a three way tie?
Pathetic, putrid, absurd, actually we are just plain sh*tty right now!!!
Loretta showing that blazing speed of his!!! You could time him with an hourglass running down the line! LMFAO
I didn't think of that, the Phillies would have HFA only against the team they are playing, so the games could line up the same way for the Dodgers when they are not playing the Phillies.
The Dodgers have to forget about winning tonight and concentrate on their own statistics and if they can do that, that could ease the pressure.
Their best chance to win is to give up and relax.
That might be good for the rest of the regular season.
I think once they win a game they'll be alright.
jhall – for sure, for sure 🙂 Shad – that means you too.
I'm tempted to break out the single malt whiskey, but why waste the good stuff on such a horrendous outing. 😦
bluecrewgirl – this definitely isn't relaxing, and I am not enjoying it.
I hope the Rockies lose tomorrow.
That would screw everybody else.
Something to read for all of us that are bored and tired of watching the Bakersfield Dodgers try to beat a Major league team….
Is it me, or have we looked terrible on offense since we lost Blake and Belliard…. Is it coincidence?
I hope the Brewers lose tomorrow.
That would put it up theirs.
Brandon ~ it's been longer that that! This entire road trip has been pathetic.
It would be a shame not to win the division.
brandon ~ I agree, we miss Casey & Bellie. Loretta is killing us. I rather have Castro in there.
Alright Brandon. Thanks!! Enlightening!! Bigger question for you and ITD!! Why does Frank keep Ned around?!!!
LOL Trumom, I was just thinking the same thing!!!
Jhall ~ Frank thinks Ned and Joe are magicians!
LOL!! c'mon, clinch aready. Everybody else is waiting on you.
Too bad they can't make themselves disappear, Trublu.
My day is now complete!
Here's my prediction for this game…. We'll get a fluke double or triple in the late innings, and we'll score on a ground out… and finish losing 6-1….. Just a guess… See how it stands up…. I mean… Who can argue with consistency…. that's been our MO for a while
Well, IMO, it is magical how Ned is still our GM!!! He must have incriminating photos or something!!!
LMAO Bluecrewgirl!
Man…. Poor Vin even looks like he's been watching slugs die from salt…
brandon~That goes to show the immense power the infamous 'whiskerbiscuit' has over a normally inteligent, and logical heterosexual male. LOL
Simply put, most of the time, males loose their faculties when it's presented to them.
Sad, but true.
Brandon ~ I think we will win sitting on our assses tomorrow while the Rockies finally lose one game to the Brewers.
Hi'Ya BlueCrewGirl!!! LOL!!!!! You know the drill gang!!!
Are we having fun yet?
Come on guys!! We need a couple of bloops and a blast!!! We can score runs against these guys in bunches….. Can't we…. Maybe? Please!!
32 and 53 ~ 🙂
I guess we will get a Hollywood ending. Rox will probably win tomorrow and we will get to duke it out at home with the red hot Rockies. With three chances to win one I like our odds. Celebrating at home will make the champagne a little sweeter.
Hey, jhall. What's wrong with our team? I have enough stress at work right now. The Dodgers are supposed to be my relaxation and enjoyment.
Hi'Ya 32!! More like "Are we there yet"!!! You kids settle down back there, don't make me stop this car!!!
I got my bat ready for them to come back to LA? Let's steal that freaking rally monkey from the other wannable LA teams lol
OK… I lied… We may get shut out…
I see why the Padres made that trade for Peavy.
You're right about that, jhall. They look like they're at a funeral. They were on such a high after whipping the Nationals the first game. I thought they'd blaze through that road trip and come home with the division in hand. I hope they get it out of their systems before the playoffs.
Guys… If we lose this game… Then for some crazy, stupid reason get swept by the Rox…. And we watch them celebrate on our field… Do you see our team getting amped up for the playoffs? That would be so demoralizing and lead to being swept by whoever we play I'm sure….
shut the hell up phan you troll now you show up as your team clinched good one you ****.
Home field advantage would sure be nice, but the way they're playing as of late, we may need divine intervention.
lol as they censored t urd lol.
Agreed, Nelly. I was so hoping he would end up in at least the .290's and he had a good shot before the road trip from hell. Still a great season for him. Hope he lights it up in the final 3 games at home.
HeyBlueCrewGirl, they're not playing relaxed and having fun!!!
Oh yeah, let Gwynn reach base again. THAT won't hurt us this time…
This blog is so messed up tonight. Nelly, my response to your comment ended up about 10 comments above.
Okay………………..I have been submission errored three times tonight and time warped as well.
Yep – the lineup change really worked well Joe.
I'm just trying to see if I can get my comment on the bottom of the screen.
I think I'm so sick of this garbage… I might as well go read about Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom!!
That's good I found out how to do it.
I hope it works all the time.
I got off of ITD and back on again.
Well the champagne's still on ice.
At least we're one of the big 8.
And to think I left school in a fabulous mood. Now, it's just blah!!!!!
Well, at least we will clinch at home. What a party at the stadium. It's all good my friends. Could be worse; you could be married to, seriously involved with, or dating Phan!!!
If the Dodgers don't clinch by tomorrow all you people at Dodger stadium this weekend better make a lot of noise.
Nelly, I guess in a way it's a compliment to him that a lot is made of every slump because a lot is expected of him. I still have faith that the dream I had the Dodgers won the World Series with a walk off grand slam by Andre will come true ):
tsk, tsk, tsk jhall!!!!!!! LMAO!!!!
Getting stung by a Yellow Jacket on Monday on my ear was less painful than this pitiful road trip. @ 40 years since my last sting. MASSIVE burning followed by ALOT of irritation.
Not fun!
I would love to get excited about Andre's walk, but it's kind of not so fun right now.
Forget about this road trip, on Friday and make enough noise for the Dodgers TO WAKE UP THE DEAD.
Just think…………..we could still have the Curaco Cow on our team. He is batting a lovely .210 right now and tonight was 0-2, both being K's 🙂
LOL Nelly!!! Yep, those were dark days indeed!! Bombko, Nomore, the cow, and Jeffy!! Just to name a few!! Geez!!!
bluecrewgirl – I know…………this thing is so very screwed up. The funny thing is……………………..it was supposed to be all about Manny this season. He was getting paid to be THE GUY. However, all everyone talks about is how Andre is not getting the hits this trip. Where is the rest of the team?
Not sure I have any words for what has been going on with the Dodgers lately . Well, I actually do have words but they are all asterisks. The only thing I knew for sure was this road trip was not going to be the cakewalk the media suggested it would be but I had no idea it would be this bad. I have no idea but it does look as if the team has not recovered from Sunday's loss. They play as if they don't want to be on the field. Perhaps they are satisfied with knowing they are in the playoffs. I guess I did have some words after all.
jhall, that usually works for me!
Actually, I remember going to Shea Stadium in 2007 on the last day of the season. they still needed one game and…
At least we're assured of the wild card.
But I'd still hate to blow the division.
I just know the crowd at Dodger Stadium, if the Rox win tomorrow is the only medicine they need.
You know my gnat fan side of the family just love to watch stuff like this for 4 DAYS IN A ROW NOW!!!!! I know, I know…………….they aren't even in the playoffs, but if they aren't in it, nothing would please them more than seeing this team fail. I am sure those Padres fans at the game are saying the same thing.
bluecrewgirl – That would be very sweet if it happened that way. He has worked so very hard and to see him end the season on that note would be fabulous!!!!
Good Night jhall!!!!! We can do this……………….1 game out of 7, I mean 6, I mean 5, I mean 4…………………okay…………1 game out of 3. Take Care and God Bless my friend. Always a pleasure in good Dodger times and in bad.
Yes, I do oldbrooklynfan 🙂
It's amazing when things go wrong they just go wrong.
Oh well, we'll get home to some familiar toilet seats and things will come out all right. Keep the faith and goodnight. Catch you all in LA for the celebration!!!
Nellyjune; Can you blame them? Don't you feel the same way about the Gnats?
LET'S GO 7 run rally.
2 runs in 27 innings.
Even though the Dodgers are an execrable team right now, their abhorrent play does make for a more interesting finish. With a Rockies win tomorrow, they will have the opportunity to go mano a mano or equipo a equipo with the red hot Rox.
The winners will get to pop the champagne in LA where it will taste much sweeter than in Pittsburgh or San Diego. If the Rockies win the division, it will taste really sweet to Jim Tracy.
Hard to figure why the Dodgers historically have struggled in San Diego whether in Petco or Qualcom/Jack Murphy. Players come and go but the struggle continues. Wierd.
Words cannot describe what I feel right now, but a five second youtube clip can come close:
It goes back to our saying………………the Dodgers never do things the easy way.
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!! Now that is good Northstateblues!!!! That pretty much sums it up nicely indeed.
This teams can start walking back to LA
NSB, once again you nailed it!
How ironic would it be for the Rockies to lose Thursday while the Dodgers are off? I have tickets for Friday's game but I would take a Rox loss tomorrow. The Dodgers already are in the playoffs and the way they have played lateley a full blown beer and champagne orgy seems a bit much right now.
Words of wisdom from Cath Lawson:
"No word of a lie – the best tool I've found for achieving business success is ****. The more **** you have thrown at you, the more you learn. And although being in business is stressful, the more **** that hits you at once, the easier it will become later on.
And I know it may seem hard to believe, but all that **** is good for you, no matter how hard it seems to be at the time.
Don't worry if you don't know where to find ****. Once you've been hit by it, plenty more **** slingers will follow, especially if you're trying to avoid them. Where there's ********, there's usually heaps of **** to sling. I guess that has something to do with the law of attraction – if you focus on something you're trying to avoid, it's almost always sure to find you.
Now I used to think I was unlucky. But I eventually began to realise that all the **** that kept hitting me was actually helping me. You see, it hit me every single time I went against my gut instinct. It was as if it was trying to knock me down, every time I went down the wrong path – which was often, because I was stubborn.
The Rules Of **** As A Success Tool
1) The harder it hits you, the more you learn from it.
2) If other people have a habit of slinging it at you, you usually know what direction it's going to
come from.
3) It can increase your motivation. If we don't like something, it usually gives us more incentive to
beat it. And most of us don't like ****.
4) You'll get your hands dirty if you try to throw it back where it came from.
5) Once you've identified a **** slinger – do anything you can to eliminate him/her from your life.
**** slingers have the capability to attract more **** slingers in droves.
6) If you're constantly being bombarded by ****, it may be a warning that you're on the wrong path.
**** has helped me in many ways. What about you – have you had heaps of **** thrown at you? Did it benefit you?"
With all the **** that is now piled up on the Dodgers, there MUST be a pony in there somewhere. 🙂
That was an very appropriate thing to post 32and53fan.
red pen "a" not "an" – these games are frying my brain.
Wow Artest is saying good thing about Kobe and I really hope these 2 can co exist together
Well, I seriously see us losing this battle with the Rocks. We couldn't hit the side of a barn, standing in front of it. We suck and we're F*****. Bring out the crying towels, we need them.
At least we now see that the Pads didn't give up Peavey for nothing – that was great pitching from the other side. The other item is that the Pads have a better record for the past month or even two than our Dodgers. Maybe the idea is to lower our expectations going into the playoffs, and I must admit that it has been working on me.
Wow…we got swept by the Padres, THE PADRES…I don't understand why, I don't want to understand why…SAD SAD SAD. Do the Dodgers DESERVE to win the NL West??? C'mon guys fight for it! It seems that they are not putting any effort into playing. Well they are off today and if the Rockies loose tonight, we win But what kind of celebration will that be….ROOKIES want it bad and they will do anything to get it. Dodgers need to get off that loosing train they are on and start playing like CHAMPIONS. Not happy with LORRETA's holding the player back. It was not time for that kind of crappy play. AY-Ya-yaiiii this BOYS!
What makes me sad about this is that we haven't been swept all season until last night (although a 2 game sweep is kinda cheap) we have also tied our longest losing streak. I just hope we're getting these losses out of the way now or it will be a very short postseason for us. Also, when your friends make fun of you for freaking out about every loss even in May and they say there is 162 games it doesnt matter…show them the standings right now cause 1 more win in may or june would make a big difference. GO DODGERS!!!
"Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin
Into the future…"
The Dodgers have a nice shot with Wolf and Kershaw the next two games, and getting up for the Rocks at home should be NO problem. I'd take a Colorado loss today, but would prefer the Dodgers WIN the division, not back in. That said, Billingsley for all the marbles on Sunday would be 50/50. But this is shaping up ominously close to 1996, when the Pods came in 2 back, swept the series, won the division and the Dodgers settled for the Wild Card, having NEVER celebrated their entrance into post season. How did it turn out as both teams bloodied one another, even though both had made the playoffs before the series began? BOTH got swept in the first round, 3-0….
Hi ITD,
I'm watching the Brewer/Rockie game, of course, and I'm hoping the Brewers can get us off the hook.
I really don't expect the Rox to lose, but you never know.
The Dodgers fought hard to hold unto this division and I'd hate to see them blow it.
To be truthful, I'm not looking forward to face the Rockies tomorrow, if the division is still up for grabs.
The Dodgers are like ice, right now and the Rox are on fire.
Any help they can get today, will be a blessing.
I don't think any team has much of a chance to beat the Rockies right now and I think their heading for the N.L. Crown.
If they ever lose I hope it's today, so we can win the division again, which might be as far as we go, this year, especially the way the Rockies are going.
Hey Joe, I am doing the same…………….
We are both just waiting on a friend………….
Good day ITD,
The day off for our Blue Boys might be good, then again who knows. I wonder if their is some personality chemistry gone wrong in the dugout. Joe or more likely Bowa will stamp that out. I may be of the unpopular view that I want the rox to win today and so we can have a showdown with them at the ravine. Either way it plays out, the Dodgers are in the post season, perhaps going to Philly or hosting the Cards. When the second season starts, I can only hope The Dodgers will be in their A-Mode, and that why a meaningful 3 games with the ROX would do us good. Go Dodgers!
1 – 0… Rockies….Top of the 2nd
Hi Koufax
That will work Koufax……I want Colorado to have an Unhappy Flight Night myself….I do want to snap out of this funk and acquire home field advantage though.
Hey D 4!
It has been wild lately, I just think the Dodgers have taken care of the teams they need to, and will continue.
Rockies pull ahead 3-0 bottom of 3rd, still going with bases loaded nobody out.
They have been playing like they just lost there dog, they'll get over rover and pull it together…I have faith. Manny hasn't looked that good swinging the bat, and we all know that is wherein lies his stregnth.
This might contradict what I just said but if the Dodgers clinch today, they should be more relaxed and play better tomorrow and maybe, they'll be alright in the playoffs.
Parra walks in a run. 4-0
I too would rather they win it on there own, off course, for pride sake, but the way it's going right now I really don't care how they win it, the pressure is very strong on the team and us fans.
They should do better at home but I can't forget the Mets of '07 and'08.
Parra walks in another run and gets yanked out. 5-0
Tulowitzki drilled that ball…
It looks like somebody will celebrate to day.
One positive thought that is going through my mind is, the last two times the Rockies brought the lead down to 2 games, the Dodgers held them off.
But can they do it again?
I don't know about the rest of you but I feel like I'm on an elevator that's going in one direction "down" and it won't stop.
I think we'll be on pins and needles tomorrow.
Of course carrying a wild card in our hands.
You have to give the Rockies their due…They are getting it done!!!! The Dodgers need to take notice, and continue to accomplish our goals.
I'm in a time warp, so nobody will read this. Also, it's slightly insane, but aren't all Blue fans at this time of year?
Last year, late in August, the Dodgers lost eight in a row. Then they turned it around and won 14 of the next 16 games. Maybe Joe is trying to replicate this scenario, but push it about 33 days out to make it happen in late September and into October/November.
I told you it was an insane thought.
Errie, but this game is starting to look like last night's Dodger/Padre game.
Last year is what we all are leaning on,:::crash24now
Joe – That's true, but with a big difference. Milwaukee has no reason to want to win this game. San Diego had no reason to want to win last night's game. I guess this is the Dodgers way.
THE LAW OF AVERAGES is on our side.
The Rockies have won 3 straight, without counting today, with 4 to go, will they win their last seven in a row in the regular season?
Will the Dodgers lose their last seven in a row?
The similarities, crash24, is the teams we're rooting for.
Touche, Joe.
Ryan Braun breaks the ice. 5-1
I would prefer the Rockies over the Cardinals and the Phillies.
in the postseason, to represent us in the fall classic.
Did'jas hear, the Rockies will not celebrate the wild card?
If I were to choose a team other than the Dodgers, I would go with the Rockies too. They show a lot of heart.
But I haven't given up on the Blue just yet. I'd like to see them take at least 2 out of 3 from the Rocks this weekend.
Joe – In that case, the Rocks will have to bring their champagne to Dodger Stadium. May the best team win.
I agree with you there, I'm just saying if not the Dodgers.
If the Rockies win today and don't celebrate maybe the both teams could celebrate together at Dodger Stadium.
Forgive me my fellow fans, for I have sinned.
I muted Vin.
It was Tuesday. We were in the middle of our nightly 5 strikeouts to close out the game. Vin was too happy, it seemed to me. I was so angry at our impotence that I couldn't take his praise for the other team, who deserved it. I can't leave a game early, even on TV.
So I muted Vin.
That set me to think a lot about myself in the past couple of days. What is it that makes me so angry about something that has absolutely no real impact on my life and family? Why can't I be more like Vin, who sounded genuinely excited about how the Dodgers' implosion of the last week has made this weekend series something special? Am I a bigger Dodger fan than Vin? Hell no. That's not possible. Do I have more anger issues than Vin? Obviously. But does it have to stay that way?
I'm going to try my best to be more like Vin. I'm going to try to be excited about the weekend and not looking to bash a table into toothpicks with a bat. I'm going to try and have fun with it. Toy department, and all that. No matter what happens, I have to go to work Monday morning and continue to make a living.
I'm not sure I can do it after all these years, but I'm going to try. It has to be healthier than what I've been doing for 56 years.
A few pertinent lines from "If" by Rudyard Kipling:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs …….
If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same…….
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss………
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And – which is more – you'll be a Man my son!
The entire poem:
There is no if not the Dodgers………All there is is GO DODGERS GO!!!!! LOL!!!!
Good afternoon ITDers!
Boy, I am sleepy here at work. I got in late this morning from San Diego. I was one of the fans that Kcal interviewed after the game last night. Just like all Dodger fans, I was frustrated with these losses and yes I said I am concerned with this team.
I got a little down on the team in my latest post but I will be rooting them on to victory at Dodger Stadium.
Emma – Thanks for representing in San Diego. Too bad we didn't get the job done.
Aaron Cook has only 85 pitches through 8 innings? Think he'll be left in for the complete game?
It's pretty hard for me to pick a winner this year in the N.L.,
with the Cardinals and Phillies looking weaker, at the moment and the Rockies finishing a lot stronger, it's very difficult to figure out how the Dodgers will do.
It looks pretty much like the Yankees in the A.L.
I hope the Dodgers win tomorrow night's game otherwise it will be hard to sleep.
Good thoughts, Eric. None of us can really be like Vin, but all of us can try. If we have no aspirations, then obviously we won't get there.
Meanwhile, I'm with D4 – GO DODGERS GO!!!!
Either Wolf or Kershaw will finish off the Rockies.
Maybe the tribute to Tommy's 60 years will help us get the job done tomorrow night.
I really wouldn't have wanted to back into the pennant, so now it will be up to us to win it against the contender. We only have to win one, whereas the Rockies would have to take all three in our home yard. I've got to admire the total team effort of the Rockies no matter how this comes out. It's just like the show they were putting on two years ago. They don't have but two consistent hitters in Helton and Tulo, and let's remember that they gave up Holliday before the season started. Of course, they don't have a "blowhard" in their clubhouse either, so maybe that makes us even. In any case, if we don't clinch on this home stand, I suggest that the fans burn down Mannywood – dare I hope with Manny in it.
I must say, I was a little depressed listening to Vin last night as well. He was going on and on about how well the Padres were executing everything. However, he is the only announcer I know that does that. Sure, others announcers talk about the other team, but just the minute details Vin knows about every player from every team is just extremely fascinating to me. Eric – Every morning I walk into the classroom I think of your phrase about the Dodgers being our toystore (and what an amazing toy store it is too) and it really does put our daily lives in perspective. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
eric, it's real simple for me: they're either good enough or they're not. I never felt they were one of the best teams in baseball, in spite of their record. Their starting pitching has always been suspect at best and shoddy at worst. Ned, you take the hit on this one. And the kids still need to grow. Ethier and Kemp are close to being consistent producers, Loney lagging, Martin a disaster. Kershaw close, Broxton still a deer in the headlights come REAL crunch time (like clinching a division???!?!?) and Billingsley, an enigma. I won't even comment on the myriad PVLs as I have no emotional investment in them and they don't represent the future. Still say DeWitt is a keeper, a grinder, a player.
End of game 9-2. Milwaukee can't help us. We've got to help ourselves.
Big Bonus – Blake, Belliard both available tomorrow !
Good afternoon ITDers!
Boy, I am sleepy here at work. I got in late this morning from San Diego. I was one of the fans that Kcal interviewed after the game last night. Just like all Dodger fans, I was frustrated with these losses and yes I said I am concerned with this team.
By crzblue2 on October 1, 2009 2:53 PM
lol kcal interviewed fans weird. They don't even show the interviewed of fan.
I'd rather the Dodgers actually WON the division, not getting in by the Rox losing. Nobody could possibly be happy with the last week,but all we can do is hang in there and hope some baseball players show up tomorrow. Not some over paid, pampered duds.
thanks! I have not read Rudyard Kipling in forever. I saw Vin with Bll DeLurry walking by. Those two are always together. Oh, and say two "hail Mary's", ok, maybe two"Vincullisms."
If it wasn't because of Dodger fans, Petco would have been deserted. The average daily attendance for the two days was 24K.
I have been asked today if I thought the Dodgers lost these games on purpose just to clinch at home. Why would anyone believe such a silly thing?
This is not about which is the best team. I recall earlier in the season when things were going very well for the Dodgers that many on this blog were happy but not convinced that the Dodgers were indeed the best in baseball. The last two Dodger World Series winners were never considered the best team but all that matters at the end is who is holding up the trophy and spilling alcoholic beveages all over themselves.
And Eric, thanks for bringing some of us down to Earth. My wife gets on me all the time for being in a bad mood when the Dodgers or UCLA lose a game. I know it is just a game and life goes on no matter the outcome of some silly game. But she is right; some people get so angry when their teams don't do well or have to rag on fans of the team that doesn't win (like a certain someone who visits this blog from time to time). This is supposed to be fun and entertainment and no one can deny the Dodgers haven't entertained us this season and kept us focused since day one.
And finally, although T.J. Simers wanted the Dodgers to clinch in a game Vinny was calling, Simers did not say the game had to be at Dodger Stadium but so be it. Even Vinny commented about it not being right for the Dodgers to clinch on a day off and how nice it would be to clinch at home. Who wants to argue with Vin? It just makes Friday's game all that more interesting and I have a ticket to that game.
Thanks for saying what we all feel, Dodgereric.
Yeah look like another good start from Lee go Astros.
lbirken: I hope you have as much fun at the game tomorrow as what I had eleven days ago when we beat Lincecum. I even caught a little Ethieraholism with his two-run shot off of little Timmy.
lbirken, granted that '88 team was not the most "talented," and the national media let L.A. know about it every day and twice on Sunday all through October and beyond. But that '88 team had two things this club doesn't even come close to possessing: a soon-to-be Cy Young award winning, lights-out stopper like Orel Hershiser, and a take-no-prisoners, hard-a** leader like Kirk Gibson who would have absolutely chewed this team's butt to shreds by now.
Thanks, crash. I am sure a Dodger win will put us all in a better frame of mind. Let's do it for Vinny. And for Tommy since it is a tribute to him as well.
Kahli, you are right on; that team had a real leader, not some happy go lucky steroid user. I wonder how hard it is for the Gibson's and Bowa's to deal with today's ball players. Nothing against Joe Torre but I have thought many times how would Tommy Lasorda have dealt with the lethargic play we have seen the last few weeks. I can still see him coaching at third during losing streaks trying anything he could to change the momentum. Those were the days.
I want to congratulation Garret Anderson on reaching 2,500 and I was hoping he would've done that in an Angels uniform.
4-1 Astros go Astros.
Well, leave it to our Dodgers to create drama, with Simers' favorite Micro Manager coming into town on a hot streak, looking to knock the Dodgers off the Division throne.
I'm not sweating it, we're getting the losing out of the way now.
We're not going down at home. Trust me. We might lose Friday, but we won't lose Saturday. We probably won't lose Friday.
Something tells me we're very close to being on the right side of history this year… and this lackluster ending is the foundation for which the Tower of (Dodger) Power will be built.
I can't even fathom being worried right now. This weekend, WE DINE IN BLUE HEAVEN!!!! And the Dodgers will not rest 'til dessert, be it in the Bronx, Fenway, Detroit or the OC.
Hell hath no fury like the Dodgers scorned.
"CRY HAVOC!!!!! And let loose the Dogs of War…"
I wonder what would have the highest rating in the WS? The freeway series, The Dodgers with Manny vs the Red Sox or Torre with the Dodgers vs the Yankees.
Sorry Tiger/Twins
hahahahaa Texas whoop the Angels and Jones went 0/4 with 4 k's and 1 rbi.
North ~ AWESOME!!!!
Come on Valverde
Cairo lined out Astros win 5-3
One day old man Stumpy and his wife Martha went to the Illinois State Fair. There is this man selling plane rides in his single prop show plane for $10 per person. Stumpy looks to Martha and says, "Martha, I think I really should try that." Martha replies, "I know you want to Stumpy, but we have a lot of bills, and you know the money is tight, and $10 is $10." So Stumpy goes without. Over the next few years they return every year, and the same thing, Stumpy wants to ride, but Martha says no money.
Finally, when Stumpy and Martha are both about 70 years old, Stumpy looks to Martha, and says, "Martha, I'm 70 now, and I don't know if I'll ever get the chance again, so I just have to have a ride in that there airplane." Martha replies in the same old fashion, and Stumpy kind of slumps down. The pilot is standing near by and overhears the conversation…
The pilot pipes up, "Excuse me folks, I couldn't help but hear your situation, and I have a deal for you. I'll take both of you up together, and if you can both make the entire trip without saying a word, or even making the slightest sound, I'll give the ride for free. But if either of you make a sound, its $10 each." Well, Martha and Stumpy look at each other, and agree to take the ride.
The pilot takes them up, and starts to do loop de loops, twists, dives, climbs and spins. No sound. The pilot lands the plane, looks back at Stumpy and says, "Sir, I have to hand it to ya, you didn't make even the slightest sound and that was my best stuff." Stumpy looks back at the pilot and says, "Well, I was gonna say something when Martha fell out, but $10 is $10!".
lbirken, what do you think is my opinion of what Tommy or Gibby would say (to paraphrase Tommy!!!)? northstates, I think the Dodgers win tomorrow night behind Wolf. The Rockies may be hot and cocky right now, but two things may work against them: 1) they're in the playoffs as of today and that indefinable "edge" is now dulled. 2) even better, they know in their heart of hearts, that the Dodgers have owned them. Believe me, when a team has beaten you consistently, you can talk the talk, but deep down, you worry that they're just too tough come crunch time. Bad match-ups or whatever you want to call it. All that said, it all means NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's why sports is so great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMAO, Dodger4life!!!!
"We're celebrating right now. We'll worry about that (L.A.) tomorrow," Todd Helton said as his teammates sprayed him with beer and champagne. Tracy's not planning on resting any regulars in Los Angeles.
"Until we get beat a game, we're going to try to win the division," Tracy said.
That means every team in the playoffs has partied…except the Dodgers…..
………and their fans!!!
Wow Carpenter had 6 rbi's and a homerun today and coming in the league he has 6 rbi's in his career.
Hello Gang!!! Tough week for our Dodgers!!! Oh well, good news is that we are still in the drivers seat, are in the playoffs, and control our own destiny. We take care of business at home this weekend and we take the NL West and most likely home field advantage. I like our chances. I just saw that if we finish tied with Philly for best record, we get the nod as we beat them in the season series 4-3!!! I had forgotten about that!! In a way, this may be a sweeter way to win the division. At home, head to head with the opponent. I believe our guys will get it done. Regardless, its gut check time and we will see what this team is made of!!!! GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jhall's in the ITD House!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good points as always, just as many have today………..lbirken, Kahli, NSB, OBF, Crash, D4, and Dodgereric to name a few (or more). We could have celebrated just making the playoffs, but being Dodger fans, we want more, and we are willing to wait until it's ours for real.
These last few games have really made it very apparent what Casey Blake means to this team.. I hope he is OK!!! Very underrated and unsung player. Ironic, as that is part of what makes him so valuable. Lots of intangibles. Leads by example, very professional, gets the job done, and doesn't care about individual accolades. I think he may be our teams MVP this season. Andre is also right there and is also developing into a Casey Blake type of player that will be an asset to this team for years to come. JMO!!!
BonJour Nelle', bon mon amie!!! Hope you had and are having a great day. Just going back thru the thread and yes, lots of great comments/points as always by the ITD gang!!!
No arguments with me on that jhall!!!! I was a Casey Blake fan when he was with the Indians.
Here's a statement by Rockies owner Charlie Monfert that sounds like the Dodgers' philosophy of bygone years: "I like our team because they've come up through the system," Monfort said, praising a squad that started nine home grown players in Thursday's clincher.
I think that's great! I know that I get more pleasure from success with home grown players (and management personnel) than from obtaining them from other organizations.
Also interesting to note, it took a Dodger payroll of $100,414,592 to reach the playoffs, while the Rockies made it on $75,201,000 (payroll numbers according to USA Today.)
Jhall and Nellyjune ~ Casey is a master playing 3rd base. I think Dre, Matt , James and Casey will get the job done despite Joe!
Hi'Ya Trumom and RedFox!!!
I am enjoying my class alot more than last year, so everyday just seems better than last year, as far as work is concerned anyway. So, it definitely helps make the rest of the day good when you come home from work in a better mood.
Time Warping again!!! Great philosophy for building a team Fox. We got away from it for awhile. Funny, but if you subtact the ill advised contracts for Schidt and Jones the cow, our payroll is close to the Rockies!!! LOL!!!
Nelly, glad to hear about your class this year, good for you!!! You deserve it!!
At least Andre cares he had a terrible series, as most in this article seemed to say.
Torre said he will spend the day off with family. Most players said they wouldn't be watching the Rockies' day game. Andre Ethier, 1-for-29 on the trip, said he's going to the local batting cage.
"Go back to my humble beginnings," Ethier said.
tru – they have been the true heart of this club this year.
Hey Nelly, where is Beav?!!! Is he out of town?
jhall – speaking of the cow. I know Shad mentioned this earlier, but he went 0-4 with 4 K's and managed to get an RBI. I am guessing Sac Fly or IBB. His average is now at .207. He is one of many positives this season. The positive is he is someone else's problem, and we didn't have to leave through the agony a 2nd season.
LOL Nelly!! Too bad we are still paying the worthless cow pie!! Way to go Ned!!! I guess in baseball, the organic free range cow is not nearly as good as the steroid juiced cow.
They sure have, Nellyjune!
Manny should join Andre in the batting cages!
Thanks jhall!!!!! How have you been? …………..and you know your brother…………………always up to something and doing well underground. Maybe he is looking at those magazines you two love so much 🙂
Sure wish I could get this time warp thing going when I play BlackJack and Roulette in Vegas!! LOL!!!
Now, this be a fun way to do Vegas!!!! The Racetrack would be alot more fun too, both for real and in Vegas.
Hmmmm, I was wondering where those magazines I swipted from Dad went!! LMAO!!!!
Maybe he and the magazines are in the Chevelle – LMAO!!!!!!
Yep Nelly, nothing like back issues of Hot Rod and Super Chevy to set the mood!!!! LOL!!!
Yea – around here it's Mustangs though…………… a muscle car nonetheless 🙂
Can't go wrong with classic Mustangs. :))))
Actually, your father has both………. a Chevelle and a Mustang 🙂
A true Renaissance Man!!
That is for sure jhall!!!!! I grew up around Classic Cars. My dad had a 38 Ford, a candy apple red 37 Coupe, a Golden Rod Yellow 55 Thunderbird, a couple Mustangs and a whole bunch of other cars in between. Me and my older younger brother would go on car club outings a couple times a month with my parents and be around those cars all the time. So, I learned to appreciate them at a very early age.
His (actually Chris') Mustang is of the newer versions, but still………………………a Mustang is a Mustang is a Mustang.
Yeah Jones rbi's was a sac fly.
I figured you would know the details of the at-bat Shad. Thanks for clarifying that.
I really hope they throwing left handed pitching on Ethier.
Wow, too cool Nelly!! Gotta hit the rack. I'll catch you tomorrow night for the celebration. Our guys will get it done. Bless you my friend!!
I wonder what would have the highest rating in the WS? The freeway series, The Dodgers with Manny vs the Red Sox or Torre with the Dodgers vs the Yankees.
I've posted this earlier.
Yes, you do!!! Good Night jhall!!!!! Thanks for the chat. I was doing lesson plans and paying bills. The time went by much better. Take Care and God Bless you too 🙂 They will do this……………………..I know they will. We still believe in them……………always will 🙂
Dodgers and Yankees. Both Coasts are represented and both Franchises have such a storied past. Manny is yesterday's news IMO.
1] if you have sex with a prostitute against her will, is it considered rape or shoplifting?
[2] can you cry under water?
[3] how important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
[4] why do you have to "put your two cents in"… But it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
[5] once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
[6] why does a round pizza come in a square box?
[7] what disease did cured ham actually have?
[8] how is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
[9] why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
[10] if a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
[11] why are you in a movie, but you're on tv?
[12] why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
[13] why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
[14] why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
[15] why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
[16] if jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
[17] can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?
[18] if the professor on gilligan's island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
[19] why does goofy stand erect while pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
[20] if wile e. Coyote had enough money to buy all that acme crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
[21] if corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
[22] if electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
[23] do the alphabet song and twinkle, twinkle little star have the same tune?
[24] why did you just try singing the two songs above?
[25] why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
[26] did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!! …………..because I am a first grade teacher and didn't realize that before 🙂 Those were very good Dodger4life!!!
You had me cracking up with the joke about the $10! Thanks! I needed that! Tower of Dodger Power! I like that too!
I hope they all went to the Batting cages but I imagine some of the players went to L.A. Live a screening of "El Beisbol: The story of Latinos in Baseball" (a two-hour TV documentary in the making) and the fundraiser and auction. Juan Marichal and Orlando Cepeda were going to be there.
Is it a full moon tomorrow when Wolf restores order?
I just put it together myself Nelly….:-)
It is just a baseball…………..Hit It…. Catch It….Throw It…….
It is just a game …………..Play It……..
It is not just a ring however…..It is the cherished ring……..
GOOD NIGHT and GOD BLESS EVERYONE……
The boys in blue just need to go out there tonight and have fun. If they have fun we have fun. I am glad they are home. It feels so much better to win at home.
I don't care about the statistics. I don't care about the road trip. I care about the team. It is Lasorda's anniversary and that makes it even more special. They'll do it for Tommy, for us, and for themselves.
Go Dodger Blue!
If the Dodgers fall on their faces and get swept (shudder to think) they will have never celebrated their entrance into the playoffs. Granted, that potential sweep by the Rocks is a long three days off……but if the baseball gods decree it so, did Torre make a mistake by not celebrating last Saturday? Even the Rockies celebrated with champagne yesterday. Shades of 1996. Not only would the Dodgers be on a giant downer, but they'd have absolutely NO ceremony to launch them into post-season…no chance to blow off a little steam and hug each other for a long, trying, successful season that a bad final week can't diminish. Torre always talks of "today" but he was certainly looking at "tomorrow" with the no-celebration decision. Or was it a team decision?
Good morning ITDers!
I am super excited about tonight because
I have a feeling, that tonight is gonna be a good night!!!!!
I came to work singing that song and one of my co-workers is saying "ohoh Emma is ready to celebrate!." another is telling me "slow down girl.".
We are about to stat our weekly meeting and because some time ago I told him about the show "the best Damn Sport show period", that they do a "Last word." They always ask me to say that before ending the meeting so today I will play "I have a feeling that tonight is gonna be a good night."
Let's go Dodgers. Finish off the season with a 2-1 series win over the Rockies, and your reward is… home field advantage throughout the NL playoffs. Let's start with a victory tonight!!!
Good morning ITD boys and girls!
Okay, let's put this road trip behind us. I am not going to think about it anymore. My conversation with my mom last night summed it up for me best. My husband and I are going to the game tonight. So last night, I called my mom (for the first time after Wednesday's game). When I called her, the first thing out of my mouth was, "I don't want to talk about it." She knew EXACTLY what I was talking about. And we didn't talk about "it." I just want to enjoy tonight's game; the Dodgers' crappy (will that get censored out?) road trip is a distant memory. Well, I can't stay for too long; I've got a lot of studying to do.
I stayed long enough to see; "crappy" wasn't censored out. Okay, NOW I'm gone…
Tonight's Lineup:
Furcal SS
Ethier RF
Ramirez LF
Kemp CF
Loney 1B
Blake 3B
Martin C
Hudson 2B
Wolf P
Wow, great lineup……….let's finish this tonight!
The lineup looks good!!! Thanks Crash!!!
Glad to see Casey Blake back!
Let's show the nation how the West was won!
Blake solidifies the lineup. Every Day 'Dre back in his familiar #2 spot. Everything here is a go. GO DODGERS!!!!
The Phish take an early 2-0 lead over Philly


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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — In the months after American forces invaded Iraq in 2003, Abdulla Mizead would look warily as soldiers carrying heavy weapons patrolled his neighborhood in Najaf.
Normally, he would keep his distance. But one afternoon he approached some American troops stopped on a street after seeing them having a tough time communicating with an Iraqi man.
The man had been trying to tell the Americans about detainees in a presidential palace who were trapped. The man, an engineer, had built the palace.
"That staff sergeant just goes nuts about it," Mizead said. "And, he (the Iraqi) is yelling at him, 'You need to come with me right now!'"
Mizead, 25 at the time, had learned English growing up around the world and stepped in to help translate.
A few minutes later, he started to walk away and a sergeant asked him to wait. The soldiers needed a translator to replace a Kuwaiti who was returning home. Would he be interested? Unemployed at the time, translating seemed like an adventure, a chance for Mizead to see parts of Iraq he had never visited.
He agreed and that encounter set him on an improbable course that has brought him full circle with the invading American forces who many Iraqis still blame for the ills plaguing the country: He is now a lieutenant in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell.
Born in Iraq, Mizead grew up internationally as the son of an Iraqi diplomat whose assignments took him to Mozambique; London, where he learned English; Washington; and Tanzania. Mizead and his family returned to Iraq in 1990, around the time President Saddam Hussein was invading neighboring Kuwait.
After graduating from high school in Iraq, Mizead earned a bachelor's degree and then a master's in English literature from the University of Baghdad, where he relished digging into the works of American literary greats like playwright Eugene O'Neill.
Like for all Iraqis, the U.S.-led invasion upended daily life for Mizead's family. Overnight, American soldiers were patrolling major cities, and Mizead kept his distance — until the day he stepped in to translate.
At first, Mizead had mixed feelings about helping American soldiers. As Shia Muslims, his family had been oppressed for years by the minority ruling Sunnis and Saddam Hussein — some of his father's cousins were killed during the failed 1991 Shia uprising — so anything to help topple that system seemed worthwhile. Still, like many Iraqis, he had grown up hearing propaganda about the evils of America.
A month after he began translating for American troops, Mizead started working with the 1st Battalion, 187th infantry, a Fort Campbell-based unit known as the "Rakkasans" — a term the unit ironically got from a Japanese translator after World War II who couldn't immediately come up with the word for airborne unit so used called them "rakkasan," or "falling down umbrella men."
Over the course of three months, Mizread interpreted as troops moved north from Baghdad to Tikrit and Mosul. It was the adventure the man was hoping for when he first signed up, and the Iraqi native brought an expertise to the job that few others would have had.
While working with an intelligence division in Tal Afar, west of Mosul, Mizead's family background came into play. The area was filled with Shiite Turkmen who refused to speak to any of the Kurdish interpreters the Army had been using — a remnant of the long-standing animosity between Turks and Kurds in northern Iraq.
Mizead noticed a picture of a Shiite saint hanging in the house of a village elder.
"I said 'You're Turkmen, right? Shiite Turkmen?'" Mizead asked. "And as soon as I told them I was from Najaf, my parents were from Najaf, they just loved me."
Working north of Baghdad, Mizead followed the soldiers into several towns and villages that backed Saddam's Baath party. Back at the battalion base, Mizead would always lay out for intelligence officers his impressions of people he interviewed while on a mission.
"This guy's faking it. This guy's hiding something," Mizead recalled telling an officer. "I'm just giving him my gut feeling."
As the military moved north, Mizead hoped to go to the Kurdistan region near the Turkish border — a place he had never been. However, the Army had other plans and headed west instead, and he never made it to Kurdistan. Ready for something new, Mizead took a job with National Public Radio, where he was "the street guy."
"I'd roam the streets of Baghdad, go into the provinces, talk to the people. I went to rural places that nobody had ever heard of, places nobody would ever cover," Mizead said.
One day, the horrors of war hit home.
Mizead's father was kidnapped. Four men put pistols to the heads of Azer Mizead and another family member and forced them from the car. The men switched Azer Mizead to another car and fled. Later, they called Mizead's family asking for ransom.
Mizead feared his father would be killed regardless of any ransom, but they had to try to save him.
"I don't want to live with the idea of him knowing we weren't going to pay the ransom," Mizead recalled telling himself. "I don't want him to die knowing his family abandoned him and were not willing to pay $20,000, $30,000 or $40,000."
The family scraped together the cash from savings and Mizead's earnings. Mizead declined to disclose how much the family put forward, but his employer at the time, NPR, put up $10,000 toward the ransom. The kidnappers guided Mizead by phone around Baghdad for about 45 minutes before he dropped the money at a dictated location. He never saw Azer Mizead again.
"I waited and waited and waited for nothing," Mizead said.
Mizead took to searching for his father in the morgues.
"Every time I'd go there, it was like hell," Mizead said.
Soon after his father disappeared, a translator Mizead knew was killed by insurgents, and Mizead worried he could be next. The family decided to leave Iraq.
Mizead applied for a student visa and got into Columbia University and arrived in early 2007 with his wife and two young children.
While completing a master's degree in journalism and working for War News Radio at Swarthmore College, Mizead sometimes thought back with nostalgia on his time translating for the Army. He had enjoyed the camaraderie, adventure and sense of purpose. In 2010, he signed up.
After bouncing around several military posts, including Fort Carson, Colorado, Mizead began working in intelligence for the "Rakkasans."
Mizead saw familiar faces after being transferred to Fort Campbell. Many recognized him, as well.
Seeing Mizead in uniform was "fairly surreal," said Lt. Col. Clint Cox, who was with the 3rd Battalion based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, during the initial invasion of Iraq. "I knew that I knew who he was, but it took a minute."
Mizead, who remains an Iraqi citizen, today looks and acts every inch the soldier, and like many soldiers, he doesn't betray much. Not even about the profound decision to sign on with the invading Army he once eyed warily.
One of the few times he softens is when he concedes he worries about relatives in Iraq. The country is mired in near-daily violence, and many Iraqis blame the U.S. military and President George W. Bush for the invasion that allowed ethnic tensions to come to the fore. Still, Mizead says family back home support his career path, and that someday he may return to help his homeland, much the way he has helped America.
"My family is still there," he said. "It is still where I'm from."
Follow Associated Press reporter Brett Barrouquere on Twitter:http://twitter.com/BBarrouquereAP


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The first time I had to test a recipe for steamed fish was back in the '80s, when I was working in the test kitchen at Gourmet magazine. And truthfully, the very idea seemed preposterous.
Steaming anything over water had always struck me as boring. And the idea that you could count on a good result by applying such an intense method to a protein as delicate as fish seemed highly unlikely.
But the recipe in question relied on the Chinese method of steaming fish, and I became a believer the very first time I tried it. As is typical in Chinese cuisine, the secret is in the seasoning. Given their blandness, fish are a wonderful canvas for intense ingredients such as ginger, chilies and toasted sesame oil. Steaming them concentrates and amplifies their flavors. And an added bonus is that steaming requires very little fat.
This recipe works wonderfully using any thin fillet of fish, including char, catfish, trout and striped bass. And if you increase the cooking time, you can swap in any number of thicker fillets, including cod, sablefish and halibut.
How do you know when the fish is cooked? Stick a knife through it. If it goes through easily, it's done.
For this recipe I chose tilapia because it is a sustainably-raised farmed fish. I prefer American-raised, as the quality is much higher than imported.
Ideally, you'd cook this fish in a Chinese bamboo steamer. But if you don't have one of those, you can use a collapsible metal steamer lined with foil. I love those steamer baskets. They are great for steaming vegetables as well as meat, fit into most saucepans, store easily and are virtually indestructible. I'm still using one I bought during my college days.
This recipe is quick, healthy and delicious. You might want to think of it as a jumping-off point for other steamed fish dishes. In fact, if -- like most of us -- you're recovering from a month or two of holiday overindulgence, this little gem could enter your regular rotation as a lighter dish for the new year.
Sara Moulton was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years, and spent a decade hosting Food Network shows. She currently stars in public television's "Sara's Weeknight Meals" and has written three cookbooks, including "Sara Moulton's Everyday Family Dinners."
Chinese method produces fish with big, bold flavor
The first time I had to test a recipe for steamed fish was back in the '80s, when I was working in the test kitchen at Gourmet magazine. And truthfully, the very idea seemed preposterous.


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By David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri)
Atman means the Self or soul, the very essence of our being as pure consciousness. It is common to all living creatures and pervades the entire universe.
In the modern world, psychology dominates our thinking relative to the mind and emotions, the self and ego and has its influence on how we view spirituality and yoga as well. We have also come to look at the Atman in a psychological light, sometimes to the detriment of its broader reality.
Spirituality is about the pursuit of self-knowledge and self-realization. There has been an effort to turn this into a kind of psychological self-knowledge, an analysis of human emotions as the prime factor. But Self-knowledge in the sense of the Atman is something much more than that. There is a modern effort to psychologize spirituality. On the positive side, this may help to spiritualize psychology, bringing yoga and meditation into psychological approaches. Yet on the negative side, it can confuse spirituality and yoga with mere human psychology. It can reduce our spiritual self or soul to the confines and concerns of the ego and our outer nature as a mere social or political entity.
Beyond the Psychological to the Cosmic Self
Our true Self is not the psychological self, which is the ego that is to be discarded for it to shine forth. Our true Self is not the personal identity of this particular incarnation. It is not the self-formations of emotion or our personal likes and dislikes. Nor is it our mental or intellectual identity through the opinions, beliefs and predilections of our thought processes. It is not even our human self but our soul that unites us to all beings and all worlds.
To put it simply: our true Self or Atman is a Devata or Divine principle. The Self is a principle of subjectivity, awareness and self-being inherent in all existence. It is the ultimate principle behind all the laws, principles and dharmas operative in this magical universe of mind and matter.
Our true Self is a divinity, a God or Goddess as it were, the very Divine power behind the manifestation of time, space and causation. We are God. God is our true nature. Yet this Divinity is not a theological principle but the very nature of existence that is self-aware, self-determining and self-responsible. This Atman or Self is Brahman or the Absolute Being-Consciousness-Bliss.
An important yogic approach common to both Veda and Tantra is to approach our true Self as a Divinity. This is to honor the Divine presence within us, to respect our own being and consciousness as sacred, immortal and untainted.
From the standpoint of psychology and the spiritual systems that use it as a cornerstone, such worship of the Self within can appear to be an adulation of the ego, an ignoring of our personal faults, and our responsibility to other people, a fantasy to cover over facing the hard realities of our emotional nature. Yet such psychological reductionism can also be rigid and can cut of the roots of aspiration and idealism within us.
An important law of the mind is that whatever we focus our attention on that we become. It is, as it were, the Divinity we aspire to become. The danger in fixating on the neurotic psychological self is that we end up becoming it, we can get lost in an endless obsession with its peculiarities, traumas and idiosyncrasies. We can reinforce the psychological self rather than releasing it.
We should learn to worship the true Self within us as the Self of all beings and the Being behind all existence, as the light of all the worlds. This can take us in an instant beyond our human problems and attachments. Our problems are inherent in our psychology which focuses on our personal identity as our true reality. We cannot go beyond them without opening up to that which in us that transcends them. This is the universal Self within.
To do so we must set the psychological self aside, which is also to learn to see it as a formulation of universal forces, elements and qualities, not as something unique to ourselves. All of nature works within us and moves externally according to the glory and the beauty of the Self within. Our psychological self is just another formation of nature's energy and expression, but blocked to our deeper reality.
Of course, we all have a psychological self just as we all have human bodies. But focusing on the psychological self will no more take us to truth than will focusing on our physical bodies take us to pure awareness. We should give the psychological self its appropriate place in our lives as a mechanism of personal existence but not confuse it with our true reality.
The Freedom of the Atman
Feel free to let your personal self aside and be one with all. Feel free to give up your likes and dislikes, your joys and sorrows and find contentment in your own inner being beyond all gain and loss.
Feel free to go beyond your human self and find yourself in nature, in the plants, rocks, animals, in the clouds, sun and stars, and beyond.
Let your self-sense naturally expand like the wind through the release of your breath to the most distant horizon. Unite the light of your mind and senses with the light of the sun and stars.
Your true Self is the pure light of awareness beyond body and mind. It gives light, life and love to all creatures and brings beauty and bliss to the entire universe. Accept that light within and cease dwelling in its shadows in your outer nature.
Learn to worship that true Self within. Just as you offer flowers or prayers to the Divinity of your choice, do so to the Self as the divinity within. See the Devata in your Self and your Self in the Devata. Let Shiva, Krishna or Devi or whatever form you worship be reflected in your own Self. The Devatas are more your real Self than is your psychological Self. Learn to be one with that Atma Devata in all the Devatas. Let your true Self be all the Gods and Goddesses, Gurus and Avatars, which are only its manifestations. Unfold your Divine being and beauty with fearlessness and delight. Be yourself the God or Goddess that is your deepest reality and your true dignity as pure consciousness in manifestation.
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Above: Cartoonists at the Xmas gathering (from left to right): Matthew Kelly, Simon Adams, Dylan Horrocks, Karl Wills, Darren Sheehan, unknown guest (sorry, I didn't catch his name) and Ant Sang. Not pictured: Richard Fairgray and Chris Slane.
To celebrate the end of a very successful year of the ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT Auckland Comic Book Club (and my modest blogging efforts), a group of Auckland's finest cartoonists and enthusiasts gathered at Brooklyn Bar on Thursday night to toast the year that was.
It was great to see some new faces as well as regular attendees and catch-up with some of our busier members, who's work only allows them to drop by once in a blue moon. This gathering was also a welcome chance to get an update on everyones projects, and there's some great NZ comics coming your way in the near future.
Above: The cover of the new edition of 'Hicksville' by Dylan Horrocks from Drawn & Quarterly.
It's been out of print for many years, but the new-improved edition of Dylan Horrock's local masterpiece 'Hicksville' is finally available early next year from Drawn & Quarterly. Dylan has personally re-scanned and remastered the artwork for this edition which features a brand new 13-page introduction in comics form and a illustrated glossary. It's available to pre-order now from your local comic shop, so rush out and order this with your extra Xmas cash and reward yourself in the New Year!
Making a rare appearance away from his drawing board, Ant Sang stopped by for a few drinks and to give us an update on his in-progress graphic novel epic: 'Shaolin Burning'. Due to it's truly epic scale (each page is drawn on an A2 sheet, and for a recent double-page spread he jumped up to A0(!)), an extra year is being added to the production schedule to accommodate this mammoth undertaking. The good news is it will now be longer than previously reported, clocking in closer to two hundred pages. So keep an eye out for this in early 2011.
Above: A page of 'Connie Radar' by Karl Wills from 'Hotwire Comics' Vol.3, published by Fantagraphics.
Karl Wills is keeping busy, with a new 'Connie Radar' story in the latest 'Hotwire Comics' anthology from Fantagraphics, which is available to order now and should be in comic stores early next year. He's also recently animated a version of US cartoonist Kaz's 'Underworld' into an online cartoon (check it out here!). Comics aside, Karl also convinced me that maybe 'cows in cubicles' isn't so bad after all. "Damn cows won't do a 9 to 5 working stretch for us in a cubicle, but they're happy to contribute to global warming? F%$ cows".*
* Disclaimer: May not be an actual quote, or a highly sanitized version of an actual quote. I'll let you decide, but I'm pretty sure Karl has a beef with cows (and most living things).
I heard Random House was out of stock of Chris Slane's resent 'Blokes, Jokes and Sheds' comics collection. So if you're looking for a copy of this for a stocking stuffer this Christmas, you may have to shop around.
You can expect to hear an update sooner rather than later regarding Richard Fairgray's 'Blastosaurus' US reprint from Jeff Katz's American Original comics imprint. There's been some changes in the rollout of this company's books, but expect Richard's to be one of the first, as he's already got a full year's worth of material ready to go. It's already been announced that current 'Astonishing X-Men' artist Phil Jimenez will be contributing covers to the US editions of 'Blastosaurus', and now I understand 'The Boys' artist Darick Robertson is also interested in being involved in some capacity. It's not widely known, but Robertson also got his start self-publishing his own animalmorphic adventure comic, 'Space Beaver'. Richard also tells me he's been exchanging friendly emails with recent Armageddon '09 guest, Bill Sienkiewicz...hmmm...let the speculation begin!
I've got a few projects of my own on the boil, one involving an upgrade of this blog into a more physical form, but we'll have to wait and see what the New Year brings. Speaking of which, it was a great year to be part of the Auckland comics community, and I can only hope that the NZ comics community continues to grow in size and awareness in the New Year.
A BIG thanks to Matthew Kelly for tirelessly organising this year's meetings, and to Tim Kidd and the Auckland City Public Library for providing us with a great space and facility for us to conduct our meetings in every month. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in being involved in, be sure to make it your New Year's resolution to attend!


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Siteimprove Celebrates the Golden Anniversary of the ADA
jul 26, 2016
Minneapolis, MN – July 26, 2016 – Siteimprove is celebrating the golden, 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by taking the ADA pledge. By pledging, Siteimprove recognizes the progress of the ADA and is recommitting efforts to continue to strive for full ADA compliance.
Approximately one in every five people lives with a disability that affects how they interact with websites. There is a broad range of disabilities from visual and hearing impairments to cognitive and physical disabilities, and Siteimprove's mission is to make the web a better place for all by assisting organizations with web accessibility.
Siteimprove has two accessibility consultants on staff to help support customers in understanding the intricacies of accessibility, while helping our product development team with accessibility tool updates.
"Each and every day it's a pleasure to work with our customers to solve issues on their website related to accessibility," said Kevin Rydberg, Senior Digital Accessibility Consultant at Siteimprove, Inc. "Everyone deserves to access information on the internet – that's why I love working for Siteimprove in a role that is committed toward making the web more accessible for all."
Siteimprove has also made a commitment to accessibility through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Last year, Siteimprove co-hosted the world's largest blind tandem bike ride in Copenhagen, Denmark with the Danish Association of the Blind to promote Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and continues to raise awareness of digital accessibility.
For more information on the 26
th Anniversary of the ADA, visit www.adaanniversary.org. To make the pledge, visit http://adaanniversary.org/pledge.
About Siteimprove
Siteimprove provides organizations of all shapes and sizes with solutions that make website management, maintenance, and optimization both easier and more affordable. With a worldwide customer base of nearly 4,000 customers, Siteimprove serves dozens of markets from offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, London, Minneapolis, Oslo, Sydney, Toronto, and Vienna. For more information, visit siteimprove.com.


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Fab Four: Beatles to release more BBC sessions
The Beatles plan to release a new collection of the band's BBC sessions, including commercially unreleased recordings and studio chatter.
The CD and vinyl release planned for November will be a follow-up to the wildly successful "Live at the BBC" album released in 1994.
The new compilation comes from BBC radio broadcasts in 1963 and 1964, when the band was making dozens of appearances in BBC studios.
Most of the recordings have a live feel and capture the Beatles in a relaxed, informal setting. In addition to early Lennon-McCartney compositions, they play a number of Chuck Berry songs and other works by rock pioneers.
The new release will include different versions of some of the songs from the first Live at the BBC album.
A re-mastered version of the earlier album will also be released in November. It topped record charts on its release, selling more than 5 million copies worldwide in its first six weeks.


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Snippet Name: Simple Averaging
Description: A clearly written function that will get the average of numbers that were passed in.
Comment: (none)
Language: PHP
Highlight Mode: PHP
Last Modified: March 01st, 2009
Description: A clearly written function that will get the average of numbers that were passed in.
// simple averaging
FUNCTION average($numbers) {
$a = SPLIT(' ', $numbers);
FOREACH ($a AS $b) { $c = $c + $b; $d++; }
RETURN NUMBER_FORMAT($c/$d,0);
// For those that like using explode
FUNCTION average($numbers) {
$a = EXPLODE(' ', $numbers);
$d = COUNT($a);
FOR ($i=$d;$i;$i--) { $c = $c + $a[$i]; }
RETURN NUMBER_FORMAT($c/$d,0);
SQL University.net courses meet the most demanding needs of the business world for advanced education
in a cost-effective manner. SQL University.net courses are available immediately for IT professionals
and can be taken without disruption of your workplace schedule or processes.
Compared to traditional travel-based training, SQL University.net saves time and valuable corporate
resources, allowing companies to do more with less. That's our mission, and that's what we deliver.


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Обличане Gerard Way
Име: Gerard Arthur Way
Професия: singer
Рожден ден: april 9, 1977
Older brother of Mikey Way. Singer of My Chemical Romance. He drew the cover of My Chemical Romance's second album "Three Cheers for Sweet revenge". He is Good friends with Green Day frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong. When he was in the 4th grade, he was the only boy to try out for his school's production of Peter Pan and he got the role.


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When most people think of drunk undergrads, they envision wasted frat bros yelling racial epithets off their Solo cup-strewn roof. But a new study that followed more than 2,000 incoming college students for four years shows that the students who misuse alcohol most frequently aren't as easily stereotyped: in fact, they're students whose sexual self-definition isn't exclusively heterosexual or homosexual.
"Bisexuals and students whose sexual orientation was in flux reported the heaviest drinking and most negative consequences from alcohol use, such as uncontrolled drinking and withdrawal symptoms," said study author Amelia Talley, MU assistant professor of psychological sciences in the College of Arts and Science. "Those groups reported drinking to relieve anxiety and depression at higher rates than strictly heterosexual or homosexual individuals."
The study also found that women more easily define themselves as sexually fluid, perhaps "because women are more likely to be objectified as sexual objects in our culture; hence, women are accustomed to assessing the attractiveness of other women in comparison to themselves." Men, on the other hand, are more likely to feel anxious about their sexual identity thanks to masculine gender norms.
Talley said one explanation for the heavy drinking rates could be that people who are unable to define themselves feel stigmatized from both heterosexual and homosexual groups, doubling the amount of pressure people typically already feel to fit in. She hopes the research will help provide more of a support network for college students who turn to alcohol because they're stressed about defining their sexuality.
Sexual Orientation Fluctuation Correlated to Alcohol Misuse, MU Researcher Finds [MU News]
Image via Mehmet Dilsiz /Shutterstock.


text:
Paul Clement <email@example.com> wrote:
>Well Mid is supported but once again you may want to indicate specifically
what you
>are doing. It
>could simply be the .NET environment and not the actual function. And, it's
>the VB.NET
>variation may be relatively easy to implement with a performance improvement.
>Paul ~~~ email@example.com
>Microsoft MVP (Visual Basic)
Hey, if you have any pull with MS (I assume that's what Microsoft MVP means
..), ask them to just confer with some of the members of the old VB6 development
team to find out how to get Mid and ReDim performing acceptably. Although
a lot of people mention the poor performance of Mid, ReDim is even slower.
It may be discouraging to some people to port an app to VB.NET and then find
out that extensive array usage is penalized.
I found an ugly hack around the problem (by redimming in large blocks), but
if Microsoft just fixes the **** thing we won't need the hacks.