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Upstart startup rocket biz SpaceX has had a seemingly successful launch on its second resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), but as the Dragon capsule reached orbit the company announced there was an "unspecified problem" and cut its webcast of the mission.
The announcement was made about 12 minutes into the flight. Within 30 minutes SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted that there was a problem with the Dragon capsule's thrusters.
Issue with Dragon thruster pods. System inhibiting three of four from initializing. About to command inhibit override.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 1, 2013
This isn't the first time something has gone wrong during a SpaceX ISS launch. A rocket nozzle failure on the last such mission left a commercial satellite that the rocket was also lifting unable to reach its orbit, although the ISS resupply mission itself was successful. The prototype communications satellite from Orbcomm later burned up on reentry.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket stack was erected on Thursday night and blasted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on schedule at 10:10am ET (3:10pm UTC), lifting the Dragon delivery vehicle packed with 2,200lb of supplies and scientific experiments, along with much smaller commercial payloads. The Dragon is planned to return next month with a similar weight of completed scientific experiments and rubbish from the ISS.
Unlike the previous mission, with took the Dragon nearly 62 hours to get to the ISS, SpaceX has a much better orbital trajectory this time and said before launch it would be ready to dock within about 18 hours. The ISS has already started preparing for the visit by extending its Canadarm2 robot arm ready to catch the incoming craft, but now it's possible the capsule could be late or a no-show.
It will be the third visit to the ISS for the Dragon capsule and its second delivery mission. SpaceX has a $1.6bn contract with NASA for another 10 and is looking to extend that. By 2015 the company expects to be carrying out manned flights to the station with upgraded Dragon, freeing NASA from having to use the Russians as a taxi service.
The Dragon capsule has already carried two live passengers, one of whom made it back to earth without snuffing it. Neffi, a red-backed jumping spider that was being used to test how jumping arachnids managed in space, survived her ride back down on the last mission. Sadly her associate, a female zebra spider named Cleopatra, was DOA on landing.
Rocketry is always an uncertain business, but if the mission is a bust then it will be a serious setback to Elon Musk's plans for SpaceX to be the world's leading space delivery service - not to mention his plans for trips to Mars.
El Reg is keeping an eye on the situation and will update as soon as hard information becomes available. ®

subset: commoncrawl


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Kurdish Iraq: An Emerging Success
Max Boot is the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a contributing editor to The Weekly Standard.
Erbil, Iraq
Iraq has improved immeasurably since the dark days of 2006 when hundreds were being killed every day by al Qaeda bombs and Sadrist death squads in Baghdad. But terrorist bombs continue to go off intermittently, and lingering instability and ineptitude still block economic development. Indeed, the political situation has recently taken a turn for the worse, with Iraq's political parties at a stalemate in their quest to form a new government more than two months after parliamentary elections were held.
Driving down Baghdad's dingy streets, as I did recently as part of a delegation from the Council on Foreign Relations, one is sometimes tempted to despair. What chance is there, the visitor may reasonably wonder, that the capital of this oil-rich country will ever be truly peaceful, not to mention as luxurious as Doha, Dubai, or other boomtowns to the south on the Persian Gulf?
A short trip north to the Kurdish region, where 4.5 million of Iraq's 30 million people live, offers a different, more hopeful perspective. Known as the Kurdish Regional Government, or KRG, this area feels as safe as it gets in the Middle East. Terrorist attacks aren't a concern. Americans can wander around without body armor or bodyguards-even if they're in uniform. Don't try it in Baghdad. That's a tribute to the effectiveness of the Kurdish intelligence service, the Asayesh, and to their peshmerga troops ("those who face death"). It also has something to do with Kurdish attitudes toward the United States. There is none of the lingering resentment that is still prevalent in the rest of Iraq; Kurds are among the most pro-American people on the planet. They regularly and profusely thank American visitors for liberating them from Saddam Hussein's murderous regime-not something one often hears from Iraqi Arabs.
There are also many sights in Erbil that you don't see in the rest of Iraq. They include a spanking new airport that puts dinosaurs like New York's Kennedy Airport to shame, and new shopping malls, banks, stores, homes, and hotels that would not be out of place in Europe. Erbil, the capital of the KRG, seems a world away from the rest of Iraq even though it is located only 50 miles from Mosul, the most violent city in the entire country and the only one where Al Qaeda in Iraq remains a major threat. Almost all of the development has occurred in the last few years, filling once-empty fields with modern buildings.
The Kurdish region's prosperity is fueled by oil. The KRG actually has considerably less oil than the rest of Iraq. It is entitled to just 17 percent of Iraqi oil revenues. So why is the KRG so much richer today? The difference is that the KRG government has gotten its act together and is much further along in attracting foreign investment, exploiting its natural wealth, and spending the proceeds.
There was nothing inevitable about this. Kurdish politics in the past have been as violent and divisive and dysfunctional as in the rest of Iraq. As recently as the 1990s, the two major Kurdish factions-Massoud Barzani's Democratic Party of Kurdistan and Jalal Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan-were fighting one another. Barzani even sought help from Saddam Hussein, while Talabani turned for assistance to Iran. But eventually these two old adversaries realized they could do better by joining hands and splitting the spoils of an ever-growing economy. In 1998 they signed an American-brokered peace treaty in Washington. In 2002, just prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, they created a joint parliament in Erbil uniting the Barzani-controlled areas (Dohuk and Erbil) with Talabani's preserve (Sulaymaniyah).
The Kurdish compact, which has deepened over the years, allows Barzani predominance in the KRG while Talabani represents Kurdish interests in Baghdad as president of Iraq. This is a rare instance of veteran guerrilla fighters hanging up their guns and concentrating on peaceful development, making the kind of leap that Yasser Arafat never could.
Taking advantage of their newfound autonomy, the Kurds have instituted pro-growth policies that encourage outside investment, something that is still viewed with great suspicion in the rest of Iraq, where the socialist legacy of the Baathist state lingers even among the most strident anti-Baathists.
Flexibility Toward Israel
Kurdish leaders have also shown geopolitical wisdom by not seeking independence as demanded by most of their people. They realize that, surrounded by hostile states, an independent Kurdistan could not flourish. Instead of confronting its neighbors, the Kurdish Regional Government is working with them. Its most notable success has come with Turkey, which in 2007 was threatening to invade the KRG to root out rebels from Turkey's own Kurdish community, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party). Today the KRG and Turkey have flourishing trade ties and expanding diplomatic links. The Turkish government has even invited Massoud Barzani to visit in his capacity as president of the Kurdish Regional Government, whose very existence the Turks only recently recognized.
Another sign of the Kurds' sagacity is their attitude toward Israel. In Iraq proper, visiting the "Zionist entity" is still considered a death-defying feat to be undertaken only by the extremely brave or foolish. (Mithal al Alusi, a member of parliament who has visited Israel, was charged with visiting an "enemy state," and his sons were killed in a terrorist attack.)
But the Kurds, who are secular Sunni Muslims, are notably pro-Israeli in their attitudes. If it would not risk a major rift with the rest of Iraq, they would be happy to establish formal ties with the Jewish state. As it is, they maintain informal links. The Barzanis, the first family of the KRG, have a branch in Israel with whom they keep in contact. "It would be good for Iraq to have good relations with Israel," a senior Kurdish politician told me.
The record is hardly perfect. Heavy-handed Kurdish attempts to extend their influence across northern Iraq have caused a backlash among Arabs and created an opening for extremist groups. In some areas they have been guilty of anti-Arab ethnic cleansing in an attempt to make up for anti-Kurdish campaigns under Saddam Hussein. Also, although an opposition party called Gorran ("Change") is growing in influence after its members split from Talabani's camp, political intimidation-even, on occasion, violent intimidation-still occurs.
Recently, for instance, journalists accused Kurdish security forces of killing a young writer who was critical of the Barzanis and other powerful clans. Deplorable as they are, such events are also rare-certainly less prevalent in the KRG than in the rest of Iraq.
So too with corruption, which remains a problem in the KRG (its leading politicians are fabulously wealthy), but far less so than in the rest of Iraq. One old Iraq hand suggested to me that payoffs to politicians in the KRG run only 20 percent of a contract as opposed to 50 percent or more in the rest of the country. More important, Kurdish politicians deliver results; they don't just pocket the proceeds and leave their constituents without basic services. The KRG might be seen as a monument to the kind of "honest graft" that built America's major cities, as opposed to the kleptocratic practice too often evident among Iraqi Arab politicians.
Harbinger for Iraq?
The Kurdish model suggests what Iraq can become in a few years-but only if it continues to improve in fighting crime and terrorism, reducing corruption, and developing the rule of law. Much of this is outside American control, but we can have a major impact on the security situation. A key component of Kurdish success, after all, has been American protection, offered in one form or another since 1991, when the George H.W. Bush administration proclaimed a "no fly" zone to keep Saddam's aircraft from bombing the Kurds. American planes were still patrolling the no-fly zone at the time of the U.S. invasion in 2003. Some kind of long-term protection will be necessary in the rest of Iraq, which must deal in the future with hostile neighbors and suspicious sectarian factions. As it stands, however, the last American troops are supposed to withdraw on December 31, 2011.
That is a worrisome prospect because Iraqi political disputes can still engender violence. Nowhere is the danger greater than along the Green Line separating the KRG from the rest of Iraq. The boundary remains disputed, with the Kurds keen to assert their sovereignty over the oil-rich city of Kirkuk and other parts of northern Iraq. The Kurdish peshmerga and Iraqi troops have been on the verge of gunfire numerous times, pulling back only as a result of American mediation. Today U.S. troops patrol the Green Line in cooperation with the peshmerga and Iraqi forces.
If U.S. troops are withdrawn before land disputes between the KRG and Iraq proper are resolved, Kurdish politicians warn that the result could be war. That is an especially worrisome possibility because the United States has agreed to sell the Iraqi armed forces M-1 tanks and F-16 fighters. We have a moral and strategic obligation to ensure that this high-tech hardware is never used against our Kurdish friends. That argues for keeping a small U.S. force in Iraq after 2011, perhaps 10,000 to 15,000 troops and trainers. The Kurds, for one, would love to host a U.S. military base. The Obama administration should push for that once a new government takes power in Baghdad and negotiations begin on a new Iraqi-American strategic accord to take the place of the one negotiated by President Bush and Nouri al Maliki in 2008.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
By Max Boot:
Reprinted with permission from The Weekly Standard


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All material © 1996-2015 MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Lactulose is an osmotic laxative. It is used for the relief of constipation, including chronic constipation, as directed by your doctor. It works over a period of about 24 to 48 hours. The liquid reaches your intestines virtually unchanged.
Once there, the bacteria in your bowel split lactulose into its active parts. The active parts increase the action of your bowel and keep water in your bowel so that stools are moved through and are easier to pass.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
This medication is available as a 667 mg/mL oral solution.
Lactulose is available in a liquid form. The dose varies according to the product being used, but it is usually taken once or twice a day at the same time each day. Some medications should be taken at least 2 hours after lactulose.
Remember that lactulose takes 24 to 48 hours for results in most cases. This product should not be used if it has only been a day or two since your last bowel movement. Laxatives should not be used for more than one week unless your doctor advises otherwise. If you are still bothered by constipation after one week of using this product, call your doctor.
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The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
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Breast-feeding: It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
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If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
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Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
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Antonio Conte has told his Chelsea players to start living up to their reputations after the Blues endured a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal.
Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil put the Gunners out of sight before half-time at the Emirates Stadium as the hosts condemned Chelsea to their second consecutive Premier League defeat.
Conte's men were run ragged in the first 45 minutes and once again paid the penalty for a string of defensive errors.
Gary Cahill gifted possession to Sanchez for the first goal, Cesar Azpilicueta was caught out of position for Walcott's second and then Cahill and David Luiz together failed to defend a two-on-two as Ozil added a third.
The result leaves Chelsea eighth in the table after six games and already eight points behind league leaders Manchester City.
"If someone thinks this season is easy, we must work a lot to improve and change the situation because now we are a great team on the paper, not on the pitch," Conte said.
"I prefer to be a great team, not on paper, but also on the pitch because the pitch speaks the truth, the pitch is the most important thing for us. Not the words, not the paper. We must change this.
"Last season was a bad season and last season we were a great team on the paper. This team we want to be a great team also on the pitch.
"There are many difficulties but if we understand this we are in a good position to recover and to change the situation."
READ MORE: 'Cahill is a poor man's Rojo' – Chelsea fans react to defender's gaffe against Arsenal
No team in the top half of the Premier League has conceded more than Chelsea's nine goals so far and they have now let in nine in their last four in all competitions.
Conte switched from a back four to a back three in the second half in hope of an improvement but the damage was already done.
"I think I have to solve the situation," Conte said.
"The situation is every game we have conceded two goals at a minimum. For this reason, two back, three back or four back, I don't care.
"It's important to solve the situation. This is the most important thing. I must find the solution and I work a lot to find the right solution."
Chelsea's defensive woes once again bring to the fore the absence of John Terry, who was not declared fit enough to feature as he completes his recovery from an ankle ligament injury.
"John is recovering from a bad injury but I don't like to talk about players that today didn't play," Conte said.
"I don't like this. I think this is a lack of respect for the players today who played bad or good."


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Ray J To Brandy! "Your Jealous Of Me" [Trailer For Brandy & Ray's "Family Business" New Season]
The new season of Brandy & Ray J's "Family Business"
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
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Archive for the 'my creations' Category
- In: food | my creations | recipe
- Leave a Comment
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 cups flour
- 4 tsp. baking powder
- 5 eggs
Put lemon zest and sugar into Cuisinart and process fine. Add remaining ingredients, process smooth, and put into cake pan (greased and floured.) When making cupcakes, put the liners into the pans and then use a scoop to evenly measure the cake batter into the pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F until done. Use a cake tester when it comes out clean. For regular sized cupcakes it will take about 23 minutes. For jumbo cupcakes it takes around 25 min.
BUTTER CREAM CHEESE FROSTING (Buttercream cheese or Butter Creamcheese or Butter Cream Cheese? hmmm. . .)
- 1 1/2 sticks butter
[sidebar tip: 8 TBSP = 1/4 pound = 1/2 cup, so this recipe would take 12 TBSP or 3/4 cups]
- 1 1/2 bricks cream cheese (12 oz.)
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 1/2 pounds powdered sugar (24 oz. or 680 grams)
The butter and cream cheese should be at room temperature. Cream together and add vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat well. Pipe onto cupcakes and refrigerate if not eating the same day.
This recipe is the vanilla cupcakes in the photos.
The chocolate cupcakes are "Black Mocha Cake" from page 146 of the Moosewood Restaurant Book of Desserts. The frosting on the chocolate cupcakes is "Buttercream" from page 84. "Holy Moly" it it good! With 15 egg yolks and four cups of butter it sure is rich. The Moosewood Buttercream is labor-intensive but so so worth it.
knit baby hats by my eager hands!
Posted August 14, 2011on:
- In: etsy | my creations
- Leave a Comment
I've had hand-knit items listed on etsy for about three years now, but I started making these adorable cotton fruit caps in the summer of 2000.
Please take a look!
The professional photos were taken by Phil Fox Photography.


text: TECHSPEC® N-BK7 Corner Cube Retroreflectors are designed to reflect any ray or beam entering the prism face, regardless of the orientation of the prism, back onto itself. A mirror will do that only at the normal incidence. As a result, corner cube retroreflectors are useful where precision alignment is impossible or time-consuming. TECHSPEC® N-BK7 Corner Cube Retroreflectors are available with the dihedral surfaces either uncoated or coated with silver. The silver coating provides a larger acceptance angle while the uncoated option, which relies on total internal reflection, provides optimum reflectivity. The input face is available uncoated or coated with an antireflection coating optimized for either visible wavelengths or near infrared wavelengths, including 1064nm and 1550nm.


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So after about eight months of reading, I've finally finished the fourth and fifth books of George R.R. Martin's sprawling fantasy saga, A Song of Ice & Fire. And boy, did a lot of stuff happen there. Spoilers beware.
Before I go into detail about my reactions to the latest developments in the series, I think it is worth noting that I read A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons together, using the reading order found here. Given how things turn out in both books I think this was ultimately a wise decision on my part, but it undoubtedly had an effect on how I perceived the events of the books relative to how people who'd read the two sequentially did. So bear that in mind.
"Meereen" by lVlorf3us
1) Running a kingdom is hard work; so you'd best listen to your advisers. One predominant theme in both books is that running a large kingdom is hard (and often unrewarding) work. Which honestly, shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anything who's familiar with politics. Even in an absolute monarchy - which the Seven Kingdoms are in name if not always in fact - there's still an enormous amount of pressure to keep your immediate inferiors pleased (or at least obedient), elsewise there's always the threat of a coup or a rebellion. Over the course of the story Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister, and Roose Bolton all struggle with the burdens of command and the expectations of those they lead, although how they react reflects their own goals, values, and fears.
Martin already showed in previous books that he has a fair degree of savvy regarding the problems of governing a large realm and it should come as no surprise that this continues to be a major focus throughout A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. However, whereas many of the problems Martin's characters face in the first three books are the result of an ongoing (and very violent) civil war, the Seven Kingdoms are (mostly) at peace this time round and the biggest problem facing Westeros' rulers (as well as Daenerys) is how to keep the peace, once it's already been made.
None of the characters find this particularly easy, in no small part because it's fairly evident in every case that the underlying tensions resulting from the previous war(s) have still not been resolved. Of all the character Jon and Roose seem to handle things most effectively, but it's clear by the end of ADwD that both are sitting on a powder keg (and in Jon's case, the powder keg appears to have finally gone off). Comparatively, Cersei and Daenerys experience more difficulty, although for the opposite reasons: Cersei is far too ruthless and Daenerys is much too gentle. However, if there is one flaw that all of the rulers (except possibly Roose) seem to share, it's that none of them really heed the counsel of their advisers and instead act unilaterally. Sometimes this works well and they are wise to reject (bad) advice. But as often as not, this seems to get them into trouble.
The lesson here seems to be that no one can run a kingdom (or a brotherhood numbering in the thousands) by themselves, no matter how intelligent or well-intentioned they believe themselves to be.
"Brienne of Tarth" by Rene Aigner
2) Being good sucks most of the time, but some people will try anyway. Several characters in both books - Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Jaime Lannister, Brienne Tarth, and Davos Seaworth - stand out as people who try to do what they believe is right, even when everyone around them is telling them not to. If any of the (remaining) characters in A Song of Ice & Fire are truly good in the classical sense of the term, these are the ones to qualify. To a lesser extent, Theon Greyjoy, Tyrion Lannister, and Quentyn Martell could also be added to the list, though their motives appear a bit more complicated.
In any case, while few of the series' characters (and virtually none of the POV characters) believe themselves to be evil, these are people who go beyond mere self-righteousness and really do try to help those in worse circumstances themselves, even when it isn't to their benefit. And boy, do they get nothing but trouble for their efforts. Jon's best efforts to save the Wildlings from the Others cost him the loyalty of the Watch's senior officers (and quite possibly his life), Daenerys' desire to avoid bloodshed results in a conspiracy to remove her from office, Jaime is estranged from his sister and continually loathed by those he's trying to help, Brienne is captured and sentenced to die by the Brotherhood without Banners for crimes she did not commit, and Davos very nearly is executed before instead being sent off on a suicide mission to retrieve a boy who may not even be alive. None of the characters are really rewarded for their good will and all of them suffer greatly.
And yet... the series feels oddly affirming on this point. Yes, things are sucking pretty massively for the character's most morally pure characters but the fact remains that despite their continual hardship most of them continue to stay true to their ideals, knowing full well the costs that may result. These people are literally willing to die for the good of others which, while from a strictly cynical point of view is bizarrely irrational, is actually kind of inspirational. Jon knows he may go down as a traitor but continues to try and save the Wildlings anyway; Daenerys neither loves nor trusts Hizdahr but she marries him anyway in the hopes it will secure peace for Meereen; Jaime is well-aware that he will always be loathed and feared as "the Kingslayer" but tries to be a true and noble knight anyway; Brienne knows that as a female knight she'll never be respected as much as she deserves but tries all the same to be a champion of chivalry; Davos fears that Stannis may be a lost cause, both as a claimant to the throne and a good ruler, but still tries to help him anyway.
Martin's series may have a reputation for cynicism and killing beloved characters, but virtue in the face of adversity is a romantic message if ever there was one. The fact that the characters continue to do good, even when they are unrewarded for their beneficence, is if anything more poignant than if good things always happened to them.
"Ramsay Bolton" by Demutti
3) On the flip side, petty evil is self-destructive in the long run, perhaps even more than foolish nobility. Everyone who's familiar with the series knows well the fate of Ned Stark, the incorruptible and noble lord who appeared at first to be the story's central protagonist before he was cruelly cut down at the end of the first novel. Because of that - and later the Red Wedding - it's understandable that many readers are pretty jaded about the fortunes of the series' protagonists and are continually watching out for Martin to slay another beloved character. However, what people often seem to forget is that the death rate for the series' antagonists is also pretty high and often it is the worst (or at least, the stupidest) villains whose deaths come quickest.
It was not long after Robb Stark's end at the Red Wedding that Joffrey - an adolescent tyrant whose short reign consisted largely of petty cruelties done to those who displeased him - met an even fouler death at his own wedding, choking slowly to death in terror. Viserys, in more than one ways a parallel to Joffrey (but powerless), burned to death when he pushed things too far with Khal Drogo and Daenerys. Vargo Hoat, who cut off Jaime's hand and nearly sanctioned the gang rape of Brienne (before instead sending her to die in a rigged fight against a bear) was cut into pieces, forced to cannibalize his own body, and then beheaded. Gregor Clegane, a complete monster infamous in-universe for rape and murder, died a slow and agonizing death by poison before becoming the subject of Qyburn's unsettling experiments.
This pattern continues throughout A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. In the former, Cersei's vindictiveness and belief that everyone who does not obey her unquestioningly is her enemy results in her dethronement, imprisonment, and eventual humiliation, to the point that she seems very nearly (if not entirely) broken by the end of the latter book. In ADWD, Ramsay Bolton quickly establishes himself as a vicious and cruel bastard (pun intended) who takes the greatest joy in the suffering of others. But while he remains alive and well at the story's end (as far as we know), it's extremely clear that his behavior is self-destructive, a fact that his father Roose lets him know in no uncertain terms, telling him (essentially) that being evil is all well and good, but you really should do it where no one can see or hear you. "A peaceful land, a quiet people," Roose tells his son, ultimately to no avail. If Ramsay's unfettered sadism doesn't get him into (potentially fatal) trouble by the end of The Winds of Winter, I will be very surprised.
And then there's the Freys. Walder Frey may well have pulled off (with the help of Roose Bolton and Tywin Lannister) the series' most devastating coup d'etat but it quickly becomes clear this has not been without a substantial cost to his family. Regarded before as proud upstarts, House Frey is now seen as the most treacherous and untrustworthy lot around, despised by even their allies and hated with an uncompromising passion by their enemies. As a consequence, the Brotherhood without Banners (under Lady Stoneheart) and House Manderly, among others, have taken to hunting down and killing as many members of the clan as they can, often in cruel or unusual ways, and the Freys' appeals for aid have fallen on deaf ears. Walder Frey may well live to die peacefully in his sleep, but the same cannot be said for many of his conspirators and his house's gains may be ultimately short-lived.
"Melisandre of Asshai" by jezebel
4) Prophecy's like a poorly labeled box of chocolates: you sort of know what you're going to get, but not how or when. This is hardly unique to A Song of Ice & Fire; everything from Dune to Babylon 5 to Greek mythology features misinterpreted prophecies. Fictional prophecies are almost always riddles, since it helps to maintain a decent level of suspense even when the audience "knows" what's going to happen. Additionally, there's often an element of dramatic irony present wherein some characters attempt to avoid the prophecy's fruition only for their actions to lead directly to said fulfillment. Writers love this stuff and Martin is no exception.
That being said, even though ironic/mysterious prophecies are unique to neither the series nor AFFC/ADWD in particular Martin's use of prophecy in these two books bears mentioning, if only because the number of prophecies active increases substantially, as does the indication that most characters are interpreting them incorrectly. As of the end of ADWD, these are the prophecies and visions which are potentially active: most of those from the House of the Undying in Qarth, those made by Quaithe in both Qarth and Meereen, the prophecy of Azor Azhai's return, the prophecy of the Prince Who Was Promised, the future foretold for Cersei by Maggy the Frog, several of Bran's visions, several of Melisandre's, Moqorro's visions, potentially some of Daenerys' dreams, possibly one of Jon's, potentially Mirri Maz Duur's words to Daenerys about her fertility and Khal Drogo, and probably a few I'm missing. Some of the conditions (though not all) of these prophecies appear to have been fulfilled, but only rarely in the way that the characters expected.
Of the prophecies which remain in place, the most important seem to be the dueling messiahs of R'hllor and the Targaryens, which may or may not refer to the same person. Melisandre is absolutely convinced that Stannis fulfills the conditions of both prophecies, but we know from her POV chapter that she's forced those conditions in a few places, which in most stories is about as futile as trying to avoid a prophecy entirely. Additionally, there's a fair amount of evidence that the returned Azor Azhai might be someone else entirely (with one leading candidate being Jon Snow) while the Prince Who Was Promised is probably Daenerys (the most crucial piece of evidence being that she has, in fact, brought back the dragons as the prophecy foretold). The potential for Melisandre's misinterpretation is shown when she tells Jon Snow that a "girl in grey on a dying horse" will flee to the Wall, telling him that the girl is his sister Arya. But while the letter of the prophecy is fulfilled, her interpretation is not: the girl is not Arya but Alys Karstark. As such, we are shown that while Melisandre is indisputably gifted when it comes to seeing the future, her interpretations are not infallible.
Another prophecy which has almost certainly been misinterpreted is the one delivered by Maggy the Frog to the young Cersei. We know the prophecy is almost certainly true, since several of its predictions have already come to pass (Cersei's marriage as well as the number and identity of her children). However, Cersei's interpretation of the remaining events is highly suspect, in no small part because of her certainty. She is absolutely convinced that Tyrion is the valonqar described in Maggy's prophecy and yet she is completely blind to the fact that Jaime is also her younger sibling and has reason to hate her as well. Likewise, Cersei is certain without a doubt that Margaery Tyrell is the "younger and more beautiful queen" who will replace her, whereas the audience is aware that Daenerys is another possible candidate. Lastly, as in Melisandre's case we're given evidence to regard Cersei's interpretation as suspect: she's misinterpreted the prophecy before, as she believed Maggy's statement that she would marry the king instead of the prince meant she and Rhaegar would be married after he succeeded his father, never suspecting that she wouldn't marry Rhaegar (as Maggy implied).
It will be interesting to see how the remaining prophecies play out The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the prophecies go silently fulfilled, without much fanfare, but the prophecies outlined above will almost certainly have important (and potentially surprising) consequences for the narrative.
"A Dance with Dragons" by Marc Simonetti
5) Things seem to be coming together... but very slowly. It is commonly understood that after A Game of Thrones, Martin's narrative has continually branched and expanded, to the point of becoming somewhat unwieldy. This problem has already manifested itself in the TV adaptation, where each episode spends so much time switching back and forth between different characters that casual viewers easily become confused. The sprawling nature of the series arguably reaches its peak during A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons - which were originally one book before being split into two for this very reason - but it also appears to be the point at which the sprawl begins to shrink, so that by the end of the two books things are arguably slightly more condensed than they were at the end of A Storm of Swords.
At the start of AFFC/ADWD, we have fourteen major story arcs: the Wildlings vs. the Watch, the return of the Others, Bran's quest, the ascendancy of the Boltons and the Freys, the Greyjoy succession dispute, Littlefinger's plotting in the Vale, Cersei vs. the Tyrells in King's Landing, Brienne's search for Catelyn's daughters, Stannis vs. the Iron Throne, the troubles in Dorne, Arya's training as a Faceless (Wo)man, Tyrion's flight from Westeros, and Daenerys' queenship in Meereen. In addition we have an innumerable number of subplots or side stories. However, by the end of AFFC/ADWD, we only have ten: the war at the Wall (Jon and the Wildings vs. Watch traditionalists vs. the Others), Bran's quest, the war in the North (Stannis vs. the Boltons vs. the Greyjoys), Euron vs. Victarion, Littleflinger's plotting, Cersei vs. the Tyrells, the invasion of Aegon and the Golden Company, the Maesters' conspiracy, Arya's training, and the war in Meereen. True, each of those story arcs is broken up in part by shifts in perspective from one character to another, but these tend to be different lenses rather than entirely different pictures. The story, remarkably enough, has actually begun to simplify.
That isn't to say that there doesn't remain an enormous amount of work ahead for Martin: he has just two books (barring the possibility of elongating the series even further) to tie up those remaining eight and there's always the temptation to add still more. That being said, things do appear to be weaving towards a conclusion and it's even possible to guess now at where things are heading (though guesswork is always risky with this series). I do not envy Martin his enormous task but I do feel confident he'll pull things together.


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Sanibel's City Council continued discussion on drafting a proposed neglected property building and grounds ordinance that would address neglected properties within the land development code. At the October council meeting, staff presented proposed regulations to help bring nuisance properties into compliance by bridging the gap in the code.
"I am in favor of you adopting and enforcing (this ordinance) as soon as possible," said Diane Hartman Chelsey, a Dunes resident since 2010 who lives across the street from a derelict home. "It is in disarray; the yard has not been mowed in two months and it poses health and safety concerns. This ordinance would apply to it."


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One of the oldest and most popular art forms in the world, ceramics encompasses all art created from clay bodies and fired at high temperatures into a rigid, ceramic form. Ceramics is a very versatile medium; nearly any three-dimensional object can be formed and fired in clay. Some ceramic pieces are intended as fine art, enjoyed purely for their aesthetic value, while other, more functional pieces fall more easily into one of the decorative, industrial, or applied arts.
Historically, the creation of ceramics has involved shaping a body of mineral-rich clay into beautiful or functional designs and baking them inside a kiln. Ceramic art made in this fashion has an extensive history, with some of the best known and beautiful examples of the art form stemming from ancient Chinese, Cretan, Greek, Roman, Persian, and Mayan artists. Ceramics has evolved a great deal since then, in both artistry and materials. Today, ceramic art is produced from a wide variety of materials, some of which contain no clay at all!
The fact that even primitive peoples were adept at ceramics proves that you don't have to buy a lot of expensive tools to work in the medium. The best tools for ceramics are simple shapes you can use to carve, trim, and form clay. MisterArt.com features everyday discounts on tools, clay, and everything you need to create ceramic art!
This buyer's guide is designed to help you to quickly and easily find the perfect art supplies for your ceramics project.
Clay has properties making it ideal for use in creating sculpture and pottery that have been exploited by cultures all over the world since the dawn of civilization. Clay becomes plastic when wet, which makes it easy to form and shape. As it dries up, clay firms and hardens, allowing the artwork to be handled without being damaged. After being fired in high temperatures, clay is converted into a ceramic material, making the clay object's shape permanent.
Different clays containing different mixtures of minerals that are subjected to different firing conditions produce the three main different types of ceramics:
Many modern ceramicists also use polymer or artificial clays. Oftentimes these modern materials exhibit properties not found in natural clay, and some do not require firing. You can find discounts on all of these clays at MisterArt.com.
Cones are tools used in kilns during the process of firing ceramics that indicate that the kiln has reached a certain temperature. The cones, often used in sets, are placed inside of the kiln alongside the wares being fired and melt and soften when the kiln reaches a certain temperature. This way, they provide a visual reference of when the ceramics being fired have reached maturity and fully hardened, a process that requires varying degrees of time and heat.
Because it takes different ceramic objects different amounts of time and heat to mature, cones are manufactured to wilt at a variety of temperatures, as well. A universal number system has been established which indicates how fast and hot a cone will melt. The coolest cones are numbered 022 and the hottest cones bear the number 42.
Observation of the cones is used to determine when a kiln has reached a desired temperature. Some cones can even be arranged to trigger kiln controls, shutting the kiln off once it has reached or exceeded the necessary level of heat.
MisterArt.com supplies many different cones discounted every day!
When ceramic works are being fired, kilns are packed using shelves and supports. As the kiln is packed for glaze firing, it's important to remember that the works shouldn't touch one another—the glaze can cause them to stick together. Glaze that drips from ceramic pieces on to the kiln shelves can also bond the piece to the kiln, which can make the artwork impossible to remove without damaging or destroying it. The best way to prevent this problem is by coating shelves with kiln wash and by using stilts, which elevate ceramic art out of direct contact with the shelf.
Most stilts feature small metal points on which the artwork rests during firing. These points can sometimes leave small marks on the work which will need to be ground down. The most common, multi-purpose stilts are tri- and quadrangular star stilts, which feature three or four points for your ceramic art to rest upon. There are all kinds of specialized stilts, though, that are designed to hold everything from vases to ladles to box lids and more during firing. MisterArt.com offers fast delivery on stilts suited to many different kinds of ceramics projects.
After being fired, clay produces a variety of lovely and neutral tones that can really aid in bringing out certain pieces' character. Other works of art, however, call for bold colors, pretty patterns, or pleasant textures. Additionally, a finishing coating is necessary for earthenware vessels, which would otherwise be unable to hold liquids due to their porosity.
In these cases, glaze can be applied to ceramics. Glaze functions as both a sealant as well as a surface decoration. Glazes comprise glass-forming materials with added ingredients that determine the melting temperature and finished quality of the glaze, including gloss, matte, and color. Not unlike a cake mix that begins as a pale, unappetizing paste before being transformed into a golden sponge when baked, glaze mix rarely gives an accurate indication of its final fired color. It's always a good idea to fire a few test samples of a new glaze to get a better idea of what the finished piece will look like before applying it to valued artwork.
Decoration that is applied to ceramics under the final layer of glaze is known as under glaze. Typically, under glazes include opaque colors that are then finished by a final layer of wet glaze to complete the piece.
There are innumerable types of decorative glazes for ceramics, enough to satisfy artistic demands for both pottery and sculpture. You can find a great discounted selection at MisterArt.com.
Since the art of ceramics began in ancient cultures, artists have used both simple and sophisticated tools to help simplify and improve their sculpture and potting. Some of the best tools that can be used to shape ceramics are common household items, including files, hammers, nails, and other objects that can be manipulated to smooth, form, or imprint clay. However, in the millennia since ceramics were invented, a few specialized tools have been developed that are especially useful in working with clay and glazes.
Specialized tools used in the creation of ceramics include tools to cut and separate clay, tools to trim and sculpt sculptures, wheels to maneuver and spin pottery and figurines, pads and files to smooth fired pieces, even highly specialized tools such as wands to smooth the eye sockets of porcelain dolls to prepare them for the insertion of glass eyes. No matter what tool your project requires, you'll find the best price and quickest delivery by shopping at MisterArt.com.
Brushes are an essential tool for applying most glazes. Longer, soft mop-like brushes are ideal for slapping on glazes; smaller, finer brushes are typically better for tiny details and under glazes. Brushes are also useful for cleaning away bits of clay as you carve or cut large pieces. Some brushes are highly specialized, such as brushes designed for stippling patterns or pin striping. Many of the brushes suited for glazing and other ceramics work are inordinately similar to paintbrushes. You can find them at MisterArt.com.
Not sure how to get started with ceramics? Wondering how to get your work to the next level? MisterArt.com carries several beautiful and informative books and other media on the subject that illustrate techniques and examples to inspire the work of ceramicists old and new. Whether you're looking to try a new form or simply add a few new skills to your repertoire, MisterArt.com can help you read to achieve!
Earthenware is one of the oldest materials used in ceramics. Red earthenware made from red clays is very familiar and recognizable, but earthenware is commercially produced and commonly available in several colors.
Typically, earthenware is bisque fired to temperatures in the range of 1000 and 1150 degrees Celsius (1800 and 2100 degrees Fahrenheit, and glost fired from 950-1050°C (1750 to 1925°F). Due to its higher porosity, earthenware must usually be glazed in order to be watertight.
Stoneware comprises essentially man-made stone pottery that became the most popular American houseware in the 19th Century. Its maturation temperature ranges from about 1200°C to 1315°C. It is usually colored grey or brown because of impurities in the clay used in its crafting, and is often glazed.
Glaze may be applied to stoneware pottery before a second firing at a different temperature, or a glaze may be applied before a single, raw firing.
Porcelain is typically composed mostly of clay in the form of kaolin. Kaolin, or China Clay, has a lower content of impurities than many other clays, producing porcelain's smooth, consistent texture.
Porcelain is fired to a vitreous state, transforming the constituent silica into glass. Typically this occurs in a kiln at temperatures between 1,200°C (2,192°F) and 1,400°C (2,552°F). The toughness, strength, and translucence of porcelain arise mainly from the formation of glass and the mineral mullite within the fired body at such high temperatures.
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One of the oldest and most popular art forms in the world, ceramics encompasses all art created from clay bodies and fired at high temperatures into a rigid, ceramic form. Ceramics is a very versatile medium; nearly any three-dimensional object can be formed and fired in clay. Some ceramic pieces are intended as fine art, enjoyed purely for their aesthetic value, while other, more functional pieces fall more easily into one of the decorative, industrial, or applied arts. Historically, the creation of ceramics has involved shaping a body of mineral-rich clay into beautiful or functional...
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Thinking Worlds puts 'reality'
that works into simulations
A military simulation in "Thinking Worlds," a browser-based, 3D virtual world technology, had reduced – by more than 50 percent – the need to carry out remedial or "Brought Up To Speed" training in one cohort that trained on the UK Navy's Maritime Warfare School simulation, according to Graeme Duncan (pictured right), the CEO of the award-winning Caspian Learning organisation.
This reduction was when the cohort of 100 was compared to a similar size control cohort which went through a more traditional normal "onboarding" training process.
But, he told online blog Defence IQ, that it was "clear is that there is no one, and never should be, simulation or games engine that solves all of our learning ills."
"There is a need for different simulation technology, both authoring platforms and delivery platforms to deliver different types of learning experience," he said. "And that could be the difference between single player scenarios and multiplayer scenarios."
Caspian Learning is the developer of the Thinking Worlds' 3D authoring tool and software platform that enables users to engage in a 3D virtual simulation designed to train and teach, particularly in the military realm and in my view has demonstrated that it is up with the game if not ahead of most of those doing education simulations in virtual worlds such as Second Life, OpenSim and others.
It has probably deployed the widest range of simulations and 3D immersive learning environments of any serious gaming or learning developer in the UK as well as more than 50 individual simulations in sectors as diverse as pharmaceuticals and the motor industry, working with organisations such as IBM, Accenture, Price Water House Coopers, the BBC, QinetiQ and Volvo; the education sphere with the UK Ministry of Education and regional bodies of education. In the defence sector they have mainly worked with the UK Defence College of Policing and Guarding, creating 3D immersive simulations to enable them to put their personnel into realistic scenarios where they have to go through entry search procedure processes, deciding how to enter the premises effectively, how to search for evidence effectively, and how to go through the process of seizing that evidence and making sure that it is usable if it is needed in a court of law.
In addition Caspian Learning developed a scenario for the UK Royal Navy's Maritime Warfare School, which won the E-learning Age award in the UK. It was used to give new navy recruits "onboarding" training in preparation for them going onboard a Type 23 war frigate; enabling them to carry out health and safety and weapons rounds inspections.
"We created a fully accurate, Type 23 warship, and created a simulation, but also a serious game in that environment, where there is a saboteur onboard and they've got to go and test their knowledge," Duncan said.
The organisation also has worked with the Defence Centre of Training Support in the UK, and with the Defence Academy in the UK. In the US, through licensed technology, it has worked with the DoD, is working in the defence security arena, and a number of police forces throughout Europe as well.
Duncan noted that his organisation attempted to make its simulations and the immersive learning environments as real as they can possibly be while at the same time allowing instructional designers to create fully immersive 3D simulations at costs previously restricted to 2D development.
That means three things, he said. " We tend to focus on the graphical fidelity when we talk about realism–how does it look on screen, how are the shading and the rendering package making it as realistic to our eyes as possible …" but …"to create a simulation that is highly realistic you also need to create scenarios and simulations of events in that learning environment that are highly contextual, and highly representative of what happens in the real world." (Demo Videos here)
"A Planet in Peril:Plagiarism"
Meanwhile Caspian Learning announced recently that "A Planet in Peril: Plagiarism", developed by a small group of Communications Media and Instructional Technology doctoral students from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) ad won the Serious Games Challenge launched at the Game Based Learning conference in London.
The challenge, open to both novice and expert users alike, was to create the most innovative serious game using Thinking Worlds' technology in 30 days.
Lee Rushworth, Marketing Executive for Caspian Learning, said, "All of the entries we received were of a very good standard, considering that no training had been given to the entrants, but there were one or two that stood out above the others. A Planet in Peril: Plagiarism was one that really stood out to us as a well-produced serious game built with a great sense of humour and some innovative uses of Thinking Worlds' interactions that even we hadn't thought of."
The game, which is currently in a beta release, follows the story of a student who uncovers the secret of a group of aliens, disguised as academics, at his university campus. The aliens have prophesied the end of the world, which is set to occur due to a student's excessive plagiarism, and it's up to the hero to put the pieces of this puzzle together in order to prevent disaster. While working through the challenges players learn about what is, and what is not plagiarism, including ways to avoid it.
The game is targeted at the college and university level but has application for high school students.
The final version of the game will be released later this year. Ryan L. Sittler, Assistant Professor of Library Services at the California University of Pennsylvania (and one of the lead designers for "Random Precision Studios") said: "I am working on my PhD at IUP and am an avid game player. My State-System colleague, Dr Kelly Heider, suggested that I create an information literacy game. I knew I could never do it on my own, so I asked some other doctoral students to help get it off the ground. Fortunately, they were interested! It was in our initial conversations that we settled on one information literacy concept – plagiarism – and developed the ridiculous end-of-the-world scenario."
The team also included Chad Sherman and David P. Keppel as the other lead designers (handling the majority of game production) and Dana Covitz Hackley, Chrissy Schaeffer, and Laurie A. Grosik assisting with pre-production and documenting the process for a potential future publication.
The winning game was uploaded to the Internet and is available for anyone to play here.
Filed under: Education, Education in virtual worlds, Life Game Project, Virtual Worlds | Tagged: A Planet in Peril: Plagiarism, Caspian Learning, Chad sherman, Chrissy Schaeffer, Dana Covitz Hackley, David P. Keppel, Defence Academy, Defence Centre of Training Support, Defence IQ, DoD, Graeme Duncan, Indiana University of Pennsylvannia, Kelly Heider, Laurie A Grosik, Lee Rushworth, military simulation, navy simulation, R-learning Age, Royal Navy, Ryan L. Sittler, Serious games challenge, slenz, Thinking Worlds, VLENZ | Leave a comment »


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Art gives voice to the voiceless and fame to the ignored. You can learn various forms of art from dancing to sketching in Pretoria. There are designated classes, drama workshops, and art events in Pretoria for the same. If you just want to be a mere spectator you can attend theatre events and art exhibitions in Pretoria too.
Ever wanted to volunteer in those nukkad, nataks or street shows? Wish to learn the basics of painting? Well, just explore through the art & theatre events in Pretoria.
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E.g. Jack is first name and Mandanka is last name.


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by Sally Cohen
"Irish Christmas in America" returns to the Commodore Barry/Irish Center at Carpenter Lane and Emlen Street in West Mt. Airy on Sunday Dec. 12, 7.30 p.m., with an evening of holiday celebration through traditional Irish music, dance and storytelling. Produced by Oisín Mac Diarmada of the award-winning lrish musical group, Téada, the atmospheric "Irish Christmas in America" features Irish singer and accordion-player Séamus Begley in the 2010 touring line-up. Begley, who hails from West Kerry in Ireland, rejoins a host of top musicians and dancers on stage for a performance rich in history, humor and energy. There will be music from the Irish harp and uilleann pipes, played by leading exponents Gráinne Hambly and Tommy Martin, as well as Brian Cunningham's old-style Irish dance, The cast also includes Téada band members Damien Stenson on flute, Sean Ernest on guitar and Tristan Rosenstock on bodhrán (Irish drum) and narration.
This family-friendly performance features Irish ballads and holiday carols, lively fiddle tunes and Irish dancing. Narration brings to life ancient customs and stories.
The holiday show was conceived in 2005 by Oisin Mac Diarmada of Téada, a renowned fiddle-player from County Sligo. Past tours have featured guest vocalists Karan Casey, Cara Dillon, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Cathie Ryan and Michael Londra. Mac Diarmada enthuses about the program as a way to bring traditional and often unknown Irish customs to the U.S. "One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration," he said. "Music was a way that people stayed close to home."
Tickets are $25, $23 for advance tickets. For more information, visit www.irishchristmasinamerica.com Advance tickets are available at the Commodore Barry/Irish Center: http://www.theirishcenter.com, 215-510 4825, or firstname.lastname@example.com


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By Charles Cooper and Jill Compher
The simplest and most fundamental of elements in any sphere of knowledge seem to be the most difficult to explain. The fundamental may be basic, but it is also the foundation upon which more complex things rest upon. The atomic is difficult to qualify or quantify because qualities and quantities are based on those essentials. Most of us can't imagine, for example, our classrooms without certain crucial tools like electricity, our computers, or that bottle of Tylenol taped to the bottom of our desks. We would like to introduce you to your next crucial tool…Enter: Aurasma (key dramatic music).
Aurasma is a game changing app for Apple and Droid products that we absolutely LOVE. Once you see it in action, ideas will fly out of you so quickly you may want to stop reading now and get something to write with. The complexity of its application is completely up to how much you want to integrate this app in your lessons. It is simple to use, but adds so much to your classroom experience.
Originally, Aurasma was developed as an advertising app to add POP to boring paper media advertisements. If you go to their "campaign" site you'll see the various companies involved with this project. Because it was developed first in England, Aurasma is hitting its stride in Europe. Organizations like the Tottenham Hotspur and Mercedes are using this app to really hook customers. It has slowly been making its way into the United States. Recently, Marvel Comics, GQ, HP, and the Rolling Stones have incorporated this augmented reality app into their arsenal of marketing efforts.
Aurasma is a free app that allows the user to tag an image with addition layers of information. These addition layers can consist of audio, video, or image files. Just like the advertising efforts mentioned above, this app can really draw students into any upcoming or current lesson. For example, a poster of Abraham Lincoln can be brought to life by layering audio of the reading of the Gettysburg Address, a scene from a Civil War documentary, or a still image related to the Lincoln Presidency. At this point you may be thinking isn't that what a "QR Code" does? Nope!
QR codes are disembodied portals to a destination. A QR code usually distracts from the image it is layered upon. Aurasma, however, IS the image. It allows the operator to use a picture, already useful and full of information, as the portal itself. This picture then leads to additional information, examples, or interactive documents (via Google Docs, to name one source) that continue the lesson or open it up to higher level prompts or assignments. A QR code is essentially limited to a single destination point. With an Aurasma "studio" account (free) you can layer a video on top of ol' Honest Abe. Double tap the screen of your device while the video is playing to make it full screen. Then, with a single tap to the screen the app can send you to a second destination like another video, a website, or an educational platform like Moodle, Angel, or Blackboard (or your very own blog).
Watch this video to see the process in action.
There is only one minor limitation to this app from our experience. You must establish a "channel" and have other users follow you in order for outsider to have access to your "auras". If you tag a political party's logo with a video of how off-base their political views are, Aurasma will pull up only the tagged video you uploaded. This delivery system is similar to Twitter in the sense that you only get the messages from people you follow on Twitter. If multiple people or companies layer a video on that same image, only the videos of the channels you are following will appear. We're not sure what happens when multiple channels tag a single image with their own videos, but up to this point, this has not been an issue.
We have incorporated the many uses of Aurasma into a bulletin board that demonstrates its power. We used Bloom's Taxonomy as our frame and attached multiple examples from various disciplines. So, if you are a newcomer to technology in the classroom use Aurasma on Bloom's Knowledge Level, but if you're a pro looking to put some pop in your lessons you may want to use Aurasma to target Bloom's Synthesis Level.
There are two options when creating auras via Aurasma. You can create and store them in the "private" section or the "public" section. You will find below instructions for making a "public" aura. Auras must be public and connected to a channel students are subscribed to for classroom use.
- Once you download Aurasma (for free) and register it. You will press the "A" icon at the bottom of the screen.
- You will see a "+" icon at the bottom of this screen. Press this to create a new aura.
- There is a library of preloaded 3-d images and videos you can use or you can create your own. Let's assume you want to create your own. So, next press "device".
- In the upper left hand corner you'll see a large purple "+". Press that.
- You can take a new video or image by choosing "Camera", you can upload a previously taken image or video by choosing "photo album", or you can upload images or videos from the internet by choosing "blinkx". Just for brevities sake, let's choose a still image you already have on your device. Press "photo album".
- Once you pick your image or video, you will be given the option to name it.
- You will then be prompted with the question "Would you like to create an Aura?" Choose "ok".
- The "Aura" screen will appear. The next image you capture will be your "trigger image". When Aurasma sees this image, your overlay will appear. So find something around you that has enough detail for the spectrum indicator at the bottom to move to the "green" side. This lets you know that Aurasma can "see" it.
- Take the picture and Aurasma will give you a preview of your final product. Push the ">" button to move on.
- Name your project. You have the choice to make it public or private here as well as whether you want to add it to a channel or not. Remember, channels are how your followers will access your "Auras", otherwise these are accessible only to you on your device. For classroom use, choose "public" and add to your classroom channel.
- Finally, Aurasma will let you know when your "Aura" is ready to go! All that is left is to try out your new Aura.
- Follow our pre-established channels to see some examples of this in action. First, in Aurasma, search for and follow Northwest High School, #CoopGovt, and Compher Social Sciences channels. Next, follow this link to our list of images that will then trigger the overlays (don't forget; double tap the screen to make the video larger and single tap to go to the next part of the assignment).
- Or, if you already have Aurasma loaded onto your device, focus on the above "Aurasma Trigger Images" to immediately be sent directly to the multiple other Aurasma examples.
*Charles Cooper (@Thrasymachus) works at Northwest High School in Justin, Texas. He teaches college and regular ed. government and was awarded the 2012 Humanities Texas Teacher of the Year Award.
*Jill Compher (@JillCompher) works at Northwest High School in Justin, Texas. She teaches AP Psychology and Sociology. Jill is an AP Psychology reader for College Board.


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Joss Whedon's The Avengers capped off a great run for Phase One of Marvel Studios' film slate, and now Phase Two of the studio's comic book film line-up is taking shape. Filming on Iron Man 3 is winding down, production on Thor: The Dark World has commenced, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier is set to get underway next March. That leaves Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers 2 as the final two films of the Phase Two lineup, with Edgar Wright's Ant-Man a slight possibility should he be able to get production started next year.
Ever since audiences were caught a glimpse of that big purple alien guy in the tag for The Avengers, fans have been pondering a major arc for the villain Thanos in further films. As with everything Marvel we have no firm confirmation of how the character wlll come into play in Phase Two, but it's been assumed that he'll make his appearance in one of the later films of the slate. Now solid confirmation is being claimed that the baddie will pop up in Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers 2. Hit the jump for more.
For those that are a little confused, let me back up a bit. Thanos was the big guy seen at the very end of The Avengers smirking at the Chitauri leader's warning that to face off against the humans would be "to court Death itself." In the comics, Thanos is a massive threat to The Avengers and pretty much any and all superheroes. He's also obsessed with Death, a literal being, and seeks out the powerful Cosmic Cube (called the "Tesseract" in the films) and wields the Infinity Gauntlet, which basically grants Thanos an insane amount of power.
Marvel is venturing into space opera territory with Guardians of the Galaxy, and James Gunn recently confirmed that he'll be writing and directing the ambitious feature. Many assumed that Thanos would have some presence in Guardians to set him up as the main villain in The Avengers 2; we'll see the superheroes face off against a number of antagonists in their own separate films, so something really, really bad needs to appear in order to necessitate the reassembling of The Avengers.
The folks over at Cosmic Book News have a source that claims to have confirmed with Thanos creator Jim Starlin at the Montreal Comic-Con that the character will indeed appear in both Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers 2. As a number of rumors have come and gone over the years, Marvel has taken a firm "no comment" stance on all such rumblings until they announce things formally, so this isn't an official confirmation. That said, it's not exactly a stretch to imagine the character popping up in both films.
We likely won't hear solid confirmation regarding the villain/plot of Guardians or The Avengers 2 for some time, but Thanos didn't appear at the end of The Avengers for nothing. Whedon's tease will pay off in one way or another sometime down the road, and the final two films in Marvel's Phase Two would be a solid arc for the character.
James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy will hit theaters on August 1st, 2014, while Joss Whedon's The Avengers 2 will open on May 1st, 2015.


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