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Posts Tagged 'Manhattan'
AAA Monthly Gas Price Report: February 2013 Trends and March Outlook
AAA's Gas Saving Tips
(WASHINGTON, February 28, 2013)
Highest Increase in Gas Prices to Begin Year on Record
The national average price of gasoline has increased 49 cents per gallon since the beginning of the year, which is the highest price increase through the end of February on record. Gas prices began 2013 at $3.29 per gallon and have climbed a total of 46 days to a national average of $3.78 per gallon. The previous record through the end of February was a rise of 46 cents per gallon in 2012.
The dramatic increase has resulted in the highest average prices ever for this time of year. The average price of gas in February was $3.65 per gallon, which was ten cents higher than the previous record for the month set in 2012. Today's national average of $3.782 per gallon is five cents higher than the average a year ago.
"Gas prices increased at a dramatically faster pace than expected in February," said Avery Ash, AAA spokesman. "Motorists unfortunately are paying more for gasoline than ever at this time of year, and it is primarily because of a decline in refinery production and higher futures prices."
Many refineries decreased fuel production in January and February to conduct seasonal maintenance and facility upgrades. Along with unplanned refinery issues, this has resulted in the lowest rate of crude oil processing since April 2011. Decreased production squeezes gasoline supplies, which leads to higher pump prices for motorists.
The anticipated transition to summer-blend gasoline also has contributed to higher prices. The switchover takes place every year and is required to help meet local air quality standards. Summer-blend gasoline costs more to produce and can lead to logistical and distribution challenges.
The sharp rise in gas prices has come despite a recent drop in the price of crude oil. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil futures are about $14 per barrel less than a year ago, which reduces the cost of refining gasoline.
Gasoline Likely to Peak at Lower Average Price than Recent Years
AAA expects gas prices to peak at a lower national average than last year's high of $3.94 per gallon. While seasonal gas prices have recently peaked in April or May, it is possible that prices will peak even earlier this year.
"There is a lot of uncertainty on where gas prices will go over the next few weeks, but hopefully the worst of the price spikes are behind us for now," continued Ash. "There is still refinery maintenance to be completed and most of the country must transition to summer-blend gasoline, so motorists are likely to face continued high prices in the weeks ahead."
Despite the spike in gasoline prices, WTI crude oil has dropped almost $5 per barrel in recent weeks as a result of record-high supplies and concerns about the global economy.
The national average price of gas has increased in March for nine years in a row, indicating that seasonal supply and demand factors for this time of year can have a significant effect on gas prices.
Gas Prices Vary by More than $1 per Gallon Across the Country
Gas prices vary by more than a $1 per gallon between the most expensive and cheapest states. The lowest gas prices are in the Rocky Mountain region, which is supplied by refineries with access to relatively cheap crude oil. The most expensive prices in the continental U.S. are in Calif. and N.Y., which have the highest gasoline taxes in the nation.
Approximately 60 million Americans (nearly 20 percent) today live in a state where gas prices average more than $4 a gallon. Only about eight million Americans (three percent) live in a state where gas is less than $3.50 per gallon on average.
The five states with the highest averages today include: Hawaii ($4.37), Calif. ($4.24), Alaska ($4.02), N.Y. ($4.01) and Conn. ($3.99). The five states with the lowest averages today include: Wyo. ($3.29), Mont. ($3.29), Utah ($3.43), Idaho ($3.45) and N.M. ($3.49).
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AAA Monthly Gas Price Report: January 2013 Trends and February Outlook
January 31st, 2013 by AAA
WASHINGTON, January 31, 2013
U.S. Motorists Pay Second Highest Gas Prices on Record for January
The national average price of gasoline in January was $3.32 per gallon, which was the second highest average on record for the month. This also represents the first monthly average below year-ago levels in six months. The highest recorded prices in January were in 2012, when the monthly average was $3.37 per gallon.
"Gas prices in January historically are among the least expensive of the year because of lower demand and the use of winter-blend gasoline," said Avery Ash, AAA spokesman. "While few of us would claim that gas prices are cheap, at least most motorists paid a little less compared to last year."
The national average price of gasoline increased 13 cents (4 percent) a gallon in January, which was the first monthly increase since August. Gas prices nationally have increased 14 days in a row for a total of 22 days during the month. Gas prices increased at a slower pace than in January 2012, when the national average increased 17 cents (5 percent) a gallon.
The lowest state averages for January were in the Rockies, where relatively cheap crude oil, a glut of local gasoline supplies and limited pipeline capacity out of the region helped keep prices low. The average monthly price of gasoline in Wyo. ($2.87), Colo. ($2.91) and Utah ($2.92) were the first state monthly averages under $3 per gallon since January 2012.
Drivers in the Northeast continue paying among the highest prices in the continental U.S. because local production and supplies still have not recovered from Hurricane Sandy. Higher than average state gasoline taxes also contribute to higher prices in the region. Motorists in N.Y. paid an average of $3.74 per gallon for the month, while the average in Conn. was $3.69 per gallon.
Drivers in the Midwest saw the highest price increases for January as a result of rising crude oil costs in the region and decreased gasoline supplies. States with the highest monthly price increases included Minn. (33¢), Ind. (24¢), Mich. (23¢) and Ill. (23¢).
AAA Expects Gas Prices to Rise in February Due to Refinery Actions
AAA expects the national average to increase in February due to seasonal refinery actions, but at a slower pace than in the previous two years when the average climbed by 29 cents per gallon (2012) and 27 cents per gallon (2011). Despite the expected slower overall pace, it is likely the national average will rise temporarily above year-ago levels in the coming days.
"Gas prices are expected to rise steadily as many refineries temporarily close for scheduled turnaround maintenance and as the industry begins the complicated process of switching over to summer blends of gasoline," continued Ash. "Various summer-gasoline blends are required in many regions to meet local air quality standards, but the fuels cost more to produce and the changeover process can disrupt supplies in the spring."
Gas prices in February increased at a quick pace over the past couple of years due to higher oil costs caused primarily by civil war in Libya (2011) and geopolitical tensions with Iran (2012). While gas prices this February are expected to increase at a slower rate, major events such as an unexpected refinery outage, increased unrest in North Africa or changes in the global economy could affect this month's forecast. The national average in February has increased nine out of the previous ten years.
The national average should rise steadily through April or May as the switch to summer-blend gasoline continues and with an increase in demand this spring. AAA expects gas prices this spring will peak at a lower national average than last year's high of $3.94 per gallon, which occurred on April 5 and 6.
Gasoline prices in the Northeast will remain among the highest in the country following the planned closure in February of Hess' Port Reading, N.J. refinery, which accounts for 7.5 percent of Northeast gasoline production. The closure of this refinery further reduces production in the region, which means that a larger percentage of gasoline in the heavily populated Northeast will be supplied by Gulf Coast, Midwest and overseas refineries. The reduction in refinery production places Northeastern motorists at increased risk of price spikes this year if refinery or pipeline disruptions strike the region.
Today's Gas Prices
Today's national gas price average is $3.423 a gallon, which is 2.9 cents more than yesterday and 10.2 cents more than a week ago. Today's national average is the highest price since Nov. 25, 2012.
Motorists nationally are paying an average of 2.7 cents per gallon less on gas than last year. This is the 27th day in a row that gas prices have been less expensive than last year.
The five states with the highest averages today include: Hawaii ($4.11), N.Y. ($3.78), Calif. ($3.76), Conn. ($3.75) and Alaska ($3.69). The five states with the lowest averages today include: Wyo. ($2.90), Mont. ($3.01), Colo. ($3.07), Utah ($3.09) and N.M. ($3.11).
AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report is updated daily at www.FuelGaugeReport.AAA.com with average national, state and local retail prices for gasoline, diesel and E-85. Every day up to 120,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline. For more information, contact Michael Green at 202-942-2082, trjohnson@national.aaa.com.
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AAA Monthly Gas Price Report: December 2012 Trends and January Outlook
December 31st, 2012 by AAA
WASHINGTON, December 31, 2012 –
Gas Prices in 2012 Most Expensive Year on Record
The national average price of gasoline in 2012 was $3.60 a gallon, which is the most expensive annual average on record. The previous annual record was $3.51 a gallon set in 2011, while the third most expensive year for gas prices was 2008, when the average was $3.25 a gallon.
"Record high gas prices have made this the most expensive year yet for motorists," said Avery Ash, AAA spokesman. "Factors as volatile as major hurricanes, refinery outages and tension in the Middle East resulted in significant frustration for people filling up their cars."
The national average has broken a daily record high for 134 consecutive days for a total a 248 days in 2012. Motorists paid record-high gas prices on 68 percent of the days during the year.
The highest daily national average of the year was $3.94 a gallon on April 5 and 6, while the lowest daily national average was $3.22 a gallon on Dec. 20.
The states with the most expensive annual averages for 2012 included Hawaii ($4.31), Alaska ($4.09), Calif. ($4.03), N.Y. ($3.90) and Conn. ($3.90). The states with the cheapest annual averages included S.C. ($3.35), Mo. ($3.38), Miss. ($3.39), Tenn. ($3.40) and Okla. ($3.41).
The highest daily statewide average of the year was $4.67 in Calif. on Oct. 9, while the lowest daily statewide average was $2.91 a gallon in South Carolina on July 3.
The daily average for regular gasoline dropped below $3.00 per gallon in only eight states at some point during the year, while daily averages increased above $4.00 per gallon in 11 states (and Washington D.C.) at some point.
December Gas Prices Fall to Lowest Average of the Year
Gas prices averaged $3.30 a gallon nationally in December, which was the lowest monthly average of the year.
The national average declined 11 cents per gallon (3.25 percent) in December and declined on 22 days during the month.
Gas prices nationally have fallen nearly 58 cents a gallon (14.96 percent) on average since September 14, the day before much of the United States began the transition to winter-blend gasoline. Gas prices have dropped as a result of decreased demand, increased supplies and the switchover to less expensive winter-blend fuels.
Fiscal Cliff Adding Uncertainty to Gas Prices in 2013
A failure to reach a fiscal cliff deal could push the economy into a renewed recession, which would drive down gas prices as a result of decreased demand and weaker commodities prices including oil and gas. As a result of continued negotiations in Washington, predictions about gas prices in 2013 remain very uncertain.
Even if a fiscal cliff deal is reached, AAA predicts that gas prices in 2013 will remain high, but are likely to be cheaper than in 2012 due to increased domestic crude oil production and that demand is expected to remain lower than in recent years.
"What happens with gas prices this year will be impacted by decisions in Washington this month," continued Ash. "Yet no matter what happens in Congress, AAA is optimistic that gas prices will be less expensive than in 2012."
Today's Gas Prices (Dec. 31, 2012)
Today's national average price of gasoline is $3.29 per gallon, which is 4.5 cents more than a week ago and 1.6 cents more than a year ago.
The five states with the highest prices include: Hawaii ($3.99), N.Y. ($3.74), Conn. ($3.68), Calif. ($3.57) and Vt. ($3.55). The five states with the lowest prices include: Wyo. ($2.98), Colo. ($3.01), Okla. ($3.02), Utah ($3.03) and Mo. ($3.03).
AAA's average gas prices are updated daily at FuelGaugeReport.AAA.com with average national, state and local retail prices for gasoline, diesel and E-85. Every day up to 120,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.
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AAA Monthly Gas Price Report: November 2012 Trends and December Outlook
December 3rd, 2012 by AAA
Gas Prices Drop Slowly in November to Lowest Average Since July
The national average price of gasoline dropped 11.9 cents a gallon (3.38 percent) in November. This was the fifth monthly decline in gas prices this year, and today's national average of $3.387 a gallon is the lowest since July 12.
"Most motorists managed to save a little money on gasoline just in time for holiday shopping," said Avery Ash, AAA spokesperson. "Prices unfortunately did not fall as quickly as most of us would have liked as a result of factors ranging from fighting in the Middle East to optimism over the 'fiscal cliff.'"
The monthly average price of gas was $3.44 a gallon, which was the lowest monthly average since July. The national average price of gas declined for 25 days in November.
Gas prices nationally have fallen nearly 50 cents a gallon on average since September 14, the day before much of the United States began the transition to winter-blend gasoline.
Gas prices remain at record highs for this time of year despite recent declines. The national average has broken the daily record high on 106 consecutive days for a total of 220 days this year (65 percent).
The average annual price of gas for 2012 will be the most expensive on record. The annual average to date is $3.63 a gallon, which is 12 cents more than the current record high set in 2011. Gas prices nationally would need to average about $2.05 a gallon through the end of the year to not break the record.
The average price of gas in areas hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, including N.J., New York City and Long Island, have returned to pre-storm levels now that gas stations are receiving regular fuel shipments. Average gas prices have dropped 18 cents a gallon in N.J., 21 cents a gallon in New York City and 26 cents a gallon in Long Island from peak prices following the storm.
Gas Prices Likely to Drop through New Year's Day
AAA predicts that the national average price of gas will slowly drop through the end of the year and average between $3.20-$3.40 a gallon by New Year's Day. To date, the lowest daily average of the year is $3.28 a gallon from Jan. 1.
"Motorists may luck out and pay the lowest gas prices of 2012 by the time they celebrate New Year's," continued Ash. "However, there is a small chance that pump prices could rise or remain flat as a result of rising oil prices and other economic factors."
Today's Gas Prices (Dec. 3, 2012)
Today's national average price of gasoline has slowly dropped 11 days in a row to $3.387 a gallon, which is 3.6 cents less than a week ago, but 10.7 cents more than a year ago.
The five states with the highest prices are: Hawaii ($4.047), N.Y. ($3.863), Alaska ($3.792), Conn. ($3.782) and Calif. ($3.698). The five states with the lowest prices are: Mo. ($3.140), Texas ($3.143), S.C. ($3.154), Okla. ($3.154) and Tenn. ($3.161).
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Gas Prices: AAA's Fuel Gauge Report | December 3, 2012
(WASHINGTON, December 3, 2012) Today's national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.39. This price is four cents less expensive than one week ago and ten cents less than one month ago, but it is 11 cents more expensive than one year ago. Today's price is the highest on record for this calendar day and continues the streak of daily record prices that began on August 20.
Over the last week, prices in every state except Missouri and Kansas have fallen, led by drops in the middle of the country. While these week-over-week declines were most pronounced in Ohio (-15.4 cents), Michigan (-12.3 cents) and Indiana (-11.7 cents), these states are also three of only four where motorists today are paying more than they were on the same day last month: Indiana (+6.7 cents), Kentucky (+4.4 cents), Ohio (+2.3 cents) and Michigan (+1.3 cents).
Nationally, the largest one-week decline in pump prices was at the end of October when the national average dropped 14 cents. The largest increase during a similar seven-day period was 15 cents per gallon as prices surged higher to end February. Volatility has been more dramatic in the Midwest, where drivers have seen some of the largest price swings in the nation this year. Motorists in the region were squeezed to begin August, as prices rose some 40 cents or more per gallon in just one week, following regional production and distribution glitches. Prices in these same states had dropped about 25 cents in a week only a month earlier at the end of June.
While national retail gas prices have declined each day during the past week, crude oil prices have increased slightly, as market attention has focused on the impact of the looming U.S. fiscal cliff and the broader health of the global economy. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil breached the $90 per barrel mark during intraday trading, but ultimately settled up just 18 cents at $89.09 per barrel at the close of formal trading on the NYMEX. WTI has not settled above $90 per barrel since October 19.
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National Trust for Scotland (NTS) je skotská charitativní organizace, která vlastní, spravuje a obhospodařuje historické památky, území a kulturní odkazy ve Skotsku. NTS vlastní na 127 nemovitostí, včetně hradů, zámků a zřícenin, 760 kilometrů čtverečních území a zaměstnává 500 lidí. Celkem je pod NTS registrováno 290 000 členů organizace.

Seznam nemovitostí a území pod správou NTS

Aberdeen and Grampian
 Castle Fraser
 Craigievar Castle
 Crathes Castle
 Drum Castle
 Fyvie Castle
 Haddo House
 Leith Hall
 Mar Lodge Estate & Mar Lodge
 Pitmedden Garden

Angus
 Angus Folk Museum
 Barry Water Mill
 Camera Obscura, Kirriemuir
 Finavon Doocot
 House of Dun & Montrose Basin Nature Reserve
 rodiště J. M. Barrieho, Kirriemuir

Argyll, Bute and Loch Lomond
 Arduaine Garden
 Ben Lomond
 Bucinch & Ceardach
 Crarae Garden
 Geilston Garden, Cardross
 Hill House, v Helensburghu
 Tighnabruaich rozhledna

Ayrshire and Arran
 Bachelor's Club
 Brodick Castle
 Culzean Castle
 Goatfell
 Souter Johnnie's Cottage

Central Scotland
 Alloa Tower
 Bannockburn
 Ben Lawers
 Cunninghame Graham Memorial
 Dollar Glen
 Menstrie Castle
 Moirlanich Longhouse
 The Dunmore Pineapple

Dumfries & Galloway
 Broughton House
 Bruce's Stone
 Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve
 Murray Isles
 Rockcliffe
 rodiště Thomase Carlyle
 Threave
 Venniehill

Edinburgh & the Lothians
 Caiy Stane
 Gladstone's Land
 House of the Binns
 Inveresk Lodge Garden
 Malleny Garden
 Newhailes
 No 28 Charlotte Square
 Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot
 The Georgian House

Fife
 Balmerino Abbey
 Falkland Palace
 Hill of Tarvit
 Kellie Castle
 Culross

Greater Glasgow and Clydesdale
 Black Hill
 Cameronians' Regimental Memorial
 David Livingstone Centre muzeum Davida Livingstona
 Greenbank Garden
 Holmwood House
 Hutchesons' Hall
 Kittochside,
 Parklea, Port Glasgow
 Pollok House
 The Tenement House
 Weaver's Cottage

Inverness, Nairn, Moray & The Black Isle
 Boath Doocot
 Brodie Castle
 Culloden
 Miller House & Hugh Miller's Cottage

Lochaber
 Glencoe & Dalness
 Glenfinnan Monument

Northern Isles
 Fair Isle
 vybraná území na ostrovech Unst a Yell

Perthshire
 Branklyn Garden
 Craigower
 Dunkeld
 Killiecrankie
 Linn of Tummel
 The Hermitage

Ross-shire
 Balmacara Estate & Lochalsh Woodland Garden
 Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve
 Falls of Glomach
 Inverewe Garden
 Kintail & Morvich
 Shieldaig Island
 Strome Castle
 Torridon
 West Affric

Scottish Borders
 Harmony Garden
 Priorwood Garden
 Robert Smail's Printing Works
 St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve

West Coast Islands
 Burg (Isle of Mull)
 Canna
 Iona
 Macquarie Mausoleum
 Mingulay, Berneray & Pabbay
 St. Kilda
 Staffa National Nature Reserve

Externí odkazy

  The National Trust for Scotland Thistle Camps
  The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA

Organizace ve Skotsku
Skotská kultura

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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child shot
Girl, 7, shot while trick-or-treating in Chicago recovers in hospital, family says
CHICAGO (WPVI) -- A 15-year-old boy is charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a 7-year-old girl out trick-or-treating in Chicago's West Side on Halloween, police said.
Police said the teen also shot a 31-year-old man in the same incident. He is facing two felony counts of attempted first-degree murder and two felony counts of aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm.
The teen faced a judge in juvenile court Saturday, just one day after his arrest in the 3300 block of West Ogden Avenue. Police said this is the teen's first arrest.
The little girl wearing a Minnie Mouse costume was shot in the neck and chest by stray bullets Thursday in the 3700 block of West 26th Street, officials said. She was among several children trick-or-treating at local businesses when someone opened fire at rival gang members.
A 31-year-old man who is not related to the girl was shot in the hand.
The shooter wore a mask like the one worn by Jason in the movie "Friday the 13th," Superintendent Eddie Johnson said.
"The shooting yesterday was reprehensible and those involved don't deserve to be in our city," Johnson said on Friday. "I am disgusted but committed to doing everything we can to finding the cowards that would engage in a gun battle in the early evening hours while children were trick-or-treating."
Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks on the shooting of a 7-year-old girl out trick-or-treaitng in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.
Police said the shooter was aiming at rival gang members.
A relative of the girl said she's done with surgeries and recovering in the hospital. She will likely remain in the hospital for a couple more days, her family said.
little villagechicagochicago shootinghalloweenshootingman shotchild shotchicago police department
9-year-old girl dies after she was shot in head in North Philadelphia
Father faces additional charges in death of 2-year-old son
2 boys struck by gunfire on Christmas night in Philadelphia
Vigil held for 14-year-old gunned down in Philadelphia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Areas & Monsters
Map of the Enchanted Terror Island
The FFF Files on Some of the Vectras Controlled Places in Foyrexia
The Mountain of the Lost is a barren and impenetrable rock that soars high into the sky. It is located past the 'Void' and the home of Count Vectras; the Castle of Muerta, sits securely upon its crown. Only members of the FFF can brave the perils of the Mountain and then only with orders to do so. Beware the visitor to this 'monument to Hell' for all have returned insane, if at all.
The Ruins of the Saurials are located deep into the Forest of Night. They were only discovered when the evil priest, Que See ordered the beating of the Scared Skin Drums, summoning the faithful worshippers of the 'Snake God'. It is the black heart of an evil realm and those who are caught trespassing will be sacrificed to the mighty anaconda!!
The Void refers to an area southeast of Brittany. This Forbidden Zone lies between the lands of Foyrexia and the stronghold of Count Vectras, the Castle of Muerta. It is primarily a wasteland of sand and glass, the legacy of nuclear powers that governed and fought over this land centuries ago. We are currently surveying and researching the area and any important findings will be added to this file.
Find out more about the FFF
· The Freedom Fighters of Foyrexia (Player's Club)
· The FFF Files on Some of the Creatures of Foyrexia (Possibly Vectras Controlled)
Explore Praxis, the Heart of Klingon Territory
Praxis, in spite of bad times in the Empire, is a thriving port town on the coast of the Gulf of Praxia.
Praxis' town square is Plohshat Square, the intersection of Main Street and K'Plah Boulevard. In the middle of the square is a grand monument to all Praxian warriors who have met their death with honour. The town is full of merchants selling all sorts of goods, and a restaurants selling fine Klingon food.
One of the local merchants is an importer of fine, if not strange Klingon armours from the island Kep Mikh in the Gulf of Praxia. You can take a look at any armour in the store before buying it. Also you can visit the Ak'Ta'Ang's Restaurant. The best Klingon food on all of Igormud is served here! Ak'Ta'Ang's serves Gagh, Breggat lung, Tippias claw, Chi'kalak juice, Dargh, Klingon vodka, a fine variety of delicasies. If you ask, you might even be able to visit the Klingon kitchen.
Santa Carla
The road winds its way along the top of the green seaside hill.
There is a track that cuts back between the hills behind you.
Ahead of you, the hill drops off into the fairgrounds of a little town.
Farther south, the rest of the small town lies out before you.
Waves roll onto the shore from all the way out to the dying horizon.
Alongside the road here is a billboard, begging to be looked at. It reads:
Night is Falling.
Legend of Nissome
By ancient legend, there once existed a realm known as the Underworld, called by the inhabitants "Nissome." This land existed far beneath the surface of Igor, only reachable through the magic of the Nissomar.
Relations between Nissomar and the rest of Igor were fairly stable, except that, for some reason, the Orcs hated the Nissomar, perhaps seeing them as rivals beneath the earth.
After a massive attack-raid by Orcs, which decimated the Nissomar and greatly damaged the beauty of the Underworld realm, reducing the largest Underworld empire, the Festmorian Empire, to a mere shadow of itself, the Emperor of Festmore ordered all Portals to the Underworld sealed off and hidden.
Now, many years have passed, and Nissome has passed into myth and legend, and has mostly been forgotten.
The Orcs, however, have NOT forgotten, and always slaver at the thought that they may yet have a chance to dine on Nissomar flesh, and recently there have been rumours. Rumours that a group of Orcs have found a long-buried Portal to the Underworld, and have been trying to form an expedition to attempt to once again launch an attack, or at least a pillaging raid, against the hated Nissomar.
Who knows if such rumours are true. But a person with a spirit of adventure might be interested in such rumours, and perhaps launch an expedition of their own, to find the Portal before the Orcs do, and maybe, if the Portal exists, re-establish relations between Nissome and the rest of Igor.
IgorMUD's Sewers
IgorTown boasts an extensive sewer system. Well, perhaps BOASTS is the wrong word.
The sewers go on in all directions, and often time they can lead unwary adventurers to the most bizarre places, or into the direst of situations. The "things" that live down there, for after all, what would "live" in a sewer, are unspeakable, unfathomable. And the path of the sewers has never been mapped, so be careful - there is no telling where the filth of Igor goes.
MONSTERS*
The FFF Files on Some of the Creatures of Foyrexia (Possibly Vectras Controlled)
Ruddy Oak , the King of the Oaks, is a royal pain in the arse! He is determined to keep the Maples without sunlight and will stop at nothing to make it so. He is by far the largest, meanest Oak alive and litters the ground at his roots with the bones and carcasses of his would-be slayers.
One of the confirmed evil Count's minions, Vertibreaker is a skeletal being made from the magically enhanced carcass of a longhorn steer. He still stands on four legs, but has two forward arms and four more along its thick spine. Each arm ends with a hideous claw.
Sinbad: It is a common misconception that Sinbad is a good guy. On the contrary, he is a mercenary and fights for money and his own personal glory. He sails as good as he fights and definitely fights well.
Date: Fri Jul 19 17:12:40 2002
Subject: ramblings of an old player
"Where to begin. First and foremost my favorite kill. Dustbunny, lurking in the dust under the adventurer's guild, it spread wild rumours about me. It just had to die, and die, and die, and die!"
"Second of all Max, he sometimes has an ancient medallion, which could protect a vampire from being staked. A fight with him was simple, [it was him and] his dog. Get in, smash, smash, … etc etc etc. He was worth [a bundle], which was pretty good in those days."
"My fav was Dagahze, deep down on the bottom of Blackbird's sea, she was selling heals. AND she is [a formidable kill]. One had to prepare though, for a kill like that. I was a Loremaster at the time, and preparations included [lots of] brewing of healing potions… Further-more one needed [powerful weapons],like the gauntlets of Kinsar, the Amulet of Fear, the Snowy Ring, stuff like that. Then take angel's dust, get the Evil Sword of the Planes and away you go. She could hand out some nasty damage with her spells, but usually she stood no chance."
"Of course there are many many more monsters I killed on a regular basis, but these 3 have to be the ones I killed most :)"
Date: Thu Jul 18 20:46:40 2002
Subject: neat monster notes
"#1, Lord British. That guy rocks. He's big as all get out, and he does cool shit like break your weapon, heal, and beat you with a stick."
"#2, Achilles. Not always big, but always fun. Changes form, does different stuff. Oh yeah, and he summons those other trolls. Good stuff.
I'm also a big fan of my hamster, Fuzzy Lumpkins. Very much a nonstandard monster. He does [tons of stuff]."
"The more interesting gits tend to be able to slip past "normal" defenses, and they typically also have the more worthwhile gear.
Like that one [guy] in Praxis. I forget his name, …gotta beat him down old school. Anyway, the reason he's cool is his staff. It's bad as hell."
Seademon
Somewhere beneath the Terror channel (between Igor and Terror Island) lurks Seademon.
A character from a Swedish kids show back in the 70's…
This is the horrible Big potato. It's not a normal
inhabitant of the valley, but managed to get here somehow anyway.
It scared the #$!& out of several Swedish kids in the 70's,
including Strauss. Do them a favour and kill it.
Big potato says: Putt-putt-putt-putt-putt-putt.
"Big Potato is an annoying kill which most people have been in a fight with. Its got a very good sword and fair armour. And it's also a character from a Swedish kids' show back in the 70's."
Tigger is Boy's favourite pet. He is also the mascot of Terror Island, and the most talkative monster on Igor. An orange glow forms around his tail, head and paws. He is very well protected by Boy's magic. Tigger is very kind, warm and snuggly!
Beware! If you consider killing this loveable critter just know that the Tigger Defenders will come to his aid if he ever calls for help.
*Some accounts have been edited to protect the privacy of the monsters.


Black Eyed Susans is located at 42 Mattakeesett St, Pembroke, MA. This business specializes in Embroidery.
Stitch Wizard Embroidery is located at 42 Mattakeesett St Ste B, Pembroke, MA. This business specializes in Advertising.


Click here for a complete list of past performances.
Shahla Nikfal began her musical studies at the National Conservatory of Music in Tehran at the age of 11. While majoring in violin, she studied Iranian traditional music with some of the masters of Iranian violin techniques, including Rahmatullah Badie and Ali Tajvidi. At the same time, she began studying the qanun with Mehdi Mefttah.
Ms. Nikfal attended the Fine Arts Academy of Tehran University where she studied the radif of Iranian traditional music with Dr. Darush Safvat and Ostad Nurali Borumand. After graduating, she continued her qanun as a scholastic scholar at the George Farah Academy of Eastern Music in Beirut, and the College of Arabic Music in Cairo, Eygpt.
Ms.Nikfal has taught, among other places, at the Tehran Conservatory of Music and the Art University Collective (Mojtama-e Daneshdagi-ye Honar) in Tehran, Iran. Her distinguished performing career includes numerous performances in Iran, Egypt, Abu Dabi, the U.A.E., and the United States, including Carnegie Hall, Town Hall and the World Music Institute. She currently resides in the U.S. where she continues her performing and pedagogical activities.


Ramada Inn Hotel and Suites Tamuni | War In The Pacific | Oh, Ranger!
The Ramada Inn Hotel and Suites Tamuning is an all-suite hotel situated two miles to the beach and less than a mile to shopping malls and outlets.The hotel amenities include meeting and event facilities elevator access and free high-speed Internet access. Pets are allowed.The room offer irons ironing boards microwaves refrigerators cable TV clocks hairdryers and coffeemakers.


text:
Music, Symphony
Samuel Barber: Symphony no. 2, op. 19
performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under Marin Alsop
Marin Alsop is a woman. I assumed the info in iTunes had a typo and it was "Martin" or something. Anyway, that's cool! Maybe the first female music director I can recall hearing of.
This American symphony by an American composer is very different than the "New World" American symphony by the Czech composer from last week. That's sort of the reason I picked it. Let's contrast a bit.
How is this piece American? Well, it's obviously by an American composer, one of the most famous composers of the 20th century, at that. I have done his first symphony here already, but that was back when I wasn't doing anything really in-depth. I will probably end up revisiting those early listens some time in the future.
Many people know Barber's Adagio for strings when they hear it, and it may be the only thing that comes to mind when they hear his name. I've listened to some of his piano works (a piano sonata and his Excursions,) and while I'm not familiar with them, I enjoyed them.
There isn't really any relation between the Dvorak and the Barber here, but I thought it would be interesting to contrast how each of them is American. I discussed the Dvorak last week, so go back there for info on that. How is this piece American (to me)? Well, it was written toward
the end of World War II, and finally published in 1950, after many revisions, but withdrawn in 1964. It was premiered by the ubiquitous Serge Koussevitsky and the Boston Symphony. Later, Barber demanded that the publisher destroy the manuscript and all scores, and it wasn't until 1984 that some original parts showed up and some more interest in Barber's works led to a 1990 reprint of the original 1950 edition.
That is to say… the piece was written in the nationalistic climate of WWII, and it sounds that way. It was a commission from the Air Force and the agreement was they would receive all royalties from it forever. He had four months to complete the piece, and even underwent some basic training at an airbase or something. While Barber himself denies that the piece is programmatic, it certainly sounds that way to me, dare I say impressionist in its representation of the feelings and sounds of flying?
It has a certain energy to it that felt familiar, and in orchestration and melody, for some reason almost felt like a wind band piece. Maybe that's because in high school, I played a number of pieces that were based on the idea of flying (Giroux's To Walk with Wings and Holsinger's To Tame the Perilous Skies), this symphony reminding me a lot of the latter.
I didn't pick up on any bitonality here; my ear is most definitely not that well-tuned for anything like that, but there are obviously passages that are considerably more modern, like the opening and the middle/latter half of the slow second movement.
The first movement is my favorite. Its energy and tension and drive are exciting and do give that rushing feeling one may experience when flying (I suppose). One thing I noticed about this symphony is its neoclassicism in a few ways. Some parts of it have a feel that smack of Prokofiev or Stravinsky (to me?) but it is clearly not a Romantic-era piece. This is most noticeable to me in the first movement when I really like what Barber does with certain motifs or passages, but am expecting them to go somewhere or develop or get bigger or blossom somehow, and they don't. They just stay where they are. This treatment of themes is far different from the symphonies of Tchaikovsky or Sibelius that I have come to love so much. It is also a smaller-scale work, only half as long as some of my favorite symphonies from the aforementioned composers. There's nothing wrong with that, per se, but it was just apparent that Barber, himself a fantastic lyricist, put these ideas and themes to use in a far different way. Passages in the first movement are exciting and stirring and border on patriotic, almost.
The second movement is gorgeous. I really enjoy the slow movement. I believe there is an oboe solo in the first movement, and an English horn solo in the second, and they're both beautiful. The second half of this movement, as I recall (not listening now) is more dissonant, and in this recording (and I suppose in all subsequent recordings) the tone generator that was requested to be used in the piece by the Air Force is replaced with an Eb clarinet.
The third movement has a fancy technical nature with a fugue and variations and stuff. It's actually my least favorite movement of the three; not to say I don't like it, but I feel the piece gets weaker with each movement. The first is my favorite. There's a slow passage toward the end of the piece that, if you aren't paying attention, makes you think you haven't gotten to the third movement yet. It finishes in a big, dramatic way and does feel satisfying.
My issues about this piece are that I feel the drama and majority of the storytelling is done by means of programmatic or even impressionist means. I am not against either, but this piece DOES feel far less like a symphony and much more like a symphonic poem or something in its narrative and structure. I like it, and it was nice to listen to, but it is far from being a favorite of mine. I would like to see it live, as there are some thoroughly enjoyable parts to it, but I do understand why this symphony has not made it into the more standard classical repertoire. It would get maybe 3.5 stars out of five for me. Interesting work, but didn't blow me away.
December 18, 2013 September 17, 2016 Fugue for Thought1944, Alsop, American, Barber, Commission, Koussevitzky, Modern, Music, RSNO, Symphony
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