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Category: The Culture Car
Street Art in the Time of Corona Virus
March 30, 2020 March 30, 2020 by atrainsports, posted in The Culture Car
Many of the businesses forced to close in Seattle have literally boarded shut. I assume this is from the very real chance of people trying to break windows and loot what is inside.
The Boards went up pretty quick around Belltown.
Just as quickly, they became interesting.
What I imagine Corona looks like in your lungs.
My favorite by far.
Hey Asshat, don't scribble over an actual artist's work.
Big fan of Elephants and this Mural.
"Meanwhile Pizza" might as well be my lifestyle.
Great Gatsby Imagery on Mushrooms with some Topical Medical Symbolism. I approve.
These are just in a one-block radius from my building, who knows what I will find if I ever venture further.
Stay Safe. Watch Tiger King.
Tagged Corona Virus, Graffiti, Seattle, Street ArtLeave a comment
Marrying Modern Hip Hop & The NBA
November 16, 2019 by Prone Bone Malone, posted in The Caboose, The Culture Car, The Sports Car
The NBA is the best league in professional sports, and the start of the season has cemented their alpha-league status. Hip Hop is the best musical art form ever created, and the recent releases have once again distanced its excellence from the likes of country (NFL), indie music (NHL), EDM (MLS), and modern rock (MLB). What better time for PBM to cross-culturally compare the stars of the National Basketball Association with their Hip Hop equivalents? Each comparison is based on their musical success seemingly measuring up to their comparison's on-court performance (sales/downloads and wins/per-game stats), their personalities aligning, and their flow / lyrical capabilities matching with on-court style and demeanor. The last measurable will be rooted in whether or not the two individuals are "battle-tested" (the great Joe Budden would consider this the most important measurable of all). Without further adieu, let's get to the most obvious pairing first.
LeBron James is Drake.
LeBron's regular season totals? They're the equivalent of Drake's sales and streams. LeBron's continued stardom? Drake was also a child star / prodigy. LeBron's "steadfast" loyalty to Akron and Ohio despite leaving the state for greener pastures multiple times? That would be Drake being the "biggest Raptors fan alive" while trying to celebrate titles with the Heat, rocking rival jerseys while performing in other cities to pander to the fans, and getting the stars of the Warriors names tattooed on his body.
Each man is the self-proclaimed "GOAT" when they've been bullied, disrespected, beaten, or outright ignored by their peers and their industry's respective legends. Each man also has groups of diehard STANs that refuse to cite anything other than their individual numbers to fuel their arguments – this is where the "battle tested" component comes into play. How can both of these dudes think they're the best of all-time when they both consistently lose to their peers (both young and old)?!? Think about it…
LeBron has consistently taken L's to Kawhi, Steph, Durant, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, and Dirk in the playoffs. He's lost MVPs to Steph, Durant, Harden, Giannis, and Westbrook! Right now, he's not even the best player on his own team. He has one title that stands out as memorable and/or due to this contributions, and his overall NBA Finals record is 17-32.
Drake has been lyrically or conversationally DEMOLISHED in beefs with Common, Budden, Diddy, Pusha T, DMX, and Kendrick Lamar. His wins? Meek Mill and Tyga. Pusha T's evisceration of him last summer stands out the most, as he even found a picture of Drake in blackface for the single's artwork.
Wanna know what this makes this even better? LeBron and Drake talked about Drake's defeat on LeBron's shitty HBO show.
Listen to the language they use! Drake calls his non-response to Pusha's brutality his "decision!" He said he didn't want to let LeBron down by said decision! Who better to discuss how decisions can let people down other than LeBron James, right?
Lastly, each man has left behind no legacy in their respective professions. LeBron has nurtured ZERO young teammates in his career. In fact, he's traded them all away for dudes who could help pad his stats in the moment. Drake has ZERO young men directly tied to his legacy in Hip Hop. There is no Roc Nation, there is no Death Row, there is no TDE, and there is no Dreamville for Aubrey. While each dude has their diehard admirers, their fellow professionals rarely stand tall for their skills. When they do, it is behind a microphone for clout and/or on a feature to get paid.
I nailed this one, people.
Kawhi Leonard is Pusha T.
Obviously, right? Both men ruthlessly slay the false prophets of their kingdoms in H2H competition. Each man was groomed for success by the legends of their respective fields. Each man has multiple styles to attack their crafts with, and both tend to be extremely enigmatic in their approach. They raise their levels when the stakes are highest, and are ruthless when they do it. What made this comparison fit the most for me was a defect that each man possesses – we don't get enough content from either one. Kawhi's "load management" routine is painfully detrimental to his legacy. King Push put out a slamming "album" last year – his first in a minute – but it wasn't really an album. DAYTONA only had seven tracks and in actuality was more of an EP.
Ultimately, they're both all-time legends of their craft. Unfortunately, we may remember each one for leaving too much on the table. Here's their finest moments for posterity:
Stephen Curry is J. Cole.
Two Carolina-raised, soft spoken dudes. Two insanely intelligent dudes who cherish collaboration and love to foster the growth of their younger peers. Two men who don't tout their individual accomplishments and whom don't give any weight to individual awards – shit, Cole doesn't even go to the Grammy's. Lastly, two dudes who will be remembered as two of the most skilled individuals to ever hoop / rap – Steph is the GOAT shooter, and Cole just might be the most diverse / skilled lyricist to ever rock the mic.
The biggest connection for me is how they each make their fellow players / rappers better. Steph has brought up Klay, Draymond, Looney, and Quinn Cook. He saved or extended the careers of Livingston, Iggy, Bogut, JaVale, and David West. J. Cole's Dreamville label made arguably the most complete album of 2019, and his labelmates carried the torch. Bas, Lute, J.I.D., EARTHGANG, and Cozz have flourished under J. Cole's watch. All have ascertained individual success, respect, and relevance while consistently representing J. Cole's standard for Hip Hop.
Here's Klay on Steph and a collaboration from the Dreamville core MC's:
Zion Williamson is DaBaby…I hope.
Nice Segway from that last video to this comparison. It's actually more of a prediction, because Zion hasn't shown us anything yet in the league. Stay tuned to see if he can match "Suge" on the floor.
Freddie Gibbs is Kemba Walker.
I really wanted to make Gibbs and Giannis work – especially because Freddie dropped a banger in the Greek Freak's honor this summer.
Unfortunately, the styles and circumstances don't quite fit. Freddie and Kemba though? Here's why I went there:
Both are proven winners with All Star stats – even when they are supported by dipshits. Kemba won titles in UCONN and is currently leading the league's #1 offense in Boston + dominated individually for the hapless Bobcats / Hornets. Gibbs has made two of the best Hip Hop albums in my entire collection when partnered with the genius of Madlib. He also managed to churn out bangers despite being minimized and ignored while on Young Jeezy's BMF label.
Kemba is probably the best pure point guard in the NBA. He might even be the only one left in the mold of Zeke, young CP3, Deron Williams, Young Marbury, Nash, Kidd, and other 90's-00's legends. Gibbs is definitely the best rapper to be actively recording Hip Hop music. That isn't saying he's the biggest star, people. It's saying NO ONE raps better than him when handed a microphone in 2019. Just like no other PG's are leading the best offenses in the NBA like Kemba Walker.
No one will ever fuck with either one of these dudes. Kemba is a real one from the Bronx. Gibbs is a real one and a native of Gary, IN. They'll beat the shit out of their foes if necessary.
Time to enjoy the masters at work:
Other comparisons to come if I have the time later on today…
James Harden is Travis Scott.
Kevin Durant is Kendrick Lamar.
Lou Williams, Pat Beverly, and Montrezz Harrell are Westside Gunn, Conway, and Benny the Butcher.
Giannis is Dave East.
Kyrie Irving is Chance the Rapper.
Anthony Davis is Logic.
Jimmy Butler is Jay Rock.
Tagged 2019, Beefs, Comparisons, Drake, Freddie Gibbs, GOAT, H2H, Hip Hop, J. Cole, Kawhi, Kemba Walker, LeBron James, Music, NBA, Pusha T, Steph CurryLeave a comment
The Ringer's "Rewatchables" Podcast STINKS.
August 24, 2019 August 27, 2019 by Prone Bone Malone, posted in The Caboose, The Culture Car, The Sports Car
This headline comes as no surprise when coupled with the live action shot above of "The Sports Guy" attending a baseball game. Seriously – who can value the opinion of a man who still wears undershirts with his Polos (picture taken in 2016) + allows for a hat to sit on his head that way? A man of his celebrity status leaving the house looking like Steve Bartman sans headphones is patently absurd, and I shall not turn to his recommendations for anything other than Los Angeles Chinese Food.
Side Note: Simmons and "his buddy" House put me on to Yang Chow when I lived in SoCal. Amazing spot, even if House tried to ruin it for me by savagely and joyfully slurping the squiggly remnants of his Hot 'N Sour soup. Fortunately, the grotesque evidence of this act seems to be deleted from the internet. RIP, Grantland.
The inspiration for this blog comes from ATrain (sharing my disdain for the options/results) sending me the following poll yesterday:
Couple things grinding my gears here…
Don't even put this up as a poll. "The Program" is the only rewatchable one of the bunch, and it's a damn classic.
If you're going to do this poll, you have to include "Necessary Roughness," "Little Giants," and "School Ties" ahead of the other three. "Titans" is an ok flick, but it's far from rewatchable when compared to my choices. Plus, I'd rather watch Denzel in at least three other roles. Plus plus, I'd rather watch Opie and Avon in their natural habitats on "SOA" and "The Wire." Plus plus plus, the white coach's daughter in "Titans" is an annoying fucking twerp. Plus plus plus plus, Gosling can't be taken seriously as an Alphamale in any role after his turn as the white DB who can't cover anyone. I'm officially out on "Driver" after having the revelation that Gosling's athlete role was a HS version of a past his prime Jason Sehorn. Not to mention the dude who takes his starting job is played by none other than Donald Faison. Gosling, you're out!
America is getting collectively stupider and "The Replacements" beating out "The Program" is concrete evidence of our ongoing intellectual crisis.
"Draft Day" being a part of this poll confirms my belief that Simmons feels about Kevin Costner the way Louis C.K. feels about Ewan McGregor. CK's bit is below for those whom don't get that reference, and I firmly believe this because "The Rewatchables" has done at least four Costner movies (including "Four the Love of the Game") while still not covering "Cliffhanger," "Demolition Man," "Pulp Fiction," "The Rock," "Aliens," "In the Line of Fire," "Surviving the Game," Karl Urban's "Dredd," "Caddyshack," "Slapshot," "Miller's Crossing," and many more flicks that never get old.
This poll is only the tip of the iceberg for The Ringer's bastardization of the criteria for "rewatchable" flicks. They've done "Titantic," "The Notebook," "Gone Girl," "When Harry Met Sally," "Dave," "The Hangover," "Ocean's 11," "My Best Friend's Wedding," "Creed," "You've Got Mail," "Moneyball," and FUCKING "INCEPTION" before the flicks I listed above.
Side Note 2: PBM hates "Inception" as much as any movie that's ever been made. If you like it, you're a moron whom has never tried their hand at being a creator in their life. I'd rather watch Ned Beatty get fucked in "Deliverance" on a loop for two hours than watch "Inception" again.
Sure, they've gotten some selections right. "Point Break," "Diehard," "Lebowski," "The Town," "Con Air," "True Romance," "Blue Chips," "Face / Off," "White Men Can't Jump," "Old School," "Step Bros," "Reservoir Dogs," and "Major League" have been discussed by Simmons 'n Chumps. However, with their glaring omissions and those omissions being replaced by the likes of "Dave" and fuckin' "Titanic," I really don't care what Simmons has to say about tried and true rewatchable classics.
But hey, since I'm forgiving a guy who has started a pursuit of a career as an educator, I'm going to help out 'ol Sports Lad and his team. Here's a few lists sorted by category that those mutts can turn to the next time someone suggests "Draft Day" as an actionable item for their shitty podcast.
Sports Rewatchables
"School Ties"
"Days of Thunder"
"Mr. Baseball"
"Side Out"
"The Air Up There"
…..1,075. "The Blindside"
Borderline Sports Rewatchables
Absolutely Essential Rewatchables
"Surviving the Game"
"The Client" (Simmons and his merry bad of idiots did "The Firm." Because of course they'd pick the wrong Grisham adaptation.)
Urban's "Dredd"
"My Cousin Vinny"
"No Escape" (Liotta, not Owen Wilson. Fucking duh.)
"The Ref
"Captain America: Winter Soldier"
"Bridesmaids" (how do they pick "Best Friend's Wedding over this?!? Oh yeah, I know how. Simmons has the final say.)
"Shotcaller"
1,324, 761. "Proof of Life"
Wait…shit. Fucking Simmons already did one on "Proof of Life!" This blog will self-destruct in 5…4…3…2…1!
Shit, again! That's what I get for using a "Mission: Impossible" reference. Luckily, their is an episode of The Rewatchables on that forgettable as fuck movie for those who didn't get my joke.
I gotta end on a high note…here's the best of Alvin Mack to send you into Saturday Night. He's the stud linebacker from "The Program," and you'll see why he deserves his air time.
Adios, rail riders. Don't forget to tip your servers.
Side Note 3: I wish I'd covered "Necessary Roughness" more. Both Mack and Latimer (juiced up DE from "The Program" seen in the third clip above) take on supporting roles, and Robert Loggia + Larry Miller put on Tour de Force performances as a coach and the villainous dean respectively. I think Train and I are going to do a combo "The Program" / "Necessary Roughness" podcast to make up for me glancing over the Fighting Armadillos in this blog. Stay tuned.
Tagged Alvin Mack, Buddy, House Eats, movies, Rewatchables, Simmons, The Program, The Ringer2 Comments
Reviewing "Far From Home" + Adoring Jake Gyllenhaal & Tom Holland
July 17, 2019 by Prone Bone Malone, posted in The Caboose, The Culture Car
If you haven't see most films in the MCU and plan doing on so, you might want to stop reading. I'm going to talk about them in detail that could be considered "spoiling" them, and it's necessary. In fact, if you're behind in your plans to watch all of the MCU and haven't read / have an understanding of the comics then you're clown shoes. Viewing these films without having the slightest idea of Stan Lee's true vision for the characters is how the Tobey Maguire Spidey got love and TOPHER FUCKING GRACE PLAYED VENOM. It's how James McAvoy butchered Professor X while Mystique became a hero instead of a ruthless assassin, and for just to further enrage me, had zero attention given to her being Nightcrawler's mom despite her saving a young Crawler in "Apocalypse" AND sharing the screen/aligning with his father Azazel in "First Class." It's how Oscar Isaac is merely the second worst bastardization of an iconic villain on film…his Blue Meanie styled Apocalypse was only bested (worsted?) by the second antagonist of Andrew Garfield's Spidey run.
Who was that, you ask? Jamie Foxx. His acting and the atrocious costume design turned Electro into a bright blue, evil blend of the main bad guy from "Blade 2" + Ray Charles + Vincent the cab driver from "Collateral." How does the comic book's dopeness get supplanted with an aqua "Walking Dead" extra?!?!?
Now that we've established my belief that peeps who don't have a shred of comic book influence + rep Marvel films are the worst, let's dive into Spiderman: Far From Home via Jake Gyllenhaal's masterfully designed Mysterio costume.
For the nebs of the world – Mysterio's real life name is Quentin Beck. His backstory differs in how its presented in Far From Home, but the changes make sense when weighed against the current political climate. His villainous ways are nearly identical to the source material – Mysterio controls super advanced illusion tech and displays hyper intelligence. He manipulates the world's reality with the purely egotistical and maniacal thought processes in order to present himself as a hero. Sound familiar, rail riders? Gyllenhaal channels Quentin Beck's charismatic, superficial persona with ease. Lots of modern stars probably could. It's the "reveal" that he's the villain of this flick that separates Jakey G from his peers. If I spoiled him being the bad guy of this movie for you, I hate you and I'm glad I did.
I'm going to get back to JG's place among his contemporaries after I chuck some praise the way of Tom Holland. Holland's Spidey is VASTLY SUPERIOR to Tobey's and Garfield's. Tobey couldn't convince us he was a kid, and Garfield has one of the stupidest, ginger/emo faces in the world. In order to play Peter Parker aka Spiderman, it is paramount to be able to age yourself down. Spidey is a teenager! Imagine your 16 year-old self getting insanely awesome super powers and then figuring out how to handle the next day(s) of your life – it'd be awesome, but most teenage dudes are bumbling morons. Tobes and Garfield didn't convey this even for a minute in their Spiderman renditions…Holland NAILS IT. Spiderman: Homecoming, his first full-feature appearance as Peter Parker, is just as good as Far From Home. Keaton's performance as The Vulture is truly epic, but it's Holland who ends up stealing the show. He seamlessly and effortlessly hooks you into the belief that he's a teenage doofus, and he does so in the face of source material plot changes that shouldn't enhance his on-screen presence. The MCU WAYYYY over emphasizes Ironman / Spiderman's relationship. I believe they did this as a way to ease Holland into the part. It was a strategic, albeit silly decision to have him on screen with Downey's perfected, almost too good portrayal of Tony Stark. Holland didn't seem to mind in the slightest, and managed to sway me in FAVOR of the Stark / Parker paternal bond that I was witnessing unfold on screen. The kid has chops. In fact, I'll go as far as to say he's peerless among the new crop of leading males. His versatility, musical ability, and genuine charm has him running laps around Garfield, Miles Teller, Tye Sheridan, and Ansel Elgort. Taron Egerton is his closet competition, but him doing an Elton John impression isn't nearly as impressive as what Holland has done with Parker (side tangent: Garfield, Elgort, and Egerton have all be sabotaged by Jamie "Trash Heap" Foxx. Garfield and Electro, Elforgt and his absurdly terrible gangster role in "Baby Driver," and Egerton via the shitshow that was Guy Ritchie's "Robin Hood." Interesting or nah?).
If you don't get the "Dunny" usage, you need to get way wiser. Parker is from Queens, Mobb Deep is from Queens, and bad asses from Queens use "Dun" instead of "son." You're welcome.
Last note on Holland's performance that I have to crush on – he CRUSHES a scene where he officially steps into Ironman's shoes as the lead dog super hero alive. It got dusty, folks. Ya know, because Ironman died in "Infinity War." I'd be remised if I didn't throw some love Jon Favreau's way. He's really great as Happy, Ironman's best friend and assistant. He's even better as Spidey's new father figure.
Now…back to my mainest man, Jake G. This movie cemented something for me that I've believed for a long time. Jake Gyllenhaal is the greatest actor of the LOADED Generation X / Millennial crop. He's better than Leo, Pitt, Hardy, Bale, McConaughey, Cooper, Fassbender, Damon, both Afflecks, Gosling, Idris, Wahlberg, Joaquin, and Emeka Okafor. The one thing missing from his resume was ownership of a true blockbuster role, and that mission was expertly accomplished. His resume now contains standout performances with unparalleled range. Donnie Darko, Moonlight Mile, Brokeback Mountain, Jarhead, Zodiac, Love & Other Drugs, Source Code, End of Watch, Prisoners, Enemy, Nightcrawler, Southpaw, Demolition, Nocturnal Animals, and Far From Home. No other modern actor touches that variety or sniffs the consistent excellence within it. I'm not any other actor in history can do it, but I won't go that far. I don't give a flying fuck how many statues he has, because he should've gotten one for at least three of those roles. 2014 was the biggest robbery, as he didn't get nominated for Nightcrawler ahead of DiCaprio's Jordan Belfort, Bale's turn in the absurdly overrated American Hustle, and Wooderson's coronation via Dallas Buyer's Club. If ya didn't appreciate JG before this blog, please do so now. And don't be like Train and avoid these two excellent Spidey flicks. Hopefully this blog will finally get him to watch some supremely entertaining, surprisingly touching, and damn near perfect summer movie action.
Last stop, family! Tip your servers.
Tagged Certified Fresh, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marvel, MCU, Movie, Movie Reviews, Mysterio, Spiderman, Spiderman: Far From Home, Summer Blockbuster 2019, Tom HollandLeave a comment
A Better Ending to HBO's Game of Thrones. Part 6.
May 31, 2019 by atrainsports, posted in The Culture Car, The Locomotive
Welcome back to part six of the new and better ending. We are poised for a battle to the North. The Night's King having just suffered a three-headed-dragon attack now has to re-think his strategy of freezing out the enemy. It certainly seems like a major battle is coming.
I'll tell you what we WON'T do in my version is waste an entire episode having characters yak about inconsequential bullshit while "preparing" for battle.
To the south, the word is out about The Night King's army. There is panic, cold and hunger. The small council is trying to keep King's Landing under control with Dany and Tyrion away. Sansa and Robert Arryn are on the council, having led the refugees all the way to King's Landing. Danerys has brought Illiryo Mopatis over from Pentos to act as the Queen's hand in place of Tyrion and sit the Iron Throne while they are both away. With Sansa and Cersei on the council, we get some solid repartee between the two as they now equal. Sansa gets to tell Cersei off in fantastic fashion.
Remember Mopatis? This guy fucking gave Dany the dragon's eggs as a wedding gift. The show just totally forgot about him. Pepperidge Farm Remembers.
The Queen of Thorns is still alive, and she didn't take kindly to Cersei killing Margery and Loras. She has her spies watching Cersei's every move. As Cersei plots how she will take back control of the throne, the Queen of Thornes knows what she is up too. It will be the Queen of Thorns who exposes Cersei in the end. Cersei will get a final laugh as one of Qyburn's assassin's gets to Lady Olena and kills her.
What is creepy Bran up too?
We last left Bran at Moat Cailin, where the great battle is set to take place. HBO gave this kid absolutely nothing to do, then they made him fucking king. I say we do the opposite, give him something to do, and don't let a creepy crippled kid be king.
Bran is wheeled over to the heart tree, Ghost is with him. We see Bran look into the red eyes of the tree, then the red eyes of the dire wolf. Bran wargs into Ghost since the show decided to never set up John as a warg. As Ghost, Bran becomes the scout for the army of men. Stormclouds have made it hard to scout by bird or dragon, but the white wolf can get his eyes on the enemy without being seen. He gets right up to the Nights' King's Battle array and Bran is able to see what is coming.
What is coming is an almost endless army of the deadmen, zombie giants, ice spiders, and dead mammoths. Ghost turns and bounds off. At the last second, the Night's King notices the dire wolf and he tries to raise more dead around the wolf to stop him. Ghost is able to escape ripping off a few zombie limbs in the process.
The news of the coming attack gets to the dragon riders. This is what they wanted, the plan to draw him out appears to be working.
Grey Worm forms up the Unsullied in a defensive position. Jorah has the Calvary ready for when they need to flank the enemy.
Jamie and Brienne are reunited. Podrick is knighted. Brienne has the command of an elite group of warriors, the people we love to see fuck shit up. They all have Valerian Steel, and they are meant to locate and kill the Nights' King's generals.
You know what would have been pretty sweet? To see these guys fight the Warriors we have been watching for 7+ seasons. Instead, they did nothing, while the Jamie and Brienne types would just fight 10 zombies at a time.
The fighting really bothered me in S8E03 of the show. You would see a character get washed over by enemies and then somehow they would be fine. None of that in my version. Let's see some swordplay otherwise what are we doing here?
Seven is a sacred number so I will end it for good in Part 7 coming up next.
Tagged ASOIAF, Direwolf, Dragon, Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin, GoT, HBO, Stark, The Winds of Winter, TV, Tyrion LannisterLeave a comment
May 24, 2019 May 25, 2019 by atrainsports, posted in The Culture Car, The Locomotive
Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback I've been getting on these. I will admit it's been much more fun trying to reshape this mess than it was watching the actual show for me. It is an assignment you can't get wrong because no matter what I come up with, it's going to be better than what we got from HBO.
I'm not even saying my ideas are great, they just make a lot more logical sense than the dog shit HBO fed us. I'm really just taking the plot the show gave us and moving logically from where the story was pointing before it unraveled completely.
Shout out to Brooke, who sent me a bunch of #GotMemes. I'd like to post a relevant one here:
The people didn't forget. You were turning babies into White Walkers, dude. You made it a big deal one episode and we never saw anything about it ever again.
Cut to The Frozen Throne: This is what I'm calling the Night King's throne at Winterfell.
The human children held captives by the White Walkers are gathered and presented before the Night's King. They are shivering.
It's revealed little Lyanna Mormont is among the captives. She is brought before the king and queen. The Other White Walkers the Night's King included have a language undiscernable to human ears but The White Walker queen (Lyanna Stark) still has the language of men. She asks the child her name. You were named after me, the queen tells Lady Mormont. She tells him this man is our King now. (gesturing towards the Night's King.)
Lady Mormont reiterates her words from Earlier "I know no King, but the King in the North whose name is Stark" She pulls a dragon glass dagger and rushes at the king. As she closes in the Queen catches her and wrenches away the blade. "Foolish girl." she says, "I am a Stark." Then she brushes away black ice and grime from her King's frozen breastplate a Black Direwolf Sigil is revealed on his chest.
"And so is the King."
So the lore of the White Walkers as far as the show goes is that the Children of the Forrest created them from men to fight men? It's pretty stupid and they are not portrayed that way in the books. In fact as far as the books go the White Walker's and the "Night King" are still very unknown. The Night's King is just one of old nan's tales. So if I'm going to follow that the Walkers were created from men, what if the patient zero the Children of the Forest used was a Stark? A Stark from 5,000 years ago or whatever.
Oh and then Lyanna Mormont is turned into a white walker child by the Night's King and basically adopted by him as his daughter and princess of winter. Sorry, everyone who loved her, she's demon spawn now. But guess what she's a side character who didn't appear till well into the show. It's cool to have her made bad. Making Daenerys into the "Mad Queen" with the flip of a switch is heinous: she's the main character.
In fact, the Night's King is gonna turn all the captive children into white walkers. That's what you get for not keeping up with your parents.
Now we cut back to the three-headed dragon of Jon, Dany, and Tyrion. They are descending on Winterfell from Dragonback but they do not attack directly. They circle the castle from a great distance. Then they unleash the flames.
They build a giant burning ring of fire spanning miles around Winterfell. They circle round and round spitting flame.
Then each flies dragon to a different section of the ring of fire. They begin to fan the flames with their wings.
At Winterfell, you see some of the ice that has frosted around the castle begin to thaw.
The Night's King sees the thaw as well and a look of anger and rage flashes across his face. One of his Walker-Brother comes in to give a warning but the King is already preparing a counter attack. Except the attackers are gone, it was a hit and run attack. His giant Ice Spider has come out of its lair and is going crazy trying to spit frozen webs to put out the fire.
You can see in Night's Kings' Eye that this aggression will not stand, man.
You made him a whiney emo bitch.
Hey A-Train what about Jamie Lannister?
I didn't forget about the precious King Slayer.
In Part 1 of the rewrite, you will recall Cersei uses diplomacy to get out of trouble. In truth, she bore her soul to the queen. She told Dany how she was in love with Rhaegar. How she wanted to marry him. Well, Jamie hears this. He's heartbroken to learn his sister loved someone else. While he's grateful for Dany's pardon, he also knows that Cersei was telling the truth about her love for Rhaegar. He leaves King's Landing but we as the audience don't know exactly where he is yet….
Part 6….. tomorrow if I have time. Thanks again for reading and for all the feedback.
Tagged ASOIAF, Game of Thrones, GoT, HBO, rewrite, WesterosLeave a comment
Welcome back to the Game of Thrones rewrite, where we last left off the North was being evacuated through the Neck and through White Harbor. The Night's King is descending through the North, killing the people who didn't evacuate in time. The children are held in cages as prisoners for now. He leads his army of the dead into an empty Winterfell. First, he goes to the crypts and raises the dead Starks. When he raises Lyanna Stark he uses a different kind of magic and she rises more like him. She rises now a white walker.
He takes the Walker Lyanna Stark as his queen of winter and sits on the high lord's chair as the castle frosts and freezes around him.
(end whatever episode that is…)
(Savage move by the Night's King. He knows that Jon Snow is one of his main rivals. So what does he do? He makes Jon his stepson when he raises his mom from the dead.)
Next Episode should start with some notion of a passage of time. At the choke point of the Neck, the army of defenders has built a winter fortress. They have been waiting for an attack that hasn't come. What has come is cold and starvation. Most of our important cast members gather around to discuss the dire situation. Jon, Dany, and Tyrion for sure but also Brienne, Tormund, etc.
Attack. Most people think this is really stupid to attack blindly into an enemy they know little about.
Retreat South toward better provisions. You lose the favorable defensive position
Get more intelligence and continue to wait. Risk running out of food or freezing.
Figure out a way to lure the Night's King to attack into a trap of their own. (This is the most agreed upon option but how do they pull it off?)
There is one other MAJOR PROBLEM. The Dragons are not doing well in the cold. They appear to be suffering. Dany wants to take the Dragons south to try and heal but they are afraid to remain undefended by Dragons. Tyrion and Samwell begin to dig back into the dragon scrolls to try and find an answer, but Mellisandre has just arrived and says there is no need.
The Red Woman has come to the Neck from White Harbor. She has joined the defenders. The Red Woman tells Dany to remember what she knows about Dragons. She asks Daenerys "What are Dragons?" Daenerys remembers and answers "Dragons are fire made flesh"
A giant bonfire is made specifically for the dragons and they begin to heal under the warmth. The Red Woman tells Dany she has a gift in the fight against the Night's King. It's a box with three large rubies in it, similar to the magic ruby she wears around her neck.
The Rubies will protect the dragons from the cold and makes their fires burn hotter. They just need to wear them around their necks.
OMG, I finally have something for Gendry to do! He's making dragon necklaces!
Maybe dragons rocking ruby chains is a bit odd but it is still 100x better than what this show gave me, and I feel like this shit is making way more logical sense.
The Ruby Necklaces are like crack for these Dragons they are now operating at 110%
Mellisandre advises Jon, Dany, and Tyrion that fire is the mortal enemy of ice. Start a big enough fire and the Night's King will come out to extinguish it. They like this idea….the are Targaryen's after all.
You ever see a lizard in a blizzard? Get me a damn jacket!
Part 5 coming at ya soon. Stay Tuned.
Tagged ASOIAF, Daenerys Targaryen, Dragons, Game of Thrones, HBO, Jon Snow, rewrite, Tyrion LannisterLeave a comment
There was this huge build up to John Snow's true identity. He's not Ned Starks bastard, he's the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. Yet on the show we saw, that didn't seem to matter AT ALL with the way things turned out in the end. Do not fear or worry here it WILL matter. Tyrion has taken his Dragon to warn Dany of what's coming from the North. He tells her that there is something else she needs to know.
Dany, John Snow, and Tyrion meet with Bran by the heart tree. John Snow and Dany are meeting for the first time. Dany tells John her dream is a Kingdom united under her rule, Jon tells her "If we live through this I will happily bend the knee."
Dany also meets Bran for the first time. Bran tells her that she THINKS she is alone, that she THINKS she is the last Targaryen…she isn't. She has a living half brother and a living nephew. Bran puts his hand on Dany and is able to pass to Daenerys a true vision of the past. The imagery she needs to see to know the truth.
Tears are running down Daenerys cheeks, she thought she was all alone. The Last Targaryen. I will never have children she says but now in you, I know our family's bloodline can go on. Dany is not mad, she's happy! She has a family again. The Targaryens can go on through either John or Tyrion.
Dany likes this ending more. High Five!
Dany and Tyrion tell John he needs to learn to Dragon ride and they teach him in an empty Winterfell as everyone has fled south. From the skies above Winterfell, they see the coming storm of winter.
The plan now is to try and defend against the Night King at the next choke point. This would be the neck. White Harbor however isn't fully evacuated yet, there have not been enough ships to get everyone out. Bran tells John that he sees through the raven a pirate fleet nearby that can help…Salador Saan (remember him!)
How are you not gonna close this dude out proper?
Danerys will fly to convince Saan to help the people of White Harbor evacuate.
Tyrion, John and Bran head to the choke point. They are meeting the Unsullied and Grey Worm to plan the defense. Lots of the big names are gonna be here. Jorah is fucking half dead from greyscale Sam failed his surgery because he's a fat idiot. Jorah just wants one last chance to kill for his queen and die with a sword in hand.
The Plan will be to have an actual plan, a plan for the dragons and how to use them, a plan on how to use Calvary not like total idiots…pretty much the opposite of what we saw in the show.
Cut to Salador Saan's flagship: We see The Red Woman is on board. (what you thought I'd forget about the firestarter?) The Red Woman told Saan that if he sailed towards White Harbor the most beautiful woman he's ever seen would come to him out of the sky on a dragon and that he would help her for nothing more than a kiss. Saan in starting to appear skeptical but then he hears the dragon's wail and sees the wings through the clouds. Drogon lands on the giant vessel as gentle as a sparrow and Dany greets Saan with the greatest courtesy. She tells of the peril and will do anything for his help. Saan says he will do it for nothing more than a kiss but when Dany leans in he stops her. "Not here," he says as he points to the sky "Up there" And without hesitation, she hails Drogon and they both fly high into the sky. Saan gets to mile-high first base. The people of White Harbor get the ships they need. White Harbor saved by a Black Pirate isn't it ironic?
I have no clue how many parts this will be but I don't want them getting too long so I will end here. Look for Part for 4 coming soon.
Tagged ASOIAF, Dragons, Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin, GoT Rewrite, HBO, WesterosLeave a comment
Hey A-Train, what about Sansa?
Hey A-Train, what about Arya?
Hey A-Train, what about Hot Pie?
I'll get to this beautiful boy.
Hey A-Train, what about Brienne of Tarth?
Some people want to know more than others.
I'm getting to them, Jennifer!
We pick up with Sansa I think somewhere around when she makes Ramsay dog food. Sansa is becoming the woman her mother wanted her to be, a true lady. Littlefinger (who in my version would have never sent Sansa to Ramsay in the first place but I can't rewrite everything) is urging her to wed Robyn Arryn the Lord of the Vail. She is skeptical because the first time Littlefinger urged her to wed it failed miserably. Littlefinger has turned Rob Arryn into a catch, a guy Sansa would really like. Sansa in intrigued, with John King in the North, Lady of the Veil is a nice title. In fact, the young Lord is so unlike he used to be Sansa thinks it's possible Littlefinger either killed the boy and replaced him or he died of natural causes. The courtship is cut short by the coming doom and Sansa takes a leadership role as does the young lord Arryn in helping the people flee south.
Arya is not killing the Night King with a pencil in my version sorry, but she knows to flee south like everyone else, except she has more purpose. She still has a name on her list: Cersei Lannister.
Not to get too far ahead of myself in the timeline I really quickly want to outline how this confrontation will go down. Arya in typical faceless-man fashion studies her victim before deciding how to kill her. Arya sees the queen's plots to kill Tyrion and Daenerys to usurp the throne again. But she's been watching her so closely that Arya knows Cersei's schemes will unravel around her and she will be caught.
If you will permit me some imaginary screenwriting:
Arya sneaks up on the queen like a thief in the night. The queen is alone in her bedchamber lit only by candlelight.
Arya: I've been watching you, I came to King's Landing to kill you. Do you remember me?
Cersei: You're the Stark girl, the other one. It was your wolf that bit my Joffrey.
Arya: That was a long time ago, a lot's happened since then. I made a list you know? At one point it had a lot of names on it. It had your son's name on it. It was more than a list actually. It was a prayer, I said it every night before I slept. I've slain many a man on my list… I would have killed Joffrey, instead, Littlefinger did it with the Queen of Thornes.
(The Queen who was certain her brother Tyrion poisoned Joffrey with the help of Sansa has a look of shock and disbelief on her face, she moves her lips to speak but Arya cuts her off.)
Arya: You still think the Imp killed Joffrey? C'mon Cersei I thought you were smarter than that. Littlefinger planned the whole thing and freed my sister, it's the only reason HE'S not on my list. In fact, there's just one name left. Queen Cersei. Except you're no longer a queen are you?
Cersei: I am the Lady of Casterly Rock and I will be a queen again!
Arya: You are the last name I whisper at night, and I'm not even going to kill you. I am going to watch your plots and schemes unravel and swallow you up and I'm going to laugh when it happens. I need to learn to laugh again,
(Arya fades into the shadows)
Cersei's plots do unravel around her, she was going to try and kill Tyrion and Daenerys she is brought before the queen and demands a trial by combat. Everyone knows she's guilty but Daenerys allows it. Cersei's Champion is Ser Robert Strong, so obviously the Hound is going to be the Champion for the Crown. The Hound wins and Cersei is guilty.
Tyrion strangles his sister to death, in the same manner, he killed Shea. He's not even thinking about Cersei as he does it, he's thinking about the first woman he strangled. In doing so he fulfills the last part of Cersei's prophecy.
I could see doing this part in the final episode, or just before the last showdown with the Night King.
Lot's of people want to know what my boy HP is up too? Hot Pie is slanging bowls of brown to everyone in flea bottom. "Best Brown in the Bottom" is his Tavern's catch phrase.
Brienne of Tarth takes on a role in John's Snow's king's guard. Tormund immediately also gets on John's king's guard and Brienne wonders if she just made a huge mistake. Tormund still tells the Giants milk story. (That's cannon from the books.) More on John's Elite Guard later.
A-Train Taking a break from fixing this mess…Part 3 is coming and faster than the Winds of Fucking Winter.
Tagged Arya, ASOIAF, Brienne, Cersei, George R.R. Martin, GoT, GoT Rewrite, HBO, SansaLeave a comment


text:
Month-long exhibition in Dublin looks at 'Vienna housing model'
Home Month-long exhibition in Dublin looks at 'Vienna housing model'
April, 01. 2019 | More from Media Coverage
Brendan Kenny (right), Deputy Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, Helene Schauer, MVD Austria and David Silke, Director of Research and Corporate of the Housing Agency at the launch of the Vienna Model of Housing exhibition at CHQ in Dublin. Picture: Arthur Carron.
Reported by Dan Buckley, Irish Examiner.
The pioneering Vienna model of housing is the subject of a month-long exhibition which opened today in Dublin. The public exhibition is a joint partnership between the Dublin City Council, the Housing Agency and the City of Vienna and will feature a number of seminars and events.
Exhibiting in CHQ in Dublin's Docklands, The Rediscovery Centre, Ballymun, and Richmond Barracks in Inchicore, the Vienna Model of Housing is internationally regarded for its continued achievement of sustainable, high-quality and affordable residential development.
Accompanying seminars will support discussion of integral elements of the Vienna Model such as managing population density, public housing as a sustainable solution and cost-rental.
"Our plans for future housing investment must adopt a holistic view capable of fostering a socially integrated society living in sustainable and affordable housing. The Vienna Model of Housing is the living proof that demonstrates how providing high quality, affordable housing is the basis for an inclusive, thriving, healthy society," said Brendan Kenny, deputy chief executive of Dublin City Council.
John O'Connor, CEO of the Housing Agency said he believes the exhibition and associated events will provide a timely opportunity to consider in detail a successful housing model that has contributed to making Vienna such an attractive and well-loved city for both its citizens and for visitors: "As we face the considerable challenge of providing affordable housing, for many of our own citizens, there is much to learn from our European counterparts and from Vienna, in particular."
Discussing the success of the Vienna Model of Housing, executive city councillor for women's issues and housing, city of Vienna, Kathrin Gaál, said: "Providing affordable housing in Vienna has been a political priority since 1919. Compared to other cities, rents and land prices in Vienna have not solely been determined by the market. Vienna's allocation guidelines ensure that higher income earners and the middle-class can access the public housing sector."
She said that is what makes the people of Vienna so proud of the housing policy is that one cannot tell how much someone earns simply by looking at their address.
The Vienna Model of Housing Exhibition is open to the
public and will be hosted in the three Dublin city venues until April 25.
Read online.
Sustainability and climate action at the centre of the Vienna Model of public housing as exhibition returns for second showing in Dublin's Civic Office
Cost Rental discussed by housing and planning experts
Experts explore Ballymun's potential as a European leader in housing

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Why does the potency of cannabis still vary from one European country to another?
Blog-cannabis.com has emerged in its last years as a major player in the information on cannabis. By combining freedom of tone with sourced information, the quality of our articles has grown steadily over time.
In order to highlight the benefits of medical cannabis, our writing focuses largely on academic work and research around therapeutic cannabis.
The second axis on which our site focuses is the progress of the legalization of cannabis in the world. Two steps are listed. First of all, the introduction of new regulations around medical cannabis. Understanding and describing this phase is essential as it often serves as a stepping stone for the future. Many articles are thus dedicated to the observation of what is happening in the United States. The USA is indeed a giant legislative laboratory of what could happen to the laws on the weed in the rest of the world. The way in which each state in the United States sets up its legislation is to be watched closely, as it often announces the second step: the total withdrawal of the prohibition on recreational cannabis. This is certainly one of the key points for our readers who are particularly sensitive to this topic. We are not talking simply of decriminalization of the grass, but of a total legalization of the weed. A true media watch is set up on these issues, in order to offer the most accurate and fastest information, not only on developments in the United States, but also in Europe, including France, of course, but also elsewhere in the world, in Israel, in Canada, in Australia, and on all the continents of Africa and Asia.
With legalization, especially around therapeutic cannabis, enormous commercial and financial stakes have been put in place. Companies have sprung up all over the world, particularly in Canada, to meet the challenge of large-scale production of quality medical cannabis. One of the missions of blog-cannabis.com is also to inform the reader about this new emerging economy and, this time, perfectly legal. Following the CBD cannabis producers in Switzerland, understanding the mergers between major Canadian producers, and giving the best data on CBD product purchase possibilities in France is the obsession of blog-cannabis.com. Of course, the way the weed business is built is directly related to legalization.
Last point addressed by the site: the cultivation of cannabis at home, which is also called autoculture. Indeed, in a number of countries, legalization also allows liberalization of cannabis cultivation for personal consumption. Our articles wish to give advice on how to grow grass, how to choose the most suitable strain, the most effective method, and the easiest. Thus the site regularly evokes the grow box, bringing all in one to allow the amateur grower to get started without difficulty. Moreover, even if our advice is adapted to the beginners, the most experienced can perfect their knowledge. Growing cannabis is an activity that, while still simple and affordable for all, needs to be precise.
Cannabis compounds, in particular CBD oil, offer many hopes for patients with many more or less severe ailments: whether it is epilepsy in its different forms, and especially in child, certain types of cancer, Alzheimer's disease or even eczema. If the search for treatment is obviously an obsession with medical work, other elements of basic research around cannabis are discussed, such as neurogenesis. While CBD and its benefits are a good part of the work that our articles cover, the benefits of THC are also an important part of articles centered around the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.
It is also a question of allowing a full understanding, depending on the state of knowledge, of how medical cannabis, be it THC or CBD, works on the body.
Another goal is to have a much better understanding of the course of THC in the body to evaluate the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of salivary or urinary marijuana testing. Many herb users are indeed worried about these issues, and blog-cannabis.com tries to answer them with the greatest precision.


Located in Calheta, Madeira island, Villa Camacho IX is a modern/Rustic property which offers swimming pool and fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Featuring free WiFi, this villa features private parking.
Includes 3 spacious bedrooms an elegant living room and very well funcional and equipped kitchen.
Besides all this conditions there's also a surrounding garden and a complete barbecue.


Nigeria is blessed with some of the stunning natural swimming spots available for refreshing and relaxing during vacation or weekend breaks. These scenic swimming spots have become home to some of Africa's most amazing natural wonders. Many Nigerians flock to these destinations during weekend breaks or holidays to enjoy .These swimming spots are places to cool off on a hot afternoon. The cool water activities including other fun things you can do around the areas are just amazing and exciting. It can only take something extraordinary to allure you away from the beauty that surrounds any of these spots.
Here are 10 stunning natural swimming spots in Nigeria; from waterfalls, springs to waterholes and they are surrounded with lush landscapes and mesmerizing rock formations. Spend time with your friends and family in any of these spots and enjoy immeasurable hours of fun. So grab your swimming wears and a towel, and enjoy the water sliding from the spots.
Submerge yourself in the cool waters of Erin Ijesha – Olumirin Waterfall and have a swell time. Within the Osun seven step waterfall is the swimming spot, which is mystical and offers swimmers something daring to do when they jump inside the water at the base of the falls. Erin Ijesha falls is referred to as Olumirin by the locals. It has remained almost secluded because of its religious significance but it is open to the public.
Just be ready to lunge to great depths as your lungs endure while you duck dive down the water in Ikogosi Spring. It is tucked away by Mother Nature in Ikogosi-Ekiti, where it created a cold and warm spring to flow side by side, with few myths surrounding its origin. Visit this natural water spot and have a dip in any of the waters. There is no need wasting time if you really want to swim here, just go and make the fishes envious with your swimming skills.
Some said that the heaven has come to be among men at this highest waterfalls in the country, with water cascading down to a pool of ice cold water. What an experience to swim here during the hot weather? You are not going to be alone when you arrive at the Own Falls because there are a lot of swimmers who are eager to make a dive inside the water.
In the local Duguri language, Wikki is translated as 'Where are you? Okay, if you ever find yourself in this warm water spring which is the largest in Yankari National Park, what are you going to do? This is where you can unwind and relax. This spring has become the favourite of tourists because of its constant temperate at 31.1°C.
This is a nature gift to the people of Plateau State. It is situated in a picturesque surrounding that makes swimming exciting. Just some kilometres along the Jos- Akwanga road, you will find this stunning nature's wonder. Definitely, you will love this place!
There are a lot of tourist attraction sites in Ikom, Cross River state but Agbokim waterfalls is quite a beautiful spot to behold. This waterfall appears to be falling sheet of water. The cross border experience it gives to Nigerians and Cameroonians is alluring, the waterfall has seven streams that cascades over the rocks comes down as a seven faced falls.
All the way to Nasarawa State is situated the Farin Ruwa Falls. You have a natural swimming spot that has a height of 150m and 50 metres wide. You cannot beat the splendour that comes from this fall that is compared with the Niagra and Victoria Falls.
Are you thinking of going somewhere where only a few do, then it is time to visit the Arinta Water Falls in Ipole-Iloro, Ekiti State. It is surrounded by natural forest vegetation and it is not far from the Ikogosi Warm Spring. It is a perfect place for your picnic, relaxation and swimming.
Do not expect to see a waterfall here. If you love waters, you would adore this stunning warm spring that is situated in Benue state. You can spend your day swimming here. The scenery of Enemabia Warm Spring is stunning and natural. For those who want to swim in exotic locations, no need travelling out of the country to do so when this warm spring is all yours to conquer.
The last on our list is a waterfall called the Gurara Falls that is situated along Minna-Suleja road. You can only have one word for this place, blissful and when you take that first step inside the clear water especially during the dry season; do not expect to take a step backward because you are going to take a that dip.
This entry was posted in Travel and tagged Erin Ijesha falls, Ikogosi Spring, Owu Falls, Stunning Natural Swimming Spots In Nigeria, Wikki Spring. Bookmark the permalink.
i know erin ijesha well. that ain't it(picture). its so interesting. i can't get tired of going there. a nice place to be. well located. not to far. ikogosi is good for ekiti/nigerian tourism too. the emergence of hot and cold water and its convergence is amazing. though not well located, fantastic to party and you'd better have you car if you wanna enjoy your trip. wikki. Whaaaaaow!!!!!!, God is wonderful. wonderful natural attraction/endowment. so blue and those holes from which the water comes out. the amazing this is water solely supply its surrounding safari, where the lion elephants, buffallos etc drink. when swimming in the pool just be mindful of your belongings as baboons may take them and run into the forest. a great place, though far from bauchi. wikki should be in number two. erin ijesha passes well for no 1 but the govt and private firm managing it should take more care of the place.
Nigeria is a blessed country with a lot of tourist attractions waiting to be fully developed for local and international fun seekers.
The Ikogosi Warm Spring- Arinta Waterfalls Ipole Iloro axis of Ekiti state (barely 5km apart) remains the best location to enjoy good value for your money when next you are planning for vacation, conference and host of other activities.
Wow! So, you've been to those three locations. I'm quite sure that travelling is your hobby. And if I'm to advise Buhari, I would ask him to consider you for the post of Minister of Tourism.
Thanks for this educative information. I have been to Ikogosi Spring it's lovely and amazing. When you get there you will bear witness to the wonderful work of God and praise him the more. Pls where is this OWU FALLS? I mean which state and Town?
I've bn to Erin-ijesa in Osun state , Ikogosi in Ekiti- state and also Owu water fall which is not far from Oroago in kwara state.
i have been to assop falls and Gurara falls. It's really beautiful and scenic. Would like to try farin runwa and wikki falls too.
These are the fact to Gods doing…..
Also,ikogosi is a very lovely place to be….i can swim in dere pool frm now till the next day.
And,arinta is also a very astonishing centre,with its seven hills and falls,and also d voice control on the waters(the more the noise d more d rush of waters,n its situated in my home town so I go there as often as possible….
Which of the locations particularly those in the Southern part of the country has a good hotel close by?
Av been to Erin Ijesha, owu falls, arinta waterfalls nd ikogosi. All dose places are such a nice nd wonderful places 4 relaxation.


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text:
Home News Invention
In energy harvesting, the wheels never stop turning
Power play: Chess Bike, the first product from Holbrook-based startup Chess Fit, turns exercise energy into electricity.
By GREGORY ZELLER //
Ramuel Maramara is pedaling an all-new energy-harvesting device, and as usual, he's not thinking small.
His "artificial jellyfish" technology, still gearing up for a major dress rehearsal off the Philippine coast, is looking to revolutionize the renewable energy industry. And yeah, as a bonus, the tech has potential desalination side effects that are still in the earliest developmental stages, but could someday provide virtually boundless freshwater supplies on a global scale.
These are not minor ambitions. And neither is the thinking behind Maramara's new startup, Chess Fit Inc., and its flagship product, the Chess Bike (company officials were on the fence between "Chess Bike" and "Chess Trainer," Maramara noted, but the former ultimately won out).
Big picture: Virtual-reality tours meet real-world benefits aboard the Chess Bike, according to Ramuel Maramara.
Whatever you call it, the self-billed "world's most intelligent exercise machine" is capable of turning human sweat equity into bona fide electricity at an extremely efficient clip – by turning your fully functional bicycle into a stationary exercise bike.
The Chess Bike boasts several high-tech twists. First and foremost, the proprietary platform – which slightly elevates and strongly secures the bike's rear wheel – translates energy spent on pedaling into new electricity.
The juice is stored in one of three different battery packs – small, medium and large, basically – offering hours of portable power for phones, tablets, laptops and virtually any other device or appliance requiring fewer than 85 watts.
Chess Fit has also created iOS and Android apps with four different training modes, giving the user smartphone-based control of resistance levels (making it easier or more difficult to pedal), access to advanced "Fitness Professional" protocols and even a "3D Virtual Reality Tour" featuring luscious 360-degree videos – the Chess Bike has its own VR headset – and changing resistance levels depending on the virtual terrain.
Launched in August by Maramara and cofounder David Quitoriano, Chess Fit is a very distant cousin of Maramara's other energy-focused enterprise, Brimes Energy. While they share a basic concept – motion-generated electricity – and some financial backers, the Chess Bike tech and the jellyfish tech at the heart of Brimes Energy are apples and oranges, according to Maramara.
"It's a different kind of market and a different kind of machine," he told Innovate LI. "The jellyfish is more industrial. This is more commercial. There's a lot more electronics involved, a lot more software."
Enter Quitoriano, a veteran programmer who built Yehey – the "Philippine version of Yahoo," Maramara noted – and ultimately sold the circa-1990s, pre-Google search engine to an Asian software company. The combination of the cofounders' software-development and mechanical-engineering chops fuels the Chess Bike, which according to Maramara solves the No. 1 problem of motion-generated electricity harvesting.
"The hardest part is getting the most electricity from your muscle power," he said. "Our legs are capable of generating maybe 500 watts, and we are able to [harvest] about 250 watts, up to 350 watts when pedaling really hard.
"That's very, very high."
Maramara was understandably tightlipped about the Chess Bike's secret formula, though he did note a twin-generator system that allowed designers to "optimize the design, cost-wise."
"We're able to get that much of a harvest from your legs, and still keep the cost down," he said.
The inventor basically built the Chess Bike prototype himself – "I've been building machines since I was a child and it's just natural to build new ones," Maramara noted – through his Brimes Industrial subsidiary. To date, a handful of angel investors, including some Brimes Energy backers, have staked Chess Fit to the tune of $75,000, but now the Chess Bike is ready for a higher gear.
This week, Chess Fit launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $100,000 by Feb. 13, with donor packages ranging from a hearty "thank you" (and a shout-out on the company's website) for a $5 pledge to the full shebang – including the generation platform, all the batteries and the VR gear – for $899, more than half off the projected retail price.
The $100,000 will be enough to start taking pre-orders and "get us to the next model," Maramara said. Although the prototype was made on Long Island, to "get to scale and get to the right price point," Chess Fit selected a manufacturer with operations in the Philippines and Taiwan, the cofounder added.
That next model will most likely be the Chess Rower, Maramara said, and while it won't likely connect to your existing canoe, it will bring rowing indoors, with all the VR bells and whistles. Maramara sees it as the perfect marriage of technology and purpose, with numerous benefits in several directions.
"We want exercise to make sense," he said. "We want it to have meaning. So we're giving everybody a reason to exercise more.
"This is not just about getting fit," Maramara added. "By harvesting your energy and helping the environment, you feel a lot better, and not just physically. You feel like you're doing the right thing."
TOPICS:Brimes EnergyChess BikeChess FitDavid QuitorianonewsRamuel Maramara
At Marcum, food-biz buddy Biscotti eyes a new kitchen
LISTnet's Digital Ballpark making its pitch
Collaboration that goes well beyond the pale
Hempstead LDC approves $28M in Adelphi bonds


May 21st is the latest end of the world prediction date, or the next one in line. Don't confuse it with the end of the world prediction for 2012 which comes from the Mayans. No, the May 21st date is from a Christian minister and is being promoted by a group of people in rv's traveling about the country trumpeting the warning. I am not making this up.
If you want to spend/waste a few minutes google the phrase "end of the world predictions" and browse through the offerings. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of predictions have come and gone in the last two millennia. They tend to cluster around the turn of a century or millennium, or after disasters, and some groups simply can't resist making predictions. Despite being 0 for fill-in-the-blank, people are undeterred by repeated and unrelenting air balls. Predictions still garner headlines.
How should Christians who do not subscribe to predictions properly respond to well-marketed predictions?
First, be careful with smug comments. I have already unsuccessfully resisted this temptation, but we do need to remember that contempt and derision are not virtues. Folks who make predictions are easy pickings. Those of us who dismiss the predictions with a bit of highbrow scorn have a historically 100% chance of being right and appearing to be more intelligent, reasonable, biblically knowledgeable, etc. Humility and kindness are always appropriate especially when you have an ironclad guarantee of accuracy.
We must remember the human side of this issue. Many people get caught up in the fervor, and most of them are scared. All of them risk being very disappointed, embarrassed, and disillusioned on May 22. I'm concerned about that. Christian faith is a wonderful combination of joy, insight, peace, and wisdom. It touches both heart and head. When people who practice it become disenchanted, I feel sorry for them. So treat this topic gently.
Second, don't lose sight of the beautiful truth of Christ's return. Though I am committed to being careful with my remarks I have a deep concern for the misuse of this doctrine. Because it is the personal playground for the predictors, the rest of us tend to shy away from it. But the return of Christ is solidly represented throughout the NT, and teaching it responsibly does not make us delusional. That God will one day make all things right, creating a new heaven and a new earth, is a reasonable deduction from scripture and from the moral framework woven into all of us. Good really does win, we simply do not know when that will ultimately happen. So let us teach this doctrine as the joyful hope it is.
Third, in the modern religious marketplace two ideas "sell" particularly well: apocalypse and prosperity. They will fill up auditoriums or make people sell their possessions and wait on the nearest hilltop for the end of the world. Nothing gets as much press as a prediction or the promise of a Mercedes.
Both ideas share the common appeal of escape. We are fearful, tired, ill, or heavily in debt and these twin promises offer the idea of deliverance in the form of heaven or a healthier bank account. The temptation is very alluring.
What both the predictors and the prosperity preachers ignore, however, is the fact that God appears intent on helping us live in the meantime. We are not to constantly look for deliverance but for the joy of life as we have it in Christ. We find that joy in our relationship with Christ and in the daily tasks of service to others. In both worship and work we find meaning and every reason to stick around.
Now the folks driving about in rv's certainly cannot be faulted for not "doing something" with their faith, but doing the right thing for the wrong reason is the very definition of bad religion. Without apology I say unrelenting predictions are bad religion. We need good ideas for good religioin.
I have seen personally the mild hysteria these cyclical events cause (1988 was a big year for predictions, so was Y2K). Christians who get caught up in the panic as May 21st draws near risk at least slight embarrassment on May 22 or a deeper disappointment. Those outside the faith will simply see this as another reason to dismiss Christianity. Let's all take a deep breath. And for those of you casting nervous eyes to the calendar I cannot say this strongly enough: Do Not Worry! And keep living in the meantime.
I see your website is similar to my weblog. Do you allow guest posting?
I can write hi quality and unique posts for you. Let me know if you are interested.
How timely, since I have recently been in repeated conversation with a person who is so convinced that the world will end on May 21st that he also persuaded certain family members to make sudden, drastic changes in their daily routines, educational pursuits, living arrangements, money management and so forth. Understandably, this has put a severe strain on those family members who are shocked and dismayed by what appears to be irrational behavior. From my perspective, I see a sensitive, intelligent, sincere individual who has suffered a series of painful losses over the past few years and for whom an "end of the world" scenario has become metaphorical of how he feels about his personal world. I view his belief as a "fixed delusion," symptomatic of depression rooted in a failure to grieve.
Terry, you are right on target in cautioning us not to mock people who cling to apparently irrational beliefs. There is always something deeper going on and, if we can still affirm the person while respectfully refusing to buy into their catastrophizing, we might later be accepted by them as a friend who can help pick up the pieces when the dire predictions collapse and dissipate as steam from a kettle.
Keep telling the story of God's immeasurable grace!
Thank you Reid. I like your word "catastrophizing!" I do believe every challenge also gives us an opportunity to "let our gracious kindness be know to all people." Perhaps those folks who are disillusioned or despairing on Sunday morning the 22nd will be more open to hearing about the joy of abiding in Christ moment by moment. Whenever the end comes, we will live in the meantime.
Thanks, Terry. I am finishing up the book of Daniel (Ch. 12) in my Ladies' Bible Study this coming Tuesday and your remarks are so appropriate for my lesson. With your permission, I'd like to quote part of your devotional (of course, giving you credit!). I've already recommended your Grace Waves website to my ladies and will do so again this week.
Of course you may use this or any article on GraceWaves any way you wish! I'm glad it helps.


text:
2004–05 Detroit Pistons season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the 64th season for the Pistons, the 57th in the National Basketball Association, and the 48th in the Detroit area.[1] During the offseason, the Pistons signed free agent Antonio McDyess. Coming off their upset victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, the Pistons began the season playing around .500. However, things would get worse on November 19 in a game against the Indiana Pacers, when a brawl erupted between Pacers players and Pistons fans after Ben Wallace and Ron Artest got into a shoving match.[2] As the season progressed, the Pistons would post an 11-game winning streak near the end of the season, and would eventually finish first overall in the Central Division, and second overall in the Eastern Conference with a 54–28 record. Ben Wallace was named Defensive Player of the Year for the third time, and was selected for the 2005 NBA All-Star Game.
Owner(s)
William Davidson
The Palace of Auburn Hills
54–28 (.659)
Division: 1st (Central)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finish
(Lost to Spurs 3–4)
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
FSN Detroit, WKBD
WDFN
< 2003–04 2005–06 >
In the first round of the playoffs, the Pistons defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in five games, then defeated the 6th-seeded Pacers in six games in the second round. The Pistons would then defeat the top-seeded Miami Heat in a full seven game series after trailing 3–2 to advance to the Finals for the second straight year. However, they narrowly missed out on repeating as NBA champions, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2005 NBA Finals in seven games.[3]
After the Finals defeat, Larry Brown and the Pistons parted ways after spending two seasons as head coach. He would later be the head coach of his hometown New York Knicks, but after winning only 23 games in his only season in New York, Brown was fired again. Before return to coaching with the Charlotte Bobcats replaced Sam Vincent, who was fired by team owner Michael Jordan in the 2008–09 season and reached the playoffs in 2010 under the emergence of All-Star Gerald Wallace before he was retired as head coach during the 2010–11 season and replaced by veteran head coach Paul Silas, but after winning only 7 games in his half-season in the Bobcats name during the shortened–lockout season, Silas was released finishing with their worst winning percentage with .106 by a team's single–season in NBA history beating the infamous 1972–73 76ers with .110, and replaced by Mike Dunlap.[4] It was later announced in the off-season that Flip Saunders, who was fired as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves at midseason, would be the Pistons head coach for next season.
Draft picksEdit
2 54 Rickey Paulding Guard
United States Missouri
RosterEdit
Detroit Pistons roster
DOB (YYYY-MM-DD)
Arroyo, Carlos 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Florida International
Billups, Chauncey 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 202 lb (92 kg) Colorado
Campbell, Elden 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 279 lb (127 kg) Clemson
Delfino, Carlos 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 230 lb (104 kg)
Dupree, Ronald 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 209 lb (95 kg) LSU
Ham, Darvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Texas Tech
Hamilton, Richard 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 193 lb (88 kg) Connecticut
Hunter, Lindsey 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jackson State
Jenkins, Horace 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) William Paterson
McDyess, Antonio 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Alabama
Miličić, Darko 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 275 lb (125 kg) Serbia
Prince, Tayshaun 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Kentucky
Wallace, Ben 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Virginia Union
Wallace, Rasheed 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) North Carolina
Larry Brown (North Carolina)
(C) Team captain
(DP) Unsigned draft pick
(FA) Free agent
(S) Suspended
Regular seasonEdit
StandingsEdit
y-Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 – 32–9 22–19 8–8
x-Chicago Bulls 47 35 .573 7 27–14 20–21 8–8
x-Indiana Pacers 44 38 .537 10 25–16 19–22 9–7
Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 12 29–12 13–28 7–9
Milwaukee Bucks 30 52 .366 24 23–18 7–34 8–8
Record vs. opponentsEdit
2004-05 NBA Records
LAL
NJN
Atlanta — 1–3 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–3 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–2 1–1 0–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–2 0–2 0–4
Boston 3–1 — 4–0 2–2 1–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 3–1 3–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–0 3–1
Charlotte 3–1 0–4 — 0–4 0–4 0–2 1–1 2–1 0–2 2–0 0–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–3 3–1 0–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–2 1–1 0–4
Chicago 4–0 2–2 4–0 — 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–0 0–4 1–1 4–0 3–0 2–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–2
Cleveland 4–0 2–1 4–0 2–2 — 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–3 3–1 0–3 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–2
Dallas 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 — 2–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–2 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 4–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 3–0 2–0
Denver 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–2 — 1–1 2–2 1–2 2–0 2–1 2–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 3–1 1–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 2–2 2–0
Detroit 3–1 3–1 1–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 2–1 2–0 3–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 4–0
Golden State 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 — 1–2 1–1 0–4 1–3 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–1 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–1 0–2 2–1 — 1–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–1
Indiana 3–0 2–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 — 0–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–1 2–0 2–2
L.A. Clippers 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–2 0–2 4–0 0–3 2–0 — 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–4 0–4 2–1 1–1 2–2 1–1
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 — 0–3 0–2 2–0 2–1 1–1 3–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 2–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–3 0–2
Memphis 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 2–0 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 3–0 — 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 0–3 3–1 0–3 2–0 3–0 0–2
Miami 4–0 2–1 3–1 3–1 3–0 0–2 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 — 4–0 1–1 3–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 4–0
Milwaukee 2–1 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 — 1–1 2–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–3
Minnesota 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–1 2–1 0–2 3–1 1–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 4–0 3–1 1–2 1–3 0–2 3–1 1–1
New Jersey 3–0 3–1 4–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–3 1–2 0–2 — 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–3
New Orleans 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–3 0–3 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 — 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–1 1–2 0–4 0–3 0–2 2–2 1–1
New York 3–1 1–3 3–1 0–4 3–1 0–2 1–1 0–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 — 1–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–0 2–1
Orlando 3–1 0–3 1–3 0–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–2 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–1 — 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–2
Philadelphia 3–1 3–1 3–0 1–2 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–2 4–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–3 2–2 — 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–1
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 — 3–0 2–2 1–2 2–1 2–0 3–1 1–1
Portland 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 2–2 1–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 0–4 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–3 — 1–3 1–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 0–2
Sacramento 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 3–0 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 — 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–1 2–0
San Antonio 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–1 3–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 — 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–1
Seattle 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 2–0 1–2 3–1 3–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 3–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 — 2–0 3–1 0–2
Toronto 2–1 1–3 2–1 0–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 — 2–0 1–3
Utah 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–3 2–2 1–1 1–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 — 0–2
Washington 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–1 2–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–4 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 1–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 —
PlayoffsEdit
East First RoundEdit
(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers 85, Detroit Pistons 106
Scoring by quarter: 28–16, 18–32, 24–32, 15–26
Pts: Allen Iverson 30
Rebs: Samuel Dalembert 18
Asts: Allen Iverson 10 Pts: Rasheed Wallace 29
Rebs: B. Wallace, R. Wallace 10 each
Asts: Richard Hamilton 5
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Referees: Bernie Fryer, Greg Willard, Jack Nies
Philadelphia 76ers 84, Detroit Pistons 99
Asts: Allen Iverson 10 Pts: Richard Hamilton 23
Rebs: Ben Wallace 10
Asts: Chauncey Billups 8
Referees: Dick Bavetta, Mike Callahan, Tony Brothers
Detroit Pistons 104, Philadelphia 76ers 115
Pts: Ben Wallace 29
Asts: Richard Hamilton 12 Pts: Allen Iverson 37
Asts: Allen Iverson 15
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia
Referees: Greg Willard, Monty Mccutchen, Ron Garretson
Detroit Pistons 97, Philadelphia 76ers 92 (OT)
Scoring by quarter: 21–24, 20–14, 19–23, 23–22, Overtime: 14–9
Pts: Chauncey Billups 25
Asts: Chauncey Billups 7 Pts: Allen Iverson 36
Asts: Allen Iverson 8
Referees: Bob Delaney, David Jones, Steve Javie
Asts: Allen Iverson 7 Pts: Billups, Hamilton 23 each
Detroit wins the series, 4–1
Referees: Eddie F. Rush, Scott Foster, Sean Corbin
Last Playoffs meeting: 2003 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Detroit won 4–2)
East Conference SemifinalsEdit
(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (6) Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers 81, Detroit Pistons 96
Pts: Jermaine O'Neal 22
Rebs: Jeff Foster 13
Asts: Johnson, Miller 3 each Pts: Richard Hamilton 28
Referees: Bernie Fryer, Jess Kersey, Jim Clark
Asts: Jamaal Tinsley 12 Pts: Tayshaun Prince 24
Asts: Chauncey Billups 10
Referees: Mike Callahan, Ron Garretson, Sean Corbin
Detroit Pistons 74, Indiana Pacers 79
Asts: Tayshaun Prince 6 Pts: Reggie Miller 17
Asts: Jamaal Tinsley 6
Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Referees: Dan Crawford, Joe Forte, Tom Washington
Rebs: Rasheed Wallace 12
Asts: Richard Hamilton 7 Pts: Stephen Jackson 23
Rebs: Jermaine O'Neal 13
Asts: Anthony Johnson 6
Referees: Bob Delaney, Luis Grillo, Steve Javie
Rebs: Dale Davis 9
Asts: Jamaal Tinsley 5 Pts: Ben Wallace 19
Rebs: Tayshaun Prince 12
Referees: Eddie F. Rush, Jack Nies, Joe Crawford
Pts: Richard Hamilton 28
Asts: Chauncey Billups 8 Pts: Reggie Miller 27
Asts: Jamaal Tinsley 10
Referees: Bennett Salvatore, Bill Spooner, Ken Mauer
Last Playoffs meeting: 2004 Eastern Conference Finals (Detroit won 4–2)
East Conference FinalsEdit
(1) Miami Heat vs. (2) Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons 90, Miami Heat 81
Pts: Rasheed Wallace 20
Asts: Carlos Arroyo 7 Pts: Eddie Jones 22
Rebs: Eddie Jones 8
Asts: Damon Jones 5
American Airlines Arena, Miami
Referees: Bernie Fryer, Bob Delaney, Mike Callahan
Asts: Chauncey Billups 6 Pts: Dwyane Wade 40
Rebs: Shaquille O'Neal 10
Asts: Dwyane Wade 6
Referees: Dick Bavetta, Eddie F. Rush, Tom Washington
Miami Heat 113, Detroit Pistons 104
Pts: Dwyane Wade 36
Rebs: D. Jones, Wade 7 each
Asts: D. Jones, O'Neal 5 each Pts: Richard Hamilton 33
Rebs: Rasheed Wallace 8
Referees: Dan Crawford, Greg Willard, Joe Forte
Miami Heat 96, Detroit Pistons 106
Rebs: Eddie Jones 10
Asts: Dwyane Wade 6 Pts: Richard Hamilton 28
Referees: Derrick Stafford, Jack Nies, Joe Crawford
Rebs: Antonio McDyess 9
Asts: Richard Hamilton 5 Pts: Shaquille O'Neal 20
Rebs: Udonis Haslem 13
Referees: Ken Mauer, Ron Garretson, Steve Javie
Miami Heat 66, Detroit Pistons 91
Pts: Shaquille O'Neal 24
Asts: Damon Jones 6 Pts: Richard Hamilton 24
Rebs: Prince, R. Wallace 9 each
Referees: Bennett Salvatore, Bernie Fryer, Dan Crawford
Rebs: Ben Wallace 9
Asts: Chauncey Billups 8 Pts: Shaquille O'Neal 27
Referees: Dick Bavetta, Eddie F. Rush, Joe Crawford
Last Playoffs meeting: 2000 Eastern Conference First Round (Miami won 3–0)
NBA FinalsEdit
(W2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (E2) Detroit Pistons
Main article: 2005 NBA Finals
All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)
Detroit Pistons 69, San Antonio Spurs 84
Asts: Chauncey Billups 6 Pts: Manu Ginóbili 26
Rebs: Tim Duncan 17
Asts: Horry, Parker 3 each
SBC Center, San Antonio
Referees: Steve Javie, Ron Garretson, Mike Callahan
Referees: Bernie Fryer, Dan Crawford, Jack Nies
San Antonio Spurs 79, Detroit Pistons 96
Pts: Tony Parker 21
Asts: Duncan, Parker 4 each Pts: Richard Hamilton 24
Referees: Bennett Salvatore, Bob Delaney, Joe Crawford
San Antonio Spurs 71, Detroit Pistons 102
Pts: Tim Duncan 16
Asts: Bowen, Parker 4 each Pts: Billups, Hunter 17 each
Referees: Dick Bavetta, Eddie F. Rush, Joe DeRosa
San Antonio Spurs 96, Detroit Pistons 95 (OT)
Scoring by quarter: 21–23, 21–19, 22–21, 25–26, Overtime: 7–6
Asts: Manu Ginóbili 9 Pts: Chauncey Billups 34
Referees: Mike Callahan, Ron Garretson, Steve Javie
Asts: Chauncey Billups 6 Pts: Duncan, Ginóbili 21 each
Asts: Tony Parker 5
Asts: Chauncey Billups 8 Pts: Tim Duncan 25
Asts: Manu Ginóbili 4
San Antonio wins the NBA Finals, 4–3
Last Playoffs Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Spurs and Pistons.
Player statisticsEdit
Miller: 26. 6
Tayshaun Prince: 32 ppg , 12 rpg , 7 apg
Awards and recordsEdit
Ben Wallace, NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
Ben Wallace, All-NBA Third Team
Ben Wallace, NBA All-Defensive First Team
Chauncey Billups, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
Tayshaun Prince, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
TransactionsEdit
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2013)
Detroit Pistons on Database Basketball
Detroit Pistons on Basketball Reference
^ 2004-05 Detroit Pistons
^ "5 Players, 7 Fans Charged in Brawl". Los Angeles Times. December 9, 2004. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
^ "PRO BASKETBALL; In Final Hour, Duncan Carries Spurs to Title". New York Times. June 24, 2005. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
^ "Brown Leaves the Pistons; Knicks Leave a Door Open". New York Times. July 20, 2005. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2004–05_Detroit_Pistons_season&oldid=901058352"


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Gritstone Oncology opens new biomanufacturing plant in California
by Joseph Keenan |
Gritstone Oncology opens new 43,000-square-foot biomanufacturing plant.
Gritstone Oncology, which focuses on personalized cancer immunotherapy, opened a new biomanufacturing facility in Pleasanton, Calif., to produce the company's first investigational products.
The 43,000-square-foot plant was designed to be the nucleus of Gritstone's personalized cancer immunotherapy production efforts, the company said. The facility is fully operational and includes multiple clean rooms that will be used to manufacture therapeutics on an individualized basis.
The company, which focuses on non-small cell lung cancer and gastric cancer, expects to begin using the products from the facility in human clinical trials by mid-2018, and will ramp up hiring over the next six months.
"We are excited to launch the core of our manufacturing capabilities in Pleasanton as we move closer towards the initiation of human clinical trials next year," Andrew Allen, M.D., co-founder and CEO of Gritstone, said in a statement.
Over the last two years, the company has raised nearly $200 million, and it completed a Series B round of funding in September that brought in $92.7 million.
cell manufacturing oncology cleanroom immunotherapy
Joseph Keenan