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Four SIP Projects Receive NAHB Offsite Construction Awards
NAHB recognizes SIP projects and SIPA manufacturers in offsite construction awards.
The National Association of Home Builders recently announced their 2022 Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Home Design. These four SIP projects took the first step towards high-performance design when they chose SIPs for their building envelope.
Panelized Winner (Less than 2,000 sq. ft.) – This SIP rental property by Energy Panel Structures was built with an eco-conscious renter in mind. At 1,200 sq ft, this home has off-grid potential and achieves net zero standards with solar power, all LED lighting and it offers supreme comfort.
Panelized Winner (2,001 – 3,000 sq. ft.) – With an unconventional floorplan and luxurious design details, this SIP retreat home in Virginia is the place to encounter relaxation and nature. This home used a converted grain silo for the 3-story living space while the rest of the home used panels manufactured by The Murus Company.
Panelized Winner (3,001 – 4,000 sq. ft.) – Here's a SIP bunker house set alongside Lake Superior's north shore with sweeping views and spacious gathering spaces. This high-performance home features incredible indoor air quality and control as well as in-floor radiant heat to withstand this region's harsh winds and biting winters. These SIPs were manufactured by Energy Panel Structures and the house was designed and built by Taiga Design+Build.
Multifamily (3,001 – 4,000 sq. ft.) – This SIP-built mini village by Premier Building Systems is a real-life example of an energy-efficient community. These reasonably sized tinies (all over 600 sq. ft.) and a commons building (880 sq. ft.) encircle an open courtyard full of ambiance. Being easy to construct, this village project was cost effective and the thermal performance of SIPs means generations of energy savings.
SIPA Blog: Technical SIP Companions for Responsible Builders
Discover free SIP resources and training for a sensible, sustainable building legacy.
Have you ever wondered what the building science on SIPs actually states? Are SIPA's resources truly free? What resources are best to bring to the jobsite? These practical questions about SIP scientific studies and job-side companions are answered in the latest SIPA blog post.
With SIPA's easy-to-download, color-coded materials, the switch to a responsible building material has never been easier. SIPA is the foremost association advocating and publishing professional resources about SIPs for SIP people. The 2022 message to the building industry is clear – building science has demonstrated that SIPs provide a clear path forward in high-performance construction. They are a low embodied carbon material that yields low operational carbon structures, energy saving in every phase.
Strengthen your understanding of SIPs and know where to locate the best evidence-based studies. This blog highlights the swath of SIP industry standard documents coupled with unbiased building science. Explore SIPA's technical bulletins, life cycle analyses, builder and design professional brochures as well as the AIA-accredited online SIPA courses.
Click here to view the full list of free, downloadable materials.
How much will my SIP project cost?
Are you planning a building project soon? How much will your project cost? Whether it's a home, garage, shop, or commercial building, you may find that building with SIPS may be your most affordable building option.
SIPs: A Better Building Product for the Planet
Understanding the whole building life cycle analysis with each building product.
It is well understood that SIPs provide a high thermal performing building envelope which can reduce the operational costs for occupants. An airtight structure coupled with an appropriately sized HVAC can result in greater comfort while requiring less energy. Now, refocus on all the building codes and upfront energy required to build efficient homes and we remember it isn't just the operational costs that make a SIP building superior. From extraction to construction, SIPs require fewer greenhouse gases making them a holistically better building material for the planet.
New Buildings Institute recently published a report outlining the impact of building codes on embodied carbon, not just operational carbon. This study explains the need to address the upfront embodied carbon of the highest emitting materials. With this inclusion, building codes can impact more of the building lifecycle by addressing upfront embodied carbon, as well as construction and operational emissions. This new building code acknowledges the importance of building materials in the construction industry and aims to achieve practical reductions in climate impact by encouraging lower embodied carbon materials, like SIPs.
Download the New Buildings Institute report Lifecycle GHG Impacts in Building Codes.
Read more about SIPs and the offsite construction solution to material prices, labor shortages and the environment.
Promoted by Premier Building Systems: Premier SIPS
Look to SIPs in the new year to save time and reduce skilled labor needs! Explore here.
The IECC Code focuses on reducing thermal bridging in the building envelope, learn how Premier SIPS simplify this requirement.
Casa Monterosa wins national award and offers extreme efficiency in the Arizona heat. See the finished project.
What building envelopes incorporates turn key structural durability & resiliency?
Compare SIPs vs Sticks performance in hurricane force winds in this missile test video, you'll be impressed!
Manufacturer Spotlight on FischerSIPS
Committed to building with SIPs and committed to quality.
FischerSIPS is a SIP manufacturing company based out of Louisville, Kentucky. Their team has been dedicated to building with SIPs since 1990 and they specialize in home and commercial construction.
In 2007 they assisted building the third Platinum LEED home in the United States. Since then, FischerSIPs has constructed several zero energy, ENERGY STAR and even net positive homes. These high-performance builds have secured Building Excellence Awards, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home awards, EPA Indoor AirPLUS certifications as well as Passive House standards.
Damian Pataluna, FischerSIPs General Manager, is currently serving as SIPA's Chairman and President.
These two images showcase a FischerSIPS zero energy project with modern angles and contemporary design. Built in 2018, this Mineral Wells, Texas SIP project won the 2019 DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Housing Innovation Award. It utilized 6.5" SIPs for the walls and 10.25" SIPs for the unvented, vaulted roof and conditioned attic space.
Your Project Is Our Passion
Extreme Panel Technologies has been manufacturing Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for over 30 years and has expanded to be one of the largest SIP manufacturers in North America. Your project gets individual attention from design to delivery. We work with architects, designers, engineers, and contractors to supply our SIPs.
Sustainable Buildings — the Way Forward
Dr. Lakshi Karunarathne writes, "We all know why we need to protect our environment, why we should take care of it. Evidence is there that Sustainable development is not something alien or impossible for us. But, because of human ignorance and the status quo of social, economic and political factors, we do not give sufficient attention and take necessary actions."
Microgrids: Like Autopilot Controls for Commercial Buildings or Campuses
Environment + Energy Leader
Sempra Energy may be one of California's three biggest utilities. But just like any other business, it wants to reduce its electricity consumption during peak periods and to cut its energy overhead. Its headquarters is located in San Diego. It is a 16 story building with 400,000 square feet — a complex that now utilizes a microgrid that integrates battery storage charged by solar panels. The building can rely entirely on the microgrid if the power goes out.
Fastening Solutions for SIP Panels
To Decarbonize Buildings, Think Like an Entrepreneur
Utility Dive
Cities, states, labor and industry recently announced that they're teaming up with the Biden administration to launch the Building Performance Standards Coalition, a first-of-its-kind partnership dedicated to slashing the building sector's energy use and greenhouse gas emissions to create healthier, cleaner, more affordable buildings and jobs that pay well.
Green Buildings Can Reduce City Temperatures By Up to 2 Degrees Celcius, Study Shows
Most people now recognize the energy savings benefits of green buildings. These buildings use less water, energy and other natural resources. In some cases, they can increase biodiversity, produce their own energy and reduce the urban heat island effect. Recent research shows that green buildings can also improve the health and productivity of those who live or work inside them.
Why Do Architects Love Exterior Metal Panels?
Most people picture wood, cement, and drywall when building a home or business, but those aren't the only materials that can find their way into a construction project. Metal panels or facades are becoming increasingly popular with new designers and architects. So why do architects love exterior metal panels?
Construction Industry Solutions by Kyocera
Kyocerca's ruggedized phones are designed to withstand water, drops, vibration, mud, dust and more on even the toughest construction sites. By combining these devices with our ecosystem of accessory and application providers, you'll discover just how productive your crew can be. Isn't it time to optimize your team's potential?


Abstract: This paper investigates the information content of the CBOE Gold ETF Volatility Index (GVZ) and jumps in forecasting realized volatility of the Shanghai gold futures market. We find strong in-sample evidence that the GVZ and jumps are significant and both greatly improve next day volatility forecasts. Also, these results are robust when the recent financial crisis is considered. Further, out-of-sample analysis confirms that the GVZ and jumps are important factors in forecasting future volatility. More important, we show that the GVZ outperforms jumps in terms of forecasting performance.


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Q: Neo4j Cypher query null or IN I have a following cypher query:
MATCH (parentD)-[:CONTAINS]->(childD:Decision)-[ru:CREATED_BY]->(u:User)
WHERE id(parentD) = {decisionId}
RETURN ru, u, childD
SKIP 0 LIMIT 100

Decision entity can belong to 0..N Tenant objects
@NodeEntity
public class Decision {
    private final static String BELONGS_TO = "BELONGS_TO";

    @Relationship(type = BELONGS_TO, direction = Relationship.OUTGOING)
    private Set<Tenant> tenants = new HashSet<>();

....

}

I need to extend the Cypher query above in order to return all childD where parentD and childD not belong to any of Tenant or belong to Tenant with IDs provided in {tenantIds} set. Please help me with this query.

A: Cypher is very expressive language, just follow your textual requirements...
MATCH (t:Tenant) WHERE ID(t) in {tenantIds}
WITH COLLECT(t) as tenants
MATCH (parentD)-[:CONTAINS]->(childD:Decision)-[ru:CREATED_BY]->(u:User)
WHERE
id(parentD) = {decisionId}
AND
  // not belong to any of Tenant or belong to Tenant
  (not (parentD)-[:BELONGS_TO]-(:Tenant) OR  any(t in tenants WHERE (parentD)-[:BELONGS_TO]-(t)))
AND
  // not belong to any of Tenant or belong to Tenant
  (not (childD)-[:BELONGS_TO]-(:Tenant)  OR  any(t in tenants WHERE (childD)-[:BELONGS_TO]-(t)))
RETURN ru, u, childD
SKIP 0 LIMIT 100

A: Use optional match to collect and test tenants:
MATCH (parentD) WHERE id(parentD) = {decisionId}
  OPTIONAL MATCH (parentD)-[:BELONGS_TO]->(T:Tenant)
           WHERE NOT id(T) IN {tenantIds}
WITH parentD, collect(T) AS TC
     WHERE size(TC) <= 0
MATCH (parentD)-[:CONTAINS]->(childD:Decision)-[ru:CREATED_BY]->(u:User)
  OPTIONAL MATCH (childD)-[:BELONGS_TO]->(T:Tenant)
           WHERE NOT id(T) IN {tenantIds}
WITH childD, ru, u, collect(T) AS TC
     WHERE size(TC) <= 0
RETURN ru, u, childD
SKIP 0 LIMIT 100

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This is a fun and creative way to do a family portrait, or family genogram for your clients and students. You can add a Christmas Tree as the base for your tree lights if you wish.
Analyze the colors of the lights as part of your interpretation for art therapy. See the "Color Psychology" link below.
1. Ask you client / student to draw a squiggle line that they will soon draw tree lights on. Show them a string of holiday lights and explain that all families are connected, sometimes in the same way.
2. Next, ask your client / student to use their thumb to make the light bulbs. Encourage them to make different colors to represent different family members. Using a marker, color your thumb and stamp it on the string of lights.
3. Talk to the client / student, about the light bulbs. Who represents each light bulb? Are they close together? Who is next to who on the string of lights?
4. You can also create a Christmas tree drawing and add the lights to this tree.
5. Explain to your client / student, that some lights shine brighter than others in families.
As with all tree lights some lights won't work. It is interesting to see where each light falls on the tree. Is it on the top, middle, or bottom of the tree?
6. This can also be used for Friendship & Social Skills. It can also be used as a unique and different genogram.
"Beyond Art Therapy" takes your clients further than traditional art therapy as it includes creative counseling techniques.


Delicious milk chocolates filled with creamy caramel are wrapped in fun Santa, snowman, and reindeer foils. Perfect for holiday candy dishes!
Bag contains 5 pounds of Christmas Foiled Caramel Filled Milk Chocolate Truffles Candy.


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How to use Gameplay in a sentence
It's a gameplay contrivance that keeps you on a linear path through each area.
I'm really enjoying the game, which is well written with no major bloopers in gameplay.
It is great gameplay, not smaller boobs, that will bring the love back.
In addition to original rules, many unique features make the gameplay more exciting than ever.
Psychonauts is a 3D platformer at its core, but its gameplay will actually be quite expansive.
Lumines II Videos Some new gameplay footage, featuring a few music videos.
The gameplay is fast-paced, designed to push the player into increasingly frenetic situations.
Then, of course, there is the thermal imaging goggles used in some of the darker sections of the gameplay.
Whatever mode you're playing tho, the gameplay more or less remains legendary all the way through.
On the subject of defying death, for good or for bad, Sands of Time has a most unique gameplay mechanic.
It is hugely refreshing to see a developer taking steps to do something different, in both style and gameplay.
However, the core gameplay can get a bit repetitive.
Including the original teasers, trailers, gameplay clips and cutscenes from the game itself.
Core Game tweaks and Additions - Expanded features and gameplay tweaks will be made to the core game.
Sadly, despite its good looks, its gameplay is rather uninspired.
This makes for a lot of repetitive gameplay in the early stages of most missions.
The music is great too; a fast thumping techno type beat that suits the frenetic gameplay to a tee.
The gameplay is decidedly different from other zombie games, borrowing elements from Choose Your Own Adventure, role playing games, and intriguing puzzle elements.
Since then, the game has received updates that expand its roster and its gameplay, giving more characters more moves and more depth.
Whether you are buying new or used clubs, knowing a few tips will help you find the right clubs for the right swing and gameplay style.
Gamers like a high-end machine that can provide amazing visuals and smooth gameplay.
Most games on this page seem to be trial versions hoping to convince you to buy the full version, but a free trial still means free gameplay.
With a gameplay style similar to Pokemon, you raise your pet through feeding and grooming them as well as reading books to them.
The atmosphere and graphics may resemble other Mario games, but the actual gameplay might be something totally different.
For the basic gameplay, you can create an account for free, but Foopets offers a Club Foo premium membership that is for children who are absolutely obsessed with animals.
Moshi have the ability to level up, which also enhances your gameplay by opening up more locations and items.
The gameplay was similar to reading a Choose Your Own Adventure book.
Over time, gameplay was enhanced by better graphics and technology.
Look out for gameplay limitations and in-game purchases while playing for free.
However, it doesn't interfere with the basic gameplay, because of their similar design.
Dalton first appeared on Survivor, where he became memorable for his devious gameplay.
Since then, the core gameplay has remained largely unchanged, although future iterations did come with some interesting gameplay tweaks, enhancements and innovations.
In fact, there are several PS3 titles that can offer you a similar first-person shooter environment, complete with a variety of weapons and upgrades, as well as online multiplayer gameplay in a range of stages and maps.
Killzone 2 - One of the primary features of this first person shooter is the "lean and peek" mechanism for using cover in combat conditions, not unlike the gameplay style of the Gears of War franchise.
The original title is re-imagined with stellar high-definition graphics and the same trusted gameplay engine.
The game could still be played by a single player, but the multiplayer mechanism added a whole new dynamic to the gameplay that players had never before experienced in the series.
Gameplay effects were borrowed from Wind Waker, but the top-down view was taken from A Link to the Past.
This adds a very interesting dynamic to the gameplay and a completely novel way to play an otherwise standard Mario side-scrolling platformer.
Capcom continued this tradition by releasing Mega Man 9, which utilizes the same tried-and-true gameplay style, including all sorts of different boss characters and unique weapons.
It does not appear to affect gameplay in this simulation title in any other way.
As of this writing, not much is known about plot, characters and gameplay.
When released on the PS One, this racing simulation pushed the boundaries in graphics and gameplay.
This first person shooter immediately took off, showcasing crisp graphics and phenomenal gameplay.
Halo redefined multiplayer console gameplay and its sequels immediately became best sellers.
With the right qualities like addictive gameplay and proper hype, nearly any game has the chance to be the next Super Mario or Halo.
Ultimately, you need games to play and the following best-selling video games capture fun and addictive gameplay, nostalgia and the test of time.
With just over 14 million copies sold, this revamp of the original Super Mario Bros. follows the legacy of the original, except on a portable level and with new gameplay elements.
Gran Turismo for the PlayStation One, was revolutionary in terms of graphics and amount of gameplay for a racing game.
Freeware games are those created and allowed to be downloaded and played free of charge with no limits on gameplay or levels.
However, this resulted in too heavy a focus on the videos in between actual gameplay, and the latter suffered as a result.
Even so, the cutscenes were often pixelated and blocky, much like the gameplay graphics.
Even during the most hectic scenes, there is never a hint of slow-down, allowing for flawless smooth gameplay that has become the key to Sonic's success.
Unfortunately, without the flowing gameplay present in traditional games from the series, Spinball never had quite the same effect as the other titles.
Gameplay consists of a Tetris-esque puzzle format where players must match correspondingly coloured 'beans' that drop from the top of the screen in order to remove them from the screen.
The gameplay, in this way, is somewhat similar to World of Warcraft, except it came years before WoW even existed.
In Whirl Mode, the game rotates 360 degrees, which will make gameplay a little difficult.
When these games were first popular, gameplay was two-dimensional, meaning that you would mostly move left to right or up and down.
You can listen to them during gameplay, or shut it off to hear just game sounds.
He will rant about features, the poor visuals, the overall gameplay, the bad story, or any number of other characteristics which he feels have been poorly executed in that particular title.
Short but very difficult gameplay, often requiring players to master every subtle aspect of the game.
The gameplay is that of a standard FPS, with a full array of single-player missions and multi-player options.
Gameplay is single player with a default level of difficulty.
In fact, the controller had 17 buttons in all, however 12 of those buttons were oriented much like a telephone pad, and weren't used much -- if at all -- in actual gameplay.
The Nintendo 64 system was the last non-handheld console to use cartridges and provided gamers with some of the best gameplay at that time.
Your only options for more difficult gameplay are to start with a lower level of character statistics, which will make combat more difficult initially, or play the game through (while still saving your progress) without dying once.
The camera was frustrating many times during gameplay.
All of them incorporate the same gameplay that made the original such a hit.
A large majority of free online casual titles are puzzle games that hook you with simple gameplay and keep you coming back for more.
Help vanquish the mysterious Twilight beasts from the peaceful land and roam across a massive landscape as you enjoy the deep storyline and over 50 hours of gameplay.
God of War features some of the best and most rewarding gameplay around, as well as top-notch boss battles, excellent visuals and terrific audio.
These are designed to accompany titles like Wii Sports and Wii Play, but they are not necessary for you to enjoy the gameplay in these titles.
Since the graphics aren't as up to par with the PS3 or the Xbox 360, gameplay is what makes most Wii games some of the best out there and it is gameplay that Nintendo never seems to lack.
If you are nostalgic for some old school style gameplay, then Super Mario Galaxy might just be for you.
With such simple controls that utilized the uniqueness of the Remote and the Nunchuk, Wii Sports gave you a great introduction into Wii's revolutionary gameplay.
At anytime during gameplay, you can type certain codes on the keyboard and be allowed access to certain cheats.
Xbox Game of the Year - Indigo Prophecy, for an amazingly well-written story and script and riveting gameplay.
The graphics will be decidedly simpler, but the gameplay may be easier for young children to understand too.
Gameplay is so smooth, that sometimes you may just want to wander around just to take in the scenery!!
The run and gun gameplay is something we've seen numerous times, and all Black does is add an extra coat of polish.
It took over 3 hours of gameplay before I started to see repeats.
Defeating the boss earns you a special item that can have a profound effect on gameplay.
There is nothing too over the top, but nothing to detract from the gameplay experience either.
The developers of Brothers in Arms went through actual military training to gain first-hand knowledge of real fire team tactics, and this is reflected in the gameplay.
These gripping monologues, combined with solid in-game voice acting, imbue Brothers in Arms with an emotional depth that makes the gameplay experience much richer, and therefore more rewarding.
The gameplay is fun, challenging, and rewarding, and the carefully crafted authenticity adds a level of depth that makes this a truly excellent title.
More than just a sequel, it was a stretch in technology, story, and gameplay.
Actual gameplay footage was shown at E3 in 2003.
Adding stronger gameplay and AI and more intense battles and environments, Halo 2 kept the series going as if it had never let up steam.
Then, when the Expansion pack was released the same year, you got a lot more added to your Halo 2 gameplay experience with more levels, mods, and special features.
Cake Mania is a step above the rest due to its more streamlined gameplay and easier-to-understand mechanics.
The survival-horror game spawned a number of sequels with its gritty and involving gameplay.
You can adjust hair, hat, clothes, shoes and you can even obtain additional items throughout gameplay.
Gameplay is single-player or Internet play.
Gameplay is in a third-person view that can be adjusted for closer viewing.
To make the gameplay even easier, most hidden objects games provide a hint button if you have trouble finding a certain item.
You can get other gun-like accessories for the Wii that take on different forms, offer different features, and otherwise enhance your gameplay experience.
Chicken Little is a cute game modeled after the cute movie with cute gameplay and ultra-cute mini-games.
Not terribly hard puzzles because the gameplay is mostly linear.
Massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are increasingly popular there and most of the top sellers have player kills as a key component of their gameplay.
Some people hypothesize that the gameplay in some of the classic video games was actually better than in more recent releases; clearly people weren't playing those early games for their graphics or audio quality.
Originally released on the Nintendo Entertainment System (Nintendo Family Computer, or Famicom, in Japan) in 1985, Super Mario Bros. revolutionized the industry with its incredible platform-style gameplay.
GoldenEye 007 has since been remade with updated graphics and improved gameplay for the Nintendo Wii.
In fact, within the first ten minutes of gameplay, you'll discover why this game was an instant classic five years ago.
Whilst power certainly is not the only element that makes a game enjoyable it can definitely help and many prise being gorgeous over gameplay in regards to video games.
It has been praised for its fine balance between realistic gameplay and fast-paced action.
Players still flock to the original version of the game, preferring its balanced gameplay and adrenaline-pumping team-based combat.
Anyway, with a musical soundtrack by Offspring and Bad Religion (oh, you do remember them, don't you), addicting gameplay, and nearly unlimited replayability, Crazy Taxi is one game you should own for your Dreamcast.
Crysis promises to bring new elements of gameplay to the world of first person shooters.
The gameplay progresses in similar fashion.
While the actual gameplay graphics were exceptional, cut scenes and secondary characters models were not.
Granted, the main reason why you'd be interested in a hidden objects title such as this is the gameplay, a good backstory can also go a long way in adding value and enjoyment.
On the other hand, the gameplay is virtually identical to each and every other hidden objects game out there, so you won't find much in terms of innovation in Death on the Nile.
Gameplay is essentially the same as the original.
With new characters and items, along with graphics and animations that are pleasing to the eye, gameplay is fun and will keep you hooked for several hours.
You can often pick up these legends for as little as $15 or $20 and get hours worth of gameplay for which many of your peers happily paid full price.
Resurrection of Evil offers extremely smooth gameplay and simple mechanics making it relatively easy for anyone to pick up within a short amount of time, although the only improvement they could've added was some duct tape.
Can a game with a good story, good hack-n-slash gameplay, and good level design overcome substandard graphics?
So how does Legacy of Goku II do in the gameplay department?
The gameplay is incredibly fast-paced, and that is what gives this game its charm.
The Dragonball Z PS3 Burst Limit game thunders onto the next generation system in an update that improves graphics and gameplay.
Featuring a similar skill set and gameplay style of Budokai, many improvements were added to the new game that is billed as a follow up, not a sequel, to the Budokai games.
Initially designed for the PC, the Xbox adaptation lost some graphical splendor, but not enough to distract from gameplay.
Or maybe you're seeking that extra little unlockable reward to extend the gameplay on this fantastic title?
In this way, the gameplay is only limited by your imagination.
The physics are superb, the gameplay is easy to pick up, and almost anyone can enjoy playing such a light-hearted game.
With a long tradition of ultra realistic gameplay, and a library that includes NBA Live, NHL, and more, it seems that the video game developer has locked down exclusive video game rights to Tiger Woods.
Ouendan, but the gameplay is nearly identical to its Japanese counterpart.
The gameplay in EBA is incredibly simple, but it can -- at times -- be impossibly difficult.
While the playlist is a little questionable (with the exception of September, The Anthem, and Y.M.C.A.), the incredible gameplay and lush graphics more than make up for any shortcomings.
The best recommendation to play Endless Ocean is to not play it for long periods of time, because you may get ocean sickness for the repetitive gameplay.
This is a bare bones DDR game with your basic gameplay options like Single play with one or two mats, Versus play, and Workout and Training modes.
In case you've been living under a rock for the past ten years, this Japanese-developed rhythm game has a very simple concept but increasingly challenging gameplay.
Fable is a role playing game with strong action-adventure gameplay elements.
As far as FPS games go, think Halo for the graphics and Resident Evil for the gameplay.
Gameplay takes place in overworld screens (where you move to various places) and in actual locations.
Random battles are a large part of the gameplay in Final Fantasy games.
In this a mission-based, non-linear gameplay environment, you must join Yuna and her companions as they travel across Spria.
The plot is a little on the basic side but entertaining enough, and the gameplay is absolutely top notch.
Using simple graphics and unique gameplay, these flash games can worm their way into your daily computer routine quite easily.
Flatout offers very little or new as far as gameplay modes, and the old racing regulars aren't too deep.
The quality of some of the peripheral gameplay tends to vary as the games evolve.
These two over-the-top titles take the pro gameplay to simpler street-ball scenarios, reducing the number of players drastically and bringing the game camera up close to the action.
This game is interesting because you get switch characters spontaneously during gameplay.
During gameplay action is pretty smooth, but your camera angles can sometimes be pretty bad since you can't adjust them.
The licensed games on Lego tend to be more advanced in terms of gameplay and graphics.
Either way you get your Lego gameplay, just remember when you switch to the real thing that if you build it... well, you get the rest.
These downloads typically restrict the length of gameplay or take away some features that are only found in the paid version, but they are still worth checking out.
The gameplay is very addictive and you will see hours fly right by!
Check out these free online video games with decidedly word-oriented gameplay.
The gameplay is simple enough for beginners, yet robust enough for veterans.
There are levels that offer a variety of gameplay, including flying around with a jetpack and driving a car.
Code effects range from infinite lives or health to drastically changing gameplay by inverting gravity or changing the physics of certain stages.
Nintendo has truly revitalized itself with the Wii, introducing more casual gameplay into the household.
The Xbox 360 is perhaps best known for its terrific Xbox Live online gameplay implementation.
Gran Turismo 4 has a lot to offer, but veterans may find most of the game a rehash of gameplay from the first three.
It doesn't stand in the way of the gameplay, but every bit helps the overall experience.
These Easter eggs will not improve gameplay, but they are fun to find.
The gameplay is much like you'd expect from a Mario sports title, with fast and furious action coupled with a few cartoony blasts for good measure.
You do play a role and there is a story, but the core gameplay is too frantic and nowhere near cerebral enough.
Of course those who put more time in reap more rewards, but for the most part, level differences do little because it's your skill in gameplay and strategy that counts most when fighting in massive battles.
It's almost too easy to get lost in the impressive foliage of an oak tree as it is to be enthralled by the gameplay itself.
Unbelievably simple yet it retains the complexity that has often been lacking in MMO's recently in terms of story development and gameplay.
While they won't alter the gameplay in any direct fashion, the unlockable characters in Guitar Hero 5 can be a lot of fun.
A huge song selection, coupled with a fantastic gameplay mechanic and progressive difficulty settings, makes this title an absolute winner.
While the core gameplay in Metallica is much the same as what you experienced in Guitar Hero World Tour, the cheat codes are wholly different and can drastically change the way you play the game!
The main gameplay mode is career mode, which allows you to work your way up the rock star ladder from lowly basement shows.
For a game that's all about gameplay, Guitar Hero sure boasts some mighty fine graphics.
Pictured above, the drum set contains six different points of input during gameplay.
This prevents the set from slipping or sliding during gameplay.
Morrowind proves that you can have smooth graphics and in-depth gameplay without pushing the limits of Big Green; Test Drive says that you can combine fast racing and excellent looks with no slowdown or jaggedness.
Luckily, the tutorial 'level' in the beginning help shape my gameplay a little bit.
There are some flaws, but Half-life 2 faithfully captures the same gameplay and graphics as the PC brother.
Hardly any unanswered questions were resolved and some of the plot holes were extremely noticeable, like Valve just took out major storylines just to get more gameplay and levels in.
The action is continuous and one thing you'll notice is that there are no breaks in gameplay.
The core Halo gameplay is intact, but the campaign and multi-player modes are highly enhanced.
There's seamless play between actual gameplay and the in-game movies.
The king first person shooters, Halo and Halo 2, changed gaming forever with the introduction of realistic physics and awesome gameplay.
While the main gameplay is certainly engaging on its own, a lot of extra fun can be had by looking for all the Halo 3 skull locations.
The hidden skulls in Halo 3 provide minor alterations to the gameplay, so they are certainly worth finding.
The Nintendo DS uses two screens for its gameplay, the bottom screen being a touch screen and the top one a normal screen.
Received poor reviews for its awkward play mechanics and lackluster gameplay.
The gameplay is identical to the classic game, so there is a bit of an honor system during the phase in the game where the ships are initially placed.
The authentic old west atmosphere is absolutely unbeatable and the game emphasizes gameplay over run-and-gun shooting (though it has plenty of that too).
Fans of classic Star Fox gameplay (from the original SNES and Nintendo 64 versions) will instantly feel at home with Star Fox Command for the Nintendo DS.
This new title combines the classic grid gameplay with the ability to challenge people from all around the world.
One of the defining characteristics of the survival horror genre, and what sets it apart from other games is that typical video game elements such as gameplay take a backseat to the overall theme of the game.
The gameplay is nowhere near as complicated as a Tekken, Soul Calibur, or Street Fighter, but it was never meant to be.
It made for much more awkward gameplay (rather than adding an interesting dynamic), and as such, Madden NFL 2005 is a superior title.
Really, the only other important internal part you need to know about is the WiFi antenna, which allows you to connect to the internet for downloads and online gameplay.
Thanks to its increased accessibility and more intuitive motion-based gameplay, the Nintendo Wii is a very family-friendly console that can be fun for players of all ages.
You don't need fancy animations, or detailed environments to bog your gameplay down.
The gameplay is very akin to the critically acclaimed, commercially ignored "War of the Monsters", in that the player is dropped into a virtual sandbox of sorts and given the freedom to smash any and everything one can.
Overall, the entire gameplay experience is incredibly fun, and very hard to put down.
The story is phenomenal, the gameplay is different, and the characters are so involving that you'd be crazy not to play this game.
The differences between the original Nintendo DS (sometimes called the DS Phat) and the newer Nintendo DS Lite are fairly subtle, so the gameplay experience hasn't changed all that much.
Created by one person who goes by the name "pixel", Cave Story (Doukutsu Monogotari) is a very deep game with a heart-tugging story steeped in a made-up mythos, gorgeous music, and very rewarding gameplay.
Gameplay is very simple - your character has to explore an extensive world, collect objects and solve a number of puzzles.
Following in the tradition of the Mario Tennis series of games found on the Nintendo 64 and GameCube, Mario Tennis Power Tour delivers simple, straight-forward gameplay for an instant smash of fun.
Even though anyone can pick up Super Mario Sunshine and have fun, there's enough depth of gameplay to give a good challenge for experienced gamers.
However, this is the kind of game where graphics rightfully take a back seat to gameplay.
While not stealing direct components from Halo (would that really be a bad thing?), this first person shooter features decent graphics and open levels, but also showcases very inadequate gameplay.
While some of the graphics are beautiful and most of the story interests you, the boring gameplay and lack of innovation turns you away.
Sometimes gameplay can be a little difficult.
Ganbare Goemon is known for its creative gameplay mechanics, sense of humor and loads of secrets.
Highly regarded for its gameplay, characters, and storyline, it also featured the debut of Kojima's social commentaries, involving themes such as nuclear proliferation and genetic engineering.
It fails to meet standards in story, gameplay, and weirdly enough, actual racing.
Your actual quest has lots of potential, but racing is where the gameplay was concentrated.
A good part of the game is that you can play the different characters during gameplay.
Many feel this has been one of the best releases of late for family-friendly fun, with all the gameplay excitement of the more hardcore games.
There are a number of different Lego Star Wars 2 Cheats for DS that either expand upon the gameplay found in the legendary portable video game or reward you for a job well done.
Fans of the two major franchises involved and hardcore gamers alike will appreciate this surprisingly good game for its solid gameplay and unique vision of the Star Wars universe.
Only by utilizing all the available character classes will you be able to collect all the goodies on each level, and this works well as an enticement to gamers eager to get more gameplay out of this title.
This is a fun game with simple gameplay and a surprising amount of depth.
The pieces can cause injury if they hit another player or someone near the gameplay.
Multiplayer gameplay is turn-based, but simultaneous.
In this Lumines II review, we will look into what changes, if any, were made to the gameplay, what new innovations were thrown into the loop, and ultimately whether or not Lumines II is worth your hard-earned PSP money.
It had a ridiculously simple gameplay mechanism and it was for that reason that it was so addicting.
Lumines II keeps this core gameplay untouched, but it tosses in a few extras that just might make it worth adding to your PSP collection.
The only frustrating portion of the gameplay is the kicking.
Obviously the graphics get trimmed down a little bit, but the actual gameplay doesn't suffer.
The second are the more action-oriented American-developed titles such as Diablo that tend to be more subtle both graphically and in terms of plot, while offering larger worlds to explore and less linear gameplay.
Then again, maybe that isn't such a bad thing after all, because there just isn't a lot to like about the in-battle gameplay.
Mario Kart 64 introduced full 3D gameplay while remaining remarkably faithful to the original.
After a few hours of gameplay, I actually got use to the camera change and made quick decisions on who should chase down a ball.
Nintendo may be over-extending the Mario universe with cookie cutter sports games, but Mario Superstar Baseball elevates itself above the others with fun gameplay and familiar graphics.
There are ten playable characters, online capability, multiplayer gameplay, tons of unlockables, and a well written story mode.
The gameplay is very easy at one point, but then quickly changes to being impossibly hard the next moment.
The gameplay is insanely fun, with all of the diving and the shooting and whatnot.
It is during this time that the gameplay most closely mirrors that of The Sims.
It is partly because of these wide-reaching gameplay elements that Spore is being touted as "possibly the greatest PC game ever."
It is a standup title on its own, but unfortunately, doesn't offer much standout gameplay.
The game continues the tradition of historically accurate gameplay while introducing new interactive experiences never before seen in the series.
A large selection of authentic weapons are available, perfect for the free-roaming gameplay of this shooter.
The furthur you advance in the game the rapidly more difficult the mercury becomes to play with, but with patience the gameplay itself will continue to teach you by pushing you to the limit.
Combo levels prepare you for the boss levels by providing you with several levels of tasks to perform so that when the third level of gameplay is added you are up for the challenge.
While the basic gameplay mechanics remain the same, there have been a few significant changes.
Want to turn off the hints during gameplay?
The incredibly addictive gameplay started more than twenty years ago, thanks to Alexey Pajitnov of the Academy of Sciences in Moscow in 1985.
The quirky humor and deep RPG gameplay has made Mother a huge hit in Japan.
But the real hook was the deep, meaningful gameplay and storyline that captured gamers' attention even from the beginning.
The best part of this year's version of NCAA Football is the gameplay.
It's in sync with gameplay so no complaints there.
Just because the gameplay is a dramatic departure from what you can catch on TV any given Sunday, doesn't mean that it's all fake.
Note that while the game is rated "E" for Everyone, the gameplay is most appropriate for players age 10 and up.
In this way, the gameplay is not particularly deep, allowing for even children to pick up a controller and start playing.
All you need to do to activate them is type them in during gameplay.
If you have a PC gamepad, you can program it to play with the games, making gameplay simpler.
Hooked is the only fishing game that has 4 player online gameplay.
Each version offers the same gameplay but with a slightly different twist.
Although it eschews many of the traditional complexities of most strategy games, Oasis retains a fair amount of choice, chance and gameplay strategies.
Online computer gameplay then becomes more of a social event.
Aside from all the changes to the game, Hasbro has kept the integrity of the series by keeping the gameplay the same.
While luck may be a component of the gameplay, winning depends on application of skill.
Developed by Team Tarsier, Metronome stands out from the crowd by centering gameplay elements around sounds.
With split-screen simultaneous gameplay, that's how.
In this Overlord FAQ, we hope to address some of the pressing questions you may have about the game, its gameplay, and its story.
The core gameplay involves issuing real-time commands to "minions", a collection of gremlin-like creatures controlled by the self-titled protagonist of the game.
The gameplay remains relatively unchanged and that is definitely a good thing!
With the advanced technology and extreme graphics that make newer games shorter and without imagination, some gamers want to relive the glorious video game days of arcade action and addicting gameplay.
To set itself apart from the competition, they offer a gameplay video to give you a taste of how Bookworm plays, even before you attempt to play it yourself.
There is a chat board, so you can see what other people are talking about during their gameplay.
The gameplay may be different and the exact mechanisms are not the same, but Columns offered the same kind of addictive puzzle gameplay that had players glued to their televisions for hours on end.
You can save your own gameplay since Project 64 allows you to save.
The core gameplay here is to build up the powers of your Pokemon and pit them against one another in a series of coliseums and arenas.
In Europe, it is known as Pokemon Link!, but the gameplay is identical.
At its core, you can think of the gameplay in Trozei! to be some combination of Tetris and Connect Four.
Some games, like World of Warcraft and RuneScape can get you immersed into their world with non-linear gameplay and highly addictive quests.
Motion is still high speed, but since you have to spend time fighting your controller to move where you want to go, it takes a lot of fun out of gameplay.
Gameplay in this action-packed title is very fast, almost a bit out of control.
First, the new console utilizes a "Cell" processor, which can simultaneously run multiple tasks at 3.2 GHz, allowing the console to display finer detailed graphics (ideal for an HDTV) and greatly improve gameplay performance.
Although the series seems to be aimed at children (who also seem to be the biggest fans), gamers of all ages enjoy the captivating gameplay.
Each wave of titles features two or three versions with identical gameplay that feature different Pokemon for players to capture.
While the gameplay is fast, there is a huge drop in frame rate when the action gets intense and this is unacceptable.The only redeeming quality are the stage layouts.
The dagger is actually an ingenious gameplay mechanism.
The game has been largely ignored and shunned by fans of the series, however, due to poor gameplay mechanics, controls, and camera movements.
Intricate sword-based combat is still an exciting part of gameplay.
The core gameplay will allow you to select your model (who may or may not be quite a supermodel just yet) and to dress her up in the clothing of your choice.
The graphics, by today's standards, were archaic at best, but the gameplay was insanely addictive.
While this game has received substantial aesthetic upgrades over the original, the core gameplay remains much the same.
The core gameplay may have remained much the same as the original NES game, getting you to learn and predict patterns rather than opting for more of a simulation approach, that's exactly why this newer game is so much fun.
They're perfect for all kinds of demographics, as the gameplay itself is usually very simple to understand.
However, some of the elements of an excellent puzzle game include how rewarding the game payoff is, whether the pacing is enjoyable and whether the actual gameplay mechanic is pleasant.
Switching weapons, throwing bombs, and utilizing alternate shooting options are an absolute joy.The gameplay, likewise, is easy to pick up, but difficult to master.
The Eyetoy has been met with limited success, to say the least, but hordes of gamers are literally jumping up and down in anticipation of the innovative gameplay that just might be had on Nintendo's next-generation home gaming system.
You already know that the graphics aren't going to be as good as on the next-gen systems, but the core gameplay in Rock Band is what really makes this title so fun, right?
If you want extended gameplay, the PS2 Rock Band might not be for you.
Well, it's certainly missing the several critical features described above, but you still get treated to highly addictive gameplay and the song selection is among the best in the business.
The guitar sections resemble Guitar Hero sequences and have similar gameplay techniques like solos, and Overdrive mode.
While many games allow the player to assume a character's role, RPGs emphasize this aspect during gameplay, allowing the player to make multiple choices for the character and to be a part of the story that unfolds during the game.
With a large community of users, a strong history, free play and classic, addictive gameplay, RuneScape is set to be an enduring game for many years to come.
Buy Sly 3 because it's just plain fun and you be engrossed by the dialogue and gameplay.
And I'll forewarn you that I will not compare Socom 3 to the previous two installments because this newest one from Zipper Interactive does not stay loyal to the intense gameplay the predecessors had.
Experience enemies behind you, to your left, to the northwest; using a home theatre will greatly enhance your gameplay and reaction time.
Sound effects are crisp, music blends smoothly into the action during gameplay and there is a lot of songs to choose from.
Spinning around and spraying bullets won't work quite as well as thoughtful gameplay.
The Xbox 360 edition allows for a larger database of questions due to the capacity of the disc, so there will be hours and hours of gameplay available without repeating questions or categories.
Gameplay was kept relatively simple on this black portable gaming machine, as there were only two buttons.
While the graphics don't impress, it's the gameplay that will keep you coming back.
Even during the most hectic scenes there is never a hint of slow-down, allowing for flawless smooth gameplay that has become the key to Sonic's success.
Released after Sonic Spinball and Dr. Robotniks Mean Bean Machine (discussed below) Sonic 3 continued and perfected the now loved Sonic gameplay as well as incorporating a host of new elements and features.
Unfortunately without the flowing gameplay present in traditional Sonic games, Spinball never had quite the same effect as other Sonic titles.
This also resulted in a far slower speed of gameplay, given the crucial element speed plays in the series this became a somewhat crucial mistake on the developer's part.
If you thought the first Serious Sam was serious in it's gameplay and beautiful graphics, then you just might be sorely disappointed with the sequel, Serious Sam 2 for the Xbox.
The humor is dull; the action is plentiful, but unattached; and the slowdown hinders gameplay most of the way through the game.
The gameplay on these versions of the game were similar, but the mobile versions for cell phones and the Game Boy Advance were quite different due to hardware limitations.
The gameplay in most of these games was designed for younger children to enjoy, but there is no reason why an older gamer could not pick up a title for a great weekend of video game play too.
But with the cool characters, tight graphics and addicting gameplay, Soul Blade will please any fighting fan.
They retained the fighting mechanics, but improved the quality of the minor details like level design and single player gameplay.
Now if Soul Calibur became an RPG game, then this type of gameplay would be engaging.
Gameplay mechanics have hardly changed in Soul Calibur 3, which is the reason why this series has survived so long.
Despite the lackluster Chronicles of the Sword mode, you can find clean graphics, 3 excellent new characters, and the deep gameplay that has always been associated with Namco's premier weapon's based fighter.
Unique gameplay and bright, cool graphics and a cutie named Ulala make this game a must have (or a must find) for the Dreamcast.
Gameplay is divided into chapters, each one with a set of objectives for Spiderman to complete.
It gives you information on all Spiderman's major moves, how to adjust some game options, and gives you some hints on gameplay.
The core gameplay remains largely similar to the Spider-Man 2 video game, meaning that you have the opportunity to freely explore the expansive map.
Pandora Tomorrow's gameplay is a continuation of the first Splinter Cell with a few new tricks.
General gameplay in Pandora Tomorrow is very similar to the first Splinter Cell.
The game was designed to appeal to a younger gamer audience as gameplay seems a bit easier than the other Diner Dash games.
Gameplay is similar to a real time strategy game, like Command & Conquer.
In this way, gameplay becomes very much like the classic Civilization series.
With a jagged storyline, boring gameplay, and repetitive fighting, you'll find that you'd rather sit through a 4-hour interview with George Lucas talking about how much fur Chewbacca had.
The unique conquest style of gameplay incorporated into the classic Star Wars universe is what makes this game so enjoyable.
To use the codes, simply press "enter" during gameplay to bring up a message prompt.
Often, Simulation Games and Role Playing Games (RPGs) include equal parts strategic elements since tactics are inherent parts of their gameplay.
There are several turn-based games that offer excellent gameplay and are considered classics.
Along with more special moves for nearly every character, Capcom upgraded the graphics and tweaked old moves to balance gameplay.
The core gameplay remains largely unchanged.
Each successive generation may offer updated graphics and smoother animations, but the core gameplay remains largely unchanged.
Super Bounce Out is a very colorful action-puzzle game with plenty of whimsical sounds and fun gameplay.
Not surprisingly, you take control of Clark Kent and Superman for the duration of this game, which is said to offer between six and 10 hours of gameplay in the single-player story mode.
For the Dreamcast, they went Hi-Resolution, which didn't effect the gameplay at all.
The movie sequences were seamless from gameplay to the cut-scene and the combat animations didn't flinch at all.
You can unlock them by meeting certain requirements, either by completing a portion of the story or stumbling onto them through gameplay.
Gameplay was simple with a simple 4-way joystick and two buttons (attack and jump).
For fans of the game, the best part of Tetris Evolution is the customization of gameplay.
Again there are additional game modes that provide a different take on the classic Tetris formula, but it's the original style of gameplay that is by far the most popular among both hardcore and casual gamers.
Few puzzle games can claim not to have drawn some sort of inspiration from it's stark simplicity and addictive gameplay.
Tetris Trance Remix-a good remix that the musician plays as a background to actual Tetris gameplay that he actually played.
Basic Tetris Remix-a nice simple dance remix overlaid on some gameplay.
It's a massive game with over 50 hours of gameplay and loads of dungeons and areas to explore.
Gameplay is smooth, but the Wii version takes a lot of time to get used to and, in the end, doesn't feel as natural as a good old fashioned GameCube controller.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Spouses owe each other a duty of support, and this does not go away during separation and the time pending the divorce.
Child support is paid to the parent that has primary (or domiciliary) custody of a child. It is calculated solely on the gross incomes of the parties using a complicated formula. We can help you calculate the amount of child support that is due to you or that the court would likely order you to pay.
While the divorce is pending, one spouse may owe the other monthly support until the divorce is final. This is "interim spousal support." If one spouse is unable to live in the manner they are accustomed to, and the other spouse can afford to pay, spousal support is going to be due. As a practical matter, though, most couples are not able to maintain two separate households in the standard of living they enjoyed together during the marriage, and there has to be a good bit of compromise.
This kind of support ends when the divorce is finalized unless there is a claim for permanent support, in which case it can last longer. Interim spousal support is due regardless of "fault" in the divorce.
Nowadays, final periodic support, or what is sometimes known as "permanent alimony," is uncommon. This is support that is paid after the divorce is finalized and lasts until one of the parties dies, or the recipient remarries or starts living with someone in the manner of married couples ("shacks up").
A person is only entitled to final periodic support if they are free from fault in the divorce, they need the support, and the other party is able to pay. Because it is based on need rather than maintaining a standard of living, the award is typically going to be less than interim support.
If a spouse works or is able to work, it is unlikely that they will be able to show a need for support. Also, while fault is normally not an issue in a divorce, when a party seeks final periodic support it becomes an issue. A hearing for support then becomes a lot of airing of dirty laundry which most people try to avoid. For these reasons, most parties do not truly seek final support, though a claim for it may be put in the petition in order to allow the extension of interim support, giving a little flexibility in negotiations.
No matter which side of a possible support claim you may be on, it is important to start gathering information and preparing a budget as soon as possible. If you want to receive support, you need to be able to show a need. If you may have to pay support, you need to be able to show how much you are able to pay.
Collect documents which prove your income and expenses such as pay stubs, check registers, copies of bills, etc. Prepare a monthly budget which includes your income and expenses and be prepared to back up your numbers. If there are some expenses you have that are paid less often than on a monthly basis, such as car insurance, calculate the per-month expense for those items by dividing the expense by the number of months a payment covers.
If you are in need of child support or are paying too much in support, call us today at (985) 853-8557 to see if we can be of help.


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Movie Curiosities: Django Unchained
williamb
Blogs, Movie Curiosities
Let's take a moment to remember Sally Menke.
Before tragically dying of an apparent heat stroke in September of 2010, Menke had been the loyal editor and #1 collaborator of Quentin Tarantino. The auteur's films have been lauded for many reasons, not the least of which is his singular ability to wring incredible drama and tension from a simple scene of two people talking. Tarantino's remarkable skill at screenwriting and his deft hand at casting and directing surely play a part in that, but so much of it came from Menke's involvement as well. She had a unique skill at pacing scenes, not to mention a superb touch at choosing exactly which shot to show and when. I'd say that touch was a vital factor in determining Tarantino's style as a filmmaker. The man owes a great deal of his success to Sally Menke, and I think he'd be the first one to admit it.
There was never any doubt that Tarantino would continue making films without Menke (honestly, I don't think Tarantino is physically capable of retiring), but it took a long time for him to choose another editor. He eventually settled on Fred Raskin, who worked his way up as an assistant editor for such directors as Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson. He finally worked as an assistant editor for both parts of Kill Bill before getting the top editing job on the last three "The Fast and the Furious" movies.
I mention this up front because it would have been the elephant in the theater for any film geek who went to see Django Unchained. Yes, Robert Richardson had come back on as DOP (he had previously collaborated with Tarantino on Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds), but there was always the question of how Tarantino would manage on his first picture without Menke's reliable hand. Though I wouldn't necessarily say the film is any better or worse for the change in management, there's no denying that something feels different about it.
To be clear, Tarantino's flair for dialogue is still perfectly intact, and a lot of the exchanges between characters do hold a degree of tension. Still, none of these scenes reach the level of, say, Sam Jackson's scene with Tim Roth at the climax of Pulp Fiction. Or the Bride/Bill scenes in Kill Bill Pt. 2. Or pretty much any scene from Inglourious Basterds. Compared to those other films, there's some intangible thing about this one that feels strangely different.
The examples given were all rather slow and deliberately paced, leaving us hanging with anticipation for the awkward moment to pass or for the other shoe to drop. I couldn't really point to any particular scene in this movie that left me feeling in such a way. Then again, it's worth noting that the camerawork in this film is very energetic, complete with zoom-ins so fast that they make an audible "whoosh." Of all the adjectives to describe this film, "slow" is not among them.
It should hardly come as a surprise that this movie has a thin veneer of artificiality. Indeed, the film is an eclectic mix of modern music and obscure pop culture references, all blended together into a coherent film that's somehow greater than the sum of its parts. As only Quentin Tarantino could deliver.
The opening title card makes a big deal in telling us that this story takes place only two years before the Civil War. The scene is set someplace in Texas, where Django (Jamie Foxx) is travelling with so many other slaves who've just been auctioned off in Mississippi. The caravan is intercepted by Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a German dentist-turned-bounty hunter looking for three murderers whose faces are known only to Django.
Schultz "purchases" Django, trading the slave his freedom for his assistance in tracking down killers. Their partnership is so mutually beneficial that Schultz agrees to help track down and free Django's wife. Broomhilda (also known as "Hilde," played by Kerry Washington) and Django were previously separated after they tried running away, you see. It turns out that Hilde was sold to a high roller named Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), which means that Schultz and Django have to somehow trick Candie into selling her to them.
To start with, the trailers should already have made it abundantly clear that this is a gruesome movie. This film is all about a black slave who has the chance to violently kill those who own and abuse black slaves. It makes for a nice companion piece with Inglourious Basterds, which is all about Jews who violently kill Nazis instead of the other way around. The difference, however, is that Basterds never went into great detail about the Holocaust. Aside from the one family hiding in a basement during the prologue, we never see how Jews in Europe were affected by the Third Reich, much less all the death and degradation at the concentration camps.
This movie, however, takes the exact opposite approach. We see slaves in chains. We see them whipped and branded and subjected to all manner of torture. We literally see slaves beat each other to death for the enjoyment of their white owners. In my opinion, this was the better way to go. For one thing, such grotesque scenes serve as a nice primer for when comeuppance arrives and the blood really gets flowing. More importantly, all of the main characters either witness or are subjected to this treatment as the film continues. Their reactions to such inhumanity tell us a lot about them.
Take Calvin Candie, for example. I found this character utterly fascinating because even though he's technically the villain, he isn't necessarily a bad guy. Sure, he's a spoiled and greedy popinjay, but that doesn't exactly make him evil. It's true that he's a total racist and slaves are murdered by his command, but he's one of the few characters who's merely apathetic — as opposed to sadistic — about the fact. The man is a true Southern gentleman, and he'd gladly hold his racist tongue if honor or business compelled him to do so.
Most importantly, Candie is never technically in the wrong at any point in this movie. Going strictly by standards of the time, none of his actions are remotely illegal or immoral. In fact, it always seems to be Schultz and Django committing crimes against Candie, instead of the opposite.
To be clear, I don't mean to argue that Candie isn't a villain. He absolutely is. I mean to argue that the only reason he's a villain is because he's standing on the wrong side of history. If this story was told by a man from the antebellum Confederacy, Candie might easily have been made the hero of the piece with very few modifications. This gives the film a kind of inverted morality that I found quite fascinating.
A final note on Candie: His sister — Lara Lee Candy-Fitzwilly, played by Laura Cayouette — appears in this movie as a minor supporting character. Though the film never explicitly says as much, the two siblings are so affectionate toward each other that I'm led to believe they're fucking. After all, Candie is the living personification of every notorious practice that was acceptable in the antebellum South and considered repugnant everywhere else. Incest would certainly fall under that heading.
Anyway, the film has no shortage of characters to hate. The film is overflowing with one-dimensional white supremacist douchebags for Django to kill blaxploitation-style. They're played by such veteran character actors as Don Johnson, James Russo, Don Stroud, Bruce Dern, M.C. Gainey, Walton Goggins, Dennis Christopher, James Remar, and Franco Nero (the original Django himself!). Jonah Hill also makes a brief appearance as a white supremacist, taking part in a hilarious KKK parody. Yet another racist scumbag is played by Quentin Tarantino himself (who naturally gets killed in spectacular fashion).
Still, out of all these truly despicable characters, I think the worst of them went to Samuel L. Jackson. He plays Stephen, an old slave who's been serving the Candie clan for all of his 75 years. Stephen is the worst kind of slave in that he knows he's a slave and proud of the fact. The guy is so smart and so perfectly situated that he might easily kill Candie in his sleep and set all the slaves free, yet he would defend the Candyland plantation to his dying breath. Stephen isn't just dependent on the system, he's actively trying to preserve it. Stephen isn't just a product of his time, because that would imply that he's grown apathetic or tolerant of cruelty toward his people. No, Stephen actually seems to enjoy watching his own people get tortured and killed.
To be entirely honest, I couldn't help wincing at the sight of Samuel L. Jackson playing such an unrepentant Uncle Tom. I had a hard time believing that such an actor would debase himself in such a way. But then I remembered that this is the same man with 148 credits on IMDB, one of which involved dressing up like a Nazi for Frank Miller. Meet his quote and Sam Jackson will do anything on stage or film.
Moving on, let's talk about our heroes. Christoph Waltz essentially plays Dr. Schultz as Hans Landa 2.0. The enormous pipe has been traded in for a silly cart drawn by a horse that bows on command, but that's about it. Of course, that's hardly a bad thing. Everything that made Landa such an outstanding villain is exactly what makes Schultz such an outstanding anti-hero. They're both amoral killers who hunt purely for fun and profit, they're both impossibly charming in an imperturbable kind of way, and they can both talk themselves out of any situation precisely because they're always the smartest person in the room.
Best of all, both characters are German. In Basterds, that made Landa part of the establishment and therefore a more effective villain. In this movie, that makes him an outsider with absolutely no attachment to American slavery practices, and therefore an effective partner/benefactor for a slave.
Then there's Django himself, played superbly well by Jamie Foxx. I was very fond of how Django was portrayed as a product of his time, illiterate and poorly educated with almost no knowledge of civilized life. That isn't to say he's stupid, however. Indeed, we see on multiple occasions that Django is wicked smart. No, Django is simply ignorant. So many years of indentured servitude have limited his knowledge and suppressed his defiant spark. The process of learning to break those limitations and to grow as a free man serves as the core of his development arc, and Foxx portrays it beautifully.
Still, I'd argue that Kerry Washington is the unsung hero of the picture. On her own merit, Broomhilda is a terribly weak character who might've been swapped out for some prized inanimate object without any effect on the plot. Yet Washington has such a compelling screen presence that every moment of her brief screen time is charged with emotion. Of course, I'm sure it helped that Washington and Foxx had proven onscreen chemistry, having starred together in Ray. The point being that Washington took a crappy character and turned her into a woman worth caring about. That's a difficult task and she should be applauded for pulling it off.
All told, I gladly recommend Django Unchained. Not only is the film blessed with a sterling screenplay and outstanding performances from all involved, but it's just plain fun. Then again, I'll admit that your mileage on "fun" may vary, depending on your stomach for blood and your patience for Tarantino's quirky sense of humor. There's also the matter of how this movie portrays antebellum slave practices, but to ignore that or to label it as exploitative trash would be to miss the film's point entirely. Indeed, I applaud Tarantino for tackling the subject with such balls.
Though I'd still argue that Inglourious Basterds is the better film, this one is a damn good movie all the same.
For more Movie Curiosities, check out my blog. I'm also on Facebook and Twitter.
Read more about: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Kerry Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson


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This seminar is for engineers and geoscientists who wish to improve their writing skills. Through a series of hands-on workshops, along with a focus on grammar and related writing principles, you'll learn the key elements of business and technical communications for your workplace. We'll look at grammar from a pragmatic perspective, so you can understand how to correct your writing mistakes.
Engineers and Geoscientists who need to write emails, letters, memos, and reports as part of their role. This session is designed for professionals for whom English is a second or additional language (ESL/EAL).
Eric Tung has a Master of Arts in English from the University of British Columbia. He is an English Instructor at the UBC Writing Centre, where he teaches academic, professional, and business writing courses, including Writing for Engineers in the Workplace, a course designed specifically for engineers. He is also an Instructor at Simon Fraser University, where he teaches Business Communications at the Beedie School of Business. As a Principal Consultant at Prolepsis Consulting, Eric designs and delivers customized business, proposal, and technical writing workshops to various organizations, including engineering and consulting firms.
Eric is also a Change Management Consultant and specializes in change management strategy and implementation, stakeholder engagement, coaching, facilitation, instructional design, training, and technical and business communications. He has extensive experience in the municipal, utilities, academic, and technical sectors.


text:
Construction nears completion of new King's course for Torvean
Construction of the new King's course for Torvean Golf Club in Inverness is nearing completion
Stuart Rennie has designed sixteen new holes and completely renovated two holes from the existing course
"Waterbodies and wetlands along with buffer planting and grassland planting will create an ecologically rich landscape," said Rennie
The second phase of the Inverness West Link project will be constructed between the eighteen hole and proposed practice area
The course is expected to be open for play in June 2019
By Richard Humphreys
Wed 14 Nov, 2018
Construction of the new King's course – designed by Stuart Rennie – for Torvean Golf Club in Inverness, Scotland, is nearing completion.
The new course is located on the northern side of the river Ness and adjacent to the Caledonian Canal, with the second phase of the Inverness West Link project – a road connecting the Torvean area to the south of the city – to be constructed in between the eighteenth hole and proposed practice area after the opening of the course.
"The proposed course has been developed on more undulating land to the west of the existing course overlooked by the Scottish Natural Heritage headquarters," said Rennie. "The vision was to create a like-for-like golf course bringing modern day design principals into play with a view to create a heathland style course using a quintessential highland landscape planting pallet incorporating the likes of heather, gorse and fescue grasses.
"Whilst creating a routing that flows with the contours and works with the landscape, the course has been designed to improve the biodiversity of the site. A series of waterbodies and wetlands along with buffer planting and grassland planting will create an ecologically rich landscape to coexist with the day-to-day functioning of the golf course. Public access has been provided with a designated signed access/fitness trail through the course creating a more accessible space for the local community. The clubhouse will also be relocated closer to the community and will be open to the public."
The relocation of the existing course to adjacent land has seen the creation of a new layout, opening up an improved master planned gateway. The former municipal layout has been renamed the King's golf course and includes sixteen new holes and two holes from the existing course that have been completely renovated.
Construction started in September 2016 and is generally complete with only remedial works and ongoing maintenance. The course is expected to be open for play in June 2019.
Rennie Design worked with lead consultant Capita Symonds along with sub-consultants Bryan Byrne Associates Quantity Surveyors, Bruce Jamieson Golf Advisors and Giles Wardle from Irriplan. "The wealth of experience from the team has been second to none and all should be proud of their input," said Rennie.
"Many courses in the Highlands have heathland characteristics where in the summer months they play firm and fast which we were keen to emulate within the design," continued Rennie. "We specified drought tolerant grass species with bent/fescue being seeded from tee to green along with fescue roughs. Barenbrug seed has been used and grown in using the new Toro irrigation system.
"We have proposed and implemented design elements to create a cohesive style and materials palette, for example, the introduction of sleeper edges to some ditches to create visibility and shadow from the approach shot. Sleepers have been used elsewhere for signage, bridges and on a feature bunker but the most significantly incorporated into sleeper walls which runs in front of the new eighteenth green creating a forced carry risk and reward strategy over water.
"The site had historical field patterns made up of old stone walls and fences some of which have been retained within the design, the par-five fifth will see either the ambitious second shot traverse an old retained wall or second shot lay-up.
"I am absolutely thrilled to see the vision become a reality with my first solo 18-hole course being constructed so close to where I grew up in Muir of Ord. I take a lot of inspiration from the golf courses in the Highlands none more than Royal Dornoch where I have been a member for over 25 years."
Southwest Greens Construction
MJ Abbott
Staedler Golf Courses
Arnold Palmer Golf Design Company


text:
Мара Георгиева-Старша Пенкова е българска драматична актриса, режисьор, създател на Столичен куклен театър.

Биография
Родена е в Казанлък на 27 ноември 1884 г., в семейството на интелектуалци. Нейна сестра е Мара Г. Пенкова, създател на "Театър на селото". Дебютът ѝ е в "Театър Студия" на И. Даниел. Играе и в Кукления театър към Славянска беседа. Посещава школата на Николай Масалитинов. През 1921 г. започва театралната си дейност в Народния театър в ролята на Кърмачката в "Елга" на Г. Хауптман. През 1942 – 1943 г. изучава куклен театър в Германия с подкрепата на Министерство на народното просвещение и Народния театър. От 1946 до 1948 г. е режисьор в детския отдел на Радио "София". През 1945 г. създава "Детски куклен театър", от 1946 г. "Колективен куклен театър". Почива на 16 октомври 1959 г. в София.

Роли
Мара Пенкова играе множество роли, по-значимите са:
 Фросина – "Ивайло" от Иван Вазов
 Финка – "Снежната царкиня" от Ханс Кристиян Андерсен

Постановки
 "Лилянка" – Леда Милева
 "Червената кокошчица" – Леда Милева
 "Пепеляшка" – Дора Габе

Бележки

Български актьори и актриси
Родени в Кюстендил
Починали в София
Хора с архиви в Централния държавен архив

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
HOME > VIRTUAL REALITY
VR can help underserved patients, but reimbursement challenges stymie broader adoption, study finds
SOURCE: FIERCEHEALTHCARE.COM
Patients at safety net hospitals are often unable to access or use technology like virtual reality, as the tool might not be available in their preferred language or might require a certain level of health literacy to navigate, the University of California, San Francisco's Urmimala Sarkar, M.D., said. (AppliedVR)
There's a growing number of healthcare companies trying to tackle chronic pain with digital solutions, and the use of virtual reality, in particular, is gaining momentum.
Studies have shown that VR can be an effective treatment for opioid-sparing pain management, but the majority of these studies were conducted among primarily White, relatively advantaged populations and in well-resourced settings, according to a research team from AppliedVR and S.O.L.V.E. Health Tech, a health equity incubation partner embedded within the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
The researchers set out to examine how providers can get new innovations like VR into the hands of underserved patients. Through a collaborative research project, UCSF and AppliedVR found that providers treating Medicaid patients can integrate VR as a scalable, low-risk alternative for treating chronic pain, with the potential for high patient satisfaction and engagement.
However, significant barriers exist to expand access to less-served and more diverse patient populations, according to the team's research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Healthcare providers, including users and non-users of VR, identified a lack of reimbursement for the technology as one of the biggest barriers for adoption, the UCSF-AppliedVR research found. More payers that support underserved populations will need to adopt reimbursement pathways to ensure VR can be prescribed by a provider and paid for by a payer, according to the researchers.
"There is a tremendous unmet need in the U.S. to deliver evidence-based digital therapeutics to the broader population, and virtual reality for pain management holds significant interest for front-line pain management clinicians and leadership in safety-net health settings," said Urmimala Sarkar, M.D., UCSF professor of medicine and co-founder of S.O.L.V.E. Health Tech. "But, it will require collaboration across industries to overcome the hurdles that stand in the way of wider adoption, including commitments from payers for more reimbursement and adapted content that tailors to the needs of diverse populations."
Policymakers also should assess VR for reimbursement as a pain management approach so patients do not have to bear the cost of use, Sarkar said.
There is a huge supply issue with non-pharmacologic options for chronic pain sufferers, Josh Sackman, AppliedVR co-founder and president, told Fierce Healthcare.
"While cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback and other evidence-based approaches are recommended for chronic pain patients, the reality is that most patients either don't have sufficient health insurance coverage for those options, or they don't have enough supply of trained professionals in their area," he said. "Chronic pain impacts such a large population—an estimated 100 million in the U.S.—and we think self-administered technology available in the home can make a huge leap forward toward advancing health equity in chronic pain care."
AppliedVR's platform has been used by more than 30,000 patients in more than 240 of the top health systems globally. The company recently received breakthrough-device designation from the FDA for its EaseVRx solution.
The Los Angeles-based company's VR platform—which uses goggles and headsets to create an immersive, 3D virtual world—has been aimed at alleviating everything from labor pains during childbirth to the pain from burns to discomfort experienced undergoing infusions for cancer treatment.
The company is engaged in multiple studies with payers for determining reimbursement, Sackman said, and also is investing heavily in evidence development to continue demonstrating strong health outcomes and addressing the cost-effectiveness of its digital solution.
VR content needs to be more culturally relevant, personalized
Healthcare providers that use VR cited positive patient feedback, the study found, but safety net stakeholders indicated that existing VR content may need to be more relevant or appealing to a more diverse patient population.
"The patients I care for at the Richard Fine People's clinic, a publicly funded, safety net hospital, are interested in using technology to manage their health. However, they are often unable to access or use it, as the tool might not be available in their preferred language, or perhaps requires a certain level of health literacy to navigate, for example," Sarkar told Fierce Healthcare.
Digital health is often designed without input from racially and ethnically diverse patients, low-income populations, older adults, patients experiencing homelessness or people who speak languages other than English, Sarkar said.
"If we do not focus on including patients like mine in research of digital health tools like VR, we actually threaten to widen health disparities by excluding them from tools that can improve their health," he said.
Moving forward, Sarkar said he plans to test VR's usability for patients who are often underrepresented in clinical trials.
The research findings highlight that digital health companies should include marginalized and minoritized patients in the design of their products to make sure they work for a wide range of users, Sarkar said.
"They can also collaborate with health systems and healthcare workers to help align their product with existing clinical workflows, rather than taking a standalone approach. What works in a well-resourced health system will not successfully translate to the safety net without significant adaptation incorporating input from front-line workers," he said.
Sackman said AppliedVR is currently working with medical technology advocacy organizations like AdvaMed and Digital Therapeutics Alliance as well as the patient advocacy group American Chronic Pain Association to help bring awareness and help shape policy in the healthcare VR space.
"The COVID-19 pandemic put on full display the health inequities that have existed in our country for years, so digital medicine shouldn't be the latest innovation to fall into the same trap. What good does billions of investment dollars flowing into digital health do if very little of it reaches the people who need it most?" he said.
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