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September 10 2009 - January 17 2021
T-Bird
TSSnet Staff
Dreadknux
Sonic 4 said to have "few to no physics changes"
Misty Milo and 7 others reacted to Slingerland for a post in a topic
That's about as sweeping as you can get. Stealth's E02 engine can replicate or create any 2D experience that need be. Taxman's engine got to be so diverse, it went from being called the "Retro-Sonic Development Kit" to the "Retro-Software Development Kit." Programming Sonic is a good place to start and it can, and has, lead to other things. Also, people who learn from the codebase level can pick up on the other intricacies of creating a Sonic game in other departments or work with people who specialize in a different field. Probably the faked 360-degree physics and how they're not actual 360-degree physics. You know, why Sonic even became popular in the first place? The 360-degree physics engine? You get stuck on walls because Sonic 4 isn't programmed to handle every curve or slope at any given speed. It has to be a certain speed because http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCGiEIncR7w. Did you ever stop to think as to why there's a speed booster before a quarter-circle-embankment, loops or a steep slope? It's because you have to hit these at near top-speed or you risk getting stuck. It won't happen every time, but you are susceptible to it. Getting caught in curves and standing on walls is totally unacceptable for a Sonic game made by SEGA themselves. Fangamers used pre-defined shit back before Clwe, Damizean, Cinossu, ParadoxX, etc championed 360-degree movement for Click software back in 2004. It's 2010. We've got all sorts of people nowadays creating perfect replicates from scratch by themselves. It's not some big secret or suddenly gone because the original Sonic Team isn't around. It's readily available information and skills for those willing to apply themselves hard enough (and I mean very hard). Dimps using pre-defined curves is bush league. This is the worst thing I've read in a while and I moderate comments on the front page on a daily basis. Sorry, that's really harsh, but I just bruised my face with my palm reading this sentence. The engine didn't remain constant because it was "convenient." It was constant because it was a damn good engine. There's a benefit to retaining a damn good engine... it's the foundation for a damn good game. Granted, you have to take care of your level design, art, music, etc to surround it, but you start with your gameplay engine first and foremost when you start production. Games aren't broken on presentation... they're broken on gameplay. "Never been constant?" Three (four, if you want to get technical) times in a row seems pretty constant to me. People don't spend their free time to replicate the Genesis physics because it's "convenient" to do so. They do it because, uh... it's a damn good engine. I... um... errr. What. What. Is this a thing that I read? Let's look at the positives here, though. I'm super happy that level types (green, casino, water, factory, etc) are being well represented graphically and that catchy, not butt-rock tunes permeate the experience. There's also the return of badniks, multi-tiered level design and just various other classic things that I could list off that are in this game. The game is not, by any means, the "worst fucking thing in the world" and is certainly is a functional game. However, it's not great. It's "aight." I just think there's too much of an emphasis on presentation of a classic package than actually providing a classic package. I personally believe that none of these threads would exist if they would have nailed the physics-based, momentum-driven gameplay of the originals from the beginning. Ruby sez in the Retro thread: They delayed the game and they did look at the physics. Admirable. At the time of the delay, I couldn't remember a time when SEGA delayed a Sonic game because it had been so long since the last one. I felt really good about this delay and thought it would bring positivity to a title that is just as divisive as the last. Sadly, an overhaul just wasn't in the cards. It would take more time and more resources. Time and resources that they did not have. Which begs the question, "why wasn't it done correctly in the first place?" Like I said before, doing it correctly is not a secret. He continued: That's true. You see people butcher accurate, open-source Sonic engines (especially Damizean's - holy shit) all the time with poor design and/or graphics. It doesn't guarantee a blockbuster. However, the "best physics in the world" make your "fun and enjoyable" experience even better. It goes from "good" to "awesome." Sonic didn't become a franchise on being just "good" or "aight." It became one for being "awesome." Plus, ahem, this is from the Sonic 4 website's "news" section: When I think "unrivaled classic Sonic feel," I think fantastic physics, which this game now is confirmed to lack. When I think "polish," this image absolutely does not come to my mind: That's not polish. That's not "high quality." That's not "the best they can do." They are a company of professionals. That's lazy. I just want this game to stop being average. You don't wait 16 years for "average."
Marcello and 3 others reacted to Diogenes for a post in a topic
People are going to see the bit about the (lack of) physics changes, act as if Sega is spitting in our faces and raping our childhood just for the sake of being as evil as possible, and whine and whine and whine, oblivious (or simply apathetic) to what is being changed and the (largely valid) reasons that the physics won't be. Not that I'm excusing the problems with the game. But some people take this shit way too seriously.
"Sonic Colours is for everyone"
Jetronic and 2 others reacted to SchemingMinor for a post in a topic
Oh really, SEGA of America? Sonic Colors is for everyone? Is Sonic Colors for the multicolored robot demographic? Because of what I saw it is promoting biased hate crimes against them by blue furry hedgehogs.
I have a question about reputation.
Indigo Rush and 2 others reacted to Badnik Mechanic for a post in a topic
Ok... just post this image in your next post... And you'll catch him in a week!
Shane and 2 others reacted to Chooch for a post in a topic
I respect your viewpoint, Slingerland, because I know that you have personally played it. I, and many other people have not. Because of this fact, we can only gauge the general quality of the game off of videos and such. Which, to state the obvious, isn't all that great of a way to go about it. The main thing that annoys me is the pessimistic little shits that cry out at every little thing and make the fanbase as a whole look idiotic. I get transferred embarrassment from these fools, really I do. It's not even just with Sonic 4. It's with everything. People need to stop being so childish.
Indigo Rush and 2 others reacted to Shan Zhu for a post in a topic
Act as pretentious and rude as you possibly can, and if you happen to be the most vicious monster of a social-climber in this rat-hole, people will like you. Otherwise, you're pretty much screwed, and the carrion of this forum will dig into you like the latest gazelle carcass in the Savannah. edit: Note: Oh, look, someone was silly enough to take me seriously. And they negged me for it too. Who could have seen that coming? Well, I've slowly marched my way up to +22 with semi-worthy posts over a couple of months, why not ruin it with one post. C'MON, MOFOS. HIT MEH!
Spirit of Vengeance and 2 others reacted to Dreadknux for a post in a topic
I played an updated S4 build today guys. It's honestly not that bad. Worst I managed to do was stand on the top of some curvature (and the way I was standing, it was sort of 'believable.'). I've not played the 'buggy physics' build (today was first time I had a hands on with S4 full stop) but it was nowhere near the shit I've seen in banners and those videos. And they sped up the running animation too, without actually speeding Sonic up. Like I'm justifying the 'in-depth investigations' that people have about this physics ballbags anyway. Jesus Christ, it's a little bit sad. The game's feeling right, bros. I honestly wouldn't hit that panic button just yet. [saying no more - embargos are fun]
Church rebuffs military concerns on Quran burning
Flyboy Fox and one other reacted to Tornado for a post in a topic
Quite a leap of logic considering Muslim ≠ Islamic Extremist Then you can call me when all billion of the world's Muslims suddenly end up in Afghanistan shooting at American troops. There is a difference between not liking something that essentially amounts to intentionally-bigoted hate speech and not liking something because it isn't politically incorrect. There is also a difference between opposing an action done by a group which is done out of free speech and opposing the group's ability to do the action.
Derg and one other reacted to Scar for a post in a topic
Your childhood is not being abused. Its not like they took S3K and fucked it up. All they are doing is taking a number, and making a game. Thats all it is; 4 is a NUMBER!!!! It doesn't mean anything more than the fact that it takes place after 3. It not ruining anyones childhood. The games from your childhood still exist unadulterated in various forms. If anything, they are ruining the present. Yes its underwhelming, as a so-called sequel, but it doesn't make the classics look bad (it makes them look better) Yes this is the Sonic the Hedgehog 4, and you were allowed to have high expectation, but given the state of the franchise and SEGA, it would only be logical to keep expectations at a moderate level. No matter how much SEGA suddenly started caring, they can't climb back up the mountain they fallen so far down, in a single game. It will taken some time (maybe thats why its episodic) OK pointless rant over. However my point still stans. SEGA aren't ruining your childhood, they are ruining your present.
Tailer and one other reacted to Noir for a post in a topic
Except with HotD the director is actually such an enormous idiot that he thinks the show is literally about fanservice. This is Gainax, fanservice has to be in there somewhere, it's their thing, but it wouldn't be too much.
Shaddix Leto Croft and one other reacted to Marcello for a post in a topic
I doubt the game will do that bad in ratings. I'm guessing the worst will be 7's, but it'll mostly be 8's, because to most reviewers it's the return to the classics. Jaouad: How is this being abused as a cash-in? The team is working hard on making a good game for fans. Just because it isn't exactly like them, doesn't mean it sucks. If it was just a cash-in, they would of released the first build. Of course it's main objective is earning money, but to call it a cash-in is silly, imo.
Gamerguy21 and one other reacted to Dreadknux for a post in a topic
Maybe 'contemporary' wasn't the best word to use then, but my point still stands - Sonic Team could have used a completely modified engine for Sonic 2, 3 and Knuckles from Sonic 1 (and, it could even be argued, a completely different one perhaps - like the totally different one in Sonic 4) and it wouldn't have made a blind bit of difference. The comparison with Mega Man isn't really appropriate. The classic Mega Man games not only used the exact same engine, each entry followed the exact same level structure, graphical presentation, audio direction and even screen design in some parts. Unless you were a fan or really paying attention, you wouldn't be able to tell Mega Man 9 from 10, let alone Mega Man 10 from 2. Sonic, on the other hand, has always had changes to its graphical presentation, musical direction, level design, and - most importantly to your argument - use of engine. Your argument assumes that Sonic 4 should look, act, feel and play like Sonic 3&K/Sonic 2/Sonic 1, when in fact none of those games play exactly like each other at all. And the fact that the engine has remained constant is merely a convenience - there's no benefit to maintaining the exact same engine, because it's use has never been constant. Meaning the use of a constant engine in and of itself is useless. Do you see what I'm getting at? It's an argument that purists are using because Sonic Team aren't coding the game they way they want it to, regardless of the fact that it plays exactly as it should - like a 'Sonic 4'. Maybe I was a bit too basic in that paragraph - I know some guys like you hard-code your own replication Sonic engines. But that research has to come from somewhere. That fan-made physics guide had to have come from somewhere. Investigating ROMs and understanding the code is what the Retro side of the fanbase does. But hobbyist coders are hobbyists, not coders. The distinction is that, more than the science of creating and developing their own engines and worlds, many are simply enthralled with the idea of replicating a 2D Sonic game, or crafting a Sonic-inspired 3D game. Maybe I'm wrong, and sure there are some exceptions to that rule, but if I've made a sweeping generalisation feel free to correct me. Most importantly though, I must have seen a hundred (unfinished) fangames that have tried (with varying success) to exactly replicate the classic Sonic engine from the ground up. You know what? Some of them are spot on, they're great engines. But inexplicably, they still don't feel like Sonic games. They feel like very, very good imitations. Because as I said, it's not just the engine - and in terms of gameplay and the average classic fan (they don't all live on Retro, believe it or not) the lack of an engine isn't even an issue. It's the whole package, and the end result that I (and I imagine many others) care about, not what Sonic Team or Dimps actually did to get there. Sure, I acknowledge there is a very vocal portion of the fanbase that cares about the way the game is coded, but I don't believe that portion represents the majority of (even classic) fans (many of whom don't really go on Sonic fansites in the first place - just ask a shitload of my friends for example). To say it's MD engine or bust just seems a bit overdramatic to me. As much as I love Retro and want to have the babies of many people there... Understanding the codebase and understanding its application in the series' history are two different things.
T-Bird and one other reacted to Diz for a post in a topic
D'aww ... That is what you got us for, so yush! Being polite and respectful is a very good thing related to reputation points. There are numerous of ways to achieve profit profit profit $$+++ positive reputation points. The following are the ones I have personally noticed: Make efforted posts, show that you are involved and interested in the topic's discussion. Other than being polite and respectful, be helpful to members who somehow ask for help in a topic. Try to include humour every now and then. Giving fellow members a good-hearted laugh gives a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Whatever else has been mentioned by other members within this topic. If a member likes a topic or post, it is only natural that they may feel like clicking that little plus-shaped reputation button next to your words. The key, as I see it, is to provide behaviour and content which you feel other members would enjoy reading - perhaps find ways to make your posts unique from others' posts? ;3 As mentioned, reputation points do not mean all that much, reputation points are not always necessarily a sign saying "your posts suck", but that others are disagreeing with your opinion, someone having a bad day, or as Pelly mentioned in her own situation, a misclick or two? X3 Edit: The topic has been merged with the older topic. No need for two open topics about the same subject, yanno. =3
Katzu Niku and one other reacted to Slingerland for a post in a topic
What defines "contemporary?" What does that even mean in this context? Mega Man 9 and 10 say, "hi." Yes, I'm a hobbyist, but I don't simply pull apart ROMs. You know that, Svend. I'm all about creating a new experience while maintaining the one thing that was never broken. Most ROM hackers/fangamers are all about that. This news (and the way it was first posted) further motivates me to prove that sentiment with something that you can physically experience. What you meant to say was, "I'm not a coder" (in reference to yourself). There are people who do understand it from a codebase level. The largest Sonic forum on the Internet is dedicated to it. And yeah, we're always cool, best bud. I'm always appreciative on how we on staff remain cool despite opinions. I don't get to read that very often. Thanks.
Spirit of Vengeance and one other reacted to jennytablina for a post in a topic
Be more respectful of others opinions for starters? Not calling well respected mods jerks? Toning down some of your stronger opinions slightly? As I said before, clearly your kind of young and new to this whole discussion thing. The idea of it isn't to shout over everyone with the biggest text wall about how much you hate something. People also really dislike it when someone steers wildly off topic. Your opinion is valid, but not everyone has to subscribe to it. For example you hate Disney, and some of your reasons I admit are reasonable and understandable, however you will learn in life that nobody is perfect and any company / person / object ect. has it's pros and cons and low and high points. But that doesn't make anyone a "fool", "idiot" or other insulting terms if they DO like that sort of thing. It's true people can turn the other cheek but in turn you too need to learn when to let something go. A debate is only worth having if theres anything left to mention in your defense, if the other person doesn't want to consider your side or you've said your main point. Then it's time to bow out of the discussion. That said sometimes it's good to consider others opinions too. But I already said that in your other topic It's up to you to take heed of the suggestions people already have given you. There was plenty of tips given in the other topic too.
JayZeach and one other reacted to Badnik Mechanic for a post in a topic
Because it's the only way I can tell if people laugh at my jokes. *looks at recent rep* They aren't.
Diz and one other reacted to Diogenes for a post in a topic
The best way to get a good reputation is to stay cool and not care about those silly numbers. For every justified rep point, there's a half dozen that are nonsense; the number's practically meaningless. And most of the people here are pretty cool, so just be chill and things'll be fine, no matter what the numbers say.
Shane and one other reacted to Chooch for a post in a topic
So one of the few people who actually played the game said that it seemed alright. Interesting.
EXshad and one other reacted to Dreadknux for a post in a topic
*Shrug* I'm just going by the best possible source I know. Myself. And I've had no issues with the physics or whatever. The way everyone makes it sound like, I was expecting broken, 'Sonic-06-on-a-2D-plane' physics. Instead I got a game that felt a bit like Sonic 1, with a tad too many speed boosters and a homing attack. Hardly the massive stab to my heart that I was led to believe it was. Everyone's romanced by this idea that it has to play -exactly- like Sonic 3&K or bust. But it doesn't - and that's not necessarily a bad thing, objectively. EDIT: To wit, if we're talking about physicality and 'feel' of engines; Sonic 2 played, and looked extremely different to Sonic 1. Sonic 3&K played, and looked, nothing like Sonic 2 and Sonic 1 before it. Sonic Advance played and looked like none of the above. But they all played - and looked - damn fine.
Little Miss Fortunes and one other reacted to Detective Shadzter for a post in a topic
http://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?s=&showtopic=20386&view=findpost&p=502798 I love this guy. He does his job so well *salutes*
Felix reacted to agoodusername for a post in a topic
My reputation is in the negatives, and it seems like it keeps going down one point per day, I don't know why though. I only made one negative thread about Sonic 4, and then went off at a few comments I had received (only because I had a lot of negative things happen to me before I received those comments) and unfortunately it's taken a toll on my rep. I really regret it since I usually act extremely mature, but with the unfortunate happenings at the time, I did some things that I regret, well it seems like I'm talking in circles now, I just want a good rep on this site. I mean, I've even apologized to the people I may have offended... I was just hoping if someone could help me out. I went to the help topic and didn't find anything there...
Tailer reacted to Remy for a post in a topic
matrix boobs...
Miles Edgeworth: Ace Attorney Investigations
Jetronic reacted to Sean for a post in a topic
Or they'll just be retarded and only give Phoenix passing mentions as "that guy". Would it have killed the AAI writers to say his name at least once in the script? They way the characters talked about him was so fucking awkward!
Gumshoe! Gumshoe!! YOU MOTHERFUCKERS
Derg reacted to Sean for a post in a topic
How can Sonic 4 be viewed as anything but a cash-in? Remember that the entire game is pandering to nostalgia, and it's designed with players in mind who haven't touched a Sonic game in years. Zones such as Green Hill, Casino Night, and Labyrinth are easily recognizable among veteran fans, and everybody remembers the Sonic 1 wrecking ball boss or Sonic 2's giant Robotnik robot final boss. That's the whole reason this game consists of nothing but recycled material.
Tailer reacted to Silencer226 for a post in a topic
Well, Highschool of the Dead was good in the beginning, but I'm starting to get bored of it... So I moved on to Shiki. Personally I think Shiki is a lot better than HOTD, and it's actually a little creepy, though animated horror barely phases anyone. Lol, yeah real suttle especially when you see Panty blowing bubblegum in the shape of a .
General Sonic Plothole Discussion
-Mark- reacted to Glenn for a post in a topic
Magic... wait, they move independently? I thought they always moved together? I'm so confused. Quick, somebody disect a hedgehog! DISCLAIMER: this post does not endorse the disection of hedgehogs. The writer seeks to reassure readers that cruelty towards hedgehogs is "totally not my thing", although he later explains that "spiders are bastards, so go nuts on them". The above comment, in reference to hedgehog disection, was made for comedic purposes and will not affect your statutory rights. May contain traces of nuts.
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma [also CT/CS(2)/(Extend)]
Remy reacted to Carbo for a post in a topic
Valk Gameplay. Starts at 2:15. Werewolfan and Clawan.
Archie Sonic Main Discussion
Illuminous_Orb reacted to Adamis for a post in a topic
Lol if only xD Next step: a job at Archie. *insert ridiculous, vilainny laugh here* Impossible task...error...error...
Jetronic reacted to Saint Nathan for a post in a topic
well obviously not. those are her casual/timed escape boots.
Velotix von Skruviktorrius reacted to Sean for a post in a topic
The Matrix was a pretty neat movie, albeit bogged down with really annoying religious parallels and metaphors that don't mean anything. I wish they made a sequel, but I guess it wouldn't really go anywhere, since all we would see is Neo and the others unplugging people from the Matrix one by one, right?
SpikySprinter reacted to CrownSlayer's Shadow for a post in a topic
Wait...are they burning all things "Korean" or something "Koran"? Yeah, that wasn't funny. But this little drawing from good 'ol Jolly Jack is: Ironic, ain't it? EDIT: Whoa, stretchy.
Jetronic reacted to Mike for a post in a topic
I guess that would explain the "E" ESRB rating in the bottom left corner of the cover.
SchemingMinor reacted to Nepenthe for a post in a topic
I understand multicolored robots are a minority in this country, but c'mon dude, you're missing context. These multicolored robots are not representative of the whole; They're villains that just happen to be multicolored robots. Why can't we have multicolored robot villains in games anymore? Are you only here to promote an unrealistic view of multicolored robots? If so, I'd say you're just as discriminatory as you're accusing Sega of being. You had better be grateful they're even getting a part in the game anyways. Remember, we can't even have demonic lava demons represented anymore because those xenophobic, right-wing nut jobs are going to be fucking bitching about it forever.
Shan Zhu reacted to Vulpine for a post in a topic
I really appreciate it that someone is giving me an answer. I will just have to watch what I say from now on.
Shan Zhu reacted to eXtaticus for a post in a topic
Find someone else who has crap reputation, and play tennis with them.
Sonic Colors joystiq Preview
Badnik Zero reacted to Rusty Spy for a post in a topic
Difference is, underneath the frosting and sprinkles that was the speed, the classics all had a thick doughy base of platforming that made up a delicious cake. These days, it's like they took a small ball of cake, and dunked it into a pool of frosting until very little cake remained. The frosting (or whatever filling you like in your cake) is what makes the cake delicious, but it is the cake batter that makes it a cake and not just a bucket of said frosting. Frosting is good, but there's only the brief satisfaction that is had from eating a spoonful of the stuff, while an entire carefully crafted cake has a lot more appeal, with the moist cake balancing out the frosting, as well as the fact that a cake can be made in many different ways, unlike a bowl of frosting, providing variety in your cakes.
Little Miss Fortunes reacted to Scar for a post in a topic
So this is basically what you're all trying to say: "Its not bad, but its underwhelming as 'Sonic 4'" Am I right in saying this? Also, I'm kinda sick of people saying that the game is a peice of shit. It clearly is not. Its not as good as Sonic 3K, but that doesn't mean its a peice of shit. Its like some people are looking at it as if there are only two outcomes. As good/better than Genesis/Mega Drive, or Garbage. It seems there is little room for an alternative. Especially at retro.
Classic games that you waited WAY too long to try out
This year I've been doing lots of retro catching up, thanks to Mahzes who has furnished me with a Nintendo DS Lite (so that's the GameBoy Advance back catalogue, too) and most recently, a PlayStation2 (which, unlike the one that barely survived university with me, actually works). And I've absolutely loved it! In fact, it got to a point where I was taken aback at the gorgeous HD visuals of the PlayStation3, since I'd been playing so much sprite-based Sonic Advance and Sonic Battle, not to mention the GameBoy Advance copy of James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing. Okay, so that might not be retro-retro as many of you would define it (although hey, c'mon, 2004 was over six years ago) but I've loved finding great games for absolute bargain prices and falling in love with them while everybody else talks about the latest CoDding or whatever. Of course, this is all set to change, with three new PlayStation3 games and three new Nintendo DS games heading my way before Christmas (not to mention a couple of Blu-Ray boxsets), but for now I'm loving the catch-up and will always look upon this past year very, very fondly.
Spirit of Vengeance reacted to Ekaje for a post in a topic
This reminds me, if a Metroid 5 is ever made, and it involves being attacked by/running from the Federation, I really want it to have a scan or whatever way to include a log by a GF soldier talking about the Federation's experiments that has, or something close to, this: "The science team must have vapor for brains."
Baltimore Uni offering a degree in Zombies!
Shan Zhu reacted to agoodusername for a post in a topic
This is quite possibly the stupidest thing ever. I really hope this is just a film school because I don't see anyone visiting this class for anything else. I'm not a fan of zombies so this wouldn't be for me. The internet really ruined them for me, same with pirates, ninjas, and Strong Bad! Wait... YEAH! (I love SB)
Illuminous_Orb reacted to Dragon Spider Shark CC14 for a post in a topic
Alright, Summary time! That's all she wrote. I look forward to future developments in this new plotline.
turbojet reacted to Saint Nathan for a post in a topic
"Lets use Metroids as weapons!" "OH SHIT METROID PRIME OH SHIT THESE THINGS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL." "Lets copy Samus' beams and use them to fuel our own warriors!" "OH SHIT SHE CAN USE THE SAME BEAM ON THEM?!" "Lets fuck up the Chozo homeworld and send them into hiding!" "OH FUCK SAMUS ARAN" "Lets fuck with PHAZON!" "OH SHIT WHEN DID THE FEDERATION GET HERE?!" "Lets recolonize Zebes!" "FUUUCCCKKKKK" I'm pretty sure they should stop messing with things. In general. Just don't press that button guys.
HunterTSF reacted to Saint Nathan for a post in a topic
"Hey guys! Our religion is so much better, we're grouping extremists and regular people into the same group and trying to offend both!" I want to find this place, bring a hundred bibles, and just torch them in the middle of their burning. While completely nude. With a pentagram on my chest. And just run around slapping people and say "THIS IS WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE" to everyone.
Sonic/Star Fox comparisons.
Thirsty Pocket reacted to speedfreak for a post in a topic
They can both "use the boost to get through" also!
FANCOMIC: Score Time Rings - Updated 10.29.10
Indigo Rush reacted to Psyguy for a post in a topic
So, just for the record, we've had Dave work on this and Shannon? It's GG-Sonic-Guys! Anyways, Knuckles still doesn't have a head. Eventually I'll give it back. Maybe.
Christian Weston Chandler
Stacy reacted to Machenstein for a post in a topic
I have been following this guy for as far back as that PaRappa contest in 2007. A few years later and he still hasn't learned anything. I have been trolled a fair amount of times for stupid things I've said and done, but at least I learned from it all in the end. This guy just never learns no matter how hard he's trolled. It's not even his autism, it's the fact that he is too stubborn to learn from his mistakes. If you read any of the conversations he has had with white knights, you would know how big his ego is. He believes that he is completely without fault and the world is just out to impede his "Love Quest" or whatever it is. I could forgive his other quirks, but he seems to have no remorse for other people. He certainly had no remorse for Megan when she told him multiple times to stop touching her, just to press on until it culminated into him posting crudely-drawn pornography of her on Encyclopedia Dramatica. He intends Sonichu to be this huge multimedia franchise for kids, yet he incorporates pornographic images into his comics. He has no respect for authority when he is the one stalking women at public places and violating the law. He has been kicked out of almost every place in his town. He has started shouting matches with children who are only a fraction of his age over card games. He has posted suggestive images of himself to anonymous women over the Internet which, quite frankly, hurt my freaking eyes. He posts death threats to various people he disagrees with because he doesn't know how else to negotiate with people. He uses religion to justify his actions, as if his Love Quest was ordained by God himself and his "sweetheart" must be white because of this. He tried to pose as Liquid over the phone to win over Kacey when Chris very well knew Kacey was Liquid's girlfriend. Not even can tolerate Chris. And now this crazy fuck has destroyed his PS3 after all the taxpayer money that went into it. That's right, he's a welfare leech too. But on the bright side, he makes a decent meme factory.
Spirit of Vengeance reacted to Saint Nathan for a post in a topic
rawr? Trust me, I am not the nicest person. well okay I donate a couple hundred dollars to charity for chistmas. and I adopt puppies from the pound so I can take then to a no kill shelter. and well i'm a loving caring person who only tries to do good in his life and helps people as much as humanly possible. but I make jokes about dead people! yeah! take that scociety.
Agent York reacted to Badnik Mechanic for a post in a topic
I think we should open a casino on the forums and you can gamble rep. Like bet our rep on horse racing or the dogs! Or who will win the arm wrestle contest between T and Svend! Is there no way to display who rated what on a post?
Spirit of Vengeance reacted to Velotix von Skruviktorrius for a post in a topic
The only point I need to add to that is that no-one appreciates a whiner. Whine less please. You will find yourself with a positive number attached to your user account if you simply don't obsess over the damn thing. And if you do care about your rep, don't broadcast that fact, it never helps it stay green. :3 (inb4 downvotes)
Jakks Mecha Sonic, Giant Eggman Robot and Sonic Diorama Set Revealed for May 2021
Everybody is Going Crazy Over This Japanese VTuber Playing Classic Sonic Games
Check Out This PHENOMENAL Sonic Mania Studiopolis Zone Guitar Cover!
The Knight of the Wind Returns to Sonic Forces Mobile
Puyo Puyo 2 Goes On Sale in Time For Sonic
Sonic Gets Stackin' in the First Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Content Update
Is Sonic Mania the next chapter to Sonic forces
By classic sonic
What are some mandates by Sega you don't agree with?
By Rabbitearsblog
how did sonic get so fast in the first place
The Sonic Merchandise Topic
By SonicFan2832
Why is Sonic Rift getting big???
By madalass
Shade Vortex
Seems like an influx of spam/troll accounts lately, huh?
23 minutes ago · 2 replies
classic sonic
Hi I am the one who posted how did Sonic get so fast in the first place and I have posted a new one it's called is Sonic Mania the next chapter to Sonic forces
1 hour ago · 0 replies
SaturnWolf
Part of me hopes Arkham Origins gets its own followup, maybe one that follows the events of Long Halloween and see Harvey become Two Face
3 hours ago · 6 replies
Jovahexeon Jax Joranvexeon
The Bills have done! Now they move on the AFC Championship! First time since 1994!
Ryannumber1gamer
Another heart stolen


text:
Home of the Forest Park Trojans In 2016, Forest Park School District was recognized as a Notably Successful School District in Michigan Education Finance Study. Read more… In 2014, Forest Park High School was named by US News and World Report as one of the top High Schools in the United States earning a top 9% ranking and earning A bronze medal.
Copyright © 2020 Forest Park School Website Design by North Country Website Design
TROJAN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS CONFERENCE 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 DISTRICT 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 REGIONAL 1995 1997 1998 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012
Varsity Coach - Ana Cornelia JV Coach - Bobbie Jo Anderson
JV Volleyball invitational at Norway has been moved to October
12th from October 19th.
2019 Volleyball Schedule MHSAA for Volleyball
Website Design by North Country Website Design
Home of the Forest Park Trojans
In 2016, Forest Park School District was recognized as a Notably Successful School District in Michigan Education Finance Study. Read more…
Copyright © 2020 Forest Park School
JV Volleyball invitational at Norway has been
moved to October 12th from October 19th.
JV Volleyball invitational at Norway has been moved to October 12th from October 19th.
Achievement Hall of Fame
District Transparency Reporting
Why Forest Park?
Information for Elementary School
Emergency, Closing, Delays
GSRP 4-year-old Program
Forms, Applications, Information
Information for Middle and High School
Information for Seniors
Emergency, Closing and Delays
Senior Info/Scholarships
Activity Information & Forms

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


and for centuries have laid their burdens upon our backs.
Our Venus still haunts their temples, their mosques, and their churches.
The breath of Ishtar invades the shallows of their dreams.
When they pause from their swift race to nowhere, they wonder.
When the current slows, the heartbeat of the goddess echoes in the hollows.
The apple then is cherished and savored.
the flame still burns and burns even brighter bound.
The scent of Isis rekindles the light with knowledge.
as The Furies roam untamed.


text:
Uomini 1988-2000 è una raccolta ufficiale della rockband italiana Ritmo Tribale, pubblicata nel 2007.

Il disco
La raccolta pesca da tutti gli album del gruppo milanese e ci aggiunge una manciata di inediti, da "Sul fondo del mondo" e "Un'altra metà", tratti dalle sessioni al Jungle Studio del 1996. Dopo la pubblicazione della raccolta, dopo circa sei anni dallo scioglimento il gruppo svolge anche alcune date live.

Tracce
 Disco 1

Disco 2

Formazione
 Stefano "Edda" Rampoldi - voce
 Andrea Scaglia - chitarra, cori, voce (traccia 1.2, 1.7, 1.15, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 2.19)
 Fabrizio Rioda - chitarra ritmica
 Andrea "Briegel" Filipazzi - basso
 Luca "Talia" Accardi - tastiere
 Alex Marcheschi - batteria

Altri musicisti
 Alessandro "Zero" Zerilli - basso (traccia 1.5, 1.9, 2.6)

Note

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Shirley Moffat View A Condolence - Bowmanville, Ontario | Morris Funeral Chapel Ltd.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Deepest sympathy. Keeping you all in prayer as you remember. May God give you strength, comfort and peace today and in the days ahead. It was a pleasure to work with Shirley at the museum. I will miss seeing her at the Orono Fair.


text:
let log4js = require( "log4js" );
let express = require('express');
let mongoose = require('mongoose');
let bodyParser = require('body-parser');
let config = require('config');

// Internal modules
let book = require('./app/routes/book');
let logger = console;  // console is default logger

// Config
let app = express();
let port = config.webServer.port;
let options = {
                server: { socketOptions: { keepAlive: config.DB.serverKeepAlive, connectTimeoutMS: config.DB.serverConnectTimeoutMS } },
                replset: { socketOptions: { keepAlive: config.DB.replsetKeepAlive, connectTimeoutMS : config.DB.replsetConnectTimeoutMS } }
              };

//Diable log service when testing or will interfere with Mocha output
if(config.util.getEnv('NODE_ENV') !== 'test') {
  log4js.configure( "./config/log4js.json" );
  logger = log4js.getLogger("file-appender");

  app.use(log4js.connectLogger(logger));
}

//DB connection
mongoose.connect(config.DB.host, options);
let db = mongoose.connection;
db.on('connected', function() {
    logger.info('Connection to DB established.');
  });
db.on('error', function(err) {
    logger.error('Connection DB error:' + err);
    process.exit(0);
  });
process.on('SIGINT', function() {
  db.close(function () {
    logger.info('SIGINT event received, closing DB connection.');
    process.exit(0);
  });
});

//parse application/json and look for raw text
app.use(bodyParser.json());
app.use(bodyParser.urlencoded({extended: true}));
app.use(bodyParser.text());
app.use(bodyParser.json({ type: 'application/json'}));

// Routing
app.get("/", (req, res) => res.json({message: "Welcome to our Bookstore!"}));

app.route("/book")
    .get(book.getBooks)
    .post(book.postBook);
app.route("/book/:id")
    .get(book.getBook)
    .delete(book.deleteBook)
    .put(book.updateBook);

// Start server
app.listen(port);
logger.info("Listening on port " + port);

module.exports = app; // for testing

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Haley: Diversifying puts GOP in best position to lead
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, a potential 2024 presidential contender and former South Carolina governor, receives the Nathan Hale Patriot Award from The Citadel Republican Societ, on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)(Meg Kinnard | AP)
Published: Dec. 2, 2021 at 8:59 PM EST|Updated: Dec. 2, 2021 at 11:43 PM EST
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is drawing on her native South Carolina's struggles with racist violence during her time as governor, arguing Thursday that the Republican Party is best positioned to lead the country alongside a continued diversification of its ranks.
Haley was feted at The Citadel, where a Republican group made her the first woman to receive its highest honor.
It was the former South Carolina governor's first speech in her home state since departing the Trump administration.
Haley received the Nathan Hale Patriot Award, an honor that comes along with a replica Revolutionary War musket. Previous recipients include Donald Trump in 2015.


text:
package org.activiti.engine;

import java.sql.Connection;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Map;

import org.activiti.engine.api.internal.Internal;
import org.activiti.engine.event.EventLogEntry;
import org.activiti.engine.impl.cmd.CustomSqlExecution;
import org.activiti.engine.impl.interceptor.Command;
import org.activiti.engine.impl.interceptor.CommandConfig;
import org.activiti.engine.impl.persistence.entity.DeadLetterJobEntity;
import org.activiti.engine.impl.persistence.entity.SuspendedJobEntity;
import org.activiti.engine.impl.persistence.entity.TimerJobEntity;
import org.activiti.engine.management.TableMetaData;
import org.activiti.engine.management.TablePage;
import org.activiti.engine.management.TablePageQuery;
import org.activiti.engine.runtime.DeadLetterJobQuery;
import org.activiti.engine.runtime.Job;
import org.activiti.engine.runtime.JobQuery;
import org.activiti.engine.runtime.SuspendedJobQuery;
import org.activiti.engine.runtime.TimerJobQuery;

/**
 * Service for admin and maintenance operations on the process engine.
 *
 * These operations will typically not be used in a workflow driven application, but are used in for example the operational console.
 *
 */
@Internal
public interface ManagementService {

  /**
   * Get the mapping containing {table name, row count} entries of the Activiti database schema.
   */
  Map<String, Long> getTableCount();

  /**
   * Gets the table name (including any configured prefix) for an Activiti entity like Task, Execution or the like.
   */
  String getTableName(Class<?> activitiEntityClass);

  /**
   * Gets the metadata (column names, column types, etc.) of a certain table. Returns null when no table exists with the given name.
   */
  TableMetaData getTableMetaData(String tableName);

  /**
   * Creates a {@link TablePageQuery} that can be used to fetch {@link TablePage} containing specific sections of table row data.
   */
  TablePageQuery createTablePageQuery();

  /**
   * Returns a new JobQuery implementation, that can be used to dynamically query the jobs.
   */
  JobQuery createJobQuery();

  /**
   * Returns a new TimerJobQuery implementation, that can be used to dynamically query the timer jobs.
   */
  TimerJobQuery createTimerJobQuery();

  /**
   * Returns a new SuspendedJobQuery implementation, that can be used to dynamically query the suspended jobs.
   */
  SuspendedJobQuery createSuspendedJobQuery();

  /**
   * Returns a new DeadLetterJobQuery implementation, that can be used to dynamically query the dead letter jobs.
   */
  DeadLetterJobQuery createDeadLetterJobQuery();

  /**
   * Forced synchronous execution of a job (eg. for administration or testing) The job will be executed, even if the process definition and/or the process instance is in suspended state.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the job to execute, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when there is no job with the given id.
   */
  void executeJob(String jobId);

  /**
   * Moves a timer job to the executable job table (eg. for administration or testing). The timer job will be moved, even if the process definition and/or the process instance is in suspended state.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the timer job to move, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when there is no job with the given id.
   */
  Job moveTimerToExecutableJob(String jobId);

  /**
   * Moves a job to the dead letter job table (eg. for administration or testing). The job will be moved, even if the process definition and/or the process instance has retries left.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the job to move, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when there is no job with the given id.
   */
  Job moveJobToDeadLetterJob(String jobId);

  /**
   * Moves a job that is in the dead letter job table back to be an executable job,
   * and resetting the retries (as the retries was 0 when it was put into the dead letter job table).
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the job to move, cannot be null.
   * @param retries
   *          the number of retries (value greater than 0) which will be set on the job.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when there is no job with the given id.
   */
  Job moveDeadLetterJobToExecutableJob(String jobId, int retries);

  /**
   * Delete the job with the provided id.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the job to delete, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when there is no job with the given id.
   */
  void deleteJob(String jobId);

  /**
   * Delete the timer job with the provided id.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the timer job to delete, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when there is no job with the given id.
   */
  void deleteTimerJob(String jobId);

  /**
   * Delete the dead letter job with the provided id.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the dead letter job to delete, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when there is no job with the given id.
   */
  void deleteDeadLetterJob(String jobId);

  /**
   * Sets the number of retries that a job has left.
   *
   * Whenever the JobExecutor fails to execute a job, this value is decremented. When it hits zero, the job is supposed to be dead and not retried again. In that case, this method can be used to
   * increase the number of retries.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the job to modify, cannot be null.
   * @param retries
   *          number of retries.
   */
  void setJobRetries(String jobId, int retries);

  /**
   * Sets the number of retries that a timer job has left.
   *
   * Whenever the JobExecutor fails to execute a timer job, this value is decremented. When it hits zero, the job is supposed to be dead and not retried again. In that case, this method can be used to
   * increase the number of retries.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the timer job to modify, cannot be null.
   * @param retries
   *          number of retries.
   */
  void setTimerJobRetries(String jobId, int retries);

  /**
   * Returns the full stacktrace of the exception that occurs when the job with the given id was last executed.
   * Returns null when the job has no exception stacktrace.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the job, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when no job exists with the given id.
   */
  String getJobExceptionStacktrace(String jobId);

  /**
   * Returns the full stacktrace of the exception that occurs when the {@link TimerJobEntity} with the given id was last executed.
   * Returns null when the job has no exception stacktrace.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the job, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when no job exists with the given id.
   */
  String getTimerJobExceptionStacktrace(String jobId);

  /**
   * Returns the full stacktrace of the exception that occurs when the {@link SuspendedJobEntity} with the given id was last executed.
   * Returns null when the job has no exception stacktrace.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the job, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when no job exists with the given id.
   */
  String getSuspendedJobExceptionStacktrace(String jobId);

  /**
   * Returns the full stacktrace of the exception that occurs when the {@link DeadLetterJobEntity} with the given id was last executed.
   * Returns null when the job has no exception stacktrace.
   *
   * @param jobId
   *          id of the job, cannot be null.
   * @throws ActivitiObjectNotFoundException
   *           when no job exists with the given id.
   */
  String getDeadLetterJobExceptionStacktrace(String jobId);

  /** get the list of properties. */
  Map<String, String> getProperties();

  /**
   * programmatic schema update on a given connection returning feedback about what happened
   */
  String databaseSchemaUpgrade(Connection connection, String catalog, String schema);

  /**
   * Executes a given command with the default {@link CommandConfig}.
   *
   * @param command
   *          the command, cannot be null.
   * @return the result of command execution
   */
  <T> T executeCommand(Command<T> command);

  /**
   * Executes a given command with the specified {@link CommandConfig}.
   *
   * @param config
   *          the command execution configuration, cannot be null.
   * @param command
   *          the command, cannot be null.
   * @return the result of command execution
   */
  <T> T executeCommand(CommandConfig config, Command<T> command);

  /**
   * Executes the sql contained in the {@link CustomSqlExecution} parameter.
   */
  <MapperType, ResultType> ResultType executeCustomSql(CustomSqlExecution<MapperType, ResultType> customSqlExecution);

  /**
   * Returns a list of event log entries, describing everything the engine has processed. Note that the event logging must specifically must be enabled in the process engine configuration.
   *
   * Passing null as arguments will effectively fetch ALL event log entries. Be careful, as this list might be huge!
   */
  List<EventLogEntry> getEventLogEntries(Long startLogNr, Long pageSize);

  /**
   * Returns a list of event log entries for a specific process instance id. Note that the event logging must specifically must be enabled in the process engine configuration.
   *
   * Passing null as arguments will effectively fetch ALL event log entries. Be careful, as this list might be huge!
   */
  List<EventLogEntry> getEventLogEntriesByProcessInstanceId(String processInstanceId);

  /**
   * Delete a EventLogEntry. Typically only used in testing, as deleting log entries defeats the whole purpose of keeping a log.
   */
  void deleteEventLogEntry(long logNr);

}


A recent study finds link between gum disease and prostrate symptoms or Prostatitis.
Here are some factors that can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums, and put a serious damper on your smile.
From sports drinks to tobacco, 20 Things That Can Ruin Your Smile. Quick slideshow of some hidden, everyday risks to healthy gums and healthy teeth.
From the Canadian Dental Association, important facts about dental implants.
You know all those sugary sodas aren't good for you. Here's how to break the habit.
Some solid advice on how to kick the soda and sugar habit for good and get a healthier smile and waistline.


text:
Iwan Markieławicz Hukau (, , Iwan Markiełowicz Gukow) – białoruski polityk, deputowany do Rady Najwyższej Republiki Białorusi XIII kadencji, w latach 1996–2000 deputowany do Izby Reprezentantów Zgromadzenia Narodowego Republiki Białorusi I kadencji.

Życiorys
W 1995 roku mieszkał w Mohylewie, pracował jako kierownik Działu Kadr Mohylewskich Zakładów Samochodowych, był członkiem Partii Komunistów Białoruskiej. W drugiej turze wyborów parlamentarnych 28 maja 1995 roku został wybrany na deputowanego do Rady Najwyższej Republiki Białorusi XIII kadencji z mohylewskiego-kirowskiego okręgu wyborczego nr 151. 9 stycznia 1996 roku został zaprzysiężony na deputowanego. Od 23 stycznia pełnił w Radzie Najwyższej funkcję członka, a potem sekretarza Stałej Komisji ds. Polityki Socjalnej i Pracy. Należał do frakcji komunistów. 1 kwietnia został przewodniczącym stałej delegacji Rady do Zgromadzenia Północnoatlantyckiego. Poparł dokonaną przez prezydenta Alaksandra Łukaszenkę kontrowersyjną i częściowo nieuznaną międzynarodowo zmianę konstytucji. 27 listopada 1996 roku przestał uczestniczyć w pracach Rady Najwyższej i wszedł w skład utworzonej przez prezydenta Izby Reprezentantów Zgromadzenia Narodowego Republiki Białorusi I kadencji. Zgodnie z Konstytucją Białorusi z 1994 roku jego mandat deputowanego do Rady Najwyższej zakończył się 9 stycznia 2001 roku; kolejne wybory do tego organu jednak nigdy się nie odbyły.

Przypisy

Członkowie Partii Komunistów Białoruskiej
Deputowani do Izby Reprezentantów Zgromadzenia Narodowego Republiki Białorusi I kadencji
Deputowani do Rady Najwyższej Republiki Białorusi XIII kadencji
Ludzie związani z Mohylewem


text:
A qualitative case study of a Korean former addict's existential self-interpretation and identity transformation
Sun Kyung Kang, Seungnam Shin, Chong Ryel Sang
This study explored the case of a former addict, focusing on his existential self-interpretation and identity transformation process. This study began from the question of whether philosophical processes related to existential self-interpretation could lead to the formation of the concept of bottoming out and of identity transformation. To answer this question, the study analyzed the case of a male in his mid-forties who was addicted to drugs for approximately 30 years and has only recently maintained abstinence. The study used the phenomenological approach to determine the meaning drugs held for him in each stage, and what drug-related identity he had in each stage. Further, this study identified the integrative implications of these meanings in terms of existential self-interpretation and identity transformation. The four different identities the man identified for the four stages of his life were juvenile delinquent, gang member, half-gangster, and breadwinner, and the associated meanings drugs had for him during each period were "glue," "filthy," "leeches," and "abstinence," respectively. Finally, this study elucidated the integration of these meanings through the hermeneutic circle, identified the social welfare implications of the findings, and developed educational recommendations.
Asian Social Work and Policy Review
https://doi.org/10.1111/aswp.12194
existential self-interpretation
identity transformation
qualitative case study
10.1111/aswp.12194
Dive into the research topics of 'A qualitative case study of a Korean former addict's existential self-interpretation and identity transformation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
addiction Social Sciences 100%
drug Social Sciences 58%
Juvenile delinquents Social Sciences 28%
hermeneutics Social Sciences 22%
social welfare Social Sciences 21%
Kang, S. K., Shin, S., & Sang, C. R. (2020). A qualitative case study of a Korean former addict's existential self-interpretation and identity transformation. Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 14(2), 76-84. https://doi.org/10.1111/aswp.12194
Kang, Sun Kyung ; Shin, Seungnam ; Sang, Chong Ryel. / A qualitative case study of a Korean former addict's existential self-interpretation and identity transformation. In: Asian Social Work and Policy Review. 2020 ; Vol. 14, No. 2. pp. 76-84.
@article{1af7009bbb7649e89192f784aae70025,
title = "A qualitative case study of a Korean former addict{\textquoteright}s existential self-interpretation and identity transformation",
abstract = "This study explored the case of a former addict, focusing on his existential self-interpretation and identity transformation process. This study began from the question of whether philosophical processes related to existential self-interpretation could lead to the formation of the concept of bottoming out and of identity transformation. To answer this question, the study analyzed the case of a male in his mid-forties who was addicted to drugs for approximately 30 years and has only recently maintained abstinence. The study used the phenomenological approach to determine the meaning drugs held for him in each stage, and what drug-related identity he had in each stage. Further, this study identified the integrative implications of these meanings in terms of existential self-interpretation and identity transformation. The four different identities the man identified for the four stages of his life were juvenile delinquent, gang member, half-gangster, and breadwinner, and the associated meanings drugs had for him during each period were "glue," "filthy," "leeches," and "abstinence," respectively. Finally, this study elucidated the integration of these meanings through the hermeneutic circle, identified the social welfare implications of the findings, and developed educational recommendations.",
keywords = "abstinence, drug addiction, existential self-interpretation, identity transformation, qualitative case study, recovery",
author = "Kang, {Sun Kyung} and Seungnam Shin and Sang, {Chong Ryel}",
note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF‐2017S1A5B8057479). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd",
doi = "10.1111/aswp.12194",
journal = "Asian Social Work and Policy Review",
publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd",
Kang, SK, Shin, S & Sang, CR 2020, 'A qualitative case study of a Korean former addict's existential self-interpretation and identity transformation', Asian Social Work and Policy Review, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 76-84. https://doi.org/10.1111/aswp.12194
A qualitative case study of a Korean former addict's existential self-interpretation and identity transformation. / Kang, Sun Kyung; Shin, Seungnam; Sang, Chong Ryel.
In: Asian Social Work and Policy Review, Vol. 14, No. 2, 01.06.2020, p. 76-84.
T1 - A qualitative case study of a Korean former addict's existential self-interpretation and identity transformation
AU - Kang, Sun Kyung
AU - Shin, Seungnam
AU - Sang, Chong Ryel
N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF‐2017S1A5B8057479). Publisher Copyright: © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
N2 - This study explored the case of a former addict, focusing on his existential self-interpretation and identity transformation process. This study began from the question of whether philosophical processes related to existential self-interpretation could lead to the formation of the concept of bottoming out and of identity transformation. To answer this question, the study analyzed the case of a male in his mid-forties who was addicted to drugs for approximately 30 years and has only recently maintained abstinence. The study used the phenomenological approach to determine the meaning drugs held for him in each stage, and what drug-related identity he had in each stage. Further, this study identified the integrative implications of these meanings in terms of existential self-interpretation and identity transformation. The four different identities the man identified for the four stages of his life were juvenile delinquent, gang member, half-gangster, and breadwinner, and the associated meanings drugs had for him during each period were "glue," "filthy," "leeches," and "abstinence," respectively. Finally, this study elucidated the integration of these meanings through the hermeneutic circle, identified the social welfare implications of the findings, and developed educational recommendations.
AB - This study explored the case of a former addict, focusing on his existential self-interpretation and identity transformation process. This study began from the question of whether philosophical processes related to existential self-interpretation could lead to the formation of the concept of bottoming out and of identity transformation. To answer this question, the study analyzed the case of a male in his mid-forties who was addicted to drugs for approximately 30 years and has only recently maintained abstinence. The study used the phenomenological approach to determine the meaning drugs held for him in each stage, and what drug-related identity he had in each stage. Further, this study identified the integrative implications of these meanings in terms of existential self-interpretation and identity transformation. The four different identities the man identified for the four stages of his life were juvenile delinquent, gang member, half-gangster, and breadwinner, and the associated meanings drugs had for him during each period were "glue," "filthy," "leeches," and "abstinence," respectively. Finally, this study elucidated the integration of these meanings through the hermeneutic circle, identified the social welfare implications of the findings, and developed educational recommendations.
KW - abstinence
KW - drug addiction
KW - existential self-interpretation
KW - identity transformation
KW - qualitative case study
KW - recovery
U2 - 10.1111/aswp.12194
DO - 10.1111/aswp.12194
JO - Asian Social Work and Policy Review
JF - Asian Social Work and Policy Review
Kang SK, Shin S, Sang CR. A qualitative case study of a Korean former addict's existential self-interpretation and identity transformation. Asian Social Work and Policy Review. 2020 Jun 1;14(2):76-84. doi: 10.1111/aswp.12194


text:
Q: Make MVC Sitemap unique per session, not user Our MvcSitemap has some DynamicNodeProviders implemented.
We want these to be unique per session. But it appears they are unique per user.
So if a user logs into two different browsers, or computers, they currently share the same sitemap.
We do not want this.
But I can't seem to figure out how to get it to use the User/Session combination for uniqueness.
Is there a way to make this work?

A: Option 1:
Implement your own ICacheProvider based on session state and inject it using DI.
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using MvcSiteMapProvider.Web.Mvc;
using MvcSiteMapProvider.Caching;
using System.Web;

public class SessionStateCacheProvider<T>
    : ICacheProvider<T>
{
    public SessionStateCacheProvider(
        IMvcContextFactory mvcContextFactory
        )
    {
        if (mvcContextFactory == null)
            throw new ArgumentNullException("mvcContextFactory");
        this.mvcContextFactory = mvcContextFactory;
    }
    private readonly IMvcContextFactory mvcContextFactory;

    protected HttpContextBase Context
    {
        get
        {
            return this.mvcContextFactory.CreateHttpContext();
        }
    }

    #region ICacheProvider<ISiteMap> Members

    public bool Contains(string key)
    {
        return (Context.Session[key] != null);
    }

    public Caching.LazyLock Get(string key)
    {
        return (LazyLock)Context.Session[key];
    }

    public bool TryGetValue(string key, out Caching.LazyLock value)
    {
        value = this.Get(key);
        if (value != null)
        {
            return true;
        }
        return false;
    }

    public void Add(string key, LazyLock item, ICacheDetails cacheDetails)
    {
        // NOTE: cacheDetails is normally used to set the timeout - you might
        // need to roll your own method for doing that.
        Context.Session[key] = item;
    }

    public void Remove(string key)
    {
        Context.Session.Remove(key);
    }

    public event EventHandler<MicroCacheItemRemovedEventArgs<T>> ItemRemoved;

    #endregion

    // NOTE: Normally this is called by a callback from the cache when an item exprires.
    // It is required to ensure there is no memory leak because a sitemap has circular references
    // that need to be broken explicitly. You need to work out how to call this when the user's session
    // expires.
    protected virtual void OnCacheItemRemoved(MicroCacheItemRemovedEventArgs<T> e)
    {
        if (this.ItemRemoved != null)
        {
            ItemRemoved(this, e);
        }
    }

}

Then inject it like this (StructureMap example shown):
// Setup cache
SmartInstance<CacheDetails> cacheDetails;

this.For<ICacheProvider<ISiteMap>>().Use<SessionStateCacheProvider<ISiteMap>>();

var cacheDependency =
    this.For<ICacheDependency>().Use<NullCacheDependency>();

cacheDetails =
    this.For<ICacheDetails>().Use<CacheDetails>()
        .Ctor<TimeSpan>("absoluteCacheExpiration").Is(absoluteCacheExpiration)
        .Ctor<TimeSpan>("slidingCacheExpiration").Is(TimeSpan.MinValue)
        .Ctor<ICacheDependency>().Is(cacheDependency);

Option 2:
Append the user name to the siteMapCacheKey in a custom ISiteMapCacheKeyGenerator, and inject it via DI:
public class SessionBasedSiteMapCacheKeyGenerator
    : ISiteMapCacheKeyGenerator
{
    public UserBasedSiteMapCacheKeyGenerator(
        IMvcContextFactory mvcContextFactory
        )
    {
        if (mvcContextFactory == null)
            throw new ArgumentNullException("mvcContextFactory");
        this.mvcContextFactory = mvcContextFactory;
    }

    protected readonly IMvcContextFactory mvcContextFactory;

    #region ISiteMapCacheKeyGenerator Members

    public virtual string GenerateKey()
    {
        var context = mvcContextFactory.CreateHttpContext();
        var builder = new StringBuilder();
        builder.Append("sitemap://");
        builder.Append(context.Request.Url.DnsSafeHost);
        builder.Append("/?sessionId=");
        builder.Append(context.Session.SessionID);
        return builder.ToString();
    }

    #endregion
}

Inject it like this (StructureMap example):
this.For<ISiteMapCacheKeyGenerator>().Use<SessionBasedSiteMapCacheKeyGenerator>();

Note that using an external DI container is required.
Please see my open question here and explain to me why you would want to do this on GitHub, as it renders most of the features useless: https://github.com/maartenba/MvcSiteMapProvider/issues/16#issuecomment-22229604

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Growing up is all about those big rites of passage.
You know, those big moments like graduating from college or the purchase of your first home.
Unfortunately, many of these rites of passage are crazy expensive and twenty-somethings might be better off skipping them.
Here are the 10 big ones you should skip in your twenties to be rich in your thirties.
I remember my first paycheck at my first big girl job out of college.
My eyes practically fell out of my head when I got that first check.
I blew through the money quickly by buying $12 "birthday cake" or "girl scout cookie" shots at fancy bars and then taking taxis back and forth across the city every time I went out.
My friends and I couldn't stay still in one bar. We were always going to the next bar in search of something or someone better.
The average new graduate can easily spend thousands of dollars on going out in the first few years out of college.
Don't waste your money on something you can never get back.
Choose budget bars and stop it with the taxis. Stay put!
Ahh, the status symbol. Depending on your circle this can be a Louis Vuitton purse, Louboutin heels, a fancy luxury-brand watch, anything Kate Spade, etc.
You might start making good money at your job and want to have something to show for it.
Do your wallet a favor and skip the status symbol.
Your real friends know who you are and don't want you to charge $1000 on a credit card to prove it.
Fancy restaurants are crazy expensive.
Throw in some appetizers, a bottle of wine, and dessert and you're looking at a $100+ night.
While it can feel like a rite of passage to be able to take someone out on a fancy date, it's not the best use of your money.
Try to think of creative dates that won't break the bank.
Coffee, hiking, beer gardens and making dinner at home are much cheaper alternatives.
I'll admit it. I'm a millennial who bought a brand new car and then posted about it on Facebook.
New cars depreciate like woah and you end up putting in way more money than you would think to maintain it.
My car lost thousands of dollars in value the day I drove it out of the dealership parking lot.
When I sold the car 15 months later, it had lost $7,000 in total value.
I was also paying all-in around $750 a month to maintain the car that cost less than $30,000 total to buy. You would think I bought a BMW or something.
Even though my car payment was less than $400, the gas, maintenance, car registration fees and everything else added up.
Take public transportation if you have that option or buy used.
OK, I hate to include this rite of passage in the list because I love my furry best friend but it's so true.
Many twenty-somethings can't wait until they can own their own pet but pets are major budget-busters.
Pets can cost hundreds up front in adoption fees, accessories like the crate and toys, food, etc. Not to mention that they grow and you have to buy all of this stuff all over again.
Many landlords won't allow pets in their rental properties, limiting your housing selection, and most apartments charge pet fees.
If you don't live near family or close friends, you have to pay for boarding when you travel. We know twenty-somethings like to travel more than previous generations so this is a major consideration.
Dog walkers and doggy daycares are crazy expensive but often necessary for young professionals working full-time.
Wait until you realize it costs more money for you to take your dog to the vet than for you to go to the doctors. Vet bills are through the roof. Woof!
Pets are a rite of passage that twenty-somethings would be better off skipping.
Twenty-somethings are less cable inclined than previous generations.
We're pretty content using services such as Netflix, Hulu, etc.
The only reason we might want cable though is for access to the sports channels.
I actually paid for cable for awhile back so I could get the NFL Sunday Ticket package.
In a way, being able to afford cable (& the big screen TV or man cave) is a rite of passage.
I have since figured out another way to get those sports channels for a tiny percentage of the cost of cable.
If this sounds like you (or your significant other), look into Sling TV which is a streaming service like Netflix that lets you watch live TV.
You can get cable-like service for around $20 per month and add on the sports package for $5 extra or so. You can add on HBO or Showtime for around $15 per month if you're into that.
There are no cancellation fees or paying to rent the equipment, and you can pay month-to-month.
Check out Sling TV here to see what they're all about.
It feels like a rite of passage to graduate from hostels and budget vacations to luxury resorts.
Everyone needs a recharge but consider choosing a closer staycation or using travel rewards to save on your vacation.
Travel rewards means collecting points and miles and redeeming them for hotels or flights.
My husband and I went to Europe for 10 days for free by using travel rewards.
We also use Airbnb to save money on travel.
In some ways, Airbnb can be cheaper than using travel rewards because you can get a place with a kitchen and eat more of your meals at home.
Eating lunch, breakfast, and dinner out every day adds up, even when your flights and hotel are free.
Sign up here for Airbnb here and get $40 FREE.
The average engagement ring will set you back $5,000 or more.
Proposing to the love of your life is a huge rite of passage that many twenty-somethings will go through.
You don't have to spend thousands though.
There are alternative engagement ring options out there that are not only cheaper but conflict-free and better for the environment.
I'm personally a big fan of moissanite and my engagement ring is actually a moissanite stone.
It looks just like a diamond but it's not.
Learn more about my experience getting a moissanite engagement ring and why I think it's the best option for couples.
Who wants to start their new life together with a credit card bill they need to pay off? Nothing romantic about that.
The average cost of a wedding in the United States is now at a staggering $26,000. It my even cost more depending on where you live.
I recently got married and we managed to do it for $15,000.
We could have gone even cheaper had we been willing to cut the guest list or go for a less formal affair.
Trust me, you won't regret having a budget wedding when you have that $26,000 growing in an investment account.
Be strong, avoid family and societal pressures, and pocket that extra cash.
Many twenty-somethings are putting money away to save for a 20% down payment on their first home.
They've been told that all homes are good investments and that renting is just throwing money away.
If they've read Rich Dad Poor Dad, they'd know that thinking is seriously flawed.
There are homes and then there are assets.
Twenty-somethings should skip buying their first home and should instead, buy their first asset.
Check out Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! to get a better understanding of this concept.
So What Should Twenty Somethings Do With Their Money Instead?
If twenty-somethings skip the ten common rites of passage above, they'll have some extra money in their wallet.
In order to be rich in their thirties, they need to start saving and investing ASAP.
If you have no idea what you're doing, I recommend starting with a service like Betterment which uses algorithms based on your age, risk-level, and other factors to invest for you.
You can open an account with Betterment with as little as $5.
Fees are super low and it's easy to use.
Sign up here for an account with Betterment.
Alternatives to Betterment include opening an account with Vanguard, Capital One, Fidelity, or companies that focus on individual investing.
You should aim to have a 401(k), an IRA, and a brokerage account by age 30.
If you have no idea what those different accounts are, check out this post about Becoming a Millionaire the Boring with with 401(k)s, IRAs, and Brokerage Accounts.
The first time I looked at my net worth it was admittedly a little depressing.
I had over $20,000 in student loans and a car loan so my net worth was a huge negative number.
Now my net worth is a healthy positive number and I find tracking it each month extremely motivating.
If you don't know your net worth, check out Personal Capital which is a free app that aggregates your credit cards, savings accounts, and investment accounts in one place so you can get your total net worth.
I've since realized that your net worth is a much better indicator of your financial health than your salary.
Sign up here for Personal Capital which is free.
If you have credit card debt, car loans, or student loans, don't fret.
Most of us do or did at one point.
It's important to try to pay off your debt in your twenties though.
One great resource that I recommend for student loans is the company SoFi.
You answer a short list of questions and then get to see if you would qualify for a lower interest rate. I personally paid a 6.8% interest rate on my student loans because I didn't know that I was able to refinance into a lower rate easily.
If you think that it will take more than 6 months to pay off your student loans, it may be a good idea to refinance them.
Click here to take the SoFi questionnaire.
What rites of passage do you think twenty-somethings should skip or not skip?
Fantastic post. I wish I would have read some of this stuff 10 years ago. I would add one more to the list that cost me thousands. 11. Thinking you are too good for roommates.
So true!! Ah I'm mad I skipped it. Many 20somethings move to the expensive studio apartment too early.
So much YES to this! I'm only half way through my 20s and none of these money-drains appeal to me, but I can see how so many people fall into the trap of suddenly having a decent paying job so they want to spend, spend, spend!
Yup! You only hit baller status if you keep it not spend it!
Love this – so true! Thankfully I lived at home and bought a rental property but I'm still working towards that financial independence. We got this!
woot woot! Didn't realize you had a rental property too. That's awesome!


Above: A Future Version of 1008?
As we prepare to move out of our studio at 1008 W. Randolph St., it's impossible to say that our feelings aren't mixed. After several months of trying to decide what the right move would be, we decided to give up our in-studio workshop and move into a more traditional office space. This decision was made after months of weighing the options, evaluating what is most important to us, and visiting dozens of locations around Chicago.
It might come as a surprise to some of you that we are doing this. We've worked on some amazing design+build projects over the past five years; from designing all of the furniture for the Art and Design office at UIC in 2009 to our recent work for the film "Divergent," and dozens of custom client projects in between. We've also spent countless hours prototyping our own product designs, doing small batch manufacturing, and creating huge messes while experimenting with materials and processes. How, you may ask, can we give this up?
The answer is actually simple. We're doing it because we want to focus entirely on design. We cannot do the designing AND the making anymore. If we are going to grow, we absolutely need to focus, and moving from a 3500 sq ft. work space into a 500 sq. ft office is all about concentration, in every sense of the word.
"Space Available" to who, exactly? Who is this neighborhood for? How is it possible (and even legal) for a few small entities to gobble up all of the property in an area like some kind of rigged game of Monopoly? It's obvious that rapid gentrification is in full effect, and in some ways, It's good for Chicago. However, it feels inherently wrong that dozens of businesses are being forced out or bought out of the spaces they've inhabited because market forces have determined that this area is now a desirable place to generate real estate ROI.
Is this what people want? I always felt that part of what made The Fulton Market/Randolph street area most interesting was the diversity. I liked that extravagant restaurants were across the street from wholesale meat markets. I liked that forklifts would park for the night in front of art galleries. It always felt, for lack of a better word, authentic ... like a cross section of all that the city had to offer bundled up in one place. Now it's a great place to get a really expensive cocktail while you wait for two hours for a table.
What is most surreal about all of this is the way that the changes are taking place within the existing architecture. Out of a desire to "preserve the character" of the "neighborhood," buildings that used to be warehouses are getting gut-jobs and facade-lifts so that they can become boutique hotels, restaurants and retail stores. Witnessing this taking place is like watching a neighborhood become a Stepford Wife; It looks like Randolph St., and it technically is Randolph St., but it's not "Randolph St." anymore. It's now the souvenir version of its former self.
So what comes next? To be sure, many exciting and wonderful things. Many people are involved in directing the future of this neighborhood, and it is my hope that it benefits the many, and not just the few.


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text:
Better Not Buy Those Wine Gums, Officer….
Leicestershire Police have banned their officers from drinking Shandy Bass while on duty, despite the fact that it contains barely a sniff of actual alcohol:
Leicestershire Police ordered a complete ban after an internal memo was passed round by the Professional Standards Department.
The memo warned that there was a chance people would get a "whiff of alcohol" despite the beverage containing only 0.5 per cent, and being officially classed as a soft drink.
You'd think the Professional Standards Departments in the various police forces would be too busy to worry about this sort of thing, wouldn't you?
It said: "There is every likelihood that members of the public who come into contact with a member of staff who has consumed such a drink will smell what they perceive to be alcohol on the officer's breath.
"This would create the wrong impression and is unacceptable."
So, has any member of the public complained…?
No, this is another case of your colleagues being even worse than the public:
The order was reportedly issued after a police officer was taken aside by a senior colleague after he enjoyed a can of Shandy Bass with some fish and chips.
Kevan Allcock, secretary of the Leicestershire Police Federation, said the officer initially involved thought he was going to be told "some serious bad news" as he was taken to a room and reprimanded over his Shandy Bass drinking.
There's a senior officer who knows everything there is to know about the theory of management, and absolutely nothing about the practicality of it…
Mr Allcock said: "When I first heard about it, I treated it as a joke or at least some kind of over exuberance from a senior officer and then the advice came through from the Professional Standards Department.
"You could drink a bathful of Shandy Bass and you still wouldn't be drunk."
If you set up a 'Professional Standards Department' expect them to do this sort of thing. They need to justify their own jobs, after all.
A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Leicestershire officers have been advised not to consume any beverages that may give the impression they have been drinking alcohol - regardless of its actual alcohol content.
"This is an issue of public perception and many people would have concerns if an officer arrived at their home smelling of alcohol.
"All staff, particularly those in face-to-face contact with members of the public, were advised to use common sense and consider whether they might be giving the impression they were consuming alcohol."
Why feel the need to tell staff to 'use common sense', when it's plain you don't intend to heed that advice yourself…?
Labels: control freakery, policing, professional grievance-mongers
Oldrightie said...
Some of their behaviour smacks of substance abuse of some sort!
Hogdayafternoon said...
Best also include baked beans, garlic and curry - all highly offensive and can easily cause someone to refuse to make a statement or give DNA/dabs without the use of force.
And in the very next article we have a so-called 'public health expert' telling us that what we need is more nanny state regulation
You don't need a GCSE to work out that the 'Dr' doing so is the head of a fake charity.
I did a piece on this today and believe that I found the reason behind this order!!!!
Dave H said...
I reckon* after a can of Shandy Bass you'd be at less than one tenth of the legal limit and would burn it all off in half an hour or so. Smelling of alcohol after a can with a meal isn't really much of an issue: he'd probably stink more of fish and chips.
Although it's pretty draconian, it does make sense for the police to have a clear, simple Zero Alcohol rule, especially in a case where they ought to be Persil white -like alcohol and driving. But I still wouldn't put a can of shandy very high on the Sin scale.
Mmm... it would have to be rather a small bath. Two gallons would almost certainly put you over the limit. You would have to drink it fairly quickly though and might not make it to the car.
(*I must be a Tera-sad to have made these calculations)
"Some of their behaviour smacks of substance abuse of some sort!"
Indeed! Though I suspect power is their drug of choice...
"You don't need a GCSE to work out that the 'Dr' doing so is the head of a fake charity."
They are springing up like snowdrops lately...
"I did a piece on this today and believe that I found the reason behind this order!!!!"
You could well be right there...
"...he'd probably stink more of fish and chips."
Wait for the militant wing of the Vegan Society to start complaining about that. Professional Standards will have orgasms!
"A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Leicestershire officers have been advised not to consume any beverages that may give the impression they have been drinking alcohol - regardless of its actual alcohol content."
So that's Ginger Beer off the menu as well I guess.
Saturday [1]
New Dictionary For Cllr Brown – Stat!
Raising Wimps...
"You Don't Work For Us....We Own You"
Hiding The Evidence...
Losing The Fight Against Worthless Scum...
Watching What They Do, Not What They Say…
Applying Sticking Plaster To A Gaping Wound…
Some See The Writing On The Wall, Some Just See Mo...
Only Some Children's Safety Is Paramount…
No Popcorn…?
It's Not Just Opposition, It's Hatred….
Crap-Nav…
Moral Authority
"Hot town, summer in the city…"*
Safety Down The Drain
I Guess It Wasn't 'awight, After All….
"Yeah... that's right Richard... I don't care. I'm...
Getting It Right Wrong. Again…
The Biters Bit….
Holding The Court In Contempt…
Modern Witchhunts – Just As Flawed As The Original...
" If you didn't want them to think, you shouldn't ...
A Vignette Of Multiculturalism In The UK
Where Would We Be Without 'Research'…?
Going Ape II…
"This isn't just any marketing opportunity…"
Better Than 'Rocky Three'…
"I was born in the wagon of a travelling show…."
Oh, I Think That Ship Has Well And Truly Sailed…
Well, Since We're Bringing Back The Seventies…
So, It's Not Just The Crime Figures That They Fiddle…
The Cracks Are Showing….
"So this is how freedom dies, to thunderous applau...
It's Good To Talk. Texting Is Another Matter…
Hissy Fit…
Bunking Off, And Bunking Up….
Forward Planning FAIL!
Mankind Not As Evolved As Once Thought...
Seeing The Writing On The Wall…
Gordon's Friday The Thirteenth…
I Didn't Know Doctors Still Did Call-Outs….
After The Great White Horse Of Ebbsfleet…
Why The BNP Don't Need To Spend Money On Recruitme...
Reading With Mother The Committee For Inclusivity ...
"This is the operative statement. The others are i...
Institutionally Incompetent
"Well I'll tell ya, with the way nature's been che...
There's A Moral In This Story….
Another For The 'One To Watch' File….
The Next Person To Have To Publicly Abase Himself….
This Is A 'Disability' Now…?
'He's so dreamy!" *Swoon*
If They Want Something To Symbolise Ebbsfleet…
Filling Their Boots…
Feeding The Crocodile In The Hope It Eats You Last…
Spreading Hatred…
That's A Feature Of Prison, Not A Bug…
Charity Begins At Home In Government…
"Monsieur, wiz zees Ferrero Rocher diplomat, you a...
Rarer Than Giant Pandas…
Oh, Do Please *!$&* Off, Nanny State!
Losing Her Religion
Sunday Funnies....
Miscalculation
Oh, Bad Timing, Chaps…!
" Our condition is peril..."
MSM Wakes Up And Begins Asking Questions, At Last
Gone To Earth…
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match ...
Dishing It Out…
"Don't worry that it's not good enough, for anyone...
Too Many Youth Offenders…?
" You can afford to think what you wish. I can't."
Professional Development By Wii
Well, I'm Shocked Again...
Well, I'm Shocked...
On Me 'Er 'Ead, Son...
Because Everyone Else Is Doing It...
There May Will Be Trouble, Ahead...
The Dangers of Double Standards...
More Joy In Heaven Over One Sinner That Repenteth,...
One 'Industry' That's Not Going To Be Affected By ...
Harman's Harpies Bare Their Teeth


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Barbra Streisand (b. April 24, 1942) is an American Jewish singer and film actress, producer and director.
She was born Barbara Joan Streisand in Brooklyn, New York and educated at Beis Yakov School and Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. Following a music competition she became a club singer in her teens.
She signed to Columbia Records in 1962 and her first album, The Barbra Streisand Album, won two Grammy Awards in 1963. From 1962 she also appeared on Broadway, first in the musical I Can Get It For You Wholesale and then as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (1964). She built on her success with a number of television specials for CBS. Her first film was a reprise of her Broadway hit, Funny Girl (1968), for which she won the 1968 Academy Award for Best Actress. Her next two movies were also based on musicals, while her fourth film was based on a Broadway play.
Over the years, Streisand has won two Oscars, five Emmyss, and eight Golden Globes, as well as a number of other awards. Her other Academy Award was as composer for "Evergreen," from A Star Is Born (1976).
She was producer on a number of her own films, she set up Barwood Films in 1972. For Yentl (1983) she was producer, director, writer, and star; an experience she largely repeated for The Prince of Tides (1991).
She has appeared on over forty albums, after her early work in the 1960s (The Second Barbra Streisand Album, The Third Album, My Name Is Barbra etc.) mainly soundtrack albums.
She was married to Elliot Gould from 1963 to 1971. She briefly dated Pierre Elliott Trudeau in the early 70s, and later married James Brolin in 1998.
Streisand is also known for her outspoken liberal political views, and is a strong supporter of the United States Democratic Party.
Filmography, selected
Funny Girl (1968), Hello, Dolly (1969), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970), The Owl And The Pussycat (1970), What's Up, Doc (1972), The Way We Were (1973), Funny Lady (1974), A Star Is Born (1976), All Night Long (1981), Yentl (1983), Nuts (1987), The Prince of Tides (1991), The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996).
Streisand For Everyone
The Barbra Streisand Archives
The Barbra Streisand FAQ


As we are enjoying the last day of 2012, Melody and I are reunited here in Seoul. A big thanks to all of our readers and especially our top commenters. We appreciate all of your support and we look forward to continuing our blog in 2013. Here's a look back at our year!
Here a few of the highlights of 2012!
I apologize for the lack of posting (there I said it, now on to more fun stuff).
As some of you may know by now, my school does not have unlimited resources, so I have had to become more creative in certain areas. One of those areas concerns my lack of books. And since I live in Korea, there is only one or two used books stores (because I am always on a budget!) for getting books in English. And most of those books are… just not appropriate for my classroom, or too old.
Then, one day, I happened to stumble across this amazing website! They put books online for you to read with pictures and everything. A digital book for free? YES, PLEASE.
All you have to do is create an account (for FREE) and click on what book you want to read. I have done this a couple of times in the past couple weeks and my students think it is awesome, and if you had a smartboard it could be even better.
Also, a HUGE BONUS is that for every book you read money is donated to organizations that provide books to children and schools that really need them. How cool is that? They mostly have books for children from ages 0-10 years-old.
Do you know of any other websites with free online books? Please share them with us!
Our school hosts various authors throughout the year,which is pretty amazing, considering we are all the way in Singapore! This year, we had an author visit from a well known children's author, Rukhsana Khan. Her books include Big Red Lollipop, Muslim Child, and The Rose in My Carpet. Not only is she an amazing and accomplished author, but she was a captivating speaker! The room full of 5th grade kids were engaged, excited and laughed as they listened to her stories.
Rukhsana also shared a few stories of teachers that made a strong positive impact on her life and encouraged her to write. One teacher had her keep a creative writing journal. She even brought in the journal and showed us the letter that the teacher wrote to her after an entry. One of the students asked her to read it aloud. She shared the positive feedback that the teacher wrote in her notebook calling her a poet.
Our words can impact our students positively or negatively. I was reminded of the power that I have as a teacher. I was reminded that I need to continue to tell my students that they are writers. Thank you Rukhsana for inspiring our students and even our teachers!
Also, I found out that our school hosts an annual children's literature conference! How cool is that?! This year it will take place from Feb. 1-3rd. We will have the following authors presenting: Chris Crutcher, Kadir Nelson, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and Deborah Wiles. I can't wait to meet and learn from them! Check out the website for more information on registration and the authors.