The causes of dyslexia—the disorder that makes reading excruciatingly difficult for about one in twenty school-aged children—have remained frustratingly elusive, as has anything resembling a cure. Training programs for dyslexics have proven effective at improving certain parts of the reading process, such as phonological awareness and auditory perception.
Once these skills have been brought up to speed, however, there still remains what one group of researchers calls a "vicious circle": the most effective way to get better at reading is to read more. So scientists have turned their attention to a new question: Are there ways to make reading easier for dyslexics?
Surprisingly, the answer appears to be yes, and the methods experts are using to ease the act of reading are remarkably simple and concrete. With changes in the spacing, the size, and the appearance of text, studies are showing, children with dyslexia can read more quickly and accurately, allowing them to get the reading practice they need to improve.
When each letter is given breathing room, dyslexic readers are less apt to get confused.
Not only the spacing between letters, but the size of the letters themselves affects how quickly and easily dyslexics read. In a study led by psychologist Beth O'Brien of Tufts University and published in the Journal of Research on Reading in 2005, the authors presented passages printed in progressively bigger letters to groups of dyslexic and normal readers, timing how long it took the participants to read each one. The children with dyslexia reached their maximum reading speed at a letter size bigger than that required by children who did not have the disorder.
Even the font in which a text is printed may influence how readily a dyslexic is able to read. Last year, Christian Boer, a graphic designer from the Netherlands who is himself dyslexic, introduced a font he created to reduce dyslexic readers' tendency to misconstrue letters like "d" and "b." Boer accentuated certain features of the letters in his font, called Dyslexie, to make them harder to confuse with each other, and he inserted generous amounts of space between letters and words.
Once, such innovations would have required the laborious printing of special texts for dyslexics. But with the advent of e-readers, creating a dyslexia-friendly document is as simple as changing the settings on a digital device. Indeed, some dyslexics are already doing so—such as the prominent economist Diane Swonk, who has spoken about how she uses her Kindle to adjust the font and limit the number of words she sees when she reads onscreen.
Playing around with the size and spacing and look of letters isn't a cure for dyslexia. But until science finds one, such manipulations can help dyslexic children read with more ease, and even pleasure.


Barnorama has published a nice selection of the Art Cars of Burning Man 2013. It's by no means definitive (no Mayan Warrior!), but there's some great examples on display. See their whole collection here.
I saw more completely unadorned gas engine vehicles driving around out there than ever before. Who is on top of that?


There was an inordinate amount of Gavin in this episode. And not just screen time for Gavin, I am talking long monologues for Gavin and attempts at character development for Gavin, just waaay too much Gavin. Of all of Negan's lieutenants, Gavin is the worst solely because the guy they cast for the role looks like the manager of a Tru-Value hardware store in the Midwest and he has all the charisma of a used dish towel. So being subjected to scene after scene of this guy's special brand of underwhelming acting when there are actual characters that people like who could have been given that screen time was infuriating.


Gray Wife Beater Shirt - Cotton Tank Top ( 2 Beater ) • 100% cotton tank top • Machine washable wife beater shirt • Imported cotton tank top • Gray wife beater shirt sold in a pack of 2 gray cotton tank top wife beater shirt. • Pro Club gray wife beater shirt is made of 100% premium ribbed cotton. • The gray cotton tank top wife beater shirt has a double-ply neckband for added strength. • The mens gray cotton tank top wife beater shirt is preshrunk for a soft-hand feel. • Gray cotton tank top wife beater shirt has a longer length & hem bottom for durability.


text:
Do Men Get Eating Disorders?
Everyday Health Healthy Living
Alcoholic Americans, Deadly Flu, and More
By Everyday Health Editors
Pop Superstar Prince Died of Opioid Overdose
General Mills Recalls Flour Products Due to E. Coli Outbreak
America's Alcohol Problem
More than 38 million Americans drink too much, according to CBS News, which reported on new CDC data that also showed we like to binge drink. That can cause a host of health problems, including liver disease, high blood pressure, and even cancer. But only 1 in 6 people say a doctor has spoken to them about the dangers of binge drinking, while experts say such intervention is a promising way to prevent serious alcohol-related health problems.
"Drinking too much alcohol has many more health risks than most people realize," said CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, in a statement. "Alcohol screening and brief counseling can help people set realistic goals for themselves and achieve those goals. Health care workers can provide this service to more patients and involve communities to help people avoid dangerous levels of drinking."
Flu Turns Deadly for an Otherwise Healthy Mom
Alice Jones, a 29-year-old mother of three from Texas, came down with the flu on a Thursday, and four days later, the apparently healthy woman was dead, according to ABC News. Jones' case brings the total number of flu deaths in Dallas to 17 -- 6 of which were children -- and underscores the need for protection against the virus.
"This is so sad," said Richard Besser, MD, ABC's chief health and medical editor. "Each year thousands of people die from the flu. Fortunately, most people who get the flu are sick for a couple of weeks but fully recover. Still, it is worth doing all you can to reduce the chances you will get the flu. This includes getting vaccinated (it's not too late), washing your hands frequently and practicing the behaviors you'd like others to follow."
Though flu season is in full swing, there's still plenty of time to get your flu shot.
Are Grocery Store Shelves Lighter?
The nation's food industry is doing its part to help cut down on the rising rate of obesity, according to USA Today. A new report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that between 2007 and 2012, the industry cut nearly 6.4 million calories from their products – which amounts to an average of 78 calories per person per day.
The majority of the calorie-cutting came in the form of lower-cal products, though it's unclear how, if at all, the lighter foods may be helping the average consume fewer calories.
-Amir Khan, Everyday Health Staff Writer
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


A candidate who is engaged in any particular field of the sector, it is most probable that the guy will familiar with a broad section of that particular sector. Here is the parallel condition with SP3D (SmartPlant – 3D). Smart Plant 3D in a short form we say SP3D, it is a modeling software used by the professionals of the engineering sector for pipe designing. Like other training and certification organization, Multisoft Virtual Academy conducts SP3D online training for engineering aspirants. This SP3D training at Multisoft virtual academy focus to develop the skills required for creating, running, and managing the detailed designing projects in multiple different sectors like power plants, petrochemical setups, oil and gas industry, and food and beverage manufacturing units etc.
SP3D is future-centric and developing software that is upgrading the methodology of plant designing and composing. This software is continuously breaking the myths and limitations continued with the old-style of outlining and displaying software innovation. SmartPlant 3D empowers the designing work by including 3D visual rather than the traditional concentrating on the basically fulfilling plan.
How to end up plainly a specialist at Smart Plant – 3D (SP3D)?
A learned SP3D online training can transform into a perspective in the candidate's calling. Building candidates and individuals with an eagerness for the CAD territory and endeavoring to set up a work in pipe designing can go for such training program as this will add a plume to their dominance and will in like manner support them by giving certification.
This SP3D training creates the required capacities for execution of quick and dirty diagram reaches out in petrochemical setups, control plants, sustenance and drink delivering units and oil and gas industry. On completing the Smart Plant – 3D electronic getting ready, candidates will secure authority and capacity in directing and assistant showing.
Isometric illustration extraction, cross section/mastermind system, and equipment, setting are a noteworthy piece of the SP3D Training. The competitor will in like manner perceive how to perceive gush presentation; execute structure and solid illustrating; and make gets ready for structure portions like venturing stools, areas, dividers, and handrails.


Gach bliain aithníonn Duaiseanna na mBristeoirí Teorann san Eoraip (EBBA) an rath a tháinig ar 10 n-ealaíontóir nó ngrúpa a shroicheann lucht éisteachta lasmuigh dá dtíortha féin leis an gcéad albam uathu a eisíodh go hidirnáisiúnta sa bhliain roimhe sin. Ar bhuaiteoirí Dhuais na mBristeoirí Teorann san Eoraip áirítear Adele, Tokio Hotel, The Baseballs, Zaz, Lykke Li, Milow, Katie Melua, Damien Rice, Caro Emerald, Stromae and Mumford & Sons.
An Coimisiún Eorpach a sheol Duaiseanna EBBA agus is duaiseanna de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh iad. Fundúireacht Noorderslag , a bhfuil de chúram uirthi dáileadh phopcheoil na hEorpa a spreagadh, a eagraíonn an roghnú agus searmanas an bhronnta.
Clár Mhalartú Buanna na hEorpa (ETEP), a chruthaíonn líonra idir fhéilte popcheoil Eorpacha, rud a éascaíonn áirithint bannaí ceoil ó lasmuigh dá dtír dhúchais. Fairis sin, tugann sé eolas do na meáin faoi ealaíontóirí Eorpacha atá ag teacht chun cinn.
Rath na chéad eisiúna idirnáisiúnta i dtíortha Eorpacha eile seachas tír dhúchais an ealaíontóra sa bhliain roimhe sin.
Am seinnte raidió a thug Aontas Craolacháin na hEorpa (EBU) don ealaíontóir ar a gcainéil raidió.
Rath an ealaíontóra ag féilte Eorpacha (ETEP) lasmuigh dá tír/thír dhúchais.
Ó 2010, bíonn vótáil ar líne le teacht ar an mbuaiteoir Dhuais EBBA a gheobhaidh Duais Rogha an Phobail, anuas ar ar ngnáthdhuais. An chéad bhuaiteoir, b'shin an t-amhránaí-cumadóir ceoil Milow. Bhuaigh an banna raic is roll Gearmánach The Baseballs in 2011.
Ó 2009 bíonn searmanas na nduaiseanna ar siúl in Eanáir gach bliain, le linn na féile Eurosonic Noorderslag, i gcathair Groningen na hÍsiltíre,arna léiriú ag an aoi is ceoltóir BBC Jools Holland. Ceolann buaiteoirí Dhuais EBBA beo i rith an tseó, agus le linn na féile féile féin. Tugtar cuireadh do bhuaiteoirí na mblianta roimhe sin casadh mar aíonna speisialta. Taifeadann an cainéal craolacháin poiblí NOS/NTR and searmanas agus craoltar trí NET3 é. Craoltar an seó gach bliain ar roinnt cainéal teilifíse Eorpach.
An Coimisiún Eorpach a thionscain Duaiseanna EBBA in 2004. Trí na duaiseanna, tá faoin gCoimisiún Eorpach cúrsaíocht thrasteorann an phopcheoil a spreagadh agus aird a tharraingt ar mhór-éagsúlacht ceoil na hEorpa. Clár Cultúir an Aontais Eorpaigh a thacaíonn le Duaiseanna na mBristeoirí Teorann san Eoraip, agus tá faoi soghluaisteacht thrasteorann na n-ealaíontóirí is na ngairmiúlach ceoil a spreagadh; cúrsaíocht thrasteorann an aschurtha chultúrtha is ealaíne a mhisniú; agus comhphlé idirchultúrtha a chothú.
Éire Dolores O'Riordan Are You Listening?
An Spáinn Miguel Ángel Muñoz M.A.M.
An Ungáir Heaven Street Seven Get Out And Walk!
Tugadh an leathanach seo cothrom le dáta an 2 Lúnasa 2018 ag 11:22.


text:
GK & Current Affairs Quiz: September 29-30, 2017
1. Which state to host the 3rd India International Science Festival (IISF)-2017?
[A] Kerala
[B] Odisha
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
The 3rd India International Science Festival (IISF-2017) will be held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from October 13-16. The festival is being organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).Top scientists from the government are expected to participate in the four-day festival at IIT-Chennai.The event will be jointly inaugurated by science and technology ministers of Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Portugal.
2. Tom Alter, the veteran actor has passed away. He hailed from which country?
[A] Malaysia
[B] Indonesia
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] India
Correct Answer: D [India]
Padma Shri awardee Tom Alter (67), who was veteran actor and theatre personality, has passed away in Mumbai on September 29, 2017. The Indian actor of American descent, Tom Alter made his big screen debut in 1976 with a small role in Dharmendra-starrer Charas and later went on to work in films like Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Gandhi, Kranti, Bose: The Forgotten Hero and Veer Zara. But it was his sitcom Zabaan Sambhalke (1993-1997) that made him a household name. Born in Mussoorie in 1950, Alter was a third-generation American in India who studied at Woodstock School in the Himalayas and then briefly at Yale University in the USA, before returning to India in the early 70s.
3. NITI Aayog will host Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2017) in which city?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] New Delhi
[C] Chennai
[D] Kochi
Correct Answer: A [Hyderabad ]
NITI Aayog will host the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2017) in partnership with the USA, which is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from November 28 to 30. The 2017 theme "Women First, Prosperity for All" will celebrate entrepreneurship in all its strength, diversity and entirety. The four primary focus areas of GES 2017 are Health Care and Life Sciences, Digital Economy and Financial Technology, Energy and Infrastructure, and Media and Entertainment. The 2017 summit will empower Indian entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, build partnerships, secure funding, and create innovative products and services that will transform societies for a better future. It will not only bring global best practices to India, but will also create an irreplaceable place for India in the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
4. Which city to host the 14th India-EU Summit -2017?
[A] Paris
[C] Brussels
[D] London
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
The 14th India-EU Summit will be held in New Delhi from October 5-7, 2017. During the summit, both sides are expected to discuss a host of key issues including ways to remove hurdles for the long-pending free trade agreement. The president of the European Council (EC) Donald Franciszek Tusk, and the president of the European Commission (EC) Jean-Claude Juncker, will attend the summit. The European Union (EU) is India's largest regional trading partner with bilateral trade in goods at USD 88 billion in 2016. The EU is also the largest destination for Indian exports and a key source of investment and technologies.
5. Which service will be launched by BSNL in partnership with Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL) to provide disaster management in India?
[A] Relief 111
[B] Relief 17
[C] Relief 123
[D] Relief 99
Correct Answer: C [Relief 123]
The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL) have signed MoU to launch "Relief 123" service to provide disaster management in India. The "Relief 123" service is an integrated disaster response solution for first responders and public safety agencies. The solution is designed and manufactured by VNL and the backhaul connectivity will be provided by BSNL. The "Relief 123" is based on "ResQMobil", an integrated portable communication solution which packs in the required hardware into a portable transportable trailer-on-wheels. The service will restore connectivity at disaster sites, help locate the affected people and integrate information across platforms for quick relief. The model can also be scaled for SAARC countries, wherein BSNL would have roaming agreements with local mobile service operators.
6. Which bank has launched 'Project Nishchay' to improve financial performance?
[A] PNB
[B] SBI
[C] ICICI Bank
[D] IDBI Bank
Correct Answer: D [IDBI Bank]
IDBI Bank has launched 'Project Nishchay' in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to accelerate its turnaround program and improve financial performance. The project will be led by senior management at IDBI Bank along with BCG. As part of the initiative, IDBI bank will focus on four key areas – revenue enhancement, cost control & reduction, asset productivity and overall program management in consultation with BCG.
7. The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) is located in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Kerala
Correct Answer: B [Odisha ]
The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) is located in Baragarh district, Odisha and covers an area of 346.91 square kilometers. This sanctuary is not only famous for the sylvan beauty with magnificent waterfalls but is also very rich in wildlife. The dry deciduous forests with varied flora and fauna attract the tourists of Odisha and neighbouring states. It is home to Indian leopard, Indian elephant, sambar, chital, gaur, etc.
8. Who has become the first woman chief proctor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU)?
[A] Varsha Sharma
[B] Royana Singh
[C] Nidhi Singh
[D] Hema Prajapati
Correct Answer: B [Royana Singh]
Royana Singh, an assistant professor at the Institute of Medical Science (Anatomy Department), has been appointed as the first woman chief proctor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). She succeeded O P Singh, who recently resigned from the post after taking moral responsibility for the lathi charge on students who were protesting against the victim-blaming of a colleague who was molested on the campus.
9. Makhan Lal Fotedar, who passed away recently, was the political leader of which party?
[A] Bharatiya Janata Party
[B] Indian National Congress
[C] Bahujan Samaj Party
[D] Communist Party of India
Correct Answer: B [Indian National Congress]
Makhan Lal Fotedar (85), a veteran Congress leader, has passed away in Gurugram, Haryana on September 28, 2017. Hailing from Kashmir, Fotedar was ushered into politics by Jawaharlal Nehru in early 1950s and he gradually strengthened his position in the Congress to become one of the most powerful persons in the party. He enjoyed immense trust of Indira Gandhi who had made him her political secretary in 1980. After her death, Rajiv Gandhi also made him his political secretary for three years, before inducting him in his Cabinet as a minister. Fotedar also was a member of the powerful Congress Working Committee (CW), the highest decision-making body of the party, for a long time. Even now, he was a permanent invitee to the CWC. He was also a leader of the Kashmiri Pandits.
10. Which will be the first big state after Goa to use EVMs with VVPAT?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Karnataka
[D] Rajasthan
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat ]
Gujarat will be the second state after Goa to use the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system for the Assembly elections. Here, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be equipped with VVPAT. State Chief Electoral Officer and Principal Secretary Mr. B. B. Sawain announced this at a press conference in Gandhinagar on Septmebr 28, 2017. Approx 70,182 VVPAT machines will be used in the state for the Assembly elections. During the poll, the voters will experience the transparency and would enjoy a new right. According to the latest electoral list, it has as many as 4.33 crore registered voters in the state.


David Hasselhoff is currently filming Knight Rider, the movie, set to be released in 2008.
That would be a good movie. A totally unappreciated superhero.
Then Michael could burn K.I.T.T. with an iron.
On an entirely unrelated note, here's James Brown coked to oblivion and, well… he's James Brown. Papa's got a wrinkly old bag, but that ain't stoppin' Papa!


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Michael Strahan Parts Ways With Signature Gap In His Teeth
Black Twitter is a little upset; check out what they have to say.
(Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
All good things must come to an end.
Michael Strahan shocked fans with his new smile on Tuesday (March 30). He revealed that his once-famous gap was now closed.
The Good Morning America co-host posted a video on his Instagram showing the behind-the-scenes process of closing his gap. Strahan had a procedure that took place at Smile Design Manhattan.
"I did it. #GoodbyeGap," he captioned in his post.
RELATED: 'Good Morning America's' Michael Strahan Tests Positive for COVID-19
The 49-year-old shared in the video clip that he was aware that he would receive some disapproving comments from his fanbase, business partners, family, and friends. Still, ultimately, he was confident in his decision.
"I gotta do what I want to do for myself now," he expressed in the video clip. Strahan said it was "50 years in the making," and the end result left him speechless. "I love it, holy f**k!," he shouted, taking a look at his new smile.
Black Twitter was not impressed with his new look and took to the platform to sound off their feelings.
celebrity newsmichael strahan


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Home › Slow Reads › (2021) The Dream Archipelago by Christopher Priest
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1 Game Discussion
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May 2021 clash_bowley
May 2021 RichardAbbott
May 2021 NeilNjae
The Islanders: End of Book Discussion Part 4 - Gaming
May 2021 in (2021) The Dream Archipelago by Christopher Priest
What is there here for RPGing?
Good question, and we ask this question of every book. Are all fictional books fodder for gaming, or is the gaming inspiration just a conceit that we all use to make our club look interesting?
So, what is there here for RPGing?
There are several things I look for in books that can be useful in gaming:
Does the book have an interesting theme or two, one that I might like to explore in gaming? I don't always use themes in gaming, but I don't think we can deny their use. Almost every story game is strongly theme based. We've identified several themes in The Islanders, some of which might be useful in gaming. Here are just a few,
Pairs of opposites - this could be a running theme in a campaign arc, with 'opposite' locations, 'opposite' people, dopplegangers, etc.
Unreliable Characters - I make use of this a lot - not so much as theme, but just as a tool. Not all characters are reliable, and they don't always thell the truth, nor do they always tell the same story twice. Their only human, afterall.
Art as Destruction - Seems like maybe an interesting one for a one-shot.
Longevity and Reinvention - Some characters can live forever, and in doing so are forced to reinvent themselves. This book gives us some ideas as to how and why this might happen.
Does the book have a setting I'd like to game in? If not the actual setting, can I take a page from this setting for my own use?
I actually think The Archipelago is a fine gaming setting. In many ways, it's actually ideal - the close enough to our world to make it familiar without needing a lot of explanation. but it has some really intriguing elements, like the immortality treatments and the vortices, that give it enough of a twist to make it compelling to gamers. The amount of setting delivered in this book is also pretty consistent with what you find in a lot of RPG books - not too heavy, and many things only lightly described.
Even if I don't use the actual setting, there are some things I can adopt from it. One is the very idea of playing a modern-age game on a setting that isn't actually earth. We see a lot of SF and Fantasy that's not set on earth - but how many 'contemporary' settings have you seen? I can't think of any, but I love the idea of it. I find it quite inspiring.
Another thing I quite like about this is the nature of the presentation. We have a setting presented in a 'list' format, and I quite like that. There are RPG products that do this, including the excellent Dictionary of Mu setting for Sorceror, which doesn't give an overview of the setting, just a number of alphabetical entries. As you read them, the picture of the setting builds as you go.
In my own book, Mythic Babylon, which is about to be published, we have a Gazetteer of Cities which describes 50+ cities all across the land. Each entry is different - some are very brief and only speak about inhabitants - others are very long and go into a lot of detail. No single entry can really tell you what a Babylonian city is like, but when you read all of them, these entries combine to give you the impression of a 'generic' Babylonian city in the way that no single entry can. The effect is synergistic.
I find the same to be true for The Islanders. I think the experience of the 'whole' is greater than the sum of the parts. And I find I really like that way of presenting information in both fiction and gaming, though I think it's inherently more useful in gaming (because RPGs are reference books) than in fiction (which are not).
In a strange way it reminded me a bit of how 13th Age seems to describe locations - especially in **13th Age Glorantha **- with a coy "maybe it's this, maybe it's that, it's up to you - here's what three people think of the king" that I find very much to my taste as a GM.
This is another thing about the presentation in The Islanders. It's telling you things that the people in the setting will tell you, rather than the things the author would tell you. It's a very immersive way of preventing a setting, and has been a staple way of presenting the setting of Glorantha for a very long time, now.
Sometimes I look for interesting characters in fiction to see if there's an NPC I'd like to introduce into a game. Or an NPC trait. I'm not sure any of these characters would make it into a game of mine, but maybe. Or maybe just some bits and pieces. For example, I find Chaster Kammeston to be compelling enough to borrow from - a character who purports (for authenticity reasons) to have never left his home, yet has been seen elsewhere. And he has a twin. And he may be covering something up. That seems useful.
I quite like the idea of the annoying Mime who can be defeated by playing his own mime game.
I think there's plenty of story potential in the lothario, Bathurst, but it's probably not the kind of thing I'd personally introduce into a game.
SITUATIONS OR STORY:
This is the element of novel I'm least likely to use, but sometimes I'll steal a situation from a book and plop my characters right into it in my own setting. I've done this with some Fritz Lieber and Conan stories, and even with an event Marco Polo described. I'm not sure there's much in the way of 'sitautions' I'd import into a game, but perhaps something to do with a doppleganger might be interesting, or the unwanted attentions of the angry mime encounter on the street.
What about you - did you find anything in here to port into gaming?
NeilNjae
Art and artists is something I rarely include in my games, and I should include it sometimes for variety. It's an interesting motivation for a villain: they're not evil, just want to express themselves.
For setting, this may make an interesting comparison to Over the Edge. OtE is also set on a contemporary island, but is more surreal and "gonzo" (in the original meaning) than Priest's work.
The method of presenting information as a collection of parts, where the reader infers the overall structure: I can see the intent, but it's not a method I like. Why is the writer making me do extra work? If there is basic, factual information to convey, just convey it. If can work if you're only trying to convey a mood.
Settings that would be interesting in a game? I'd like to see how the "vampire towers" could work in a game, where the change is dependent on the emotions of the victim. It reminds me of a CJ Cherryh short story where the protagonist makes a deal with the fey, trading away his morals for the life of his kidnapped brother. The writing shows how the upstanding hero of the beginning becomes the ruthless villain of the end. That kind of emotional, internal change is not one RPGs are typically strong.
RichardAbbott
Mostly here in this discussion just to see what others think. But I would have preferred a map, even one that I knew was only partially accurate and subject to change. After all, the authors/compilers of the gazetteer knew enough to tell us that things were north, south, east, west etc, and where they were in relationship to other islands, so some sort of map is clearly possible.
clash_bowley
There is nothing here I would especially like to bring into my games. Some things you mentioned I have already had in my games for decades - for instance longitivity and reinvention, where long life and a finite cranial data capacity make changes in the way species deal with the past. The thrymes were a nasty monster, and fun to read about, but unleashing them on a game world would inevitably result in these unkillable killers eventually filling the world hip deep in thrymes. The vampiric towers were perhaps the closest to a gameable idea, yet I would have to use them in a world where the players were not so close to their characters - perhaps some story games. Whatever!


By Mr. Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3634) of Mike Connolly and others relative to renewable energy portfolio standards for retail electricity suppliers. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.


Ireland's banks have come in for criticism this week for imposing excessively high interest rates on farm businesses, according to IFA President Eddie Downey.
Downey said this week's meeting of the IFA Executive Council heard strong criticism of the cost of funding and he said the banks will have to reduce the margin they are taking, particularly on overdraft and short-term working capital facilities.
"Significant investment is planned on farms with the abolition of milk quota and the rollout of the Rural Development Programme TAMS programme.
Downey said it is expected that there will be strong demand from the farming sector for matching funding for the scheme via the banking system over the coming years.
However, he said with money freely available to banks at historically low cost, and with the strong repayment record of farmers, there is no justification for the excessive rates being charged.
"Farm businesses must remain competitive and lower interest rate and charges by the banks are justified," he said.
A recent review of the financial performance of Irish farmers by Teagasc and Bank of Ireland found that the average debt on Irish farms was €24,000 in 2013.
However the report highlighted that average debt levels where much higher on dairy and tillage compared to livestock farms.
Dairy farmers had the highest debt levels on average at €62,000, however of those dairy farmers with borrowings the average indebtedness rose to €94,000.


A major increase in sewerage fees paid by businesses and developers will be considered June 13 by the Terrebonne Parish Council.
n Fees for business owners who want to connect to existing parish sewer lines would nearly double, going from $26 to $50 per linear foot.
n Fees paid by developers who want to connect brand-new sewer systems that they build for businesses or subdivisions would increase by 488 percent. Officials said the steep increase will bring the fees in line with those of comparable parishes.
Developers opposed the second proposal especially, saying the increase will likely be passed on to business owners and residents.
Officials offered one example of an average subdivision where it might now cost a developer $170 per lot to connect to the parish system. If the fee increase is approved, the same lot would cost $1,000 in sewerage fees.
Developer Charles Giglio, 70, called the request "ludicrous" and "unreasonable." He added that the effect on consumers will be inevitable.
Council members expressed similar concerns about the administration's proposal.
Councilwoman Arlanda Williams said the council is trying to improve the quality of life and affordable housing for residents, not raise the cost of living with one drastic increase.
A study done in 2011 by GSE Associates engineer Arthur Defraites Jr. shows that Terrebonne is behind parishes like Jefferson and St. Charles on its profit from the sewer system since the cost of living has risen in recent years.
Terrebonne Parish Pollution Control administrator Mike Ordogne cited the study as a reason for the price increase.
Ordogne said that as the parish expands, the sewer system has to expand as well. The cost increase for developers will help offset what taxpayers may have to pay for system improvements, he added.
Parish officials are considering selling about $30 million worth of bonds to repair and upgrade Terrebonne's sewerage systems.
Councilman Daniel Babin said he'd like to hear from local developers with different ideas about the plan before a decision is made.
Homes built by developers also produce jobs, as well as property taxes that go to local government for parishwide maintenance and improvements, Giglio and Richard said. If the higher fees slow construction, parish government could lose money in the process.
"If a cost increase is needed, then I think it should be taken care of but not just by the developers but by homeowners and the government as well," developer Lea Rutter, 60, said.


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Paralympic sports - 26. November 2007.
General Assembly Finishes With Seoul Declaration
Seoul, Korea - The 2007 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly (GA) was held from 24 and 25 November 2007, in Seoul, Korea. Around 250 delegates from National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), disability specific sport federations (IOSDs), regions and sports attended the event.
Hosted by the NPC of Korea, the motto of the Assembly was "Passion for the Paralympic Movement: Striving Towards Global Development".
During two days of meetings, which clearly showed increased sense of unity and understanding between IPC and its members, the GA was presented with an overview of IPC activities of the last two years as well as approved the Financial Budget for 2008 and the framework for 2009.
Three National Paralympic Committees (Liberia, Panama, the Netherlands) were ratified as members of the IPC, as well as the Asian Paralympic Committee. Furthermore, four International Sports Federations, including the International Cycling Union (UCI), the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the International Rowing Federation (FISA) joined the IPC as a member.
After the IPC Classification Code has been approved by the General Assembly, the members will now be invited to sign for acceptance before the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The new Code will set the norm for the further development of classification in the Paralympic Movement.
Three Organizing Committees, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 reported on the status of their preparations for future Paralympic Games and distributed information to the delegates.
Said Sir Philip Craven, IPC President: "This year's IPC General Assembly has been a landmark event for us. A number of stimulating discussions arose during the meetings, giving me increased confidence that we are in an excellent position to face up to future challenges. I am sure that our organizational achievements and successes will allow us to stage the best ever Paralympic Games to date in Beijing."
During a Gala Dinner on 24 November, the IPC Membership also honoured the winners of the Paralympic Awards 2007.
The Paralympic Sport Awards 2007 were awarded in five categories, based on performance at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games:
Best Male Athlete: Brian McKeever (CAN, Cross Country Skiing)
Best Female Athlete: Lauren Woolstencroft (CAN, Alpine Skiing)
Best Team Performance: Canadian Ice Sledge Hockey Team
Best Games Debut: Thomas Pfyl (SUI, Alpine Skiing)
Exemplary Games Official: Dr. Karl Quade (GER)
The Paralympic Media Awards 2007 honour members of the media who presented the highest quality and most dynamic coverage of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, in three categories:
Broadcast: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (AUS)
Written (Online): BBC Sport Website (GBR)
Photo: Mikael Helsing (ESP)
The Paralympic Scientific Award 2007 recognized one outstanding contributor (academic or scientific) for research in the field of sport for persons with a disability.
Paralympic Scientific Award 2007: Garry Wheeler (CAN)
Furthermore, the Paralympic Order, the highest recognition presented by the IPC, was awarded to two persons, who have made an outstanding or long-lasting contribution to the Paralympic Movement and/or to the overall success of the Paralympic Games. The recipients were Mr. Silas Chang (Hong Kong) and Mr. Stavros Stavrianopoulos (Greece).
In the Seoul Declaration, signed by the IPC and Korean Paralympic Committee President on 25 November, the IPC and all its members committed to advance the rights of Paralympic athletes, achieve sporting excellence, promote values and empower youth.
For more information, especially about the Paralympic Awards and the award winners, please visit the IPC website at www.paralympic.org.


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TV ReviewsMarvel's Jessica JonesSeason 2
Jessica Jones' secret? She's always angry
Photo: David Giesbrecht (Netflix)
"AKA God Help The Hobo" opens with a New York City heatwave. Jessica Jones, of course, is still dressed in jeans and a leather jacket because that's how she rolls. But the heat has upped everyone's emotions. I'm always a fan of these Marvel Netflix shows adding more of an episodic feel to their "13-hour movie" approach and the rising temperature immediately sets this episode apart. So too does the fact that Jessica begins attending her court-mandated anger management support group, where she shocks even the angriest of her fellow attendees with her dark life story.
Marvel's Jessica JonesSeason 2
"AKA God Help The Hobo"
"AKA God Help The Hobo" is another slow-burning episode, but it sees some of the season's various storylines start to coalesce. In addition to working with Jessica to stop her partners' buyout, Hogarth now seems destined to end up working with IGH as she attempts to either end her own life or find an illicit, cutting-edge cure for her ALS. Elsewhere, Oscar moves away from his one-note antagonism to start forming a genuine friendship with Jessica, one complicated by the fact that she's more open to casual sex than he is (a nice subversion of gender stereotypes). Pryce Chang, meanwhile, tries to recruit Malcolm for Chang Consulting as part of his ongoing attempt to take down Jessica. Being the perfect Hufflepuff that he is, Malcolm doesn't sell out his boss. But he does negotiate a new partnership with her, one that will give him a sense of purpose, a place to be, and some much-needed stability.
Those are good, solid steps for the season to make as it starts to take shape. Yet Jessica Jones is still relying on some weird narrative leaps too. For instance, it's slightly strange that famed Hollywood director Max Tatum is tied into this story through his connections to Metro General Hospital of all places. It makes sense to a certain extent; Jessica argues that Max is a major donor and would therefore have some sway over getting the hospital to illegally release files on IGH patients if he threatens to pull his donation. But just at face value, "Trish and Jessica threaten a sleazy Hollywood director in order to get medical files" is a weird bit of convoluted plotting. It would make more sense if they were either investigating something within the Hollywood world or if Max were more directly connected to IGH. But as it stands, it feels like the show is just smashing together two compelling but unrelated stories through the thinnest of plot mechanics.
Thankfully, the emergence of the mystery woman (who seems to be referred to mostly as "The Killer," so that's what I'll call her too) has given this season a new sense of forward momentum. Trish and Jessica's attempts to hunt down The Killer lead them to Inez Green, the other person alongside Jessica and Whizzer to have her medical bills paid by IGH. Though at first they think The Killer and Inez are one and the same, it turns out Inez was actually an IGH nurse who barely lived to tell the tale after being attacked by The Killer—a cancer-patient-turned-monster under IGH's care. More importantly, Inez is yet another foil for Jessica. Living on the streets while on the run from IGH, Inez has had to harden herself in order to survive. Isolated, alone, and living in constant fear, Inez is everything Jessica worries she will one day become if she loses control of her life. So too is The Killer.
As the opening anger management scene suggests, there's a strong theme of female anger running throughout this season. It's a quality shared by Jessica, The Killer, and Inez—three women who immediately lash out when they feel threatened. Elsewhere, "AKA God Help The Hobo" uses its comic book roots to tell a more metaphorical story about Trish Walker's anger too. Much like she downed Will Simpson's pills during a crisis last season, Trish uses Simpson's inhaler to give herself a physical and mental boost while tracking down Inez. Trish has always been a character who's equally obsessed with protecting herself (she basically lives in a locked box) and with jumping straight into danger. The inhaler provides a way for her to do both of those things at once. Unfortunately, it also increases her aggression, a side effect she's all too happy to ignore while enjoying the high of her new abilities.
But by far the biggest act of aggression in this episode comes from The Killer, who brutally murders the associate Pryce Chang sends to rob Jessica's office. It's a little hard to tell if The Killer is explicitly trying to frame Jessica or if she has some other agenda of her own. But either way, Jessica winds up taking the fall for the murder. It's yet another moment in which Jessica must contend with the question of how much violence she's capable of. If she and The Killer are both IGH experiments, does that mean Jessica has the same capacity for violence too? "That's not me," she keeps repeating while starring at the bloody crime scene. She's ostensibly speaking to the cops, but she's even more so reassuring herself. There's power in anger but there's also danger in it too. And both Jessica and Trish need to make sure they let their anger fuel them, not destroy them.
Griffin Watch: This episode sees Griffin take an ominous phone call, which is so overtly menacing that I'm back on the "Griffin can't actually be evil" train.
I love the subplot about Malcolm becoming Trish's faux boyfriend in the tabloids.
The costuming choices in this episode are really bizarre. Oscar and his ex are dressed in summery clothes, but Vido is wearing jeans and a long-sleeve button-up shirt in the middle of a supposed heat wave.
Pryce's "prejudice" against superpowered people really isn't working for me.
It's disappointing to see Jessica Jones' second season continue to center its feminist messaging almost solely on white women. This season has added two more women to its regular cast (Janet McTeer's Killer and Leah Gibson's Inez Green), both of whom are white.
"Patsy Goes To Rehab: There's your comeback show."
The A.V. Club is recapping Jessica Jones
Episode 1: "AKA Start At The Beginning" — B | Episode 2: "AKA Freak Accident" — B- | Episode 3:…
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Contributor, The A.V. Club. Caroline Siede is a pop culture critic in Chicago, where the cold never bothers her anyway. Her interests include superhero movies, feminist theory, and Jane Austen novels.