Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Originality??
With all that has been said and done, everything has already been done. In some way or the other. So technically there's very little originality left. What is originality to us is built upon what was thought of in the past. And as time goes on, there will be less of our presumed "originality".
Crocodile Meat
Lately people have been eating (to me) the weirdest things like emu, frog, kangaroo, turtle, snake etc... If you are adventurous enough, you could try crocodile meat. It tastes like chicken, but has the texture of fish.
I tried it the other day, out of curiosity. I can't say that I like it, but it was an interesting experience that I would only want to have once in my life only. Maybe it was the way it was cooked, in soup and Chinese herbs: the soup was not to bad, a little strong on the herbs taste but pretty nice, but the meat was a little too fishy for me.
I tried it the other day, out of curiosity. I can't say that I like it, but it was an interesting experience that I would only want to have once in my life only. Maybe it was the way it was cooked, in soup and Chinese herbs: the soup was not to bad, a little strong on the herbs taste but pretty nice, but the meat was a little too fishy for me.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Man takes video game character as wife
TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese man has married a character in a popular video game, taking her -- and his handheld game console -- on an overseas honeymoon.
The man, who prefers to use his online moniker SAL9000, met character Nene Anegasaki while playing dating simulation game "Love Plus."
They got married a few weeks ago, broadcasting their ceremony live on Japan's version of video-sharing website Youtube.
SAL9000, who did not want to reveal his real name for fear of being misunderstood, admits to be an "otaku," a breed of Japanese youth obsessed with video games, computers and fantasy worlds.
"In the Japanese otaku or nerd culture, there's a tradition of calling characters my wife, and I sort of thought of Nene as my wife. Since I was calling her that, I thought we'd just have to get married then," he told Reuters Television.
"If more people were to find ways of expressing themselves like this, I think it would make society a bit more interesting."
The newlyweds, who went on a honeymoon to Guam, now go on dates around Tokyo, with SAL9000 taking pictures of Nene, installed in his Nintendo DS, in front of famous landmarks and then posting them on social networking sites.
As the game "Love Plus" has voice recognition software, SAL9000 says it's possible to have a sort of conversation with Nene or even play simple games such as rock, paper, scissors.
He also has vowed to have and to hold, for better and for worse, even if another, updated version of the game is released.
"I think I'll probably continue playing Love Plus. I won't cheat," SAL9000 said.
AP
The man, who prefers to use his online moniker SAL9000, met character Nene Anegasaki while playing dating simulation game "Love Plus."
They got married a few weeks ago, broadcasting their ceremony live on Japan's version of video-sharing website Youtube.
SAL9000, who did not want to reveal his real name for fear of being misunderstood, admits to be an "otaku," a breed of Japanese youth obsessed with video games, computers and fantasy worlds.
"In the Japanese otaku or nerd culture, there's a tradition of calling characters my wife, and I sort of thought of Nene as my wife. Since I was calling her that, I thought we'd just have to get married then," he told Reuters Television.
"If more people were to find ways of expressing themselves like this, I think it would make society a bit more interesting."
The newlyweds, who went on a honeymoon to Guam, now go on dates around Tokyo, with SAL9000 taking pictures of Nene, installed in his Nintendo DS, in front of famous landmarks and then posting them on social networking sites.
As the game "Love Plus" has voice recognition software, SAL9000 says it's possible to have a sort of conversation with Nene or even play simple games such as rock, paper, scissors.
He also has vowed to have and to hold, for better and for worse, even if another, updated version of the game is released.
"I think I'll probably continue playing Love Plus. I won't cheat," SAL9000 said.
AP
Phone thief caught after answering call
A mobile phone thief was caught after he answered a call and gave the his victim his name and address, a court has heard.
Peter Gamblin, 24, answered his phone he had taken just hours before and gave him his personal details in an ''act of bravado.''
At Lincoln Crown Court Gamblin, a former England under-16 billiard champion, from Lincoln, Lincs., denied the robbery, claiming he was at his sister's house.
But a jury took just 25 minutes to convict him.
Judge Ebrahim Mooncey granted Gamblin bail for the preparation of a probation report but warned him to expect custody when he is sentenced in the New Year.
He said: ''The jury have found you guilty of a robbery and that sort of crime usually means a custodial sentence.''
Gamblin, played billiards at an international level until 2003.
Telegraph
Peter Gamblin, 24, answered his phone he had taken just hours before and gave him his personal details in an ''act of bravado.''
At Lincoln Crown Court Gamblin, a former England under-16 billiard champion, from Lincoln, Lincs., denied the robbery, claiming he was at his sister's house.
But a jury took just 25 minutes to convict him.
Judge Ebrahim Mooncey granted Gamblin bail for the preparation of a probation report but warned him to expect custody when he is sentenced in the New Year.
He said: ''The jury have found you guilty of a robbery and that sort of crime usually means a custodial sentence.''
Gamblin, played billiards at an international level until 2003.
Telegraph
Sausages used in suicide bomb plot gone wrong
Chinese police were held in a hour-long stand-off with a suspected suicide bomber only to find the man was armed with sausages.
Police believed that the straps and bulky items around Sing He's waist were dynamite and detonators.
Mr He, 23, threatened to blow up a restaurant and its customers in Benxi, northern China, unless the staff handed over the contents of the till.
But a specialist bomb unit called to the scene quickly determined that the device was assembled with pork products.
"When we saw what he had round his waist we couldn't help laughing. Some of the sausages still had the wrappers on them," said one bomb squad officer. "It must have been terrifying for the customers but those things would only have gone off if you'd kept them past their sell by date."
Mr He told police he had planned the raid because he was depressed after breaking up with his girlfriend.
He said: "I needed some excitement in my life and to that extent it was a success."
Telegraph
Police believed that the straps and bulky items around Sing He's waist were dynamite and detonators.
Mr He, 23, threatened to blow up a restaurant and its customers in Benxi, northern China, unless the staff handed over the contents of the till.
But a specialist bomb unit called to the scene quickly determined that the device was assembled with pork products.
"When we saw what he had round his waist we couldn't help laughing. Some of the sausages still had the wrappers on them," said one bomb squad officer. "It must have been terrifying for the customers but those things would only have gone off if you'd kept them past their sell by date."
Mr He told police he had planned the raid because he was depressed after breaking up with his girlfriend.
He said: "I needed some excitement in my life and to that extent it was a success."
Telegraph
Man jailed for eating rare tiger
BEIJING (Reuters) – A man who killed and ate what may have been the last wild Indochinese tiger in China was sentenced to 12 years in jail, local media reported on Tuesday.
Kang Wannian, a villager from Mengla, Yunnan Province, met the tiger in February while gathering freshwater clams in a nature reserve near China's border with Laos. He claimed to have killed it in self-defense.
The only known wild Indochinese tiger in China, photographed in 2007 at the same reserve, has not been seen since Kang's meal, the Yunnan-based newspaper Life News reported earlier this month.
The paper quoted the provincial Forestry Bureau as saying there was no evidence the tiger was the last one in China.
A local court sentenced Kang to 10 years for killing a rare animal plus two years for illegal possession of firearms, the local web portal Yunnan.cn reported. Prosecutors said Kang did not need a gun to gather clams.
Four villagers who helped Kang dismember the tiger and ate its meat were also sentenced from three to four years for "covering up and concealing criminal gains," the report said.
Kang was also fined 480,000 yuan ($70,000).
The Indochinese tiger is on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 1,000 left in the forests of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.
Reuters
Kang Wannian, a villager from Mengla, Yunnan Province, met the tiger in February while gathering freshwater clams in a nature reserve near China's border with Laos. He claimed to have killed it in self-defense.
The only known wild Indochinese tiger in China, photographed in 2007 at the same reserve, has not been seen since Kang's meal, the Yunnan-based newspaper Life News reported earlier this month.
The paper quoted the provincial Forestry Bureau as saying there was no evidence the tiger was the last one in China.
A local court sentenced Kang to 10 years for killing a rare animal plus two years for illegal possession of firearms, the local web portal Yunnan.cn reported. Prosecutors said Kang did not need a gun to gather clams.
Four villagers who helped Kang dismember the tiger and ate its meat were also sentenced from three to four years for "covering up and concealing criminal gains," the report said.
Kang was also fined 480,000 yuan ($70,000).
The Indochinese tiger is on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 1,000 left in the forests of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.
Reuters
Pet pig's fart sparks gas leak scare
A PORTLY pig with flatulence triggered a minor emergency near Bendigo this week when smells wafting from the 120kg porker sparked fears of a potentially dangerous gas leak.
Two Country Fire Authority tankers and 15 firefighters turned out in darkness to search the source of the leak at a property at Axedale, east of Bendigo. But the likely culprit was soon sniffed out, the pet sow startled from slumber in the dead of night.
"She got very excited when two trucks and 15 firies turned up and she squealed and farted and squealed and farted," said fire chief Peter Harkins.
"I haven't heard too many pigs fart but I would describe it as very full-on."
Mr Harkins said the family had done the right thing by calling 000 to report a suspected gas leak: "It's all bottled gas up here and a leaking cylinder could pose a major fire risk.
"It was because we took it so seriously that 15 volunteers still managed to attend the call out at 10.30 on Tuesday night."
Mr Harkins said the day had been both wet and warm, as well as slightly humid.
"Smells are always exacerbated in those conditions. We got to the property and we could smell a very strong odour in the vicinity.
"It didn't take us too long to work it out because we could both smell and hear her."
The pig, a family pet, was lying low yesterday, her embarrassed owners refusing media requests for a photograph of their porker.
She is believed to be a friendly and docile animal, a much loved children's pet, possibly in need of a change of diet.
News.com.au
Two Country Fire Authority tankers and 15 firefighters turned out in darkness to search the source of the leak at a property at Axedale, east of Bendigo. But the likely culprit was soon sniffed out, the pet sow startled from slumber in the dead of night.
"She got very excited when two trucks and 15 firies turned up and she squealed and farted and squealed and farted," said fire chief Peter Harkins.
"I haven't heard too many pigs fart but I would describe it as very full-on."
Mr Harkins said the family had done the right thing by calling 000 to report a suspected gas leak: "It's all bottled gas up here and a leaking cylinder could pose a major fire risk.
"It was because we took it so seriously that 15 volunteers still managed to attend the call out at 10.30 on Tuesday night."
Mr Harkins said the day had been both wet and warm, as well as slightly humid.
"Smells are always exacerbated in those conditions. We got to the property and we could smell a very strong odour in the vicinity.
"It didn't take us too long to work it out because we could both smell and hear her."
The pig, a family pet, was lying low yesterday, her embarrassed owners refusing media requests for a photograph of their porker.
She is believed to be a friendly and docile animal, a much loved children's pet, possibly in need of a change of diet.
News.com.au
Bride marries arriving groom at airport
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A woman in a wedding gown surprised her fiance by greeting him at a Texas airport along with a justice of the peace. Robyn Moore and William Acosta exchanged vows Monday at Corpus Christi International Airport after he got off a plane arriving from Toledo, Ohio.
Photos were taken near a Christmas tree at a security checkpoint.
Acosta, who was wearing jeans and a sweater, says he was speechless and thrilled by the wedding Moore planned.
Moore says she and Acosta "spent half our relationship in airports."
The couple got a marriage license last week and planned to tie the knot this month, at a site to be determined.
Moore and Acosta met in 2008 in Dallas, where she lived and he was on a business trip. They plan to live in Toledo.
AP
Photos were taken near a Christmas tree at a security checkpoint.
Acosta, who was wearing jeans and a sweater, says he was speechless and thrilled by the wedding Moore planned.
Moore says she and Acosta "spent half our relationship in airports."
The couple got a marriage license last week and planned to tie the knot this month, at a site to be determined.
Moore and Acosta met in 2008 in Dallas, where she lived and he was on a business trip. They plan to live in Toledo.
AP
Morning Food Battle
Japan’s fast food chains are stepping up their efforts to draw customers in the morning, reports Fuji TV news:
According to Japanese government statistics, nearly 14 million Japanese people don’t eat breakfast every morning. Fast food chains are hoping to cash in on the non-breakfast-eaters who are hungry in the morning but too busy to prepare their own meals... more>>
According to Japanese government statistics, nearly 14 million Japanese people don’t eat breakfast every morning. Fast food chains are hoping to cash in on the non-breakfast-eaters who are hungry in the morning but too busy to prepare their own meals... more>>
Monday, December 21, 2009
Home intruder spooked by woman's medical call
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A man who broke into an 89-year-old woman's Knoxville home and awakened her was scared off when a monitoring company answered her medical alert call. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported the woman told police she was awakened before dawn Tuesday by a loud noise. She said a man stood over her bed, shaking her by the arms and asking if she were all right.
The woman activated a medical alert device on her neck and the voice of an operator responded over the intercom.
She told police the intruder ripped the device off her, causing a slight abrasion and a cut finger, but he fled taking nothing.
AP
The woman activated a medical alert device on her neck and the voice of an operator responded over the intercom.
She told police the intruder ripped the device off her, causing a slight abrasion and a cut finger, but he fled taking nothing.
AP
Cat uses human loo Cat uses human loo
A pet cat has become an online star in China because it can use a toilet made for humans.
Owner Fang Deng, 32, posted a clip of his ginger cat Miao Mi showing off her special trick.
Deng told the Chongqing Business News: "If the toilet is occupied she will wait patiently until it is free before going in.
"Then she squats on the edge of the loo - just like we do - and does her business.
"Afterwards, she takes a peek at what she's done and then flushes the toilet with her paw."
Internet users have left comments about Miao Mi's intelligence - and are also asking Deng for toilet training tips.
Ananova
Foetus found in gift box
AUTHORITIES allege a south Texas couple put an aborted 7-month-old foetus in a gift box under a Christmas tree after trying to flush the remains down a toilet.
Thirty-one-year-old Ruby Lee Medina and 37-year-old Javier Gonzalez are jailed on abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence charges. Bond is set at US$20,000 (S$28,000) each.
A woman at the San Juan city jail says she can't say whether either has retained an attorney.
San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzalez says police found the foetus inside the woman's trailer home on Thursday after an anonymous tip.
Gonzalez says police believe the woman used pills to induce an abortion, then called an ambulance and said she didn't know where the foetus was.
Gonzalez says the couple first tried to flush the foetus, then cleaned it up and put in the gift box. -- AP
Source : The Straits Times
Thirty-one-year-old Ruby Lee Medina and 37-year-old Javier Gonzalez are jailed on abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence charges. Bond is set at US$20,000 (S$28,000) each.
A woman at the San Juan city jail says she can't say whether either has retained an attorney.
San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzalez says police found the foetus inside the woman's trailer home on Thursday after an anonymous tip.
Gonzalez says police believe the woman used pills to induce an abortion, then called an ambulance and said she didn't know where the foetus was.
Gonzalez says the couple first tried to flush the foetus, then cleaned it up and put in the gift box. -- AP
Source : The Straits Times
Farmer sees divine sign in cow
STERLING, Conn. (AP) — A holy cow in Connecticut, perhaps? Or maybe a divine bovine?
A calf with a white marking on its forehead in the approximate shape of a cross was born last week at a dairy farm in Sterling, a small rustic town on the Rhode Island border.
Owner Brad Davis tells WFSB-TV he thinks the marking may be a message from above, though he's still trying to figure out what that message might be.
The mostly brown calf is half Jersey, half Holstein. Neighborhood children have named it Moses.
The chairman of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Dairy Science tells the Norwich Bulletin newspaper it's not unusual for a Holstein cow to have a white marking on its head. But department chairman Ric Grummer says the cross shape is unusual.
USA Today
Cow 'jumped 6ft onto roof'
A suspected burglary has been solved in Somerset - after a neighbour spotted a cow jumping on to a roof.
The householder, of Blagdon, thought she had been broken into after coming home to find her roof badly damaged.
She called in the police - but then a neighbour came forward with some surprising information, reports the Daily Telegraph.
William de Cothi, 17, had photographed the animal after he spotted it on the roof about six feet off the ground.
The Sixth Form student said: "I was looking out of my window when I saw the cow.
"At first I thought that it was an illusion and that it was in the background and not really on the roof. But after a closer look I could see it was actually on the roof.
"I have heard cows can jump quite high, so I think that is how it got up there. I got my family to come and look later and they laughed. It was absolutely amazing."
Local PC Ray Bradley said: "This was initially recorded on my figures as a burglary so I am glad I can take it off.
"If it wasn't for the door-to-door enquires and this photo we wouldn't have found out it was a cow responsible."
Ananova
Granny, 100, to take parachute plunge for Christmas
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) – A 100-year-old Brazilian grandmother will experience gravity in a whole new way this Christmas when she takes the plunge out of an airplane to become the world's oldest parachuter, local news site G1 reported Saturday.
Aida Mendes asked her grandson as a Christmas gift to help her arrange the jump which would get her into the Guinness Book of world records.
After getting the green light from doctors and her loved ones, Mendes was planning to leap from a plane above Macapa, a city in the northern state of Amapa, this weekend, according to the website.
"This is not my birthday present, it's my Christmas gift," Mendes, who turned 100 in November, was quoted as saying.
"My grandson dared me, and I said 'sure.'"
Still flirtatious in her triple digits, Mendes added: "Because I did a lot of sports as a young woman, I can really say that I am a 100-year-old with the body of a 50-year-old."
Now she is preparing for the drop from about 3,000-4,000 meters (9,900 to 13,000 feet), and a shot at the record books.
AFP
Aida Mendes asked her grandson as a Christmas gift to help her arrange the jump which would get her into the Guinness Book of world records.
After getting the green light from doctors and her loved ones, Mendes was planning to leap from a plane above Macapa, a city in the northern state of Amapa, this weekend, according to the website.
"This is not my birthday present, it's my Christmas gift," Mendes, who turned 100 in November, was quoted as saying.
"My grandson dared me, and I said 'sure.'"
Still flirtatious in her triple digits, Mendes added: "Because I did a lot of sports as a young woman, I can really say that I am a 100-year-old with the body of a 50-year-old."
Now she is preparing for the drop from about 3,000-4,000 meters (9,900 to 13,000 feet), and a shot at the record books.
AFP
Attorney sued after biting off part of man's nose
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A Memphis attorney bit off part of a man's nose during a fight in a restaurant bathroom. A lawsuit filed by Greg Herbers claims attorney Mark Lambert attacked him last June after Herbers asked two men in a bathroom stall to get out so that he could use it.
The suit states that Lambert was at a urinal and had been carrying on a conversation with the men in the stall. Herbers claims Lambert pushed and grabbed him and bit off and swallowed part of his nose.
Lambert told WMC-TV he did bite off part of Herbers' nose, but spit it out. He claims he acted in self defense after Herbers assaulted him.
The police report said Herbers entire left nostril was missing. Herbers claims he suffered permanent disfigurement and will need plastic surgery and possibly a prosthetic nose.
Herbers is asking for $5 million in damages.
AP
The suit states that Lambert was at a urinal and had been carrying on a conversation with the men in the stall. Herbers claims Lambert pushed and grabbed him and bit off and swallowed part of his nose.
Lambert told WMC-TV he did bite off part of Herbers' nose, but spit it out. He claims he acted in self defense after Herbers assaulted him.
The police report said Herbers entire left nostril was missing. Herbers claims he suffered permanent disfigurement and will need plastic surgery and possibly a prosthetic nose.
Herbers is asking for $5 million in damages.
AP
Olympic weightlifter gives birth while training
Elizabeth Poblete, 22, did not know she was pregnant, and called for a doctor when she felt unwell a week ago while hoisting weights in the gym in Sao Paulo, where she lives.
She then gave birth to a premature baby, who was doing well and whom she named Eric Jose after she got over her shock, according to a report on the news website Globo.com.
Both mother and son were taken to hospital.
Horacio Reis, the head weight trainer in the gym, said: "It was a surprise for me. A week ago I acted as a judge in a competition in Chile and this girl was competing.
"All went well and she won the competition.
"I could see she was a big girl, round and strong. That's all I noticed."
Doctors calculated that Miss Poblete must have been six months pregnant. The training and diet observed by female weightlifters can cause irregular menstruation.
Miss Poblete competed for her country in the Beijing Olympics last year. She had been seeking to beef up her body to move from the 75-kilo category to 85 kilos over the past few months.
Telegraph
She then gave birth to a premature baby, who was doing well and whom she named Eric Jose after she got over her shock, according to a report on the news website Globo.com.
Both mother and son were taken to hospital.
Horacio Reis, the head weight trainer in the gym, said: "It was a surprise for me. A week ago I acted as a judge in a competition in Chile and this girl was competing.
"All went well and she won the competition.
"I could see she was a big girl, round and strong. That's all I noticed."
Doctors calculated that Miss Poblete must have been six months pregnant. The training and diet observed by female weightlifters can cause irregular menstruation.
Miss Poblete competed for her country in the Beijing Olympics last year. She had been seeking to beef up her body to move from the 75-kilo category to 85 kilos over the past few months.
Telegraph
Teen runs up dad's cell bill to nearly 22,000
HAYWARD, Calif. – A 13-year-old teen was probably in hot water with his father after running up a cell phone bill of nearly $22,000. Ted Estarija said he was expecting his bill to be higher this month after adding his son to his plan, but wasn't expecting a bill of $21,917 in data usage charges. The Hayward man said his Verizon Wireless bill soared after his son apparently downloaded about 1.4 million kilobytes of data last month.
His plan didn't cover data usage, so he was charged by the megabyte.
Estarija said after the first media reports, Verizon said they would credit his account for the entire amount.
He has also suspended his son's account.
A spokeswoman for Verizon said the company investigates cases with exceptionally large bills.
AP
His plan didn't cover data usage, so he was charged by the megabyte.
Estarija said after the first media reports, Verizon said they would credit his account for the entire amount.
He has also suspended his son's account.
A spokeswoman for Verizon said the company investigates cases with exceptionally large bills.
AP
Master's degree at 17 for precocious teen
VIENNA (AFP) – A high school diploma at 15 and a bachelor's degree at 16: precocious teenager Marian Kogler has now become Austria's youngest master's graduate at the age of 17.
Vienna's University of Technology (TU) announced on Monday that the young man had completed his master's degree in computational intelligence.
He also holds a bachelor's degree in software and information engineering, and has now embarked on a doctorate in computer science at the TU.
The son of a writer and an administrative assistant, Kogler could read and write at the age of three.
Part of his master's research has been presented at international conferences and published in scientific journals, according to his professor Rudolf Freund.
Reuters
Vienna's University of Technology (TU) announced on Monday that the young man had completed his master's degree in computational intelligence.
He also holds a bachelor's degree in software and information engineering, and has now embarked on a doctorate in computer science at the TU.
The son of a writer and an administrative assistant, Kogler could read and write at the age of three.
Part of his master's research has been presented at international conferences and published in scientific journals, according to his professor Rudolf Freund.
Reuters
Boy caught with beer, wearing stolen dress
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Tennessee investigators say a 4-year-old boy was found roaming his neighborhood in the night, drinking beer and wearing a little girl's dress taken from under a neighbor's Christmas tree.
The child's mother, 21-year-old April Wright, told WTVC-TV that the boy "wants to go to jail because that's where his daddy is."
Wright said she and the boy's father are going though a divorce.
The boy, found outside his house in Chattanooga on Tuesday, was taken to a hospital and treated for alcohol consumption.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Janice Atkinson said the incident is being investigated but the department declined to release the report.
The boy's mother said she met with child protective services and was told she will get to keep custody of her son.
MSNBC
The child's mother, 21-year-old April Wright, told WTVC-TV that the boy "wants to go to jail because that's where his daddy is."
Wright said she and the boy's father are going though a divorce.
The boy, found outside his house in Chattanooga on Tuesday, was taken to a hospital and treated for alcohol consumption.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Janice Atkinson said the incident is being investigated but the department declined to release the report.
The boy's mother said she met with child protective services and was told she will get to keep custody of her son.
MSNBC
Student Sues Over Co-Ed Dorm Bathrooms
POULTNEY, Vt. -- A Green Mountain College student has filed a lawsuit over the lack of single-sex bathrooms in the her co-ed residence hall.
Jennifer Weiler, 19, filed a civil complaint last week against the Department of Public Safety, which enforces building and plumbing codes she claims were violated.
All seven of the school's residence halls are co-ed. According to the lawsuit, Weiler and others are uncomfortable with the flimsy curtains on the shower doors and men using the toilets without closing the door.
Weiler's father, Ron Weiler, told The Burlington Free Press that school officials agreed to label the bathroom on her floor "female" but males continue to use it. A college spokesman declined to comment.
The Boston Channel
Jennifer Weiler, 19, filed a civil complaint last week against the Department of Public Safety, which enforces building and plumbing codes she claims were violated.
All seven of the school's residence halls are co-ed. According to the lawsuit, Weiler and others are uncomfortable with the flimsy curtains on the shower doors and men using the toilets without closing the door.
Weiler's father, Ron Weiler, told The Burlington Free Press that school officials agreed to label the bathroom on her floor "female" but males continue to use it. A college spokesman declined to comment.
The Boston Channel
Pair accused of faking death from bad oysters
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A couple were charged in federal court in Sioux Falls with faking the husband's death to collect on life insurance. A woman, 39, and her 45-year-old husband pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The wife was free on bond while the husband was being held without bond.
Authorities said the woman claimed that her husband had died after eating bad oysters during a family vacation in Malaysia in 2003. She eventually settled the insurance case with two insurance companies for $2 million.
FBI agents informed Sioux Falls-based Midland National Life about a year ago that husband walked into the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, and asked to renew his passport. The man was arrested in Guam last month.
AP
Authorities said the woman claimed that her husband had died after eating bad oysters during a family vacation in Malaysia in 2003. She eventually settled the insurance case with two insurance companies for $2 million.
FBI agents informed Sioux Falls-based Midland National Life about a year ago that husband walked into the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, and asked to renew his passport. The man was arrested in Guam last month.
AP
Teen with H1N1 left to fend for herself
Student Laura Lee, 15, has been left alone to battle the H1N1 virus at home for almost two weeks.
Her parents moved out of their three-room flat in Ang Mo Kio to stay with relatives, leaving her to fend for herself. The reason: Fear.
So afraid are they of being infected that they won't even bring food to their only child. They stay in touch by calling her on the phone every day.
Reluctant to leave home because she doesn't want to risk infecting others, Laura has been surviving on only instant noodles and plain porridge.
Read the full story in the 6 Dec edition of The New Paper.
Source
Her parents moved out of their three-room flat in Ang Mo Kio to stay with relatives, leaving her to fend for herself. The reason: Fear.
So afraid are they of being infected that they won't even bring food to their only child. They stay in touch by calling her on the phone every day.
Reluctant to leave home because she doesn't want to risk infecting others, Laura has been surviving on only instant noodles and plain porridge.
Read the full story in the 6 Dec edition of The New Paper.
Source
2 dogs fed on owner's body
PAPILLION (Nebraska) - THE Nebraska Humane Society is seeking a new home for two small dogs that police say fed on their owner's body after he killed himself.
Police in the Omaha suburb of Papillion found the pugs named Harry and Sally late last week. Lt. Chris Whitted said on Wednesday an autopsy showed the man was dead for two weeks of a self-inflicted gunshot before his body was found.
Humane Society spokesman Mark Langan says he can't verify the dogs had fed on the body, but he says it would be normal behaviour for dogs left without food or water for two weeks.
He says the dogs appear to be well-adjusted and in excellent shape. He says they're unlikely to suffer from long-term psychological effects because 'they don't have memories like people.' -- AP
Source : The Straits Times
Police in the Omaha suburb of Papillion found the pugs named Harry and Sally late last week. Lt. Chris Whitted said on Wednesday an autopsy showed the man was dead for two weeks of a self-inflicted gunshot before his body was found.
Humane Society spokesman Mark Langan says he can't verify the dogs had fed on the body, but he says it would be normal behaviour for dogs left without food or water for two weeks.
He says the dogs appear to be well-adjusted and in excellent shape. He says they're unlikely to suffer from long-term psychological effects because 'they don't have memories like people.' -- AP
Source : The Straits Times
Dad somehow lifts car off 6-year-old girl
OTTAWA, Kan. – A Kansas mother is praising a neighbor as "Superman" after her 6-year-old daughter told her he somehow found the strength to lift a car off her. The girl escaped with minor injuries after she and neighbor Nick Harris said she was pinned under the vehicle.
"He really is Superman," Kristen Hough, the child's mother, said Friday of Harris, the man she said saved her daughter, Ashlyn.
Harris, 32, said he doesn't know how he managed to lift the Mercury sedan off the child. The 5-foot-7, 185-pound Harris said he tried later that day to lift other cars and couldn't.
"But somehow, adrenaline, hand of God, whatever you want to call it, I don't know how I did it," he said.
Harris was dropping off his 8-year-old daughter at school last week when he saw a driver backing her car out of a driveway and over the child, Harris said.
"I didn't even think. I ran over there as fast as I could, grabbed the rear end of the car and lifted and pushed as hard as I could to get the tire off the child," he said.
He realized the little girl was Ashlyn, a friend of his daughter's. Harris carried the screaming first-grader to the sidewalk and was going to get his phone to call 911, but Ashlyn said she wanted him to stay with her.
He told people nearby to get the child's mother, who lives a block away.
There were no witnesses to confirm what happened. But Ottawa police Lt. Adam Weingartner said, "I don't have anything to dispute it."
Hough said Ashlyn told her Harris lifted the car off her, Weingartner said.
Weingartner, the first officer at the scene, said Harris "was amped up pretty good. The first words out of his mouth were, 'I lifted the car off the girl.'"
He said it appeared Ashlyn wasn't pinned under the car long enough to be seriously hurt, Weingartner said.
Hough said her daughter was released from the hospital that afternoon with a concussion and some scrapes.
"She is my little walking miracle right now," Hough said. "He truly is a superhero in the family's eyes."
Harris also visited Ashlyn later that day and was greeted with a big hug.
"I don't consider myself a hero at all," Harris said. "To me, it was payment enough when she gave me that huge hug and said, 'Thanks, Superman.'"
AP
"He really is Superman," Kristen Hough, the child's mother, said Friday of Harris, the man she said saved her daughter, Ashlyn.
Harris, 32, said he doesn't know how he managed to lift the Mercury sedan off the child. The 5-foot-7, 185-pound Harris said he tried later that day to lift other cars and couldn't.
"But somehow, adrenaline, hand of God, whatever you want to call it, I don't know how I did it," he said.
Harris was dropping off his 8-year-old daughter at school last week when he saw a driver backing her car out of a driveway and over the child, Harris said.
"I didn't even think. I ran over there as fast as I could, grabbed the rear end of the car and lifted and pushed as hard as I could to get the tire off the child," he said.
He realized the little girl was Ashlyn, a friend of his daughter's. Harris carried the screaming first-grader to the sidewalk and was going to get his phone to call 911, but Ashlyn said she wanted him to stay with her.
He told people nearby to get the child's mother, who lives a block away.
There were no witnesses to confirm what happened. But Ottawa police Lt. Adam Weingartner said, "I don't have anything to dispute it."
Hough said Ashlyn told her Harris lifted the car off her, Weingartner said.
Weingartner, the first officer at the scene, said Harris "was amped up pretty good. The first words out of his mouth were, 'I lifted the car off the girl.'"
He said it appeared Ashlyn wasn't pinned under the car long enough to be seriously hurt, Weingartner said.
Hough said her daughter was released from the hospital that afternoon with a concussion and some scrapes.
"She is my little walking miracle right now," Hough said. "He truly is a superhero in the family's eyes."
Harris also visited Ashlyn later that day and was greeted with a big hug.
"I don't consider myself a hero at all," Harris said. "To me, it was payment enough when she gave me that huge hug and said, 'Thanks, Superman.'"
AP
Skateboarding monk shocks China
Photographs of a monk skateboarding inside a historic temple have caused controversy in China.
They were taken by a visitor to the Emei Mountain Temple, in Sichuan province, and posted on the internet, reports Huaxi Metropolis News.
The monastery stands near the top of Mount Emei - the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China and the site of the country's first ever Buddhist temple.
Internet users were taken aback by the photographs and posted comments criticising the monk for adopting a "modern fad".
"Monks should seek quietness and riding a skateboard is such a contradictory thing to Buddhist life," said one.
However, a spokesman for the temple said that the outside world did not understand the life of a contemporary monk.
"People get their impressions from TV or movies, where monks are praying all day long, without any motivation or desire," he said.
"But these days monks also enjoy sports like badminton, table tennis and skateboarding in the spare time, as well as praying.
"They even use the internet and mobile phones to promote Buddhism. This is not contradictory to Buddhism but actually is part of the Buddhist spirit."
Ananova
Man pays $72 for a taco, says 'Merry Christmas'
SANDUSKY, Ohio – So much for the value menu. A Taco Bell manager in Ohio says a man who appeared drunk walked into the restaurant earlier this week and handed him $72 for just one taco. The manager tells police near the northern Ohio town of Sandusky that the customer who seemed to be in his early 20s refused to take back the money and told workers "Merry Christmas."
Manager Aaron Ohm says he thought for sure the man would return for his money, but he so far he hasn't shown up.
Police are holding on to the money as evidence and say if it's not claimed in 60 days, the store manager will get a late Christmas gift.
AP
Manager Aaron Ohm says he thought for sure the man would return for his money, but he so far he hasn't shown up.
Police are holding on to the money as evidence and say if it's not claimed in 60 days, the store manager will get a late Christmas gift.
AP
Friday, December 18, 2009
Bag Borrow or Steal, Sac De Luxe and Fashion Hire
BAG BORROW OR STEAL, SAC DE LUXE and FASHION HIRE are companies that rent designer fashion items to consumers who want the associated affluence, glamour and status, that accompanies designer fashion, but are either lacking in purchasing power or reluctant to purchase an item they think might be passé the next fashion season. In order to retain customer loyalty, these companies aim to provide value to consumers who have plenty of options to choose from by engaging in customer orientated services (value-pricing), through the marketing mix (4Ps – Product, Place, Price and Promotion); delivery channel... more>>
Where the Puppies are
There are several places to acquire a new puppy, some are better than others, and some are so bad they may constitute cruelty or support illegal activity. Here they are, from the worst to best... more>>
Mystery Meat: What is in Pet Food?
Have you ever wondered if there is “dog” in dog food? What else is being used in pet food that most consumers do not know about, and how to avoid the icky stuff... more>>
Thursday, December 17, 2009
5 Easy Exercises for Moms to Lose Weight
Exercise You Can Do with Your Kids
When you are a mom, it can be very difficult to find the time or the energy to exercise when you have kids. Between coordinating a never ending schedule of doctors appointments and school activities be something that needs out attention and takes priority over getting in shape... more>>
When you are a mom, it can be very difficult to find the time or the energy to exercise when you have kids. Between coordinating a never ending schedule of doctors appointments and school activities be something that needs out attention and takes priority over getting in shape... more>>
Success of Franchise Operations
Discusses the costs, benefits, and reasons for success of franchise operations.
Costs:
Obtaining the right to use the franchisors name and its assistance may require several thousand to several hundred thousand dollars. The following is a breakdown of fees involved in operating franchises.. more>>Photoshop Tutorial Places
Photoshop is perhaps the most used image editing tool in today's world of designing. Being reasonable to learn, the learning curve is not that steep. Thus, it is widely used around the world today. Not forgetting that there are various shapes, brushes, plugins and fonts that you can download from the internet and install.
Here are just some of the places of good Photoshop tutorials:
Please let me know if you know of other awesome Photoshop tutorial sites! =)
Gift for Teens who watch videos on iPod, iPhone or iTouch
Does your teen, or you, watch movies, television shows, or other videos on their mp3 players. If so, you know that it means holding the player while watching. idox, an iPhone and iPod accessory design/manufacturer has created the Traveler Series to help.The idox Traveler Series is designed to hold your iPod Nano (4th or 5th generation), iPhone or iTouch stationary and upright to more easily enjoy videos, podcasts and more. It is a very simple device to make the phone or mp3 player hands free. All buttons and ports remain accessible, so you can still easily charge, pause and turn off. You can keep your device in the idox, close it shut and use it as a protective case... more>>
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Waterproof Case for iPod
Surprise!!!!…This is not just a info. It really true. Now you able to use you iPod under the water. H2O Audio has been come the awesome and brilliant product name “ Capture” Waterproof case. Capture waterproof case is for you iPod Nano (5Gen). No need to buy expensive iPod or phone to bring it under the water. By use Capture Waterproof case, you able capture a picture, record a video, listening a music and watching a movie 
under the water (Deep to 12ft). Get it only $79.99 from the website.
Source: TehnoClicker
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Orangutan becomes hit snapper
An orangutan is making a monkey out of professional photographers after becoming one of the world's most popular snappers.Nonja's handiwork has been viewed by tens of thousands of fans after keepers at Vienna's Schoenbrunn zoo in Austria gave her a digital camera and set up a Facebook page for her.
Snaps from the digital camera, which issues fruit treats whenever a picture is taken, are uploaded instantly over a WiFi link.
The slightly blurry images of Nonja's climbing rope, food and her companion's shaggy red-brown fur have won lots of admiring comments from fans.
"It's an attempt to see the world through her eyes and see what she thinks is important. She's very artistic," said one keeper.
Nonja turned to photography after a spell as a painter where her works often reach up to £2,000 at auction.
Ananova
Police jail man for rubbing burger in wife's face
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – A 25-year-old Port St. Lucie man was arrested for allegedly rubbing a hamburger on his wife's face during an argument. Police said Daniel Boss and his wife got into it late Thursday night and started calling each other names. At some point, the woman apparently poured soda on Boss' hamburger, causing him to grab the sandwich, rub it in her face and start throwing food.
Boss left, but his wife went to the police station to report the incident. Officers arrested him three hours later on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge.
It could not be determined if Boss had an attorney.
AP
Boss left, but his wife went to the police station to report the incident. Officers arrested him three hours later on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge.
It could not be determined if Boss had an attorney.
AP
Man downs 2.4 gallons of chowder
NEW YORK, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania man set a professional eating record for non-solid food intake by downing 2.4 gallons of salmon chowder in just 6 minutes in New York.
Robert "Notorious B.O.B." Shoudt of Royersford set the record Thursday at a Crab City event promoting the upcoming movie "Slammin' Salmon," The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday.
"There is no question whatsoever that this is the largest consumption ever for a fluid-based food," said George Shea, founder of the International Federation of Competitive Eating.
The previous record, 1.5 gallons, was set in a chili-eating contest by Richard LeFevre of Nevada.
Shea said Shoudt may also have set a record based on weight if his estimation of eating 24.375 pounds of chowder is accurate.
"If, indeed, that is true, Bob would have the record," Shea said. "All I need to do is to get the chef to confirm that for me."
UPI
Robert "Notorious B.O.B." Shoudt of Royersford set the record Thursday at a Crab City event promoting the upcoming movie "Slammin' Salmon," The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday.
"There is no question whatsoever that this is the largest consumption ever for a fluid-based food," said George Shea, founder of the International Federation of Competitive Eating.
The previous record, 1.5 gallons, was set in a chili-eating contest by Richard LeFevre of Nevada.
Shea said Shoudt may also have set a record based on weight if his estimation of eating 24.375 pounds of chowder is accurate.
"If, indeed, that is true, Bob would have the record," Shea said. "All I need to do is to get the chef to confirm that for me."
UPI
Friday, December 11, 2009
15-year-old cheddar sells for $50 per pound
MINERAL POINT, Wis. – A 15-year-old cheddar made in Wisconsin, possibly the most mature cheese for sale in the country, is selling well despite the $50-per-pound price tag, its producer said Saturday.
Hook's 15-year Sharp Cheddar, produced in 1994, went up for sale in a handful of outlets on Friday and has proven popular, said cheese maker Tony Hook.
"It started moving a lot faster than we expected," said Hook, 57, who — along with his wife and brother — runs Hook's Cheese Co in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. "People have been so excited about it."
The cheddar began as part of a gigantic batch that weighed 5,200 pounds. The Hooks let much of the batch age, and sold large chunks at the 10- and 12-year marks. But they felt it was aging so flavorfully that they saved 1,200 pounds to let it mature a few years longer, Hook said.
It's rare for cheddar to last that long, said John Umhoefer, the executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
"Fifteen years is a good stretch of time to hold a cheddar — perhaps as long as a cheddar can hold for most people's palates," Umhoefer told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Making a cheddar that ripe, without it turning bitter or acidic, is a rare skill."
Umhoefer said he thought Hook's cheddar could be the oldest available on the market. There may be older cheddars, he said, but those would be in private collections.
The average cheddar fan is probably used to fresher samples. Shredded samples available in grocery stores are probably one to two months old, Hook said.
But anyone who has cleaned moldy cheese from their refrigerator knows that even well-sealed samples don't keep for long, much less 15 years.
The secret is starting with precisely the right sample, Hook said, a sample that has no "off flavors" and progresses smoothly.
"Many cheddars will develop enough flavor, a bitter flavor in five to six months or a year. You wouldn't want to age something like that because it's going to get worse," he said. "You have to know what you're looking for when you're sampling."
The Hooks kept their samples vacuum-packed in plastic bags, which Hook said helped the aging process but kept the cheese fresh and edible.
But how does it taste?
"It's smooth, it isn't bitter, it doesn't have an off flavor. It doesn't have an acidic bite like a three-year. It's very flavorful," Hook said. "It's got a lot more cheddar flavor."
Hook recommends pairing the cheddar with wine and a good cracker or bread.
"I certainly wouldn't put it in anything. It would be a waste of flavor to put it in mac 'n' cheese or something like that," he said with a laugh.
At least one customer bought the cheese on principle.
"Cheese making is an art form," Brian Morello, who bought a 3/4-pound hunk of the vintage cheddar at Larry's Market in Milwaukee, told the Journal Sentinel. "I consider my purchase to be a form of cheese philanthropy. For $50, I supported the arts and got a great piece of cheese."
AP
Hook's 15-year Sharp Cheddar, produced in 1994, went up for sale in a handful of outlets on Friday and has proven popular, said cheese maker Tony Hook.
"It started moving a lot faster than we expected," said Hook, 57, who — along with his wife and brother — runs Hook's Cheese Co in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. "People have been so excited about it."
The cheddar began as part of a gigantic batch that weighed 5,200 pounds. The Hooks let much of the batch age, and sold large chunks at the 10- and 12-year marks. But they felt it was aging so flavorfully that they saved 1,200 pounds to let it mature a few years longer, Hook said.
It's rare for cheddar to last that long, said John Umhoefer, the executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
"Fifteen years is a good stretch of time to hold a cheddar — perhaps as long as a cheddar can hold for most people's palates," Umhoefer told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Making a cheddar that ripe, without it turning bitter or acidic, is a rare skill."
Umhoefer said he thought Hook's cheddar could be the oldest available on the market. There may be older cheddars, he said, but those would be in private collections.
The average cheddar fan is probably used to fresher samples. Shredded samples available in grocery stores are probably one to two months old, Hook said.
But anyone who has cleaned moldy cheese from their refrigerator knows that even well-sealed samples don't keep for long, much less 15 years.
The secret is starting with precisely the right sample, Hook said, a sample that has no "off flavors" and progresses smoothly.
"Many cheddars will develop enough flavor, a bitter flavor in five to six months or a year. You wouldn't want to age something like that because it's going to get worse," he said. "You have to know what you're looking for when you're sampling."
The Hooks kept their samples vacuum-packed in plastic bags, which Hook said helped the aging process but kept the cheese fresh and edible.
But how does it taste?
"It's smooth, it isn't bitter, it doesn't have an off flavor. It doesn't have an acidic bite like a three-year. It's very flavorful," Hook said. "It's got a lot more cheddar flavor."
Hook recommends pairing the cheddar with wine and a good cracker or bread.
"I certainly wouldn't put it in anything. It would be a waste of flavor to put it in mac 'n' cheese or something like that," he said with a laugh.
At least one customer bought the cheese on principle.
"Cheese making is an art form," Brian Morello, who bought a 3/4-pound hunk of the vintage cheddar at Larry's Market in Milwaukee, told the Journal Sentinel. "I consider my purchase to be a form of cheese philanthropy. For $50, I supported the arts and got a great piece of cheese."
AP
Gameloft: 'Better phones lead to more sales'
Gameloft has said that more powerful phones lead to better game sales.Senior vice president Alexandre de Rochefort commented on the iterative nature of the iPhone, which has released with a new and more powerful model each year, such as the recent 3GS.
"From a business point of view, I think the better the phone, the more the games will sell. It's as simple as that," he told DS.
"We view this with a lot of optimism and we're very glad to see companies like Apple that are really pushing the limits. Apple entering the mobile market has been the best news in the past few years."
Gameloft has been optimising titles for the 3GS, with Driver providing a better frame rate and draw distance and Nova with additional bloom effects.
He also said that despite being the leading supplier of games for the system, they have no indication of what new iPhone models will be like.
"Even though, in my belief we’re the number one suppler of games on the App Store - we're the number one partner from this point of view - we don't get any insight on how or when the new iPhone is going to be launched."
Gameloft has over 4,000 employees worldwide and a distribution network in over 80 countries.
DS
PSP Mini titles on the PS3?
PSP Mini titles are likely to be available to play on PS3 consoles, according to rumours on website Joystiq.
PSP Minis, which includes Tetris and Pinball Fantasies, are currently available to download on the PS3 before they are transferred to the PSP.
One source suggests that the titles will be available to play on the PS3 "before Christmas", while others simply say that the games can be played on the big screen "later this month".
In addition to being able to play the titles, each game is said to receive a graphical boost, with every title set to appear on the PS3.
Sony is yet to confirm the suggestion, saying it does not comment on "rumour or speculation".
DS
Making Windows 7 key work harder
The Windows key in Windows 7 has even more functions.
1. Press it together with the left or right arrow key to automatically resize the current window to fully occupy the left or right half of the computer screen.
2. Or press the Windows key and the down arrow to minimize an open window.
3. Press the Windows key together with the up arrow to get the window to fill up the whole screen.
1. Press it together with the left or right arrow key to automatically resize the current window to fully occupy the left or right half of the computer screen.
2. Or press the Windows key and the down arrow to minimize an open window.
3. Press the Windows key together with the up arrow to get the window to fill up the whole screen.
Getting older Windows XP applications to work in Windows 7
Some older Windows XP applications do nto work in Windows 7. To get around this, download and install the Windows XP Mode
This would create a virtual copy of the older software to make XP applications work, but your hardware has to be compatible. You can download a tool found on that page to check if your computer's processor will allow this.
This would create a virtual copy of the older software to make XP applications work, but your hardware has to be compatible. You can download a tool found on that page to check if your computer's processor will allow this.
Conditioning your laptop battery
If your laptop is always plugged into the power socket, you will need to condition the battery every 2 - 3 weeks to maintain its capacity.
To do this, simply unplug the charger and let the battery drain completely, allowing the machine to go to sleep mode before recharging it again.
To do this, simply unplug the charger and let the battery drain completely, allowing the machine to go to sleep mode before recharging it again.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Hotel Dash: Suite Success
Download FREE Game Trial
OR
BUY the game for only $6.99
Rating: 4/5
When Quinn’s new travel business hits a snag, she needs Flo’s patented elbow grease to help renovate and run hotels all over DinerTown! Experience a Hotel Dash as you deliver guest’s luggage, drop off room service and provide extra towels and blankets! Along the way you will use your tips to decorate and restore each hotel back to its original charm. Watch out for the mysterious mishaps and accidents that threaten your progress in this fast-paced Time Management game!
Download FREE Game Trial
OR
BUY the game for only $6.99
OR
BUY the game for only $6.99
Rating: 4/5When Quinn’s new travel business hits a snag, she needs Flo’s patented elbow grease to help renovate and run hotels all over DinerTown! Experience a Hotel Dash as you deliver guest’s luggage, drop off room service and provide extra towels and blankets! Along the way you will use your tips to decorate and restore each hotel back to its original charm. Watch out for the mysterious mishaps and accidents that threaten your progress in this fast-paced Time Management game!
Gripping gameplay- Powerful upgrades
- Go on a Hotel Dash!
Download FREE Game Trial
OR
BUY the game for only $6.99
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Shaping Behavior – Schedules of Reinforcement
The different types of reinforcement schedules.
Schedules of reinforcement define the different ways and intervals in which methods of shaping of reinforcement define the different ways and intervals in which methods of shaping behavior are applied for particular behaviour or actions to be repeated by individuals, with each type of reinforcement schedule being effective in certain situations; producing distinctive effects on behaviour.
According to Robbins and Judge (2007), continuous and intermittent are the two major types of reinforcement schedules. “A continuous reinforcement schedule reinforces the desired behavior each and every time it is demonstrated” (Robbins & Judge 2007, p57). For example, the manger or leader of a team could compliment the team every time they produce a good job. However, in such a scenario, constantly complementing them every time they do a good job may have an adverse effect: they may start getting complacent and stop striving to be constantly more productive... more>>
Monday, December 07, 2009
Pros and Cons of Starting a Fashion Designer Rental Business
Pros:
• Target markets
As anything from designer bags, clothes, accessories and jewelry can be rented, “the luxury rental concept can be applied to virtually every business segment” (Evers 2006, p8). Thus, making it possible to consider the designer fashion rental market as a niche market, since target markets can be segmented according to designer fashion categories, consumer lifestyle expectations and statistics (demographic, psychographic and behavioral patterns); providing more customized service (value) and reaching out to a target audience.
• Target markets
As anything from designer bags, clothes, accessories and jewelry can be rented, “the luxury rental concept can be applied to virtually every business segment” (Evers 2006, p8). Thus, making it possible to consider the designer fashion rental market as a niche market, since target markets can be segmented according to designer fashion categories, consumer lifestyle expectations and statistics (demographic, psychographic and behavioral patterns); providing more customized service (value) and reaching out to a target audience.
• Growing market
The designer fashion rental is a growing market, offering more options to consumers. With the increasing amount of consumers who are looking for more economical ways of ‘expanding’ their wardrobe, especially if they want to experience the status and exclusiveness that is often associated with designer fashion items despite their limited spending power (Han 2008), or if they are affected by any economic downturn (Barlyn 2008). Investors are also finding companies such as BAG BORROW OR STEAL attractive (Evers 2006); all of which contribute to the industry’s growth... more>>
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Police act after mass-suicide call on Facebook
Source: South China Morning Post
Police technological experts are trying to track down an internet user who started a mass-suicide group on the social networking site Facebook - one of whose members, a 15-year-old schoolboy, tried to kill himself two weeks ago.
Nearly 190 people joined the group "I have to practise suicide" - which called on its members to kill themselves together on December 21 - although its unknown originator said in one posting that it was meant to be an "inside joke".
Yuen Long district commander Kenneth Li Kin-fai said yesterday after meeting headmasters from 35 schools that the case had been passed to the Police Technology Crime Division. The investigation began after police received a report from a social worker two days ago about the suicide attempt in which the boy, a member of the group, was stopped by schoolmates from throwing himself off a building at his Tin Shui Wai school.
Li said the group convenor was the main target and police might have trouble tracking down all the members. "The internet is without boundaries. People who participated in discussion in the group were not only from Yuen Long or Tin Shui Wai. They could be from outside Hong Kong," he said.
The Facebook group was removed yesterday after media reports. The creator had said the group was "totally random" and members were supposed to talk about ways to die in a "retarded way", such as "jumping off a chair". The creator wrote: "I'm not encouraging suicide. It's supposed to be an inside joke."
But according to messages on the page, many members were deadly serious as they talked about the possibility of group suicide. "Does anyone want to commit suicide together," asked one user who said he had failed to kill himself by taking two bottles of sleeping pills. "Burning charcoal and taking pills is what I want to do to kill myself," the 18-year-old said, adding that he suffered from hyperactivity.
Undersecretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said the government was closely monitoring the case.
Anyone who aids, abets, counsels or procures the suicide of another, or an attempt by another to commit suicide, faces a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail.
Associate director of the Centre for Information Security and Cryptography of the University of Hong Kong, Chow Kam-pui, said: "Police can trace the IP addresses of [group] members through Facebook administration and internet service providers in Hong Kong." Members could also be found and identified by analysis of their social networks and messages they posted in the group.
Police will meet representatives of the Education Bureau and Social Welfare Department today to discuss follow-up action.
Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention director Paul Yip Siu-fai said the government should take a further step by amending the law. "The ordinance implicitly states that people who aid and procure the suicide of another or a suicide attempt by another break the law. But the government should state it explicitly like other countries.
"It is very dangerous. One person who has suicidal thoughts will pass them on to another and while one person may not have the determination to do it, with more people's involvement, the determination will grow," he said.
Police technological experts are trying to track down an internet user who started a mass-suicide group on the social networking site Facebook - one of whose members, a 15-year-old schoolboy, tried to kill himself two weeks ago.
Nearly 190 people joined the group "I have to practise suicide" - which called on its members to kill themselves together on December 21 - although its unknown originator said in one posting that it was meant to be an "inside joke".
Yuen Long district commander Kenneth Li Kin-fai said yesterday after meeting headmasters from 35 schools that the case had been passed to the Police Technology Crime Division. The investigation began after police received a report from a social worker two days ago about the suicide attempt in which the boy, a member of the group, was stopped by schoolmates from throwing himself off a building at his Tin Shui Wai school.
Li said the group convenor was the main target and police might have trouble tracking down all the members. "The internet is without boundaries. People who participated in discussion in the group were not only from Yuen Long or Tin Shui Wai. They could be from outside Hong Kong," he said.
The Facebook group was removed yesterday after media reports. The creator had said the group was "totally random" and members were supposed to talk about ways to die in a "retarded way", such as "jumping off a chair". The creator wrote: "I'm not encouraging suicide. It's supposed to be an inside joke."
But according to messages on the page, many members were deadly serious as they talked about the possibility of group suicide. "Does anyone want to commit suicide together," asked one user who said he had failed to kill himself by taking two bottles of sleeping pills. "Burning charcoal and taking pills is what I want to do to kill myself," the 18-year-old said, adding that he suffered from hyperactivity.
Undersecretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said the government was closely monitoring the case.
Anyone who aids, abets, counsels or procures the suicide of another, or an attempt by another to commit suicide, faces a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail.
Associate director of the Centre for Information Security and Cryptography of the University of Hong Kong, Chow Kam-pui, said: "Police can trace the IP addresses of [group] members through Facebook administration and internet service providers in Hong Kong." Members could also be found and identified by analysis of their social networks and messages they posted in the group.
Police will meet representatives of the Education Bureau and Social Welfare Department today to discuss follow-up action.
Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention director Paul Yip Siu-fai said the government should take a further step by amending the law. "The ordinance implicitly states that people who aid and procure the suicide of another or a suicide attempt by another break the law. But the government should state it explicitly like other countries.
"It is very dangerous. One person who has suicidal thoughts will pass them on to another and while one person may not have the determination to do it, with more people's involvement, the determination will grow," he said.
Father forces six-year-old daughter to run marathon
A man from southern China's Hainan Province is forcing his six-year-old daughter to train for an upcoming marathon in a bid to persuade his estranged wife to return, the Shanghai Daily said.
Haikou City resident Yang Feng plans to register his amazing daughter for next year's Provincial Marathon of Hainan.
The energetic little girl runs some 70 kilometers every day in training for the big event, national media said.
Doctors have said that such exhausting training might harm the girl's health, especially her bones, heart, and nervous system.
The girl also takes singing, computer skills and guitar playing classes and studies in the third grade instead of the first which meets her age.
"Now there is only my daughter and me, I have no choice but to let her share some of my pressure," said Yang. "I hope she will become more mature and sturdy through the training."
Ria Novosti
Haikou City resident Yang Feng plans to register his amazing daughter for next year's Provincial Marathon of Hainan.
The energetic little girl runs some 70 kilometers every day in training for the big event, national media said.
Doctors have said that such exhausting training might harm the girl's health, especially her bones, heart, and nervous system.
The girl also takes singing, computer skills and guitar playing classes and studies in the third grade instead of the first which meets her age.
"Now there is only my daughter and me, I have no choice but to let her share some of my pressure," said Yang. "I hope she will become more mature and sturdy through the training."
Ria Novosti
Two rescue dogs 'get boob jobs
A pair of rescue dogs have been given breast lifts costing £1,200 to help them secure new owners.
Chocolate labradors Morgan and Emma had sagging skin that left their mammary glands nearly brushing the ground due to years of overbreeding, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Shelter co-ordinator Teresa Bartholomew from Wallace Kennels in Stondon Massey, Essex, said: "It is very unusual.
"You don't get many people having cosmetic surgery on dogs and we could be one of the first. But if we hadn't had it done, we would not have been able to rehome them."
She added: "Everybody wants a labrador but when people saw the 'undercarriage' as we called it, they would ask if they could see one of the other dogs.
"It didn't look very nice and people just could not see past that - you could see it in their faces. It was definitely worth it because it meant the dogs were rehomed and there was a happy ending."
DS
Chocolate labradors Morgan and Emma had sagging skin that left their mammary glands nearly brushing the ground due to years of overbreeding, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Shelter co-ordinator Teresa Bartholomew from Wallace Kennels in Stondon Massey, Essex, said: "It is very unusual.
"You don't get many people having cosmetic surgery on dogs and we could be one of the first. But if we hadn't had it done, we would not have been able to rehome them."
She added: "Everybody wants a labrador but when people saw the 'undercarriage' as we called it, they would ask if they could see one of the other dogs.
"It didn't look very nice and people just could not see past that - you could see it in their faces. It was definitely worth it because it meant the dogs were rehomed and there was a happy ending."
DS
Humane Society: 'It seems like house of horrors'
Toronto Star
An inside look at the Toronto Humane Society revealed a place where neglected animals lived and died in terrible pain and feral cats roamed free in the basement and between walls, one dying a slow death in a trap.
On Friday, a tip led investigators to pull panels from a ceiling on the second floor, where they discovered the body of the caged animal. Its skin stretched thin over frail bones. Its organs turned to thick dust, the remains of a feast for maggots.
"It sent chills down my spine," said Kevin Strooband, lead investigator from the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"I don't know what is going on here, but it seems like a house of horrors."
The cat was sealed in a live trap, the door closing after it was lured by food, above a high-traffic area. Its weakening cries would have mixed with the chorus of animals below.
The facility has been described by former employees as a place of unimaginable suffering, where the weak were stacked in overcrowded disease-ridden conditions and left to die in terrible pain.
Since the OSPCA raided the building Thursday, five animals – a puppy, a dog, two cats and a raccoon – have been euthanized.
"I have seen things that have made me cry and haunted my dreams in that building," said Marcie Laking, a former animal-care worker who has spoken out numerous times against the society.
Laking started working at the society as a volunteer in 2001, and became a staff member in 2005. By 2006, what she had seen in the building had taken its toll.
"I remember taking dead animals when my shifts would start, and dead kittens," said Laking. "These animals are dying painful deaths – from ailments that are not being treated, are not being treated properly or can't be treated – and they are dying in their cages."
The body of the mummified cat was put on display Friday during a guided media tour of the facility. Strooband led groups of journalists and television crews through the area of the building used to house about 1,000 cats.
In a back room, veterinarian Johanna MacNaughton discussed the conditions of four of the animals being treated.
"None of these cats were on any pain medication," said MacNaughton, as she held out a female whose eye ulceration was ignored to the point where it had prolapsed.
"She was not on any pain medication at all. With proper care and treatment, it wouldn't have reached the severity it had reached."
MacNaughton worked for the Toronto Humane Society from August 2008 until she resigned in April. She was surprised a cat was left to die in the ceiling.
But feral cats ran loose in all corners of the building, including the basement, she told the Star.
"It is a known fact there are ferals in the ceilings, there are feral cats all through the shelter."
She would not comment on what she saw while working at the shelter because of legal reasons but said she resigned because of management overriding veterinary decisions and extreme understaffing.
After Thursday's raid, she returned to help treat the remaining animals. Some of them had not been treated by veterinarians in months, she said.
"It is pretty deplorable."
MacNaughton said 20 per cent of the cats she examined in the adoption area of the facility – where cats are supposed to be healthy – were suffering from respiratory disease and "should have been isolated."
There were so many animals, there was no way to properly isolate the animals, or arrange for the mass cleaning of cages, she said.
Among her complaints was the hiring of staff without proper medical knowledge.
"They were hiring untrained staff and throwing them into positions that require knowledge of drugs and dosing," said MacNaughton. "Nobody should be taking on those roles unless they are appropriately trained."
She had nothing but high praise for staff taking care of the animals, and said she has faith the Toronto Humane Society can rebuild.
Right now, staffers are "just trying to get on top of years of understaffing," she said. "It is going to take so much time to dig ourselves out."
An inside look at the Toronto Humane Society revealed a place where neglected animals lived and died in terrible pain and feral cats roamed free in the basement and between walls, one dying a slow death in a trap.
On Friday, a tip led investigators to pull panels from a ceiling on the second floor, where they discovered the body of the caged animal. Its skin stretched thin over frail bones. Its organs turned to thick dust, the remains of a feast for maggots.
"It sent chills down my spine," said Kevin Strooband, lead investigator from the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"I don't know what is going on here, but it seems like a house of horrors."
The cat was sealed in a live trap, the door closing after it was lured by food, above a high-traffic area. Its weakening cries would have mixed with the chorus of animals below.
The facility has been described by former employees as a place of unimaginable suffering, where the weak were stacked in overcrowded disease-ridden conditions and left to die in terrible pain.
Since the OSPCA raided the building Thursday, five animals – a puppy, a dog, two cats and a raccoon – have been euthanized.
"I have seen things that have made me cry and haunted my dreams in that building," said Marcie Laking, a former animal-care worker who has spoken out numerous times against the society.
Laking started working at the society as a volunteer in 2001, and became a staff member in 2005. By 2006, what she had seen in the building had taken its toll.
"I remember taking dead animals when my shifts would start, and dead kittens," said Laking. "These animals are dying painful deaths – from ailments that are not being treated, are not being treated properly or can't be treated – and they are dying in their cages."
The body of the mummified cat was put on display Friday during a guided media tour of the facility. Strooband led groups of journalists and television crews through the area of the building used to house about 1,000 cats.
In a back room, veterinarian Johanna MacNaughton discussed the conditions of four of the animals being treated.
"None of these cats were on any pain medication," said MacNaughton, as she held out a female whose eye ulceration was ignored to the point where it had prolapsed.
"She was not on any pain medication at all. With proper care and treatment, it wouldn't have reached the severity it had reached."
MacNaughton worked for the Toronto Humane Society from August 2008 until she resigned in April. She was surprised a cat was left to die in the ceiling.
But feral cats ran loose in all corners of the building, including the basement, she told the Star.
"It is a known fact there are ferals in the ceilings, there are feral cats all through the shelter."
She would not comment on what she saw while working at the shelter because of legal reasons but said she resigned because of management overriding veterinary decisions and extreme understaffing.
After Thursday's raid, she returned to help treat the remaining animals. Some of them had not been treated by veterinarians in months, she said.
"It is pretty deplorable."
MacNaughton said 20 per cent of the cats she examined in the adoption area of the facility – where cats are supposed to be healthy – were suffering from respiratory disease and "should have been isolated."
There were so many animals, there was no way to properly isolate the animals, or arrange for the mass cleaning of cages, she said.
Among her complaints was the hiring of staff without proper medical knowledge.
"They were hiring untrained staff and throwing them into positions that require knowledge of drugs and dosing," said MacNaughton. "Nobody should be taking on those roles unless they are appropriately trained."
She had nothing but high praise for staff taking care of the animals, and said she has faith the Toronto Humane Society can rebuild.
Right now, staffers are "just trying to get on top of years of understaffing," she said. "It is going to take so much time to dig ourselves out."
Doctors fired after putting steel plate in wrong leg
Two Chinese doctors have been dismissed after putting a steel plate in an 84-year-old patient's healthy leg, China's central CCTV television has said.
The case happened in central China's Hubei province, in the Tongcheng hospital of traditional medicine.
The patient, one Zhao Rongbin, was in hospital after fracturing his leg. He will now need an operation to remove the steel plate and to fix his other leg.
The family has complained to Chinese health authorities.
Ria Novosti
The case happened in central China's Hubei province, in the Tongcheng hospital of traditional medicine.
The patient, one Zhao Rongbin, was in hospital after fracturing his leg. He will now need an operation to remove the steel plate and to fix his other leg.
The family has complained to Chinese health authorities.
Ria Novosti
Man gives up attempts to produce milk
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- A Swedish man who spent months attempting to pump milk from his breasts has given up on the failed attempt, his observers said.
Magnus Talib, a member of the editorial team for TV show Aschberg, which has been observing the progress of "Milkman" Ragnar Bengtsson, 26, said the young father's daily three-hour breast pumping failed to produce any milk, The Local reported Tuesday.
"All he got was sore breasts," Talib said of Bengtsson's attempt, which began in September.
However, Talib said Bengtsson has another perk coming from his project -- he is flying to the United States this week to film an appearance on "The Tyra Banks Show."
UPI
Magnus Talib, a member of the editorial team for TV show Aschberg, which has been observing the progress of "Milkman" Ragnar Bengtsson, 26, said the young father's daily three-hour breast pumping failed to produce any milk, The Local reported Tuesday.
"All he got was sore breasts," Talib said of Bengtsson's attempt, which began in September.
However, Talib said Bengtsson has another perk coming from his project -- he is flying to the United States this week to film an appearance on "The Tyra Banks Show."
UPI
Man lies about robbery over fear of wife
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – A Panama City Beach man reportedly admitted to deputies that he lied about being robbed so he wouldn't have to tell his wife that he spent the money. The Bay County Sheriff's Office reported that a 30-year-old man was arrested and charged Friday with making a false report.
According to a report, the man called 911 from a Panama City Beach store and claimed that he was getting into his car when a man dressed in black hit him and took $100 in cash. But the store's surveillance video showed the man walk out of the store, sit in his car for a short time and then go back inside to use the phone.
After deputies showed the man the video, he acknowledged that he hadn't actually been robbed.
The man was released from jail Saturday on $750 bail.
AP
According to a report, the man called 911 from a Panama City Beach store and claimed that he was getting into his car when a man dressed in black hit him and took $100 in cash. But the store's surveillance video showed the man walk out of the store, sit in his car for a short time and then go back inside to use the phone.
After deputies showed the man the video, he acknowledged that he hadn't actually been robbed.
The man was released from jail Saturday on $750 bail.
AP
'Cavemen' inherit billions
Two penniless brothers who are so poor they live in a cave could be set to inherit a share of a £4 billion fortune.
Zslot and Geza Peladi live in the cave outside Budapest, Hungary, and sell scrap they find on the street for pennies.
Now they and a sister who lives in America are said to be on the verge of inheriting their grandmother's massive fortune after a life of poverty.
They learned of their good fortune after homelessness charity workers in Hungary were contacted by lawyers handling the estate of the brothers' maternal grandmother who died recently in Baden-Wurttenberg, Germany.
"We knew our mother came from a wealthy family but she was a difficult person and severed ties with them, and then later abandoned us and we lost touch with her and our father until she eventually died," said Geza, 43.
Under German law however direct descendents are automatically entitled to a share of any estate.
Geza added: "If this all works out it will certainly make up for the life we have had until now - all we really had was each other - no women would look at us living in a cave.
"But with money maybe we can find a partner - and finally have a normal life. We don't know yet if she even told our grandmother about us - I understand it was only while they were carrying out genealogical research that lawyers found we existed."
Volunteer Gyula Balazs Csaszar - who works for Budapest's Maltans charity - told ATV television: "We were contacted by a lawyer asking us to find the brothers. He claimed he could help their lives with a large sum of money."
The grandmother's name was not revealed to prevent fraudsters trying to cash in on the inheritance but a spokesman for the legal firm said: "We know who we need to speak to and that is the two brothers who we are pretty sure are the grandchildren - there is no need for anyone else to be informed."
Now the brothers are obtaining copies of their mother's death certificate and proof of their family connection before travelling to Germany to claim their inheritance.
Ananova
Zslot and Geza Peladi live in the cave outside Budapest, Hungary, and sell scrap they find on the street for pennies.
Now they and a sister who lives in America are said to be on the verge of inheriting their grandmother's massive fortune after a life of poverty.
They learned of their good fortune after homelessness charity workers in Hungary were contacted by lawyers handling the estate of the brothers' maternal grandmother who died recently in Baden-Wurttenberg, Germany.
"We knew our mother came from a wealthy family but she was a difficult person and severed ties with them, and then later abandoned us and we lost touch with her and our father until she eventually died," said Geza, 43.
Under German law however direct descendents are automatically entitled to a share of any estate.
Geza added: "If this all works out it will certainly make up for the life we have had until now - all we really had was each other - no women would look at us living in a cave.
"But with money maybe we can find a partner - and finally have a normal life. We don't know yet if she even told our grandmother about us - I understand it was only while they were carrying out genealogical research that lawyers found we existed."
Volunteer Gyula Balazs Csaszar - who works for Budapest's Maltans charity - told ATV television: "We were contacted by a lawyer asking us to find the brothers. He claimed he could help their lives with a large sum of money."
The grandmother's name was not revealed to prevent fraudsters trying to cash in on the inheritance but a spokesman for the legal firm said: "We know who we need to speak to and that is the two brothers who we are pretty sure are the grandchildren - there is no need for anyone else to be informed."
Now the brothers are obtaining copies of their mother's death certificate and proof of their family connection before travelling to Germany to claim their inheritance.
Ananova
Confused men try to rob funeral home
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Calvert County authorities are searching for two men who tried to rob a funeral home that they may have mistaken for a bank. Police said the men robbed Lee Funeral Home, next to a PNC Bank, in Owings on Monday. Lt. Steve Jones of the Calvert Investigative Team said an employee told the suspects they weren't in a bank.
The men assaulted one funeral home worker, whose injuries were not life-threatening. It's unclear if the robbers took anything.
Authorities believe the pair later robbed a SunTrust bank in Dunkirk, making away with cash and firing at a person outside who tried to get a look at them. No one was injured.
Four schools were partially locked down during the incidents.
AP
The men assaulted one funeral home worker, whose injuries were not life-threatening. It's unclear if the robbers took anything.
Authorities believe the pair later robbed a SunTrust bank in Dunkirk, making away with cash and firing at a person outside who tried to get a look at them. No one was injured.
Four schools were partially locked down during the incidents.
AP
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Cute Knight
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Rating: 3/5
Hero, princess or villain? You get to decide who you want to be! With its unique blend of role-playing and time management, this sequel to Cute Knight would definitely appeal to those who like role-playing games where pretty magical princesses grow up to marry handsome princes. You get to choose your own outfits, travel the kingdom, meet new friends, find treasure and even encounter monsters! Take classes to improve your skills necessary for your success. You could be anyone you want to be, with dozens of endings depending on the choices you make.
Story
The story unfolds when your character (of mysterious origins) has three years to discover her destiny. So she leaves home on her eighteenth birthday to find her destiny, with you guiding her through the choices she makes and adventures she encounters. Opportunities abound with classes to take, or jobs to earn money in areas of magic, fighting, defense and much more...
Game Play
The game starts off with you naming your character, and selecting from a set of twelve types of characteristics. Each character type determines the abilities your character would have. Interactivity revolves around story-driven dialogues, working, learning, and battle. Skills that are developed, achievements accomplished and your general game play will result in one of its many possible endings. With its multiple endings, playing this game more than once can be entertaining and addictive.
Graphics
Being a little rough around the edges, the game loses some points in the graphics department. The constant traveling becomes slightly cumbersome after some time. Despite that, the graphics are still adorable enough to appeal to those who like good old role-playing with lots of character customization.
Sound
Music is clear and enchanting, matching the theme of the game well.
Creativity and Innovation
By incorporating role-playing and time management, Cute Knight is innovative and creative. Its complex skill system sets it apart from similar titles; though I would have preferred being able to continue playing after those three years. While the game can be addictive and full of surprises, it might end up repetitive for some players after several plays.
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BUY the game for only $6.99
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BUY the game for only $6.99
Rating: 3/5Hero, princess or villain? You get to decide who you want to be! With its unique blend of role-playing and time management, this sequel to Cute Knight would definitely appeal to those who like role-playing games where pretty magical princesses grow up to marry handsome princes. You get to choose your own outfits, travel the kingdom, meet new friends, find treasure and even encounter monsters! Take classes to improve your skills necessary for your success. You could be anyone you want to be, with dozens of endings depending on the choices you make.
Story
The story unfolds when your character (of mysterious origins) has three years to discover her destiny. So she leaves home on her eighteenth birthday to find her destiny, with you guiding her through the choices she makes and adventures she encounters. Opportunities abound with classes to take, or jobs to earn money in areas of magic, fighting, defense and much more...
Game Play
The game starts off with you naming your character, and selecting from a set of twelve types of characteristics. Each character type determines the abilities your character would have. Interactivity revolves around story-driven dialogues, working, learning, and battle. Skills that are developed, achievements accomplished and your general game play will result in one of its many possible endings. With its multiple endings, playing this game more than once can be entertaining and addictive.
Graphics
Being a little rough around the edges, the game loses some points in the graphics department. The constant traveling becomes slightly cumbersome after some time. Despite that, the graphics are still adorable enough to appeal to those who like good old role-playing with lots of character customization.
Sound
Music is clear and enchanting, matching the theme of the game well.
Creativity and Innovation
By incorporating role-playing and time management, Cute Knight is innovative and creative. Its complex skill system sets it apart from similar titles; though I would have preferred being able to continue playing after those three years. While the game can be addictive and full of surprises, it might end up repetitive for some players after several plays.
Download FREE Game Trial
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BUY the game for only $6.99
Dream Chronicles ™ 2: The Eternal Maze
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Rating: 4.5/5
Adventure, mystery, puzzles and fairies! This game sets your brain thinking and is simply entertaining with its breathtakingly smooth graphics and apt music. In this second installation of the Dream Chronicles series, you have to help Faye save her family from the evil Fairy Queen, Lilith. The storyline, together with the game play makes it an alluring sequel.
Story
The evil Fairy queen, Lilith, wants Faye's husband all to herself as he was promised to her long ago. As a result, Lilith curses Faye's daughter and imprisons her within the Ancient Place. To save her family Faye needs to escape from her prison by navigating through magical landscapes and solve intricate and challenging puzzles; with the guidance of her mother-in-law.
Game Play
This game is definitely more than just your usual hidden game object. Its adventure styled game play and mesmerizing graphics makes it more fun. With its smooth game play, and the freedom to play at your own speed, finding hidden dream jewels to unravel secrets that would help in the quest and unlocking secret doors is challenging. The game starts off in an easy to follow story mode, continuing off from the first installment; with the story getting more intriguing as you play.
Graphics
The graphics are simply beautiful, drawing players into the breath taking world of fairies with intriguing and believable drawn sets.
Sound
Music used in the game adds to the ambiance of the game. It makes the game more fun to play, and it is easy on the ears; making game play an enjoyable experience.
Creativity and Innovation
Compared to the puzzles in its prequel, puzzles in The Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze is definitely more challenging. Unlike usual hidden object games, the way in which The Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze incorporates the storyline with the hidden object theme, and solving puzzles is seamless and engaging. It is definitely innovative and creative, and worth playing.
YOU SHOULD BUY THE DREAM CHRONICLES: THE ETERNAL MAZE IF
- You loved playing its prequel The Dream Chronicles: The Chosen One.
- You like playing challenging and fun puzzle games that are engaging, and yet not frustrating.
- You are looking for a game other than the usual hidden object/puzzle games with a twist, with beautiful graphics, smooth game play and an interesting storyline.
YOU SHOULD NOT BUY THE DREAM CHRONICLES: THE ETERNAL MAZE IF
- The storyline of the Dream Chronicles or things about fairies does not appeal to you.
- You are looking for a fast paced adventure game.
- You have not played the first installment The Dream Chronicles: The Chosen One
Download FREE Game Trial
OR
Buy it for only $6.99Rating: 4.5/5Adventure, mystery, puzzles and fairies! This game sets your brain thinking and is simply entertaining with its breathtakingly smooth graphics and apt music. In this second installation of the Dream Chronicles series, you have to help Faye save her family from the evil Fairy Queen, Lilith. The storyline, together with the game play makes it an alluring sequel.
StoryThe evil Fairy queen, Lilith, wants Faye's husband all to herself as he was promised to her long ago. As a result, Lilith curses Faye's daughter and imprisons her within the Ancient Place. To save her family Faye needs to escape from her prison by navigating through magical landscapes and solve intricate and challenging puzzles; with the guidance of her mother-in-law.
Game Play
This game is definitely more than just your usual hidden game object. Its adventure styled game play and mesmerizing graphics makes it more fun. With its smooth game play, and the freedom to play at your own speed, finding hidden dream jewels to unravel secrets that would help in the quest and unlocking secret doors is challenging. The game starts off in an easy to follow story mode, continuing off from the first installment; with the story getting more intriguing as you play.
Graphics
The graphics are simply beautiful, drawing players into the breath taking world of fairies with intriguing and believable drawn sets.
Sound
Music used in the game adds to the ambiance of the game. It makes the game more fun to play, and it is easy on the ears; making game play an enjoyable experience.
Creativity and Innovation
Compared to the puzzles in its prequel, puzzles in The Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze is definitely more challenging. Unlike usual hidden object games, the way in which The Dream Chronicles 2: The Eternal Maze incorporates the storyline with the hidden object theme, and solving puzzles is seamless and engaging. It is definitely innovative and creative, and worth playing.
YOU SHOULD BUY THE DREAM CHRONICLES: THE ETERNAL MAZE IF
- You loved playing its prequel The Dream Chronicles: The Chosen One.
- You like playing challenging and fun puzzle games that are engaging, and yet not frustrating.
- You are looking for a game other than the usual hidden object/puzzle games with a twist, with beautiful graphics, smooth game play and an interesting storyline.
YOU SHOULD NOT BUY THE DREAM CHRONICLES: THE ETERNAL MAZE IF
- The storyline of the Dream Chronicles or things about fairies does not appeal to you.
- You are looking for a fast paced adventure game.
- You have not played the first installment The Dream Chronicles: The Chosen One
Download FREE Game Trial
OR
Buy it for only $6.99
Luxor Adventures
Download FREE Trial
OR
Buy for only $6.99
Rating: 3.5/5
Time travel, Egyptian mythology, and archeology all within a hidden object game infused with puzzles and mini-games! It even has a good storyline to boot. Being a hidden game game, there bound to be similarities with existing with hidden object games. However, Luxor Adventures is still entertaining, extremely challenging and full of surprises.
Story
An ancient port has become unstable, with objects from the future turning up in places of the past. In a bid to restore history and prevent the villain from attempting to alter history, the heroes travel through time in an attempt to save the world from the wrath of Osiris by finding hidden objects (from the future in places of the past) and solving puzzles.
Game Play
As with most hidden object games, you have to scour a cluttered environment for items that are listed on the bottom of the screen while racing against the clock per level. At each level, you have to find two orbs and two Ankhs. Once you have collected all eight orbs, you will be able to play Luxor, a color ball-blasting game. Finding two Ankhs at each level allows you to unlock more game modes from the main menu. Objects hidden in this game can be very well-hidden (small and/or well camouflaged) and hard to spot, making it slightly frustrating. Luckily there is a Hint button to reveal those hard-to spot objects.
Graphics
The graphics are aptly drawn and beautiful, reflecting Luxor Adventure's Egyptian theme well.
Sound
Music used in the game adds to the ambiance of the game, drawing players into the ancient Egyptian world and the excitement of saving the world.
Creativity and Innovation
Being able to infuse the hidden game genre together with an interesting story, and bonus games to boot certainly makes this game unique. To add to its innovativeness and creativity, some items have to be completed by combining them, such as inserting batteries into a flashlight. The game also has a high replay value, because each time you play a particular level you will be asked to find different objects.
YOU SHOULD BUY LUXOR ADVENTURES IF
- You are looking for something different from the usual hidden object games.
- You like challenging hidden object games (objects can be very hard to find).
- You love the storyline and enjoy finding hidden objects while saving the world.
YOU SHOULD NOT BUY LUXOR ADVENTURES IF
- Not being able to spot some very cleverly camouflaged (and possibly small) objects frustrate you.
- You prefer playing the usual untainted hidden games.
- You did not like the trial version.
Download FREE Trial
OR
Buy for only $6.99
OR
Buy for only $6.99
Rating: 3.5/5Time travel, Egyptian mythology, and archeology all within a hidden object game infused with puzzles and mini-games! It even has a good storyline to boot. Being a hidden game game, there bound to be similarities with existing with hidden object games. However, Luxor Adventures is still entertaining, extremely challenging and full of surprises.
Story
An ancient port has become unstable, with objects from the future turning up in places of the past. In a bid to restore history and prevent the villain from attempting to alter history, the heroes travel through time in an attempt to save the world from the wrath of Osiris by finding hidden objects (from the future in places of the past) and solving puzzles.
Game Play
As with most hidden object games, you have to scour a cluttered environment for items that are listed on the bottom of the screen while racing against the clock per level. At each level, you have to find two orbs and two Ankhs. Once you have collected all eight orbs, you will be able to play Luxor, a color ball-blasting game. Finding two Ankhs at each level allows you to unlock more game modes from the main menu. Objects hidden in this game can be very well-hidden (small and/or well camouflaged) and hard to spot, making it slightly frustrating. Luckily there is a Hint button to reveal those hard-to spot objects.
Graphics
The graphics are aptly drawn and beautiful, reflecting Luxor Adventure's Egyptian theme well.
Sound
Music used in the game adds to the ambiance of the game, drawing players into the ancient Egyptian world and the excitement of saving the world.
Creativity and Innovation
Being able to infuse the hidden game genre together with an interesting story, and bonus games to boot certainly makes this game unique. To add to its innovativeness and creativity, some items have to be completed by combining them, such as inserting batteries into a flashlight. The game also has a high replay value, because each time you play a particular level you will be asked to find different objects.
YOU SHOULD BUY LUXOR ADVENTURES IF
- You are looking for something different from the usual hidden object games.
- You like challenging hidden object games (objects can be very hard to find).
- You love the storyline and enjoy finding hidden objects while saving the world.
YOU SHOULD NOT BUY LUXOR ADVENTURES IF
- Not being able to spot some very cleverly camouflaged (and possibly small) objects frustrate you.
- You prefer playing the usual untainted hidden games.
- You did not like the trial version.
Download FREE Trial
OR
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Sunday, November 29, 2009
Man dug up wife's corpse 'so he could hug her'
The 55-year-old man from a small town in the central province of Quang Nam opened up his wife's grave in 2004, moulded clay around the remains to give the figure of a woman, put clothes on her and then placed her in his bed, Vietnamnet.vn said.
The man, Le Van, told the website that after his wife died in 2003 he slept on top of her grave, but about 20 months later he worried about rain, wind and cold, so he decided to dig a tunnel into the grave "to sleep with her".
His children found out, though, and prevented him from going to the grave. So one night in November 2004 he dug up his wife's remains and took them home, Vietnamnet reported.
The father of seven said neighbours did not dare visit the house for several years.
"I'm a person that does things differently. I'm not like normal people," he was quoted as saying.
Telegraph
The man, Le Van, told the website that after his wife died in 2003 he slept on top of her grave, but about 20 months later he worried about rain, wind and cold, so he decided to dig a tunnel into the grave "to sleep with her".
His children found out, though, and prevented him from going to the grave. So one night in November 2004 he dug up his wife's remains and took them home, Vietnamnet reported.
The father of seven said neighbours did not dare visit the house for several years.
"I'm a person that does things differently. I'm not like normal people," he was quoted as saying.
Telegraph
Chinese Children Snatched off Streets and Sold
"In China two men have been executed after being convicted of abducting and trafficking 15 children. China's Supreme Court said the trade in stolen children, carried out by organised gangs, was on the rise. Parents, unable to have sons of their own, buy boys from the traffickers for around £3,000 each.
The BBC has obtained rare footage of Chinese police who are trying to curb the trade, but many thousands of children are being snatched off the streets to be sold every year and most are never recovered."
View the Video Report (Contains real scenes of child abduction): Child Snatching in China
The BBC has obtained rare footage of Chinese police who are trying to curb the trade, but many thousands of children are being snatched off the streets to be sold every year and most are never recovered."
View the Video Report (Contains real scenes of child abduction): Child Snatching in China
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Easy Ways to Make a Pie from the Store Look like Homemade
Those asked to bring a homemade pie to a family event or potluck meal often do not have time to make and roll out pie crust let alone create the perfect homemade filling. On the other hand, not all people that have the time actually have the talent. Many buy desserts from the store instead. Making a perfect pie crust is an art, and it takes a good recipe and just the right amount of handling to end up with flaky and delicious. Filling is not always easy to make either. Fruit pies can turn out very watery, and meringue sometimes flops. Why not cheat in the kitchen instead of working on homemade pie? Try these easy ways to make a pie from a store look like homemade... more>>
Unusual Uses of Olive Oil
For more than four thousand years, the olive tree has been a symbol of abundance, peace, and longevity. Gifted by a goddess, revered by ancient cultures, and protected by emperors, the olive tree and its precious fruit have played important roles in civilization.
Dubbed "liquid gold" by Homer, olive oil has been used for food, medicine, magic, beauty, and divine rituals. Baseball star Joe DiMaggio is even said to have soaked his bat in olive oil. Restore luster to your sore throat and dry lips . . . replace artery-clogging butter in your favorite dishes with olive oil... more>>
Dubbed "liquid gold" by Homer, olive oil has been used for food, medicine, magic, beauty, and divine rituals. Baseball star Joe DiMaggio is even said to have soaked his bat in olive oil. Restore luster to your sore throat and dry lips . . . replace artery-clogging butter in your favorite dishes with olive oil... more>>
Free Printable Recipes: Easy Holoday Desserts
Looking for free printable recipes for holiday desserts can be overwhelming, but it doesn't need to be. Here are some ideas for holiday desserts, complete with links to a free printable version of the recipe... more>>
Monday, November 23, 2009
Baby girl named after car
A Dorset couple have named their new baby daughter Kia - after she had to be delivered on the back seat of a Kia people carrier.
Tony Richardson and Samantha Smyth were heading to Poole Hospital in Sam's mum's Kia when they realised they were not going to make it.
Baby Kia was born at 4.30am in the back of the car - and the couple decided to ditch their original name of 'Tilley' to mark the unusual birth.
And Kia has now offered the couple a new Kia Carens - the same model baby Kia was born in - worth £18,000.
Miss Smyth, 23, said: "Wow! I was not expecting this. We're over the moon. We could do with it. Between me and my partner we have six kids. We can't fit them all in the car."
Michael Cole, managing director of Kia Motors, said: "All of us at Kia are delighted for Tony and Samantha and flattered that they have called their new baby Kia after she was born in granny's Carens.
"We would like to welcome Kia to the Kia family and wish her a wonderful life."
Ananova
Tony Richardson and Samantha Smyth were heading to Poole Hospital in Sam's mum's Kia when they realised they were not going to make it.
Baby Kia was born at 4.30am in the back of the car - and the couple decided to ditch their original name of 'Tilley' to mark the unusual birth.
And Kia has now offered the couple a new Kia Carens - the same model baby Kia was born in - worth £18,000.
Miss Smyth, 23, said: "Wow! I was not expecting this. We're over the moon. We could do with it. Between me and my partner we have six kids. We can't fit them all in the car."
Michael Cole, managing director of Kia Motors, said: "All of us at Kia are delighted for Tony and Samantha and flattered that they have called their new baby Kia after she was born in granny's Carens.
"We would like to welcome Kia to the Kia family and wish her a wonderful life."
Ananova
Facebook costs her insurance
MONTREAL - FACEBOOK can be a double-edged sword, a Canadian woman learned when an insurance company cut her health benefits, claiming she was healthy after seeing pictures of her smiling in bikini at the beach.
Nathalie Blanchard, 29, took long-term sick leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, more than a year ago for severe depression. She was receiving monthly benefits from her insurance company, Manulife.
When Ms Blanchard called Manulife to inquire why the payments dried up, the insurance company said that 'I'm available to work, because of Facebook,' she told CBC television.
She said that Manulife cited several pictures Blanchard had posted on her social networking website page, including some showing her enjoying herself during a male strip-tease show at a Chippendales bar, celebrating her birthday and bathing in the sun.
Based on these postings, the firm claimed Ms Blanchard was no longer depressed.
Ms Manulife declined to comment on the incident but said in a statement that 'we would not deny or terminate a valid claim solely based on information published on websites such as Facebook.' But the company did recognise that it uses such information to learn more about their clients. -- AFP
Source : The Straits Times
Nathalie Blanchard, 29, took long-term sick leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, more than a year ago for severe depression. She was receiving monthly benefits from her insurance company, Manulife.
When Ms Blanchard called Manulife to inquire why the payments dried up, the insurance company said that 'I'm available to work, because of Facebook,' she told CBC television.
She said that Manulife cited several pictures Blanchard had posted on her social networking website page, including some showing her enjoying herself during a male strip-tease show at a Chippendales bar, celebrating her birthday and bathing in the sun.
Based on these postings, the firm claimed Ms Blanchard was no longer depressed.
Ms Manulife declined to comment on the incident but said in a statement that 'we would not deny or terminate a valid claim solely based on information published on websites such as Facebook.' But the company did recognise that it uses such information to learn more about their clients. -- AFP
Source : The Straits Times
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Crystal Chronicles' dated for Wii
Square Enix has revealed the release date for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers on the Wii.The game, which is set 1000 years after the original Crystal Chronicles for the Gamecube, will be released in Europe on February 5, 2010.
The Wii exclusive sees players control a crystal bearing a mercenary called Layle, who comes into contact with a long-forgotten enemy while accompanying a passenger airship on its maiden voyage.
The title, which was announced in 2005, was made available in Japan on November 12.
DS
The Sims 3 Secret - Mysterious Mr. Gnome
If on one of your sim travels and you happen to find a Mysterious Mr. Gnome, DO NOT SELL HIM!!!!! Apart from being a very valuable item, he has some entertaining qualities. When you go to sleep at night he will move... not when you're watching of course but if you kick him and stand him up again he will change positions.
The Sims 3 Secret - Easter Egg: EA Games
When your Sims take a video game break, you can zoom in on the TV and identify various EA games on the tiny screen.
The Sims 3 Cheat: Using the "testingcheatsenabled" Command
The testingcheatsenabled cheat allows you to do several useful things when used properly. First, hold COMMAND+SHIFT+C and enter this code: testingcheatsenabled true
Now, hold SHIFT and click your letterbox. This will provide you with these options:
- Make All Happy
- Force Visitor
- Set Career
- Set level
You may also hold SHIFT and click on Sims to get these options:
- Add Sim to House
- Modify Sim Traits
- Force Aging
In Ground View mode, hold SHIFT and click a spot and your Sim will teleport to it.
You can also click and drag your Sims' need bars to full. SHIFT-click the mailbox and select Make Needs Static to keep the max level until you leave the game. (Note: if you SHIFT-click the mailbox and it says Make Needs Dynamic, select that. SHIFT-Click the mailbox again and it will say Make Needs Static) This must be repeated each time you re-enter the game. But you only have to do it once, as it will work for all of the Sims in the household.
Hold SHIFT and click a Sim's workspace to do the following:
- Force Event
- Force Events
- Force Opportunity
The Sims 3 Secret - Easter Egg: Painting Spore and More
When your Sim finally reaches the top level in painting, they begin to paint masterpieces. Look at the paintings for some nice surprises. One is an image of a Spore creature.
The Sims 3 Secret - Free bookcase skills
Buy a bookcase, then have your sim start to study. Interrupt the action so that the book it placed on the ground, then simply sell the bookcase. The book can then do everything the bookcase could have done for free.
The Sims 3 Secret - Disgusting Faces
There is a glitch in character creation mode where you can make absolutely disgusting faces. The trick is that if you go to the face designing area and you select a face part such as the eyes and max out all the sliders one way or the other, then go to a different face part and select one of the PREDESIGNED parts, and then come back to the eyes, the sliders will have reset in the middle, but the eyes will still look the same. This works for all of the face adjusting tabs. Exploiting this, you can make eyes the size of dinner plates, cheekbones 4 feet long, and a HUMUNGOUS nose, to name a few.
The Sims 3 Secret - Saving Pizza
Have a sim call for pizza. When the pizza delivery guy comes DON'T accept the pizza! The pizza delivery guy will eventually leave the pizza on the front porch, and the pizza will never get stale. You can stack as many pizzas as you want, so if your sims get hungry, just tell them to get a pizza from the front porch.
The Sims 3 Secret - Age Sims Prematurely
Entry Location:
buy a birthday cake
Buy a birthday cake even before you Sims birthday and have them blow out the candles and they will age when they blow them out
buy a birthday cake
Buy a birthday cake even before you Sims birthday and have them blow out the candles and they will age when they blow them out
The Sims 3 Cheat List
During gameplay, press COMMAND+SHIFT+C to bring up the cheats console. Enter the codes below for the desired effect.
- constrainFloorElevation [true/false] - Force terrain adjustments regardless of objects, Sims, and other structures
- enableLlamas - Enables llamas, obviously
- jokePlease - Summon a joke
- hideHeadlineEffects [on/off] - Hide all meters and effects
- quit - Quit the game
- help - Lists all available commands
- slowMotionViz [x] - Slow motion, where [x] is 0-8 (0 is normal)
- resetSim [x] - Resets the named Sim with neutral motives, no moodlets, and teleports Sim back home where [x] is first and last name
- fps [on/off] - Toggles frames per second in upper right of HUD
- fadeObjects [on/off] - Toggles object fade when camera zooms
- testingcheatsenabled - Turns on Testing Cheats (See Below)
- disableSnappingToSlotsOnAlt [on/off] - Hold Alt to avoid object snap when toggled
- kaching - While on the lot, this gives you $1,000
- motherlode - While on the lot, this gives you $50,000
- moveobjects on/off - Move anything (including Sims) in your Buy/Build mode
- familyFunds [x][y] - Give money to a family, where [x] is the family's last name and [y] is the amount
- fullscreen [on/off] - Toggles windowed mode
- unlockOutfits [on/off] - Unlocks outfits in CAS (Create a Sim) mode. Note: Must be enabled before entering CAS
- babyboom - Adds a baby and a toddler to every household.
- ResetLifetimeHappiness - Resets the lifetime happiness of all the sims in an active household.
- forcetwins - click on a pregnant Sim to control it, then enter this code in the console to have twins
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