EA for PC-CD

Games, Games, Games!

And the developer cares about creating the site in CSS too!!

EA for PC-CD

FLHurricane.com: Google Map Plot of Wilma (2005) Google Maps Hurricane Track Overlay

FLHurricane.com: Google Map Plot of Wilma (2005) Google Maps Hurricane Track Overlay

Black Cat Force

Central Chronicle: "Manesar, Oct 17 Over a dozen women have joined the army of the elite National Security Guards, commonly known as the black cats, responsible for fighting terrorism and providing security to VIPs."

Good night, pond. 

Deluxe Martial Arts Forums - Bujinkan = Ninjutsu?

Deluxe Martial Arts Forums - Bujinkan = Ninjutsu?: "Bujinkan = Ninjutsu?"

map.gif (GIF Image, 610x468 pixels)

map.gif (GIF Image, 610x468 pixels)

Sword Forum International - http://SwordForum.Com/

Sword Forum International - http://SwordForum.Com/: "Ninja Swords - Did They Exist Historically?

Often depicted as a straight bladed weapon with a square guard, the ninja sword (or 'ninja-to') is an area of historical controversy. Contrary to the many fine examples of curve-bladed swords used by Samurai, the fabled 'ninja-to' does not have living historical examples among today's antique swords in museums or private collections.

Historically, straight single-edged blades existed, and these were known as choku-to ('straight swords'). As the Japanese sword originally evolved from the Chinese straight-bladed jian, the Japanese sword was straight prior to the use of clay, which insulated the body and exposed the edge in the final heat treatment and water quenching - the result of which was a naturally formed curve due to metallurgical differences in the harder edge and softer body.

Thus choku-to existed primarily around the Koto period (pre-1596),"

Jack Hoban's Living Values and Bujinkan Martial Arts - Theme For 2001

Jack Hoban's Living Values and Bujinkan Martial Arts - Theme For 2001: "Yes, the dojo doesn't necessarily have to be where you think it is. In fact, sometimes our dojo—the place with the tatamis (or mats) and gis are—is not necessarily the best place to train. So why do we do it? Well, it's easy and sensible, that's why. But that brings us to our Buyu theme of the year. As you may know, in addition to Hatsumi Sensei's theme, we also have traditionally selected our own, Buyu Dojo, theme every year. Last year, if you recall, our theme was the year of Shinobu. How did we do? Were we patient? Aware? Persistent? Were we able to look beyond the purely technical and tactical aspects of our training? Were we vigilant against threats that we couldn't see nor understand. And, most importantly, did we open our hearts to the way of the benevolent warrior—protecting when we could, hiding when we had to? Using our skills only as a last resort? Difficult, wasn't it? But that is the natural way of the Warrior. And that brings us to this year's theme. The theme is: Nature.

Recall Takamatsu Sensei's words:

'In tune with the providence of heaven and the impartial justice of nature, and following a clear and pure heart full of trust in the inevitable, the Ninja captures the insight that will guide him successfully into battle when he must conquer and conceal himself protectively from hostility when he must acquiesce.'

Well, how do we learn that?! In this age of cell phones and computers (I, myself, work in the Internet business) how do we learn the laws of Nature? Certainly not in front of a computer (although we can learn a lot about the new 'laws' of man that way, and that is important, too). No, we need to get out into Nature. Train outside, walk the forests, swim the seas. Hear the wind, talk to the ocean, listen to the lessons of Mother Earth. She is speaking to us. Remember the hurricanes, the earthquakes, the tsunamis. She still has control. And something to teach us. As Ninja, as warriors, let us listen very attentively in 2005.

Keep going!

Jack Hoban

P.S. To set the example, I decided to go for an ocean swim today, New Years Day. It was cold"

Message to Mr. Hoban - I am sorry I didn't read this 10 months sooner. I did climb a small local mountain on New Year's Day. Yes cold, but as January goes, wonderful! In retrospec, i honor of this theme (I couldn't think of a better one) I started to get to know my local nature better:

Nature

cheers,
Kate

Jack Hoban's Living Values and Bujinkan Martial Arts - Theme For 2001

Jack Hoban's Living Values and Bujinkan Martial Arts - Theme For 2001: "Maybe this helps you; I hope so. But as Sensei said in a letter to me in May of 2004: 'It is important to know that Ninjutsu is not only sneaking into enemy lines, but also allowing mysterious lessons to sneak into your own mind. This is the top secret of Ninjutsu.'"

FXConverter - 164 Currency Converter

FXConverter - 164 Currency Converter: "Thursday, October 20, 2005

1 US Dollar = 115.280 Japanese Yen
1 Japanese Yen (JPY) = 0.008675 US Dollar (USD)

Median price = 115.250 / 115.280 (bid/ask)
Minimum price = 115.230 / 115.270
Maximum price = 115.980 / 116.010 "

Tenshiyama Accommodation - Abiko, Chiba

Tenshiyama Accommodation - Abiko, Chiba: "The apartment is provided for Bujinkan students by a Bujinkan student, for the purpose of helping fellow practitioners get the most out of their stay in Japan. There are two 6-tatami-mat rooms, each of which can sleep 2-3 people at one time.

Its convenient location and the friendly, helpful group atmosphere have made Tenshiyama a favorite place to stay for many visiting Bujinkan practitioners since 1999."

Cat Facts and Trivia

Cat Facts and Trivia: "# A domestic cat can sprint at about 31 miles per hour.
# The heaviest cat on record weighed 46 lbs."

Cat, Cat information

Cat, Cat information: "So...You're looking for Cat. To most of us our pets are an important part of our family.

Whether it be a dog, cat or other type of animal, we all want the best for them.

Petplanet is the leading UK dog, cat and pet website and has all the information and products you will need, from breed profiles and behaviour to health, welfare and nutrition."

Legacy of Pain: A World of Warcraft Guild

Came across this guild on my coding list today! :) East meets west.

Welcome to Legacy of Pain.

Legacy of Pain was founded by several friends who left their old guild feeling that it had become to stale, too processed, too elitist. The founders wanted a guild that was relaxed, informal, and full of members whowere courteous and fun to play with. Enter Legacy of Pain.

Founded by Xasz, Nightmare, and Caymonki, this guild seeks to provide players of all experience levels a home in which to experience the game World of Warcraft. We are located on the Darkspear server, and have players on at all hours of the day, from many states, countries, and continents.

If you would like to join our guild, or are simply seeking information, please feel free to send any of us an in-game tell or mail, and read over our guild policies. We're more than willing to answer any questions you might have.

Hey I just might give it a try...

Kate

Cat Facts and Trivia

Cat Facts and Trivia: "Six-toed kittens are so common in Boston and surrounding areas of Massachusetts that experts consider it an established mutation."

Finally I understand why that lady in North Andover (outside Boston) asked me about Jessie! She is from Southwick Mass.

Cat Facts and Trivia

Cat Facts and Trivia: "# It has been scientifically proven that stroking a cat can lower one's blood pressure.

# In 1987, cats overtook dogs as the number one pet in America (about 50 million cats resided in 24 million homes in 1986). About 37% of American homes today have at least 1 cat."

Cat Facts and Trivia

Cat Facts and Trivia: "The average lifespan of an outdoor-only (feral and non-feral) is about 3 years; an indoor-only cat can live 16 years and longer. A female tabby named 'Ma' lived for 34 years, making her the oldest reliably documented housecat."

Cat Facts and Trivia

Cat Facts and Trivia: "Cat's urine glows under a black light."

Compare Prices and Read Reviews on Guild Wars for Windows at Epinions.com

Thanks Photics for your review!

Compare Prices and Read Reviews on Guild Wars for Windows at Epinions.com: "

The Revolution

A big handicap with the video game industry is that it can be a scarey place to try new things. If a game bombs, it could result in the loss of millions of dollars. ArenaNet, being a new company, can't afford to lose on their first title. That hasn't stopped them from taking uncommon approaches to game design. There are some truly revolutionary design elements packed into Guild Wars.

No Monthly Fee This is the primary eye-catcher. How can ArenaNet do it? How can thousands of players get together in one world - without a monthly fee? Who cares?! That's ArenaNet's headache, not mine. All I know is that I can enter a town and find a ton of people chatting it up. All else aside, this is the primary reason to cheer on ArenaNet. While technology prices go down, MMORPG subscription rates continue to go up. It's refreshing to see a company step in and say it doesn't have to be that way. Guild Wars will make it's money through expansions. Every 6-9 months, new content will be made available. If you don't buy the upgrades, ArenaNet says you can still play your current version online.

Beautiful Graphics

If you looked at Guild Wars in 2003 or earlier, you might not have been impressed. The graphics weren't awful, but they weren't up to today's competition level. ArenaNet quietly went to work, improved the graphics quality and then they totally shocked the world. In January of 2004, GuildWars.com published screenshots that were 100% eye-candy. It was so impressive that many doubted it was created in real-time. Skeptics began to challenge ArenaNet. If these shots were in real-time, how could any low end computer handle it? Well, the screenshots were for real and the requirements for Guild Wars is fairly low."

I was introduced to this style of game from my cousin Chad who played Ro-something :) Just trying out this game now... First one I found on my own and not a referral, so I am enjoying that aspect a bit too. See what you think!

Kate

Photics.com

Photics.com: "Do you run a really cool Guild Wars Website? Did you want to tell the world about it? This forum was created for Guild Wars Fansite webmasters, so they could inform the community about new content."

The Guild Hall

The Guild Hall: "Power Shot

Description: If Power Attack hits, you strike for 10/ 18/ 21 damage.
Energy Cost: 10.
Casting Time: Next Attack.
Recharge Time: 6 seconds.
Linked Attribute: Marksmanship. Increases damage.
Skill Type: Bow Attack."

The Guild Hall

The Guild Hall: "Troll Unguent

Description: For the next 10 seconds, you gain health regeneration 3/ 9/ 11.
Energy Cost: 5.
Casting Time: 3 seconds.
Recharge Time: 10 seconds.
Linked Attribute: Wilderness Survival. Increases health regeneration.
Skill Type: Skill.
"

The Guild Hall

The Guild Hall: "Monks are spell casters. They are support casters, utilising healing spells and protective buffs, raising dead party members, and, although they will never match an Elementalist's output, they can deal some damage, too. If you like to help your friends out, if you like taking care of the rest of the party, this is what you want to pick.

Rangers can do several things. They can use a bow in direct ranged offense, they can cast rituals - global enchantments that affect both your team and the other side at once - or they can tame pets, and more. If you like to stand back and pick off the enemy or if you like animals this is the one for you. "

:

Supply and Demand

"Did you know that the prices of dye and crafting materials is directly dependant on how players influence the economy? The more of an item you sell to NPC traders, the more they have in stock, the lower the price becomes. Likewise, items that rarely get sold to NPCs become more expensive. This is why black dye, for example, is continually getting more expensive, hardly anyone sells it to the dye trader. You can help the economy by selling dyes that only bring 10 gold to a merchant instead of the dye trader.

Easy starting money

To get a good start into Chapter 1, gather as many Skale Fins in the Prelude as possible. Those salvage into scales, and scales are a rare commodity in Old Ascalon, and therefore worth a lot of money. You can sell them to the materials trader, or if you have the patience, sell them to other player for even more money. Selling to other players will also keep the materials trader from lowering the price of scales so that others may use this trick in the future"

Photics.com - an elite Guild Wars Fansite - Photics - Guild Wars Edition - Issue #22

Photics.com - an elite Guild Wars Fansite - Photics - Guild Wars Edition - Issue #22: "LOOT GREED!

The Summer update to Guild Wars added more than just new maps to the game. It added something else - LOOT GREED. With the addition of locked treasure chests and “green” items, more high-end equipment has found its way into the game.

These changes also put an end to my farming runs. Roughly 50% of my gold was retrieved from wreckage spots. Now that keys are needed for random map rewards, my days of farming Thirsty River are over. I do feel jipped in this respect. Instead of getting lousy items randomly, I now have to spend 750 gold to get a lousy item.

However, I feel the changes have improved the game overall. There is a greater understanding of top-gear. It is widely known that the best stuff can be found in Sorrow’s Furnace. "

Guild Wars Review for PC at GameSpot

Guild Wars Review for PC at GameSpot: "Difficulty:
Variable
Learning Curve:
About a half hour
Stability:
Stable
Version:
Retail
GameSpot Score
9.2
superb
About Our Rating System
Gameplay - 9
Graphics - 10
Sound - 8
Value - 10
Tilt - 9
Editors' Choice

Requirements: 256 MB RAM, 32 MB VRAM, 1.95 GB disk space, More Tech Information ?


While it's tempting to compare Guild Wars to any number of other fantasy-themed role-playing games, there's really never been anything quite like it before. It innovatively and successfully combines many of the best, most addictive properties of action RPGs, online RPGs, and competitive multiplayer games in one beautifully produced package, which offers a tremendous lasting value yet none of the monthly fees typically associated with online-only games. The first title from developer ArenaNet, Guild Wars threatens the entire online RPG establishment with its bold design. More importantly, it's a very impressive game that's rewarding on many different levels and can be tremendously appealing for any number of reasons."

Wired News: Grand Theft Auto Player Convicted

IMHO This game is one of the more questionable moral games... It certainly makes you think twice. Racing games sometimes make me want to drive faster. But I don't.

HOWEVER - video games causing anything much more than increased strategic ability and tactical operations, imho, is a load of crap.

Unless that person "lived in a cave" where the only inputs were crime and the game of grand theft auto, it would be hard to believe the game gave permission. In fact, even IF that person lived in a cave with mores of crime and theft and killing, it's still rather difficult to believe that there was no inner guidance system.

People do of course make decisions in certain situations when they might otherwise not. It's tough for some people to believe that the rest of the world was *not* brought up with the same opportunity they were, and thus it's tough to imagine others not able to make the same opportunity for themselves.

I have other things to do today, so I won't be thinking this all the way through, but feel free to respond or offer counters... I'll get back to you next weekend!

Kate

Wired News: Grand Theft Auto Player Convicted: "Defense lawyers had partly blamed Moore's actions on the hours he spent playing video games from the Grand Theft Auto series, in which players shoot police officers and steal cars."