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Jason Hesse
Need to Know / Thu 14 Aug 2014
MarketInvoice: Making an impact
Welcome to Tech City News @Work, our new series that gives you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at some of Britain's best tech companies.
What is MarketInvoice like as a place to work? We asked MarketInvoice employees to describe their company, and these are the words that they used, unprompted: it is "professional, dynamic, innovative", said one. It is "challenging, inquisitive, exciting", said another. And it is "fast, fun, entrepreneurial," added a third.
Based from offices in Holborn, MarketInvoice offers a new way for SMEs to access the capital tied up in unpaid invoices.
When MarketInvoice's three founders – Anil Stocker, Ilya Kondrashov and Charles Delingpole – founded the company in February 2011, their mission was to change the lending landscape. In just three years, the company has achieved this and much more. The company has become one of Britain's startup ambassadors: a Tech City success story.
'Proud'
In a nutshell, the company allows SMEs to post invoices for sale as and when they choose, releasing critical working capital, while global investors compete for the right to provide funds. To date, the platform has been used to trade more than £200m worth of invoices for SMEs.
"I'm proud to be helping SMEs through MarketInvoice," says Matt Cooper, the company's director of sales and business development, who joined MarketInvoice earlier this year to help scale the business.
It is a very high energy environment to work in, and we're constantly looking for people who want to get more out of their career than just a job.
The company is a breath of fresh air for the financial services industry.
This, says Dan Karger, a lead developer, is what makes it exciting to work at MarketInvoice: "Your work has a real impact on people's businesses; you can see the effect of what you're doing immediately, and how it makes a real difference."
Expanding quickly
The company, which currently employs 30 staff, expects to employ 40 by the end of 2014 through expanding the sales, tech and marketing teams.
MarketInvoice offers all of the traditional startup perks, such as baskets of fresh fruit and table football, but training and career development is one of the company's strongest areas. It recently introduced the MarketInvoice University (or just "MIU", as employees call it), a training programme to help employees learn about the business and the wider industry.
"MIU is great: it allows you to learn about the product, but importantly, to learn around it too," explains Katie Taylor, the company's press officer, who joined MarketInvoice in January this year.
There are seminars we can attend with visiting experts to help us become experts in our own field, as well as individual modules if you want to learn about a certain area more deeply.
The programme is extremely helpful for new employees, who do not have to know every last detail about invoice finance before joining the company.
"Beyond that, everyone in the company is always happy to help too," Taylor adds. "There is no stupid question. Everyone is there to help."
Roxana Ignat, a risk officer, says that the company offers everyone plenty of opportunities to do more. "They help you develop yourself personally." she says. "You feel like you're a part of the company's story."
Ignat has been at MarketInvoice since September 2012, so has lived through the company's extraordinary growth. "As the company grows – which it continues to do, very quickly – more opportunities present themselves to us. You can really shape your own career here."
This is a key perk of working at MarketInvoice, says Karger:
A year's experience at a startup is like dog years in terms of experience.
Yes, you need to adapt quickly and grow as the company grows, but this is what I like about it the most: you're constantly being pushed to do better.
You feel like you're more than just a cog in the wheel.
Tech City News @Work is our new series profiling the work culture behind Britain's best tech companies. Interested in us profiling your startup? Contact Becky Golland: [email protected]
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Saildrone Research Mission Launched to Improve Tropical Observing System in eastern Pacific Ocean
Saildrone departing Alameda, CA to study hurricane genesis and ENSO in eastern Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: Saildrone, Inc.
As the western U.S. experiences record shattering heat waves, mega droughts and the eastern tropical Pacific started its 2021 hurricane season with the earliest tropical storm (Andres) on record going back to the early 1970s, two Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) saildrones were launched on July 23, 2021 from Alameda, CA on a research mission to the eastern tropical Pacific.
The eastern tropical Pacific is a key region for hurricane genesis and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) development. The ENSO cycle not only modulates hurricane genesis in the eastern tropical Pacific and the tropical Atlantic, but also affects the global marine ecosystem and weather patterns on land. The hurricanes and tropical cyclones generated in the eastern tropical Pacific, whether or not they make landfall, control the critical source of moisture for rainfall, especially over western North America.
This region, however, is a gap in the Tropical Pacific Observing System (TPOS). The two saildrones enroute to the eastern tropical Pacific, will test how USVs may be used to address gaps in the present TPOS. The 150-day mission will target several phenomena including:
Air-sea interactions and convective development in the eastern Pacific hurricane genesis region
Air-sea interactions, including carbon dioxide outgassing, in the equatorial upwelling zone
Wind convergence in the southeastern Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) between 2°S and 5°S, often referred to as "the double ITCZ" region due to common biases of this phenomenon in models
Air-sea interactions in the frontal zone north of the cold equatorial upwelling; and
Contrasting subtropical and tropical oceanic and atmospheric states in the eastern Pacific.
The mission is funded in part by NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), NOAA Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program (GOMO), and NOAA National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) bringing together partners across NOAA, universities, and industry, along with international partners from Mexico and France. Read more about the mission on PMEL's Ocean Climate Stations page.
Dr. Meghan F. Cronin, Dr. Dongxiao Zhang, Dr. Samantha Wills
PMEL Project:
Engineering, Ocean Climate Stations

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The brand new 2023 Kia Sportage comes in six different trims ranging from $28,595 for the LX FWD to $41,395 for the X-line Limited. This new SUV crossover also offers you the chance to be ecologically responsible with hybrid versions available. Each level of trim comes in a variety of colours and with a range of high-tech safety and comfort features.
In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about the 2023 Kia Sportage SUV, and you can book a test drive at Bessada Kia.
The design of each trim on the 2023 Kia Sportage varies slightly. However, all of the trims here come with at least a half dozen colour options, Automatic LED reflection headlights, an adjustable tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and heated seats.
This 2023 version comes with several great features. Along with the automatic headlights, certain higher level trims have things like LED fog lights, a panoramic sunroof, a heated windshield and a matte chrome finish in several places.
You can sit comfortably in all 2023 Kia Sportage trims, knowing you'll be able to enjoy heated front seats for those harsh Canadian winters. Higher trims come with things like air-cooled front seats, quilted leather, and satin chrome door handles. All trims come with adjustable front seats and an adjustable steering wheel.
Technology & Infotainment
Even on lower trims you can enjoy an 8" touch screen to control the audio in your SUV, with hands-free Bluetooth features. You can also listen to music using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto features compatible with the car. Thanks to an intuitive interface and commands you'll never have to take your hands off the wheel when adjusting things. With the Kia app, you can also drive keyless. Higher trims allow you to charge your smartphone without the need for any cables or adapters by using the induction charging station. Higher trims also come with features like LED interior lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and smart cruise control.
Safety tech includes features like an anti-lock braking system, a lane keep assist system, and a rear-view camera which are available on all trims. Higher trims will also include safety features like blind-spot collision avoidance assist and rear parking sensors.
Performances & Pricing
There are six different Kia Sportage trim available for this 2023 portage model. You can choose between LX FWD, LX, X-Line, EX, EX Premium, and X-Line Limited. The engine and horsepower will be the same across all models. However, with the higher-priced models, you'll get access to many other great interior and exterior features and tech, including helpful safety features.
The LX FWD is the entry level trim and starts at $28,395 while the highest level X-Line Limited is available starting at $41,395, but comes with many more features and comforts for both drivers and passengers in the vehicle.
All trims come with a 2.5 litre engine offering 187 horsepower. You can book your test drive for one of these innovative new cars today at Bessada Kia.


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Polarbrook
14 (Foaled 14th April 2007)
D Shaw
Alderbrook
Frozen Cello
Mr John R Saville
FormFuture Entries
04/10/20 7/12 86 HURDLE Uttoxeter, 1m 7f 168y, Good to Soft, C5 100/1
15/11/19 6/6 90 HURDLE Southwell, 2m 4f 62y, Heavy, C4 20/1
02/10/19 8/10 91 HURDLE Huntingdon, 2m 3f 137y, Good, C5 50/1
19/05/19 8/9 92 HURDLE Market Rasen, 2m 7f 16y, Good, C5 13/2
10/05/19 1/10 85 HURDLE Market Rasen, 2m 4f 139y, Good, C5 5/1
06/05/19 3/11 85 HURDLE Warwick, 2m 3f, Good, C5 25/1
24/04/19 12/13 86 HURDLE Southwell, 2m 4f 62y, Good, C4 20/1
04/12/18 9/16 88 HURDLE Southwell, 2m 4f 62y, Good to Soft (Soft in places), C5 6/1
16/10/18 5/12 92 HURDLE Huntingdon, 3m 1f 10y, Good, C4 33/1
23/09/18 4/11 94 HURDLE Uttoxeter, 2m 3f 207y, Good, C4 66/1
04/12/17 2/5 94 HURDLE Fakenham, 2m 7f 95y, Soft (Good to Soft in places), C5 7/1
14/11/17 5/15 96 HURDLE Huntingdon, 2m 4f 145y, Good (Good to Soft in places), C5 16/1
02/11/17 6/14 98 HURDLE Sedgefield, 2m 178y, Good, C5 16/1
06/08/17 5/8 100 HURDLE Market Rasen, 2m 7f 16y, Good, C4 10/1
28/07/17 4/8 100 HURDLE Uttoxeter, 2m 3f 207y, Good to Soft, C4 11/2
16/07/17 3/9 98 HURDLE Southwell, 2m 4f 62y, Good, C4 8/1
04/07/17 1/12 78 HURDLE Stratford, 2m 6f 7y, Good, C5 7/2
26/06/17 1/9 78 HURDLE Southwell, 2m 7f 209y, Good, C5 5/2
16/05/17 4/12 79 HURDLE Southwell, 2m 4f 62y, Good (Watered), C5 16/1
31/01/17 4/6 92 CHASE Southwell, 2m 4f 62y, Soft (Good to Soft in places), C4 22/1
18/12/16 5/12 86 HURDLE Fakenham, 2m 0f 3y, Good to Soft (Soft in places), C4 33/1
08/12/16 7/15 90 HURDLE Warwick, 2m 5f 0y, Soft, C4 20/1
29/11/16 4/12 90 HURDLE Southwell, 2m 4f 62y, Good to Soft (Good in places), C5 11/1
15/11/16 9/16 94 HURDLE Southwell, 1m 7f 153y, Good (Good to Soft in places), C5 33/1
27/10/16 9/13 95 HURDLE Sedgefield, 2m 0f 178y, Good (Good to Soft in places), C5 22/1
17/04/16 3/5 95 HURDLE Wetherby, 1m 7f 193y, Soft (Heavy in places), C4 5/1
22/03/16 5/9 98 HURDLE Wetherby, 2m 3f 154y, Good to Soft, C5 6/1
04/03/16 8/11 102 HURDLE Doncaster, 2m 3f 120y, Good to Soft (Soft in places), C4 16/1
09/02/16 4/5 104 HURDLE Market Rasen, 2m 4f 139y, Heavy (Soft in places), C4 8/1
30/01/16 18/18 105 HURDLE Doncaster, 2m 3f 120y, Good (Good to Soft in places), C4 12/1
26/12/15 - 105 HURDLE Wetherby, 2m 5f 56y, C3 8/1
11/12/15 2/14 100 HURDLE Doncaster, 2m 3f 120y, Good to Soft (Good in places), C4 10/1
27/11/15 2/12 96 HURDLE Doncaster, 2m 3f 120y, Good, C5 8/1
09/11/15 1/9 90 HURDLE Southwell, 2m 4f 62y, Soft, C5 12/1
29/10/15 4/10 93 HURDLE Sedgefield, 2m 3f 188y, Soft (Good to Soft in places), C4 100/1
15/10/15 8/11 96 HURDLE Uttoxeter, 1m 7f 168y, Good (Watered), C5 100/1
20/09/15 PU 102 HURDLE Uttoxeter, 2m 3f 207y, Good (Selectively watered), C4 40/1
18/11/14 PU 109 CHASE Doncaster, 3m 0f 0y, Soft, Good to Soft in places, C4 14/1
30/10/14 PU 112 CHASE Sedgefield, 3m 6f 0y, Good to Soft, C3 100/1
17/05/14 5/8 114 CHASE Bangor-on-Dee, 2m 4f 110y, Good, C4 6/1
23/02/14 PU 114 CHASE Towcester, 2m 3f 110y, Heavy, C4 6/1
17/02/14 - 112 JUMP Carlisle, C4 12/1
08/02/14 - 112 JUMP Uttoxeter, C4 12/1
29/12/13 2/5 112 CHASE Kelso, 2m 7f 110y, Soft, C4 7/2
30/11/13 3/5 115 CHASE Bangor-on-Dee, 3m 0f 110y, Soft, C3 6/1
01/11/13 F 110 CHASE Wetherby, 3m 1f 0y, Good to Soft, Soft in places, C4 9/1
04/10/13 6/6 112 CHASE Hexham, 2m 4f 110y, Good, Good to Soft in places, C3 7/2


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Posted on December 12, 2016 December 12, 2016 by MAMcIntosh
A Celtic parade helmet in gold with coral inlay, c. 350 BCE. Found buried in a cave in Agris, western France. (Bernisches Historisches Museum, Bern, Switzerland)
By Mark Cartwright / 07.22.2016
The ancient Celts were various population groups living in several parts of Europe north of the Mediterranean region from the Late Bronze Age onwards. Given the name Celt by ancient writers, these tribes often migrated and so eventually occupied territories from Portugal to Turkey. Although diverse tribes the ancient Celts spoke the same language and maintained the same artistic tradition which is characterised by the use of idiosyncratic flowing lines and forms. Celtic languages are still spoken today in parts of the British Isles and northern France.
Geographical Spread
Ancient writers gave the name Celts to various population groups living across central Europe inland from the Mediterranean coastal areas. Most scholars agree that the Celtic culture first appeared in the Late Bronze Age in the area of the upper Danube sometime around the 13th century BCE. These early Celts were known as the 'Urnfield people' and they probably spoke a proto-Celtic language. By the 8th century BCE, iron had replaced bronze-working and the cultural group is then referred to by scholars as the 'Hallstatt culture'. Spain saw a similar development with tribes using iron weapons. The Hallstatt culture declined by the 5th century BCE, perhaps due to internal political tensions and economic difficulties. The next phase of Celtic development was carried out by a group known as the La Tène culture.
The prosperity of the La Tène culture in ancient France, Spain and wider central Europe meant that they were able to challenge the contemporary Mediterranean cultures and so they appear for the first time in Classical history. From then on these peoples were widely referred to as Celts. In antiquity writers did not describe tribes in ancient Britain and Ireland as Celts, although they have acquired that label in modern times and some Celtic languages or their derivatives are still spoken there, as a form of Celtic still is in the Brittany region of northern France. The religion of the Celts, led by a priesthood known as the Druids, is described by ancient writers with some disdain as crude and violent.
The migration of various Celtic tribes in order to flee wars – they were famously attacked in Gaul by Julius Caesar in the 1st century BCE and by the Germanic tribes – and find new prospects meant that eventually the territory occupied by them ranged from Galicia (the Iberian peninsula) to Romania. Many Celtic tribes spread eastwards, for example, traversing Macedonia in 280 BCE and crossing the Hellespont in 278 BCE into Asia Minor. The Galatians, as they were now called, colonised areas of central Asia Minor which brought them into direct conflict with both the Hellenistic kingdoms and Rome.
Overview map of the Hallstatt (yellow) and La Tène (green) cultures the Hallstatt culture.
Celtic Warfare
Celtic armies first came to the attention of historians when the Gauls, led by their king Bran (Brennus), sacked Rome in 390 BCE, and again in 279 BCE when they looted Delphi as they passed through Greece on their way to Asia. The Celts attacked the Romans again in 225 BCE and were frequent mercenary allies of Carthage during the Punic Wars. The Celts thus gained a reputation with Latin and Greek writers for being fierce warriors and skilled horsemen who also fielded chariots in battle. Julius Caesar faced them when he invaded Gaul. They were light, pulled by two horses, and had an open front and back with double hoops at the sides. Containing two men they were used to attack enemy cavalry first by throwing javelins and then one man dismounted to fight on foot while the rider drove the chariot to a safe distance to await a retreat if necessary. Caesar describes them as driven with great skill and so were a highly manoeuvrable weapon of disruption and attack.
Celtic warriors were known for their long hair and imposing physique. They are depicted in Greek art with their distinctive long shields (wooden panels covered in decorated hide) and long swords. Such was the respect for Celtic warriors that Hellenistic kings who defeated Galatian armies were given the title of soter, meaning 'saviour'. Although Galatian armies were almost always defeated by their more disciplined and better-equipped enemies in single battles, once conquered, they did fight successfully as mercenaries in many Hellenistic and Roman armies.
The remains of a Celtic wagon in bronze with wood reconstruction. 5th century BCE. (Archaeological Museum of Como, Italy)
The Celtic language is a branch of the Indo-European language family. Scholars have divided Celtic languages into two groups: Insular Celtic and Continental Celtic. The latter group was no longer widely spoken after the Roman imperial period, and the only surviving examples of it are mentions in the works of Greek and Roman writers and some epigraphic remains such as pottery graffiti and votive and funerary stelae. The best documented of this group is Gaulish.
The Insular Celtic group of languages are two: British or Brittonic (Breton, Cornish, and Welsh) and Goidelic (Irish and its medieval derivatives, Scots Gaelic and Manx). Brittonic was spoken in all of Britain in the Roman period. From it evolved Cumbrian (extinct since medieval times), Cornish (no longer spoken after the 18th century CE but recently revived), Breton (likely introduced by 5th-century CE British settlers and not connected directly to Gaulish), and Welsh, which is still spoken today. The earliest evidence of Goidelic-Irish dates to the 5th century CE, and it later evolved into Middle Irish (c. 950 – 1200 CE) and, thereafter, morphed again into Modern Irish, which is still spoken today.
Celtic Timeline
c. 1400 BCE
The beginning of Celtic culture in the upper Danube region of central Europe.
c. 900 BCE
Celtic Migration begins in Europe with many Celts landing in Scotland.
c. 800 BCE – c. 600 BCE
Early Iron Age Hallstatt culture flourishes across Europe.
Iron Age begins in Scotland.
600 BCE
Celts settle Iberia.
c. 500 BCE – 450 BCE
Hallstatt kingdoms and chiefdoms suddenly collapse for reasons unclear.
Celts defeat the Etruscans at the Ticino River.
Rise of the Celtic La Tene culture.
Celts enter Italy and settle in the Po Valley. Etruscan power declines.
Celts defeat the Etruscan army at the battle of Melpum. Afterwards the Celts heavily settle all over the Po Valley.
Senones besiege Clusium, an Etruscan city.
"Gallic Catastrophe:" Duke Brennus of the Celts defeats the Romans at Allia, and subsequently sacks Rome. Celts move off after ransom is paid.
Celtic groups, possibly from northern Italy and the eastern Alps, begin to raid Illyrian territories.
Celtic mercenaries fight with the Spartans against Thebes.
Livy mentions Celtic armies in Ancona and one such group moves against Rome once more.
Alexander the Great receives Celtic ambassadors in the Balkans.
Rome signs a peace treaty with the Senones tribe.
Alexander the Great receives Celtic delegations in Babylon.
Celts and Samnites join forces and defeat the Romans at Camertium.
In a battle lasting all day, Romans narrowly defeat a force of Celts and Samnites at Sentinum.
Roman forces heavily defeat the Senones at Lake Vadimo.
285 BCE – 282 BCE
Rome defeats the Celts in Italy. Rome's dominance in central Italy is secured.
Gauls of the Insubres and Boii tribes defeat the Romans at Arretium.
Rome decisively defeats the Senones at Picenum.
Romans defeat the Etruscans and Celts at lake Vadimonis.
A Celtic army with many youth among their ranks is again defeated by Romans.
Celts join with Pyrrhus, aiding in his victory over the Romans at Heraclea.
Celts invade Thrace and Anatolia.
Celts stay with Pyrrhus and fight in the Epirote army at Asculum, a victory over the Romans.
4,000 Celts are employed in Egypt under Ptolemy II.
Seleucids successfully defeat the Galatian Celts in the 'Elephant Battle'.
Antaros and 3000 Celts fight with Carthage in the First Punic War.
Antiochus, king of the Seleucid empire, is killed in battle against the Galatians at Ephesus in Asia Minor.
Timaeos is the first to use the term 'Celtiberian' when refering to Celts living in Iberia.
Celts in Egypt fail to overthrow Ptolemy II and are starved to death on an island.
Attalus I of Pergamon defeats the Galatians at the headwaters of the Caioc River.
Attalos I defeats the Galatians a second time.
Two Roman armies surround and defeat a Celtic army at Telamon.
Celts defeat 6000 Romans at Faesulae and proceed to overrun Etruria.
Romans successfully campaign against Celtic tribes of Cisalpine Gaul.
The Celts are defeated at Clastidium by Roman forces.
The Aegosages Celts enter Anatolia under Attalos of Pergamon.
30,000 Celtic infantry and 4,000 Celtic cavalry join Hannibal. Celts constitute just over 50% of his army in Italy.
14,000 Celts serve under Ptolemy IV in his victory at Raphia over the Seleucid King Antiochos III.
Prusias of Bithynia in Asia Minor massacres the Aegosages including the women and children.
The Boii crush a Roman army 25,000 strong at Litana. Victory was, in part, achieved by pushing precariously cut trees down atop the horrified Romans as they marched.
The Celtic kingdom of Tylis in Thrace is overthrown by native Thracians. Cavaros is the last ruler of the small kingdom.
Iron in the Celtic world experiences a significant boom. Iron manufacturing increase in all facets of life such as weapon construction and agriculture items.
Oppida (Celtic fortified tribal centers) spread.
The Boii are defeated by the Romans, suffering, according to Livy, 14,000 dead.
4,000 Celtiberians trap a force of 20,000 Romans at Numantia forcing their surrender.
Numantia falls to the Romans who besiege the oppidum. Mass suicide ensues among many of the survivors. Land reforms by Tiberius Gracchus.
Rome intervenes on behalf of Massalia against the Saluvii Celts.
The governor of the Roman province of Macedonia, M. Minucius Rufus, celebrates his victory over a raid of the Dacians allied with the Celtic tribe of the Scordiscii in the Balkans.
64 BCE
Galatia becomes a client state of Rome.
c. 60 BCE
Boii in eastern Europe crushed by the Dacians.
Caesar attacks the Helvetii while on migration and defeats them.
A Roman army under Caesar narrowly defeats an army of Nervii, Atrebates, and Viromandui.
The navies of Rome and the Veneti Gauls clash resulting in a Roman victory. This is the first recorded naval battle in the Atlantic Ocean.
54 BCE – 53 BCE
Ambiorix of the Eburones tribe destroys around 9,000 Roman soldiers at Atuatuca.
Caesar defeated at Gergovia by Vercingetorix.
After becoming trapped and besieged at Alesia, Vercingetorix surrenders to Caesar.
Caesar's siege and capture of Uxellodunum ends the Gallic War.
c. 51 BCE – c. 30 BCE
300 Celts serve as elite bodyguards for Cleopatra VII during her reign.
The Bellovaci unsuccessfully rise against Roman rule in Belgica.
The Allobroges unsuccessfully rise against Roman rule in southern Gaul.
The Belgic Morini and the Celts of Aquitania unsuccessfully rise against Roman rule.
4 BCE
At the funeral of Herod II, his Celtic bodyguards are in attendance.
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Because four out of five Veterans who receive VA healthcare meet the criteria for overweight or obesity, VA patients exemplify the challenging populations for whom effective weight management interventions are needed. In 2006, VA implemented an evidence-based obesity treatment program called MOVE!. However, despite high obesity screening rates across the VA healthcare system (95%), only 10-12% of Veterans who screen positive for obesity enroll in MOVE!. The Aspiring for Lifelong Health (ASPIRE) small-changes weight loss intervention was developed to address the need for effective weight loss treatment for vulnerable populations. This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of the ASPIRE intervention by randomly assigning 481 obese Veterans to one of three treatment programs: 1) the ASPIRE-Group program, delivered via in-person groups; 2) the ASPIRE-Phone program, delivered to Veterans via phone; or 3) VA's MOVE! usual care weight management program, delivered primarily in a group format. Veterans were enrolled at two Midwestern VA medical centers starting in January 2010. Investigators assessed data at baseline, 3- and 12-months. Data included: height, weight, and waist measurements; blood pressure; demographics; cholesterol and glucose; and comorbidities, as well as self-reported eating frequency and satisfaction with life.
All three programs resulted in significant weight loss 12 months afer baseline. Though weight loss was relatively small, ASPIRE-Group resulted in twice the weight loss (-2.8 kg) compared to the other two programs (-1.4 kg each).
20-24% of participants lost 5% of their body weight; with no differences between programs.
Both ASPIRE programs (Group and Phone) resulted in more than twice the level of engagement compared to the MOVE! program; ASPIRE-Phone was associated with the greatest engagement.
With a few exceptions, there were no differences in secondary outcomes between the three programs. At 12 months, Veterans in all three programs experienced a significant improvement in life satisfaction, HDL, and functional exercise capacity.
Comorbidity information relied on diagnosis codes in administrative data that are often inaccurate.
Assessors were not blinded to participant randomization, and might have been unknowingly biased in their collection or recording of data.
This study was funded through VA/HSR&D's Diabetes Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (IBB 09-034). Dr. Damschroder is part of Diabetes-QUERI and HSR&D's Center for Clinical Management Research, both located in Ann Arbor, MI.
Damschroder L, Lutes L, Kirsh S, et al. Small-Changes Obesity Treatment among Veterans: 12-Month Outcomes. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. September 9, 2014;e-pub ahead of print.


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Bloglander
NEW IN MUSIC: Grammy nods and Occupy Wall Street album
Posted By Lydia Zuraw on Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Grammy Highlights: Kanye West got seven nods but none of them is Album of the Year. Those contenders are Adele's 21, Foo Fighters' Wasting Light, Lady Gaga's Born This Way, Bruno Mars' Doo-Wops & Hooligans, and Rihanna's Loud. Amy Winehouse received a posthumous nod for her Tony Bennett duet "Body and Soul" and Betty White is nominated for Best Spoken Word Album. (SPIN)
It's the Grammys vs. whiskey? Bon Iver and The Avalanches went at each other on Twitter this morning sparked by Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon's comment in the New York Times that Grammy Awards are meaningless. On a related note, Bon Iver was just nominated for four Grammys. (Stereogum)
Adele's 21 has overtaken Amy Winehouse's Back To Black as the UK's biggest-selling album of the 21st century, with 3.4 million in sales. It has spent 45 weeks in the U.K. top 10, including 18 at No. 1. (Billboard)
Napster officially folded last week and is now a part of Rhapsody. (CNN)
Madonna has officially been named as the performer at the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show on Feb. 5, 2012. It will be the first time the 53-year-old superstar will take the Super Bowl stage. (Billboard)
The Killers present you with "The Cowboy's Christmas Ball" set in the Wild West:
Bon Iver has issued a digital re-release of their self-titled second album with short film accompiament for each of the 10 tracks. Bon Iver was first released six months ago. All 10 videos have also been uploaded to YouTube. (Pretty Much Amazing)
Keep an ear out for...
Occupy Wall Street is getting its own anthems. A bunch of musicians including David Crosby, Graham Nash, Jackson Brown, Devo, Ladytron, Lucinda Williams, Yo La Tengo, Lloyd Cole and Third Eye Blind have signed on to create Occupy This Album. Half of the album's profits will go to the Occupy Wall Street General Fund and the other half being distributed evenly among the various movements across the country. (Obscure Sound)
Tags: new in music , Music , Video
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Organizer: John B. Lowe, with grateful acknowledgment of the assistance of STEDT staff.
To facilitate the use of the STEDT Database and to gather feedback on the web interface, an informal workshop, focused on "hands-on" practice with the database, will be offered at ICSTLL 45 in Singapore on October 25, 2012.
The database, one of the tools used in the production of the Sino-Tibetan Dictionary and Thesaurus, has now been online via a web interface for nearly a year (http://stedt.berkeley.edu/search). In that time, the database has grown and the software matured, but much remains to be done.
STEDT has solicited and welcomes feedback on the system and encourages researchers interested in the lexicons of S-T languages to make use of the data in their work.
* teach users how to create their own cognate sets and to propose them for inclusion in the final dictionary/thesaurus.
Two sessions with the same content, (9:30am to 12:30pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm, with breaks), will help make it possible participants who attend other workshops that day to take advantage of the opportunity.
* 9:30-10:30 Session 1: presentation by STEDT staff on technical and linguistic details.
Participants should bring their own laptops or tablets if possible (though some computers will be provided). The software is "browser-based", so no special installation is required. A relatively up-to-date web browser (Firefox, Chrome, Explorer, etc.) is sufficient. Drop-ins during the workshop are welcome. Interested parties should feel free to try the site out in advance at the link shown above.


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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is going virtual , at least that seems to be the message in an email sent to the entire AMPAS membership Friday night from President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson.
Photo by Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
The measures have actually been taking place since Wednesday, including all scheduled screenings for membership in New York which had been cancelled until further notice. The same was not necessary for Los Angeles which was not set to resume regular screenings for members until April. As just about every other studio, agency, production company – you name it – AMPAS is emphasizing they are following guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) and asking staffers to try and work from home and are encouraging all members to avoid visiting any AMPAS facility including NY, London , and buildings in Los Angeles that would include Hollywood and Beverly Hills. All in person meetings have now moved to conference calls or Zoom video conference according to the Academy message to membership. Also , as is the case elsewhere, all non-essential travel, tours, public screenings and events have been cancelled for at least the rest of March. For various committee meetings, the AMPAS branch says liaisons will be in touch to set up virtual meeting dates for the time being.
Many Southern California Museums Shutting Down For Coronavirus Protections, But Large Number Still Open
Several members of Academy leadership , staff , and Board of Governors recently returned from France where AMPAS hosted some activities including Oscar Animation Day at Xilam Paris moderated by Board member and recent How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Oscar nominated producer Bonnie Arnold. That happened on March 2nd , but with all the restrictions imposed since about gatherings of over 100 people in that country it looks like they just got it in just under the wire. And in retrospect it also looks like making the recent 92nd Academy Awards the earliest ever on Sunday February 9th (just a month ago, but it seems like a lot longer ) was a fortunate move considering all the cancellations since then.
Television Academy
Meanwhile the Television Academy has been sending members (of which I am one , and formerly a Board member) updates on how the emerging FYC season of panels and events is going to proceed. As announced this week they have not minced words about plans for the entire nominating season and have changed the format of ALL FYC events to exclude any in person audience participation or attendance , but instead will be making panels available only via streaming and other forms of delivery through the end date of campaign season on June 14 (voting opens the next day for nominations). This is a major change as most of those events , which the TV Academy does not officially endorse or sponsor on their own, include receptions with lots of networking and food provided by networks and studios to gain attention from voters. It has been a social must for many TV Academy members. Not this year, folks. This is yet another major change from past years, as the TV Academy had already announced that physical DVD screeners are forbidden and only streaming shows of possible contenders would be allowed starting with the 2020 awards which take place over three evenings , Sept 12 and 12 for Creative Arts Emmys and Sept 20 for the Primetime Emmys. Nominations will be announced on July 14. Earlier today the National TV Academy announced the Sports , as well as Technical Emmys would be postponed until a further date.
The times they are a changin' , folks.


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@followgrubby was talking about 'promoting' minions what is that? He was Azmodan btw.
Promote by itself is a talent limited to two supports (Tassadar and Brightwing) and two specialists (Gazlowe and Nazeebo). When chosen by them, it "gives a targeted allied lane minion +300% Health and +100% damage for 30 seconds" and comes complete with two charges.
Beyond the talent itself, many of the Heroes have their own garden variety as either an ability or talent.
The history of promote is a rather long and sordid one. As you can see in this video, it used to be that you could Promote everything that wasn't a Hero, including mercs and objectives, making it overpowered. The talent, however, was never meant to be a game winning device so much as a game changing mechanic.
While its inevitable nerf led to a lot of rage, it nonetheless remains an incredibly viable tactic for any team.
The purpose of promote is to add pressure. This is why it is mainly a specialist talent/ability. The more disruption the promoter can cause, the better chance your team has to claim objectives and assert map dominance.
So you have a Hero that has some form of promotion. What do you even do with it?
While the talent, no matter the iteration, lasts about 30 seconds tops, that doesn't mean it's useless because of how short it is. If anything, because of its limited duration, this makes its success dependent on tactical maneuvering.
Say, for instance, it's the start of the game, and you're Raynor. Now, you know you can run into the middle of your minions and give them all a buff at the cost of mana. If you keep doing this, you eventually run low and have to retreat to the fountain. By the time you're back, your minions are right back in the center, rendering your push pretty useless. In this case, it's far more prudent to use your basic attacks to clear out enemy minions and then buff your guys as soon as they get to the towers, buying you even more time to damage tower structures. Plus, with a solid supply of mana, you can pop off a few quick shots with your high damage abilities on the structures before having to retreat.
Azmodan is a bit different if only because pushing is directly built in to his entire purpose. His activated trait is a global buff giver that is free to cast. Because it costs you nothing more than the 30 seconds it takes to cool down, this means sending him out every chance you get is almost expected. The tactic with this, however, is more about choosing the correct lane to send him. He's relatively easy to kill so you need to make sure he pushes where he'll live the longest. If a lane is completely unguarded, that's clearly the strongest choice. However if things are broken up in the typical 2-1-2, where you send him should be based on who he'll be up against as well as if your fellow teammates will help keep him alive.
Each Hero that has this promotional gift uses it for a different purpose, so make sure you give a bit of thought as to how it would best compliment your Hero. After that, it's all about the trial and error.
Now, just like everything else in this game, there will be people telling you not to pick this for specific maps or against specific team comps. To this I say the choice is ultimately yours. Only you know how you use your Promote and only you can make the final call as to whether it will benefit the team or not. A lot of people will immediately point to Haunted Mines as a "no-go" zone but then follow it up with an example of that one time they had their a**es handed to them on a silver platter because the Hero that took Promote was too good.
Trust your instincts, and you'll be fine. After all, the only way you really learn is by doing.
You try out Ballfield of Eternity yet?
Heck yes I did. And if you haven't yet, I highly suggest it! On your Heroes Battle.net page, directly over the Play button is the Region/Account dropdown menu. Choose PTR: Heroes of the Storm and get yourself access to the public test realm.
Now, keep in mind you are going to be lowly level 1. All the skins you bought will be there but you will be talent gated so try not to get too angry. Within this test realm are people from every region. I was lucky enough to get on right as someone was making a custom game to test out the new map. While it was a loss with our Sonya biting it no less than 17 times, everyone was pretty chill and more than happy to have a good time as we stumbled through the map together.
Even though there are only two lanes, it's huge so the confrontation factor is, for the better part, null. It stays this way only until the guardians show up. Once they're battling it out in the middle, confrontation is all but inevitable.
Because the winning Immortal gets a frickin' shield equal to the amount of health they have upon winning. So protecting your immortal is nearly as important as downing theirs.
The mercs are also much different here! Gone are the siege giants and bruisers now replaced by goatmen with spears and a rakanishu priest with two dogs respectively. Interestingly enough, each merc camp has three total targets which makes it a bit trickier for the bribers of the game.
The goatmen have the siege giant logo, and the rakanishu has the bruiser logo. While they are relatively comparable to their other map counterparts in terms of toughness, three goatmen are quite a lot more time consuming than two siege giants at the same level.
I predict this will lead to a lot more group merc action like in Haunted Mines.
Expect this map to be the favorite of pro teams that love ambushes. With more vents and hidden passageways than Tomb of the Spider Queen, you'll soon learn on this map to never venture out unless you have a buddy.
They make the Diablo health fountain noise.
Ask DrmDestryr is your weekly Q&A/advice column for Heroes of the Storm. Have a question for DrmDestryr? E-mail her your mental musings at drmdestryr@gmail.com or send happy twoughts her way @DrmDestryr. Want to hang out? Check out the ITN PreShow with DrmDestryr! streamed weekly starting at 6 PM Eastern on Thursdays at twitch.tv/amovetv.


Welcome to our series of posts on the amazing women of the Love in Los Angeles series. Starling and its sequel may be ostensibly about the relationship between two guys, but there are way more characters in the universe, and way more relationships than just the one between Paul and Alex.
In light of that, we want to give our women some love, because they are fabulous, fierce, fucked up people in their own rights. None of them are anybody's sidekicks and all of them will call you out (some sooner than others) if you start treating them that way.
One of the first women you'll meet is Gemma, Alex's roommate and best friend. They met online while they were in high school — yes, they are fandom friends, though Alex will never cop to it — and bonded over the shows they both loved. Alex wanted to know about sound design and what kind of lens they used on the tight shots. Gemma wanted to be the star in front of the camera.
Gemma's crush on Alex lasted exactly until the first time they ever Skyped. And as soon as she was over it, they hatched their plan. Alex wanted out of Paragon, Indiana as soon as he graduated so he could go to L.A. to make movie magic; Gemma, meanwhile, applied to and got in to college there, but knew she wasn't planning to wait four years to start her acting career.
Graduating a few weeks before Alex, Gemma moved out to L.A., found them an apartment, got a waitressing gig, and promptly dropped out of college, keeping the tuition refund to live on. Her parents hit the roof, but she started going to auditions only to discover, much to her disgust, that most of the roles she was asked to read for were prostitutes or nail salon employees.
She and Alex didn't meet in person until he knocked on the door at three in the morning several weeks later, having just completed his cross-country drive from Indiana. They didn't even really talk until the next morning, because Alex passed out pretty much immediately on the terrible futon that passed for a couch.
Gemma spent the next day showing him around the neighborhood and convincing him that no, he really did need to open a bank account because keeping his cash in a sock at the bottom of a drawer was terrible choices.
By the time Starling opens, Alex and Gemma have been roommates for two years and change. Alex is working as a P.A. and Gemma is still waitressing and auditioning. They're closer than they've ever been, and Gemma is one of the few people in the world, aside from his mother (who you'll meet in a few weeks), that Alex can actually stand spending extended amounts of time with.
Gemma is ambitious and persistent, and he respects that — among other things, so is he — even if the things they are ambitious about are very different.
When Starling opens they are what Gemma refers to as Only Partially Heterosexual Lifemates. Alex suspects this just confuses other people more, but has long since given up worrying about it.
This entry was posted in Awesome Women, books, genre talk, Love in Los Angeles, Starling and tagged Awesome Women, books, genre talk, lgbt romance, Love in Los Angeles books, m/m romance, Starling, Writing. Bookmark the permalink.


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This is what Trump's swamp looks like
National correspondent focused largely on the numbers behind politics
President Trump readily admits that the whole "drain the swamp" thing wasn't his idea.
"You know, I told people the other day 'drain the swamp,' I said I don't really like that expression; this was two weeks ago," Trump said during a campaign stop in Las Vegas in late October. "I said, I don't love that expression, so hokey. I thought it was hokey. . . . I said I hate to use this, it's sort of like, it doesn't work right. And I said it two weeks ago to a big crowd, and I said it, and the place went crazy. Then I said it a second time, and the place went even crazier. And then the third time, like you, they started saying it before I said it. And all of the sudden, I decided I love that expression; it's a great expression."
He came to embrace the slogan. He never came to embrace the concept behind it.
Donald Trump says the phrase "drain the swamp" has been "trending all over the world" since he started using it.
Granted, which swamp was being drained was always a little vague. Was it career politicians? Career bureaucrats? Obviously it was lobbyists, given how often Trump disparaged the work of lobbyists, who, he said, he knew well from his work in the private sector. Trump even came up with a pledge that members of his administration would have to sign, aimed at preventing conflicts of interest.
On Wednesday, we learned that 17 members of his administration had been granted waivers allowing them to continue to interact with former clients. Trump isn't the first president to issue such waivers; Barack Obama also issued 17 waivers — over the course of his two terms in office.
What's more, the administration has not been shy about hiring individuals who were once registered as lobbyists with the federal government. Data provided to The Washington Post by the liberal PAC American Bridge details the extent to which former lobbyists have made their way into the administration. Twenty work for the executive office of the president itself, including four so-called "super-lobbyists" — ones who represented at least 10 different companies or organizations before coming to work for the government.
What's more, of the 74 lobbyists identified by American Bridge, 49 now work for agencies they used to lobby.
The data we were provided allows us to visualize those lobbyists in the Trump administration — his own personal swamp, if you will.
We've highlighted a few of the lobbyists and agencies. At lower center is the White House itself. At right, the Department of Homeland Security, which now employs a super-lobbyist who represented Boeing — which also employed another super-lobbyist who now works for the White House.
The third lobbyist who once represented Boeing was Michael Catanzano, a super-lobbyist who represented 15 different businesses or organizations, according to his federal filing records. Catanzano now works for the White House and was involved in the administration's decision on whether to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.
Trump's apathy about the swamp on the campaign trail has transformed into an embrace of it. The swamp still comes in handy.


I'm looking for about 800sf of reclaimed oak or chestnut (chestnut preferred, but not wormy) in widths of 5" or greater. Anybody know someone who deals in salvaged materials?
They were easy to deal with. I have purchased both heart pine and chestnut from them.


WASHINGTON (AP) — Google Maps isn't waiting for the Senate.
Lawmakers are debating a proposal to rename a Senate office building after the late Sen. John McCain, but Google Maps already displays "McCain Senate Office Building" on its website.
A search for "Russell Senate Office Building" directs users to the same building Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., proposed renaming the Russell building in McCain's honor after the Arizona Republican died Saturday from brain cancer. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he'll form a bipartisan panel to solicit ideas on ways to honor McCain.
Google said Wednesday it was working to fix the problem. The company said in a statement it empowers people to contribute local knowledge to its maps, "but we recognize that there may be occasional inaccuracies or premature changes suggested by users."
The mix-up comes as President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Google and other U.S. tech companies of rigging search results about him "so that almost all stories & news is BAD." Trump offered no evidence of bias, but a top adviser said the White House is "taking a look" at whether Google should face federal regulation.
Google pushed back sharply, saying Trump's claim was wrong.
"We never rank search results to manipulate political sentiment," the company said in a statement.


text:
January 8 TimYorks
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January 6 SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷
October 2022 Denbigh
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October 2022 Last_Rat_Standing
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September 2022 HitchBondUSA
August 2022 TheSkyfallen06
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No Time To Die Script - Alternative pitches/what would you change?
March 2022 edited March 2022 in No Time To Die Posts: 1,268
No Time To Die's a pretty controversial film among Bond fans from what I can see. I know some people sit on opposite sides of the fence with it, but I feel I'm in the camp that enjoyed a lot of it but felt, much like Spectre, that it needed at least another two drafts of the script in order to get everything right. I know there are elements a lot of people really like about it (people seem very fond of the Cuba scenes for example) and other things people dislike (the ending, which doesn't work for everyone, me included). Regardless, I think most people can agree it's not a perfect film in terms of script for various reasons.
So, my question is if you were a producer/the creative lead and the film we got was in its script form, what would you change about in order to get the best Bond film possible?
For me, I'd change the beginning slightly. I like the scene with a young Madeline/Safin and would keep this. I also like much of the action, but I don't like how the film adds this odd subplot of Blofeld trolling Bond by trying to convince him that Madeline is an agent of SPECTRE. I find this contrived as a) I don't believe Bond would ever think that Madeline was an agent of SPECTRE to begin with and b) I as a viewer never thought this would be the case. Keep the assassination attempt on Bond, but cut Blofeld's ploy to convince Bond that Madeline has set him up. Like in the film we got, Bond would thwart SPECTRE'S attempts to kill him, but he would make the decision never to see Madeline again as he would presumably believe this gives her and him the best chance of survival. He could even be quite cruel to her when he does this in order to get her to leave.
I'd also adapt the nanobots slightly to include Safin's expertise of plants/poisons. Instead of the nanobots being already developed as in the finished film, perhaps they are just weaponised tech to be used once, and Safin is the one who develops the method of transmitting them to the intended target through other people. Could even make up some fake plant that he adapts this idea from. I would, however, specify that the nanobots are not permanently inside someone but merely transmit themselves from person to person through touch. I'd also specify that while much of SPECTRE is killed during the Cuba sequence there are still remaining members. Also I'd rather Felix not die but be badly wounded (akin to the Live and Let Die novel).
I'd keep everything more or less the same from here with these little changes in mind until after Blofeld's death. I'd cut out Mathilde entirely. Bond confronts Madeline in her childhood home. I still think there's room for pathos here - Bond could be heartfelt saying how he only wanted to protect Madeline and now that SPECTRE is almost gone they can start a life together. Madeline could in turn be unsure about this, claim that death seems to follow Bond, questions whether they can realistically start a family etc. Oh, and for reasons clear later they need to make up and shag at some point. Same as in the finished script, Safin and his men come after them and Madeline is captured.
The third act is where I'd make the most changes. I'd have Safin's ultimate plan be to use the nanobots to assassinate the remaining SPECTRE agents, but due to some sort of quirk with its method of transmission Q works out that it could kill many people with similar DNA patterns (or perhaps mutate to do so, if that doesn't hit too close to home with Covid).
Safin's relationship with Madeline needs to be changed too. I like the idea of Safin having been born with his heart on the wrong side of his chest like the titular character in the Dr. No novel, which could be how he survived the fact that Madeline shot him. After this, perhaps he found a new lease on life or something (albeit in his own twisted mind) and could even claim that since Madeline kickstarted this he has some sort of infatuation or 'love' for her, which would explain why he's keeping her in his lair. Perhaps he could even claim that he was inspired to do all this because of her. I'd change Safin's lair too - have it be more of a mix of organic, poisonous plantation inside glass domes and industrial surroundings (like he's trying to 'preserve' his father's garden).
Bond's interaction with Safin should be changed too - he could still claim him and Bond are similar, but only because of how much pain SPECTRE caused them, and perhaps because of their shared love of Madeline. When Bond tells him that the nanbots could kill many other people, however, Safin should dismiss this. The guy doesn't care. Bond quickly realises he's crazy.
I'd have the climax be similar to the film, Nomi and Bond infiltrate the lair. Madeline and Nomi escape and Bond goes commando before the missiles are set to launch. Same as in the finished script Safin manually closes the shutters. Bond, however, now has to go through the poisonous garden to get to the switch. He tries to avoid the deadly plants but is shot by Safin. A struggle ensues, and in the midst of this Safin and Bond come in contact with poisonous plants. Safin, the weaker man, is dying quickly. He asks Bond why he can't just understand why he wants revenge and once again points out that SPECTRE caused him much misery too. Once again he claims they're the same. Bond replies they are not - he would never let innocent people die because of him. Safin laughs and says perhaps not, but now both of them will die the same way. Bond rushes to the switch and stops the shutters. He has his goodbye with Madeline over the radio and collapses before the missiles destroy the castle. Bond's heart monitor flatlines.
Back in London a small funeral service is held for Bond, which Madeline, the MI6 regulars and a wheelchair bound Felix attend. M says to Madeline that although Bond was a man with flaws he had the virtues of bravery, patriotism and love for her.
The next scene we see Madeline driving in Bond's DB5 in Italy. She whispers to herself 'you were right James, we have all the time in the world'. A shot of her as she puts a hand to her stomach...
Back at Q-Branch, Q is staring at Bond's heart monitor. Moneypenny comes in, to which Q admits that he sometimes thinks there's a small chance Bond could have made it out - the poison is not always deadly with adrenaline, he could have gotten out in time, and his heart rate would be out of range to pick up. Both quickly dismiss this idea however and leave. Bond theme slowly begins. We push in towards the monitor. A single beep before we cut to black.
Sorry for the long post. Anyway, anyone else have any alternative adaptations they feel would make NTTD better? :)
I would have done everything I could have to make it an organic virus rather than nanobots. I also would have had Blofeld escape prison, kill Safin, and take his rightful place in the garden of death as the true villain of NTTD.
MaxCasino United States
I would have had Paloma die on the boat with Felix. This way she would have gotten more screen time. I agree with you about Blofeld getting more screen time as well.
March 2022 edited March 2022 Posts: 521
Script can be read here:
https://d5tlfha2av0cx.cloudfront.net/annapurna/2021/screenplay/nttd/No_Time_To_Die.pdf
I don't like the general story at all, so I'd just make an entirely different movie, but to mildly improve this mess:
1. Replace Paloma's role with Felix.
2. Replace Safin's role with Blofeld.
3. Relegate Nomi's role to one scene where Bond gets his 00 back instead of giving Bond a sidekick.
4. Replace the nanobots with a designer virus made by SPECTRE, not MI6.
5. M dispatches all of the 00's to Poison Island, not just Bond.
6. Bond kills Blofeld and saves his wife and kid.
7. Final scene is Bond turning down a knighthood and retiring to live with his family.
slide_99 wrote: »
Interesting. I have a friend who said that they knew Bond was going to die in NTTD the moment it was revealed he had a daughter/a chance at happiness with Madeline. The logic was that Bond as a character can never have those things - a family, retirement, a happy life etc- and it it would be less radical to have him die rather than have those things. That's kinda why I say it would have been better to keep Mathilde out of the story altogether.
RichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
007HallY wrote: »
Having a family however short-lived is what qualifies Bond to have had the good life that Felix spoke of. That point wasn't lost on him in his final moments.
BMB007
Not a single beat, except maybe adding another Safin/Madeleine interaction. But I don't know what I'd cut to justify that so...
Murdock Mr. 2000
Scrap the movie altogether.
moneyofpropre2 France
Well, first remplace the scene where Safin let Mathilde leave for no reasons by Mathilde run in to little space/pipe after bite Safin, where an adult can't follow here...
Some_Kind_Of_Hero
moneyofpropre2 wrote: »
That would have been much better, and then it could turn out Madeline had given Mathilde a wristband tracker earlier in the movie and we see Bond and Madeline trying to track her down in the complex. Mathilde winds up wading through this sewer while clutching Dou Dou. Bond and Madeline finally catch up with her, but they're on the floor above and Bond has to cut through the grates with his watch laser. Mathilde's looking around the sewer and Madeline's telling Bond, "Hurry, James," and Bond's like, "I know," and Madeline's like, "I mean it," and Bond's like, "I know!" and there's this pinging sound that's getting louder for some reason, and then we see Safin slowly rise up out of the water behind Mathilde, and Bond's kicking the floor grate now, trying to knock it through, and when he does Madeline reaches down and screams "No!" and all we can see is Dou Dou floating in the water. Think that'd have been a pretty awesome scene.
Yeah, then they could've taken off and nuked the site from orbit - it's the only way to be sure.
Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
I started reading this post thinking it was going to be a serious one. That was a mostly foolish idea.
Mostly.
1. Explain what safins goal is after spectre die. Expand on his assumed obsession with Madeline and what is driving his motivation to kill millions of people
2. Have bond be more like James Bond - have him order a wine by name just to add that refinement that no other film characters have
3. Completely get another take of Craig in the blofeld scene his acting here is weak
4. Explain why safin just lets mathilde go
5. Ditch the nanobots for a disease / virus
6. Absolutely do not in any universe kill James fucking bond. Have him escape on a weather balloon or anything.
One thing I'd've done would've been to have Heracles originate as one of C's projects, with M having been ordered to maintain it after SP and doing so out of duty, despite him having personal objections. The idea that M would've developed Heracles after what he'd said in SP about the importance of agents in the field is a bit jarring, really.
Well...we're talking about things that didn't happen in the movie, right?
mattjoes wrote: »
A good "Game over, man" could have helped NTTD's ending go down better for me.
On a serious note, this would have been a very good solution to Safin just letting her go, and it could have made use of the maze-like nature of the compound, which we don't see a lot of. Even if she had run off and we saw Safin consider giving chase for just a moment before deciding it wasn't worth it would have been good.
6. Absolutely do not in any universe kill James bond. Have him escape on a weather balloon or anything.
I can agree with all of these. There are a few other changes I'd make too, like letting Felix live and giving him a chance to get in on some of the combat on the island. That was a big missed opportunity I thought.
EDDIEVH
I have a lot of love for 3 and 5 in particular here. Can you do us a favour and write the next script?
Escalus5
I would've scrapped everything involving Madeline, Mathilde, Blofeld, "We Have All the Time in the World," and Bond's fate.
I love the idea of Bond working with the CIA (one of the few things that I enjoyed in the movie). I would've extended his friendly nemesis relationship with Nomi and had them continually undermining each other during the missions but eventually teaming up. I would've created more of a mentor-student partnership between Bond and Paloma.
I actually like Safin and the whole garden of death element, but his plan and his motivation needed to be more clearly defined. I would've thrown out the nanobots crap and made Safin's weapon a virus.
Just maintain the Matera mystery feel throughout the film. Even if I don't like a lot of elements in the film's plot, maintaining the dangerous feel of Matera would have easily made this film superb. I felt more fear for Bond in SP's SPECTRE meeting than I did for him in NTTD's Cuba scene. I don't think FRWL would have been very good to this day, if it had too many jokes, considering it had a menacing villain like Red Grant. The jokes in NTTD, didn't help Malek's much hyped villain, as it meant he wasn't a serious threat, if characters had time to joke.
I like the film a lot as is, but I think it'd be better without the OHMSS callbacks, and I could have done with some more inventive setpieces. Maybe recast Saffin too, Malek had a couple of creepy moments, but also a few hammy ones. He wasn't awful, but personally I feel like the limited screentime of that role meant it needed someone with real terrifying presence, who could cast a shadow over the film without appearing in it much. Saffin didn't really have that.
He didn't leave her for no reason though, he left her because he was hurt that she didn't want his "help". In his own perverse way, Saffin was just trying to ensure that Mathilde would get a chance at the kind of happy and nurturing childhood that he, Bond and Madeline didn't have. Could have been better acted/staged imo but I think him letting her go suits the character.
MI6HQ Vauxhall Headquarters, London
I agree with some of your points here mate👍
1. In the PTS:
Would have been better if Blofeld was using Quantum instead, with Primo telling Bond that Quantum is reforming with Madeleine as their new leader, and their first plan is to kill Bond, much more believable than Madeleine's connection to SPECTRE, atleast in Quantum, it's more believable because she's the daughter of Mr. White.
2. I agree with you cutting out Mathilde, the daughter thing didn't make sense.
3. When Bond arrived in Norway:
Have Madeleine not be convinced about everything Bond has said, she should have told him that he's only there because he needs something from her, he needs information, and "you will not be here if not for Blofeld's death, right?" She will also say that "so are you planning to seduce me? To get the information you need?, Like what you always do?"
She will confront Bond's attitude of seducing women for information, telling Bond that it would not work for her.
4. As for Safin's evil plan, I would have stick to the original plot of cloning instead of nanobots, there's some rumours going around at the time before the release of the film that Safin's plot involves cloning, that's much more interesting than the Nanobots.
March 2022 edited March 2022 Posts: 12,085
The main thing that rankles is that there just isn't enough Bond coolness in the film: after the bike jump he does nothing which you'd point to as a Bondy thing to do (maybe save for throwing a tray like a frisbee, but that's pretty weak sauce). Have him jump that Toyota 4x4 on top of one of those Range Rovers or bikes; have him swing in and nab Valdo from Nomi in Cuba in some really clever and cool (or even funny) way... just make him do some things that make us smile because they're so audacious and you can play the Bond theme when he does them. This is the number #1 issue that means I've only watched the film twice: it just doesn't feel like a Bond film (in the way that the previous two really do).
It's a good film, but if you were a kid and this was your first Bond film, would you be bothered about seeing more?
Beyond that: give Nomi something to do. She's not involved in the story at all, all she does is stand behind Bond getting nervous about losing her 00 number. Make her more actively suspicious of Bond, tailing him or confronting him or something; or actually let her get the upper hand over him at some point (which she never does at any point in the film- she even fails in her initial meeting to warn him off getting involved!). She could have saved him from the sinking ship for example- it wouldn't have changed anything but would have given her one moment of triumph. Or have her actually turn up on time in Norway and take down a couple of baddies. She's supposed to be a threat to Bond or maybe even a reflection of how he was when he was a rookie, but she doesn't really play any part in Bond's personal story or the plot. If you removed her from the film literally nothing would change- her biggest addition is to drive the dingy off the island with Madeline and Mathilde, and Madeline could have done that.
Valdo: sort out his character tonally- is he funny or scary?
Primo: just have him working for one baddie; you can't have two opposing baddies who have the same henchman. Have him and Ash squaring off or something.
Otherwise: trim some stuff out. It's just too long.
That's a really nice idea. I guess it probably would have meant a bit too much continuity and the audience to have to remember a lesser character from 5 years ago, but it would have made M seem less like a fool.
Agreed on all of those there.
MI6HQ wrote: »
Cheers. I guess my logic of wanting to drop the whole 'Madeline might be a SPECTRE agent' thing entirely is that it never lands. Seydoux's acting during the PTS (in which she seems genuinely fearful) is unambiguous and we know a) she's the main Bond girl and b) Blofeld is a bit of a trickster. It's just not something I can see Bond being so stupid as to fall for. I can, however, see him doing something he sees as necessary like cutting ties with her for their protection. Just seems like a stronger idea and would be more interesting from a script point of view.
I like the idea for 3 a lot. Has a bit more bite to it than what we got (which seemed a bit... I dunno, generic?) My favourite Bond/Bond girl interactions are not unlike that - one that springs to mind being the hotel scene between Bond and Paris Carver in TND.
I didn't know there was an original cloning idea for the plot. If the nanobots resemble the villain's plan from the video game Everything or Nothing, then that idea resembles the one from Agent Under Fire (or the one from Casino Royale '67). Not gonna lie, I don't mind nanobots or clones in my Bond films. If they can be depicted convincingly and the threat is taken seriously, then fine.
It's OT but it is quite funny how you can make NTTD share a lot of plot elements with Casino Royale '67:
He's ambushed in his old classic car in the early part of the film after retiring from MI6 and living happily in remote seclusion in his 50s, he reluctantly returns to the spy fold and rejoins MI6, after discovering that his old 007 number is now use by a younger agent. He discovers he had a daughter he never knew about and sets about getting to know her. She however is kidnapped by the villain who holds a grudge because of his childhood (after the older main villain has surprisingly been killed off) and taken to his lair, which Bond storms with the help of other Double 0 agents (after he reassumes the mantle of 007) with a big machine gun in his hand- he then dies at the end saving the world :)
(Credit to Barbel on ajb)
Haha, true. There's a fine line between parody and a great Bond film that most of them tread at the best of times I feel.
Yes, and about Madeleine being an agent of SPECTRE, it's really unbelievable because in the last film, she helped him many times against Blofeld: First in the train scene, she saved Bond's life from Mr. Hinx, then second when he's heing tortured by Blofeld, if not for Madeleine he'd been dead, so him suddenly falling for that Blofeld's trick, it's really hard to take seriously. I like that he cut his ties to her because he's now aware of the danger that's following them.
Jordo007 Merseyside
GadgetMan wrote: »
Nailed it. Matera was the perfect tone for Craig's finale
Such a simple fix as well. Any rewrites needed to accommodate it would have been minor (perhaps the most significant scene needing a rewrite would be the interrogation with Blofeld. To be honest, that's a probably a good thing as the writing/acting in that scene is pretty bizarre anyway, at least to me. Why does Bond act so strange? I always cringe during the 'die Blofeld, die' bit).
About that "Die Blofeld Die" thing, it's in the book, but yes, poor writing and execution indeed. I don't know my feelings and thoughts about this film was like three different storylines got mashed up together in one film, and it became messy because of that, its overstuffed. You're right at every point. @007HallY .
About that "Die Blofeld Die" thing, it's in the book, but yes, poor writing and execution indeed. I don't know my feelings about this film was like three different storylines got mashed up together in one film, and it became messy because of that, its overstuffed. You're right at every point. @007HallY .
I really love that fight in the You Only Live Twice novel. I've seen so many fans defending that scene in NTTD because it's a nod to it. Very different contexts I feel though. It's also rather dramatic in the film (the music even swells as Bond grabs his throat). I always thought Bond just came off as daft, haha. A bit like when he tried to tackle Blofeld during SPECTRE for some reason.
One random point that isn't a biggie and possibly for another film, but I wouldn't have minded getting a bit more of a feel for Norway. It was beautiful but we didn't even see a single Norwegian person, let alone a bit of a city or culture; and it's a new location that the Bond films haven't really done before so it would have been nice. Still, there was plenty else going on in the film, I know.
...drop the whole 'Madeline might be a SPECTRE agent' thing entirely... I can, however, see him doing something he sees as necessary like cutting ties with her for their protection.
Actually, that's pretty good and it'd work perfectly as it'd show that Bond was someone who's prepared to sacrifice his own happiness to protect someone he loved - which would foreshadow the bigger sacrifice, made for the same reason, at the end. Good one.


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text:
Barrhill Farmhouse
By Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, KA25 7LL
Part of an established steading conversion.
Large garden
Peaceful unspoilt location
Barrhill Farmhouse is part of a small development just outside the North Ayrshire town of Kilbirnie. It is nestled in the Garnock Valley around 23 miles south-west of Glasgow an easy 30 minute drive and approximately 14 miles from Glasgow …
Barrhill Farmhouse is part of a small development just outside the North Ayrshire town of Kilbirnie. It is nestled in the Garnock Valley around 23 miles south-west of Glasgow an easy 30 minute drive and approximately 14 miles from Glasgow Airport.
Kilbirnie offers a good range of facilities, local shops including a Tesco store and library. There are mainline railway stations at Lochwinnoch and Glengarnock, about 2.5 miles and 3 miles away respectively, with a regular service to Glasgow and beyond. There are a comprehensive range of scheduled flights available from both Glasgow and Prestwick Airports, 14 and 21 miles respectively. Kilbirnie has a primary school and secondary schooling is at the new Garnock Community Campus which has an exhaustive list of sporting and leisure facilities including a 25m swimming pool. St Columba's private school is a 20 minute drive away in Kilmacolm.
The surrounding rolling countryside of the Garnock Valley offers a network of country lanes, ideal for walking, cycling and hacking including Clyde Muirshiel Country Park (about 4 miles distant). There is direct access to a cycle pathway from the bottom of the farm road. There are many opportunities for games sports in the area and some of South West Scotland's finest salmon and trout fishing is available in the area's lochs and rivers.
Barrhill Farm was formerly a dairy farm and has been carefully designed to form a cluster of 7 modern conversions and the original farmhouse. Barrhill Farmhouse is a fine traditional house built of stone under a pitched slate tiled roof and forms a superb rural family home. It has spacious flexible accommodation making the most of its south westerly aspect with pleasing countryside views.
From the gravelled driveway with ample parking, the front door with attractive porch opens to a welcoming hallway. The bright sitting room with original cornice, ceiling rose and an open coal fire has oak flooring. There is a living room with an open fire set in a wooden surround and slate hearth. The dining room has oak flooring and overlooks the front gardens. The kitchen with tiled flooring is a large room with extensive wall and floor mounted units, electric oven, hob and extractor fan, dishwasher, fridge and freezer. From the kitchen is a large utility room with ample storage and plumbing for washing machine and tumble dryer. Off the hall is a downstairs bedroom with shower room next door with Buckingham wash hand basin, w.c., shower cubicle and heated towel rail. There is a very attractive wooden staircase from the hall giving access to three double bedrooms which share the family bathroom which is fitted with a Sotini suite which comprises wash hand basin w.c., and bath with an electric shower over.
The house is fully double glazed and benefits from oil fired central heating. There is ample cupboard space throughout.
Adjoining the house with external access is a large store room which could be used for a number of purposes including a home office or workshop.
There are beautiful countryside views from the front garden which is mainly laid to lawn with a patio from which to take advantage of al fresco entertaining whilst enjoying the view. The drive has parking for several cars.
The rear of the house overlooks the pretty courtyard where there is further allocated parking available.
Fiona Fulton
fiona.fulton@galbraithgroup.com


text:
Tag Archives: GRID 2
September 2, 2015 PC, Youtubeariel atom, big sur, drift, dxracer, GRID 2, Logitech, pc, skyline, TougeK3s1D3_Z4m1
In the last bout of the Touge run in GRID 2 I bring the battle to the showcase in California, we hit Big Sur for a battle of beasts, the heavyweight as the Skyline GT-R (R32) and the featherweight challenger as the Ariel Atom 3. For those unfamiliar the Atom is a smaller car, lighter and it uses a high power and high revving engine as its cornerstone for a great power to weight balance.
On a course like Big Sur it's crucial to maintain a balance of speed and control to carry the fastest line possible as elevation changes often. We'll see how the two cars carry on in this challenge.
As seen it's pretty screwed up for balance, on a focused downhill or uphill the Atom would give it a better chance, even a better starting run would allow it to wind out a little harder. Unfortunately the AI in this challenge doesn't quite push the Atom as hard as it needs to and falls behind immediately. By the time the GT-R cuts the corner the Atom is already being left in the dust, when sliding the long corner after there's little chance for the car to catch up.
It's a mix of styles between the two cars, the Atom is designed to hug the corners and tackle them with precision, while the GT-R can do that too, it does it slower when the body is pulling it to the outside of the corner. Going into a slide / drift allows for the GT-R to defy the odds a little against cars that would normally be right on its tail in a challenge like this.
That does wrap up the GRID 2 series at this point, I enjoyed taking the GT-R around for another run in-game but it's time to move to new grounds. In the future I'll try to mix up games a little more between installments so there's a little more variety.
My setup:
AMD FX-8320 @ 4.4GHz
ASUS R9 290 DirectCUII @ 1000/1250
Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3
Logitech G27 Racing Wheel
DXRacer King Series – OH/KS57/NB
August 30, 2015 PC, Youtubecodemasters, dxracer, gc auto, GRID 2, Logitech, r32, skyline gt-rVX2
The Skyline GT-R (R32) is back in action, taking it to the native mountains in Okutama for some 1v1 with the GC Auto GC10-V8. Given the GT-R relies on the torque of that straight 6 turbo to pull ahead, how will it do against a V8 opponent laying it down in RWD? It's up to the AI and the roadway to decide that.
Okutama is a powerful track in either configuration, the downhill helps level the playing field in acceleration while the tough initial corners allow drivers to pursue the fastest lines they can to pull ahead and leave the challenger in the dust. It's a delicate blend but on the track it just looks like a mad dash to victory at any cost, cutting corners as tight as possible to save seconds and speed.
The GT-R came out ahead, normally the opening section is the attack point I like to use on Okutama. The GT-R has great traction and power where you can just leave it wide open with a hard flick of the car and push on your way. Since the AI tries to go for standard grip and high traction through the course it's a weakness you'll see no matter what the difficulty. Even if the AI goes in at full speed through the corner, they generally lose on the braking contest coming in and you can chisel away a lead.
When all else fails the other defining points for attack are the base of the downhill before the first bridge, there's an S section that comes up and with the right setup it's possible to slide the car and avoid some of that drag from the slope of the corner by coming in tight and early. Later in the second run I'm not quite able to get the gap I need so I rely on the curving back section before the tunnel to leave the car wide open and cut as straight as I can through the switches.
Okutama has many points to gain an advantage on an opponent or equal the playing ground, in Touge it's a challenge of picking where you'll make those moves and if you can avoid being disqualified for contact.
August 28, 2015 PC, Youtubecote d' azur, dxracer, g27, GRID 2, Logitech, skyline, youtubeVX2
GRID 2 action is back again, the Skyline GT-R (R32) is taking on the Caterham SP300R in a battle to the limit on Route D' Azur course. It's a tighter track with unforgiving side walls but that's generally the breaks when you're on Cote D' Azur in any game. Given the weight of the GT-R it's not entirely with the biggest advantage, the power of the car and the 4WD are the strengths the car needs to rely on here since it slides and there's not a ton of room to really play with on the roads here. Given the Caterham does have the weight advantage it should be able to hold its ground a little better even on the uphill climbs.
As you can see, I have a few wall bumps and sketchy moments but it's the beast mode of the GT-R that carries it through. Late braking and throwing as much speed into the corners without dogging the engine is a key element to staying afloat, managing that it allows the torque of the GT-R to really come into play and pull ahead with the fastest average speed throughout the course. The biggest challenge to the GT-R usually for me on Cote D' Azur is the braking challenge as it's easy to get caught up in the momentum of the track and push some of these switch back sections a little too hard leaving for some bad crashes.
The Caterham put up a fight but the SP300R wasn't destined for greatness this round, maybe next time guys.
More features will continue dropping through the late summer and Fall season, keep an eye out for more adventures with the GT-R and everything else I get sucked into.
August 28, 2015 Featured, Youtubedrift, dxracer, GRID 2, Hong Kong, Logitech, Touge, videoVX2
Hello everyone, today you're catching part of a new video series for BAM. where I (VX2) take on new and old racing titles within my Steam library. We're checking out GRID 2 in a series of Touge races. Today focuses on Hong Kong's Peak Road Descent in the daytime hours, it's a street track that has a few twists and turns that throw off the weight of the car at higher speeds. In the later sections there are lower speed areas that lead into tighter corners where racers have to decide entry and exit strategy to keep up the fastest line until the last break on a long bending stretch of highway.
Personally for the Touge races I favor 4WD because I like to hang the car out a little more and make a show not only for the replay but for myself. The GT-R allows for this and in the rougher sections of Hong Kong I don't stress the traction loss as hard as there are more chances to recover the car (although that didn't stop me from hitting some walls in the replay at inconvenient times). It's a personal preference although I've done well with RWD and FWD cars of other power levels and designs, when I want to have some fun it's easier to do it here with that 5SPD transmission and have enough drag off the line to really put it to any opponent so I can grab that first corner in Tier 3 racing.
I hope everyone enjoys the video, there are more coming this season as I tackle more GRID 2, GRID Autosport, DiRT 3, DiRT Rally, Assetto Corsa and pretty much anything else I can get my hands on.
GRID 2 Demolition Derby DLC arrives but is anyone home?
September 6, 2013 News, Youtubecodemasters, demolition derby, dlc, gameplay, GRID 2, impressions, news, pc, steamVX2
So the online community on GRID 2 is a bit hit and miss, and by that I mean it misses… often. Players when you find them tend to love crashing, other times they're not around at all.
Demolition Derby is a revival mode for fans, hoping to bring back some of the enthusiasm and appease those who prefer to wreck cars instead of racing them. It's a good mode, don't get me wrong but the absent player base really doesn't help the situation. I ended up opting out of a 30 minute wait cycle for players and instead jumping into custom events to get a taste of the carnage. It's not overly brutal and the AI is a bit bossy but I think there's another level waiting to happen by playing with human opponents that have no intent to finish the race with a functional car.
Check out the video demo for custom event Demolition Derby, hopefully I'll see more people online in the coming week or this is really just a dead release.