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Gaian Record International -- September 2009

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SkyeGear
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:12 pm


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Murder/Suicide at the Gym
LA Fitness attack results in four deaths, including shooter


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GRI Warning: some of this content may not be suitable for younger readers. Discretion is advised.

User ImageFifty rounds were fired in the dark by the time he was finished. With three dead and ten more wounded, the Pennsylvanian gunman turned the weapon on himself.

At this point, the gunman's mission has not been made clear to the public, but a source inside the police spoke with CNN, and stated that a note inside the man's bag indicated "his hatred of women." No further data on the note's contents have been released.

According to witnesses, the gunman had shut off the lights in the gym before firing wildly, so it is unknown if he had any specific targets inside the gym. Witnesses also state that all they could see were flashes of bright light in the darkness, prompting them to take cover.

A blog posted by the gunman indicates that the suicide was planned for that day, listing both his birth date and his death date. The same blog also shows this "growing hatred of women," as the shooter documents his intense loneliness and desire for companionship, but his growing anger at constant rejection.

The following excerpts from his blog are courtesy CNN.com:

George Sodini
Why do this?? To young girls? Just read below. I kept a running log that includes my thoughts and actions after I saw this project was going to drag on...

Planned to do this in the summer but figure to stick around to see the election outcome... (Nov. 5, 200 cool

Time is moving along. Planned to have this done already. I will just keep a running log here as time passes. Many of the young girls here look so beautiful as to not be human, very edible. After joining this gym, started lifting weights and like it... (Dec. 22, 200 cool


On an additional note, the Police would neither confirm nor deny a newspaper report that the shooter's ex-girlfriend was wounded in the incident.

The (censored) diary can be found here, courtesy of CNN.com.

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:16 pm


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Nine Dead in Plane/Helicopter Crash
Private plane and helicopter collide over the Hudson River


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Saturday, August 8th, 2009. Seems just like any other day for three members of a Pennsylvania family in a private plane and five Italian tourists and the pilot in a helicopter. However, this was going to a be a day unlike any other. Everyone in the both aircraft died, and there has been no word on exactly how.

The cause of this accident? An unresponsive black box used to communicate with our pilots. One of the pilots of a different aircraft tried to communicate with the doomed helicopter pilot, saying, "You have a fixed-wing behind you". There was no response from the pilot of the helicopter, leading it to it's downfall.

Shortly after, the pilot who had tried to warn the point of the helicopter, watched in horror as the private planes wing clipped the helicopter, splitting both aircraft apart, both then fell into the water.

The people identified in the crash are, the plane's pilot was 60-year-old Steven Altman. Also in the plane were 49-year-old Daniel Altman, and his 16-year-old son, Douglas.

The five tourists were Michele Norelli, 51; his son Filippo Norelli, 16; Fabio Gallazzi, 49; his wife, Tiziana Pedroni, 44; and their son Giacomo Gallazzi, 15.

The area where they were flying in was a busy aviation corridor where planes are free to choose how and where they fly, as long as they stay under 1,000 feet (305 metres) and don't get too close to Manhattan skyscrapers. Many accidents happen around this area.

The U.S. Department of Transportation
A report last month found that 109 people died in accidents involving on-demand flights in 2007 and 2008, while no one died in commercial airline accidents.


For additional information on the crash check out www.CNN.com

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The King of Pop
Questions about Jackson's death, and his endless legacy


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As you know, Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop," died over two months ago, but there is still a big commotion going with Michael Jackson fans. Many are asking, "What was in the medicine he took that made him die?" Currently nobody knows, but the doctors are doing some research so they can explain what happened to Michael Jackson's father, Joseph Jackson, who is threatening legal action against the offending hospital.

On the radio, a certain celebrity said he will take Michael Jackson place and become King of Pop, and claimed that Jackson wasn't as talented as the hype made him out to be. The response was enormous, as a flood of Jackson fans called in to the radio station, furiously cursing and accusing the celebrity of being cruel.

In the newspapers and magazines, they talk about Michael Jackson’s tribute, from the music and speeches to how his family reacted. When the Michael Jackson tribute event happened, there were speeches delivered that really touched their hearts. Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson, said that she loved him and she is going to miss him. Many who saw the tribute burst in tears and cried, as sympathetic sentiment for the King of Pop and his family ran high.

In addition, Michael Jackson songs have been a huge hit this since Michael Jackson's death. Anybody who is a fan does not want Michael Jackson’s music out of their lives. They buy Michael Jackson music at stores like Wal-mart and Target or at specialty music shops. Some fans buy every Michael Jackson CD they can get their hands on. Amongst the most popular are the CDs released recently, with collections of hits from the past. It would appear that despite his death, Michael Jackson may yet retain the title, "King of Pop," without end.

Note from the Editor: Since this article was written, Michael Jackson's death has been ruled a homicide. See CNN.com for more details.

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Do you have a rodent problem?
Nepenthes attenboroughii: Mother Nature's Perfect Rat Trap


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User ImageIf so, you may need a Nepenthes attenboroughii. Founded in the Philippines, on a remote mountain is a plant called Nepenthes attenboroughii stated in the family of the pitcher plants...recently known as the rat trap. The Nepenthes attenboroughii is very similar to the Pitcher Plant, a bell-like plant that lures insects inside using sweet smelling enzymes, then dissolves them for nutrition. The difference? The N. attenboroughii is so large it can hold an adult-sized rat in it's leaves, dissolving the animal with acidic enzymes.

--Advertisement: Article continues below--

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--Advertisement ends: Article continues below--


How was it found? A group of scientists and explorers heard from missionaries on the island of Palawan rumors of large pitcher plants. The idea was to great to resist, scourging the dense jungles they found the N, naming it after Sir David Attenborough, a TV naturalist who held the Nepenthes genus in high regard.

“He has inspired a generation into protecting the world and developing greater understanding diversity of the planet,” Stewart McPherson said, one of the scientists on the trek said of Sir David. Recently, many believe there have been 30 new species of the N. attenboroughii founded on that same mountain, but no information has been released as of yet.

So next time your in need of a rat trap and don't have the money...remember the Nepenthes attenboroughii; you never know when mother nature will reach out a lending hand.

Resources: Fox News

SkyeGear
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Liberal Streaker

8,375 Points
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SkyeGear
Captain

Liberal Streaker

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:17 pm


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Ask, Tell, and Accept?
Don't Ask, Don't Tell's days may be numbered


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Since Barak Obama's campaign for the Presidency, he has promised to remove the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy from the United States Military. Though a blanket term is being used here (continue reading for more information), the ultimate goal is to permit openly homosexual recruits to enlist in the military.

The official policy of DADT states that a homosexual or bisexual will not be banned from enlistment unless he or she makes his/her sexuality openly known. It also states that no authority in the military is permitted to pursue any investigations into the sexuality of a service member without strong backing evidence. The policy is often extended into "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Harass," further clarifying that those who are suspected homosexuals are not to be harassed, whether physically or psychologically, by any member of the Armed Forces.

The policy was put in place by Bill Clinton in 1993, to help calm the argument over whether or not a self-identified homosexual or bisexual would be permitted to join and serve openly in the Armed Forces. Clinton had originally intended to permit this service, but under strong pressure from Conservative government officials, came up with DADT as a compromise measure. This was a change from the original policy, where a member would not be permitted to serve if he/she were identified as a homosexual, and investigations into a person's sexuality were allowed.

When the various members of government speak of repealing DADT, they aren't (or at least, shouldn't be) referring to removing the actual DADT policy, which would allow for investigations into sexuality to take place. It is simply a blanket term used to describe the intent to remove the restriction on homosexuals and bisexuals to serve in the Armed Forces altogether.

Response to this intent has been mixed both within the Armed Forces, and with the general populace. Arguments for the repeal often state that with the shortage of service members, there is no room to reject anyone based on their sexuality. They also cite that many former and current service members, including veterans of foreign wars, are homosexuals, and that it has no impact on the productivity of the military.

Arguments against the repeal (and at times for removal of DADT and reverting to the original complete bar on homosexual service) argue that homosexuals who serve openly are a threat to unit cohesion. Their presence in a unit of same-gender individuals that shower, change, and sleep together will cause anxiety, distrust, and to an extent, fear, all of which are capable of severely damaging a unit's mission.

The argument has been raging for more than a decade and a half, but it may come to a close within the next four. Whether President Obama decides to repeal DADT and the ban on homosexual/bisexual service remains to be seen, but either decision will significantly impact the nation, and the individuals who serve to protect it.
PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:18 pm


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A History of Social Networking
A look back at the history and present of Internet Socializing


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Try not to scream: this article is about MySpace and Facebook. But even those of you who hate Internet-based social networking can appreciate its rapid growth and appeal to the "unwashed" masses. Social Networking services as we know them are predated by "older" methods of socializing, like bulletin boards or forums

Perhaps I'm being over-critical -- the acclaim of some of these types of sites is nothing to sneeze at, and it's made a lot of ingenuitive people very rich and/or famous. But regardless of my personal feelings about the topic, I'm here to educate you on its history. Perhaps it'll serve to inspire you to create a successful website of your own; if that's the case, don't forget the little guy who gave you the idea, okay?

Now, I dug up a list of various social networking websites. There are over four-hundred at this point, and determining chronology would be a daunting, if not impossible, task. So I apologize to those who like to peruse the lesser-known sites, but I plan to only cover those that are the most well-known in addition to those sites with which I am the most familiar. Let's start, shall we? (For all these subsections, clicking on the graphic will take you to that site's U.S. branch.)

User ImageCyworld -- never heard of it, have you? Neither had I, until a friend of mine decided to point me in that direction for this article. Cyworld was created in 1999, and was mainly a networking site for Asia, based in South Korea. It introduced the concept of the "mini-homepage" (the same concept as every user having a unique MySpace page), and creating relationships with other users (i.e. buddies or friends) by linking their mini-homepages together.
As of late, the site has been expanded to include China, Japan, Sweden, Taiwan, the United States, and Vietnam.

User ImageWhen someone mentions "social networking," usually either MySpace or Facebook come to mind. But we're backing up a little bit to 2002, to the site that originally inspired MySpace into existence. Friendster is a social networking website headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Users can send messages, share photos and videos, and comment on the uploads of others. Haven't heard of it? It probably isn't too surprising; its success is phenomenal with 90 million registered users...but nearly 90% of that traffic comes from Asia, odd considering the site is based in Australia. Friendster holds several patents in the realm of social networking, and they were the basis for several similar sites to come.

User ImageHere's the one you've been waiting for (or dreading, depending on your outlook). MySpace was founded in 2003, and quickly grew to be a phenomenon in the Social Networking arena. Two years after its peak in user base, however, it was overtaken by Facebook.
MySpace employs photo and video sharing, a forum community, special profiles for bands, musicians, and celebrities, friend list announcements, and more recently, applications for the profiles. An individual profile in and of itself is nothing more than a simplified web page generator, where a user can either input direct text, or flare it up with HTML, should they have the knowledge or resources to do so (or have it done for them, as the case may be.)
MySpace has faced significant controversy over the years due to safety issues, though it can be said that it is only due to it being the first major social networking site to become popular in the United States. News outlets made large press out of MySpace-related suicides and abductions, leaving citizens to fail to come to the conclusion that it is simply a fact of the Internet -- not MySpace itself -- that these incidents take place.
Prior to Facebook becoming a major player, MySpace had a rivalry with another type of networking website called YouTube. For a short stint, YouTube videos were disabled for usage in MySpace profiles to help control the competition and promote MySpace video. The plan backfired, however, and outcry from the user base of MySpace caused them to revert back to permitting YouTube videos, but with special encoding that disabled the ability to use the video to link to YouTube itself. YouTube countered by adding features into embedded videos that essentially permitted a user to "browse" videos on YouTube from a finished video.
MySpace remains a major competitor in social networking, but remains second to Facebook. In an attempt to catch up, MySpace implemented "applications" similar to Facebook's, but thus far the attempt has not brought them back up in front of the competitor.

User ImageYouTube was designed to be a video networking site, permitting users to upload videos they created for critique and view by the user base. Whether or not this has actually occurred is still up for debate, as many television producers would contest.
YouTube first appeared in 2005, and the "myth" as it were behind it was closely linked to the old saying, "If you don't have pictures, it didn't happen." Apparently at a party, a few PayPal employees couldn't share a video with a friend of theirs who didn't believe that something had actually taken place. Whether this is what really happened is still up in the air, apparently, but regardless of the origin, the site became extraordinarily popular, rivaling MySpace in number of users for a significant period of time.
Just over a year after founding, the site was purchased by Google and became one of its subsidiaries. Today, YouTube is used by people all over the world, and was partially responsible for the discovery of many amateur filmmakers, and the spreading of Internet fads, such as Lego videos, and the quick spread of memes. YouTube is criticized, however, for allowing content that is copyrighted to be uploaded by its user base. Technically, it is against the Terms of Service, but YouTube never takes these videos down themselves; they always wait for a request from the owner of the copyright. This leaves the site open to criticism from copyright holders, questioning whether YouTube is popular for user-created content, or for the ability to watch copyrighted material for free.

User ImageTwitter is a recently growing community of people on the Internet. Taking advantage of a vast love of the concept of text messaging, Twitter has but one major function: the "what are you doing now?" function made popular by Facebook. Once a user marks what they're doing or feeling at any particular moment, the message is sent to anyone who is "following" the user. In many cases, if that user is subscribed to by a friend who uses "device updates," then a text will be sent as well. Once a person's cell phone is linked to their Twitter account, they can send their updates via text to the Twitter server, and it will update the site for them without forcing them to log in at a computer to do so. Several businesses are now twitter-capable, permitting fans, customers, or otherwise interested parties, to receive regular updates.

Now, I know thare are so many more social networking sites out and about, but this is all I plan to cover...at least for now. Remember, there are over 400 sites out there, and I simply can not chronicle them all. But if you want to submit a review of your favorite Social Networking site for next month's issue, that's 1,000g in your pocket.

GRI warning: the views and opinions expressed in this editorial do not necessarily reflect those of the GRI staff, its parent company, the GRINMC, or any affiliates.

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Xbox 360

Red Ring of Death


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Its just another afternoon, and your playing your good ol' Xbox 360. But then all of the sudden your game froze, but its still no big deal! You just turn it off and back on like the other couple of times. Now as you wait for your system to turn back on you hear a beeping noise... you turn your head at the system's power button and see what every Xbox 360 owners' worst nightmare is... THE RED RING OF DEATH!!!

This is a common problem in the Xbox 360 considering almost everyone will get it no matter how well you treat your Xbox. About 90% of the cause for the red ring is because of overheating. So then you think, hmmm.... "Then I should just play it less!" This is partly true, but at the same time it isn't. See, the Xbox 360 was the earliest of the new generation gaming consoles to be made, so it has the weakest hardware of them too. Plus, this frame work for this system isn't exactly efficient, either. In the frame for the 360, the fan only cools one side of the motherboard while the other side gets fried to a crisp. So if you didn't figure it out, that is where the overheating happens.

Types of Red Rings

  1. If all the lights but the first or third rings are lit, then you have the real issue and what is what most people refer to as the red ring of death.

  2. If all the lights but the second is lit, then you have just overheated your Xbox 360 slightly. This can usually be fixed by simply unplugging every part of your 360 and letting it cool down for a couple of hours.

  3. If all the lights but the forth ring are lit, then you just got lucky. Since this mean its a hardware failure and all you need to do is make sure all of your cords are plugged in accordingly and there is no faulty wires.


Solutions


Yay! Now the important part! Now most people know that if you have any error what so ever in your 360 then you can send it to Microsoft using their website or calling the number (800) 4MY-XBOX. Its a toll free number that can explain everything. Please note that your warranty for anything other then the red ring is one year, for the red ring it is three years. Also remember that this process will take quite a bit of time, about two weeks to a month! But you have the satisfaction that it will be in good hands!

Alternately, there are said to be other solutions to this persistent problem! These video links below can explain how to do them, but please note that the Gaian Record International, the video makers, nor I are responsible for any broken 360's or anything else caused by your experimentation! Also, be advised that opening your Xbox 360 will automatically void your warranty.

Towel Trick

Penny Trick

X-Clamp Trick


Now I hope this article has helped you fix your red ring of death problems and you are enjoying your fixed 360! Please know that I have not done any of the "Tricks" myself but I know some people that have and their Xbox works great!


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Back to School
Surviving the insanity for yet another year


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It is nearing the end of summer and we all know what that means: school will be starting, and for some of us it already has. Here are some tips to help get your year started right.

  1. Shopping: Start your back to school shopping earlier, so you don’t have to rush to buy all of your clothes! Start shopping during your summer vacation. Buy a shirt or a pair of jeans here and there that way it won’t be such a strain on your or your parent’s wallet all at once. This tip might be a little late but save it for next year!

  2. Money Smart: If you are tight on money this year but still want some ‘new’ clothes, try hitting up the thrift stores if your area. Don’t be embarrassed by it, many people do shop at thrift stores. You’d be surprised what treasures you can find!

  3. Breakfast: Try to wake up early every morning to have breakfast. It will make you feel more awake and attentive. But be sure to get your rest as well!

  4. Teachers: Teachers are people too. Get to know them, and be friendly. In the long run it might be beneficial to you when you need a letter of recommendation written. Some colleges do require it.

  5. Homework: We all dread it. But you don’t always have to finish homework at home. Try to finish it in class. If you’re in English but aren’t doing anything, pull out your math homework and have at it. You’re in school anyway; why not just get it over with?

  6. Meeting new People: Old friends are great but sometimes you might not have any classes together and it’s hard to see each other. This doesn’t mean abandon them and find new friends but it does give you the opportunity to meet new people. So take advantage of the situation and make the best out of it.


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The effects of drugs and alcohol on families


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You read about it in the papers when journalists talk about the likes of Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. Perhaps you see it in the street when strangers walk past you, or maybe your knowledge comes from a friend. You are shown the physical and emotional effects on the user daily, be it in the papers, the news, or in everyday people on the street. You may even believe that you understand the problems of others. But the truth is, nobody really understands the life-altering effects of drugs and alcohol unless it affects his or her own life.

Many people look at users and think, "What an idiot!" or "Good-for-nothing!" but coming from a family that has been torn apart by drugs and alcohol, I know different. I love my mother, and I know that will never change no matter what she does; her hard work and brains have helped to keep a roof over our heads for at least sixteen years, proving that it was not selfishness or stupidity that sent her over the edge, but a mixture of depression bought on by stress, a lack of faith in her own abilities and post-natal depression bought on by me.

The repercussions of my mother's actions on my family caused my father to be in denial and my sister to lose her childhood innocence so I could keep mine. At the age of six, my sister was the main mother figure in my life, and she was never thanked for it; her hard work meant I didn't truly understand the issue until I was forced into a similar position at the age of sixteen (this year). She spent eight years sheltering me from the pain caused by my mother, and not once did I thank her for it, and neither did my father. She saved my mother as well, by being her personal rock, accompanying her to counseling sessions every week for three years, and stopping her from going too far. She helped cook the meals, she made sure I got to bed on time, and stayed awake to talk to me when a particularly nasty fight was happening between our parents downstairs.

She didn't do very well in her exams at the age of eleven. I was always led to believe that it was because she hadn't tried hard enough, but only now, after handling my mothers relapse alone in my GCSE year do I realize that it was because she was trying too hard in life and something just had to give.

I myself was not completely sheltered from the pain the first time around, even though my mother quit when I was nine. I got to an age when I was beginning to understand the problems that had occurred before, and it was then that I could be there for my sister after the hardship she had gone through to shelter me from it at the time. The enormity of it caused a seven-week mental breakdown when I was eleven.

At the age of fourteen, my sister was cautioned for shoplifting. At the age of fifteen, she was a heavy smoker. Now, at the age of eighteen, she's dabbling in hard drugs and hiding it, whilst I, being the only one who knows about the hard drugs and the first by years to realize that she was smoking, silently regret not saving her like she saved me.

My family's problems are not rare; thousands, if not millions of families go through the similar problems every year. So next time you see an alcoholic or a drug addict, take time to think about the family suffering silently behind them.

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What killed him, you say?


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PLACEHOLDER FOR COMIC STRIP
The death of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart age 35 may have died from strep throat. A Dutch study on Monday, August 17th states that the death on September 5th, 1791, could have been caused by a number of problems, from intentional poisoning, to theumatic fever, to undercooked pork.

Mozart's death certificate has hitzifes Frieselfieber officially recorded a.k.a. heated military fever; which is a rash looking like millet seeds. The theories surrounding his death, however, were mostly based on accounts written decades after his death from people that have witnessed Mozart's last days, rather than any particularly reliable source.

A new study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, was based on information from official death registers for Vienna in the winter of 1791 that places Mozart's death in a wider context. Mozart died in Vienna.

"Our findings suggest that Mozart fell victim to an epidemic of strep throat infection that was contracted by many Viennese people in Mozart's month of death, and that Mozart was one of several persons in that epidemic that developed a deadly kidney complication," states researcher Richard Zegers, of the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

This "minor epidemic" of step throat may have begun in the city's military hospital. Witnesses do say that Mozart fell ill with an "inflammatory fever," which is consistent with strep throat.

The strep throat infection became worse and turned into a kidney inflammation with severe swelling, back pain, and rash, ultimately ending the life of a composer of more than 300 famous works.

SkyeGear
Captain

Liberal Streaker

8,375 Points
  • Person of Interest 200
  • Elocutionist 200
  • Citizen 200

SkyeGear
Captain

Liberal Streaker

8,375 Points
  • Person of Interest 200
  • Elocutionist 200
  • Citizen 200
PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:19 pm


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Entertainment Editor: T.A.C.


Video Game Review
Batman: Arkham Asylum


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Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Publishers: DC Comics and Warner Bros.
Systems: Windows, PS3, Xbox 360
Rating: Teen
Genre: Action/Adventure

User ImageBatman: Arkham Asylum was released in North America on August 25th 2009 for the console versions, and is set to be released in mid-September for the Windows edition. It is an action-adventure game with elements of stealth and puzzle games, and is based off the Batman mythos from the DC Comic series, unlike previous video games, which tended to base themselves off the DCAU incarnation of Batman.

The entire game is set on Arkham Asylum, a psychiatric correctional facility in Gotham for the criminally insane, frequently referred to in the comics. The main villain is the Joker, who manages to take over Arkham, leaving Batman, Commissioner Gordon, and Arkham's staff stranded on the island, with all of Joker's henchmen and several of Batman's other enemies.

The gameplay was completely solid. Batman can switch between normal mode, where everything appears as it is, and "Detective Mode" which analyzes the environment around Batman, highlights points of interest, and forensically tracks targets. The combat flows with a combination of the attack buttons and the tilting of the control stick, allowing Batman to attack multiple enemies in rapid succession. Higher combos mean more experience points, which in turn allows the player to upgrade Batman's fighting combos, armor, or devices. Puzzle elements of the game require Batman to solve some of The Riddler's riddles, and find alternate paths and openings, as well as creatively accomplish goals when the obvious or easy path is blocked by the Joker's plan.

The sound also rates very high. The sound effects were high quality, and the music was fitting for the game. Perhaps the highlight of the game's sound was the casting of Mark Hamill as the Joker, and Kevin Conroy as Batman, both actors who played the same roles in the Emmy Award-winning Batman: The Animated Series through Justice League Unlimited. Despite the lack of connection to the DCAU, the game has received praise from several sources for bringing back two voice actors who arguably are responsible for providing the best-known characterization for two of comic history's most famous characters.

Graphics were to standard for the consoles. The animation is smooth and fluid, with the texture detail on Batman's costume and the environment being very high. Every detail has been rendered thoroughly, to make this game appear highly realistic.

Heralded as the "best Batman game ever," Arkham Asylum has seen nothing but high reviews from both critics and fans alike.

Final Rating: User Image



Movie Review
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince


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Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Sir Michael Gambon, Dave Legeno

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, book-wise, was very entertaining. Each chapter tied to the previous chapter, while giving you something to look forward to. They retained the characters with no random personality changes, and the plot was good. The movie, however, wasn't quite as entertaining as the book, much of that due to the writers adding in unnecessary content that didn't exist in the book. It also had the tendency to lengthen scenes that should have been shortened, and vice-versa.

However, despite these shortcomings, the movie was still enjoyable. With the same actors reprising their roles from the previous movies, the acting was as superb as ever. The new character, Fenrir Greyback (portrayed by Dave Legeno), was spot-on to the point of being scary.

The special effects were good, and as far as the music goes, I can't wait to buy the soundtrack. I would definitely recommend that both Harry Potter fans and newcomers alike, see this movie, not once, but at least twice.

Final Score: User Image

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Video Game Review
Ghostbusters the video game



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Format: Wii
Rating: E10+
Voiced by: Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson

Summary:
Two years after the second movie takes place, you are a new recruit (you can be male or female). The four Ghostbusters train you to defeat the paranormal. You defeat some old foes like the Stay Puft Marshmellow Man, and the Grey Lady, as well as some new foes such as a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton and the Spiderwitch. You are introduced to new characters as well like Dr. Ilyssa Selwyn who plays a key part in the video game who by sacrifice can make a man named Ivo Shandor stronger then Gozer (A thing from the movies).

Review:
The new Ghostbusters video game is an interesting installment to the Ghostbusters movie series. With unique controls it can be quite challenging at first until you get about 10% finished the game. A few ghosts can be challenging to capture because the move around a lot but as long as you stay focused you should be able to capture each one with ease. Also the multi-player mode is something I think is great. You can be playing a mission by yourself or so you don't have to create anything else a friend can just click in and join you while defeating the ghosts. The real disappointment is the fact that the video game itself is less then 10 hours long, a real let down for Ghostbusters fans.

Final Score: User Image

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Video Game Review
Wii Sports Resort


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Format: Wii
Rating: E

Summary: The sequel to the Popular Title, Wii Sports (the standard game that comes with every Wii Console), Wii Sports Resort boasts several new games, including Frisbee Toss, Jet Skiing, Archery, Ping Pong, Basketball and much more. Wii Sports Resort uses the new technology of Wii Motion Plus, which revamps the controller's abilities to react to human movement more accurately.

Review: This game is better than its predecessor. The Wii Motion Plus is amazing, it gave me realtime movement with the remote. The various games, such as Frisbee are light, entertaining and sometimes quite challenging. There is no downside to the game, except, there just isn't enough time in the day to fully enjoy it.

Final Score: User Image

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Movie Review
G.I Joe: Rise of the Cobra


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Rated: PG-13
Seen: 8-9-09
Starring: Channing Tatum, Christopher Eccleston, Marlon Wayans.

G.I Joe Rise Of The Cobra was very entertaining. Each scene was filled with excitement! Regular Army buddies Duke (Channing Tatum) and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans) are transporting a deadly weapon, capable of eating buildings and even whole cities, that's been bult by Scottish arms magnate McCullen (Christopher Eccleston).When they send the merchandise to another business all goes wrong. Every scene was tied to the next one making it very understandable. Some people might say “This might be the worst movie of the year,” but my opinion is it is action-packed and very enjoyable.

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True Blood
Is it in you?


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Move over Twilight, there's a new hit vampire television show hitting the airwaves. True Blood, based off the book series, The Southern Vampire Mysteries (True Blood), airs on HBO. Currently on it's second season, True Blood, not appropriate for children, seems to have caught the attention of everyone. Taking place on the outskirts of New Orleans, Louisiana, the story line of the show seems to revolve around a young woman, Sookie Stackhouse age 25, with an ability to hear people's thoughts, a vampire, "Vampire Bill" age over 100, and a small town of people that are still trying to get used to the fact that Vampires are now allowed to walk amongst them.

The vampires still follow the form of not being able to be out in sunlight, they are also weakened against silver, but are not harmed by the cross, or holy water. They can see themselves in mirrors, but are still bound by the fact that they must be invited into a home before they are allowed to enter ones dwellings. Blood is still a necessity if they are to survive, but in this tv series, there's a substitute, if you will, that allows them to go without having to feed on actual human blood. They still have massive human strength, are able to move very quickly, and heightened senses.

With many hardships, include the fact that there seems to be more deaths happening in the town that ever before, since the vampire moved into town, some how Bill and Sookie manage to obtain a semi regular lifestyle while being together. Many of the folks in town don't like it, and Sookie's able to hear these facts, but they manage to deal with it anyways.

You'll have to check out for yourself just what you're missing. True Blood airs Sundays at 9pm on HBO. Check your local listings for more information.

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Movie Review
The Fuss over Transformers 2


Motion Pictures Association of America rates Transformers 2, PG-13, for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, language, some crude and sexual material, and brief drug material.

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The opening night on June 24, 2009 a line formed wrapping around the theatre in a small hometown in California. What was the big deal anyways? I found out when I watched the premier of "Transformers 2:Revenge of the Fallen". The movie was filled with action sequences and great characters portrayed by none other than Sam Witwicky starring Shia LaBeouf and Mikaela Banes starring Megan Fox.

The autobots with their leader Optimus Prime create an alliance with the humans, working for the military, to keep down the Decepticons from rising. Starscream, an ambitious Decepticon takes control of the pack of Decepticons in a hostile takeover of the whole universe. The US military guarding Megatron, the old leader for the Decepticons, is taken and revived only to combine forces with Starscream to fight and destroy the autobots as well as the humans.

This is a must-see movie, lasting a total of 2 hours and 24 minutes, a lengthy movie but it is a movie that is worth seeing and will keep you entertained the whole time.

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:21 pm


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The opinions expressed in the following article(s) do(es) not represent the views or opinions of the Gaian Record International, GRINMC, the GRI staff, or any of its affiliates.


Mintchan's TekTek Corner
Avatar of the Month


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Total Value: 677,819 Gold
[Item Information]

Item List:
Elemental Wings
Shiny Black Short Shorts
Panda Hoodie
Panda Slippers
Panda Plushie
Panda Mood Bubble
Panda Mood Bubble
Panda Mood Bubble
Panda Mood Bubble
Panda Mood Bubble



This Is My Tektek Avatar. I use it for contests and other stuff. The panda mood bubbles are 28k but can be sold for 26k, so it's not a bad return. The Panda Hoodie is 45k but can be substituted for a black or white sweater. Panda slippers are 414k seems expensive but it gets easier to get gold the more you know about Gaia. I love this avatar cause it has both my favorite colors and panda's are adorable! The Elemental wings are 45k and have a lot of other wings with them: death wings, sun wings, water waves, and much more, all for 45k. Their versatility means that they can be used for a lot of other outfits.

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NiceGuy's Fashion Corner
Men's suits: The difference you can make


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Men would always want to look smart and well respected. In this aspect, there are many things that can contribute to such impression but there is only one that can make an imprint of one’s personality- the suit. Men’s suits have long been recognized to have a magnanimous effect to the wearer. Not only it makes the wearer professionally looking but projects the bearing that will last a long time. Two men may be wearing the same suit but these two men have definitely a different effect to the audience. But how can you make the impression favorable to you?

The venerable houses of fashion make a comeback with the classic men’s suits. Peaked lapel, double breasted men’s suit would definitely not only fit a businessman but that of traveler whose fashion would make a difference. An Epsom double breasted men’s suit has a classic range of pinstripe with the prestigious material of Merino wool defining the comfort that you crave for. The jacket’s classic half-canvas construction ensures that the double-breasted and two-button piece would make a superb shape and drape and maintains it with ease. An Epsom suit would be the best suit that you need if you want an impression of classic and yet intelligent style.

On the other hand, if you want an elegant and yet simple suit that can make you a big man with an aura of stylish clean and firm personality, Patch Pocket Cruise Suit from Douglas and Grahame is one of the men’s suit that fits your need. With one patch pocket and made of polyester modal mix, the delightful soft and clean feel would make it a must-have in men’s closet. Moreover, you have several options on the color to fit the occasion that you want to wear it on. This is available in beige, blue, navy yellow and more.

Most of the men who make a serious conquest on men’s suits are also serious businessmen. Skopes Orion Jacket is a three-button men’s suit that should be found in their wardrobe. Orion is a wool rich mix material that makes classic lines with unmatched comfort. The durable crease resistant material will retain its shape all day - and into the evening. Color options vary from the classic black to the elegant grey, taupe, and navy.

Not only men’s suits serve a great deal of fashion and impression, but also of functionality. Being mobile is one of the biggest considerations that should be included when choosing the suit. Aside from being creased free, there is also some suits variety that protects radiation of the cellular phone like the fine bi stretch fine pinstripe suit with radiation protection from your phone. Novonic e-blocker offers radiation protection. The phone pocket is lined, to screen you from that harmful radiation that phones emit.

By wearing men’s suits you can make a difference and make unique imprint. Choose well and find the best that you can get because you deserve to make a difference and a good impression.

Women’s nightwear: choosing the perfect one for you


More and more women are getting conscious nowadays to develop themselves not only in the career that they have, but in every aspect of their lives from family, career, health and even the personality itself. This insight made women continue their pursuit to improving themselves which made women choosy in the things that they have from the ideal home: cars, furniture, and even the things that are in a woman’s wardrobe. While you value business suits, the gowns and other wardrobes that you have in your closet, you might as well think of the clothes that you wear on even when you are about to sleep. While you may find comfort in those baggy pajamas or oversized t-shirts, you should think twice if that’s what you really want. Women’s nightwear is often the most neglected of the clothing that you wear on. While you may find the indifference it make out of you like being oversized or too-fit for comfort, it is common that these night wear are still being used. Acknowledge what you really want and be conscious and precise of what are your needs.

Women’s nightwear is a must-have in the women’s wardrobe. Not only it makes you comfortable as you sleep there are still a few reasons why you have to think of having one. Women’s nightwear can be a pair of pajamas, a cozy short sleeve dress, night shirts, bed jackets, gowns and wraps, and also lounge suits. Since you might not be comfortable in wearing all of these types of nightwear, you need to choose which you really want and fit your style. In choosing the women’s nightwear for you, think of only two things in your mind, comfort and quality. Comfort in this matter does not only mean that you can sleep nicely in it but the women’s nightwear should have the right fit for you.

Women often complain of being not in their best when evening comes. Ill-fitting nightwear is one of the problems of women and yet the irony is, it is still being used despite of the baggy and sagging curves it creates making you a huge-chunk of a woman. Therefore, you should learn how to find the right type. The rule in choosing the perfect women’s nightwear for you is that the dress should be able to highlight assets of the body and downplay the unsightly curves. If you have a nice pair of long legs, choose a short nightdress like the one with a flounce hemline. Find the luxury of wearing it by being conscious of the material like prefer to have the one made of cotton or silk. If you have the curves placed at the right places of your body, a delicate shoestring straps and expertly tailored bodice would make a superb fit for you.

Aside from the functional use, make use of the women’s nightwear to reflect your personality. Nightwear can also give a spark to your relationship by knowing and having the right choice.

Choosing the right women’s nightwear for you is not because of vanity but only choosing the best and the right one to reflect your personality and style, with comfort in the mind.

Silk - The Basics


For thousands of years silk has been a highly esteemed fabric. It was invented some 5,000 years ago in China, and for about the first 2,000 of those years the secret of producing silk was guarded and remained in China. Finally silkworm eggs and the knowledge of how to produce this textile were smuggled out of China and spread to many places around the globe. Silkworms are actually domesticated insects, and their scientific name is Bombyx mori, sometimes shortened to B. mori. They no longer live naturally in the wild at all, and they only exist to produce silk. If people did not keep them alive for silk production, they would simply disappear. They eat nothing but the leaves of mulberry trees (or substances made from mulberry leaves). When the worms are in their caterpillar stage they are mulberry leaf eating machines. After an enormous growth spurt they extrude a chemical to make a cocoon, and this hardens quickly when exposed to air and turns into silk fiber. The silk worms work for 2-3 days and produce one long strand of silk fiber normally about 400-600 meters in length which makes a cocoon that protects the pupa while it is in the process of metamorphosis into a moth. Silk production unravels this strand and combines it with many others to form the fabric we know as silk. It is interesting to note that most of the pupa are killed in the production process, and only enough moths are born to lay eggs for the next generation of caterpillars.

Silk Properties

Silk has many remarkable properties. It is light in weight and when used in clothing can keep one cool in summer and surprisingly warm in winter. Silk is sometimes used as a liner in winter garments. Silk is very flexible and will return to its original shape without a lot of wrinkling. It can be stretched by as much as 20-25% and return to its original condition. In particular silk takes well to both natural and synthetic dyes, and that is why it is used in colorful parts of the wardrobe such as silk scarves for women and neck ties for men. Taking silk scarves along when traveling is a good way for women to stretch their wardrobes and carry less clothing. That is, a different colored silk scarf can make the same outfit look different.

Wild Silk

There is a certain amount of production of silk made from caterpillars other than B. mori, and India is the leader in this area. This production is small and uneven, however, because the caterpillars cannot be domesticated like B. mori, and the cocoons need to be found in the wild. Also, with B. mori numerous generations can be produced in a year using heating, lighting and other techniques, whereas with the wild silkworms there can only be one generation each year. The silk made from wild silkworms is said to be a bit more rough than the silk made from B. mori.

Conclusion

Silk has a fascinating history, and in the heyday of silk production hundreds of thousands of people around the world earned at least part of their incomes from some facet of the silk industry. Since synthetic fibers like nylon and especially rayon were invented, the demand for silk has dropped a good deal, but there will always be some demand for the real thing.

Three Good Reasons to Buy Designer Clothing


Designer clothes fascinate everyone! But did you ever thought about the artistic talent that creates these awesome outfits? Designer wear are joint effort of several artistic skills that starts with a unique vision and selection of fibers and ends with the creation of a winning clothing line up that people enjoy wearing. From the beginning to the end, each and every detail is carefully considered by designers with artistic skills. And the final product is the outfit that you love to wear.

Designer clothing has become quite popular over the past decade or so. People are little bit reluctant to buy designer apparels as they fear that they may cost them a fortune. But in reality those who are apprehensive to buy designer clothes actually end up spending more on their wardrobes.

Yes that’s exactly right! As these clothes are manufactured from high quality fabrics they are likely to remain in the top of the condition for the years to follow. The longevity of the attire is the basic reason why people prefer to pay a little extra cash to buy designer wear.

Moreover they are considered as a status symbol. Most of the designer labels get their consumer-base primarily from the premium quality materials used by them. They have established their brand name through the incredible logo and the designs used by them.

Research and studies has proved that designer clothing is far more comfortable than their cheaper counterparts. Premium quality material, fine stitching and attention to detail not only make you look good but also feel good. With designer clothes you will never feel itchy and uncomfortable.

Auction sites such as Ebay and Yahoo offer designer clothes at discount rates. So what are you waiting for? Get online now and browse through the auction sites. After all they offer a great way to buy designer clothes at a fraction of the retail price.

SkyeGear
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SkyeGear
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:24 pm


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Teen Gaians Pt. II
A Teen Titans Fan Comic


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PostPosted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:02 am


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On behalf of the Gaian Record International staff, thank you for reading this month's edition of the Gaian Record International. We hope you enjoyed each article. As always, we're looking for new talent to help us put the paper together, as well as some financial help to keep the paper going. If you're interested, please don't hesitate to contact the Executive Editor, Gear-Richie, with any questions you may have. Again, thank you for reading, and we look forward to seeing you again next month!

SkyeGear
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