I first heard of the Yakuza games through the GC community, downloading the demo for Yakuza 3 back in the PlayStation 3 days and have been an avid fan since. This is coming off the back of Yakuza 6, arguably the best built Yakuza so far but maybe the least interesting in terms of story. I enjoy the smaller yet detailed places as they help it all seem so much more manageable. The only thing I’d disagree with regarding the feature is the idea of one big open world, for me it would be too overwhelming. If anyone has a Switch at home I urge you to try it out. Although the hubs seem small at first, they are so packed with secrets and moons to find and collect I was almost hesitant to leave each zone for fear of missing something (until I was told not everything can be done on your first visit). What a great title it is so far, and definitely deserving of the praise. Regarding the Mario Reader’s Feature this weekend, which was a great read, I finally got around to starting Mario Odyssey last week. Lizards run free and baubles shine away, I hate that tree! I did manage to get all the treasures in PlayStation 3 Great Hollow, including the lizard drops (infinite monkey theorem springs to mind), but with the Black Hydra below just dispatched I don’t plan on visiting the Great Hollow ever again. Branches two feet above my head block passage and for me it’s the most player-hostile part of the whole game, the camera doesn’t help either. I can’t walk up some horizontal branches that only reach my shins, so rolling forward with inches to spare is the way forward. No, the worst thing about the Great Hollow, and for me the whole game, is wood. The Great Hollow though… the basilisks should be the worst things there bearing in mind what they can do but with the right kit on they’re all bluster, like the Wizard of Oz. Blighttown was virtually Powerpoint on PlayStation 3 but taken very slowly it wasn’t that bad and the PlayStation 4 remaster is a comparative breeze with the frame rate increase (and the toxic-dart blowers dispatched, I hate those guys). The Great Hollow was much more infuriating trying to get all the treasures and the PlayStation 4 remaster, I’m disappointed to say, isn’t much different. Maybe Red Dead Redemption II will be less prudish and that will show other companies they don’t have to be as well.īlighttown wasn’t as difficult as reported in PlayStation 3 Dark Souls for me. They’re not a wholly American company and GTA has been pretty forward in that area in the past. It’s also sad to realise that it’s not up to games to change but attitudes in America. I’m not some perv saying I want more nudity in games or something but it’s pretty sad that games can’t be treated on par with movies and TV. I’m not saying I have any interest in Agony itself, but it is weird how the ‘land of the free’ has must tougher self-imposed censorship than any other country when it comes to sex and seems to be completely unconcerned when it comes to violence. Apparently even the cuts to the game were to suit American age ratings, not ours. I was not in the slightest bit surprised to find the developer was European, in fact I would’ve bet on it the second you said the game was full of sex too. Even if that meant that all they cared about was grossing you out. That Agony game sounds pretty horrendous, but like your review you’ve got to admire the fact that someone actually went through with it all.
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As mentioned, there are no words, so exposition is limited, and you'll need to draw your own conclusions. The game's over for me, but I'm still thinking about it. The icing on the cake is level design that didn't have me even consider using a walkthrough, and putting all this together got me wondering what I wondered in the first paragraph. The game is seamless even on a technical level I am still impressed that I didn't spot a single hiccup in what struck me as a very complex game to make. I didn't realize this at the time, but I took away the sense of a soundtrack that fit every moment of play. At any point the music is a combination of up to four different ambient pieces. The soundtrack is in perfect harmony as well. What you get is like a gorgeous hand-drawn animated comic with not a dud panel in sight, bathing you in aesthetic history without it taking over the screen. If you can think of an architectural, artistic or religious motif, it's probably in here somewhere, and somehow, none of it clashes. The key skill is remembering symbols and patterns to spot possible connections, and Gorogoa is absolutely full of those. You often just have to play with things until you find something new. There are moments that require a bit of thinking, combining "real-world" logic with the fantastical mechanic, but you can't use logic to see how to progress everytime. I do admit that Gorogoa generally feels more like an exploration game than a puzzle game. You could give this game to anyone and they would be at ease playing it. You start off clicking around just to see what's possible, and before you know it the game has let go of your hand and is giving you puzzles. You learn everything you need to via the pictures and some UI prompts. Impressively, there are no words in the game to tell you what to do. We can only hope that we will be able to do a similar thing when we need to. It's an ideal complement to the story, as you use it to bounce a man around the eras of his past, Slaughterhouse-Five-style, colliding memories via symbols from across his life, so he can pick up what he needs to face his future. It's a new way to transform reality by changing your perspective on it, and just about every time you do it it's a revelation. The central gameplay mechanic is fascinating and unique, and as such I'll say very little about it. Gorogoa is right at home among the above games, and might be just two hours long but makes the absolute best of that time. They're a chance to cleanse your brain, slow down, meditate, get immersed - and then get your brain turned completely inside out, and be left wondering how on earth mere mortals created what you've just played. Games like Braid, The Bridge, Manifold Garden and Monument Valley provide a therapeutic change of pace from the hundreds of hours of action many games provide today. 100% PC There's nothing like an ultra-artistic mind-warping indie puzzler. Maximum loot: 17-27 w, 17-27 s, 43-67 f (total 101) 60 g Level 3.1 Victory to Level 4ġ Mm / 0 / 2 Mm gives no losses but less than maximum loot. Your attack formation to defeat the castle:Ġ / 1 Sp / 0 gives no losses but only one-thirds the loot.ġ Mm / 0 / 1 Mm gives no losses but only two-thirds the loot. 20 attacks are needed to beat levels 1-10.Ĭastle: 20% wall, 20% gate. The Robber Baron icon (levels 1-10) on the map shows a basic arch topped tower surrounded by spears. for each -10% wall defense on your commander you can use one fewer ladders per wall. Where attack tools are indicated these can be reduced by the appropriate bonus on your commander. in theory, +10% attack for melee means you could reduce 11 Ths to 10 Ths but this has not been checked. You may be able to get away with fewer troops if your commander is highly equipped, e.g. However, some small bugs in the game may give you one or two losses when equipping your commander. All attacks have been double-checked with a commander with no items to guarantee the outcome. Attacks can be achieved with fewer troops at the cost of less loot. This information is also given at the top of each section, as is the information about them. The robber captain at each castle gives a +15% melee and +15% ranged bonus to the defending troops, except for the level 10 captain which gives a +19% melee and +19% ranged bonus to the defenders. The following key is used in all subsequent tables:Ī levels 1-10 Robber Baron Castle in the world mapĪll Robber Baron Castles on this page have 20% wall and 20% gate defense. This page covers all information regarding Robber Baron Castle Level 1-10s. Make sure to include information on rubie count changing in this page. Parts of this page have been identified as no longer being up to date with recently released material. *Also available in a German language edition: Bangkok: Rezepte und Geschichten aus dem Herzen Thailands 14. “From one of the most respected authorities on Thai cooking comes this beautiful and deeply personal ode to Bangkok, the top-ranked travel destination in the world.” Available in hardback and for Kindle. Bangkokīangkok: Recipes and Stories from the Heart of Thailand Īnother cookbook from Leela Punyaratabandhu, author of Simple Thai Food (above). Baan–meaning the hearth, the home, the community, the place where you come from–is a true homage to her childhood, to the delicious recipes that she was raised on, and a cuisine and country that she loves.” Available in hardback and for Kindle. More from Amazon: “Born and raised in Bangkok, Kay spoke Thai before she spoke English and has spent more than half her life in Thailand. Discover how to cook complete Thai feasts, or start by erasing all trepidation in the “how to cook rice” section. Baan: Recipes and Stories from My Thai Homeīaan: Recipes and Stories from My Thai HomeĪ self-described “Thai-born girl with a foreign face”, this book is an absolute gift for greedy people. In keeping with its contemporary twist on authentic Thai cuisine (sometimes based on western ingredients), Rosa’s Thai Cafe celebrates traditional Thai cooking techniques and features over 100 recipes, including dishes from the menu at Rosa’s as well as family favourites and regional dishes”. Whether it’s a scorching hot crispy rice salad, lush coconut curries, or a wok-seared pad Thai, it’s all about demystifying the universe of Thai flavors to make them work in your life.” Available in hardback and for Kindle. His brash style of spicy, sharp Thai party food is created, in part, by stripping down traditional recipes to wring maximum flavor out of minimum hassle. “If you love to eat Thai food, but don’t know how to cook it, Kris Yenbamroong wants to solve your problems. Night + Market: Delicious Thai Food to Facilitate Drinking and Fun-having Amongst Friends a Cookbook Available for Kindle and in paperback and spiral-bound. 101 Thai DishesĪt the time of writing, this new-in-2022 book is the #1 best-seller on Amazon for Thai cookbooks. This isn’t a “cookbook” where you just get a collection of recipes, this is a comprehensive textbook on the theories and history of Thai flavors and cooking.” Available in paperback with secondhand copies also available. Such as? “Actually the best book on cooking I’ve read, Period. While this book was published in 1995, the reviews are so glowing it merits inclusion. It Rains Fishes: Legends, Traditions and the Joys of Thai Cooking Informative, instructional and inspiring, McDang’s warm narrative takes the reader on an extensive journey through the history, culture and style of Thai food that starts with background on eating habits, regional differences and foreign influences.” Available in hardback. “ beautifully presented encyclopedia of Thai cuisine. The Principles of Thai Cookery by Chef Mcdang *Also available in a German language edition: Pok Pok Gelebte Thai-Küche 6. “A guide to bold, authentic Thai cooking from Andy Ricker, the chef and owner of the wildly popular and widely lauded Pok Pok restaurants.” Available in hardback and for Kindle. Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets, Homes, and Roadside Restaurants of Thailand Available in hardback and paperback – get the hardback so it survives the next 20 years in your kitchen. And then do that smug thing where you wait for the compliments. Thanks to this book, I – a truly terrible cook – can make fried rice I’ll gladly feed to other people. I was given this encyclopaedic book for Christmas about 15 years ago and, besides occasionally dabbling, didn’t delve into its expertise until lockdown. He’s the godfather of Thai cooking and I embarassed myself thoroughly when I met him once (I did not, could not, play it cool). This is my urgent plea: adopt David Thompson as your personal kitchen god. “Thai takeout meets authentic, regional flavours in this collection of 100 recipes for easy, economical, and accessible Thai classics-from the rising star behind the blog She Simmers.” Available in hardback and for Kindle. Simple Thai Food: Classic Recipes from the Thai Home Kitchen “More than 100 flavour-driven Thai recipes built on technique, balance, tradition, and innovation from award-winning chef Angus An.” Available in hardback and for Kindle. Prepare to amaze yourself – but stock up on fish sauce. I bought this cookbook myself and liked it so much I bought another copy for friends. *Also available in a German language edition: Thailand – Das Kochbuch 2. “The definitive guide to Thai cuisine, with 500 authentic recipes from every region brought together in one comprehensive and beautifully produced volume.” Available in hardback. How to fulfill all your foodie dreams? Start here. Over a WiFi connection, speed to your device may vary greatly depending on how close your device is to your WiFi point, as well as any obstructions or distance in between. Speed to your device may vary greatly depending on whether you have a wired or WiFi connection. This speed is measured to and from the device you are using to run the test, which means the type of connection has a big impact on the result. How quickly your internet can transfer that data from the network to your device and from your device back to the network determines your download and upload speed. Next, the speed test downloads and uploads a packet of data over that connection. The amount of time it takes for that information to make the trip is your ping. You will see the name in the lower right-hand corner of the testing window.Ī "packet" of information is sent from your device to the server and back. There is a specific plan for every kind of internet user, from those who casually use the internet to check their emails or surf on social media to users who use heavy-duty software for working, streaming series or movies, online gaming, designing, etc.The internet speed test starts by identifying the network server that is closest to you. The robust Wi-Fi strength allows you to play, upload, and stream with multiple gadgets.ĬenturyLink internet plans do not work on one-size-fit-all concept. CenturyLink also enables you download large program in a blink of an eye. With CenturyLink, you can enjoy a reliable, high-speed broadband so that you can stream high-quality videos, play games, or work on your device without interruption. It proffers high speed broadband connection to the customers. You would know whether or not your network connection is functioning optimally.ĬenturyLink internet service provider is a renowned broadband service provider. Hence, provide you an impartial test result. On the other hand, the Speed Test Tool by considers all the variables and test the broadband speed of all the network service providers, using the same criterion. They use their testing tools and provide a result that may not contain the variable you wanted to test. More often than not, the network service providers eliminate some factors while testing the speed of network. Trusting your internet service provider with a speed test would be a fault. If any of these doesn’t help to enhance your internet speed, reach out to the CenturyLink customer service.ĬenturyLink network speed test with If the test results are far from satisfactory, you can either reboot the router or implement troubleshooting methods to restore the network speed. The Speed Test Tool allows you to gauge your internet on various parameters and find out whether or not your broadband service provider is proffering good service.Īs already mentioned, the CenturyLink speed test at weighs some crucial factors in the internet connection, including download test, jitter test, upload test, Wi-Fi speed test, latency test, and ping test. Whether you are using CenturyLink or any other service provider, you can test the speed of your broadband and get the most unbiased results. We understand how annoying a slow internet connection could be, and hence, we have brought to you the right tool to test the speed of your broadband and do away with it if it’s disappointing. Well, just sit down and take a deep breath, as we have got you covered here. ISP Name CenturyLink Max Average Speed 1000 mbps ISP Country USA When choosing a spring compressor, you have to choose one that is compatible with the strut size. You cannot just choose any spring compressor if you want to make sure that it can do its job properly. Of course, you will also find that they are offered in various sizes. You can find so many offers of struts and springs out there. However, you need to check the components with rubber such as the grips carefully before buying any because it has a probability to degrade under stress. It is better to choose a model that uses reinforced metals. That is why you want to get a spring compressor that is strong enough to handle the stress without losing or degrading the structural integrity. The coil is attempting to go back to its uncompressed state after all. You cannot bargain with the material for Coil Spring Compressor because it will be put under a great stress deal. There are so many of them and you need to consider these factors to find the best one. However, you need to make sure that you choose the right spring compressor. Well, although it might come in a pretty small size, you cannot say that a spring compressor is not essential for keeping the vehicle in its best condition. You need to prepare even small things such as Coil Spring Compressor. Whether you are just interested in a body shop or you work professionally in the garage, you have to make sure that you pay attention to details. What to Consider when Choosing the Best Coil Spring Compressor
I like to tell myself that my tears are a form of appreciation for having had such a wonderful and influential figure in my life. Christmas music brings me joy and allows me to grieve all at once. While the season is typically known to be merry and bright, it’s OK to feel sad. I play them because they remind me of some of the happiest memories I have, and to just experience those feelings again, even if only for a split second, makes it all worth it.ĭuring the holidays, there seems to be the notion that you must be happy all of the time. My roommate asks me why I play Christmas songs all the time, but it is not just because I like them. Regardless of the time of year, I have Bublé’s Christmasrecord on repeat. Since that is what he wanted for me, I have no problem listening to heartwarming holiday sounds all year round. I’ve found that listening to Bublé makes me happy and allows me to feel connected to my grandfather in a way that is special and unique to just us. It sounds easy, but it’s quite difficult to not let the judgment from others impact how you live your life. I learned many lessons from him during his time on earth, but the most valuable was to do what makes you happy. I felt my grandfather’s warmth and spirit right beside me like it was just a year ago. No matter how many Hallmark movies and sugar cookies I ate, nothing helped to bring back his jolly spirit that I missed so much. It didn’t feel like Christmas because he was the spirit of the season in my eyes. I could not fathom that my grandfather was no longer around, and that I wouldn’t have another Christmas with him. The new tradition we hoped to start was cut short when he passed away at the age of 77 from Parkinson’s Disease on Thanksgiving the following year. He was usually the one to do the gift giving but not this time. Since he had recently purchased a record player, I figured this would be the perfect gift. In 2016, I was at Urban Outfitters and spotted a vinyl of Michael Bublé’s Christmas album and knew I had to get it for my grandfather. There was never a dull moment at Christmastime when my grandfather was around. This only describes a fraction of the work he did in preparation for his favorite day of the year. When he wasn’t decorating, he was at the local homeless shelter giving gifts to the children and singing Christmas carols. He loved seeing the looks of awe on children’s faces as they watched inflatable Santa and his reindeer soar over the roof of my house. (Plus, he loved cookies.) Every December you could catch him outside putting up Christmas decorations for the whole neighborhood. If you ask me, he was better than Santa-jolly, happy and full of cheer all year round. No, I’m not talking about Santa Claus, but my grandfather, Moe. Picture an old man with hair as white as snow. IPod Access adds a ton of new functionality to the way you manage and access your iPod and should make the life easier for any iPod owner.įixed crash in registration on 10.3.9 PantherImproved error handling Changesįixed crash in registration on 10.3. Floola supports commonly used iPod features, including. Although it lacks a link to the iTunes store, most users find it not only works faster between your PC or Mac but offers much greater freedoms as far as managing your iPod goes. Floola, the free application designed to efficiently manage your iPod and / or Motorola phone, has just received a maintenance update. You'll also need to make sure you have the latest iPod firmware 1.2 installed plus QuickTime 7.2 or higher. As a result, some users are turning towards a free iTunes alternative called Floola. Note that as the name suggests, iPod Access is only really suitable for iPods and not iPod Shuffles or iPhones although it does work to a limited extent with both. Duplicate Song Checking is self explanatory and Preserve MetaData means that added extras, along with track name, artist and album are embedded in the song file on your iPod. Step 1: Before using Floola, you have to launch iTunes and plug your iPod on your computer. Floola is a freeware application to manage your iPod (any model except iPhone and iPod touch). Below is the entire steps to transfer music to iPod without iTunes free by using Floola. And it can directly play your iPod music. tags: ipod-transfer iphone-transfer ipod-to-pc ipod-to-itunes ipod-ripper. Floola works just as iTunes alternative and lets you add your favorite songs to playlist. ITunes Integration means that iPod Access transfers your songs, movies, podcasts and playlists directly into iTunes on your computer. Floola is a freeware application to efficiently manage your iPod or your. However, note that this option does not work for iPod Shuffles or iPhones. It also supports podcasts so you won’t miss out on your favourite broadcasts. You should then be able to copy files to and from your iPod but if you’re experiencing any problems, Floola even features an bug fixing tool. iPod Access detects iPods in Auto-Update mode and instantly gives you the option to switch to Manual Mode. You can either install Floola on your desktop or run it directly from your iPod. Force Manual Mode prevents that problem that all iPod owners dread - the moment when iTunes erases all of your data on your iPod. Local affiliates of the Imagination Library have three responsibilities: to pay for the cost of the books, to register the children in their area, and to manage the local database. To make this possible, the cost of the books and mailing (approximately $2.00 per month or $25.00 annually) is covered by local funding. They will be matching up to $35,000! This program is free to families with young children in our community. Help us get books in the hands of more young readers! Make a donation today to have it matched by a generous gift from local business and community leader Nichols. Sponsor one of over 6,000 children in Muskegon & Oceana Counties. Give the love of reading to a child in your community. Imagine every child having their own library of 60 books by the time they go to kindergarten! View Survey Results From Previous Year! The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school. Each month, every registered child receives a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book through the mail, continuing until the child turns five years old. How it works: ALL children under the age of five residing in Muskegon, Newaygo, or Oceana Counties are eligible to participate. It is a FREE GIFT, made possible by generous donations to United Way of the Lakeshore. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library makes reading exciting and fun for your children! Each month a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home, with no cost or obligation to your family. This initiative is now a national and global program managed by the Dollywood Foundation and brought to our local community by United Way of the Lakeshore. She wanted children to be excited about books and feel the magic that books can create, and to ensure that every child would have access to quality books, regardless of their family’s income. Her dream was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month. In 1995, Dolly Parton launched an exciting initiative to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee. The books – all Penguin Random House titles – are chosen by a panel of early childhood literacy experts.What is the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program (DPIL)? The Imagination Library’s littlest participants’ love of books is fostered with colorful illustrations and simple texts, often rhymes having to do with animals or bedtime.īy the time a reader hits their final year of the program at age 5, the focus will have shifted to school readiness, with subjects including science, folktales, and poetry. Parents and guardians are encouraged to enroll them at birth. Participation can start well before a child is old enough to attempt their ABCs. Originally limited to children residing in Sevier County, Tennessee, the program has expanded to serve over 2,000,000 kids in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. Together with the community partners who secure funding for postage and non-administrative costs, the Book Lady has given away some 186,680,000 books since the project launched in 1995. Parton is convinced that her father, whose pride in her musical accomplishments was so great he drove over with a bucket of soapy water to clean the bronze statue her hometown erected in her honor, was prouder still of a nickname bestowed on her by the Imagination Library’s child beneficiaries – the Book Lady. I told him, “Daddy, there are probably millions of people in this world who don’t know how to read and write, who didn’t get the opportunity. Because of the weather and because of conditions, a lot of kids couldn’t go to school. Kids had to go to work in the fields to help feed the family. Parton explains how there was a time when schooling was never considered a given for children in the mountains of East Tennessee, particularly for those like her father, who came from a family of 15: Compliance: Compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards is essential for ensuring that data is managed appropriately and that organizations avoid legal or financial penalties.Security: Data security involves protecting data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction, through measures such as access controls, encryption, and data backup and recovery.Integrity: Data integrity means that data is accurate, consistent, and reliable, and that appropriate controls are in place to ensure its quality.Accessibility: Data should be accessible to those who need it, while also ensuring that access is appropriately restricted to protect sensitive information. 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