The Kershaw Skyline is one of the more popular low price, high volume models in Kershaw’s lineup, sitting in the same bracket as the Leek and more tactical looking Cryo. So, if you’re looking for a budget EDC that you don’t mind scuffing up a bit…read on.
In 1977, Kershaw Knives became a subsidiary of the KAI Group, and manufacturing of Kershaw Knives is done primarily out of Kai USA’s factory in Tualatin, Oregon, with some knives being produced overseas in Japanese and Chinese factories. The good news is that the Skyline is 100% manufactured in the USA!
- Blade length: 3.125 inches
- Overall length: 7.375 inches
- Closed length: 4.25 inches
- Weight: 2.5 ounces
- Blade material: 14C28N
- County of origin: USA
- Price range: About $35
Designed by Kershaw’s in-house designer Tommie Lucas, the Kershaw Skyline features a 3.1” long, 1/16” wide spear/drop point blade, with a 4.3” long handle. The overall length of the knife opened is 7.4”, and the Skyline is a mere 4.25” closed in your pocket.
The Skyline weighs only 2.5 ounces, so this knife will not, by any means, weigh you down when you carry it. With the clip installed on the knife, the Skyline is about .5” thick; without the clip, it is a mere 3/8” thick. This is an EDC knife that you can carry discretely, since it won’t make a noticeable bulge in jeans or slacks.
The Skyline’s blade has a spear-point shape with a slight drop and hollow (saber) ground. The blade is made from Sandvik 14C28N steel, a Swedish steel known for its high edge retention and sharpness factors. Kershaw used to fit these knives with the inferior 13C26 steel but that changed in around 2009.
Sandvik recommends 14C28N steel for such applications as chef’s knives, so the steel is designed to be readily sharpened to razor sharpness, with excellent edge performance, decent hardness, and impressive resistance to corrosion.
Sharpening is surprisingly low effort on the 14C28N too. Trust me when I say you’ll struggle to find a better steel on a knife in this price range. So far, so good.
Handle and Ergonomics
The Skyline’s handle is made from textured G-10 scales which are also nicely rounded-off to avoid any annoying sharp edges. G-10 is an advanced, modern fiberglass with excellent toughness and light weight. G-10 scales are typically so durable they are practically indestructible, which is something you typically want on an EDC knife.
The texture of the scales provides the Skyline with an excellent grip, so you don’t have to worry about the knife slipping out of your hands during use. Damn this thing is grippy! To add to this, the blade features a finger groove that your index finger can rest in, helping with grip and to prevent the knife from folding closed on your hand. You won’t find any jimping here but to be honest you don’t really need it on a knife of this size/weight.
Deployment and Lockup
Opening the Skyline can be done using either the ambidextrous thumb stud or the flipper. The thumb studs are not my favorite as they’re quite close to the handle which makes it tricky to pull off a swift opening with your thumb each time. I prefer the flipper.
Using the flipper, once you’ve practiced it a bit, you can flip the knife open quickly and easily using just your index finger. You won’t find any spring or mechanical assist here folks, this baby is manually opened by your fingers alone. Still, I’ve gotten opening this knife down to an exact science and can deploy the blade as quickly with just my index finger as I can any spring-assisted knife. Kershaw’s intelligent use of quality bushings pays off here.
The liner lock on the Kershaw Skyline is a bit of a unique design, only wrapping on one side of the blade. This keeps the weight down on the knife, and doesn’t seem to prevent the knife from staying open when in use. It locks up nice and tight, and the finger groove adds an additional layer of protection if you are nervous about the knife closing on you unexpectedly.
Features, Fit and Finish
The Kershaw Skyline comes with a reversible pocket clip and pre-drilled holes in the handle for tip-up or tip-down carry. It rides pretty low but not as low as some others I’ve seen (e.g. Leek).
The pocket clip is a bit tight at first, but loosens up just enough for easy use after a few days of carry. Like most knives, the Skyline does require a bit of a “breaking in” period for everything to work smoothly, and the pocket clip is the one that usually needs breaking in the most.
The important thing is that the pocket clip does not loosen up too much, as I’ve experienced with some EDC knives; it still retains the knife in my pocket when I need it to, even after months of everyday usage.
At this price point you’d expect only the bare minimum when it comes to fit and finish. I find many sub-$40 knives suffer from off-centered blades, poor production materials, significant blade play (or wiggle), weak locking mechanisms and generally uneven finished on the handle and blade. Not so with the Kershaw Skyline. I’m not saying this stands up to a premium EDC knife but in this price bracket I was very impressed. Everything seemed smooth, tight and even.
First thing that struck me in using the Kershaw Skyline is that’s it’s pretty well balanced. I often have people ask me what exactly I mean by “well balanced” so let me explain. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it will balance on my finger when placed between the blade and handle. A knife is well balanced when it’s comfortable to use in a variety of different styles, angles, grips, etc. The handle is not overly heavy nor too light. The blade is not overbearing nor too small. Everything just feels right in your hand.
I’ve used my Skyline for everything from cutting through cardboard to slicing apples at the chef’s station at camp, and the knife feels right every time. The hollow grind of the blade gives the edge a slightly concave shape that makes it very well suited for slicing.
The blade on the Kershaw Skyline is reasonably strong yet flexible, but its thin width means I would not recommend using this particular knife as a prying tool. That’s perhaps one downfall of the knife, but it’s a trade-off that has to be had to maintain it’s thin profile. I’ve used the Skyline for light prying, but I could see the blade snapping if you tried prying something with too much force.
In my real-world experiences, I was able to use the Skyline to cut through 10 or 15 long cardboard tubes easily, and still pass the ‘paper-test’ thereafter.
Kershaw Skyline vs Leek: Similar size and both made from 14C28N but the Leek has ‘assisted opening’ so it’s going to deploy a little quicker. Personally I find the blade shape of the Skyline to be better suited to EDC tasks than the Leek. Also prefer the G-10 handle on the Skyline to the more slippy steel handle on the Leek. BOTH great knives but the Skyline has the edge in my book.
Kershaw Skyline vs Spyderco Tenacious: The Tenacious is a thicker, heftier knife but also has great reviews and performs very well. Again, both great knives and I would go with the Tenacious if you need something a little more rugged, otherwise the slimmer Skyline wins.
Kershaw Skyline vs Blur: The Kershaw Blur is beefier, more durable and more solidly built with dual steel liners, aluminum scales, and thicker stock blade. Oh it’s a little pricier too. Similar equation here to the Tenacious comparison in that I would choose the Skyline over the Blur unless you need something with more muscle.
Make no mistake, the budget EDC segment is very crowded indeed. Even when you filter out the crap you’re still left with a pile of decent contenders. Thankfully, the US-made Skyline stands out from the crowd.
To sum everything up, I find the Kershaw Skyline to be an excellent EDC knife for someone with limited budget who doesn’t really want to advertise that they are carrying a knife. With or without the pocket clip, the knife is slim and lightweight, but the knife is still large enough to have a myriad of uses in the bush or in the garage.
The Skyline holds an edge quite well, the pocket clip is adjustable to your particular style of preferred carry, and the G-10 scales are grippy yet darned near impossible to break or mar. This is one of my favorite EDC knives, and for good reason—it’s robustly useful and small enough to fit in with all of the other things I need to carry in my pockets.
I see it’s currently priced around $40 but I’ve seen it drop as low as $30 from time to time. Either way it’s a deal. If you’ve never been a fan of EDC knives, give the Skyline a test spin. It might just make a believer out of you!
Pros: Nice size, lightweight, decent blade, great value for money
Cons: Somewhat weak tip, ineffective thumb studs
Bottom Line: With limited money to spend the Skyline is a no-brainer
It’s no surprise that Spyderco is one of our favorite brands here at BestPocketKnifeToday.com. The Colorado based company continues to demonstrate a dedication to high quality and innovation by designing folding knives that strike an acute balance between high performance and practicality. Still, not everything that leaves the Spyderco factory is perfect but every now and they produce a real winner.
I tend to look at a whole bunch of factors when deciding whether a pocket knife meets the gold standard. It has to be more than just sharp! In my earlier review of the Spyderco Tenacious I felt that they got the balance of quality, function and price almost perfect. For the budget EDC category I find the Tenacious is hard to beat. In moving to the higher end offerings there is one particular knife that is talked about a great deal in the community and it’s gathered a staunch following over the years. Of course, I’m talking about the Spyderco ParaMilitary 2.
I felt like a solid review of the ParaMilitary 2 was warranted because I’m often asked whether this knife lives up to the hype and is it worth the money? Also, I often get asked why this particular pocket knife is so damn popular? Well, I’ll attempt to explain that throughout the review. So, let’s get into it.
As you may have guessed, the ParaMilitary 2 is the successor to the original ParaMilitary which first debuted in 2004. The ParaMilitary came about primarily as critics complained about the overwhelming size of the otherwise highly regarded Military pocket knife. So, Spyderco released the ParaMilitary as a mid-sized version at two thirds the size of the Military. It had a top quality S30V blade which extended just over 3 inches long and accompanied by a G-10 handle with a first rate compression lock. The ParaMilitary really was at the top of its class for a mid-size survival knife.
So why the need for the ParaMilitary 2? Well, Spyderco is one of the few companies that continually strives to better itself and outperform on a regular basis. It rarely chooses to sit on its laurels and wait to be outshone by a competitor before bringing something new to market. The experts at Spyderco loved the ParaMilitary but knew they could do better and hence the ParaMilitary2 was born in 2010.
Below is a summary of the key changes made to the original ParaMilitary.
- The G-10 handle has been slimmed at the end to improve handling and overall ergonomics.
- There’s an upgraded pocket clip with 4-way positioning for tip up/down carry and left/right handed. The clip also positions the knife deeper into the pocket for increased concealment.
- They introduced skeletonized liners on both sides and in particular where it sandwiches the pivot area.
- The blade has been elongated a little and carries jimping on both the spine and finger choil.
- A new pivoting system with bushings has been added for an improved deployment action which is more fluid.
- The pivot pin is now recessed.
- The blade is slightly thinner and the corner no longer sticks out when closed.
- The lanyard hole has been made larger.
As you can see the differences are subtle but in aggregate they make for much improved performance and simply a better knife all round. Let’s get into some of the details…
- Blade length: 3.44 inches
- Overall length: 8.28 inches
- Closed length: 4.81 inches
- Weight: 3.75 ounces
- Blade material: S30V stainless steel
- Country of origin: USA
- Price range: About $150
The Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 is a mid-sized EDC (slightly on the larger end) measuring around 8.3 inches in total. It has a premium full flat ground plain edge blade which is manufactured with the remarkable S30V steel as standard. The blade measures about 3.4 inches in length with a cutting edge of just over 3 inches. I measured the blade to be about 0.15 inches thick. The handle is made of the ever popular G-10 material and measures around 4.8 inches long. It’s about half an inch thick and comes with stainless steel liners that are skeletonized. Retail price is about $120 which I’ve come to realize is somewhat of a bargain for this baby.
The ParaMilitary 2 is not particularly heavy for its size at 3.75 ounces. It feels tremendously stable and firm in the hand as you tend to expect from Spydie’s these days. The trademark Spyderco thumb hole is unusually large and a joy to use. The locking mechanism is a compression lock which I’ll touch on a little more later but overall works exceedingly well. The pocket clip is 4-way adjustable so you have the best of all worlds.
The design of the US made ParaMilitary 2 is really what sets it aside from the competition in my opinion. The original ParaMilitary was an excellent knife but this one is a real step up. Everything about this knife screams Spyderco from the moment you see it to when you perform your first cut. By that I mean it’s quality. You rarely see ergonomics work as well as this on a pocket knife. It’s tough to describe but everything about it just feels right.
I found my thumb and forefinger fell naturally at the thumb ramp and finger choil. You’ll find rounded corners everywhere and some nice jimping on the thumb ramp, finger choil and the liners placed behind the thumb ramp. The jimping has a pleasant feel tool – not too rough. No surprise to see that the blade is perfectly centered. Note the spine of the blade is perfectly flat contrary to the slightly curved appearance sometimes seen in pictures.
The Spydie hole is larger than normal and permits opening with gloves. The G-10 handle has just enough scaling to resist slipping without feeling uncomfortable. It’s for sure a larger EDC but you’re able to use it with the same maneuverability you have with a much smaller knife. Pick one up and you’ll know what I mean.
Overall fit and finish is excellent. Everything was tightly manufactured and I saw little to no “factory mishaps”. The blade is a real work of art. It’s basically a clip point (or some say saber style) with an extra long and pointed tip. Sure, it’s relatively big but the knife means business and you’ll find that length comes in handy more often than not.
The steel is one of my favorites on higher end knives – S30V. I assume most of you know what this is but if not just trust me when I say it’s damn good. The S30V performs very well indeed and arrived razor sharp as you’d expect. I’m consistently astounded at how sharp Spyderco is able to get its factory production knives to be. S30V is a relatively hard steel (though I notice this version is not as hard as I’ve seen on other knives) and will maintain its edge far longer than most all of your ‘cheaper’ knives I assure you. Yes it’s a little bit of a challenge to re-sharpen to the uninitiated but well worth it in the end.
I found the blade to be super effective at a multitude of cuts – slicing, stabbing, thrusting, chopping, you name it. The blade is ground very flat and to great effect. It has more of a belly than other Spyderco offerings such as the Delica. At first I was a little concerned that the tip seemed a little too thin, but after using it extensively and since I tend not to use my knives to pry things open then it wasn’t an issue and I actually welcomed the design.
Opening and closing is very impressive. It’s almost like it operates like an assisted opening knife – so easy, so smooth. The new bushing pivot system on the ParaMilitary 2 is nothing but high end and results in a sweet gliding motion that you wish all your knives had.
In speaking of the compression lock I was again very impressed. When it’s locked up this thing is solid, I mean rock solid. This type of lock should never fail under normal use. Technically the only reason it would fail is if the blade tang would crush the locking tab that fits within the slot in the tang. It’s really not possible under even the most extreme conditions. Imagine combining the liner lock of your Tenacious with the Axis lock of your Griptilian and you sort of have an idea of what’s involved here. In fact I’d put it in the same category as the locking system found on the Sebenza. A word of warning though – if your hands are on the larger side you may encounter the possibility of the lock pinching your palm. It’s not been a problem for me but a couple of buddies mentioned that to me. Still, easy to use, reliable, durable and extremely resistant to all kinds of abuse. Perfection.
In rounding off the rest of the details I find the lanyard hole to be very useful in that’s it’s a little bigger than normal and will take two lengths of 550 paracord easily. After many months of use I’m still super happy. I’ve had the blade deep in all kinds of “gunk” and find it real easy to clean with regular soap and water. After numerous cleanings like this the deployment action is still like it was when I first took it out of the box. It’s really built to last.
The knife comes in four standard varieties: black handle with stainless standard edge blade (C81GP2); black handle with black finish blade and clip (C81GPBK2); digital camo handle with stainless standard edge blade (C81GPCMO2); digital camo handle and black finish stainless blade and clip (C81GPCMOBK2).
I personally like the digital camouflage look with the black blade. You will also see a number of limited edition varieties such as with blue handle and M390 steel. Unfortunately even with all these varieties the sad truth is that the Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 is frustratingly hard to come by these days. You’ll typically find most retailers are out of stock. Bummer I know.
Spyderco Paramilitary 2 vs Manix 2: I find the Manix 2 equally comfortable in my hand compared to the PM2. The Manix 2 comes with more jimping so provides a little more traction. Also, the PM2’s pocket clip has four mounting positions versus only two on the Manix. Where the PM2 excels is the compression lock which is perhaps the best out there and superior to the Manix 2’s ball lock in my opinion. I also find it easier to open/close the Paramilitary 2 with one hand.
Spyderco Paramilitary 2 vs Benchmade Griptilian: It’s no secret the Griptilian is one of my favorites but overall the PM2 is simply a better knife. You’ll pay for it though, at roughly 1.5x the price. The Griptilian is comfortable but it feels totally different in your hands versus the PM2. The Grip fills your hand a little more but feels far more plasticky which can put some people off. The PM2 has superior steel (S30V vs 154CM) and while the Benchmade AXIS lock is excellent it’s sub-par against the PM2’s compression lock. Again, the PM2 wins overall here but perhaps not a fair match given the price difference.
Spyderco Paramilitary 2 vs Benchmade 940: Wow this is tough. Both formidable EDC’s but I give a slight edge to the PM2. The 940 is super light and thin in your pocket. It’s stainless steel handle won’t rip up your jeans as much as the PM2’s G-10 but at the sacrifice of far less grip. The PM2’s blade is better at cutting given the flat grind and extra belly versus the 940. Consider the 940 as a high performance gentleman’s knife whereas the PM2 is more of a tactical warrior.
To wrap up, for what you’re getting I find that the ParaMilitary 2 is easily one of the best value knives out there. This is clearly evidenced by the fact they these knives are often sold out and really quite hard to come by. Seriously people, if you see this knife on sale at your favorite online retailer (I check Amazon regularly) then you should consider grabbing it. If you just happen to see it for under $120 then don’t even think – just buy!
Pros: Superb ergonomics, feels nimble and light, excellent steel and blade shape, amazing locking mechanism, quality construction
Cons: The thin tip may not be suited for all applications
Bottom Line: If you can afford it, buy it. If you can’t, buy it anyway.
*update* after using this for a while im not overly impressed with the performance, the build quality is great but the AUS8 blade steel is just lacking when combined with such a small cutting surface.
(skip to 3:00 if you just want to see the knife)
Al Mar S.L.B. (Stout Little Backup)
STEEL: AUS 8. Rc 57-59
BLADE LENGTH: 1.75″
BLADE THICKNESS: .10″
WEIGHT: 1.5 oz. (mine weighs 1.9oz)
ACTION: Liner Lock
SCALES: Black Linen Micarta
CLIP: Black, S/S
Credit to: V6outdoors
Gerber Ripstop I
The Gerber Ripstop I is a lightweight knife with sleek, cool features. It’s skeleton frame of stainless steel gives the Ripstop I its bold design, and it’s why the knife is so light at 2 ounces. This doesn’t make it a flimsy knife. It’s solidly constructed and strong.
Gerber Gear is an American brand founded in 1939 and still manufacturing knives out of Portland, Oregon. They’ve been a brand that have built a reputation on quality craftsmanship and innovation. This legacy is apparent in the Ripstop I. It’s sleek form and innovative design far surpass other knives that try to be original and unique.
The Gerber Ripstop knife is a bit futuristic looking but it’s a fully functional knife that is easy to carry every day. The knife measures at an overall length of 5.75 inches. The size and low weight allows it to be a great EDC knife. It’s a delightful piece of steel to own, and it would make a great gift for a knife lover who might only have traditional knives.
The Gerber Ripstop 1 has a clip point stainless steel blade with a fine edge that can be sharpened easily. The blade is extremely sharp from the factory, but at some point it will need to be sharpened and the 440 steel Gerber uses on the Ripstop is quick to take an edge.
There’s two ways of opening the knife. The first way is to use the dual thumb studsto quickly flick the knife open one-handed. The second way is to use the square cut out opening at the top of the blade to pull the blade from its seating. Either way, the blade will open smoothly and locks tight into the open position.
The unique skeleton handle is made of stainless steel, but it has a polished, brushed steel look and not a cheap chrome or shiny coating that will become scuffed. The brushed steel gives it a luxurious finish. The handle has a regular sized pivot screw but with an embellishment that makes the pivot screw look larger and more interesting.
The Gerber Ripstop has a very strong pocket clip that rides high on the knife so that the knife itself isn’t visible above the pocket line. This gives the knife a discreet appearance, which is important in some situations. An every day carry knife does not always have to be obvious.
The handle has a length of 3.4 inches. This is relatively small for an EDC, and it’s great for an inconspicuous carry. This knife is comfortable in larger hands, but it might be more comfortable in smaller hands. This is something to consider when buying the knife for yourself or for a gift.
•The Gerber Ripstop I is very lightweight.
•It has a unique handle design for showing off to friends. It’s the perfect knife for a collector.
•The blade length is under the requirements for most every day carry knives.
•The clip allows the knife to ride low in the pocket.
•The handle might be more comfortable in smaller hands.
•It’s so lightweight that some owners might forget they are wearing a knife.
While many collectors have traditional knives that are heavy and bulky, they might not have a streamlined, skeleton handle like the Ripstop. One guy mentioned that he felt a little like Mad Max carrying the knife. If you know someone who might want to have a fun, little knife in their collection that still does fine cutting work, the Ripstop I is perfect. A birthday, Father’s Day or an anniversary are all perfect times to give that special someone a bold, unique gift like the Ripstop.
The Verdict on the Gerber Ripstop I
While the Gerber Ripstop I may seem too lightweight to perform every day tasks, it’s not. The design is unique and bold, yet sturdy and strong. This isn’t a flimsy knife that is a pleasure to look at only. It’s a knife created to be the perfect EDC knife. It’s pleasant to look at, a delight to show off to friends and still a great knife for performing basic cutting tasks. The Ripstop I doesn’t give up functionality just because it’s a beautifully designed knife.
Credit to: Pocket Knife Life
Benchmade Griptilian 551 Folding EDC Knife Review
You can get your Griptilian from Blade HQ here.
The Benchmade Griptilian has been a mainstay in the Benchmade catalog for many years, and its reputation as an excellent EDC knife has always been touted. It’s an extremely utilitarian knife, both practical and neutral from top to bottom, making it as functional of an everyday carry knife as you’re really ever going to get. Available in a wide variety of options, from different sizes to different colours, as well as other slightly varied features, it seems to me that if you’re in the market for a Benchmade Griptilian, you’ll find at least one that suits you just right.
Benchmade Griptilian Folding Everyday Carry Knife – Amazon
When I first held the Griptilian, the first thing I noticed is how light it really is. At 3.8 ounces (108 grams), it’s truly a remarkable weight, especially taking into account how meaty the blade is for an everyday carry knife.
The overall length of the Benchmade Griptilian is 20.3 cm (8 inches). The blade is a solid 8.8 cm (3.45 inches) of that. It’s a nice change to review a knife where more or less all of the blade has an edge. Very little to no space is wasted, and for its size, this knife packs a lot of cutting power.
The handles are the biggest, and really the only, draw back to the Griptilian. The scales are made of a material called Noryl GTX. To be honest I don’t care very much for branded names, to me the handles are just plastic, and unfortunately, unlike the Spyderco Endura & Delica, the Griptilian scales really feel like plastic, in that cheap, hollow sorta way.
A lot of this has to do to the way the scales are molded, with arches and nested liners that don’t travel across the entire length of the handle. It’s a shame, but realistically, this lightweight construction has to have some sort of downside. Luckily, the downside is worth the extremely lightweight end result.
The Griptilian comes in many different flavors. My Griptilian, the 551, features standard thumb studs. They are removable, are attached using torx screws, and function extremely well.
It’s worth bearing in mind that if you love the idea of the Griptilian, but not the deployment method, you do have the option of getting one with a hole. The Benchmade Griptilian 550 features a Spyderco-like hole, making deployment much easier if it’s what you’re used to. Options are always nice, and with the Griptilian you have many of them: from color, to steel, to size, to handle material, and finally, even the hole as well. Impressive variety; good job on that Benchmade.
The axis lock on the Benchmade Griptilian disengages unbelievably smoothly. If you’re even considering purchasing this knife, you should pick it up and give it a shot. It’s almost glass smooth and I found myself flicking the knife open and closed so many times that Elise got annoyed and confiscated it from me for the evening.
I also own the Benchmade Adamas, and by comparison, the action on the Griptilian is much much smoother. Actually, I don’t think I own another knife that comes close to being as smooth as this. Damn nice.
The clip on the Griptilian is extremely good looking in a very old school sorta way. Reminds me a lot of the Emerson style clips. Functionally, it doesn’t carry deep like a Spyderco Sage would, but it’s discreet enough for everyday use.
The Benchmade Griptilian’s 154CM 8.8 cm (3.45 inch) blade is very well ground, with a very lean saber hollow that’s barely noticeable and is actually almost a flat. The knife does have uniform grind marks under the stonewash, but in terms of pure function, I saw absolutely no defects or imperfections. Nice.
The tip is a good compromise between having a needle point and a good all round EDC blade. It’s tough enough for everyday tasks, but certainly don’t pry with it.
Balance on the Griptilian is, for all intents and purposes, perfect. Another reason why 99% of knives should use nested liners as the Griptilian does.
Centering was terrible, but functionally, honestly that doesn’t matter. The knife functions perfectly, and the blade does not drag against the handles. Adjustments with the pivot proved futile, so I left it as is.
As you may remember from the Spyderco Military review I did (yes, if you’re new around here, I do have a lot of Spydercos), I have nothing but love for nested liners. The Griptilian is the perfect example of this. It’s almost absurdly light at 3.76 ounces (106.6 grams), and that’s no small part due to its nested construction.
Interestingly, the jimping on the Noryl GTX (similar to Grivory) handles happen to be sharper and more aggressive than the jimping on the steel liners. Nicely manufactured, I like it.
Deployment of the Benchmade Griptilian is ridiculously fast. The glassy action on the axis lock makes the blade lash out like a demon out of hell. It’s a wonderfully smooth mechanism, and I gotta admit I am pretty addicted to it! Hands down, the deployment is one of my favourite things about this knife.
Absolutely no choil to speak of on the Griptilian. The heel of the blade is sharp, and should the lock fail, although it is extremely unlikely, say goodbye to your digits.
In saber grip, the Griptilian is very natural, with extremely strong retention due to the neutral ergonomics of the handle, as well as the generous amount of jimping scattered all over the knife. There’s just no way this knife will slip out of your grip. Mel Pardue really thought through the ergonomics when he was designing the Griptilian.
Choking up on the blade is average in comfort. The guard sweeps down relatively aggressively, so the point does tend to bite into your pointer finger. The Griptilian is obviously biased toward a saber grip, and taking into account how comfortable the saber grip was, I see nothing wrong with that.
Reverse grip is extremely neutral and much like the saber grip: very comfortable.
Pinching up on the blade would have been comfortable were it not for the thumb stud digging into my flesh. That being said, I am not sure you would want to use this knife for field dressing game anyway, as blood and other fluids may find themselves inside the axis lock mechanism. I haven’t used this knife for messy tasks so if anyone has used an axis lock around blood and entrails, please let me know how the clean-up was.
If you’re thinking of giving the axis lock a try (and I fully recommend that you do), the Benchmade Griptilian is an excellent reference. Its smoothness when disengaging is on another level, so if you’re a sucker for that kind of thing, you’ve gotta test this one out.
Benchmade has been a dominant knife manufacturer from the very beginnings of my interest in knives. The Griptilian is quite likely Benchmade’s single most purchased knife, and so, like many others, the very first Benchmade I owned was a Griptilian. It only takes a short amount of use to see why this one is has been a mainstay in the Benchmade line up. From its neutral ergonomics to its glassy smooth action, this knife is an excellent, extremely practical everyday carry folder, and whilst I do wish the price point was a touch lower, I have no regrets purchasing it.
I just wanted to take another look at my Spyderco Dragonfly.
Overall Length: 5.44″
Blade Length: 2.31″
Blade Material: VG-10 (Stainless)
Lock: Front Lock
Closed Length: 3.22″
Handle Material: Foliage Green G10
Weight: 2.00 oz.
Country of Origin: Japan
Thanks for watching!
Credits to: BT Blades
The plain-Jane Spyderco Endura 4 may be lacking in exotic blade steel and handle material but it is a classic design that is nearing it’s 25th Anniversary! The original Spyderco Endura was released in 1990 and in the decades since it has become the standard bearer for the modern pocket clip EDC knife.
- 4-way Clip; Screw together construction; Skeletonized steel internal liners; Phosphor bronze brushings; David Boye Dent
- FRN Bi-Directional Textured(TM) Handle; Enlarged opening hole; Spine Jimping; Flat saber-ground blade
- Specifications: Closed – 5″; Overall 8-3/4″; Blade – 3-3/4″; Blade Steel – VG-10
- Weight – 3.6 oz.; Handle Material – FRN
- Hole Diameter – 1/2″; Blade Thickness – 1/8″; Plain Edge
The Spyderco Endura 4 has excellent ergonomics. The funky handle shape will never be confused for the classic lines of a Buck 110 but it just feels right in your hand. I’ve carried one model of the Endura or another since getting my first one in 2002 and I’ve yet to find one that offers anything but comfort in all grips.
The Spyderco Endura 4 introduced what is called “bi-directional” texturing to the Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) handle. This is an excellent design and I think it really elevates what might be considered a low end handle material into something special. It makes for a positive grip in any reasonable way you might hold onto the knife
The blade on the Spyderco Endura 4 is made of VG-10 steel. Vg-10 is no longer considered a super steel but it still beats out a lot of the competition especially when Spyderco’s excellent heat treatment is factored in (More Than Just Surviving recently had an excellent post on Super Steels, it is worth a look if you are into EDC knives).
The plain-Jane Spyderco Endura 4 has a Sabre grind instead of the Full Flat Grind that a lot of the other Enduras have (Spyderco Endura 4 FFG or the Spyderco Endura 4 ZDP-189). This gives the Spyderco Endura 4 a bit more overall blade strength particularly in the tip where the full flat ground blades are so delicately thin. I wouldn’t start prying open ammo boxes with it but the extra tip strength is noticeable.
In knife circles these days there is a lot of negative hype about the simple lock back style lock that the Spyderco Endura 4 has. I’m not one to bash on it. I think that the Spyderco Endura 4 is clearly an EDC knife and as such I don’t expect to have to take on the Stygian Hordes with it. For all but the most extreme tasks the lock back will be fine. It does have a small David Boye dent for a little more piece of mind that you won’t some how disengage the lock while using the knife. In my personal use I have never accidentally disengaged any lock back folder, so I really think this is just Internet hype.
Carrying The Spyderco Endura 4
What can I say about carrying the Spyderco Endura 4? It is light and compact, it’s 4-way adjustable pocket clip conforms to any typical style of carry, and it lacks any pocket shredding hot spots. I can’t even nit pick on it. It might be a tad big for some office environments but it’s smaller cousin the Spyderco Delica 4 is for the indoor crowd.
The Spyderco Endura 4 is a 4.5 out of 5 STARS in my book. It is one of the first knives to combine the features that would become standard in EDC knives. It has a premium steel, a pocket clip, is comfortable to carry, and has a good grip/ergonomics. It only loses out of a 5 Star rating due to the Sabre Grind. In my mind the enhanced cutting ability of the FFG models is what elevates them to 5 Star status. Having said that I still carry my old faithful Spyderco Endura 4 on a regular basis as it has become an old friend by now.
Spyderco Delica 4 FFG
The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG is an awesome piece of resin and steel, and wholly deserving of a review!
The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG is essentially a smaller version of the excellent Spyderco Endura 4 FFG, of which I am an unabashed fan! The Delica’s blade shape differs a little bit from the Endura’s, but if you are familiar with the Endura the Delica will seem like an old friend.
The Full Flat Ground version is a special edition of the Spyderco Delica 4. Spyderco has taken the regular Delica 4 and added a full flat grind on the blade and offers it in a variety of colors.
- 7.125-inch open length
- 4.25-inch closed length
- 2.875-inch VG-10 steel blade
- 2.56-inch cutting edge
- 0.5-inch blade hole
- 0.09-inch blade thickness
- 2.5-ounce weight
- FRN handle material
In my review of the Spyderco Endura 4 FFG I raved about what a good job Spyderco had done in achieving such a lightweight carry knife. Well, all of what I said still holds true but it goes double for the Spyderco Delica 4 FFG! The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG is an incredibly svelte 2.5 ounces. To achive this Spyderco has gone with their excellent Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) as a handle material and the knife has skeletonized liners.
The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG is also blessed with an excellent bi-directional texturing job on the handle. In conjunction with some well placed jimping the Spyderco Delica 4 FFG is glued to your hand whether you have gloves on or not.
The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG has an amazingly thin VG-10 blade. VG-10 isn’t a gee-whiz wonder steel anymore but it is a favorite of mine. It sharpens to an almost unbelievably razor sharpness and has decent edge retention. It isn’t nigh indestructible like the M4 on my Benchmade Contegobut it is more than adequate for a lightweight EDC knife. It does sharpen a lot easier than something like S30v.
Like a lot of Spyderco’s the Delica 4 FFG has a bit of a funky blade shape but it works well for me as an EDC knife. The oversized Spyderhole makes opening the Spyderco Delica 4 FFG a breeze under all conditions. The blade doesn’t have enough mass to SNAP open with a flick but with some practice it can be flicked open pretty fast.
The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG should not be used for prying under ANY circumstances! The thin blade is just dying to break under some misuse. Just use it as the superior slicer that it is and be happy!
The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG gets through life with just a lock back to keep the blade open. For a light use knife like the Spyderco Delica 4 FFG I think it is more than adequate. The Delica 4 FFG is just plain doesn’t need a super heavy duty lock as it really isn’t meant for heavy use. I you are looking to storm the castle armed only with a pocket knife and a loin cloth the Spyderco Delica 4 FFG isn’t for you.
Carrying The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG
The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG practically disappears into my pocket. Those 2.5 ounces are easy to forget about until you need it. The blade is ultra sharp and handles light cutting tasks with ease. In my daily work the Spyderco Delica 4 FFG excels at cutting rope, twine, and opening boxes. In a pinch I’ve used to strip some cable but feel that there are a bunch of heavier tools for that job but the Delica 4 FFG did make it through the ordeal.
The Spyderco Delica 4 FFG is another 5 out of 5 Stars EDC knife. It is a joy to carry in your pocket so it will be there when you need it and it’s highly capable VG-10 blade will handle most daily cutting chores. As long as you understand that it isn’t a prybar the Spyderco Delica 4 FFG will give years of faithful service.


Threaded Barrel Shroud
Regular Price $42.80 As low as $36.38
Barrel shrouds that will take an ordinary gun to the next level.
The Threaded Barrel Shroud fits AR-10, AR-15, S&W M&P15-22, and other rifles with threaded barrels, and is offered in multiple lengths and 1/2-28 TPI threaded or non threaded versions.
Non Threaded version fits S&W M&P15-22 Only.
Note: Not available for international sales.
- Black, hard-coat anodized finish to MIL-SPEC Type III.
- Quickly and easily threads onto your barrel.
- Does not lengthen the barrel.
- Does not quiet the firearm.
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text:
From New York Times bestselling Shel Silverstein, celebrated creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up, comes an amazing collection of never-before-published poems and drawings.
Have you ever read a book with everything on it? Well, here it is! You will say Hi-ho for the toilet troll, get tongue-tied with Stick-a-Tongue-Out-Sid, play a highly unusual horn, and experience the joys of growing down.
What's that? You have a case of the Lovetobutcants? Impossible! Just come on in and let the magic of Shel Silverstein bend your brain and open your heart.
And don't miss Runny Babbit Returns, the new book from Shel Silverstein!
"Sinopsis" puede pertenecer a otra edición de este libro.
Amazon Exclusive: A Q&A with Toni Markiet, Shel Silverstein’s Longtime Editor
Q: What was the first book you worked with Shel Silverstein on?
Markiet: The first book was The Missing Piece in 1976. I was the assistant to his editor at that time, Edite Kroll. Was I lucky!
Q: What was his creative process like and how did you two work together?
Markiet: I remember most clearly that Shel was meticulous in every aspect of a book... the trim size, the paper, the binding and of course, the contents. No piece of the whole was too small to consider carefully. He looked at every spread to be sure art and text were positioned the best way possible. And, he considered every word and expression until it, and the whole text, was just right. I learned how a book is made in the best possible way.
Q: Shel passed away in 1999 but more than ten years later you’re publishing Every Thing On It, which includes tons of his never-before-seen poems and drawings. Can you tell us how this project came to be?Markiet: Over the years, Shel continued to write and draw and work on poems. He left a rich archive of finished material. In the past few years, the Silverstein family has allowed us to unveil some of these in special editions of both Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic. The response was so amazing that the family felt it was now the right time to publish this book.
Q: What is your favorite poem from Every Thing On It?
Markiet: This is an almost impossible question to answer but if pressed, I will say “Mer-Maid.”Book Description:
Shel Silverstein, beloved author of the acclaimed and bestselling poetry collections Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up, will have a brand-new book of poetry published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in September 2011. This is only the second original book to be published since Silverstein’s passing in 1999. With more than one hundred and thirty never-before-seen poems and drawings completed by the cherished American artist and selected by his family from his archives, this collection will follow in the tradition and format of his acclaimed poetry classics.
Generations have grown up with the works of Shel Silverstein, known not only as a poet and illustrator but also for his work as a cartoonist, playwright, performer, recording artist, and Grammy Award–winning songwriter. He has encouraged children to dream and dare to imagine the impossible with his extraordinary poetry and unforgettable characters. Now fans will have a chance to discover even more riches, and new readers will delight in the timeless magic of his works.
"Sobre este título" puede pertenecer a otra edición de este libro.
Descripción 2011. HRD. Estado de conservación: New. New Book. Shipped from US within 10 to 14 business days. Established seller since 2000. Nº de ref. de la librería VC-9780061998164
Descripción 2011. HRD. Estado de conservación: New. New Book.Shipped from US within 10 to 14 business days. Established seller since 2000. Nº de ref. de la librería IB-9780061998164
Descripción Harper Collins Publishers. Estado de conservación: New. Brand New. Nº de ref. de la librería 0061998168
Descripción HarperCollins 9/20/2011, 2011. Hardback or Cased Book. Estado de conservación: New. Every Thing on It. Book. Nº de ref. de la librería BBS-9780061998164
Descripción HarperCollins, 2011. Hardcover. Estado de conservación: New. Never used!. Nº de ref. de la librería 0061998168
Descripción HarperCollins, 2011. Hardcover. Estado de conservación: New. Brand New!. Nº de ref. de la librería 0061998168
Descripción HarperCollins. Hardcover. Estado de conservación: New. 0061998168. Nº de ref. de la librería Z0061998168ZN
Descripción HarperCollins. Hardcover. Estado de conservación: New. 0061998168 BRAND NEW, GIFT QUALITY! NOT OVERSTOCKS OR MARKED UP REMAINDERS! DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHER!|1.6. Nº de ref. de la librería OTF-S-9780061998164
Descripción Estado de conservación: New. Nº de ref. de la librería ria9780061998164_ing
Descripción Hardcover. Estado de conservación: New. Hardcover. "A spider lives inside my headWho weaves a strange and wondrous webOf silken threads and silver stringsTo catch all sorts of flying things,Like crumbs of thought and bits of smilesAnd.Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. 208 pages. 0.726. Nº de ref. de la librería 9780061998164

domain: artistic


text:
So many young people, so few good jobs
Policies to promote better jobs for the country’s huge under-35 population may hold the key to the country’s economic development
India’s biggest economic asset is fast turning into its most daunting challenge: hundreds of millions of young people. Two-thirds of India’s 1.2 billion people are below 35 years of age. That’s more than two times the total U.
S. population. Unlike Japan, China and Europe, whose working-age populations have peaked, India’s is growing and is estimated to become the world’s largest. But the world’s second-most-populous country is struggling to tap this demographic dividend.

domain: sociology


text:
nam shub is a text processor and performance system. it takes the textual content and applies user defined rules to generate visual-, sound- and concrete abstract poetry out of it. these rules consist of operations that change the text or modify the visual appearance.
it is designed as a tool for both creators and performers of text and language oriented arts. you could see it as a combination of a modular live performance system like PD and a text processor.
common text processor programs (like MS Word, Open Office etc.) only offer a very limited range of real text processing tools:
so i rather took my inspiration from music and graphic programs. they usually offer features like:
- realtime interactivity
- scriptable and chainable operations
- lots of different operations
i added functions to remove vowels/consonants, change the order of letters, split words into syllables, random operations on word and letter level, complex substitution and text synthesis etc.
all these functions can be combined and chained trough a powerful scripting language.
nam shub - a text creation and performance environment
the paper about my the software
download nam shub mini - a very limited small branch of the software
windows, english version
windows, german version
OS X 10.5 (might work with 10.4 not sure), english version
or try nam shub micro
- an even more limited online version of the software.


text:
You are hereHome ›
RAHS golfer set to play in state tournament
The final week of the high school sports season in Minnesota is upon us and one athlete from Roseville Area High School is still playing.
Senior Sean Landkamer participates in the state golf tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids. A senior, Landkamer tees off Tuesday at 12:54 on the East Course.
Landkamer qualified for the state tournament thanks to his fourth-place finish in the individual standings at the Section 4AAA tournament on May 27 and 29 at Bunker Hills. Landkamer carded a two-day score of 152 to finish in a tie for fourth place with Cretin-Derham Hall’s Elias Weber.
White Bear Lake’s Mason Fiddle won the individual section title with a score of 145. White Bear also won the section team championship by four shots over runner-up Hill-Murray.
Landkamer is in the state tournament for the second time. He played in the 2012 state tournament as a member of the Roseville boys team that won the section title that year.
At the 2012 tournament, Landkamer shot a two-day score of 169 (Day one: 38-46 — 84; day two: 42-43 — 85). He finished in a three-way tie for 80th and posted the team’s fourth-best score. Also playing in the tournament that year for Roseville were Tony Tilleson, Robb Stautz, Tommy McCann and Andrew Paul.

domain: news


text:
Story: Mar 03, 2015
Ceramics designers learned skills, gained confidence at CIA
CIA Exhibition: Feb 13, 2015
69th Annual Student Independent Exhibition
Story: Feb 18, 2015
CIA students create appealing designs for co-working space
Events: Feb 24, 2015
CIA Financial Aid Nights
Social: about 18 hours ago via Facebook
This Friday evening from 6-9pm, CIA Photo + Video students invite you to a closing reception for their exhibition, Happened Then, Happening NOW, at Micro Art Sp...
Story: Jan 09, 2015
Time-lapse video shows completion of major construction on n...
Events: Mar 06, 2015 @ 78th Street Studios in Cleveland, Ohio
Photography + Video Exhibition Closing Reception
Story: Nov 03, 2014
CIA video shows off new Uptown Residence Hall
Alumni . Alumni Profiles
Internationally recognized glass artist Marc Petrovic '91 is an assistant professor and chair of the Cleveland Institute of Art's Glass Department.
Widely regarded as a leader in the glass art field, Petrovic has been a full-time studio artist for 23 years. His work is held in numerous private collections and in public collections including the Museum of Arts and Design, New York City; Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York; Niijima Museum of Glass, Tokyo; The Mint Museum, Charlotte; Racine Art Museum; Tacoma Museum of Glass, and many others.
He is represented by Heller Gallery in New York City; Thomas R. Riley Gallery in Cleveland; Habatat Galleries in Royal Oak, Michigan; Imago Gallery in Palm Desert, California; Reynolds Gallery in Richmond, Virginia;Dane Gallery on Nantucket in Massachusetts; eo Art Lab in Chester, Connecticut; and Admiralty Gallery in Vero Beach, Florida.expand collapse
As founder and president of a multi-disciplinary design firm, René’s portfolio includes hundreds of successful products for companies across the globe, including Rubbermaid, Ninja, and Fisher Price. Creative problem solving, and a sense of balance, are both traits that René attributes to his CIA education.expand collapse
New York-based artist Mark Reigelman '06 was recently recognized for creating one of the country’s top 10 public artworks in 2010. His foundation gives three-dimensional form to his highly-acclaimed concepts. Mark, a renaissance artist, creates work across myriad art forms. He has installed at the Cleveland Museum of Art's summer solstice party two years in a row. His product designs include original pieces that you can find in New York and Paris boutiques; he crafts pieces for elite exhibitions; and he even designs interiors. Mark credits much of his success to his education at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where faculty encouraged him to take art and design classes outside of his major and bring those experiences back to his artwork. The results of his artistic exploration are unique—and award winningexpand collapse
As one of the leading tattoo artists in the country, Paul Timman '95 has tattooed many celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Ben Affleck, and Drew Barrymore. His sought-after tribal and traditional Japanese designs are now part of a unique line of dishware from Ink Dish.expand collapse
Jennifer Trausch, a 2000 Cleveland Institute of Art graduate, is the Director of Photography at the 20X24 Studio in New York City. This former Polaroid studio is the only facility in New York that offers one-of-a-kind large-format analog technology. Jen has directed the studio operations for more than five years.
In large-format photography, according to Jen, "many artists feel that the tonal nuances produced by Polaroid 20x24 film are impossible to capture with digital means. In some ways digital is too perfect, and many artists still yearn for the uniqueness and personality of large-scale Polaroid prints."
Successful as a large-format photographer herself, Jen uses the camera she manages to produce her own work that is exhibited around the world.expand collapse


Samsung ln-t3242h.Samsung LNT3242H – 32″ LCD TV Manuals
32″ LCD HDTV.Samsung LN-T42H Specs – CNET
Samsung LN-TH LNTHX/XAA. Samsung LN-TH lnth. Samsung LN-TH lnth. Samsung LN-TH lnthxxaa. Samsung LN-TH lnthx. Samsung LN-TH lnth. Samsung LN-TH. SAMSUNG BRAND LCD TV PRODUCTS. This SAMSUNG brand product, as supplied and distributed by SAMSUNG and delivered new, in the original carton to the original consumer purchaser, is warranted by SAMSUNG against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for a limited warranty period of: (90 Days Parts and Labor for Commercial Use) This. The Samsung LN-TH is a space- and cost-efficient HDTV for your bedroom, office, or den. It demonstrates how how much more performance and flexibility the latest LCD TVs : Samsung.
Samsung ln-t3242h.Samsung LNTH – 32″ LCD TV Manuals | ManualsLib
Samsung LN-TH lnth. Samsung LN-TH lnth. Samsung LN-TH lnthxxaa. Samsung LN-TH lnthx. Samsung LN-TH lnth. Samsung LN-TH lnth. Samsung LN-TH. I already have a Samsung LN-SD (40″, p) for the family room and I bought the LN-TH for my bedroom. It is noticeably lower picture quality than the big Samsung; it’s not just the lower resolution – I only ever watch i content anyway/5. For anyone looking for a great value on a p HDTV, Samsung’s model LNTH inch flat-panel LCD is an excellent choice. As Samsung’s entry level inch LCD, it offers a dynamic contrast ratio, a degree viewing angle, an 8ms response time panel, 3 HDMI inputs, and SRS TruSurroundXT from two side speakers/5(65).
Meet Steve Kindig
Samsung LN-TH 32″ LCD HDTV at Crutchfield
Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. Samsung LN-TH lnth.
Samsung LN-TH lnthxxaa. Samsung LN-TH lnthx. Post a comment. Remote Control Type. Supported Devices. Remote Control Technology. Second remote control type. Video Technology. TFT active matrix. Progressive Scan. Widescreen Modes. Color Temperature Control. Connections Type. Connector Type. Connector Location. Miscellaneous Color.
Color Category. Flat Panel Mount Interface. Audio Audio Controls. Component features V-Chip Control. TV Tuner Channel Coverage. Multi-channel Preview. TV Tuner Presence. HDTV Tuner. Tuners Configuration. Digital TV Tuner. Analog TV Tuner. Closed Caption Capability. Stereo Reception System. Header Brand. Product Line. TV System Additional Features.
Television Type. LCD TV. Video Interface. PC Interface. VGA HD Diagonal Class. Diagonal Class metric. Display Format. Total Pixels. Response Time. Image Aspect Ratio. Dynamic Contrast Ratio. Display Menu Language. English, French, Spanish. HDCP Compatible. Analog Video Input Signals. Input Video Formats. Supported Computer Resolutions. Parental Channel Lock. Additional Features. Audio System Sound Output Mode.
Surround Mode. Sound Effects. Yes 5-band. Speaker System. Antenna Type. Radio Type. DVD Type. USB Ports Qty. Speaker System Details Speaker Type. Speaker Qty.
Speaker Form Factor. Power Device Type. Nominal Voltage. AC V. Frequency Required. Power Consumption Operational. Battery Type. Stand Design. Shipping Depth. Shipping Height.
Width Shipping. General Video Interface. Timer Functions. TV Tuner. Sustainability Greenpeace policy rating Nov


text:
Online pokie is the boon for the gamblers who do not find any chance to visit the casinos at regular interval of time and I am one of them. I am in the habit of going to the casinos whenever I get time and if circumstance does not allow me I access through online to get the full entertainment when I get bored.
The game which I go for the play is the South Park and I think it is the best one for me and also for them who want to make their start. Actually this one is based on the famous TV series of cartoon show. I have watched all season and episodes of the show on TV and you can also watch the same through YouTube. After going through the review I made the download of the app in my android phone and access through it from anywhere and anytime when I feel.
This one will give the feel as if you are watching the show and music of this one is out of the world. This one is featured with five reels and twenty five paylines video slot event with the feature of free spins, bonus, wild symbols and many more. You will get the animated characters named as Kyle, Cartman, Stan and Kenny who will help you in getting the big prize.
You will also get the symbols of the traditional face cards of the playing cards such as nine, ten, king, ace, queen and many more. The simple thing which you will have to do is make the hit of the symbols. You will get many attractive prizes and sometime some amount of real cash too. One advice which I would like to share with all the users, do not make the use of the gambling world for making real cash leaving behind your responsibilities.
Koi Princess Slot Machine
Koi Princess is a slot game that features anime themes by NetEnt. It looks and plays great and offers fantastic prizes and payouts. You can win steady wins with 20 pay lines, but the bonus features make Koi Princess so popular.
The playing card symbols are the foundation of the Koi Princess slot’s success. These symbols pay at an increasing rate and pay at a variable rate. For example, ten pays five, twenty, and 100 coins, respectively, for spinning three, four, or five reels. The Jack earns five coins for matching three reels adjacently, 25 for turning four, and 110 for creating a line of five.
The Queen, King, and Ace in the Pack are three big players. They all get the following:
- Queen = five coins per three, 30 for four, and 120 for five.
- King = 10 coins per three, 40 per four, and 140 for five.
- Ace = 10 coins per three, 50 for four, and 160 for five.
Next up are the Japanese artifacts. The Gold Coins pay 20, 75, and 200 coins for spinning three, four, or five times respectively. While the Gold Coins pay 20, 75, and 200 coins for spinning five times, the Gold Coins pay 20, 50, and 200 coins, respectively, and the Gold Coins for turning five times, four, and five times respectively. The two idols, the Green Idol and the Orange Idol, each earn 30 coins, 100 coins, and 250 coins, respectively.
The Koi Princess is the scatter symbol, and she is very generous. For spinning five of her, players can win up to 400 coins. There are smaller prizes for matching two (2), three (40), or four (400) currencies.
The Wild symbol is last but not least. It pays a top prize worth 500 coins. For every two Wilds you earn, you will receive four coins, 100 coins, and 300 coins, respectively.
The Bonus Bet function is available in the Koi Princess slot machine. This will double the cost of every spin and increase your chances of winning a Random Feature or Bonus Feature. Bonus Bets will increase the value of the Bonus Wheel and the prizes in the Sure Win free spins round. Although I don’t know how it affects the RTP percentage of the Bonus Wheel, it will make the odds for the player slightly better.
There are also four Random Features in the Koi Princess Slot game. Each one has its superpower. Players can win one free spin with the 5-Hit symbol, which includes a five-symbol win and a random character or bet line.
The Random Wild will give you a free spin and 4-9 overlay wilds randomly placed on your reels. Wild Reels allows you to cover any number between two and five reels with overlaying wilds. Bonus Activation features award one free spin and offers three bonus symbols with one randomly awarded bonus symbol.
You will receive a random bonus feature if you spin three bonus symbols on reels 1 through 5. You can also get Sure Win Free Spins and Wild Reels Free Spins. Coin Win is another option. Players are entitled to ten Sure Win Free Spins. Each spin’s win is equal to the Sure Win session.
In addition to overlay wilds covering 1-5 reels of your reels randomly, you will also be awarded Wild Reels Bonus Spins. TheirYou will receive 10 Wild Reels free spins if you trigger this feature. Position and amount will change for every spin to maximize your winning potential.
The Bonus Wheel allows players to win coins and activate two bonus features, Sure Win and Wild Reels. There are a variety of prizes you can navigate to on the wheel, and you can win a bonus or payout.
The Coin Win is an instant win of random coins. The Koi Princess slot will appeal to anime lovers or those who love old-fashioned places.”Ganbarou” means good luck!

domain: game


text:
Financial Fraud, Far Too Common
Upon his capture in 1934, bank robber Willie Sutton was asked by FBI agents why he robbed banks. Sutton’s blunt response was “because that’s where the money is.” Since that statement and throughout history, the same rationale of stealing from the most direct source of money has perpetuated acts of financial fraud. However, financial fraud is not how Hollywood may portray the outlaw bank robbers of Sutton’s day, instead typically involves flagrant abuses of trust that robs people of their homes, means of support and life’s savings.
“The impact of financial crime is not confined to Wall Street—and many times the victims of fraud have worked hard and played by established investment rules, only to see their retirement and life savings vanish at hands of white-collar criminals.” — Former Attorney General Eric Holder
Major financial fraud schemes, from Enron to Bernie Madoff, have mired the first decades of this century. These devastating frauds, among others, have produced a few realizations. First, the interconnectivity of the modern financial system can allow a defect in one sector of the economy to have a domino effect, potentially bringing down the entire system. Second, to guard against this threat, laws must be enacted to criminalize the specific malfeasance that can lead to financial fraud, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Dodd-Frank Act are the primary examples. Third, even the most vigilant law enforcement agencies cannot effectively enforce these laws on their own, but need substantial help from whistleblowers with inside knowledge of elaborate and covert financial fraud schemes.
Financial Fraud Whistleblower Laws
Outside of the False Claims Act, there are federal statutes that provide protection and awards to whistleblowers who are knowledgeable about financial fraud. For instance, the SEC has overhauled its whistleblower provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act, creating an entire division, the SEC Office of the Whistleblower to assess and investigate whistleblower claims. Under the SEC whistleblower provisions, if an eligible individual provides information that leads to a Commission enforcement action in which over $1,000,000 in sanctions is ordered, they are entitled to an award between 10% and 30% of the money collected.
The IRS also has a similar whistleblower provision for those knowledgeable of tax fraud. If the taxes, penalties, interest and other amounts in dispute exceed $2 million, and a few other qualifications are met, the IRS will pay 15 percent to 30 percent of the amount collected based on the whistleblowers information.
Further, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act applies to all publicly traded companies and provides any whistleblower who successful in a retaliation case must be “made whole” from harm suffered and makes it a federal crime, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to retaliate against a protected whistleblower. Notably, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also amended the RICO Act to include retaliation against a protected whistleblower as a predicate act for RICO prosecution.
Private Enforcement of Financial Fraud
The attorneys of Frohsin Barger & Walthall understand that not all fraud involves publicly traded companies or fits into the specific definitions of actionable conduct under specialized fraud statutes. Often, a business or individual has been defrauded by someone they trusted, whether a business partner, employee or other fiduciary. In these cases, the attorneys of Frohsin Barger & Walthall have utilized our experience in investigating, developing and prosecuting fraud cases to find the best remedy to make our client whole.

domain: finance


EXCLUSIVE: Theresa Thibodeau returning to Nebraska governor’s race
The former running mate of a fellow GOP contender is planning her own run for the state’s top office.
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Add one more to the field of possible candidates planning to run for Governor of Nebraska.
Earlier this year, Theresa Thibodeau was introduced as the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, who announced his candidacy in April. But she stepped out in July, saying she didn’t have enough time for the campaign and had other issues to deal with.
“I have managed that and those are taken care of and finished; and at the same time, I have since then sold my business as well, and now I do have the time,” she told 6 News on Wednesday.
Now, she’s thinking about running for governor.
Thibodeau is no stranger to politics: Appointed to the state legislature by Gov. Pete Ricketts, she was also the chairwoman of the Douglas County GOP.
Thibodeau said she believe there are urgent issues that the next governor will have to deal with, like education: She said she thinks parents want to have a say on what their children are being taught in school, from critical race theory and health standards, or sex education.
She said she’s also concerned about illegal immigration and how it affects Nebraska; but her top priority is tax relief.
“The majority of Nebraskans want to see some actual tax reform as well as looking at our cost and where we can manage those expenditures as well,” she said.
It’s still early in the process, but facing Nebraska State Sen. Carol Blood, the only Democrat to announce a run for the office so far, could set up the possibility of two women battling for the governor’s seat — something that hasn’t happened since Kay Orr defeated former Lincoln Mayor Helen Boosalis for governor back in 1986.
“It would show women in the State of Nebraska that women do have a seat at the table in this state, and women have wonderful ideas that they can put forth,” Thibodeau said. “...We have not had a female governor since Kay Orr... and she was a wonderful governor.”
Blood said that’s only one aspect of her candidacy.
“Elections matter. I welcome women from any ideology, ethnicities, backgrounds, or sexual identities to get involved in campaigns now and in the future. With that said, I don’t see myself as a Democratic Woman running in a Republican-leaning state,” she told 6 News. “I see myself as a Nebraskan running in the state of Nebraska for governor.”
Republican Jim Pillen, a Platte County veterinarian and large-scale farmer, also announced his gubernatorial campaign in April.
Thibodeau said she expects a crowded field in the primary and says that’s not a bad thing. She calls it a job interview in front of the voters of Nebraska.
The state’s primary is set for May 10. Ricketts terms out, so Nebraskans will head to polls to elect a new governor on Nov. 8, 2022.
Digital Director Gina Dvorak contributed to this report.
Copyright 2021 WOWT. All rights reserved.


A New Cold War?
The Sources of Soviet Conduct
Political Ideas in the Twentieth Century
Atomic Weapons and American Policy
The Illusion of Disengagement
On Peaceful Coexistence
The Search for Stability
The Challenge of Change in the Soviet Bloc
The Practice of Partnership
The Framework of East-West Reconciliation
The Limits of Détente
After the Cold War
On Power: The Nature of Soviet Power
The Rise, Fall and Future of Détente
What Went Wrong With Arms Control?
Containment: 40 Years Later
Containment Then and Now
Beyond the Cold War
From Cold War Toward Trusting Peace
Toward the Post-Cold War World
America's Stake in the Soviet Future
Beyond Boris Yeltsin
Can Russia Change?
Russia Leaves the West
The Costs of Renewed Confrontation
Mission to Moscow
Why Authoritarian Stability Is a Myth
What Has Moscow Done?
Rebuilding U.S.-Russian Relations
Moscow's Modernization Dilemma
Is Russia Charting a New Foreign Policy?
The Dying Bear
Russia's Demographic Disaster
Managing the New Cold War
What Moscow and Washington Can Learn From the Last One
Russia's Perpetual Geopolitics
Putin Returns to the Historical Pattern
Putin's Foreign Policy
The Quest to Restore Russia’s Rightful Place
The Revival of the Russian Military
How Moscow Reloaded
Why Putin Took Crimea
The Gambler in the Kremlin
Trump and Russia
The Right Way to Manage Relations
Why New Russia Sanctions Won't Change Moscow's Behavior
Washington's Approach Lacks Clear Goals
The Kremlin's Latest Crackdown on Independent Media
Russia's New Foreign Agent Law in Context
Containing Russia, Again
An Adversary Attacked the United States—It’s Time to Respond
Putin's Past Explains Russia's Future
What to Expect After the Election
Has a New Cold War Really Begun?
Why the Term Shouldn't Apply to Today's Great-Power Tensions
On November 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law legislation allowing the Russian government to designate media organizations that receive funding from abroad as “foreign agents.” Russia’s Justice Ministry, the agency tasked with identifying the specific media outlets to be targeted, has already notified Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), both funded by the U.S. government, that they must register as foreign agents. The new law, however, is not limited to government-funded media: any organization receiving foreign funding or based outside of Russia could fall under the “foreign agent” classification. The New York Times, CNN, and European outlets could be targeted in the near future. The law also grants the Russian authorities an expansive mandate to block online content, including social media websites, whose activities are deemed “undesirable” or “extremist.”
Russia has framed the law as reciprocal retaliation for the U.S. Department of Justice’s requirement that RT America (formerly Russia Today), a Kremlin-funded and controlled TV channel and website operating in the United States, register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). (The requirement came after RT was singled out in a January 2017 unclassified U.S. intelligence report on Russian interference as the “Kremlin’s principal international propaganda outlet.”) Yet this narrative is blatantly false. In reality, the law is part of a long-standing Kremlin project to muzzle independent media and civil society.
A DISTURBING PATTERN
Regardless of what RT or the Russian government may say, the Russian media law is in no way a proportionate response to RT’s registration under FARA. The United States’ legislation does not limit the activities of RT. Rather, it is a disclosure statute that requires the registered agent to reveal income from the foreign principal and allow the DOJ to inspect its business records when asked. RT is still free to continue publishing and disseminating content in the United States. There is no First Amendment conflict with FARA: RT has not and will not be
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... trees ; Bright volumes of vapour through Lothbury glide, And a river flows on through the vale of Cheapside. Green pastures she views in the midst of the dale, Down which she so often has tripped with her pail ; And a single small Cottage, a nest... The Daguerreotype - Seite 3071849Vollansicht
- Über dieses Buch
John Haydn Baker - 2004 - 199 Seiten
...to make it clear that the bird's song cannot achieve any permanent alleviation of Susan's suffering: She looks, and her heart is in heaven: but they fade,...will not flow, and the hill will not rise, And the colours have all passed away from her eyes! (lines 13-16) Wordsworth will not allow the poem to end...

domain: library


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A sapphire and diamond bracelet fetched more than double its high estimate at Sotheby’s Geneva auction, selling to a female Asian collector after a bidding war.
The piece contains a 47.07-carat, royal-blue Burmese sapphire center stone with high clarity, cut in a cabochon shape and flanked by two pear-shaped white diamonds weighing 9.27 carats and 8.60 carats. Created by Cartier in 1927, the bracelet fetched $6.1 million against a high estimate of $3 million, and earned one of the highest prices at auction for an Art Deco bracelet.
In total, the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale on Wednesday brought in $53.9 million, with 80% of lots sold, more than half of which exceeded their estimates.
“With its sensational ‘sugar loaf’ Burmese sapphire and powerful geometric design, the Cartier bracelet that led tonight’s sale was a true masterpiece, among the most important Art Deco pieces we’ve ever handled,” said David Bennett, worldwide chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry division.
The bracelet spearheaded a strong showing for Art Deco pieces, which achieved a combined $9.6 million at the sale, against a high estimate of $6 million, Sotheby’s noted.
A 6.03-carat, fancy-intense-purple-pink diamond pendant estimated at $2.5 million to $3.5 million garnered $3.4 million, while a diamond pendant weighing 78.29 carats went for $2.9 million, beating its $2.8 million high estimate.
A set of diamond jewels by Moussaieff, including a necklace, earrings and a bracelet, brought in $2.7 million. The collection was estimated at $2 million to $4 million.
Other notable items, many of which sold for well above their estimates, included a sapphire and diamond necklace set with a 14.97-carat Kashmir sapphire. The piece, dated 1890, fetched $1.4 million against its upper estimate of $800,000, while an emerald and diamond pendant-brooch combination, created by Cartier in 1927, garnered $1.1 million, smashing its $250,000 high estimate.
Meanwhile, Sotheby’s sold 93% of the jewels on offer from an Asian-American private collection, fetching a total of $12.7 million, against a high estimate of $8.9 million, the auction house said. The sale noted strong activity from Asian collectors, approximately half of whom were female buyers, more than double the number of women purchasers five years ago, Sotheby’s added.

domain: economics


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The compromised gut microbiome that results from C-section birth has been hypothesized as a risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCD). In a double-blind randomized controlled study, 153 infants born by elective C-section received an infant formula supplemented with either synbiotic, prebiotics, or unsupplemented from birth until 4 months old. Vaginally born infants were included as a reference group. Stool samples were collected from day 3 till week 22. Multi-omics were deployed to investigate the impact of mode of delivery and nutrition on the development of the infant gut microbiome, and uncover putative biological mechanisms underlying the role of a compromised microbiome as a risk factor for NCD. Results: As early as day 3, infants born vaginally presented a hypoxic and acidic gut environment characterized by an enrichment of strict anaerobes (Bifidobacteriaceae). Infants born by C-section presented the hallmark of a compromised microbiome driven by an enrichment of Enterobacteriaceae. This was associated with meta-omics signatures characteristic of a microbiome adapted to a more oxygen-rich gut environment, enriched with genes associated with reactive oxygen species metabolism and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and depleted in genes involved in the metabolism of milk carbohydrates. The synbiotic formula modulated expression of microbial genes involved in (oligo)saccharide metabolism, which emulates the eco-physiological gut environment observed in vaginally born infants. The resulting hypoxic and acidic milieu prevented the establishment of a compromised microbiome. Conclusions: This study deciphers the putative functional hallmarks of a compromised microbiome acquired during C-section birth, and the impact of nutrition that may counteract disturbed microbiome development.
|Date made available||28 Oct 2021|

domain: literature


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I had made these plans back in May when the idea of blistering temps wasn't really an issue. As the date of my departure approached and local temps had climbed into and stayed firmly in the mid 90's, my mind went back to some of my previous summer trips out in the high desert. The mornings are fine and you often start your day at six because the sun is up and so are all the birds and bugs. But by 9:30 or 10, the thermostat starts rising and you need to plan your movements accordingly. If you're hiking or treasure hunting or even just hanging by the river, shade needs to be utilized and lots of water needs to be ingested. I've come up with a variety of cooling strategies involving wet bandannas, spray bottles and generally just dunking your clothes in water and then putting them back on. This is all well and good, but my days often resulted in my hiding under any nearby trees, or under a tarp canopy rigged next to my truck, and fighting the onset of heat exhaustion. So I have survived on these trips in the past, but the question this time was: knowing in advance that the temps were going to be severe, would I be able to have a decent trip or would I just be torturing myself? I chose not to risk it, to postpone that week of wonderful places to see to the first week of October. At least at that point I can light a fire if I want to and have some nice cool nights as well as moderate temps in the day.
But in the meantime, what was I going to do with this time I'd scheduled off from work, and how the hell was I going to get away from these dreadful temperatures? You got it, head to the coast. It's about 30 degrees cooler and even a bit foggy. Our hot temps here in the Willamette valley tend to create foggy conditions at the coast, so I was so ready to go grab a couple days of typical NW early spring weather. I decided to head back down to the southern coast because I fell in love with it the first time I explored it just a couple of years ago. I had been to Cape Arago then, as well as Port Orford, Bandon and Gold Beach, and I decided on a pretty similar route this time..
Got up early on Sunday July 5th, packed the truck and headed south on I-5. Was torn between heading east on highway 38 along the Umpqua River, which is my favorite beach highway so far in Oregon, or checking out highway 42, which is a little further south and getting to see a new road. The curiosity won out and I gassed up at Roseburg, then headed east on highway 42. It wasn't particularly scenic, but nor was it that crowded. It was mostly two lanes at the beginning and when it became a single lane, I just pulled over to let a few people pass. I enjoy my drives out of town too much to let tailgating drivers piss me off. All in all, I wasn't too impressed with this road, that is, not until I got to the town of Coquille. At that point, the road to the coast turns to 42S, and runs another 18 miles through very pretty farmland and coastal sloughs until it ends at Bandon. And the temperature had now dropped considerably, so the air was cool and wonderful.
I'd been driving about four and a half hours in the heat, and was feeling pretty rough at this point. I had planned on heading south to Gold Beach and camping on the Rogue River, then working my way back north the following two days, but the enticing proximity of Edson Creek campground lured me in and I decided to head there and call it a night. This really sweet little campground is 5 miles north of the town of Port Orford, and 4 miles west of 101 on Sixes River Rd. There isn't running water and it has vault toilets, but it's really pretty and serene. It's a very modest $6 and there are 27 sites. I chose a grassy spot on the second meadow which I had to myself, with the creek to my back. I set up my truck, made some food and just decompressed. Walked down to the creek and fished out an entire cut up watermelon that previous campers had dumped in the water, clearly mistaking it for a trashcan. Have I mentioned how much I like people? But the creek was lovely and I took a few pictures, then went back to the campsite for a nightcap and some quality reading in the back of my truck until I fell asleep. The one thing that is a little bit of a drag about the Edson campground is that a forest service road continues past it along the west side and seems to be a pretty popular road to parts unknown. There was a fair amount of coming and going along it which can be a little jarring when you're trying to chill or sleep, but all in all it's bearable, and tends to die down at nightfall. As always, my first night in the truck isn't my best sleep, so I attempted to sleep in a little later in the morning to make up for it, at least until my neighbor's chatter woke me up. I was on the road not too much later, heading out to the lighthouse at Cape Blanco, just a couple miles north. Was beautiful and blustery, I snapped some photos, then headed south.
Cape Blanco lighthouse and headlands
Man, I love the coast.
Turkey vulture on mystery fish
Kept heading south and stopped a few more times at various beaches, then rolled through Gold Beach. Got a cup of coffee and headed south to Pistol River, driving up to and around the lovely Humbug Mountain along the way. I wanted to hike that trail on my last trip and this one as well, but the top half of the mountain was covered in fog, so I knew I wouldn't be able to see any views. I probably should have just done it anyway; oh well, next time. I pulled in at Pistol River, loaded my camera and gear in my back pack and hiked down to the south side of the beach. Brought along Teds, my intrepid travel companion through thick and thin. This is what happens when you really love animals. Like, "should have been a veterinarian" loves animals, and yet you're allergic to most of them. Sigh, maybe in my next life.. Until then, there's Teds.
Pistol river emptying into the Pacific
Immature western gulls
Found some playful immature western gulls eating in the surf as well as a pair of western sandpipers and a few sand dollars kindly left by previous visitors in the rocks. Thank you, don't mind if I do. Took some pics of waves crashing and then had this creeping fear that I'd left my lights on. This happens to me all the time, and often at the coast, where the gray rainy weather necessitates lights, and then I'll drive home to sunny Portland, and not even think about checking them. This very thing took place on my last trip to Cannon beach in May. The next day the battery was dead and although I had AAA jumpstart it, I still had to buy a new one later that day at Les Schwab.. You people, with your newer cars where the lights turn off automatically, you don't know what fun you're missing. So here I was, with the very real fear and no memory whatsoever of turning the lights off. Shit! Shit, shit, shit. I decided that if I just hoofed it back to the parking lot, it would have only been about an hour and I should be fine either way. That beach was way longer than it looked, but I eventually got back to the river and climbed over the dunes to find my truck safe and sound with the lights off. Sigh of relief.. Was a good thing really, as I needed desperately to change into something cooler. The day was still overcast but much warmer than when I'd dressed at the campsite, so time to transition into shorts.
So I'd decided to head back north to Gold Beach, and any points in between. I stopped at a couple beaches along the way, looking for tidal pools, rocks of interest, shorebirds, flowers, driftwood, seaweed, any and all of it looked good through my camera lens. I took off my shoes and wandered around into the water at spots; the Pacific was pretty cold, but refreshing.
Pigeon Guillemot, kind of my new fave sea bird
By the time I got back into Gold Beach it was late afternoon, and I decided I should head up to my campground to make sure I was going to get a spot. I took a right on Jerry's Flat Rd on the south side of the Rogue River and headed east about 9 miles on a curvy and pretty stretch of road. Lobster Creek campground is on your left, and you can drive through the campground and come out to the day use area on the huge gravel bar there at the curve of the Rogue. You can camp out there for free if you want to, there were a couple of campers and a tent out close to the river, but there is no tree cover on the gravel bar. I decided I preferred the shade and privacy of a campsite and headed back in to choose the site across from the bathrooms and the host's RV. There are only seven spots here, but there is running water and plumbed bathrooms, so I was fine with the $10 fee. I backed in under the two huge myrtle trees and set up camp. Made some food and had a chat with a fellow named Ted who was two spaces up. He was a cool older liberal guy who had quit working at the age of 39 and been on the road ever since. He was admiring the "simplicity of my set up", as he put it, and we talked about all sorts of things until he went back to his trailer and left me to my Indian curry packet and a fried sausage.. Ahh, camp food. That night I slept better, although there was a lot random traffic on the road, which was apparently right over me up the shaded embankment. I made it through the night, and woke up to lovely sunshine dappling through the trees. I picked some myrtle leaves for drying, packed up and headed back to town. Apparently you can use them like bay leaves, so I'm excited to experiment. Lovely trees.
Lobster Creek campground and the gracious myrtles
I planned to head to Floras Lake as I passed back through Port Orford. The temperature was warmer but still so pleasant compared to what I'd been suffering through in PDX. I did the nature walk at Floras Lake, spotting a savannah sparrow and what I think were some pine siskins, one sort of nesting right on the path. I skirted through the woods to avoid scaring it in case it was hurt. Went out to the edge of the lake and watched two windsurfers try to get going. Walked out to the ocean and enjoyed it's sheer emptiness and space, as the occasional gull or cormorant swept along over the waves. It's a nice place to sit and gather your thoughts. Headed back to the parking lot to once again peel off some layers, then head north to Bandon Beach.
I drove in through the beach loop drive, and parked at the top of the stairs, climbing down onto Face Rock beach just a bit south of my last sojourn onto it. Last time I had parked downtown and walked south from there. I found that same spot today as I walked north up the beach. That was where the interesting rock formations were, as well as most of the wildlife, from tide pools to birds to harbor seals. The incoming tide prevented me from going any farther north, but I found the point where I had seen my first and only marbled murrelet two years ago, so that was cool. Today was all about the pair of oyster catchers feeding on the rocks and the pod of harbor seals that eventually showed up. The water was lovely and I stood in it up to my knees snapping photos of everything. It was perfect weather and a great beach to stop at. I climbed the stairs back to my truck, talked to some ladies behind their birding scopes, asking if they had seen any puffins today. They said they thought puffins were around but tended to stick to the front of the rocks in front of us. Of course they did, those devious little sasquatches!
Beach at Floras Lake
Bandon beach seaweed
I dusted the sand off my feet, and headed north to Coos Bay where I stopped for a Whopper, fries and a medium soda (this is medium, it's like 20 oz??). I do this a couple of times a year, almost exclusively on my camping trips, when I've run out of food. It was disgusting and tasty. My plan was to leave Reedsport heading east on 38 no later than 3:30pm so I could make it back to PDX with enough time to unpack and relax. I turned east on schedule, resisted the temptation to pull over and take more photos of a drowsing elk herd at the Dean Creek elk viewing area. Something about the way they're always there, conveniently near the walkway makes me feel like its a zoo and sort of depresses me. But it's a really pretty stretch of greenery, and they do have a bathroom. With a bladder my size, I know where every frickin' bathroom in the state is. I should make a pamphlet for other frequent bathroom break victims; it's what inquiring minds want to know.
This drive is really one of my favorites, especially the early portion where the Umpqua is wide and glorious. It becomes narrower and shallower and after you cross over it some miles in, the river bed that's now on your right side becomes littered with large rocks, almost more rock than water it seems. The temperature began to rise as I crossed the hills and approached the inland valley, and as I approached Elkton and then Drain, I was growing acutely warm as well as drowsy. I foraged in my bags for a can of Dr. Pepper and dumped it in the cup over the remains of ice from my previous soda. It gave me enough caffeine to get me through, although I eventually had to took a caffeine pill too. It was hot and with no air conditioning, this was going to be a long drive. Highway 38 dumps you out on I-5 at Cottage Grove which is about 125 miles south of PDX. And I would be hitting Eugene and then Salem at rush hour. But I was lucky, and other than the usual game of Frogger in two lanes, I didn't hit any stopped traffic until I was approaching Portland. I promptly exited the highway and took back roads home. Was home by seven and got the truck unpacked and got some sushi from Fred Meyer for dinner. I had a really wonderful two and a half days taking in the southern coast, cooling off and seeing some new sights. Another place I intend to keep visiting, and next time I'll climb Humbug Mt. with or without the sun. Go check it out, it's waiting for you. and happy trails!
and if you would like to see the photos larger, just click on them to see the whole photo stream.

domain: geography


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In theory it’s spring already, even if the weather isn’t cooperating. But don’t let the (hopefully) last of the season’s cold, gray days keep you holed up at home. Patch has assembled a list of weekend activities to get you out of the house.
When/Where: 7-9:30 p.m. Friday at the , 220 N. Euclid in Oak Park.
Why Go: Get everyone to turn off the Angry Birds video game and step away from Facebook to enjoy some quality, face-to-face family time playing board games in different rooms of the historic Cheney Mansion.
Price: $15 per family
When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday at , 200 N. Oak Park Ave.
Why Go: adapted Mozart’s opera into English and into modern-day Oak Park. The production turns the main characters into high school athletes, with audience participation encouraged.
When/Where: 4-7 p.m. at Vajrayana Kadampa Buddhist Center, 13 Harrison St. in Oak Park
Why Go: Enjoy snacks while learning more about meditation by touring the center and book store, and chatting with experienced meditators and teachers. A talk about the value of meditation will begin at 4 p.m.
When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Unity Temple, 875 Lake Street in Oak Park
Why Go: Liam Teague has been described as the “Paganini of the Steelpan.” He’s joined on stage by multi-instrumental artist Robert Chappell to perform complex original compositions and improvisations.
Price: Tickets are $15 to $30 and can be purchased here.
When/Where: 8:30 p.m. Saturday at FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn.
Why Go: Listen to some of the area’s finest artists, including Elizabeth Doyle, Orbert Davis w/Ari Brown, Ryan Cohen, Ernie Adams and Stewart Miller while benefiting a good cause. Proceeds from the night go to hunger relief in Chicago.
Price: Minimum $15 donation. Tickets are available at the door.

domain: entertainment