If I see one on the highway, I can name the make and model 99.9 percent of the time. In fact, I've accumulated all sorts of car trivia in my head. That is, with the exception of actually being able to fix the darn things you know, the really important stuff. Story of my life, man.
I still remember getting a thumbs up sign from a proud looking male neighbor who was doing hardcore work on his car after he saw me pop up the hood on my vehicle to do some "work" of my own.iphone 5c refurbished Little did he know that all I did was change the bulb of my headlights. Basically, my knowledge of this stuff is pretty much limited to changing tires, batteries and wiper blades.
RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL
The Game Vault: Technobubble Video Game Reviews
So when I found myself sweating like a Thanksgiving turkey after my BMW's air conditioner started blowing more hot air than a BMW driver talking about his car, I thought I my wallet's goose was pretty much cooked. I mean, have you seen how much BMW dealerships charge for a simple oil change or battery replacement? It's almost tantamount to highway robbery, and you deserve to be robbed by the way if you don't find alternatives or do those yourself.
Doing AC work is a little out of my league, however, so I was resigned to at least paying a third party place to check it. Then my brother handed me a can of DIY refrigerant, which I didn't even know existed. Wait, you mean to tell me I might be able to fix this problem myself for just $20? That sounds too good to be true! Fifteen minutes later, my car was blowing wonderful, cold air after just a little bit of finagling and some help from YouTube. Thank you, Internet, once again.
In short, the stuff works. Well, at least, for now. Now onward to the game and gadget review roundup from the last week.
Relive the Jurassic movies in toy form with LEGO Jurassic World. (Photo: Warner Bros.)
LEGO JURASSIC WORLD
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a paleontologist. That's how much I loved dinosaurs. Triceratops, brontosaurus, stegosaurus, T Rex, you name it, I fawned over it. I even designed a handful of robots through pen and paper that transformed into dinosaurs and wait for it combined together to form one ginormous freaking dino based bot. Mind. Blown.
Then reality intruded and I took a more regular job. Still, I continue to have a bit of a soft spot for these so called "terrible lizards," making "LEGO Jurassic World" worth trying. An homage to the film series, the game covers all four Jurassic movies from the original "Jurassic Park" to the all new "Jurassic World." Has it really been more than two decades since the first Jurassic Park movie came out? I think I might just be getting old.
Although the Jurassic characters aren't as iconic as those in other LEGO games like Batman or Harry Potter (Jophery who?), what the game brings to the table is the ability to play as one of 20 dinosaurs and even create custom ones. Now we're talking, people. iphone 5c refurbished It provides a nice change of pace to the LEGO gameplay, which really hasn't changed much for Jurassic World. You still have to find studs, solve some puzzles and build things along the way to open up paths. I really do wish LEGO games would start adding online co op, though.
Overall, the changes added may not be major enough for folks who want a completely new LEGO game experience. For fans of the series or people looking for a family friendly game, however, LEGO Jurassic World hits the spot. (Photo: Capcom)
DEVIL MAY CRY 4: SPECIAL EDITION
The devil gamers know returns to action once again as Capcom digs back into its game vault and polishes a popular classic in "Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition."
An updated take on the 2008 version for today's newer PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles as well as the PC, the special edition tweaks the game to help bring it up to speed and freshen up the DMC4 experience. This includes all the fixins people have come to expect from enhanced editions of previous generation games.
At the top of the list is an enhanced graphical look with improved textures plus a higher 1080p resolution. Admittedly, some of the backgrounds aren't quite up to snuff in terms of detail but the character models look quite nice for a remaster. Animation, meanwhile, is fluid at 60 frames per second, which is especially important to hardcore fans who prioritize pulling off the game's stylish combos during gameplay. Admittedly, the in game camera has not aged as well, though.
On the plus side, the game throws in extra playable characters in the form of Vergil, Trish and Lady, which also happens to be the name of a Disney character and a Kenny Rogers song. No, I don't know why I just threw that piece of trivia out there. The special edition also adds an auto save feature, faster skill and item unlocks plus an optional turbo mode to speed up gameplay.
I do find it amusing how some fans of the series who pan the "DmC: Devil May Cry" reboot now see DMC4 as a part of the good old days given some of the hate Nero got for essentially replacing Dante when Devil May Cry 4 first came out. Talk about greener grass.
Anyway, the special edition isn't quite the new "Devil May Cry" game folks and it feels a bit aged when compared to the genre's new standout, Bayonetta 2. For folks who want to experience the classic Devil May Cry experience, however, it's a nice bridge to help tide them over, at least until Capcom decides to unleash yet another devilish addition to the franchise. (Photo: Telltale Games)
GAME OF THRONES EPISODE 3: THE SWORD IN THE DARKNESS
I like to think of myself as a calm and reasonable man. In fact, my play style in games that allow for choice typically reflects that, making me a Boy Scout in both pretend and real life. That is, until I played Telltale's Game of Thrones video game series.
Take "Game of Thrones Episode 3: The Sword In the Darkness", for example. In just this episode, I picked the option to punch a man in the face. Then I opted to punch a different guy in the face later in the game. Oh yeah, I also punched a third man in you got it the face. With a cold, hard golden goblet for added effect.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
iphone 5 refurbished
AGAWAM As they gracefully walked onto the dance floor wearing tailored suits and escorting their mothers, it was hard to believe these were the same teenagers who just weeks before struggled to learn the steps to a waltz.
"We were definitely forced at first," said one in a group of six high school teenagers in a waiting area before being presented to society at the 7th Biennial Anna E. Hatchett Christian Debutantes and Gentlemen's Cotillion, held at Chez Josef in Agawam Saturday night.
All of the boys agreed that while at first they had no understanding of what a cotillion was or what it would entail, they were all grateful for the many experiences they had from learning the waltz, to attending a men's leadership conference in Boston.
"They taught us how to be men.iphone 5 refurbished We talked about going to college and things like that," said Traleck Z. Boyles, a senior at The Springfield Renaissance School.
As for the dancing, they may have learned a new skill, but it wasn't easy.
"We had four hour practice sessions on Sundays. That's the day you're supposed to rest," said Jeric Robert Cichon, jokingly. He is a junior at East Longmeadow High School.
There were also eight young women presented at the cotillion and they were a bit more eager to participate, perhaps for the opportunity to show off their beautiful princess like white dresses and tiaras, but also for the lessons in public speaking and etiquette training.
"It was nice going through the courses like the etiquette class and the public speaking. You learn a lot of things that you can use later on in life," said Ajeya Rena Clouden, a junior at The Springfield Renaissance School.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us girls here, and we just really are so blessed to be here," said Imani Bea Wiggins, a junior at Hampden Charter School of Science in Chicopee.
A cotillion is a formal presentation of young ladies, and in this case young gentleman, into society.
"Many years ago, the cotillions were done by social clubs in the area, but after awhile they stopped doing it, and one woman, Anne E. Hatchett thought it should be revived," explained Gwen Miller, who co chairs the Cotillion Ministries at St. John's Congregational Church in Springfield, along with Eddie Lee. In 2004 the first cotillion was held.
The training for the elaborate event is not for the faint of heart. It all begins eight months before the event with an application process and in person interview with each candidate, Lee said.
The participants are expected to participate in as many activities as possible from a visit to the University of Massachusetts, to a public speaking lesson, an etiquette luncheon, a health workshop to discuss nutrition and sexual health, a community service project with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity,iphone 5 refurbished delivering over 100 baskets of food to people in need, a dos and don'ts of social networking workshop and more.
Participants are also expected to meet with St. John's senior pastor, the Rev. Calvin J. McFadden.
"Some kids buy into it and pull the parents in, some parents buy into it and drag the kids along," Lee said.
This year's cotillion theme was LIFT (Leadership, Integrity Faith and Tenacity), Miller said.
"Our hope is that from this experience they will take some things they can carry on with them when they get to college, when they enter the workforce, and just help them to be better young adults," Miller said.
Besides dancing with their mothers, or in the debutantes' case, with their fathers, and group dances, each student was presented to the audience of at least 400 people with a list of their accomplishments and their hopes and dreams of becoming a sports medicine doctor, a book editor, a pediatrician and several social justice leaders.
The event, which included dinner, also featured a short presentation. Shane Davis performed a musical number and poet Lynnette Johnson performed a spoken word poem.iphone 5 refurbished The Master and Mistress of ceremonies were Dr. Johnny Wright and his wife Attorney Clarissa Wright.
McFadden also spoke at the event.
"It is a joy to see and witness our young people expressing the best of themselves and supporting them to let them know that we are expecting even greater and better things from them," he said.
"We were definitely forced at first," said one in a group of six high school teenagers in a waiting area before being presented to society at the 7th Biennial Anna E. Hatchett Christian Debutantes and Gentlemen's Cotillion, held at Chez Josef in Agawam Saturday night.
All of the boys agreed that while at first they had no understanding of what a cotillion was or what it would entail, they were all grateful for the many experiences they had from learning the waltz, to attending a men's leadership conference in Boston.
"They taught us how to be men.iphone 5 refurbished We talked about going to college and things like that," said Traleck Z. Boyles, a senior at The Springfield Renaissance School.
As for the dancing, they may have learned a new skill, but it wasn't easy.
"We had four hour practice sessions on Sundays. That's the day you're supposed to rest," said Jeric Robert Cichon, jokingly. He is a junior at East Longmeadow High School.
There were also eight young women presented at the cotillion and they were a bit more eager to participate, perhaps for the opportunity to show off their beautiful princess like white dresses and tiaras, but also for the lessons in public speaking and etiquette training.
"It was nice going through the courses like the etiquette class and the public speaking. You learn a lot of things that you can use later on in life," said Ajeya Rena Clouden, a junior at The Springfield Renaissance School.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us girls here, and we just really are so blessed to be here," said Imani Bea Wiggins, a junior at Hampden Charter School of Science in Chicopee.
A cotillion is a formal presentation of young ladies, and in this case young gentleman, into society.
"Many years ago, the cotillions were done by social clubs in the area, but after awhile they stopped doing it, and one woman, Anne E. Hatchett thought it should be revived," explained Gwen Miller, who co chairs the Cotillion Ministries at St. John's Congregational Church in Springfield, along with Eddie Lee. In 2004 the first cotillion was held.
The training for the elaborate event is not for the faint of heart. It all begins eight months before the event with an application process and in person interview with each candidate, Lee said.
The participants are expected to participate in as many activities as possible from a visit to the University of Massachusetts, to a public speaking lesson, an etiquette luncheon, a health workshop to discuss nutrition and sexual health, a community service project with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity,iphone 5 refurbished delivering over 100 baskets of food to people in need, a dos and don'ts of social networking workshop and more.
Participants are also expected to meet with St. John's senior pastor, the Rev. Calvin J. McFadden.
"Some kids buy into it and pull the parents in, some parents buy into it and drag the kids along," Lee said.
This year's cotillion theme was LIFT (Leadership, Integrity Faith and Tenacity), Miller said.
"Our hope is that from this experience they will take some things they can carry on with them when they get to college, when they enter the workforce, and just help them to be better young adults," Miller said.
Besides dancing with their mothers, or in the debutantes' case, with their fathers, and group dances, each student was presented to the audience of at least 400 people with a list of their accomplishments and their hopes and dreams of becoming a sports medicine doctor, a book editor, a pediatrician and several social justice leaders.
The event, which included dinner, also featured a short presentation. Shane Davis performed a musical number and poet Lynnette Johnson performed a spoken word poem.iphone 5 refurbished The Master and Mistress of ceremonies were Dr. Johnny Wright and his wife Attorney Clarissa Wright.
McFadden also spoke at the event.
"It is a joy to see and witness our young people expressing the best of themselves and supporting them to let them know that we are expecting even greater and better things from them," he said.
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