Awesome artist David Mack was kind enough to send me these two links relating to his work. Last Saturday he gave a talk at the Salt Lake Library. There’s some beautifully massive pics and two great videos right here.
There’s also an insightful interview with the man himself here. Mack is always generous with his interviews and are definitely worth reading and I don’t just say that because we have an interview with him in next month’s Arcana magazine! Yay!
Today I met up with a warrior out in Siveria by the name of Wall. He was a fine bodyguard, I cannot think of one better then Wall yet! He escorted me through Blackwater to take some awesome screenshots of him fighting away.
Me: Hello there Wall! You were one of the first players to hit twenty, right?
Wall: As far as I know, there was only one or two people running around Darkwater at the time.
Me: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Wall: I like to help people, make people laugh and try to be reliable if possible.
Wall: Warrior, but of a tanking build.
Me: How do you like tanking in this game so far?
Wall: I liked gibberlings and tanking, so I figured why not both? And they are great at it. High agility to block, parry or dodge and since they are of the warrior class, great damage as well.
Me: What do you dislike the most about tanking?
Wall: Hmm…that’s a tough question, since I generally do love everything about it. But if there’s something I’d say it would be to wish I could take even more damage. I can already solo red bosses a few levels lower.
Me: So far in game, what is your favorite zone?
Wall: I really like Darkwater, it has a dark music and a dark atmoshphere about it, plus it has a level 20 instance. I always liked big forest areas as well.
Me: Sweet. If you could improve one thing about your class, what would it be? Besides taking more damage.
Wall: I wish the insult skill was better, it only lasts a few seconds. But, if it was longer I could keep aggro for quite some time.
Me: Are you looking forward to leveling your character to the next cap?
Wall: Yep. I don’t see why not. There’s a constant demand for tanks and there needs to be people who play them, and so I volunteer and have fun with it.
Me: Out of all the classes in the game, which do you wish there were more of besides your own?
Wall: I really don’t see that many wardens for some reasons. They are great for support for their heal over time and their potions that can be used in battle as well as many ways to cripple the enemy. At high levels I mean. I don’t see that many wardents at high levels. XP Even though the first one to hit 20 that I saw was a warden.
Here are some great screenshots of this Gibberling family in battle:
Oh, by the way, Gibberlings LOOOOOOOOVE to drink:
Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do.
The name is Mike. I’m the manager of the store as well as the brains behind our homepage (www.revivemi.com). I’m also the in-house photographer shooting our products, store images, and daily shots.
What is life like up in Michigan, as far as music, fashion, and popular culture?
Life in Michigan is at ease. Fashion wise, we’re lucky enough to get all 4 seasons so we can dress according to the weather. Sometimes its not a good look, but its all good. For music, we’re always growing. Artists such as Big Sean, Mike Posner, and others also, rep Michigan very well. Our culture here is very diverse. We do have a lifestyle here that isnt exposed as much to the public.
Tell us a little about Revive and the people involved?
REVIVE is for everybody. Usually when our customers come to shop, they sit back and chill for a minute because the atmosphere is cool. Our team is always on the grind. We work everyday of the week putting the good word out. We each have our main aspects of what we do, then when it all comes together; its like a piece of art. Shouts to the Revive Team: Aaron, Ben, Jerm, and 10mile.
What kind of brands does Revive carry?
Our brands range from The Hundreds, Mishka, Amongst Friends, Reason, and Rocksmith. The city we’re located in tends to attract more of the upscale / high-end fashion. We want to provide those clients as well as we house Generra, Naked & Famous, Blue Life, Heartloom, Black Orchid and Theory.
What are some of your favorite brands out right now?
One of my favorite brands is Amongst Friends. Their quality is on-point. Every season they produce great merchandise. They have everyday wear is perfect for anyone. Their Weekend Duffle bag is a new one for the holiday season which is very sleek.
What new upcoming events or releases are you currently working on?
One of our events we just had was our grand opening party sponsered by 944 Magazine. It was a great turnout as we had a dj on the decks, drinks for all, and a Black Friday Sale. Many new customers stepped in the store as well as our REVIVE heads. An upcoming show we’ll be attending is a trunk show. This is a event that gives brands and stores a chance to showcase some of their newest collections.
What would you say are the most difficult aspects or being in your line of work?
Hard work pays off. When I come to REVIVE, its time to work. Of course there are harder days, but I overcome it because I know tomorrow is a new day.
The fashion and music worlds are often tied together…What music artists out right now are grabbing your attention?
Music artists who grabs the attention to me as of now would be Wale, Chip Tha Ripper, Clipse, Trey Songz, Kanye West, etc. There’s a lot to list, I’m a huge fan of music.
REVIVE
154 W. Maple
Birmingham, MI 48009
(1-248) 731-7849
www.revivemi.com
This week’s chosen staff member was “Stephanie”, the school’s reading specialist. Her answers were as follows:
In what ways (if any) have you experienced changes in standards–such as INTASC standards–and how do you see their impact in teaching practices?
Are you aware of the current changes in NJ regarding the “Understanding by Design” model? How do you think it will impact your teaching? What are the ways in which the school is addressing it? (If not, how could they address it?) In what ways have they been helpful?
What are the challenges every time a new model–with new lesson plans, for instance–is required?
In order to be a teacher in the state of New Jersey, one must be very well-versed in the Core Curriculum Content Standards. Because of the increasing importance of the use of technology in the classroom, and the Internet, one must also think about how he or she can enhance lessons using these valuable teaching tools. It is also important to know that the curriculum has a nice flow. Across the board, teachers need to understand what it is that the students are expected to learn, and how they are expected to learn it. It should be mapped across districts and grade levels.
The school has been helpful in the use of the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). By allowing teachers who would like to work together to meet as a team, they are able to accomplish their goals as a group. By providing professional development, they will help teachers to understand how to implement what they have come up with.
Every time a new model is introduced, professional development should be provided to help the staff members understand the new principles. The teachers must also be given a good amount of time in which to practice these principles, and to find new material for their lessons.
Zita Swoon fête ses quinze ans en concert
PHILIPPE MANCHE, vendredi 04 décembre 2009
Groupe totalement à part, Zita Swoon s’est construit, en quinze ans, une carrière atypique. Le groupe emmené par Stef Kamil Carlens sera les 9, 10 et 12 décembre en concert à l’Ancienne Belgique. Sortie également du double album « To play, to dream, to drift », qui compile incontournables et inédits.
Doit-on encore présenter Zita Swoon? Groupe devenu collectif au fil des années et formé par l’ancien bassiste de dEUS Stef Kamil Carlens ? C’est quasi mission impossible puisqu’en quinze années d’existence, Zita Swoon n’a cessé de composer, enregistrer et jouer surtout. À mort et partout. Pas étonnant, dès lors que les concerts des 9 et 10 décembre affichent déjà complet. Zita Swoon est aussi et surtout un formidable groupe de scène.
On avait croisé récemment Stef Kamil. C’était dans les loges du Cirque royal après le concert de son ami Christophe Miossec que Stef avait même rejoint sur scène pour chanter avec lui « La mélancolie ». Et lorsqu’on évoquait cet anniversaire, la réponse du chanteur et musicien ne s’était pas fait attendre : « C’est la fin d’un cycle et j’ai envie de le fêter. »
(read more)
Jay Electronica, DJ Khalil, Bad Lucc & Planet Asia listen to some cuts from the new SAS & Madlib album, The Stoney Jackson LP.
Dj Khalil Came by The Studio and caught Strong Arm Steady – playing ” Stoney Jackson ” for Some friends – Jay Electronica – Bad – Lucc – & Planet Asia To Be Exact…. Stoney Jackson Coming SOON!!
Strong Arm Steady & Madlib’s album drops in January/February 2010
Via: Nah Right
Pop/punk rockers Mayday Parade are ending the year on a high note. After releasing their sophomore album, Anywhere But Here, which debuted at #31 on Billboard’s Top 200, they were tapped as co-headliners of Alternative Press’ Fall Ball Tour, playing to many sold-out crowds alongside bands such as The Academy Is… and Set Your Goals, among others. The band took a big hit when Jason Lancaster, former vocalist, guitarist, and lyricist, left in the middle of a tour in 2007, leaving the rest of the band scrambling for a replacement.
I was able to sit down with Derek Sanders, the charismatic lead singer of Mayday Parade, prior to the sold out tour date in Sayreville, New Jersey’s Starland Ballroom. On top of being a top-notch singer, Sanders is an extremely affectionate and friendly person, and sitting down with him to talk about the new album, touring, and other subjects felt like sitting with an old friend. Read the interview after the jump!
How does it feel to be touring again?
It’s the best feeling in the world! It’s what we all love to do, and if I’m at home for longer than like, a week or two, I just get real antsy and bored [and] feel like I should be out doing something, so it’s great. We get to travel, play these shows with awesome bands, awesome people, great kids at the shows. It’s awesome.
How is it touring with The Academy Is, Set Your Goals, You Me At Six, and The Secret Handshake?
It’s an incredible line up. I’ve been a fan of The Academy Is… since before Mayday Parade even started, so it’s really kind of an honor to be out with them, and especially to be co-headlining with them, it’s kind of crazy. The rest of the bands we hadn’t really met before this tour. I’ve been a big fan of Set Your Goals for awhile. I never heard too much of the other bands before this tour, but I love them now. I love You Me At Six, and The Secret Handshake; not just their music, but also the guys in the bands and their personalities.
How did it feel to debut at #31 on Billboard’s Top 200?
That was awesome. None of us really knew what to expect… we had a ballpark of maybe where it would be, but we had no clue what to think about that and expect. We’re definitely satisfied with that.
This was the first album to be released after Jason Lancaster departed from the band. Was the writing process drastically different without him?
I wouldn’t say drastically different. For sure, it was different just because he contributed a lot to the last CD, but I feel like we were a band for so long without him before we had to write this CD. He’d been out of the band for like, over two years. We’d been a band without him longer than we ever were a band with him, so I feel like we’d all moved on and adapted before it came time to write this album, and I feel like we did just fine.
What did you draw your influence from for this album?
Really, what works for us, for me and I think for everyone else, we just try to write the best songs that we can and obviously it’s gonna be similar to the kind of stuff that we listen to. We listen to a lot of the newer pop/punk kind of stuff, Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, The Starting Line, but there’s all kinds of bands; The Foo Fighters, there’s a lot of 90s rock that I’ve been going back and listening to, like Third Eye Blind, Smashing Pumpkins, bands like that, but not to say that you could tell really from the sound of the CD, because I don’t know if that really comes across.
Does the album cover have any special meaning to it?
Not really. We loved the album cover of A Lesson In Romantics and we really liked the idea of keeping the ‘umbrella guy’ around for this time. We had a few calls with the artist that did it and we had talked about maybe keeping that guy and maybe this time, whereas before it was a head on view of what’s behind him, this one could be behind him, where he’s going type thing. We thought it was a cool concept and that’s really all the direction we gave him, and he came up with the artwork and we loved it.
Any personal favorites off of Anywhere But Here?
For me? Track 10, I Swear This Time I Mean It. It’s an acoustic ballad kind of song on the CD; it’s my personal favorite. But there’s a lot that I love, I mean, I love it all, but I Swear This Time I Mean It is for sure my favorite.
What has been your biggest challenge as a band?
I guess I’d have to say having Jason leave the band, mostly just because of the fact that it was in the middle of a tour, so it was like he flew home, and we had to play a show the next day without him, where as he would obviously play the guitar and sang, so it was like we had to figure out who was gonna cover the parts, who was gonna play what, minus that member like that night and play it the next day without practice…
Anything else you would like to add?
Just thank you! Thank you for the support to everyone who has listened to us, or bought a CD, or came to a show. This is our dream job, and it’s awesome to do it, so thanks for the support!
