Letter from Positron (Matt Miller)
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Hey everyone!
I’m coming up for air to let you know about some of the impending stuff happening in the City of Heroes and City of Villains games. It’s been pretty crazy around here getting Issue 8 ready to hit Training Room, and we hope we can bring you all some exciting news about that in the very near future.
By now you may have read about Cryptic Studios and Microsoft’s upcoming new venture and we at Cryptic want to assure our loyal players that we and the good folks at our publisher, NCsoft, are fully committed to City of Heroes and City of Villains. We have a full team of programmers, artists, designers, and producers devoted to creating and maintaining the best experience in the “City of” world of games. This team is, and will remain completely separate from other teams working on other games at Cryptic. Like fantasy, sci-fi, and simulation, comic book heroes is its own genre, capable of supporting multiple titles. City of Heroes was created with a single purpose: bring the world of comic book heroes alive. With that in mind, Cryptic is investing resources into our “City of” team to fully realize its own unique vision.
I’d like to start out by mentioning Issue 8: To Protect and Serve. This is a hero-centric Issue that finally levels the playing field between Heroes and Villains. We have a ton of stuff being added with this issue that will please a variety of players. It begins the multi-year storyline that continues next year with Issue 9 (title to be announced). I9 brings with it a huge new gameplay system: Inventions. Players will be able to craft Enhancements and Costume pieces for their characters using recipes, and salvage that they find while adventuring.
Issue 9 will also have Statesman’s Task Force, the Hero equivalent to the Recluse Strike Force. Both of these mission chains are designed for eight max-level characters and have some of the best rewards in the game.
Issue 10 is a ways out, but it will bring us an update to an old familiar villain group. This group will have their power center altered and bring about massive changes to the game as a whole. Heroes and Villains will find themselves banding together against a common threat.
We will begin to reveal our plans for Issues 11 and beyond over the next year or so. We feel confident that you will be as excited about our plans as we are!
So as you can see, we at Cryptic and NCsoft have great plans for the future and want to keep making the “City of” games exciting and fresh. Our motto going forward is “Listen to the players and give them what they want (within reason, of course)”. Expect a lot of oft-requested features and ideas to be implemented in the upcoming issues!
Sincerely,
Matt Miller (Positron)
Info gathered from: www.cityofheroes.com
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Some Just Don't Get It
I'm not the kind of girl to sit out on sidelines,
The kind of girl who doesn't say it straight from her mind.
You're gonna know all that I'm feeling on the inside.
I ain't into games, I don't wanna waste.
Any time and all the energy we could spend,
Being together boy forever you're my best friend.
I Got a little problem that I can't mend,
You抳e been taking me for granted you.
I don't wanna walk away from what we have, and you know it.
I'm not telling you all of this to make you mad.
It's not about whose right or wrong.
It's not about whose weak or strong.
It's about what I need to make this last.
A little more time, a little less wait.
A little more heart, a little less break.
Simple and true, what they say.
A little bit goes a long way.
A little less talk, a little more do.
A little more me, a little less you.
Baby at the end of the day,
A little bit goes a long way.
I need your heart.
I need your love.
Don't wanna end up in a tricky situation,
So I'm giving you my every indication.
We can work it out together stop the tension.
Try to understand, baby where I stand.
I love you and I'm trying to be gentle,
So let me break it down for you and make it simple.
I gave my heart so you know what's essential,
That you show a little love for me.
I don't wanna walk away or let u go and you know it.
I'm not telling you all of this to make you sad.
It's not about the tears we cry.
It's about how hard we try,
To give a little more and see the other side.
A little more time, a little less wait.
A little more heart, a little less break.
Simple and true, what they say.
A little bit goes a long way.
A little less talk, a little more do.
A little more me, a little less you.
Baby at the end of the day,
A little bit goes a long way.
And it hurts me, 'cause I care and I'm telling you why,
I'm unhappy so if you love me,
A little bit is not that much to ask to make things right.
Oh yeah, oh yeah, a little bit goes a long, long way
A little bit, a little bit, a little bit goes a long way.
A little bit, a little bit, a little bit goes a long, long way.
A little more time, a little less wait.
A little more heart, a little less break.
Simple and true, what they say.
A little bit goes a long way.
A little less talk, a little more do.
A little more me, a little less you.
Baby at the end of the day,
A little bit goes a long way.
A little more time, a little less wait.
A little more heart, a little less break.
Simple and true, what they say.
A little bit goes a long way.
A little less talk, a little more do.
A little more me, a little less you.
Baby at the end of the day,
A little bit goes a long way.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name: Tina
Birthday: December 7, 1981
Birthplace: London, Canada
Current Location: Southwestern, USA
Eye Color: blue-gray
Hair Color: Blonde
Height: 5'4"
Right Handed or Left Handed: right
Your Heritage: German, Russian, British, American, Canadian
The Shoes You Wore Today: my pink flipflops
Your Weakness: Letting anger, pain and depression build up inside until I get really pissed off and explode out of nowhere.
Your Fears: Failure, not being happy, being alone... few things
Your Perfect Pizza: Chicken, Broccoli and Mushrooms OR and Mexican Pizza!
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Cleaning the house and doing some remodeling
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: LOL, LMAO, ROFL
Thoughts First Waking Up: Please Don't say i gotta go to work today, i wanna clean! (sad but true, lol)
Your Best Physical Feature: My eyes and smile i been told.
Your Bedtime: Whenever...I have a crazy schedule.
Your Most Missed Memory: I don't know.
Pepsi or Coke: Neither..I rarely drink pop. And when I do, it's usually diet rite.
MacDonalds or Burger King: Havn't had them in along time
Single or Group Dates: Single
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate!
Cappuccino or Coffee: Cappuccino.
Do you Smoke: no, not any more!
Do you Swear: yes..mostly when I'm mad.
Do you Sing: YUP.
Do you Shower Daily: yes.
Have you Been in Love: yes still am!
Do you want to go to College: I used too but now... no need too, i dont think.
Do you want to get Married: I am right now!
Do you belive in yourself: Sometimes
Do you get Motion Sickness: Not anymore....I Don't think.
Do you think you are Attractive: Sometimes
Are you a Health Freak: All depends
Do you get along with your Parents: HELL NO!
Do you like Thunderstorms: Hell yeah...my favorite.
Do you play an Instrument: Not currently.....I played the bass drum in school, guitar, drums and keyboard in the band i was in, in highschool.
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: no
In the past month have you Smoked: no
In the past month have you been on Drugs: no
In the past month have you gone on a Date: yes, all the time with hubby
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: yeah
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: No
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: No, it looks gross, wont touch it either.
In the past month have you been on Stage: no
In the past month have you been Dumped: no
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: no
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: no
Ever been Drunk: yes, many of times.
Ever been called a Tease: All the time.
Ever been Beaten up: no
Ever Shoplifted: when i was like 8
How do you want to Die: In my sleep with my hubby next to me as we take our last breaths together.
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: I'm already grown up..... I would love to be a full time mom which I am working towards right now
What country would you most like to Visit: Italy or Japan.
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color: I love my hubby eyes!
Favourite Hair Color: Not picky, my hubby has salt & pepper hair kinda
Short or Long Hair: *shurgs* dont matter
Height: taller than me...LOL
Weight: Don't matter.
Best Clothing Style: *shrugs*.
Number of Drugs I have taken: Depends on what you are asking.....illegal, prescription, or alcohol.
Number of CDs I own: Where to start counting.. i mean i have music and game CDs.
Number of Piercings: 4 in my ears.
Number of Tattoos: None.
Number of things in my Past I Regret: A few.....but 1 that I regret the most and I beat myself up over it but oh well, its the past now and things are looking to a great future, which im happy and excited about.
Birthday: December 7, 1981
Birthplace: London, Canada
Current Location: Southwestern, USA
Eye Color: blue-gray
Hair Color: Blonde
Height: 5'4"
Right Handed or Left Handed: right
Your Heritage: German, Russian, British, American, Canadian
The Shoes You Wore Today: my pink flipflops
Your Weakness: Letting anger, pain and depression build up inside until I get really pissed off and explode out of nowhere.
Your Fears: Failure, not being happy, being alone... few things
Your Perfect Pizza: Chicken, Broccoli and Mushrooms OR and Mexican Pizza!
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Cleaning the house and doing some remodeling
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: LOL, LMAO, ROFL
Thoughts First Waking Up: Please Don't say i gotta go to work today, i wanna clean! (sad but true, lol)
Your Best Physical Feature: My eyes and smile i been told.
Your Bedtime: Whenever...I have a crazy schedule.
Your Most Missed Memory: I don't know.
Pepsi or Coke: Neither..I rarely drink pop. And when I do, it's usually diet rite.
MacDonalds or Burger King: Havn't had them in along time
Single or Group Dates: Single
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate!
Cappuccino or Coffee: Cappuccino.
Do you Smoke: no, not any more!
Do you Swear: yes..mostly when I'm mad.
Do you Sing: YUP.
Do you Shower Daily: yes.
Have you Been in Love: yes still am!
Do you want to go to College: I used too but now... no need too, i dont think.
Do you want to get Married: I am right now!
Do you belive in yourself: Sometimes
Do you get Motion Sickness: Not anymore....I Don't think.
Do you think you are Attractive: Sometimes
Are you a Health Freak: All depends
Do you get along with your Parents: HELL NO!
Do you like Thunderstorms: Hell yeah...my favorite.
Do you play an Instrument: Not currently.....I played the bass drum in school, guitar, drums and keyboard in the band i was in, in highschool.
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: no
In the past month have you Smoked: no
In the past month have you been on Drugs: no
In the past month have you gone on a Date: yes, all the time with hubby
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: yeah
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: No
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: No, it looks gross, wont touch it either.
In the past month have you been on Stage: no
In the past month have you been Dumped: no
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: no
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: no
Ever been Drunk: yes, many of times.
Ever been called a Tease: All the time.
Ever been Beaten up: no
Ever Shoplifted: when i was like 8
How do you want to Die: In my sleep with my hubby next to me as we take our last breaths together.
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: I'm already grown up..... I would love to be a full time mom which I am working towards right now
What country would you most like to Visit: Italy or Japan.
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color: I love my hubby eyes!
Favourite Hair Color: Not picky, my hubby has salt & pepper hair kinda
Short or Long Hair: *shurgs* dont matter
Height: taller than me...LOL
Weight: Don't matter.
Best Clothing Style: *shrugs*.
Number of Drugs I have taken: Depends on what you are asking.....illegal, prescription, or alcohol.
Number of CDs I own: Where to start counting.. i mean i have music and game CDs.
Number of Piercings: 4 in my ears.
Number of Tattoos: None.
Number of things in my Past I Regret: A few.....but 1 that I regret the most and I beat myself up over it but oh well, its the past now and things are looking to a great future, which im happy and excited about.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Mabon
Mabon
Autumn Equinox, 2nd Harvest, September 21st
Mabon, (pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn) is the Autumn Equinox. The Autumn Equinox divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year's crops. The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.
Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year.
At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.
Symbolism of Mabon:
Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.
Symbols of Mabon:
wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty.
Herbs of Maybon:
Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.
Foods of Mabon:
Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Incense of Mabon:
Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage.
Colors of Mabon:
Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.
Stones of Mabon:
Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates.
Activities of Mabon:
Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.
Spellworkings of Mabon:
Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance.
Deities of Mabon:
Goddesses-Modron, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Pamona and the Muses. Gods-Mabon, Thoth, Thor, Hermes, and The Green Man.
Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the Spirit World. Considered a time of balance, it is when we stop and relax and enjoy the fruits of our personal harvests, whether they be from toiling in our gardens, working at our jobs, raising our families, or just coping with the hussle-bussle of everyday life. May your Mabon be memorable, and your hearts and spirits be filled to overflowing!
Autumn Equinox, 2nd Harvest, September 21st
Mabon, (pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn) is the Autumn Equinox. The Autumn Equinox divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year's crops. The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.
Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year.
At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.
Symbolism of Mabon:
Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.
Symbols of Mabon:
wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty.
Herbs of Maybon:
Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.
Foods of Mabon:
Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Incense of Mabon:
Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage.
Colors of Mabon:
Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.
Stones of Mabon:
Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates.
Activities of Mabon:
Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.
Spellworkings of Mabon:
Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance.
Deities of Mabon:
Goddesses-Modron, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Pamona and the Muses. Gods-Mabon, Thoth, Thor, Hermes, and The Green Man.
Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the Spirit World. Considered a time of balance, it is when we stop and relax and enjoy the fruits of our personal harvests, whether they be from toiling in our gardens, working at our jobs, raising our families, or just coping with the hussle-bussle of everyday life. May your Mabon be memorable, and your hearts and spirits be filled to overflowing!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Sailor Moon - My Only Love
This has always been one of my fav shows of all time, this is from part of my all time fav eposode!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Adorable Babies!!
This is so cute! Now If I do Have all 4 at once, this is a priceless kodak moment for sure!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcCZABr_G1k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcCZABr_G1k
Saturday, September 16, 2006
City Of Heroes!!
THANK-YOU!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVKDMHalNAc
KILL STEALER!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXpfI6oljlY
BUG!! FUNNY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8NG9oMp_yY
POCKET D!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrkG5P2iLxs
I FOUND THIS WELL DONE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wkr31uTI1Q
Continued..........?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKPyMXAi-dY
NUMA NUMA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gg5LOd_Zus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVKDMHalNAc
KILL STEALER!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXpfI6oljlY
BUG!! FUNNY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8NG9oMp_yY
POCKET D!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrkG5P2iLxs
I FOUND THIS WELL DONE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wkr31uTI1Q
Continued..........?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKPyMXAi-dY
NUMA NUMA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gg5LOd_Zus
Thursday, September 14, 2006
I am Tossing Out That Bag In My Fridge As You Read This ~ Better Safe Then Sorry I Always Say!
WASHINGTON - An outbreak of E. coli in eight states has left at least one person dead and 50 others sick, federal health officials said Thursday in warning consumers nationwide not to eat bagged fresh spinach.
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The death occurred in Wisconsin, where 20 people were made ill, state officials said. The outbreak has sickened others — eight of them seriously — in Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah, according to federal health officials.
In California, state health officials were investigating a possible case that could be linked to the outbreak and warned consumers not to eat the produce.
FDA officials do not know the source of the outbreak other than it appears to be linked to bagged fresh spinach. "We're advising people not to eat it," said Dr. David Acheson of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
The outbreak has affected a mix of ages, but most of the cases have involved women, Acheson told reporters in a conference call. He had no further information on the person who died.
The five confirmed patients in Oregon were females who ranged in age from 8 to 62, said Dr. Bill Keene, an epidemiologist with the Oregon Department of Human Services. The cases originated between Aug. 25 and Sept. 1, he said, and were linked to the spinach but not to a specific brand.
"People have either varying or no recollection of the brand they purchased," Keene said.
In Michigan, two adults and a child were sickened, a state health official said. Connecticut reported one case.
"We're telling people if they have bagged produce and they feel like it's a risk, throw it out," Michigan Department of Community Health spokesman T.J. Bucholz said. "If they feel like they have to eat it, wash it first in warm water."
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare was advising people to exercise caution as it tried to gather more information, spokesman Ross Mason said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Wisconsin health officials alerted the FDA about the outbreak Wednesday. Preliminary analysis suggests the same bug is responsible for the outbreak in all eight states.
The warning applied to consumers nationwide because of uncertainty over the origin of the tainted spinach and how widely it was distributed.
Health officials do not know of any link to a specific growing region, grower, brand or supplier, Acheson said.
He said reports of infections have been growing.
"It's increasing by the day," Acheson said. "We may be at the peak, we may not be."
Amy Philpott, a spokeswoman for the United Fresh Produce Association, said that it's possible the cause of the outbreak won't be known for some time, even after its source is determined.
"Our industry is very concerned," she said. "We're taking this very seriously."
E. coli causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, although some people — including the very young and old — can develop a form of kidney failure that often leads to death.
Anyone who has gotten sick after eating raw packaged spinach should contact a doctor, officials said.
Other bagged vegetables, including prepackaged salads, apparently are not affected. In general, however, washing all bagged vegetables is recommended.
E. coli lives in the intestines of cattle and other animals and typically is linked to contamination by fecal material. It causes an estimated 73,000 cases of infection, including 61 deaths, each year in the United States, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sources of the bacterium include uncooked produce, raw milk, unpasteurized juice, contaminated water and meat, especially undercooked or raw hamburger, the agency says on its Web site.
In December 2005, an E. coli outbreak sickened at least eight children in Washington state. Officials traced the outbreak to unpasteurized milk from a dairy that had been ordered to stop distributing raw milk.
Last October, the FDA warned people not to eat certain Dole prepackaged salads that were connected to an outbreak of E. coli infections in Minnesota. At least 11 people were sickened.
In 1993, a major E. coli outbreak sickened about 700 people and killed four who ate undercooked Jack in the Box hamburgers in Washington state. That outbreak led to tighter Agriculture Department safety standards for meat and poultry producers.
ADVERTISEMENT
The death occurred in Wisconsin, where 20 people were made ill, state officials said. The outbreak has sickened others — eight of them seriously — in Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah, according to federal health officials.
In California, state health officials were investigating a possible case that could be linked to the outbreak and warned consumers not to eat the produce.
FDA officials do not know the source of the outbreak other than it appears to be linked to bagged fresh spinach. "We're advising people not to eat it," said Dr. David Acheson of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
The outbreak has affected a mix of ages, but most of the cases have involved women, Acheson told reporters in a conference call. He had no further information on the person who died.
The five confirmed patients in Oregon were females who ranged in age from 8 to 62, said Dr. Bill Keene, an epidemiologist with the Oregon Department of Human Services. The cases originated between Aug. 25 and Sept. 1, he said, and were linked to the spinach but not to a specific brand.
"People have either varying or no recollection of the brand they purchased," Keene said.
In Michigan, two adults and a child were sickened, a state health official said. Connecticut reported one case.
"We're telling people if they have bagged produce and they feel like it's a risk, throw it out," Michigan Department of Community Health spokesman T.J. Bucholz said. "If they feel like they have to eat it, wash it first in warm water."
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare was advising people to exercise caution as it tried to gather more information, spokesman Ross Mason said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Wisconsin health officials alerted the FDA about the outbreak Wednesday. Preliminary analysis suggests the same bug is responsible for the outbreak in all eight states.
The warning applied to consumers nationwide because of uncertainty over the origin of the tainted spinach and how widely it was distributed.
Health officials do not know of any link to a specific growing region, grower, brand or supplier, Acheson said.
He said reports of infections have been growing.
"It's increasing by the day," Acheson said. "We may be at the peak, we may not be."
Amy Philpott, a spokeswoman for the United Fresh Produce Association, said that it's possible the cause of the outbreak won't be known for some time, even after its source is determined.
"Our industry is very concerned," she said. "We're taking this very seriously."
E. coli causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, although some people — including the very young and old — can develop a form of kidney failure that often leads to death.
Anyone who has gotten sick after eating raw packaged spinach should contact a doctor, officials said.
Other bagged vegetables, including prepackaged salads, apparently are not affected. In general, however, washing all bagged vegetables is recommended.
E. coli lives in the intestines of cattle and other animals and typically is linked to contamination by fecal material. It causes an estimated 73,000 cases of infection, including 61 deaths, each year in the United States, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sources of the bacterium include uncooked produce, raw milk, unpasteurized juice, contaminated water and meat, especially undercooked or raw hamburger, the agency says on its Web site.
In December 2005, an E. coli outbreak sickened at least eight children in Washington state. Officials traced the outbreak to unpasteurized milk from a dairy that had been ordered to stop distributing raw milk.
Last October, the FDA warned people not to eat certain Dole prepackaged salads that were connected to an outbreak of E. coli infections in Minnesota. At least 11 people were sickened.
In 1993, a major E. coli outbreak sickened about 700 people and killed four who ate undercooked Jack in the Box hamburgers in Washington state. That outbreak led to tighter Agriculture Department safety standards for meat and poultry producers.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Issue 8: To Protect and Serve - City of Villains®, City of Heroes®
Issue 8: To Protect and Serve, the eighth free expansion since the launch of City of Heroes® in April 2004, introduces a host of innovative features, gameplay improvements and player programs. Issue 7: Destiny Manifest allowed villains to wreak havoc in the PvP zone Recluse's Victory and physics-filled Mayhem Missions. Now it's the Heroes' turn to take back the streets!
Safeguard Missions (Heroes only)
Vandals are creating mayhem and destroying Paragon City while high profile villains are attempting major bank heists! Emergency broadcasts from the new Police Band scanners (see below) call Heroes to action, resulting in a frantic new twist on Mayhem Missions. Heroes must stop the mayhem (in massively destructive versions of Paragon City zones) and prevent the heists from occurring.
Police Band (Heroes only)
Offering similar functionality to the Newspaper Missions in City of Villains®, new Police contacts throughout various Hero zones grant Heroes Police Band access, opening a plethora of new missions and rewards.
Pocket D Arenas (Heroes and Villains)
For the first time, Heroes and Villains can officially battle each other using Arena kiosks set within the neutral ground of the Pocket D nightclub.
Faultline Reborn (Heroes only)
Faultline transforms from a hazard zone to a city zone! Paragon City's Measure X has passed, reconstruction of Faultline has begun, and the effort has revealed some major surprises.
Veteran Rewards Program (Heroes and Villains)
Launching together with Issue 8, the Veteran Rewards Program retroactively* rewards City of Heroes and City of Villains players for their past active playing time. Specifically, for each increment of three months played, players will unlock special costumes powers, badges, and more! The program is retroactive by player account and rewards will be applicable to all characters within each respective account. (yayayyayayay!!! OMG!),
*This means time that players have already played counts towards their rewards!
Now this is my question.... WHEN? and im excited to see faultline reborn! now when is boomtown going to be reborn too? *grin* (Info gathered from www.cityofheroes.com)
Safeguard Missions (Heroes only)
Vandals are creating mayhem and destroying Paragon City while high profile villains are attempting major bank heists! Emergency broadcasts from the new Police Band scanners (see below) call Heroes to action, resulting in a frantic new twist on Mayhem Missions. Heroes must stop the mayhem (in massively destructive versions of Paragon City zones) and prevent the heists from occurring.
Police Band (Heroes only)
Offering similar functionality to the Newspaper Missions in City of Villains®, new Police contacts throughout various Hero zones grant Heroes Police Band access, opening a plethora of new missions and rewards.
Pocket D Arenas (Heroes and Villains)
For the first time, Heroes and Villains can officially battle each other using Arena kiosks set within the neutral ground of the Pocket D nightclub.
Faultline Reborn (Heroes only)
Faultline transforms from a hazard zone to a city zone! Paragon City's Measure X has passed, reconstruction of Faultline has begun, and the effort has revealed some major surprises.
Veteran Rewards Program (Heroes and Villains)
Launching together with Issue 8, the Veteran Rewards Program retroactively* rewards City of Heroes and City of Villains players for their past active playing time. Specifically, for each increment of three months played, players will unlock special costumes powers, badges, and more! The program is retroactive by player account and rewards will be applicable to all characters within each respective account. (yayayyayayay!!! OMG!),
*This means time that players have already played counts towards their rewards!
Now this is my question.... WHEN? and im excited to see faultline reborn! now when is boomtown going to be reborn too? *grin* (Info gathered from www.cityofheroes.com)
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