Last But Not Least

As J.R.R. Tolkien pointed out half a century ago, "All that is gold does not glitter." That statement seems particularly apt when applied to World of Warcraft gold. Not only is World of Warcraft gold the virtual currency of a virtual world -- and therefore doesn't glitter at all except on computer screens -- it's worth real gold on the world financial markets. In fact, World of Warcraft gold is worth more than many hard currencies, including the Japanese yen, Indian rupee, and Russian ruble. What's going on here?

A cross of gold

Recently, World of Warcraft gold peaked at almost a dime per gold piece -- not bad when you consider that the World of Warcraft MMORPG, where it's the prime unit of in-game currency, debuted in late 2004. The value of World of Warcraft gold is on par with the Mexican peso, and much better than, say, the Jamaican dollar (65 to the U.S. dollar). Why this run on World of Warcraft gold? Blame it on the five million people worldwide who play World of Warcraft (that's more people than live in the state of Colorado). To many of these people, and their millions of avatars striving to make a life in Azeroth, World of Warcraft gold is as real and as useful as the currency they use to buy sodas at the corner store.

Sure, you can work your fingers to the bone earning a pile of World of Warcraft gold, but we've got a better way: Find the best sources for WoW gold than youll know what to do with.

Politico - Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) has taped an advertisement apologizing for her televised comments calling Barack Obama anti-American, according to a Republican source familiar with her campaign’s decision.

This game is adventurous, fun, and online! You can buy clothes, play poker and other fun games, sword fight, go on ships, and win money (not real of course). The game is called Puzzle Pirates. I know what you may be thinking... that this game is boring because it is just puzzles... but its not. It is one of the most fun online games that I ever played! It was voted one of the most fun and addicting online games. If you want the link then it is on the bottom of this article.

Here is a list of all the games you can play:

SWORDFIGHTING

Duel one-on-one or send yer crew to sea for huge multiplayer boarding battles! Build blocks of color and shatter them with matching breaker pieces to send an onslaught of silver swords slashing through your opponent's board! Outlast your foe and use his own attacks against him!

TREASURE DROP

Plunk down yer coin at the top of the board and watch it trip and catch switches all the way down! But now you've cleared a path for yer opponent! Balance yer play between board setup and cashing in, and you'll soon be cashing out a pile of plunder!

POKER

Whether with blades and guts on the waves, or cards and bluster on the table, a pirate loves to gamble. And what better poker than true Hold 'Em? Accurate to the felt, but piratey to the core, any aficionado would happily while away the hours with a deck and a rum!

HEARTS

The centuries-old game of not getting points takes new meaning when played for wagers of treasure with cutthroat pirates! Of course, ye could always play a friendly game fer points instead of plunder. But many's the quick chap who lives off his winnings from drunken scallywags!

SPADES

Partners bid their target tricks and claim their points if they succeed. But the greedy pirate who takes tricks beyond his bid will raise the ire of his partner for their penalties! From friendly games to high-stakes wagers, there's a match for all comers, and cash for the savvy!

RUMBLE

Master the art of melee fighting! Engage in fisticuffs with yer maties or rumble against them scurvy dog Barbarians! Cluster colored balls to send attacks to yer opponent! Try saving up charged combos for a strike!

DRINKING

Up to six rowdy players can sit together and drown on land at the drinking table. Place yer mugs in turn, matching color or shape, to claim rows. Clear away finished rows and keep at the bottle till the table's stained with drink or all hands are too drunk to move!

Games on a ship:

SAILING

Pieces fall from the top in classic style, and yer simple task is to catch them into the right targets. But the true fun, and skill, of a sailor is to build towering sets of blocks awaiting just the right one to set off a chain reaction of clears and combos all the way down the board. Send yer ship skipping over the waves!

CAPENTRY

Use yer packing skills to fit the five-block pieces into the holes as snugly as ye can! Match the wood grain for better scores, and complete successive perfect holes to keep yer vessel ship-shape! Carpentry is classic and simple to learn but deep and strategic for long voyages at the boards!

BILGE

Yer tried-and-true bilgerat will tell ye that bilge is really a soothing, relaxing game of simple clears and flowing patterns. So forget yer landlubber world and lose yerself in the watery rhythm of swapping and clearing. Join the navy and play in peace as long as you like, or hop aboard a player ship and bilge yer way to pirate gold!

GUNNERY

The shipdeck itself is yer board, as cannonballs, gunpowder, wadding and water splash and roll across the planks. Set a path to guide them into the cannon - in the right order! And no sooner are they loaded than the captain orders a broadside and you're washing, loading and firing again! Booom!

SEA BATTLE

The true test of a captain comes on the high sea, managing her crew, running down her prey and trading shot for shot in the elite strategic arena of Sea Battle! Yer crew's performance at their own puzzles provide the pieces for yours as you hunt and plunder merchants, navy, and even yer fellow pirates!

here is the link if you are interested to play: Puzzle Pirates

Puzzle Pirates is one of my favorite games!

AP - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin testified for two hours Friday in an abuse-of-power investigation that has been a distraction to her Republican vice presidential campaign. Palin's leadership was questioned this month in a stinging but largely toothless legislative report that found she violated state ethics laws by letting a family dispute influence her decision-making.

I'm always haunted by the fact that it should have been me. You see, it was December 1968 and I was back in my base camp at Cu Chi for the third time that month. It was the third time I had been wounded in the month of December and I was getting ready to go back out to the field to be with my troops.

While I was in camp recovering, we had two new lieutenants arrive as replacements. They were very likable young men. Both were graduates of West Point. I liked them immediately and had great hopes for them.

I was supposed to go out to the field with both of them the next day on our usual convoy. It was a convoy that took out our mail, some hot food, a re-supply of ammunition and it was something that the people in the field looked forward to every day.

It was toward the end of the month and all of a sudden, I received a visit from the Major who had been our Battalion Executive Officer but was recently assigned to Division as the S-2. Thats the Intelligence Officer for those of you who dont know. He told me that he wanted me to participate in a security force the next day for the Bob Hope show.

He said that I would get to sit in the third row behind the wounded soldiers that they invited from the hospital (they would get the first two rows). My job would be to cordon off the stage in the event of a hostile act.

I asked him what that meant and he said, Dont worry, it means that you get to watch the show right up front. I was certainly cool with that so I agreed. It seems that the producers of the show wanted some soldiers near the front in combat uniforms for their camera. All we had to do was dress in our normal gear and sit in front so the cameras could film us occasionally. We did have loaded weapons but that was the extent of the seriousness of our mission.

Anyway, the night before the show, our unit came under heavy attack. We received an emergency message to deploy all the spare reserves that were ready to return to the field by helicopter. Mostly, these consisted of new troops who were just assigned to our unit and had just finished our war college (all new troops had an opportunity to get their uniforms, zero their weapons, and learn about various booby traps they might encounter when they got out to the field). I put the two lieutenants on a helicopter and gave them instructions. One of them would be taking over my unit until I returned the day after tomorrow.

I stayed behind to command the protection platoon for Bobs show. And I have to tell you, seeing Ann Margaret on stage was awesome. We hooted and hollered as loud as anyone there. I made sure I got some up-close pictures.

Anyway, the next morning, the C.O. called me on the radio and said that it had been a brutal night but that nobody died. They were, however, taking fire again and needed the rest of us out there right away. We jumped on a helicopter before sunup and were on our way. We had extra ammunition and even managed to scrape up some scrambled eggs and bacon to take with us.

When we got there, it was still dark. There were tracers flying everywhere. From the air, it looked like grazing fire.. Bullets flying about 2 or 3 ft. from the ground. Bullets flying everywhere. The pilot said, were going to drop you in an LZ to the south and youll have to hike it in from there. We cant set down in the middle of all that.

As we neared the ground, I remember taking a last minute check of the direction I was supposed to lead my men and then jumped right into a rice paddy up to my neck in water.

My head actually went underwater and I lost my helmet. When I finally popped my head up, I remember searching for the helmet for a second before deciding that I needed to hurry up and reinforce the company. I was a bit disoriented but I pulled my compass out and figured out which way to go.

Without my helmet, I waded into the no mans land between the good guys and the bad guys.

On the ground, I realized that the bullets were actually flying much higher over our heads than it looked from the air. I sent a radio message to the perimeter that we were coming in and gave them our coordinates. By the time we reached the perimeter, things had actually calmed down a bit and the sun was coming up.

Once inside the perimeter, the shooting had stopped. I guess the bad guys had had enough. We still called in some more artillery and (Id like to think) that our reinforcements scared them away.

Once things calmed down a bit, I went over to chat with the Company Commander. Thats when I learned of the bad news. As the two lieutenants were leaving a briefing just after they arrived, an RPG rocket hit right in front of them. Both were killed instantly. One of them was to be my replacement. I was supposed to go to the base camp and become the company executive officer. You know, the guy who gets to ride on the convoy every day so the troops could get their mail and a hot meal.

That never happened. Although I stayed in the field the rest of my time in VietNam and never got to live the good life back in base camp, I still believe that if I hadnt stayed to provide security for Bob Hope, Id be dead now.

Pat Kiggins
The Veterans Mentor
P.S. Ive never told this story to anyone until now. Maybe Ill leave behind a part of my life that my family will understand someday.
Learn how Pat helps Veterans use their free Veteran benefits to start a successful business that sells products to the government. Learn more about this Best-Selling Author by checking out his site at: http://www.patkiggins.com
Pat is an accomplished business executive, a proud Vetrepreneur and an even prouder parent of four outstanding children. If you would like to see how Pat motivates Veterans to start their own company and become successful, visit http://www.veteranbusinessnews.com

AP - Carbon dioxide isn't the only greenhouse gas that worries climate scientists. Airborne levels of two other potent gases - one from ancient plants, the other from flat-panel screen technology - are on the rise, too. And that's got scientists concerned about accelerated global warming.

Like the debate that has been raging for years on whether violence in movies and T.V. causes violent behavior in people, especially our youth seems to have spilled over onto the video game industry. And like the difference in opinions being debated over violence in the movie and T.V. industry, the argument over violence in video games has split into two camps. One camp say's that violent video games definitely is a catalyst in causing more violent behavior in people; especially kids. While the other camp say's there is no correlation between watching violent video games and violent behavior.

Remarkably, both sides agree that some video games have educational value while others are very helpful with aiding the sick, especially in physical therapy. While they do acknowledge the benefits to humanity, the naysayer's are quick to point out that the best selling video games have always been and will always be the games that promise sex and violence. Although there is a rating system for video games similar to the movie and T.V. industry, studies have shown that ratings that exclude children tend to draw them to those forbidden games like moths to a flame.

Studies done in 2001 show that of the 70 top selling video games that were reviewed, 49 percent of them contained serious violence. While opponents of video games are quick to point out that the two teenagers that committed mass-murder at Columbine High School were avid players of the violent video game Doom. The proponents of video games can point out any number of teenagers that play violent video games who are outstanding students and citizens. There was a study done of 75 people who played a violent video game on an average of about 60 hours in a month's time. The conclusion showed that there was absolutely zero escalation of violent behavior in the 75 participants during that time.

In conclusion, this writer finds that the "war" between the proponents and opponents of violent video games will rage on for years to come. Studies will continue to be done by both sides in an attempt to discredit each others conclusions and in the end, all they will succeed in doing is confuse the public. I believe that if a person is going to commit a violent act, then that person already had the propensity to commit violence all along. Where violent video games are sometimes blamed as being the catalyst for violent acts being committed, who is to really say it was not something else. Charles Manson blamed it on the Beatles song "Helter Skelter", while the "Son of Sam," David Berkowitz blamed it on a black Lab named "Sam."
In the end, as long as children develop moral values and are given guidance and love by their parents or parent, then all of the violent video games in the world would not have a negative affect on them. GAME ON!

I live in Largo, Florida where I work for the states largest Power Company. I currently have two websites, one being http://www.moviesmusicgamesandmore.com/ and I also have a Squidoo lens: http://www.squidoo.com/game-download-sites-review . I enjoy writing articles on different subjects as a hobby and I am currently writing (ever so slowly) an epic fantasy novel.

AP - Three years ago, the man known as Internment Serial Number 669 stopped eating.

King Arthur is dead and war has engulfed the land. This is the premise behind what could most probably be the longest running multiplayer online rpg games online, the Dark Age of Camelot. Borrowing heavily from the Celtic legend with the same characters and the same environment, the Dark Age of Camelot relies on two factors that make it a very scintillating computer game online experience: war and destruction.

Indeed, resource management found in most massively multiplayer online rpg games of this type take a backseat to the sheer thrill of combat in the Dark Age of Camelot. This computer game online is divided into realms. Realms are equivalent to servers in other MMORPG programs. Basically, the player would select the realm where he wants to play in. This realm becomes his character's game world. But there are special places, which the Dark Age of Camelot has labeled as Frontiers, where players from various realms can battle each other in mortal combat. The result is an exciting and enjoyable experience that allows those many hours of leveling up to finally pay off once you hear the might of your blade striking the final blow on your hapless opponent's armor.

New Heroes Are Summoned During The Dark Age Of Camelot

As with the legend from which it was based, King Arthur's death foretells the coming of the darkest times the world has ever seen. Hence, in the Dark Age of Camelot, new heroes are summoned by the kingdom as well as nearby towns. You will be one of these heroes, and your task is to protect your environment against a gamut of evil creatures and the invasive motives of other tribes.

But Camelot isn't the only kingdom you could choose to serve. You could decide to join its enemies, such as Hibernia, the land of magic and mystery, and Midgard, home of the Norse gods and the Vikings of yore.

This computer game online progresses much like any other MMORPG. You have to slay monsters and complete some quests to earn experience points and increase your level. Your prominence in this MMORPG game world would correspondingly increase, until such point when you'd become a legend yourself, much like the deceased king.

Partying is not as required as in other computer game online worlds, but it is very much recommended. Though you could do well in this MMORPG through your solo adventures, the experience would definitely be more fun and rewarding if you'd join a party. This forms the backbone of Dark Age of Camelot's social system.

The Dark Age Of Camelot Defines Persistence In A Computer Game Online

The Dark Age of Camelot was released way back in 2001, and it still remains a strong contender in the current MMORPG scene. Whereas other computer game online programs would have spawned two or even three sequels within that 5 year period, the Dark Age of Camelot continues to endure with its original game world. This is indeed a testament to the solid and sound nature of its game play mechanics, balance, and the richness of its own mythology.

But even the most faithful gamers need some things to spice up the experience from time to time. For this reason, the Dark Age of Camelot has released 4 expansion packs to date, namely: Shrouded Isles, Trials of Atlantis, Catacombs, and the most recent hit, Darkness Rising.

Each expansion expands the MMORPG's game world, and further adds to the story that fuels this computer game online program.

The Future Of The Dark Age Of Camelot As A Computer Game Online Is As Bright As Excalibur's Blade

Rare are the computer game online programs that last for 2, or even 3 years. But the Dark Age of Camelot has been going strong for 5 long years, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

With a monthly subscription fee of $10, it's one of the most affordable computer game online worlds that you could invest on. But you could give it a free try via a 14-day trial period, which would also allow you to download the full client.

Camelot is being consumed by evil. It desperately needs a beacon of hope. It needs a new wielder of the mythical sword, Excalibur.

Will you be that hero?

Bob is the owner of multiplayer online rpg games website. For certain, you've heard about massively multiplayer online roleplaying games or MMORPG. Everyone is raving about them these days, it seems Guild Wars, Star Wars Galaxies, Matrix Online, Dark Age Of Camelot, these are just some of the titles.

AP - Matt Damon is honored that the most recent celebrity of the presidential campaign - "Joe the Plumber" - dropped his name in an interview.