Poppers

"Poppers"... What are they?

1. "Poppers" is the street term used for nearly 50 years to describe the misuse of any alkyl nitrite (including amyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite and butyl nitrite) as inhalants for recreational purposes.

2. Although "Poppers" have only recently come to the public attention, alkyl nitrites have been inhaled for over one hundred years. They have had a long and well-documented history of public safety. This record is strongly reinforced by the fact that during the past 35 years a very high probability has existed that a large percentage of all nitrite odorants sold were misused as "poppers".

Who Wants Them Banned and Why?

1. Despite that long safety record of alkyl nitrites, the AIDS phenomenon opened the door of opportunity for certain self-serving individuals to promote themselves as “experts" on the study of "poppers" and to condemn their use as unsafe. These self-proclaimed "experts" did not have the knowledge of immunology or epidemiology to make informed judgments about AIDS or its cause. Real experts now tell us that AIDS is caused, not by "poppers", but by a virus and that the misuse of nitrites as "poppers" appears rather clearly NOT to be causally associated with AIDS or any of its opportunistic infections. In 1987, the large MCS study, among others, confirmed that no such connection exists.

Are They Really Safe?

1. Anti-"popper" individuals suggest "poppers" are unsafe because they are not regulated by any government agency. This is simply not true. Of the compounds most commonly used as "poppers", amyl nitrite is regulated by the FDA and nitrite-based room odorizers are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Within the past few years, the CPSC has twice been asked to restrict isobutyl nitrite products and has twice, after thorough investigation, decided that the safety record of these products did not indicate that such action was necessary. Although responsible nitrite odorant manufacturers have never encouraged or promoted the misuse of their nitrite odorants as "poppers", they have long recognized the high probability of such misuse. They, therefore, have shared a deep concern and responsibility toward each responsible adult user of these products. (in much the same manner that responsible children's crayon manufacturers recognize that their crayons will be eaten and thus assure that they are safely edible.)

2. A review of the literature clearly shows that inhalation of the alkyl nitrites poses no significant health hazard.

Statements of Fact

Merck & Co., Inc.: Where patients come first.
Volatile Nitrites/Poppers
"Amyl nitrite (poppers) may be inhaled to alter consciousness and enhance sexual pleasure. Use is particularly prominent among urban male homosexuals. Other nitrites (butyl, isobutyl)--eg, Locker Room and Rush--are in use. There is little evidence of significant hazard, although nitrites and nitrates produce vasodilation, with brief hypotension, dizziness, and flushing, followed by reflex tachycardia." Copyright © 1995-2006 Merck & Co., Inc.

James Curran, M.D.
the CDCs Chief AIDS Investigator
In a letter to the one-man, San Francisco-based 'Committee to Monitor Poppers' Dr. Curran responded to the committee’s request that he take an anti-popper position by telling the committee that "Current data does not warrant an anti-popper campaign." May 6,1985


Mark Novitch, M.D.
FDA Commissioner
In a letter to the White House said that, based on existing data, "...there is very little evidence of acute toxicity related to use of butyl nitrite." “...relative to lifetime use by homosexuals, although some groups contend that the possibility exists that repeated use among homosexuals may produce adverse effects, there is virtually no direct evidence to support that." April 18, 1984


P.R.J. Gangadharam
Researcher
Six months after being widely reported in the media to have 'linked' nitrite inhalation to AIDS and its diseases, in a letter to Paul Varnel, Research Director for the Illinois Gay and Lesbian Task Force, reverses himself when saying: "It is not mentioned, nor is it our intention to say, that isobutyl nitrite causes AIDS, nor does it precipitate or intensify the disease status of the AIDS people." February 24, 1986


Ray Hamilton
Director of Recall and Litigation, Bureau of Drugs
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
In an official FDA statement clarifying the agency's feelings on the subject of butyl nitrite, Mr. Hamilton said: "...the FDA does not plan to devote resources to a project involving room odorizers containing alkyl nitrites because of the absence of demonstrable hazard." January 30,1981


John A. Liddle, Ph.D.
Public Health Service(PHS)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
In a letter to the New York Consumer Protection Board Dr. Liddle told the Board, "No positive correlation between the use of organic nitrites and the onset of AIDS was ever demonstrated." May 10, 1985


Radhey L. Singhal, Ph. D., Professor and Chairman Department of Pharmacology, University of Ottawa
In a letter to Canada's Product Safety Branch, Consumer and Corporate Affairs, says, "As stated in our report, we have concluded that occasional inhalation of isobutyl nitrite for its 'inebrient' effect in a recreational context is unlikely to pose a health hazard..." July 30,1979


J.J. Goedert, M.D. & W.A. Blattner, M.D.
National Cancer Institute, NIH
In the lead chapter of one of the finest new AIDS research and therapy books(l), Dr. Goedert and Dr. Blattner at the National Cancer Institute discuss inhalation of nitrites and say, "...it now appears that frequent use of nitrite inhalants simply may be a surrogate marker of frequent receptive anal intercourse."

(1)Goedert, J.J. and Blattner, W.A. The epidemiology of AIDS and related conditions. W: AIDS: ETILOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION. eds.: DeVita, V.T., Heuman, S. and Rosenbert, S.A. 1985 J.B. Lippincott Company. New York

Cladd Stevens, M.D., Head of Laboratory of Epidemeology
The New York Blood Center
While conducting one of this nation's largest ongoing studies of gay men and AIDS, during a meeting with J.F. Miller, President and CEO of Great Lakes Products, Inc., Dr. Stevens said: "Based on the data I've accumulated over the past five years, there appears to be no correlation between inhalation of butyl nitrite and AIDS or any of its infections." February 26, 1986 *Meeting held in Dr. Steven's offices at New York Blood Center, New York City


Bruce Voeller, Ph.D. President, Mariposa Foundation, Nationally-known AIDS researcher who gave AIDS its name, co-founder National Gay Task Force
In a major article on AIDS and "poppers" printed in the California newspaper, SAN DIEGO UPDATE: "...the intense campaigns against the use of volatile nitrites conducted by some, are slim in scientific merit. We need to get off poppers", or make a case against them through better science. We've been too preoccupied with "poppers" (as a possible co-factor) to the exclusion of everything else. By continuing up the wrong path, we loose time finding the right one." April 30, 1986


U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Memorandum to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
"...data would seem to indicate that the abuse of nitrites is relatively unlikely to result In a medical emergency." March 8, 1984

James W. Mosely, M.D.
University of Southern California Medical School professor who heads the U.S. government's largest, multi-million dollar program studying the AIDS virus and the nation's blood supply
In sworn testimony before a state legislative committee, stated that he had reviewed the evidence regarding isobutyl nitrite and AIDS, and that he regarded the claims of danger to be ill-founded. December 1985

U.S. Government Findings: Alkyl Nitrite Misuse by High School Students is Not a Problem in the U.S.
Although abuse of nitrite-based room odorants was never a significant problem with minors, National Institute on Drug Abuse statistics have shown a "substantial drop in the use of the amyl and butyl nitrites..."
NIH and NIDA publication: DRUGS AND AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 1975-1983

D. Lewis, of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
As reported in U.S. Medicine, while speaking in an AIDS session at the Public Health Service (PHS) annual meeting, reported his animal research with isobutyl nitrite indicated the substance is not immunotoxic for mice.
June 15, 1983


Cable News Network (CNN)
During a segment on AIDS: "In another development this week, federal investigators did a study of the stimulant isobutyl nitrite ... which was thought to have a depressing effect on the immune system. Studies on mice indicate the compound doesn't directly harm the body's defenses. September 8, 1983

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis

When seventeen year-old Bella Swan leaves sunny Arizona to live with her father in the small and gloomy Pacific North-West town of Forks she doesn’t expect to like it. After all she has made excuses not to go there enough times over the past few years. If living in Forks, with its constant mist and rain, wasn’t bad enough she will have to make a whole new set of friends and settle into a new school.

Bella soon makes some new friends at school but when she sees a boy called Edward Cullen sitting with his brothers and sisters in the cafeteria she is instantly intrigued. Edward is stunningly attractive, almost inhumanly beautiful, and yet he is an outsider too. Although Edward and his family have lived in Forks for two years they have never really been accepted by the townsfolk.

At first Edward is aloof, sometimes it almost seems like he can’t stand to be in the same room as her, but eventually they strike up an unlikely friendship. Even as Bella falls hopelessly and irrevocably in love with Edward, she still can’t work out exactly what makes him so different to everyone else.

On a trip to the beach, Bella is told of the local legend about the “cold ones”, a group of blood drinkers who have sworn off hunting humans but are still not welcome on Indian land because vampires are not to be trusted. Realising Edward is vampire changes nothing for Bella, she knows that she still loves him even if he’s not human.

Edward and his whole family are vampires. Edward himself was made a vampire when he was seventeen years-old, although that was at the end of World War I. For Edward his love for Bella is both a delight and a torment. A delight because she is the first person he has loved since he was made a vampire. A torment because although he has sworn off human blood and only hunts animals the craving for human blood never truly leaves him and the very scent of her also stirs his hunger for blood….

The Review

Twilight is the story of Edward and Bella’s romance. Forget any vampire romance you have read before, Twilight is so unique it is almost like it’s in its own genre. The book is marketed at Young Adult readers but it has the ability to cross age barriers and will satisfy both teenagers and adults alike.

The story is told in first person from the perspective of Bella, so the reader only ever know what she knows, making Edward and his family a mystery that is slowly unravelled through out the book. Even by the end of the book I was still thirsting for more of the Cullen family back story - hopefully their characters might be developed further in future books. Bella herself is a well written and realistic character, shy and lacking in confidence, her sarcastic inner voice narrates the story for the reader.

Twilight is simply and yet beautifully written. The descriptions of Forks leave you feeling like you can almost smell the damp air and hear the rain falling on the roof.

The romance between Edward and Bella is both touching and compelling. There is a melancholic feel to their impossible love, yet at the same time they both are unwilling to give up hope that their relationship is not doomed. The book reaches a fever pitch of excitement as the romance between Bella and Edward turns into a frantic race to stay alive.

I have heard Twilight described as “a vampire story for people who don’t like vampire stories” and I think I would agree with that. This book really has something for everyone. Young adult readers, vampire fans or romance readers will all find Twilight to be an appealing story.

For a Young Adult novel the book is quite long but don’t let that put you off reading it because each page is to be savoured. Believe me, this is one book that you won’t want to end

DOTA - Defense of the Ancients

What is it?

Defense of the Ancients (DotA) is a custom scenario for Warcraft III, based on the "Aeon of Strife" map for StarCraft. The objective of the scenario is to destroy the opponents' "Ancient". The two teams' ancients are heavily guarded structures at opposing corners of the map. Players use powerful units known as heroes, and are assisted by allied heroes and AI-controlled fighters called "creeps". As in role-playing games, players level up their hero and use gold to buy equipment during the mission.

The scenario was developed with the "World Editor" of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and was updated upon the release of the Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. There have been many variations of the original concept; currently, the most popular is DotA Allstars, which has been maintained by several authors during development.

Since its release, Allstars has become a feature at several worldwide tournaments, including Blizzard Entertainment's BlizzCon and the Asian World Cyber Games, as well as the Cyberathlete Amateur and CyberEvolution leagues; Gamasutra declared that DotA was perhaps the most popular "free, non-supported game mod in the world". The map has gone on to influence other maps and games, including the 2009 strategy game Demigod.

Gameplay

A game of DotA Allstars in progress

Defense of the Ancients pits two teams of players against each other: the Sentinel and the Scourge. Players on the Sentinel team are based at the southwest corner of the map, and those on the Scourge team are based at the northeast corner. Each base is defended by towers and waves of units which guard the main paths leading to their base. In the center of each base is the "Ancient", a building that must be destroyed to win the game.

Each human player controls one Hero, a powerful unit with unique abilities. In Allstars, players on each side choose one of ninety-three heroes, each with different abilities and tactical advantages over other heroes. The scenario is highly team-oriented; it is difficult for one player to carry the team to victory alone. Nevertheless, some heroes, given enough time, can change the outcome single-handedly, while countering the opposing team's heroes. Defense of the Ancients allows up to ten players in a five versus five format and an additional two slots for referees or observers, often with an equal number of players on each side.

Because the gameplay revolves around strengthening individual heroes, it does not require one to focus on resource management and base-building, as in most traditional real-time strategy games. Killing computer-controlled or neutral units earns the player experience points; when enough experience is accumulated, the player gains a level. Leveling up improves the hero's toughness and the damage it can inflict, and allows players to upgrade their spells or skills. In addition to accumulating experience, players also manage a single resource: gold. The typical resource gathering of Warcraft III is replaced by a combat-oriented money system; in addition to a small periodic income, heroes earn gold by killing hostile units, base structures, and enemy heroes. Using gold, players buy items to strengthen their hero and gain abilities. Certain items can be combined with recipes to create more powerful items. Buying items that suit one's hero is an important tactical element of the scenario.

Allstars offers a variety of game modes, selected by the game host at the beginning of the match. The game modes dictate the difficulty of the scenario, as well as whether people can choose their hero or are assigned one randomly. Many game modes can be combined (for example, an easy difficulty level and a random hero pick), allowing more flexible options.

My Brute! One of the funniest fighting game online! By LilWeezyWee

My Brute is a simple fighting slash role playing game with a little mix of social networking. The game starts like most role playing games where you get choose and customize your character. After creating your character, you’ll need to find someone to fight. Here’s where it gets a bit interesting. During the fight, you are not required to do anything but watch and hope that your character wins. You are allowed to do only a few fights per day and each time your character levels up, you’ll get a new weapon or pet depending on the character you chose.

What’s interesting about the game is the element of surprise. You’ll never know what kind of scenario is going to be played during the fight. You can choose to fight a character with weaker stats but the outcome could be affected by the weapon(s) that the other character wields. Items and weapons will be given to you as your character’s level improves. Your character’s fight will be played for you which can be frustrating at times but its selling point of the game.

The social networking side of MyBrute allows you to recruit members and get some experience points. You can also join a clan if you want to. I’m just not sure of what are the incentives in joining a clan. Creating a character in MyBrute does not require you to sign up. Once your character name is validated (never been used) you can immediately start playing. This however, prevents you from joining clans and your character is open and can be played by others. If you want to be the only one to play you character, simply add a password and get access to other features of the game.

If you’re up for a bit of fun on your break, check it out and challenge MyBrute!

Men and TV , the evolution.

[Video] Men VS Women

This is a war that comes along with the years, Men Vs Women, which is the stronger genre, here's a little example :P 1-0 for Men

The Big 8 of What Men Really Want Women to Do and Be Like By Tanja Scott

According to surveys done with thousands of men, here are the BIG 8 of what men really want women to do and be like.

How to please your man? Is he happy with me? What does he want me to do? These are just some of the questions that constantly plague women. We end up obsessing about it and ultimately jump to the wrong conclusions. This, is what they really want:

1) Guys absolutely love the attention that you splurge on them. Whether you are trying to attract them or have been in a relationship for a long time. Fuss over them and you will be richly rewarded for your effort.

2) Men are really attracted to women that are happy with themselves and how they look. Simple gestures that exert confidence turn them on. Your walk, flicking of your hair, your smile, simple gestures like touching your waste or bum. If you are confident in yourself and show interest in them - they feel special and singled out.

3) Guys love everything feminine about you (but in moderation!). Your perfume, your makeup, your girlie gestures and giggles. Key is to entice and not overpower. Too much can have quite the opposite effect.

4) Men adore it when you show others how you feel about them. Hug them in public, always look for their hand, mention how he makes you laugh and smile. Anything you can do that will "show him off" in front of others. Especially with people he either likes or feel insecure with, which means everybody!

5) Guys love your support. They might never admit to it, but they can rarely make up their minds about anything and is usually open for suggestion and persuasion. Take note of what is going on in his life, ask questions and show that his interests and problems are important to you.

6) Men want to know that sexually they are the absolute ultimate. They do not take kindly to rejection and even though you might not think so, they are concerned about whether they satisfied you or not. Show him, show him, show him and did I mention show him?

7) Guys find it quite a challenge to be serious. If you are playful in your approach it is something that is familiar to him that he can relate to. It eases anything from sex to conversation. Don't take yourself too serious, play around, it is one of our basic animal instincts.

8) Although men want to know that they are your moon and stars, they do not want your constant dependence. Having your own interests and hobbies is what makes you endearing, with the added bonus that they can spend some time on theirs.

Adhere to these and you are bound to make your husband, boyfriend or love interest the happiest man alive. And might I add, how they respond and what you get out of it is very rewarding.

I wish I could tell you that this is it though, unfortunately it is only the tip of the iceberg that makes us women the wonderfully intricate beings that we are.

But if you can only implement a few of these, you are off to a rockin start - trust me!