I agree that these disputes have been going on since before the end of WW2.  I've been following China closely since the Tienanmen square incident.  What IS different is the strength of the Chinese position and the degree to which the Chinese leaders benefit from this.  China's growth of on average 10% GDP a year means there economy is about 1000% bigger than it was in 1989.

Clyde, did you read the article by chance?

China’s worst outbreak of anti-Japan sentiment in decades led to weekend demonstrations and violent attacks on well-known Japanese businesses such as car makers Toyota and Honda, forcing frightened Japanese into hiding and prompting Chinese state media to warn that trade relations could now be in jeopardy.

Worst in decades is something new in the last few decades.  I'm no chicken little sir, but I do think this is a bit more heated than most borders.

Another territorial dispute this time with Japan is starting to heat up.  I'm not sure how these two are going to iron this out, it seems both parties are pretty far apart and citizens have taken so hardline stances.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2012/09/17/20204771.html

I think we have all seen guys who are total jerks who have armfuls of babes.  While I don't advocate being a jerk, women do like a man's man.  It's all well and good to ask her where she would like to go for dinner, but it's probably better to do the homework and have a plan all laid out and TAKE her to dinner.  Being sensitive is all well and good but women have friends who can be sensitive too so don't come across as just a sensitive friend.

If you are not currently working then at least do volunteer, preferably something in your field.  There are many benefits, networking might seem a be a bit selfish but as long as you are not trying to flog product you sell there is nothing wrong with padding your little black book with contacts.  Look at this situation, networking with like minded AandA fans can/has led to unrelated connections.  

The saying "work is good for the soul" is true, better to get paid but important to work no matter what.  Taking courses and self-improvement count.  I have not worked in 2 years since that drunk nearly killed me.  The insurance company has ensured money is not an issue, but they can't do anything for the change in direction forced into my life.  I rely on going to the gym, taking cognitive rehabs steps online (lumosity etc.), taking self improvement courses.  I also see 3 specialists a week and they all have readings and homework for me to do.  I like the feeling I am improving my lot in life every day, my girlfriend likes the fact I work out, now we work out together.  I see a shrink once a week to help with my attitude and try not to be such a dick, the girlfriend loves the fact I want to be a better man for her and for myself and those around me.  She is invited once a month to my sessions.

Some great advice already.  I have lots of issues myself so would probably not offer good advice much more than 50% of the time.  Living together after less than a year is a warning sign to me, mind you I have only ever once lived with any of my girlfriends.  My fear is that it takes at least a year for both parties to start to know each other well. 

I think honesty and communication are important.

Related to this thread..... things heat up between Japan and China

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-19566759

For the SAT, isn't it out of 800 per section?  So a 780 out of 800 should be a fairly high score no?

Read the first post in the thread for an explanation of bids.

A slow moving story.  Good for peace and diplomacy!

The following article moves us up to date on the conflicting territorial claims.  I still find it surreal how China is claiming territory just miles away from the Malaysian coast.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19435346

Although it takes an extra turn for production from Japan to reach the mainland, since the IPC you spend on a IC is spent on actual units so they appear 1 turn earlier.  The next turn your builds on the IC appear after the action occurs for R2 whereas those units you build on R1 can actually participate in the action the following round.  I agree that for the most part for Japan, build ICs when you max out your spending on the Japanese homeland IC.

Perhaps an extertaining -preview- video/advertisement, that makes it AAA appear totally AWESOME

Great idea.

A 'turn-key' how-to video with linked resources would be a great way to grow the pie.

I came to the AA world from a games club in school whose members belonged to a game club hosted by a game store.  Throwing these resources at a targeted audiences like these should help to grow the pie.

Perhaps a user inspired list of targets to advertise to?

"amateurs discuss tactics, professionals discuss logistics"

Has got to be one of the best quotes if not THE best quotes. 

When I've had to fire people it was a 3 step 'official' process.  Dropping hints initially is important as it does not have to be documented.  Once those steps fail then....

Step one.  Verbal warning.  This is of course documented prior to it being given and a note on how that went, dated and signed by yours truly.  There should be the problem "You stink", consequences as you can imagine them, and solution.  Bathe.

Step two.  Written warning, pretty much the same thing but this time the employee signs off, if they refuse which has happened to me, you document this too.

Step three.  Preparation of termination pay and an escort off premises.

It depends on what you mean by a choice.  The choice of a particular battle could be a binary Yes/No.  But that really is a summation of many choices.  How many units to use in a given battle?   There might be 20 viable battles with a range of potential outcomes from low success/high payout to high success/low payout to other permutations of which you can accomplish say 5. 

How did you come to the 'knowledge' that there was 20 viable battles?  Experience and weighing the odds.  So how many battles could you engage in?  Perhaps 100s if you look at all the legal possible moves including using 1 infantry against a force of 5 infantry on a valueless territory or attacking a battleship with a transport which is a legal move with no chance of success.  That is a choice, a bloody silly one so it wouldn't make the list of 20, but a choice.

Combinatorial explosion comes to mind quickly.

Honestly, I couldn't care less about it

I can see that.