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Old Caterpillar Video: This Introduction Film Of The Caterpillar 944 Wheel Loader From The 1950s Is Awesome We take lots of stuff for granted today when we see it. Machines and operations that have seemingly been around since tim first began. The fact of the matter is that everything we do as human beings is evolutionary and that includes how we move the Earth and design the machines that we do it with. This video from the 1950s shows off the (then) new Caterpillar 944 wheel loader. The company that was (and is) so famous for making crawler tractors of all shapes and sizes wanted to make sure the world knew that they could make one equipped with tires as well. The video is cool because we see the machine working in all different types of conditions. Scooping loam, sand, gravel, and whatever else they wanted to capture on film. We see the tractor being driven at its maximum speed of 24mph in it road/travel gear, and we see it stopping for a school bus to let kids cross the street in front of it. We dig the fact that we get to check out the engines and see the wild transmission that sent the power to the axles. Oh, axles. We see those too as the tractor is driven over an old school lube pit (at least that is what it looks like) and the camera has a perfect view of its guts from the perspective of an ant. Working this machine through the summer would have meant a killer tan or a deadly sun burn. Working this machine through the winter would mean that you’d be freezing your giblets off out there in the elements. Cabs, heat, and protection from the elements were a long way off from the time this was made. A cool machine and a great film! This 1950s Caterpillar video shows the awesome 944 when it was brand new!

Special to WorldTribune.com By Sumantra Maitra, Freepressers.com The 5 day August war between Russia and Georgia changed the geopolitical and geostrategic scenario of Europe. It is important for many reasons. It was the first East-West conflict since the end of Cold War. It was the first European war since the Second World War, where the boundary of one sovereign nation was changed by force. It was the rare instance where the USA took a backseat to the European Union in deciding how to solve a crisis, and most importantly it demonstrated the resurgence of Russia, and her turning back to autocratic tendencies and 19th century “sphere of influence” politics, after 20 years of military pacifism, Perestroika and self portrayed ignominy. “A Little War That Shook The World”, the last book by Ronald D. Asmus before his death, is for lack of better words, a must-read. It is the first, and so far the only draft of the history of an event which had repercussions across the globe, and continues to do so. It clearly suffers from purple patches, repetitions, and occasional diatribes, but in totality, it charts an event which ironically has been much neglected. And therefore, for students of politics, diplomacy, international relations and foreign policy, this book becomes invaluable for the insight and the firsthand account it provides. Mikheil Saakashvili is portrayed as a maverick — not the “hothead” the World media represented him to be — a leader whose only motivation was to take his country West towards greater Atlanticism and democracy, despite opposition from Russia. It also carefully charts with statistics the massive, disproportionate, and deadly counterattack of Russia, “something like hell”, determined to crush any opposition to its territorial ambition and influence and NATO’s westward expansion. The counterattack also sought to teach the West a lesson for the impunity and perceived injustice in Kosovo, which Russia regards as a tremendous injustice done to her. In fact, according to the author, it is the recognition of Kosovo a decade back, which started this eventual downslide to madness. The war was carefully planned by the Russians, premeditated, and decided for years. The August crisis was just a trap where the options were either a slow balkanization and disintegration of Georgia, or a war and forced amputation. Saakashvili took the latter. The book is not without flaws. While demonizing Putin, Ron Asmus praised Gorbachev and Yeltsin as visionaries who took Russia towards greater freedom. Gorbachev I understand, but Yeltsin?! Perhaps the author forgot the famous quote by Yeltsin during the second Chechen War in Grozny, where he responded to Bill Clinton, “ It seems he has for a minute, for a second, for half a minute, forgotten that Russia has a full arsenal of nuclear weapons.” Also, the book is silent about the future of Atlanticism, and NATO. The internal problem of NATO started during the Balkan crisis, increased gradually with Iraq, Kosovo and Georgia, and came to the forefront, openly during the recent Arab Spring. Is the future of the alliance over? Because with each passing day it is just looking like a Cold War relic, an outdated bureaucratic super-state. Perhaps Ron Asmus, being the chief architect and advocate of an expanded and enlarged NATO couldn’t come to admit that maybe, his experiment was wrong. The newly joined states don’t have the democratic platform, free-market, or military prowess to join the alliance, much less carry the responsibility that comes with it. Why do I recommend this book then? Simply because, it is the only comprehensive book among a rare few written on this episode of history, which has not been much discussed and charted. Today when we see Putin about to come back to power, reforming the old Soviets and promoting Eurasianism, Russia Veto-ing sanctions against Iran and Syria, and warning of Nuclear war in its neighborhood if the expansion of NATO is not stopped, we remember that this course was already foretold a couple of years back. Ron Asmus died at 53 on April 30. His book is still taking those of us interested in foreign policy and diplomacy, to elementary schools. He is such an authority. I second the emotions expressed by the Economist: “I worry that his passing marks the passing of an age. He epitomized the generous-spirited and ambitious sentiments that won the cold war and rebuilt Europe on the rubble of the evil empire. Things seem more mean-spirited now.” - Hardcover: 272 pages - Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; 1 edition (January 19, 2010) - Language: English

MLRHAS: How did your passion for Land Rovers start? PB: It started when I was a youngster and they always had those Camel ads at the bioscope or drive-ins with the Camel man doing his thing. Of course the Camel Adventure used to be the ultimate test and probably the fantasy of many boys! Nowadays we have a new G-class CDI300, but the landy is family and will always be. The passion is still there and I would love a Series 1!!! MLRHAS: What was the first Land Rover you owned? PB: I bought a 2000 Td 5 90 new MLRHAS: How many Land Rovers have you owned? PB: I still have the same one! MLRHAS: Do your Land Rovers have a name? If so, what is the name? PB: It is called Moemfie after a cartoon elephant. The rear mudflaps used to remind me of the flapping ears of a baby elephant running… MLRHAS: What is your most memorable Land Rover moment? PB: We’ve had plenty of amazing trips and we have been blessed to have the opportunity to live it. I would have to say exploring north of the Okovango Delta after crossing over at Mohembo with the ferry and then navigating all the way to Savuti using a very old GPS. No T4A, etc!! We went all the way up to Kasane and then Vic Falls followed by a long drive back to Cape Town MLRHAS: What is your favourite accessory on your Land Rover and why? PB: We recently took the 90 to Andrew Faber from LR Service Centre in Southfield, CPT for a complete suspension upgrade, respray and a host of other items. She looks stunning and brand new and is obviously fitted with a host of new goodies. My favourite is still my dual battery system. Sitting alone in the Central Kalahari having a G&T WITH ICE on a hot summers day is the dogs bollocks. MLRHAS: Complete the sentence: My Land Rover has a Soul because… PB: it is not perfect. There’s been days when you want swear at it and then again days when you could hug it for pulling you through unimaginable obstacles. It does what it says on the label and you cannot ask for more than that! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT YOU AND YOUR LAND ROVER THEN CLICK THE “SUBMIT MY STORY’ BUTTON BELOW…

Costa Ballena Travel - Costarica Are you a business owner in Costa Rica? Promote your business 365 days a year with the #1 Guide to Costa Rica. - Gain MAXIMUM EXPOSURE with a 'Dedicated Business Profile' Directions to Costa Ballena Travel We make sure you see a cross section of options that put you in a position to identify value and clarify what it is you are looking for. Both the good and bad sides are presented to equip you to make the best decision for yourself. Everything in the area that matches your lifestyle and budget needs will be available to you. You will meet people who live here and see the local infrastructure and commodities. See what it is like to become a part of this community. You will get a good feel for the local lifestyle. Learn all about the area and meet residents and other clients while you are here. Eat in gourmet restaurants that will overwhelm your taste buds. Learn the pitfalls and shortcuts to banking, home maintenance and repairs. See the amazing waterfalls, sea caves, reefs, islands and beaches that are a part of every day life here. Through our professional presentations, be advised about the total real-estate process – How to make the offer through taking the title for your property. A complete list of professional services for all your follow-up needs is provided as well as assistance in start-up, turnkey businesses and property rentals. Our tours are organized by Costa Ballena Travel and guided by Annie Drake, Annie has lived in this area for many years and can help you find the information you need to make an educated decision. Tours include: Custom property search with realtors, where you will see all types of real estate: turnkey homes, lots, developments and businesses – according to your needs. Also Featured: Tour extensions available in the Costa Ballena area and/or other parts of Costa Rica. The Real Location Tour is just the beginning – our professional contacts are available to help you through the entire process. Our Concierge Travel Service with Sandra Rogers is here for the traveler as well as the resident. We can assist you with you reservation for hotels, excursions, car rentals, sports vehicles, International and domestic airlines tickets, and restaurants. Our Full-service Real Estate team will set up property tours specifically to meet your needs and budget. Our relocation service offer everything to help the recent arrival including: assistance with shipping, residency, banking, medical and legal services, car and equipment purchases, language classes, and veterinarians. Our complimentary services include a newsletter, travel discounts, introductory tours and a Newcomer’s Club. We also match you up with clubs, churches, and volunteer organizations. Sandra Rogers is a certified travel specialist with ICT (Costa Rica Tourism Board) and is here to help make this destination your dream destination. She also holds certifications in the US by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) You may also like Aroma Italiano Eco DesignSan-Jose, Central Valley Aroma Italiano's team is ready to work with you on your project of building a green, healthy, eco-friendly custom home in beautiful Costa Rica. We are the green team to c... Storm's VillaDominical, Costa Ballena Kick back and enjoy one of the best views in Costa Rica while sipping on a Margarita. This 2 bedroom villa is perfect for couples or families looking for luxury accommoda... Green Leaf RealtyDominical, Costa Ballena Green Leaf Realty specializes in real estate investment in Costa Ballena. Our services include orientation tours, consultation, trip planning, and car rentals. We cover ... 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Leinster and Ireland rugby star Johnny Sexton visited the pupils at Caherline national school | Picture: Dan Sheridan BOYS and girls in Caherline NS learned a valuable lesson on Monday – you reap what you sow in this life. Their thoughtful surprise for Fr Pat Currivan, who has served the parish of Caherconlish/Caherline for 41 years, was rewarded with a visit from Lions, Ireland and Leinster legend Johnny Sexton. He delivered a coaching masterclass to students as part of MACE’s Going the Extra Smile campaign. Caherline NS won the competition for doing what St Anthony couldn’t do – help Fr Currivan replace his missing All-Ireland minor medals. Principal of Caherline NS, Gearoid Power said it all began with a chat between himself, Fr Currivan and former principal Mike McCarthy in the staffroom in 2017. “Fr Currivan was telling us the story how he lost his two All-Ireland minor medals for Tipperary in 1952 and 1953. When he joined the priesthood he had to give up hurling. His mother sent him the medals with a lot of fruit but never told him. “When he got the bag the fruit was rotten so he threw the bag into the bin. A week later his mother rang him and asked him did he get the surprise. She said she put his two All-Ireland minor medals in to the bag. He said they were gone out with the rubbish,” said Mr Power, who was the then sixth class teacher. He and Mr McCarthy told the fifth and sixth class pupils the story and challenged them to do something about it. Like Johnny Sexton, they rose to the challenge. The boys and girls held a bake sale, raised money and found exact replicas of the medals. They asked JJ Keneally Jewellers to make the medals, sourced old team photos and put them all together in a frame. The children then presented it to Fr Currivan at a school Mass. “He was absolutely blown way. It was such a lovely thing that the kids did for him. Fr Currivan is an amazing man. It was wonderful of them to do such an act of kindness for him,” said Mr Power. In a story in the Leader in November 2017, Fr Currivan said: “It was a total surprise. I didn’t know a thing about it. I thought I was just saying Mass. They brought up the presentation at the beginning. I’d like to thank the children for their thoughtfulness.” Mr Power and Mr McCarthy spotted MACE’s Going the Extra Smile competition and put the children forward. Daniel O’Connell, MACE sales director, said Caherline NS were “deserving winners”. “MACE is determined to contribute positively to the communities they serve to lead a healthy, active lifestyle filled with acts of kindness and Johnny is also a great role model for young people in communities all over Ireland,” said Mr O’Connell. Mr Power said by dong something kind a lot of good can come out of it. “The children really saw that as they were rewarded with Johnny Sexton coming to the school. He is a superstar – the current World Rugby Player of the Year. It was great to have a player of Johnny’s stature pass on some nuggets to the students, especially as it can’t have been easy for him coming into a Munster rugby stronghold! The students had a wonderful day and I want to thank Johnny and MACE for making it happen. “It was an unbelievable experience for the school. It’s a day we will all remember for the rest of our lives,” said Mr Power See page 11 of Leader Sport for Johnny Sexton interview

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Antique 19th Century Mercury Glass Mirror with Gold Gilt Frame Stunning! Untouched for 200 years, this grand old portrait mirror offers a nice example of antique mercury glass. You can easily see the shimmering silver flecks in the layer behind the glass, and of course some oxidation has occurred over the years. The gleaming red-and-gold painted wooden frame is especially well preserved. Wood plank backing. Circa 1820. 34" H x 27" W x 2" D.

The Best HDR Image Processing Software for Mac and Windows Multimedia • Updated on Feb.27, 2019 There are a few things that only professional photographers hear about. HDR isn’t one of them. In the past couple of years, many camera apps have brought HDR support to smartphone apps. You will not need a fully-fledged software if you have a mid-range smartphone with better camera. But, that’s not how things work when you capture photos using a DSLR. You need a dedicated HDR processing software if you need better control over your professional photographs. Well, before we actually start talking about HDR Processing tools and the best ones, we think we should get a quick look at what is HDR, what it means to you and why would you need a HDR Processing. The world of HDR In case you did not get that yet: HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. So, you should first understand what is dynamic range. Dynamic Range is the ratio of light to dark. Digital cameras and smartphone cameras have a limit when it comes to capturing this dynamic range. The actual imaging technique may miss something — which is actually visible for the naked eye. This is where HDR Photography comes in. HDR Processing makes sure that the image can reproduce a higher dynamic range, as to make it look better. Before (SDR) and After (HDR) While HDR can bring out every color in a sunset, over-processing the images can also take away from the detail you captured. HDR photography uses digital imaging and the sensors in cameras to differently map what the cameras capture in order to create a more dynamic contrast. The sensors in cameras are far less dynamic than the human eye, but HDR processing software will differently map shadow and highlights by overlapping several different exposures of the same image. The software takes each level of exposure and combines the data, distributing the light captured by the sensors across the image more accurately. There are a few more things an HDR software can do — in order to make the photograph more awesome. Tone Mapping is one of the great things you can expect from an HDR software. You may get a flatter image when you subject it to HDR effect. Through tone mapping, you can adjust this and get a better photograph. Some photographers use HDR Software for noise removal as well. Noise may be present when you combine two images to form an HDR image. Thanks to the plenty of editing tools inside, you can use it for optimizing the details. Being relatively easier than the likes of Photoshop, you can use HDR Software for editing photos also. If not HDR, you can use the HDR software for bulk optimization as well. Personally, I use my favorite HDR software for editing photographs in bulk. So, an HDR software does more than applying the HDR effect. Now that you have an idea, let’s start finding the best HDR software out there. How we chose the best HDR software Well, there are more than a few HDR processing software in the market. And, don’t you dare expect random selection to give you an effective HDR processing software. So, when it came to choosing the best tools, we had some criteria in our mind. Some of the core aspects were: We wanted the HDR software to be quite simple to use and gain expertise in. To say the least, HDR is not something like rocket science, you know. The tool should be performance-friendly when it comes to rendering and development. This would save a lot of time in the long run We also recommend a tool that is multi-platform — Windows and Mac, to start with. This can offer a seamless HDR processing experience almost everywhere. Of course, the tool must not compromise features like Tone Mapping and Optimization. These can effectively convert the HDR processing software to a not-so-bad photo editor. In addition to these, our selection also looked at aspects like additional features. It’s nice to have some extra editing features. If you want an HDR image and make some quick edits to the image, these features come in handy. However, the four points mentioned above were given the utmost importance in selection. Shall we now get into the tools? Aurora HDR is a reputed tool for HDR processing photographs. Both professionals and beginners have been using this awesome tool for years. Developed by Skylum/Macphun, Aurora HDR is noted for the brand-new features it packs. It does not matter whether you want natural HDR or creative HDR effects. Aurora HDR can offer you a superb experience. We really loved using this latest version and we believe it deserves the top position here. Before we go further, let’s see what’s new in Aurora HDR. What is new in Aurora HDR? Compared to the previous version, almost everything in Aurora HDR has been improved. However, we believe the following additions are great for every photographer out there. Quantum HDR engine Quantum HDR Engine from Skylum is the best addition to Aurora HDR. It is powered by AI and can offer a better tone-mapping process now. The best part is that the new engine has been proven effective for both bracketed and single photographs. More Aurora HDR looks Aurora HDR Looks are presets that can come in quite handy. In the latest version, Skylum has included some more looks from reputed photographers. You can count them in when you are not so sure about individual HDR looks. HDR smart structure HDR Smart Structure now takes care of details and more in your photograph. It makes sure that your photo looks fantabulous even after you’ve done the HDR part. Here too, we have to thank the Artificial Intelligence at work. Furthermore, Aurora HDR now offers enhanced support for other apps like Photoshop, Apple Photos, Luminar, Lightroom etc. Now, to the full review. Ready, folks? Aurora HDR review Nothing much has changed here to say. Once installed, you can start Aurora HDR quite immediately. If you don’t have prior experience, you can use the Tour feature as well. It does not matter even if you do not have bracketed images. Aurora HDR can help you create an HDR image from a single image or a single RAW file. Therefore, you can simply open the file/files and start seeing the magic of Aurora HDR. If you’re already familiar with the tool, you can check out features like Batch Processing as well. From downloading the install package to creating the first HDR image using the program, Aurora HDR takes just only a few minutes, which is great. The user interface An intuitive User Interface is one of the best features we found in Aurora HDR. Nothing much has changed from the previous version. Once you have loaded the HDR image, you can choose the convenient viewing options as well. On the right side, the Optimization, Editing and HDR Control panels are available for easy access. If you ask me what I love about the UI of Aurora HDR, my answer would be customizability. There are times when I just need to add a simple preset. And, there are times when I need a fully-fledged control panel for editing. Aurora HDR UI can be optimized for both these needs. You can simply hide/toggle toolbars and sidebars for the maximum productivity. The HDR experience Thanks to the awesome UI, it feels really easy to create an HDR image using Aurora HDR. As we said, it lets you create HDR from single images, bracketed images and RAW files. In all these cases, the tool gets the job done in a few seconds. We had tested Aurora HDR on a MacBook Air, one of the low-end Macs now in market. So, if you are planning to run Aurora HDR on a mid-end or low-end device, it would be great. If you’ve a high-end device, though, the performance would be unbelievable. We really loved how Aurora HDR managed to focus on useful features and performance than making a messy interface. Altogether, the whole experience of making HDR images from Aurora HDR is pretty great. Noteworthy features in Aurora HDR As it happens, Aurora HDR does a few more things other than adding HDR effect. It’s a full editing suite Aurora HDR is by far one of the best minimal editing suites I’ve seen. Of course, there is no comparison with tools like Adobe Photoshop. But, take this scenario: you have made an excellent HDR image but it won’t look good without a few corrections. It has sections like Colour Toning, Glow, Image Radiance, LUT Mapping and HDR Basic edits and Colour Correction. Aurora HDR looks collections There are some amazing in-built presets in Aurora HDR. These are expected to make your job easier in the long run. If you are a beginner, you may not know which settings are suitable for which scenario. Using the HDR Looks panel, you can choose the best option. The collections include Architecture, Landscape and Artistic. You can also get pre-built looks from some of the reputed photographers who use Aurora. To say that the workflow of Aurora HDR is productive is an understatement. It feels really easy to get started with the tool and finish everything off. For instance, as we said, you can optimize the Viewing panes as per your needs. On a personal note, I find Aurora HDR as the better option than using two tools for HDR processing and image editing. By the way, did we tell you that Aurora HDR is designed for professionals? So, it offers plug-ins for other software like Photoshop and Lightroom. Skylum developers don’t want you to stick onto their own software, it seems. The point is, at the end of the day, you can have the best HDR and image manipulation options. Availability and pricing Aurora HDR is available for both Windows and macOS as of now. It doesn’t matter whether you have a MacBook Pro or Surface Tablet, it delivers the best experience. The devices should have minimum 8GB of RAM to smoothly run Aurora HDR, though. Coming to the price, you can grab the bundle license by paying just $99. Skylum is offering some promotional discounts if you have been using Aurora HDR old version. You can log in find out more. Anyway, there is no doubt that the latest version of Aurora HDR is worthier than the $99 you have to pay. And, it has managed the top-pick position of the best HDR processing software for the second time too. Photomatix Pro 6 is another great tool when you are looking for HDR processing tools. It’s available for both Windows and Mac but isn’t that feature-rich. On the other hand, you can use Photomatix Pro 6 as an easy way to do HDR stuff. Unlike Aurora HDR, Photomatix Pro 6 does not offer many editing features either. Looking at the User Interface, there isn’t much newer. You have the traditional interface with the photograph on the center, controls on both sides. Although not as rich as Aurora, Photomatix Pro 6 offers a collection of pre-sets as well. Getting started with Photomatix Pro 6 and using the program would be an easy task. From adding the photo to HDR and exporting the final file, everything happens so cool. However, we think it could have improved the User Interface designs. Last but not the least, Photomatix Pro 6 is available for macOS and Windows. Resembling the case of Aurora, it wants you to pay $99 for lifetime license. Some other features of Photomatix Pro 6 include plugin support and Quick Export options. Aurora HDR and Photomatix Pro 6 were not the only considerations we had. Out of the 20+ choices we had, here are some of the worthy contenders. HDR Projects 4 is yet another popular HDR Processing software we’d considered. It’s different from Aurora in many ways. For instance, it does not allow much customization. You have to select the HDR style first and then import the photograph. HDR Projects 4 offers a better collection of pre-sets though. There are more than 150 HDR pre-sets that you can apply. Rendering is quick and HDR Projects 4 does not consume much resources either. In many ways, HDR Projects 4 User Interface resembles that of Aurora HDR, but that is actually good. We hadn’t much trouble in getting used to it. It should be noted that HDR Projects 4 is a better choice for hardcore professionals. It’s offering a number of advanced features that we hadn’t seen in others. The problem is that the features aren’t that organized per se. Despite all these, if you have $99 to shell out, HDR Projects 4 is a great choice for sure. easyHDR is a multiplatform HDR software that you can count on. It’s available for Windows, macOS and Linux distros. Compared to the tools we have listed, easyHDR is more minimal. Still, it allows you to process HDR photos in the shortest time possible. Coming to the User Interface, easyHDR has kept simplicity intact. You don’t have to worry about the complex toolbars or designs. On the left side, it shows the available presets and, on the right, you can use the tools to bring major edits to the photograph. Performance is an area where easyHDR becomes a pain in the ass. You may have to wait for some time for rendering the HDR exports. Similarly, you don’t have the best collection of presets. Even then, we’d suggest easyHDR for those who need a customized way to handle their HDR projects. The Home and Commercial versions of easyHDR are available for $39 and $65 respectively. Yet another awesome tool in the market, HDR Darkroom is one of my personal favorites. It has been designed with simplicity in mind. From choosing the right style to mapping the correct tone, everything can be done so effectively. You can simply drag-and-drop the photo and applying the HDR presets. The performance part is so quick and impressive for most people. We also loved the simple interface with two sidebars. Coming to advanced set of features, HDR Darkroom offers Batch Editing as well. If you ask us why we recommend HDR Darkroom, the reason is the User Interface itself. Within a simple set of options, HDR Darkroom has managed to offer comprehensive control. Indeed, you cannot compare these features with those of Aurora or Photomatix. HDR Darkroom costs $89 per license. You can run it on either Mac or PC. As you have seen, all the programs we’ve covered above are paid. Luminance HDR is an exception here. You can use this software without any limitation to build HDR images. It’s not the fastest HDR processing tool in the market though. Compared to the other contenders and top picks, Luminance HDR is pretty slow. If you are getting the HDR images from a RAW file, you will have to wait even further. But, the point is that you can get the final HDR image without watermarks or other limitations. Due to the same reason, we would not recommend Luminance HDR for hardcore professional. On the other hand, if you just want to understand the whole HDR Processing thing, Luminance HDR is the best place to start. It is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. The bottom line So far, we have seen how all the top six HDR Processor software performed. We tested all these software in a bunch of ways, finally comparing the HDR output image. Considering all these point, we believe Aurora HDR deserves to be at the top position. It brings the best of all words, be it an impressive UI, best-in-class performance or best compatibility. So, if you are looking for some real magic in your photographs, make sure you go for Aurora HDR.

Project #119: Raindrop Pillow This Raindrop pillow is a fun way to reuse an old sweater. You can shape it any form you like. What you’ll need: *an old sweater *a fat quarter of fabric (I used black polka dot fabric) *small piece of black felt *black embroidery floss *coral embroidery floss Step 1: Draw a rain drop on the butcher paper leaving 1/4 seam allowance. Step 2: Pin the template to the sweater and cut the raindrop shape out of the sweater. Step 3: Cut the raindrop shape out of the polka dot fabric. Step 4: Put the two raindrop pieces together right sides together and sew with a 1/4 seam allowance. Leave a 3 inch opening at the bottom. Step 5: With the black felt cut four legs leaving 1/4 seam allowance. Sew the legs together and turn right side in (you might need to use a chopstick). Stuff the legs. Step 6: Attach the legs onto the raindrop. Step 7: Sew on the eyes and mouth and you’re finished! All images by Meta

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Musculoskeletal pain is as common in pets as it is in people. Most pets will be affected to some degree by the time they get old. Arthritis can be part of this. “Arthritis” means ‘inflammation of a joint’ – it can happen at any age, to any joint which is not functioning normally. The osteoarthritis which is more common in old age is often the result of years of wear & tear and there is a lot we can do to help. We should not just assume that an animal is ‘just slowing down with age’ because they are a bit slower to get up in the morning, or lagging behind on walks. In many cases there are conditions which can be treated, improving quality of life and prolonging happy life. The old fear that ‘they’ll just want to put him down’ is very far from the truth these days – we can help! The first and most important aspect is to establish accurately what is going on, when an animal is stiff or lame or slowing down. It is pointless and even dangerous treating for arthritis if your pet has an underlying illness which is affecting muscle or joint function, or perhaps a heart condition. Blood tests may be suggested. X-rays may be required to confirm a diagnosis of arthritis, but not in every case. If arthritis is diagnosed, there are many things that can be done to help – in fact, we have more treatment options for pets than are available for humans! We will offer: - dietary supplements to support joint health & function - prescription diets (which do the same thing) - arthritis injections (which also help joints heal) - pain relief if required - physical treatments (animal biomechanical treatment) - exercise programs - weight loss programs - stem cell injections …and sometimes, there are surgical options available. Most pets can be kept happy & comfortable for a long time in older age if conditions are picked up early, and managed appropriately. We can help!

English name: Chanard’s Mud Snake (aka “Sind River Snake”) Scientific name: Enhydris chanardi Thai name: งูสายรุ้งลายจั่นอาจ (Ngu Sai Rung Lai Chan-Ard) Description: To 55cm long. A very short, thick water snake. Body is grayish-brown above with a pale stripe on the 3rd row of scales on each side and a row of small dark dots running just above it. Other rows of less distinct dark dots are found higher on the body. Underbelly is pale with a grayish zig-zag line on the edges. Head is broad and mottled yellow and grayish-brown. Relevant scale counts: 21 midbody scale rows which remain 21 at the neck. Scales have no striations. Has two pairs of flared chin shields with with second pair equal or longer than the first. 116-125 ventral scales. Similar Species: Jagor’s Water Snake lacks the pale stripe, has large dark blotches rather than small dark dots, a 1st pair of chin shields longer than the 2nd and 23-25 scale rows at the neck. Mekong Mud Snake has striations on the scales and 2-3 longish chin shields with the first pair longer than the second when there are 2 pairs, as well as 136-153 ventral scales. Rainbow Water Snake lacks the dark spots, often has additional light dorsolateral lines, has striations on the scales and 154+ ventrals. Range: Recorded only in central Thailand from Bangkok area as well as Nakhon Nayok and Chantanburi provinces. Habitat: This snake is found in freshwater bodies in the Chao Phraya drainage. Like other members of its family, it likely spends nearly all of its time in the water. Place in the ecosystem: Living populations have not yet been studied, but it likely feeds on fish and frogs. Would be eaten by larger snakes, large fish, monitors, and wading birds. Danger to humans: Is a rear-fanged snake like other members of its family, but is not dangerous to humans. Conservation status and threats: This species was recently described from 15 museum specimens, all of which came from Metropolitan Bangkok or the surrounding area. The most recent of these records was about 20 years old. There are concerns that development in Bangkok may have destroyed much of its habitat and it may be extinct in Bangkok. The above photograph from Nakhon Nayok Province represents the most recently seen living specimen. Interesting facts: New species are not always found out in the wild. This species was discovered in 2005 by two biologists who examined Jagor’s Water Snake specimens from many museums and discovered that a number of the records were actually mislabeled and represented a previously unknown species. The species was described from these museum specimens, the most recent of which was nearly twenty years old and some of which had been collected a hundred years earlier. Unfortunately, the Chanard’s Mud Snake might be gone almost as soon as it was discovered. Nearly all of the museum specimens of the species come from Bangkok, which is a tough place for water snakes to live due to its high degree of development. It is possible that some Chanard’s Mud Snakes persist in Bangkok, but their status may be fragile. Hopefully the more rural surrounding provinces have enough of the species in less developed areas that it will be able to survive. A New Thai Enhydris A Checklist and Key to the Homalopsid Snakes with the Description of New Genera IUCN Redlist: Enhydris chanardi Thai National Parks: Chan-ard’s Mud Snake Michael Cota, personal communication John C. Murphy, personal communication Evolution in the Mud A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia

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Maria, Toni and I pushed past Mark into Toni’s place. A few months ago I met Toni. I liked her and she liked me. We started dating a few weeks ago and she introduced me to her friends. I like hanging out with Maria and Mark, but Toni’s house-mate surprised me. Shelly and I had history. She was my first girlfriend in high-school. We were together for a year and during that time we had a lot of firsts as we fell in love. When it came to an end I was heartbroken. My relationship with Toni was going nicely when she introduced me to Shelly. I hadn’t seen Shelly since we broke up and even though I liked Toni, I couldn’t stop some of the old feelings for Shelly returning. I had never seen a dead body before. Shelly just lay there, unmoving and dead. I almost lost my balance and aimlessly stumbled towards the kitchen, using the bench for balance. Behind me I heard a noise coming down the hallway from the bathroom. It was Grant, and he held a blood stained rag. I put the pieces together. My instincts kicked in. I grabbed a knife off the bench and thrust it into Grant’s chest. I felt powerless against my emotions, Grant stabbed Shelly and he had to pay. Blood rushed through my veins as I plunged the knife into Grant again and again. Mark struggled to overpower me as I continued to stab Grant, not even Mark was going to stop me making Grant pay for what he did to Shelly. Mark finally managed to restrain me against a wall. I continued to struggle, but went nowhere. As I started to calm down Mark loosened his hold over me. I wrestled free and ran. Straight past Shelly, out the open door and past Maria. I had to get out…

Cracking the ageism conundrum at the workplace Tuesday November 9, 2021, By Archana Sathish Every generation has its share of experiences that shapes attitudes and determine their traits. However, the much-discussed generation gap can be a concern at the workplace, if the older generation is pitted against younger counterparts and vice versa. Ageism, a bias or prejudice concerning one’s age, could be against young and old ones alike. Like, the belief that younger ones take shortcuts and so they need monitoring. Or, consider the assumption that older ones are not tech-savvy and they need to be handheld. A management strategy, which accepts the distinctive characteristics of different generations in the workplace, can help harness respective strengths to drive the organization’s growth. What we know about generations & workplace interaction - Every generation has a standard assumption associated with their definitive traits. In the case of Gen Z, it will often be about effortless adaptation to the digital era. - Gen Xers, baby boomers, and people of the silent generation may be deferential to authority. They may also put more stock in loyalty to a specific company. - A younger boss and an experienced subordinate could be a cause of trouble. In this case, the authority of the young boss may cause issues. How to resolve? - Foster collaborative relationships. In any project, ensure a mixed crowd. Be it brainstorming, ideation process, allowing everyone to speak up, and appreciate people whenever required. Ensure that everyone’s thoughts are voiced out. It establishes a healthy environment and connects people easily. These are the small and basic steps to bridge the gap. - Build cross-generational mentoring programs. Reverse mentoring, a concept where the younger employees mentor their experienced counterparts, has become a popular way of establishing camaraderie between generations at the workplace. The person from Gen Z who has grown up with the internet explains to the experienced person the potential of social media to stimulate business results. The experienced employee imparts institutional knowledge to the younger worker. It leads to mutual benefits and is also said to increase retention of the younger employees. - Strengthen motivation plans, consider the needs of the different generations, and plan regular human resources surveys to understand the concerns. While there are exemptions to every generation, knowing the larger framework of mind can help set suitable management policies. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing multiple generations in the workplace; companies may need to adapt as their workforce changes and grows. - Archana Sathish, a MarCom team member, deals with website management, analytics and operations for bringing Avtar's vision into light.

08 Dec wendy's classic chicken sandwich canada Hi! You can’t have a Wendy’s in Canada without serving up some poutine! Wendy's uses fresh, never frozen beef on every hamburger, every day. The deal appears as a coupon in the Wendy's app and can be used when ordering in the app or when ordering at the restaurant. We are not affiliated with the providers of the above goods/services in any way. TV marketing doesn't need to be in a silo. If you’re not a Spicy Chicken Sandwich fan, don’t sweat it, because you can also get the deal with Homestyle and Grilled Chicken Sandwiches.. Wendy’s small Chicken Sandwich Combos deal is available at participating locations nationwide for a limited time. There are currently more than Read more…. Sigh. In 1979, Thomas wanted to attempt a ‘menu diversification’ program, and that included adding a salad bar. theendorsement. Wendy’s has announced that those customers will be able to get two free sandwiches who has made a purchase of Classic Chicken Sandwich. This chain has over 1,900 locations, most of which are located within Canada. But then you also get a Crispy Chicken Sandwich, small fries and a small drink. Wendy’s sells about 300 million of these per year. In fact, this side has become so ‘ubiquitous in its home province’ that most fast-food restaurants (like McDonald’s, Burger King, and of course, Wendy’s) sell it as a side item. The BBQ & Bacon Chicken Sandwich features a Homestyle chicken breast fillet topped with crispy onion tanglers, crinkle cut pickles, cheddar cheese and melty cheese sauce plus three strips of signature applewood-smoked bacon and Sweet and Smoky BBQ Sauce on a premium bun.. You can find the new BBQ & Bacon Chicken Sandwich at participating Wendy’s locations nationwide for a limited … If you want to learn more about what Cost Finder Canada is all about, click here. © 2019 - CostFinderCanada - All Rights Reserved, Dave’s Hot ‘n Juicy 1/4 lb. Okay, those last two aren’t chicken, but they’re still delicious and all of this is still only $5. Last year the spicy chicken sandwiches of Wendy’s gained popularity for its incredible taste. Voice over actors: provide a link to your professional website containing your reel. And did you know their burgers are square-shaped because Dave Thomas, the founder, “doesn’t cut corners”? Browse all Wendy's locations in Canada for quality fast food, burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, meal deals, and Frosty made with the real ingredients you desire. Plug in TV to the rest of your data and marketing stack. The new Classic Chicken Sandwich at Wendy’s is now available as part of the chain’s popular 2 for $5 Meal Deal. Wendy’s has added a new “Classic Chicken Sandwich” to its menu and you can get one for free.. Wendy's is using the upgraded chicken filet on its premium chicken sandwiches, including the Bacon Jalapeno Chicken Sandwich and Asiago Ranch… The Classic Chicken Sandwich replaced the Homestyle Chicken Sandwich on the Wendy's menu in October 2020. Can't come to us? Regular or Spicy Chicken Nuggets: $0.99: Kid's Meals: Grilled Chicken Wrap: $3.79: ... Dave Thomas did more than just serve up classic, square-cut burgers. The new Classic Chicken Sandwich features a juicy, lightly breaded chicken breast fillet topped with crisp lettuce, tomato, and mayo all sandwiched between a toasted bun. He even added a second grill to Wendy’s, allowing for employees to serve drive-thru guests even quicker. Wendy's new chicken sandwich, ironically named the Classic Chicken Sandwich, is the latest in a series of new chicken sandwich creations offered by major fast food chains this year. In 1992, he opened the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, which works closely with Wendy’s as well to bring children to a home. Wendy's Classic Chicken Sandwich is now available. Poutine consists of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy, and this delicious recipe was invented right here in Canada. Great pay, benefits, and culture. You can get the item on the 2 for $5 menu. “The Classic joins what customers have already come to know and love in spice and taste from Wendy’s via our Spicy Chicken and Pretzel Bacon Pub Chicken Sandwiches,” said Carl Loredo, Wendy’s chief marketing officer. Later, Wendy’s participated in a merger that helps their profits soar even more. It led to Wendy’s becoming the third-largest burger fast-food chain in the world. Is it just us, or does reading this menu make you feel hungry? Analytics and insight reports about the TV advertising world, Burger King 2 for $10 Whopper Meal TV Spot, 'Fans', Burger King Chicken Nuggets TV Spot, 'Is That Right? Please be aware that our site is best experienced with Ad Blockers turned off. Many Canadians are familiar with the baked goods franchise Tim Hortons. How well do you know this favorite Canadian burger chain? Measure, optimize, and plan your TV against business outcomes. This revolutionary advance in Wendy’s put them on the map in more ways than one — as did their inclusion of the first-ever salad bar. How is iSpot helping partners disrupt their industries? Submissions without photos may not be accepted. Please include at least one social/website link containing a recent photo of the actor. We’re dedicated to showing Canadians the correct prices of everything, so you always know what to expect. So I spent a bit of time researching and put this site together. The chicken sandwich is served on a toasted bun. Wendy’s is a tradition, a staple — feel-good food at feel-good prices. Have a taste for one of the biggest coffee companies on the planet? HELP ME PLEASE. Wendy’s Enters Chicken Sandwich Fray with New ‘Crispier, Juicier’ Offering. Despite the Pretzel Pub sandwich varieties still being available on menus, Wendy’s has quietly unveiled a new fried chicken makeover to their Homestyle Fillet. Wendy's claims it is ending the "chicken wars" with its so-called juicy and delicious Classic Chicken Sandwich. He opened a second location in Columbus, Ohio. For those unfamiliar, Wendy’s new Classic Chicken Sandwich comes with a juicy and crispy all-white meat chicken breast topped with a slice of tomato, lettuce, pickles, and mayo on a premium toasted bun. Wendy's claims it is ending the "chicken wars" with its so-called juicy and delicious Classic Chicken Sandwich. Being adopted himself at just six weeks old — and struggling with the way that felt growing up — he wanted to do something that took the stigma out of adoption. The story goes that a man wanted fries and cheese curds — typically sold as two separate items — and he was in a hurry, so he told the maker to throw them in the same bag. Dealing with Dealers During Covid-19: Equipment Repurchase. The new filet is joined by mayo, tomato, lettuce, and pickles on a toasted premium bun. Are you a Canadian resident curious about the typical prices at spots near you? They’re known and loved for their delicious Frostys, which have been on the menu since day one (and sadly, no longer cost $0.35). The very first Wendy’s Old-Fashioned Hamburger Restaurant was opened in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio, in the U.S. Wendy’s was named after Dave Thomas’ daughter, Melinda. The most widespread claim for its inception comes from a dairy town in Québec. Try not to drool on your phone or computer! Quality is our recipe. And in most cases, the salad bar has phased out of the restaurants. Here are Harvey’s latest menu prices and the story behind this fast food favorite! That alone makes it one of the best fast-food chains around. They support the work of foster care adoption and provide resources and guidelines for those looking to adopt. According to Wendy's, the Classic Chicken Sandwich is crispier and juicier than the sandwich it replaces. We answer some of your most intriguing questions in this guide to the burger giants. The new classic chicken sandwich includes an all white meat fillet that is coated and fried, mayo, tomato, lettuce, and pickles between a toasted bun. See the menu and find a location near you. Wendy’s describes their new Classic as: A juicy, lightly breaded crispy chicken breast with crunchy lettuce, tomato, mayo, and the perfect pickles, all on a toasted bun. That’s the tagline for the world-famous Wendy’s fast-food restaurant, and many people can see why. You can get the item on the 2 for $5 menu. Single with Cheese, Dave’s Hot ‘n Juicy 1/2 lb.. Be in the know of how your TV Ad is performing. Wendy’s first branch was in Hamilton, Canada. Check out Swiss Chalet’s prices for example. Someone parks their car, goes in, and leaves with a bag (or sits down to eat). Wendy's Classic Chicken Sandwich Calories There are 490 calories in a Classic Chicken Sandwich from Wendy's. They still make those salads today! Wendy's is offering a free Classic Chicken Sandwich with any purchase through November 8, 2020 at participating locations.. Wendy’s is giving away FREE Classic Chicken Sandwiches right now through November 8 to celebrate updating their breaded chicken filet recipe. The “chicken sandwich wars” might be back on.. Wendy’s introduced the new Classic Chicken Sandwich to its menu last week, and now customers can try it for free, according to Fox News.. Wendy's is going back to basics with the release of their new Classic Chicken Sandwich. You can order the Classic Chicken Sandwich via Wendy’s drive-thru, contactless pickup via mobile order or … How much are you going to fork over for lunch or dinner today? I created Cost Finder Canada because I noticed many websites only provided USA or UK prices, and nothing for Canadians. It was the first of its kind to do so. (And pro tip: you can upgrade your side to poutine for a small upcharge.). How much are seats to the game tonight? A MAN NEEDS HIS NUGGS pic.twitter.com/4SrfHmEMo3, Wendy’s was one of the first fast-food chains to put the ‘fast’ in ‘fast-food.’. Burgers, Combos, Kid's Meals, Value Meals, Sides, Beverages and much more. It’s currently got over 6,500 locations and gives jobs to an astounding 57,000+ employees. *The Sausage & Egg Burrito is not made to order with a freshly-cracked egg. The Classic Chicken Sandwich is available for $4.99*. Through Nov. 8, customers can get the new sandwich at no cost with any purchase that’s made in-restaurant or with the Wendy’s app, Fox reported. The offer is valid through November 8, 2020 at the restaurant or for a mobile order. Triple with Cheese, Classic Frosty (Chocolate or Vanilla) Small, Classic Frosty (Chocolate or Vanilla) Medium, Classic Frosty (Chocolate or Vanilla) Large, Soft Drink or Freshly Brewed Iced Tea Small, Soft Drink or Freshly Brewed Iced Tea Medium, Soft Drink or Freshly Brewed Iced Tea Large, Trumoo Milk 1% Low-Fat (White or Chocolate), Iced Coffee (Vanilla, Caramel, Mocha, or Skinny Vanilla) Small, Iced Coffee (Vanilla, Caramel, Mocha, or Skinny Vanilla) Medium. Neary every Wendy’s in Canada now serves up this glorious mess to-go. The first location to open up in Canada happened not long after, on September 23, 1975. Here’s the latest Read more…, Locals grew up with Harvey’s in Canada. Review: Wendy's - Classic Chicken Sandwich Wendy's Classic Chicken Sandwich features the new Classic chicken filet (which replaces the Homestyle chicken filet), which the chain purports to be crispier, juicier, and more flavorful than the outgoing filet. Check out a review of the sandwich from fast-food reviewer The Endorsement. It can be used once a week (which basically means you can use it up to two times). Wendy’s new Classic Chicken Sandwich features a premium all-white meat chicken breast that is juicy and crispy, layered with mayo, a slice of tomato, lettuce, and pickles, all sandwiched between a warm, premium toasted bun. Here are the latest Wendy’s menu prices in Canada: First, their burgers are fresh — never frozen. Wendy’s adds a crispier, juicier, and pickle-ier version of their Crispy Chicken Sandwich with the arrival of the new Classic Chicken Sandwich. Download the DoorDash app to get Wendy's delivered. With the new Biggie™ Bag you get a 10 PC Spicy or Crispy Nugg, which, to be honest, is already a good amount of chicken. The latest thought leadership, blog posts, announcements and press mentions, Connect with iSpot.tv at these industry events. Wendy’s has a new addition to the viral chicken sandwich wars, promising that the Classic Chicken Sandwich is “crispier, juicier and so packed with flavor that, upon first taste, it’ll be an instant classic.”. Please consider disabling your Ad Blocker to ensure proper loading of all iSpot pages. At a young age, Melinda struggled with saying her name, pronouncing it like ‘Wenda’ instead. Wendy’s New Classic Chicken Sandwich Is … October 23, 2020. It’s been a known-and-loved chain since 1969 and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The sandwich is free when making any purchase using the Wendy’s app. I'm Felix - I hope you found the post above helpful. The latest Wendy's menu prices in Canada and Wendy's full menu. For our breakfast sandwiches*, we start with a freshly-cracked, grade A egg. Share. ICYMI, the sandwich features a new and improved all-white meat chicken fillet—coated and fried for the ideal crunch—topped with mayo, tomato, lettuce, and pickles, sandwiched between a … Wendy’s has even become an ‘adoption-friendly workplace,’ which provides paid time off, bonding leave, and additional financial assistance for each adopted child of the employee. Submit ONCE per commercial, and allow 48 to 72 hours for your request to be processed. Previous Article. The chain itself is valued at more than $9.45 billion. Wendy’s new Classic Chicken Sandwich was officially made available last week, and if you haven’t tried it yet, we’ve got good news for you.. Wendy’s just launched a new menu item called the Classic Chicken Sandwich that clocks in at 490 calories and is supposed to be crispier and juicier than other crispy chicken sandwiches previously released by the fast-food chain. If you have any questions about the prices - let me know in the comments below. For the debut of his restaurant, Dave changed ‘Wenda’ to ‘Wendy,’ and there you have it! 10-piece Chicken Nuggets (regular or spicy) The brand’s new Classic Chicken Sandwich features a premium all-white meat chicken breast that is juicy and crispy, layered with mayo, a slice of tomato, lettuce, and pickles, all sandwiched between a warm, premium toasted bun. The Wendy’s new Classic Chicken Sandwich offers a premium all-white meat chicken breast, which is layered with mayo, a slice of tomato, lettuce and pickles. Next Article. Wendy's is offering a free Classic Chicken Sandwich with any purchase! But wait, there's more... from chicken wraps and 4 for 4 meal deals to chili, salads, and frostys, we've got you. Double with Cheese, Dave’s Hot ‘n Juicy 3/4 lb. Some say it’s in the sauce! Once it’s on the grill, we break the yolk and fry, flip, and fry some more until the yolk is fully cooked and ready for a sandwich. So, head on over to your local Wendy’s and see what their world-famous burgers and Frostys taste like! The deal includes teo Spicy Chicken Sandwiches along with two small fries and two small drinks for $13.99. Dave Thomas did more than just serve up classic, square-cut burgers. To propel sales at Wendy’s when they took a little dip, they formed a merger with Tim Hortons in December of 1995 and began selling their baked goods and coffee. And how they came to be the most popular! We’re hiring! The prices above should serve as a guide only. This was convenient for the time, but Dave Thomas had an idea. The Classic Chicken Sandwich consists of a lightly breaded chicken breast fillet topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayo […] Submissions should come only from the actors themselves, their parent/legal guardian or casting agency. Wendy’s popular 2 for $5 meal deal is back, and this time, it features the chain’s new Classic Chicken Sandwich as an option, according to a report by Chew Boom. The chain has also announced that the […] Explore everything you never knew about the history of Starbucks Canada as well as their menu with prices. Here’s the latest Starbucks Read more…, Founded in 1954, explore one of Canada’s most beloved restaurants and their menu prices – Swiss Chalet. The fast food chain announced on Monday that it’s giving out one free Classic Chicken Sandwich with any order made through its mobile app or in-restaurant starting October 26th until November 8th. Wendy’s Debuts the Classic Chicken Sandwich Packed with a New Premium Fried Chicken Fillet, Pickles, Lettuce, Tomatoes and Mayo, in Between a Premium Toasted Bun. Wendy’s Classic Chicken Sandwich review October 23, 2020 by Stuart Well, it took me a whole day from writing about this new chicken sandwich to having to go out and secure one. As part of the new fillet’s debut, Wendy’s will offer the Classic Chicken Sandwich for $4.99. So, what did all this effort, time, and fast-food lead to? The new Classic Chicken Sandwich features a premium all-white meat chicken breast that is juicy and crispy, layered with mayo, a slice of tomato, lettuce, and pickles, all placed between a warm, premium toasted bun. The restaurant owner looked in the bag afterward and called it a ‘poutine,’ slang for ‘mess.’. See the positions. Wendy's Classic Chicken Sandwich TV Spot, 'Chicken Wars'. It was popular enough with consumers that by 1992, the restaurant served salads on their to-go menu, too. This one, however, had a drive-thru — something that had yet to exist in the fast-food world. The sandwich features a premium all-white meat chicken breast layered with mayo, a slice of… We have the latest Wendy’s menu prices and a bit of history about Wendy’s here. If you’re a resident of Canada preparing to DoorDash some Wendy’s to your house or office, check out our detailed Wendy’s history first. ... Crispy Chicken Sandwich: $0.99: 4 Pc. Before them, all service was counter service. ', Wendy's 2 for $5 TV Spot, 'Satisfy Your Craving', Wendy's TV Spot, 'Spicy Nuggets Are Back', Dairy Queen 2 for $4 Super Snacks TV Spot, 'This Mom Runs on Snacks', Wendy's Baconator TV Spot, 'Shakin' and Wakin', Wendy's 2 for $4 TV Spot, 'Breakfast: Telling Friends', Wendy's 2 for $5 TV Spot, 'All the Chicken You Crave', Wendy's Right Price, Right Size Menu TV Spot, 'Saving a Few Bucks'. 3d Christmas Svg, Jack The Ripper Museum Controversy, Westchester County Topographic Maps, Directeur Executive Board Ecb, Management As A Profession Features, Parkridge Golf Course, Dunnes Stores Vegan Products,

n early 2016, two years into running Microsoft, CEO Satya Nadella needed advice from one of his newest employees, the cofounder of an app-tool maker Microsoft had just bought. Nadella was close to pulling off his blockbuster $27 billion acquisition of LinkedIn, but he wanted to talk about another company he coveted: GitHub. “Can we do it?” Nadella asked the executive. “Have we earned the trust?” Back then, the answer was no. GitHub is the virtual watercooler of software development, a site where millions of programmers talk shop and share code across company boundaries. Microsoft had earned a reputation during its 1990s heyday as its polar opposite, an insular software belligerent, and GitHub was seen as wanting nothing to do with it. But after watching Nadella lead the Redmond, Washington-based giant for two years, GitHub made a surprise move, choosing Microsoft over Google as its acquirer this past June. It was the latest coup for Nadella, 51, who’s breaking free of Microsoft’s recent past by returning it to its roots under cofounder Bill Gates. “Bill used to teach me, ‘Every dollar we make, there’s got to be five dollars, ten dollars on the outside,’ ” Nadella tells Forbes, in his first sit-down interview since the $7.5 billion deal closed. Great companies were once built on Microsoft’s code, Nadella says he was reminded by Gates. Nadella’s mission: Rebuild Microsoft brick by brick until it can happen again. “That’s what I want us to rediscover,” he says. Signs of Nadella’s progress are found everywhere. From a Microsoft voice assistant that integrates with Amazon’s Alexa to a deepening alliance with Samsung and, most crucially, in its financial statements. Revenue, at $110 billion, is growing at a double-digit percentage after slumping for most of the past decade, in large part because of the hard-charging—and high-margin—cloud suite the company has built around Office and Azure, Microsoft’s challenger to Amazon’s cloud juggernaut. Net profits are at $16.6 billion, an increasing share of which is attributable to Azure, which is growing at 91% annually with multiyear contracts only just starting to boost the bottom line. Microsoft ended November as the most valuable company in the world, eclipsing Apple and Amazon. The consensus among analysts is that it will hit $1 trillion in market cap sometime next year. Read the complete Just 100 2019: America's Best Corporate Citizens Much of the credit belongs to Nadella, a Microsoft near-lifer who took the reins from Steve Ballmer in 2014 and immediately started knocking down walls. The former engineer says he has focused the company around a simple concept: “equitable growth.” “People are finally coming around to saying, ‘It’s not just the surplus you’ve created for yourself. What’s the state of the world around you?,’ ” Nadella says. “That’s where I feel like we’re at our best.” Nadella signaled his intentions with the help of an iPhone. Weeks after his start as CEO, Microsoft opened up its Azure cloud service to make it easier for developers to create iOS apps. The following year, Nadella used an iPhone onstage at an event—unthinkable for a company that had brewed up the market-lagging Windows phone in 2010 and then blew more than $7 billion in 2014 buying Nokia’s mobile division to support it. When Nadella took over, he wrote off the whole deal as a loss. Behind the scenes, Nadella got to work on Microsoft’s culture of infighting and of treating competitors as if it were “straight-up war,” as a former Oracle exec puts it. With its rearward-facing obsession with Windows, the cash-cow operating system, Microsoft was caught unawares by the cloud boom (exemplified by Amazon Web Services) and by subscription software businesses like Salesforce. CEO Nadella is returning to a core Bill Gates lesson: "Every dollar we make, there's got to be five dollars, ten dollars on the outside." Nadella, who immigrated to America from India in 1988, was an insider who led the company’s nascent cloud business before taking the top job. He quickly installed new leaders and smashed the barriers between Microsoft and open-source rival Linux, which had been famously called a “cancer” by his pugnacious predecessor Steve Ballmer. Nadella and Scott Guthrie, the new cloud boss, welcomed Linux onto Azure’s IT framework, where it’s now used by half of all computer systems operating on Microsoft’s cloud. “When we achieved our success, with that success came out the classic hubris that I describe as being the know-it-alls,” Nadella says. “I said, ‘Let’s shed that.’ ” To chip away at Amazon’s massive head start in cloud (Amazon Web Services is on track to make $27 billion in revenue a year, compared with an estimated pace of $10 billion for Microsoft’s Azure and $3 billion for Google), Microsoft turned to its partners. Sales reps are now compensated when a deal with a key ally of Microsoft leads to more activity on Microsoft’s cloud. And companies working with Azure find themselves brought into million-dollar deals at the one-yard line. “All of us have been stunned they are doing it,” says Bob Muglia, CEO of San Mateo-based data-warehouse software maker Snowflake and a 23-year Microsoft veteran, who left in the Ballmer years. “Satya’s recognized this is a service-oriented world.” Starbucks, which uses Microsoft to help power its ordering app, sent a dozen engineers to the world’s largest invite-only hackathon, hosted by Microsoft—another Nadella-era idea. “It’s a different approach from a traditional software company,” says Gerri Martin-Flickinger, Starbucks’ CTO. But there are asterisks attached to this new exuberance. Much of Microsoft’s success has come from moving existing customers onto its cloud services and its revamped Office 365 work software suite, raising concerns that the company is simply harvesting low-hanging fruit, says Dan Ives, an analyst at the Los Angeles investment firm Wedbush. And while the breadth of Microsoft’s portfolio, which also includes gaming, search and devices like Surface tablets, is a great strength, it could still get tripped up again by success. “The risk is they go back to the old days,” says Raimo Lenschow, an analyst at Barclays. (Both are bullish on the stock.) "People are finally coming around to saying, 'It's not just the surplus you've created for yourself. What's the state of the world around you?' That's where I feel like we're at our best." Now with GitHub in the fold—following acquisitions of the maker of Minecraft ($2.5 billion, 2014), app-building-tool provider Xamarin (reported as $400 million, 2016) and LinkedIn—Nadella’s team needs to avoid falling into bad habits such as restrictive long-term contracts. How the company integrates all these purchases—and history suggests it will be difficult—will also test Nadella. To navigate these challenges, Nadella relies on his broader vision that happier employees, customer and partners—even prickly coders—have to do well for Microsoft’s business to flourish. “A successful product is one that fosters more success around it,” Nadella says. To pull it off, Nadella will lean on new leaders like Nat Friedman, the Xamarin cofounder whom Nadella asked about GitHub in 2016 and then tapped to run the business for Microsoft once the deal closed. As Friedman, whose new job entails evangelizing that message to GitHub’s 31 million developers, puts it: “People are giving Microsoft the benefit of the doubt.” Reach Alex Konrad at email@example.com. Cover image by Jamel Toppin for Forbes. This story appears in the December 31, 2018 issue of Forbes. Subscribe

The New Yorker, May 25, 1987 P. 94 OUR FAR-FLUNG CORRESPONDENTS about the Outer Banks barrier islands that stretch 180 miles, a good deal of it down the North Carolina coast... The writer noticed that there didn't seem to be a road that led from the Virginia section of the Banks south. He drove to Kitty Hawk, where he stayed at the Old Nags Head Cafe Bed & Breakfast, run by Robert Roderer & Robin Hubbard, his companion. Tells about the hang gliders that fly from Jockey Ridge nearby. Writer visits Nags Head Woods, a nature conservatory & talks with Rene Walker, the adminstrative assistant at the preserve. The woods are managed by the Nature Conservancy... Writer interviews Norris Austin, the postmaster of the Corolla, N.C. post office & Phyllis Cole, daughter of a local real estate agent Kay Cole. Writer tells about the development of land on the Banks, which began when the gun clubs there began to sell off their land in the late '60s. Various developers bought the land & by 1974, much had been sold off in small plots, mostly to people planning to build vacation homes. Because of a sale of 2 gun-club tracts to the Nature Conservancy between Corolla & Carova, access north to Virginia was restricted. Tells about the reaction of local residents to the curfew imposed on travel along the beach by the Fish & Wildlife Service, who eventually gained controll of the land. Writer interviews Dare County Commissioner Ernie Bowden, who has been jailed twice for breaking the curfew. Tells about local historian David Stick, who worked for the passage of the North Carolina Coastal Management Act of 1974, to establish a plan for controlling & protecting the fragile coast. Tells about problems with overdevelopment.

Best for: If you can’t hit the road without a playlist The journey: 887 miles Plunge into this deep, detailed tour of the southern states. Its musical touchstones range from Delta Blues to Frank Ocean. Fly into Nashville airport and pick up your hire car to enjoy the home of country music. The Country Music Hall of Fame, RCA Studio B, the Johnny Cash Museum and the Grand Ole Opry are all must-sees. When you’re ready to leave, duck off the highway and take the Natchez Trace Parkway. It’s a scenic route, once used by Native Americans. Where to stay: Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown is a smart hotel built around a towering atrium. Rooms are spacious and light and the hotel is conveniently near all the main sights. Before you reach Memphis, you must pass through three towns considered absolutely essential viewing by music aficionados. First, turn off the Natchez Trace Parkway at Muscle Shoals, home of FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd and, of course, the Rolling Stones all recorded in ‘America’s Abbey Road’. Listen to ‘Wild Horses’ and ‘Mustang Sally’ as you roll on through. Proper Elvis fans stop in Tupelo, to see a tiny shotgun house (so named because you could shoot a bullet right through it) where you can take a cramped tour – because this is the house where Elvis was raised. Going from here to Graceland, the mansion he bought for his family in Memphis, you’ll re-enact a rags-to-riches journey. In Graceland’s famous Jungle Room you’ll find tourists wincing at Elvis’ choice of deep shag carpet, leopard print and Tiki furniture. Once you’ve had your fill, head on to Nashville’s rival ‘music city'. Memphis itself is for blues fans. Walk the city in the shadow of the King and discover Memphis barbecue – try this porcine-centric feast at Central BBQ. Where to stay: The Peabody Memphis is a grand old dame of a hotel with chandeliers and marble fireplaces. It has a strange tradition: ducks are permitted in the lobby fountain at 11am and 5pm every day. Out of respect, ‘canard’ isn’t served at Chez Philippe, the hotel’s upmarket French restaurant. On to Clarksdale, in the Mississippi Delta, which you know is a good place to go as soon as you find out that Morgan Freeman has a share in the local Ground Zero Blues Club. In the centre of town, look out for the Devil’s Crossroads, which marks where Robert Johnson sold his soul to be a musician. Take a paddle down the lazy Mississippi by canoe to enjoy a delta cruise as well as the area’s famous delta blues music. Stop off at Natchez and Lafayette if you want battlegrounds, plantation mansions and Creole cuisine before parking up in New Orleans. And this is your final stop because, with all its good-time fun, you won’t want to leave. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway and admire the hazy, tree-coated slopes. Canoe, climb and maybe clock a coyote.

The following is an expanded version of material in "The Man Who Changed America." Although the 1919 convoy shaped Eisenhower's views, his perspective would be supplemented years later by his observations of the German autobahn network of freeways. Plans for the autobahn date to the 1920's. Construction of the first segment (Cologne-Bonn) began in 1929 and was dedicated by Mayor Konrad Adenauer of Cologne on August 6, 1932. When Adolph Hitler assumed power as Chancellor of the Third Reich in 1933, he took the program over, claiming it for his own. "We are setting up a program," he said later that year, "the execution of which we do not want to leave to posterity." Hitler's autobahn construction began in September 1933 under the direction of chief engineer Fritz Todt. The 14-mile expressway between Frankfurt and Darmstadt, which opened on May 19, 1935, was the first section completed under Hitler. By December 1941, when wartime needs brought construction to a halt, Germany had completed 2,400 miles (3,860 km), with another 1,550 miles (2,500 km) under construction. As many American visitors had noted during the 1930's, the autobahn was built before the country had enough motor vehicles to justify the expense. Only the well off or powerful in Germany could afford automobiles. Hitler had highlighted this problem in a speech on March 3, 1934, at the Berlin International Automobile and Motor Cycle Show: It can only be said with profound sadness that, in the present age of civilization, the ordinary hard-working citizen is still unable to afford a car, a means of up-to-date transport and a source of enjoyment in the leisure hours. One must have courage to face problems and what cannot be solved within one year may become an established fact within ten years . . . . Hitler intended to provide a small affordable "people's car" (Volkswagen) that his people could fill the autobahn with. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche completed design of the vehicle in 1938. That autumn, the Nazi Party Labor Organization completed some of the construction on the assembly plant at Wolfsburg. In Hitler's full-employment economy, however, construction was delayed by the absence of workers. Benito Mussolini of Italy immediately provided 1,000 unemployed workers to Wolfsburg at Hitler's request, and more as needed. Over 360,000 Germans paid in full or in installments for the vehicle in advance of its production. However, in August 1939, Hitler ordered Dr. Porsche to switch the Wolfsburg plant to production of military vehicles based on the Volkswagen. With Czechoslovakia and Austria under German domination and troops ready to move into Poland, the military would have to take priority. In the end, none of the purchasers received a Volkswagen-or refunds as war needs dominated the country. (For information on the history of the Volkswagen before and after World War II, see Phil Patton's Bug: The Strange Mutations of the World's Most Famous Automobile, Simon & Schuster, 2002.) At the outset of World War II in Europe, the autobahn proved to be a key asset to Germany. The German blitzkrieg ("lightning war"), which involved massive coordinated air and ground attacks to stun opponents into defeat, was a key to the German defeat of Poland in 1939, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands in 1940, and the Soviet Army in 1941. The highway network also enhanced Germany's ability to fight on two fronts-Europe in the west, the Soviet Union in the east. Germany, despite these early advantages, had initiated the war before it had the industrial base to support its military over time. The absence of plants that could be converted to military production was one of the fatal flaws of the German war effort. As historian David P. Colley explained (in The Road to Victory: The Untold Story of World War II's Red Ball Express, Brasseys, Inc., 2000), "The bulk of the German Army of World War II was largely supplied by wagon trains, even to the end, and its infantry marched or rode trains or even used bicycles." He adds that Germany employed 2.8 million horses during the war to support its mechanized divisions. Once the United States entered the war in December 1941, the German deficiency was accentuated because America had the industrial base to create what Colley calls "the world's most highly mobile and mechanized force." The "secret weapon," as Colley called it, was the truck. America produced 3 million trucks or truck-type vehicles for the war. With the French rail network devastated by air attacks prior to the allied D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, the trucks, often operated by the black troops of the Red Ball Express, were the key to supplying the troops as they advanced through the French countryside. By the time the Allied forces reached Germany, they could take full advantage of the autobahn. E. F. Koch, a U.S. Public Roads Administration (PRA) employee who observed the autobahn in 1944-45 as a highway and bridge engineer with the Ninth Army. He and his engineering unit spent the unusually cold winter maintaining roads in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands that, after the pounding of military vehicles and the thaw in early 1945, were in terrible shape. Conditions changed when they reached Germany in early 1945. "After crossing the Rhine and getting into the areas of Germany served by the Autobahn . . . our maintenance difficulties were over. Nearly all through traffic used the Autobahn and no maintenance on that system was required." As the Allies pursued the German forces across Germany, the autobahn proved invaluable, especially to the supply trucks racing behind the troops. The supply units and their vehicles, which had been run ragged in France, strained to keep up. Colley quotes Corporal Edwin Brice of the 3909th Quartermaster Truck Company (I Company) who observed on March 26, 1945, that the unit's trucks had "taken an awful beating across France," but added that "victory depends on our success in keeping troops and supplies up where they are needed. If a truck or a driver can move he or it is needed." In the immediate aftermath of the war, Eisenhower was the military head of occupied Germany. Writer Phil Patton pointed out in Open Road that in this capacity, "Eisenhower oversaw the 'debriefing' of the Reich, the creation of a series of reports that included close study of the Autobahns." The autobahn was a rural network, without segments into and through Germany's cities. This seemed appropriate to Eisenhower, but in Washington, Thomas H. MacDonald and Herbert Fairbank of the U.S. Public Roads Administration (the name of the Federal Highway Administration's predecessor during the 1940's) saw the absence of metropolitan segments as a flaw that made the autobahn a poor model for America's future. Unlike Germany, traffic volumes were high in America where car ownership was widespread. Congestion in America's cities had long been a serious complaint that MacDonald and Fairbank would address in their vision of the Interstate System. (For information, see "The Genie in the Bottle") In short, where Germany had intended to build the highways first and the vehicles second, America had the vehicles and no clear plan for building the highway network. For Eisenhower, the vision of the autobahn was strong in his mind as he became President. Years later, he would explain that "after seeing the autobahns of modern Germany and knowing the asset those highways were to the Germans, I decided, as President, to put an emphasis on this kind of road building. ... The old convoy had started me thinking about good, two-lane highways, but Germany had made me see the wisdom of broader ribbons across the land."

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Last year’s Cannondale Topstone – with its innovative Kingpin suspension frame – was one of our favourite gravel bikes and a finalist in our Bike of the Year award. This year Cannondale has gone one better, adding front suspension into the mix and taking the Gravel Bike of the Year crown for 2021. And Cannondale being Cannondale, a company that likes to go its own way, it has of course gone for a distinctive single-bladed Lefty fork. After all, why have two blades when one will do? The same is also true when it comes to chainrings, this Topstone coming with a SRAM Force AXS 1x chainset paired with a 12-speed cassette and a rear mech from SRAM’s off-road Eagle X01 groupset. The Topstone platform is compatible with both 650b and 700c wheel sizes – the new Lefty-equipped models have the smaller 650b size while the non-Lefty carbon Topstones are specced with 700c wheels. With its super-low-slung back end and mono-blade fork, Cannondale’s Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 is a very striking-looking bike. The Topstone’s intricate brake fittings, with their quick-release system, look like a glimpse into the future and it all holds together well, with the metallic colour-shifting finish and high-grade finishing kit you’d expect on a bike at this price. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 frame The most obvious feature of the Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 is something that’s rare in the world of drop-bar bikes – suspension. Both the frame and fork are designed to offer 30mm of travel, which may not sound a lot compared with modern mountain bike suspension, but it makes a world of difference to how this bike handles over even the poorest of surfaces. The frame’s Kingpin suspension system is designed to offer 30mm of travel at the saddle, with around 25 per cent of that (7.5mm) at the rear axle. Cannondale has engineered the Topstone’s seat tube to work as a leaf-spring, with flex zones in the frame’s chainstays and top tube to enable the movement. The pivot at the top of the seatstays runs on a maintenance-free bearing, which allows the rear end to move freely without the added complexity or additional weight of a shock unit and linkages. The leaf spring design is proportional to the size of the bike, so that whatever size of frame you’re riding, they will all feel the same. The difference in diameter on the thinnest section of the seat tube is marked – measuring 16mm on the small frame, 28mm on the XL. Tube cross-sections and the laminate of the carbon fibre are also scaled to deliver a consistent riding experience whatever the size of the bike. The frame has a thru-axle, in this case with a ‘Speed-Release’ dropout – a thru-axle but with one of the dropouts slotted. This lets you release the wheel without having to take out the axle completely. This brings us to the single-bladed Lefty fork. Cannondale undertook a major redesign of its Lefty mountain bike fork in 2018, moving away from the bulky twin-crown design to a single-crown fork with standard dimensions, allowing it to fit any bike. The new Lefty Oliver fork is a scaled-down version of that design for lighter gravel use. The carbon version weighs 1,340g, which compares with the mountain bike version’s 1,446g, while the alloy model’s 1,610g undercuts the off-road fork’s 1,735g – noticeable weight differences. The reshaped single crown has clearance for 47mm 650b tyres and 45mm 700c tyres. The Lefty Oliver retains the same high levels of lateral and fore-and-aft stiffness as the mountain bike fork, which has earned a great reputation for stiffness, especially in its shorter-travel versions. It features Cannondale’s ‘Delta Cage’ needle-bearing system, in which the three roller bearing assemblies are held in a lightweight polymer cage. This means that the bearing sets move in unison and can’t work against each other, vastly reducing friction. Cannondale tells us it has done a lot of work to prevent any pedalling-induced ‘bobbing’ and claims the Lefty Oliver is both very stable and yet open on hits. Cannondale has also isolated the fork’s rebound adjustment from its compression and says the new Oliver offers 60 per cent more rebound range than the original Slate Lefty fork. But even with this claimed improvement in control, Cannondale has included a manual lock-out lever on the crown for when you’re riding on the road. This lock-out is designed to ‘blow-off’ though, so should you hit an obstacle, it will open up and allow the damper to absorb the bump. The Oliver fork also comes with a quick-release system that allows you to remove the flat-mount brake assembly, which has a very secure locking mechanism when you replace it. Though my experience of single-sided forks suggests you rarely need to remove the wheel for switching tyres or repairing punctures, removal only really becomes an issue when it comes to brake maintenance or serious wheel issues. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 kit The Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 has a ‘mullet’ drivetrain – small at the front, large at the back. It mixes components from SRAM’s Force AXS road groupset and Eagle AXS mountain bike groupset. The 12-speed setup with its 40t chainring and 10-50 cassette provides a massive range of gears. The 40×10 top gear is around 108in with the Topstone’s wheels and tyres, equivalent to between a 50×12 and 50×13 on a compact, while the 21.5in delivered by the 40×50 bottom gear is much lower than the 28in of a 34×32 pairing. This means you’ll have an easier gear for climbing, where on a lot of bikes you’d be reduced to walking. At the other end I’d say the top gear is plenty for even the fastest off-road riders – and ample for most of us on the road 99 per cent of the time. If you’re a smooth-pedalling roadie you may find the jumps between gears larger than you’re used to, but in low-traction, rough-riding situations you don’t tend to shift gears quite as much as you do on the road. And, frankly, I’d much rather have a bike with a gear range that keeps me turning the pedals than closer ratios where I’ll end up pushing – I want to be riding, not hiking. The shifting is up to SRAM wireless AXS’s usual accurate standards and AXS’s intuitive shifting logic – right hand harder, left hand easier – works well here. Connect AXS to SRAM’s app and you can control the settings and record numerous metrics on every ride. Want to know what gear you use the most and how many times you change gear (you do, don’t you?) as well as a wealth of GPS data, well, this will give you that. You can also add a power meter and heart rate monitor for the full complement of facts and figures. It’s quick and easy to connect to a Garmin too, so you can see your gear data on screen and keep track of the battery level. The SRAM Force brakes and Paceline rotors offer bags of stopping power along with fine control, progressively ramping up the braking through the lever travel, and the Lefty suspension fork doesn’t dive even under full-on braking loads. The HollowGram 23 Carbon wheels are an ideal complement to the Topstone’s frame and their 23mm internal rim width is perfect for the Cannondale’s large volume 47c tyres. Their DT Swiss internals should prove durable and they’re laced to the rims with DT Swiss spokes. The rims are from Cannondale’s mountain bike stable, and their high-impact carbon is designed to take serious abuse. The Topstone’s front wheel has the addition of the Cannondale’s Wheel Sensor, which was developed in conjunction with Garmin. This measures speed, time and distance and has on-board storage for up to 900 hours. It works with Cannondale’s own app or any head unit compatible with BLE and ANT+. I connected it to a Garmin Edge 1030 where it automatically recorded all rides. It runs off a single CR2032 cell and has a claimed battery life of a year. You connect the app to your bike by simply spinning the wheel, which lets you register your bike for its warranty. In addition to the usual metrics, the app can also display calories burned and even how much CO2 you’ve saved compared with doing the journey by car. It also gives you maintenance reminders – for lubing, servicing, bleeding the brakes – and you can add bike fit details, too. And there’s more: you can also add your achievements and goals, technical manuals and there’s even a fun X-ray function – an augmented reality screen that shows what’s going on underneath the skin of your bike, the internal cable routing for instance. You can use the app as a standalone ride log as well – it instantly logs rides and can save 30 days of riding – or in conjunction with Strava. There were a couple of areas where I would have changed things. I’d have liked a little more flare in the handlebar because this is a bike that’s designed to be ridden off-road. I’m not a big fan of excessively flared gravel bars but I do like a little more wrist clearance than is offered here. It is a high-quality cockpit though, pairing the excellent SAVE SystemBar and SAVE stem Cannondale uses on the EVO, which look great and add comfort. I’d have just liked a little more flare. Dropper posts, which let you lower the saddle in an instant, are now staples of mountain bikes and given the Topstone’s impressive off-road capabilities, being able to drop your saddle – especially on technical descents – would have been a real bonus. The Topstone Lefty 1 is at least dropper post-compatible but given its price, I’d like to have seen Cannondale include it as standard. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 geometry The geometry of the Kingpin-equipped Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 frame is based on Cannondale’s award-winning Synapse – our Bike of the Year back in 2014. My large model has 610mm of stack, which is the same as a 58cm Synapse, with the 394mm reach figure 1mm longer than that of the Synapse. That difference comes from the Topstone’s slacker head angle – 71.2 degrees compared with the Synapse’s 73 degrees – and its greater fork offset. The Topstone’s 55mm of offset, and wheel and tyre size deliver 58mm of trail, giving the Topstone a handling sweet-spot. The steering feels swift, like that of an endurance bike, with the relaxed head angle adding stability when the going gets rougher. Cannondale calls this its ‘OutFront’ geometry and it has the added benefit of reducing the chances of toe overlap, and toe overlap is the very last thing you want on tight, technical terrain. |Seat angle (degrees)||73.1||73.1||73.1||73.1||73.1| |Head angle (degrees)||70||71.2||71.2||71.2||71.2| |Seat tube (cm)||41||45.8||50.5||55.3||60| |Top tube (cm)||52.5||54.4||56.1||57.9||59.6| |Head tube (cm)||9.7||13.1||16.5||19.8||23.2| |Fork offset (cm)||5.5||5.5||5.5||5.5||5.5| |Bottom bracket drop (cm)||6.9||6.4||6.1||6.1||5.9| |Bottom bracket height (cm)||26.8||27.3||27.6||27.6||27.8| Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 ride impressions Now this is where Cannondale’s new Topstone really scores well – on tarmac, trail and beyond the Topstone gives you just so much control. The rebound from the fork feels natural. Even when you’re riding fast, technical off-road sections with drops and jumps, the Lefty fork never topped or clunked, ramping progressively until very firm. The 30mm of travel may not seem a lot but in the early days of mountain biking the likes of John Tomac would hit 50mph downhilling on a bike with a similar level of suspension. The Topstone copes with bad surfaces better than anything else out there and will open up a world of new terrain to explore. Add in its mountain goat gearing, controlled compliance from the suspension and generous tyres and this is the most capable gravel bike I’ve tested to date. The handling is quick but not twitchy, stable but not dull and inspires such confidence that it will allow you to throw caution to the wind. Another factor that magnifies the Topstone Lefty 1’s off-road capabilities is the use of tyres with differential treads. The front WTB Venture tyre has block edges that bite in the corners to provide plenty of grip, the WTB ByWay rear has a much slicker tread that helps transfer pedalling into forward motion. I gave high praise to the standard 700c non-Lefty Topstone for its wonderful on-road manners – even mooting it as a replacement for Cannondale’s Synapse endurance bike for many riders. This sprung Topstone Carbon Lefty 1, with its smaller wheels and fatter tyres, isn’t quite the Synapse-killer of its unsprung sibling but it is capable enough on the tarmac. The ride position is classic endurance and the WTB tyres’ slick centre strips don’t create as much drag as many chunky gravel tyres. I’d still emphasise that this is a bike built for the path less travelled rather than the road – but on tarmac sections between the dirt, it’s still a sufficiently swift performer. As for its 10kg weight? Forget about it. This Topstone Lefty doesn’t deserve any body shaming because within a few turns of the pedal off-road you’ll be believing this was a UCI limit-baiting lightweight, such is the way it flies over rough surfaces. Try thinking of the Topstone less as a hefty drop-barred bike and more like a super-light drop-barred mountain bike that won’t sap your energy on the road. Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 1 bottom line Cannondale’s Topstone Lefty 1 is a phenomenal companion for getting you way, way off-road, and it will let you ride faster over traditional gravel routes than its rivals. Okay, so we are looking at Cannondale’s most expensive Lefty-equipped Topstone but the range starts at £4,000 for the Topstone Carbon Lefty 3, which comes with an alloy version of the Lefty fork and 1x Shimano GRX gearing. I’d go as far as saying if you are looking to get away from the old routine of riding day-after-day on tarmac, Cannondale’s innovative Topstone Lefty 1 is the ultimate way to expand your horizons much further than you ever thought possible. You really don’t notice the little extra weight the Topstone’s carrying, what you do appreciate is the control from the Lefty suspension fork and front- and rear-specific WTB tyres, its comfort and the Topstone’s class-leading handling over rough terrain and technical off-road sections. And not forgetting Muc-Off, for its help keeping the bikes washed and lubed throughout testing. Road Bike of the Year 2021 contenders Thirty-two of the best bikes ridden and rated… - ARC8 Escapee - Basso Venta 105 Disc - BMC Roadmachine TWO - BMC Teammachine SLR TWO - Boardman ADV 8.9 - Boardman ADV 9.0 - Boardman SLR 8.9 105 - Boardman SLR 9.4 AXS (winner) - Cannondale SuperSix EVO - Cannondale Topstone Lefty 1 - Cervélo Caledonia-5 - Cinelli King Zydeco - Genesis CDA 30 - Giant Contend AR 3 - Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 - Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 Disc - Lapierre Xelius SL 5.0 - Orbea Avant H60-D - Orbea Orca M20 - Pearson Off Grid - Planet X London Road SRAM Apex 1 Disc - Ribble CGR Ti Pro - Ribble Endurance 725 Base - Ribble Endurance Ti Disc - Rondo HVRT CF1 - Sensa Giulia GF - Specialized Roubaix Sport - Specialized S-Works Aethos - Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 - Trek Domane AL 5 - Van Rysel EDR AF - Vitus Zenium Tiagra |Price||EUR €8399.00GBP £7500.00USD $8500.00| |Available sizes||XS, S, M, L, XL| |Handlebar||HollowGram SAVE SystemBar, Carbon| |Tyres||WTB Venture TCS Light (front), WTB Byway TCS Light (rear)| |Stem||HollowGram SAVE, Alloy| |Shifter||SRAM Force AXS| |Seatpost||HollowGram SAVE Carbon| |Saddle||Fabric Scoop Shallow Race| |Rear derailleur||SRAM X01 Eagle| |Front derailleur||SRAM X01 Eagle| |Bottom bracket||SRAM DUB BB30| |Fork||Lefty Oliver carbon 30mm travel| |Cranks||SRAM Force AXS, 40| |Chain||SRAM X01 Eagle| |Cassette||SRAM X01 Eagle, 10-50| |Wheels||Cannondale HollowGram 23 Superlight Hi-Impact Carbon (23mm internal) tubeless|

Every year on 16 November, our Chipembere Rhino Foundation team, and the guides and guests at Amakhala Game Reserve, gather at ‘’God’s Window’’ for a moment of solemn silence around the Rhino Remembrance Memorial. This memorial bears the names of Chippy, Isipho and Geza – to pay tribute and to remind us of these three magnificent Rhinos, as well as the 7,000 other Rhinos lost in South Africa since 2010, and renew our commitment to ensure the survival of this iconic species for generations to come. On the fateful night of 16 November 2010, two White Rhino bulls on Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape were tragically lost to the brutality of poaching, which has now become a full-blown epidemic in South Africa. ‘Chippy’, as he was affectionately known as because of the ‘chip’ in his horn, was a healthy breeding bull. Isipho – meaning ‘gift’ in Xhosa – was only 5 years old and would have taken over from Chippy as the breeding bull of the rhino conservation project on the Reserve. Just a few months later, Geza – meaning ‘the naughty one’ in Xhosa – died from his wounds after poachers barbarically cut off both his horns. After witnessing the senseless slaughter of their two Rhino breeding bulls, Chippy and Isipho, Brent and Chantelle Cook, the owners of HillsNek Safari Camp at Amakhala Game Reserve decided to step up their conservation efforts. Along with their business partners, Paul and Debbie Naudé and Derek Cook, they established the Chipembere Rhino Foundation (CRF) as a local registered non-profit and public benefit organisation to protect and preserve the diminishing number of Rhino in Southern Africa. After Geza was poached, renowned wildlife veterinarian, Dr William Fowlds joined the CRF team as a trustee. “This incredibly emotional, heart-breaking and tragic event was the catalyst to us structuring our conservation efforts into one organisation that could assist with the protection and preservation of rhino on the ground, where it counts,” says Brent Cook, founder of CRF. Aptly named ‘Chipembere’, which means ‘white rhinoceros’ in Shona and commemorates Chippy, the Foundation raises funds and provides training and equipment that help reserves protect their wildlife. CRF specialises in sourcing, testing and funding technology for effective monitoring of Rhino; funding K9 handlers and their tracking and apprehension dogs; providing anti-poaching teams with vital equipment and funding equipment needed to translocate Rhino across Southern Africa to safer havens. With the assistance of an amazing team of volunteers, as well as partnerships with Rhino custodians and other like-minded NGOs, and the support from donors, the Foundation has made a significant contribution to the efforts to protect and preserve our Rhinos. The unveiling of the new Rhino Remembrance Memorial: Video Credit: Ben Wallace The legacy lives on. Last year, a precious new rhino calf named ‘Schofe’ was born to one of Amakhala’s rhino, Themba. This heart-warming event was especially emotional as Schofe is Chippy’s grandson and the second generation of rhinos that are now protected by a well-trained and equipped anti-poaching team. Schofe was named after the well-known UK presenter of This Morning Show – a British daytime television programme that is broadcast on ITV – Phillip Schofield. Read the full story HERE. “Chippy, Isipho and Geza – and the 7,000 other rhino South Africa has lost since 2010 – we salute you. You are gone, but never forgotten. In your memory, we continue the fight to save your species!” says Cook. “Collectively, all our efforts make a difference. Thank you to the rangers and guests who participated in this event. Your part in creating awareness contributes to winning the war against poaching, as we recommit on this day to our mission: Saving Rhino One at a Time!”

Being a new Dad has given me a lot to think about, but you probably already knew that. Like in this picture perhaps. I used to just put on a jacket and go outside, now….. I make a hundred decisions before I go out the door. “Stroller or carrier? Is she warm enough, can she breathe, is she still breathing, do we have the diaper bag, are there actually diapers in the diaper bag, how long will we be gone, wait where are we going?”. Those are my immediate concerns, but what about the future? What about long term? What about in 30 years when my daughter is my age? (insert nervous gulp here) Will we be driving electric cars, using more efficient transport, running on solar power, and making our first landing on Mars? Or will we be struggling with dwindling resources, dying ecosystems, extracting every last ounce of oil, and stuck in mass gridlock. Will we have tackled the issues of inequality and our reliance on infinite growth? How many animals will have gone extinct or will have been brought back (I vote for Mammoth before Velociraptor)? Will genetic resequencing solve disease or will modified organisms result in ecosystem contamination? Where are we going? Sometimes we don’t stop to see how we are doing, as individuals, a country, and society. I’m pleased to say our society is making progress and we’re doing some good things for the environment. Water Use in Canada: The graph above shows a 27% reduction, with most of that occurring since 2006. (That 2011 data is unfortunately the most recent, hopefully we’ll get new government data soon.) People are often upset by water meters but the fact is they reduce water consumption. My home town in BC used to have a water crisis nearly every year, the reservoirs would be drained and our lawns would be green. Water meters came in and that just doesn’t happen anymore. There’s an old adage, that you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Below is a comparison of water use when Canadians have meters and when we don’t. It’s skewed a bit by NS, but in ON we still see a 30% reduction. Electricity Use in Canada How about our electricity use? Are we producing our electricity with low impact? Ontario shut down their coal plants, and Alberta has a plan in place to do the same. I’d say that’s great progress. Canadian electricity is actually pretty good too, from a carbon intensity perspective, even compared to the OECD countries. This is mostly because of significant nuclear and hydro power, though solar and wind are helping with new power generation. That said we’re still a long way to catch Norway, Sweden, France, or Brazil. Those numbers make me feel pretty good. Until I look at how much electricity we use. Turns out we use more electricity in our homes than any other country. That’s not very good. In 30 years will we be the same? Looking locally shows hope for the future. In 2013 Toronto Hydro identified 93.6 MW and 135.5 GWH of electricity savings as part of their energy efficiency programs. That’s equivalent to about 12,000 homes. In Canada over 10,000 electric cars have been sold since 2011. That’s growing every year and it’s being supported by incentives (recently increased for Ontario). Unfortunately they only have a 0.27% market share. Norway by contrast sells 13 electric cars out of every 100 new cars sold (i.e. 13%+ market share). What about new vehicles? Efficiency has increased from 24.3 mpg in 1980 to 34.6 mpg in 2014. Electric cars will result in even less CO2, in Canada a gas powered vehicle would need to have around 80mpg to be equivalent, in Ontario it would be even better. It’s also easier to control emissions at one central source instead of in every single vehicle. Solar and Wind World renewable energy is growing, fast. In 2014 53% of all new electricity production was from Solar and Wind. Overall the world reached 548 GW of total solar and wind installed at the end of 2014, with 91 of those GW added in that year alone. In Ontario we’ve seen renewables increase to nearly 10% of the total capacity installed. Solar has been increasing every year across the world. Our choices may seem small, like how we get to work, when we recycle or throw something out, when we turn off lights, when we select products made sustainably and don’t purchase the others, when we reuse something old, when we chose that more efficient car, that shirt made in Canada, or that local organic potato. When we support more renewable energy production, when we choose to that low irrigation landscape, or that low flow shower head. Sometimes these things make economic sense today and sometimes they are just the right thing to do for the future. All of our choices add up and contribute to the larger whole, a progression to some future state. Our little choices resulting in big future changes. Hopefully it’s to a society that we can leave better for its future little occupants. Now where is that diaper bag?…

How learning languages can offer career opportunities for graduates Learning Languages can offer Career Opportunities Living in different countries due to some opportunities can helps you to learn different languages. It will enhance your capabilities and interests. Students of Top Engineering Colleges can understand the facts and figures by learning different languages. It is significant to understand that knowing one language will not work if you are moving to different countries for work. Furthermore, languages will boost up your confidence to talk to strangers if you are studying in some other country. Some individuals might think about the importance of learning French when they are living in a country with different language. Students of engineering colleges in Rajasthan can get various job opportunities that can change your life completely in a good way. For this reason, learning French, English, Spanish, and Chinese is very essential. Knowing different languages will provide more offers in the longer run. Learning different languages can create career opportunities for the students of best engineering colleges in Rajasthan. Speaking two or more languages can enhance employment scenarios differently. It is not just about freelancing or working independently. Instead, it also increases the various options for jobs. In the fast and changing world of today, most of the companies are doing great business and making progress, well it can never be possible without hiring the globally-minded people who can talk and speak in a foreign language. Moreover, local companies also provide chances to the people who can speak a second language. It has some few and positive effects of speaking more than 2 languages that can improves memory and reduced the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Connection and Friendship with Cross-Cultural If students of Best BTech Colleges Rajasthan are living in a different culture for any reason, you might have realized not knowing that culture language is very difficult for a person to live. For instance, someday you visit a food market where the employers are speaking in their native language and if you order something in your language English whereas, another person comes and orders some food in the local language and he starts talking with the cook. This might create inconvenience and complexities. This will let you miss the cultural experience because you could not join what the cook was talking about the food with that person. Let’s take another example on your friendship where a very good friend of yours is from another country. You enjoy hanging out with your friend but you cannot speak their native language. Your friend might have some other group of friends who can speak in their native language, they go out for a party and enjoy a lot but you have never been invited because you will not be able to understand the language. An individual cannot learn every language, but can start learning to speak some different languages for better understanding. Learning new and different languages will make someone a better learner. Whenever students of BTech Colleges Rajasthan learn a new language, they will find it easier than the one before. Individuals will figure out the way to learn different languages more efficiently. People can develop language hacks and become a better learner. While learning their first language, they will identify their inefficiencies and will able to eliminate them. Overcome Your Fear of speaking different languages Every human makes a mistake in their daily life and learn from those mistakes and experiences. Similarly, it is a great strength for the people who speak in the wrong language but still trying to speak and to overcome the fears. For instance, the tourists who come to visit different countries cannot speak the exact language of your country but still try hard to speak. Hence, it creates the strength and the courage to overcome all kinds of different fears. It is quite better to make mistakes and learn from them rather than be afraid to speak at all. Enjoy Works of Art If you are interested in experiencing the films but their language is completely different from what an individual of top engineering colleges in Rajasthan understand. In such situations, do not panic or feel sad. If you are a big fan of the media and you would like to be part of it, you need to learn a new language of their culture. Having a clear goal in your mind helps you to achieve something in your life. Therefore, you can enjoy works of art by learning their native language. Prices are different for local language individuals If you are living in a completely different cultural country where you cannot speak their language, you could not be able to understand their native language. For instance, going to the market to buy some things will help you observe people who speak local languages and the shopkeepers will give them a concession. In this case, if you belong to another nation and speak in a different language they will not give you a concession. Therefore, prices are different for local language people and different for foreign tourists. It is better to learn few languages to participate in the reliable cultural experience in the country you are visiting. Most of the people make excuses that people are failed to learn different languages because of having not enough time or you are too old for that. Do not think negative and try to learn a second language for better understandings. Knowing different languages will enhance their interests and further improve their compassion with the people of different cultures and states.

At the meeting of the Local History Group on 21 November 2013, Andrew Roberts discussed evidence about the early history of Trumpington, from Prehistory up to the early 1800s. See also other sources of evidence . Updated February 2017. Extract from transcript of the Trumpington Vestry Audit Book, 1667. Extract from Local History Group Timeline, October 2013. First, a definition of the ‘Trumpington’ area. By the late Anglo-Saxon period, East Anglia was organised into Counties, Hundreds and Parishes. A Hundred was a division of Saxon England below the level of the shire, the origins of which are uncertain (Muir, 2000). Thriplow Hundred and Trumpington Parish were established before 1000 AD. ‘Trumpington’ is the name of the parish and the nucleated village within the parish. A key source is the Victoria County History (VCH), including an excellent chapter on Trumpington (Victoria History of the Counties of England, 1982a and b). Map of the parishes within Thriplow Hundred, 1845. The Victoria History of the Counties of England (1982). A History of Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely, Volume VIII. Armingford and Thriplow Hundreds , page 153. Most place names in Cambridgeshire are Anglo-Saxon in origin. Names ending in ‘ton’ tend to have formed later than those ending in ‘ham’. The ‘ton’ suffix is more common in the Mercia area west of the Cam. Trumpington appears to be one of a number of parishes to the south of Cambridge with names formed from a personal name and ‘ton’. The ending ‘-ton’ (OE tūn) = small estate or a lord’s enclosure; ‘–ham’ (OE ham) homestead, settlement or meadow (Muir, 2000). A key source is An Atlas of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire History (Kirby and Oosthuizen, 2000), including maps 26, 31. Distribution of parish names in south Cambridgeshire. From An Atlas of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire History , map 26. Trumpington is the triangular shaped parish in the centre of the map. Trumpington parish was bounded by the River Cam to the south west and west and Vicar’s Brook to the north. Extent and topography of the parish, from west to east: River Cam on the western edge of area; pronounced slope up from river valley immediately to the east of the river valley in the Trumpington Meadows area; current village centre and the area to the north west of the current main road on a low ridge running from south to north; lower land to the east of the village with the Vicar’s Brook (Hobson’s Brook) running through it in a trough, poorly drained; further slope up to the east towards and beyond the current railway line, Clay Farm; low downlands to the south. Note that this original parish incorporated the land between Hobson’s Brook and Hills Road, including the area now developed as Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and also land to the south of the current village as far as Hauxton Mill. Extract from Ordnance Survey map of Trumpington, 1865. There is significant continuity in land use, field patterns and road patterns from Prehistory through the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval period and up to present. For further information, see the Timeline. There is a substantial amount of archaeological evidence from the Trumpington area, including early archaeological finds and work by local antiquarians, museum collections, interpretations and the results of a number of major excavations since the 1970s. Early archaeological finds from ‘Dam Hill’ (Chaucer Road area) and elsewhere One of the most important early find spots was land to the rear of 19 Chaucer Road, now a tennis court, named as ‘Roman burial ground’ on early Ordnance Survey maps. In 1709, labourers found a group of Iron Age/Roman objects, including a bronze jug (oinochoe), bronze bowl and handle (patera), bronze hinged gaming board, pots and a wine amphora. The objects were acquired by James Thompson, the owner of Anstey Hall. In 1717, Thompson wrote a letter about the finds to Dr Cox Macro, who was accumulating information for Edmund Gibson who was preparing the second edition of William Camden’s Britannia . The discovery was taken up by Dr Warren, Bowtell and other early writers. The main finds were donated to Trinity College before 1740 and eventually loaned to the Fitzwilliam Museum. Dr Lucilla Burn has related the loan to this early history and some of the objects are on display in the Fitzwilliam Museum (Gallery 21, Greece and Rome, Case 12, Roman Empire and Wealth). Dated to 30-70 AD, they are almost certainly from the burial of a member of a wealthy family. Ordnance Survey map with archaeological overlay, Dam Hill area. Unpublished notes and maps, David Haigh, 1975, Cambridgeshire Collection. The tennis courts and hedgerow between Latham Road and the rear of Chaucer Road, the site of the Dam Hill finds. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 12 April 2011. Extract from Camden’s Britannia, 1722, p. 479. Bronze jug discovered at Dam Hill, © The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge/Reproduced with the kind permission of the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge. Other items found in the 18th and 19th centuries were acquired by the Cambridge Antiquarian Society and eventually deposited in the Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology. These include Anglo-Saxon metalwork, probably from Dam Hill. [Bronze fibula, Saxon, from Trumpington, Deck Collection, Cambridge Antiquarian Society, 1883 (now in Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, number not traced). Left: from a photograph used by Percy Robinson during lectures in the 1920s-1940s. Right: probably the same object, illustrated by Cyril Fox in Fox, 1923, plate xxx.6, facing page 268. Interpretation of local archaeology The first rigorous attempt to understand the archaeology and landscape history of the Cambridge region was by Cyril Fox, who produced an impressive survey in 1923 (Fox, 1923). There was limited progress until the 1960s, when work on the new Addenbrooke’s Hospital site showed that this was an important Iron Age settlement. There was also an excavation on the Plant Breeding Institute (PBI) land near the river. The next regional assessment was in 1975, when Haigh produced detailed distribution maps (Haigh, 1975). Alison Taylor wrote a fresh analysis of the archaeology of Cambridge and the surrounding area in the late 1990s, just before the main phase of excavations (Taylor, 1999). Cover and extract from Cyril Fox’s The Archaeology of the Cambridge Region , 1923. Cover of Alison Taylor’s Cambridge: the Hidden History , 1999. Aerial view of the archaeological investigations on Clay Farm, to the east of Shelford Road, with the new Addenbrooke’s Road and work on the Guided Busway in the old railway cutting, July-August 2010. Oxford Archaeology East. Excavations since 1970s The planning decisions to allow the development of the Park & Ride site, the John Lewis building and Waitrose, housing on Clay Farm, Glebe Farm, Trumpington Meadows and the Bell School site, the development of Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) and infrastructure such as Addenbrooke’s Road, have led to a series of archaeological surveys and excavations. The majority of these have been undertaken by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) or Oxford Archaeology East (OAE). At a meeting of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society in February 2017, Chris Evans, Head of the Cambridge Archaeological Unit, said that the density of archaeological work in the Cambridge area was probably second only to that in London, an unprecedented level of research where it will take another generation to sort out the interpretation. Archaeological investigations on Clay Farm, near Shelford Road and Addenbrooke’s Road, with the hospital in the distance. Photo: Stephen Brown, 19 July 2010. Participants at the Trumpington Meadows archaeological site visit. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 24 May 2011. Four Anglo-Saxon burial pits on the Trumpington Meadows archaeological site. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 24 May 2011. This work is resulting in an updated interpretation of our early history. The key sources for this include publications by the archaeological units, particularly the excavation reports, and the work of the Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record (CHER), searchable through the national Heritage Gateway . After some of the main excavations on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus site, CAU published an interpretation of The Archaeology of the Addenbrooke’s Environs, South Cambridge (Evans, 2008). A companion Riverside volume on the Trumpington Meadows and Glebe Farm excavations is forthcoming, early 2017. Extract from a Heritage Gateway record. Cover and extract highlighting the Trumpington and Cambridge Biomedical Campus area, from Borderlands , 2008. The Local History web site includes reports on site visits and talks about a number of specific excavations and the Timeline summarises some of the evidence. See the Archaeology of Trumpington checklist on the Subjects page and the Timeline pages. There is also a checklist of the main excavation reports . Local History Group meeting posters, March 2012 and March 2016. Examples of recent excavations Neolithic (4000-2400BC): farmers, trackways, monuments Work underway on one of the Neolithic monuments excavated on Trumpington Meadows in 2010. © Cambridge Archaeological Unit. One of three Neolithic burial monuments being excavated on the Trumpington Meadows site, with red pegs marking outer ring with pottery dating from c. 3500BC, with Trumpington Church and Anstey Hall in the distance. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 3 October 2010. Bronze Age (2400-800BC): settlements and field systems Bronze Age barrow and cremation cemetery, Fawcett School site. Oxford Archaeology East, 2014. Middle Bronze Age spear head, Clay Farm. Oxford Archaeology East. Iron Age (800BC-70AD): settlements, burials, ritual, high status families A series of Iron Age pits being excavated on the Trumpington Meadows site, with the trees on the line of the old railway in the background. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 3 October 2010. Romano-British: Cambridge as local focus, road network, dispersed settlements Finds in situ in the cremation pit, Clay Farm. Oxford Archaeology East, 2011. 1st century AD toiletry set from the cremation pit. Oxford Archaeology East, 2011. Anglo-Saxon: nucleated settlement, bed burial, religious influence Anglo-Saxon bed burial and gold and garnet cross (the ‘Trumpington Cross’). Cambridge Archaeological Unit. Richard Mortimer, Oxford Archaeology East, describing archaeological features, including the line of a Middle Saxon palisade fence, Anstey Hall Farm. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 10 May 2015. From the Medieval period, the key sources are archives and buildings, with less emphasis on archaeological evidence. There is important primary and secondary material in Cambridgeshire Archives and the Cambridgeshire Collection . The Local History web site Timeline Medieval page has additional information. Domesday Book (1087): population and resources The Domesday Book has limited information about ‘ Grentebrige ’ (Cambridge), but it was already a substantial town. The men holding ‘ Trumpinton ’ in 1066 included Tochi and Horwulf, holding land from the church at Ely and the King; by 1086, they had been removed and it was the land of William de Warenne, Sheriff Picot, Count Eustace, the King and Countess Judith, held by William de Callei and others, consisting of 37 households (about 185 people), with a mill, a weir rendering 450 eels and pasture for the cattle of the vill. The majority of the householders were unfree peasants who would have worked for their lord but also had land to farm themselves, including 19 villeins, 6 bordars and 8 cottars. There were also 4 householders who were serfs (Rumble, 1991). Analysis of the Trumpington entry in the Domesday Book. Andrew Roberts, 2013. Parish Church: structure, memorials The current church was built from 1200-1300 with later changes and additions. The memorials in the church include the Trumpington family. The south side of Trumpington Church. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 18 October 2011. The base of a pillar dated to c. 1200 AD, at the west end of the South Aisle. Photo: Andrew Roberts, October 2011. Medieval glass in a window on the south side of the Chancel. Photo: Andrew Roberts, October 2011. The monument to the Trumpington family. Photo: Andrew Roberts, October 2011. Brass originally attributed to Sir Roger de Trumpington, illustrated in 1808 for Magna Britannia, Cambridgeshire , facing page 65. Lay Subsidy (1327): taxation, population, prosperity In 1086, the population density of the area to the south of Cambridge was around 35-50 per sq mile. It continued to increase until the late 13th century, when this was one of the most densely populated parts of the country. The 1327 Lay Subsidy named 48 Trumpington taxpayers. The average tax across the county was 2s, with 70% of those liable paying less than 2s; in Trumpington, the highest tax was 11s 6d and the average was 2s 7d, with 65% of those liable paying less than 2s. The 1327 taxpayers included three of the manor holders and the vicar. In 1334, Trumpington had the highest rating in Thriplow Hundred. Trumpington had a relatively small spread of wealth in a prosperous part of the county. The names listed on the Lay Subsidy include de Trumpeton and Arnold, both of whom held local manors (Glassock, 1995). Extract from Lay Subsidy, 1327 (Glassock, 1995). The village of Trumpington gradually developed as a nucleated settlement. It was well established by the 12th century, in the same location as the current village core. Based on the landscape, archival and building evidence, it seems that the village developed close to the river crossing to Grantchester and at the intersection of the main north-south road and an east-west route. In addition to the church, it had number of manors, farms, homes and public houses, with a village green. There was a village cross at the junction of the High Street and Church Lane (the location of the current War Memorial). Interpretation of Medieval Trumpington. Andrew Roberts, 2013. The stone base of the former village cross, known as the Stokton Cross, Trumpington Church. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 18 October 2011 Extract from Route 43 in John Ogilby’s Britannia , 1675 (Ogilby, 1675). Parish Registers and Bishop’s Transcript (from 1563) Cambridgeshire Archives holds the original of the Parish Register. It also has a bound transcript of the Register, transcribed by David Jordan, Margaret Marrs and members of the Cambridgeshire Family History Society, copies of which are available from the Society. The introduction explains that the Register starts in 1671, but there must have been an earlier volume from 1563. The entries are based in part on the Bishop’s Transcripts held at Cambridge University Library. The Register transcription includes baptisms 1563-2003, marriages 1599- 2003, banns 1754-1953, burials 1600-2003 and a surname index (Cambridgeshire Family History Society, 2010). As an example, the 1671 transcription of burials includes a member of the Stacey family: Apr 17 WARD John the young son of Richard May 11 STACY John son of William May 30 SKARE Elizabeth the young dau of Charles Jun 10 JIGNY Sarah dau of the wid Jun 21 WALLIS John the young son of William Jun 30 TOKENS Thomas the elder Dec 17 PRIME Ann of Hauxton dau of John Feb 2 COLLINS Anne dau of Elizabeth wid Vestry Audit Book (1602-1753) Cambridgeshire Archives also has the original of the Vestry Audit Book (1602-1753) ), with information about the administration of the parish. The Cambridgeshire Family History Society has also published a transcript of this, transcribed in 2002 by David E. Bland (Cambridgeshire Family History Society, 2002). The text has many reference to local individuals whose names will start to be familiar, such as James Thompson (the owner of one of the manors, later Anstey Hall), John Baron (the owner of a manor between the church and the later Trumpington Hall), William Stacey (later generations of the Stacey family with headstones in churchyard) and William Austin (died 1679, left money for education and charities). Extract from transcript of the Vestry Audit Book, 1667. Church and churchyard There are a number of commemorative plaques in the church, including ones for John Baron and William Austin, and also some surviving early headstones in the churchyard, including the Stacey family. Surviving information on the later headstones has been transcribed by Stephen Walley and Alan Bullwinkle for the Cambridgeshire Family History Society (1987). Plaque commemorating charitable donations by Thomas Allen and John Baron, 1681. Photo: Andrew Roberts, October 2011. Plaque commemorating charitable donations by William Austin, Francis Rowney and John Pecke. Photo: Andrew Roberts, October 2011. Headstones in churchyard: Detail of the Stacey family headstone. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 28 October 2013. Hearth Tax (1664) The Hearth Tax was one of the main sources of government revenue during the reigns of Charles II and James II, with four Acts in force from 1662 to 1689. The returns list homes and the number of hearths which they have. The 1664 return has columns for the number of hearths in 1664, the name of the current owner, the number of hearths in 1662, a comment on changes since 1662 and a note of exemptions. The Cambridgeshire entries are available in book form (Evans and Rose, 2000, p. 305). Examples: James Whitlock: 16 hearths (later Trumpington Hall), James Thompson: 13 hearths (later Anstey Hall), John Baron: 9 hearths (a manor, later demolished), William Stacey: 4 hearths, William Austin: 4 hearths. Extract from the Cambridgeshire Hearth Tax Returns Michaelmas 1664 (Evans and Rose, 2000). Manors, homes and public houses There were a number of manor houses in the village. The current Trumpington Hall dates from c. 1715-35, on the site of an earlier house, with some surviving fittings (the Pemberton family). The current ‘Anstey Hall’ was rebuilt in the 1660s, again on the site of an earlier manor. A number of houses in Grantchester Road and the High Street also date from the 17th century or earlier, as do two of the public houses on the High Street. There is information about buildings in sources including the Inventory of the Historical Monuments in the City of Cambridge (Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, 1959), the Conservation Area Appraisal (City Council, 2010) and The Buildings of England (Pevsner, 1970, and later edition). Anstey Hall, built c. 1670. Percy Robinson collection. The Coach & Horses. Cambridgeshire Collection. Reproduced in Trumpington Past & Present , p. 70. ‘Dated Cottage’ (18 Grantchester Road) near the Church, said to date from 1654. Brian Goodliffe. There are two main sources for the wills of local people. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1384-1858, are held at The National Archives and can be searched online. Records of local wills from the Consistory Court of Ely are part of the Ely Diocesan Records held by Cambridge University Library and Cambridgeshire Archives . Extract from catalogue list of the wills held at the National Archives, including James Thompson (Anstey Hall), died 1674. Turnpike roads (1720s) Two turnpikes ran from Cambridge to Trumpington (Trumpington Road and High Street) where they divided and continued to Barkway (Hauxton Road) and Stump Cross (Shelford Road) and on to London. The Acts governing these roads have survived, as have the local milestones. Extract from title page, Act for Road from Stump Cross to Trumpington, Stump Cross Turnpike Trust (Statutes 30 George III, c.94, 1790). Cambridgeshire Archives, P175/28/1. The first Trinity Hall milestone at the junction of Trumpington Road and Brooklands Avenue, 1728. Photo: Andrew Roberts, 18 September 2007. The second milestone on the Stump Cross Turnpike Road, outside 174 Shelford Road, near the parish boundary. Photos: Andrew Roberts, January 2008. There had been little change in the layout of the village for 100s of years up to the early 1800s, but population growth and the influence of Cambridge would have an increasing impact from this point. There had also been agricultural changes and a consolidation of land ownership, with most land now owned by the two main manors. The enclosure of land was formalised through an Inclosure Act of 1801 which was implemented in 1804-09. The University Library and Cambridgeshire Archives have versions of the enclosure map and Cambridgeshire Archives has a copy of the Act and supporting papers and the schedule. The Local History web site has further information about farming and the enclosure process . The Enclosure map: A Map of the Parish of Trumpington in the County of Cambridge, 1804 . Cambridgeshire Archives, R60/24/2/70(a). Summary: What Sources? Archaeological finds and excavations Archival resources (Parish Registers, Vestry Audit Book, Enclosure map and schedule, etc.) Physical evidence (buildings including the parish church; landscape history including road and field patterns) Local History Web site Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record (HER) Victoria County History (VCH): Trumpington and other chapters Summary: Where are the sources? Cambridgeshire Archives (online catalogue) The National Archive (TNA) (online catalogue, including wills) Royal Commission on Historic Monuments (Cambridge volume and National Monuments Record, Listed Buildings Record, online) Cambridge Antiquarian Society (lectures, conferences and proceedings) Cambridgeshire Collection (online catalogue online) Trumpington Library (opening in mid 2017) University Library (online catalogue) University Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology Family history resources: Cambridgeshire Family History Society Ancestry, Find My Past, etc. Apprentice records (Ancestry) Trumpington Local History Group (expertise, meetings and web site) Trumpington Local History Group Timeline Bryan, Peter (2008). Cambridge. The Shaping of the City . New edition. Cambridge: G. David. Bushell, W.D. (1938). Hobson’s Conduit. The New River at Cambridge Commonly Called Hobson’s River . Cambridge: CUP. Carr, Edith (1973). Trumpington: a Cambridgeshire Village . In People and Places. An East Anglian Miscellany. Pages 8-67. Lavenham: Terence Dalton Ltd. SBN 900963-24-7. Cambridge City Council. Planning Department (2010). Trumpington. Conservation Area Appraisal . Cambridge: City Council. Cambridgeshire Family History Society (1987). St Mary’s and St Michael’s Parish Church, Trumpington, Cambridgeshire. Monumental Inscriptions . Transcribed by Stephen Walley and Alan Bullwinkle. : CFHS. Cambridgeshire Family History Society (2002). Trumpington Vestry Audit Book, 1602-1753 . Transcribed by David E. Bland. : Cambridgeshire Family History Society. [Included on CD/012, Miscellaneous Cambridgeshire Documents from 1600. The original document is at Cambridgeshire Archive, reference P158/8/1.] Cambridgeshire Family History Society (2010). Parish Registers. St Mary’s and St Michael’s Parish Church, Trumpington . Transcribed by David Jordan, Margaret Marrs and members of the Society. : Cambridgeshire Family History Society. CD/PR/10. Evans, Christopher, with Duncan Mackay and Leo Webley (2008). Borderlands. The Archaeology of the Addenbrooke’s Environs, South Cambridge . CAU Landscape Archives: New Archaeologies of the Cambridge Region, 1. Cambridge: Cambridge Archaeological Unit with Oxbow Books. ISBN 978-0-9544824-7-3. Evans, Nesta and Rose, Susan (2000). Cambridgeshire Hearth Tax Returns Michaelmas 1664 . London: British Record Society. Fox, Cyril (1923). The Archaeology of the Cambridge Region . Cambridge: University Press. Glassock, Robin E. (1975). The Lay Subsidy of 1335 . Records of Social and Economic History, NSII. Oxford: University Press for the British Academy. Cambridgeshire pages 23-28. Haigh, David (1975). A Correlation Between Archaeological Sites and Field Names: a Survey of Parishes . Unpublished notes and maps (Cambridgeshire Collection). Kirby, Tony and Oosthuizen, Susan (eds.) (2000). An Atlas of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire History . Cambridge: Anglia Polytechnic University. Muir, Richard (2000). The New Reading the Landscape . Fieldwork in Landscape History. Exeter: University of Exeter Press. Ogilby, John (1675). Britannia , volume the first, or, An illustration of the Kingdom of England and dominion of Wales by a geographical and historical description of the principal roads thereof … John Ogilby … , London. Pevsner, Nicholas (1970). Cambridgeshire. The Buildings of England . Second Edition. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-071010-8. Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) (1959). An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in the City of Cambridge. Part II . London: HMSO. ISBN 0-11-300023-5. Rumble, Alexander (editor) (1981). Domesday Book. A Survey of the Counties of England, compiled by Direction of King William I, Winchester 1086. 18 Cambridgeshire . Chichester: Phillimore. John Morris (general editor). Taylor, Alison (1999). Cambridge: the Hidden History . Stroud: Tempus. ISBN 0-7524-1436-4. Taylor, Alison, Browne, David M. and Darby, H.C. (1978). Early Cambridgeshire. Cambridge: Oleander Press. The Victoria History of the Counties of England (1982a). A History of Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely, Volume VIII. Armingford and Thriplow Hundreds . The Victoria History of the Counties of England (1982b). ‘Parishes: Trumpington’, A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 8 (1982), pp. 248-67. [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol8/pp248-267].

Get the full story at Latino USA. Latinas lead the pack when it comes to breastfeeding their babies at birth – more than 80 percent of Latina moms do. More Latinas nurse their children at 12 months than any other ethnic group in the country. But there are still a lot of misconceptions about breastfeeding, and a lot of pressure to get it “right” – whatever that means. Yuliana Delgado really felt this pressure. She had read all of the parenting books, but one thing wasn’t according to plan. “I was pumping every 2 – 3 hours, I would get up through the night and pump,” says Delgado, “I was drinking maltas like you wouldn’t believe to try to increase the production and nothing was working. After struggling for 2 months, she made a decision. “I realized I had to start supplementing not only for my baby’s sake, but I was wreck,” says Delgado. “WAY TOO LONG” Luisa Colón was dealing with a completely different breastfeeding problem. She lived in a large Puerto Rican community in Brooklyn. She says the Latinas around her were shocked that she was still nursing her 20 month old. “It was this moment of “you’re still breastfeeding?” says Colón, “I think the expectation was that that’s what you do early on, you supplement with formula, you move on to formula, the breastfeeding gets left behind.” Colón felt like she had to defend her personal choice to strangers. “I was constantly being told that my baby wasn’t chubby enough, he’s so small, oh how old did you say he was and how much does he weigh?” says Colón, “I must have had to answer that a dozen times.” MISCONCEPTIONS ALL AROUND Sharen Medrano is a local lactation consultant, and she says she hears this a lot. “Some of this stems from the misconceptions,” says Medrano, “some of it stems from some in the Latino community thinking that babies have to be chunky and chubby to be healthy when in fact most breastfed babies tend to be on the leaner end.” THE MOMMMY WARS The argument about how much to breastfeed really takes off online. “There’s so much judgement out there,” says Delgado, “I felt like that’s great that moms are able to breastfeed and that the support is out there, but once I decided to do formula, I felt like there wasn’t that much support out there.” And on the other side of the breastfeeding spectrum, Luia Colón also felt a lack of support. “I was used to being a Latina who got a lot of support from fellow Latinas just being out in public, and suddenly it wasn’t there,” says Colón. A SAFETY NET A strong support network at home is crucial, “I was really fortunate that we went home to a supportive environment, my partner and my family,” says Colón. Yuliana Delgado eventually found a way to be at peace with her choice. “My mom was the provider of the maltas, so I did get some pressure from her, but she understood after she saw what a wreck I was that it was just not going to be possible for me to do it,” says Delgado. There’s so many factors to consider to deciding whether you want to breastfeed and for how long. “In the end it’s your baby, and you know what’s right and you know what feels right and what you want to do,” says Medrano. IGNORE THE HATERS As in so many health decisions, when it comes to breastfeeding, ignore the haters. Feel free to make your own choices, but know what you’re getting into. After all, breastfeeding is just the start of the mommy wars.

TIP 1: Benchmark Staff Get your Quality and Assurance Department to give you a hand to give you the ability to identify the most successful Customer Service Representatives (CSR’s) for each type of campaign. This is a great way to improve the rest of the resource pool and generate best practice results. This may sound rudimentary but I have found many Contact Centre environments that have stable Quality and Assurance programs but do not use them to benefit the business. A classic example was a Financial Services client that asked for help in squeezing those extra response rate points from specific a campaign. They were at a loss as to how to do this with the current resource pool. I reviewed the operations and in doing so identified that the Customer Service Reps that were the highest achievers on the campaign were also achieving very high marks in a specific portion of the Quality and Assurance benchmarking results. I then reviewed the rest of their resource base and found that there were other CSR’s with the same high Q & A rankings that were not being utilised on the campaign. The solution was to swap those low achievers for the recognised potential high achievers based on the Q & A benchmarking results. Conversion rates on the campaign immediately increased by 0.5% ensuring that the team overachieved their targets. This Company continues to benefit from this principal and now routinely matches CSR’s to specific campaigns based on their Q & A benchmarking results as well as other relevant business metrics. TIP 2: Profile Staff How does the profiling of staff vary from the benchmarking of staff? Benchmarking is looking at the results and associated capabilities of your staff as a comparison to others within the business unit. Profiling is measuring the critical success attributes of core competencies, behaviours, and occupational interests of your CSR’s to ensure perfect job match. Profiling is usually carried out by a specialist provider and can include a comprehensive suite of tailored assessment tools to meet the business’s needs, including specific programs targeted towards contact centre and marketing environments. An FMCG company that had been recording unfavourable results in their Contact Centre environment decided to introduce profiling assessments. Over an eighteen month period they saw a remarkable increase in performance indicators, campaign results, and ROI figures. The Contact Centre and Marketing Managers were both amazed how the profiling had identified key opportunities and how those opportunities had been turned into positive outcomes for the business. TIP 3: Start an “Employee get Employee” Program In every Contact Centre there are those CSR’s that you would just like to be able to clone due to their attitude, ability and success within your business. Well science hasn’t yet supported us in being able to do this, but there is an alternative. Remember the old saying that “birds of a feather flock together”? Setting up an “Employee get Employee” program is a way to tap into potentially similar staff. Not only do these programs give businesses the opportunity to save on recruitment costs but it is also the perfect opportunity to source and hire likeminded employees via your current employees. Make sure that any program has a referral payment attached to it (usually payable after the probation period, and ensure that due recruitment processes are followed for all those referred). One of my projects included setting up such a scheme. The business (a DM trader) immediately tapped into a resource pool of successful candidates and at the same time reduced its recruitment costs by 25%. A review of the scheme also found that the people being referred to the business already came with a basic understanding of its workings, were aware of the businesses expectations and become part of the Call Centre Community more easily. Other interesting results were that attrition rates decreased as a result of the initiative and the people that had referred candidates did so cautiously as it was perceived that it may reflect poorly on them if the candidate did not pass probation etc. TIP 4: Secure the Correct Workforce Mix Not able to get the required number of Consultants to action your campaigns? Looking outside the square can instantly help resolve this problem. With the Contact Centre industry growing in Australia the market to source great Customer Service and Sales representatives is getting increasingly difficult. A client from a leading financial services company had exactly this problem and I was asked to provide a solution. The initial review of their environment identified a strong recruitment policy, strong supplier agreements and appropriate remuneration. The Company also had a strong brand and was successful in its market. One opportunity that had not been investigated though was a variable mix of people resources. Traditionally the client had not actively tapped into specific areas of the market. Project recommendations included actively canvassing people returning to the workforce, retirees, remote agents and create job share positions. These recommendations were accepted and applied to the business and resulted in many benefits for the Company including: - Resource needs being met ensuring all campaigns would be actioned - The introduction of mature staff into the environment resulted in less “business training” through the induction process (reducing training costs) - Remote agents being able to help provide DRP coverage - Newly created job share positions reduced staff attrition occurrences after staff had taken maternity leave TIP 5: Ensure Your Recruitment Strategy and Business Planning is Aligned Is your recruitment strategy linked to your business planning and forecasting reviews? So often I get calls from clients saying that the Contact Centre cannot meet the resource requirements for a campaign and can I help? 70% of these types of projects reveal that there are great opportunities to be leveraged between the Contact Centre and Marketing Departments in terms of business transparency and processes. Some months ago a client was concerned that they were falling behind in meeting Campaign execution targets because the Contact Centre could not meet resourcing demands. As we progressed through the exploratory stages of the project it became apparent that the fundamental issues were that the business units were not operating in a transparent manner and did not have an appreciation of each others needs and constraints. The Contact Centre had a recruitment (and induction) strategy but were never advised of any changes to the original budgeted headcount as the year progressed. There was also opportunity to reduce the Induction time lines and shorten the CSR proficiency lifecycle within the Contact Centre recruitment cycle. The Marketing Department on the other hand had not taken into account the recruitment and proficiency lead in times for their planning and re-forecasting requirements. There was also opportunity for quarterly or trimester re-forecasts to be shared and communicated between the business units. Six months later all of my recommendations have been implemented and the business now finds itself in a much stronger position. - All campaigns are being actioned as per the original business plan - Penetration results of campaign lists have increased by 2% (trickling down to other positive campaign outcomes), - Headcount figures are on target with only a 1% variance to budget (previously hovering between 5 – 10%) - Recruitment and Induction time lines have been reviewed and reengineered - Both departments are working together to achieve. - The Contact Centre is also now able to facilitate “call to action” or “urgent campaigns” because of implementing the review recommendations. TIP 6: Farewell Interviews Often when I first start working on a project for a client I ask for copies of recent exit interviews as a means to understand some of the opportunities that may have been identified in that process. It still amazes me how many companies do not use an exit interview or the information within the process to develop their business. Opportunities abound for businesses to include relevant questions within the process to be able to understand more comprehensively some of the issues that may exist. The Operations and Marketing Directors of a large FMCG company asked for my aid in helping them to combat a recent spike in attrition which had increased by 15% over the last year within their Contact Centre. In this case the Company had done exit interviews but they were very generic and rudimentary. The course of action was to try and re-source this relevant information so it could be used as a basis for improvement. A plan was adopted to attempt to reinterview those people that had left within the last year. (This action may sound quite unusual but please refer to tip 7 below) The invitation to reinterview the past employees was successful with 78% taking up the opportunity, with the offering of a small reward for doing so. The process was also more closely aligned to finding out specific perceived issues by using open questions that focused on what things could be improved within the business. The results from the reinterviews provided valuable insight with three previously unidentified issues being the main reasons for the attrition. Client confidentiality does not permit me to share these issues with you but I can say that the issues were able to be easily addressed and resolved within a two month period. Needless to say the Company’s attrition rate is trending back to its previous levels and the business is fundamentally aware of the power and use of the exit interview! Note 1:- the above process also resulted in an ex-employee returning to the Company as a result of being reinterviewed! Note 2:- always ask these two magic questions during an exit interview - “would you refer our Company to a friend or relative?” - “do you know anyone that might want to apply for you old position?” TIP 7: Staying in Contact with Past Employees Generation “Y” workers are amongst us and many companies are changing to keep abreast of their needs. These days it is recognised that much of your talent pool with leave your employment for self development reasons such as travelling, sea change experiences, and to gain new skills experience. However there is a stronger opportunity these days that this talent may revert back to their original choices and be looking for re-employment within your organisation. In doing so they will be wiser and more able when they return having experienced that extra training and life experience. A company that I have worked with endorsed the philosophy of maintaining contact with past relevant employees. The company even created a user group on “Face Book”, and held regular social events such as networking and catch up events for past employees. The program has paid dividends with 7% of their recruitment needs being served by this program, either being past employees returning to the business or referrals from past employees. The tips above are more than just hints of how to improve any Call Centres resourcing needs but rather tried and tested solutions to real problems encountered by real Managers like yourself and companies like your own. Any questions? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below!

Such a windy day, no use doing anything outside in the garden. Then the cooking school is all set up for tomorrow’s class, can’t bear to mess it up again. Time to look about for things to bake with down in the house – odds and ends in the pantry and fridge that need using up. Before long, craisin cornflake biscuits were on the go, a slow start. Why not two batches instead of one? After all, it would use up lots of the butter bits and pieces I’d stored in a container in the fridge. Anzacs are always a family favourite, they were next. The golden syrup for the Anzacs was a bit old so had started to crystallise. I used the dregs in the container as the sugar component in a bread dough to feed the yeast. Just added a bit of hot water to dissolve the syrup first, also adding the last of the butter bits. Incidentally – did you know that if you choose to add shortening to your bread dough, it has better texture than if you use oil? Leftover mashed pumpkin? Pumpkin fruit cake now in the oven. Last of the leftovers – a handful of sausage roll filling. That was combined with extra some beef mince that was almost to its use by date. Meatloaf? Yes BUT, so many eggs here that I had hard boiled a dozen, waiting for inspiration to strike. Scotch Eggs? No, that involves coating with egg and breadcrumbs and deep frying. I’d had enough making mess by now. Combined the two notions – wrapped a portion of meatloaf mixture around 10 of the eggs and made them into a random-style Scotch egg meatloaf. That’s now baking alongside the pumpkin cake. Main part of dinner done – the meat loaf will cut better when it’s cooled a bit. Any leftover of that will make a tasty sandwich filling with some of the relish we made a couple of days ago. Meanwhile, Poppy and Tom are disgusted at the roaring wind outside and sulk on the floor. Tom could not even be mollified with his twice weekly egg nog. Don’t know why they were so cross – I had a fun morning.

a kate west reflection The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas (www.steinbeck.org) above. I know that everyone is crazy about Jane Austen these days, as well they should be. She's a classic and an astute, if sometimes strict, observer of human nature. Yet, while my mind absolutely accepts this, my heart belongs elsewhere. The romantic part of me wants the sweeping drama of the mating ritual and that whole dramatic dance. Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre" provides this for me. Not that Austen isn't romantic. Of course she is. But her novels can be more intellectual and passionate, while at the same time giving us social messages. She's not everyone's cup of tea; Mark Twain disparaged her, but he was a cantankerous old man. Brilliant writers often are. Personally, sometimes I just want to escape (not that Brontë can't be deep, relax). Mr. Rochester seems more mysterious than Mr. Darcy and seemingly unattainable, making him all the more desirable. And I'm a sucker for happy endings. Then there's Charles Dickens. "Oliver Twist" is definitely a real depiction of the harshness of old English orphanages, but it does end well for the main character. Many people make fun of me for this, but "A Tale of Two Cities" is one of my favorite novels. I know it's a soap opera, with one ridiculous coincidence after another, but it speaks to me. Sydney Carton's heroic sacrifice gets me every time. The background of the French Revolution's Reign of Terror helps this story considerably, along with such rich characters like the brooding Madame Defarge, who keeps knitting aristocratic destruction while the streets run red with blood. Great stuff. More realistic are the novels by Jack London and John Steinbeck, taken from both authors' real life experiences of Alaskan sled dogging in London's case and from the migrant workers Steinbeck grew up around in California. These novels are considered romantic because they depict small lives on a grand scale. The common man made poetic. London painted a vivid picture of man surviving in nature by befriending loyal dogs and understanding wolves. Men in such harsh winter climates needed to make these alliances; the resulting relationships satisfied both. Steinbeck made more of a social statement by showing us the inner lives of men who worked with their hands. He even wrote about his own journey traveling across America with his ferocious poodle Charley. Everyone reads these novels in school, but re-reading them as an adult causes you to appreciate their nuances even more. At least I think that's why I continue to be drawn to them. The point is, literature (and film and art) is subjective. We like what we like. And we find romance where we can, since real life won't always give us what we want. And sometimes, even real life in fiction, even tragedy in books, seems more appealing than what we see at home. Or is it that these authors give us a clearer sense of life around us, which is really the most romantic thing of all. Travels with Charley in Search of America: (Centennial Edition) The Call of the Wild (Aladdin Classics) Jane Eyre (Dover Thrift Editions) A Tale of Two Cities (Penguin Classics) a kate west reflection

We have just arrived home after a 4 night stay at this hotel and if there's one thing I've learnt it's, NOT to believe everything you read on here. When we first arrived and husband went to check us all in (6 adults and 1 20 month old toddler) he was told there were only 2 rooms booked and that... More - Reservation Options: - TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Travelocity, Hotels.com, Expedia, getaroom.com, Otel, Hotwire, TripOnline SA, EasyToBook and Tingo so you can book your The Roosevelt Hotel reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers. - Also Known As: - Roosevelt Hotel New York City - Roosevelt Hotel Nyc

There’s nothing like seeing a project come together, whether it’s as small as detailing a trunk compartment, as big as rebuilding an engine or as in-depth as completing a comprehensive body-off-frame restoration. And that’s a lot like seeing Old Cars Report come together. It’s long been a dream of mine to see information in the Old Cars Weekly library become available to readers, and now that Old Cars Report is live at www.oldcarsweekly.com, readers can now get a look into the stacks of information the staff has at its disposal. With Old Cars Report, readers can go online to look up historical information on production cars, view factory photos, break down VIN information, determine production numbers, learn a vehicle’s technical information, see factory prices, view available options and other historical data in one individualized report. This site is also excellent for determining values, and more than just looking up prices from Old Cars Price Guide. Users can also view complete realized auction prices going back as far as 2001 for their specific car. Old Cars Weekly features more than 100 auctions each year, so every time a car like yours has sold since 2001, and it appeared in Old Cars Weekly’s auction coverage, you’ll find it in Old Cars Report and draw your own conclusions when it comes to determining values. Much like an automotive project in which there’s always more that can be done, we’re also looking to the future and finding more data we can add to Old Cars Report, so stay tuned. This is just the beginning.

What's the point of Wigan? Sportsmail has the answer for the small town... Wigan Athletic's attendances have trebled in seven years from just under 6,000 to just over 18,000: any of the frequent discussions regarding the crowds at the DW Stadium must recognise that fact and yet almost every discussion about those crowds ignores it. Wigan received another blizzard of bad publicity last Saturday when a paltry 5,335 paid to see the FA Cup tie with Hull City. This was fewer than saw Wigan beat Northampton Town in the final home game of season 2001-02, when the Latics finished 10th in England's third tier. That is what many think of Wigan: third tier. Yet last Saturday there were mitigating circumstances: the weather, the5-0 hammering at Manchester United three days earlier, a less-thanattractive Premier League opponent in Hull and the fact that there isan FA rule that forbids clubs to charge less than £15 per ticket forCup ties unless both agree. Deserted: Wigan's FA Cup tie against Hull was played out against the backdrop of empty seats Wigan Athletic were hardly proud of the attendance but they wouldlike some perspective, geographical and historical, when the club istalked about. 'Look where we've come from,' says the club's commercialmanager Paul Hunt. 'We were only elected to the Football League in 1978. We think our progress is pretty good.' Jason Taylor, who runs a Wigan fans' website, agrees: 'Fifteen yearsago we had 1,800, now we have 18,000 - that's a success story. 'Thecritics don't look at our history. We are 100 years behind Blackburn, Burnley and Bolton. They also don't look at where we are. We are inbetween those three and Manchester and Liverpool. When you think aboutit, it's a miracle that we get 18,000.' The miracle of Wigan. It took some believing as row upon row of empty seats were photographed during the Hull game. Enlarge It reinforced the idea of Wigan as an artificial club whose rise hasbeen based on owner Dave Whelan's wealth every bit as much as Chelsea'strophies are due to Roman Abramovich's wallet. There is no doubt that Whelan's money helped fuel the wage bill asformer manager Paul Jewell led the club out of the old Division Two andthen out of the Championship. Players of the cost and calibre of Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts were bought as Wigan gathered momentum. Later Emile Heskey would cost £5.5million from Birmingham. It's notReal Madrid's budget, though. Jewell received much deserved praise then- and for getting Wigan to 10th in that first Premier League season -but feels now that the novelty factor has worn off, which contributesto the dissatisfaction there is about Wigan. Meteoric rise: Wigan were only elected to the Football League in 1978 He said 'We climbed mountains to get to the Premier League and toget to the League Cup final, and we got the pats on the back. Butpeople thought it'd be a fleeting visit from Wigan. They expected Wiganto go away. But they haven't.' Jewell says it is also forgotten that Wigan is a small town. Where Wigan begins and Bolton ends is one thing. Another is that as Taylor points out, migration from Merseyside inthe 1960s and 1970s means that 'the west of Wigan is populated byScousers'. That segment of the population has retained its affection forLiverpool and Everton, while Manchesters United and City are 19 milesaway. Wigan is hemmed in. Then there is the rugby league club. It and George Orwell made Wiganfamous. Central Park once held 47,000 for a game but by the time of itsdemise in 1999 the capacity was 18,000. Now Wigan Warriors attract an average of 14,000. 'Wigan Warriors arenot an issue,' says Hunt. 'There is a crossover in support and I viewit a very positive rivalry that should inspire each other. It is not anissue in the way that Liverpool, Everton, City and United are.' 'Family club': Martinez says Wigan are making great progress Hunt adds that the youth of the club leaves no generational base tofall back on, unlike an historic club like Bolton (average attendancethis season 21,400). But Wigan have worked hard on this. Not only is their most expensiveadult season ticket £295, they have targeted schools with success. Manager Roberto Martinez said: 'In terms of the future we have thehighest number of youngsters as season tickets holder in the PremierLeague. I think it is about 20 per cent of Wigan's population at under 16 are season ticket holders, so there are many, many positive signs.' Martinez was a player at Wigan and knew what the old SpringfieldPark was like. 'We have trebled our crowds but never lost our familyfeel,' Martinez adds. 'If I am not wrong we have 11,000 season ticket holders, which is aseventh of Wigan's population. If other football clubs had that ratio,their grounds would not be big enough. 'From the inside, we know that where we were 10 years ago to where we are now, it's a great achievement.' WIGAN ATHLETIC v Aston Villa: Mohamed Diame the only absentee for Roberto MartinezStoke line-up £1m Zaki deal and Marseille make Elmander enquiryWIGAN ATHLETIC v Aston Villa: Mohamed Diame the only absentee for Roberto MartinezWIGAN ATHLETIC FC Related Wigan Athletic News

is an old “Home Remedy” that generations of people have used for a variety of ailments. Redmond Clay’s origins are as old as the practice of putting a mud poultice on a bee sting. Geologically, Redmond Clay is volcanic ash that was deposited in sea water approximately 150 million years ago. Technically, Redmond Clay is a swelling-type sodium bentonite. Redmond Minerals brings this "clay of a thousand uses" to market in its natural state with no additives, chemicals or preservatives. The only processing it undergoes is crushing and screening. Since there are no proven studies to indicate that Redmond Clay is effective in curing any ailment, this document serves only as an educational example of how Redmond Clay has been used historically. What is Redmond Clay? Millions of years ago, long before modern pollutants contaminated the Earth, a range of volcanoes erupted—sending volcanic ash into the water of the ancient Sundance Sea that covered much of North America. The water in this sea evaporated, leaving behind a bed of mineral-rich sodium bentonite. Fremont Indians living in what is now rural Southern Utah once told tales of the healing properties of this clay deposit, which the legend holds was discovered when the natives noticed herds of deer frequently gathering to nibble at the soil around the deposit. Native Americans were known to carry a ball of clay with them in their packs, dissolving some in water and with their meals to ward off the effects of stomach ailments and food infections, and the practice persisted for generations. During the 1960’s, the Bosshardt family began experimenting with the clay deposit on their property, using it as the Indians had to treat bee stings and upset stomach, and eventually began hearing from local health food stores inquiring about the benefits of the clay. The interest prompted them to send a sample to be tested in a lab, and when the results showed it was safe for human use the family began selling the healing clay under the name Redmond Clay®. Redmond Clay® has grown up a bit since then, but the product remains as pure as it was when the Fremonts discovered its uses. We carefully extract this ancient volcanic ash from deep within the earth, bringing it to you in its pure, natural state. Many people consider it their first aid kit in the bottle. Mix 1 teaspoon of dry powder clay in a half glass of water, stir it up, and let it sit 6 to 8 hours. Then drink either the clear liquid off the top, or stir it up and drink all of it. Depending on your liking, you can drink it in the morning, throughout the day, or in the evening. People find that the clay water tastes better cold than at room temperature. Because the clay draws toxins to itself, some conditions may appear worse before they get better. Do not leave metal in contact with the wet clay, as it will quickly rust. Conveniently, have Redmond Clay available to drink by adding a ¼ cup of dry powder Redmond Clay to a two/three quart glass pitcher of water, stir it briskly and put it in the refrigerator. Within a few hours, the clay will settle to the bottom and most of the water will be clear. Drink freely, and when the water level gets low just wash out the remaining sediments and start over. In the book, Our Earth Our Cure, notes that drinking the clear water off the top gives basically the same results as drinking the clay itself. Some sources recommend that you drink the clay water once a day. However, we have received feedback from customers that have had great success drinking it multiple times a day, and others drink as the need arises. Prepare Redmond Clay for external use by mixing it with enough water to make a gel about the consistency of mustard. Use filtered or distilled water when available, but you can use tap water as well. Once mixed it will never dry out, separate, or go bad as long as you store it in an air tight container. If it does start to dry out, simply add more water and stir. The Redmond Clay gel can be stored in the fridge, the cupboard, or car; heat and cold do not affect it. There are many different ways of using the clay externally. One of the best ways is to apply it generously in a ½ inch to ¾ inch layer directly on the skin. An alternative that allows for more mobility is to apply the gel to a piece of cheese cloth, fold the cloth as if making a 'burrito', and secure to the skin with an ace bandage. After applying there are several options: * Uncovered: Some people put on the clay and leave it uncovered so that it dries out within the hour. As it dries, it will draw or pull. * Covered with Cloth: Covering the Redmond Clay with a cloth will hold it in place and cause the clay to dry slower. Doing this enables you to leave the clay on overnight or to walk around the house without getting wet clay all over the furniture. Wetting the cloth with water will slow the drying rate and cause more of a cooling sensation. * Covered with Plastic: Covering the Redmond Clay Gel with plastic wrap or a plastic bag keeps the clay from drying out which is important if you are applying to a burn. Even though the clay doesn't dry out, some people will wash the clay off and replace it once or twice a day. Other people have left the same pack on a burn for a couple of days until the burn was 'just pink skin'. One key: Do not let the clay dry on a burn; keep it moist until it is time to wash it off. * Using the Dry Redmond Clay: People say using it as baby powder causes diaper rash to disappear by the next diaper change. Some people feel that sprinkling the dry Redmond Clay on an open, infected wound causes more of a drawing/healing action than using the gel. * Clay Baths: Many people in the health food industry feel that the skin is a primary avenue for detoxificaiton. Putting Redmond Clay in the bath seems to increase the drawing effect which helps people detoxify. To use the clay for a clay bath, simply add 1 to 2 cups of Redmond Clay under the faucet as you fill the tub of hot water. Soak in it fro 30 to 45 minutes. * An alternate technique is do a foot bath. To do this simply put 3 tablespoons of the Redmond Clay in a pan of water and soak your feet for 30- 45 minutes.

First, lets review Titanic's own case, for both of you who have not seen the movie. Titanic brushed the iceberg with her starboard bow so that it ground against the hull plates. She was not gashed open, but the pressure on the plates buckled them and popped rivets, opening the hull to a myriad of small leaks at the seams. Yes, the steel was brittle by today's standards - but it passed all tests required at the time. They only tested for slow elongation and bending - and with the metal at 80 degrees fahrenheit, at that. The total area opened was only some 12 square feet - but, crucially, it was continued over 250 feet of the hull. Twelve square feet meant more flooding than the pumps could handle - a ton every five seconds. It was spread over the first five watertight compartments, plus leakage into the sixth up from the floor plates. Had it only been the first four compartments, they would have filled up to the waterline and it would have stopped there. After the first two, the bulkheads only went up to "E" deck (highlighted by the dark line), a just 10' above the waterline. Filling even the first five compartments meant that the bow would be depressed enough for the fifth bulkhead to go below the waterline, spilling water into the sixth compartment, then the seventh, and so on. Like many engineering disasters, their failure was not of calculation, but of imagination - they just didn't imagine this failure mode. (blue area is that below normal waterline when loaded) Marked up from a drawing in "The Shipbuilder" magazine in 1911 The red lines show how much higher these bulkheads were taken in the sister ships, Olympic and Britannic - after the disaster. It wasn't so much the cost of building them that was a problem - it was that they made movement about the ship more difficult for passengers and stewards alike - and bad service is always bad for business. Period Cutaway Illustration This period illustration shows the water level rising over the watertight bulkheads and spilling backwards, as people flee towards higher decks. The third class passengers were not kept back as any kind of policy to keep them from the boats; there was simply no policy at all - some were escorted right up, others told to wait, as lower classes always waited for everything while upper classes went first. All 32 of the engineering staff, right down to the Assistant Sixth Engineer and the Extra Assistant Fourth Engineer - Refrigeration, remained at their posts in the lower decks, desperately keeping the lights and pumps running until the last few minutes. Not one survived. Neither did any of the nine-man "guarantee team" of engineers and tradesmen provided by the Harland & Wolff shipyards to assist with the shakedown. Unlike the eight-man band, these 41 engineering staff were seldom immortalized as heroes in newspapers or the various movies. Sepia Thomas Andrews Photograph The head of the guarantee team was the Managing Director of Harland & Wolff, Thomas Andrews. Andrews had lived shipbuilding since he was 16. A completely dedicated engineer he often arrived at the yard at 4 AM. He didn't read novels or even newspapers, just devoted all his time to mathematics and his profession. He was something of a hero to the 17,000 Irishmen of the shipyard despite his upper-class credentials as the nephew of Lord Pirrie, owner of Harland & Wolff. Workers told stories of him in his twenties saving men from falls, dodging hot rivets and laughing about it, and taking dangerous construction jobs rather than let a married man do them. (He was 39 with a wife and two-year-old daughter when he boarded the Titanic.) H&W Design Department Andrews was promoted from running Harland & Wolff's Design Department, shown here. He is described as Titanic's builder, and the term is no exaggeration. He had personally done the overall design, not only for her structure and mechanical, but even much the interior decor and furnishings; and then went on to manage the whole yard as she was built. Titanic was his creation more than anyone else's. Great Eastern at Launch Now let's flash backwards 54 years. The "Great Eastern" was the last creation of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, England's most celebrated engineer of nineteenth century - or perhaps any other. The Great Eastern is shown here during her arduous launching from her birthplace by the Thames, there being no dry-dock in 1858 that could have held her. At 700 feet long and over 25,000 tons, her length and displacement were not exceeded for almost 50 years. At the time, she was six times the size of the next biggest ship ever built. The Great Eastern; showing paddle-wheels & winch This view shows her enormous paddle-wheels - she also had screw propulsion from different engines, and sails, making her almost immune to immobilization from mechanical failure. In the foreground is the huge chain link winch being used to launch her broadside into the Thames. Brunel in front of the chain links Isambard Kingdom Brunel, posing in front of the 60 pound chain links of the winch. He was a hero, not to one company, but a whole nation. All England resounded with his praises. Building the Great Eastern, and two previous record breaking ships that had advanced the shipbuilding art in their time, was only one engineering field that he revolutionized. He would have been wealthy and famous for his other accomplishments - tunnels, railroads... Bristol Railroad Station ... and the some of the most beloved of England's huge railroad stations, like this one in Bristol. Royal Albert Bridge And also, of course, the large suspension bridges that the new iron technologies had made practical. Some still survive, like the Royal Albert Bridge shown here under construction. He was, quite simply, a star. The Economist, May 18th, 1998, pg 91 The photograph of him in front of the Great Eastern appeared again in "The Economist" magazine just last May in an article asking why engineers are no longer considered heroes and stars - It asks, "Why are architects celebrated and engineers anonymous?" Currier and Ives Lithograph of the Great Eastern When he designed the Great Eastern, the investors trusted him almost absolutely. He got a nearly every feature he desired. She was considered the wonder of the age, and thousands of these Currier & Ives lithographs were sold before she was even launched. Great Eastern sections and model (from "The Great Iron Ship" by James Dugan) To quell fears about sailing in such a monster, Brunel was obsessive in designing her for safety. The Great Eastern, like the Titanic, had fifteen transverse bulkheads. Hers, however, went a full 30' above the water line, right to the top deck in the fore and aft. In the engine rooms, they were lower, but the engines were further protected by longitudinal bulkheads on either side. The middle deck was also watertight, further subdividing the compartments into some 50 in all. And to even get this far, a breach had to first go through a double hull - the second hull two feet inside the outer. Military strategists and nuclear plant designers speak of "defense in depth". This was defense in depth against flooding. Cofferdam section from 1917 Scientific American (from "The Great Iron Ship" by James Dugan) In late August of 1862, the design was put to the test a day out of her U.S. port at Flushing Bay, New York. There was a grinding noise and a slight heel to port - but she made Flushing a few hours later without incident, listing a little to starboard. The outer hull had been ripped open by rock spire still called Great Eastern Rock on the charts. The breach was 83 feet long by 9 wide, perhaps 60 times the area of Titanic's damage - but the inner hull was unhurt and the inside was dry. This diagram from a 1917 article in the Scientific American shows her being repaired using a carved wooden cofferdam clamped to her side, an invention of another great engineer, Professor James Renwick of Columbia University. With few exceptions, later liners cut these features. The double hull was extremely expensive and ate up space; longitudinal bulkheads made it difficult for stokers to work, and, as mentioned, watertight decks and bulkheads made it difficult to get around the ship. And the competitive pressures were intense! This table comes from the enthralling book, "Cunard and the North Atlantic: a History of Shipping and Financial Management". Here are nautical tales to stir the blood, me hearties! The triumph of 1889, when the Cunard line made over 200,000 pounds; the breathtaking suspense of 1884 when they barely broke even; and the heartbreak of 94-95, when they lost big time, two years running. |Cunard Line Profits, 1880-1899 (£ , 1000's)| |Year||Non-operating Income||Non-operating Expenditure||Net Non-operating profit/loss||Total Net Income| I should not make fun - cash flow was the life-blood that made the shipbuilding possible. This chart shows the outlines of the ships that Cunard developed from 1840 to 1900 - a more than linear growth in length, and more than a cube growth in displacement. (as shown in "The Liners" by Terry Coleman, pg 35) Cunard's sum displacement for the line went from 8000 tons to 136,000 during this period. And all the while speed was increasing. The technological and cost curves were nearly exponential, like the computer industry today, as they went from wood to iron to steel, and paddle-wheels to single-screws to double. And you had to advance and present the public with the latest, biggest product or lose all market share. They were perpetually a few percent of their income away from red ink - because when they did make big profits they mostly had to be reinvested. Puck Magazine Cover (from Coleman's "The Liners" pg 53) And the competition was not just between companies, but countries, which often subsidized their lines. Cunard itself had a subsidy for carrying the mail. In the 1890's, when Britain's Inman line went broke, she was purchased by Americans who cut a subsidy deal with Congress. President Harrison himself raised the Stars & Stripes on one of the two Inman flagships, the City of Paris. Puck Magazine Detail As this detail from the cover of the popular Puck magazine says, "it came high, but we had to have it"... it was a matter of national pride - and strategy - to get America back in the Merchant Marine game with the high-tech British. America had been a major commercial shipbuilder in the days of wood and sail. When steamers had obsoleted the technology, America had been striken by the Civil War and unable to effectively play catch-up with the world-leading British. It was commercially and, in the end, militarily important to get back in the game. The competition was friendly in a sense, deadly earnest in another. Sometimes commerce, like war, is an extension of politics by other means. Paris & New York Illustration (from "The Liners" pg. 37) I myself prefer this illustration not only showing the flag on both Inmans twin steamers, the City of New York, and the City of Paris... Paris & New York Illustration Detail ... but shows the British Lion and John Bull (the English equivalent of John Q. Public) being thrown overboard. As I said, it was a cutthroat business. The international competition gave the shipbuilders the same cry to the government about regulations that is still heard today: that costly regulation would cause them to lose business to other countries, in this case Germans and the French. Here's a ledger the accountants didn't keep. |1895||Elbe||North German Lloyd|| |1904||Norge||United Steamship Co.|| |1907||Berlin||North German Lloyd|| |1909||Republic (&Florida)||White Star|| An American line run by Edward Knight Collins in the 1850's was the opposite. They briefly seized half of Cunard's business by beating them with glamour and speed. They drove their ships near to breakdown, wasting fuel to cut half a day off the trip. Newspapers lionized them and made fun of stodgy old Cunard. In 1854, the Collins steamer Arctic had a collision running at full speed in the fog, and only 52 of 330 on board survived. Among the dead were Collins' wife, son and daughter. Undeterred, he bought another wooden paddle steamer the next year. In 1856, the Pacific was racing the new, faster Cunard Persia to Liverpool. The Persia was the first iron mail steamer, with two longitudinal bulkheads and seven transverse. She limped in three days late with the bow stove in, having hit an iceberg. The Collins Pacific, presumed to have done the same, was never seen again. The newspapers turned against Collins, the line lost its mail subsidy from Congress, and was sold to creditors. The loss of the White Star Atlantic, which stranded and broke up in sight of land forty years before the Titanic with the loss of over 500 lives, is an echo of the errors of the Titanic: the inquiry said that they ran at full speed upon well known rocks, at night, in fine weather. I also snuck the loss of the White Star Republic onto the list by counting the four lives lost on the Italian ship, the Florida, which collided with her. While all the passengers were saved, the point is that they were going at full speed in heavy fog, and could not avoid collision even though they heard each other's fog whistles. White Star was as good a line as almost any of them; all of them were culpable of such behaviour. Even Cunard's unbroken record is acknowledged to be partly luck. There were some ships where the design worked; the Guion Line "Arizona" hit an iceberg going 15 knots in heavy fog in 1879, and it telescoped 25 feet of her bow. But she had 7 transverse bulkheads that went all the way to the top deck and the collision bulkhead held, letting them make Halifax. It increased the public perception that iron liners were unsinkable, increasing industry traffic in general, and certainly the Arizona's ticket sales in particular. Cunard's Servia, in 1881, actually had a double hull, the only other mention of such in a civilian ship I could find in the era. There were also 12 transverse bulkheads, 8 of them all the way to the top. The Servia was also the first steel ship, which saved so much weight that the extra cost was well repaid in fuel saved. I think the pattern here is that when engineers introduced a great new technology that saved money, or brought in business, they could get their way with design features for a while. Then all the lines would get the technology, and competition would bring the cuts again. City of Paris/New York Another example would be the aforementioned "City of Paris" and "City of New York" twins of the Inman line that the Americans bought. They were the first twin-screw ships, faster, bigger, more luxurious and very lucrative. The twin screws allowed a single longitudinal bulkhead down the middle, between the engine rooms; and the transverse bulkheads went 18 feet above the water line. So there were some more conservatively designed ships just a decade before the Titanic. Naval Architects argue about whether the extra bulkheads are really safer, but you can't argue about the lifeboats. Lifeboats are the final layer of defense in depth. Without lifeboats, you really have all your eggs in one basket - the worst nightmare of risk management. The British Board of Trade Rules for supplying them were based on cubic feet of lifeboat space per ton of ship... not on the number of people aboard. By these antiquated regulations, Titanic had more lifeboats than she needed. But the Board's Advisory Committee was dominated by ship owners, who didn't want the expense and especially not the deck space used up. The Managing Director of Harland & Wolff before Andrews, while Titanic was still being designed, was Alexander Carlisle. He ordered these davits that could have held four boats each - but he suggested only faintly and timidly that even two boats per davit actually be supplied. Bruce Ismay of White Star didn't take the hint, and Carlisle, not wanting to offend the biggest customer, didn't press it. The lack of lifeboats was exacerbated by poor procedure. There had been only one lifeboat drill, in dock, with one boat full of the ship's best seamen. When the time came, there was confusion about how many they could hold and how to lower them. Unbelievably, Cunard had not learned from White Star's Titanic when the Cunard Lusitania was torpedoed three years later by a German U-boat. The passengers had asked the Captain twice to hold a lifeboat drill for all of them to practice. He refused, holding only a one-boat drill with his own crew. When they had just 18 minutes to save themselves after the explosions... They had another mob scene trying to load boats, they dropped boats into the sea, they lowered boats onto other boats, and they saved a total of 38% of the almost 2000 people aboard. Three months later, the White Star Arabic was torpedoed only 50 miles from the same spot with 500 aboard. Over 90% survived, though she sank in only nine minutes. Preparation makes all the difference. Let's turn to the aftermath and the outrage that brought about change. Even some very conservative and popular Titanic histories openly say that Lord Mersey's British Inquiry was a whitewash, blaming the disaster on unique conditions and exonerating all involved. This exchange is notable in that a witness correctly says that an unsinkable ship is impossible. But then they make a logical leap from that to actually laughing at the notion of a double hull, as if it were absurd to even strive for reduced sinkability. MERSEY: 'I suppose it is impossible to make a ship unsinkable and at the same time a commercial success? You can, of course, conceive of an iron box riveted so that nobody can get into it, but that would not do as a ship... I suppose that some people would say you should carry the double bottom up to the upper deck?' [Laughter] Has an unsinkable ship ever been constructed? THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: They are sometimes called unsinkable, but that means under conditions which comprise every form of disaster so far known. (As quoted in "The Liners", by Terry Coleman, pg 83) Six months later, the idea wasn't so funny. The sister ship Olympic was in dry-dock being fitted with an inner skin and bulkheads that went 20 feet higher. The price was a quarter again of her original construction cost. But competitive positions between lines suffered little, as everybody was suddenly spending on these previously unaffordable features. Other ships in construction in England and Germany went to double hulls and high bulkheads in mid-construction. New York Herald, April 18th, 1912, p. 5 New York Herald, April 18th, 1912, pg. 6 ... ice patrols, safer southern routes, new wireless procedures. And most of all, for ships to slow down, especially in fog. New York Globe, April 19th, Front page Any doubts I might have had about the importance of this were set to rest by the introduction to the chapter on watertight subdivision in the classic text "Principles of Naval Architecture", by James Robertson. A committee of engineers had recommended new subdivision rules in 1891. They were ignored until the loss of the Elbe in 1897 with 303 lives, and then there was only partial compliance. Robertson points out that it was only the Titanic that caused a convention on safety in 1913 where all nations agreed to the same method. There was another "Safety Of Life At Sea" (SOLAS) conference in 1929, But the U.S. only ratified it in 1936 after the loss of the Mohawk to collision, and the Morro Castle by fire. Robertson puts it in a nutshell when he says that a 1948 convention had only slightly stricter requirements because it "did not have behind it the compelling force of recent sea tragedies and aroused public opinion". He says it took the shocking loss of the Andrea Doria in 1956 to force a 1960 convention that brought about subdivision formulae and other safety standards close to those used today. The week in 1995 I wrote the original essay, thousands of semi-trailers in Canada were being pulled off the road to have their outer wheels inspected. Two cars full of people had been killed in two weeks by semi wheels that had come loose and run wild. It turned out that such things had been happening every month or two all along; this was just the first time that several fatalities had happened. As individuals, we may learn from close shaves and warnings; as a society we only learn from blood. Oil Tanker Book cover Thus ends the core of my tale, but I have some interesting asides for you. A web search on "double hull" not only told me about the Cunard Servia, but the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which mandated double hulls for oil tankers... one year after the Exxon Valdez tripled the global yearly oil spill average and caused a hundred-fold increase in media and public attention. The report summary on the web mentions that double hulls will increase oil transporation costs by 10%, which to a ship owner is appalling; but it only increases oil prices by a tenth of that, or 1%, (and the price of a tank of gas by a nickel, according to the Coast Guard). After the Valdez, few consumers are going to begrudge a nickel a tank to cut the chance of a repetition. Which brings me to a related topic: safety can be marketed as a product like any other and most consumers are happy to pay for it when they are educated about the risks. Detroit at first fought the addition of $12 seat belts in cars and hassled Ralph Nader for pushing the issue; after Volvo and Mercedes made safer designs a premium feature, Detroit began to change and they now advertise expensive airbags in the same breath as the CD player. My wife took me out of the loop on the choice of model for our last car when she heard the '95 Saturn had dual airbags, standard. Perhaps that's why today, while Cunard lines use their one-line description space at upscaletours.com to tout their "ocean liner amenities and yachting ambiance"... ... and Seabourn lines uses their space to advertise their "small, elegant ships and country-club accommodations"... ... the smaller Radisson line specifically mentions a ship with a unique double hull design. "Cruise Ship Runs Aground in Florida", Associated Press Feb. 19,1998 I assume they mean that the design is unique, not a double hull on a cruise ship. It can't a premium feature, since Carnival Lines are considered the "Wal-Mart" of the industry by their competitors, and this Carnival Cruise ship avoided a nasty incident because of a double hull just a few years back. A harbour pilot with a bad safety record and a drunk driving conviction scraped bottom near Florida. The ship was cleared to sail on her journey after an inspection by divers showed only a minor breach of one cell of the outer hull. RINA Home page The touchiest thing in risk management is the calculation of cost per fatality averted. It makes perfect sense to an engineer, but in public debate, such numbers can always be twisted in any direction. On the web I found an excellent site at rina.org.uk, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. (Thomas Andrews joined it in 1901) They've sponsored many conferences, including one on ship survivability. Ship Survivability Article Summary Public attention had been drawn by some car ferry disasters just before. The problem for the engineer is to tackle these fears with his own art, which involves quantifying things. The summary of one paper in those conference proceedings went right to the heart of the issue - he had calculated the cost per fatality averted for various different approaches of ship subdivision, so as to recommend which design to use. This is good engineering and I wish all society thought that way; but I guarantee you that any politician or top bureaucrat will flee the room, eyes averted, if he shows them the paper; they'll want deniability in public debate. In 1995, Bob Dole took a walk in this mine field when he led a congressional charge to hold back certain regulatory efforts, in particular increased scrutiny of the meat industry. Dole and his allies surely never mentioned exact figures for the money-cost vs. lifesaving-benefit of the proposed ... but the always merciless satire of the Doonesbury comic strip quickly knocked the issue down to the one unmentionable question: What is a human life worth? Just as the oil tanker hulls can be viewed as a nickel per tank of gas, you can always twist these kinds of figures to something that sounds damning if you're proposing not to spend it. ... and of course, Doonesbury always has to take a kick at the tobacco industry. (Which of course makes all these casualty lists look small.) (N.B. All four "Doonesbury" images above copyright Garry Trudeau, 1995. NOT used with permission. I believe the excerpt counts as "fair use", and in any event, I've deliberately kept the image quality rotten. Doonesbury has a wonderful web site to which I commend your attention, and of course the book "Virtual Doonsbury" from which these are taken.) I'm a waterworks engineer; this is the last lecture today I'm going to keep up in. Before this, I did some transportation work, and a couple of years of structural design. And I think that all engineers face the same two kinds of problems in the end. The junior ones have to crank out the most effective design they can, given a cost envelope and set of standards. The senior ones have to run the calc in reverse, starting with a design that fits their conscience, to sit on the standards committees, and push for the cost envelope that will make it possible. Sometimes they don't, or can't, push hard enough. But to be fair, they do have a handicap Ė scientific people often donít communicate well with policy makers, or the general public. They tend to argue with facts, formulas, simulations, and other kinds of sweet reason. These donít work well. What does work well are shameless appeals to emotion - like political cartoons. Like baby seals covered in oil. And always, always, casualty lists. Best of all are individual stories of casualties, to make the deaths real. We only learn from blood. Thomas Andrews, B&W photo The individual casualty that haunts me is Thomas Andrews, the builder. He was seen, just minutes before the final plunge, not by star-crossed lovers, but by a steward who called at him to come jump for it. Andrews seemed not to hear, lost in thought. The steward jumped, swam, and survived. Andrews did not. Smoking Room, colour drawing His quick conclusion that the ship was doomed when nobody else would have believed it had given everyone a head start and undoubtedly saved many lives. After spending the rest of the evening energetically encouraging women into lifeboats, he was in the First Class Smoking Room, perhaps the most expensive per square foot in the ship. Andrews had done much of the interior design, providing it with heavy mahogany paneling, carved in place, then inlaid with mother-of-pearl. There were leaded glass windows, stained glass artworks, and a working fireplace. Fourth Funnel Area Cutaway Standing amidst the opulence of the smoking room, just behind the fourth funnel, beside the equally rich palm court verandah and other rooms on which no expense had been spared, not where the customers could see it being spent, Ballard breakup illustration ... he would still have been dry when Titanic's own weight broke her back and tore her in two. His creation's end was the last sound he ever heard. Smoking Room, photograph It was this choice of a place to die that makes me like to think that he had one comforting thought as he waited there. The phenomenon of disaster bringing higher safety standards of design and procedure was clear even before his time. Perhaps he realized that the loss of the Titanic, with all its millionaires and celebrities, would hit the world like a bombshell, changing standards overnight. With the Atlantic trade still expanding exponentially, these changes would almost certainly save hundreds or thousands of lives from many smaller sinkings averted, losses that each by themselves would have been too small to bring about change. So I like to think that he was consoled by some thoughts of all the lives Titanic's death would save, when the ever-hungry North Atlantic made the last grand entrance of the evening into that lavish Georgian drawing room, to take away his sorrow and unbearable shame. Newspaper for sale Thank you for you kind attention. I hope the symposium brings about some improvements in the state of your art. |The Night Lives On||Walter Lord||1986| |A Night to Remember||Walter Lord||1955| |Titanic: An Illustrated History||Don Lynch||1992| |The Discovery of the Titanic||Robert Ballard||1987| |The Great Iron Ship||James Dugan||1953| |The Liners||Terry Coleman||1976|| Dewey| |Fifty Famous Liners||Frank Braynard||1982||Dewey| |Principles of Naval Architecture||John P. Comstock, ed.||1967||LOC| VM 145 C64 |Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels||American Bureau of Shipping||1984||LOC| VM 287 A44 |Passenger Liners of the Western Ocean||Vernon Gibb||1952||Dewey| |"Ship" and "Shipbuilding" articles, The Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th edition||Sir Phillip Watts||1911| |The Blue Riband of the North Atlantic||Tom Hughes||1973||Dewey| |From Paddle-Wheel to Nuclear Ship||William Avery||1965||LOC| VM 315 B33 |Metallurgy of the RMS Titanic||Tim Foecke||1997||NIST-IR 6118| |Exploring the Lusitania||Robert Ballard||1995||Dewey 940.4514| |Virtual Doonesbury||Garry Trudeau||1996| "The Lessons of Valujet 592" | Atlantic Monthly, March 1998 |The Works of Isambard Kingdom Brunel||Alfred Pugsley, ed||1976||624 BRU W| I have lost track of the Web sites to which I'm indebted. Some of them are already linked from the body of the above text. I'll name just a couple below, and since they in turn link to many more, the inquisitive can find their way around as easily as I did. Encyclopedia Titanica, Philip Hind The Titanic Historical Society The Titanic Web Ring, John Ostrowski Homage to Thomas Andrews, "Builder of the Ship of Dreams" Ship Losses Around Britain

The letter M in a dream is symbolic for facing karmic debt or confronting all your problems. The symbolism is based on the design of the letter where the two vertical lines symbolize confrontation with yourself and the V represents both positive and negative outcomes. M is the 13th letter of the alphabet and in numerology 13 represents karmic debt. TOP To dream of a macaroni represents something in your life that makes you feel like it's unimportant. A situation that's not worth talking about. To dream of macaroni and cheese may reflect gains or profiting that you don't feel is important. It may also be a sign that you feel no need to discuss or brag about your gains. TOP To dream of the television character MacGyver may represent fluctuating feelings of extreme tension about potential losses followed by incredible amazement at how original or creative a solution was. Alternatively, Macgyver may reflect qualities of the personality that are thrifty, witty, or clever in situations that feel emotionally dangerous. Example: A woman dreamed of being very attracted her MacGyver. In waking life she was experiencing tension about not having proper computer equipment to finish her doctoral dissertation her boyfriend totally shocked her by cleverly getting her a computer. TOP To see or use a machete in your dream represents extreme hostility. Powerful feelings of opposition. Hatred or conflict towards a situation or person. You may be very frustrated or angry. Consider who or what is being attacked bu the machete for additional symbolism. Example: A man dreamed of holding a machete. In waking life he was very interested in getting revenge on a friend that was unfaithful him. Example 2: A young man dreamed of using a machete to chop off his brother's head. In waking life he was angry at his brother and considering cutting him out of his life forever. Example 3: A woman dreamed of chopping up an anaconda snake with a machete. In waking life she felt she had to take hostile action against someone who was making comments that where destroying her business. TOP To dream of a machine gun represents decision making that is decimating or wipes out everything in it's way. Never listening to anyone else no matter what. The power to influence or completely remove all obstacles at once. You or someone else that is cutting down everything in their way. Nothing is getting in the your way or interfering with your choices. It might also reflect your attempt to wipe out all competing ideas or goals. Negatively, dreaming about a machine gun may reflect a total lack of concern for the consequences of your choices. Being unwilling to listen to anything except your own ideas. Decisions that are decimating or "wipe out" everything. Anger that is out of check. Insensitively making choices that will turn everyone you know into a loser. Paranoid jealousy making drastic choices to exterminate opposition or competition. Risking "collateral damage" with sweeping changes. To dream of being attacked by a machine gun represents a fear of being totally wiped out by a problem or someone's else's overpowering decisions. Feeling that multiple areas of your life are threatened at once. It may also reflect strong competition or someone else's decision that has a big impact on you. An area of your life may be negatively influences all other areas with no concern for your feelings. Alternatively, it may be a sign that you feel you have hurt yourself intentionally never listening to anyone else at all. Example: A woman dreamed of someone firing a machine gun on a room full of people. In waking like she had a fear that she was destroying multiple areas of her life at once with a big decision she made. Example 2: A man dreamed of being shot at with a machine gun on the left side of his chest. In waking life he was diagnosed with lung cancer on his left side. The machine gun may have reflected his view of himself choosing to hurt himself smoking for years despite all the people telling him not to. Metaphorically, killing himself by never having to listen to anyone else at all. TOP To dream of machinery represents mechanical or processed minded thinking. Going about a job or activity without much thought. Making decisions without thinking it through or about why you are making those decisions. Boring pattern thinking. Negatively, machinery may reflect arrogant or irresponsible thinking that doesn't consider feelings or that it might be causing damage. Positively, machinery may reflect a strong ambition and will power. Never giving up and keeping yourself going tirelessly. If dream machinery is broken it may reflect a need to repair your self-image, confidence or a relationship before you get motivated again. It may also reflect an insensitive opponent or problem that has been stopped. If dream machinery is rusty it may represent a hard work ethic or tireless ambition that has been neglected for a long time. Something you used to be obsessed with or work hard at that isn't as interested as it used to be. Example: A woman dreamed of a thought control machine reading her mind and informing police about it. In waking life she was living in Nazi Germany under's Hitler's rule and having anxiety about her behavior being perfectly complaint or that anything she did may stand out as being against the Nazis. The thought-control machine may have reflected her feelings about the Nazi regime's intense propaganda usage and repressive controls over freedom making the people completely compliant in an automatic unthinking manner. *Please See Robots TOP To dream of a mad dog may represent verbal attacks or arguments. It may also reflect your aggressive feelings towards someone else or viciousness. Alternatively, a mad dog may represent feelings about other people being ridiculously overboard with being mean or angry. Very heated arguments. Impossible people to deal with. TOP To dream of madness or seeing a person who has gone mad may represent feelings about yourself or others having lost their senses to an obsession. Having "gone mad" crazy in love for someone to point of causing problems. Being emotionally incapable of getting your mind off something or someone. Negatively, it may reflect a tendency to totally embarrass yourself being too concerned with something. Humiliating yourself being too in love with someone. Example: A woman dreamed of seeing a mad man chasing after woman. In waking life she had rejected a marriage proposal from her boyfriend who continued to pursue her aggressively. TOP To dream of the mafia represents underhanded behavior doesn't allow morality or guilt to stop it. Ignoring the rules, cheating, lying, or taking the "shadier" route to achieve a desired outcome if needed. A willingness to use an underhanded approach if it's in your best interest. Getting what you want no matter what. The mafia may represent your desire to keep a situation the way it is and resorting to whatever dirty tactics are required to do that. Alternatively, the mafia may represent a person or situation that you feel you can't refuse. Feeling manipulated or extorted. Fearing making a mistake or asking for help. Being stuck between a rock and a hard place. A sign that you may need to be more assertive about confronting someone. TOP To dream of a magazine represents informativeness. Finding out what's going on, what's new, or what's currently the most important issue in a situation. Keeping up to date with friends or co-workers. If you are reading a magazine it may reflect someone else that is giving you a "heads up" or summation about what's most important right now. It may also reflect savviness. Alternatively, a magazine may reflect your desire to experience something more interesting in your life. Trying to find new ideas or what's currently socially acceptable. Trying to find out what you need in order to get ahead in a situation or make more money. Magazines are common symbols in dreams of people trying to expand their careers or get a better job. Negatively, magazines may reflect gossip or nosy behavior. Consider the content and name of the magazine for additional meaning. Example: A woman dreamed of reading a black colored magazine. In waking life a friend told her some news about what was happening in the next few months that seemed ridiculously excessive. TOP To dream about maggots represents feelings of unease, discomfort, regret, nausea, or feeling that something is lost forever. You may be uncomfortable with a situation or something you did. You may also have regret for something that you've lost or a mistake that can't be fixed. Negatively, maggots in a dream may reflect very comfortable feelings of being forced to accept and live with a failed relationship or major failure. Unbearably living with regret. Being very uncomfortable around someone who you feel doesn't like you. Example: A young woman dreamed of maggots after experiencing her father abandoning her in real life after a paternity test came back positive. The maggots reflected her unease with knowing her father wanted nothing to do with her and her regret for having the test done. Example 2: A young woman dreamed of maggots crawling on her. In real life she had enormous difficulty forgiving herself for hurting her ex-boyfriend. The maggots reflected the great discomfort that the thought of hurting him gave her. Example 3: A woman dreamed of being in a home with maggots. In waking life her father-in-law had been disowned by her and her husband for being to emotionally toxic. The maggots may have reflected her uncomfortable feelings about how the relationship ended. TOP To dream of seeing magic represents a sense of awe or wonder about something that has happened. You may feel that something does all the work for you. Alternatively, magic may represent manipulation or control of other people that defies belief. Power or influence that surprises you. Magic may also reflect a big change in your bad fortune. You are surprised how wonderful or perfect something is after having a lot of bad luck. To dream of a magic trick represents a change that feels wonderful or amazing and doesn't require an explanation. It may also represent a very powerful instantaneous change in your life that defied all your expectations. You can't believe that something worked. It may also reflect a habit or coping mechanism that instantly solves a problem. Something you or someone else does that fixes a problem without needing further discussion. Something you say or do fixes something "like magic." Example: A gay man dreamed of seeing someone perform a magic trick with a chain. In waking life he was noticing that telling people he couldn't do anything about his gay lifestyle was instantly making them more accepting of him. *Please See Magician *Please See Magic Wand *Please See Witchcraft *Please See Black Magic TOP To dream of a magic carpet represents a situation in waking life where you are enjoying yourself noticing all the work being done for you. Example: A woman dreamed of riding on a magic flying carpet. In waking life she was a psychologist who had set up a website to accept submissions from people all around the world to make her research easier. The magic carpet reflected her feelings about enjoying how easy and successful the project was as people using the website did all the work for her. TOP *Please See Psilocybin TOP To dream of a magic wand represents feelings of having the liberty or power to change a situation whenever you want. The power to control, manipulate, or influence others easily. Negatively, a magic wand may reflect arrogant exploitation of others feelings or good nature because it's easy. Abusing your ability to influence. TOP To dream of a magician represents an aspect of yourself that leaves other in amazement or disbelief. Someone that makes you feel that "I can't believe that just happened." A person in your life that amazes you by defying the rules or what you thought was possible. Tricks, insider knowledge, or past experience that is impressive. Something you or someone else does that projects amazement or awe. Exceptional or uncommon ability at persuading or influencing. Alternatively, a magician may reflect an amazing display of talent or skill. Negatively, a magician may reflect exploitation of tricks, lies, or previous experience to impress others. Using a skill to create a deceptive impression to others. Being a "poser" who exploits others naivety to feel powerful. Trying to fool someone into believing something that you know isn't true. Example: A woman dreamed of a old magician performing an amazing trick in her bed to make her climax during sex. In waking life she had postponed childbearing into her mid-thirties while her more experienced husband had already had children from another marriage. The magician in the dream may have reflected her feelings about how incredible her husband is at getting her pregnant when she didn't believe she ever could get pregnant. TOP To dream of a magnifying glass represents awareness of everything you are noticing becoming amplified. The choices, experiences, or problems you are most focused on becoming more dramatic or powerful once you pay attention to them. Negatively, a magnifying glass may represent feelings of bad luck or having your problems singled out. TOP To dream of a magpie represents dishonest opportunism. You or someone else is carefully observing a situation and waiting for a moment of weakness to make a move. A magpie is a sign of dissatisfaction and disagreements. You may feel insecure about what you say or do. You may also feel shortchanged in a relationship. Alternatively, a magpie may represent your own attempt to steal or embarrasses someone as soon as the opportunity arises. TOP To dream of a maid in a dream represents an aspect of yourself that completely caters to others. Putting someone else's needs completely before your own. Negatively, a maid may reflect feelings of being under appreciated or that someone else has things too easy. You may feel used or that you're always subordinate to someone else. Alternatively, a maid may reflect a person or situation that caters to you or spoils you. TOP To dream of receiving mail represents news, information, or insight that you're supposed to have. Information that is helpful or purposeful. To dream of sending someone mail represents news, information, or opportunities that you are revealing to someone else. You may believe that someone needs to know something. It may also reflect personal or private matters exclusively between you and someone else. To dream of waiting for mail represents a news or information that you are expecting updates about. You may need to know something before you can proceed with a situation. To dream of mail that is lost may represent feelings about having lost out on opportunities that you were expecting. Delays or setbacks may have gotten in the way of someone giving you important or helpful information. TOP To dream of a mailman represents you or someone else that is trying to give other people information that they think is important to know. Feeling the need to responsibly relaying information to a number of people. Negatively, a mailman may reflect an excessive need to give people personally tailored information that they didn't ask for. An excessive belief that you need you give people answers that specific to their problems. Giving people personal help that they didn't ask for. Example: A man dreamed of seeing a mailman. In waking life he believed he was talking to God and needed to give a number of people personal messages about how to improve their lives. TOP To dream of makeup represents the appearance or impression we present to others. Putting on your best face forward. Trying your best to appear more honest, intelligent, qualified, or experienced. Preparations, getting your story straight, or wanting to make a good impression. Makeup may also reflect a wish to be more interesting to others. Alternatively, makeup may symbolize something you use to enhance your self-confidence. To dream of applying makeup indicates that you are trying to cover up or hide an aspect of yourself. To dream of wearing too much makeup may be a sign that you are trying to hard to impress others. Your attempts to make a good impression may seem obvious or like you're not being yourself. *Please See Lipstick *Please See Eye Shadow TOP *Please See Sex TOP *Please See Kissing TOP *Please See Men TOP To dream of a mall represents your search for acceptable roles, choices, beliefs, and ideas. A time in which you are establishing your identity and making choices that will effect your sense of self. Being in mall symbolizes decisions, or preferences that make you who you are. A mall represents social settings, or social development where you are exploring options, or decisions about what you want or who you will become. It reflects the manner in which you go about getting what you want in life or choices that define who you are. A dream of a mall can show up when you are deciding who you want to date, making changes to your lifestyle, or experiencing changes in your personality. The stores in a mall symbolize states of mind with themes that are symbolic based on your feelings or perceptions of those stores. For example a store such as the GAP could symbolize a more proper or conservative lifestyle choice, where as a more urban clothing store may symbolize a more desirous personality choice. Sales people in a mall represents aspects of your personality that are attempting to convince you of a choice, belief, or idea that you are considering. *Please See Salesperson *Please See Shopping *Please See Store TOP To dream of a mammoth represents your feelings that something is bigger than you are. You may feel that a situation is too big for you to control. TOP *Please See Men TOP To dream of a manager represents an aspect of yourself that makes sure things are doing what they're supposed to. You may organizing a number people or responsibilities at once. Example: A man dreamed of a manager telling him what to do. In waking life a tax problem came up that required him to have a number of people speak in his favor. The manager reflected his organization of stories from the group of people to help write a letter to fix his tax problem. TOP To dream of a mango represents a situation that inspires cheerfulness, solace, or gives you a feeling of relief. You are optimistic about how much better something feels than it did before. Example: A young man dreamed of being given a mango. In real life he had reluctantly given up a loved pet and a friend had sympathized with him. The mango reflected the sense of optimism he got from his friend who made him realize that his choice was for the best. TOP To dream of Manhattan represents social interaction with other people where you are so far better off that you don't have to do anyone a favor. Noticing you're better than others while an entire situation revolves around your decision-making power. Not having to do anything except notice your own power. Being the leader of a situation where you have the freedom to cut off anyone you want to their face. Negatively, Manhattan may reflect abusing your power to stay in total control of a social situation. Abusing power for the purpose of simply never being told what to do. Example: A man dreamed of seeing Manhattan being destroyed by an asteroid. In waking life he was in total control of his dead mothers estate and realized that one day he'd eventually have to sell her house because he couldn't do anything to stop it. Manhattan reflected his interaction with relatives whom he had total power over as he managed the estate while having to answer to no one. *Please See New York City TOP *Please See Sewer TOP To dream of a mannequin represents you or someone else that cares about nothing except being noticed as a perfect example. A need to be noticed doing something the that others should copy. Wanting to be noticed by others as a perfect example. Negatively, a mannequin may be a sign that you are too concerned about how you are viewed by others. It may also be a sign that you don't care about anything except showing off or having people look up to you. A reflection of the importance you feel to make a certain impression that may have no substance. Example: A man dreamed of falling in love with a mannequin. In waking life he was using a beautiful escort to lie to family that he had a girlfriend and slowly began to fall in love with the escort. The mannequin he feel in love with represented his obsession with keep the lie that he had a perfect girlfriend. Example 2: An patriotic American man dreamed of seeing a mannequin shot up into the sky and blow up. In waking life he had been talking to friends about himself filing lawsuits against the Government for excessive corruption. The mannequin blowing up in the sky represented how important he felt it was to be noticed by people filing his lawsuit to prove his "Americanness" and how it eventually resulted in nothing as he was rejected by the courts. The dream reflected the futility he felt trying to be a perfect example of an American. TOP To dream of a mansion represents your perspective on a situation where you are all-powerful, more resourceful than others, or experiencing better success than others. You may feel better, luckier, or more capable than other people in some way. You may have a sense of something wonderful or special happening in your life. A perspective on a situation where you feel it's impossible to be perceived by others as losing. A mansion may also reflect feelings about how exceptionally resourceful, creative, or powerful you are. Feeling that big achievements or adept skills are always easy for you. Feelings about being a leader, boss, or head of the family. Mansions in dreams may also reflect your feelings about people in your life that you feel are too powerful, too important, or resourceful to ever be forced to listen to you. Someone in your life that enjoys more power than you of which you can never stop. Possibly a reflection of your feelings about your boss. Feelings about someone in your life that never loses. Relationship wise, a mansion in a dream may reflect feelings about being noticed by others as having a perfectly happy relationship that is impossible to breakup. Feeling that you are perceived by others as having a lucky perfect relationship with a "soul mate." Relationships where you feel you are a "show couple" or "power couple." Example: A young man dreamed of being inside a beautiful mansion and being surprised to find out that he owned it. In waking life he had discovered that he had natural talent for art that was better than average people. He was shocked by how exceptionally talented he was. He couldn't stop drawing pictures that impressed people. Example 2: A young woman dreamed of seeing a mansion that was run down on the outside, but beautiful on the inside. In waking life she had told her boyfriend very painful truths that caused damage to their relationship and feared a breakup. The mansion with the exterior damage and beautiful interior may have reflected her feelings about herself being perceived by others as having to accept flaws to her reputation for having a perfect relationship that was originally perceived to be too good to ever break up. She would have to accept being viewed by others as having a strong relationship without an appearance of perfect happiness. Example 3: A woman dreamed of walking into a mansion. In waking life she tried to talk to her boss on a personal level, but her boss had no interest in talking to her at all. *Please See Houses TOP To dream of manslaughter represents unintended failure or a change that has occurred by accident. Manslaughter may be a sign that you didn't realize your own strength while confronting a problem or didn't expect a problem to be as dangerous as it was. Manslaughter may be a sign that you need to let go of blaming yourself or others. *Please See Murder TOP *Please See Stingrays TOP *Please See Praying Mantis TOP To dream of a map represents your understanding of the direction your life is going, or where you currently stand as you attempt to achieve goals. It may also reflect a plan of action to get what you want or make a change. Studying the direction you should take in life. To dream of a map of a country represents understanding the direction of your life as you are experiencing a certain state of mind. The country then reflects a state of mind you are in. See the themes section for countries for a more in depth look at country symbolism. To dream of having difficulty understanding or reading a map represents feeling lost, or difficulty in figuring out where you life is currently going. Example: A man dreamed of seeing a map of his country. In waking life he was trying figure out what his life purpose was and how he should live. Example 2: A psychology student dreamed of flying over a map of the United States when the pilot said they were having engine trouble. Massachusetts which they were currently flying over was deemed too dangerous to land in. In waking life the student was having trouble deciding between two different kinds of psychology programs in different states. They felt that the programs in Massachusetts weren't good enough because it would make them have to live too close to their parents. Example 3: A woman dreamed of having no map. In waking life she was unsure about what university to choose. TOP To dream of a marching band represents an impressive display of teamwork or perfect co-ordination. Solidarity on display. Alternatively, dreaming about a marching band may represent showing off to others how with how skillful or accomplished you are. Signalling to others that you are too skillful or perfect to lose. TOP *Please See Horses TOP To dream of marigold flowers represents sensitive feelings about other people needing to respect or appreciate something. Loving or respecting other people while asking for nothing in return. Negatively, marigolds may reflect feelings about being forced to respect or appreciate something. Feeling that appreciating something or someone is the only thing you get to do. Responsible selfless love. Having to talk about something like it's only a good thing even if it doesn't benefit you at all. Example: A woman dreamed of her marigold seeds turning into a marigold jungle with her two kids crying in stuck inside the jungle. In waking life she was pregnant with her third child and was having feelings of her current 2 children being neglected while she demanded they respect the new pregnancy. TOP To dream of marijuana represents taking a break from what you are thinking. This means you stopped working on a project or working towards a goal and decided to relax, or take part in more care free activities. If you have a negative personal view of marijuana it may symbolize an aspect of something in your life that is compromising you, making you lose control, or encouraging a loss of identity. TOP To dream of a marina represents a mindset that is comfortable or feeling good while facing a number of problems. Facing a lot of uncertainty smoothly or with confidence. Feeling safe enough to deal with a lot of problems whenever you are ready. TOP To dream of a mariner represents you or someone else that is experienced is navigating uncertain or negative situations. Being adept at getting through a difficult situation. *Please See Sailing TOP *Please See Burgundy TOP To dream of marriage represents a sense of union or permanence. Aspects of yourself that are working together all the time. A situation that you are always involved with. Ideas you are convinced of. Behavior or habits you can't see yourself discontinuing. Dependency of a certain way of thinking or acting. Marriage may be a sign that you are repeating certain behavior a lot or experiencing something that you feel is permanent. Negatively, marriage may reflect situations that you feel stuck with. Feeling trapped or held back. Example: A man dreamed of being married to Evangeline Lilly. The quality that stood out the most to him about Evangeline Lilly was her unwillingness to "take crap" from anyone. In waking life the man was spending a lot of time yelling at his business partner who was being irresponsible. Being married to Evangeline Lilly reflected how he felt he had to prove to his partner that he wouldn't take crap from him at all times. Example 2: A young girl dreamed of being married to a vampire. In waking life she noticed herself being dependent on using her friend to get through a class at school. TOP To dream of vegetable marrows may reflect preoccupation with situations or choices where being bigger is a factor. Unpleasant feelings about being unable to avoid someone or something bigger than you. Options or choices that are bigger in a meaningless way. Being bigger for the sake of being bigger or having no consideration for any other factor except a need to be bigger. Negatively, dreaming of a marrow may reflect insecurity about your size, power, or abilities. Insecurity about someone else being bigger than you are. Feeling that a certain choice is too big to be enjoyed or accepted by others. Feeling stupid being smaller than someone else. Feeling held back my family or safe choices. Feelings about situations or choices that preoccupied with safety, economy, and family life before noticing being a winner. Having to choose other people's feelings before choosing to succeed. Feelings about something bigger in your life being useless or ugly. Wasting your time thinking about a bigger choice. For men, dreaming of a marrow may reflect insecurity about another man's penis size being bigger than yours. Example: A woman dreamed of being offered marrows which didn't interest her. In waking life she sought advice from a professional and felt the advice uselessly too important sounding. TOP To dream of the planet Mars represents conflict. You may feel that everything or everyone in your life is trying to fail you. A mindset that is hanging on during tough times, adversity, or a dangerous situation. Example: A man dreamed of seeing the planet Mars with recurring speed bumps on the surface. In waking life he had a illness that was getting aggravated once a every month and required his full attention. TOP To dream of marshmallows represents feelings about an aspect of your life that feels fantastic, but lacks importance. Feelings of loving or liking yourself with something "fantastically extra." Paying extra attention to yourself. Vanity. Vain choices that feel good, but are not necessary. Enjoying "every single little detail" in an experience you are having. Enjoyable, yet unnecessary "extras." An area of your life that feels fantastic, but isn't relevant to functioning. An enjoyable, but ultimately irrelevant "bonus." Negatively, marshmallows may reflect feelings of dependence vain or unnecessary choices. A sign that you sensitive about enjoying yourself perfectly with a vain lifestyle that is interfering with more serious aspects of your life. Feeling that every single frivolous detail is required in order for you to feel good. Dependence on "extras" to be happy. Too much focus on life having to feel perfectly fantastic. Too much concern with enjoying yourself having your own way when it's not relevant. Dependence on something unimportant that makes everything else in your life feel better. Preferring to feel good with something frivolous than to confront your problems. Dreams of marshmallows are very commonly accompanied by images of chocolate. This may reflect an excessive need to enjoy your life that is interfering with more serious aspects of your life. Example: A young man dreamed of a marshmallow eating him. In waking life he was concerned that his need to have a perfect after school social life with all his friends was causing him to start failing at school. The marshmallows in this case may have reflected his feeling about the extra after hours time he was enjoying with friends that felt really good to experience, but was unnecessary to the proper functioning of his life. Overall the dream reflected feelings about "bonus" social activity that was destroying his school performance. TOP To dream of a mascot represents you or others that is trying to generate enthusiastic support for something. Trying to "drum up" support or get others behind behind a cause by making them feel that it's most important. Wanting others to think that something is important. Negatively, a mascot may reflect last minute desperation to get others to help you. Manipulating others feelings to your purposes. Trying to get support by making others feel sorry for you or scared for your well-being. TOP To dream of mashed potatoes represents simplicity or a lack of complications. Areas of your life that are easy to understand or easy to live with. Alternatively, mashed potatoes may reflect positive feelings about someone taking care of you or doing a job for you. To dream of mashed potatoes with gravy represents simplicity that totally satisfies you. Example: A woman dreamed of having trouble eating mashed potatoes. In waking life she was a successful real estate agent that was starting to have serious problems selling a home during the US banking crisis and economic slowdown of 2008. *Please See Potatoes *Please See Sweet Potatoes TOP To dream of a mask represents true intentions or true feelings that are being hidden. You or someone else that is not being honest or being themselves. Alternatively, a mask may reflect the truth of a situation that has been hidden. You or someone else that is pretending to act in a certain way. Concealing the truth or true emotions. Negatively, dreaming about a mask may reflect lying, cheating, or manipulation. Dishonest efforts to conceal the truth. Acting fake with people. To dream of a mask coming off represents the truth that is coming to light. True feelings or true intentions are being revealed. The truth of a situation is being revealed. A masking coming off may also reflect surprise that an angry or aggressive person is not really as bad as you first thought. Example: A young girl dreamed of her mother wearing a wolf mask and then seeing her take it off at the end. In waking life she was experiencing her mother being very angry believing that her mother hated her forever, before her mother calmed down and returned to her normal self. Example 2: A woman dreamed of wearing a mask. In waking life she was in marriage counseling and was discussing how she didn't like having to pretend she enjoyed the things her husband enjoyed to keep the marriage happy. Example 3: A man dreamed of seeing someone wearing a mask. In waking life he suspected that his ex-girlfriend was spreading rumors about him although she denied it. Example 4: A man dreamed of seeing old friends with masks on. In waking life he won a lot of money and started to witness old friends he didn't like pretending to like him because of his new found wealth. TOP To dream of a masquerade ball represents situations people are enjoying lying or being "full of shit." It may reflect situations where you are lying to friends or family. Enjoying yourself being a giant poser, fake, or something that you're not. Thinking others are fools because telling a lie to help yourself is too easy. Negatively, dreaming about a masquerade may reflect problems being yourself or being honest about yourself. Fooling others with lies. Feeling good lying to people's faces and getting away with it. Telling a "beautiful lie." TOP To dream of going to mass may represent a desire to know that you aren't doing anything wrong, or that you're making the right choices. *Please See Church TOP To dream of a massacre represents big changes for better or worse. Some area of your life has been completely wiped out. Negatively, it may reflect confidence, resources, happiness, or relationships that are totally gone. Positively, it may reflect a lot of fear, negative emotions, bad habits, or negative situations that are being confronted at once. *Please See Murder *Please See Death TOP To dream of getting a massage represents a person or situation that is giving you ease, comfort, or nurturance. Feeling good being relieved of something. Alternatively, to dream of a massage represents you or someone else that is totally preoccupied with their own need to feel good. Example: A man dreamed of being given a massage. In waking life his abusive controlling father was starting to die. The massage reflected his father's impending death making him feel relieved that life would soon be better for him. Example: A woman dreamed of seeing his husband on a massage table. In waking life she felt her husband was becoming too arrogant by regularly making comments about sex with other women. TOP To dream of a masseuse represents a concentrated effort to ease, nurture, or comfort someone else. To dream of seeing or hiring a masseuse may represent your attempt to let go of problems, relax about a situation, or stop being so defensive. TOP To dream of masturbating represents pleasing yourself mentally or emotionally. Fantasizing, daydreaming, or pleasant thoughts about desires, wishes, or goals. Things that may not be realistic at the moment. You or some aspect of your personality is more focused on enjoying yourself or being successful than on true achievement or real life experiences. You may see masturbating in a dream when you are spending a lot of time daydreaming about enjoying success, leisure, or using power to attain what you want in life. TOP To dream of a matador represents you or someone else that is trying to show others that something dangerous doesn't matter. Negatively, a matador may reflect showing off or taking risks to show someone else that something isn't dangerous. Showing off your bravery. *Please See Bullfight TOP To dream of matches represents your feelings about simple or unsophisticated methods to start something. Negatively, matches may reflect empty or shallow feelings about destroying relationships or starting something dangerous. To dream of having only one match may reflect feeling about having only one chance to start something. One opportunity to get what you want to happen. Limited chances to "ignite" or rekindle a situation or relationship. One limited chance to destroy something. Feeling that you have a small opportunity to get revenge or pay someone back. It may also reflect your feeling that you may be screwed if you waste an important opportunity. Example: A man dreamed of being desperate to get some matches so he could burn a kitchen down. In waking life he ran into people from his former workplace and was desperate to find a way to prevent himself from socializing with them and having to be friends with them ever again. The matches he was desperate to find may have reflected his eagerness to find any petty reason to cut off and destroy or "burn down" future friendships with the people he didn't like. *Please See Lighter *Please See Fire TOP To dream of a matchmaker represents feelings about yourself or others that is focused on interesting other people in new experiences. Your openness to trying new things. Your feelings about a situation being a conduit for new opportunities. Feelings about a situation or role becoming a conduit to meeting someone. The power to experience something new because you are involved in something. Alternatively, a matchmaker may reflect feelings about your love life. Feeling pressured into finding a lover. Feeling that social situation is "opening a door" to you to meet someone. Negatively, a matchmaker may reflect feelings about other people meddling in your life or wasting your time with trying new ideas. It may also reflect your tendency to meddle in other people's personal lives or forcing new ideas on people. Feeling that a new opportunity is inappropriate. Example: A woman dreamed of a matchmaker with red eyes. In waking life she felt that a man's son's death allowed her to get closer to him. She wanted to date him, but felt it was inappropriate. The matchmaker in the dream may have reflected her feelings about the man's son's death offering an opportunity or conduit to get closer to the man. TOP To dream of studying math or trying to solve a math equation represents a difficult life situation that requires you care about positive choices, or solutions. Issues or situations that are unforgiving of mistakes or wrong choices. A situation or desired outcome in your life that requires sacrifices, objectivity, or adherence to good habits, morals, or rational thought. Math in a dream may also reflect a problem in your life with only one right solution. Something that may difficult to accept or that tests you a person. Example: A woman dreamed that it was punishable by death to write down anything concerned with mathematics. In waking life she was living in Nazi Germany during Hitler's rule. The illegal mathematics in this case may have reflected her feelings about the oppressive restrictions of the Nazi regime making her fear being caught trying to solve or discuss difficult personal problems as it may appear that she wasn't loyal to the government. TOP To dream of a bare mattress represents an unsatisfying or uncomfortable situation that you are choosing to stick with. A bare mattress may be a sign that you feel some area of your life is missing something or isn't good enough. It may reflect situations where you are preferring to relax in an uncomfortable way as a means to avoid more even more uncomfortable. Example: A woman dreamed of escaping her work colleagues on a flying mattress. In waking life she was trying hard to get away from her work colleagues fighting because they were getting on her nerves. The flying mattress have reflected to her choice to enjoy herself alone doing something she didn't really like, but preferred over being with her colleagues. *Please See Beds TOP To dream of a mausoleum represents a permanent reminder of how good something or someone in your life used to be. Being inside a mausoleum may reflect a celebration of the past or feeling good remembering an accomplishment. Negatively, a mausoleum may be a sign that you are too concerned with believing that what you or someone else did in the past was the most important. Choosing to never let go or move on. *Please See Tomb TOP To dream of a maxi pad represents your wish to enjoy yourself while feeling forced to deal with a nagging problem. Not allowing your problem to stop you. Feeling that you have a way to make a "time out" a lot easier on yourself. Annoyed feelings that you have to be careful about addressing at a problem at all when nobody else has to. Negatively, a maxi pad may reflect problems with overlooking how hard, complicated, or drawn out a problem could be. A naive view of how easy you can make a "timeout" be. Alternatively, dreams of maxi pads or tampons may reflect a woman's heightened concerns about embarrassing herself by bleeding on herself in public because she didn't properly use a sanitary product. *Please See Tampons *Please See Menstruation TOP To dream of a maze represents feelings about how frustrating or difficult it is to find a safe way out of a problem. Feelings about a conflict or problem being impossible to get out of. Puzzling situations or intricate problems. Indecision, confusion, missteps, feeling lost or being misled. A confusing route towards your goals You may be finding it difficult to find your way through a mass of information or options. Example: A teenage girl dreamed of being trapped in a maze with where her boyfriend was at the end. In waking life she was having a fight with her boyfriend and felt frustrated that she didn't know what to say or how to act around her boyfriend to get back to her happy relationship with him. *Please See Labyrinth *Please See Lost TOP To dream of McDonald's may represent situations in your life that encourage pleasure or comfort. Often a dream symbol that reflects sexual experiences, financial success, or anything happening in your life that is really enjoyable. A perfect "feel good" experience you are having. Feeling good never having to lose or experiencing non-stop enjoyment. Negatively, dreaming about McDonald's restaurant may be a sign that you are addicted to pleasure in some way that may have long-term consequences. Feeling that life should have too easy no matter what even when it may come with personal costs or is hurting others feelings. Choosing to feel good all the time avoiding work or discipline. To dream of working at McDonald's may represents perfectly catering to others enjoyment. You or someone else that is doing whatever it takes to make others feel good never having to lose at all. Negatively, working at McDonald's may reflect feelings of being used by others to have a really good time. Feeling that you are a loser that has to make other people enjoy their lives no matter what. Example: A man dreamed of eating at McDonald's restaurant. In waking life he was an artist who had found people who really enjoyed his work. He felt good being able to get praise ever single time he showed these people his new artwork. He felt good enjoying how easy his life was to be respected so easily for all he did. He felt like a perfect winner that couldn't ever lose again. Example 2: A young man dreamed of eating at McDonald's. In waking life he was watching a lot of pornography. TOP To dream of a meadow represents openness and security. Feeling good enjoying a situation all to yourself. A beautiful or wonderful situation that never gets interrupted. Being yourself or expressing yourself with nobody around to spoil it. Taking time out to appreciate your accomplishments or personal interests. Example: A woman dreamed of being in a meadow and having to inspect every blade of grass. In waking life she was doing research on ancient languages for her book that required a lot of careful inspection of the ancient translations. The meadow scene may have reflected her feelings about how wonderful it felt having all the private personal access and assistance she needed for her research while meticulously having to verify all the work. *Please See Field TOP *Please See Eating *Please See Breakfast *Please See Lunch *Please See Dinner TOP To dream of a measuring tape represents your attempt to measure or feel the strength or severity of a situation. Noticing exactly what you need and nothing more. Doing something to test a person or situation to feel how powerful or capable they are. It may also reflect a comparison you are using to notice how bad something is or how strong something is. Doing something to see how you measure up. You may be trying to figure out why someone else can get away with something and you can't. Alternatively, a measuring tape may reflect your preparation or research before doing something. Figuring out how much emotion, aggression, or work will be required to reach a goal. Negatively, you may be doubting yourself or trying to see what you can get away with. *Please See Tools TOP To dream of meat represents situations or experiences that give you a sense of confidence or power. Control, dominance, or having your way. To dream of raw meat represents a situation in waking life where you want to take or seize power. To dream of eating raw meat may indicate your rush or haste to seize power. Negatively, it may reflect your wish to fail or embarrass people who want to take your power away by "getting the jump" on them. Not wasting any time preparing or waiting for a situation that gives you control or confidence. Consider the type of meat for additional meaning. *Please See Steak *Please See Chicken (Food). *Please See Bologna TOP To dream of a mech suit may reflect a need to use something to your advantage to defend yourself emotionally. Using something to make yourself stronger than you are on your own. Taking advantage of an opportunity to make yourself more impenetrable to opposition or defensive against criticism. Negatively, a mech suit may reflect a dependency on using an ability or resource to make yourself look stronger than you really are. A fear of confronting a conflict without an advantage you can control. Knowing that "underneath it all" you are not as strong as you project yourself to be. Example: A young man dreamed of wearing a mech suit while chasing an armored car. In waking life he was stubbornly telling all his friends and family that he had to live his life on his own without them as he left his hometown to look for better financial opportunities. He used his need to be on his own as an excuse to look strong while excluding people because he didn't want to look weak. TOP To dream of a mechanic represents you or someone else that tells other people why their thinking style or decision-making style is wrong. A mechanic may reflect insight or acknowledgement about your flaws or oversights. Realizing that there is a need to be more sophisticated about your approach to goals. It may also reflect the healing past hurts or traumas that are holding you back. Repairing or changing some area of your life that has stopped you in your tracks. To dream that you are a mechanic may reflect informing others about what they have to do to make their choices or goals work. Helping others be more intelligent about the choices or decision-making. Revealing to others their lack of understanding or sophistication with their methods or decision styles. *Please See Cars TOP Medal Of Honor To dream of a medal of honor represents an acknowledgement or pride in having done more than other people would do. Pride or recognition in knowing you didn't turn away from a difficulty when other people would. Recognition or a reminder of how you went unusually beyond what was expected of you during a difficult or scary situation. TOP To dream of medals represents feelings of acknowledgement or reward for an achievement. Feeling recognized for your abilities or talents. Feelings that you are the best at something. Negatively, medals may reflect sensitivity or insecurity about being noticed as the best. They may also reflect an arrogant need to display your superior abilities. Alternatively, medals may be a sign that you are "resting on your laurels" too much. To dream of a gold medal represents acknowledgement or recognition for being the absolute best. Feeling that your performance or achievement was perfect. A superior achievement that gets the most attention. To dream of a silver medal represents acknowledgement or recognition for being good, but not great. Feeling that you are not as perfect as you'd like to be. You may feel that a single mistake cost you the recognition you wanted. To dream of a bronze medal represents feelings of your acknowledgement being out of respect only. A notable achievement that doesn't impress anyone. TOP *Please See Printing Press *Please See Journalist *Please See Reporter TOP To dream of medical school represents concern about what other people's problems are. Anxiety or jealousy that you can't stop someone else's negativity. It may also reflect embarrassment that a negative person can't be stopped. TOP To dream of medicine represents an antidote to a problem or negative situation. Thoughts, habits, or situations that heal and balance you. Medicine in a dream may also reflect experiences we don't like, but need in order to fix a negative situation. *Please See Drugs *Please See Pills *Please See Prescription *Please See Antibiotics TOP *Please See Shaman TOP To dream of medieval times represents a dangerous situation in your life where there is always the threat of total failure. People around you may be very risky or irresponsible with you. The constant threat of failure if your behavior isn't perfect. Feeling that your life is dominated by harsh circumstances. Stoical acceptance of suffering. Brutality. Alternatively, medieval scenery in a dream may reflect how dangerously ignorant you feel people are. People that claim expertise with dangerous results. Confident or powerful people who scare you with their incompetence or ignorance. Example: A woman dreamed of seeing medieval buildings in a field. In waking life she had a medical problem that doctors seemed to primitive to her to figure out. They gave her medication that never worked and kept trying to do other things that never seemed to work either. Example 2: A woman dreamed of being in a medieval castle. In waking life she felt that her family was very controlling and domineering. TOP *Please See Sizes TOP To dream of an important meeting represents feelings of being obligated to participate, listen, or share with others. It may also reflect your attempt to learn to integrate various aspects of yourself. Learning about everything that is most important at once. Negatively, being in a meeting may reflect feelings of being unable to escape your sense obligation to another person. Feeling that you are wasting time avoiding offending or hurting someone's else feelings. A fear of not showing your solidarity. It may also mean you feel overburdened by different aspects of your life. To dream of meeting someone for the first time represents new experiences or feelings you are having in waking life. Positively, it may reflect new confidence or luck you are feeling. Negatively, it may reflect a first encounter with a problem or opportunity to face an issue. TOP To dream of using a megaphone represents your wish to be more vocal about an issue or making sure you are heard. Guaranteeing that you are not overlooked or ensuring that your message is getting across. Making sure that nothing except your opinion or feelings are heard. TOP *Please See Watermelon *Please See Cantaloupe TOP To dream of melting ice represents the unraveling of problems or uncertainty. Areas of your life that are repressed or "frozen" are slowly surfacing. To dream of melting snow represents the slow retreat of a balancing or purification phase of your life. A terrible cleansing experience may be ending. A renewal phase is starting to come to a close. To dream of solid objects or people melting represents aspects of yourself that are wearing off or slowly going away. TOP

The Floristís Sissy Nephew |by PJ Franklin| Copyright on this story text belongs at all times to the original author only, whether stated explicitly in the text or not. The original date of posting to the MMSA was: 18 Aug 2008 The begrudgingly supple rattan cane, expertly arced across by its user, lashed viciously across the boy's upturned alabaster buttock cheeks. It was the third strike and just below the first central cut. The boy's pale and thinly angular face was once again, forced into a deep frown of pain, the sting less like that of a sharp knife than a very thin and harsh, deep fiery pinching of linear flesh. The boy whimpered in a high shrill and rapidly kicked his legs and stocking feet from the knees, which were safely padded against bruising by the lushly leather upholstered and rotund settee arm. The overall effect was more akin to a tender upset child, then to a proud 16 year old male. "Please uncle! Please!" the young man's voice bitterly implored in a high but gentle pitch. "Shut your mouth Michael! You disgust me! You come into my care and presume to act like a spoiled fay child and a self-absorbed brat! And in the presence of my friends and associates, you strut about like a young fecund peacock, how dare you!" "yessssuncle" the boy whispered and bit tightly of his lower lip, squeezing his eyes tightly shut in anticipation of the next of the final three cuts, setting his head fiercely upon his shoulders. The small wiry black haired man above him deeply frowned as a paternal parent might, and first sweeping a shock of forward laying hair from his right eye, drew back the cane and swept it forward with a hard forward jump of his lithe body and a forward snap of his surprisingly strong wrist. The result was like the prior three, an angry insistent thin welt appearing, this time, up across the boy's twin gluteal crowns. The pain was doubled, the skin closer to the boy's waspy waist so much more vulnerable. The boy uttered a high pitched squeal, followed by a plaintive sob, followed quickly by a pair of tears that landed on the soft cheek skin below his deep brown eyes. His smallish fists pounded the leather upon which they lay, his feet and legs kicking more outward this time. The man, the boy's uncle on his mother's side, withdrew any verbal comment, content that despite the boy's humiliated vocalizations, that his nephew's thighs and buttocks retained perfect position as required and with an especially deeply arched lower back, signifying obedience and submission. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It was Flavell, the courier. A flourist needed an able and loyal courier to rush his flowery creations freshly to their purchasers. Business took first place at the moment and Cheslee Morris set his cane down across his dark wooded desk. He gave Michael a single meaningful glare and bade Flavell to enter. Michael whimpered just a tad at the thought that any man would see his earned humiliation, his white underwear set on top of dark trousers and gathered in a mess at his stocking feet. Flavell grinned at Michael, the kind of grin that appreciated a boy well put in his place, especially this boy who had pranced noisily in a pretentious manner about his uncle's parlor as valued guests sat and quietly conversed about politics and things to do with the hospitality industries while casting disapproving glances at Michael. Cheslee smiled, "As you can see, last night's performance shall not be repeated." "Indeed Mr.Morris. I have just delivered Mrs. Conyard's bouquet, I think the day is done." "Yes it is, let me get you a cheque then." "No!....I insist. It may wait until the morrow. You've more.....interesting things to do." "Very well. See yourself out Flavell, good night." "Good night sir." And the somewhat older man left, closing the door. Michael's long dark eye lashes lightly batted and followed Flavell's path out the back office door and then his gaze looked plaintively up at his Uncle Cheslee once again, hopeful that he might be spared the last two cane cuts. Wasn't it enough? Wasn't the point made that even a sissy boy can and should act properly dignified in a room full of sissy men, but men of wealth and importance nonetheless? Stereotypes aside, nobody had found it the least amusing when Michael flapped his wrists and elfishly minced about the room, thinking he was now free to do as he pleased, having been "rescued" from a brutish life with a brutish father, Talbot Morris, Cheslee's somewhat older brother. "Birds of a feather" indeed. Cheslee Morris had endured many early years of painful criticism of his lightly stepping gait and precise mannerisms. He had been in fact thrown out on the streets at age 15 to fend for himself and did. He became successful and acquired means and a thriving business. His floral arrangements were now demanded by the city's wealthy clientele for all occasions, whether a wedding, a funeral or every occasion of life and holiday in between. But moved by his nephew's need, Cheslee took Michael in, recognizing in him his own type, indeed his own style would the boy stop acting as of the world owed him recompense. One is not owed recompense, one earns or takes it by force if necessary, though passive force. If possible, "empty their pockets of free cash and that sets all wrongs to right," was Cheslee's motto now. Cheslee picked up the cane and pointed it at Michael, contemplating its use or not, "What have you learned nephew?" Michael said sharply. Michael swallowed, seeing a ray of light at the end of a painful tunnel, "To conduct myself with quiet dignity uncle, and to eschew gaudy references to myself." "Nobody likes a show-off Michael, nobody!" "Yes Uncle!" Michael said, once again making sure that his buttocks remained respectfully high, his lower backed arched perfectly to show off their creamy symmetry, a symmetry that seemed to please Uncle's eye. Cheslee did appreciate the curve of his nephew's buttocks, parted in the center so graciously, even modestly and lathered down the center with a pleasant dark down of hair. Was it improper to stare? Heaven's no. Was it improper then to touch? Only if Michael had not upon the first night of his arrival in the flat above the C. Morris Florist Shop, solicited gentle touches of his bared bottom before a bath that led to other things, would it have been improper to touch. It was supposed to have been a medical inspection of a bruise that was never there in the first place. Cheslee then lay the cane down and approached, one hand softly brushing the back of his fingers against Michael's soft, red and moistened face, the other's fingers indulgent in lightly brushing across the boy's welts, feeling them, enjoying their long dimpled and angry troughs. "I shall spare you the last two cuts of the cane.........." then one finger brushed the boy's centerpiece. Michael's mouth curled up gently, recalling the first night's escapade. Since age five had Micheal been aware of himself and aware that his father's brother and he were so much alike in so many ways. But there had been no outward expression of emotional feelings or physical touches of any kind before now, before that first night in his 16th year. Michael's lips even kissed Uncle's fingers gently and just before Uncle's palm spanked his upturned buttocks, first on the far, then the near cheek and sharply too, "........but spare you not of a good finishing spanking Michael, for your childish efforts last night." Better a spanking over Uncle's knee or the settee arm than Uncle's cane or worse, his own father's disapproving stares and drunken breath pouring forth Biblical condemnations from a mouth that no church's interior had ever heard even a single Amen. In fact the spanking was more like a rapidly stinging caress of his sore flesh, a reminder that life with Uncle Cheslee would be an education and learning experience, rather than an exercise in mere survival. So what if the finger strayed and provided them both with pleasure? So what if there were more than just hugs and chaste kisses on the forehead? Michael's soft eyes gazed upwards as Uncle's manual stings flew into his pelvis in a way that he had never felt quite like this before. Was it the hand? Or the position? Or both? Or perhaps it was just the realization that this kind of punishment seemed healing and not defeating, purposeful and not some random or momentary lapse of good adult judgment. And once it stopped. Once the spankings had ceased, Michael's mind relaxed into a soft-light state. He stayed perfectly still. Cheslee's hand lightly rubbed up and down and side to side and his voice gently instructed, "It's not that I don't wish you to be yourself Michael, I do, but one must learn that there is but a very thin line between self-realization and self-indulgence. In this world we live, we must adapt and yet, not lose ourselves." Michael heard the words and understood them. His behavior had been awkward and selfishly brash. Even among men whose gaits and gestures clearly belayed their kind and could, if they so wished, be the same as his, they did have a certain quiet dignity that he had not learned of yet. He lightly moaned then spoke, "Thank you Uncle. I am sorry for my behavior. It won't happen again." "Good. I trust you Michael. You are smart and worthy of strict attention to detail in all things......" and Uncle's hand finally left his posterior and he felt naked once again. "Now get up and follow me into the shop. It is time for your lesson in the business." For Cheslee sought to make of Michael a partner into the future of the business and if so, the boy must demonstrate his artistic abilities with things botanical. Michael's mind was focused from his chastisement and he opened it up to the task at hand. His hands were small like Cheslee's but it was now an advantage. He handled the rose's stem with ease and clipped bits here and there with careful aplomb. The arrangement was not perfect, but it was simple and pleasing to the eye. "Good. I like it. It betrays quite a bit of talent I think nephew. I shall be expecting you to improve every day and any day you don't, you shall be counted as lazy and I shall not stand for it!" But it was not berating, but rather encouraging to Michael's ears. "Thank you Uncle. I shall go upstairs and make us tea and a snack." "Yes, I'll be up in a short while." Cheslee did but tarry a few minutes longer, locked the front door of the shop and then turned out the lights. He walked up the back stairs to the upper living level and found Michael wrapped in an apron. Michael had a fondness for the kitchen, something even Cheslee did not like a lot of. Michael loved to make tea and serve biscuits, but did it with a loving domestic touch devoid of show. It was pleasant and comforting as they sat in adjoining soft chairs, the small service in between. "I shall be sending you out with Flavell soon. You need to understand the delivery of the product as well as the making of it." "Yes Uncle, I like Flavell but does he understand that I am not greatly fond of dirty streets and loud sounds?" It was true. It was a chore to get Michael out of a house and into any kind of exercise. He was a small boy, even for his age and did not tarry on sports fields, preferring rather to be indoors and reading or even learning how to cook a dish or polish a glass. He might have made a good servant or valet in other circumstances. "Flavell understands how to make our creations last until the customer receives them Michael. You will learn to ignore what you find unpleasant, now off to get ready for bed Michael, we rise early." "Yes Uncle, four AM." Michael retreated the short distance to the back of the flat, down the short hallway to his room. He quickly changed out of his clothing to full nakedness but then paused to look at his stripes and red spanking marks in the full length mirror that Uncle had provided. His penis rose up stiffly as he let his finger-tips not so gently dig into some of the remaining tracks. Would there be relief of his tension tonight? Would he do it himself or as the first night, with some help? He had offered and Uncle had not turned him down. Some would call that perverse, some would call it incestuous. Those words applied to those who seemed to enjoy in meddling in another's private affairs. What went on between he and his Uncle was nobody's business but theirs. His own father had divorced his dear mother and casting her aside, then married a girl of merely seventeen years of age and they called it legal. He hated her. She was now legally his step-mother! Now that was perverse. Cheslee happened to look down the hallway just as Michael appeared, nude and in the front, frightfully aroused. It caused Cheslee's own member to rise up in his trousers as he sat in the chair, nursing the last little bit of his lightly lemoned tea. Michael stopped on purpose and let Uncle see his delightful condition for a moment, then walked forward and opened the bathroom door and then disappeared behind it, never once looking as if he was the least bit interested in what he had done. Cheslee then stood and turned off the lights in the kitchen and sitting room and passed down that same hallway to his bedroom, not requiring the bathroom at the moment. He went inside, unclothed himself and put on his night shirt and then lay down on top of the covers of his bed. Was there anticipation? Yes. Was there expectation? No. But alas, in a short while and freshly bathed of himself, Michael gently knocked on his Uncle's bedroom door. Cheslee turned to his side, "Come in Michael." The door opened and Cheslee's nephew passed inside, dressed in a night gown, quite plain. Cheslee moved over and Michael sat first, then got into bed on top of the covers as well. It was a very warm evening. Cheslee smiled and patted his chest. Michael scooted over and lay on his tummy almost sideways and lay his head on his Uncle's chest. Cheslee's hand came to rest on the small of Michael's back, "It's too warm to sleep." Michael said. "Tell the truth Michael." "Fine...I'm much too horny to sleep Uncle. Please may we share like we did the other night?" "If you like Michael." Michael softly moaned as he then moved his hand down to his Uncle's ravenous and hard member, pulling up his Uncle's night shirt until the phallus was totally exposed and with it, Uncle's bulging balls. Michael's hand began to fondle and even stroke what he found there. Cheslee's hand did the same and with no prompting, Michael then got up on his knees and straddled Uncle Cheslee's pelvis. He was going to succeed this night where he did not the prior, that is, satisfy both of their yearnings for more than just manual or oral satisfactions. Cheslee's face blushed and his hands found Michael's buttocks, full and round and still warm from both bath and his chastisements. "How does your bottom feel Michael?" Cheslee felt obligated to ask. "It feels good Uncle. I had no idea that a good thrashing could put me in this kind of a mood, but it seems to have." But Michael did not hear the comment. Already he was introducing his young tight anus to the head of his Uncle's stiff and steely upright pole. This time it seemed to fit a little easier. This time there was a lust that seemed absent before. Was it the beating, the caning and spanking that did it? And then things got tighter and less cooperative. "Please Uncle, spank me hard, slap my sides and buttocks. I think it will help!" Surprised but pleased, Cheslee did just that. "Yes! Yes! Harder!" and Cheslee spanked harder and Michael's face winced, but not from the slaps, no. It winced as at last, he was fully impaled and without a lot of pain or effort. "Ohh my!" Cheslee groaned. "Yes Uncle, now bugger your nephew properly, I want it!" Cheslee bucked up and down and Michael assisted with his own patterned pelvic gyrations. Cheslee's hand pulled on his nephew's hard cock in concert, then together, they split seed and lots of it up high into Michael's bowels and far up onto Cheslee's hairy chest. When it was done, Michael but fell forward and lay on his Uncle's chest and they fell asleep together. Three months later............... "Thank you Michael! I love the way you arrange lilies. You shall have to teach me how it's done some time, good evening now." and then Mrs. Provost whisked her aged body and equally aged bustle dress out the front door, flowers in hand and leaving a large tip of money on the counter. Michael picked it up and put it in the tall glass jar and then put the jar underneath the front counter beneath the cash register. Then he locked the front door to the shop and took off his apron, setting it across a small chair. He turned out the lights and then walked back to his Uncle's office door. He didn't bother knocking and walked right in, closing the door behind himself. Cheslee looked up from his bookkeeping. "You should leave that to me Uncle. I know how you keep your invoices and inventory now, you know." "But what shall there be left for me to do nephew?" Cheslee smiled proudly of his nephew's boasting as he looked up. "Nothing much. You can spend your time better getting Mr.Chambers to loosen his wholesale grip on those roses of his, he's being too skimpy" Cheslee sat back. Like a flower, Michael's interest and abilities in the family floral business had blossomed and in fast time as well. "I shall do that Michael, now, will there be anything else?" And Cheslee waited. Michael did not. Michael proceeded to the far arm of the small but sturdy dark leather settee, the arm closest to Uncle's desk and stood for a moment. Then he undid and lowered his trousers first, then his underwear, both to a messy heap at his ankles, then kicked off his shoes. Then without entreaty, he bent forward, his alabaster surfaced buttocks forming a perfect target for the implement of Uncle's choice, a stout cane or a heavy leathered tawse. It didn't matter, it was now a ritual between them whenever Michael chose. And he chose often. The tawse had been a present from Michael to his Uncle at the one month mark, signifying the beginning of their relationship in that room of now many weeks before. It was because Michael now adored leather of all kinds, including the kind of attention that a two-tailed leather devil brought to his burgeoning libido. Cheslee closed the accounting book and stood up behind his desk and regarded the sight of his nephew's highly arched lower back and perfectly angled naked buttocks with the same relish as the first time. His cock was stiff in his trousers and he looked down at the cane and tawse as they lay together on his desktop. Sometimes he used a bit of both, maybe he would do that this night. If so, it was always the cane first, followed by the tawse. He picked the cane up and walked around the side of his desk towards Michael's postured body, the front propped up on his elbows, eyes open and head looking straight ahead to an old outdated calendar on the far wall near the door. He had meant to replace it with a new one weeks ago, but had not yet. Michael heard the cane's practice cut ravage the air, but suspected he would get both cane and tawse. He felt like both as well. "Did I tell you that we are favored with a dinner party invitation to Mr.Latchkey's flat next Tuesday?" Then Michael felt the initial tap on his naked hind quarters. "No Uncle. I shall have our suits pressed." And then the first cut, across the center, hard and true. Michael winced but slightly as the weal rose up. "Yes, and I am told that young man you met last week at Chesterfield's party will be there as well." And then the second cut slashed hard and true below the first. "Him? He's not even on the map of any interest Uncle. He's much too gaudy and prissy." Cheslee smiled at the ironic comment and whipped the third and fourth cuts. Michael grimaced and grunted, but never uttered anything else. Cheslee put the cane aside and took up the tawse. "Oh come now. Have you become that picky and urbane?" The tawse snapped smartly across Michael's buttocks and the pain quickly diffused to its well trained targets, and swelled up Michael's balls and penis with ease. "Urbane yes, picky no. You taught me after all." And the tawse struck again. Michael's voice uttered a small yelp. "And you have learned well my boy, just keep an open mind. I can't have you not seeking out proper companionship eventually." The tawse struck the third and fourth times before Michael answered. "You are my companion and you know it." Twice more the leather bathed Michael's mind in a lustful dance between the competing forces of pain and pleasure, then Cheslee set the leather down and unzipped his trousers. It was his to do from this point forward and he chose to have Michael suck his prick while he fingered Michael's non-virginal anus and contemplated his next activities with the young sexual sophisticate. Michael's eyes closed as his lips enveloped and sucked in his Uncle's hardness, easily and pleasurably. "For now Michael, but not forever. Let's be realistic. Someday, some young man is going to catch your eye, and when he does, I will lose you to him." And Cheslee growled and moved his prick in and out of the warm and wet oral envelope provided. Michael let go of the phallus and looked up at his Uncle, "I seriously doubt it, but if it makes you happy to think so, then I can't stop you." "Up with you and into a hot bath. I shall join you shortly." Michael smiled and got up, pulled up his underwear and trousers and waddled a bit lazily out of the office and up the stairs to prepare their hot bath. When Cheslee got into the bathing tub a short while later to join his nephew, Michael got up and then lay back onto Cheslee's chest in the water, feeling his Uncle's prick hard up at his backdoor entrance. He glided his buttocks over the prick and pinched his buttocks inward to stimulate it. "You know Michael, a moment does not go by any more that I do not thank my brother for being as he is." Michael sighed, he was ready and slowly got up to his knees and bent forward, Cheslee's body after him. Cheslee inserted his hard prick deeply up into the boy's awaiting entrance and then started the insistent and familiar motions, smoothly gliding in and out. "I don't. He's a murderous lout. I love him in a way but hate him still and that thing he married. I hope she takes all his money and leaves him." Cheslee was well aware of Michael's persistent feelings against his brother. It was not bothersome only that Cheslee knew that in the long run, Michael's father would continue to leave them both alone if his own peculiar lusts were sated more often than not, for that was the reality of things. There was no further talk, only sex; and afterwards, as Michael's head lay sleeping on top of Cheslee's chest in his bedroom, he was still awake and petting his nephew's hair thinking about the following day's floral arrangements to be done and business to be earned. Just then, Michael's head moved and he scooted up and his head was even with Cheslee's and Michael's eyes opened a little as he kissed his uncle on the cheek and fell back to sleep. Maybe he was a sissy boy, Michael that is. If so, then Cheslee knew he was a sissy man. In any case, love was between them and inside of their own private world together, nothing else really mattered and never could. |copyright © 2005-2015| admin ·AT· malespank.net

Teenage Loversshe told him to stopTeenage Lovers7 years ago in Free Verse More Like This this wasnt the time or place he fought to stop his passion but her skin was velvet; her voice lace she shivered as he whispered to her declaring his love and desire what happened to self-control? she had set his on fire As his lips drew across her throat she thought of how they were missunderstood how those older say we can control ourselves but its a wonder that she could there was so much passion in her veins she melted from his touch but she said he had to stop the look in his eyes hurt her so much so she slid off fhe couch, away from his passion slipped on her hoodie and walked up to the deck the water was so soothing and calm the cool air was nice on her hot neck she shivered in the breeze and there he was he wrapped his arms around her waist kissed her neck so gentle and sweet she suddenly didnt care of the danger they faced she had forced back her desires and fought back the tears but in one single moment she released all her fears when the sun rose on th Teenage loveYou are my only loveTeenage love6 years ago in Free Verse More Like This No one can change that. Because when Im with you I get this feeling of happiness That cant be taken away And I dont care if we are just teenagers Everyone ages differently So why cant we feel the love That only adults can feel Are we forced to go through false love To find the one we really want When were young we love our parents Do we lose love when we are teenagers And then given it back on our twentieth birthday Its a feeling We are born with it We always have it Free to express it whenever we want To whomever we want And I choose now I choose to express my love with you Because I love only you And I will always love only you Are you there?"Hello? Are you there?"Are you there?11 years ago in Free Verse More Like This "Are we still friends?" Bonded, trusting, ever companions? I hope we are, as I write this. Hope against hope that now "Of course we are. Why do you ask?" Heart pounding, I hope you can't hear. Or do I? I've taken the first steps Dare I go on? No stopping. Keep going. It's going to be fine… "I'm glad. But that night…I don't know… Don't know what to do…" "I don't understand. What don't you know? I want to understand…" He wants to understand… How, when I don't myself? When chaos reigns in the colours of the mind. A dream. Continue. Breathe. Shake. Back down…No. Go on. "I think I love you…" Silence. An eternal second, lasting a lifetime, but over in A heartbeat for you. Will you accept it? Or crack it? Soul, heart, mind. "Are you there?" My Best FriendMy Best FriendMy Best Friend9 years ago in Free Verse More Like This I've known you so long, so well, How do you see me? Every secret of yours is mine, I haven't told you one, it belongs only to me. Perhaps you've guessed. Do you realize that it is not how I see you but that you are the only one I see? Everyday, summer or winter, we spend together, laughing, screaming, playing, but every time I touch you, a thrill runs through me. Do you notice the way I smile, when you walk through the door? This is my secret, for you probably think of me like a sibling, how do you see me? I don't want to destroy what we have, I've known you so long, so well. If I Died...If I died today...If I Died...8 years ago in Free Verse More Like This Where would you go? What would you do? What would you say? Would you shut yourself up in your room? Sit next to the bed, But not on it, Just to try to shrink away from the rest of the world? Would you ditch school and hide? In a dark corner or in a crowded room? Would you run to the place where we first met? Would you strain to hear our first conversation? Would you strain to hear every word since? Would you watch a sunrise and think of all that you ever said to me? Would you look out at the clouds and think of all the things you wanted to tell me? Would you watch the sunset and wonder why you never told me? Would you look at the stars and wonder what I never got the chance to tell you? Would you remember me? Would you wake up in the morning and expect me at school? Would you go to bed at night and pray for that day to be just a bad dream? Would you fall asleep with my favorite song playing? While you were asleep would you dream of me? In your last few seconds of sle Teenage LoveTeenage Love10 years ago in Free Verse More Like This When will I find it? I hear so much about it... The feelings you get when you kiss, When you hold hands, When you just simply see each other smile. When will I get to fall in love? A wise person said, "Don't look for love, Love will come to you someday." Well, I believe my day is here, But I'm not in love. I know in time I will fall in love. It's just like the wise person said... It takes time... don't rush anything. It will come to you one day. You'll just have to wait. Wait until that one person comes along Who makes you feel all gushy inside when you see him, Who makes you feel like the Queen of England when you are down, Who makes everything right when everything seems so wrong. I know I'll fall in love. I just have to wait until it's my turn. Well, I'm waiting, And I hope someone will soon give me my turn. But until then I'll have to wait, hard day at workI had an extremely hard day at work. I was exhausted, and all I could think about was a hot bath/shower to sooth my aching muscles.hard day at work12 years ago in Erotic More Like This I came home to my empty apartment. Opening the door, Smokey my cat started to rub against my leg as I took the keys out of my lock, I shut the door behind me, and walked over to my answering machine with the cat following close by, "oh how exciting, 2 messages." I said out loud. I knew one of them is my mother. She's always trying to set me up with some weird guy. I press play on my answering machine and I hear my mothers voice "Valerie, this is your mother, and I think I found the perfect guy for" Click... next message...... "Hi Val, its Steven,... I,...wanted to call you and let you know,... that I'm in town for the weekend, and maybe we could go out for a drink or something, well my number is, 1-871-555-7856 extension 4536. Call me sometime. Bye." Hmmm, Steven called, wow, I remember the good times we used to have. To bad he's married now. I opened my teenage desireI don't think she realizes how gorgeous she is. She has this way of tilting her head down and hiding behind her hair that says she doesn't think she's worth looking at. She also has this way of smiling up at me with her head positioned like that and her hair hanging over one eye that's unbelievably sexy. I don't know, I guess her shyness and insecurity is attractive.teenage desire10 years ago in Teen More Like This She is gorgeous though, even if she doesn't know it. Her eyes are this shockingly deep blue. I could go on and on about them, but that's such a cliché. Personally, I think that the mouth is sexier than the eyes anyway. She's got a great mouth. Soft and pink, untouched by lipstick or gloss, perfectly shaped…I love it. Right now, she's lying on my bed, falling asleep. Not quite there yet, her eyes are slightly open and I know she's watching me. She's all stretched out, her shirt pulled up slightly because she's using her arms as a make shift pillow (I don't know why she doesn't just turn around and use my pillow - she's weir Grave HumorIt's been a while since I've been here, and as usual, it's almost dead quiet. Heh. Dead. Amusing, that I think that at a cemetery, but I guess that's where my head's at right now.Grave Humor7 years ago in Philosophy & Perspectives More Like This I find the grave quickly, though. My old friend lies here, for five years now. It doesn't hurt as much as it used to, but it's still there. It finally hurts little enough that I can do what he asked me to do before he died. I laugh. I think of everything ridiculous he ever did, everything idiotic, all the stupid crap he ever did, all the things he said, and I laugh. I laugh because he may have been an idiot, but he was wiser than anyone I ever met. He once told me to find the humor in everything I could, "because everything could be taken away in an instant, so love like there will be no tomorrow for you, and find the humor in everything." I never understood what he meant by that, but I feel better now more than any other time since he died, so maybe he was right. The woman at the grave next to his glares at Teenage Angst.Im sorry.Teenage Angst.7 years ago in General Fiction More Like This Im sorry for the way Ive been acting lately, Im well aware I havent been acting the same as I did a few years ago. Im sorry for my mood swings. Im sorry for screaming profanities at the top of my lungs, crying myself to sleep and the hours of giggling. Really, Im sorry. Im sorry for the other night. Remember? You picked me up from a gutter at three in the morning. I could barely stand, and all my words were slurred. I yelled as you lifted me into the car, I clawed for my friends. You were patient and calm, even though Id drank more than you ever have. Im sorry for that time you caught me sneaking out the window. The look on your face startled me; Id never seen anyone so furious before. Im sorry for admitting that that was definitely not the first time Id been out my window, too. Im sorry Im not the top student at school. I try my hardest, really, I do. I guess Im j Teenage Love~Teenage Love~Teenage Love7 years ago in Free Verse More Like This Its just teenage love It will pass after awhile Thats what I'm told But how do I know thats true Are you sure it's not just A lie you tell me daily? You say its just teenage love But how can it be "just" that? If this is teenage love Then why does it feel Like the love you read about? The love you see in movies? The love that exsists only In fairy tales with happy endings I know this is real love So just stop telling me It's "just" teenage love... I'm The GirlI'm The Girl7 years ago in Free Verse More Like This I'm The Girl To The Best Friend I'm the girl who's been there all our lives I'm the girl who loves you no matter what I will mess up and I will cry and scream but i will always be your friend in the end and I will always be there at the end of a long day and you will be there when he breaks my heart when I don't know what to do and why I do it you will always hold me when he's the reason I cry and you will try to keep me from making mistakes To The Boyfriend I'm girl you tell your secrets to you can cry to me and I will hold you I will be your confidant and your friend I am that girl who when I smile everything seems alright I will always be there after the rain there will be times when I need you when I will cry to you When you are all I have And You have to be ready to be there you love me so I will trust you to keep me safe To The Brother I'm the sister who can't stop telling you what to do I will try to be a good sister and still I will fail to meet Break up letter 101Break up letter 10110 years ago in Stories & Vignettes More Like This We've had a lot of fun, and I really loved you a lot, but well, I don't think this is being fair to you. I am [gay/lesbian/joining green peace/pregnant]. It's not you, but...I just need time to sort my [head/life/STDs] out. I hope you understand. There's someone out there for you, who will be so much more perfect for you, who'll be able to give you the [love/security/sex/money/life/puppy] that you need. You are a fantastic [man/woman/shag/kisser/accountant] but I don't think I can be with someone who [listens to Billy Idol while making love/makes beef jerky/screams at small children/is older than my father/sees the world so differently/is deaf, mute, blind and retarded]. I know this is hard, but I know you can get through this, you're [so strong/so talented/so conceited/such a tragedy whore/on anti-depressants] and I [took all sharp objects out of your house/hid the weapons/wish you all the best in your new life]. All my love to [Sophie/the dog/your dad], and I hope we RyRy: It's the JobRyRy: It's the Job4 years ago in Short Stories More Like This "Does that hurt?" "That's not a real answer, Ryan." "I can handle it." "That's what you say now," Rylie said. She examined the gash near Ryan's right elbow. "If this swells up, tell me immediately. That could mean there's an internal infection." Ryan grunted. Rylie held his hand up to wrap a fresh bandage on top and pressed her hands against his arm to smoothen the creases. Ryan turned to look at her, but she appeared to not notice. The small blonde put back her equipments back with an air of a well-practiced healer. She closed her case shut and spoke to Ryan, "Well, you seem fine. Just tell me if you notice any changes." "You'll be sure to see them first." He replied teasingly. Rylie gave a brief smile before she headed towards the living room. "Hey." Ryan voiced out. Rylie ignored him and walked on. When she reached the front door of his apartment, Ryan spoke again, "Are you leaving?" "Yes." Rylie replied, determined. Her eyes flashed. "You should be the one to know th Teenage Love Syndromethere was a boy andTeenage Love Syndrome5 years ago in Other More Like This a key and that boy said to me, "girl, can i unlock your heart?" but little did i know that the boy would grow to love tearing me Your Promiscuous WaysWhen you suddenly took my hand and told me that you love me,Your Promiscuous Ways5 years ago in Urban & Spoken Word More Like This I've never been more touched by the need in your voice and the love in your eyes. And when you look at me in that promiscuous way, I can think of nothing else but being gazed upon by you every day. You don't do this often most of the days, But when you do, My heart burns of an unmistakable need in return, And I can feel this love in your ever simple words. It's the kind of love I've always wanted, The kind of voice that makes everything just fine. It's one of the most beautiful feelings I've ever had, And something I don't ever want to forget. Cherry BlossomMy breath leaves me,Cherry Blossom7 years ago in Open More Like This As you walk past me, Your beauty lighting up the world, Your caramel hair, Flowing in the wind, Free like a bird, More beautiful than cherry blossom, Riding on the wind. Your voice calls out, And always makes me smile, The apocalypse of the world is nigh, And you're the one, Who comes over, And gives me the kiss of life, Which saves from the sleep, With death entwined. 10 Ways Challenge: Notes10 Ways Challenge: Notes4 years ago in Short Stories More Like This Zack/Ava fic! Yay! Ava half-listened to the conversation the agents were having in the meeting. They had met to discuss their mission, which included organizing stealth plans and tactics to capture their latest target. 'More like arguing' thought Ava. Ryan had declared it best to perform a silent abduction, while Nicky insisted on luring the victim into captivity. The others defended different sides, while Rylie looked for a way to compromise. As the supervisor, Ava knew this was her cue to cut in. "We'll go with Nicky's plan for now," she interrupted the conversation; much to the approval of the blonde-haired man. "Nicky, I need the schematics to this idea; you can go over this with Zack. The rest of you helped out with the preparations." The squad broke into chatters of both approvals and objections, so Ava motioned her hand for silence. "We need one focused plan right now. Ryan's idea is ideal for backup. You work on that" she looked at Ryan as she said this, who nodde

Well yes. And to whoever hung that sign outside their house while the rest of the street was having a Jubilee street party this past Sunday, I salute you. And if you don't immediately get what it means, here you go. So. Yes. Jubilee. It's obvious, and probably correct, to have some kind of issue with the whole idea of the Royals. Sure, Brenda herself is worth a bit over £300 Million, but wait a minute, dead-eyed Tom from the Apprentice wants $25 million just to buy some wine, so that puts Tom closer to the Queen than he is to me. Well that's all sorts of wrong, surely, I mean he's just a good-looking Ian Beale. And no, I'm not sure what point I'm making here. Tell you what though - Nick's recipe idea was gold, and the only reason none of the business knobs got it is because they have their food fucking cooked for them by servants and/or wives. "Who would use this?", asked one. "WOMEN AND REAL PEOPLE!", shouted back my wife. Anyway, train of thought rants aside, this is a post about the Jubilee. I remember the silver one, in 1977. We had a street party in my grandma's road, and me and another kid played football with a Jubilee-branded football, and then we lost it. I was 8. Luckily, thanks to my mum giving me some DVDs of old home movies for my birthday, I can prove it.. Here I am sitting on a wall at the street party with my dad.. And here I am watching a children's entertainer do the breakaway wand gag... Please note the rather excellent V-Neck sweater in a design that is currently being re-used by Hackett. Always on trend, people, always on trend. So regardless of political opinions of Royalty, I have very nice childhood memories of when I last went to a Jubilee street party, which seemed good enough reason to not be too hard-hearted on those that were dodging rain and wrangling barbecues this weekend. And besides, as anyone who knows me can tell you - I love bread and circuses. Here are some shots from my local street party... And talking of circuses (See what I did there?)...tickets for the June 14th Mat Ricardo's London Varieties are selling.. about half of the tables have gone, so get your tickets quick if you want to be sat at a table. It's another amazing bill, particularly for fans of magic or old-school variety - if you love both, you're going to want to come to this one. Trust me. For more information and tickets, click here.

Burt Reynolds in ICU Actor Burt Reynolds has been hospitalized. For the last couple of days, he’s been experiencing flu-like symptoms. Earlier, when his condition went downhill and medical attention warranted, he went to a Florida area hospital for treatment. After assessing his condition, staff found he was dehydrated and was then moved to the intensive care unit. Burt Reynolds representative, Erick Kritzner, let the public know that he is now doing better. He is confident that once the dehydration issue is resolved that Burt Reynolds will be moved out of intensive care and back into a regular hospital room. “He is doing better at this time. We expect as soon as he gets more fluids, he will be back in a regular room,” said Kritzner. The 76 year old Georgia native began acting in the 1960’s. In the ’70’s and ’80’s he became a household name. While being a prolific actor and starring in numerous TV shows and movies, one of his best known features isn’t a role he’s played. Instead, it’s his signature moustache.

This is a bike I just put together for my friend who cant really afford parts and usually relies on getting the homies old broken/stock parts. I hooked him up with my old frame and bars. His forks, seat, chain, and grips were originally mine aswell but I gave them to him a while ago. I repainted the forks and put the OG decals on them. I maintaned his bike, ie replaced obliterated bearings, scrubbed away rust and salt/dirt, regreased EVERYTHING. He got the hubs, right pegs, front rim, cranks, and temporary pedals and sprocket from our other friend. This is his first completely aftermarket bike and its the first time his bike has been dialed and functioned properly since his stock bike. Frame- The Make Croft 21" Fork- Odyssey cs2 Bars- Mutiny Glam v2 8.4x29 Cranks- Sunday Saker Seat- United Beacon XL Seatpost- Nitrous pivotal Bottom bracket- Shadow 19mm Mid Sprocket- Odyssey Vermont 25t (waiting for Animal v3 28t to get pulled from his old cranks at the bike shop) Pedals- Odyssey Twisted (waiting for Animal Hamilton sealeds to be pulled from his old cranks) Grips- ODI Longneck Rear wheel- Odyssey Hazard v3 48h to Odyssey 7ka 48h w/ BSD Jersey Barrier Front wheel- Kink Viridian v1 to Specialized Pegs- 2x Odyssey 2x Shadow Little Ones Chain- KMC 410H Tires- Demolition Momentum 2.35 front, Odyssey Dirt 1.85 rear Mods- We used a 4pawl driver from a sunday stock hub (since the hazard driver was destroyed) and it hung out of the hub a little bit, so we used a FlipTrix tire to seal off the gap and it fit PERFECT. One side of the front wheel is laced 2x because we didnt have the right sized spokes. His internal bottom bracket spacer was way too short so we stacked a bunch of regular spindle spacers up inside his bottom bracket. His bike before I got to pimp it out That Flick Trix Mod Is SUPERB! Helping a homie is always rad! Good shit Tim! Brokenbmx wrote: Helping a homie is always ...more Brokenbmx wrote: Helping a homie is always rad! Good shit Tim! Helping a homie is always ...more Hell yeah! Dude is practically my brother haha. We spent probably 6-7hours building this bike because so much of his old bike was WRECKED! And Im anal about proper maintenance/function so I spent alot of time fixing things that should have probably gone in the trash and been replaced! But I brought it all back to life I suppose! Im proud to see majority of my old parts go to someone who deserves them. That is worth far more than the money I could have got for them imo. The frame WILL be going on my wall if he can manage to break it. Its still my baby! Sweet! The bike actually looks pretty good! That driver mod is so dope. i wanna shread ferguson next weekend if we can find a way out there try those 540s on some big banks sound cool tim i love my mutt jeffmoon1995 wrote: i wanna shread ferguson ...more jeffmoon1995 wrote: i wanna shread ferguson next weekend if we can find a way out there try those 540s on some big banks sound cool tim i love my mutt i wanna shread ferguson ...more Hell yeah bud! I just went to Clayton and spots are crazy there! We need to find a way out there. forsure never rode there i always love exploring new areas lookin for new spots to ride I saw on instagram. LOoks good, and i hope it rides properly. Really cool to hook up your buddy!! That's rad man Looks good and parts are better than my bike. lol Really nice to help your friends in need. Login to add a reply Click here to join Vital BMX. © Vital Media Network, Inc.

With all the hassle going on in my life the last few weeks, I was really ready for the break. Luckily my Mum wasn’t sent home from hospital and so I was able to get away with the family – it had been touch and go up until the last day as to if they would release her, but I will talk about that another time. It has become a family tradition to go away for M’s birthday. He doesn’t have many friends so a party hasn’t been a possibility for many years, so instead, we have made it a special day on holiday for him. As with many things within our ASD family, you do something once, and its scary, do something twice and it is the norm, therefore, this is the third time we have spent the October break with Haven, at Haggerston Castle – http://www.haven.com/parks/northumberland/haggerston-castle/, we have also been there for the past few Easters too! It is a lovely park, with 2 great swimming pools, a lake, and a lovely entertainment centre, including restaurant, take-aways, show bar, and or course the amusement arcade. I think because we have been here so often, it is a place the boys feel confident, as they know where things are and on the whole what time the main events are happening. A very important part of any trip, is where you stop for breakfast on the way. For my boys, there is only one place. IKEA. I am sure they believe it is a restaurant that sells furniture on the side, rather than the other way around! We arrived across the border and checked in, and found we were in a caravan, only just on the park, it was so far away. It meant we had to drive back and forth to the main complex, but the luxury that there was made it worth while. It was a real home away from home – we learned a long time back that it was worth up grading to get heating and space. The first point of call for the boys was then to the arcade. I am sure many people would be horrified at the money the boys waste in there, but it is art of their holiday, to win tickets to exchange at the end of the week for prizes – they won enough over the week, to get themselves some great speakers which have dancing lights in them, as well as bubble swords, stickers and sweeties. Unfortunately, being so close to the end of the season, the place was looking a little bit tatty, and the carpet is in desperate need of repair. I managed to catch my toe in a missing cover on a sunken socket, and went flying. Luckily I didn’t hit any of the machines as I went down, but managed to bruise my knee and wrist – both are a fabulous purple colour, and I got some very strange looks in the swimmuing pool! I complained, and suggested the area had the very minimum of a wet floor sign over it, and I am pleased to say that they did do that immediately, and it was there for the rest of the week. I was offered a first aider, which I didn’t need, but there was no accident form filled in, which I believe there should have been! We then headed to the pool. Swimming is always a major part of our trips away for the boys. It is something neither are over keen on doing when at home, but an essential part of any holidasy. D has been a confident swimmer for some time, but M has never wanted to do it, instead he would rather just splash about. However, he just took off, and said he could swim. He was brilliant and the more he did, the more he wanted to do. To see him inflate when we told him how proud we were of him was lovely, he glowed with pride and kept telling us what a good swimmer he is. There is also a slide in the pool where the kids happily line up to make a splash, seeing who can make more people wet seems to be the game they all play! I then booked the activities for the week. There is a ranger at the site who the boys adored at our last visit, and so they wanted to do all of his classes – the boys love their computers and video games, but being outdoors and getting mucky is a thrill to them. There were 3 classes for the Tuesday and 2 for the Thursday, so it broke the week up nicely. then, there was a call on Tuesday morning to say there weren’t enough kids booked on the morning one so could they push them back to the Thursday, I of course said ok. D went into total meltdown at being told this, but M was quite understanding. We therefore spent the morning in the pool instead. The afternoon, we went for the first of the sessions, only to be told that it couldn’t take place because of the high winds. Both boys were gutted, but were calmed by being taken to the bar where there was wi-fi so they could play some minecraft. I had to fight for a refund for the sessions, as they wanted to move them to other ones, but they were already booked on the rest of them for the week. The evening shows are loud. The boys enjoy the early character ones, but don’t want to stay for the games later on. We did however manage second place in the family quiz, only loosing out because we couldn’t name all of the members of One Direction – so no real shame there. On the Wednesday we took a trip into Berwick-upon-Tweed. It’s not the biggest of towns, but it has some lovely independent shops, and we bought the boys new winter gloves and hats, as well pies from an amazing butcher! We then went into a great little tucked away restaurant called The Sinners, for brunch. We had full fry ups, which were very naughty but better than nice! It only seated about a dozen people, but was so worth finding. Thursday was M’s birthday. 9 years old already. Seems hard to believe. We had taken just a few presents for him to have something to unwrap – he had a second birthday when we got home. He was made up with what he had, and thanked us many times for his gifts, even coming up and giving us all a kiss to say thank you later in the day – personal contact is not something M does very easily so it meant an awful lot. He spent a lot of his day with Ranger Steve, and had a real blast, other than when everyone sang happy birthday to him, which he totally hated. The low point of the day came when during a scavenger hunt, he fell into a pond. He ran off to be alone – his usual way of dealing with pain and upset, but Hubby followed him and took him back for a hot shower. The next session was camp fire cooking where they got to melt marshmallow and eat them with various food – chocolate digestives, hobnobs, flapjacks, brownies, and of course by themselves. Being M’s birthday, he was allowed to go up more often than anyone else, which he loved! The most fun came when they took part in a battle – the session postponed from Tuesday. After some talk about how to stay out of sight in the woods, they donned camouflage overalls, and crawled in the mud and fought with water pistols. His day ended with his choice for tea, and he went for Papa Johns pizza, which they deliver to your caravan. It was delicious! I think my wee man had a lovely day. Friday morning we headed back up the road, via The Robins Nest Pub on the outskirts of Edinburgh. A while back I won vouchers for a Sizzling Pubs – http://www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk/ and so we decided to use them for our en route stop. The food was wonderful – far too much off it, but it was freshly cooked and very reasonably priced. We were so full after our main course, even the boys decided they didn’t want pudding – they had been eyeing up the ice cream sundaes from the first look at the menu! I must say it wasn’t a chain I was familiar with, but would highly recommend them now I’ve tried them! We then got home, and unpacked the car. The worst part of a holiday then began, as I stared at the mountain of washing that needed to be done! Sometimes I really feel sorry for my washing machine, but I am glad I have a large drum one! My main problem is getting it all dry now the weather has turned wetter. The boys had a great time, and I got the break I really needed as I was at frazzle point. They are already talking about what they want to do next year. I think Haven will be getting repeat custom from us for many years to come!

Viewing posts from October, Just leaving to go to a training camp for the Swahili Localization Project in Arusha, Tanzania ... should be fun but already missing Danielle and James and I haven't left yet! Over the last week I've started development on Pootle, a simple web portal for localization... named after a Flumps character thanks to Danielle's suggestion. Looked through Firefox and Thunderbird extensions and have a setup I like now... Did some work at the Jubilee Linux lab (5 old slow computers each with their own version of Fedora - 4 at the moment because one of the power supplies has died...) Worked quite a bit on ooo-build stuff the last two days. Well I've been trying to build OOo 680 (2.x series) using ooo-build, which doesn't quite work yet. from Mr Rumsfeld: I didn't have a laptop at OOoCon 2004 and didn't manage to write anything in detail then, and have been busy since, so this is my executive summary... Found this really helpful article describing how to mix sounds automatically with ALSA (linked from a review of Fedora Core 2 ) and so now mpd can play in the background and other programs can still make sounds .. Beware! I apt-get dist-upgraded my system to the latest fedora development rpms, and part of that upgraded dev to udev. All very nice. Except I couldn't open a terminal. So I rebooted. And then it wouldn't even boot up properly because it couldn't allocate a console. So I had to use a rescue CD to create the /dev/console node, then it was fine.

I just got my 50c450 a few hours ago and I am starting this thread as promised, I'll be updating this first post with any relevant info as it comes up. The set buzzes, no question about it, I can hear a loud buzz. I'll see what Samsung says about it before I call Amazon for a replacement unit. Picture Quality is very good, easily on par with my old 54V10 in many areas. The AR filter is noticeably better than what Panasonic uses resulting in deep blacks even in brighter lighting, but it was overcast out so that may change on a sunny day. Line bleeding is present, but I'm not sure how it compares to other plasma brands just yet, I still have a lot of extra testing to do. The good news is that there is almost zero dither noise on this set, resulting in one of the cleanest plasma images that I have seen. Green Phosphor trails is also very hard to spot, about on par with the 2009 Panasonics which were very good and it should get even harder to spot as the set ages. Overall I am very impressed with this set, especially for the money I paid. (even at MSRP these sets are a steal) If I can get the buzzing fixed then I could easily see this becoming the best bargain set of 2010. I still need to see how this set looks in a completely dark room, so I can't wait for tonight to see how deep the blacks are.There are black spacers between each horizontal row of pixels Originally Posted by greggums Here is the photo of the black lines between the gas tubes of the display: I would sit at least 6' back from the 42" so you cant see the lines. Here is the video that references the black lines between the rows. (skip to 3:35 in the video)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BHns1WW43whttp://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post18249538 Originally Posted by PENDRAG0ON Alright, I figured out what the "scan lines" are, there is a solid black line of nothing between each horizontal row of pixels, each one of these lines is roughly half as thick as the pixel rows. (and the pixels are rectangular like on the 42inch models) After I figured this out I remembered a CES interview where a Samsung Rep said they were doing this on all their sets to improve the blacks in room lighting, they said that any blank spot between pixels would be "painted" black, what they didn't say was that they were going to add blank spots to achieve this. (my 42px75 Panasonic plasma has no spacers between the pixels, and I would bet money that none of the previous years of Samsung plasma sets had them either) Normally I can sit 8.5 feet from a 50inch 720p plasma set to get all signs of screen door effect to vanish, but thanks to these black lines, I have to move to 14.5 feet to get them to vanish. I would guess that roughly 1/3 of the screen is made up of these lines, maybe more. At least this actually does make the blacks look good in room lighting. I have no idea what I am going to do at this point as my replacment from Amazon has already been sent out, and there is no way that I will be able to put up with these lines. Here are my latest settings as of December 03, 2010 Movie Mode. (Standard is too dim and Dynamic is useless) Cell Light = 10 Contrast = 75 Brightness = 55 Sharpness = 0 Color = 44 Black Tone = Off (didn't notice a diff with it on so I left it off) Dynamic Contrast = Off Edge Enhancement = Off Color Temp = Warm 1 (Warm 2 has always been too green to my eyes) DNF = Off Screen Burn Protection = 4/4/1 for gaming and TV 2/2/2 for movies I'll be happy to answer any questions about the set that I can, so ask away.

By the 1970's integration throughout the motor industry had led two more European companies to merge, Simca and former Rootes Group from Britain, forming Chrysler (Europe). Under the new name old Rootes marques were rationalised leaving just Sunbeam and the "new" brand Chrysler. In 1978 Chrysler (USA) sold its European arm to Peugeot. Peugeot decided to resurrect an old name from the past, Talbot. Unfortunately the new Talbot models were poorly developed and lacked any real sparkle (except from the joint venture Sunbeam-Lotus) and the Talbot name disappeared itself in 1985.

This past weekend was pretty low key for our family. We were going to eat breakfast and go to the park with some of our friends but Hadley had gotten a little cold and she was not having any part of that. After her nap, my mom and sister came up to go to the Charlotte Women's Show. Ohhh..what a mistake! Not only is Hadley quite the handful but she wasn't feeling great.. I don't think taking her until she's a little older is a bad idea! Eric and I decided to try to get pregnant this past month and we found out this weekend that we weren't. We were a little disappointed but we know that God is in control and trust Him. Sooo, I decided that I need to get in better shape. Eric and I started P90X and so far I am LOVING it. I already feel so much better and the workouts pass fast and are enjoyable. And this is coming from the girl who HATES working out and LOVES to eat. I am going to try to get some pictures up tomorrow of what I look like now so in 90 days I have a comparison, hopefully, there will be a change for the better! Friday, September 17, 2010 Our house is very old and small (we never planned to start a family in our little starter home!)so we aren't lucky enough to have a playroom. It probably wouldn't matter anyway, I'm sure there would still be toys EVERYWHERE! This is what you see when you walk in our front door. We have ten foot ceilings and two huge columns, which I love but getting a good picture was tricky! I love to see other's pictures and to decorate but I feel so wishy washy about what I want to do AND with toys everywhere I just don't want to spend the money to redecorate until we move to our next house! So any decorating ideas would be great! Tuesday, September 14, 2010 I feel like time is flying and I don't have enough hours in the day but I just wanted to share a few cute things Hadley is doing for my own memories. She is so active these days but sleeping so much better! She is even sleeping until 6 most days which is itself a miracle! She still gets up at least once a night but I'm okay with that and her naps are pretty consistent. She loves to climb, run, and jump! She might be very athletic but she will definitely have a very girly side. She loves shoes, purses, and make-up purses. She's like a little mini-me and I love it! She is also eating much better. Fruits are her favorite. She does not enjoy toast or pasta which I usually mix with her soy cheese. I can't believe she doesn't enjoy her soy cheese, it's delicious!! ;) Hadley also started Mother's Morning Out and she loves it! Her teachers have been with her in Sunday School since she was a teeny tiny and they love her and know all about her allergies and take great care of her. She is also saying more words, more, doggie, mama, daddy, milk, bottle, and she also knows a good amount of these signs. She is also able to follow a few commands, like shut the door and feed the baby. I feel like I fall in love with that girl more and more everyday. Hadley has not always been an easy baby, but I am so enjoying this time with her. I just wish that I had more time with her. I know that a teacher's schedule is desirable to many but my earnest prayer is that I would be able to eventually work part time, whether that be teaching, at our Student Services office, or MMO. Please pray that this could be a financial possibility for our family!

Russia’s US envoy Kislyak steps down, his deputy to act as Charg d'Affaires ad interimRussian Politics & Diplomacy July 23, 1:33 Putin greets KamAZ-Master team - winner of Silk Way RallySport July 22, 15:20 Agreements on East Ghouta zone in Syria signed - Defense MinistryWorld July 22, 14:20 PAK FA offers practically unlimited opportunities to pilot - commanderMilitary & Defense July 22, 11:29 Ukraine's National Broadcasting Board issues fine to Public Radio for 0% Urkainian songsWorld July 22, 5:39 Femen movement activists faces 5 years in jail for trying to frustrate summit meetingWorld July 22, 4:38 Russian Deputy PM dismisses allegations he will arrive in Moldova on warplaneRussian Politics & Diplomacy July 22, 2:46 Russian top diplomat shares his impressions from meeting with US leaderRussian Politics & Diplomacy July 21, 20:31 Lavrov bewildered US special services give no facts of Russia’s meddling in US electionRussian Politics & Diplomacy July 21, 19:46 MOSCOW, February 28 (Itar-Tass) — Russia is developing new types of ammunition over the development of new types of artillery weapons and firearms. Old and morally outdated cartridges will be disposed quicker. Industrial capacities for the scrapping of ammunition will be expanded for this purpose, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said at a question-and-answer governmental session in the State Duma on Tuesday. “The Defence Ministry actually has the storages full of special chemical warfare and ammunition. The military authorities are scrapping the ammunition, the service life of which expired,” he noted. Meanwhile, “we launched the development of new types of ammunition for artillery weapons and firearms.” Rogozin recalled about the plans for an advanced modernization of the Kalashnikov submachine gun. “We will open a special laboratory under the military industrial committee, where the weapons will be adjusted to the calibres available in Russia through the assistance of specialists from the Central Scientific Research Institute of Precision Machine Building,” he remarked. This is submachine guns, on which detachable equipment, particularly flashlights, optical sights and etc will be used. Representatives of leading power-wielding agencies will be “the main inspectors of weapons.” “Therefore, I believe that before the end of this year we will produce a new pistol, which will not be inferior to any pistol in the world. Sniper and police rifles will be produced,” Rogozin said. “A sniper grenade launcher and the ammunition for it” are being designed as well. “I believe that before the end of this year we will seek to do a serious step forward, if not a breakthrough,” Rogozin concluded.

The Three Wise Men, January 5. In Málaga the Three Wise Men arrive every year around 5 pm at the Port, from where starts the traditional Parade through the streets of downtown. This parade is the largest in the province with many carriages, marching bands and tons of candy spread across a huge influx of children and families. The parade usually ends with a great festival with singers, magicians and other artists in one of the central squares. Each year there are available maps with the route and timing and location of the final show. Carnival. For about ten days before Ash Wednesday take place events like parades, masquerades and fancy dresses. Carnival typically ends in the coastal municipalities with the “Whitebait burial”, accompanied by fireworks on the beach. March / April Easter. During the Holy Week in Málaga come together the profound Catholic devotion of Andalusia and the typical joyful character of the local people. During these days the streets of Málaga are filled with the scent of incense and spontaneous, highly emotional devotional chants. There coexist serenity and joy and bustle on the streets until late at night, since most of processions take place during the afternoon and late into the night. The downtown bars are filled with people, both locals and tourists, as during these days Málaga receives a large influx of visitors. Undoubtedly, it is worth getting immersed at least once in this experience. We recommend booking your hotel in advance, get a good map of the processions and equip yourself with comfortable shoes! May Crosses, around May 1. A traditional festival in which the crosses are decorated with great care, with flowers, mantles and shells. The exact date varies by neighborhood. The May Crosses have originally have been celebrated “big style” in Granada, where the city council recently has banned the event qualified as excessive. Corpus Christi. During this day are held religious processions in the city centre. Feast of San Juan, June 23/24. As in all municipalities of the Costa del Sol, friends and families gather on the beach and celebrate the beginning of summer until late at night; huge bonfires are lit to burn the rag dolls, called “Juas”. The Feast of the Virgen del Carmen is celebrated on July 16 in all Costa del Sol municipalities. The sea procession takes place in honor of the patron saint of fishermen, which beautifully adorned with flowers is carried through the streets of the town and then taken out into the sea in a boat, accompanied by a large number of boats. (El Palo – Huelin) The Málaga Fair in the second half of August is the most popular traditional festival which is celebrated every year with great enjoyment by thousands of locals and tourists. For a week there is a lively and colorful atmosphere in the city, with a lot of singing and dancing, despite the high temperatures at this time of the year. An important part of the Fair takes place at the fairgrounds with horsemen, beautifully decorated carts and a large number of booths to eat drink and dance until dawn. Our “Virgen de la Victoria”, September 8. On this day is celebrated the patron saint of Málaga with a procession through the main streets of downtown, wreaths and singing and dancing groups. Although alien to this culture, the celebration of Halloween in Málaga is gaining more followers every year, although with slight “Mediterranean variations” of the original model. The locals of Málaga are inherently predisposed to have fun and the most terrifying night of the year on the Costa del Sol takes on a carnival-colored touch; in recent years has become established the so-called “Zombie Walk” with a large number of undead taking the downtown streets in a march starting at the Plaza de la Constitution; fun is guaranteed! Christmas in Málaga: The capital of the Costa del Sol is outstanding each year from early December for its spectacular Christmas decorations and lighting in the main streets and squares. Throughout this month there are numerous activities such as cribs, ice skating rink and concerts inviting for a walk through the bustling streets of the city. In December there are many days with a splendid sun which raises the thermometer considerably during the day and we can see both people walking around with scarves or short sleeves and some even dare sunbathing on the beaches of the city. The Holy Innocents and Verdiales Fair, December 28. During this day people tease each other (as in many other countries on April 1). But in Málaga is celebrated furthermoreVerdiales where meet many musical groups from neighboring villages and thousands of locals of Málaga for a day with lots of music, song and dance. Verdiales are a very old peasant musical tradition that dates probably even before Flamenco.

Intersection Science Programme Participants This is a hopefully complete list of people involved in the science programme for Intersection, the World Science Fiction convention in This is a museum piece, and many of the details may have changed by now, but we have removed the email addresses just in case. The Science programme team were: Roger MacBride Allen A long-time activist in space access and libertarian politics, Dale Amon has a particular interest in the implications of the Internet for space Kevin J. Anderson With a degree in physics/astronomy, Kevin J. Anderson has worked for the past twelve years at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, one of the largest research labs in the U.S. He has written numerous science fiction novels including Climbing Olympus, and with Doug Bason Assemblers of Infinity (nominated for the Nebula Award) and The Trinity Paradox (nominated for the American Physics Society's David was born in 1950, and has lived mostly in Berkshire with the exception of 5 years in Africa. He specialises in making relief models, and produced the BBC weathermap. He has combined his work with SF to build planets including Helliconia, Lower Cretaceous Earth, Mars and Betazed. Sometimes confused with God but is inspired by Slartibartfast and is trying to forge a 2nd Magrathean Empire. Kunio Aoi is a professional writer, contributing to ARMs magazine amoung others in Japan. Amanda has just finished a PhD in astronomy at the University of Cambridge Institute of Astronomy. She is one of the science programme team. The first convention I went to was Albacon in 1980, after that I made the mistake of co-founding the Glasgow University SF society. Since then things have gone down hill. I have been involved with the organisation of various conventions in Glasgow between 1981 to 1985 and 1991, from local conventions to Eastercons. In 1984 I moved south of the Hadrian's wall, which used to keep the southern Barbarians out of Scotland (now days the price of travel does that!). In 1988 I co-organised Conscription with Laura Wheatly, Gary Stratmann and Hugh Mascetti. Britain's first incestuous convention on running conventions, some of the members of which got the notion of running another British worldcon... I escaped (or so I thought) from the consequences by moving to the USA in 1991. Since then my fannish activities have decreased, as I have a preference for British conventions but not the resources to travel often. I have various interests which include technology and society, native issues and myths. The programme item on technological genocide combines a couple of these. CFO and Director of Development for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), Greg has served as CEO of Contact: Cultures of the Imagination, Vice President of the Space Frontier Foundation, Deputy Executive Director of the National Space Society and Administrator of the L5 Society: Promoting Space Prior experience includes stints as creative director of an advertising agency that built the first animation studio in the Persian Gulf; film production, direction and scriptwriting; radio broadcasting and production; sound recording and concert promotion; professional photography; and writing and research. CONTACT has a homepage UK hard SF writer and mathematician. Gregory Beckman left school at age 16 to become a coach-painter, but after a year realised that this was not for him and began taking evening classes. His love for astronomy brought him into ASTRA, which helped to focus his interests. He went to Glasgow University and obtained a degree in Physics and Astronomy. He is now studying catacylsmic variables while working towards a PH.D., at Keele University in England. A former secretary of ASTRA, he is presently a Council member, and also President of the Space Settlers' Society and Vice-President of the Light Year Gregory Benford--physicist, educator, writer--was born in Mobile, Alabama, on January 30, 1941. In 1963, he received a B.S. from the University of Oklahoma, and then attended the University of California, San Diego, where he received his Ph.D. in 1967. He spent the next four years at Lawrence (Calif.) Radiation Laboratory as both a postdoctoral fellow and research physicist. Currently, Benford is a professor of physics at the University of California, Irvine, where he has been a faculty member since 1971. Benford conducts research in plasma turbulence theory and experiment, and in astrophysics. He is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University, and has served as an advisor to the Department of Energy, NASA and the White House Council on Space Policy. In 1989, Benford was host and scriptwriter for the television series A Galactic Odyssey, which described modern physics and astronomy from the perspective of the evolution of the galaxy. The eight-part series was produced for an international audience by Japan National Broadcasting. Benford is the author of over a dozen novels, including The Jupiter Project, Against Infinity, Great Sky River, and Timescape. A two- time winner of the Nebula Award, Benford has also won the John W. Campbell Award, the Australian Ditmar Award, and the United Nations Medal in Literature. Has a BSc (Physics and Computing Science double-major) from Simon Fraser University. Senior Programmer/Analyst by profession. Long-time libertarian. President of the Cryonics Society of Canada. Moderator of the Internet panel at the Winnipeg WorldCon. All-time favorite science fiction novel is The World of Null-A by A.E. van Vogt. UK fan and Net expert. Environmental chemist/engineer, researching human exposure to badstuff. Other employment has ranged from writing textbooks to teaching dancing. On the Internet she has perpetrated projects including a Star Trek quilt and a file of people with information on U.S. Civil War units. Often seen in costume. Chris Boyce is 51 years old and still a Virgo. He's been running ET Encounter Simulations since 1978 when he put one together as an exercise for his book Extra-Terrestrial Encounter, in which he suggested ET's might use self replicating probes to explore the Galaxy. A news librarian, he has worked in newspapers in Glasgow, his native city, for over 25 years. He is the author of some short SF fiction and three novels. Simon is a Satellite Comms Engineer, and one of the science John Braithwaite comes from Hamilton in Lanarkshire. Graduated from Strathclyde University in 1967 with a BA in Business Administration. Worked in the Defence Industry and for Templeton's Carpets; was Technical Supervisor on the Glasgow Parks Dept. Astronomy Project. Since then the only maker of astronomical telescopes in Scotland. Consultant to the Strathclyde University Flexible Mirror Project and to Airdrie Observatory, which ASTRA runs for Monklands District Council. While not doing scientific programming for the Forecasting Research division of the UK Met. Office, John is titular head of the science programme team. His aim is to get to every science item, and avoid on any of them. Success! His homepage is Michael K. Brett-Surman Ph.D. is the Museum Specialist for dinosaurs at the Smithsonian Institution. He has named Secernosaurus, Gilmoreosaurus, and Anatotitan. Currently he is a co-editor for the first dinosaur college textbook written by dinosaur specialists and is also a consultant for the Steve Brewster, doing lots of strange quaternion-inspired ring theory in the Maths department at Bristol. Occasional fanwriter, consumer of Smiles Bristol Stout when it's in season, presently a learner of Welsh, very bad backgammon player, pedant-about-town and TOG (don't worry, it's a Radio 2 Dr. Christine Carmichael -- born and brought up in Edinburgh, Scotland, currently a professional SF author in the USA. Dr. Carmichael (Mrs J.V. Post) has dual British-Australian citizenship, is a great-grandniece of Sir Walter Scott, and is also a professional physicist. Her work has been on metallurgy, magnetism, thin-film gallium arsenide, high-temperature superconductors, and spacecraft windows and thermal coatings. Now working on two books, one technical non-fiction Spacecraft Contamination, and one fiction, set in the Big Bang. Chad is a consultant at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. In his copious spare time, he maintains the Stilyagi Air Corps sets up computer rooms at cons, is a director on TrekMUSE, a text-based virtual and promotes the Electronic Frontier See his home page if you just have to know more. Mitchell is a Captain in the US Air Force assigned to the Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology office at the Phillips Laboratory, Albuquerque,NM. He is a graduate of MIT the USAF Test Pilot School. He is the only USAF Officer trained to 'fly' the DC-X (in virtuo) and has flown over 40 types of military and civilian aircraft. Not available Friday (or before?) One of the earliest and best-known writers of technically accurate 'Hard' SF, Hal Clement has numrous well-known books to his credit and is a regular participant in many SF conventions. One of the science programme team, Dave works on cosmology at the European Southern Observatory near Munich. An reproductive biologist, alien designer and polymath, Jack is Scientific Guest of Honour at which has more information on him. Long a space enthusiast, Dr Patrick Collins has done extensive research into the economics of space access, concentrating in particular on the viability of space tourism. He is currently doing research with the University of Tokyo. D G Compton I'm British, 36, a Fan Of Average Height (in this case 6' 11"), a life member of CAMRA and, since my first convention in 1977, I have been to around 100 cons in 8 countries, including 18 in North America. My real interests are SF, beer, malt whisky, fireworks (and the organisation of cons and beer festivals) but mostly I have to work as a Systems Programmer. Which is a) pretty neat and b) pays for the books, beer, whisky and fireworks. Oh! and the PC that I play DOOM on. Del Cotter is a Londoner who discovered fandom and space advocacy more or less at the same time. After hosting the London branch of ASTRA for three years, he gave up his engineering job to persue a degree in materials science - discovering biology in the final year was probably a mistake :-) Having graduated somehow, he now lives in Ealing, works in Brentford for Thames Water and spends lunchtimes in Kew at the Royal Jonathan Cowie is a science publicist (publisher, writer, event organiser etc) who works for UK biological learned societies amd primarily the Institute of Biology. One of his recent projects was the Young Ecologist Award screened on BBC 2 earlier this year. Apart from his exotic science talks, Jonathan is no stranger to conventions; he was on the committee of several in the late 1970s and early 80s including early Shoestringcons and all the BECCONS. He is part of the Science and SF Concatenation team which has picked up three awards including at last year's European SF Convention, and which is organising September's Anglo-Romanian Science and SF Cultural Exchange. John G. Cramer, an experimental nuclear physicist, is a Professor of Physics at the University of Washington, where he teaches and does research. He leads a research program in ultra-relativistic heavy ion physics with major collaborative experiments at the CERN and Brookhaven accelerator laboratories. He is currently spending a sabbatical year at the Max Planck Institute in Munich working as a part of the NA49 Collaboration on the measurement of collisions of 33 TeV lead ions with fixed targets using time projection chambers. John's quantum-handshake "Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics" has recently been featured in Schroedinger's Kittens, a popular science book by John Gribbin. He also works in astrophysics, most recently on the gravitational lensing of wormholes. John is also a writer of science-fact articles and science fiction. Since 1984 he has written the bi-monthly science-fact column, "The Alternate View" for Analog Science Fiction/Fact and recently submitted his 75th column. He has been twice nominated for the Hugo-related John W. Campbell Award as best new SF writer (1990 and 1991). His first novel Twistor, a near-future hard SF novel about a breakthrough physics discovery, was published in hardcover by Morrow (1989) and in paperback AvoNovA (1991) and NEL (1992). He recently completed the initial draft of his 2nd hard SF novel, which is about high energy physics, wormholes, alien contact, time travel, and the killing of the SSC. Paul Cray was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1968 and still lives there, which probably makes him a professional northerner. He did physics at Oxford and then spent a couple of years in London doing astronomy. He is currently in the third year of a PhD at Salford with thesis topic "Gravimetric, Neutron Scattering and Computational Studies of the Sorption and Diffusion of Gases in Zeolites," which is about as interesting as it sounds. Paul has a weakness for good books and good pubs and thinks it almost inevitable that molecular nanotechnology will have a major impact on human society in the next few Ctein is best known in the SF community for his photography (particularly of subjects astronomical and astronautical) and his long-time involvement with the CONTACT science fiction/anthropology conference. Today he works mostly as a photographer and writer, but in the past he has acted as a computer design consultant, space probe designer, painter, technical writer, editor, research physicist, solar astronomer, short order cook and Fuller Brush salesman. He holds a double-degree from Caltech in English and Physics. When he grow up, he wants to be a dilettante. Ctein shares a house perched precariously over the Pacific with a geologist Paula Butler, a half dozen computers, some 20 kilobooks and two Is (in no particular order): working on my Ph.D. in Germanic Linguistics, a graduate of Michigan State University (two bachelor's degrees) and the University of Michigan (master's degree), bilingual, mother of four adorable cats, married to two wonderful men, a "world citizen", interested in international politics, a German teacher, a Christian, a Kinsey "2", always willing to meet interesting new people, a Usenet News addict, five feet eight inches tall, female, a fan of what I refer to as the "modern musical", a lesbian/bi/gay rights supporter, sorry there are only 24 hours in each day, not ashamed to admit that I actually *like* soap operas, interested in international travel, opposed to the existence of the Olympic Games, presently living in Ann Arbor (Michigan), extremely outgoing, a science fiction fan, fairly left-wing, meticulous and organized to a fault, the only person I know with three snail mail addresses, four phone numbers, and five email addresses, and a Dr. Stephen L. Davis MD PhD has a doctorate in biophysics, and has been a practicing physician for more than 25 years. He has done medical work in India and other tropical regions, where he developed an interest in plagues. He is currently working on a medical titled 12/31/99 with author Grania Davis, which features a very nasty virus bug. Howard Davidson started reading science fiction when he stumbled over a Heinlein novel in second grade. Determined to find a socially acceptable cover for such odd behaviour he went on the get a Ph.D. in physics. He has spent many years in the electronics industry concealing from his managers that his project proposals are lifted from SF books. Published in F&Sf, Asimov's and Little Deaths; sold to Pulphouse, Science Fiction Age, and The Last Dangerous Visions. GURPS Dinosaurs and several RPG adventures; associate editor of the Australian Sf magazine Eidolon. Former manager of sf bookshop, and secretary/programmer for too many con committees. Based in Newton Centre, Mass., USA, Daniel P. Dern consults, writes and speaks about Internet business/technology and users issues. He is the author of The Internet Guide for New Users (McGraw-Hill, 1994; update/revision due mid/late 1995) and The Internet Business Handbook (Prentice-Hall, late 1995), and was the founding editor of Internet World magazine. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Clarion '73 Science Fiction Writers Workshop, he also writes science fiction, musical comedy, and humor. (For more info, see his Gardner Dozois is the author or editor of over 40 books. He has won 2 Nebulas Awards for his short fiction and 6 consecutive Hugo awards for Best Editor. He is the editor of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine and is also the editor of the Annual anthology series The Year's Best Science With a degree in physics, Marianne Dyson was one of the first ten women in Mission Control. She left NASA to raise her sons and began writing. Her first stories appeared in ANALOG and CHILD liFE, and her poems in REDBOOK, ANALOG, and ABORIGINAL. She works for the Rotary, edits Spacecause News, writes for ODYSSEY magazine, and is poetry editor Lilian Edwards works as a lecturer in private law at Edinburgh University but is probably somewhat better known in fandom as someone who used to publish a fanzine called This Never Happens, once won TAFF and talked a lot in the back of panels. These days she mostly works on applying computer technology to law, building legal expert systems, and studying legal regulation of the Internet; and ocasionally appears on panels as well. She is also, for her sins, organising evening fan programming at Intersection. Martyn Fogg is a part time science writer best known for his research papers and articles on terraforming. He has been Contributing Editor of four special issues of the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society devoted to terraforming and has written the first comprehensive, technical-level, book on the subject, Terraforming: Engineering Planetary Environments, published by SAE International in June 1995. Dr. Robert L. Forward is a science consultant, lecturer, and writer, and hard science fiction novelist. Was scientist at Hughes Research Laboratories for 31 years. Presently has contracts on advanced space propulsion with the US Air Force and NASA/JPL, and on long-life space tethers with NASA/MSFC and Lockheed-Martin. Has 10 novels and 2 science books in print. Dr. Howard Frank is Director of the Computing Systems Technology Office of the Advanced Research Projects Office of the US Department of Defense. (ARPA is the Agency that invented the Internet.) He is responsible for ARPA's research in advanced computing and communications. Dr. Frank is also a Senior Fellow at the Wharton School's SEI Center for Advanced Studies in Management. Before joining ARPA, over a 20 year period, he was the Chief Executive Officer of three information systems and networking companies. Dr. Frank has authored over 190 articles and chapters in books and is a Fellow of the IEEE.1-7 Fri-Sun Sarah Goodman studied Legal Anthropology and Art at university which, of course, left her prepared for absolutely nothing useful in life. She maintains her interest in and knowledge about these and other subjects (including computers, costuming and cats) Through reading, informal research and chatting up people who know more, while supporting herself (and the cats) as a bureaucrat for a Major US Federal Revenue Collection Kathleen Ann Goonan Kathleen Ann Goonan has been writing science fiction for seven years. Her first novel, Queen City Jazz (Tor), was New York Times Notable Book and, according to LOCUS, "The best first novel of the year." Two novels are forthcoming from Tor--The Bones of Time, based on the ASIMOV's novella Kamehameha's Bones, and Mississippi the sequel to QCJ. Her short fiction has appeared in OMNI, AMAZING, ASIMOV'S, F & SF, TOMORROW, SCINCE FICTION AGE, INTERZONE, and STRANGE PLASMA, as well as in anthologies such as NARROW HOUSES III and TOMBS. Hugh S. Gregory, Spaceflight Historian, has worked as an Engineers' Surveyor, & Industrial Paramedic. Manages his own Occupational Health & Safety Program consulting service, lectures in local schools on spaceflight history and astronomy, and runs "SpaceBase", a world wide electronic Space News Educational Service. On weekends he's a private pilot, amateur astronomer, cricket umpire & enjoys bushwalking. Peter F Hamilton One of the UK's rising stars of SF, Peter F Hamilton is the author os 'Mindstar Rising', 'A Quantum Murder' and 'The Nano Flower'. Steven first heard of Contact at WorldCon '93, and has been hooked on it ever since. Going to Contact XI and XII only made his addiction worse. Now he has an excuse to play around on the computer and call it "Work." He considers his "job title" to be Imagineer/Illustrator, and, while he isn't an expert in anything, considers himself a generalist with a bit of knowledge in a lot of different subjects. His hobbies include Contact, 3-D Computer Modelling, Role Playing Games, Science Fiction and Fantasy (in general), and a few other things that he hasn't had the time to do in the last few years, including Game Mastering (part of the gaming thing) and painting the itty bitty chunks of lead (another part of the gaming thing). He currently works for Coherent Medical, a company that manufactures medical lasers as the Mail Guy and Multimedia Developer (or so he thinks; he doesn't yet realize that his last few years have been completely hallucinatory due to an evil CIA experiment involving his brain, a supercomputer, a bottle of caffeine pills, and four stale donuts). David A. Hardy is a space/SF artist and writer. His work was first published in 1954, and he has been freelance since 1965. He has produced dozens of covers for F&SF and ANALOG, is author/illustrator of 8 'own' books to date, inc. VISIONS OF SPACE, has worked on TV, film and video, and now produces computer graphics on a PowerMac. While not working at software house Logica, Colin ablely handles the onerous task of Literary programme area head. Note that there are no equivalent Web pages for the literary programme.. More details to follow. Well-known activist for space colonisation and cryonics. Bill Higgins frequently speaks on spaceflight, astronomy, and technology at SF conventions and other events. He has organized science programming for many U.S. cons and is active with the National Space Society. Bill works as an engineering physicist at Fermilab, near Chicago, on the transport of high-energy particle beams. He helps publish *PyroTechnics*, the techie-oriented fanzine of and plays the baritone ukulele. Martin Hoare was born in Newport, Gwent in 1952. Apart from being a crucible of Welsh fandom (Dave Langford and Alun Harries both lived within half a mile, though fortunately Greg Pickersgill was a lot further off). Newport is famous for being used as a location by a Japanese film crew as somewhere that looked like Hiroshima after the bomb, or an Armageddon firework display. He left Newport for Braesnose College, Oxford, where the attractions of beer, women and science fiction sometimes (99.7%) seemed greater than physics (0.2%). In 1973 he joined ICL to write operating systems for mighty machines with dozens of kilobytes of memory, and thus started the demise of the British computer industry. With Dermot Dobson he is currently development of the Oxford ImLink medical image transmission system. He is an advocate for the use of recreational explosives. I am a student at the University of Glasgow, studying Physics and Astronomy, and I have been studying Klingon for the last 6 years, although only seriously for the last year and a half. I like learning unusual languages, and combined with my love of Star Trek, it seemed an ideal language to learn. I also enjoy doing costumes, and Klingon costumes are fun with their latex and make up. Dr. Howe received his Ph.D in nuclear engineering in 1980 after completing his thesis research in experimental particle physics at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. During his fifteen years at Los Alamos, he has been involved in research in dense, high temperature plasmas, various concepts proposed for the Strategic Defense Initiative, space radiation modeling, antimatter physics, Mars Mission requirements, space debris mitigation, hypersonic flight, and advanced space propulsion technologies. In 1994, Dr. Howe returned to the Applied Theoretical and Computational Physics Division as Industrial Coordinator where he facilitates the application of nuclear weapons expertise to commercial problems. Aleta Jackson is the editor of the Journal of Practical Applications in Space, which she has worked on from its inception in 1989 to the present. She also edits High Frontier's bimonthy newsletter, The Shield and the Space Transportation Association's bimonthly newsletter, Space Trans. A space cadet since the age of six, Aleta's first job was with NASA, as an electronics designer with the Gemini Program. She also contributed to the Manned Orbiting Laboratory, StarTracker and other space programs. About ten years ago she switched to writing both non-fiction and fiction. Her latest fiction book is due out (tentatively) in early 1996 from Baen Books. She is also writer and co-editor of One Giant Leap, (pub. date spring 1996) the story of America's space program as told by the people who built the machines that took us into space. She lives in Washington, DC, with Greg Barr and a kindle of Janet C. Johnston holds degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Geophysics. She is currently the chief scientific advisor to the US Air Force in Geophysics and Space Science for Europe, the middle East , Africa , Scandinavia and Russia, and is now the head of the new Tri-Service Science and Technology Office in Moscow. Her work has taken her to many countries, including, Outer Her interests include linguistics, science fiction, historical period and fantasy costuming and occult phenomena. Vincent Jo'Nes was technically trained in the Marines and nowadays produces artwork by recyling junk, especially electronics, into special pieces, and spends much time in schools encouraging this cross-boundary activity. Bob Kanefsky has parodied over filk and mundane songs. His parodies are collected in Songworm, and some are recorded on Tapeworm 1, 2, and 3, featuring four of his two dozen filksinger victims performing Kanef's parodies of their own work. Both are available from Random Factors. His mundane day job, which is neither, involves a new processing technique for planetary images and worlds. He is the guest of the Flying Filk Fund at Intersection. Background: B.S. Physics, BSEE from MIT 1978; PhD in Astrophysics from University of California, Berkeley, 1984. Currently a Generic Handwaving Physicist ("Multidisciplinary Applied Systems Physicist") at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (one of the two U.S. nuclear weapons labs [the other is Los Alamos] although we do many other things as well). I mostly work on concepts for advanced applications of large lasers and advanced space propulsion and space sensors. I can give talks on Laser Propulsion, other kinds of advanced space launch technology, the Clementine lunar mapping mission, proposed Pluto Flyby missions, and various similar topics. (Most often, I've done one solo talk and a handful of panels at any given convention). I can do a decent job on panels about most space-related or "hard science" topics. I'm also reasonably well-known in US fandom as a filksinger and punster. Graduated from Louisiana State University in '92, BS Mechancial Engineering. Worked three years for a mechanical engineer consulting firm servicing industry and manufacturing. Areas of expertise include finite element analysis, machine design, structures, hydraulics, failure analysis, and computer applications. I've also served in the US Army since 1983 in various capacities, to include as a paratrooper, a journalist, a combat engineer (demolitions and field fortifications), and a Corps of Engineer officer. As an Army Reserves engineer officer, I've worked on various civil projects such as road building, drainage control, and building erection. I am currently a technical investigator for several senior engineers as well as a freelance Born long enough ago to remember the first ever broadcast of Dr. Who, but not of Quatermass. Never earned an honest penny in my life, having spent my entire career in academic institutions, first in mathematics, then in computer science. My first ever con was Seacon, the '79 worldcon in Brighton, which gave me an idea of what conventions are like from which I've never quite recovered. Will recite Klingon sonnets at the drop of a Evelyn Leeper is best known for her *lengthy* convention reports, but also writes book reviews, commentary, and travelogues, and co-publishes (with Mark Leeper) the clubzine for the SF club at AT&T. Her work appears in fanzines such as Lan's Lantern, The Proper Boskonian, The Texas SF Inquirer, and Phlogiston. Evelyn and Mark live in New Jersey. Duncan Lunan comes from Troon in Ayrshire. Graduated 1968 from Glasgow University with a MA in English and Philosophy, backed by Physics, Astronomy and French. Member of ASTRA since 1962, currently President. Full-time author of science fact and SF: three nonfiction books to date, in 14 anthologies, 66 major articles and 30 short stories published. Perrianne Lurie, MD, MPH, is a public health physician with the Division of Communicable Disease Epidemiology at the Pennsylvania Department of Health. She has been active in fandom for over 15 years, and is currently a member of the con com for Balticon (Baltimore, MD) and one of the "Pirates of Fenzance" (the Baltimore in 1998 Worldcon bid). Programmer turned intellectual property attorney. Daniel Marcus is a science fiction writer and an applied mathematician at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab and the University of California. His stories have appeared in Asimov's, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Science Fiction Age and elsewhere and he is currently a finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His areas of technical expertise include high-resolution and adaptive algorithms for nonlinear partial differential equations, turbulence theory, computational fluid dynamics, and large-scale scientific computing. His technical articles have appeared in Communications in Mathematical Physics, the Journal of Computational Physics, and elsewhere. UK biologist and author of Four Hundred Billion Stars and Wil McCarthy, an aerospace engineer for the Lockheed Martin Corporation, is the author of acclaimed hard-SF novels Aggressor Six and Flies from the Amber. His short fiction has appeared in Analog, Asimov's, Aboriginal, Interzone, and a veritable plethora of anthologies. His third novel, Murder in the Solid State, will appear next year as a Tor John A. Mariani is a senior lecturer in the Computing department at Lancaster University. A science fiction fan for as long as he can remember, his research interests (database management systems, CSCW : Computer Supported Cooperative Work, multi-user virtual reality, data visualisation) merge in the field of Populated Information Terrains (PITs). He is a member of the European COMIC project. Paul is a biologist studying evolutionary ecology in Cambridge and Pat McMurray is a fan with a wide range of interests, a book collector and literary APA contributor, a Babylon 5 fan and cat owner, appreciator of good food, fine alcohols and interesting Alternate Histories. Born Swansea, 1958. Married to Barbara, one daughter, Julia aged 2 1/2, one cat , C'mell, Birman, aged 2ish. In fandom since 1977. Interests include connrunning, filk, fireworks, and (recently) gafiation. Is chairing a panel on terrorism because he has difficulty saying no, and also because he studied military history and the theory of war in the late 70s, arms control in the early 80s, and has been a member of the Royal United services Institute for Defence Studies since 1980. Interests outside fandom include long range rifle shooting, model engineering and early retirement. Caroline has been reading science fiction since she was seven, and watching the impact of science fact on the real world since she read John Brunner's Stand on Zanzibar at the age of fifteen. A systems analyst by trade, she is intensely curious about what people do, and why, and how - a topic she hopes to explore in her panel on 'The (Ab)uses of Popular Science'. 10-5 Fri-Sun only. Assistant professor of the Information Engineering at Osaka Industrial College. Single/SF reader. Born in 1971, Greek-Australian artificial language nut, currently doing a PhD in linguistics on Mediaeval and Modern Greek complementisers (and *not* on Klingon, as is frequently claimed) at the University of Melbourne. I like Ferengi, Mahler, and cashews. Jack Nimersheim has spent the past decade writing about technology. In that time he has published 24 non-fiction books and over 1, 000 articles on technology-related topics. Jack's first science fiction sale appeared in the 1992 anthology, Alternate Presidents, edited by Mike Resnick. Last year Jack was nominated for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Science Fiction Writer. Andy Nimmo became a spacefan at 7, an SF fan at 9, a published writer at 13, an active promoter of space at 22, a space society office-bearer at 26, patented chess for more than two players at 30, and instigated the formation of space committees in the UK House of Commons at 46. Now 60, he is qualified in psychology, air ground operations, computer programming and sailing, secretary of ASTRA, the Space Settlers' Society, Glasgow Gay Science Fiction Society (the last two of which he founded), and of the The Light Year Consortium. He originated the Space Treasure Trail. Gerald (G. David) Nordley is an astronautical engineer and author with degrees in physics and systems management. His latest paper, "Station Keeping with Two-Way Electromagnetic Launchers" appeared in the Dec. 1994 issue of the AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, and his latest published story, Dawn Venus appeared in the August 1995 issue of Computer programmer and SF reader married to Nozomi. Mark Olsen started reading SF in the late 50s and his interest in science and in SF grew together. He became a chemist because he liked chemistry almost as much as he liked astronomy, and there were no jobs in astronomy. With a PhD in theoretical chemistry he now designs analytical instrumentation for chemists (FT-IRs), mostly in the software end of things. He brews beer at home less often that he'd like and less well than he ought to. (It's too much like real chemistry....) Chairman of CONTACT Japan, Engineer/Translator/Interpreter/Writer/Media-mix living with Michiko and 3 cats. Jonathan Vos Post Jonathan Vos Post - 820+ publications, presentations and broadcasts. Co-author or co-editor with Ray Bradbury, Richard Feynman, Arthur C. Clarke, and Isaac Asimov. Worked on Galileo, Magellan, as Mission Planning Engineer for Voyager's flyby of Uranus, Space Shuttle, Space Station, Moon Base and Mars base projects for NASA. Co-implemented the first part of Ted Nelson's Hypertext (1975). MS ('75) -- parallel AI; arguably the world's first Ph.D. thesis ('75-'77) on Nanotechnology. Gordon Ross, the Light Year Consortium's Technical Director, is on the technical staff of the Design Department of Glasgow School of Art. In 1977, he won a National Design Award for innovative double-surface sail design, designs hang-gliders, yacht sails, tidal and wind turbines, originated the world's first microlight solar re-entry vehicle, joined ASTRA in 1981, was President from 1986 to 1987, founded and directs the society's Waverider Project, revealed a revolutionary new approach to waverider design at the First International Waverider Symposium in Washington D.C., in 1990, and designed Solaris, LYC's Space Treasure Trail Steve Rothman is a professional physicist in the UK, working on the generation of plasmas using lasers, including one of the most powerful lasers in the world at Lawrence Livermore laboratory. Marshall T. Savage, author of The Millennial Project: Colonizing the Galaxy in Eight Easy Steps. In his Introduction to the second edition of The Millennial Project, Arthur C. Clarke writes: "The Millennial Project is a book I wish I'd written: correction-it's a book I wish I could have written. I am completely awed,and I don't awe easily, by the author's command of a dozen engineering disciplines and his amazing knowledge of scientific and technical literature." Others, not so generous as Sir Arthur, have been less than awed by the author's inability to correctly spell Zeyphod Marshall Savage is the founder of the First Millennial Foundation, an organiztion convened to carry forward the epic dream of space colonization. His Robert J Sawyer Robert J. Sawyer of Toronto, Canada, is a science-fiction writer known for his rigorously researched hard SF. His Golden Fleece (1990) deals with special relativity and artificial intelligence; his End of an Era (1994) deals with paleontology and the anthropic principle of cosmology; and his The Terminal Experiment (1995) explores AI and artificial life. But he's best known for The Quintaglio Ascension trilogy, the three volumes of which are parables about alien counterparts of three of Earth's greatest scientists: Galileo in Far-Seer (1992), Darwin in Fossil Hunter (1993), and Freud in Foreigner (1994). Mike Scott has been running SF conventions for more years than he cares to think about, but to date has mostly managed to avoid being nobbled to appear on the programme. Unfortunately, it would appear that sending one email to Jack Cohen about The Collapse of Chaos qualifies him as British fandom's premier expert on the book, so here he is. Renee Sieber is a doctoral candidate in city planning at Rutgers University/U.S. who conducts research in and has written on the use of information technology (particularly computerized mapping) within social movements and in community planning. She is also active on a national level in providing equal access to the technology. Also, this is her 18th H. Paul Shuch, the aerospace engineer credited with designing the world's first commercial home satellite TV receiver, serves as Executive Director of the SETI League, leaders in a scientific Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. He has taught for more than twenty years, is the author of over 100 publications, and designed the patented BiDCAS aircraft Job: Distinquished Member of Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Labs Current Work: Editor of H.22Z, standard for multi-media on LAN ITU-T positions: Rapporteur for H.281/H.224/H.231/H.243 National Space Society Positions: Regional Board of Directors Representative Spacecause position: Associate Editor Spacecause News, Editor, Space Activist's Handbook 1993/4/5 Hobbies: Taekwondon(3rd Degree Black Belt), SF, Comics, Tom Swift Family: Married with 1 year old boy, tired. Henry Spencer is a systems programmer and long-time space enthusiast, now a freelance author and consultant. He's well known on Usenet, and writes the Aviation Week summaries there. He's a founding member of the Canadian Space Society and a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, and was head of mission planning for the Canadian Solar Sail Project. A long time fan, usually found prowlling around convention in the Midwestern US. Attended his first convention in 1972, a Star Trek con to which he was dragged by a Jehovah Witness friend of his. Currently employed at Lawrence Technological University as Mr. Junior Assistant Answer Guy for all things techy on campus. Previously he worked for the US Department of Army doing various things involving designing vehicles and making them hard to find. Dave is a memeber of the fannish groups, The Dorsai Irregulars and In "real life" I work in a biochemistry lab studying Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. I can claim to be one of the few people to suffer direct injury from a human brain, a bag of them once fell out of the -80oC freezer onto my foot. Outside of my day job my scientific interests are theoretical and practical pyrotechnics and a long running anecdotal study of the effects of ethanol. Amy Thomson is the Campbell award winning author of Virtual Girl, and the upcoming alien contact novel The Color of Distance, which will be published by Ace in November. She was also a short fiction critic for Locus and a book reviewer for the Seattle Times. She currently lives in Seattle. Paul Treadaway read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, specialising in palaeontology, and continued to postgraduate study in computer science, specialising in artificial intelligence. He has worked in technical support, as an NHS epidemiological statistician, and as a newspaper compositor. He is currently employed to write SGML processing programs by Cambridge University Press. He brews his own beer. Harry Turtledove's work includes large portions of both alternate history and historical fantasy. Among his novels are THE GUNS OF THE SOUTH, the WORLDWAR series of alien invasion during World War II, and the Byzantine-based fantasies of THE VIDESSOS CYCLE. His novella "Down in the Bottomlands" won a Hugo in 1994. Michael Ward: Sr. Computer Scientist at Adobe Systems. BS and MS from MIT. Developed space communications systems, laser interferometers, time-interval instrumentation, color printers, semiconductor etch and CVD tools. Ex- manager, ex-hardware, now reformed and working on software. Project: digital scanning and distribution of rare books. Likes single malts. Philip Wadler is a Professor of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow. His main research topic is functional programming, but he has a keen interest in keeping the public informed on the uses and misuses of computers. He has been an invited speaker at conferences in London, New Haven, Santa Fe, Gdansk, and Sydney; and was an ACM distinguished lecturer 1989--1993. The title of his doctoral dissertation was `Listlessness is better than laziness'. Ken and Jo Walton Ken and Jo Walton live in Lancaster, U.K. They are married to each other and have a son, Sasha, 4. They have had articles published in White Dwarf, Heroquest Magazine, Pyramid, The Proceedings of the Royal Martian Geographical society and fiction in Intermix. They are the authors of GURPS Celtic Fantasy, coming this summer from Steve Jackson Games and are currently working on Realms of Sorcery for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay for Hogshead Publishing. They have also written the Into The Dark Continent series of story-telling card games. They have run Colonisation workshops at Lunicon and Sou'Wester, and a Galactic Empire at Confabulation. They are on the temporary committee for Eternicon. They have one biography between them, because they only come as a set. Walter Jon Williams Walter Jon Williams was born in Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Superior, in 1953. For twenty-five years he has lived in New Mexico. Walter has published stories in Omni, Asimov's , Aboriginal, and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. The recent novella "Wall, Stone, Craft" had been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards. Walter has also contributed stories to George R.R. Martin's Wild Cards series, including the Nebula-Nominated story "Witness." Walter's novels include Hardwired, Days of Atonement , and Aristoi. His current release is Metropolitan, a radical urban fantasy about geomancy, political revolution, love, and Nancy has a degree in Political Science and has studied extensively in the field of Anthropology. She is a life-long ScienceFiction fan and a hopeful author. She has been involved with the Contact Coti Project for the last seven years, and with the Epona Project since the begining three years ago.She invented bubble weed, and helped with the creation and evolution of various other Eponan flora and fauna. She has helped with the creation of the Epona world view, religion and the other aspects of Eponan culture. She and her husband Roger created the stuffed toy version of Eponan Uther. Roger has a degree in Computer Electronics and is employed as a Reliability Engineer for hard disc drive company. He is an artist, a musician, a sound engineer, a hopeful Science Fiction author, and a life-long Science Fiction fan. He has been participating in the Coti projects of Contact for the last seven years and in the Epona Project since the beginging three years ago. He is the creator of the Spring Croc species and co-creator of several other Eponan flora and fauna. He is the author of the Eponan Creation Myth and co-creator of the Uthorian World View.

For Margaret Thatcher, it was a throwback to the glory days. Here she was in the White House private quarters, reveling in a lavish dinner party in her honor, [#image: /photos/54cbfc3d44a199085e8935aa]basking in the golden glow of twenty-four-inch tapers, gazing out over the perfect pink and fuchsia roses floating in crystal bowls, the centerpieces on six tables for ten. Only hours earlier, in the East Room of the White House, George Bush had awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor. He had praised “the greengrocer’s daughter who shaped a nation to her will,” and concluded, “Prime Minister, there will always be an England, but there can never be another Margaret Thatcher.” She raced from that exquisite high up to “the Queen’s Bedroom” to change into a long black pleated skirt and brilliant red-and-black brocade jacket for cocktails. And now America’s most powerful leaders were getting up to pay her homage. It was as if the colonies had not yet heard the news of her unceremonious sacking as prime minister last November by the members of her own Conservative Party. Barbara Bush rose to toast the new baronet, Sir Denis Thatcher. “They broke the mold when they made you, Denis.… As the spouse of a powerful leader, you do it better than anyone.” Sir Denis graciously thanked his hosts and quoted Mark Antony “upon entering Cleopatra’s bedroom: I did not come here to talk.” The evening was, quite simply, divine. Former secretary of state George Shultz gave the former prime minister advice on agents for her memoirs; she confessed to being overwhelmed “by my paper.” Her entrepreneurial and controversial son, Mark, let it be known to that other feisty entrepreneur seated next to him, the flame-haired Georgette Mosbacher, that he had made millions in the home-burglar-alarm business. Mark’s blonde Texas wife, Diane, startled some with what appeared to be a try at a British accent. But no matter. Margaret Thatcher was in the inner sanctum of power, surrounded by old chums from summits and Star Wars, there only to administer her massive doses of adulation. Naturally, the lady who had ruled Britain for the last eleven and a half years gave as good as she got, extolling America as “a can-do, will-do society,” and she heaped praise upon early Americans as model social Darwinists for freedom: “self-selected … there were no subsidies here.” Then suddenly the spell was broken. One of the heroes of the day, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, the unflappable hand that urged boldness in launching and guiding Desert Storm, actually uttered the unspoken name: John Major. It was inadvertent yet totally appropriate to invoke the leader of our greatest Gulf ally, but how could he? So what if the new prime minister was Mrs. Thatcher’s handpicked choice? She gave no indication of distress, of course, but that mention jolted more than a few to focus on the ghastly fate that had befallen her only a few months before. Remarked one guest, “It was as if he had spilled something dirty on the tablecloth.” Even when life was beautiful now it was cruel. Exceedingly so. As usual, Mrs. Thatcher’s son, Mark, was part of the problem. Now, while acting as her personal manager as she planned a new career in international relations, he was facing a fire storm of criticism from her friends and former advisers that would erupt before long in a Sunday Times of London headline: “mark is wrecking your life.” To add insult to injury, while Margaret Thatcher was polishing off her chocolate mint soufflé with President Bush, and peering across the roses to British golfer Nick Faldo, and even at the very moment when the president was saying that “she defined the essence of the United Kingdom,” one of the safest Conservative seats in Britain—Ribble Valley—was going down to defeat in a striking by-election upset. And it was all being blamed on Margaret Thatcher and her legacy, the hated poll tax. Let the longest-serving British prime minister in this century eat cake in America. At home Margaret Thatcher was eating crow. ‘The pattern of my life was fractured,” Mrs. Thatcher said the next day in the residence of the British ambassador, referring to her surprise resignation and removal from office. Dressed in a crisp spring suit and her ubiquitous pearls, she plumped all the pillows on the sofa in the decorous drawing room, then sat down and balanced a porcelain teacup in the palm of her graceful hand. She chose her words carefully: “It’s like throwing a pane of glass with a complicated map upon it on the floor,” she said, “and all habits and thoughts and actions that went with it and the staff that went with it.… You threw it on the floor and it shattered.” And the pieces? Margaret Thatcher’s eyes blazed. “You couldn’t pick up those pieces.” As though the answer to what had happened might be found amid the debris, Thatcher began to recite her daily and seasonal rhythms as prime minister. Mondays, “we went down to the House of Commons for preparations for questions at two o’clock,” she said. “Questions at the House were on Tuesday and Thursday, so on Mondays and Wednesdays we saw foreign statesmen. There were a certain number of overseas events—the economic summit, two European councils. All of this structure happened; you geared your clothes buying to external visits and your conferences. You geared your hair to when you were in the House etc., and then you had a certain amount of entertaining. In June there was the Trooping of the Color, a whole range of engagements throughout the year which became the pattern of my life.” All gone after nearly twelve years, on ninety-six hours’ notice. She paused. “Sometimes I say, ‘Which day is it?’ I never said that at No. 10.” “She is like a great athlete suddenly confined to a wheelchair,” says Christine Wall, the Conservative Party press officer who was on loan to Mrs. Thatcher for her U.S. trip. “She wants worrisome problems, she wants to make decisions, she wants to tell you what to do and to save you from yourself,” says another insider. “Now she answers her own phone sometimes. What a comedown that is—like Napoleon having to saddle his own horse.” “In a sense she hasn’t come to yet from the concussion—everything was so brutal and sudden,” adds Sir Peregrine Worsthorne, a Thatcher loyalist who edits the right-wing Sunday Telegraph editorial page. “She’s pretty shell-shocked still. The Iron Lady has a very emotional side. People underestimate the extent to which she was shattered by this.” The day after Mrs. Thatcher lost a Conservative Party leadership battle and decided to resign in the interest of party unity, Worsthorne got a call from Thatcher’s press secretary, Bernard Ingham: “The prime minister would like to say good-bye.” Arriving at 10 Downing Street, Worsthorne was stunned by what he found. “I went round thinking there’d be a long queue of people waiting to say farewell. I found myself alone. I expected to stay fifteen minutes, which would be quite normal. After an hour, I ran out of conversation. She was very short of people.” On the way out Worsthorne ran into Thatcher’s journalist daughter, Carol. “She had a basket on her arm from the supermarket, ‘bringing Mummy’s supplies’ of cold chicken or something for dinner. It was very disorienting.” The day before, Thatcher had made her astounding farewell speech in the House of Commons, which even those who consider her a dire enemy regarded as an extraordinary display of political bravura. “She had had that high and had gone off of that,” says Worsthorne. “She had time on her hands. Voilà. The lassitude of impotence had begun.” Tory Party leadership transitions are known to be less than genteel, but this ouster seemed a classic illustration of the axiom that she who lives by the sword shall die by it. Here was a prime minister known for her prodigious recall, who routinely exhausted her aides with her energy, who every night, no matter the hour, relished “doing her boxes”—locked red boxes filled with confidential papers from every ministry delivered by dispatch riders who would roar through town to deposit them on her doorstep at 10 Downing Street. Here was a phenomenal woman who was devoid of hobbies or interests off the world stage, who once said that taking vacations tends to cause colds. “She wanted us to be like the Japanese,” grumbles one political observer. Here was a leader who, by hijacking the Conservative Party and bending it to her will, had bestowed upon England “Thatcherism.” And if you were not with her in the dismantling of the welfare state and the charge toward privatization, you were mushy, a “wet.” Anyone who couldn’t keep up or who displeased her was ruthlessly sacrificed. “In the United States, she has this reputation as a chaste, saintly figure,” says Andrew Stephen, Washington bureau chief of the London Observer. “In fact she’s knifed every Cabinet minister she’s ever had in the back. That’s how she survived eleven years.” One of her favorite instruments of torture was Ingham, her powerful press secretary, who would leak to the reporters on the Parliament “Lobby” that certain unsuspecting ministers were in trouble. This penchant for denigration earned him the sobriquet “the Yorkshire Rasputin” from one of the ministers, John Biffen. Biffen, himself later axed, would add, “He was the sewer, rather than the sewage.” But now it was Mrs. Thatcher who was instantaneously, irrevocably out. “She thought she was unassailable,” says Thatcherite columnist Frank Johnson. “It was hubris. She was brought down by the fault of her virtues—her enormous bravery in battling the most powerful opponent of all, the European Community.” Others take a less charitable view: “She’d become slightly potty by the end and lost touch with reality,” says one observer. Thatcher’s opposition to a united Europe, and the poll tax—the hated straight levy per head that replaced property taxes to finance local government—certainly helped make her hugely unpopular; in April 1990 her approval rating was 23 percent, the lowest for a prime minister in memory. By November she was stuck at just 26 percent. Many in her own Tory Party were, as Mrs. Thatcher puts it, “running scared,” convinced she would cause them to lose the next election. When the votes were counted in a challenge to her leadership of the party by her ex–defense minister Michael Heseltine, she had a clear majority. But under the convoluted Tory leadership formula, she would have had to submit to a second ballot. Rather than do so she stepped down. “I have never been defeated” by the people, she said no fewer than five times during our interview. “I’ve never been defeated in an election. I have never been defeated in a vote of confidence in the Parliament, so I don’t know what that would be like.” This last was spoken as if she were flicking an imaginary crumb off her bodice. Moreover, Margaret Thatcher refuses to concede that the poll tax was even an error, and declares that she would have won a fourth election had The People decided. “We had gone through difficult times before. You don’t run scared about by-elections midterm.” “So if the people had judged your overall record you would have won?” “Yes. That’s right. But had I gone on we would have had a fairly open split party, and it would not have been easy to get some things done.” “I’d still be there if I had my choice,” she said at another point. “I did not have my choice, so I decided to do the best thing for my party for the future.… And I knew I’d still have a good bit of influence.” But what about the unceremonious way she was pushed out, forced to pack up and vacate No. 10 as well as Chequers, the prime minister’s weekend retreat, on just four days’ notice? “I will suggest that no future prime minister has to do that, because prime ministers have a dignity as ex–prime ministers by virtue of their prime-ministerial office,” she intoned with Monty Pythonish zeal. Still, there was little humor in her predicament. For months after leaving office, Mrs. Thatcher seemed uncharacteristically frozen in indecision. Her friends tried to cheer her up with a luncheon at David Frost’s, a weekend at the grand manor house of trade-and-industry minister Lord Hesketh, a party at millionaire novelist Jeffrey Archer’s with a cake baked in the shape of the Order of Merit. Even John Major was said to be concerned; when he came to Washington for talks with President Bush before the Gulf War began, he told her American friends, “Be sure to look up Maggie—she’s down.” Those who made the trip found her worried about money: somehow Denis’s comfortable retirement and her son’s reputed millions weren’t going to be enough. Had the leader who had slashed benefits throughout her three terms become too dependent on her perquisites of the state? By American standards, ex–prime ministers don’t get much: an annual pension of roughly $45,000. As long as Thatcher kept her seat in the House of Commons, she was also entitled to her M.P.’s salary of $37,000, one constituency secretary, a small basement office, and a $19,000 cost-of-living allowance. Then, just before Easter, acting on complaints about her financial straits, John Major delivered a golden egg to the woman the London Times had dubbed “the high priestess of self-help”—an additional $53,000 a year to all ex-prime ministers, effective immediately. “It’s very welcome and I’m extremely grateful” was Thatcher’s comment. Yet the thing she wanted most they couldn’t give her—her power back. Sir Charles Powell, the foreign-affairs private secretary, continued to brief her twice a week until he left government last March. But, after that, one of the best-informed creatures in the universe was reduced to calling government agencies for reports “the moment they are available to the press.” And no wonder she was so distraught about the whole mess. First, there were 65,000 letters to answer—65,000 that poured in from all over the world in the weeks after her resignation. But she had no real staff, only a borrowed office and a few volunteers who showed up to answer the phone. Then there were her living arrangements—her Georgian manse manqué, on a golf course behind an iron gate in the village of Dulwich, about a half-hour southeast of central London in light traffice, was too far away. She had to find a more convenient pied-à-terre. (Henry Ford II’s widow solved this problem, lending her an apartment in Eaton Square.) Invitations to speak poured in, but who could sort through them? How much should she charge? Literary agents were desperate to deliver bids worth millions for a quick kiss-and-tell. Could she sell them on her notion of a serious historical examination of her era? How should she position herself? If she were to comment on current affairs, would it look as though she were meddling in John Major’s government? How would she raise the money to maintain herself as a world stateswoman? Should she take a job? Now that she was out, would she still suffer the indignity of having Denis’s business affairs questioned and investigated by the press? Since he was now a baronet, might she care to be known as Lady Thatcher? Or should she give up her seat in the Commons, move on to the House of Lords, and take the title of Countess of Grantham, the little town in north-central England where she grew up? How would she stay in touch? Where should she go for lunch? Who’d do the shopping? Who was in charge here? Oh, could Maggie tell them, could she? As it happened, she could. Mrs. Thatcher announced at length that she wanted to create “the Thatcher Foundation,” devoted to education and research with a focus on “freedom” and Eastern Europe. Characteristically, she would prefer creating her own project to taking a post. The United Nations, mentioned in the press as a possibility, was out of the question: “My views are far too strongly held for that.” Her Methodist roots would make her abhor sulking and wasting time in self-pity, but they would also act as a brake on “the commercialization of statecraft.” “We’re very mindful of Reagan’s bitter Japanese experience,” says Christine Wall of the scandal the former president created when it was discovered that he and Nancy had accepted $2 million from a Japanese media company for appearances there. The next step was to assemble her legions of powerful friends to help launch her again. The powerful friends eagerly offered their help and then waited. And waited. “She could have put together a blue-ribbon panel of British businesspeople who would have helped her organize her office, get a staff, and get it all done,” says Charles Price, former U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. “There were plenty of dynamic people around to help.” Not only did Thatcher not accept her wealthy friends’ offers of contacts and staff, she never got back to them. Several suspect they know the reason. “She has put all her affairs in the hands of her son, Mark Thatcher,” says a British tycoon, “and a lot of people don’t like Mark Thatcher; he’s very stubborn and thinks he knows everything. We know he’s wrong, but who the hell is going to mix in? Everyone is scared to death to confront her about it.” “Some people have tried to do so,” according to Price, “first questioning the wisdom of a foundation and then of having family members involved. It kind of goes into thin air.” “If she fades out, his stature diminishes, and he has no sensitivity professionally or personally,” says a former aide. “Nobody advising her day-to-day has the expertise to help her—it’s an enormous waste. She needs a manager very badly.” It never occurred to anyone, for example, to computerize the 65,000 names from the letters of condolence as a mailing list of potential donors for the Thatcher Foundation. One story making the rounds in London recently was that Mark Thatcher enjoys referring to President Bush as “George.” But all his adult life he has given those who know him the impression he is very much in a hurry to make it big and more than willing to trade off his mother’s name to do so. “He’s for use,” says a powerful member of the Texas establishment. “The word is, if you want to use him, you can use him.” Mark himself once said, “I suppose I was the slowest learner in the family, the last to realize that because of Mum’s success everyone would have their eyes that much closer on me, their expectations that much higher.” Today if you want to get to Mrs. Thatcher, one way or the other you must go through Mark. He is her adored child, the light of her life. But to most of those outside the family who are close to Mrs. Thatcher, he is known as “that dreadful son.” “The son is a fly in the ointment,” agrees famed literary agent Irving Lazar. Lazar says he offered to advise Mrs. Thatcher on her memoirs “even if I wasn’t the agent,” but never got to meet her. “The son thinks he can be the agent,” Lazar says. “He’s decided he knows all about publishing, and he’s an amateur. He overestimates the value of the book, and what’s worse, when he had the chance to strike, he didn’t.” After a dose of arrogance and delaying tactics, a number of U.S. publishers are already cooling to the book. A group of prominent agents were invited to London to meet Mrs. Thatcher, but were told that in order to qualify they would first have to fill out an elaborate questionnaire regarding their qualifications. Then, just before they were due to leave, the trip was abruptly canceled. “We are not dashing into the memoirs,” says Mrs. Thatcher briskly. “We’re making quite certain the memoirs will be a vigorous intellectual historical record of what we did and what happened.” “What she doesn’t realize,” counters Lazar, “is that there’s a hot moment when you can get a lot of money. When publishers have time to reflect that Americans don’t understand the basic system of politics in Britain, she won’t get as much. She turned Britain around and made it far more influential in the world. She won the hearts of the world. But what’s happening now is that a lot of her glamour is being dissipated.” Apparently, the foundation is not much farther along than the memoirs. It must not be viewed as any sort of clearinghouse for her political ideas, lest the British Charity Commission, which is very strict in these matters, rule against giving it tax-exempt status. Nonetheless, the foundation has already hit a snag in England with those who worry that raising money for it would siphon off funds from the coffers of the Conservative Party just when it will need them to mount another election campaign. On the American side Charles Price raises the same questions, saying Mrs. Thatcher’s foundation will be in direct competition with “a number of think tanks.” “We’ve got to raise in excess of $20 million,” says Lord McAlpine, the head of the board of trustees, who dismisses such doubts. “I was treasurer of the Conservative Party for sixteen years. The last thing I want to do is anything that will harm the party’s chances.” Mark Thatcher has told rich Texans he hopes to raise “$20 million a year for the next five years” for the foundation, although no one can recall being asked to make a donation. While she waits for her new life to take shape, Mrs. Thatcher, who has avoided the back benches of the House of Commons, still makes her regular rounds in Finchley, the modest district north of London filled with the elderly, people she has known and represented since 1959, a safe haven that will not be easy to give up if she moves to the House of Lords as expected. Her small staff in Finchley tries vainly to keep her schedule full. “If she has a program of three things to do for the day, she’s noticeably looking for other things to do,” says her Finchley representative, Mike Love. “The one lesson you learn in writing a program for her is that you never put on it ‘free time’ or the word ‘rest.’ ” Mrs. Thatcher admits that several months is not enough time to rebuild a life, but in true Thatcherite fashion she is gamely making the attempt: “You have to create a new pane of glass—we are building up new habits.” One of those habits—and the best way to keep the glamour alive, of course—is to travel to the United States, where the money and adulation that are so lacking at home are plentiful. America and Maggie Thatcher is the story of milk and honey meeting iron and silk. Certainly at the $2,500-a-plate March of the Glittering Mummies that was Ronald Reagan’s eightieth-birthday party in Beverly Hills last February, Mrs. Thatcher was the superstar—even when it was difficult to see who came through the metal detector first, Ricardo Montalban or Cesar Romero, Phyllis or Barry Diller, Dinah Shore or Ed Meese, Rupert Murdoch or Eva Gabor, and, dead last, Elizabeth Taylor, all cleavage and curls with her latest thirtyish escort in tow. Not to mention Nancy Reagan herself, the photo ops with Merv Griffin and Dan Quayle, listening to Liza Minelli sing “New York, New York” to a bunch of people who despise New York, and watching Ronald Reagan lean over to blow out his candles and get frosting smeared all over his tux—well, it certainly beat getting slagged off by Neil Kinnock. And Mrs. Thatcher, sparkling in gold brocade and black velvet, did get the longest standing ovation of the night. That ought to be worth something in future donations to the Thatcher Foundation. But the next morning the world, and her diminished status in it, intruded rudely. What was supposed to have been a carefree breakfast with the vice president in Century City became a full-scale news conference when word arrived that terrorists had fired three mortar rounds at the British Cabinet meeting being held at 10 Downing Street. Mrs. Thatcher, dressed in a navy suit with brass buttons that looked like a military uniform, was ready with a statement, handwritten on a scrap of paper. She then found herself in the ludicrously unnatural position of ceding control of the event to Dan Quayle and watching him grope with reporters’ questions. There were moments when she actually rocked up on her toes, clenched her fists, and bit her lip as if to silence herself. Finally, a question that implied British and American imperialism was the cause of anti-American sentiment in the Gulf pushed her over the edge. When she was next asked to give her views, she blasted, “I think all comment should be directed to criticism of Saddam Hussein, who started a brutal war on the second of August and has been prosecuting it ever since.” She glared at the offending reporter. “Criticism should be directed towards him, not those who are standing against aggression.” Once again, she had flattened the opposition. Is that why Americans love her so? Is that why, on Capitol Hill, when tourists see her they break into spontaneous applause? “I don’t know, but I’m eternally gratefully they do,” she says. It certainly didn’t hurt that she was always so breathtakingly well informed, the cerebral half of the heralded Thatcher-Reagan alliance. Reagan might be able to get away with watching The Sound of Music on TV the night before an economic summit instead of reading his briefing book, but Mrs. Thatcher never could nor would. Margaret Thatcher’s relationship with Ronald Reagan was a cornerstone of eighties geopolitics and a great comfort to them both. Today, out of power, both are symbols of the era of brash acquisitiveness, yet Americans sensed in her the toughness and command of facts that the Gipper was often seen to lack. If Ronald Reagan acted on political instinct, Margaret Thatcher was able to provide the intellectual rationale. “We shared the same views and were fighting to get them accepted,” she says. “Don’t forget, we had to fight to get them accepted.” “Reagan was particularly appreciative of having Thatcher in his corner during his early ventures onto the world stage, when his inner confidence may not quite have matched his fortress of convictions,” writes Lou Cannon in his definitive new political biography, President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime. “She was quite good at reinforcing him when he needed it, and made a point of giving him credit for something he hadn’t said,” agrees former national-security adviser Robert McFarlane. “She was truly conscious of his limitations, but she adored his constancy—they both understood the power that derives from constancy.” Margaret Thatcher was also masterful at having her way with the president. “I wouldn’t say she exploited him,” says McFarlane, “but she knows how to play upon his lack of knowledge and his chivalrous nature. To be in a room with her really stirrrrrs you,” McFarlane adds. “She is a performer, an overwhelming presence. I couldn’t be around her without just feeling … passion is the wrong word, I guess. She could move men and she knew it. Oh yes!” Denis Thatcher had a more succinct explanation: “With Ronald Reagan,” he told an American friend, “it takes a while for the penny to drop.” Yet even when they knew they were being had, the Yanks couldn’t seem to get enough of her. Both Charles Price and Robert McFarlane remember the Christmastime visit in 1983 when Margaret Thatcher was flying to Washington from the Far East. After landing at Hickam Air Force Base near Pearl Harbor in the middle of the night, she announced she wanted to visit the battle site. Of course, said the meet-and-greets, they’d get her a car. “That won’t be necessary,” she replied, fishing a flashlight out of her purse and setting off on foot. Hours later, at Camp David, she had Star Wars on her mind. “Her real purpose was to rein Reagan in before he did serious damage to the alliance—the Europeans were very alarmed by S.D.I.,” says McFarlane. “She and two aides sat across the table from the whole array of the top people in the administration,” says Price. ” ‘Look here, Ron,’ she said. ‘I think we may face considerable turmoil in the alliance.… I think you should make a statement today.’ ” Mrs. Thatcher dived into her handbag once again. “I brought one.” With minor tinkerings, says McFarlane, this was the communiqué that was issued shortly afterward. She and George Bush were old friends by the time, years later, the president presented Margaret Thatcher with “the Handbag Award” at a State Department lunch. There is no doubt she always wanted Bush to go all the way. Richard Fisher, a Dallas investment banker who befriended Denis and Mark Thatcher in the mid-1980s and had been for a time an aide to Treasury Secretary Michael Blumenthal in the Carter administration, had several private lunches and dinners with the prime minister during that election cycle. She once delivered to him a blistering lecture on the importance of loyalty. “You cannot succeed in politics unless you are loyal to those who got you there,” he remembers her saying. “This is George’s greatest attribute—he has been loyal to Ron.” She had sized up Dukakis quickly. “This Dukakis fellow is a lightweight, an absolute lightweight,” she said, “a lightweight with delusions of grandeur. This is a dangerous combination.” A few months later when Fisher saw her again, on the eve of the Republican convention, Margaret Thatcher was most concerned about whom George Bush would choose as a running mate. “I would like to see him pick Colin Powell,” Mrs. Thatcher said of the general who had yet to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs. “It would be a bold and high risk. I wish George would do something of this nature and just say, ‘Right, I’ll make it work.’ ” But by the time George Bush assumed office in January of 1989, Margaret Thatcher had, in the words of a senior American official present at the meetings between the two, “lost the ability to listen.” She lectured Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger for twenty minutes at a time “and didn’t even seem to hear his answers.” At a meeting in Colorado in 1989, when Bush tried to engage her in a political bull session, she answered him “as if she were turning on a cassette tape.” She was asked to try to relax and she did somewhat, eventually, but by then the Americans, while ever respecting her intellect, generally considered her “difficult and imperial.” (“She always talks too much when she’s nervous,” explains a friend.) Nevertheless, Margaret Thatcher is widely viewed to have bolstered George Bush’s resolve to send troops to the Gulf, since the two of them happened to be in Aspen together when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, and she was also in the Oval Office when Cheney called to tell the president that King Fahd would allow American troops on Saudi Arabian soil. At the Medal of Freedom ceremony, Bush himself alluded to Thatcher’s help on that score and her lack of self-doubt. He remembered telephoning her early on in the Gulf crisis to say that he was planning to allow a single Iraqi vessel through the naval blockade the allies had imposed. She “agreed with the decision, but then added these words of caution—words that guided me through the Gulf crisis. Words I’ll never forget as long as I’m alive,” said the president. “ ‘Remember, George,’ she said, ‘this is no time to go wobbly.’ ” When she herself was thrown off-balance, Margaret Thatcher turned to the person she has always trusted most in the world, her husband. After the first unsuccessful vote for party leadership was taken last November, Mrs. Thatcher, in Paris for a summit on European security, said she would run on the second ballot. Once home, however, she discussed her plight with Denis. “He said he thought it would be better if I did not stand again,” she says. “It relieved my mind in a way because that was the decision I came to.” Actually, says a friend, Denis had told him two years earlier that “he’d had it—the best thing about being prime minister was going to Chequers.” ‘If you want any help, you ask for it at home. If you’ve got any problems, you take them home. That’s what family life is about.” Mrs. Thatcher sat up straight and stressed every consonant. “It is the home always to be there—always certain that you can find there, no matter what happens, affection and loyalty.… Home is where you come to when you have nothing better to do. “Denis is absolutely marvelous,” she went on. “We are a very close-knit family.” In addition to the Thatcher’s thirty-seven-year-old twins, Mark and Carol, there’s Mark’s congenial wife, Diane—a former Kappa Kappa Gamma at Southern Methodist University and the daughter of a car dealer—and their two-year-old son. Carol, a freelance writer and, friends say, the one with the sense of humor, has stayed in the background, while her mother has put Mark in charge of everything and found solace with the affable Sir Denis. Now seventy-six, he is “the mainstay of my life,” says Mrs. Thatcher, and, according to Lord Hesketh, “the bedrock on which the whole cathedral sits.” “She is this extraordinary combination of world-historic figure and common-garden housewife,” says her former staffer and National Review editor John O’Sullivan. “She could change in a second flat from being Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, Attila the Hun, or Genghis Khan to being a 1950s wife,” agrees one of her former ministers. Three years ago after the Trooping of the Color on the Queen’s birthday, Richard Fisher remembers, he went to the private quarters at No. 10 to find “Margaret Thatcher down on her hands and knees packing her own bag, and there’s Denis mixing a salad with his hands in the pantry.” Lord McAlpine says, “The dynamic of their relationship is simple: it’s just love, true affection, romance—they love each other. He’s enormously protective of her.” When asked to speak in personal terms about Denis, however, Mrs. Thatcher fielded the question with English reserve. “Denis is on several boards, which he is extremely conscientious about—all the board papers are thoroughly analyzed before he ever goes to board meetings. He’s run the family business. He knows what it’s like when you are committing your own money.… He’s a crack accountant and he also always has been mad keen on certain sports and living up to certain standards in those sports.” Golf, she said, which Sir Denis plays with left-handed women’s clubs, is his favorite. “He’s very, very pro golf,” she said in her best instructional tone, “because when it comes to playing professional golf, the standards of the golf are some of the highest standards in sports. There are no histrionics.” Denis has been celebrated in British pop culture through the play Anyone for Denis?, in which he is “mad keen” on golf chiefly for the libations of the nineteenth hole, and in the hilarious “Dear Bill” letters in Private Eye, in which an old buffer never far from gin meltdown partakes in and reports on a daffy right-wing world. In fact, such a cover of buffoonery serves him well. Denis Thatcher is far right in his views—he has always been an avid advocate of trade with South Africa and has called the BBC “a viper’s nest” of “outrageous bloody pinkos.” (A female dinner partner remembers him referring to Indians as “wogs.”) “He played the fall man and he was ridiculed,” says Fisher. “That was fine—that was his role.” But during his wife’s tenure, Denis, like his son, also had the propriety of several of his business dealings questioned. For many years Denis was a consultant for a building group called I.D.C.—he spent six to seven days a month working for the group, which is involved in civil engineering. His most controversial intervention on the firm’s behalf came to light when his letter to the government’s secretary of state for Wales—about delays in building permits on an I.D.C. project—was published in the British press in 1981. The message from Denis Thatcher, on 10 Downing Street notepaper, prompted the secretary to scrawl to his staff in the margin, “The explanation had better be good and quick.” Also in 1981, Denis and Mark Thatcher got embroiled in a controversial building contract in Oman. Mrs. Thatcher was making an official visit there during the same time that a British construction company, Cementation International, was bidding on a billion-dollar university complex. Mark, who was working as a consultant for Cementation, showed up as well. Mrs. Thatcher lobbied on behalf of the company, and after it won the contract, Mark reaped a sizable fee. For his part, Denis Thatcher was chairman of a company that had a 50 percent interest in a bid to subcontract to Cementation. After The Observer broke the story in 1984, Mrs. Thatcher and her government were criticized in Parliament for the striking conflict of interest. Later The Sunday Times revealed that Denis was a co-signatory on the bank account in which Mark’s fee was deposited. These days, Denis, who spends one week out of four in the U.S., is in business with some heavily investigated characters. One of his major ventures—he serves as deputy chairman—is with Attwoods, a British waste-management concern. Municipal garbage contracts and landfills in high-growth areas like Florida are a lucrative business, and a substantial portion of Attwoods’ profit comes from an American subsidiary, Industrial Waste Services in Miami. When Attwoods acquired I.W.S. in 1984, it was owned by Jack R. Casagrande and Ralph Velocci and some of their relatives; as part of the sale, these relatives received Attwoods stock, and Casagrande and Velocci have joined Denis Thatcher on the Attwoods board. Casagrande and Velocci come from three generations involved in the garbage trade in New Jersey and New York, where another company Casagrande has an interest in was charged with price-fixing and illegal property-rights schemes. A 1986 report from Maurice Hinchey, chairman of the New York State Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, stated that organized crime is “a dominating presence” in the state’s garbage industry. “One of the great advantages for I.W.S. was to be subsumed under a British corporation which had the luster of the Thatcher name,” says Alan Block, a professor at Pennsylvania State University and the author of a book on organized crime’s ties to the waste industry. F.B.I. reports refer to I.W.S.’s business dealings with convicted mob associate Mel Cooper, now serving twenty-five years in prison for racketeering. Cooper ran a garbage-equipment leasing operation in New York that was alleged to be a front for loan-sharking operations connected to the Gambino, Genovese, and Colombo crime families. In 1986, I.W.S. was convicted in Florida of conspiracy in a criminal anti-trust case and fined $375,000. Also that year, Casagrande and Velocci were investigated, but not indicted, in an alleged bribe of the mayor of Opa-Locka, Florida, for that city’s garbage contract. In 1987, a civil suit was brought against I.W.S. and Casagrande and several other defendants for allegedly defrauding Marion County, Florida, in a garbage-conversion scheme. Casagrande was also charged with grand theft and conspiracy. Earlier this year, I.W.S. and Casagrande were part of a $2.3 million out-of-court settlement. While Margaret Thatcher was prime minister, unofficial Downing Street and Attwoods sources would reportedly dismiss any news accounts of the company’s activities by asking the rhetorical question “Do you think British intelligence would allow Denis Thatcher to take a job that could be linked to the Mafia?” Hinchey claims that Scotland Yard, at least, did inquire about Attwoods and I.W.S. “I’ve seen documents from British authorities,” he says. “They knew about these things and were frustrated about it.” Yet British authorities apparently did not contact others who could have aided them. Says Robert Waters, at the time an assistant state attorney in Florida’s Organized Crime and Public Corruption Unit, “I was the one conducting the bribery investigation, and nobody from the British government ever contacted me or any of the detectives.” By all accounts, Denis has never questioned his own authority. “In his own house he would have the last word,” says Lord McAlpine. “It is a conventional relationship.” But the paradox exists that, despite his being an apparent male chauvinist, it was Denis’s money, gotten from the family chemical-and-paint business (he once wrote a book called Accounting and Costing in the Paint Industry), that allowed his wife to pursue a political career. “He has always seemed dazzled by—and devoted to—her,” says Lord Gowrie, Thatcher’s minister of the arts, who is now chairman of Sotheby’s U.K. But Denis, though fiercely protective of his wife, has also injected a note of reality. Gowrie recalls an after-dinner speech she once made at the Imperial War Museum in the flush of victory after the Falklands War. Afterward she asked, “Dear, was I too long?” “Bit,” he replied. If Denis has successfully deflected criticism of his business transgressions, his son has not been as fortunate. In fact, almost nobody has a very kind word for Mark Thatcher. “Mark gets a bit of a bum rap,” says John O’Sullivan, the National Review editor. “He doesn’t have immense charm. He’s not winning.” Indeed. He’s the son who mixes with internationals arms traders; the wheeler-dealer, suddenly wealthy son who travels with a butler and, last fall, bought a $3.5 million London town house with up-to-the-minute heavy security; the inept son who got lost in the desert for six days on the Paris-to-Dakar rally when he wanted to be a racecar driver, causing his mother her first public tears (and prompting former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt to comment privately, “It’s the first time I ever realized she was a woman”); the arrogant son who got his mother in hot water over the Oman deal and who has more recently clumsily hinted that certain people haven’t done enough to support the foundation she wants to set up; the boorish son who used to pull out a walkie-talkie in the middle of dinner parties to talk to his bodyguards; the snobbish son who told the cultivated billionaire Walter Annenberg that he was setting his table with the wrong glasses for red wine and that his golf course was “Mickey Mouse.” “He’s not the brightest guy in the world,” says columnist Nigel Dempster, “and clearly what he’s done smells a little.” That son. “I think Mark is extremely bright and loyal to his mother,” says Richard Fisher, a Mark defender. “I think he realizes that great people can serve and then be forgotten and their offspring amount to nothing. The Churchills basically live in poverty by Texas standards. He will take good care of his mother.” Recently when Fisher hosted eighteen for dinner in Mrs. Thatcher’s honor in Dallas, he toasted her “as a wife and mother first, then as the greatest prime minister since Churchill.” “Richard,” she replied, ” you have finally gotten your priorities right.” “I see something else,” Fisher continues. “I think she’s a loving mother, and, if anything, there is a sense of loss that in her career she didn’t spend enough time with her children. I wouldn’t call it guilt, but she works very hard to love her two kids.” When asked directly about Mark’s role in her life today, Mrs. Thatcher was not at all pleased. “He is helping make some of the arrangements, and he is a very, very good businessman. He’s a born businessman, as indeed my husband was. He built up his own business and he managed to sell part of his interest in it.” When pressed about just what sort of business he was in, she reluctantly answered, “It’s a big concern for security—the best possible kind of home-security systems.” Asked about his qualifications to handle her affairs now, she lost her patience. “Look, my children are not children anymore,” she said. “They know about life. I find he is one of the most businesslike people I deal with. You want something done, he does it quickly—there’s no ‘Oh, well, I’ll do it tomorrow.’ ” Despite the perception of many loyalists that the foundation is a “nonstarter,” McAlpine confidently predicts “we’ll be quite active by the end of summer.” Mrs. Thatcher herself says, “The foundation has to operate in Britain, America, and in Japan. There are people the world over who think the way we do.” Apparently so. The day after she received the Medal of Freedom, Thatcher was introduced by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan to members of five right-wing think tanks at the posh Four Seasons Hotel in Washington. She delivered (gratis) a rousing forty-five-minute address on Europe and advocated the economic equivalent of nato. Imagine crossing the TelePrompTer technique of Reagan with her brains—for these thirsty hard-liners her words went down like vintage champagne. Anyone who had thought she might modify her views on opposing a common European currency or a European Superstate as a result of her downfall would have been deeply disappointed. “Utopian aspirations,” she informed her rapt audience of right-wing stars, “have never made for a stable policy.” Her next stop, Dallas, seemed more of a favor to Mark, who made sure she was wined and dined by the civic elite. At one dinner, she took issue with the C.E.O. of The Dallas Morning News, who, in a discussion about social inequities, dared to mention the notion of class structure. “Any reference to class distinctions is a Marxist concept,” Thatcher told him. Although she was now able to command a cool $60,000 per speech—$20,000 more than Henry Kissinger gets—she made yet another speech for free to a room full of wowed million- and billionaires. During the question-and-answer period following, she referred to the special relationship between Britain and the United States: if it ever faltered, she promised in jest, “I may come back.” Finally, though, it was the plight of the Kurds that led Mrs. Thatcher to abandon her stance of official reticence. “The people need help, and they need it now,” she admonished on April 3, while President Bush was on vacation in Florida and John Major was glimpsed at a soccer match. “It is not a question of standing on legal niceties.… Supposing they were your children, wouldn’t you want to help?” Major’s announcement of emergency aid to the Kurds followed three hours later, but his aides angrily rejected the suggestion that Mrs. Thatcher was in any way responsible. “It is time some of the elderly loose cannons on the deck were pitched overboard and shut up,” one senior minister reportedly snapped. A week later, when she returned to New York to open the newly remodeled British Airways terminal at J.F.K. airport, Mrs. Thatcher also dropped by the United Nations and had a “very lively ding-dong” about the Kurds and the Gulf with Javier Pérez de Cuéllar and other U.N. heavies. “She’s invigorated, in very good form,” says John O’Sullivan, but “she wishes she were in office.” And yet, he says, “when she was in power there were always constraints—she couldn’t develop a positive agenda. With the reception she received from the Washington speech, she realized she could be this new world figure—a female Kissinger,” he enthuses. “There are still remnants of official caution, but I could see her shaking it off. In another six months, she’ll be unrecognizable. She’ll get more outspoken.” That’s just what many Conservatives in Britain fear most. Already Major’s government has begun to dismantle the poll tax and increase child benefits. That old consensus is rearing its equitable head. For Margaret Thatcher that’s roughly the equivalent of making Jesse Jackson the head of the Ku Klux Klan. Already, it is said, she has taken to calling Major’s government “the B team.” Reports are now circulating that, in addition to a visit with Gorbachev in May, she will make a triumphant appearance—as a sort of Britannia-on-a-chariot symbol—at next year’s Republican convention. “There’s no shortage of people who would love to entertain her,” says her close friend and former minister Cecil Parkinson. “But that’s not a career, is it?” “She’s going through a period of enormous boredom,” says Lord Hesketh. Nevertheless, loyalists like Hesketh maintain, one must never count Margaret Thatcher out. “She was destroyed by the poll tax and her views on Europe. The chattering classes—the media, the dons, the Pinters—they all hate her, they loathe her. They are unable to have serious thoughts about what she’s done, what she’s achieved. They’re absolutely blinded by their hatred. Because they don’t like her they say she’s gone. Exit, stage right. That’s a great advantage to her.” “If she aspires to be an influence in British politics, and I think she does,” says Robert McFarlane, “there is a need for a pause. If she’ll just tap her foot for a while, they’ll come her way. They’ll realize what a giant she is.” “My role now is to go round the world saying, propounding, what I believe in, and to help those reaching out to democracy,” Mrs. Thatcher declares. In the U.S., she’s already got millions on her side. Deep in Orange County, the denizens are still talking about the penetrating speech they recently heard from her. “After all,” said one matron, “she is the most powerful woman who ever lived.” For Margaret Thatcher, at least there’ll always be an America. Maureen Orth is a Vanity Fair special correspondent and National Magazine Award winner.

These are the 5 most recent reviews. See full archive here. “Really enjoyed the experience, very entertaining would recommend any tourist's to visit York Dungeons” “Excellent show would go again was made more funny by my daughter screaming the whole way through ..great value for money ..brilliant actors ..scary and funny at the same time ..can't recommend enough” Best place I been in a while!! “The York dungeon is not only a dungeon the staff at the reception is very friendly and helpful! You aren't waiting long to enter they have all got the best actors I have ever seen with all different roles telling the history in many different ways some scary moments what made me jump plenty of times came on the 7/5/2017 and would love to visit again shortly! 10/10! Thank you too all the staff.” “My friend and I went to York Dungeons last weekend. We had the most fantastic time due to the staff there. Firstly the photographer who was rather amused by the fact I specifically requested the sign declaring myself as a witch. The poor guy at the ticket desk who was on the top of his witty game sparring with us as he dropped the bottles of water on the floor. And then at the end the amazing staff in the shop and manning the photography stand who freely admitted that our pictures were the best they had seen (which they were). But also, who stood by and listened to the photos we wanted and told us to get another photo package which worked out cheaper but better for us (and with more pictures) and then shared funny stories of other customers. We had an absolutely amazing time- I had a Merlin Annual Pass when I was younger but York absolutely blew my socks off!! Definitely a trip to remember!” awesomely terrifying experiance!!!! An absolute must for something fun and unique “At the age of 30 I had not visited the York Dungeons, Fed up of the usual boring stuff for my children to do (cinema,bowling,trampolines) We wanted to do something different! Me my husband and our son and daughter came to the York dungeons on a wim, only just making the last tour! All I can say is wow!! what a truly fun and frightening experience we had!! My son and daughter were petrified (even I was quite jumpy haha!!) The actors and actresses are amazing and made the whole experience absolutely fantastic! With stories of the history characters and gruesome tales it truly was the best place we have all been in a fair while!! All four of us loved it and had an awesome time!! Massive props to all involved!!! definitely a must for anyone who wants to do something different, exciting and scary all at the same time!! well done guys!! well worth the money will definitely return when my younger two are old enough!!” Jump through to the shows and LIKE your favourite at the bottom of each page. We'll convert this to a live leaderboard here soon! |Guy Fawkes - Gunpowder Plot |Ghost of York – A tale of two Williams Follow @YorkDungeon on Twitter! Save up to 40% off entry to The York Dungeon and experience the Return of the Highwayman, only when you book online… https://t.co/Tq3fUHqRDe We're bringing snaps back! Save or screenshot our SnapCode and add us for a glimpse of all the fun we get up to. https://t.co/68yKzWlvbU 10th July, 2017 Dick is Back, and in true Dungeon's fashion, he'll be returning from where he died, to where he is coming back to life! 23rd March, 2017 The York Dungeon is offering a unique ‘Lock Up Your Mother’ service for anyone looking for a break from mum this Mother’s Day (or if you want to give her a break from you lot)!

As it doesn’t look as if I’m going to make enough money writing to make a career out of it, and women don’t seem interested in my feminism, and I’m looking for direction for my 50s, I think it’s time to set Plan B in motion; or as it’s known in the greenYgrey world, Plan TD. World’s First Toy Doctor? If I’m successful in finding a much younger and much richer woman, as mentioned in yesterday’s blog, then I will also become the first self-proclaimed toy doctor; I hope the new concept has already enhanced my self-proclaimed genius status! If I find a 21-40 years old woman I obviously can’t be her toy boy, as I’m 50. As I’m poorer, I also won’t be able to be a sugar daddy, and wouldn’t want any incestuous connotations anyway! So, maybe it’s time for the world’s first toy doctor, which would be me! Realistic Humour Disclaimer I don’t want to bring my PhD into disrepute, but the establishment hasn’t offered me any work to make it of any value anyway. They didn’t want to give me it, and have tried to hide it as much as possible since. I don’t really want to be constrained by the establishment anyway, having to be politically correct and following the dominant ideology, which seems to be towards Islamisation – as a Times story reports today about police officers wearing burqas, a police commissioner says they have to reflect society, and of course it’s becoming more and more Islamic because of the numbers increasing. I also don’t want to encourage anybody to become a gold-digger, valuing loving relationships much higher than those based on money. Super Groupie to Toy Doctor My toy doctor is just a continuation of my feminism with a small f anyway, seen previously when I proclaimed myself Taylor Momsen’s super groupie. That was inspired by a documentary about double-G, quadruple-E Germaine Greer, which reported that she was Led Zeppelin’s super-groupie while also being a militant 1960s feminist. So I thought if it’s okay for her to be a feminist and groupie, then it should be okay for me too. Maybe that makes me a masculinist, because I’m a man proclaiming myself a groupie to a woman, as Greer was a woman being a groupie to men. Or are women who are willing to take the secondary role to men the real masculinists? I’m a Great Feminist I remember from my Communications Studies that opposites make better supporters than those who are expected to support an issue. So a lesbian being a feminist won’t have much impact, because it’s expected, and society won’t take much notice. However, if a male like me; and I still am totally male, although in touch with my feminine side; supports women it is likely to make people think more – that’s if they understand it anyway. So that’s why I.S. is probably getting women on board; as well as white boys like the one featured in a propaganda video executing Kurdish prisoners last week; because women and white people supporting an ideology that is very sexist, as well as prejudiced in other ways, provides more clout than just featuring Arab men. So is Nadiya Hussein a good advert for the multicultural British establishment, or Islam’s patriarchy; or a bit of both, as Islam’s patriarchy rises in Britain thanks to multiculturalism. Male Feminism is More Heterosexual While the average man might think I’m more feminine being feminist, I think I’m being more heterosexual – not that that means being more homophobic. The average young man thinks hero worshipping macho men, and dissing women, is being heterosexual, but it’s the opposite really. Being heterosexual is liking women, and treating them well. Don’t worry, I hero worshipped macho men while young too… or maybe that will get you worrying? That’s not to say men have to bow down to women, or women should take advantage. Being greenYgrey I can still see both sides, and think women already have the advantage in some ways, such as divorce settlements. Unfortunately, the more ‘equality’ women have, the more likely they are to become like sexist men (ladettes and lads). I would only want to be with a woman who could rise above that, with enough intelligence and independence to respect my values, and understand my weaknesses. That’s why women like Amber Heard, Taylor Momsen and Cressida Bonas would top my list; not that I know them of course, and they may be totally different to how I perceive them from their media images! Available to buy or borrow on Amazon and all great big bookshops.

Discussion in 'Classic Menswear' started by Mild Mannered, Sep 27, 2009. I'm your huckleberry. I prefer calf over shell - by a long shot. Call my tastes pedestrian, but I too prefer calf, regardless of price. I have no problem with your preference. I couldn't disagree more, but I have no problem with it. Having said that, I have no disdain for calf; indeed, I recently ordered a pair of black calf monks from C&J. I found shell to be a pain in the ass - not worth the time or money... for you at least... i'm sure there are many others like myself that find it rather soothing to take proper care (and time) to bring a shoe to such a shine and luster... just like i thoroughly enjoy ironing my shirts to perfection and taking the time to properly detail my car its ok taking the easy way out, we forgive you I find shell to be less effort than calf. It can handle rougher treatment than calf, looks better when its beat up than calf does, and restores to near perfection far more easily than calf. It's all but impossible to tear shell, while I've seen many, many examples (and lived a couple) of calf shoes that have been scraped / gouged / torn to the point of requiring major surgery or tossing away. That said, each has its place. I only have 2 pairs of shell, although I am considering a third: brown shell Strands are high on my list at the moment. ah, didn't read this lop sided comment first... lol.. while i won't disagree with you, i love the shell more, i will say that calf is more comfortable in terms of flexibility, they feel lighter on the feet. but honestly, calf has its pros as well compared to shell, regardless of the dramatic price difference Funny that you say that because i find it more effort... if calf gets wet, it dries and you can't even tell.... shell looks like hell, time to get the brush out.... and although calf isn't as durable as shell no doubt... however it definitely takes a lot to make it noticeable if calf gets that scraped up. Shell? ha... i have to brush the hell out of them when i'm done polishing because I "scratched" the eyestays with my goddamn fingernail re-lacing the shoe so ya... shell is more durable, but it certainly isn't less forgivable, it shoes a goddamn fingerprint for christ's sake but i love my shell strands... she's a bitch, but i love her Aside from the Burgundy Cambridge, or MAYBE the Burgundy Shell McNeil, I too far prefer calf over shell, in terms of aesthetics. Microcreases and all. Im certainly no fan of the walnut shell. Ive tried and tried and tried to see the beauty in it in everything from the boots to the shell strands, and its just not doing anything for me compared to walnut calf. For the most part walnut shell just looks like a shoe dipped in peanutbutter. And while that may sound tasty, it isnt appealing to my eye. And black shell is just inconsequential either way. Some good comments -always a good discussion topic. I personally love the color variation that can be found in the non-black shell colors. In my opinion a burgundy or brown shell cordovan shoe is much better looking than a similar shoe done in calf. The color variation in shell and the thickness of the material make them less formal, but that is not much of an issue for me. If I need formal, I'll break out my black PAs or black shell Leeds. I also like black shell better than black calf, due to the translucent finish and better appearance of the creases. As far as care requirements, after initial break in (and spewing on the case of shell), I think it might be a wash, unless you get a pair of shell shoes that get the dreaded "welts" with water. I wear shell almost every day, and lately have gotten very lazy about brushing. My shoes probably go 5 wearings (10-15 weeks) with no brushing or care, then I break out the damp cloth and brush, along with edge dressing, and spend an evening. I do the same with my two pair of calf shoes and they start looking similarly in need of care at about the same interval. I don't routinely get my shoes wet, however, so I can't really comment on that. I give my calf shoes roughly the same treatment as my shell, that is a damp cloth followed by brushing, with a little cream or polish as needed. They look fresh and shiny for the first couple wearings, just like the shell shoes do. The difference is that shell actually looks better as it ages and gets character, while calf looks wrinkly and old as it ages. (of course, the really nice calf ages better then cheaper calf, so it does vary). No doubt shell is more expensive, but theoretically they shuld last me longer, and I find a different level of satisfaction when wearing them. For me, that is worth the extra cost, but I certainly understand how others can feel differently. I look forward to how my shell shoes will look in a couple decades. This is a great discussion! I've just begun my affair with shell; so far have one pair (walnut shell Dalton's no less, which I love). I have some #8 Alden pct boots on the way. My input to this discussion is that for me what is the most easy to care for is CXL. It's not supposed to have a "shine" so a little brushing and cleaner/conditioner once in a while and you're good to go. Plus, scuffs rub out so easily. Of course that won't cover dressy situations but that's less of a priority for me so... I have more calf but am hooked on shell! Love it! I want to try a 00 last shoe. How do they compare to the 5 last? It appears my post from a few hours back has generated some discussion. Before I respond to the above comment, I will provide some context by quoting a portion of one of my earlier posts and then moving on from there: "Alden and AE each get their shell form Horween, but each adds a different finish to their burgundy and black. In the end you have: glossy black (Alden) v. somewhat opaque black - sometimes almost gray (AE) glossy burgundy/deep purple (alden) v. somewhat opaque burgundy/brown (AE) If you have burgundy and black from each maker, and you make a side by side comparison (and I have), the difference in shine is rather stark (and again, some prefer a high shine (Alden) and some prefer a much more subdued shine (AE)). With respect to burgundy and black, personal preference plays into the equation. I prefer Alden's finish on its black and burgundy by a large margin, but that's just me." Moving on .... In some ways, if one's only experience with shell is AE (which might be the case given this thread), then they may have not gotten a full flavor of shell's qualities. This is not a criticism of AE shell (after all, I have owned or do own AE models in black, burgundy and dark brown), but it is an acknowledgement that AE shell, because of its somewhat opaque finish - at least with respect to black, burgundy, and dark brown - does not possess (or does not fully possess) , IMO, some of the qualities shell lovers look for - i.e., high shine, easy care - which all of my non-AE shells possess. Some like the opaque finish. I get that. And have no problem with it. But if the care needed to keep my non-AE shells looking "like new" is compared to the care needed to keep my calf shoes looking "like new" (calf from Alden, AE, C&J, EG, Lobb, Sargent, etc.), it is not even close. The former requires far less care than the latter. This is demonstrably true. All that is needed is a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth, occasional horsehair brushing, and very infrequent polishing (a minimum of 15 wears). While I don't go as far as some - that shell needs no care - there is no question it needs far less care. The nature of shell cordovan leather simply allows for less care in a way calfskin does not. This is fact, not opinion. Don't get me wrong, some shell lovers do care for their shoes an awful lot - such as horsehair brushing after every wear, etc. - but this isn't necessary (as per Nick Horween of Horween Leather, the foremost supplier of shell to the world). And the notion that calf is more comfortable than shell is truly mindboggling, and makes me wonder what shell models are being compared, and how, or even if, the said shell models are properly broken-in. Shell on a double leather sole takes time to break in. There is no doubt about that. But once shell is properly broken-in, the notion that calf is more comfortable than shell, based on my experience, would require a significant departure from good sense. I have 37 shell models, shoes and boots, from Alden, AE, C&J, Florsheim Imperial (vintage) and Hanover (vintage), and 25 calf models from Alden, AE, Hanover (vintage), Alfred Sargent, Crockett & Jones, Edward Green, and John Lobb. I used to have far more calf models than 25, but have gotten rid of many over time. i like my tan McTavishes the way they are, but I gotta say those look sweet. Wouldn't mind seeing more pics when you get a chance. And where do you buy Neatfoots oil? Separate names with a comma.

Scrap Car Stirling, Scrap your car for free We offer a free scrap car collection service in and around Stirling, Scotland. Scrap cars become a problem if you keep them for too long as you need to keep them taxed if they are on the road meaning you will be spending money on your scrap car. you are not advised to pay to have your car towed away. We offer a free scrap car collection service in Stirling! Breaking News in Stirling As well as offering a completely free collection, we are also currently able to offer cash for scrap cars in Stirling depending upon the weight of the vehicle! If you'd like us to make you an offer just ask when calling or add 'CASH QUOTE PLEASE' in the 'Additional Info' box when submitting our online form. - Completely free collection! - Environment agency approved recycling facilities - Nationwide coverage - DVLA notification - Convenient collection times Why not simply fill out the form to the right or ring a member of the team 0800 043 5100! Choose Scrap Car Stirling After trading in Scotland for over a decade we have built up our company based on very happy customers. Scrap Car Stirling are very familiar with the local area and will be with you in no time at all. At Scrap Car Stirling, our service also includes a very fast response and we will always be with you in your specified time slot. We will collect vehicles, seven days a week, 365 days of the year, and are able to work around your commitments. Scrap Car Stirling will dispose of your car the right way. Some scrap car companies might sell your car and not scrap it, sometimes not even informing the DVLA that your vehicle has changed ownership. Legally this can leave you very vulnerable, often results in you being fined. When we take away your scrap car we will notify the DVLA that your vehicle has been declared off of the road, giving you one less thing to worry about. Any car that we scrap we ensure that it is scrapped in the most environmentally friendly way possible, we like to do our bit. Please ensure that your car is disposed of in the right way, we would like to keep the streets of Scotland clean. If your area looks unsightly due to abandoned cars, we can help, call Scrap Car Stirling, we will help keep our streets clean and tidy. Scrap that old car, call today! There are a lot of reasons you may want to scrap your car. In our experience the most common reason of all is that the vehicle has failed its MOT and the required work to repair it is simply too expensive. If your car is not working and has broken down you will need to still keep it taxed, so scrap it and save yourself some monies. The car scrappage scheme in Stirling might seem like a great idea at first. However, you are limited in what type of new car you can buy. You can't go out and purchase any car you wish. This is frustrating for a lot of people as the cars in the scrappage scheme may not be to your liking. It couldn't be easier to scrap your car in Stirling. Pick up the phone to find out more from our helpful operators. If on the other hand you are not ready to book and would like to find out more about how to scrap a car please feel free to look at our guide to scrapping your car. - Abhainn Gaoithe - Balfron Station - Blane Water - Borrowstoun Mains - Buchanan Smithy - Caorunn Achaidh Burn - Cauldcoats Holdings - Duchray Water - Endrick Water - Kelty Water - Linlithgow Bridge - Milton of Buchanan - Water of Chon Just call us on 0800 043 5100 or fill out the following form:

Our recent visit to Banqueting House was the starter, not the main course. The main part of that days feast of history and heritage came just a little later when we visited the Churchill War Rooms. Having lain neglected for decades once it has served its purpose in WW2, the war rooms opened in the 1980s, although they are a little bit hard to find, despite their very central location. But that was the idea, I guess. A large German bomb landing on the heads of Churchill an his war cabinet wouldn’t have been ideal, given the already desperate circumstances of 1939 and beyond. The Churchill War Rooms are ever so British. The epitome of Britishness, even. The idea that a bunker was needed was appreciated incredibly late in the day, prmopting a last minute rush to come up with a plan. The site chosen was basically the first place they found with a decent bit of depth below the surface, just yards from Downing Street – they didn’t look too hard in other words. It wasn’t deep enough to be bomb proof, so in typically British fashion, they just plonked in a sheet of concrete reinforced steel in slap dash fashion without really going to the effort of working out if it would, well…work. Would it stop a direct hit from a bomb now? The general consensus was that no, it wouldn’t. Nevermind, shoulders were shrugged, cigars lit and the great war effort carried on from the bunker regardless. It’s just have to do. Whether the bunker would have withstood a direct hit is perhaps a moot point. Churchill lived in the annexe above ground most of the time anyway, and frequently went up on to the roof of the building to watch the German air raids. Winston was many things, but a coward he was not. Brave or just plain stupid? Absolutely. A bit of both, I’m sure. The final very British aspect of the bunker? Luck. Jerry never did aim right, and no bomb ever put that slab of concrete to the test. More to the point, and as one of the diagrams in my Flickr set show, the tide quickly turned and it was British bombs doing all the damage. Most Brits would agree that the Germans got what they deserved in WW2, regards bombing. Few, I suspect, genuinely understand how one sided it ended up being. British bombs vastly outnumbered German bombs when the tallying up was completed post war. The War Rooms are an interesting jaunt through recent history. Being the youngster I am, I sometimes have trouble relating to the war, although my grandfather had plenty of war stories to tell us when we were young. I remind myself that, if time went backward, not forward, then I’d still be 41 of course, but the year would be 1931, and Hitler not even yet in power. Our sense of time is a funny old thing. But these rooms do bring back how recent and how relevant those dark days of the early 40s are. The bunker is stark and industrial. There’s nothing luxurious about them. All purpose, no pomp. You have to use your imagination a little. Set yourself back a little in time – Churchill strode these sparse corridors, my steps following his. That’s where he held cabinet meetings. There’s where he ate, and sometimes (but rarely) slept. He was just one of a small army of generals, admirals, typists and civil servants who kept the bunker, and the war effort, working.

Dartmoor conjures up plenty of different things to many people. Many think of ponies and cream teas, others imagine vast tracts of wilderness and marsh. To those who know it, the 'moor' is 368 square miles of intrigue and fascination but be warned, it's a moreish place and once you have fallen under the magic of 'Old Dartymoor' you will never want to leave it. Over the past 12 centuries man has hunted, farmed, mined, quarried and existed on and around Dartmoor. From the early Mesolithic hunter gatherers to the present 'moorman', people have left their marks on its landscape. Dartmoor has been described as the 'last wilderness' and often when walking deep in that 'wilderness' it is easy to imagine that you are the first to set foot on its virgin soil. Don't even go there, just stop and take a good look and it's guaranteed that within eyesight will be the mark of someone who’s being there before you. It may be a solitary standing stone on the horizon, built by the 'Men of Bronze' or it may be a small heap of stones left there by the old tinners, but somewhere in the ranges there will be something. Every tor, mire, stream, gully, wood or valley will have a name, although many of them won't be on the modern map and lots have been lost in the mists of time but they will all have a name showing evidence of the presence of man. Therefore if a person has been associated with the area for so long it is inevitable that there has been a wealth of tradition, archaeology, history, folklore and legend left for us to explore today. The route of the Dartmoor Railway is part of what was once the London South Western Railway main line from the capital to Cornwall. It opened as a through route in the late 1800s. When many of the lines in the South West were demolished in the sixties, this stretch was kept open to transport ballast from Meldon Quarry for use on all parts of the British Railways Southern Region. Meldon Quarry and the part of the line from Coleford Junction to the Quarry were sold as a result to Aggregate Industries whom together with the local County Council, Dartmoor National Park and RMS Locotec decided on the concept of the Dartmoor Railway. The idea was to create a Community Railway that would allow visitors to access and enjoy the National Park without using a car. Heritage services are available between Meldon Quarry and Okehampton which stretch to Sampford Courtenay, Bow or the DR/Network Railway boundary on particular event days. The stations at North Tawton and Bow are shut to the public. Both stations are privately owned and do not have public access. In the spring of 2013 the heritage service was stopped by the Dartmoor Railway CIC but a limited service has lately been resumed. This is now operated by Dartmoor Railway Supporters Association and Granite Line Ltd. The heritage services use a range of rolling stock such as a Class 205 "Thumper" unit restored to its original livery and number. Services are also operated with diesel locomotives in push-pull trains and top and tail mode with a selection of coaching and ex-EMU stock. Steam hauled services have also worked from time to time.

At home for Mom's birthday. This is a view of Dad's photo board. There are lots of framed photos in the house, but this tells a lot about the man, I think. He readily shows his tough side, but you can see his soft side if you look for it. Here it is in photos of his family that he keeps just for himself in his garage. They are old and curling up, but he loves them. He spends most of his time in his garage workshop. Maybe we keep him company.

I do love fashion - not necessarily wearing it, since I'm a jeans and tee shirt type for every day. But I do love seeing all the fancy gowns (not the excess craziness of Lady Gaga, of course) worn at all the major award ceremonies, and I have several bookshelves devoted to fashions from the past. I love delving into the shifts in fashion throughout history. But Sarah McNeal put an idea in my head with her comment a few months ago when I wrote about The Hourglass Figure. Here's what she said: "One thing I find fascinating about clothing from the Victorian age and the flappers is the extreme attention to detail--embroidery, crochet, lace, tassels, smocking, and so on. Their clothing were works of art." Bingo! So let's explore some "works of art." Especially lace - I love all the patterns, the gorgeous edgings and every tiny swirl below. Knee breeches were the norm for men, with hose to show off the lower legs - erm, limbs. Long hair worn in curls, or tied back, or a powdered white wig covered the scalp shorn close of hair - pretty easy if the gent had a gene for balding hair. The jabot of lace fell over the long coat, and more lace showed below the sleeves. Buckled shoes of leather finished the look. And then came Brummel. Women's garments turned slender - think Jane Austen's heroines in their Empire waists, narrow skirts (doorways were no longer a problem after losing the panniers, although they seemed handy at the time as an elbow rest), with day gowns of less sumptuous fabrics. Tiny prints or pale plain colors replaced the embroidery, although trims still held sway. Especially on bonnets for ladies. And then came the Victorian era. Real flowers decorated skirts, bosoms, and hats, to hand-sewn silk or satin ribbon flowers that lasted far longer. Seamstresses hired women to fashion these delicate blossoms separately or in bunches, and proved to be true works of art. Look at all that detail! You won't find such luscious stuff on gowns at the Oscars now. What a shame, really. What about in the old west? Women certainly loved the femininity of lace or even a flounce or two on a skirt. If they couldn't afford to buy it, they sewed, knitted, or tatted their trims by hand. And men who visited the houses of ill repute expected the "doves" to wear their fanciest corsets, petticoats, and garters. Edwardian fashions of the early 1900s continued to embellish women's clothing with lace, floral ribbons, and more. Throughout the 1900s, the Renaissance Fairs and steampunk fads, and the early 21st century with the resurgence of lace parasols, hats, fascinators, and the like... women and men just love to dress up. The video above show the shifts in fashion from 1700 until 1900 - fascinating, so enjoy! Mystery author Meg Mims earned a Spur Award from WWA and also a Laramie award for her western historical mystery series, Double Crossing (still 99c!) and Double or Nothing. Meg is also one-half of the writing team of D.E. Ireland for a mystery series featuring Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins for Minotaur books. Book 2 just came out, MOVE YOUR BLOOMING CORPSE. Book 1, WOULDN'T IT BE DEADLY, was nominated for a 2015 Agatha Award. Meg lives in Southeastern Michigan with her husband and a sweet Malti-poo. She loves reading and writing novels, novellas and short stories, both contemporary and historical.

If you are heading this way, I am sure you are in the full throes of Rootstech preparation. We're right there with you! Something we are very excited about to share with everyone at Rootstech are the things we've been doing to make your family history fun and games. That's right, I said it, games. We're playing games and we're offering some great new games for you to purchase to use with your custom Family ChartMasters chart or at family reunions. I'm telling you, it's going to be a fun time over in booth 1240 this week. You've got to stop by and check out what we have happening. First, we'll be playing our Pedigree Challenge game at the booth (1240). Come test your genealogy chops by playing hide and seek with our giant Ancestor Chart. How old was Albert when he died? Who is Hortense's great-granddaughter? Who is June's husband? Who is Lawrence's oldest grandchild? Swing by, drop into the game, win a prize! It's a fun way to test yourself and see how you size up on the genealogy game field. Family ChartMasters will be offering a brand new card game that you can purchase to play games with your family charts at family reunions and game nights. This is great to have on hand and get family conversations going. Take a look at what I am talking about here. We'll also be offering the very popular and fun Your Family Tree Game for sale. This is a great game whether you are 4 or 104. We'll be playing this game on our Zap the Grandma Gap side of our booth so you can give it a whirl. It's really fun and perfect for family game nights, family reunions, youth activities, and more. We've enjoyed it a lot in our family and also at a staff meeting (yes, you read that right...we have fun around here while we work). You'll definitely want to take a look at it. And then, of course, what is Outside the Box without games? I mean, that's like a birthday party without cake. So be sure to check out our schedule for lots of great, free mini-seminars. We'll be kicking off and ending our Outside the Box sessions with some more games though. Come see us on Thursday, February 12th, from 10:30-11:00 to try your hand at our Genealogy Game Show (go head to head with other genealogists from around the world in a Jeaopardy-like game) and our Pedigree Challenge. There are prizes involved so you don't want to miss it. We'll cap Rootstech off with another round of both games once more on Saturday, from 3:30-4:00. More fun and more prizes has to be the best way to end your Rootstech stay! We are into the celebration spirit over Rootstech and the fun and games we are planning are just one way we're showing it. Be sure to check out our booth (1240) for amazing products, chart consultations, books, games (to buy and play), prizes, or to just shoot the breeze with folks from our Family ChartMasters team. We're looking forward to seeing you!

Regular price: $24.95 Buy Now with 1 Credit Buy Now for $24.95 About to turn sixteen, Marnie Taylor is rebellious - fighting often with her mother, Ashleigh - and jealous of her more even-tempered and popular twin sister, Callie. Lonely, Marnie finds a compassionate listener in Brad, whom she meets online. Spinning a web of lies to throw her parents off, Marnie arranges an in-person meet-up with Brad. But she realizes too late that she has been targeted in a sinister scheme for ransom. Quinn's vivid cast of characters returns in this high-tension, stand-alone sequel. Though their actions are plausible, none of them behaves as others might predict in this tale that discloses the darker behaviors people are capable of. Cougar Viviana De Mornay takes Chicago's fashion world and "Italian Stallion" Gino Cabello by storm. Tony Wainwright, who has paid his dues for a past crime and appears to have turned his life around, is catapulted to the top of the list of suspects. PI Ross Pocino is on the scene with his surprising insights into criminal behavior, and Paige Toddman's mother, Helen, seems to grow younger every day. While some mothers can unintentionally do unspeakable harm to their children, Ashleigh's "steel magnolia" efforts to wrest her daughter from her captor redeem the sacredness of that role. Customer ReviewsMost Helpful By MELODY on 10-20-17 A little slow moving The story line progressed a little slow for me, but once it got going it was okay. I have to say, though, that I did not like the narrator's performance. Her voices were too fake and sounded forced. I was provided this title for free for an unbiased review. By DubaiReader on 10-18-17 I finish this narrative with a sigh of relief, and while I hate leaving a negative review, my honest response to this audiobook was that it was hugely irritating to listen to on several fronts. Firstly, the narrator had a really annoying voice and was totally unable to do male voices, turning them into an awful screech. Secondly, the book itself was written in third person, but the characters kept announcing what they were thinking, which really didn't work for me. Either a book is in first person, or it isn't. In brief, a large department store has taken over an old favourite and split the loyalties of the stores' shoppers. Viviana De Mornay has moved her up-market clothing brand from one store to the umbrella organisation, and she has both a closing sale and a grand opening. Marnie Taylor, the kidnapped twin who we met in Twisted Webs, is now living with her true family, although she still has strong attachments to Erica, her 'mother' until she was eight. She suddenly has an identical twin and a younger sister, as well as a life of luxury, after being brought up in a trailer park. Her wealth, however, makes her a target for another kidnapping and the frightening issue of on-line grooming is tackled. The kidnapping itself is over dramatised, along with a lot of the aforementioned expression of thoughts by a large number of the characters involved. Although this is the fourth book in the Webs series, I believe it is actually the second featuring this particular cast of characters and provides a sequel to book 2 in the series, Twisted Webs. I found the cast of thousands in Twisted Webs, very confusing, and had to create a 'family tree' to work out who was who and how everyone was interrelated. I would imagine this would be quite a problem if you were coming to this book without having read the prequel. According to GoodReads, this book received the 2013 Beverly Hills Book Awards Best in Fiction and the International Readers' Favorite Gold Medal, and other readers have rated it highly. I would therefore suggest that before deciding against this book, based on my review, prospective readers take a look at other reviews and make their own judgments. I promised to listen to this audiobook and leave an unbiased review, this I have done. Thanks to the publishers, the author and the narrator, for my audiobook copy. Also thanks to Audiobook Boom who provides the contact between authors/narrators, and readers.

Saturday, 18 July 2009 Tuesday, 14 July 2009 Wahey! Potatoes! I still get over-excited digging up spuds, especially when you can hold up the plant in a celebratory manner and say "Look! Look what we've got! For practically free!!!" So after four, or was it five, plants, we'd got a good half-bucket-full of tasty new potatoes. We also had a big handful of broad beans and mange tout, as well as the first artichoke bulb (bulb? head?) which I haven't quite worked out what to do with yet. I'm hoping to sow some more mange tout next weekend, to see if we can get a late crop from them. They've been a bit neglected this year, but these ones tasted so good, even if they were a bit old and crinkled, that I want more! We're also keeping an eye on the blackberry bushes too, as I have plans for jam, puddings, cordials and various blackberry-infused alcohol concoctions. Loads of bees are bee-ing (!) attracted to the purple alliums, which were dancing about in the wind like cheerleaders shaking purple pom-poms. The bees clinging on for dear life. Although if they do get shaken off, hopefully they'll head over to the squash and courgette... Sunday, 5 July 2009 A lovely day on the plot today - not too hot, and not too cold, with a little shower of rain to make it easier to weed. Did lots of weeding, and also transplanted some squash plants where two had germinated in some places and none in others. We've filled all the gaps now but we sowed butternut squash and a varied selection of summer and winter squashes all in one bed, so it'll be interesting to see which ones have ended up where. We've just got the beginnings for some squash flowers and some yellow courgette flowers so hopefully in the next couple of weeks we'll get the first harvest. Picked all our gooseberries and made gooseberry chutney and gooseberry and summer fruits jam. Mmm. Now I need to make some scones and get some clotted cream for a real taste of summer. And the damsons are looking good so we'll keep our eyes on those to make damson gin again for Christmas. We're continuing to dig up our early potatoes, which are delicious, and the main crop ones are flowering now - some even have little tomato-like fruit on - are you supposed to cut them off??? The runner beans are flowering too, and the carrots are looking good after a slow start. I sowed the last of our orange carrots and some more purple ones so hopefully we'll get an ongoing crop as soon as some are ready. Last week Adam put some water butts along the edge of the plot, which makes watering much easier as we don't have to walk the whole length of the allotment with watering cans. Just need to do the odd one-off trip to fill the water butts instead! I'm still taking pictures on my camera without a viewfinder or screen so it's a bit of a gamble if I get the right thing in shot and in focus! Here's a quick pic of the plot... nice and green but the grass needs strimming again! It's never-ending! Saturday, 4 July 2009 ...now they're getting on fine. Lola stopped laying for a few days, maybe in protest at this new creature in her space, more probably, because of the hot, hot weather. She gives little Pegs the odd peck every now and again, usually when Peggy gets in her way or has a treat that Lola wants, but Pegs seems to be holding her own and there hasn't been a repeat of the incidents which led to them being separated. Hoorah! Anyway, back to allotment business... Popped down there very quickly this evening to dig up some potatoes for dinner, and also picked a load of gooseberries (the berries of geese? where did that name come from?) and a dozen of the very first raspberries. Mmm. Last week Phil gave us some of his left-over sweetcorn plants, (who in their right minds has left-over sweetcorn? You'd find a place, surely?) which was great as we had a million gaps to fill. They all seem to be doing fine, as are two small pumpkin plants he also gave us, and two cucumber plants which mum gave us - only one plant germinated out of three spots, each one had at least three seeds in! Not a good year for cucumber, squash and courgette, I think we're going to have to buy two or three courgette plants. Also saw a million ladybirds on the broad beans, no doubt attracted by the blackfly which haven't seem to have been affected by me squirting them with soapy water last week. So now I'm going to look up varieties of British ladybird and see how many we can tick off. Longer visit for weeding planned tomorrow.

Learn How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding or priming. YES, it is possible AND durable! Hopefully, you have already read all about our kitchen remodel on a budget part 1 and part 2, which included painting our kitchen cabinets–DIY style. Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations kit — 5 easy steps to repaint your kitchen cabinets — no stripping or sanding required! The DIY experts at HGTV.com show you how to transform your kitchen cabinets with a fresh coat of paint. So let’s get started. First things first, remove all the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, remove the hardware and take down all hinges. Tape around the cabinet bases. Then put down some plastic in your garage and lay out all those cabinet doors and drawer fronts. When it comes to DIY kitchen cabinets projects, most of us want it to be done quickly. And yet, we want the job quality of a professional painter. To achieve a professional level appearance, the surface of the kitchen cabinets needs to be prepared for best results. If your cabinets have an existing oil-based finish, and you want to paint with latex paint, you need to prime first with an alkyd or 100 percent latex primer. Use a shellac-based stain-blocking primer if your cabinets are heavily stained or smoke-damaged. Apply at least two top coats, using latex enamel and a synthetic-bristle brush. . Quickly paint on one layer of primer, let sit for 30 minutes, flip, and paint the other side of the cabinets. Once the primer dries, apply a coat of paint, allow that to dry, and apply a second layer of paint to the cabinets. I started sanding and thought I would google and see if I could paint furniture and cabinets without sanding first. but what if the kitchen cabinets are not The experts at diynetwork.com show you how to give your old cabinets a makeover with just a fresh coat of paint. 1 part vinegar + 1 part water + a good scrub down = no sanding prior to painting cabinets. . A few articles about how to paint kitchen cabinets without sanding that we can convey to the readers once. To acquire articles and further engaging pictures can visit the pages of engaging articles here. Hopefully this article behind a resolved portray can present many help for this How To section. Regards The Oscar Shorts’ running

Wednesday, December 22, 2010 INot a lot has been happening around here due to D and I being sick off and on for about the last month, up until about a week ago. Little did I know iwas on my way to serious attitude adjustment and I mean serious. I was starting to feel stressed and out of sorts, so I requested a spanking from D who was still feeling not to great, I realise now that I gave no consideration to that fact. A mild argument ensued, and no spanking was received. A few days later I was lying on the bed watching tv when D walked in and calmly said " get my things and the bench out, it is time. As soon D finished attaching the last restraint that's when I realized that I had been very selfish and only thinking of myself. I was beginning to feel sorry for the way I had acted but not as sorry as I would feel after D had finished with me. She had me on the bench for about 30 minutes and she didn't waste any of it. She used her big zebrawood paddle and of course her little stinger paddle, I definitely felt both of them. When she had finished she released me and sat on the bed. I went to her and gave a hug and kiss and apoligised and thanked her paddling my ass. She comforted me as I lay there sobbing and when I finally calmed down D instructed me to put everything away. That was wed of last week. On sat of last week we had decided to go out and dinner together as D would be leaving sun morning to go stay at her mothers house for a few days to help her get ready for the holidays. As of lately i have been being rather forgetful, not doing things that i said i would or things that D had asked me to do. I dont know what the problem is i guess i just havent been very focused, but little did i know D was going to help become focused again. We went to the resturant that we went to on very first date, we had a good time, it brought back alot of old memories. When we got back home we changed into something more comfortable and began watching tv. After about 45 min D insturcted me to get the stuff out,but not the benxh because she would be putting me on the wall tonight and get ready because she was going to help me remember to do the things that she had asked me to do while she was gone. After preparing everything for her i heard those 3 words thats always gives me sinking feeling in my gut" it is time". After she had my hands restrained to the wall and my feet to the floor she placed the hood over my head and asked" do remember what you are supposed to do while i am gone?" Well i was completely at a loss for words, so she laid into me furiously with her big zebrawood paddle. After about 20 real hard swats she stopped and asked me again, and i could only remember one of the things she had asked me to do, that did not sit well with D and i knew i would not be sitting well for awhile when she was finished withme. So she started paddling me again and asking me if i remembered yet,i didnt. She scolded and spanked till i remembered evrything i was supposed to do, my apoligies and crying fell on deaf ears, she was not stopping until she was sure that i would remember everything. She finally gave herself and i a break, when she came over to me she said " now u remembered everything u are supposed to do while i am gone but do you remember what you are not supposed to do while im gone?" I couldnt remember she she laid into me again and kept asking me. After a few minutes iremembered and said " im not supposes to touch myself" and she "right your not going are you" and promised her i wouldnt over and over again, finally she relented. She finaolly let me down off the wall, i was still crying and aplogising to her. D cleaned off my ass which was bruised and bleeding and then she sat on the bed next to me comforting me until i regained my composure. I have posted apicture of the results of these two spanking, if u look close u can see the briuses on the lower part of ass from the first spanking and the second spanking is pretty obivious. When i am on the bench D seems to focus on my sit spot more than when i am standing. When iam standing she focuses more on the upper part of my ass. Im sure i will be posting again soon, the day after D left i touched myself,and when itold her she was not very happy about it. She has yet to tell what i will be recieving but im sure its going to be most unpleasant!!! Thx for reading......B Friday, November 19, 2010 Yesterday i took off work early to get some things done around the house and after arriving home D asked where the hooks in the wall were at,thats when i knew she would be paddling me today. So i got work on putting up the hooks and when i had finished i brought D to the bedroom and showed her my handiwork,she approved. We sat down on bed and began dicussing the things we wanted to get done around the house today which led into D bringing up that she had asked me to do a few things for that still had not gotten done and that she had reminded on several occasions. I apoligised and said i would take care of it right now, D announced it was to late for that and she was going help me remember to do things that i said i would and motivate me to get them done today. She said you are not going to like it, its going to be very unpleasant, so u can think about it this weekend while you are hunting too. Same arrangement this coming weekend as last. D put the cuffs,the hood and the gag on me,led me to the wall and attached my cuffs to hooks and pulled my underwear down to my ankles.The hooks were at just the right hieght to make me stand up on my toes a little bit. Then i could hear her retrieving the paddles she would be using on me. Since this was a new position she wanted to make sure she found the right paddle for task at hand. She gave a couple of swats with all of them, but the winners were her leather frat paddle with the metal stud and of course het little stinger paddle. I later found out that she had decided to give me about thirty minutes worth,D dosent assign a number of swats that i will recieve,she decides how long the spanking will last and what i get is what i get. She never tells me how long it will last, i just have to find out for myself. So she got started with her two paddles, let me tell you it was brutal right from the begining. After only a few swats she had me dancing and screaming. After a couple of minutes she relented, my ass was on FIRE, but she only stopped long enough to get a damp towel rub my ass with in preperation for the next round. She started again and had me dacing again after only a few swats. The whole thing lasted maybe ten minutes, but it was probably the worst spanking D has ever given me so far. Usually it takes atleast thirty to sixty minutes for D to get the results shes looking for, but as you can see in the pictures i posted it only took ten minutes in this position. Afterwards i expressed my dislike for this position, D merely said" to bad, i like and thats what matters and you will be on the wall alot in the future and trust me, your not gonna like it as it will last much longer than this time did". She also said checking my as upon my return from hunting this sunday and if she is dissatisfied i will be right back on the wall for some more of what i got the first time. Hopefully that will not be the case but if thats what has be done then so be it. I live to please D. Well gotta go, thanks for reading. B Tuesday, November 16, 2010 Last week started out pretty rough,i was overly stessed and it was only tuesday. I talked to D about how i was feeling and i had at work the last two days and that made me feel a little better,but i needed more and i think D was aware of that,but nothimg was said about it in our conversation. So i approached D alittle while later and asked her if she would restrain me gor a little while in hopes of clearing my head, D responded "of course i will", i dont think D mind doing this for me, but i think she likes it when i ask her for it rather than offering it. In the meantime i had retrieved the gag, hood,and the wrist and ankle cuffs and aced them on the bed. When D returned to the bedroom she noticed that the wrist and ankle cuffs were attached to a steel ring about an inch and a half in diameter, i had done this to keep them organised,little did i know, that litttle ring would be trouble for me shortly. D stood there looking at the cuffs and then picked them up and said" we are going to try something diiferent this time. She put all the cuffs on me and then she hooded and gagged me. Normally she would lock my wrists to my ankles each side seperately which would allow me some movment, but not this time, she hooked all four to that damn steel ring, which took away any movement i had previously. After D had me locked down, she went into the kitchen to leave me with my thoughts. A short while later she returned and began to dig through our toy bag, i suspected i was in for more thsn i bargined for. She then sat on the bed next to me asked if i was alright, i answered "yes" the best i could with the gag in my mouth. D then began lightly run her fingernails up and down my back for a few minutes,it felt great, it was so relaxing i wasnt aware that she had slid my underwear down to my knees,next thing i know she is rubbing my ass with her big zebra wood paddle,that difinitely got my attention. She gave me about 40 or 50 swats with it and switched to her stinger paddle,i dont have a clue how long that went on, it seemed like forever. When D had finished with me she quietly got up and left me there to think about what had just happened. About ahalf hour later she returned to free me, i immediately went to her and hugged and thanked her for paddling my ass. After laying there for a little while embraced with her, i began getting upset and started crying and D comforted as she always does. She always knows how to make me feel better...... thx for reading,,,B Wednesday, October 27, 2010 Well last weekend came and went, and no punishments applied. Which was good and bad, my ass didnt hurt all week, but i was rather stressed throughout the week, but that was all taken care this past weekend. Last fri D informed me that i difinitely would be recieving punishment this weekwnd, that statement came shortly after i presented D with a new zebrawood paddle ghat i had been working on for her for some time. fri and saturday came and went again with still no punishment, i was beginning to wonder what was going on. Bright and early sunday morning i awoke to D telling it was time for my spanking. D instructed me to get the wrist and ankle cuffs out as she she would be paddling me on the bed this morning, then she instructed me to get the hood, the new paddle, her oak paddle with the holes, and of course her little stinger paddle. After all of her things had been retrived, she instructed me to put the cuffs on and kneel on the bed, she left me kneeling on the bed for about ten minutes while she went into the kitchen, upon her return she handed me the hood, i put it on, then she shackled my hand and anklea together. D promptly got down too business, u wanna talk about a rude awakening. she paddled my ass with extreme predjice for about thirty minutes using all three paddles, my ass was on fire and stinging very bad, but D finally relented. D left me there for a few minutes and began to inspect her handiwork, she had a displeased look on her face, i knew that couldnt be good for me. We had some running to do, so i got dressed and we headed out to do our errands. A rew houds later we were wandering around the hardware store and out of the blue D asked me if my butt still hurt and like a big dummy i replied not really, i would later find out that was big mistake. When we returned home D told me drop my pants she wanted to see my ass again, so naturally i complied,she was not happy at all. D said" i cant believe its not even hardly red, well i guess i will have to do it again and you count on being tied down to the bench and im gonna paddle your ass till its dripping blood and your crying like a little girl, mister"!!!!! Let me tell you, she did just that, sooner than i expected too. Monday morning i came home work early and was promptly Instructed to get the bench ready because my ass was going to be paddled, throughly!! So D shackled me to the bench, hooded me and promtly got down to the task at hand, once again she was relentless, she gave me about twenty minutes with her new paddle, which she decided worked much beter when i was on the bench and she was standing over me adminstering. That paddle hurts, alot, it has thud of hardwood and the sting of soft wood it difinitely makes lasting impression. After a short break, D was back at it for another twenty minutes or so with her holey oak paddle. Saving the best for last, in her opinion, after another short break,she went to work with little stinger paddle. If i wasnt crying and pleading before, i was now. She had me crying and squealing almost immediately after starting with her little paddle, it seemed like hours until she was finished,but was actually about twenty minutes. She turned up the lights and inspected my ass again, and seemed very pleased this time. It took me a few minutes to regain my composure in order to get off the bench, so D came back over and gave me one hard swat with each one of the paddles,then i was able to get right up. I headed over to bed to lay down and D stopped me and said" you need to go get a towel and get it wet and bring it to me, while getting a towel i asked D what it for and she replied" its for your ass" naturally i reached around and touched it and sure enough there was blood on it. She really did paddle my ass till it was dripping blood and difinitely had me crying like a little girl, when D wants results, D gets results. D gave my very sore butt some aftercare,then told me i could pleasure myself if i wanted to,naturallg i agreed. She told me i had to have something in my ass and my hands cuffed, so D took care of that for me,and i started with D watching closely. After 5 minutes of stroking my cock,D pushed my hands over my head and took over, she always has to be in control. After anout 10 minutes my cock felt like it was going to explode, next thing i know D is climbing on top of my rock hard member,she began ride it like there was no tomorrow, minutes later she brouhht me to a mind blowing orgasm that left me convulsing on the bed for atleast 5minutes. D gave me a few minutes to recover and said get and put my things away then get dressed and lets get to work, so we spent the rest of the day doing things around the house. D is a very good motivator,no more spankings were needed, lucky for me. Thx for reading,,,,,,,B Friday, October 15, 2010 After last weekends spanking i was rubbing my ass, and D asked me what i was doing and i said" my ass is on fire and im rubbing it, D replied " stop right now ,there will no more of that, not without my permission and while we are on that topic there will be no touching yourself or masterbating without my permission. When it needs to be done,i will take care of that unless i give you permission to do it yourself. If you do it without permission and lie to me i will know, mister! All i can say is wow, were did that come from. When i first approached D about spanking me i guess i kinda hoped it would turn into something like a domestic discipline situition or something along those lines. I figured if it was to happen, it would slowly evolve into such. When D placed those rules on me i was totally caught off gaurd by it. Maybe D is warming up to the idea of a d/d sititution, if so, shes difinitely jumping in feet first. If that is what is happening, then im probably in big trouble,D can be very firm and demanding when she wants to be,but on the other hand she is a very caring person. There is a possiblity that she just wants to take care of these things for me,which she already does just not at the frequency i prefer, hence the self pleasure comea into play. I will just have wait and see how this progresses. D has promised me that i will be gettingpumished this weekend, and i gotta say im a little nervous after what i received last weekend,its now fri and my ass is almost healed from last weekend,she really gave it to me good, it difintely made a lasting impression,its been on my mind all week. The question is,will D be harsher this week,will she impose more rules on me,is she gonna make my ass bleed or make it black and blue, i dont know, but i have been thinking about it all week. It should be an interesting weekend though. Tues and wed pretty rough days for me at work and i was rather stressed, i really try not to bring that stuff home with me but sometimes it cant be helped. Wed night D and i were laying in bed watching tv, when we began to discuss why i was so stressed,so i explained what had happened at work on those days,we talked about it for a little while and i asked if i could be resrained for a little while,D promptly replied"no, your gonna have to wait till friday" needless to say i was kinda bummed,that does wonders for my stress when D restrains like that,its gives me a chance to let go and give up control or regain control of my emotions. Well gotta go for now, i will post next week about this weekend happenings. If you read this blog plz leave a comment. Thx for reading, B Tuesday, October 12, 2010 let up to take a break which i difinitely needed,my ass felt like somebody was holding a blow torch on it. After about 5min D was back at it again,she gave another 10mins worth, my ass hurt so bad i cant even describe it. D repeated this 2 more times,then left me there to think about my bad behavior this past week, i feel that i deserved everything i got. After 15 or20 mins D came back to inspect the rezults of her work,she was pleased. D put some lotion on my ass and rubbed it for a few minutes,and freed me from my restraints. It took me a minute or two to regain my composure enough to get up, i cant take to long getting up off the bench or D will take it as a sign that i need more and she will be right back over paddling my ass again.a few minutes later we were on the bed relaxing, i started to take my cuffs and D immediately asked me what i was doing and i replied " taking these off " her response was " no your not, im not finished with you yet" so i left cuffs in place and awaited my fate. To my surpise i was not being paddled again but i was being rewarded, D was going to allow me to have an orgasm. Recently we purchased a prostrate stimulator and D fell in love with it immediately, she can bring me to orgasm of severe intensity,its unbeliveable!!!! After lubing up my ass good she shackled my hands and ankles together and went to work on me, after a few minutes she began to stroke my cock, and then it started to build. After about 15 min she brought me to the most unbelievable orgasms i've ever had, i must have rolled around on the bed for atleast 10 min afterwords moaning, groaning and convulsing,this is what D likes to see. Finally i had calm down enough to carry on a conversation and that was when D informed me that we still had more work to do tomorrow morning before we had to leave for a family function in the afternoon. So the next morning i woke up feeling rather lazy,i just couldnt get motivated,but was more than happy to motivate me,she had me put on the wrist cuffs and bring her little stinger paddle to her. D told me to lay across the bed in front her,and she said " u better not move either, u need to be more discplined in following my request, and we are going to work on that" then she applied about 40 or 50 swats to already burning ass,she had me squealing immediately. Needless to say i was very motivated when she had finished and was ready to start cleaning. D imformed me that we would be cleaning the floor first in the front room which tends to neglected from time to time and needs to be scrubed by hand either sitting down or on ur hands and knees,well i was les than excited about this, D noticed and offered to bring her paddle for any on the spot motivation that may be needed,fortunately for me none was needed.when we were getting ready to leave for the family function, i was puttin aways D's toys and got to her little stinger paddle, i noticed something on it so i asked D about it,and she calmly said "thats your blood i made your ass bleed,did i tell how much i like that paddle" i replied yes u did. Well thats about it for now gotta go.if u read my blog please leave a comment as i havent gotten any yet and would like know what evwrybody thinks. Thanka for reading B... Friday, October 8, 2010 D and i were discussing going away for the weekend the other day,but decided to stay home instead as we would have the house to ourselfs. We had done some shopping last week which had produced some items for D's arsenal which icluded a spandex hood, an inflatable buttplug and leather frat paddle covered in metal studs, which we are going to tryout this weekend. So, on to my mistake, as i've stated in previous posts, i have a checkered past prior the meeting D, and have been feeling remorseful about those past indecresions. One of those things was being respectful and considerate of other people feelings. What happened was we were returning frm a doctors appt and somebody pulled out in front of me and wouldnt let me pass, and in the instantly i reverted back to my old ways, which was a serious error in judgement on my part, so D made comment to me reguarding my handling of sitaution,i defended myself from her comments,ahe got upset and starting crying. I apoligized to her a few minutes later when i came to my senses, but that wasnt cutting it with D this time. I truly regret upsetting her like that,i guess i just lost control for few minutes, i do feel really bad about the whole situition.finally after we had been home for a little while D began to calm down and i apoligized many more times, but i was beginning to get the feeling that was not gonna cut it this time.that night D made a comment to me that i will never forget, she said"this weekend when i have tied down ro the spanking bench im gonna remember how mean you were to me" right then and there i knew i had made a huge mistake. I asked her what she was gonna do to me, which normally she would have no problem telling me what was gonna happen to me, not this time,D merely said "you are gonna have wait and see what i have planned for you, and i can assure it will not be pleasant and maybe i will make you choose what u think is apporiate in order to redeem yourself"so ive been thinking long and hard about my situition and whether she decides or i decide im in for a long weekend. I love my wife very much and everything gives me this weekend, i deserve and i know it will help me to be a better person. Sometimes when im overly stressed D gags and restrains me on the bed for an hour or two, and sometimes i request it. This is a great help in getting my mind clear,sometimes d feels i need some extra help getting my mind clear,she might paddle my ass or put something in my ass,she might get her strapon out and give me good buttfucking. The other day i made such a request and D was willing to do this for me. But apparently she had other plans for me after she had me restrained. She put the spandex hood on me and got out her new leather paddle with the metal studs, D had decided i was going get a taste of her new paddle early in order to help clear my mind, but i think she just couldnt wait to use it. So i recieved about 30 or 40 swats, believe me that was just a taste of it, there will be many more to come this weekend im sure. It left no marks on my ass, D was not happy about that, im sure that wont be the case after this weekend.the last time we had a weekend like this one my ass was bruised and sore for two weeks. The strange thing was after D gave those 30 or 40 swats she untied me and went to the kitchen to get something to drink and by time she had returned i was completly broken down,lying on the bed crying and sobbing feeling very remorsful. That first time that has happened, i ve been in that state during a spanking but never after one. D comforted me for awhile and then told me it was time to go sleep because it was late and i had to get up early for work. Well gotta go for now. If u read my blog please leave a comment,i am new to blogging and would like to hear what you think,also working on getting pics and vid on here too. Thx,,,B

There are few periods in British boxing that stand comparison to the current buoyancy and popularity of the sport. Within this on-going euphoria it is easy to become desensitised to the merits of a good old fashioned ‘scrap’. The Dennis Hobson card which appeared on FreeSports here in the UK, live from Ponds Forge, Sheffield, offered just such an opportunity to remember the value of evenly matched opponents intent on securing a victory over their foe. Small purses, but gallons and gallons of courage, determination or, to make best use of age-old boxing parlance, heart. Luoa Nassa, the favourite, succumbed in the final round of 10 to a desperate onslaught from Brad Watson. Rallying from a knockdown in the 6th, apparent fatigue and a potentially fight ending cut on the bridge of his nose, Watson eventually overwhelmed Nassa with a series of flush right hands. Having struggled to secure viewing rights in my local hostelry in the face of apathy and a solitary vote for Rugby League, the fight eventually captured the attention of most of the gathered throng – as boxing invariably does. This, despite neither contestant being recognisable to all but the most devoted of, well, devotees, the weight being unclear as the negotiation with the locals cost me the opening round and any title or status of the fight remaining unknown and hard to decipher from the coverage afforded. For context the entire fight was viewed beneath the sound blanket of a busy Friday night and a soundtrack of thudding, wealth-creating jukebox choices. I couldn’t hear Glenn McCrory but it was good to see him back on the microphone. From the third Watson, a fighter of slender means, an arching spine and a gaunt, vulnerable visage looked tired, despite the defiance of his smile and a deep cut to the left side of the bridge of his nose. Opponent Nassa had echoes of the firtive style of other members of Sheffield’s pugilistic past, and benefitted from the wisdom of Ryan Rhodes – the former World-Title challenger, but lacked the power or precision the greatest of that Ingle lineage possessed even when he had the momentum to do so. Watson belied his youthful and vulnerable looks to demonstrate resistance and presence of mind to survive, return from a 6th round knockdown to put Nassa down too, overcome the deluge of pressure in the interim and silence the scream of resistance from his aching limbs to turn the tide of the contest in the subsequent rounds too. It was a remarkable achievement and one which teased attention from the reluctant and a nod or two from those with more than a fleeting interest in the fight. There are half a dozen British referees I could suggest who would have stopped Watson in light of his fall to the canvas in the sixth such was the clear evidence of exhaustion he was presenting, Shaun Messer deserves credit for offering Watson opportunity to prove he could respond. By the closing rounds, Watson looked the more determined and resolute and imposed that will upon Nassa, knocking him down twice in the final round and in doing so, encouraged a timely stoppage and secured himself the English Super-Flyweight title belt in the process. It was a welcome reminder that boxing, as a spectator sport, doesn’t need ‘beef’, or the exchange of insults, or pyrotechnics or Instagram campaigns. Just two ‘good boys’, as Enzo Maccarinelli might say, evenly matched with something to prove to the gathered, to their opponent and most of all, to themselves. Congratulations to Watson, and to Nassa too, for sacrificing slivers of their whole in proving their mettle in a fierce and enthralling contest. Subsequent research illustrated the enormity of the mountain Watson had conquered and the depth of his will to prevail; his victory preceded by 15 months of inactivity and just two fights, both lost, at Super-Bantamweight in the preceding two years. In the main event, Josh Wale retained his British Bantamweight title with a 9th round stoppage of a game Bobby Jenkinson.

Here are some more things I have made recently, but not gotten around to photographing. After the success of my two Named Clothing Quinn Shirts, I had the shirt bug and also, two other patterns to try. The first was the Papercut Meissa Shirt which my sister gave me the pattern for, she also gave … More Spring Shirting I love the Named Clothing Quinn Shirt pattern. Seriously, I love it! Based on the finished garment measurements I made the 40 and graded out to a 42 around the shoulders and I love the fit on this. I lowered the darts ever so slightly second time around and that is it in terms of … More Quinning. I finished another Lottie over the weekend. It was not on my list of upcoming makes but I have wanted a white shirt for the longest time. And for some reason I had a block about making one. It’s made from what appears to be an old sheet. I bought it as ‘fabric’ from the … More Queue Jumper: Another Lottie. My lovely friend Sophia who can be seen sporting one of my makes in an earlier post has a husband who is a gifted op-shopper. Much respect is felt. Sometimes he finds things for me. Joy! One such time was when I was delivered a pile of old tuxedos. In that pile was a large … More Tuxedo shirt upcycle. This is a slightly longer story than I usually tell. Bear with me. A couple of years ago I bought a very expensive silk shirt with horses on it. It made me very happy until the dye bled all through the underarm area (overshare alert: I seem to have Acid Rain strength sweat). I took … More Neptune Rising: Another UFO sighting.

Her name was Derya. She lived in Batman, Turkey, she was 17 years old, and she had a problem that few American women know about, let alone have ever experienced: The men in her family were doing everything they could to get her to kill herself. It started with text messages like this one from her uncle: “You have blackened our name. Kill yourself and clean our shame, or we will kill you first.” What was Derya’s crime? What had she done to deserve a message like that from a relative? She had fallen in love with a boy she had met in school the previous spring. When news of this outrage reached Derya’s family, her mother warned her that her father — her own father — might kill her. She didn’t listen. And then the orchestrated campaign of terror began. Threatening text message after threatening text message, sent by her brothers and uncles, sometimes as many as 15 a day. #ad#Young Derya was so overwhelmed that she did the only thing she could do to free herself from the shame and the pain: She tried to kill herself. Not once. Not twice. Three times, Derya tried to kill herself, first by throwing herself into the Tigris River, then by hanging herself, and finally by slashing her wrists with a kitchen knife. The reporter learned that every few weeks, in parts of Turkey deeply influenced by conservative Islam, young women were taking their own lives for the same reasons Derya tried to take hers. Others, the Times reported, were stoned to death, strangled, shot, or buried alive by their male relatives. And what were the crimes of these young women? Well, in Batman, such offensive conduct as wearing a short skirt, wanting to see a movie, or being raped by a stranger. It goes without saying that engaging in consensual sex warrants death. And people think there is a war on women in America? But the Times story got worse, as the reporter explained the reason why Derya and other women and girls in Turkey were trying to kill themselves. It turns out that Turkey, in its hopes to join the European Union, was beginning to punish men for their attacks against women and girls. Honor killings, it seems, are frowned upon by the EU. So the men who run things came up with a great new idea: Why not pressure girls to kill themselves instead? “Families of disgraced girls are choosing between sacrificing a son to a life in prison by designating him to kill his sister or forcing their daughters to kill themselves,” said Yilmaz Akinci, who works for a rural development group in the region. “Rather than losing two children, most opt for the latter option.” Now that is a real war on women. And yet we have heard almost nothing from President Obama in his three years in office about Islam and women. Even in his infamous speech in Egypt, he spoke only briefly about women’s rights, and among his comments was this: Now let me be clear: Issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world. That’s right. He basically said that women are as poorly treated in America as they are in countries like Turkey and Pakistan! What President Obama failed to mention in that speech was genital mutilation or rape or polygamy or honor killings in parts of the world where Islam is the predominant political and cultural force. And he didn’t mention those honor suicides in Turkey. President Obama’s speechwriters must not have consulted Nina Shea of the Hudson Institute, who has been writing about this subject for years. #page#This March, Ms. Shea published a survey of some of the world’s worst offenders on the women’s-rights front, with brief descriptions of some of those nations. Here is how she described life for Saudi women: Women are required to have male guardians whose permission is necessary for traveling outside the home — even for emergency hospital visits. The state dictates their appearance with dress codes that enshroud them in anonymous black robes from head to toe. Apart from lingerie stores, they are barred from retail jobs and most service work. Under a code unique to Saudi Arabia, they are also banned from driving. They cannot mingle with unrelated men. A special police force, mutaween, patrols streets, shopping malls, and other places to enforce such laws; the mutaween captured rare international attention in 2002 when, during a fire at a girls’ school in Mecca, they caused the death of 15 girls by pushing them back into the blazing building because, in their panic, the girls had run out without their veils. #ad#Ms. Shea then proceeds to chronicle the state of women’s rights in Iran: Women are subject to state-enforced dress codes and sequestration laws. Their testimony in court is weighed less than men’s. They are disadvantaged under family laws. Also, according to the penal code, four male witnesses or a combination of three male and two female witnesses are required for a rape conviction; if a woman brings a rape accusation but fails to meet the burden of proof, she is subject to 80 lashes. The law permits a man to kill his adulterous wife, and women convicted of adultery can be sentenced to stoning. Protesting for women’s rights is harshly punished. And then Ms. Shea turned to Pakistan, which President Obama specifically mentioned in his speech, suggesting that that nation’s struggle for women’s rights was further along than our own here in America: A frequent problem for Christian women in Punjab, the largest province, according to Father Khalid Rashid Asi, general vicar of the Catholic diocese of Faisalabad, stems from that country’s persistent practice of forcing rape victims to marry their rapists, a situation that becomes compounded by forcible conversion to Islam; the criminal justice system fails to protect such women and girls. A well-documented case that illustrates the problem occurred on December 24, 2010, as recorded by the Asian Human Rights Commission and reported by the British Pakistani Christian Association. Anna, a twelve-year-old Christian girl, was visited by a Muslim friend at her home in Lahore and invited to do some last-minute Christmas shopping with her. Instead, when she got into the friend’s car she was abducted by the friend’s relatives. She was taken to a house in another city where she was held for eight months and repeatedly raped and beaten, in order to convert her to Islam. Her family did not know what had happened to her; her father, Arif Masih, filed a complaint with police but they took no action. In September 2011, Anna managed to escape and run to a bus station where she called her frantic family, who drove to retrieve her. Her kidnappers then petitioned police for her return, asserting that she had converted to Islam and was now married to one of her rapists. The police told the family it would be better to hand over Anna to the rapist, since he was now her husband and they would face a criminal case if they refused. Appalled at the suggestion and terrified that their daughter would be again taken, the family has gone into hiding. #page#Last but not least, Ms. Shea described the state of women’s rights in Afghanistan, and as you read this excerpt from her work, it will make you wonder why groups like the National Organization for Women don’t put public pressure on President Obama to help their Muslim sisters all over the world. Afghanistan also treats women unequally under the law and shares many features of gender discrimination and restriction found in the laws of Saudi Arabia and Iran. Those calling for greater women’s rights can be harshly punished for the crime of blasphemy against Islam. For example, Shia scholar Ali Mohaqeq Nasab, editor of Haqooq-i-Zen magazine, was imprisoned by the government for publishing “un-Islamic” articles that criticized stoning as a punishment for adultery. Afghanistan also applies, in some areas, tribal law that gives women few rights. Three weeks ago the New York Times detailed one particularly abusive tribal law that is said to be “pervasive” in Pashtun areas, aptly named “baad.” It is the abduction, lifelong enslavement, and rape of a girl — who was eight years old in the Times’s story — by a family in compensation for a wrong committed by the girl’s relatives. #ad#That’s the real war on women happening right now around the globe. But our media will instead peddle the fake war here in America, in order to advantage one political party over another. But for those in the media who are hell-bent on aiding and abetting President Obama, this line of attack may just backfire. Even on an issue as contentious as abortion, a 2009 Pew Press release had this stunning bit of news: “Men and women have been evenly divided on the issue in previous years; however, this is the first time in nine years of Gallup Values surveys that significantly more men and women are pro-life than pro-choice.” Some liberals may not like the fact that more women disagree than agree with them on abortion and other so-called “women’s issues,” but the right that American women hold most sacred is their God-given right to express themselves. Even if it means disagreeing with the mullahs at the National Organization for Women. The fact is, not all women think alike. Ask Ann Coulter. Ask Laura Ingraham. Ask Michelle Malkin. Ask Condoleezza Rice. Ask Nikki Haley. Heck, ask my wife, who leans to the right of William F. Buckley Jr., and the millions of other American women who don’t want to be considered a special-interest group, let alone be pandered to by bureaucrats and politicians. One can only hope that during this hectic election season, the editors and producers pushing the phony war on women in America come to their senses and do some reporting on the very real war on women in Turkey, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and the countries affected by the Arab Spring. And in the meantime, say a prayer for Derya and the hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of other victims of that ongoing war. — Lee Habeeb is the vice president of content at Salem Radio Network, which syndicates Bill Bennett, Mike Gallagher, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, and Hugh Hewitt. He lives in Oxford, Miss., with his wife, Valerie, and daughter, Reagan.

‘The Icicle Man Has a Frozen Nose’ – Winter Continues in New England Posted on February 9, 2014 By:Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb “The icicle man has a frozen nose, woah it’s cold, achoo it’s cold…” At this time last year we were snowbound in Connecticut thanks to a powerful nor’easter that between February 8-9 brought heavy snow and hurricane force winds. Although there has been considerable snowfall here this winter causing flight cancellations, school closings and a depletion of salt reserves in many town’s public works departments – the real story continues to be frigid blasts of air and Arctic-like temperatures. Despite occasional spikes, for the most part temperatures have hovered in the low double digits, single digits and below zero. Yesterday morning it was 11 degrees when I started the SUV. At this time last year I awoke to snow several feet high blocking my doorway, this winter glistening icicles dangle from the roof’s edge. Notable groundhogs, such as Chuckles at Lutz Museum in Manchester, Conn. have made their perfunctory predictions of six more weeks of winter. As for today and the coming week, ACCUWEATHER describes the current weather system as “sneaky” and “evolving” – but some amount of snow is predicted to fall at some point – basically – winter continues in New England. I stumbled upon an old recording of this children’s song on You Tube – Icicle Man – seemed quite fitting – here’s the link – http://youtu.be/4Rnik5Ua4cg – enjoy!

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It's time to start planning for all the Christmas parties and family get-togethers. Nothing brings people together much better the perfect Christmas music and quantity of the best Christmas recordings you will discover are done by Country music singers. Whether it is a standard Christmas song performed country music style also known as a new selection all their own, 1 gives an audio lesson more heart and warmth than a rustic music entertainer. The following list of Country Christmas music just a sample of the songs you actually can find to get involved in the holiday spirit with friends and family. The boys: Casey Abrams, 20, of Idyllwild, Calif. ; Jovany Barreto, 23, Harvey, La. ; Jordan Dorsey, 21, Donaldsville, La. ; James Durbin, 22, Santa Cruz, Calif. ; Clint Jun Gamboa, 26, Long Beach, Calif. ; Tim Halperin, 23, Fort Worth, Texas; Stefano Langone, 21, Kent, Wash. ; Brett Loewenstern, 17, Boca Raton, Fla. More information about Cheapest App To Buy Lady Antebellum Concert Tickets Tinley Park Il. 14). For more about the 2013 RodeoHouston concerts look at the event's official website over here. Country Stars Tweet Prayers For Randy Travis Country super group Lady Antebellum released the first single their particular upcoming fourth studio release this number of. The track is called "Downtown," in order to mention be confused with the old Petula Clark song with the same name from the 60s. "Golden" by Lady Antebellum concert debuted at No. 1. It is the band's fourth studio album since 2008. All have reached the top spot with a country chart, and three topped out at Correct. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 220. Jay & The Americans continue to warm within the Budweiser Stage for larger name bands coming later in a few days. They play their doo-wop pop for that Lady Antebellum song second day's three at 8 v. If you are looking for Stubhub Lady Antebellum Summer Plays Tour Schedule 2018 In Bristow Va, sports tickets and theater seats at the best prices click here.

With the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup kicking off at midnight tonight, it seems fitting to take a look at the impressive records held by Japan’s talented football player, Homare Sawa. The attacking midfielder first entered the record books in 2011 when she achieved the Latest Goal Scored in a FIFA Women’s World Cup Final by scoring in the 117th minute of Japan’s victory over the United States in Frankfurt, Germany. The goal levelled the score at 2-2 which enabled Japan to proceed to penalty kicks – they triumphed 3-1 and become World Cup champions. When she was presented with her certificate in Tokyo in 2011, Frank Foley, then MD of Guinness World Records Asia Pacific, said: "In a year when Japan has suffered such devastation due to the 11 March earthquake and tsunami, we were delighted to celebrate these uplifting records which typify the fighting spirit and character of the Japanese people". Homare’s last-minute goal usurped the record title from Nia Künzer (Germany), who scored on the 98th minute of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup final. The 36 year old soccer pro has also achieved the impressive Guinness World Records title for the Most appearances in the Women’s World Cup finals, having appeared 5 times since her football debut in 1993 – a career longevity few footballers can boast. She shares this record with 4 other players: Kristine Lilly (USA), Bente Nordby (Norway), Miraildes Maciel Mota 'Formiga' (Brazil), and Birgit Prinz (Germany). Guinness World Records can’t wait to see what happens in tomorrow’s all-important game as Homare and the rest of the Japanese team attempt to defend their title in Canada. The record-breaking player told FIFA, “I’ve achieved almost everything a footballer can achieve and now I’m focused on securing a second World Cup title...Don’t just dream your dreams – make them come true.”

Next on News 7- He's the new speaker of the House and tonight he spoke in Roanoke to raise cash- Convicted murderer John William King shouts obsenities as he taken from court. Plus March Madness gets an early start with high school and college tournaments- News 7 is up next. [SUPER=#4064; News 7 at Eleven Headline Banner] [GRAPHIC=N7 at 11] The top Republican in the House makes an appearance in Roanoke tonight in support of a fellow congressman. The new Speaker of the House came to town to lend a helping hand to a Virginia Congressman and talk about the party's goals now that the impeachment trial is over. Dennis Hastert was in the star city for a fundraiser benefitting Congressman Bob Goodlatte. But, as Stacey Martin reports, he mainly talked about the party's efforts to re-focus on its goals now that the impeachment trial is behind them. (Rollcue:is behind them. ) [IN Q=Hastert described the] [SUPER=01-Dennis Hastert/(R) Speaker of the House; :14] [OUT Q=SM, N7.] (( Hastert described the past few months as a "down"time for the party--having party leadership change hands twice--and having to deal with the impeachment hearing and trial. (///// SOT /////) [SOT 19.51.42 - 19.51.55] [IN Q=It wasn't an easy] ((DENNIS HASTERT/SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: IT WASN'T AN EASY JOB BECAUSE NOBODY REALLY WANTED TO FACE UP TO THIS. AND, ALL OF A SUDDEN WE WERE FACED WITH THE "I" WORD--THE IMPEACHMENT HEARING; FIRST TIME IT'S EVER HAPPENED TO AN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.)) [OUT Q=elected president of the United States.] It was a tough time for some Republicans who wanted to convict, but polls were telling them most Americans wanted the president to complete his term. (///// SOT /////) [SOT 20.08.24 - 20.08.38] [IN Q=I don't believe anybody] ((CONGRESSMAN GOODLATTE/(R) VIRGINIA:I DON'T BELIEVE ANYBODY IN THE CONGRESS RAN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEAL WITH SOMETHING AS UNFORTUNATE AS THAT ENTIRE SITUATION WAS. WE RAN TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.)) [OUT Q=are concerned about.] Goodlatte indicated its now time to revive the Contract with America and Republican goals of cutting the national deficit, improving Social Security and returning some of the federal government's surplus to Americans. Republicans are eyeing Texas Governor George Bush as a possible presidential contender. [14:19:34 wide shots] Two of his aides say Bush is getting ready to run for president. Bush says he'll make an annoucement in two weeks- Today reporters asked if he's made us his mind. (///// SOT /////) [IN Q=I made up] ((GEORGE W. BUSH/TEXAS GOVERNOR: I MADE UP MY MIND TO ANSWER THE QUESTION YES, NO OR MAYBE.)) [SUPER=01-George W. Bush/Texas Governor; quick!] [OUT Q=or maybe.] Sources say Bush will announce he's forming a presidential exploratory committee- that'a key step toward formal candidacy. A shooting in Roanoke tonight sends 2 people to the hospital. It happened around 6-30 this evening in the 2700 block of Salem Turnpike. Roanoke city police say the victims tried to rob a home when someone shot at them. They were then taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are still investigating the incident. [GRAPHIC=Metcalf Job Appeal] The Roanoke County police officer who lost his job after a pepper spray incident last fall, is fighting his termination. Today, Russell Metcalf carried his case to a grievance panel. Metcalf is an eight-year veteran who was suspended and then fired following the confrontation with 77-year old Goldie Akers. During a day-long, closed hearing, county officials presented their witnesses. Metcalf will have his say when the panel reconvenes. (///// SOT /////) [IN Q=And at that time] ((GARY LUMSDEN/METCALF'S ATTORNEY: AND AT THAT TIME, WE'LL START PUTTING ON THE PARADE OF OFFICERS THAT INDICATE THAT THEIR TRAINING IS VERY CONSISTENT WITH THE WAY OFFICER METCALF ACTED ON NOVEMBER THE EIGHTH.)) [SUPER=01-Gary Lumsden/Metcalf's Attorney] [OUT Q=on November the Eighth.] Goldie Akers did not attend today's hearing. The grievance panel is expected to hear from more witnesses next week. Jurors took just under three hours to choose the death penalty for John William King. A statement released from King expresses no remorse for the dragging death of James Byrd. Andrew Colton reports from Jasper Texas. (///// SOT /////) [IN Q=Even before] [SUPER=03-Jasper, TX; 00] [Super=01-Sonny Cribbs/Defense Attorney; 13 quick!] [SUPER=01-Joe Collins/Jury Foreman; 29] [SUPER=01-Mary Varrett/Victim's Sister;39 quick!] [SUPER=01-Andrew Colton/CBS News; 1:00] ((EVEN BEFORE THE JURY DELIBERATED, KING'S ATTORNEY PREDICTED HIS CLIENT WOULD BE SENTENCED TO DIE. AFTER SENTENCING, SONNY CRIBBS SAID HE DID WHAT HE COULD. SONNY CRIBBS/DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It wasn't unexpected but it's always disappointing. It doesn't make you feel real good right now. THE 12 PERSON JURY SAID THE EVIDENCE WAS STRONG THAT KING WAS A WHITE SUPREMACIST WHO DRAGGED JAMES BYRD TO HIS DEATH. THE FOREMAN, THE PANEL'S ONLY BLACK MEMBER, REVEALED HE ONCE WENT TO SCHOOL WITH KING. JOE COLLINS/JURY FOREMAN JAMES BYRD'S SISTERS SAID THE VERDICT IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS CLOSURE. MARY VARRETT, VICTIM'S SISTER: IT'S A RELIEF TO US TO FINALLY HAVE ONE OF THESE PERPS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE, AND RECEIVE A JUST SENTENCE. AND EVEN TO THE END, KING SHOWED NO REMORSE. AS HECKLERS WAVED A GOODBYE, SOMEONE ASKED IF HE HAD ANYTHING TO BYRD'S FAMILY. HIS ANSWER, AN OBSCENITY. ANDREW COLTON CBS NEWS, JASPER, TEXAS.)) [GRAPHIC=Switched at Birth] The agreement between the families of two girls switched at birth is reportedly starting to show signs of strain. A Charlottesville newspaper reports today that the aunt of four year old Callie Conley has been told she can no longer visit the child. Callie is being raised by Paula Johnson, while Johnson's biological daughter Rebecca is in the care of two families in Buena Vista. Johnson allegedly told the woman her lawyer had recommended barring any visits. Her attorney.. CYNTHIA Johnson.. could not be reached for comment. Traffic came to a standstill nearly three hours today in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Rural Retreat. The driver of a rig pulling two trailers filled with packages- lost control and flipped near mile marker 57-- near the Wythe/Smyth County line. Witnesses told state police the driver was NOT speeding - that a gust of wind appeared to cause the driver to lose control. Before flipping over-- the rear trailer struck another tractor trailer traveling in the opposite direction. No one was seriously injured and no charges will be filed. [wipe wipe wipe] [GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe] The man accused of causing a hit-and-run crash that injured seven people last week has been arrested by Danville Police. Police say Sylvester Waverly Hood fled the scene of the wreck on Claiborne Street. Hood was reportedly speeding when he slammed into one car, ramming it into another. He was arrested Saturday at his home and charged with three counts of felony hit-and-run and one count as a habitual offender. Wearing your seatbelt is already the law on Virginia roads. But today, a measure to allow police to pull you over for NOT doing so hit a brick wall. The bill was one vote away from the Governor... and had been heavily lobbied by insurance companies trying to save money on bad accidents. Supporters say it would force another 15-percent of Virginians to buckle up. [IN Q=In fact,] ((DEL. BRIAN MORAN/D-ALEXANDRIA: IN FACT, 79 FATALITIES WILL IN FACT BE PREVENTED. 900 SERIOUS INJURIES. THE COSTS ARE EXORBITANT TO TREAT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT USING THEIR SEATBELTS. THERE'S NO REASON WHY THOSE 63-PERCENT THAT ARE CURRENTLY USING THEIR SEATBELTS SHOULD BE SUBSIDIZNG THE MEDICAL COSTS OF THOSE THAT ARE BEING IRRESPONSIBLE.)) ((DEL. JACK REID/R-HENRICO: WHAT THIS LEGISLATION IS ASKING YOU TO DO IS INTRUDE ON 100-PERCENT OF THE DRIVERS IN THIS STATE TO GET AT THE 27-PERCENT WHO ARE TOO STUPID TO BUCKLE UP.)) [SUPER=01-Del. Brian Moran/(D) Alexandria; :00 ] [SUPER=01-Del. Jack Reid/(R) Henrico Co.; :20 ] [OUT Q=to buckle up.] With that privacy concern, and others related to police stopping black drivers more frequently, the measure finally died on a voice vote. The weather's still making for a short school day, or no school day, for some area kids tomorrow. [take SCHOOLWATCH full] Highland County Schools are opening two hours late. Patrick County Schools are opening one hour late. Smyth County Schools are closed. And Tazewell County Schools are operating on a 2-hour delay tomorrow. Jean tosses to Robin in the Chromakey Still to come on News 7, social service workers want to revoke the license of an adult rest home in the area. But residents say they want to stay there. Details straight ahead. (///// SOT /////) [IN Q=First audio] [OUT Q=....7 sports."] ((Hey guys this is Mike Stevens in the sports office with high school regiona action from above the rim in the Burg and the Star City. We'll check on the ODAC quarters for the ladies, and the Sad southern opener for VMI. Plus, Peyton's dad was in town tonight. It's all coming up tonight on news 7 sports.)) Despite reports of sexual abuse, residents at an assisted living facility in Franklin County say they want to stay there. The state Department of Social Services is ready to take back the license from the Franklin Manor Rest Home on Route 220. Investigators say one resident sexually assaulted another, and staff members sometimes fail to give residents their medicine. (///// SOT /////) [IN Q=I don't think] ((I DON'T THINK IT OUGHTTA CLOSE. I AIN'T GOT NO WHERE TO GO, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH. DO YOU LIKE IT HERE? YEAH I LIKE IT REAL GOOD.)) [OUT Q=real good] A new director says more staff members have been hired to supervise residents more closely. (///// SOT /////) [IN Q=It's no longer] ((IT'S NO LONGER A DUMPING GROUND. IT'S NOT A DUMPING GROUND TO TAKE SOMEONE AND LEAVE FOR YEARS AND MAYBE NOT EVEN GO BACK AND CHECK ON EM. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WHEN A CITATION COMES UP ALL THESE LOVED ONES COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK. WELL WHERE WERE THEY AT CHRISTMAS?)) [SUPER=01-Ellen Murphy/Franklin Manor Rest Home;] [OUT Q=at Christmas] State officials expect to make another recommendation within two weeks on whether to close the place. An 18 year old wanted for murder in Maryland will stay in Israel for trial. Israel's Supreme court blocked extradition of Samuel (Shine-bine) Sheinbein- Prosecutors say Shine-bine is a U-S citizen and should be tried here. Shinebine claims Israeli citizenship through his father. (///// SOT /////) [SOT 15:03:50 ] ((DOUG GANSLER/STATE'S ATTORNEY: MR. SHEINBEN WAS BORN HERE, LIVED HER,E WENT TO SCHOOL HERE GREW UP HERE HIS ENTIRE LIVE AND ONLY TOOK A FEW VACATIONS TO ISRAEL.)) [butt to 15:04:46] ((ELIETTE RAMOS/VICTIM'S MOTHER: I PERSONALLY WILL NOT REST IN PEACE WITH THE DECISION.)) [SUPER=01-Doug Gansler/State's Attorney;] [Super=01-Eliette Ramos/Victim's Mother; 08] [OUT Q=THIS DECISION.] Sheinbein fled to Israel in 1997 after the mutilated body of an acquantaince was discovered. A Vinton woman who allegedly tried to hire an undercover police officer to kill her husband for five thousand dollars is behind bars. 35-year old Peggy Irene Hanna is being held at the Roanoke County jail on murder-for-hire charges. Investigators say Hanna was having an affair and wanted control of her husband's assests. She was arrested Monday, arraigned yesterday, and is being held without bond. Tultex took a hit for the second year in a row. The Martinsville apparel company reported profits for 19-98 fell 45 percent. But during that year the company sold off one of its divisions --- So taking that into account, Tultex said profits fell something more like 22 percent. Either way, the company said 98 was not a good year. It blames warm weather, saying that stopped people from buying sweatshirts -- and Tultex blames a market that's flooded with cheap imports from Asia. When the news returns, a Lynchburg lawyer fights to keep Virginia OUT of a national tobacco settlement... And a judge slaps a 10-thousand dollar fine on him. Details to come. [SUPER=135-8 1 2/4 2 3 2/4 15 26 29 33] (eight, one, two) (four, two, three, two) (four, fifteen, twenty-six, twenty-nine, thirty-three) (Copyright 1999 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) A hot smoky fire gutted a home on Tazewell Avenue in Southeast Roanoke today. Around 10-30 this morning Regina McGuire noticed smoke coming up through the floor- boards... from the basement. Though she managed to get out okay, fire shot through the walls of the house, sending smoke and flames right up to the attic. McGuire says her mother-in-law actually owns the house. It appears to be a total loss. A Lynchburg lawyer says he'll appeal a ten-thousand dollar fine handed down during a dispute over Virginia's role in the national tobacco settlement. James B. Feinman (FINE-man) was sanctioned for trying to block Governor Jim Gilmore and Attorney General Mark Earley from taking part in the settlement because they've accepted campaign contributions from tobacco interests. But a Richmond judge called Feinman's lawsuit "frivolous" and ordered him to reimburse the state for the time its lawyers spent responding to the suit. [SUPER=330-Clearing/Gusty NW Wind/28-30/Sunny/Wind NW-10/48-50;] [SUPER=331-Clearing/Wind NW-15/28-32/Sunny/Wind N-10/48-50;] [SUPER=332-Partly Cloudy/Gusty Winds/25-28/Sunny And/Cool/43-46;] [SUPER=333-Becoming Partly/Cloudy/24-28/Sunny/Wind NW-15/44-48;] [SUPER=334-Cloudy/Wind NW-15/22-25/Turning Mostly/Sunny/40-45;] [SUPER=03-Vinton/Group AA Quarterfinals; :00] Vinton was the place to be for some top flight volleyball last night as William BYrd hosted Bassett in a Group Two A state quarterfinal matchup. This game was suposed to be played on Tuesday but the snow forced to be rescheduled twice. Byrd won the opening game 15-to-8, but then lost the last two 7-15 and 12-15. Bassett moves on to the state semi-finals. Magna Vista also won its quarterfinal game last night beating Tunstall in three games. The final four will be played at R.E. Lee in Staunton. The regional tourney action continued last night at Lynchburg College where Fleming and George Washington went head to head in the semi-finals. [SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Fleming vs. GW Danville; :00] The place was packed at the start of this rematch especially the GW side. Fleming had trouble with Danville's pressure, the Colonels throw it away and Mitton Perkins scoops it up and flies in the for the jam. Later in the first half - Fleming's would rely on Michael Fleshman to get the team back in the game. He hits this 15 foot pullup "J". But the Eagles would soar to a 19 point win last night as Jerrian Younger feeds [super=33-G.W. Danville/56/William Fleming/37;] Lavar Wright for the acrobatic shot. GW flips Fleming 56-to-37 and returns to the state tourney. The Northwest region doubleheader opened with a big girls' game as Cave Spring hooked up with GW Danville. [SUPER=03-Lynchburg/G.W. Danville vs. Cave Spring; :00] Linda Long and her Lady Knights were the underdogs coming into this one. And GW would make it's mark on the opening tip as Shanna Price tips it to a streaking Tokisha Burton for the layin. But by the second quarter Cave Spring had taken control. Jamie Funk gets the ball in the post and feeds Sarah Rutherford on the perimiter for the jumper and a Knights' lead. [super=33-Cave Spring/43/G.W. Danville/38;] Cave would reverse the passing as Rutherford would find Renee Gagnier down in the paint and Knights earn a spot in the state tournament with the 43-to-38 win. In the Virginia Independent Conference tournament last night at North Cross, Roanoke Valley Christian put its unbeaten mark on the line against Fuqua/ [SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Fuqua vs. RVC; :00] The Eagles came into the game with a perfect 23-and-0 record. And RVC would put the pressure on early as Josh Foster drives in and Slam Dunks the Funk as the Eagles take a three oint lead in the first half. Foster would then kick the ball back out to K.C. Gilbert, and the senior bottoms out this three pointer, much to the delight of his mom in the crowd. Darren Naff, the three point specialist came in off the bench, andhit a triple as RVC advances in the tournament with a 61 to 45 win. The Virginia Cavaliers were on the road in Atlanta last night battling Ga. Tech in their last regular season game. [SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/Raycom-JP Sports; :00] Pete Gillen, who will certainly get some votes as coach of the year in the conference once again had his team in the game throughout. Adam Hall gave the Cavs a big lift in the second half with two big three pointers. With 5:50 to go UVa trailed by four. They were still down by three with 3 seconds to play, but Donald Hand hit this three at the buzzer to send the game to overtime tied at 60-all. But by then UVa was out of players and out of gas and Tech wins it 74 to 68 Virginia Tech cleaned up the Atlantic 10 postseason awards last night as head coach Bonnie Henrickson was named the A-10's coach of the year. Her Hokies are 25-and-1 heading into the tournament opener on Saturday. Several other Hokies also earned top honors from the league. Lisa Witherspoon was named defensive player of the year, Katie O'Connor was voted the most improved player in the league, and Michelle Houseright was named the best layer off the bench in the A-10. Roanoke and Emory & Henry tipped off the evening portion of the women's ODAC basketball tournament tonight. [SUPER=03-Salem/Wasps vs. Maroons; :00] Roanoke coach Susan Dunagan won the crown last year on the Salem Civic Center floor. Lady Wasp and former Floyd County star Karen Pursifull dishes to Suzanne Groseclose and she nails the jumper. Former Glenvar standout Toree Morris then makes the nice move and hits the off [SUPER=33-Roanoke/69/Emory & Henry/5 0;]balance shot for two of her 8 on the night. Cassie Shoemaker ices a 33 to 6 run, the Lady Maroons win 69-50 and will meet Bridgewater in the semifinals tomorrow at 3 o clock. [wipe to eng#] [SUPER=03-Salem/Wildcats vs. Yellow Jackets; :00] In the opener this afternoon, top seeded Randolph-Macon battled 8th seeded Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Aimee Beightol finds a cutting Bren Elliot under the iron, she nails the shot and The Yellow Jackets coast to a 90-61 victory over the Lady Wildcats. [SUPER=04-Generals vs. Marlins;] In the second game, number 5 Washington & Lee beat 4th seeded Virginia Wesleyan. Carter Thomas hits this shot as the Generals take a 61-49 win - the school's first ever ODAC tourney win. The Radford women beat UNC Asheville in their Big South opener. The Ferrum women lost thier Dixie opener to Methodist by 20. Averett's women also lost their dixie conference opener by a single point. When we come back we'll check out VMI's southern conference opener, And hear from Archie Manning, who was at the Hotel Roanoke tonight. The VMI Keydets' Southern Conference experience ended almost as soon as it started today as Furman knocked them out of the tourney. Roy Stanley has more on the opening round loss. (///// SOT /////) [IN Q=FIRST AUDIO] [SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC/Furman vs. VMI; :00] [SUPER=01-Matt Matheny/VMI Senior; :21] [SUPER=01-Jason Bell/11 Points & 7 Turnovers; :46] [SUPER=01-Bart Bellairs/VMI Head Coach; 1:08] [OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."] Former Saints quarterback Archie Manning was in town tonight delivering a motivational speech at the construction expo at the Hotel Roanoke. Manning was in town on behalf of the Rutherford Company and before he began his lecture he took time to talk with us and compare his rookie season to the one just completed by his son Peyton. (///// SOT /////) [SUPER=01-Archie Manning/Former Saints Quarterback; :00] [OUT Q=...he played."] (Weekday 6 only) SUPER=x4032; e-mail/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS SUPER=x4033; Fax/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS (Weekend 6 only)

Memories seem to be flooding back to me like a Glasgow downpour heading for a Sauchiehall street drainage system these days whenever I ride the subway. Standing with my Burger King paper hat waiting for the outer to St.Enoch, simply to test out the subway experience and be in awe of its glory. These were simpler times in comparison to carrying a bag full of coursework in a 4 year old tarnished man bag with a defeated ‘Yes’ badge still proudly paraded. Beaten. Battered. Broken. Much like my mood. Sitting on the beautifully upholstered seats dripping wet during a lovely Scottish ‘summers’ day was not how I wanted to spend my Saturday afternoon. Clearly a 10 to 15 minute life reflection period on my journey to Buchanan Street was enough to wish I was a fresh faced tot again. Wishing away my educational achievements and exciting work prospects to start all over again. Must have been at least an amber weather warning, surely. As I read SPT’s latest promotional campaign on their station regeneration project plastered to the colourfully stained wall of the carriage, I become more excited about the Scottish travel system than I ever have before. A nice distraction from my mental and physical slog. However, perhaps to add insult to injury, as I emerged from the train onto the platform I was greeted by the usual and none renovated sight of Buchanan Street station. Typical. Not even a brightly coloured orange and grey wall to greet me. No doubt it is the same brushstrokes that grabbed my attention as a young lad. Completely enamoured with city life and to a certain extent; this still remains the case today. Striving to make sure that if I ride that subway between these two locations for the rest of my days, I will bring enthusiasm and success to my destination. Bet my hat is still on that line somewhere…

The expanding service sector, growing number of private contractors and an increasing female college graduate population have increased both female workers participation rate and female employment in Iran. This has introduced a new phenomenon to provincial offices of government agencies and ministries: female engineers and representatives of consulting firms and contractors. Wrapped in traditions and old understandings of one’s roles and duties the local administrators vacillate between denial and acceptance. A recent example is that of Transportation Ministry Provincial Office in Kerman. They simply banned female representatives of their contractors and consulting firms from entering the building. Reported by Tabnak website currently this office only answers men and letters delivered by men. Reading the related article your correspondent was amazed to read the comments of other readers. While some were outraged and severely critical of such decision, some were actually supportive of such a decision. These were divided mainly into two groups. First group included those who believed since there are unemployed men in the country; women should not have been employed in the first place. One even said: “If we had logic in our decisions in this country, jobs would have gone to men first and then unfilled positions to women.” This argument does not rest on productivity and the benefits of a competitive labor market. The second group constituted of those who simply said women get through the official system in Iran, because they are attractive. This absurd generalization of the fact of matter is denying the abilities and skills of hundreds of women in Iran who work hard and efficiently and get through the system because of their persistence. Reading these arguments one has no choice but to point out that the absence of economic analysis of the realities of labor market has given rise to popular misconceptions and beliefs of female labor force, unemployment and the causes of unemployment. Men are not unemployed because some women are employed and women are not more efficient because they are attractive! In the void created by these misconceptions it is not difficult for some local administrators go as far as banning women from entering their building! The complexities of Iran’s society and its culture and the different agendas of its so many localities make development such an elaborate matter. Coming to such cases one has to notice that there are some provincial communities who advocate such policies. Iranian women battle for economic self-sufficiency and equal employment rights has been a long one, but it is far from over. One way to assist them is to remind such communities of the facts of the matter and the realities of one’s incentives in a labor market.

It’s because I’m here, isn’t it? For starters, yes, that is one of my cats up there in the header. He’s going to be a meme one day. Just look at that little scream-face he’s got going on. In case anyone didn’t find my username, I love animals. I can’t think of much else to write. I’m useless at introductions. OK, 10 facts: 1. I can’t think of anything to write. 2. I might have to shorten this list. 3. If you wait for a few blog posts to turn up out of my brain, you’ll soon realise that I’m mildly insane. 4. THAT LAST ONE RHYMED!! Obviously, I can spit lyrics. 5. I have a paraplegic chicken. No, seriously. 6. I have a horse that walks with a limp like an old school pimp. Once again, I’m not kidding. 7. I have a cat with a heart marking, who can pull the Puss in Boots face from Shrek. Are you not beginning to be jealous of my awesome animal collection? 8. I am animal-crazy. 9. Nos. 5-7 on the list are not all of the animals I own. 10. I am all out of facts about myself. ANYONE WHO FOLLOWED ME HERE FROM BLOGSPOT NO ONE: The pigeon has vanished *sad face*] Really, I only started this post so my blog wouldn’t look pathetically empty. Also so I wouldn’t have to get on with a 5,000 word essay that I haven’t started and am supposed to have a draft of by tomorrow. Oooh, another fact! I am the definition of the word ‘procrastination’ (Actually, that might be Charlie McDonnell but hey, look where he is now. I can dream. I am all out of ideas, so I’m going to go now, and carry on not doing work I’m supposed to have finished.

Saturday, November 7, 2009 The Oldest Home In West Hill Is The Oldest In Scarborough It lies on the grounds of the Guild, not far from the top of the Scarborough Bluffs. It is the first European dwelling in the area and the oldest man made dwelling in all of Scarborough that still stands. When it was built George Washington was still President of the United States, Napoleon had just become engaged to Josephine and a 24 year old Beethoven was just debuting as pianist in Vienna. Click on the picture above to learn more about this unique Ousterhout Log Cabin built in 1795. Then go visit it yourself to touch a genuine piece of history.

The following are actual questions that are laced in the comments on this blog from various pages. You would think some of the answers to these questions would be obvious to the people asking them, but it’s often hard for people caught up in negative circumstances, or a negative frame of mind, to view their situation honestly and to clearly see what’s needed to fix it. I’m delighted that people feel comfortable enough at Magickal Connections to ask what they want to ask. I sincerely try to think of the best answer, the most helpful answer, the most needed answer possible to each and every individual leaving a question. If anyone else has some good advice to pass along to these people, please do so with a comment. Fresh insight is always appreciated! *Note: I’m posting the questions unedited, as they appear in the original post. #1 ~ Greeting Queen Amythyst, first of all I think your presence is so beautiful, well I have a trial that is suppose to start the 23rd of this month. It has been going for at least a year now and they have charged me with felon poss. of a firearm. Well I’m tired of going back and forth (which I know the universe is working) so I simply want the court cases to either disappear or for the case to get dismissed/not guilty. I have been to jail before and it’s something i never want to do again. I’m considering the beef tongue spell for the outcome I’m looking for along with something to help on me not ever going to jail again. If there’s anything else that you think you could shine some light on please feel free! Thanks in advance My Reply ~ Just a quick note here before we get to the specifics… If you don’t want to ever go to jail again, one sure way to prevent this from happening is not to break the law. I know, this seems so obvious, but for some reason the universe insisted I say it. One word of caution, and that is that the universe, the laws of karma, they all work towards justice and proper endings. There are spells out there that should not be cast if you’re actually guilty, because the energy will come back to bite you. Think about this before you resort to spell casting for this situation. If you’re actually not guilty, then go for it with a clean conscience and pure intentions. This is my little light, and I hope it’s shining! Best wishes for your future. #2 ~ My ex has decided to just come back into my life, use and discard my body and emotions and I was looking for a binding spell. I wanted to make sure #3 was the most appropriate for the occasion. I’m tired of him popping up whenever he feels like and then disappear like nothing ever happened. My Reply ~ Excuse me…Your ex “decided” to come back into your life? You sound as though you don’t realize that You have a choice here, that You can make a decision about whether you want this individual to come back into your life or not. Spells are okay, and I’m not saying that you don’t need one, or could not successfully use one. But before we resort to spell casting, lets take a good look at the situation and what you could do mundanely to correct it. If you’re tired of this man popping up in your life and using you: 1) Cut all ties, and I mean all ties. Sometimes, even without knowing it, we might send mixed signals to an ex… I’m done with you– but it’s okay if you still call and I’ll talk to you, or it’s okay if we still see each other occasionally, or it’s okay for you to interfere in my life. CUT ALL TIES 2) If your ex does not take this finality well, or still tries contacting you, and you’ve exhausted all efforts to stop this, like changing your phone number, blocking him on social sites, etc.; it’s time to get a restraining order and make it official. 3) Stop allowing someone to control you; find your inner strength; know that you are an adult, not a toy for this individual to play with at will. First try the mundane way. If you do, and you’ve done all the important things you have to do to keep this individual away and they still wind up in your life…then pull out the magick. #3 ~ PLEASE HELP ….. PLEASE!!!! I’m Cuban we only do spells for health,wealth,luck,and cleanses. unable to go to Cuba I Was desperate So I got help from a very old Mexican lady we know to help bring me and my hubby together that PEOPLE SPENT YEARS doing voodoo to break us up. She took me to Bury our names on paper, birthdays,pics,and his socks in a grave yard with pins and very colorful ribbons i HEARD it’s for separation. Is it true please help. My Reply ~ First, Since you said that you’re Cuban and can’t do this type of spell (a love spell to reunite a couple), I’m trying to wrap my mind around the difference between just doing a love spell on your own, or participating with someone else to do a love spell. In any case, the fact that you participated with this lady means– you did the spell, honey. Second, how do you know that people were doing voodoo to break you up? Most of the time, people involved in this kind of activity are very discreet. And more often than not, when a couple’s relationship is just done and over, it’s just done and over naturally, all on it’s own. Not all relationships are meant to last forever. About the spell, I’ve never heard of it. And again, trying to figure out why you would think that someone who did a spell for you (or with you) would be working a spell for the opposite outcome that you intended. Beware of paranoia. #4 ~ I have a question with binding. If someone is binding you would you have a dream off someone cutting you ooen and takes just your internal organs and sews you up. I also am an angelic being thats been reincarnated. My Reply ~ I don’t do dream interpretations. The symbolism involved is so unique and personal to every individual that it’s hard to say what a dream like this might mean. It could mean that you’re afraid of showing your true inner-self to most people, or it could mean you watched a slasher movie before bed. Hard to say. I would say that if someone bound you, you would no longer be able to do, say, or indulge in whatever it is that they bound you from. That’s the whole purpose behind a binding. #5 ~ Will burning these candles one timework do i have to burn them. Again suppose they turn black while they are burning do i to burn them a gain ehere does i get these herbs from can i put more than one person name in the can dle do i buried the glass to [*Note: this question pertains to a spell on the “Command & Compel” page at this blog… https://wytchymystique.com/spells/command-compel-spells/ ] My Reply ~ I’m killing two birds with one stone here ~ The answer is yes to both questions. When bringing something to you, keep the remnants from your spell in a safe place, or even in a place that is fitting the intention, that is the “stuff” from a love spell under your bed; a mojo bag filled with the remnants from a money spell in your purse; etc. Second question: not only is it okay to do a spell more than once on the same person for a different request; it’s also okay to repeat a spell on occasion, especially when you’d like to add a different twist to the outcome, for the same request…. also, I don’t really think the word “request” is quite right in these situations, but since this is how you worded your question, this is how I answered it, thinking it would be easier for you to understand. A spell by no means is a “request”. When you cast a spell you are deliberately and willfully manipulating energy in the universe to manifest a change, to move energy, and it certainly will. The word “request” implies that you are asking for something. #6 ~ Is this spell white magic? [*Note: this question pertains to a spell on the “Command & Compel” page at this blog… https://wytchymystique.com/spells/command-compel-spells/ ] My Reply ~ Depending upon the magickal practitioner you ask, you’d probably get a variety of different answers. Even in the occult world there are extremists at both ends. There are the fluffy bunnies who are ever in fear of getting their feet wet and doing some ballsy magic that’s got some in-your-face punch to it because they might offend someone or something, and at the other end of the spectrum are people who love the dark aspect of everything, the darker and more warped the better, and they are always searching for something darker. Personally, I would say this magic falls in the shady gray area. Follow your own moral guides. Cast at your own discretion. #7 ~ Hello I am just curious about doing the command spell. I watched another witch video and she said to use the Black candle for yourself and the white candle for the person you want to command, but you’re saying do the opposite. So now I am really confused. Also can this command spell be used for a group of people or a entity, ie a company. No one specific person, name unknown. My Reply ~ “Also can this command spell be used for a group of people or a entity, ie a company. No one specific person, name unknown.” Yes to all of the above. And to reiterate what I sent in the email– If you ask 5 witches how to do one particular spell, you’re going to get 5 different answers. Spell crafting is like cooking, and everyone does things just a bit differently and uniquely, suiting to them and their energy and their associations. As I said, “It’s okay if my potato salad is a little different than your potato salad. I’m betting that it’s all good.” #8 ~ Does good magic really exist? My Reply ~ Of course it exists. It exists in every healing spell, every spell to bring positive change to someone’s life. It exists in the form of unexplained miracles and connection with the Divine. Good magick can be found everywhere, even in the prayers of people who don’t believe in magick…It’s all “Magick”, honey.

Hearts vs Aberdeen Live Streaming Outside the UK, you might only hear football fans talk off the Old Firm. However, as fans in the UK know, Aberdeen have a truly massive and loyal support, a fan base that remained close to the club even after 2 decades of poor success on the pitch aside from a 1995 league cup victory over Dundee. This loyal following was repaid as the Dons defeated Inverness at Parkhead to lift the League Cup and have run Celtic close on a number of seasons now, aided by the relegation of Glasgow Rangers. Aberdeen FC remain one of the most successful clubs in Scotland outside the Old Firm however, with 4 Scottish League titles (the first in 1954, the last in 1984) as well as 7 Scottish Cup victories including a famous penalty shootout victory over Celtic at Hampden in 1990. In front of 60,493 fans, Aberdeen collected what would be their last Scottish Cup but Dons fans remain optimistic as the club have reached the semi finals of both cup competitions in recent years on more than one occasion. Our Next Live Stream: Hearts vs Aberdeen, latest links posted on 22-07-18 . Live AFC Streaming: At time of writing, AFC TV remains a top source for Dons fans abroad, however, for fans at home in Scotland and in the Granite City, it's likely that Sky Sports and BT Sports will remain the main source for live satellite feeds of Aberdeen matches. With Rangers back in the SPFL, we expect there to be more live Aberdeen games available on TV this season. Outside the UK, Al Jazeera Sports broadcast some matches to foreign audiences. For fans looking to watch Hearts - Aberdeen live online, you can find free links below to get the latest SPL streaming for The Dons in 2016-2017! With English commentary, and compatibility in place for pc, mac and iPad users, you can watch Aberdeen FC at home or on the go! Hearts vs Aberdeen live stream Links will be posted 1 hour before kick-offUpcoming matches: 09/09/17: Hearts v Aberdeen - 16 : 0016/09/17: Aberdeen v Kilmarnock - 16 : 0021/09/17: Motherwell v Aberdeen - 20 : 4524/09/17: Motherwell v Aberdeen - 13 : 1530/09/17: Aberdeen v St. Johnstone - 16 : 00 Links for supporters: © LiveFootballStreams.co.uk - Watch Hearts vs Aberdeen Live Online SPFL restricted to non UK Only, see schedule for confirmation of matches. Disclaimer & Regional Restrictions

So, I just recently realized the glory of Puffy paint, which is for fabric. It is easy to work with and not just for little kids making memory shirts. You can easily make gorgeous designs with just a bit of patience and time. What you need! - Black ink pen - Black puffy paint - Blue sparkly scribbles paint - Wooden shish kebab skewers Step one: Draw your template out on paper For this project, I helped my grandmother add a bit of a personal touch to the collar of an old vest. So to start, she sketched out this figure of a Kokopeli on a piece of scrap paper and cut it out. Depending on the complexity of your art, you may wish to scan or copy your art so the original does not get harmed. Step two: Putting your design on your fabric Once you are satisfied with your design, you need to draw it onto your fabric. Pin your design onto your fabric carefully so as not to tear your paper. Trace around your paper and make little dots that puncture the paper and hit the cloth to mark any lines inside of your design that you can connect the dots to later. Make sure you have fully traced it out before removing the paper. Step three: Filling in your design with fabric paint After you have your outline down, you may proceed to start filling in color. Note that you should always put your color down before outlining, because the outline will cover up any mistakes. The Scribbles fabric paint has a very fine tip, so you should have no problem applying the paint to your fabric, however do be cautious to stay in the lines. For smaller details you can use the head of a pin or a shish kebab skewer to spread the paint out as evenly as possible. Remember you do not want the fabric paint to be too thick or it will take forever to dry. Step four: Outlining your creation The final step is to outline your whole design in black. This will, as I mentioned, cover up any mistakes as well as make it look more clean and precise. Be careful and steady, because if you mess up the outline, there is no turning back. You may wish to get a parent to help you outline, or apply the outline with a skewer or head of a pin. After your outline is done, you are ready to go! If you used the glittery paint I recommended, it will be much shinier after it dries.

Thanks for your interest in AliExpress Login! I’m currently working on a detailed video to get you the latest information on this… But in the meantime… Checkout the best ClickFunnels offers, benefits, and features below. In this day as well as age, the method your service runs online can make or break you. Just how do most organisations currently have a visibility online? The fact of the matter is, nonetheless, that websites have drastically advanced over the previous years – and also the methods of old are not practical for modern business. Back in the day, it would suffice to have an easy web site with a home page, services, pricing, about us, as well as call pages. A possible consumer would go to your website, scroll about, check out the various web pages and also consume material as they please. Nonetheless, if you are a service spending any type of money on advertising and marketing, you wish to manage just what customers are finding out about on your website, existing deals at the right time, and also maximize the income you make from each individual. How does one accomplish this? Utilizing sales funnels. Go into ClickFunnels ClickFunnels is the most convenient way to make high converting sales and marketing funnels. It is a distinct tool created particularly to transform potential customers into customers. It actually is an all-in-one remedy to produce sales funnels and also consists of touchdown pages, e-mail assimilation, payment, webinars, membership websites, therefore much more. It’s not surprising that it has promptly end up being a favored tool for online marketers. Below is my detailed ClickFunnels Evaluation, consisting of preferred functions, rates, pros/cons, and also contrasts versus rivals. AliExpress Login: Yet First, Just What Is a Sales Channel? Sales funnels (additionally called advertising and marketing funnels) are multi-step campaigns that are created to move prospective leads via your sales process, and transform them right into customers. Photo a real-life funnel. At the top, you pour fluid in, which narrows down to one taken care of destination. In sales, a similar event occurs. On top, site visitors arrive at your internet site, but not all who go into make it from the other end as purchasers. Numerous things have to take place from the moment a visitor enters your funnel, to the time they act and effectively finish a purchase. By breaking down the client’s journey into smaller sized actions, you could be much more accurate concerning exactly how when you offer a deal to your target market. The in-depth steps in a channel might look something like this: - Unqualified lead gets to landing web page - Web page connects the initial deal (something complimentary to collect an e-mail). - When e-mail is accumulated, primary offer is pitched. - Lead becomes a paying client. - More email communication providing customer value. - Additional partnership structure - Repeating sales. ClickFunnels also has a graphic that clarifies this in a simple way:. Exactly what is ClickFunnels? As mentioned previously, ClickFunnels is the most effective sales channel software program around today. The firm makes the strong case of giving you every little thing you need to market, sell, and also provide your products online – as well as they most definitely deliver. A basic channel will make use of an opt-in page (to accumulate e-mail addresses), an email auto -responder (to send emails to your clients), plus an added sales web page with some content and an order form, possibly followed by extra web content, a membership website, etc . Previously, you would need to make use of various platforms and devices to complete all these jobs such as: - Develop a site - Find Hosting - Find an autoresponder solution - Find membership site software program - Discover split-testing software application … and so on However ClickFunnels takes care of whatever with their system. You not only save a lots of loan by not needing to get different products/services, but you additionally prevent the technological mess of having to set everything up, and also can focus on what’s truly essential – growing your organisation. ClickFunnels supplies a Complimentary 14-Day Trial, so you reach check out the tool and really see if it’s right for your business. * Quickly Produce Pages Making Use Of Themes and also Elements *. Before getting also far, it’s important to comprehend that a channel is a collection of web pages put together in a tactical order, with the goal of converting as many prospects into consumers. As well as a page is merely a collection of various components made to obtain a person to take a certain activity. ClickFunnels offers more compared to 50 various elements to assist you construct the excellent page. The editor is incredibly very easy to use and also all you have to do is drag as well as drop various elements on to the web page, and also update the text and also appearance to fit your requirements – no coding abilities called for! ClickFunnels also makes your life simpler by supplying you with a lots of cost-free templates. As a matter of fact, ClickFunnels gives over 37 types of web pages for you to blend as well as match with. These are broken down right into the complying with 10 groups: - Presell Pages: Study Web Page, Short Article Web Page, Presell Web Page, Clickpop Web Page - Optin Pages: Press Web Page, Reverse Capture Web Page, Lead Magnet, Promo Code - Thank You Pages: Thank You Web Page, Offer Wall, Bridge Web Page, Share Page - Sales Pages: Video Clip Sales Web Page, Sales Letter Web Page, Item Introduce Web Page - OTO Pages: Upsell Web Page, Downsell Page - Order Forms: Two Action Order Page, Typical Order Web Page, Video Clip Sales Letter Order Web Page, Sales Letter Order Web Page, Product Introduce Order Web Page - Webinar Pages: Webinar Enrollment Web Page, Webinar Confirmation Page, Webinar Program Room, Webinar Replay Room - Subscription Pages: Gain Access To Page, Participant’s Location - Associate Pages: Accessibility Web Page, Associate Location - Various Other Pages: Application Page, Ask Page, Store Front, Home Page, Hero Page, Hangout Page, Live Demonstration Web Page The pre-built design templates are totally personalized, as well as are what most users utilize. You have the ability to select a theme, modify or change the aspects with your personal, and your new page prepares to go. You could also connect any kind of funnel you create with your very own e-mail marketing service (if you don’t use the one included in ClickFunnels), as well as utilize the ClickFunnels constructed in invoicing system. This is likewise a blast to mention that ClickFunnels provides really beneficial and also easy to understand training video clips when you initially sign up. I highly suggest undergoing those due to the fact that they swiftly allow you to utilize the device at its full capability, and you’ll have much more enjoyable playing around. AliExpress Login * Create One-Click Membership Sites *. One of the very best features with ClickFunnels is the capability to easily produce subscription websites and provide web content to your audience in one area. Your membership site will come total with registration pages, membership access web pages, and also web content pages which you can quickly lock or drip feed to your customers inning accordance with purchases they made in your funnel. ClickFunnels membership sites permit you to send out emails, easily manage your e-mails, and also build an area all while getting rid of the tension that’s connected with other options such as Kajabi, or WordPress platforms. It’s truly handy to not need to purchase a different software program or plugin to develop membership sites. * Email Combination & Actionetics *. With every funnel comes e-mail checklist building opportunities. ClickFunnels supports e-mail integration with all the major email automation platforms such as: - Active Campaign - Constant Contact - Get Response - Mad Mimi - Market Hero - And others However, ClickFunnels additionally has their very own effective automation device called Actionetics. Although you can produce, routine, and also deliver emails as with other e-mail marketing platform, Actionetics is so much a lot more. I enjoy Actionetics because it not just changes your email marketing yet messenger marketing and also SMS advertising software applications as well. This takes automation to an entire new degree and also aids you communicate the ideal message to your clients, precisely when they require it. A video clip review of Actionetics will certainly be provided even more below. * Invoicing and Repayment Combination *. An amazing attribute within ClickFunnels is the ability to accumulate all of the billing details from your clients exactly on your sales web page. Marketing is made so much simpler when clients do not have to leave your site. ClickFunnels incorporates with significant repayment gateways such as PayPal, Red Stripe, as well as InfusionSoft, among others. While you can begin with the Free 14-Day Test, there are 3 various prices alternatives with ClickFunnels: - $ 97/month. - $ 297/month. - $ 997 bulk discount strategy (suggested). I’ll explain for each of these plans below. 1. ClickFunnels Standard Strategy – $97/month. The conventional strategy consists of every one of the attributes you would certainly require within ClickFunnels, but with restrictions on the variety of funnels (20) as well as web pages (100) you could have in your account, along with how many visitors (20K) can watch your pages monthly. You also do not get innovative performance such as ClickFunnels own e-mail advertising as well as affiliate tracking devices. 2. ClickFunnels Etison Suite – $297/month. This strategy consists of all the bells as well as whistles of the basic strategy, without any restrictions. It also features two extra items generated by ClickFunnels called Actionetics (e-mail advertising and marketing) and also Knapsack (affiliate administration system). In Actionetics – you can manage every one of your contacts that subscribe to your checklist, send e-mail programs, and also produce a host of various other automations. AliExpress Login The difference between both plans actually is the constraints, and also Actionetics/Backpack. If you are a basic customer and also do not anticipate to utilize greater than 20 funnels in your account – the Standard Plan should be sufficient. Nonetheless, if you intend to have an affiliate program or want to keep your email advertising within ClickFunnels as well as not use a third party software program, the Etison Suite is for you. You can always begin on the lower strategy and also upgrade if needed. 3. Funnel Hacks System – $997 For anybody that’s serious about their company, the ClickFunnels Funnel Hacks System is the bargain of the century. The $997 Funnel Hacks System includes durable training programs bundled with 6-month access to the ClickFunnels Etison Collection. This is an amazing bargain given that outside of this program, 6-months of Etison Suite alone would certainly cost you $1782. Not only are you conserving $785 however you’re getting a lots of trainings and also overviews of help you obtain the most from ClickFunnels! ClickFunnels Pros and Cons - Developing funnels is very straightforward, easy, as well as fast - All-in-one platform with every little thing your company has to win - Split screening as well as conversion monitoring included - Email integration with all the major email autoresponder platforms - Repayment handling abilities within ClickFunnels - ClickFunnels is constantly adjusting and also upgrading to the moments - There is constantly sustain offered (whether real-time or not). - Exceptionally active Facebook Team Area. - Free 14-Day Trial – allows you to try it risk totally free. - As outstanding as ClickFunnels is, it most definitely is not a cheap solution and requires a constant membership to use - Support isn’t really constantly the fastest as well as may extract from 1 min to 1 Day depending upon the problem. ClickFunnels vs. Everyone Else. Many individuals ask how ClickFunnels as compares to other touchdown page home builders such as Leadpages, Unbounce, and Infusionsoft. For the most part it’s not truly a reasonable comparison due to the fact that each of these devices stands out is one location or the other. The graph above provides a detailed evaluation – however I’ll highlight some of the significant comparisons below. ClickFunnels vs Leadpages Before ClickFunnels, Leadpages was the large pet. Leadpages is just a lead capture software – nothing even more. You could develop landing web pages, lead boxes, gather leads … that’s virtually it. Additionally, the Leadpages themes are likewise restricted on customization. ClickFunnels is far more functional – it’s much easier to use as well as does so much more than produce lead capture pages. Simply put, Leadpages is actually simply a touchdown page home builder, while ClickFunnels is concentrated around constructing very incorporated funnels. ClickFunnels vs Infusionsoft Infusionsoft is not a touchdown web page or sales page building contractor. It has some of that functionality developed it, but that’s not what it’s recognized for. At it’s core, Infusionsoft is a CRM platform – one that allows you to handle your whole customer data source. ClickFunnels has this capability with Actionetics, however it’s not virtually as advanced as Infusionsoft. Infusionsoft is also incredibly pricey as well as forces every new customer to pay $2000 for an obligatory kickstart training package just to discover the best ways to use the complicated system (which is infamously hard to make use of). ClickFunnels Affiliate Program There are two major paths individuals go down as ClickFunnels customers. Those that decide to make use of the device for their service – in hopes of someday attain the Two Comma Club (over $1M in income). And those that want making easy earnings as a ClickFunnels Affiliate as well as winning the Dream Cars and truck Competition (where they pay $500/$1000 in the direction of your dream cars and truck if you reach 100/200 energetic month-to-month signups, specifically). With a whopping 40% month-to-month persisting commission, ClickFunnels conveniently has among the greatest affiliate programs of any type of platform available. That’s right – you make money an ongoing 40% compensation on every affiliate signup you make with the ClickFunnels Affiliate Program. However, just what does that actually correspond to? The basic plan is a $97/month financial investment and also the Etison Collection plan is a $297/month financial investment. therefore you make $38.80 each basic strategy and also $118.80 each Etison Collection plan … every single month! Generally, every 100 signups will generate $4000/month in associate commissions (essentially depending on the number of Etison Strategy individuals are in there). All-time Low Line ClickFunnels is pass on the greatest system if you are planning to easily build high transforming sales funnels. Due to the fact that it was developed from the ground up to be the best sales channel contractor, it defeats every one of the competition in that respect. On the surface, it could not be the most affordable item around – but if you utilize it to its full capacity, your company will become more rewarding and you will certainly save loan from not needing to use various other tools. AliExpress Login If you’ve reviewed this far into my ClickFunnels Evaluation, I suggest you see for yourself with a Free 14-Day Trial here.

New Delhi, Dec 7 Veteran politician Sharad Yadav on Thursday said there was pressure from "all sides" to disqualify him from the Rajya Sabha, and that he knew it was a foregone conclusion. "I knew this (disqualification) is going to happen. Some media persons also wrote about it. I had mentally prepared myself for this. I have no regrets," Yadav said here. This is not the end and the battle of principles will continue, the former Union Minister added. However, Sharad Yadav refrained from attacking Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu for his disqualification and called him an "old friend". "He is an old friend of mine. But in politics, circumstances change. I still have immense respect for the institution (Rajya Sabha Chair). Persons come and go, but institutions remain and we must respect them," he said. A disqualification notice was served on Yadav around 10.30 p.m. on Monday at his residence while he was touring Gujarat. Yadav wondered if Vijay Mallya's case could be referred to the house Ethics Committee for consideration before disqualifying the absconding business tycoon, and if 2008 Mumbai attacks convict Ajmal Kasab could be given a chance to exhaust all legal options before his execution, why was such hurry shown in his case. "I can understand there must be pressure from all sides," Yadav said when asked if he thought Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United President Nitish Kumar had pulled some strings to expedite his expulsion from the upper house. "But I don't see it as an expulsion. I see it as a break. Now I will dedicate myself full time to party activities," Yadav, a former President of the united JD-U, said. Yadav broke ranks with Nitish Kumar after the Chief Minister broke away from the grand alliance in Bihar, comprising Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress, and the JD-U and aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party in July-August. Thereafter, the Nitish Kumar faction of the JD-U petitioned the Rajya Sabha Chairman for Yadav's disqualification. In a swift move that political observers called "unprecedented" in such cases, Naidu disqualified Yadav and another JD-U MP Ali Anwar Ansari in less than three months of that plea. In a related development, the Delhi High Court, acting on a plea by Javed Raza, on Thursday issued a notice to the Election Commission and the Bihar Chief Minister in the "Arrow" symbol case decided by the poll panel in the latter's favour last month.

The French aren’t the only ones who can pair a meal with a pair of wheels. A fresh crop of culinary bike tours is leading American city slickers to restaurants that are well worth the trip. The pace on this three-hour tour is Southern-drawl slow, so don’t count on burning off most of those deep-fried calories. And you’ll consume quite a few along the way at places such as Price’s Chicken Coop, celebrated for its fried bird, and Mert’s, where the house specialty is the “soul roll,” filled with collard greens, black-eyed peas, and chicken. You’ll also sample a few morsels of local history: As you wind through bustling Uptown (home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame) and the post-industrial South End, your guide will run through the Queen City’s history, from its early days as a Native American trading center to its modern incarnation as the South’s banking hub. Know Before You Go: Gratuities aren’t included in the tour price, so be sure to bring along extra cash to tip your guide and servers. Tours depart from 401 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Wednesday through Sunday year-round, $55 (includes bike and helmet). Don’t be daunted by the city’s famously sloping streets: This six- to eight-mile tour avoids heart-pumping hills in favor of a mellow ride on urban-friendly, ergonomic bikes. Stops aren’t fixed, but you’ll likely cruise to the Mission District for killer Mexican at hole-in-the-wall Vallarta taqueria and Hayes Valley for artisanal coffee at Ritual Roasters. One local favorite is a bit of a moving target: Roaming mobile food market Off the Grid takes its ever-changing roster of food trucks to a different Bay Area location each day of the week. Know Before You Go: Have your camera ready—tours often pass architectural landmarks (City Hall), as well as pop-culture ones (Twitter’s headquarters). Tours depart from Fulton and Pierce Streets, on the north side of Alamo Square, dates available year-round, $95 (includes food, bike, and helmet). This leisurely, 10-mile jaunt departs from the touristy French Quarter, but the point of this tour by Confederacy of Cruisers is to highlight how locals live. To that end, bikers spend up to four-and-a-half hours steering their Schwinns through traditionally Creole areas, like Tremé and Faubourg Marigny. Stops vary depending on the day—and the seafood in season—but you can expect staples like gumbo and po’boys. Bonus: Mid-ride, sole tour leader Cassady Cooper shares lessons on music and antebellum architecture. Know Before You Go: Pork and shellfish are always plats du jour. If you have dietary restrictions, consider one of the company’s other tours, like the History of Drinking in New Orleans Bike Tour. Tours depart from 634 Elysian Fields Ave., Wednesday through Saturday year-round, $85 (includes bike, helmet, water bottle, and tips for the servers). It all started when two food-loving pals began rounding up their friends for bike tours of Chicago gelaterias and taco joints. Now in their fourth year, Fork and the Road’s 12- to 18-mile tours are centered on quirky themes, such as global bakeries (Vietnamese, French, and Middle Eastern) or the Silk Road, with stops at Chinese, Afghani, and Turkish restaurants. Know Before You Go: Bikes and helmets aren’t included in the tour—or the tour’s fee—so BYO or prepare to rent. The ride starts and ends near Bike and Roll stations, where you can rent wheels for as low as $10 per hour, or $20 for an all-day rental through chicago.bcycle.com. Tours depart from Intelligentsia Coffee (53 E. Randolph St.) or Kitchen Sink Café (1107 W. Berwyn Ave.), check site for dates, $50–$65. America’s most bike-friendly city shows off its other trademark—fresh locavore grub—on this easy-paced, five-mile ride, which coasts through downtown, the artsy Pearl District, and the historic Northwest neighborhood. Pit stops on the three-and-a-half-hour ride offer highbrow treats: cookies sprinkled with fleur de sel at Two Tarts Bakery, cola-braised Thai pork at Nong’s Khao Man Ghai food truck, and artisanal chocolate at Cacao. On Saturdays, the tour visits the 250-vendor Portland Farmers Market, where riders can refuel with fresh produce. Know Before You Go: If you supply your own wheels, Pedal Bike Tours will knock $10 off the tour price. Tours depart from 133 SW 2nd Ave., Tuesday through Saturday year-round, $69 (includes bike and helmet). Launched this March in conjunction with the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, International Bites by Bike will run throughout 2012. Itineraries aren’t set yet, but rides during blossom season played to the D.C. power-lunch set, with stops at sit-down restaurants instead of food trucks, in areas like Dupont Circle and U Street. A typical outing let riders sample one dish at three spots: Southern-themed Eatonville, Asian-tinged Scion, and swanky bistro 1905. Know Before You Go: Although you’ll be in bike lanes, if you’re not comfortable with the idea of cars whizzing by, this tour may not be ideal for you. Tours depart from the Old Post Office Pavilion, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, check site for dates, $89 (includes bike, helmet, and food). Andy Potter guessed that most visitors to the city never make it to the hip but less-developed East Side. So he and his wife debuted the East Austin Bike Tour, a roughly six-mile, four-hour trek that shows off the area’s ethnic restaurants and funky retro food trailers. A recent agenda included snacks from Argentina (Buenos Aires Café), Japan (Love Balls Bus), and West Africa (Cazamance trailer). Know Before You Go: The tour typically stops at a brewery, where riders are free to imbibe (the fee includes two alcohol samples). Helmets aren’t mandatory for adults here, but ask for one, especially if you’re boozing. Departure points vary by tour, Fridays year-round, $69 (includes food, bike, helmet, and drinks).—Nicole Frehsee MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL

Bathmats are usually drab and boring. Imagine if I advised you that you may make your own DIY rug for under you can purchase in the store and add a unique turn to your bathroom? Leftover towels are a terrific way to do so and it is why is this job so eco-friendly. You will need about two to four old bathtub bath towels depending on size slice into pieces about 6' long. Next, get some grid matting and commence to link them in each row. I believe we can all agree that these celebs are living large and that they have the beautiful bathrooms to show it. Think about what styles and features you prefer best and make an effort to match the look in your house at a budget you are able. I hope you had just as much fun as I did oohing and aahing over some of the hottest star restrooms in Hollywood. One place where lighting definitely issues is the bathroom. It's where you typically get ready for work, school or a particular date. Bad lighting can fool you into pondering your bathrooms is clean, you don't have lipstick on your teeth or that the head of hair in your sink doesn't exist. Many people don't believe about buying adequate bathroom lamps and tend to be concerned about lighting up other rooms such as the living room, kitchen and dining area. Oftentimes homeowners assume one main fixture in the middle of the bathroom ceiling will do. Let's say you select what you have installed isn't enough and you want to replace or add lighting, but you're not sure where to begin. You should now have a good notion of if your bathroom lighting is in need of an upgrade. It's also advisable to feel well informed about the bathroom light selection process, recommended location and cost. As you prepare, install the correct lighting so your bathroom can really shine!

Last year, “Jammin’ Crepes” opened a much-anticipated bricks-and-mortar store on Nassau Street in Princeton (previously they had operated from a stall at the Thursday Farmer’s Market). The new store offers several lessons in how to operate a sustainable enterprise in 2015. Some of the effort on sustainability is obvious to the customer. Other aspects of its light environmental footprint are less obvious, but every bit as important for helping to reduce the impact of unsustainable practices that became commonplace in the 20th century.This post is not meant as a review of the restaurant. But if you want an indication of how well it’s doing, check out the photo of lots of happy eaters below, or yelp reviews here. Instead, we want to focus on the sustainability features. Jammin’ Crepes makes a big effort to reduce waste, with all serving materials being compostable or recyclable: Perhaps less obviously, Jammin’ Crepes is sustainable because of its ultra-walkable location. Surrounded by other stores, apartments, and Princeton University, the restaurant is easily accessible for many customers without requiring a dedicated car trip. Note the mixed-use building, with residential and commercial units. Mixing uses is key for reducing unnecessary car journeys. A Platinum-LEED building in a car-dependent location still generates substantial pollution and congestion associated with just getting to the building. That is not the case with Jammin’ Crepes. The restaurant is also an adaptive re-use. Notice the plaque outside: The text reads: “From 1948 to 1964, this building was the site of the first offices for ETS, the world’s largest educational and research measurement organization.” By reusing space in an old building, Jammin’ Crepes avoids energy waste associated with new build construction (so-called ’embedded energy’). In general, buildings in traditional, walkable town centers like this are easier to reuse than car-dependent office park-type real estate, much of which has fallen out of use in New Jersey (although the ETS site at its current exurban location is still going strong!) The sustainability features of Jammin’ Crepes offer an interesting contrast with the so-called ‘ultra-green’ corporate headquarters of NRG, Inc. The new NRG HQ in West Windsor will take full advantage of solar energy production, but it will be in an office park that is hard to reach by non-car transportation. As such, it reinforces car-dependent living, which has led to significant traffic, pollution, and global warming. The site advantages of Jammin’ Crepes makes it potentially more ‘green’ than the new NRG HQ. ‘Eco-bling‘ like solar panels can be good, but the often under-rated sustainability advantages of a walkable, mixed-use site matter just as much. Been to Jammin’ Crepes? What did you make of it? Which business in Princeton make the greatest efforts on sustainability? Let us know in the comments section below!

Some in the liberal media continue to insist that James O'Keefe and his three cohorts were trying to "bug" or "tap" Sen. Mary Landrieu's phone lines when law enforcement officials have clearly said that they were not. Since the left doesn't like O'Keefe, the liberal media seems to think standard practices of journalistic integrity don't apply here. According to MSNBC, one law enforcement official, who was not named, said "the four men arrested for attempting to tamper with the phones in the New Orleans office of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) were not trying to intercept or wiretap the calls." This statement comports with the affidavit filed in court after O'Keefe and company were arrested, which did not mention wiretapping or bugging, and only referred to the "tampering" of phone lines (h/t Patterico). But the Boston Globe parroted this false accusation this morning in a gossip blog post about one of the alleged perpetrators, Joe Basel. The Globe--the same Globe that complained about ACORN's "trial-by-video"--called him a "political dirty trickster who was busted in a Watergate-style bugging operation earlier this week," and said again a couple paragraphs later that Basel was "bagged by the feds allegedly trying to bug the phones" in Landrieu's office. At least the Globe writers said "allegedly" the second time. The L.A. Times also issued the false claim that the crew had tried to "bug" Landrieu's phones, and explicitly tried to tie O'Keefe and company to the perpetrators of the Watergate break-in: Filmmaker James O’Keefe III is 25, meaning he was born about 13 years after five men were arrested for trying to bug the offices of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate complex in Washington. The subsequent scandal, which led to the resignation of the burglars’ boss, President Richard M. Nixon, was fodder for history books by the time O’Keefe was old enough to read them. Chances are, he didn’t. O’Keefe, the Internet “journalist” who became an overnight sensation after his undercover reports revealed unethical behavior by the liberal activist group ACORN, now finds himself in the middle of his own bugging scandal. Putting the word journalist in quotation marks is a nice touch, but the fact remains that O'Keefe did not try to bug anyone's phones. CBS News also trumpeted these false charges. referring to the accused as "Phone Bug Suspects" in a headline, and "Men Accussed of Attempting to Bug La. Senator's Phone" it the sub-headline. A CBS News video title calls the incident a "Watergate Style Break-In". A host of other smaller newspapers claimed that O'Keefe tried to "bug" the Senator's office, including the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Alexandria Echo Press. The Washington Post, unlike all of these outlets, took the facts into account and issued a correction today, saying, "Earlier versions of this story incorrectly reported that James O’Keefe faced charges in an alleged plot to bug the office of Sen. Mary Landrieu. The charges were related to an alleged plot to tamper with a phone system. The headline incorrectly referred to a plot to bug the phone and a caption incorrectly referred to an alleged wiretap scheme." All of the sources that parroted this erroneous (if the law enforcement official and official court document are to be believed) claim should do the same: correct the record and admit that O'Keefe's arrest bears little resemblance to the Watergate scandal. There was no bugging or wiretapping going on, and claims to the contrary are irresponsible. Political disagreement is no excuse for journalistic malfeasance.

For years, internet pundits have been chatting about the power of real-time chat. Until recently, though, the only real power-users of the technology were teenagers obsessed with sex and celebrities, and university professors interested in debating with colleagues from around the world. Well, make way for business! Many business chats are one-to-one: two colleagues, thousands of miles away, viewing a Web page at the same time and “discussing” it electronically. But most chats involve groups: a far-flung team of engineers, all online at the same time, typing in ideas and offering their reactions to what’s being “said” over the Net. Not even ardent chat enthusiasts expect that the technology will ever become as ubiquitous as email. But it is going mainstream. One popular chat application, made by Mirabilis Ltd., is called ICQ (“I seek you”). More than 9 million people have downloaded the software since it appeared less than two years ago. Meanwhile, blue-chip companies such as Chase Manhattan, Merrill Lynch, and IBM are experimenting with chat to connect their people – and to connect with their customers. This edition of @Work introduces you to four companies that are using Internet chat to cut costs, improve service, enhance creativity – even generate revenue. It also offers hands-on advice from pundits and pioneers on the newest form of Netiquette – namely, chatiquette. But enough chat! It’s time to let your fingers do the talking. Log On and Touch Someone Gregg Gallagher, 45, is in the communications business. He evaluates technologies and alliances for AT&T WorldNet Service, based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Gallagher spends most of his time attending meetings, taking part in conference calls, surfing the Web – and communicating via real-time chat. He uses ICQ, which notifies him when other, specified users are online and lets him communicate instantly with them. “Chat is the Internet version of an intercom,” he says. “You can summon a person quickly.” What’s the Word? Lots of people use real-time chat for formal, structured conversations. Gallagher prefers impromptu sessions. He uses ICQ to connect with colleagues without having to pass through the halls: “Chat saves time because I don’t have to move through the building.” He also uses chat to communicate one-on-one during conference calls: “It’s a way to have ‘out-of-band’ communication while a call is taking place. People can refine their thoughts online rather than announce ideas to everyone. But this isn’t just passing notes behind the teacher’s back. I also use it to communicate with people on the other side of the table.” Recently, for example, Gallagher was discussing technical details during a conference call with a business partner. Engineers for the other company were reluctant to reveal a sensitive piece of information. Thanks to ICQ, Gallagher noticed that the head of the company was online. Gallagher sent a message to him – and cleared up the stumbling block. “I did it without interrupting the conversation,” he says. “In a physical meeting, we might have had to leave the room.” Gallagher uses chat an average of 20 times a day. But even he recognizes the limits of chat technology: “There’s no history, so it’s not good for long-term conversations. And it works best for intimate dialogue. It’s not good for many-to-many conversations.” Mirabilis’s technology lets users see whether people on a contact list are online, and whether they’re busy or away from their desks. Users click on a name to send an instant message or to open a chat session. The ICQ client can be downloaded for free www.mirabilis.com . Mirabilis offers a more robust intranet-based system, plus versions of ICQ for popular Web-based programs, such as NetMeeting from Microsoft. Coordinates: Gregg Gallagher, email@example.com; ICQ number: 368435 Talk to the Hand Hand Technologies is a virtual organization. It sells hardware and software to the SOHO (small office, home office) market. Hand’s staffers are mostly self-employed reps who sell face-to-face, often through new-wave Tupperware parties. The company has almost 1,300 such “technology consultants” – and just 25 employees at its headquarters in Austin, Texas. “We have to keep people well trained and well informed,” says Dena Wood, 28, Hand’s marketing director. “Chat has become a real business tool.” What’s the Word? Hand’s first chat application was designed to speed up the process of evaluating job candidates. Prospective consultants visit an online auditorium, where executives explain Hand’s business model and field questions. The company also holds moderated chats for its consultants. Every Tuesday at 9 p.m., Hand convenes a one-hour “corporate communications” chat. Executives introduce new products and share updates on the business. They usually present for 20 minutes and field questions for 40 minutes. So many consultants have been attending the sessions that the company has had to fine-tune the agenda. “We’ve had to make the topics more specific,” Wood says. “With so many people, chat gets unruly.” Hand has a leg up on most companies that are evaluating chat tools. From the beginning, its people have communicated almost exclusively over the Net. “Chat may be new and exciting,” Wood says, “but it’s a natural extension of how we work. Our consultants do all their business with us online.” Still, the company has had to work hard to establish chat as a cornerstone of how Hand does business: “You have to tell people, ‘This is how we’re going to communicate. We are still going to have annual face-to-face meetings. But we are also going to use chat,’ ” says Wood. Hand didn’t venture far to find the right software. It turned to ichat Inc., an Austin neighbor, and installed a Rooms server and Events software. “We’re building a new marketing channel,” Wood says. “We’re a Web-based company, so we have to use Web solutions.” Coordinates: Dena Wood, firstname.lastname@example.org; www.handtech.com Say It with Flowers 1-800-FLOWERS, based in Westbury, New York, is the world’s largest florist. The company generates annual revenues of $300 million, including more than $30 million off the Web. Sure, it sells flowers. But its real business is giving customers exactly the flowers they want, precisely when they want them – as it did 9 million times in 1997. Which means that there’s always lots to talk about. What’s the Word? Jim McCann bought 1-800-FLOWERS in 1987, when it was on the verge of bankruptcy. It has been an innovator ever since – even though its technology has wilted at times in the face of rapid growth. Norman Dee, 50, director of network services, jokes that the company’s old “store-and-forward” network (which linked 2,500 florists through dial-up modems) “was one step above a telegraph line.” That changed in January, when 1-800-FLOWERS began rolling out a Web-based system for transmitting orders and scheduling deliveries. The system, called BloomLink, incorporates real-time chat. An open area “helps florists share information on finances, store design, and marketing,” says Dee. Forums explore specific business issues. And the company is about to introduce a series of online seminars devoted to topics such as running a profitable operation and providing great service – a virtual business school. The company’s experiences with chat underscore a simple business principle: There’s no time like real time. With BloomLink, florists can ask questions about an order as soon as they receive it: Can a delivery schedule be changed? Can certain flowers be substituted for others? “Half of our orders are for same-day delivery,” says Donna Iuccano, 35, director of interactive services. “We don’t really have the luxury of time.” Which is why the next item on the chat agenda is customer service. The company wants to create an “online waiting room,” where customers with questions will wait briefly – and then get answers in real time. “If customers have questions,” says Iuccano, “they should be able to use chat to talk to someone here.” BloomLink uses software from eShare Technologies Inc. www.eshare.com to provide real-time chat capabilities. The Expressions Interaction Suite supports one-to-one chat, discussion forums, and moderated chats. It starts at $3,995 (for 50 users). Coordinates: Norman Dee, email@example.com; www.1800flowers.com Pristine Capital Management Inc., based in White Plains, New York, is an investment-advisory firm built around a simple proposition: Time is money. Founders Oliver Velez and Greg Capra often counsel their clients to operate in three-to-five-day trading cycles. Proprietary software scours 9,000 securities every day and hunts for profitable trading opportunities. And since launching the firm in 1994, Velez and Capra have tried every possible way of interacting with customers: fax, email, toll-free numbers. Their new tool of choice is chat. “We needed a real-time medium because of the timeliness of what we do,” says Velez. “We’ve turned chat into a revenue generator.” What’s the Word? Faster, faster. Pristine’s first service was the Pristine Day Trader, an advisory newsletter for small investors and professional brokers. The newsletter, which costs $1,100 per year, gets faxed or emailed daily to more than 2,000 subscribers in 38 countries. But even satisfied customers began sending a message: A daily news feed just wasn’t immediate enough. In March 1996, the firm introduced the Pristine Daily Hotline. For $225 per month, subscribers can dial a toll-free number twice a day and hear recorded messages about hot stocks and market trends. “That still wasn’t enough for people,” says Velez, “So we got into another medium.” Enter the Real Time Trading Room, which debuted on June 23, 1997 at a price of $525 per month. “Chat is the perfect tool for us,” says Velez. “We are one of the first stock-market advisers to offer minute-by-minute guidance.” The service already has more than 400 subscribers in 32 countries. Velez vows to cap the number at 500: “We’re real sticklers about limiting participation. We don’t want too many people rushing to make the same trades.” Pristine’s online conversation is less than a year old, but it’s already lively and informative. Velez and Capra offer frequent updates during trading hours. They post premarket commentary before the exchanges open and postmarket remarks after they close. The service receives more than 200 subscriber questions every day. Indeed, Velez insists that his firm is in the education business, not the stock-picking business. “Our customers don’t just want to know what they should do,” he says. “They want to know why.” And chat is a powerful tool for education: “It puts hundreds of people right in our trading room. They get direct access to our ideas.” Like Hand Technologies, Pristine is an ichat customer. It cost Pristine $15,000 to create the trading room, and the firm pays ichat $1,000 per month to host the chats – not bad for a service that helps generate annual revenues of nearly $5 million! Coordinates: Oscar Velez, firstname.lastname@example.org; www.pristine.com Heath Row email@example.com is an associate editor at Fast Company. He’s always available for a chat.

Entertainment Visual Arts 20 Best Batman Christmas Stories Share PINTEREST Email Print Visual Arts Comic Books Collecting Characters Marvel Comics DC Comics Anime & Manga By Brian Cronin Updated March 06, 2017 01 of 21 20 Best Batman Christmas Stories DC Comics For whatever reason, Batman has translated extremely well to stories about Christmas. Here, then, in order, are the twenty best Batman Christmas comic book stories. 02 of 21 20. A Christmas Peril DC Comics From 1944's Batman #27, this Don Cameron and Jerry Robinson tale is an interesting variation on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. A young boy has embraced his nickname of "Scrooge" and has cornered the market on Christmas trees. However, his advisers are hiding from him that the reason that he's making SO much money selling Christmas trees is that they are terrorizing all of the other Christmas tree sellers in Gotham City. The boy's uncle (dressed as Santa Claus because...well...just because) has shown up to become his guardian, but that's not until January 1st, and the boy's advisers plan on stealing all his money before then (and killing him and his uncle if need be). Batman and Robin kidnap the boy and show him visions of Christmas Past and Present to show him the effects his dishonest Christmas tree racket has had on an old man and a younger man. Once the bad guys are dispatched, the young boy spends all of the money he spent selling Christmas trees to instead purchase toys for the boys and girls of Gotham City, delivered via Batman's Bat-Plane. 03 of 21 19. A Christmas Riddle DC Comics In this twist-filled story by Paul Dini, Ty Templeton and Rich Burchett from 1995's Batman and Robin Adventures #3, the Riddler has broken into a holiday celebration of all the richest men in Gotham City and he reveals that he has figured out that one of them MUST be the Batman! It's a major society gathering, so Bruce Wayne must be there, right? Well, the answer to that is one of the many twists in this tale. 04 of 21 18. Christmas DC Comics In this earliest Batman Christmas story ever from 1941's Batman #9 by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson and George Roussos, Batman and Robin discover a young boy at an orphanage who insists that his father, in prison for life for murder, is innocent. Naturally, the boy is tiny Tim Cratchit and his father is Bob Cratchit. Batman and Robin prove Bob's innocence and everyone celebrates Christmas together, including Bruce Wayne's then-love interest, Linda Page. 05 of 21 17. The Mystery of Christmas Lost! DC Comics In 1976's Batman #285 by David V. Reed, Romeo Tanghal and Frank Springer, the villainous Dr. Tzin-Tzin plots to make Gotham City forget Christmas! Batman fights through his various illusions (including fighting a bear on a Christmas tree!) and saves the day. However, it is too late for Dick Grayson to get his girlfriend a present for Christmas. Luckily, Bruce Wayne has a stash of jewelry that he can give to Dick to give to his girlfriend - the perks of being a multi-millionaire playboy! 06 of 21 16. Good Ol' St. Nicholas DC Comics In the opening story of 1994's The Batman Adventures Holiday Special #1, the co-creators of Batman: The Animated Series, Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, collaborate on this charming story where Harvey Bullock is undercover as a department store Santa Claus while Barbara "Batgirl" Gordon is there shopping for he father. Bullock and his partner, Renee Montoya (dressed as an elf), are there to stop some shoplifters. The shoplifters turn out to be Clayface!! Batgirl must help save the day. 07 of 21 15. A Slaying Song Tonight DC Comics In this short story from 1996's Batman: Black and White #3, Denny O'Neil and Teddy Kristiansen show Batman tracking down a killer dressed as Santa Claus. It's a simple story, but Kristiansen's off-kilter artwork really makes it stand out. 08 of 21 14. White Christmas DC Comics In the third story from 1995's The Batman Adventures Holiday Special #1, Paul Dini and Glen Murakami tell the story of Mister Freeze deciding to make sure that Gotham City has a White Christmas in honor of his dearly departed wife, Nora, who loved snow on Christmas. Murakami's artwork is stunning, both the shot of Batman helping a little girl whose family is stranded due to the snow and this amazing sequence where Batman makes sure to replace the Christmas wreath on his parents' tomb. 09 of 21 13. The Night the Mob Stole X-Mas! DC Comics This story from 1978's The Brave and the Bold #148 by Bob Haney, Jim Aparo and Joe Staton begins with Batman trying to shut down a bootleg cigarette operation (something he hilariously refers to as "buttlegging," a phrase Haney makes sure to repeat a number of times). Eventually, he and his guest star for the issue, Plastic Man, head down to Florida to take down a buttload of mobsters. Any comic that involves the phrase, "Let's start high-ballin' ourselves...for the Sunshine State!" cannot be bad in my book. 10 of 21 12. Have Yourself a Deadly Little Chriatmas DC Comics 1979's Batman #309 by Len Wein, John Calnan and Frank McLaughlin has Batman run up against the nearly mindless man mountain known as Blockbuster. While Blockbuster is NEARLY mindless, he is not so far gone that when he comes across a young woman who has just tried to kill herself through an overdose of sleeping pills, that he cannot keep himself from taking her and trying to save her. Of course, since he is still PRETTY mindless, he ends up stuck on an ice floe with her, with Batman trying to save them both. In the end, Blockbuster sacrifices himself to save the woman, who now has a reason to live. 11 of 21 11. Favorite Things DC Comics This 1995 Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #79 story was written by a young Mark Millar, before he became a superstar writer. Drawn by Steve Yeowell and Dick Giordano, it sees Batman tearing a path throughout the Gotham underworld to find items stolen from a series of Gotham City mansions, including Wayne Manor! As it turns out, he is trying to find the last Christmas present his parents gave him before their passing. 12 of 21 10. Christmas DC Comics In the third issue of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's Batman classic, The Long Halloween, the Joker is angry at the attention being given to the holiday-themed serial killer known as Holiday. It is positively ruining his Christmas. He then terrorizes the movers and shakers of Gotham City to drive them to capture the killer, including visiting mob boss Carmine Falcone and Gotham District Attorney, Harvey Dent. 13 of 21 9, Parole for Christmas DC Comics Bill Finger and Charles Paris were the creative team on this story from 1947's Batman #45, where a prisoner on 24-hour parole for the holidays finds himself near death after being killed due to his refusal to take part in a prison break the next day (his cell blocks the exit - with him dead, the escapees have a clear getaway). As it turns out, Eddie is a dead ringer for Bruce Wayne, so Batman actually impersonates Eddie to foil the crime. As the same time, Batman also impersonates Eddie with Eddie's girlfriend (including a kiss under the mistletoe). In the end, the escape is foiled and Eddie's help leads to a full parole and an engagement with his girlfriend (and a reunion with his kid brother, who has been staying with Eddie's girlfriend while he was in jail). 14 of 21 8. Batman's Last Christmas DC Comics In 1981's The Brave and the Bold #184, by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo, Batman's whole world is turned upside down when he discovers records on a crook dressed as Santa Claus that seem to implicate his late father in the financing of a criminal empire. When Batman meets with Thomas Wayne's accountant, it seems all true - Thomas Wayne was an investor with the mob! Bruce Wayne then quits being Batman, as he feels like a fool to honor the memory of a crook. However, luckily, he eventually figures out that it is all a scam perpetrated by the Wayne's old accountant. By the way, look at the above image. Notice the green arrow next to the crook dressed as Santa Claus? That was one of Jim Aparo's famous hints where he would put in some visual clue into issues of The Brave and the Bold to let readers know who Batman was teaming up with in the next issue. In this case, it was Green Arrow, naturally. He has a whole pile of other hints. 15 of 21 7. Slayride DC Comics One of the all-time great Joker stories, 2006's Detective Comics #826 by Paul Dini, Don Kramer and Wayne Faucher, has Joker kidnap Robin and take him for a terrifying drive around Gotham City, terrorizing the citizens while they do their holiday shopping. Can Robin find a way to get himself free and stop the Clown Prince of Crime? 16 of 21 6. Wanted: Santa Claus - Dead or Alive! DC Comics Released in 1979's DC Special Series #21 just a few months after he had taken over as the regular artist on Daredevil and thus begun his journey to comic book stardom, young Frank Miller drew Batman for the first time (seven years before his famous Dark Knight Returns) in this tale by writer Denny O'Neil (Miller is inked by Steve Mitchell) where a reformed Salvation Army Santa Claus is coerced into helping break in to a department store. He refuses to go along, so they decide to kill him. They're about to do the job when a star shines brightly, distracting the bad guy and allowing Batman to save the day. But where did the star come from? Was it a Christmas miracle? 17 of 21 5. The Harley and the Ivy DC Comics In the most famous story from 1994's The Batman Adventures Holiday Special, Paul Dini and Ronnie Del Carmen have Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn brainwash Bruce Wayne and have him take them on a holiday shopping spree. The story was later adapted for an episode of The New Batman Adventures. 18 of 21 4. Noel DC Comics Lee Bermejo wrote and painted this 2011 graphic novel that tells a variation on Dickens' A Christmas Carol, as Batman ("Scrooge") must determine what to do with Bob, who works for the Joker but is just trying to help support his young boy, Tim. The ghost of Jason Todd is the Jacob Marley of the tale, with Catwoman, Superman and the Joker being the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, respectively. Bermejo's artwork is breathtaking. 19 of 21 3. Silent Night, Deadly Night DC Comics In this 1971 tale from Batman #239 (one of the top Christmas stories of all-time) by Denny O'Neil, Irv Novick and Dick Giordano, Batman runs afoul of a down on his luck man who resorts to crime to feed his young daughter. He then decides to kill the miserly owner of the company that downsized him. Batman and the little girl chase after her father, using a magically appearing sleigh to reach him just as we see that he decides not to kill the old man at the last minute but to instead save the old man from the heart attack he was having when the younger man entered the house to kill him. In the end, Batman forgives the younger man and helps him get back on to his feet. The comic came with an awesome Neal Adams cover. 20 of 21 2. Yes, Tyrone, There is a Santa Claus DC Comics In this delightfully bizarre Christmas story from Infinite Holiday Special #1 (easily one of the most acclaimed Christmas stories of the past twenty-five years), Kelley Puckett and Pete Woods have Superman receive a letter from a young boy in Metropolis who doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Superman decides to give the boy a Christmas surprise by dressing as Santa. On the way there, though, Batman stops him, convincing him that his powers are needed for greater deeds than something like this. Superman reluctantly agrees, but then decides he might as well give the kid the presents he bought for him. When he shows up at the kid's home, however, he discovers that Bat-Santa has swept in and taken the Christmas glory for himself! I won't spoil for you what happens after Bat-Santa winks at Superman, but trust me, it is worth every penny of buying this comic just to see the final page in all of its glory. 21 of 21 1. The Silent Night of the Batman DC Comics Regarded as not just the greatest Batman Christmas story but perhaps THE greatest Christmas comic story of all-time, this 1969 story from Batman #219 by Mike Friedrich, Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.sees Batman visit the Gotham City Police Department and sing some Christmas Carols until the next crime is committed in Gotham. Shockingly, he ends up singing all night, as some sort of Christmas magic keeps preventing crimes and other bad deeds from occurring (like a war widow almost kills herself before she sees that her husband was erroneously ruled as Killed in Action). Some absolutely stunning Neal Adams artwork goes along with this oddly wonderful Christmas gem.

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LP Edition of 250. Pressed by Burlington Record Plant Co-Released with Peace & Rhythm LP Edition of 250. Baby Blue Vinyl CS Pro-Dubbed by NAC. Edition of 500. Comes with download code. CD Edition of 500. Ghettoblaster Video Premiere “Comet” DNA Music Video Little Things Music Video Home Body Bandcamp Audio Femme Vents Magazine Broadway World It takes audacity to start a song with questions as big and unanswerable as “Where did we come from? Who are we really?” But for Western Massachsuetts duo Home Body, those kind of grand cosmic queries are totally natural, fitting snugly into music that digs deep and shoots for the stars. The soaring voice of Haley Morgan and the throbbing, hovering electronics of Eric Hnatow create… Read more » LP Edition of 250. Includes download code. Mastered by Jeremy Pisani. CASSETTE Edition of 200 includes download slip. CD Edition of 500. Here is the first physically graspable music available by this mysterious Western Massachusetts duo, whose sound has been called “Synthetic ASMR love balladry,” by more than one canny listener. Asking them to describe themselves, we received this missive: “Plants of the Bible started in a bedroom in Florence with a tape machine and a poem about an unkillable dog android before it quickly spiraled out of control into a real band with a real record. Their first album is a dreamy cast of imagined characters and everyday events built with elaborately layered sounds. Driven by their array of… Read more » CD Edition of 300. Too Much Love Mag Chocoli MV Out this spring on the legendary Western Massachusetts label Feeding Tube, ‘Dutch Science’ dwells on such topics as gripping onto your sanity as you enter true independence and early adulthood, and what it means to make the sacrifices in order to become a working artist in today’s world. Jesus Vio is a working artist who immigrated to the United States after spending much of his childhood bouncing around the world from his native Chile to Berlin, Jesus Vio spent his a chunk of his youth being immersed in vastly different environments. Going through various art schools and touring the world with his former band Free Pizza, Jesus comes into his… Read more » CD Edition of 300. On the morning of January 20th 2019 I was woken up especially early at 8am (that’s early for me anyway) by the sound of freezing rain bouncing off my bedroom window. Rather than trying to go back to sleep I impulsively got up, put on some clothes, brought my two autoharps, a digital recorder, a plastic tote (to protect the recorder from the elements) and an old card table outside, I set the autoharps up on the table so the freezing rain would hit the strings, placed the recorder in the tote next to the autoharps, pressed record, and this is what happened. LP with CD. Edition of 500, Numbered FOUND A BOX… BLACK VINYL RED VINYL CD Only This record is the ultimate collection of the eclectic musical forms that ZEBU! embodies. 17 tracks feature the wide reaching catalog of original tunes from the band recorded live in Ted Lee’s attic in Providence RI. Vocals in the shower, Ted in the bath, Steve in the sink and Eugene and Brook in the basement make this album an instant classic. Stephen “Stegro” Surrett fills out the bottom end and hammers home the riffs. If you are looking for a bunch of freaking rock songs, this album’s for you! Also available on LP. “Boudoir languor, noise-rock snarl, twiddled-knob cacophany, anemically loopy indie slop, and… Read more » LP Edition of 250 Comes with Download Slip. Second Pressing in Splatter Color Vinyl FIRST PRESSING OUT OF PRINT! CD Edition of 300 CASSETTE Edition of 100 Silk Screened Cover by Colleen! Our last Big Blood release was the idiosyncratic Ant Farm (FTR 241), Colleen and Caleb’s collaboration with the late composer Elliott Schwartz, which presented music designed for a museum installation. With Operate Spaceship Earth Properly, Big Blood return to the vast universe of strangeness they explore inside their own skin. Now fully incorporating the vocals and guitar of their daughter Quinnisa (previously a “secret weapon” unveiled mostly at live shows, as the Dictators once did with Handsome Dick Manitoba), Big Blood sound nutsier and wilder than ever. Spaceship… Read more » CD Edition of 500 LP + CD Edition of 500 Covers Printed by Neil Burke LP Blue Vinyl Edition available at FT Store / WFMU Record Fair THE WIRE Totally great live LP by Gary Wilson (the world’s forgotten boy) with a cover photo makes him look like a dead ringer for the late Mike Kelley, back when Mike was a fake hippie. Anyway, Gary shouldn’t need much of an introduction. If you don’t know him, you might well access one of the many other LPs of his we’ve done. But then again, Another Lonely Night in Brooklyn might be just the place to start your own little wagon rolling down the road of Gary Wilson fandom. The… Read more » LP – Edition of 450 CD – Edition of 300 – WIRE REVIEW We were first introduced to the music of Gregg Turner when he was with VOM, the explicitly post-musical punk-tongue-monster he inhabited along with Richard Meltzer, Metal Mike Saunders and others. From there, he and Mike formed the Angry Samoans, who spewed an insane blend of garage/bubblepunk/hardcore noise to well-deserved acclaim. But the Samoans began including folk rock moves inside their spectrum with 1986’s Yesterday Started Tomorrow EP, and most of the work Turner’s done since then has contained this element to one degree or another. People who haven’t heard Gregg’s recordings from the post-Samoans era may be surprised by how straightforward and outright charming some of the… Read more » Home Body “In Real Life” LP Edition of 500 RAM Music Video CD: LP: First LP by superbly talented Northampton MA duo, Haley Morgan and Eric Hnatow, who rewrite the basic DNA of electro-pop for their own nefarious purposes. They are capable of the sweet gesticulation for which the form is noted, and they do this with incredible aplomb. Staying away from the cute-ass rhyming-nada that so many of their peers use as stock-in-trade, when they opt for romantic aktion, they craft tunes that carry the weight of flat-out Buckingham/Knicks updates in terms of sheer perfection — multi-part femme-voiced songs of longing that explode with deep, fully-immersed emotional content, set inside of perfectly balanced guitar/key/percussion explorations. Outside of time or… Read more » Happy Jawbone Family Band “Okay Midnight, You Win” LP Edition of 1000 Book Of Fire CD: LP: The second LP (fifth album) by this Vermont / Colorado quintet finds them traipsing ever deeper into the kind of mythic American territory we usually associate with bands who view our landscape from far outside it’s windows. Think of Australia’s Triffids or New Zealand’s Renderers and cross their brilliant Southern Hemisphere inventions with truths only wrenchable from the heart of the beast. There’s a genuine ruralist hoot factor here so smooth that it hits like a ton of silk, but there’s enough killbilly undertow to keep everyone standing nervously around that jug of magic moonshine.

The Great Sayings in the Gospels “Such Great Faith…” 5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. KJV If you are familiar with the gospels you know that Luke is the only other of the four gospel writers that included this account. You also know that Luke told the story a little differently. In Luke’s version, the centurion himself does not come to Christ but sends emissaries, first a group of the Jewish leaders and then some of his friends. Let us read that account. 1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. KJV This reveals to us what seems like a peculiarity of that day. There was almost no difference in the minds of these writers whether a person does something in person or does it through messengers. It is all considered as if he had personally done the thing. Introducing the Centurion: – He was obviously a Roman soldier, though that does not necessarily mean that he was a Roman himself. He may have been from any of the nations that Rome had conquered. – He was obviously a wealthy man for he had made some sizable charitable contributions at Capernaum which we will see in a minute. – There was a relationship of affection between the centurion and his servant. This means at last two things: (1) the servant was a faithful man who served his master well, and (2) the centurion himself was a man who appreciated and had affection for people who were of a lower station in life than himself. This tells us that he was a very different sort of man than we would expect to find in his position in life. – He was a religious man who had a great interest in the Jewish religion. Luke 7:5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. KJV Matthew Henry – …”he was well‑affected to the people of the Jews: He loveth our nation (which few of the Gentile did). Probably he had read the Old Testament, whence it was easy to advance to a very high esteem of the Jewish nation, as favoured by Heaven above all people.” AND – “…he was well‑affected to their worship: He built them a new synagogue at Capernaum, finding that what they had was either gone to decay or not large enough to contain the people, and that the inhabitants were not of ability to build one for themselves. Hereby he testified his veneration for the God of Israel, his belief of his being the one only living and true God, and his desire, like that of Darius, to have an interest in the prayers of God’s Israel, Ezra 6:10. This centurion built a synagogue at his own proper costs and charges, and probably employed his soldiers that were in garrison there in the building, to keep them from idleness.” – Still, we do not expect to necessarily find him having Jesus sought out to make a personal appeal for Him to heal the servant. One would almost have expected him to send a garrison of soldiers to firmly request that He come to the place where the servant was to heal him. But this man is very polite and very attentive to proper decorum and does not at all behave as the resident authority of the conquering power, nor as a law enforcement office for the Caesar. – He was a man of considerable humility for any person of any time, much less a soldier of rank. Luke’s account that he approached Christ through emissaries seems the most reasonable to me. I have a question that a man who thought himself unworthy for Jesus to come into his house would approach Jesus in person on the street. I do not know if we encounter a single other individual in the gospels who was so humble that he would decline for Jesus to enter his house. Matthew Henry suggested that his knowledge of the Jewish people and their aversion to associating with uncircumcised people may have added to his hesitance. – We know that he had heard of Jesus and His power to heal. We also know, as we will see later, that he considered Jesus to be a person of great authority over spiritual matters. He believed in Him with confidence even though he had never met Him in person. We also know that we are yet in the very early ministry of Jesus and there is not as much evidence of His healing power as there will ultimately be. This man has believed with considerable less evidence before him than the Jews ultimately had at the end of Jesus’ ministry. – We know that he was well-respected by the Jewish leaders of Capernaum and we know that the Jews as a group tended to greatly resent the authority of Rome over their people. This means that the centurion had gone to great lengths to show himself fair, honorable, and respectful to the Jewish people of that city. – We suspect that he was a wealthy man, given the fact that he had impressed the Jews with his gifts of charity and his work on their synagogue. This would not have been unusual for soldiers, on occasion, would capture great wealth in war and were sometimes free to keep most of it for themselves as an offset to their small wages. A centurion would have used part of the captured booty to generously reward his men and kept a sizable portion for himself. Lessons learned from the Centurion: Christ is everything. I am nothing. All that I truly need is to be found in Him. Therefore, I must humbly seek Him. This is the essence of Great Faith. Christ is Everything The confidence that the centurion had in Christ, he had from before he sent messengers to him. He believed that Jesus, with a word and from a distance, could heal his servant with a word, without ever having seen him or touched him. This means that he believed that Jesus knew who the centurion was, who his servant was, where the house was located, what was truly wrong with the servant, and what it would take to heal him. He further believed that Jesus had the authority and power to order such a healing to this specific man at this specific location. I noticed as I thought on this text that the centurion did not request of Jesus that He pray to God for healing for the servant but that He would heal him, Himself. What the centurion believed, if one develops it out, was that Jesus was Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent, that He knew all things, was present everywhere, and had all power. The only logical conclusion to such a belief is that Jesus was Himself Deity. No man, no prophet, no priest, had ever held Divine power in such a way that a person could be completely confident that with a word he could heal a man he did not know in a location he did not know of a disease that he had not observed, and do so with merely a word of command. The centurion expressed his confidence, his faith, in Jesus Christ with terms that he fully understood as a military man. Luke 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. KJV His express belief was that Jesus had the same authority over the elements of the universe that this centurion did over those under his command. “Whatever I tell them, they do,” he said, obviously meaning that he also thought that the forces of nature would obey whatever Jesus commanded them to do. I am nothing. Question: have you ever met another human being whom you assumed to be of such honor that you would feel unworthy for them to come into your house? (I am not talking about feeling nervous that your house was not clean!). No one that I know of in scripture ever felt such a compulsion toward Jesus. Pharisees and even some of the publicans often invited Him to eat with them. While they, no doubt, felt honored that He would accept their invitations, none of them seemed hesitant to have Him into their house. The kind of response that the centurion showed could only come from one place, the Word of God, and through only one means, conviction from the Spirit of God. This man had, undoubtedly, come to see himself as the kind of sinner that scripture says that he and all the rest of us are. Paul described the sinner, if you remember, in Rom. 3:10-19: unrighteous, ignorant of God and refusing to seek Him, completely outside of the way of righteousness, unprofitable and without any good in him. The centurion was not only theologically convinced of this truth, he was practically convinced, which means that his behavior matched was he believed. Since he truly believed himself a sinner, his was firmly of the opinion that he could not, with integrity, host the Lord of Glory in his home. This man was not only ‘humbled’ by what he had discovered of himself as a sinner, he was shattered, broken, and completely undone. Think of it, he disinvited Jesus to his house because he considered himself ‘unworthy’ that the Lord should come under his roof. Surely most people in our day would think that he had gone “all to serious on this religion thing.” There are many people in our day who would lecture him on his “position in Christ” and his “spiritual authority.” But, alas, this man was not nearly so smart as many of our preachers. All he was, all he had, all he could lay claim to was…….in the words of Jesus Himself…..GREAT FAITH. Great Faith does not make one arrogant and self assured. It does not give a person the arrogance to seek to tell God, the Devil, or even angels what to do. In fact, it makes no demands on God at all. Requests? Certainly! Orders? Absolutely not! The kind of faith recognized by God is the kind of faith that fully and completely acknowledges the complete sinfulness of the creature apart from God and operates from the perspective that the creature is owed nothing. Appeals made to God are made on the basis of His grace and not the worth of the creature. What I need is to be found in Him. Given what the centurion obviously believed: himself a sinner, the God of the Jews is God, Jesus is the Messiah prophesied, the problem he was facing was beyond the power of man to solve, his only obvious course of action was to seek help from Jesus Christ. What he needed was to be found in Christ alone Who, Alone, had the power to meet his need. The reality is that this is true for every living soul. All he/she needs is to be found in Jesus Christ. Now, obviously, we are speaking of real, spiritual, and eternal needs. What are those? Forgiveness of sins Spiritual life and growth in grace here and now. Preservation from sin and communion with God in this life. And, eternal life with God in eternity. There are no other ‘needs’ that a human has. This is it. Everything else is only a ‘want’ or a ‘desire.’ Surely we have daily necessities that we must have if we are going to live, but we are going to come to a day when we do not live here any more. That is not a real and eternal need. But to be able to die in peace and move securely into eternal fellowship with God? Now there is a real need. Every real need of every soul is to be found in Christ and in Him Alone. He is the Bread of Life and He gives the Living Water. Spiritual life and the power to sustain it comes from Him and from no other. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. KJV (Peter before the Sanhedrin) I can say to you with all confidence, right here and right now, that all you truly need can be found in Jesus Christ. I can also say with all confidence that what you need cannot be found anywhere else or in any other person or religion. Therefore, I must earnestly and humbly seek Him. One cannot come in pride and arrogance to the Lord of the Universe and have any hope of being heard by Him. One must come just as the centurion did, “I am unworthy of even the least of your blessings. I am a sinner, as was my father and all of my grandfathers back to Adam. I have done nothing to deserve your mercy and everything to deserve and merit your wrath. I come petitioning your Mercy because I have a need that I cannot meet. I am crippled and diseased with sin. I cannot help myself. I need to be forgiven of my sins and to be given a new life so that I can live for You. Would you help me, Lord? I cast all of my hope upon you. Please saved me for Jesus’ sake.” But this also is true of those who are already believers. You and I have merited nothing. Every good thing we have ever done has been by the Grace of God and Him alone. We have done nothing perfectly and have never done all that we should have done. Any hope we have of help from Him must be sought from His Mercy and Grace just as our salvation was sought. He has already given us far more than we could ever have deserved. It is true that Jesus has opened the throne room of God to us through His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, but all of our dealings with God must still be in complete humility, seeking His Grace. Those who truly had this Great Faith like the centurion trusted Christ so much that they committed themselves completely and totally to Him. The work of the gospel is never finished in a soul. Once we have been brought to Christ in Christian Conversion, the Holy Spirit continues to unveil the truths that He first revealed to us before. Christ is Everything. I am nothing. Everything I truly need is to be found in Him. Therefore, I must earnestly and humbly seek after Him. The Holy Spirit would have every believer to be as completely surrendered and committed to Christ as Paul was and He will never be satisfied with anything less than that from us. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. KJV 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. KJV This is the place that Great Faith will always bring us. Do you have Great Faith? Are You Seeking It?Share on Facebook

New clients are as significant for the eatery business as the customary ones. Actually it is not feasible for any business to flourish without new clients. A consistent progression of new clients is expected to adjust the old clients that are done going to your café for a few or different reasons, for example, migrating or changing feasting propensities. The following is a rundown of some incredible methodologies for pulling in new clients to your café. – Market Your Restaurant in Public Places A secure method to allure new clients is to advertise your café in broad daylight places, for example, parks, malls, markets, and so on, and offer them to have a sample of a portion of your most delightful food. At the point when they stop for that, remember to give out your café menu, coupon or a business card so they will know precisely where they can go so as to taste a greater amount of your delectable food. – Cross Market Your Restaurant Cross advertising your eatery with different close by inns, inns, occasion, hotels or visit transport is another good thought to bring likely clients. For instance, you could list your café in the close by fascination list at the lodgings or you could promote in their entryways. – Referral System Your current clients can bring a ton of business for you. Yet, for that you ought to support them by offering an acceptable version of fascination in do as such. For instance, you could offer 10 percent off for the client who eludes another client. – Offer Specials Deals After the battle of entire day numerous individuals feel it undesirable to return home and cook for them. What’s more, it is really reasonable on the grounds that everybody needs to unwind toward the day’s end. Thus, it is a smart thought to offer inconvenient time unique arrangements to draw in those likely clients. You may offer mixed drinks, logan’s roadhouse menu nourishments, chicken dishes, chips, and different food sources at unique limited costs for such customers. – Offer Gift Certificates You can offer blessing endorsement to your customary clients in adaptable costs. The majority of them will joyfully buy it for their nearby ones who can attempt your eatery totally hazard free since they as a rule do not need to pay anything for the experience. – Sponsor Various Events You could support different occasions, for example, show, display or game. This is an incredible method to get exposure and eventually new business. – Enter Contests Thus, why not utilize this as an approach to draw in new clients to your café. You could run a few challenges offering unconditional present declaration or free suppers.

cheap clonazepam 2mg online with american express The action is thus of the same character as that in other organsand perhaps differs only in being slower and thus requiring a longerperiod of action than is necessary to induce obvious changes in thebloodvessels and unstriated muscle. The usual explanation given that cocaine paralyzes sensationin the cornea, and thus prevents the reflex winking which removesforeign cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk bodies from the surface and keeps the eye moist, is obviouslyinsufficient, as the anaesthesia is of but short duration. Thus traces of copperadded to the water in which they live, destroy some of the simpler algae, andnaegeli asserts that one part of copper in one thousand million parts of water issufficient to kill these plants. There are different ways to demonstrate this relationship and use canbe made of antisense oligonucleotides or knockout klonopin prescription name and transgenic animals.sometimes animal models are used that are specific for certain disease states.for example, zebrafish have been shown to buy cheap clonazepam 2mg tablets be of particular interest because ofthe similarity cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk between diseaserelated genes cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk in this fish cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk species and man. The internaladministration of this substance is exceedingly dangerous onaccount of its marked poisonous effect; the majority of the klonopin 1mg prescription help recorded cases of poisoning have resulted from this mode of appkcation. Original uses Treatment and prevention of mucosal and cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk skin herpes simplex infections, treats cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk herpes simplex encephalitis, herpes zoster, genital herpes, varicella-zoster infections in healthy non-pregnant persons older than 13 years of age, and children older than 12 months old who have a chronic skin or lung disorder or are cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk receiving long-term aspirin therapy and are immunocompromised. Ketamine provides effective analgesiawithout compromise of the airway. Mice bear a mutation that significantly delays wallerian degeneration. Pde5 than for pde6, which is found in the retina and is responsible for phototransduction. To this combination, is due the peculiar postmortem appearance of the blood independent parts of victims of prussic acid poisoning.the metabolism is much decreased by this drug, therefore,less oxygen cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk is absorbed and less carbon dioxide excreted, thannormally. A postmarketing studyevaluating cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk the effect of combining with another drug of comparable qt effectshowed an additive qt effect when compared with either drug alone (seeclinicalpharmacology, electrophysiology). So far, the drug molecules have been selected on the basis of in vitro test systems. The rest is stored in the tissues for a longtime and slowly got rid of in cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk the hair and epidermis, in which arsenicmay be found for many months after it has disappeared from theurine and faeces. ; u.), or porcelain clay, is used in the formation ofpills containing easily reduced bodies, such as silver nitrate or potassium permanganate. Except in life-threatening situations, avoid this combination.lasix should not be used concomitantly withethacrynic acid because of the possibility ofototoxicity. Although weak solutions de-compose at the same absolute rate as stronger ones, the weakerthe solution, the greater the proportion of active buy cheap sibutramine 15mg ingredient de-stroyed in a given time; cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk i., the percentage of decomposition isgreater in weaker solutions. Remember, when you sense the tingle, the cold sore countdown is on. Since the recognition that an organic element is present in most patients, this approach is increasingly being used in conjunction with pharmacological treatment. It has beenused successfully by this author and others in the treatment ofconstipation. Druggist's no instruction it just sales healthcare i am executing wont fix up with provision klonopin 2mg prescription pills provided nearby canada rather online. In several instances actual lesions of the brain cellshave been shown to be caused by the ingestion of the metals. The binding of ciprofloxacin to serum proteins is 20% to 40%, which is not likely to be high enough to cause significant protein binding interactions with other drugs. These state laws generally require either that substi-tution be limited to drugs on a specific list cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk (the positive formu-lary approach) or that substitution be permitted for all drugsexcept those prohibited by a particular list (the negative for-mulary approach). See also section 5.the recommended dose is 5 mg, takenat approximately the same time every daywith or without food.for adult men being treated for both benign cheapest generic klonopin 2mg tablets online uk prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction therecommended dose is also cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk 5mg taken at approximately the same time every day. Very largequantities taken in concentrated solution may cause gastro-intestinalirritation, giving rise to pain in the stomach region, nausea, vomitingand sometimes diarrhoea, and blood may be present in the vomitedmatter and in the stools. These have evolved tomore automated and molecular-oriented methods, in which pu-rified or recombinant enzyme and receptor systems are used ininitial phases of discovery pharmacology, followed within vivotesting as needed. The patient may require ongoingmonitoring by the cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk pharmacist to address new or recurringmedication-related problems.the total number of reviews required to successfully managea patient’s therapy will vary from patient to patient and willbe ultimately determined by the complexity of the individualpatient’s medication-related cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk problems. Several authors have recommended the hypodermicinjections buy drug klonopin 1mg tablets of fowler's solution diluted with two parts of water. The characteristic action of itsmembers is a decrease of the functional activity of all forms of protoplasm; the poisonous action being greater, the lower the scale ofthe protoplasm. The critical period during which these effects can be induced in male rats has been defined tobe days 16-17 of gestation. At 2 years, the investigators rated 80% ofmen treated with propecia ashaving increased hair growth compared with 47% ofmen treated with placebo. I did teach the 1st part with the tap ending on 7 instead of 8 which is cool but somewhat harder. Medication utilization behavior in patients receiving phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction. This susceptibility is known as idiosyncrasy.the intensity of action of a drug depends to a certain extent uponits concentration in the blood. The intravenous cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk injection of the perchloride has been suggestsfor the treatment of cases in which there is urgent haste, but is scarcely tfbe recommended in ordinary infections, as there is danger of embolism; affiiwhile the blood contains a large quantity for a short time, the concentratiocfalls very rapidly from the metal being eliminated.suppositories of purchase clonazepam in thailand mercury have been used to some extent and are said \cdisturb the digestion less than the administration per os.mercury fumigations have also been practised to a limited extent, the vaporof mercury being freed by heating calomel or the sulphide. Although he reconunended digitalis only as a diureticno constitutional organic drugs.to remove accumulated fluid, yet he claimed buy drug klonopin 2mg online no prescription that the good klonopin online usa effectwas best seen when the pulse was weak and that its use wasfollowed by a great increase in the quantity of urine voided,accompanied by a marked strengthening in the force of thepulse with a diminution in its rate.when a solution, of digitoxin is administered to a fenestrated frog, there is to be observed, at first, a great increase in theforce of contraction of the heart. It maycause nausea in larger doses. Gp, and simultaneously take better control on your blood pressure. In an ideal world you would like to find an internship or some work experience directly relevant to the industry sector you soma pill mg are seeking a job in. Arsenic action is therefore due, not to cheap clonazepam 2mg online ireland the element, but tothe cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk ion of arsenious acid. Risk assessment before starting fih studies; risk-based clinicaltrial management; risk-adapted clinical trial cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk monitoring; risk-based auditsand inspections; and risk management plans in relation to drug safety; butthere is still a long way to go. Unfortunately, this simple theory, which is appropri-ate for a test tube, does not work in the body, which is an opensystem capable of eliminating unbound drug.first, a seemingly dramatic change in the unbound fractionfrom 1% to 10% releases less than 5% of the total amount of drugin the body into the unbound pool because less than one third ofthe drug in the body is bound to plasma proteins even in the mostextreme cases, eg, warfarin. It breaks up cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk into oxygen, and does not form hydrogen cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk peroxide.the ozone of the air has been appealed to, in order to explain and advertisethe benefits induced by many watering places and forest resorts, but it hasnever been satisfactorily proved that the air in these localities contains moreozone than in other less favored places. Although premature ejaculation is not an erectile disorder, it is discussed in this article because some of the treatments mentioned can be of assistance in resolving this problem, too. Is altered by cocaine, owing cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk to its action on theheart and on the vessels. In the absence of such data, localepidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Apparentlythese plants and animals are incapable of reducing the arsenates to arsenites,which are much more toxic.the bodies of persons poisoned with arsenic are said to remain undecom-posed for a remarkably long time, and to tend to become mummified. The combining powerof carbon monoxide bears a certain relation to its concentrationas expressed in the purchase generic klonopin 2mg in singapore following table which has been prepared byhiifner to show this proportion:percentage of carbon monoxidein air of respirationo.oz0.02so.i05i.o2.0percentage of carbon cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk monoxidehemoglobin in when air containing from 0.02 to cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk 0.024 per cent, of carbon monoxide is inhaled by man, no poisonous symptoms occur as long asthat proportion is not increased. The administra-tion of drugs in humans at the earliest time possible ultimatelysaves valuable resources, as highly toxic compounds can beeliminated and alternative lead compounds can be cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk developed.additional preclinical studies may be conducted during clini-cal testing to support larger trials and, eventually, the market-ing of the drug product. buy clonazepam 1mg in australia Order Zovirax here. The subject cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk is at first excited, delirious and maniacal.the stimulation of the brain which brings about these symptomsis soon replaced by depression, causing decreased consciousnessand later deep coma.besides the secretory nerves of the sweat and salivary glands,those of the bronchi, stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver andmammae are depressed, with a resulting decrease in the secretionsof these organs. Thus the incidence of drug resistance is related tothe prescription of that drug. Some causes for this are smoking, poor nutrition, and a lack of cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk exercise. (aigrain).) for morphine o.oi g.) formorphine salts 0.015 codeina (u.) or methyhnorphine, white crystalline body,slightly cheapest generic clonazepam in korea soluble in h2o, purchase generic klonopin with paypal easily soluble in cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk alcohol.03.oi grain) . Tremors and even convulsions may also occur. In children the ointment is often applied by spreading it on a bandagewhich is then applied around the waist. Forexample, more than 200 patients worldwide reportedly died after batchesof heparin were adulterated with oversulfated chondroitin sulfate that canbe derived from the dietary supplement chondroitin and mimic heparinsbloodthinning properties.it is beyond the scope of this book to present an exhaustive overview ofall guidelines that are applied in drug development and have been issued bythese organisations. Following at least 14 consecutive daily doses of doxazosin, tablet 100 mg ormatching placebo was administered simultaneously with doxazosin. Formulation development continuesthroughout the process, and the data gained from both animaland human testing allow for optimization of the drug deliverysystem. On the other hand, it increases thesusceptibility of rats to the same poison, and morphine is more toxicto both mice and rats when they have been treated with thyroid forsome time previously. However, because of the economic investmentrequired and the need to efficiently access and integrate cheap legal clonazepam 1mg multipletechnologies, most new drugs are then developed in pharmaceuti-cal companies. One way of effectively increasing the concentration of aqueous polymer solutions is toadd inorganic salts. All the results, asa composite, must be considered in cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk reaching a decision aboutbioequivalence since no single parameter is adequate to servethis purpose.the plasma concentration–time curve is the focal point ofbioequivalence assessment and is obtained when serial bloodsamples are analyzed for drug concentration. A scab begins to form. It should be stressed, however, that thefinancial, legal and regulatory responsibility and accountability remain withthe drug development organisation that is referred to as thesponsor of thedevelopment of a new drug. Such violent effects are less easily elicited by the ad-ministration of lithium by the where to buy clonazepam 1mg online legit mouth, though vomiting and purging havebeen caused in animals by this method also, and disturbance of the alimentarytract has sometimes followed from lithium klonopin prescription spain treatment in man. These undergopartial oxidation and appear in the urine in the form of nitrates andnitrites, but the quantity of these excreted is never equal to the nitriteabsorbed, so that it seems probable that some part undergoes stillfurther change. They should receive an additional dose both during and at the end of dialysis.there are currently no dosing recommendations for pediatric patients with impairedrenal function. weight loss pill phentermine side effects its anaestheticaction is less powerful and less lasting than that of cocaine, but issufficient for most purposes when the absorption is delayed by theaddition of adrenaline.substitutes for coca we363nirvanine, c14h20o4n2hci, is less poisonous than cocaine and is alsoless anaesthetic and has not been used to the same extent as the others.its two allies, subcutine and ansesthesin, have also been used cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk too littleto allow cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk of a definite statement of their merits.orihoform and orthoform-neu, are buy cheap clonazepam 2mg tablets esters of amino-oxybenzoic acid,and are almost insoluble in water. The greatest constriction is seen in the vesselsof the splanchnic area, but most of the other cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk vessels are also involvedin lesser degree. Side effects information, genuine brand name,,, and propecia for next day. Test methods with reference to theoecd or ich test guidelines, identity of test and reference items, test systemand justification for its selection, characterisation of the test system, detailedexperimental design). The qa department within any organization, because of itsresponsibilities, normally will report to a relatively where to buy clonazepam 2mg in houston high-leveladministrator within a company, depending on its size. It has just flourished in thisinternet age. Sweetalmonds contain no cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk amygdalin and are therefore harmless. Other antimicrobials, as quinolones, areuseful therapeutically, but they are normally considered for second linetreatments.there are few brazilian studies, and none in southern brazil (stateof rio grande do sul), that have demonstrated rates of resistance toantibiotics, and not knowing this information has complicated thetherapeutic success. Its only possible use is in cases of decreasedpancreatic secretion, or where the gastric secretion cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk is totallystopped, so that pancreatic, instead of cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk gastric digestion, might becarried on in the stomach.139i40 organotherapy. cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk a clinical trial of two treatment interventions with nonpartnered men experiencing erectile dysfunction. the cerebral action of the bromides precludes theiruse as diuretics, though an increased secretion cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk of urine accompaniestheir use in therapeutics. If rubbed into the skin in alcoholicsolution, it gives rise to a sensation cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk of burning and prickling atthe place of application which is followed by local anasthesiaas with cocaine. The medication is taken approximately one hour before sexual activity is planned, and may remain effective cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk for up to four hours. As the science of me-dicinal chemistry has evolved, screening of natural productshas become more methodical. These "pharmacopeias" of different countries differmateria medica. Candesartan, valsartan) have been shown to prolong life in randomized controlled trials, the magnitude of theeffect being similar to acei. In theoperating room, dexmedetomidine may be used as an adjunct to general anesthesia or to provide sedation, eg, during cheapest generic klonopin 2mg in the uk awake fiberop-tic tracheal intubation or regional anesthesia.

Ideas and suggestions for improvement of existing content or further game development go here. 4 posts • Page 1 of 1 - This is most obviously a Newbie - Posts: 4 - Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:36 pm - Ingame name:: merlin - Sex: Male - Class: Mage Right now since not to many people are playing would it be possible to up the frequency of finding su. I'm not saying every time u hit a rock you find some but I mined for about an hour today and only got like 50 su total. If you can't it's fine just figured it would help the players for now and when game kicks back and has new players then the old players can help new ones.

I’ve just pressed the reheat button on the microwave for the third time, trying to revive two thirds of a cup of coffee. A couple of seconds in to the whirring I know I’m not going to drink it. I’m not sure yet how many reheats I’m ok with – but three just feels like too many. I would make a fresh cup, ideally, but the thing is I’m wearing a sleeping baby. This is not a problem in itself – when a baby is asleep this is seldom considered problematic. My problem is that for a fresh cup of coffee I would need to boil the kettle, which I would first need to fill with water. That also is not the actual problem; it’s just that, well, I guess I’ve been busy feeding, changing & getting aforementioned baby to sleep. And Elliot hasn’t been asleep long enough for me to attempt sitting down yet, but I probably needed the loo 45 minutes ago. So the sound of running water filling up the kettle may have adverse effects… if you know what I mean. It’s a funny thing about life, how little it looks like the movies. Also it looks a lot less like other people’s lives do via their blogs & social media. I thought about this as I rescued my then crying baby from his change table earlier. I’m aware that I haven’t taken or posted many ‘proper’ photo’s of my boy recently – he’s so busy growing and learning new skills I’m just trying to keep up with his new way of doing things. I’d half planned to take some good pictures today, especially as he happened to be in one of my favourite spotty suits. Sound and scent effects alerted me to the contents of his nappy on this chilly afternoon, and I wasn’t quick enough to get away with changing just the nappy. Not ideal in the cold, but what can you do, a whole new outfit it was. I grabbed 3 fresh layers of clothes and gingerly negotiated him out of the smelly, now-yellowed, spotty suit. He cooed and performed his new “I really want to learn to roll over” moves. I clearly cannot keep up with the speed this babe is growing – assuming the ‘6 month’/ 00 clothes off the pile would fit his 4 month old body. Rookie. To cut a long story short, after several attempts this (not-so) small patient boy ended up wearing a vest/ singlet with a stain on, a cosy Winter onesie buttoned only to the waist and not long enough to cover enough of his wrists for my liking, tracksuit pants and mismatched socks. Now *that* is instagram worthy if you ask me. Sadly he was beyond ready for a nap – as was I. No photographs were taken.

With every thing that time has introduced unto us with it is modifications and the trend associated with this era. We own certainly been privileged to be able to be able to go through all these great plus enjoyable advancements that have got been endowed into the lives of the human ethnic background. We have now seen many different items that technology has added unto us and even we have also noticed old things go. Gone are typewriters, big large TELEVISION sets, VHS tape, cassettes, etc. into the fingers of the scientific revolution. Almost all have been sacrificed or overthrown simply by these new nifty gizmos, although others have just long gone out of trend. One of several old timers that have been endangered by often the revolution of engineering can be the radio. It would certainly surely be sad to help see this complete disappear altogether into background and experiences of the time when people used to turn calls to find their favorite broadcast stations with that loving sounding DJ and great music in the playlist. Yet , it has seemed that the business of Radio has found its way around the technological wave to keep that going and maintain spreading typically the music. Now, Radio USA are able to atune into our favorite radio stations in the internet. All these radio stations are all provided for free – as they should be – because many of us did not necessarily have to be able to pay for it in often the old times. This is the reason why these kind of free online radio gas stops are obtaining more and extra popular in recent nights. People are finding this very simple to stream these kinds of radios into their personal computers in the web, requiring only a portion regarding your bandwidth; you would certainly not have being troubled with restricting your internet link and speed regarding streaming on-line radio free of cost. A person won’t have to be concerned about your looking acceleration because you can freely tune in to your beloved stations although still becoming capable to obtain much regarding your internet bandwidth. This has certainly been a new latest trend in the net today. More blog prestige are actually integrating these stereo stations by means of embedding radio station scripts to the websites. This specific way, their viewers can have the comforting range of listening to the best radio stations whilst surfing through their blogs or even websites. This has recently been definitely a joyful storyline in order to behold, with how the radio station – this simple necessity we have now arrive to love – made it through the challenging technical movement and manufactured it through by including themselves into technology. Most of us expect to be following more from these r / c in the internet, provide us with our favorite and most loved songs and keep spreading the grace connected with music.

If you're leery about embarking on a telemarketing campaign to generate leads, there is good reason for your hesitation. Old school Telemarketing techniques are not producing good ROI and the way to market and sell is changing at a fast pace because of the Internet. What's Wrong with Telemarketing? Getting In Touch with Buyers Is Harder Than Ever We're all familiar with the concept of a cold call. In years past, outbound marketing was the way to generate sales leads. Telemarketing is a direct marketing tool that relies on a salesperson soliciting potential customers by phone or through a web conferencing appointment scheduled during a call. Yes, calls can generate personal relationships, but, for the most part, this method is simply less effective. Ask yourself this question, “would a sales call prompt me to act?” In some cases, the answer is yes, but overwhelmingly, consumers are building relationships with companies through the process of inbound marketing. What is Inbound Marketing? Inbound marketing is a proven MIT methodology that allows companies to target and attract the right kind of visitors, convert those visitors to leads and then close them as customers. Inbound marketing brings leads to you, and not only new prospects, but appropriate prospects. In fact, a recent MIT Sloan School of Management Report noted that use of inbound marketing practices also improves the quality of leads. Creating relevant content and incentives is key to building a solid inbound marketing strategy. Customers seek out information and provide contact information in order to gain access to that information. Why is this a perfect fit for an MSP? Well, you are IT experts, so you have plenty of valuable information to share. When you provide useful information, that’s easy to find (due to Search Engine Optimization), your website becomes the go-to spot for consumers looking for the services that you just so happen to provide. Inbound vs. Outbound Marketing Telemarketing is a quintessential outbound marketing technique. Prior to the internet age, consumers trusted the expertise of a salesperson when deciding what to purchase. Telemarketing, along with other outbound strategies like direct mail, print ads and commercials captured attention because the type of information that potential clients were seeking was not available elsewhere. Bestselling author and consumer behavior expert Dan Pink states in his book To Sell is Human, “Only a short time ago, buyers faced several obstacles to solving problems on their own. So they relied on sellers, because sellers had access to information that the buyers did not. But today, the same move from information asymmetry to something approaching information equality that gave rise to the principle of caveat venditor is also reshaping what buyers can do for themselves and therefore what sellers must do to avoid irrelevance”. To sum this up, a salesperson needs to be an expert in their craft to be able to guide buyer into making the right choice based on the information that is readily available. No longer does the education of the buyer rely solely on the seller. Inbound marketing has some additional perks. Besides generating leads that really want the services that you provide, inbound marketing is more cost efficient, and places less stress on your sales staff. Telemarketing just doesn’t provide the ROI that inbound marketing boasts for MSPs.

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