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In a cavernous Des Moines meeting hall just west of the state Capitol, progressive activist and writer John Nichols had a simple message for those involved in Iowa's iteration of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
"Learn to get cool with losing," Nichols told about 50 people who had come to hear advice from longtime activists, including veterans of the civil rights battle.
"Get comfortable that you absolutely will be told you can't succeed," he said, and with the notion of a long-term struggle "that may last beyond your lifetime."
The struggle to keep the movement going, and activists engaged in work more incremental than immediate, is particularly acute right now in Iowa.
Here, the Occupy effort has had a focus for the past few months: the presidential caucuses, which are now just four days away.
The meeting hall (actually, a vast, vacant former bar/restaurant) where Nichols spoke Thursday night was recently rented by Occupy activists as a temporary staging area for their "Occupy the Caucuses" campaign.
The walls of the space are covered with giant hand-lettered signs, including those encouraging activists to "Vote Uncommitted" in the caucuses. Free food was being offered for those in need, and fliers promoted an "Occupy the Statehouse" event Jan. 10, when Gov. Terry Branstad is scheduled to deliver his State of the State address.
In recent days, Occupy activists have staged protests at campaign events and at presidential campaign headquarters in Iowa, including President Obama's. They also are urging those sympathetic to the movement to participate in the caucuses.
"We are adamantly not interested in disrupting the caucuses," Ed Fallon, a former Democratic state legislator and one-time gubernatorial candidate, told us earlier in the day during an interview at Tally's Restaurant in Beaver Valley. "It's important that we don't do that."
Fallon said that if he goes to a Democratic caucus, he would declare himself uncommitted to show his displeasure with Obama's positions on issues ranging from the continuing operation of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the reauthorization of the Patriot Act.
But he is planning to register as a Republican on caucus night and, probably, cast his ballot for Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
"That is not an endorsement," Fallon said. "But a Ron Paul versus Obama debate? That's a good debate."
Fallon says the struggle to keep the Occupy effort going is a real one, but he views the movement as the "most encouraging thing I've seen in 30 years of activism."
There is a need for better structure, he says, for movement leaders, for the effort not to become defined by homeless people who tend to be the longest-term occupants of Occupy camps.
"The homeless are part of the movement, be we can't become a homeless movement," he said.
Fallon defends as necessary the movement's use of protest and occupation to get its message out.
"We are a poor movement, and we don't have a lot of political leadership standing with us," Fallon said. "We have our voices, our bodies, our minds and our numbers."
Back at the meeting hall, Nichols and the others grappled with the bottom-line issue of numbers.
"Create your own media," he said, and "make sure that you are not just talking to yourselves."
The real test for Iowa Occupy activists will come after Jan. 3, when the organizing imperative of a presidential contest is in their rearview mirror.
Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Registered Nurse (RN)-Corrections
Are you are a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of North Carolina looking for a FRESH START? If so, we can help. Cell Staff is a national correctional healthcare staffing company with multiple open positions throughout North Carolina. Our client is currently seeking RNs to work in Fayetteville, NC and throughout the state of North Carolina. (Note: Correctional facilities are in the general vicinity of each city and may require travel time)
RN Details
- Full Time/ 8hr shifts
- 5 days/week, 40hrs/week
- Select facilities offer 12hr shifts, working on a 36hr/ 48hr schedule
- 13 and 26 week contracts
RN Duties
- Performing health screenings and physical examinations.
- Triaging, assessing, and treating inmates' chronic, acute, psychological, and medical needs during incarceration.
- Assessing and providing mental health care including patient assessments/evaluations.
- Administering medications, wound care, and other personalized interventions as directed by medical staff.
- Serving as first responder in emergency and crisis situations.
- Performing other general nursing duties such as cardiac monitoring, catheter management, venipuncture, IVs, diabetics lines, ect.
RN Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited educational institution, possessing a diploma, associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree in nursing accepted for licensure by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
- Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the State of North Carolina or compact State. Must be in good standing.
- 1+ year of relevant experience. No new grads.
RN Benefits
- Competitive pay package
- Health, Dental, Vision benefits
- Weekly pay (of course it's direct deposit)
- Tuition/certification reimbursement
- Basically we can accommodate / build the perfect package to meet your needs.
Cell Staff is here to offer you something FRESH. We understand you have many options but there really is no one like us and we encourage you to find out why: www.cellstaff.com
We can't wait to show you how good "GOOD" can be.
For immediate consideration, please call us at 855-561-1715 or email your resume to firstname.lastname@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Please click the following link to to read the report
Disclaimer© 2010 Junior Gold ReportJunior Gold Report' Newsletter: Junior Gold Report's Newsletter is published as a copyright publication of Junior Gold Report (JGR). No Guarantee as to Content: Although JGR attempts to research thoroughly and present information based on sources we believe to be reliable, there are no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Any statements expressed are subject to change without notice. JGR, its associates, authors, and affiliates are not responsible for errors or omissions. Consideration for Services: JGR, it's editor, affiliates, associates, partners, family members, or contractors may have an interest or position in featured, written-up companies, as well as sponsored companies which compensate JGR. JGR has been paid by the company written up. Thus, multiple conflicts of interests exist. Therefore, information provided herewithin should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The author's views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. No Offer to Sell Securities: JGR is not a registered investment advisor. JGR is intended for informational, educational and research purposes only. It is not to be considered as investment advice. Subscribers are encouraged to conduct their own research and due diligence, and consult with their own independent financial and tax advisors with respect to any investment opportunity. No statement or expression of any opinions contained in this report constitutes an offer to buy or sell the shares of the companies mentioned herein. Links: JGR may contain links to related websites for stock quotes, charts, etc. JGR is not responsible for the content of or the privacy practices of these sites. Release of Liability: By reading JGR, you agree to hold Junior Gold Report its associates, sponsors, affiliates, and partners harmless and to completely release them from any and all liabilities due to any and all losses, damages, or injuries (financial or otherwise) that may be incurred.
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Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are usually identified by our use of certain terminology, including "will", "believes", "may", "expects", "should", "seeks", "anticipates", "has potential to", or "intends' or by discussions of strategy, forward looking numbers or intentions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results or achievements to be materially different from any future results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, and include but are not limited to, estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to the effectiveness of the Company's business model; future operations, products and services; the impact of regulatory initiatives on the Company's operations; the size of and opportunities related to the market for the Company's products; general industry and macroeconomic growth rates; expectations related to possible joint and/or strategic ventures and statements regarding future performance. Junior Gold Report does not take responsibility for accuracy of forward looking statements and advises the reader to perform own due diligence on forward looking numbers or statements.


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If you take your car to the shop for regular maintenance or even a small repair, odds are the mechanic will come back to you with a laundry list of things they want to convince you to do before you leave. It's a difficult situation, since your car is already in their hands, but there's no reason you have to feel like you're being held hostage. Get written estimates before authorizing any work, then call around to other garages and find out how much they'll charge for the same thing.
Ideally, the best way to save a bundle on car repairs is to do them yourself (you'd be surprised how easy simple maintenance tasks really are, and even some not-so-simple tasks are easy once you've done them once or twice), but if you can't or the issue is over your head, don't feel like you're trapped just because your car is already on the lift. Many states have laws stating that you have the right to a written quote or estimate before they begin any work (although some garages ask you sign that right away as soon as you drop off the keys, so be careful) and even if there's no such law in your area, let them know you want written estimates for any work they want to do before they do it.
Once you have the estimates in hand, call around to other mechanics or dealerships in the area and let them know the situation. Tell them you have a quote for X-amount of dollars for Y-work to be performed, and ask if that's how much they'd charge for the job, or if they can do better if you brought your car to them. They may have a special, or be willing to undercut. In either case, now you're the empowered party, and you can negotiate with the original mechanic, or take your keys and your car across town to the cheaper one.
If you're not sure whether the repair you're being quoted should cost as much as a mechanic says, this is a good way to research labor and part costs while searching for a good repair shop at the same time. Worst case, you can visit previously mentioned Auto MD to research repair costs before you set foot into a shop.
Funny Money: How to Deal with Mechanics When You Know Nothing About Cars | Money Under 30
Photo by Robert Couse-Baker.


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RANGER - Tim Holtz Distress Oxides. Introducing a new water-reactive & pigment ink fusion that creates an oxidized effect when sprayed with water. Use with stamps, stencils, and direct to surfaces. Blend using Sponge Pouncers. Ink pads are 3"x3".
- 3"x3"
- Due to the differences in displays on tech devices, the colours of the product you receive may vary marginally from the colours seen on our website
Shipping Policy
Shipping within mainland India is Free!
- We generally ship within 1 or 2 days after the payment has been received
- Application of a coat of Primer takes 2 days and Orders will be dispatched within 3 - 4 days after the Order has been placed
- For Painted products kindly budget at least 4 - 5 days extra, and Orders will be dispatched 5 - 6 days after the Order has been placed
- For Personalized products kindly budget 7 days extra, and Orders will be dispatched 7 - 8 days after the Order has been placed
- Dispatches for the day are boxed by 5.00 p.m. and are picked up at 6.00 p.m.
- There are no dispatches on the weekends or public holidays
- Orders once placed cannot be cancelled under any circumstance
- There is a small Handling Charge of Rs.99 on Orders less than Rs.1000 (excluding GST)
- Delivery generally takes 5 – 6 working days, once we ship, based on the delivery locations
- There is an extra charge for Expedited Delivery which can only be assessed once the goods are ready for dispatch
- In the event that Expedited Delivery is required, the extra amount payable will be communicated, and goods dispatched once the extra amount has been credited into our Bank Account
- Our logistics partners are FedEx and Speed Post
- You may track your shipments on www.fedex.com/in and www.indiapost.gov.in
International Shipping
- For International Shipping, the Product Prices will be as displayed on the Website
- The Prices will be visible in USD, Pound Sterling and Euro based on your IP address
- There are no GST (Local Sales Taxes) applicable on International Orders
- The Currency is dynamically computed on a daily basis
- The minimum Order Value is INR 1,500 or approximately USD 20
- The Freight will be computed once the order has been Boxed
- An Invoice for the Freight amount will be raised and emailed separately through our secure Payment Gateway CCAvenue
- The Order will be dispatched once we have received the Freight payment
- On Orders with a value over INR 1,00,000, we would request you to please email us at email@example.com
Ranger-Tim Holtz Distress Oxides - Worn Lipstick
Rs. 340.00


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Press On Nails White Matte Coffin Nail Kit
Imagine never going to the salon to get your nails done, but having this perfect white Rockstar nails within minutes, how does that sound?
You just can't stop scraping, painting & chipping your nails, so why not ditch the traditional method and take control with our press-on matte white nails? Not only will you achieve the perfect manicure in 5 minutes, but you'll also be crushing everyone's Instagram feeds.
The white coffin nails to achieve a perfect manicure. The best part? It's as easy as a sticker!
Armed with A matte finish, and a long coffin nail taking over Pinterest and having everyone in disbelief that this is actually really a 5-minute glue-on press on nails.
Just imagine showing up to an event or holding a glass of Merlot with these bad boys on! and you didn't have to go to the salon to get the look!
- Mega gel shine
- Professional strength and durability
- Ultra flexible for a comfortable fit
- Easy to apply and remove
- Chip resistant
- Bubble free
- Superior adhesion for lasting wear
Kit Includes
- 24 Gel nails in Different sizes
- Gel Glue
Step 1:
Soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes. This will help soften the glue and make the removal process easier.
Step 2:
Apply cuticle oil or lotion to your fingers and nails. This will help prevent breakage when removing your press on nails.
Step 3:
Press gently around the edge of the nail to loosen it from your natural nail bed before pulling at it from below with a gentle twisting motion, in a downward motion towards the tip of your finger. Continue this process until all 10 nails are removed.
Step 4:
Cleanse and moisturize both hands after removing press-on nails, which will restore moisture lost during the removal process.
Want to get 20% Off your first order?
Sign up HERE to get the latest trends, new arrivals, and gain early access to exclusive promos!
Want easy shipping and free returns? Shop at TGC Boutique and Enjoy
24-48 hours to get your order out the door (Monday - Friday)
- FREE returns up to 15 days of delivery *T&C's apply
Dress Like You're Already Famous & Discover new must-have looks and trends at SHOP BY STYLE
24-48 hours to get your order out the door (Monday - Friday)
We have put a lot of focus on making sure the items get delivered to our customers as quickly as possible.
A confirmation email will be sent to you once the order is authorized and verified. We begin preparing your order immediately after it is verified. With this sort of time frame, it makes it difficult for us to change or cancel your order, however, we will do our best to support your request.
It normally takes 24-48 hours to get your order out the door. Please note that this does not include holidays and weekends.
FREE over $49.99 otherwise $4.99 |
5-10 days |
FREE for orders over US$249.99 otherwise US$29.99 |
3-5 days |
As a result of COVID-19 challenges, shipping carriers are experiencing an increase in package volume. This may result in delayed or missing shipment scans while in transit.
Note: Orders shipped to Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Guam and Alaska cannot be delivered via express.
* Shipping time is estimated and commences from the date of shipping, rather than the date of order, and can take longer than expected date due to COVID-19 restrictions, invalid address, customs clearance procedures or other causes.
* Cancelation - We know how important your order is, so we aim to fulfill orders as quickly as possible! Regrettably, this means that we cannot cancel or change an order once it has been placed, This can include but is not limited to:
Billing or shipping address update
Addition or removal of items
Change in color/size of items
Addition or removal of a discount code
Order cancellation request
Shipping method change
you are welcome to return your items in accordance with our return policy once your order has been delivered to you.
* Please submit a ticket within 30 days of shipment if the package does not arrive in time, our representatives will get back to you within 24 hours. Note that overdue requests may not be accepted.
How long will it take my order to process for shipment?
It usually take 24-48 hours (Monday-Friday) to get your order out the door.
All orders are subject to processing time that is separate and apart from the time it takes for a shipment to reach its destination once it has been picked up from our fulfillment center by the applicable carrier. Depending on a number of factors, standard domestic and international orders may take up to 2 business days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays) to process.
My order says delivered, but I did not receive it
Please be sure you check with neighbors, roommates, family members or anyone else who may have been home at the time the package was delivered.
TGC BOUTIQUE does not hold or accept responsibility for packages that have been reported as delivered by the carrier. We do not issue refunds or credits for packages that the carrier confirms as being delivered.
Returns And Exchanges
Return items locally and easily:
- Get the return code or label,
- Wait for door-to-door pickup service or take your package to the designated service point and,
- lastly, wait for the local warehouse to confirm receipt of your returned package
- Refund will be made to you once we confirm receipt of your returned parcel which meet the conditions for reimbursement.
- Items will be processed at a local warehouse, instead of being sent back to the original Logistics center.
- 15 days - FREE returns*
- Up to 30 days - Buyer covers shipping cost
• Not all countries have Free Return service. At present, supported countries include the mainland territories of the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Russia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Brazil and Israel.
• In addition, not all products on TgcBoutique.com include the Free Return service. we reserve the right to choose whether or not to offer this extra service.
Return Shipment Policy
Returning packages via a designated local return service point or via a door-to-door pickup service can be FREE.
• Note: You can only enjoy one-time free local return for one order. If you initiate multiple return requests under an order, you can only enjoy the free local return service once, and other return requests can still enjoy local return service but you will have to cover the return shipping costs to the designated local return address. Therefore, please consider returning jointly the products to avoid paying that additional shipping cost.
- Return\Exchange tickets must be open within 15 days of the delivery date to be eligible for Free Returns.
- Items must be unworn, unwashed, and have original tags attached.
- Items must be free of stains, makeup, deodorant, or wear.
- Bodysuits, swimwear, and undergarments are non-returnable.
- Beauty products, cosmetics, and accessories are non-returnable.
- Promotional and sale items are non returnable!
- TGC Boutique reserves the right to apply a 50% restocking fee for stale items.
- Returns are processed within 5-7 business days after your item(s) are received at our Distribution Center.
- In Cases Of Free Returns Not Eligible, TGC Boutique does not provide pre-paid return labels; you will be responsible for covering the shipping costs to return.
- Damaged, defective, or incorrect items must be reported within 2 days of delivery. (Note: If such items are not reported in a timely fashion, we will not issue a refund.
TGC Boutique reserves the right to limit service to customers that show excessive return activity.
Additional notes: Depending on the shipping method and carrier selected, your return package may take several days to reach us. Keep your proof of postage and ship your return along with a tracking number as we are not liable for return packages that are lost or stolen in-transit. Without proof of receipt and delivery.
Returned to Sender & Refused Packages
This can happen if 1) an address is invalid or missing information 2) the carrier is unable to deliver your package 3) the order is refused by the customer at the time of delivery. Returned to sender or refused packages will be restocked and you will be issued a refund minus the initial shipping charge. We are unable to replace or reship in these instances as all returned shipments are processed by our Returns Department. Instead, please use the refunded amount to place a new order using the correct address. Keep in mind that we do not guarantee your items will be in-stock at the time of your reorder.
Note: We are unable to make changes to orders that are placed on our system. To ensure that your package is properly delivered, make sure that your address is entered correctly and includes all relevant information. The use of correct abbreviations, street numbers, building or apartment numbers, and route information (if applicable) are critical to ensuring delivery. TGC Boutique does not take responsibility for lost, misplaced, or incorrectly delivered shipments if the address information provided is incorrect at the time of purchase.
Reserved Rights Regarding Returns
TGC Boutique reserves the right to solely define and limit, refuse, and/or reject returns from customers at any time due to:
An irregular or excessive returns history indicative of "wardrobing;"
An irregular or excessive returns history involving worn, altered, laundered, damaged, or missing items; or,
Potential fraudulent or criminal activity.
Similarly, TGC Boutique reserves the right to refuse service to any customer or entity, due to similar actions as noted above.
Shoe Return Policy
We accept shoe returns up to 30 days after delivery of your order so long as the shoes are unworn, show no signs of wear, and are returned in their original packaging along with the original packing slip.
Up to 15 days - FREE returns
Up to 30 days - Buyer covers shipping cost
Note: Shoe returns are subject to all standard returns policies and procedures.
Final Sale Items
All SALE Collection items And items with prices ending in $ .00, .96, .97, and .98 are considered Final Sale and cannot be returned.
Bodysuits, swimwear, undergarments, beauty products, cosmetics, accessories, and "Party Wear" are also considered Final Sale and non-returnable.
Note: Should you choose to return a Final Sale item, TGC Boutique reserves the right to apply a 50% restocking fee so long as the item is sent back in accordance with our Return Policy and is in resalable condition.
Damaged Items
Damaged, defective, or incorrect items must be reported within 2 days of delivery.
Should you receive a damaged item, please take a photo of the item which clearly displays the damage and email the photo to our Customer Care team along with a description of the damaged item and your Order Number. Once we receive your email and assess the damage, we will be in contact with you to determine the needed outcome.
Defective, Incorrect, or Missing Items
Upon receiving your order, please thoroughly check the delivered items. Should you receive an item that is defective, incorrect, or you believe that you are missing an item: please contact us within 2 days of delivery. Include a photo and description of the issue along with your Order Number to ensure a speedy resolution.
Stale Returns
TGC Boutique requires items to be returned within 30 days of the delivery date, as stated in our Returns Policy. Returns received in our Distribution Center or retail locations after 30 days are considered to be "stale" returns.
Alternatively, TGC Boutique reserves the right to apply a 50% restocking fee for Final Sale or stale items. We will apply a 50% restocking fee to any stale item(s) sent back in resalable condition and in accordance with our Return Policy when processed at our Distribution Center. a refund will be issued to you by email following our normal returns procedure.
Reserved Rights Regarding Returns
We reserve the right to solely define and limit, refuse, and/or reject returns from customers at any time due to:
An irregular or excessive returns history indicative of "wardrobing;"
An irregular or excessive returns history involving worn, altered, laundered, damaged, or missing items; or
Potential fraudulent or criminal activity.
Similarly, we reserve the right to refuse service (both in-store and online) to any customer or entity, due to similar actions as noted above.
Non-TGC Boutique items sent to our Distribution Center will be discarded upon receipt.
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Our Participants' Photo Gallery | ||||
We are delighted to share photos and quotes from generous North American knitters and crocheters. Their colorful, beautifully made gifts are providing warmth and a caring message to displaced Afghan families. Would you like your photo added to our gallery? Email your image (with YOU in it!) to afghans4Afghans at aol dot com. Please include your name and location. Please click on a thumbnail image below to see a full-size photo. |


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Yet another dynamic experience at the Susitna 100. I finished in 35:42, which was under my best-case scenario goal of 36 hours. I had one of the most incredible walks of my life during the 12-mile leg between the Alexander Lake turnaround and the Yentna River, marching under the aurora borealis with my headlamp off and watching columns of light ripple across the sky. I used snowshoes for 91 of the 100 miles. I ate most of the 5,000 calories of junk food that I brought and still experienced a harsh, energy-sapping bonk on the Dismal Swamp at mile 80. I was so paranoid about frostbite that I think I gave myself heat blisters from my vapor barrier sock system. I'll write a race report when I have more mental capabilities. Right now I mainly fluctuate between thinking about food and sleep, and feeling a combination of horror and fascination about exactly what Beat is going to attempt next week in the Iditarod 350. My feet hurt just thinking about it. Actually, my feet just hurt.
But I'm happy I did it. I love my annual slog-fest. More to come.


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Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
(AP) - Games can be both a welcome and an annoying diversion on Facebook, the world's most popular online social network. This year, Facebook crossed a big milestone _ reaching 1 billion active users. Game companies such as "FarmVille" creator Zynga Inc. and Rovio Entertainment Ltd. of "Angry Birds" fame seek to tap into that vast base of users to gain more players for their games.
This week, Facebook Inc. issued a list of the 25 top-rated games that launched on Facebook in 2012. The company says the rankings are based on user ratings and engagement with the games. It's the same methodology that Facebook uses to rank apps in its App Center.
Some of the games are played on Facebook's website, while others are only on Apple Inc.'s iOS or Google Inc.'s Android devices using Facebook's app.
Here's the list:
1. "SongPop" (by FreshPlanet, on Facebook.com, iOS and Android)
2. "Dragon City" (by Social Point, on Facebook.com)
3. "Bike Race" (by Top Free Games, on iOS)
4. "Subway Surfers" (by Kiloo, on iOS and Android)
5. "Angry Birds Friends (by Rovio, on Facebook.com)
6. "FarmVille 2" (by Zynga, on Facebook.com)
7. "Scramble with Friends" (by Zynga, on iOS)
8. "Clash of Clans" (by Supercell, on iOS)
9. "Marvel: Avengers Alliance" (by Playdom, on Facebook.com)
10. "Draw Something" (by Zynga, on iOS and Android)
11. "Hay Day" (by Supercell, on iOS)
12. "Baseball Heroes" (by Syntasia, on Facebook.com)
13. "ChefVille" (by Zynga, on Facebook.com)
14. "CSR Racing" (by NaturalMotion Games, on iOS)
15. "Candy Crush Saga" (by King.com, on Facebook.com and iOS)
16. "Matching With Friends" (by Zynga, on Facebook.com)
17. "Legend Online" (by Oasis Games, on Facebook.com)
18. "Jurassic Park Builder" (by Ludia, on Facebook.com)
19. "Dungeon Rampage" (by Rebel Entertainment, on Facebook.com)
20. "Pockie Ninja II Social" (by NGames Ltd., on Facebook.com)
21. "Jetpack Joyride" (by Halfbrick, on Facebook.com)
22. "Social Empires" (by Social Point, on Facebook.com and iOS)
23. "Bil ve Fethet" (by Peak Games, on Facebook.com)
24. "Ruby Blast Adventures" (by Zynga, on Facebook.com and iOS)
25. "Pyramid Solitaire Saga" (by King.com, on Facebook.com)
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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When you check social media and you're not caught up on your favorite TV show, say, you never know when you might encounter a spoiler. Somebody on Twitter, some blog says too much about what happened in a plot line. My big spoiler moment came when I saw a post about a death on "Downton Abbey" and I thought that everything was just ruined. But is it really that bad when this happens? NPR's Neda Ulaby has this encore story about how spoilers might actually make you enjoy something more.
NEDA ULABY, BYLINE: Can you imagine if Twitter had been around in 1980 when a nation collectively wondered who shot J.R.?
ULABY: Every "Dallas" fan on the East Coast would have immediately ruined the reveal for everyone from Alabama to Alaska by Facebooking or tweeting. Spoilers have become enough of a preoccupation for a university to study them. Psychology professor Nicholas Christenfeld is at the University of California, San Diego. He examined what effect spoilers have on people's enjoyment of stories.
NICHOLAS CHRISTENFELD: So we chose quite famous short stories and we spoiled them beforehand without using the word "spoiler."
ULABY: Subjects who had not already read the classic short story by Shirley Jackson would get handed "The Lottery." Some were told about its morbid conclusion in advance.
CHRISTENFELD: In this lottery, people draw to see who will be stoned to death at the end.
ULABY: Appropriately, the spoiler study had a surprise twist.
CHRISTENFELD: Spoilers are, in fact, enhancers.
ULABY: It turns out, when people knew what was going to happen, reading the story was more enjoyable. That makes sense to Time magazine television critic James Poniewozik.
JAMES PONIEWOZIK: It's much more terrifying to know that something horrible is about to happen than not to know that it's about to happen.
ULABY: That's Alfred Hitchcock's theory of suspense, Poniewozik says. It's not like the movie "Psycho" gets ruined when you know in advance about the shower.
ULABY: Poniewozik says people are violently against spoilers now, partly because we started to use Facebook and Twitter right when the way we watch TV began to change. Now, people wait to watch shows on their DVRs or Hulu, but they still get angry when other people talk about those shows online. Then you've got TV writers trying to ratchet up ratings in a competitive, overcrowded landscape.
CHRISTENFELD: There is over-reliance on shocking twists and big reveals.
ULABY: For that, he says, think "Lost."
ULABY: "Lost" spawned a subgenre of imitators that tried to hook viewers with plot twists, not great writing or characters. That's why people still read "Anna Karenina," even if they know the thing about the train. But comparing literature and TV does not work for writer Dan Kois.
DAN KOIS: I feel like a novel cannot offer the same kind of visceral shock and pleasure that a great plot twist in a visual medium usually can.
ULABY: But there can be another kind of pleasure in a spoiler, says director Kevin Smith. His movie review show on Hulu is called "Spoilers."
KEVIN SMITH: I want to know more. I'm voracious. I am the Internet in as much as I'm like, feed me.
ULABY: Smith says a little advance knowledge can be useful.
SMITH: Me and the wife would always watch "Battlestar Galactica" and I read on Twitter in advance - and, again, spoilers, if you still haven't watched - what Starbuck was.
SMITH: And, you know, she - oh, my God. And I took advantage of that time because, seconds before it happened, I was like, I bet you she's an angel and then, all of a sudden, they say it. And she was like, you're so smart. But, you know, really, it had been spoiled for me.
ULABY: When Kevin Smith does not want to be spoiled, he has a simple solution. Just stay off Twitter. Neda Ulaby, NPR News.
GREENE: And this is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm David Greene.
And I'm Renee Montagne. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.