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Tag : rapture
Tag : rapture
America, don't drink the deceptionberry Kool-Aid! Eyes open, because it's SHTF: mental, spiritual, physical, political, and technological. It's a war for your mind, and your soul. You have two choices, so pick a hand. Read Fortress and then Light: The Wayfarers Stories in Kindle and paperback. It's fiction…or is it?
Get them in Kindle and paperback on Amazon
Categories: Books
World events – especially where America is concerned – are moving at a feverish pace. Chaos is bubbling through the cracks like an invisible lava hidden behind the fog of deception. It's political, social, cultural, and technological. But, most of all, it's spiritual, supernatural, and biblical. You may know of the Hegelian Dialectic, but in truth there is only one order out of chaos.
The Wayfarers Stories; start with FORTRESS, and follow with LIGHT. They're fiction – or are they? Get them in Kindle and paperback
Watching America and the world, you could ask "how fictional is it?" In the below video I read a short section, and I hope you enjoy!…
Get LIGHT: A Wayfarers Story in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and paperback
Categories: Books
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Enjoy a free read of "The Streetwalker", which is chapter 1 of my new novel "Dead-Ringer". Links to purchase the entire book are above. God bless you, Jim Yackel.
© 2013 Jim Yackel
Jesse Same didn't choose to be up at 12:57 a.m. on this clear and chilly Tuesday morning in late October, 2009, but you could say that he was the insomniac's insomniac. Still, Jesse would be quick to point out that it wasn't insomnia but something else that had him walking in his black Cross Trekkers along the peaceful streets of Chittenango, New York. And like an artistic mime scribbling on air, Jesse would feel compelled to draw an image of the town that would be even quieter if that stupid mongrel belonging to that convicted child molester Kenny Harsch wasn't barking its flea-infested head off at oh-dark-thirty!
L. Frank Baum, the writer of that timeless tale The Wizard of Oz was born in the rustic burgh of Chittenango, and Jesse counted the film adaptation of Baum's story as one of his favorite movies. Indeed, this man who was sleepless in the "'Nango" was proud of the town's only claim to fame. As Jesse perambulated in a southwesterly direction on Genesee Street past the Redwood Bar and Grill, the streetlamps illuminated the imbedded bricks of the faux "Yellow Brick Road" that was created by the village fathers in honor of Baum to adorn the sidewalks on either side of what was the main thoroughfare through town.
The remnants of the dream that woke Jesse out of his fragile sleep were being dissolved in the sound of South Central Rain by R.E.M., from their 1984 album "Reckoning". But just as the voice of Michael Stipe began to sing "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" over the jangling D minor guitar chord and tinkling piano, the mental radio in Jesse's head was unceremoniously unplugged from its cerebral wall socket.
It wasn't so much the blast of beer breath assaulting Jesse's olfactory glands and the slurred proclamation of "Eaguhs winnnnn… Redskinnnnssssssuck… efff-yeah!" as an inebriated football fan staggered out of the Redwood after earlier watching the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Washington Redskins 27-17 on Monday Night Football. What was more annoying to Jesse was the drunken, eerily familiar Chittenango resident's insistence on placing his dirty, tattered, green Philadelphia Eagles cap on Jesse's head while he leaned into him to keep from falling onto the yellow brick center of the sidewalk.
Though only 5'5" tall and 135 pounds, the tottering drunk man's weight pushed Jesse into a black vintage-style street lamp post. With the post offering support, Jesse stripped the Eagles hat from his head with his right arm, while pushing the drunk off of him with his left. As the intoxicated reveler wobbled backward, he screeched with a garbled voice "heyyyyyyyy, you look like Elvish Preshley" before collapsing onto his buttocks. As Jesse re-gathered his wits, the drunk who was now sprawled on the "Yellow Brick Road" vomited; spilling some of the chunky yellow and pink liquid onto his faded denim jacket while the remainder steamed on the faux pathway to the fictional merry old Land of Oz.
As an appalled, dazed, and confused Jesse started to quickly stride away from the drunk, he was able to reply to the prone Eagles fan "yeah, a lot of people say I look like Elvis" before affecting a perfect voice impersonation of the King of Rock-n-Roll and adding an "uh-huh."
Jesse was fifteen feet further along on the yellow bricks when a black and white Chittenango Police Department SUV pulled up to the curb on Genesee Street alongside him. Jesse continued to walk, passing a small storefront known as the Oz Museum as he heard the Dodge Durango's driver-side door close. It was then that he heard the command "hey you hold up!"
The man who bore a striking resemblance to Elvis Presley stopped and turned toward the approaching officer named William Brostic. The rotund, terribly out-of-shape, fifty-six-year-old cop waddled up to Jesse and asked him curtly "where you goin' tonight?"
"Just out walking, officer" Jesse answered politely.
"Lemme see some I.D." was the panting cop's brusque follow-up.
As an irritated Jesse retrieved his New York driver's license from his wallet and Brostic's portable radio squawked some indecipherable garble, the intoxicated Eagles fan yelled "heyyyyyyy Billeeee" as he laid on his right side in a puddle of his own steaming reverse peristalsis.
"Hey, Ronny, you celebratin' yer team's win tonight?" the cop replied while snatching the I.D. from Jesse – seemingly embarrassed that he knew the drunk who was hideously prone on the yellow bricks.
"Aah! Elvish pushed me dowwwnnnn… then heeee tried t' take my warrrret, Billeeee! An' I thought heee wassss dead! Whyyy ish shome richeeee rich famoush sing-gher tryna take my warrr… warret? Heyyyy Billeeee – eeeee… duh Eaguhs wonnn!"
"Mr. Same, did you assault that helpless intoxicated man on the sidewalk over there? Did you take his wallet?" the cop inquired of Jesse accusingly.
"Heee gave myyy Eaguhs hat t' da dog!" the now sobbing drunk screeched as he assumed a fetal position in a fresh pile of puke on the "Yellow Brick Road."
"What dog… what wallet…what the…?" a confused Jesse asked Officer Brostic as the cop forced him chest first against the side of the police vehicle as he began frisking him.
"Ha-ha-ha! I jus' messssinnn; my wa… (belch) warret ish right heee-yer" drunk Ronny screeched from his fetal position, no longer crying but laughing, and then stating "Eaguhs wonnnnn, Elvish sucks!"
Brostic halted his frisk of Jesse as two male Redwood patrons emerged from inside and began to help Ronny to his feet. As the men lifted Ronny, the drunk passed out. Both of the men were in their forties, and one sported a green Eagles jersey numbered "1" with a customized player name plate on the back bearing LADY'S MAN. It was this fellow who announced "we got 'em, Billy. Hey, and next time, don't buy him so many rounds dude, ya know he can't hold his liquor – ha ha!"
As the two men dragged the unconscious Ronny back into the bar, the cop glared at Jesse and asked "what are you doing walking around this time of night? I see you out here a lot and I…"
Jesse interrupted the obese cop and asked "what are you doing drinking before work?"
"What? You got no proof of that…"
Jesse angrily interrupted the nervous cop with "the proof is in the form of that macho idiot with LADY'S MAN on his jersey. He just indicted you with his words. And, I'm no lawyer, but I think that waste-case Ronny might be some compelling evidence against you."
"I oughta arrest you right now for Battery. You…"
"Arrest me for Battery? You must be under the influence, officer! It was that drunk that staggered into me as I was walking by this bar, minding my own business" Jesse interrupted the cop, and then continued:
"There is no law against me walking at night. I am committing no crimes. In reality, I could press charges against that Ronny for knocking me into this lamp post here, but I won't. I can see that Ronny has enough problems already. But, you officer, you're the one that might be looking at charges. I can smell the booze on your br…"
Before Jesse could finish the word "breath", Brostic pushed him back against the passenger's side of the Durango; Jesse's spread-legged frame obscuring the the gold-lettered POLICE adornment on the back door. Jesse's left foot was caught between the curb and the vehicle, causing a bolt of pain to shoot like lightning through his ankle, making him wonder for the longest millisecond if it was broken.
The long millisecond stretched into many full seconds, and Brostic froze for a moment before lifting his left hand off of the taller Jesse's shoulder, leaving a puff of stretched fabric in his green Russell Athletic knit hoodie. As the seconds lumbered along, Brostic slowly slid his right hand off of the handcuffs attached to his gun belt and then lifted both hands to their corresponding shoulders with palms facing forward – seemingly affecting a gesture of surrender.
There were no cars passing along Genesee Street and no other witnesses, other than those in the supernatural. No one peered through the windows of the Redwood Bar & Grill. The New York Pizzeria, the Oz Museum, the Just Dance Studio, Delphia's Restaurant, and the other small shops along the "Yellow Brick Road" were closed and uninhabited. The tenants of the apartments above the shops were either asleep or had no interest in looking through their windows. Yes, for this miniscule period of time, it seemed that the world was populated only by Jesse and the fat Chittenango cop whose backup from the Madison County Sheriff's Department never arrived.
"I'm willing to let this go, Mr. Same. I don't think Ronny is gonna wanna press charges against you. He won't even remember this in the mornin'. But, you better watch yer step and don't cause any more trouble around here, got it?"
Jesse was able to stand on the grey concrete section of sidewalk despite his twisted left ankle throbbing with pain. As Brostic announced into his Motorola portable radio that he was "clear", Jesse rebutted sonorously "and you officer had better get some breath mints, the whiskey is strong on your breath."
"Please repeat that unit three zero two, regarding whiskey, over" a response crackled through Brostic's radio as the cop glared at Jesse as he started to limp away from the scene.
Five minutes had passed and Jesse's ankle was hurting less but the thoughts in his head were swirling like cyclone-driven roofing nails. He had passed the La Cocina restaurant – the town's purveyor of "authentic" Mexican food – turned right, and was now setting foot on the "Creek Walk", a gravel pathway that was much like the Erie Canal Towpath that also passed through Chittenango. The Creek Walk paralleled Chittenango Creek – known as Madison County's most popular trout stream – and was a pleasant venue for jogging, biking, or taking a leisurely stroll.
The Oak, American elm, and Yellow Birch trees prevalent along the Creek Walk had dropped many of their leaves on the pathway, creating slippery areas and also serving to cover the fallen fruit of the Juglans nigra or Eastern Black Walnut trees – the nuts still shrouded in their brownish-green husks. Jesse could not see the nuts in the dark, but could certainly feel the hard round fruit when by happenstance he'd step on one.
Even easier to feel was the walnut that dropped onto his head, having seemingly been pulled from its parent tree by the intermittent breeze that added to the new morning's chill. "Ow! Ah!" Jesse yelped as the nut's surprise contact caused him to stop walking and spin around, putting extra stress on his tender ankle. Jesse looked up toward the walnut tree and then bent down in confusion. He would have appeared strange to the natural eye of another walker would they have come upon him; he rubbing his left ankle with his left hand while messaging the top of his noggin with his right in what would appear to be an out of sync version of the Hokey Pokey.
After a half-minute of rubbing and messaging, Jesse stood upright and resumed walking; albeit with sore ankle and a growing goose egg. His eyes watered with frustration and pain as he muttered to himself "why does this weird stuff always happen to me – why!?"
What was hidden to the aforementioned natural eye was the supernatural translucent image of a demon that bore an uncanny resemblance to one of L. Frank Baum's "flying monkeys" dressed in bellhop's hat and vest. The mischievous sprite seemingly snickered with glee as it stood weightless on a mere twig of the walnut tree, nineteen feet above where Jesse had just passed.
But what of the aforementioned dream? Wasn't it the dream that woke him at 12:05 a.m. and forced him outside to walk the streets, only to find a modicum of peace on this gravelly path along the rushing rivulets of Chittenango Creek? If it wasn't for the dream, he'd still be asleep and would never have had the bizarre encounter with Ronny the barfing drunk and William Brostic the cop equipped with enough adipose tissue to serve as a second line of defense in the event his Kevlar would be penetrated.
Sometimes the dreams were difficult to separate from the visions. Indeed, it had become difficult for Jesse to know any more if he was awake or asleep. But, as Jesse walked, he was reasonably certain he was awake as he felt with his right hand's middle finger the bump that had grown as a result of the walnut bomb dropped on his head with amazing accuracy. The resulting contusion was trickling blood through his hair and then downward along his right side mutton chop, and as Jesse dragged his hand along the side of his head a red smear was painted on the outside of his index finger.
Jesse ascended the short wheelchair ramp that ran left from the path to a wooden handicap-accessible fishing platform that extended over a hedge of boulders that bordered a swirling pool in the creek. The platform had been constructed over the summer by members of Trout Unlimited Chapter 680. Here was a spot loaded with beautiful Brown Trout and the ubiquitous White Sucker, but thus far the platform rarely saw fisherman. More commonly, the fishing platform was utilized by underage drinkers, smokers, and dopers; all seeking a nighttime hideaway to pursue their vices without being caught.
Bolted to the plywood slats at the front of the platform was a newly installed, white 30" x 30" sign reading CAUTION – SHALLOW WATER AND HIDDEN ROCKS BELOW – NO DIVING OR JUMPING FROM FISHING PLATFORM. Below the warning text was an illustration of a male outstretched in a dive about to make contact with water. The illustration was circled in red with the obligatory angled slash through it.
Jesse snickered to himself as strode to the front of the platform, wondering who would be stupid or stoned enough to jump, creating the need for the new sign. The platform was scarcely four months old but it had already become a place of refuge for Jesse. He was glad that it was currently devoid of any other human life, so he might have some time to linger and pull out some of the proverbial roofing nails swirling through his mind and piercing his psyche.
The youthful thirty-something that bore such a striking resemblance to the '68 Comeback Special Elvis didn't drink, smoke, or do drugs – and yet it seemed that the hordes around him who did had a better quality of life. If there was pain, most around him would drown it in booze or suffocate it in some manner of illegal substance. And, those painkillers were also recreational and formed friendships while killing time. If the addictions became too powerful, the addicted were coddled and pitied and then celebrated as role models if they managed to overcome. In this world, if you didn't drink to excess or use drugs, you were essentially persona non grata.
No, Jesse did it the hard way by walking the narrow path. Unlike the Creek Walk, the narrow path was strewn with roots and rocks and bordered with untrimmed thorn bushes. This path through Jesse's life was littered with spiritual broken glass that would penetrate his supernatural sneakers and cut his feet. Indeed, it was a narrow path and a rough road, but it was the only way home.
The sky was clear but moonless, so the cool limpid water below looked like motor oil in the darkness. Jesse wiped his right hand on his jeans and believed the minor bleeding from his injured crown had stopped. He could see his breath in the cold as he looked down at the gracefully flowing creek while leaning against the slats that served as the front of the platform. He shoved his hands into his hoodie pockets, shivered, and wished that he would have pulled his Pelle Studio Classic black leather jacket on over the knit garment. But, when he left his upstairs one bedroom apartment in the grey multi-family house with burgundy shutters at 316 Genesee Street, he wasn't thinking clearly and was too distressed to realize that 41 degrees Fahrenheit is cold!
It was a dream this time and not a vision. He had been asleep he was sure. Jesse knew the dream was in some way prophetic, but how could he get anyone to believe him? He was confidant now that these dreams and visions were in fact endowments of the Holy Spirit. But, these dreams and visions over the last two weeks were causing him to torment in ways that he had never known.
The cold was too much to bear without a warm jacket, and Jesse was quickly back on the Creek Walk, passing behind the brick with white trim single-level structure housing the Chittenango Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare. He cut through the parking lot and walked the short driveway to Russell Street where he crossed, turned right, and was now walking the sidewalk back toward the center of the village.
Jesse passed the inconspicuously middle class duplexes and bungalows along Russell Street, many of which still had lights on at 1:40 a.m. Street lights were lined along the opposite side of the street, but most of them were non-operational.
After walking two blocks in a distracted daze, Jesse crossed Russell near its culmination at Genesee and ambled along the diagonal sidewalk that bisected Dr. West Memorial Park, which served as the town square as well as food and vendor location for the Oz Fest every June. Scattered about the autumn leaf-strewn park lawn were heavy oak benches shaped like church pews; save for their un-churchlike red and white two-tone paint jobs.
Jesse sat down on the bench closest to the Genesee Street side of the park, with his back to the Ten Pin Restaurant & Tavern at the intersection of Genesee and Seneca Streets. To Jesse's right, where Russell ended at Genesee was the Chittenango Volunteer Fire Department. To his left was Arch Street, that particular block being non-descript and residential. Directly in front of Jesse, Arch Street "arched" to the right and on the arch was situated the stone gothic-style architecture of First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango. The church, built in 1828, featured a large concrete stairway that led to a tall, white, arched entryway with double wooden doors. The two-story edifice featured arched, recessed window sets on either side of the entrance; all trimmed in white. The entryway itself was topped with a peaked roof trimmed with white that pointed to another peaked roof over the main structure, which pointed to a square, white, wooden belfry that sat on a smaller peaked roof.
First Presbyterian Church was a significant part of the dream that woke Jesse and had him out walking in the wee hours of Tuesday, October 27, 2009. The church building itself fit well into the Halloween motif that had overtaken the village like it did every year as of late; with an increasing number of plastic skeletons, inflatable ghosts and witches, strings of orange lights, rubber bats, and plastic tombstones gracing so many porches and front lawns while Jack O' Lanterns lit with candles smiled or grimaced on front steps – the facial expressions dependent on the moods and imaginations of the individuals operating the carving knives.
The Jack O' Lantern's candle lights around town had been extinguished for the night. The church still loomed as a stone-faced monolith, surrounded by street lights that actually worked. As Jesse sat and stared at the church, he shuddered as his tired mind still possessed enough energy to recall the dream from a couple hours before…
…In the dream, Christmas wreaths were hung below the globes of the vintage-style black street lamps along Genesee St. There was snow on the wreaths and a thin layer of slush on the faux Yellow Brick Road that made up the center of the sidewalks on either side of the street. Many of the businesses had twinkling Christmas lights and trees decorated with Wizard of Oz ornaments adorning their street-side bay windows. It was late afternoon and the sun was sinking below the western horizon as Jesse walked in a westerly direction, passing the Redwood Bar and Grill. In the dream, no Ronny the drunken "Eaguhs" fan emerged from the Redwood to accost him. Jesse said to no one in particular "it's kind of quiet for a late Friday afternoon" as there was no one to hear him.
The rumble of a low-flying helicopter broke the relative silence, but Jesse couldn't lift his head to see the whirlybird; such is the state of dreams. But, Jesse was able to see a large shadow sweep across the street in the fading light, and he again spoke to no one, asking "why is that helicopter flying so low?"
As Jesse spoke the word "low", the Chittenango Fire Department's Federal STH10 alert siren began its oscillating wail, and simultaneously all of the lights in the shops along Genesee Street went out. As the siren began its first descent of its five cycle cadence, a mature male voice spoke from a point unknown to Jesse, commanding him to stop, look, and listen. As Jesse was frozen in confusion, a sober Ronny, resplendent in a white apron with pizza sauce stains, burst forth from the New York Pizzeria and stopped on the "Yellow Brick Road" in front of Jesse and said with angry astonishment "they friggin' took Sean Hannity off the air, dude! The whole friggin' AM band just ain't there! It's like the whole goddam thing is gone! What the hell!? I've been on the wagon since October 27th man, but this bullcrap makes me wanna drink again!"
"No, Ronny, please, please don't drink… you're gonna die, man!" an ostensibly paralyzed Jesse plead with sober Ronny the pizza chef. Ronny was now sobbing and his image began to dissolve. Jesse was overwhelmed by panic as he tried to run toward the disappearing man but could not move. It was then that the voice again commanded stop, look, and listen!
"Lord Jesus, don't let him die without you!" Jesse screamed as he too was now crying, while bearing a crushing level of despair. Simultaneously, residents of the houses and apartments along Genesee began to pour out into the street in frantic, angry, desperate confusion.
"It's an effing free-for-all!" a blond, freckle-faced 18 year old sporting a buzz cut and wearing a white tank top, oversized jeans that hung off of his posterior, and sideways flat-brimmed NY Yankees cap proclaimed with sinister delight as he punched his 89 year old downstairs neighbor in the left temple. After the elderly man toppled backward over a yellow fire hydrant and then fell onto the slush-covered shoulder of Genesee Street, the thug snatched the man's wallet from his grey slacks as he lie twitching in death throes.
"Just take his cash, Homes. The credit cards ain't workin' nowhere" the thug's similarly dressed 19 year old roommate advised his friend. "Cool… let's get some forties, even if we gotta bust the frickin' windows on the Byrne Dairy!" was the killer's ecstatic reply.
As the two walked away from the scene, a 40 inch flat-screen TV burst through the glass of a bedroom window of an apartment above the Just Dance Studio. The 19 year old saw the television falling and yelled "look out" as he scurried out of its path. The projectile landed back-first on the unaware 18 year old roommate, fracturing his skull and shattering five of his upper vertebrae, killing him instantly. The 19 year old whose soul was devoid of any compassion exclaimed "sucks to be you, dude!" and then cackled with laughter as he walked away along the "Yellow Brick Road" as twenty already shocked and frightened Chittenango residents looked on in horror.
In his dream, Jesse attempted to pursue the killer but his right arm was grabbed by the curly-haired redhead with too-tight jeans and too much lipstick who worked as a hairdresser at the Alexander of New York Hair Studio. As he tried to pull free, his gaze was drawn to her piercing blue eyes that were wide with fear as she clung tightly to his arm. There were a number of people gathered under the awning of the salon, and they were speaking in frantic tones as they wondered what exactly had happened. Jesse could not decipher what they were saying but was able to hear the hairdresser.
"The guy on Y-94 FM said that we need to stay in our homes. I need to get home to my daughter but somebody smashed the windshield of my car! I gotta get home and the phones aren't working so I can't even call her. Please help me… please!" the 40 year old panic-stricken woman pled with Jesse.
"Okay, let's walk down the street to my apartment and I'll give you a ride. I think I know where you live, but you have to let go of my arm" Jesse replied calmly; albeit in confusion.
It was then that cocky, swaggering 23 year old Chittenango Police officer Ryan McMaster, who sported the obligatory "high and tight" haircut, grabbed Jesse's left arm and said "you aren't driving anywhere. You return to your home 'hero' before I throw your ass in jail, and you get back to the salon, lady. No vehicular travel is allowed."
Jesse heard the hairdresser's desperate plea of the cop as he found himself suddenly floating toward Dr. West Memorial Park. There were 40 or so panicky individuals gathered there on the snow-covered lawn, asking of each other if anyone knew why the electricity and cellphone service was out. As Jesse heard them speaking, some claimed they still had power and it seemed to be a block by block issue.
In the dream, Jesse now sat on the same bench as he did in the wee waking hours of this Tuesday morning. A hoarsened male voice announced from the crowd "before the juice went out, one of those pretty boys on FOX News said there mighta' been some kinda' nuke in New York City er somethin'. If that's true, we kin jus' bend over and kiss our asses g'by!"
Jesse stood up to walk toward the smaller group of people from which the man spoke, in an effort to glean more information. It was then that the same Chittenango Police officer ordered from behind "hold it right there, sir!" Jesse turned toward the young policeman, and as he did a loud gunshot boomed through the park and the cop's head exploded in a gory mess of bone, brain matter, and blood. A navy blue, late model Dodge Ram pickup truck squealed away from the Genesee Street curb, 10 yards behind where the cop had been standing. Jesse could see seated in the truck's bed as it sped away four middle-aged men dressed in green camouflage who looked more like deer hunters than military personnel. Each man carried what looked to Jesse to be military-grade rifles.
A red-headed 43 year old bar tender named Sandy, with a voice harshened by too many Virginia Slims and too much Miller High Life screeched hysterically from the now growing throng in the park:
"Oh my god, the North Madison Militia shot the friggin' cop! They blew his friggin' brains out! Oh…my…GOD!"
As Sandy cried out in revilement, two Chittenango Police cruisers as well as a silver-hued Ford Explorer with green trim and bearing the MILITARY POLICE insignia on the front doors commenced pursuit of the speeding blue pickup. As the first pursuing black and white Crown Victoria passed the Subway restaurant, it exploded in a ball of flame, having been impacted by a HEAT warhead fired from the back of the pickup by an M72 LAW. The car's hood twirled through the air and then smashed through the eatery's bay window, leaving the upper left corner of the Five Dollar Foot-Long poster that adorned the window to dangle in the cold breeze. The militia member had but one shot with this type of shoulder-fired weapon that was last produced in 1983 – and he made it count with practiced precision.
The cop driving the second Crown Vic put the brake pedal to the floor, forcing the vehicle into a three-sixty before it was struck by the trailing Military Police SUV. The police cruiser tipped onto its passenger's side in the center of Genesee Street while the out of control Military Police vehicle wheeled onto the south sidewalk and came to a rest in a vacant lot that now resembled a Christmas card image with the freshly-fallen snow. The two MP's in the front seat were seriously injured and would not be able to exit the smoking vehicle.
Despite the weather, the time, and the appearance, there was nothing "Christmassy" about this scene as smoldering shrapnel littered the street and the smell of burning plastic, rubber, and flesh filled the air.
Seemingly undaunted, Jesse turned his head toward First Presbyterian Church where his dreaming eyes fixated on the white wooden belfry. Standing on top of the structure was what could best be described as a seven foot tall translucent grey gargoyle, with its chiropteran wings folded neatly on its back. The being's head and face possessed qualities that appeared human, but from a distance Jesse could not decipher the finer features.
As Jesse "looked and listened", the being used its muscular arms to tear open its abdomen, releasing fifteen "flying monkeys" in a supernatural Caesarean section. The bird-winged apes were in essence identical to those from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz books and film and stood between three and four feet tall, dependent on the individual. Like the gargoyle they were grey in color and translucent, making Jesse think that they did not possess a natural body. The faces of these Hominidae revealed human-like expression, some smiling while others grimaced; all appearing "thoughtful". As they burst from the gargoyle's stomach, the winged monkeys flew down to the snow-covered park lawn and then frolicked about while whispering into the unaware ears of many of the gathered crowd members.
"You can't see them but in your spirit you hear them! Don't listen to them! Don't do what they tell you to do!" Jesse yelled, using his strong diaphragm to full effect.
"Don't do what… you alright, man?" a young volunteer firefighter asked as he shook Jesse's left shoulder. The young man couldn't help but stop as he saw Jesse on the bench and heard him murmur "don't do what they tell you to do" as he walked home through the park after running to the station for what turned out to be a false alarm.
"Yeah, man, I'm fine. I must have fallen asleep here on the bench and had a bad dream" a startled and embarrassed Jesse responded as he quickly stood up.
"Okay, good… glad you're alright" the firefighter said, shrugged his shoulders and continued on his way. Before the alert siren blew, the 21 year-old volunteer had been arguing with his live-in girlfriend, whom he was sure was cheating on him. His anger was again boiling, and he suddenly had the notion that the "unfaithful wench" needed a punch in the mouth to straighten her out. "As a matter a fact, maybe I'll just toss that new TV that I bought for her through the window" he thought to himself as his gait became a purposeful stride.
As a haunted Jesse began heading home, shuffling through the leaf-covered grass to Genesee Street, he thought to himself "I wonder if L. Frank Baum actually saw the stuff that he wrote about?"
Jesse had this terrible dream twice, the first time driving him out of bed on Monday night and then a short time later as he dozed on the park bench.
Was the dream prophetic? This wasn't the first time he'd experienced something like this. Now, Jesse needed someone to believe him as much as he needed sleep.
Categories: Books
As of Wednesday 04/10/2013, my new book Dead-Ringer is now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle download here. Other formats such as Nook, iBook, and more will follow shortly thereafter. You now have the opportunity to rock your way out of the jailhouse, step sprightly down the yellow brick road and arrive at the answer to the aforementioned question. But dear friends, I can assure you that your point of arrival will not be the Land of Oz.
The story is replete with truly interesting and intriguing characters that were a joy for me to create. The backdrop of the tale is the rustic Madison County village of Chittenango, in upstate New York. The town is most known for being the birthplace of author L. Frank Baum, who penned the fiction series The Wonderful Wizard of Oz that spawned the beautifully timeless 1938 film that won two Oscars. Combine the Wizard of Oz connection with the Elvis Presley reference – no matter how great or small that may be – and hopefully your interest has become peaked.
Dead Ringer is a twisting, turning, action and adventure tale that serves as a companion to the Wayfarers trilogy, and yet it stands on its own merits. This writing of this book was quite a workout for me in the literary sense, and prayerfully it will be a joy and inspiration for you to read.
What follows is the description of Dead-Ringer:
A man who impersonates Elvis Presley for his living resides in the same small town that was the birthplace of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum. We all know that flying monkeys were a part of the journey to the mythical Land of Oz, but could they also be demons straight from Hell? This Elvis impersonator thinks so, as he sees them in his dreams and visions and also in the tangible reality of the streets of the rustic village of Chittenango, New York.
This man, named Jesse Same, has grown weary of the Elvis gig and desires to do something new with his music career. Likewise, he desires to have more time with his young son and that means wrestling him away from his manipulative and controlling ex-wife and her hard-driving new husband. They don't subscribe to Jesse's strong faith in Jesus and are troubled that the young son has developed his father's passionate love for the Lord. How far would the ex and her husband go to keep the young son from Jesse? Would the young boy put himself into great danger in order to be with his dad?
As this man who is a dead-ringer for the King of Rock n Roll dreams prophetic dreams, the supernatural creeps through the cracks in the walls that separate it from the natural realm as those who are bound to this world may soon witness the end of the world as they know it. Will the man's dreams and visions come to pass? Is there any hope for the individuals who appear in his dreams?
"And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions. ~ Joel 2:28 NKJV
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Used Car - 2002 BMW 5-Series 540i in Virginia Beach, Va
Please Call For Price
About This 2002 BMW 5-Series 540i
Vehicle Location:
Virginia Beach, Va
Call For Price
Exterior Color:
Stock Number:
Fuel Economy Estimates
City MPG
Highway MPG
Combined MPG: 21
Estimated Monthly Fuel Cost: $105.95*
*Based on $1.78 per gallon and 15k miles per year.
Actual costs may vary.
Actual costs may vary.
Send This Vehicle To Your Smartphone
Seller's Description and Comments:
Located at Towne Auto Brokers Inc in Virginia Beach, Va. Call Towne Auto Brokers Inc today at 757-962-8826 for more information about this vehicle.
Vehicle Options:
- Abs Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- Am/fm Radio
- Automatic Headlights
- Cargo Area Tiedowns
- Cd Player
- Child Safety Door Locks
- Cruise Control
- Daytime Running Lights
- Driver Airbag
- Driver Multi-adjustable Power Seat
- Electrochromic Interior Rearview Mirror
- Electronic Brake Assistance
- Fog Lights
- Front Air Dam
- Front Power Memory Seat
- Front Side Airbag
- Full Size Spare Tire
- Genuine Wood Trim
- Heated Exterior Mirror
- High Intensity Discharge Headlights
- Interval Wipers
- Keyless Entry
- Leather Seat
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Manual Sunroof
- Passenger Airbag
- Passenger Multi-adjustable Power Seat
- Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror
- Power Door Locks
- Power Sunroof
- Power Windows
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Rear Window Defogger
- Separate Driver/front Passenger Climate Controls
- Side Head Curtain Airbag
- Steering Wheel Mounted Controls
- Tachometer
- Telescopic Steering Column
- Tilt Steering
- Tilt Steering Column
- Traction Control
- Trip Computer
- Vehicle Anti-theft
- Vehicle Stability Control System
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2002 BMW 5-Series ReviewThis car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale.
Quick and comfortable.
Though now in its sixth year of production for the current generation, the BMW 5 Series sedans are the benchmarks other companies use for their luxury sports sedans. They are true sports sedans, offering superb handling and responsive engines.
In addition to the sedans, the 5 Series offers sport wagons (525iT and 540iT) that are fantastic. They offer much better handling than any sport-utility vehicle and better performance than most sedans. Judged logically, they make a lot more sense than BMW's own X5.
BMW's 5 Series comprises three sedans and two wagons. Each model presents a distinct personality and price range, but all are wonderful cars in their own right. A V8-powered 540 is available along with six-cylinder 525 and 530 models.
Retail prices for sedans: 525i ($36,595); 530i ($40,095); 540iA ($51,745); 540i ($54,545). Wagons: 525iT ($37,770); 540iT ($54,245).
525i, 530i, and 525iT sport wagon come almost identically equipped with a long list of standard equipment and leatherette (vinyl) upholstery. Montana leather upholstery ($1450) is optional. For 2002, the 525i, 525iT, and 530i come standard with automatic air conditioning. A power front passenger's seat also is a standard feature on all six-cylinder 5 Series sedans and wagons.
Also for 2002, all 5 Series vehicles come standard with an in-dash CD player.
Other equipment changes for 2002 include the addition of a Multi Information Display with a 10-function on-board computer and BMW universal transceiver (garage-door opener) for the 525i and 530i. The 530i also gets automatic headlight controls. This same headlight technology becomes standard equipment on 540i models. Five new exterior colors are offered for 2002.
525i, as its nomenclature suggests, comes with a 2.5-liter fuel-injected six-cylinder engine. This is a double overhead-cam inline-6 with BMW's Double VANOS system, which means it has variable valve timing for strong power and good fuel economy at all speeds (184 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 20/29 miles per gallon city/highway). For 2002, the Sport Package now includes power sport seats and an M sport steering wheel as well as 17-inch wheels with a new seven-spoke design.
530i comes with a more powerful 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that generates 225 horsepower and 214 pounds-feet of torque. For 2002, the Sport Package includes power sport seats.
All three models come standard with a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox, though the ratios are specifically tuned for each. An optional five-speed automatic transmission ($1275) is available that features adaptive shift logic and a Steptronic shifter; the Steptronic works just like a regular automatic in normal mode, but the driver can slap it over to the left and shift manually when desired for better control on winding roads or heavy commuter traffic.
540 models are powered by a 4.4-liter V8. This twin-cam four-valve design with the variable valve setup generates 290 horsepower for 2002, an increase of 8 hp over last year, and 324 pounds-feet of torque. Woof! The 540 models come standard with Montana leather upholstery, burl walnut trim, automatic air conditioning, xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps.
540iA is a luxury model that comes standard with the five-speed Steptronic transmission, a self-leveling rear suspension, 16-inch wheels and 10-way power seats.
540i is a special sports model with a 6-speed manual gearbox, sports suspension with firmer springs and shock absorbers, specially tuned anti-roll bars, a lower ride height, and 17-inch wheels with larger rear tires. The 6-speed is distinguished with Shadowline exterior trim, 12-way power sport seats and a three-spoke sport steering wheel.
An optional Sport Package with sports suspension, 17-inch wheels and other hardware is available for all models; it ranges from $2,000 to $2,800, depending on the model.
All 5 Series models come with a comprehensive array of safety features: Seatbelts use automatic tensioners and force limiters, and automatically adjust the upper anchor point as the seat is adjusted back and forth. In addition to dual two-stage Smart front airbags (that can detect whether someone is in the passenger seat, all models come with front door-mounted side-impact airbags and BMW's unique Head Protection System, which deploys tubular inflatable cushions in the areas of the front occupants' heads. Rear seat side-impact airbags ($550 for sedans, $385 for wagons) are an option and can be activated and deactiv.
A year ago, BMW revised the styling of the 5 Series, including a reshaped front kidney-shaped grille, new front lighting units, a new front spoiler, new round front fog lights, new rear lighting clusters with red LEDs for improved reliability and longer service life, body-color side moldings and bumper strips. The overall shape of the 5 Series body is a well-done evolution of a handsome basic design that dates back more than two decades.
5 Series sport wagons differ visually from the sedans only aft of the C-pillar, where an extended roof and tailgate replace the sedan profile and trunk lid. The tailgate has a commendably low opening, giving access to the luggage bay right down to bumper-top level; if smaller items are to be loaded aboard, the rear glass can be raised separately. The 5 Series sport wagons offer a larger cargo capacity than the new BMW X5 sport-utility.
The 5 Series body shell is extremely rigid, a plus in terms of both safety and noise reduction. With its low 0.30 coefficient of drag, the 5 Series is one of the most aerodynamically efficient sedans on the market. Foam-filled body cavities and well-designed door seals help keep noise at bay.
The 5 Series interior gets high marks for comfort and appearance. Trim is sumptuous. The leatherette that comes standard on 525 and 530 models is attractive, with brushed-aluminum accents. The bucket seats feel like buckets; they wrap around your lower back and derriere. Heated seats are available with a Cold Weather Package ($600 for sedans, $700 for wagons).
The 5 Series center console is much more elegantly designed than the somewhat disappointing console in the 3 Series cars. The little cubbyhole with the roll-up lid and the slot for pens on top of the console seem out of place in an otherwise beautiful 5 Series interior, however. Perfunctory cupholders show BMW is still struggling, or is not concerned, with this most American of features.
Studying the audio system owner's manual is needed to fully master the BMW Business CD Car Radio as it's called. It automatically changes volume according to speed, ties into a cellular telephone, and has tuning features useful for traveling from city to city. Once you're reading is done, you should be able to tailor station selection, tone controls, and other settings to your preferences. It's a good-looking system with buttons linked to fields displayed digitally.
The map lights work very well, but a compass would be useful. A nice sport steering wheel that came as part of our Sport Premium Package is elegantly designed without the big pillow associated with older style airbags. It has all kinds of buttons on it to control audio and other functions that may require a trip to the owner's manual to fully master.
Driving Impression
The BMW 530i's engine is smooth and responsive. It glides along quietly when cruising, feeling like finely engineered machinery. Freedom from vibration is an inherent benefit of inline-6 engines, and BMW's are among the best.
Nail the throttle and there's a growl akin to BMW's race engines. There's also instant throttle response: the 530i takes off like a rocket.
The 530i we drove offers an excellent balance with high-performance throttle response and handling without the expense of the 540i, which gets stuck with a Gas Guzzler Tax. On the other hand, the 540i offers an incredible 324 pounds-feet of torque for brilliant acceleration performance. The 525 represents an excellent value with the 2.5-liter engine.
From 0-60 mph, the 530i is about a half-second quicker than a 525i; you can feel that. Our 530iA was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds; it could perform this with the manual transmission in 6.8 seconds. By comparison, a 525i accelerates from 0-60 in 7.3 seconds with the manual, 8.0 seconds with the automatic. At the same time, the 530i returns an EPA-estimated 21/30 mpg city/highway, though that drops to just 18/26 mpg with an automatic transmission. All these BMW engines require premium unleaded fuel.
Both the 2.5-liter and 3-liter engines were updated for 2001: A fully electronic throttle system replaced the electromechanical type. As a result, throttle response is even more precise than before. Also, a new intake manifold and increased valve lift improve performance.
We've tested the 540i in the past and found the 32-valve V8 to be quiet and unobtrusive, making itself heard only when pushed hard. When pushed hard, it's powerful, covering 0-60 mph in less than six seconds with the manual, slightly more than six seconds with the automatic.
The 5 Series BMWs offer superb handling, regardless of suspension package and powerplant. They are true sports sedans, tracking precisely through corners with minimal body roll.
For the ultimate in razor-sharp road behavior, the Sport suspension package is the choice. Stiffer springs and shock absorbers result in a slightly harsher ride quality, but enthusiasts may find this tradeoff in comfort is more than made up for by driving pleasure. Our 530i was equipped with this package and it reacted crisply to steering inputs. Rippled pavement in downtown Washington was quite noticeable through the seat of the pants. For most people, the standard suspension (which is hardly standard) is probably the better choice.
Our 530i's Steptronic automatic transmission was excellent. It responds quickly to a tip of the throttle, dropping down a gear or two as needed. Equipped with adaptive electronics that tailor shift programs to driving style, BMW's manual transmissions work with precision and smoothness.
BMW designed the 5 Series cars to help the driver avoid having an accident. Every model is standard-equipped with Dynamic Stability Control, which acts to help stabilize the vehicle in critical cornering or avoidance situations. Augmenting the four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, DSC includes antilock braking plus Dynamic Brake Control, which helps ensure maximum braking under emergency conditions.
BMW's brakes are absolutely superb: They feel solid, like there's a direct connection between driver and brakes. They slow the car right now, but at the same time are easy to modulate, not grabby like some of the power brakes on old American cars.
Great cars abound in the mid-size sedan segment, but the BMW 5 Series remains the benchmark for luxury sports sedans. The 5 Series is getting a bit long in the tooth, however, and we are beginning to look for a new-generation 5 Series sometime soon, possibly for model-year 2003.
Offering exemplary handling, the current 5 Series models track like they're on rails when driving around fast sweepers. Their suspensions offer a great balance between controlled ride quality and precise handling. The optional sports suspension is on the firm side and transmits road imperfections.
Model Lineup
Sedans: 525i ($36,595); 530i ($40,095); 540iA ($51,745); 540i ($54,545) / Wagons: 525iT ($37,770); 540iT ($54,245).
Assembled In
Munich, Germany.
Options As Tested
Steptronic transmission ($1275); Sport Package ($2300) includes 12-way power front sport seats, Shadowline exterior trim, M Sport steering wheel, M shift knob, 17-inch cross spoke composite cast-alloy wheels, 235/45 W-rated performance tires, sports suspension.
Model Tested
530i ($40,095).
3500 Holland Road
Virginia Beach, Va. 23452
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Gimbal's Candy
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Candy Tease: April 2013
Name: Bubble Gum Flavored Peeps Marshmallow
Name: Smarties Gummies
Name: Cinnamon Lovers
Name: ALERT™ Energy Caffeine Gum
Name: Cinnamo Sticks
All images are courtesy of the respective manufacturers.
POSTED BY Cybele AT 5:19 pm Candy • New Product Announcement • Atkinson's • Ce De Candies • Gimbal's Candy • Just Born • Highlight • Featured News •
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Candy Tease: Sweets & Snacks Expo 2012 - Part 1
The Sweets and Snacks Expo, sponsored by the National Confectioners Association starts today in Chicago. It's a huge trade show for candy manufacturers to show their product lines to candy buyers. Hundreds of new candy products are introduced each year, here are a few:
Name: Brand: Ritter Sport
Name: Au Natural
Name: Ginger-Lemon Gummi
Name: Gimbal's Sour Beans
Name: Bonomo Taffy: Blue Raspberry & Cherry
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POSTED BY Cybele AT 9:14 am Candy • New Product Announcement • Gimbal's Candy • Haribo • Ritter Sport • Warrell Corp • Highlight • Featured News •
Monday, April 2, 2012
Gimbal's Sour Gourmet Jelly Beans
Gimbal's Sour Gourmet Jelly Beans were introduced on the heels of Gimbal's other gourmet panned offerings, their Lovers line of heart shaped jelly candies like Cherry Lovers, Honey Lovers and Sour Lovers.
The jelly bean mix has a gourmet price point, at $4.49 for me at the CVS, but the bag is big and it's made in the USA.
The mix includes 12 flavors in bold colors.
The beans are absolutely lovely to look at. They're small and well made, each was quite perfect. The Gimbal's factory advertises that it's free of most major allergens, including peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, gluten, gelatin and soy. As a jelly bean product they're also fat free and contain no high fructose corn syrup (but I've never actually seen a jelly bean made with HFCS). The front of the package says they're made with real fruit juice, and that'd be apple juice. It also says that it's a good source of Vitamin C, but that's only 10% of your RDA in a serving of 37 beans (about 1.4 ounces).
But as much as they tout the freedom from allergens, there are still plenty of other ingredients some folks may avoid, such as artificial flavors and colors.
Most of the beans were opaque, but in the case of beans of similar colors, one was translucent, the other opaque. The structure of the bean is the same as other jelly beans. A jelly center (modified food starch give it its smooth texture) covered in a grainy and flavored shell. In the case of these beans, they jelly center is the sour part, so the sourness goes through and through.
They're tiny, sized like most other gourmet beans like Jelly Belly.
Sour Lemon was fully formed, a mix of juice and peel but with a more boiled marmalade note than a raw flavor.
Sour Grapefruit was fantastic. There was a lot of zest and that pine-type bitterness along with a biting tang of juice.
Sour Tangerine was sour and juicy but unlike the other two citruses, the zest notes didn't come out until the very end.
Sour Mango was also orange, but opaque. The flavor was similar to peach, and if I wasn't told it was mango, I probably would have guessed that. It was soft and tart but had that fuzzy fruit flavor that mangoes and peaches share.
Sour Watermelon was the darker green bean. It was pretty good, it reminded me a lot of Jolly Ranchers in the best way possible.
Sour Apple was kind of difficult for me to like. At first I though it was watermelon, it was just too vague. There was an authentic note of apple to it, but not much else.
Sour Lime was almost a key lime. There was soft vanilla note to it but it really finished sour.
Sour Blueberry was refreshing, it had a good berry note to it, almost a raspberry. I wouldn't say it was really blueberry, but still quite fun.
Sour Grape is an unusual flavor for jelly beans. I see it a lot in hard candies but not so much in jelly beans or gummis. This grape is much like a Pixy Stix, tart and with that malic acid tangy bite and vague artificial grape flavor of soda.
Sour Strawberry had a great mix of flavors, it really had a nice floral start, like a fluffy wad of cotton candy. Then the flavor developed with strong tartness and finished with strawberry jam.
Sour Pomegranate had a lot of very dark floral berry notes to it. It never quite rang true as pomegranate, but it was still a very good bean, not as sour as the others.
Sour Cherry was well done. The flavor was bold and less medicinal than some I've had, with green notes and of course that sour finish that most of the beans had.
Overall, it was a good bunch of beans. Even those that I didn't really like that much such as cherry or mango were still quite good enough that I just ate them instead of trying to pick them out. It's hard to tell some beans apart unless you're someplace well lit, so sort before going to movies if you really don't want to get a flavor you dislike. I did like this flavor set better than the Jelly Belly sour variety which only has five flavors, but that's purely personal preference.
The intensity satisfied me quite quickly, without giving me acidic burns on my tongue. The price is a bit high compared to generic beans but less than half of what you'd pay for Jelly Belly. They do pack quite a punch and I'm unlikely to finish this 13 ounce bag before Easter even with daily grazing.
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POSTED BY Cybele AT 11:48 am Candy • Review • Easter • Gimbal's Candy • Jelly Candy • Kosher • Sour • 8-Tasty • United States • Sav-On/CVS •
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Gimbal's Sour Lovers
Gimbal's is a Californian candy company that specializes in sugar candies and boasts a low allergen facility. Lately they've been introducing a new themed-flavored "Lovers" product every year. The first year it was a heart shaped Cherry Lovers, with nine different cherry flavored heart shaped jelly beans. Last year it was Honey Lovers with sixteen different honey tinted flavors. This year it's its a bit of a tart twist with Gimbal's Sour Lovers.
When I first saw the announcement for them, I knew I had to track them down. I had trouble finding Honey Lovers in stores, so I decided to order Sour Lovers online and avoid the store-to-store hassle. I was fortunate to find them featured in a special at CandyDirect.com where they were $7.00 for two 11 ounce bags including shipping. (Little did I realize that the actual shipping, from the San Diego area to Los Angeles would take 12 days, with little communication from the company about the delay.)
The package includes twelve flavors of tart jelly candies with a sour sand coating. The flavors are: Pomegranate, Fuji Apple, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Meyer Lemon, Tangerine, Baja Margarita, Sour Blueberry, Mango, Bing Cherry, Strawberry Daiquiri and Georgia Peach. I'm kind of particular about my sour candy, because I like a lot of intense flavor with the tartness, so these really sounded tantalizing to me.
The heart shapes aren't as defined or quite as attractive as the Cherry or Honey Lovers, but I thought the size and shape, a sort of thick heart shape, was perfect. The sanding is light to keep them from sticking together, but I found that even in the low humidity of Los Angeles, they did get a bit tacky if they weren't stored in a sealed bag.
I had trouble telling the colors apart. Since I had two bags, I mixed them up in order to find all of the colors/flavors. I have to say that the guide on the back wasn't exactly helpful for the colors that had a few flavors associated with them, like the orange/peach, pink/light red/red and yellows.
Pomegranate - I found it difficult to identify this one, so I had to open both bags in order to find the slightly darker red Pomegranate. It has some floral notes that reminded me of raspberry but with more of a tannic bite. It's missing some of the notes of actual pomegranate juice but still has a distinctive flavor unlike the rest of the pieces in the mix.
Fuji Apple - goes beyond the normal green apple flavor with actual real apple juice and peel flavors in there along with the fake green notes that we come to expect from candy.
Grapefruit - I could eat a bag of these. If they make another Lovers mix, I would pay a premium for it to be a Citrus Lovers. This had an amazing intensity, all of the notes a real grapefruit has from the juicy tartness, zest, sweetness and then that lingering bitterness.
Watermelon - Gimbal's does a great job with flavors that I often find too artificial from other companies. This watermelon was definitely a little on the "candy" side of things, but really flavorful, floral and of course puckery.
Meyer Lemon - again, get me a bag of these. Meyer Lemons have a bit more of a mandarin flavor to them than the usual Eureka lemons, so they're the perfect combo of tartness and juicy citrus flavors that do more than burn. (I actually drink Meyer Lemon juice from my back yard tree in a little mineral water - no sugar needed.)
Tangerine - this one sizzles with sour orange, it's actually a bit more sour than the Meyer Lemon, and also not as zesty.
Baja Margarita - this take on the traditional sour lime really pops, it's zesty but not all about the sour and I might have even tasted a little hint of salt on it.
Sour Blueberry - this one wasn't quite blueberry, but I've been binging on the real thing. It was more like a sour raspberry, which you know, is also good.
Mango - I had trouble finding this one in the mix as well, and sometimes didn't know if it was Peach (which is an opaque one). I really can't say more than I'm not sure I ever ate one.
Bing Cherry - the bing cherry heart isn't that dark in color, but does have a strong, woodsy flavor like a Life Saver but with far more intensity and tang.
Strawberry Daiquiri this was lovely, though maybe a little too sour, which covers up the great flavors. The floral notes were overshadowed by the citrus, but it's a daiquiri flavor, so I suppose that's to be expected.
Georgia Peach - I'm not usually fond of peach flavored candies, but this one has it all, actual fuzz flavor, a zing of sour and the sweet juiciness. It's like a peach that's not quite ripe. It has the added benefit of going well with the other flavors (except maybe watermelon).
The candies also have vitamin C in them as well as being made in a facility that's gluten free, dairy free, soy free, peanut & tree nut free. They're made with natural flavors and apple juice, but there are also artificial flavors and colors, too. As a true jelly product there are no fats or gelatin in them either (so they're basically a vegan product since there's no confectioners glaze or beeswax on them like the hard shell jelly bean versions).
I loved this mix. They're zippy but have more well rounded flavors that will please adults. I can't eat too many without burning my tongue, but then again, the intensity is really satisfying so I don't usually want to eat more than five or six at once.
Full Disclosure: It's come to my attention that I did not mention when I first posted this review that CandyDirect.com was an advertiser on Candy Blog. We no longer have any sort of business relationship. I made no attempts to hide my identity in the ordering process, though I can assure folks that I received no special treatment one way or the other in the price, shipping, handling or communication process. This post is not a review of CandyDirect.com, I only made passing mention of my experience with the company in the procurement of this candy because I always mention where I get my candy from. (I did subsequently get a free sample of the Sour Lovers from the National Confectioners Association after this review was posted and I ended up giving that bag away unopened.)
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POSTED BY Cybele AT 12:46 pm Candy • Review • Gimbal's Candy • Jelly Candy • Kosher • Sour • 9-Yummy • United States •
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Gimbal's Scottie Dogs
Gimbal's makes some very friendly candy. Their facility is peanut free, wheat/gluten free, tree nut free, dairy free, egg free, gelatin free and soy free. They're also Kosher and made in the USA.
Their new Scottie Dogs licorice are also all natural. That means real licorice and anise extract and no artificial colors in there to muck up the flavor.
The package is classy and kind of European. The description on the front talks about the history of licorice and how the Pontefract Monastery in England spread the popularity of licorice candies. There's a picture of the English castle, but then there's some tartan there on the side, you know, for the Scottie dog. A little confusing. But hey, it's candy, not a documentary.
When I got a black dog earlier this year, I resisted the temptation to give her a licorice themed name. Scottie would have been my choice (we had a cat named licorice when I was a kid). Of course she's not a Scottie dog, nor a male and not even close to looking like James Doohan. Which probably would have been perfect. We named her Maya instead.
The pieces are thick and well molded. They're about 1 inch tall (when they're standing on their feet) and 1.25 inches from nose to tail.
This version of licorice isn't based on wheat or molasses, so it's a bit more one note. The base is corn syrup and sugar with a bit of starch for thickener. The texture is quite smooth when they're dissolved as a lozenge. But they're soft enough to chew, and soft enough to stick in my teeth.
The flavor is mostly anise but there's a little hint of the woodsy and glycerin smooth licorice. They're fresh and not filling or bitter. I enjoyed them, but it took several months for me to get through the bag, especially when I had other licorice items to choose from.
The classic bag of Gimbal's Scottie Dogs is easy to identify as well, though I really liked the new all natural version's packaging. I don't think there's actually any difference in the product itself, Gimbal's didn't use artificial colors or flavors in them before.
On the whole, I think I prefer my licorice with either more texture or more of a meaty bite. It's purely a preference, but I like molasses with my licorice. These are certainly cute and great for themed parties and favors. They're also a nice shape and size for snacking at movies (why don't they come in theater boxes?). Obviously they're a great choice for folks who like licorice but can't tolerate the gluten in the more common wheat-based chews like Twizzlers or Red Vines.
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POSTED BY Cybele AT 11:15 am Candy • Gimbal's Candy • Kosher • Licorice Candy • 7-Worth It • United States •
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Gimbal's Honey Lovers
Last year Gimbal's Candy introduced Cherry Lovers, a fanciful assortment of nine different cherry flavored jelly candies in the shape of hearts. It wasn't my kind of thing and I wished that there was a citrus version. Gimbal's went far more inventive than that and created Honey Lovers which features 16 different honey infused flavors of jelly beans.
Gimbal's makes a wide array of panned candies and licorice but the big selling point for them is that they operate in a low-allergen facility. No peanuts, no tree nuts, no gluten, no dairy, no eggs and no soy. Honey isn't just a flavoring here, the third ingredient on the list is actually honey. (The first two are sugar and corn syrup.)
The Honey Lovers come in either a 10 ounce bag or a 38 ounce resealable tub. Each of the hearts is colored and patterned to match their flavor. They also feature 25% of the RDA of vitamin C. On top of that, Gimbal's is donating 5% of their sales to honey bee research at the University of California at Davis (which is just 100 miles or so away).
Golden Honey a wonderful and simple little jelly bean heart. It's not a bright sweetness, it's more of a concentrated honey with a little sugary grain from the shell ... which mimicked crystallized honey or honeycomb. The flavor was just a little different from the Jelly Belly Honey Bean, not quite as caramelized but still authentic.
Overall this was a very inventive mix. Of the 16 flavors there were only two that I picked out and refused to eat (Mocha Toffee and Popcorn), and another three that I picked around but didn't toss back in there if I got by accident. But the ones I liked, I thought were stellar (Vanilla Honey, Honey, Meyer Lemon, Strawberry). Even if I didn't like some, there were others whom I shared these with who did, so they are a real crowd pleaser. The only suggestion I'd have would be to have a smaller flavor mix (with 5-8 flavors in a more limited color palette) that might do better for themed buffets and folks who simply buy candy for the colors.
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POSTED BY Cybele AT 4:13 pm Candy • Gimbal's Candy • Jelly Candy • Kosher • 7-Worth It • United States •
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Gimbal's Cherry Lovers
I'm the wrong person to review the new Gimbal's Cherry Lovers but I'll do my best.
I'm not generally keen on cherry flavors, but I do love real cherries and I'm generally a fan of Gimbal's products. This bag of little heart shaped jelly bean type objects boast nine different cherry flavors plus vitamin C and real cherry juice. Gimbal's makes their candies in the USA in a factory that's Kosher, peanut free, tree nut free, dairy free, gluten free, gelatin free and soy free. So for allergic folks these are pretty special. (Sorry vegans, though the colors are artificial they do use beeswax and confectioners glaze.)
They're drop dead gorgeous. A riot of reds, pinks and purples they seem to go beyond the frilly satin hearts of the season. They're a little rustic because each heart is unique and not quite perfect.
Wild Cherry - plain red - you know, cherry. Tart, sweet, floral and deep woodsy notes. But not quite that good. The medicine flavors are kept pretty faint here.
Cherry Vanilla - white with red speckles - like a cherry marshmallow, mostly a soft flavor with a strong fake vanilla flavor to it. Pretty much pleasant.
Black Cherry - deep red - tastes mostly like red. The cherry flavor is pretty intense as far as these hearts go, more on the woodsy side compared to the Bing Cherry.
Chocolate Cherry - brown - oh, this is quite a tragic flavor, not quite cherry and mostly empty cocoa flavors. It's like a very bad Cherry Tootsie Pop.
Cherry Cheesecake - pink with red speckles - a tangier version of the Cherry Vanilla, this one had a yogurty twang to it and but still a marshmallowy flavor.
Cherry Daiquiri - deep pink with red speckles - this one was rather fun, kind of a lime and vanilla with a hint of cherry cough syrup. A little bit like aftershave though.
Bing Cherry - lighter red - Tangy and sweet, a well rounded cherry flavor. A little chemical aftertaste from the food colorings, but about as good as the Jelly Belly I usually avoid.
Cherry Cola - dark red - at first I liked the cherry cola, because it tasted like cola, even had a weird effervescent quality to it (maybe that was just the tangy part playing with my mind) but then the cherry kicked in and ruined it for me. But that's just me.
Kiwi Cherry - pink with green speckles - this was just terrible. Maybe it's because I had a recent run in with fresh Durian, but I just couldn't get that out of my head when it came to this one. The kiwi flavors were more like melon and onions than kiwi, though the cherry seemed about average.
The didn't do a thing for me. The colors were pretty, the shapes and distinctiveness of the flavors was actually pretty good. But I wouldn't consider these a breakthrough candy so I found it odd that the National Confectionery Sales Association awarded Cherry Lovers best new Premium/Gourmet product:
Robby at Candy Addict had a better opinion of these. I'll just consider them very pretty Valentine's decorations in a bowl.
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 12:15 pm
Friday, March 14, 2008
Gimbal's Gourmet Jelly Beans
Gimbal's is one of those candy companies where you've probably had their products, you just don't realize it because they're often sold in bulk. They have fun little sour jelly stars, sour sanded bears and licorice scottie dogs.
They also have an extensive line of Gourmet Jelly Beans.
They're similar to Jelly Belly, they're a similar smaller size, have different color codings for the flavors and in this instance, come in an assortment of dozens of flavors in one bag (41 in this case). I've seen these 7 ounce bags for sale at Walgreen's, usually for about $2. I know that CandyDirect.com sells single flavors of these (and you may find them in bulk bins that aren't identified by brand). At only $3.40 a pound online, that's about a third off to half off the price of Jelly Belly.
I don't have tasting notes for absolutely every flavor, but here are a few of the highlights of what I picked out of the mix over the past week:
Tiramisu - like a caramel coffee creamer.
Yes, they have a buttered popcorn flavor ... but I picked all of those out and didn't even taste them. I don't care for actual buttered popcorn, nor things flavored like buttered popcorn.
Too many reds! There's cherry, cinnamon, raspberry, fruit punch, red delicious. I had similar problems with the orange/yellow things. But this is an issue with many candies that have too many flavors in one bag.
I'd probably prefer to buy a more narrow mix of these, like just fruits or maybe carnival flavors (toasted marshmallow, bubble gum, red delicious, root beer… maybe someone needs to invent a funnel cake flavor).
The beans are nicely formed and all had an even amount of distinctive flavor.
Gimbal's is not only Kosher, but also a facility free of most of the major allergens. They are tree nut/peanut, gelatin, gluten, dairy and egg free. So if you like Jelly Belly but have to avoid gluten and peanuts, this would be an excellent option. As a bonus, Gimbal's are less expensive than Jelly Belly. Just harder to find.
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 11:57 am
Meticulously photographed and documented reviews of candy from around the world. And the occasional other sweet adventures. Open your mouth, expand your mind.


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Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee State softball program will open the 2013 season on Friday at the Mississippi State Bulldog Kickoff Classic. The trip to Starkville will feature four games over a three-day span against teams from the SEC, Sun Belt and Colonial conferences.
The Tigers will take to the field against 2012 NCAA tournament participant South Alabama on Friday at 4 pm before playing a doubleheader on Saturday. A game with Troy opens the day for TSU at 1 pm followed by a meeting with the host Bulldogs at 3:30. The tournament concludes for the Tigers as they square off with Georgia State at 1 pm on Sunday.
All games are available through Live Stats and can be heard on tsutigers.com.
The Tigers are coming off a 15-39 season, 5-25 in the OVC, and return eight players including two pitchers. Sophomore Shea Morris and junior Olivia Gamache will handle a majority of the time in the circle. Morris is coming off a rookie campaign where she was named to the OVC all-Newcomer team after finishing with an 11-22 record and a 3.61 ERA in 201.2 innings of work. Her 190 strikeouts was the second highest total in the conference last season.
Gamache made 26 appearances last season and compiled a record of 2-7 with one save. The Exeter, R.I. native saw an improvement from her first season with the Tigers as she dropped her ERA by 2.4 points.
Behind the plate, head coach Jeff Dabney will use a tandem of players with freshman Lindsey Burgess and sophomore Kate Morris. Burgess is an athlete that gives the staff many options position wise. The freshman is capable of playing all positions on the field, including the ability to pitch. Kate Morris returns after a season where she posted a .967 fielding percentage and finished fourth on the team with 12 RBI.
The infield is led by senior Tedra Alford who has topped the team in hitting over the past two seasons. Alford, like many others on the team, brings the ability to play multiple positions. She has seen time in the outfield, shortstop, second base and third base in her first three years in blue. When not available, coach Dabney is in the capable hands of junior Ashley Haynes and a trio of freshmen; Jayna Hanawahine, Brianna Roberts, and Audrey Sensing.
Haynes has spent a majority of her career at shortstop for the Tigers, but has also played third and second. Haynes hit .221 as a sophomore, bettering her freshman outing by over 40 points. Hanawahine and Roberts, like Alford and Haynes, have the ability to play multiple positions on the field. The two look to bring offensive help as well with their running abilities and power potential. Sensing is penciled to occupy first base for the Tigers and looks to bring power to the lineup.
Senior Jennifer Givens will anchor the outfield in center. The Kingston product set the TSU single-season stolen base record in her first year with 34. Givens hit .275 and scored 19 runs in 53 games during her first season with the Tigers. Freshman Tayler Shimizu will move to her original position of outfield after playing 37 games at second base as a freshman. First years Kacie Daugherty and Kiarra Freeman are two left-handed hitting outfielders who look to roam the Tiger outfield for years to come.
Shimizu and Daugherty, along with Burgess, could see time in the infield throughout the season, while Kate Morris could see some action in the outfield.
South Alabama (0-0)
2012 Record: 41-17
Conference: Sun Belt
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Time Played: 2011, Lost 0-10
Last Win: 2010, 6-4
The Jaguars are receiving votes in both major polls and return seven of their top nine hitters from last year's NCAA tournament team. Brittany Fowler topped USA in 2012 with a .341 average, 42 runs scored, seven home runs and team highs in doubles (14) and runs batted in (40). The defending Sun Belt champions boast three returning pitchers, led by junior workhorse Hannah Campbell who finished with a 24-12 record and a 2.03 ERA. Campbell struck out 199 batters in 224.1 innings of work.
Troy (0-0)
2012 Record: 31-24
Conference: Sun Belt
Series Record: 0-17
Last Time Played: 1999, Lost 0-8
Last Win: N/A
Hannah Renn is the Trojans top returning hitter from last season as she posted a .286 average with seven homeruns and 16 RBI. Troy's top three pitchers return and are led by sophomores Ashley Rainey (17-13, 2.72) and Jaycee Affeldt (9-9, 3.81).
Mississippi State (0-0)
2012 Record: 33-24
Conference: Southeastern Conference
Series Record: 0-3
Last Time Played: 2006, Lost 1-7
Last Win: N/A
The Bulldogs start the season receiving votes in both major polls after qualifying for the NCAA tournament in 2012. Senior Jessica Cooley leads the offensive attack after a season where she hit .310 with 15 dingers and 41 RBI. Cooley was effective on the base paths as well by compiling 14 stolen bases. Stephanie Becker worked 182.2 innings and recorded a 2.49 ERA while going 18-10. The senior lefty notched 163 strikeouts a year ago. MSU will also look for added support from transfers Julia Echols and Allison Owen, who both arrive in Starkville via the University of Georgia.
Georgia State (0-0)
2012 Record: 38-18
Conference: Colonial
Series Record: 2-3
Last Time Played: 2011, Won 5-0
Last Win: 2011, 5-0
All eight field starters return for GSU, including leading hitter Lauren Coleman, who finished with a .326 average and recorded 10 doubles, three round trippers, 16 runs and 22 RBI. In the circle, Kaitlyn Medlam led the Panthers with a 14-4 record and a 1.99 ERA. Medlam held opponents to a .194 average while fanning 98 batters in 105.1 innings pitched.


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|2010-08-21, 16:06
|Link #42
reads too much
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: you know that's a great question.....
Let's see, watching Letter Bee Reverse for sure (how can you not after that cliff hanger?) and I want to try Star Driver, Physic Detective Yakumo, Kuragehime, Bakuman, Togainu no Chi, and Otome Youkai Zakuro. But it's really going to depend on what's being streamed, hoping for a lot of legal streams this season too.
|2010-08-21, 16:22
|Link #43
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Age: 25
|2010-08-21, 22:52
|Link #46
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: 雲の向こう
I'm actually somewhat looking forward to this upcoming fall season. There are quite a few anime that I would like to try out including, but not limited to:
The World God Only Knows
Arakawa Under the Bridge X Bridge (more simply put, 2)
Psychic Detective Yakumo
My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute
Yosuga no Sora
Megane na Kanojo
Kuragehime (a little bit hesitant on this one, but I like Brains Base, so I'll give it a whirl)
Whew, quite a list of anime to look forward to (and to potentially be disappointed by).
|2010-08-22, 03:50
|Link #49
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Age: 27
Wow, there's actually a lot I'm looking forward to here:
Star Driver: Radiant Takuto - I haven't watched a lot of mecha shows.
Psychic Detective Yakumo - Looks cool
Letter Bee Season II - I liked season one.
Arakwa Under The Bridge Season II - Because season one was freaking hilarious.
Yosuga no Sora - Looks like a nice romance
To Aru Majutsu no Index Season II- Season one was great.
Hakuouki Season II - I didn't actually like season one but it ended well and I'm still interested in Japanese history
I might also try out the following depending on their first few episodes:
The World God Only Knows
My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute
Fortune Arterial: Red Promise
|2010-08-22, 04:12
|Link #51
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Age: 28
I'm going to be busy this season. I'm not sure if thisis good or bad.
Will Watch:
To Aru Index
Arakawa Under the Bridge
World God Only Knows
Sora no Otoshimono: Forte
Motto To Love Ru
My Little Sister Can't be this Cute
OVA's: Mirai Nikki and Railgun
Might Watch:
Psychic Detective Yakumo
Hyakku Ryouran Samurai Girls
Yosuga No Sora
Fortune Arterial
Depending on what I hear, I might check out:
Shinryaku! Ika Musume
Otome Youkai Zakuro
Milky Holmes
Togaihu no Chi
|2010-08-22, 08:17
|Link #52
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Sora no otoshimono forte
arakawa under the bridge s2
a certain magical index s2
Samurai girls
fall season gonna be great
|2010-08-22, 10:40
|Link #53
✖ ǝʇ ɯıqnɾl ☆
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Mortuary : D
Haven't done my research or read summaries . Haven't even watched the previews . Among the sure shot ones I only don't know about Psychic Detective . There was supposed to be a Gundam series in 2010 aware of the OVA but guess have to wait for the winter session . .
The others my only quotient is Chart Art and Brief summaries . The second list will change as time passes by .
Sure to Watch
- Hakouki / Iron Man / Tegami Bachi Reverse / Psychic Detective
Will Give a Try
- Yokai Zakuro / Togainu / Samurai girls / Star Driver / KuregaHime / Bakuman
|2010-08-22, 21:26
|Link #54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: In line to confess his sins.
Age: 30
Looks like there will be a lot of fluff, but some of it looks like good fluff.
I'm really looking forward to more Index and Arakawa, they'll have to really screw things up for me not to enjoy these two. I'm also keeping my eyes open for Psychic Detective Yakumo and The World Only God Knows and a couple of other sequels.
Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls will probably be a guilty pleasure; it looks outrageously sexy from the previews.
|2010-08-23, 09:06
|Link #55
Nougyou Musume
Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru
The World Only God Knows
Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai
Tantei Opera
To Aru Majutsu No Index 2
Yosuga No Sora
Shinryaku! Ika Musume
I have varying levels of interest in the above series. I may try out a few other series in addition to those. As always there will be some series that I don't even bother with because I know they're not for me.
|2010-08-23, 09:21
|Link #56
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
Hmmmm, tough to find *any* that are immediately intriguing........
1) Otome Youkai Zakuro *might* be interesting in a Kannagi sort of way but too little info to say more.
2) My Little Sister *can't* be This Cute ...... maybe. +.-
3) Soredemo Mawatteiru ... the art is simple, but maybe something in the vein of Working! ?????
Virtually all the sequels are series that failed to keep my attention though a couple had their moments.
Wow.... this is a real 'off-season moment'. Thank goodness for backlog.
|2010-08-23, 23:20
|Link #58
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hyrule
Age: 46
Must sees (will watch as long as I can):
Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai -- I've been heavily anticipating this one since I first started reading the manga, and as long as they keep to the soul of the series and don't play it too straight (it's a comedy with romantic elements, not a romance with comedic elements), then it should be great.
Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt -- Manic, violent, off-the-wall, over-the-top, politically incorrect adult humor with character designs brazenly stolen from the Power Puff Girls. How can this possibly go wrong? Seriously, though, I learned long ago that something can always go wrong. Only this time I think it's more likely that the failure will be on the fans' end, as this one is sure to be lambasted for its content and design by those who see it as an affront to vapid moe franchises like K-on, which it is (which is one of the reasons it should be so good). Hopefully some intrepid fansubber will brave the shitstorm of wangst (not to mention the difficulties inherent in subbing any crazy series like this) and cover this until the end. Honestly, I might be more excited about this than KamiNomi, since I have no expectations to be shattered...
To Aru Majutsu no Index 2 -- Liked the previous Index series, and loved Railgun, so this is a no-brainer. Hopefully they find a way to work in moar Kuroko, because that's always good.
Arakawa under the Bridge x Bridge -- Like Index 2, this is a sequel of a series I enjoyed, so it's a no-brainer. I wonder what new characters will be encountered, or what new problems there are to overcome, but mostly I know there will be more Hoshi, so it's all good.
On the bubble (will try for an episode or two at least):
Iron Man -- I liked Iron Man 2, and really dig the Downey Tony Stark, so depending upon how much of that we see here will probably affect how long I stick with it. I'm one of the ones not calliing for a massive "anime-fication" (gasp shock) since why bother changing Iron Man to fit anime archetypes when there have already been a jillion "guy in suit" anime over the years? This should be markedly different than your average anime, at least in feel (more than just having an "old" protagonist), but at the same time it should be quite different from some Marvel-produced thing you'd buy on DVD over here. Let the villains, setting, and even love interest be your cultural signifiers (he is supposed to be in Japan, right?), but have Tony Stark be about as American (warts and all) as he usually is. And the complaints I've heard about animation quality are laughable. This is Madhouse.
Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai -- Wasn't exactly bowled over by what I read of the manga, but it's got promise. This is probably what the K-ontards will be flocking to once their "precious" is but a sour memory, and hopefully the producers don't overhype the series in anticipation of this, or sand off its edges...
And of course there will always be darkhorse candidates in any season... I'll keep my eyes open for this season's Asobi or Occult Academy...
Last edited by quigonkenny; 2010-08-24 at 03:09.
|2010-08-24, 07:40
|Link #60
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Somewhere between heaven and hell !
Damn finally !
- Lulz Ironman , i'm still waiting you ...
- Arakawa under the bridge S2 , damn need to finish the first season .
- To aru majutsu no index S2 , yes .
- The world god only knows = HELL YEAH EPIC AWESOME !
- To motto love ru = Fanservice of this season
- Super Robot Taisen OG : The inspector : Huh?
- Bakuman , i don't read the manga but i know a lot of people who said that this is a great manga about manga so yeah ^^
For ova , i know that there'll be Gundam Unicorn ova 2 .
|season, series
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Sunday, May 7th 2006, 3:11pm
Monday, May 8th 2006, 2:21am
Monday, May 8th 2006, 3:54am
Monday, May 8th 2006, 2:24pm
Monday, May 8th 2006, 3:49pm
Tuesday, May 9th 2006, 1:54am
Saturday, May 20th 2006, 3:06pm
Sunday, May 21st 2006, 4:16am
Sunday, May 21st 2006, 4:31am
Monday, June 17th 2013, 9:25pm
Time for a service tech unfortunately.....there is a direct short in zone 7 somewhere...
Have you been digging lately?
Has the phone company or cable company or others been digging lately?
If you can find the area that someone has been digging lately, perhaps you can fix this yourself, but if not, a tech is necessary who has the right equipment to find broken / shorted wiring underground.
I have also seen broken/shorted wires show up where people stapled the wiring to the interior walls from the timer????
Just consider that the wire for zone 7 is making contact w/ either direct ground or with the common wire....or it has been wired wrong ?


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VavraL necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 30 diseños de 14 diseñadores freelance.
ACA (All City Artists)
ACA is an artist management company geared towards young DJs whose names are already somewhat known in the DJ industry but want to take their careers to the next level. The management company represents artists of all genres (Top 40, electronic, dance, hip hop etc.) We provide these artists with an opportunity to become exposed in other markets and expand their audience. It's a new company with a rapidly growing roster. As managers, we have a great deal of passion and motivation for providing these artists with the services they need (bookings, managing careers, finances, website etc.)
Tastemaker audience. Both female and male within a large age demographic (15-40 yrs old). People that are passionate about music and the DJ world along with nightlife and social interaction. Positive, motivated and energetic people.
A bold, simplified logo that ensures immediate recognition. The image should be informative, powerful, and memorable. We would like the logo to be automatically informative as well as balanced, clear, and easily recalled. Symmetry of design is not required but encouraged. Ideally design should include individual bold logo along with font/wording for "ACA/All City Artists". As far as color pallet, it can either be monochromatic or use minimal, bold and simple colors.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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It's Time for a Proper Vacation
Someone recently told me that "vacations" are over and that Americans now take "getaways"—as if vacationing requires a three-week sojourn and we're all too wrapped up in work and worries to bother. Well, if a weeklong trip to California with my husband and daughter taught me anything, it's this: Vacations are genius, pure and simple, no matter how long they last. (And for the love of God, "staycations" don't qualify.)
We started and ended our trip in San Francisco, where I grew up, and decamped to Napa for a couple of days of wine tasting, hiking, decompressing, and introducing our 7-month-old to the sublime pleasure of splashing around in a pool on a sunny day. And when I got back, I felt like a better version of myself—the surest sign of a good trip.
I sometimes feel like an evangelist for travel (a host of Good Morning America wrapped up a segment I appeared on in May by saying, "Nina, you don't have to convince me to get out there!"). I won't get into all the reasons holding us back (not just work but money, time, missing The Real Housewives Reunion Special). The fact is, it's actually easier, cheaper, and more urgent than ever to do yourself a favor and buy a ticket to somewhere fabulous. Europe's totally on sale; there are enchanting discoveries right in your backyard, like on the North Fork of Long Island; and the same economic conditions that can make the prospect of taking a big trip feel daunting are also creating new opportunities to do exactly that. In our second edition of the Budget Travel Challenge, we explore the trend of last-minute bargains on long-haul flights. A writer taking the Challenge scored a ticket to Tokyo for $333. Tokyo! $333!
Those are just a few of the ideas we have for you in this issue of crazy, accessible, totally doable vacations—or whatever you want to call them.


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Hats off to Angelo Grande, who entered Niagara Frontier Publications' recent "Like Us on Facebook" contest and won a $50 gift certificate to Casa Antica, Lewiston's Italian restaurant at 490 Center St.
Grande and his wife, both Grand Island residents, operate Rhino-Tees Custom Apparel and Charging Rhinos Soccer Academy.
Congratulations also go to James Geblein, who took second place in NFP's pumpkin carving/decorating contest. He received a $25 gift certificate to Grandpaws Pet Emporium, Lewiston's one-stop-shop for all pet-related needs.
NFP is currently holding a holiday cookie contest. Find complete details online at www.wnypapers.com.


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I'm totally loving the video, good luck!
very well done video, the first place looks especially fascinating.ReplyDelete
Such an inspirational city! Loving your German accent. Great video!ReplyDelete
I hope you'll win!
You are great,
I love your work and also Switzerland-my dream land!
You guys should have chosen a sunnier day for filming!ReplyDelete
I know but the team had a tight schedule and was only in town for that day, so...Delete
hey, i think i've seen you the other week near the globus at the bahnhofstrasse in zurich, is that possible? haha so funny, know you from the bloggers wardrobe site, I'm also taking part at their project...ReplyDelete
yes, it's very possible!Delete
I loved the video. I wish I could meet you and Lisa in live. Or, at least, be friend with you.
I like your work. Congratulations!
Best regards,
e-mail: email@example.com
Great job! You should do more videos! PS: Where can people get your prints?ReplyDelete
Haha, I don't feel very comfortable watching myself on video, so I don't think this will become a regular thing...but who knows!
The print shown in the video is available at Townhouse (I think there are 10 or so prints left from the original 50): Townhouse website
Pascal, I liked the way you held the cup. So neat, so clean your gestureReplyDelete
Voted.. I love your video, I found your blog yesterday and it's one of my favourites ever! Congratulations and good luck!ReplyDelete
This is great!
really enjoyed seeing Zurich, its an ideal atmosphere for me
Neumarkt17 is quite interesting, definitely on my checkout list
if I get to see Zurich. Thanks for sharing.
voted and crossing my fingers for you
goodluck Pascal!
lovely pascal, lovely zurich!
anyone can tell me what song is used in the video?
Pascal, I just found your blog last week, awesome spot! goodluck with the VICE opportunity!!!
also what song is in the above video? Its great!
-Marcus in New York, by way of Detroit.
Great to see what you do here everyday.ReplyDelete
Uau. I really like this video and your blog. =)
Pascal what store was that in Zurich that you were shopping at?! I loved the video :) I'll vote for you.ReplyDelete
what's the soundtrack for the video? love it btw :)ReplyDelete
Manesseplatz isch ned Niederdooorf...:PPReplyDelete