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People often ask whether an estate will 'go to Probate', although many are unclear exactly what this means. A Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no Will) authorises the Executor to administer the estate by collecting in...
If a neighbour has been granted planning permission for a development to which you object, you would be forgiven for thinking that there is nothing more you can do about it. As one case showed, however, with the benefit of expert legal advice that is by no means always so.
The case concerned a residential close, built in the 1980s, consisting of four homes. They were positioned closely together with a green space between them and an access road. A couple who owned one of the homes obtained planning permission to reposition their driveway and attach a new double garage to their property, which would encroach into the green space.
Standing in their way, however, were a number of restrictive covenants contained in the property's title deeds. Crucially, one of them required that the green space be maintained solely as ornamental gardens, crossed by private driveways leading to each of the homes, and that no trailer, mobile home, caravan or boat should be kept or parked thereon.
The couple applied to the Upper Tribunal (UT) under the Law of Property Act 1925 to modify the covenant so as to enable the development to proceed. However, they encountered stiff opposition from two sets of neighbours who wished to retain the ornamental garden at the centre of the close. They argued, amongst other things, that the development would have a profound visual impact and change the close's whole character and ambience.
Rejecting the owners' application, the UT noted that the covenant served the mutual benefit of all homeowners in the close. It conferred on them collective control over the way in which the green space was used in order to preserve its visual amenity. The proposed new garage would, for the first time, alter the visual integrity of the close as it was originally designed.
The covenant provided certainty to the close's residents and to prospective buyers of their homes, the value of which would be affected by the development. Authorising its modification could be the thin end of the wedge, enabling further encroachments into the green space. It brought practical benefits of substantial advantage to homeowners in the close and its modification would be injurious to the couple's neighbours, who were entitled to those benefits.


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History has been shaped by powerful feuds: Cain vs. Abel, Nancy vs. Tonya, Donald Trump vs. exercise. And now, the truth behind one of the fiercest rivalries of all time has finally been revealed: 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys basically hated each other in the late '90s because two of them once dated the same girl.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of 'N Sync's debut album (entitled *NSYNC), former member Chris Kirkpatrick (the one with the hair) told Billboard what inspired the very-similar all-male pop bands's epic feud. "I wanted to punch A.J. [McLean's] lights out for a little while," Kirkpatrick recalled, causing every single person in the world to immediately envision the two pop groups in dancing fisticuffs like in West Side Story.
He continued, "I was dating a girl, I broke up with her and he started dating her. And I guess he was talking smack to her about me, so I confronted him on it and wanted to kick his ass." Talking smack, can you even believe it???
But somehow (divine intervention maybe), the two groups were able to set their differences aside. Kirkpatrick told Billboard:
"I don't know how it got resolved — I saw him out one night and said I wanted to kill him, but I said, 'Let's get a beer.' I think boy band fights are in the same realm as hockey fights. You fight when you're on TV, but then when you're not, you get a beer together. Now we're really good friends."
However, according to other 'N Sync member Joey Fatone, the feud wasn't always the ass-kicking drama Kirkpatrick described. Instead, it was more "friendly" than not (sure). "To us, there wasn't a competition. We just thought we needed to be the best," Fatone said. "To them, there was, because they came out and we came out, and they're like, 'Man, we have to be better than them!'"
Now you know.

subset: commoncrawl


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Author: Barbara Delinsky
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Page Count: 416 pages
Format: E-Arc
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Genre: Woman's Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance
Release Date: 6/2/2015
Some women are born with an instinct for knowing how things work-and what to do when they break.
Caroline MacAfee is a skilled carpenter, her daughter Jamie, a talented architect. Together they are the faces of Gut It!, a home renovation series on local public television. Caroline takes pride in her work, and in the way she connects with the show's audience. But when she is told the network wants her daughter to replace her as host-the day after Caroline's fifty-sixth birthday-she is devastated. The fallout couldn't come at a worse time.
For Jamie, life changes overnight when, soon after learning of the host shift, her father and his new wife die in a car accident that orphans their two-year-old son. Accustomed to organization and planning, she is now grappling with a toddler who misses his parents, a fiancé who doesn't want the child, a staggering new attraction, and a work challenge that, if botched, could undermine the future of both MacAfee Homes and Gut It!
For Caroline, hosting Gut It! is part of her identity. Facing its loss, she feels betrayed by her daughter and old in the eyes of the world. Her ex-husband's death thrusts her into the role of caregiver to his aging father. And then there's Dean, a long-time friend, whose efforts to seduce her awaken desires that have been dormant for so long that she feels foreign to herself.
Who am I? Both women ask, as the blueprints they've built their lives around suddenly need revising. While loyalties shift, decisions hover, and new relationships tempt, their challenge comes not only in remaking themselves, but in rebuilding their relationship with each other.
* Arc provided by the Publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review *
First Impression: Excellent writing, superb storytelling, with an immediate connection to the characters and their conflicts. This is a story with a lot of heart, a lot of emotion, and it tugs at the soul.
I loved this book! Barbara Delinsky delivers a fantastic, emotionally satisfying read that draws readers in and makes them care, think, and question every decision and action the characters make, because each one of their decisions come with conflict and struggle. I was swept away by Caroline and Jamie's story, by their bond, by their conflicts, and by their journey.
Blueprints grabbed me by the heart and wouldn't let go. It is an amazing, extremely well-written story with extraordinary, real-to-life characters that readers will genuinely like and want to be happy.
If you like books where good people struggle with change and where a close family faces strife while hope lingers on the horizon, read this book. It's a dynamite, emotionally complex novel that makes for the perfect evening, weekend, summer, or beach read. It's a beautiful piece of fiction, of character study, that I highly, highly recommend.
Barbara Delinsky, author of BLUEPRINTS (2015), SWEET SALT AIR (2013), ESCAPE (2011), NOT MY DAUGHTER (2010), WHILE MY SISTER SLEEPS (2009), THE SECRET BETWEEN US (2008), and FAMILY TREE (2007), has written more than twenty-one bestselling novels with over thirty million copies in print. She has been published in twenty languages worldwide. Barbara's fiction centers upon everyday families facing not-so-everyday challenges. She is particularly drawn to exploring themes of motherhood, marriage, sibling rivalry, and friendship in her novels.
A lifelong New Englander, Barbara earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. As a breast cancer survivor who lost her mother to the disease when she was only eight, Barbara compiled the non-fiction book Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors, a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes. She donates her proceeds from the sale of this book to her charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Barbara enjoys knitting, photography, and cats. She also loves to interact with her readers through her: Website | Facebook | Twitter


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BIMCO (the Baltic and International Maritime Council) has linked up with leading maritime multi-media training provider Videotel Marine International to produce and launch a brand new BIMCO eLearning Diploma Programme (BeDP).
In a ground-breaking venture, experienced training provider Videotel has developed a Learning Management System comprising of a highly-focused, web-based, e-learning package to deliver the new diploma programme.
As the largest of the international shipping associations, BIMCO believes the demand for effective training and education within the maritime industry has never been greater and will continue to grow. Videotel's web-based e-learning technology makes it possible to deliver this knowledge in a practical and affordable way to the employees of BIMCO members wherever they are in the world.
Torben Skaanild, BIMCO Secretary General, explains: "The new programme will enable students to build on their knowledge, acquire increased professional competencies and ongoing personal development at their own time and place. . It is a new and exciting educational tool which will deliver the best possible lectures, covering all aspects of the contemporary maritime industry."
Using the new programme, maritime students will be able to access training provided by online specialist experts and tutors carefully selected by BIMCO from the shipping world. The diploma course will be aimed at students and young people entering a trainee or internship programme, staff from shipping companies, agents, brokers, banks and other financial institutions, legal firms, insurance companies or government organisations wishing to learn more about the shipping industry. It will be offered at competitive prices, with discounts being applied to employees of BIMCO member companies.
In addition, the BeDP will also benefit shipping practitioners wishing to refresh and revise their shipping knowledge and, of equal importance, seafarers wanting to broaden their knowledge. It will be backed-up by online forums and workshops, also providing networking opportunities for young shipping professionals.
The web-based training brings together content, curriculum, quizzes and examinations, putting them at the student's fingertips. Online course meetings are held at designated times with tutors providing targeted guidance and instruction. Training onsite via e-learning does away with classroom costs, travel and hotel expenses, making training that much more affordable. Each training module represents approximately three months' training – about 30-40 study hours – followed by a final, written examination leading to the award of a BIMCO Certificate. Four certificates can be combined to achieve the BIMCO Diploma.
The BeDP course work will be rolled out to Videotel client vessels via its unique comprehensive on board computer training system Videotel on Demand (VOD), which also carries over 350+ CBT interactives, videos and courses, in readiness for enrolling to the BDP once the seafarer disembarks his or her vessel.
Nigel D. Cleave, Chief Executive of Videotel, says: "This is truly a marvellous opportunity for us to work with an industry leader in the field of maritime education. Our distance learning concept is ideally suited to delivering the BIMCO Diploma course in a flexible and user-friendly way which allows students to integrate their education with their professional and private lives. We are delighted with the quality and content of the BIMCO training package and look forward to its widespread use throughout the maritime sector."
Mr Skaanild adds: "The BeDP marks a new and exciting development in BIMCO's training and educational mission, offering the most up-to-date technology to Members' employees and facilitating the transfer of knowledge to all corners of the planet without costly and extensive travelling.
Notes to Editors:
About Videotel
• Videotel began making training products in 1973 and has since pioneered web-based e-learning to become a market-leader in on-board and shore-based maritime training.
• Videotel is the largest multi-media producer of high-quality maritime safety training software and materials serving the maritime community today. As well as its award winning programmes on board some 10,000 vessels, Videotel has the largest portfolio of maritime computer based training (CBT) materials in the world.
• With over 100 million training hours accomplished to date, Videotel is assisting in promoting the learning of hundreds of thousands of seafarers across the globe.
• Videotel's extensive international training catalogue includes more than 650 titles in a range of formats and various languages.
• Videotel's Computer Based Training (CBT) and online training solutions make possible a huge variety of training opportunities. The latest Video on Demand (VOD) system offers a comprehensive and affordable solution to both on-board crew training and records management aboard ship. The VOD computer system is able to offer more than 350+ selected CBT interactive training packages, videos, courses and accompanying books at any one time, added to which it will contain the appropriate training packages for the BIMCO Training Diploma.
Notes to Editors:
About BIMCO
"BIMCO is the largest of the international shipping associations, with a membership drawn from a broad representation of stakeholders within the shipping industry, notably from the shipowning community, representing 640 million DWT or about 65% of merchant shipping. With a total membership of approximately 2,600 individual members from 123 countries, composed of shipowners, shipbrokers and agents and other entities with an interest in or associated with the Maritime Industries, BIMCO is widely respected for its practical approach and its opinions and recommendations are regular and important elements in the international governmental organizations' process of creating international standards and guidelines for the shipping industry. BIMCO is accredited as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and holds observers' status with several United Nations agencies involved with shipping industry matters, notably the International Maritime Organization and working closely together with maritime administrators in e.g. the European Community and the United States. In recognition of its position within the international shipping community, the US Coast Guard formed a partnership agreement with BIMCO to jointly address issues of regulatory compliance and maritime governance in an effort to find practical and workable solutions for shipowners plying US trade. BIMCO is committed to promote fair and equitable international shipping policy and regulatory matters and seeks to continue to be the selected and trusted sparring partner and source of practical information by policymakers and other stakeholders."
Bimco And Videotel e-Learning In Training Link-Up


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Contact Infinity
Do you have a Question? Contact Infinity Resources Company.
We are here to help answer any and all of your questions about the process of selling royalties and mineral rights. Whether you already know a lot about the industry or you are completely unfamiliar with it, please feel free to contact us.
Infinity Resources Company
2740 Washington Drive
Norman, OK 73069


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Wall painting is definitely not as difficult as some may think. You can always make changes and have that perfect trendy color you want and all that is really needed is a weekend of free time. Modern interior design does focus a lot on wall color, as you can see from modern homes like Darling Homes. If you do not have a problem with a moderate DIY project, here is what you have to do when you want to paint the walls in your home.
You want to remove furniture and be sure you have enough working space where you will do the painting. Sugar soap can be used to clean walls and preventing dust is easy with drop sheets. You can skip the cleaning phase but it is normally a good idea that will offer a much better overall result when you finish painting. Ideally, you want to have a clean area where you work, walls that are clean and protection for the floor.
Painting The Walls
The paint brush should be dipped in the paint up to around 50% of bristle length. Remove all the excess paint by just tapping your brush to the paint pot side. You want to start painting just some centimeters away from corners or edges. As the brush is moved you establish paint edge lines. Drag your brush into edges to make sure lines follow edges.
In the event you will cut-in, be sure that you do not go too far ahead. Wet edges have to be established for rollers to blend with ease in brushed paint. As the cut-in paint will dry, 2 paint coats appear. This is known as picture framing and there will be visible differences between cut-in sections and rolled sections.
When you want to roll out your walls, you need to load rollers and push towards the tray. Then you lift and make sure that an even spin appears. If the roller is not balanced, paint is not evenly applied. You want to keep on rolling over tray with a complete rotation so that paint is evenly spread. Start from where you started to cut in. For a great outcome you want to roll into your brushed surface as much as you can. Try to pain in W motions so that your paint is evenly distributed.
Finishing Up
After a wall section is covered, you want to get the great finish that makes the wall stand out. According to many, this is the one step that should be seen as being the most important. You need to do it as you painted a section that covers 3 to 4 meters so that the finish would be consistent and smooth while concealing the potential streaky brushstrokes.
After you are done painting, you want to always clean the tools you used. There are different great solutions available on the market. When you do not do so, especially if you need to use the painting tools another time, you will be faced with huge problems.


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Friday 18 January 2013
Day 18......Shadow
A reflective shadow is cast in the wet as this lady runs across the Louvre Palace Courtyard to escape the rain. I took this photo in February 1993. It was my second trip to Paris. I've been desperately trying to find the negative for this photo......it's somewhere here at home. It's one of those photos that I'd love to enlarge for a print. The one thing I do remember about this lady, she had a navy blue umbrella with white dots. Fingers crossed I find that colour negative.
2 comments:
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, They are all read and very much appreciated. Except for spam, they're reported to blogger and google+ Vicki x
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B to B Marketers Not Happy With Their Ad Agencies
Something's amiss with the business to business client/agency relationship claims a news study from GfK Custom Research. Among 209 C-level executive in B to B companies, only 11 percent plan to retain their current marketing firm without a review. Further 47 percent have planned a review and 42 percent will do so in the next six months. The key reasons for this, according to 42 percent of survey respondents, is that their agency "failed to demonstrate an understanding of their business."
One explanation for this dramatically negative view among C-level execs of their company's agency is the trend towards top management becoming less and less involved with the ad agency and delegating the management of the relationship to lower ranks. This has resulted in a disconnect between management and agency leading to "disenchantment" according to HSR Agency CEO Rick Segal.
Segal also says agencies don't do enough work to get inside their client's businesses and their client's customers. It's very easy to create an ad for a valve manufacturer and place it in Contractor Magazine. It's entirely another thing to craft a marketing communications plan that contains a closed-loop program which maintains contact and measures the involvement of the potential customer from first brand contact to final sale.


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https://www.hmmrmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/gaincast_117.png 472 900 Martin Bingisser http://www.hmmrmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/HMMR-Full-Logo400.png Martin Bingisser2018-05-17 03:53:082018-07-16 15:43:02GAINcast Episode 117: Moving, fast and slow
GAINcast Episode 117: Moving, fast and slow
Movement is the foundational feature of sport. If you can't move, you can't play. Heck, it's the foundational feature of life. Looking back at history, if you couldn't move, you wouldn't eat. On this episode of the GAINcast we talk about the basic principles of good movement, building better foundational movements, and helping athletes connect them through training progressions.
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How hotels and travel agencies can prepare for a post-pandemic future
At the time, the impact of 9/11 and the Icelandic ash cloud on global travel…
At the time, the impact of 9/11 and the Icelandic ash cloud on global travel was considered "unprecedented."
The first saw a ban on all civil air traffic from entering U.S. air space for three days. The second resulted in 95,000 flights being cancelled over five days. But that was BC (before COVID-19).
Now we know what real economic damage looks like for travel, everything else pales in comparison.
COVID-19 has ripped through the travel industry like a tsunami, grounding airlines, emptying hotels, halting rail and putting a stop to almost all business and leisure travel for several months.
The World Travel and Tourism Council predicts 100.8 million industry jobs and could be lost in 2020, as well as a GDP loss of of $2.7 trillion. International visitor spending in the U.K. alone is estimated to plunge by 78{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5}, with a loss of £22 billion.
Booking Holdings, which owns Booking.com and Kayak among others, reported a 51{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} drop in bookings in Q1 and 91{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} in Q2 year-over-year, while Expedia Group, saw revenues sink 82{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} in Q2, and recent McKinsey research suggests that the U.S. hotel industry's recovery to pre-COVID-19 levels could take until 2023 – or later.
At the peak of the pandemic, travel tech specialist HotelRunner saw occupancies in Covid-affected countries drop to less than 5{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5}.
Doom-mongering aside, business is – albeit cautiously – picking up as governments ease lockdown measures and reopen borders. However, the threat of local lockdowns, ever-changing air bridge agreements and enforced quarantining presents uncertainty for hoteliers, preventing them from – among other things – forecasting 2021 performance or planning for new investments.
In order to be fit for a future post-COVID, hotels must continue to manage cancellations effectively, encourage and facilitate rebookings, cut costs and increase their discoverability, availability and "bookability" in real time.
The great hotel supply and demand mismatch
Beyond COVID, another huge issue affecting the future success and profitability of the hotel is the mismatch between supply and demand.
Of the 15 million items of accommodation worldwide, 14 million (93{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5}) are not available to book online in real time, which means hoteliers, online travel agents (OTA) and guests are all missing out.
How hotels are missing out
Without an online presence, those 14 million accommodations have limited visibility and discoverability, particularly beyond their local market. For millions, their rates and availability are managed manually and not in real time and they are not benefiting from instant, last minute and long-term bookings.
Last year, Euromonitor International predicted 44{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} of travel bookings would be digital in 2020 and 80{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} of 2019 hotel bookings by travellers under 30 were made online. Hotels must start leveraging technology to grow.
The challenge they face is a very fragmented tech market – solutions are complex, expensive, not scalable and not connected – which is why transitioning to managing and accepting real time online payments worldwide remains a huge problem.
How OTAs are missing out
The hotel supply/demand mismatch causes equally frustrating challenges for OTAs. A lack of inventory, compared to global availability, reduces choice for travellers and means OTAs are competing for customers with the same, relatively small, product offering.
Plus, 70{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} of the inventory on the world's biggest OTAs – Booking.com, Expedia, etc. – is still not connected in real time, despite statistics proving that connected properties drive the best revenues.
On average, 70{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} of an OTA's revenue comes from its connected properties, which account for just 30{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} of its inventory, and revenue from those connected properties can be 500{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} more than from unconnected ones.
So why don't OTAs simply add more inventory to their offering? The economics of visiting long-tail properties for acquisition, especially in emerging markets, just doesn't stack up. And, even when they do contract small properties, it can be difficult to engage and manage them without the right automation and tech stack.
How guests are missing out
Customers are losing out through lack of choice, convenience and information – aka online booking anxiety. Travellers don't always want to stay with big chains or corporate hotels, they may prefer places that reflect the local area, and these properties are difficult to find and book online.
There are often price and information discrepancies between the OTAs and the hotels that are online, which can lead to confusion and mistrust among guests.
Plus, paying online isn't always possible as many hotels are unable to accept real time online payments through their own websites.
Is there a dating app for OTAs and hotels?
So, what's the answer? Simply, OTAs need to be able to find hotels and hotels need to be able to find OTAs because sustainable and scalable supply acquisition, distribution and engagement drives incremental revenue growth for both.
Of course, it's not that simple, because the booking chain is very crowded and there are many intermediaries slashing away at profit margins from both sides.
Listed by Wired magazine as one of Europe's 100 Hottest Startups two years in a row, travel tech startup HotelRunner is a VC-backed, global sales management and distribution platform for OTAs, hotels and payment providers to "find, contract, connect, and transact with each other."
Operating a freemium business model, it's the first peer to peer networked marketplace for the sector with over 40,000 accommodation providers registered on the platform in 193 countries: a bit like a dating app for hotels and OTAs.
Alongside connectivity services, HotelRunner provides all types of accommodations with a hotel website, built-in themes, integrated booking engine, property management, call centre, rate intelligence, mobile app, guest relationship and online payment management tools, as well as property management systems integrations.
HotelRunner is also a Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner, Booking.com Top Connectivity Performer for 2018, Airbnb Software Partner, Agoda Innovative Supplier, Oracle Gold, Hotelbeds Strategic Partner and Google Hotel Ads Partner.
What's in it for hotels?
With the ability to plug hotels into OTAs and creating their online presence – including website and booking engine – within seven minutes using its self-service platform, HotelRunner has been helping 40,000 independent hotels and chains to survive COVID-19 and combat the supply and demand mismatch by increasing their visibility.
Hotels of any size are invited to join the platform for free, paying just 1{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} commission on bookings and this affordability has proven critical, says co-founder and managing partner Arden Agopyan, as hotels look to cut costs but still reach customers in the face of the pandemic.
"We've never been busier we help the global hotel economy fight back," he says. "Hotels urgently need to manage overheads and, as most of our software is free – website, booking engine, and part of the channel manager – we've become a go-to provider for them. We've been onboarding hundreds of new hotels from all over the world, from Mexico to Indonesia, and even more infected areas like Italy and Spain."
With hotels and travel agencies currently dealing with an influx of cancellations, HotelRunner is also helping to simplify this process by allowing hotels to manage cancellations and take advantage of the uptick for long-term bookings and the rising interest in domestic holidays.
A huge plus for hoteliers is the ability to use HotelRunner to connect to multiple channels/booking extranets through one central solution, allowing them to manage their inventory, availability, reservations and payments in real time, often leading to improved customer experience, trust, reviews and sales.
Hoteliers also have access to a mobile app to manage the business on-the-go as managers of small properties are frequently multi-taskers.
What's in it for OTAs?
For OTAs, HotelRunner offers an affordable, scalable solution to adding real time, global inventory to their online offering, HotelRunner Connect, which has proven popular among leading global OTAs including Booking.com, Agoda, Hotelbeds and Ostrovok for several years.
"We've been a trusted advisor to OTAs for many years, including sitting on the Booking.com Connectivity Advisory Board for Hotels since 2018," says Agopyan. "In that time, we've shared our insights, innovations and tactics to overcome industry challenges and this has shaped many innovations to better support our own customers."
Viewing itself as a platform and network rather than a software provider, HotelRunner provides OTAs with a direct connection to reach out to an eco-system of hotels that would not be economical for them to find themselves.
In the past, the team has even connected OTAs to hotels in their home cities and countries. It has also recently acquired a company in Turkey (RateFor), which is part of its strategy to offer a complete tech stack for hotels, including property management and rate intelligence and comparison.
Keen to stress that HotelRunner is not just for leisure travel, Arden points out that the 50+ strong team is also working with corporate travel agencies and B2C players and can manage both B2C and B2C rates for suppliers. The startup is also in discussion with offline travel agencies.
"The number of offline travel agents has dropped rapidly over the years as online bookings have soared, and Covid has accelerated that decline," says Agopyan. "I predict that many of them will die – and soon – unless they act now and digitise. We are already piloting technology that will help and intend to launch our offline travel agency support this year."
What does HotelRunner offer guests?
Further down the eco chain, HotelRunner offers choice, convenience and reassurance to travellers.
"When guests see "Powered by HotelRunner" on a hotel's booking engine or website, it's reassuring and instils trust: it means the hotel is managing its rates and availability and that it processes payments securely," explains co-founder and managing partner Ali Beklen.
"There is also the added convenience of access to long term availability, reassurance there are no rate or information discrepancies with the OTAs, and minimised double-booking and over-booking risks. HotelRunner hotel websites and booking engines have also been designed to display the Covid-19 related precautions and measures hotels are taking, which is so critical right now."
What's the future for hotels?
With the coronavirus pandemic still very prevalent (the first reinfection case was recently reported in China), the outlook for the hotel – and travel – industry is difficult to call. Many believe it will depend on if (or when) we are hit with a second wave as well as the availability of a vaccine, which is unlikely to happen in 2020.
In the short-term, the travel industry has seen many workers laid off or furloughed (537,990 according to Global Travel Barometer), and many seasonal workers who don't qualify for furlough will face uncertainties over future employment.
However, Beklen believes the industry has the ability to recover, with tech playing a key role: "Furloughs and lay-offs are very common in travel as many businesses (even unicorns) tackle cash flow challenges.
"However, we are optimistic that recovery will happen quickly, and we are currently hiring on a global scale," he says.
"Once Covid is under control, a new travel industry will emerge, albeit with reduced business travel and some concern remaining about overseas travel. We will continue to see an increase in digital bookings and hotels will be encouraged to introduce more flexible booking policies. In the near future, we believe people will continue to favour domestic travel and be more hesitant about travelling internationally for the rest of the year.
It will be the hotels that improve their guest communication and experience with Guest Relationship Management (GRM) and Extras Management that will stay one step ahead, claims Beklen.
"Just like many other hotel management software providers, our main opportunities this year include increasing accommodation sales performance with autonomous features, and onboarding and engagement with seamless integration experience, auto-payment processing, PMS, contactless and mobile applications.
"The next step is to increase our total transaction value by connecting with more unconnected properties. And finally, hotel management software providers must increase their content quality through their certified partner ecosystem because, no matter how good you are at what you are doing, you need to be able to present it well.
"We provide scalable zero-touch direct contracting and connectivity for the long-tail which helps the industry to unlock new revenue streams that are desperately needed especially after COVID-19, and in five years from now, we will be working with at least 1 million accommodations, will be known throughout the travel industry as the go-to supply network, and (assuming it's open) will have processed the first booking for the first hotel on Mars."
* Check these two clips featuring HotelRunner from The Phocuswright Conference 2019 in Florida. The company's pitch for the Launch competition and its interview in the PhocusWire Studio.
HotelRunner – Launch – The Phocuswright Conference
HotelRunner interview (PhocusWire @ Phocuswright Conference 2019)


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Monday, July 25, 2016
Snorts Away!
34 comments:
It looks like a lot of fun!ReplyDelete
Oh my goodness, you are having so much FUN! I bet you were giving happy snorts all over the place!ReplyDelete
It looks like everyone had a good time.ReplyDelete
Looks like a pawsome time!ReplyDelete
OMD, what a fun time!ReplyDelete
You Frenchies are so funny.ReplyDelete
Aroo to you,
Oh what FUNS!!!!ReplyDelete
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
It looks like you all had a great time despite the LACK of pugs.ReplyDelete
Love Noodles
Hooray! Looks like fun!ReplyDelete
you meeting up with some buddiesReplyDelete
Wow, does that look like a fun get-together! Did you have a picnic, too!?!?ReplyDelete
Looks like a fun time was had by all.ReplyDelete
Looks like fun!ReplyDelete
Was it a hot day? Everyone looks warm!ReplyDelete
WOW! Another Frenchie day out! What fun!ReplyDelete
Do you get snorter snotted kind of liked slimed in Ghostbusters?ReplyDelete
Thanks for being a friend
Sweet William The Scot
Snorters fun must be a great way to spend your time. Nice to see everypup having fun.ReplyDelete
Woos - Ciara and Lightning
It looks like a superfun time to us!ReplyDelete
You two sure have a lot of fun get togethers with other dogs of your kind.ReplyDelete
Oh, there's a water fountain at just your height! And so many friends to visit! It looks like a fun park.ReplyDelete
Hey Lily & Edward!ReplyDelete
Wow, looks like you and your furiends rocked the park! BOL. I can tell you all had romping good fun together. I wonder how much slobber ended up in that fountain.
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, Police Commish
That looks like lots of fun.ReplyDelete
a good time was had by all!!ReplyDelete
What an adorable group of snorters!!!ReplyDelete
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
I would be snorting, too, if I was having that much funReplyDelete
how fun would that be! what a lot of snorting cuties!ReplyDelete
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
Oh boy that sounds like funReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 26, 2016 at 2:53 AM
What a great snort-fest!!!!ReplyDelete
Hugs, Sammy
Looks like you had a great time playing together :) Milo & JetReplyDelete
Well Edward and Lily color us embarrassed. How did we miss this post?ReplyDelete
We thought for sure we came by Monday. I'll be sure to snort on mom next time she comes by
Hugs madi your bfff
cuteness overloadReplyDelete
cute kids good times. stella roseReplyDelete
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text:
Brand new home with modern Australian style
History of the pool
The construction of this new concrete swimming pool was complex. The footing of the house rested on the edge beam of the swimming pool. This required special engineering. Approximately 4 tonnes of steel was used in the construction of this pool.
Client brief
The client required a pool with a sunken bar and bar stools in the pool. The pool is also fully tiled with an integrated spa, all of which its remotely controlled using state of the art technology. The design of the pool met the brief for a flowing outdoor entertainment area, including outdoor kitchen, water features, fireplace and patio areas. The client also requested an outdoor shower along side the pool area.
The construction of a concrete steel reinforced pool met the brief for this client. The fully tiled interior of the swimming pool facilitates easy maintenance and cleaning as well as a superior high gloss finish. The equipment is all high grade Viron equipment as only the best would do. The water feature cascades under the deck and back into the pool. This creates a unique interest and the impression of the water flowing from an unknown source. This pool also has gas heating via a Viron 350. It has aqua quip LED lighting. The flooring is a combination of decking, honed concrete and Ecostone Grey Travertine tiles. The water feature has special LED down lights adding ambiance to the pool area.
The sunk bar is a brilliant resort style addition including bar stools in the pool for seating around the bar serving counter.


text:
Most Contract for Deeds can be used for a variety of reasons, their most common use is as a form of short-term seller financing. Most of the time the full amount of the purchase price is due will be years sooner than when the purchase price would be paid in full according to the amortization schedule.
This results in the final payment being a large balloon payment. Since the amount of the final payment is so large, the buyer may obtain a conventional mortgage loan FHA loan-Va loan-MHFA loan-Rural Loan and more from a bank or lender to make the final payment.
Contract for deeds' are sometimes used by buyers who do not qualify for conventional mortgage loans offered by a traditional lending institution, for reasons of unestablished or poor credit or an insufficient down payment lack of time working at a job-tax liens-child support-creditors.
Contract for deeds are also used when the seller is eager to sell and the buyer is not given enough time to arrange for conventional -FHA-VA-MHFA-Rural financing.
There can be other advantages of using a contract for deed. When a third-party lender, such as a financial institution, provides a loan, this third party has its own interests to protect against the other two parties involved, the seller and buyer.
Establishing the correct title and value of the property to be used as collateral is important to the lender. The lender commonly requires title service including title search and title insurance by an independent title company, appraisal and termite inspection of the property to ensure it has sufficient value, a land survey to ensure there are no encroachments, and use of lawyers to ensure the closing is done correctly.
These third party lender requirements add to closing costs which the lender requires the seller and/or buyer to pay. If the seller is also the lender, these costs are usually not required by the seller and may result in closing cost savings and fewer complications. It may also be the seller's position that if the buyer requires any of these services, he could pay for the costs and make arrangements himself.
For properties where only relatively undeveloped land is involved and if the seller is willing to finance, the price of the empty land may be so low that the conventional closing costs are not worthwhile and can be an impediment to a quick, simple sale. Easy financing and a simple sale transaction may be a good selling point for a seller to offer a buyer.
The contract for deed is a much faster and less costly transaction to execute than a traditional, purchase-money mortgage. In a typical contract for deed, there are no origination fees, formal applications, or high closing and settlement costs.
Speed, simplicity appeal to buyers
Homebuyers may be attracted to a contract for deed purchase for several reasons. This method may be especially appealing to homebuyers who do not qualify for a mortgage, such as people who work cash jobs and are therefore unable to prove their ability to make payments. Since the contract for deed process is significantly shorter than the mortgage-approval process, it may attract buyers who face time constraints or have limited options, such as people who are losing their homes to foreclosure. First-time homebuyers who lack experience in the market or individuals who are wary of traditional financial organizations may also choose a contract for deed because of the relative simplicity of the buying process.
The following advice from the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition stresses that both parties should make an effort to be fully informed.
- First and foremost, the seller must set forth the terms of the contract in a purchase agreement. It is important that both parties fully understand the provisions of the contract, because once the purchase agreement has been signed, the options available to both the seller and buyer are limited.
- The buyer should know whether he or she is responsible for property tax payments and insurance and whether the contract for deed includes a balloon payment. If it does include one, the buyer should be certain that he or she would be eligible for a mortgage to cover the payment when it comes due.
- The buyer should also make sure that the seller is the true owner of the house by checking with the county recorder's office to see who is listed as the registered owner. If the seller still has a mortgage encumbering the property or is responsible for paying the taxes or insurance, the buyer should contact the seller's mortgage company prior to signing the contract to determine whether the seller is current on his or her payments. Some "scam" sellers will retain a buyer's payments and not apply them to the mortgage. If the seller defaults on the mortgage in this scenario and the home is foreclosed, the buyer will lose the house and all the paid installments.
- The buyer should ask the seller for a Truth in Sale of Housing report to determine the condition of the house. This report is required in Minneapolis and St. Paul and some other cities. In cities where it is not required, the seller should find his or her own inspector to assess the condition of the home.
A MN Contract for Deed is a unilateral contract and cannot be assigned to another buyer without the consent of the seller providing the financing. Make sure it states the buyer can sell or assign their interest in the contract for deed prior to recording it.
Can help you buy or a sell any type of property in Minnesota and Wisconsin using a land contract.
There is alot to know when dealing with contract for deed financing Call us today.
Steve Vennemann
Contract for deed specialist in Minnesota and Wisconsin
"CONTRACT US ABOUT PURCHASING ANY HOME IN MINNESOTA ON A CONTRACT FOR DEED GOOD OR BAD CREDIT THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES 20% DOWN OF THE SALE PRICE OF THE HOUSE TO DO. We have a lot of options to accomplish your dreams of owning a home.


text:
D Magazine has once again ranked Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian lawyers among the best lawyers in Dallas. Jeremy Rosenthal, Bo Kalabus, Kyle Therrian, Ryan Kreck, and Vanita Budhrani Parker are featured in D Magazine's 2023 "Best Lawyers" list. According to D Magazine, the publication reviewed nominations from active members of the Texas Bar across all practice areas to compile the annual list. Finalists were then selected by an independent panel of lawyers and D Magazine editorial staff.
Jeremy Rosenthal has proven himself an experienced criminal defense attorney capable of handling intricate cases from misdemeanors to high-profile felonies. He stands beside his clients and draws upon a storied track record of meticulous case preparation and courtroom performance which is second to none.
Bo Kalabus has proven himself an experienced attorney capable of handling intricate cases from misdemeanor to high-profile felonies for a diverse list of clients including professionals such as pilots, teachers, CEOs, and NFL athletes. Bo's litigation skills and attention to detail have forged successful outcomes on a broad variety of criminal cases both at the trial court and appellate court levels.
Kyle Therrian is among an exclusive group of criminal attorneys who practice on both the appellate and trial court level. This dual threat approach is invaluable to his clients with pending criminal matters who are hoping to convince a prosecutor for a favorable outcome or persuade a judge that their rights were violated.
Ryan Kreck is an experienced trial attorney who can handle the most difficult cases including continuous abuse of a child, domestic violence, and Assault cases. His trial skills have resulted in many verdicts of Not Guilty.
Vanita Budhrani Parker has been practicing criminal law for over 25 years. She focuses on defending clients diagnosed with mental illnesses and works with mental health providers and doctors to ensure her clients are getting the treatment they need.
"We are very proud to have these lawyers nominated by their peers in the Dallas legal community," said Jeremy Rosenthal, Senior Partner. "These attorneys are all great legal minds, and this award is a representation of their longstanding commitment to their criminal defense practice."
Media Contact
Company Name
Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian
Contact Name
Jeremy Rosenthal
(972) 369-0577
7300 TX-121 Ste 400
Postal Code
United States
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No People Reportage journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.


text:
Following a villainous altercation gone wrong, Fred Myers, a.k.a. Boomerang, sees an opportunity to get the law off his back for good by declaring himself a newly reformed superhero! But going straight isn't easy when you still owe a debt to the Kingpin of crime himself, Wilson Fisk! Or when you just… don't really want to.
Boomerang has assembled a team consisting of Flint Marko, the Sandman; Robert Farrell, the Rocket Racer; and Boomerang's old Sinister Six-mate Overdrive. Their mission: to steal the digitized brain of Otto Octavius, for what 3/4 of them believe to be the greater good. Unbeknownst to the others, Fred has also made the Kingpin a second, more mysterious promise…
Splash Page:
CAPTION (GENERIC): San Francisco
CAPTION (GENERIC): A heavily-guarded and off-the-books penthouse.
In the middle of the dark room, his back to his desk, sits a massive FIGURE. He looks through a large window, the midday light coming through it casting him in silhouette. A wisp of smoke can be seen rising from the cigar in his hand. In the foreground, a second, SMALLER MAN in a suit, stands at attention.
FIGURE: Easley.
EASLEY: Yes, Mr. Fisk.
Panel 1:
Medium shot. The man in the chair turns around to reveal the face of WILSON FISK, the KINGPIN.
KINGPIN: What news of Parker Industries? Of our proposed… 'acquisition?'
Panel 2:
Reverse shot of EASLEY. He adjusts his glasses.
EASLEY: No one has picked up any chatter, sir. Either Myers has yet to do the job, or he was exceptionally discreet.
Panel 3:
Two-shot. KINGPIN leans back in his chair, smirking.
KINGPIN: Of those two options, I can assure you it was the former.
EASLEY: Shall I offer him some… additional motivation?
Panel 4:
KINGPIN takes a long draw on his cigar…
Panel 5:
And exhales.
Panel 6:
Wide shot of KINGPIN, with EASLEY just visible in the corner.
KINGPIN: That won't be necessary. After all, I did promise him another three days to deliver.
KINGPIN: And I am nothing if not a man of my word.
EASLEY: Of course, sir.
Panel 1:
EASLEY fidgets, something clearly on his mind.
Panel 2:
Same framing.
EASLEY: Mr. Fisk?
EASLEY: I almost hesitate to raise the question, but…
Panel 3:
High angle, almost overhead shot of the room, emphasizing the play of light and shadow.
EASLEY: What if Myers is not a man of his word?
EASLEY: What if he betrays you?
EASLEY: Or fails?
Panel 4:
Medium shot of KINGPIN.
KINGPIN: Boomerang is an imbecile, Easley, but he is hardly incompetent.
KINGPIN: At least… not when given the proper application of pressure.
KINGPIN: I have no doubt he will play the role expected of him.
Panel 5:
Close-up of KINGPIN, sporting a sinister smile.
KINGPIN: And let us not forget:
KINGPIN: If I wanted this job to go perfectly…
Panel 1:
CAPTION (KINGPIN): "I never would have asked Frederick Myers."
Extreme wide shot. A WOMAN in a blue skirt suit approaches the front doors of the Baxter Building, identified as such by a large circled '4' on its face.
CAPTION (GENERIC): New York City
CAPTION (GENERIC): The Baxter Building
Panel 2:
Inside the building, the WOMAN passes through a metal detector. Her briefcase, purse, phone, etc. are searched by a SECURITY GUARD at the same time.
Panel 3:
The WOMAN leaves the front desk, waving a friendly goodbye to the receptionist there and holding up a key card.
Panel 4:
The WOMAN scans the key card at the elevator panel.
SOUND EFFECT: *Ding!*
Panel 5:
The doors close on the WOMAN, now inside the elevator.
Panel 6:
Extreme close-up of the woman's shoes. A handful of grains of SAND, as if by their own volition, spill over the edge of her right heel.
Panel 7:
These grains of sand somehow roll their way up the interior wall of the elevator…
Panel 8:
…Where they slip through the crack of the access hatch on its ceiling.
Panel 1:
Within the shaft, the grains of sand emerge from the access hatch and reunite with a larger mass of sand piled atop the elevator. This pile, while still loose sand at the base, coheres into the upper body of SANDMAN.
Sandman, like most of the characters in this issue, will be communicating with his teammates via an earpiece. When off-panel, the different speakers are denoted by small icons before the text:
For Boomerang, a boomerang.
For Sandman, a sand castle.
For Rocket Racer, a skateboard.
For Overdrive, his black motorcycle helmet.
SANDMAN: Boomerang, this is getting exhausting.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): I'm sorry. I really thought this place would have more foot traffic.
SANDMAN: Why? The building has FOUR permanent residents.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Hey, you signed off on this plan.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): And now is not the time to point fingers.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Certainly not at me.
Panel 2:
In an alley a few doors down from the Baxter Building, ROCKET RACER stands beside several large bags of sand. He throws a handful of this sand onto the feet — and into the shoes — of a passerby, as discreetly as possible.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Rocket Racer, how much sand have we got left?
ROCKET RACER: A lot.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): How much is a lot? Two pounds? Thirty pounds?
ROCKET RACER: It's just a lot, okay?
ROCKET RACER: I still don't understand why you can't be here yourself.
Panel 3:
Panucci's Pizza. BOOMERANG (in casual clothes) and OVERDRIVE (sans helmet, i.e. in a leather jacket) are seated at a table, munching on slices. In front of Boomerang is a jar of Vegemite. Boomerang holds his slice out to Overdrive, offering a bite, but Overdrive waves it away.
ROCKET RACER (VOICE): I already told you I've got the signal from your ankle bracelet pinging off your apartment.
BOOMERANG: And I already told you I'm not going to the Raft if you're wrong.
ROCKET RACER (VOICE): Oh, for Pete's sake.
BOOMERANG: It's not that I doubt your skills, it's just…
BOOMERANG: No, I guess that is mostly it, actually.
Panel 4:
Back in the alley. ROCKET RACER peeks around the corner to watch a group of figures, several of whom are in lab coats, leaving the Baxter Building.
Within this group, a MAN in a security uniform and a WOMAN with dwarfism talk to one another 'quietly' in the background.
ROCKET RACER: Not that. The Parker Industries crew just left the building.
HOBIE BROWN: Did you catch the new Murderworld last night?
ANNA MARIA MARCONI: Is that even still airing?
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Please tell me it's because of a fire drill.
ROCKET RACER: Yeah, no, I'm thinkin' it's lunchtime.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): At 11:05!?
Panel 5:
Back in Panucci's, OVERDRIVE turns to the unamused BOOMERANG with a shrug. His half-eaten slice flops in his hand.
OVERDRIVE: Maybe they wanted to beat the rush.
OVERDRIVE: Just saying. We didn't have to wait.
Panel 1:
Atop the elevator, SANDMAN listens to this chatter anxiously.
ROCKET RACER (VOICE): Guys, let's be honest. At the rate this is going, another hour wouldn't have made a difference anyway.
ROCKET RACER (VOICE): I say we go now.
SANDMAN: Now!? Bob, I'm a torso.
SANDMAN: We should focus on getting the rest of me inside. I'll camp out in here and we can try again tomorrow. Tonight, even.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Mmm. Sorry, hombre, but I've gotta side with Speedy Gonzales on this one.
Panel 2:
In the alley, ROCKET RACER squats down and pulls Mirage's cowl from a pack on the ground. He wrinkles his brow, half taking offense, half simply confused.
ROCKET RACER: You know I'm black, right?
BOOMERANG (VOICE): I don't like it any more than you do, Flint, but that knockoff Mirage mask we slipped Mach-VII isn't gonna fool him forever. We're on a ticking clock here.
Panel 3:
Back in Panucci's, OVERDRIVE remains remarkably calm.
OVERDRIVE: Speaking of which, whatever we're doing, I'm starting the timer. 25 minutes.
ROCKET RACER (VOICE): Maybe Sandman should make the call. After all, it's his ass.
Panel 4:
In the alley, ROCKET RACER glances down at the bags of sand.
ROCKET RACER: Like, literally. I am literally looking at the sand that makes up his ass.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Fine. So what say you, Flint? Am I queuing up "Enter Sandman" or what?
Panel 5:
In the elevator shaft, SANDMAN rolls his eyes.
CAPTION: Listen. I could have asked if he was ready to 'Ock and roll.' But I fought that urge.
CAPTION: I did that for you.
Panel 6:
SANDMAN steels himself.
SANDMAN: I'll make it work.
SANDMAN: Everyone to positions.
ROCKET RACER (VOICE): My man!
Panel 7:
In the alley, ROCKET RACER hastily shovels sand into his pockets.
ROCKET RACER: I'm gonna grab some extra sand for when we rendezvous.
SANDMAN (VOICE): Bob, you said it yourself. A couple of handfuls —
ROCKET RACER: Is better than nothing? I agree.
ROCKET RACER: And you're welcome.
Panel 1:
His pockets full, ROCKET RACER starts to pull on the Mirage cowl.
ROCKET RACER: Oh God, this mask has bloodstains on the inside.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Or does it?
SANDMAN (VOICE): Fred.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Sorry.
SANDMAN (VOICE): All that matters is that the hologram projectors are working.
ROCKET RACER: Which — *shudder* — they are.
ROCKET RACER: Okay. I'm good.
Panel 2:
ROCKET RACER plants a foot on his skateboard and gets low to the ground, almost as if he were in a runner's starting pose. He grins beneath the cowl.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Remember, Racer, you've got to hug the wall like you're Black Widow's jumpsuit, or else their anti-aerial sensors are gonna pick you up.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): You've got 40 inches of clearance.
ROCKET RACER: Yeah, yeah. Gimme a challenge, why don't you?
Panel 3:
Extreme close-up. The engines on the back of Rocket Racer's rocket-powered skateboard ignite.
SOUND EFFECT: *Whirrrrrr…*
Panel 4:
The smoke trail from the engines indicates the path of the board (and by extension, Rocket Racer): down the alley and STRAIGHT UP THE OUTER WALL of the Baxter Building.
CAPTION: Now, look.
Panel 5:
ROCKET RACER skates up the side of the Baxter Building, crouched almost all the way down on his board despite the speed and gravity working against him.
He touches a button on the side of the cowl.
CAPTION: I know sometimes I come across as… hard to please.
Panel 6:
In a flash of pixels, ROCKET RACER is gone, instead replaced by an image of SPIDER-MAN, quickly scaling the face of the building with his wall-crawling powers.
SOUND EFFECT: *Bl-lip!*
CAPTION: But I'll come out and say it.
Panel 7:
Several blocks away, a CHILD holding his MOTHER'S hand points excitedly at the sight of "SPIDER-MAN" off in the distance.
CAPTION: This is a cool-ass job.
Panel 1:
Inside the Baxter Building's top floor. ROCKET RACER (still looking like SPIDER-MAN) stands in the doorway that leads out to the roof. In his hand is the device he used to hack the door locks, wires hanging down from it.
ROCKET RACER: I'm in.
Panel 2:
ROCKET RACER stands with his back to the wall, peeking through another doorway. Inside the room he spies an elaborate control panel. He presses another button on the Mirage cowl (though it looks as though he is simply touching his ear).
While his lower half still looks like SPIDER-MAN, from the waist up he is now a dead ringer for MR. FANTASTIC. Some pixellation around his belly button delineates the change.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): And you're sure you can interface with this system?
ROCKET RACER: For the last time, yes.
SOUND EFFECT: *Bl-lip!*
ROCKET RACER: See, here's the thing no one ever puts together about the Fantastic Four.
Panel 3:
ROCKET RACER (as MR. FANTASTIC) sits down at the control panel and starts typing away. The screen above the panel displays a digital readout of the elevator system, one elevator in particular highlighted in red.
ROCKET RACER: Reed Richards may be the smartest man in the universe…
ROCKET RACER: But Johnny Storm's gotta use all this crap too.
Panel 4:
In the elevator shaft, SANDMAN'S elevator begins to move.
SOUND EFFECT: *Whirrrrrrr…*
ROCKET RACER (VOICE): All you, Sandman.
Panel 5:
A shot of the elevator doors inside the Parker Industries lab. The light above the elevator is illuminated.
SOUND EFFECT: *Ding!*
Panel 6:
The doors open… but no one is inside.
Panel 7:
Actually, scratch that. After 'panning down' (this panel is simply the bottom half of the image in Panel 6), we see that SANDMAN is in fact in the elevator.
Standing at perhaps two-and-a-half feet tall.
SANDMAN: This is humiliating.
Panel 1:
Carefully, SANDMAN makes his way into the lab, craning his neck to try and get the lay of the land.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): I am so mad I'm not there to see this.
SANDMAN: You should be grateful. Even at this size, I could still kick your ass.
SANDMAN: Now what is it I'm looking for?
Panel 2:
A countertop with some papers and instruments scattered about it. SANDMAN tries to get a look at what's here, but despite his best efforts, he can only just poke his nose over the edge.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Ock's brain should be in a wrist-mounted web shooter. But be on the lookout for anything suspicious.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Or valuable.
SANDMAN: Good guys, Fred.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Right. Sorry. Force of habit.
Panel 3:
SANDMAN continues his search, not yet noticing the shadow coming up behind him.
SANDMAN: I worry that finding something out of place here may be easier said than done.
SOUND EFFECT: *whirrrr*
Panel 4:
Close-up. The noise catches SANDMAN'S attention, and he turns to see who — or what — is behind him.
SANDMAN: On the other hand…
Panel 5:
ROCKET RACER (as MR. FANTASTIC) continues typing away at the control panel.
ROCKET RACER: I'm almost done up here, Flint. Then I'm coming to you.
Panel 6:
Close-up of ROCKET RACER (as MR. FANTASTIC), his head whipping around in fear at the sound of a voice.
VOICE (OFF-PANEL): Hello?
Panel 7:
A sliver of light falls across ROCKET RACER (as MR. FANTASTIC)'S face as the door to the room is opened.
VOICE (OFF-PANEL): Someone in here?
Panel 8:
ROCKET RACER (as MR. FANTASTIC) stands to face his unwanted company.
VOICE (OFF-PANEL): Oh, it's just you, Reed.
Two-page spread, both splash pages.
Splash Page 1:
His stature reduced, the otherwise imposing SANDMAN finds himself dwarfed by a now-looming figure. It sports a familiar face — or rather, some familiar indicator lights.
It's THE LIVING BRAIN.
LIVING BRAIN: Whirr–click-ick– Greetings, William "Flint Marko" Baker.
Splash Page 2:
Upstairs, Rocket Racer is met with a visitor of his own. Filling the page top to bottom in close-up, we find none other than…
THE THING: What's goin' on?
CAPTION: These guys, right?
Panel 1:
Medium shot. ROCKET RACER (as MR. FANTASTIC) 1 stares wide-eyed at the Thing.
Panel 2:
Same composition. Without turning his head, ROCKET RACER quickly shuts off the monitor behind him with the press of a button.
SOUND EFFECT: *chk*
Panel 3:
Same composition. ROCKET RACER assumes a big cheesy grin, puffs out his chest, and puts his hands on his hips.
ROCKET RACER: Well, hello, Ben!
ROCKET RACER: It's me, Reed!
Panel 4:
Down in the getaway vehicle (the outside of which is not visible), BOOMERANG cradles his head in his hands. Next to him in the driver's seat, OVERDRIVE covers his mouth in what appears to be fascination.
BOOMERANG: Oh my God.
Panel 5:
Back inside, ROCKET RACER continues gesturing broadly.
ROCKET RACER: Anything I can do for you, my craggy friend?
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Who do you think you're imitating? Stop it!
Panel 6:
Two-shot of the THING and ROCKET RACER. The Thing is clearly caught off-guard, but Rocket Racer is clearly floundering in his own way.
THING: Not really. I just didn't expect you back so soon, is all.
ROCKET RACER: Oh. Well, you know how these things go!
ROCKET RACER: The… ah… the… my thing…
ROCKET RACER: Not you, my other thing…
THING: The Future Foundation?
ROCKET RACER: Yes! Them! They've got things handled, so I thought I'd… duck out early.
Panel 7:
Medium shot of the THING.
THING: Well, hey, can't really say I mind, seein' as it's been just me all week.
THING: Alicia's away, Johnny's off on his road trip, and…
THING: You know, I actually have no idea where Sue is. But I haven't seen her.
Panel 8:
Medium shot. ROCKET RACER gives the Thing another cheesy grin, and actually goes so far as to point a finger gun at him.
ROCKET RACER: Sounds like par for the course for Sue, though, eh?
Panel 9:
Reverse shot of the THING, stone-faced.
Panel 1:
Back down in the getaway vehicle, BOOMERANG fiddles with the radio transmitter. His other hand is held over his ear.
BOOMERANG: Christ. Do me a favor and talk him through this, will you?
OVERDRIVE: Me!?
BOOMERANG: Yes, you. I need to talk to Flint.
BOOMERANG: Sandman, you read me?
Panel 2:
Close-up of SANDMAN, up in the Parker Industries lab.
SANDMAN: Loud and clear.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): What's the Living Brain doing?
Panel 3:
Low-angle shot of the LIVING BRAIN, towering motionless above Sandman.
SANDMAN (OFF-PANEL): Nothing.
SANDMAN (OFF-PANEL): It's just… standing there.
SANDMAN (OFF-PANEL): Kinda creeping me out, honestly.
Panel 4:
Close-up of BOOMERANG, fidgeting in his seat.
BOOMERANG: So Brainy is… mostly harmless. He's programmed to follow commands.
BOOMERANG: Come to think of it, if you ask nicely, he may do this job for you.
Panel 5:
Close-up of SANDMAN.
SANDMAN: Very funny.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Seriously! Who knows, maybe they talked to one another, brain to brain.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): But if you'd prefer, I guess you could always fight him.
Panel 6:
The itsy-bitsy SANDMAN looks up once again at the LIVING BRAIN: super-strong, super-fast, and nearly twice his height.
Panel 7:
Close-up of SANDMAN, calling up to the robot.
SANDMAN: So.
SANDMAN: Living Brain.
SANDMAN: Can I ask a favor?
Panel 1:
ROCKET RACER stretches his hologram arms out to either side of the THING'S head. The Thing recoils slightly.
ROCKET RACER: Hey, Ben!
ROCKET RACER: What's this behind your ear?
OVERDRIVE (VOICE): What the hell are you doing up there? He doesn't even have ears. So that's strike one, like, right off the bat.
OVERDRIVE (VOICE): Hello?
Panel 2:
ROCKET RACER pulls one of the arms back to show the THING that he is now holding up a quarter. The Thing is unamused.
ROCKET RACER: Wooooahh!
Panel 3:
ROCKET RACER opens his hand wide to reveal that the quarter has 'vanished.' He puts a little bit of 'Mr. Fantastic' spin on it by also twisting his arms around one another multiple times.
ROCKET RACER: *Gasp!*
ROCKET RACER: It's gone!
OVERDRIVE (VOICE): Bob.
OVERDRIVE (VOICE): Tell me you are not doing close-up magic on the Thing right now.
Panel 4:
The THING looks at ROCKET RACER with genuine concern. Rocket Racer continues waving his hologram arms around.
THING: Seriously, Reed, are you okay?
ROCKET RACER: Not a fan, huh? It's just something I'm trying. Guy like me always needs a hobby, right?
THING: Find another one.
Panel 5:
Close-up of OVERDRIVE, down in the getaway vehicle.
OVERDRIVE: Stop playing defense! Reed Richards does not play defense!
OVERDRIVE: He's a cocky jerk and he's terrible!
OVERDRIVE: Use that! Be the ball!
Panel 6:
Two-shot. ROCKET RACER points to some rolled up papers in the THING'S hand. The Thing instinctively tries to hide them, like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
ROCKET RACER: What's, uh… what's that you're carrying?
THING: This? Oh, it's nothin'.
ROCKET RACER: Sure looks like something to me.
OVERDRIVE (VOICE): There we go!
THING: It's really not… Or I guess… I mean, as long as I was all alone…
Panel 7:
Close-up of the THING, looking embarrassed.
THING: I figured I'd… play around with some upgrades to the Fantasticar.
THING: After I ran 'em by you, of course.
Panel 8:
Medium shot. ROCKET RACER'S face lights up as he puts his hand on the THING'S shoulder and guides him toward the chair.
ROCKET RACER: Buddy! Why didn't you say so? That's great!
THING: It is?
ROCKET RACER: Perhaps I should say… Fantastic!
ROCKET RACER: Come on, let's hear it! Are we talking V12? VTOL? Details, man, details!
Panel 1:
Two-shot of LIVING BRAIN and SANDMAN. As Sandman relays Boomerang's instructions to the sentient machine, the height discrepancy between them no longer seems so dangerous. Sandman puts a hand to his ear.
SANDMAN: And after that, I also need you to look for…
SANDMAN: What the hell did you just say, Fred? I thought we were only here for the brain.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): It's a vial. Should be marked 'TRP-164.'
Panel 2:
Medium shot of BOOMERANG in the getaway car, consulting a small spiral notebook and absentmindedly chewing on a pen.
SANDMAN (VOICE): A vial?
BOOMERANG: Yeah. Yeah, it's got… um… Stem cells in it.
BOOMERANG: Ock's stem cells. For cloning!
CAPTION: That's a thing, right? I'm not exactly the Jackal over here.
BOOMERANG: I just assumed you'd want to tackle this from a scorched-earth perspective. Or am I wrong?
Panel 3:
Two-shot of LIVING BRAIN and SANDMAN.
SANDMAN: Fine. And a specimen marked 'TRP-164.'
LIVING BRAIN: Whirr–klik-ik– Request confirmed.
LIVING BRAIN: Whirr–click-ick– REQUEST ERROR: subject William "Flint Marko" Baker does not possess access to classified materials.
Panel 4:
Medium shot of SANDMAN, looking about as angry as usual.
SANDMAN: What now, smart guy?
LIVING BRAIN (OFF-PANEL): Whirr–klick-ik– This unit can offer no suggestions.
SANDMAN: Not you.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Weird. He didn't pull this last time…
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Oh! Maybe tell him it's for me?
SANDMAN: You've had worse ideas.
SANDMAN: I've been told to tell you that these materials will be going to Frederick Myers.
Panel 5:
Close-up of LIVING BRAIN.
LIVING BRAIN: Whirr–click-ik–
LIVING BRAIN: Affirmative: Subject "Frederick Myers" located on list of trusted users.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): Ha!
CAPTION: And that, True Believers, is why you always, always, always, delete your cookies.
LIVING BRAIN: Please enter user authorization code.
Panel 6:
Medium shot. In the getaway vehicle, a smirking BOOMERANG puts his hand to the side of his mouth as if whispering a secret.
BOOMERANG: Oh, right.
BOOMERANG: That's gonna be, ah… *mumbles*
SANDMAN (VOICE): Jesus, Fred.
BOOMERANG: What? It's funny!
SANDMAN (VOICE): I am going to kill you later.
Panel 7:
Close-up of SANDMAN, grimacing as he relays the info.
SANDMAN: Authorization code…
BOOMERANG (VOICE): *snort*
Panel 8:
Close-up of LIVING BRAIN.
LIVING BRAIN: Whirr–klick-ik– Authorization code…
LIVING BRAIN: Accepted.
Panel 9:
Wide shot. The LIVING BRAIN wheels away into the lab, leaving SANDMAN standing by himself.
LIVING BRAIN: Please wait while this unit retrieves your requested items.
BOOMERANG (VOICE): I mean, it is funny, right?
Panel 1:
ROCKET RACER and the THING, both seen from behind, are now seated together at the control panel, hunched over the set of blueprints.
ROCKET RACER: So when you funnel the exhaust back through here… you get zero emissions and an increase in fuel efficiency! That's genius!
THING: Well, thanks, Reed. But you were the one who gave me the idea.
ROCKET RACER: Oh. Right.
ROCKET RACER: I, uh… *cough*
ROCKET RACER: I sometimes forget just how brilliant I am.
Panel 2:
ROCKET RACER points to something on the blueprint, bumping a pencil with his elbow in the process.
ROCKET RACER: But it occurs to me that if you bypass the fuel tank and channel the filtration system straight back into the engines, you can engineer a horsepower boost on top of everything else.
THING: Maybe even put an extra cylinder in there.
ROCKET RACER: Now you're getting it!
Panel 3:
Wide shot. The pencil rolls off the edge of the control panel and ROCKET RACER instinctively stretches out his hologram arm to catch it.
ROCKET RACER: Oop!
Panel 4:
Extreme close-up. The pencil passes right through the fingers of 'Reed's' fake hand to land on the floor.
SOUND EFFECT: *zzt*
SOUND EFFECT: *clack*
Panel 5:
ROCKET RACER sits up nervously, his back to the THING, who is uncertain of what he just saw. Ben's rocky brow is more furrowed than usual.
ROCKET RACER: Heh.
ROCKET RACER: Missed.
Panel 6:
The THING stands up and stares intently at ROCKET RACER as a voice comes over the intercom at the far end of the panel.
VOICE: *Bzzt* Mr. Grimm? Willie's here with the mail.
Panel 7:
ROCKET RACER begins standing up. He is stopped by the THING.
ROCKET RACER: Right. Well, I'd better —
THING: No, no.
THING: Don't get up.
Panel 8:
Extreme close-up of the THING, still staring Rocket Racer down.
THING: You can just answer that from here.
THING: Right? Reed?
Panel 9:
Reverse shot of ROCKET RACER, smiling nervously and glancing at the intercom button, a good six feet behind him.
ROCKET RACER: Sure. Yeah. Whatever you say, pal.
OVERDRIVE (VOICE): What are you doing? Abort! Get out of there!
Panel 1:
This panel has a huge depth of frame. 'Mr. Fantastic's' hologram arm stretches out from deep in the background where ROCKET RACER sits, aaaaaaall the way into the extreme foreground, where the button is. The following three inserts are layered over the middle part of the panel, which would otherwise just be filled by the arm.
Extreme close-up of the THING'S eyes, squinting.
Extreme close-up of ROCKET RACER'S eyes, nervous but trying not to look it.
Extreme close-up of OVERDRIVE'S eyes, darting back and forth.
On the right side of the panel, beyond the inserts, 'Mr. Fantastic's' finger hovers over the button…
Panel 2:
And presses it.
SOUND EFFECT: *chk*
Panel 3:
Wide shot of ROCKET RACER, his arm stretched across the room to press the button.
ROCKET RACER: Just, ah… just tell him he can leave it at the front desk. Ben will be down in a minute to pick it up.
VOICE: Oh. Mr. Richards! Welcome back. Will do! *Bzzt*
ROCKET RACER: If you don't mind, Ben?
Panel 4:
The THING walks to the door, subtly shaking his head.
THING: You're a weird guy, Reed.
Panel 5:
Same image of ROCKET RACER frozen in place. Off-panel, the Thing shuts the door behind him.
SOUND EFFECT: *click*
Panel 6:
Same framing. The hologram around ROCKET RACER dissipates, showing a second, SAND ARM — stretched ridiculously thin — extending from Bob's own outstretched arm. A sand finger at the end of the sand arm is depressing the button.
SOUND EFFECT: *Bl-lip!*
Panel 7:
Close-up. ROCKET RACER, himself again, nearly collapses with relief. He can't help but laugh.
ROCKET RACER: So remind me, Flint: what was that you said about a few extra handfuls of sand?
Panel 8:
SANDMAN stands in the Parker Industries lab many floors below. His own left arm is missing (due to its being in use upstairs). He too is smiling, his free hand pressed to his forehead.
SANDMAN: That they were better than nothing.
SANDMAN: And you're welcome.
Panel 1:
In the lab, the LIVING BRAIN has snuck up on SANDMAN, who whirls around, startled by the machine's sudden loud declaration.
LIVING BRAIN: Whirr–clik-ick– William "Flint Marko" Baker! This unit has retrieved your requested items!
SANDMAN: Cripes!!
Panel 2:
Upstairs, the SAND FIST at the end of ROCKET RACER'S arm involuntarily lashes out, punching Rocket Racer in the face and knocking him out of his chair. One of the hologram projectors on the Mirage cowl sparks and smokes at the impact.
SOUND EFFECT: *Fzzt!*
Panel 3:
Medium shot. The THING leans back in through the door.
THING: You say somethin', Reed?
Panel 4:
Wide shot. ROCKET RACER, just getting to his feet, stands caught like a deer in the headlights. The now-malfunctioning Mirage cowl has rendered his head invisible (drawn in dotted lines, Kirby-style). The sand fist still coats his left hand. A small bit of fabric on the (invisible) cowl has caught fire and begins to burn away.
Panel 5:
Close-up of the THING, pointing at Bob in shock.
THING: Super-Skrull!
THING: I shoulda known!
Panel 6:
ROCKET RACER raises his hands non-confrontationally.
ROCKET RACER: What? Super-Sk–? No!
ROCKET RACER: Oh, man. Dude, this is not what it looks like.
Panel 7:
Medium shot. The THING pounds one massive stone fist into an open stone palm.
THING: Really? 'Cause it sure looks like somethin' to me.
THING: And I'm thinkin'…
THING: It's clobberin' time.
Panel 8:
Down in the getaway vehicle, OVERDRIVE convulses with excitement, two fists tucked tight under his chin.
Panel 9:
BOOMERANG smacks OVERDRIVE in the back of the head.
OVERDRIVE: Ow…
Panel 1:
Extreme close-up of ROCKET RACER, his head still invisible.
ROCKET RACER: All right, big guy.
ROCKET RACER: You wanna throw down?
Panel 2:
Extreme wide shot. ROCKET RACER fires one of his wrist-mounted rockets into the THING, the explosion sending him flying a short distance. Rocket Racer, meanwhile, sprints out of the room, hitting a key on the console as he passes by to reactivate the elevator controls.
ROCKET RACER: Pass.
Panel 3:
Down in Parker Industries, a two-shot of SANDMAN and LIVING BRAIN.
ROCKET RACER (VOICE): Time's up, Sandman, we're getting outta here!
SANDMAN: On it.
SANDMAN: Brain, where's the stuff?
Panel 4:
Medium shot of LIVING BRAIN.
LIVING BRAIN: Whirr–klik-ick– Response: Items have been stored in this unit's chest cavity for safekeeping.
Panel 5:
Wide shot of SANDMAN and LIVING BRAIN. Behind them, the elevator dings and the doors open.
SANDMAN: Well, give it here!
LIVING BRAIN: Whirr–click-ick– Affirmative. Please input following command sequence…
SOUND EFFECT: *Ding!*
SANDMAN: Mmmph! No time!
Panel 6:
SANDMAN transforms into a small flow of sand underneath the LIVING BRAIN's wheels, carrying him towards the elevator. As he does this, alarms begin to sound.
LIVING BRAIN: Oh no.
Panel 1:
Splash panel. Outside the Baxter Building, BOOMERANG and OVERDRIVE pull up in the getaway vehicle (which, now that we can finally see the exterior, is revealed to be a ridiculously souped-up version of the A-Team van, just as the hand-drawn plans from Superior Friends #3 predicted).
ROCKET RACER rushes toward the van on his skateboard, alongside SANDMAN, who carries LIVING BRAIN in his wake. The remaining sand from the alley flows into Sandman's body as he approaches, finally restoring him to his proper size.
SOUND EFFECT: *Woooop! Woooop! Woooop!*
BOOMERANG: C'mon! C'mon! Let's go!
Panel 2:
Two-shot of BOOMERANG in the passenger's seat and OVERDRIVE at the wheel. They look over their shoulders into the backseat, where SANDMAN fiddles with the controls on the LIVING BRAIN'S chest and ROCKET RACER pulls off the Mirage cowl with a sigh of relief.
SOUND EFFECT: *Vrrooomm!!*
BOOMERANG: Nice going, Super-Skrull.
OVERDRIVE: Did you get it, Flint?
SANDMAN: Oughta be in here.
OVERDRIVE: Oh, hey Brainy! Long time no see.
Panel 3:
Close-up of LIVING BRAIN.
LIVING BRAIN: Whirr–clik-ik– Greetings…
LIVING BRAIN: Overdrive.
CAPTION: For ***** sake. Does this guy even have a real name?
Panel 4:
Medium shot. SANDMAN has gotten the LIVING BRAIN'S chest cavity open and is taking inventory of the loot inside. In his hand he holds a vial of blue fluid.
SANDMAN: All here. Including the vial.
SANDMAN: What's TRP stand for anyway, Fred?
Panel 5:
Wide shot, looking out from the backseat. BOOMERANG reaches back to take the vial from a suspicious SANDMAN.
BOOMERANG: Oh. It's the… uh… Tentacle Rebirth Project. Y'know, on account of the Octopus cloning.
BOOMERANG: I'll take that now, if you don't mind.
SANDMAN: Uh huh.
SANDMAN: I think I'll hang onto it. If you don't mind.
Panel 1:
Two-shot of OVERDRIVE in the driver's seat and BOOMERANG on the passenger's side, as seen from the backseat. Both are looking over their shoulders (or trying to, in Overdrive's case). Boomerang smiles widely.
BOOMERANG: Why would I? No one will guard it better than you.
OVERDRIVE: I'm sorry, I just —
OVERDRIVE: That's a real web-shooter, right? Like, that Spider-Man built?
OVERDRIVE: Could I see it? Just for a second?
Panel 2:
Wide shot of the whole van. SANDMAN hands the web-shooter to OVERDRIVE, who looks like he's just been handed the Holy Grail.
OVERDRIVE: Incredible.
BOOMERANG: Hey, man. Eyes on the road.
Panel 3:
Medium shot of OVERDRIVE, as seen from the passenger's seat. He steers with one hand and holds the web-shooter in the other. He gazes down at the gadget almost lovingly.
OVERDRIVE: Listen, I just want to say… I'm sorry, Fred.
Panel 4:
Reverse shot of BOOMERANG, as seen from the driver's seat.
BOOMERANG: For what? You're the only one who's actually had my back this whole time.
BOOMERANG: No offense, you two.
SANDMAN (OFF-PANEL): None taken.
ROCKET RACER (OFF-PANEL): That's pretty accurate, actually.
BOOMERANG: If anything, I owe you one.
Panel 5:
Reverse shot of OVERDRIVE. The sparkle of his vehicle-altering nanites begins to dance around his fingertips.
OVERDRIVE: Nah, you really don't.
OVERDRIVE: Like I said…
OVERDRIVE: I'm sorry.
Panel 6:
Wide shot of the van interior. BOOMERANG, SANDMAN, and ROCKET RACER look around, confused, as the sparkles fill the van.
BOOMERANG: Wait, what?
Panel 7:
Exterior shot of the van. The driver's seat, with OVERDRIVE and the web-shooter in it, SPLITS OFF from the rest of the van in the form of a rocket-boosted motorcycle, which speeds away. Meanwhile, sparks fly as the van, on its two remaining wheels, grinds to a halt on the pavement.
SOUND EFFECT: *Motorcycle!*
ROCKET RACER: What the–!!
Splash Page:
The team sits dumbfounded in the remaining 3/4 of the getaway vehicle as it jerks to a halt. Through the hole where the driver's seat once was, OVERDRIVE can be seen vanishing into the distance. ROCKET RACER turns to address BOOMERANG.
SOUND EFFECT: *vrrrrrrrrrrr…*
ROCKET RACER: You know, I was half expecting this…
ROCKET RACER: But I really thought it would be you.
BOOMERANG: Right!?!
At the bottom of the page — finally — is the reveal of the issue's title:


text:
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text:
To see what kind of moneyline prices sportsbooks are offering on the Pittsburgh Pirates next game check below. It's a great starting point for any handicapper breaking down the day's baseball board.
The team matches will be displayed here once available
After enduring a 20-year stretch from 1992 to 2012 without posting a single winning record, the Pittsburgh Pirates fortunes finally turned for the better in 2013 with a Wildcard berth and a trip to the NLDS. Pittsburgh went on to make the Wildcard game the next two years as well, and while MLB playoff success hasn't come quite yet, this organization has laid the groundwork for the team to continually be a winner in the coming years.
Understandably it took MLB bettors some time to finally come around on Pittsburgh Pirates odds once the winning started, but three successful years in a row shows that this team has been for real.
Pittsburgh Pirates' Standings
After decades of losing, the Pittsburgh Pirates standings prospects have improved greatly in recent years. See where they sit in this year's standings below.
Bet On Pittsburgh Pirates' Games
Pirates fans were completely malnourished for a winner for so long that when the Pirates did make it to October baseball in 2013 the atmosphere in the city was electric. The team did their part in making sure it wasn't a "one-off" season with return trips to the Wild Card game the following two seasons, but the goals are much bigger in Pittsburgh these days. With young stars like Andrew McCutchen, Gregory Polanco, and Starling Marte patrolling the outfield for the Pirates, this team is likely to be a contender for many seasons to come in the foreseeable future.
Although the 2015 season didn't finish as well as the Pirates would have preferred, Pittsburgh was the 3rd best moneyline wager in MLB during the regular season. Bettors backing the Pirates in every single one of their 162 games that year would have come out with over 21 units of profit by the end. The results weren't skewed to home or away games either with Pittsburgh being +14.15 units at home and +7.2 units on the road.
The problem(s) Pittsburgh currently has to deal with is the fact that they are in one of the deepest divisions these days with 18+ games against the Cardinals and Cubs. St Louis has been dominating the NL Central for years now, and the Cubs plethora of young talent has finally learned how to win. Those two rivals will remain the biggest obstacle in Pittsburgh's way for the next few years, but they also leave Pirates backers with plenty of strong wagering opportunities to back this talented team as underdogs against those more "popular" rivals.


text:
by Drew Christiansen in America Magazine
Anticipation of a new administration in Washington prompts questions about the future course of U.S.-Vatican relations. There is much on which a Biden administration and the Holy See can collaborate. President-elect Joe Biden and Pope Francis share many policy concerns, above all climate change, where Mr. Biden has pledged to re-join the Paris Climate Covenant.
The Holy Father's recent encyclical "Fratelli Tutti" addresses the need for solidarity in a post-pandemic world to relieve poverty and correct accelerating inequality. In announcing his new economic team, the president-elect has likewise affirmed his intent to reduce economic inequality and empower workers, a perennial concern of Catholic social teaching.
On numerous occasions, the pope has demonstrated his concern for refugees and migrants; and Mr. Biden has expressed his opposition to the Trump administration's harsh, even cruel, treatment of Central American refugees at the U.S.-Mexico border and his desire to address the backlog of admissions and to regularize the asylum process.
The quality of the potential collaboration between the Holy See and the Biden administration will depend on the president-elect's choice of ambassador and the trust the president and the secretary of state have in the appointee. The incumbent, Ambassador Calista Gingrich, was clearly a political appointee often overshadowed by her outspoken husband, former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich…