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Questions For Your SEO White Label Reseller
seo white label reseller" />Before selecting an SEO white label reseller to work with, you should do your homework and prepare some valid questions for the agency. This content breaks down what to search for when looking to select an SEO white label reseller. You will learn the basics and some useful questions to ask when looking for an SEO white label reseller that will suit your needs.
Here's a question for you first:
Why Do You Need White Label SEO Services?
Working with a white label SEO company is essential to your business. Having this kind of search engine optimization can open fresh opportunities for you and your customers. Particularly in the aspect of advertising or marketing your business. Whether you're an advertising firm or a team of skilled software developers, your customers will thank you for providing SEO services. SEO will help you and your clients stay in business. With SEO your website can be open 24/7; even on weekends, and holidays.
By having SEO, you will significantly increase the chances of prospects stumbling on your company site and learning more about your services. For companies that offer help to clients when it comes to designing websites or helping their clients with marketing strategies, ensuring that you offer SEO services will be their top priority. This primarily where an SEO reseller comes in. An SEO reseller company will handle the situation so that you don't have to.
Moving forward, below are some questions for the SEO white label reseller company:
- Why should we work you?What advantages can you offer to my firm?How will you intend to manage my account?Who will set up the daily strategy?What's your companies level of experience?How do you approach link building?
Finding answers to these questions will give you the ability to determine if the SEO reseller is the right one for your company.
More Tips
Know Their Approach To Improving Rankings And Boosting Brand Awareness
When you put this question forward, you should be expecting to hear something like SEO requires patience because it is a long-term initiative. It isn't something that will happen quickly. On the contrary, if you get a reply like we can get you results in 30 days, you should skip that firm and move to the next. A reliable agency will talk about content marketing, making investments and setting the appropriate consumer expectations for your business. Top companies will make you understand that SEO results are realized only in the long-term.
Find Out If They Practice Content Marketing
If you get a reply like, we don't do content marketing, then that's a bad sign meaning you should move on from that agency. Content marketing is a primary part of SEO. Content marketing has been merging rapidly with SEO over the last few years even the social media. There is a lot of debate about this initiative. But in the end, a good company will know that the key to success in SEO is producing premium-quality content. It is a huge part of any good SEO white label reseller company. It should be something that you want to hear about when looking for a firm.


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Beautiful Indian Elephant Statue Figure Good Luck LVE8STE0T
Availability: In Stock
Made of cold cast resin, this stunning Indian elephant statue adds a touch of style to your room. Measuring 9 3/4 inches tall, 9 1/2 inches deep, and 4 inches wide, it has a wonderful ivory-like finish, and is hand-painted with yellow, brown and black enamels. This statue also makes a great present for the holidays or for housewarming gifts. It looks great on bookshelves and on top of desks or tables. For residents of California California Proposition 65 Warning: This product contains one or more chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and/or other reproductive harm. This notice is being provided in accordance with California039;s Proposition 65. Read more about Prop 65 on the State of California Prop 65 website.
Beautiful Indian Elephant Statue Figure Good Luck LVE8STE0T

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How do you take care of your boots after they have gotten wet?
This question comes up so often during these winter months given that our boots take even more abuse around the barnyard than normal due to the rain, snow, and ice. A good pair of comfy leather boots can be pretty pricey, so we know how important it is to you that your boots last a long time.
In order to help you keep your boots surviving another winter and lasting as long as possible, we recommend that you pop your boots on a boot dryer after every wear.
Within the leather footwear industry, using boot driers on leather shoes and boots is actually a fairly controversial topic. This seems rather crazy to us since, really, a boot drier isn't exactly a cutting edge or radical tool. Many argue that boot driers will dry out the leather, the adhesives, and the stitching, resulting in a more brittle boot that will fall apart sooner than if a drier was not used. Although there is some truth behind these arguments, the benefits of using a boot drier far outweigh the possible negatives.
Why using a boot drier will help save your boots:
1. Dries boots quickly. The longer footwear is wet, the greater the damage to the structure of the leather and stitching, which results in hardening, brittleness, and rot.
2. Quickly eliminates moisture, reducing bacteria and mold growth. Without a boot dryer, air drying gives plenty of time and moisture for bacteria to thrive in your boots.
3. Reduction of bacteria growth helps reduce odors. Who doesn't love to not have stinky boots?
The chances that you will over-dry your boots, resulting in dried out leather, adhesives, and glue is slim to none. In general, we've found that approximately 2 hours on a dryer is more than sufficient to dry our barn and paddock boots, so exposure time is short. Additionally, boot driers gently dry boots at low temperatures - think more warm summer day than an oven.
Also, if you ever feel that your boots are becoming dry, you can quickly remedy this by applying a coat or two of conditioner in order to rehydrate both leather and stitching. Remember, it is better for your leather boots (and all leather goods) to be in need of a little conditioner rather than to be overmoisturized, such as due to sweat, weather, or conditioner overuse. It is much harder to restore the health of wet/overconditioned leather versus dried out leather.
We have had great success using boot driers for years to keep our leather shoes and boots in excellent condition. With regular use, a boot dryer can do a lot to help you keep your boots in great shape through this winter. Combined with a solid leather care routine, your boots and shoes will have a long life ahead of them.
Interested in learning other tips and tricks from Sterling Essentials? Check out our Learn page: www.sterling-essentials.com/learn and our Blog: www.sterling-essentials.com/blog


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The showrunner of Marvel's Inhumans says he already has ideas for seasons 2 and 3 of the show - if they get made. After the less than stellar reception of Iron Fist, fans were trepidatious about showrunner Scott Buck also tackling Inhumans. And though the show won't premiere on ABC until tomorrow, its debut in IMAX theaters earlier this month has led to a number of scathing reviews. Even fellow MCU creative James Gunn doesn't think Inhumans will last long.
Despite the negative reception, however, Marvel and all involved are still marching forward as if the series were any other project from the hitmaker. Just yesterday, new images and synopses for the third and fourth episode were revealed, teasing the continuing cat and mouse game Maximus is playing with his family members. And while no one would bet on the series receiving a follow-up season, Buck seems much more confident in the prospects.
Related: Will Inhumans Be Cancelled Early?
Speaking to Collider about Inhumans, Buck was asked how he thought a potential season 2 could take shape if it were to occur.
"We have ideas. We know our starting point for Season 2, but we don't know if there will be a Season 2. Hopefully, there will be a Season 2. If so, we know where we're gonna start, and we'll very gratefully gear up and get to work."
While Buck hedges his bets, he seems fairly confident that the series could continue. And while that seems highly unlikely, it makes sense that he and Marvel would plan ahead. After all, the nature of an MCU property is to tell a sprawling narrative. For Buck, the potential story even extends into a third season.
"We generally know where the first three seasons could go. What's fun about the show is that it will basically always be a show about family, so there's always going to be places to take these characters."
Considering ABC cancelled the beloved Agent Carter after two seasons - and with Hayley Atwell in the lead, no less - and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. teeters on the edge every year, it's hard to fathom Inhumans continuing. Even if Marvel were to give it another go in an attempt to fix its mistakes, Inhumans is unlikely to ever come out of the shadow of all the negative press it's received so far. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising if the cancellation announcement came earlier than expected.
NEXT: New Inhumans Trailer Lays Out the First Two Episodes
Inhumans premieres Friday, September 29th on ABC.
Source: Collider


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Become a Partner
Are you a winery, tour operator or wine region looking to increase your customer base? Whether you offer wine tastings, tours, personalized experiences or events, Winetraveler offers partners an opportunity to be listed on one of the largest online directories. We are always looking to provide a more immersive travel experience for our users.
Increase your brand awareness, showcase your offerings and expand your marketing exponentially with our reach into a highly targeted audience of gastronomic-focused travelers.


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The gods of Olympus are alive in the 21st Century. They still fall in love with mortals and have children who might become great heroes, but most of these children meet horrible fates at the hands of monsters by the age of twelve. Only a few learn the truth of their identity and make it to Half Blood Hill, a Long Island summer camp dedicated to training young demigods. Such is the revelation that launches young Percy Jackson on a quest to help his real father, Poseidon, avert a war among the gods. With the help of Grover the satyr and Annabeth the daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the United States to catch a thief who has stolen the original weapon of mass destruction - Zeus' master bolt. Along the way, they face a host of mythological enemies determined to stop them. Most of all, Percy must come to terms with a father he has never known, and an Oracle that has warned him of betrayal by a friend.
I relished reading this and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I knew some of the story, from having picked the books up previously in various shops and reading about them online and I was therefore absolutely thrilled when Puffin Books decided to send me the first three in the series to read.
Rick Riordan writes with supreme ease from the first person perspective as Percy. Percy is your average kid who tries to make it through the normal school day without getting into trouble, but it's hard to do when your teachers try and do you serious damage. He manages to survive an attack by his maths teacher but something weird is going on...no one else seems to recall her ever teaching at his school! Things get a bit weird from there onwards.
I thoroughly enjoyed the author's style of writing. It is humorous and witty and quite tongue in cheek. Percy never becomes a chore to read and his friends, Annabeth and Grover have been established for future books. I've not read any of the other covers of the series as yet, so I'm going in blind, but I hope they make a come-back, purely because there is a lot of good stories to tell.
I enjoyed the light touch the author had when it came to explaining who the deities were and why they were alive and well and occupying the Empire State Buidling's topmost floor. It is a well researched book giving you an interesting ride through classical mythology along the way, without it impacting on the pace of the book. My favorite does have to be Mr. D, who runs the Half Blood Hill training school. Dumbledore can move over – Mr. D rocks. Literally.
It is interesting to watch Percy struggle to accept his status as a demi-god and to see how he deals with the quest they decide to send him on. I found it interesting to see how he coped with the various stages of the quest, some of it truly hilarious, and found his solutions to some of the problems that came his way as very clever – almost A-Team / MacGuyver clever.
The writing is tight and clear and as I mentioned earlier, I am hoping that Percy's friends make a come-back because every hero needs sidekicks who mirror them in order to show their strengths and impart wisdom. I particularly appreciated the end of the novel, where Percy turns a tricky situation over to someone else, leaving them to decide the "out". Naturally the repercussion is something he will no doubt have to answer for later on, but I thought it was a deft way to show the Percy's growth as hero.
A fun read, littered with enough mythological creatures to satisfy Angela Carter herself.


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Get dining news including restaurant closures and qualify for giveaways.
A friend was in town for a visit, so I said let's have a bite at Timmy's, it's a Canadian tradition.We got dried out so-called "potato wedges" that should have been dumped an hour before, NO condiments whatsoever and the napkin dispenser was empty. There was only one other customer in the place (no wonder), so it wasn't like they didn't have time to restock. We asked for ketchup, and the server took a generic squeeze bottle and put a bit, no more than 1/8 inch of ketchup in a small paper cup. Bad food and bad service says I'm not going back. I wonder what my American friend thinks of Canadian traditions now.The sandwich was OK, nothing to write home about.
New ownership. No improvements. Changed everything for the worse.
No real menu, no Mexican menu.
Food was bland and took forever.
We went in for lunch and was very disappointed.
No service and no more decore. We won't be back.
Place will be boarded up within a year.
It's too bad. It was previously a great place to dine.
Well, in the intervening years a lot has changed, starting with the prices. There is no longer any barbeque, the board listing the menu has been erased and the menu has been changed. The cook must have changed. The burgers no longer have good buns, just generic, I didn't see any mention of the previously house made soup, the prices have gone up but the food just seems uninspired now. The beer was cloudy as well, not something I appreciate.
The staff was awesome! I like that that they appreciated my visit. The food was great. I left full and happy. I had one of their Bombay Mules (drink). It was delicious. My daughter had a Mango Lassi. So creamy. The food is so genuine and not just ordinary in quality or presentation like so many other Indian restaurants in Vancouver. Definitely the best Indian restaurant on Commercial Drive.
To be honest, ...For $9 - $10 for a piece of cake you can probably see why I don't come here too often.
But I have to admit; I love the cozy ambiance......and their cakes are delicious (get it with whip cream and oh my goodness)
My favourite is the diplomat cake....and as I mentioned when you get whipping cream it's just the best
Definitely a place to come for a special occasion though, or even once in a while for the heck of it (and have a good piece of cake)
Went here the other day. Restaurant is very small, only about 8 tables. Everyone who worked here appeared to be japanese, if you care about that sort of thing. Had some very unique menu items that I had not seen before. The ambience was "home made" which was endearing in the overall composition of the place. They were not trying to be too fancy (paper napkins for instance), but had attitudes and manners of a high class restaurant. Maybe a high class place that is down on its luck in the decorating department or something. I would class the whole experience as simple but elegant.
The food was quite good, like i said unique options. Very original tastes, the eggplant appetizer (nasu dengaku) which I never had done before, was superbly unique. The rolls were not the classic over-mayonnaised type, but more subtle and to me, authentic. Portions were alright except for salmon sashimi which was very small. However all salmon is fresh wild coho, i didnt have any salmon in any dish that was farmed and suspect that they wouldn't serve it.
Over all, would go there again, especially if i had a friend from out of town that wanted authentic Japanese in a low key place. Large variety of items and really good service. Tea was filled at least 4 times an hour.
They were closed for the longest time, getting a face-lift I hear. I recently dropped in for a snack and was disappointed. Previously, the food was good, nothing outstanding but solid value.
I ordered a chicken sandwich with a side of fries and a coffee - $20. The 'sandwich' came on a bun with a helping of raw onion rings, lettuce and mayo. So it was a chicken burger, not a sandwich. Imagine a chicken strip, coated with ?something? then deep-fried until black and very crispy. Who serves fried chicken with raw onion rings? The fries were good, the coffee lukewarm. Used to be an iconic spot but I'm not going back.
I went for lunch and ordered a hamburger. Everything was slow except the beer service. Some of the staff seemed friendly, but my server only appeared to take my order and bring it to the table a half hour later. I had to send for him to get the bill. Why, I don't know. The place wasn't even a third full, and there were at least three, maybe four, servers. I noticed that all the food took a half hour to arrive. A woman arrived after me and ordered the same thing I had, and her order took a half hour (I timed it). To top it off, the food was warm, not hot. Nothing wrong with the food or the beer, just the service.
You go to the counter to order, then they bring the food to your table. The burgers are OK, but since they don't seem to have many customers, I think they could provide leaves of lettuce instead of that chopped stuff. The fries are frozen, and again since they aren't particularly busy, I don't see why they can't do them from real potatoes. It isn't like they don't have the time. The food is tasty, but I don't see anything to make it stand out. Middle of the road, with room for improvement.
I ordered Nasi Goreng, Rendang Beef and Roti Canai. My order took 30min. The Roti Canai was quite greasy and the portion of sauce was too small to finish all the roti canai but the sauce was tasty. I also found the Rendang Beef portion small but again nicely spiced and tasty. The container is barely 3" high. The big disappointment was the Nasi Goreng. The rice was clumped and not mixed well and tasteless. The tiny shrimp were few, overcooked and rubbery - all for $45. I've had much better Roti Canai and Nasi Goreng in Vancouver & New West.
We choose this neighborhood restaurant for the 'fine' reviews to dine with family while visiting Vancouver. The people were friendly but we found the establishment to be more 'rustic' that the pictures. The fly strips didn't quite add to the ambiance either.
We didn't bring a Spanish interpreter for the waitress thus we didn't understand much of what the meals were, and some of the orders were mixed up. Food was decent, hot & well displayed.
In the end though, the meal prices were actually more than the menu prices.
So, for the hard wooden chairs, sticky tables & bitter tasting water we shall avoid this restaurant in the future.
However, you may enjoy the establishment as it was a busy place.
The manager was really rude to us, ignored us, would rather talk to her bartender friend than actually provide service. Saw the manager and her bartender outside smoking weed as we were coming in as well, which is pretty unprofessional.
The food was ok and the drink prices weren't bad but when there are so many options in the area, why would you pick a place with horrible service?
Don't go here.
Dollar Meats is a classic bbq joint in the heart of chinatown.Bbq pork ,ribs ,duck are classics that are well worth the visit.Friendly butcher's in store happy to help ,also grab a pair of the dried sausage,good stuff.There is sauces that accompany the bbq'ed meats that augment the flavours to new heights,enjoy.
Some days ago, my friends and I went to White Spot to have a nice dinner and we were really excited about it, because we all had heard of its tasty food and good reputation. Honestly, this place exceeded my expectations. We didn't have to wait to be seated and we got to pick our table. The food was great and good cooked, I loved it. The server was so nice and make us feel welcome the whole time. The atmosphere was relaxing. However, we could hear people talking because the background music was low, but still I am comfortable with the whole service.
This is obviously a family restaurant, and I think there are a lot of people who actually enjoy to go there, the food is great, it has a pleasant atmosphere and the prices are very reasonable. I will definitely go back and I also recommend it to the ones who loves to have a delightful dinner. You would not feel disappointed.
One of the restaurants that I first tried at my first time in Vancouver,and he keeps being one of the bests. I used to go there with my dad a few months ago, but I also experienced with my friends. In general this restaurant is amazing! The experience that we had is incredible from the beginning till the end. They receive you appropriately and always smiling. Looking to be happy that they are there waiting for a new guest. The atmosphere and the ambiental music matches perfectly with the restaurant. We are not a good fans of drinking but, they have a bar and a lounge for those that want. They speciality are the steaks and in my particular opinion, I definitely recommend the Top Sirloin. We did not have to wait much time until the food arrive, they are quite quick. The variety of the menu were perfect for us. If you do not want to spend too much money, you can order some appetizers and share with your friends. There was any kind of mistake committed,I have no words to give them a bad critic. The experiences I had there, was memorable and I definitely want to spend more time there in the future.
I like this little restaurant. They recently renovated and it has a clean ambiance. The owners and staff are all Japanese and are always very polite.The food is fresh and tasty. Nothing will blow you away, but I've been there (or done take-out) a dozen times and have never had a bad meal and always felt satisfied. Prices are about what you'd expect elsewhere - $4-$5 for common rolled sushi and $9-$10 for different specialty rolls. They offer other traditional Japanese cuisine as well. It has good health reports and is a cut above anything else in the Dunbar area. Recommended!
Went here for the buffet. They have a large buffet, judging by internet pictures and it did have 8 or 10 hot dishes. Thats why i picked it, and positive reviews on the internet. Anyways I just moved around here and decided to start trying these on occasion.
So first off, the ambience was that of a cafeteria. The place was not elegant by far. Has tube lighted menus and is clearly set up to live off the buffet and ample sweets section. I would not bring anyone i wanted to impress here, they didn't even clear the plates or really have any service after the initial drink. I stupidly tipped them by habit and I wish i didn't. But getting by that, there were lots of food items in the buffet. The chicken dishes of which there were two, did have plenty of chicken. however some of the other dishes such as pees and paneer were pretty runny and thin, not thick and creamy as one would expect. The naan was actually close to pita (thinner) but this may be just a varietal difference. It still tasted like naan. Butter chicken was the best thing out of the food and it wasn't what i would call stellar.
All in all, not very good ambience, price of $15 was a bit high for what you get. But its really a typical indian buffet. Not anywhere near the best food, the flavours kind of run together and nothing was memorable. However it was of generally average quality and nothing was really bad, so i would say an overall 2.5 out of 5. I would eat there again, but probably by myself, alone, if there was nothing else available, or i had just been out smoking mad weed..
The one thing that they did do right were the sweets. The gulab jamin and jalebi were very nice and really perfect. So for take out sweets this place is actually very good!
These people stole $500.00 from my friend's debit card over a period of time. He was a regular customer there and is an elder. Do NOT give this den of thieves your business!! Shame!! This is shameful! Fortunately he noticed something amiss and reported them to the police. They do not deserve to be in business.
ordered take out via doordash................. and wait for it.....
there was a dead COCKROACH in the vindalo .......... see my posted photos.
this is the grosses things I have ever encountered in Vancouver
avoid this place at all costs everyone! AVOID AVOID AVOID!
I literally threw up after seeing it and knowing we ate most of the food.
I was dining here with my friends the other day. Food was ok. However, their service was so bad. My friend wanted to ordered drip ice coffee. I had helped him to put the order. The server (older lady) had mistakenly tried to make two. I had explicitly told her its only one order. But said to me she already have "pressed" meaning she already have activated. Clearly, she hasn't poured hot water in the coffee drip cup yet. In the end, she ended up making two drip ice coffee and charged me for the second when clearly she made a mistake on the order. I was NOT happy about that. I will not set foot at this location for Thai Son ever again!
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Welcome to Cantare at Indian Lake Village
Expand your horizons in a spacious, thoughtfully designed 1, 2, or 3 bedroom apartment for rent at Cantare at Indian Lake Village. Our modern, open-concept apartment homes are ideally located in Hendersonville, TN, adjacent to shopping and dining at The Streets of Indian Lake, and less than a half hour to all the attractions of downtown Nashville.
Our nine distinct floor plans feature craveable amenities like nine-foot ceilings, hardwood-style flooring, and walk-in closets. Exceptional design elements include granite countertops in your modern kitchen and a relaxing garden soaking tub in the bath. Our smoke-free community is the perfect place for you and your pet to live easy.
Convenience and style come together in harmony at Cantare at Indian Lake Village.
Open, Airy Interiors
Find your fit from our selection of generously sized 1, 2 & 3 bedroom floor plans near Avondale in Hendersonville, TN. We've layered in the details that make a difference, from handsome Shaker-style cabinets in the kitchen and bath to designer light fixtures throughout the apartment home. Our kitchens are complete with breakfast bars and granite countertops.
Your personal touch is all that's needed to make it your own.
Active & Connected
Our Hendersonville, TN, location near Drakes Creek Park and Veterans Park puts you just where you want to be for work, school, and play.
Walk to nearby Streets of Indian Lake to catch a movie or grab a bite to eat at Sam's Sports Bar and Grill. Explore Rockland Recreation Area and visit the Grand Ole Opry. From delicious local dining to convenient shopping, plus the Cumberland River just minutes away; it's all close by at Cantare at Indian Lake Village.


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Antigens derived from apoptotic cell debris can drive clonal T-cell deletion or anergy, and antigens chemically coupled ex vivo to apoptotic cell surfaces have been shown correspondingly to induce tolerance on infusion. Reasoning that a large number of erythrocytes become apoptotic (eryptotic) and are cleared each day, we engineered two different antigen constructs to target the antigen to erythrocyte cell surfaces after i.v. injection, one using a conjugate with an erythrocyte-binding peptide and another using a fusion with an antibody fragment, both targeting the erythrocyte-specific cell surface marker glycophorin A. Here, we show that erythrocyte-binding antigen is collected much more efficiently than free antigen by splenic and hepatic immune cell populations and hepatocytes, and that it induces antigen-specific deletional responses in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. We further validated T-cell deletion driven by erythrocyte-binding antigens using a transgenic islet β cell-reactive CD4+ T-cell adoptive transfer model of autoimmune type 1 diabetes: Treatment with the peptide antigen fused to an erythrocyte-binding antibody fragment completely prevented diabetes onset induced by the activated, autoreactive CD4+ T cells. Thus, we report a translatable modular biomolecular approach with which to engineer antigens for targeted binding to erythrocyte cell surfaces to induce antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell deletion toward exogenous antigens and autoantigens.
Inhibiting the Hedgehog Pathway in Patients with the Basal-Cell Nevus Syndrome
BACKGROUND Dysregulated hedgehog signaling is the pivotal molecular abnormality underlying basal-cell carcinomas. Vismodegib is a new orally administered hedgehog-pathway inhibitor that produces objective responses in locally advanced and metastatic basal-cell carcinomas. METHODS We tested the anti–basal-cell carcinoma efficacy of vismodegib in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with the basal-cell nevus syndrome at three clinical centers from September 2009 through January 2011. The primary end point was reduction in the incidence of new basal-cell carcinomas that were eligible for surgical resection (surgically eligible) with vismodegib versus placebo after 3 months; secondary end points included reduction in the size of existing basal-cell carcinomas. RESULTS In 41 patients followed for a mean of 8 months (range, 1 to 15) after enrollment, the per-patient rate of new surgically eligible basal-cell carcinomas was lower with vismodegib than with placebo (2 vs. 29 cases per group per year, P<0.001), as was the size (percent change from baseline in the sum of the longest diameter) of existing clinically significant basal-cell carcinomas (−65% vs. −11%, P=0.003). In some patients, all basal-cell carcinomas clinically regressed. No tumors progressed during treatment with vismodegib. Patients receiving vismodegib routinely had grade 1 or 2 adverse events of loss of taste, muscle cramps, hair loss, and weight loss. Overall, 54% of patients (14 of 26) receiving vismodegib discontinued drug treatment owing to adverse events. At 1 month, vismodegib use had reduced the hedgehog target-gene expression by basal-cell carcinoma by 90% (P<0.001) and diminished tumor-cell proliferation, but apoptosis was not affected. No residual basal-cell carcinoma was detectable in 83% of biopsy samples taken from sites of clinically regressed basal-cell carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS Vismodegib reduces the basal-cell carcinoma tumor burden and blocks growth of new basal-cell carcinomas in patients with the basal-cell nevus syndrome. The adverse events associated with treatment led to discontinuation in over half of treated patients.
A novel alternative to cryo-preservation for the short term storage of stem cells for use in cell therapy using alginate encapsulation
Efficient transport of stem/progenitor cells without affecting their survival and function is a key factor in any practical cell-based therapy. However, the current approach using liquid nitrogen for the transfer of stem cells requires a short delivery time window, is technically challenging and financially expensive. The present study aims to use semi-permeable alginate hydrogels (cross-linked by strontium) to encapsulate, store and release stem cells, in order to replace the conventional cryo-preservation method for the transport of therapeutic cells within world-wide distribution time-frame. Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) were successfully stored inside alginate hydrogels for 5 days under ambient conditions in an air-tight environment (sealed cryo-vial). Cell viability, of the cells extracted from alginate gel, gave 74% (mESC) and 80% (hMSC) survival rates, which compared favorably to cryo-preservation. More importantly, the subsequent proliferation rate and detection of common stem cell markers (both in mRNA and protein level) from hMSC and mESC retrieved from alginate hydrogels was also comparable to (if not better than) results gained following cryo-preservation. In conclusion, this new and simple application of alginate hydrogel encapsulation, may offer a cheap and robust alternative to cryo-preservation for the transport and storage of stem cells for both clinical and research purposes.
Hepatitis B virus X protein targets the Bcl-2 protein CED-9 to induce intracellular Ca2+ increase and cell death in Caenorhabditis elegans
HBx is a multifunctional hepatitis B virus (HBV) protein that is crucial for HBV infection and pathogenesis and a contributing cause of hepatocyte carcinogenesis. However, the host targets and mechanisms of action of HBx are poorly characterized. We show here that expression of HBx in Caenorhabditis elegans induces both necrotic and apoptotic cell death, mimicking an early event of liver infection by HBV. Genetic and biochemical analyses indicate that HBx interacts directly with the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) homolog CED-9 (cell death abnormal) through a Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3)-like motif to trigger both cytosolic Ca2+ increase and cell death. Importantly, Bcl-2 can substitute for CED-9 in mediating HBx-induced cell killing in C. elegans, suggesting that CED-9 and Bcl-2 are conserved cellular targets of HBx. A genetic suppressor screen of HBx-induced cell death has produced many mutations, including mutations in key regulators from both apoptosis and necrosis pathways, indicating that this screen can identify new apoptosis and necrosis genes. Our results suggest that C. elegans could serve as an animal model for identifying crucial host factors and signaling pathways of HBx and aid in development of strategies to treat HBV-induced liver disorders.
Abstract:HIV maturation requires multiple cleavage of long polyprotein chains into functional proteins that include the viral protease itself. Initial cleavage by the protease dimer occurs from within these precursors, and yet only a single protease monomer is embedded in each polyprotein chain. Self-activation has been proposed to start from a partially dimerized protease formed from monomers of different chains binding its own N termini by self-association to the active site, but a complete structural understanding of this critical step in HIV maturation is missing. Here, we captured the critical self-association of immature HIV-1 protease to its extended amino-terminal recognition motif using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, thus confirming the postulated intramolecular mechanism in atomic detail. We show that self-association to a catalytically viable state requires structural cooperativity of the flexible β-hairpin "flap" regions of the enzyme and that the major transition pathway is first via self-association in the semiopen/open enzyme states, followed by enzyme conformational transition into a catalytically viable closed state. Furthermore, partial N-terminal threading can play a role in self-association, whereas wide opening of the flaps in concert with self-association is not observed. We estimate the association rate constant (kon) to be on the order of ∼1 × 104 s−1, suggesting that N-terminal self-association is not the rate-limiting step in the process. The shown mechanism also provides an interesting example of molecular conformational transitions along the association pathway.
Aneuploidy-induced delaminating cells drive tumorigenesis in Drosophila epithelia
Abstract:Genomic instability has been observed in essentially all sporadic carcinomas. Here we use Drosophila epithelial cells to address the role of chromosomal instability in cancer development as they have proved useful for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying tumorigenic growth. We first show that chromosomal instability leads to an apoptotic response. Interestingly, this response is p53 independent, as opposed to mammalian cells, and depends on the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade. When prevented from undergoing programmed cell death (PCD), chromosomal instability induces neoplasic overgrowth. These tumor-like tissues are able to grow extensively and metastasize when transplanted into the abdomen of adult hosts. Detailed analysis of the tumors allows us to identify a delaminating cell population as the critical one in driving tumorigenesis. Cells loose their apical–basal polarity, mislocalize DE-cadherin, and delaminate from the main epithelium. A JNK-dependent transcriptional program is activated specifically in delaminating cells and drives nonautonomous tissue overgrowth, basement membrane degradation, and invasiveness. These findings unravel a general and rapid tumorigenic potential of genomic instability, as opposed to its proposed role as a source of mutability to select specific tumor-prone aneuploid cells, and open unique avenues toward the understanding of the role of genomic instability in human cancer.
Local Ablative Therapy of Oligoprogressive Disease Prolongs Disease Control by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Oncogene-Addicted Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Introduction: Many patients with oncogene-driven non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors experience limited sites of disease progression. This study investigated retrospectively the benefits of local ablative therapy (LAT) to central nervous system (CNS) and/or limited systemic disease progression and continuation of crizotinib or erlotinib in patients with metastatic ALK gene rearrangement (ALK+) or EGFR-mutant (EGFR-MT) NSCLC, respectively.
Methods: Patients with metastatic ALK+ NSCLC treated with crizotinib (n = 38) and EGFR-MT NSCLC treated with erlotinib (n = 27) were identified at a single institution. Initial response to the respective kinase inhibitors, median progression-free survival (PFS1), and site of first progression were recorded. A subset of patients with either nonleptomeningeal CNS and/or four sites or fewer of extra-CNS progression (oligoprogressive disease) suitable for LAT received either radiation or surgery to these sites and continued on the same tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The subsequent median progression-free survival from the time of first progression (PFS2) and pattern of progression were recorded.
Results: Median progression-free survival in ALK+ patients on crizotinib was 9.0 months, and 13.8 months for EGFR-MT patients on erlotinib. Twenty-five of 51 patients (49%) who progressed were deemed suitable for local therapy (15 ALK+, 10 EGFR-MT; 24 with radiotherapy, one with surgery) and continuation of the same targeted therapy. Post-LAT, 19 of 25 patients progressed again, with median PFS2 of 6.2 months.
Discussion: Oncogene-addicted NSCLC with CNS and/or limited systemic disease progression (oligoprogressive disease) on relevant targeted therapies is often suitable for LAT and continuation of the targeted agent, and is associated with more than 6 months of additional disease control.


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What is Nothing Unknown?
Most things don't have conclusions. Is it possible to become comfortable while not always having the answer? Nothing Unknown is on a quest to discover all things interesting in our world. Join the conversation to explore what is new to you but exists as a reality through different perspectives, and let us get familiar with ignoring Nothing and seeking the Unknown.
Nothing Unknown is a community of individuals who relentlessly strive to discover the knowledge of others and share it with you.


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Catherine the Great (LG)
Catherine the Great (LG)
'Catherine the Great' (LG) We're so happy to have built our stocks up again after they were almost totally wiped out by two incidents of marauding cows! This is our wonderful original 'Catherine the Great,' the very first truly yellow Orienpet, which we introduced in 1995! 'Catherine the Great' carries large, luscious lemon chiffon outfacing flowers with graceful curves, both in its petal recurve and in its little dollop of sideways top petal curve. Its cool color is complemented by its beautiful elongated soft green stigma. It has a wonderful fragrance combining the best of trumpets and Orientals. It combines strength, sublime beauty, and elegance! 3 to 5 feet and
eventually taller, late July to early August. Supply limited.
CTG Each $15 3/$40


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For nearly a century and a half the shared love of baseball has bound the United States and Japan together. Baseball exchanges have been used to forestall war in the 1930s, reunite the two countries in the late 1940s, and seal political alliances in the 1950s and 60s. More recently, the dozens of Japanese playing in the Major Leagues have allowed the two countries to share their diamond heroes. 2014-15 marks the 50th anniversary of the first Japanese to play in the Majors.
In March 1964, the Nankai Hawks of Japan's Pacific League sent three teenagers to the United States to train with the San Francisco Giants' minor league teams.
To everybody's surprise 19-year-old reliever Masanori Murakami became the California League's top pitcher, earning him a September call up to the Big League club. With an inning of relief against the New York Mets on September 1, 1964, Murakami became the first Japanese to appear in a Major League game.
Mashi went on to become the Giants top left-handed reliever and one of the most popular players on a star-studded team. Not surprisingly, the Giants offered him a contract for the 1965 season. Murakami signed, announcing that he would be thrilled to stay in San Francisco. There was just one problem – the Nankai Hawks still owned his contract. The dispute over Murakami's contract would ignite an international incident that would force the young man to choose between fulfilling his dreams in the United States or fulfilling his duty in Japan--a decision that he regrets to this day.
For the past three years, I have worked with Mashi to bring his story to an English-speaking audience. His biography, Mashi: The Unfulfilled Baseball Dreams of Masanori Murakami, the First Japanese Major Leaguer, will be published this spring by the University of Nebraska Press but I need your help for a very special undertaking.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mashi becoming the first Japanese in the Majors, I want to bring Masanori Murakami to the United States in the summer of 2015 for a three-week lecture tour to meet his fans.
At each event, I will speak about Mashi's career and importance to U.S.-Japanese relations; filmmaker Yuriko Romer will show a short film on baseball diplomacy and discuss the topic, and we will then conduct a short on-stage interview with Murakami before opening the floor for questions. Afterwards, Mashi will meet with fans and sign copies of his biography.
Proposed Tour Schedule
June 26, 2015: Chicago- Society of American Baseball Research
June 28: Boston- Japan Society of Boston
June 29-July 2: New York City - To Be Announced
July 3: Rhinebeck, NY - Oblong Books
July 4: Cooperstown, NY - National Baseball Hall of Fame
July 6: Los Angeles - To Be Announced
July 7: Los Angles - Whittier College
July 8: Fresno CA - Buddhist Temple
July 9: San Francisco - SF Public Library
July 10: San Jose - San Jose Public Library
Completing a tour of this scope is expensive. I need to pay for Mashi's travel expenses, room and board, and a translator to help fans speak with him. That's where you can help make this amazing opportunity possible. Our modest goal of $3,000 will only cover about half of the tour's expenses but it would be enough to insure that it happens. Sponsors will also get some great prizes, including autographed copies of the book Mashi, signed photos and baseball cards, and even an opportunity to attend a private reception with Mashi. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!
Risks and challenges
The most daunting challenge for the project is raising the funds needed for Masanori Murakami's travel expenses. With your help, we can make it happen. The logistics of the tour are already worked out. Thanks to the enthusiastic support of Mashi's many fans, we have found many local organizations to sponsor our events at large venues.Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Funding period
- (41 days)


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What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? Come Celebrate A Sacred Entrance into 2018
Join us as we gather to ring in the New Year listening to guided meditations and chanting of sacred tones, followed by a beautiful process where we can let go of the past and write our intentions for 2018. Create a year of deeper purpose and blessings.
Celebrating and refreshments follow.
Family and friends are welcome. Facilitated by Paul Kaye, Author, MSIA President and our Meditation and Sound Facilitator. Spanish translation provided.
Event Details
Cost: Complimentary - our gift to you - includes refreshments
Tickets: Scroll down and click the green "Register" button
Questions? email@example.com | 323-328-1937
Can't make it in person? View the Live Stream 15 minutes before start time @ msia.org/livestream.
Join Us for a Follow-up New Year's Event:
New Year's Resolution Spiritual Spa Morning | Saturday, January 6, 2018


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Our client, the world leading Digital Industrial Company is transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive.
Based in Edinburgh, you will be part of an ambitious, hard-working and friendly team, together building the next generation of power grid monitoring and advanced analytics software. You will contribute to the design and development of world leading Grid Software products that enable the analysis and management of real-time data. As part of the team you will develop innovative algorithms and architectures that solve real-world problems – from optimising the use of green energy, to improving grid reliability.
This role is all about…
You will be an experienced Java Developer with real-time data processing skills. You will have excellent investigative and problem-solving skills coupled with strong organisation and communication skills.
Salary up to £65,000 (DOE) + Group Benefits. Our client offers a supportive and friendly work environment coupled with flexible working, prospects for personal and career progression and an attractive benefits package. For further information contact Stuart Ringland on (0131) 516 4333 or email firstname.lastname@example.com


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Good faith (Latin: bona fides), in human interactions, is a sincere intention to be fair, open, and honest, regardless of the outcome of the interaction. While some Latin phrases lose their literal meaning over centuries, this is not the case with bona fides; it is still widely used and interchangeable with its generally accepted modern-day English translation of good faith.[1] It is an important concept within law and business. The opposed concepts are bad faith, mala fides (duplicity) and perfidy (pretense). In contemporary English, the usage of bona fides is synonymous with credentials and identity. The phrase is sometimes used in job advertisements, and should not be confused with the bona fide occupational qualifications or the employer's good faith effort, as described below.
Bona fides is a Latin phrase meaning "good faith". Its ablative case is bona fide, meaning "in good faith", which is often used as an adjective to mean "genuine". While today fides is concomitant to faith, a more technical translation of the Latin concept would be something like "reliability", in the sense of a trust between two parties for the potentiality of a relationship. In ancient Rome bona fides was always assumed by both sides, had implied responsibilities, and both legal and religious consequences if broken.[2] Fides was one of the original virtues to be considered a religious "divinity" in Roman paganism. Modern interpretation is that it is a return of favor for the completion of a favor.


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Zell am See
02 - 05 Jun 2017
Cross Country
Blog & News
Day 3 Briefing delayed to1PM - 2017-06-04 06:32The weather forecast for now is rain and strong wind up to 30Km/h,
But the cell is moving fast.
The Briefing is delayed to 1 PM to see if there is a chance to have a late flight in Hollersbach.
Ikarus Pinzgau


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We Salute The Almighty Cornbread (And Southern Food) With Sean Brock
[embed]https://youtu.be/agtPVZpQeV8[/embed] For many Southerners like Sean Brock, cornbread is a way of life. So when it comes to something so sacred, there can be a lot of heated debates on how to make the best cornbread. Here's the evolution of Husk's cornbread told by Sean himself: "When we opened Husk, I knew that we had to serve cornbread. I Also knew that there is a lot of bad cornbread out there in the restaurant world, usually cooked before service and reheated, or held in a warming drawer. I won't touch that stuff because, yes, I am a cornbread snob. My cornbread has no flour and no sugar. It has the tang of good buttermilk and a little smoke from Allan Benton's smokeouse bacon. You've got to cook the cornbread just before you want to eat it, in a black skillet, with plenty of smoking-hot grease. That is the secret to a golden, crunchy exterior. Use very high heat, so hot that the batter screeches as it hits the pan. It's a deceptively simple process, but practice makes perfect, which may be why many Southerners make cornbread every single day."
What should you do with your leftover cornbread? Turn it into a magical breakfast milkshake, of course! Chef Ed Lee shows you how.


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Risk Factors and Time to Failure of Pediatric Angle Surgeries
Nader M. Mettias; Zeinab S. El Sanabary, MD; Yasmine M. Ahmed, MD; Amanne F. Esmael, MD
Cairo University Hospitals (Kasr Al Ainy)
Cairo, Egypt
Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors predisposing for failure of goniotomy and trabeculotomy surgeries performed in the Pediatric Ophthalmology department of Cairo University Hospitalsas well as calculate the time to failure.
Methods: This was a retrospective review of records of children aged </=12 years who underwentgoniotomy and /or trabeculotomy from the 1st of January 2013 to 31st of December 2015.With a minimum of 6 months follow up,452 eyes met the inclusion criteria(120 and 332 had goniotomy and trabeculotomy,respectively).Failure was defined as a final IOP>18 mmHg on medications or the need for a subsequent glaucoma procedure.
Results: Failure occurred in 55.8% of eyes that underwent goniotomyand 30.4% of eyes that underwent trabeculotomy,with a mean time to failure of 4.25±3.97 and 6.37±8.25months,respectively. Aniridic and aphakic glaucoma eyes had the worst outcome.Positive consanguinityandhigher preoperative IOP were significant risk factors forfailure in both groups.Larger cup-to-disc ratio wasa specific risk factor for goniotomy(p=0.022)while female gender,opaque corneas and early age at surgery were specific risk factors for trabeculotomy(p=0.002,0.02 and 0.021 respectively).A complete circumferential trabeculotomy showed superior results(p=0.001).
Discussion: Identification of risk factors associated with poorer outcome in pediatric angle surgery can help in guiding the choice of surgery. Failure tends to occur early and is more likely and relatively earlier with goniotomy than with trabeculotomy.
Conclusion: Positive consanguinity and higher preoperativeIOPas well as secondary glaucomas like aniridic and aphakic are poor prognostic factors for angle surgery.Success in trabeculotomy is higher when the extent of the cut is bigger.The early time to failure demands meticulous follow-ups.
References: 1. Al-Hazmi A, Awad A, Zwaan J, Al-Mesfer SA, et al. Correlation between surgical success rate and severity of congenital glaucoma, British Journal of Ophthalmology 2005; 89(4):449–53.
2. Mendicino M E, Lynch MG, Drack A, et al. Long-term surgical and visual outcomes in primary congenital glaucoma: 360° trabeculotomy versus goniotomy, Journal of AAPOS 2000; 4(4):205–10.


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Ex-detective Georgia Thornton returns to reality TV in the third mystery from the USA Today best-selling author of A Second Chance at Murder.
Pool your resources....
After two hit reality TV shows brought ex-detective Georgia Thornton into America's living rooms, audiences can't get enough of her quest for love and justice. Now producers have come up with an all-new show set in a haunted castle in Golden, California. Georgia and nine other contestants will need to solve the mystery of a young woman who disappeared at the castle in 1960. Except there's one rather substantial problem waiting for everyone when they arrive: a groundskeeper is found drowned at the bottom of the castle's empty pool. Now Georgia and the other contestants will need to work together, because there's a different sort of game afoot - and it's not one they can afford to lose.


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Health Department Regulations For Your Catering Business
I have a good friend who is a nurse and she always ends up scrambling at the last minute to get her contact hours. Will Powley,senior consulting manager for GE Healthcare's performance solutions group says, that the first step in effective succession planning is a quarterly talent review that begins with an examination of the hospital or health system's organizational chart.
Internal supply: – The evaluation of the gross number of people needed for a specific job & arrange for other provisions of HR processes, such as training & developmental programs, transfer & promotion policies, retirement, career planning, & others have crucial importance in maintaining constant supply of HR in an organization.
Pete Schade, Health Commissioner at the Erie County Health Department and his staff have been working with local law enforcement and the community to ensure that everyone has access to proper disposal options for over-the-counter and prescription medication.
There are a number of companies with communications departments that believe that this department should do all communications and other departments such as the policies and procedures department should not be implementing a communication plan of any kind.
Access to prevention, screening, and medical care services under ACA will undoubtedly improve the opportunities for health promotion and disease prevention in our states and jurisdictions at both the individual- and population-level; however, access alone will not be sufficient particularly for our most vulnerable residents who may experience profound socioeconomic and psychosocial challenges, or may remain categorically ineligible for health insurance coverage.


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8. Holy Intruders/
Hydrated and ready for the next fifty miles, our cheerful band of pilgrims were chirping away fantasizing about what a land of milk and honey would actually look like, and about different ways of preparing manna. The shining sun met no obstacles on its way to brighten their path so the whole world was clear and crisp. Several men pulled flutes out of their packages to delight the air and ears and to give a little rhythm to their steps on this merry day.
No one knew that they were marching straight into the territory of the Amalek, a particularly unfriendly and brutal family. Until now, the Children of God had been so thoughtful of battling internal dilemmas: hunger, worry, illness and then one level up, societal issues: helping the aged, infirm and children keep up, water management, and tent set up and break-down, that it hadn't occurred to them that there would be a third level of conflict and turmoil to deal with, that is the small matter of enemies.
They had never thought of themselves as intruders before. But so they were for between Egypt and God's Green Acre the People of God now had to pass through many strange and mysterious cultures. How they would maintain their unique purpose and identity, not to mention their lives was clearly going to be a joint effort between the people and their God. Each man, woman, and child knew in his and her heart that enemy territory would define him or her and their corporate mission. Like ballerinas on a high wire this band of holy pilgrims would need muscle and focus to get across the room of battle.
When the congregation of Israel quieted itself as it did in intervals to listen for enemies the beasts of Amalek were heard.
"Asa, did you hear what I heard?"
"I'm afraid so Ben. This isn't going to be easy, how would you like it if 600,000 people, not including women, children, the elderly and the tribe of Levi walked across your back yard?"
"We won't eat much." joked Ben, more nervous than he sounded.
"The way I see it Ben, we have three choices. If these earth-bound landowners don't accommodate us people of God we can: 1. Kill them, loot their towns and keep on going, 2. Tell them about who we are and see if they want to join us, which would mean that they would have to forsake their gods, maybe families too, or 3. We can settle down and join them and forsake our God."
"Asa, it is amazing how you made killing and looting sound like such a good option. You know how impossible it is to convince anyone who wasn't given the Spirit and the Blood to receive guidance; besides how impossible it is to choose someone God hasn't chosen for Himself to be as crazy-different as we are, and worse, you know what would happen if we joined them. We would surely die. No Promise Land, no immortality, just oats and hay until we dust-up like animals. Nope, that's not the life for me Asa."
"So, Ben, it looks like we have no choice. We must accept our differences and plow through the threatening obstacles no matter how strong or how alluring they are. God is with us. We are in this world but we are not of this world. Our job is to cling to the Lord, and not to surrender to foreigners that would corrupt. No compromise. Can we do that my friend?"
"Let's see here, Asa. Our choice is life or death. I'll choose life! Where is my hatchet?
(What does it mean to kill them? Separate yourself, don't accept the compromises they force on you to adopt their priorities: lust of power, lust of the flesh and pride of life.)


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Julie Ann McKevitt
Founder + Board chair
Julie has worked with groups of all ages and needs. She loves bringing fun projects and new painting techniques to students, allowing them self-expression in the creative process.
Adopting a love of acrylic painting from her grandmother, Julie Ann began painting at a young age. While studying business and dance at the University of Miami, she began painting commissions for friends and family during her free time.
In 2012, she decided to pursue art full time. Since then, Julie had the honor of painting a large-scale mural for Art on the Atlanta BeltLine as well as designing one of the City of Decatur's official postcards. She has been commissioned to paint for clients throughout the country.
After witnessing a strong need for artistic outlets for youth, Julie and her husband, Aaron, began Paint Love in 2014. Julie served as the Executive Director until 2019 and grew the organization into one of the most sought-after art programs for youth in Atlanta. She believes in the therapeutic power art can have and strives to give young people the ability to grow through art. Julie and Aaron and their two daughters reside in Duluth, GA.
Laura Shaw
Executive Director
Laura is most passionate about empowering youth through creativity. Growing up as a ballet dancer, and later teaching dance in inner-city schools, she fell in love with the transformative power of art and sought to find innovate ways to incorporate creative outlets and opportunities into the lives of under-served young people.
Laura earned her master's degree at Boston University, and with a background in arts + community engagement and non-profit program management, Laura found the perfect mix of her experience and enthusiasm when she joined the Paint Love team in 2016. She also loves yoga and traveling, and teaches yoga in schools and is always planning her next trip with her husband and their puppy, Fitz.
Program Staff
To apply for open job opportunities and our internship program, please visit the Careers + Internships page.


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Riot Games might have accidentally leaked the patch notes for the next League of Legends update.
The next major update isn't expected to hit the live servers until the start of the new season in January, but preliminary patch notes were accidentally published early by Riot Games.
Though it's worth noting that the update could still be subject to change, the notes give an idea of the areas Riot are currently focusing on and the direction certain champions will be taking.
Patch 9.1 will be the first update of the new season. While the current pre-season patch has already implemented some of the more major changes, 9.1 will address any big changes Riot still wish to make heading into 2019 and the start of the new ranked season.
The most significant changes come to Kalista, Ornn, and Sejuani, all of whom Riot have identified as historically having been more powerful in professional play than they are in the less coordinated realm of the online ranked queues.
Several other heroes have received more minor balance adjustments, however, as have Runes and Jungle items.
The hero changes can be seen below.
Base AD, AD growth, attack speed growth increased; W Oathsworn AD bonus removed. Q damage increased. E deals less damage to epic monsters.
When we say "Kalista", League vets immediately think "nerfed because of pro play". It's been a minute since we've tried to shift her strength toward less team-coordination-dependent power, but we're taking a fresh stab at it here. Kalista's offensive strength is no longer tied to being near her Oathsworn and her ability to turn Rend into a better Smite is greatly diminished. In return, she's gaining a bunch of personal power she can use in any situation.
Base Stats
Q - Pierce
W - Sentinel
REMOVED: OATHSWORN EMPOWERMENT - Kalista no longer gains 5/10/15/20/25 attack damage while her Oathsworn is nearby
E - Rend
NEW: WEAK GRIP - Rend now deals 50% damage to epic monsters
Base durability increased. Ornn's items upgrade at lv13 (2 max); he can upgrade one ally's item per lv at lv14+. More upgrades added. Q cost, damage, slow decreased. W doesn't shield but makes Ornn unstoppable. R slow, knockup decreased.
While Ornn doesn't have as lengthy a track record of competitive problems as Kalista, he's similarly shown much stronger results in pro play. He wins basically every top lane matchup, making him a safe choice in any comp, and his ult locks enemies down from a distance so allies can clean up the kill without Ornn actually having to do his job as a tank. We're reducing these strengths and investing that power into Ornn's passive. Switching to a free upgrade system gives Ornn a unique ability to jump-start the item scaling of both himself and his team: rather than delaying progress toward full builds, upgrading an item is now pure upside.
Base Stats
Passive - Living Forge
Q - Volcanic Rupture
W - Bellows' Breath
E - Searing Charge
R - Call of the Forge God
Base durability increased. Passive grants less stats but lasts longer. Q damage increased. W2 damage increased but slow falls off immediately. E deals more damage but range and stun decreased.
Third in our "powerful in pro, weak in regular" lineup is Sejuani. The broad angle of approach for these changes is 'reduce crowd control and increase damage' to make Sejuani's success less dependent on ally follow-up (or set-up in the case of melee allies priming E). We're also reducing Frost Armor's massive spike of defenses to extend its duration and give Sejuani more baseline durability. This ties Sejuani's responsibility of soaking damage less to perfectly-coordinated teamfight initiation, enabling her to better tank for her team throughout extended (and perhaps messier) combat.
Base Stats
Passive - Frost
Q - Arctic Assault
W - Winter's Wrath
E - Permafrost
E grants assists if enemies were previously unseen.
We're adding some personal reward for Hawkshots that enable Ashe's team to lock down a kill. (The Q change is a quality of life improvement.)
Q - Ranger's Focus
E - Hawkshot
Q can be recast earlier.
When we made Aurelion squishier toward the end of last year, he was tearing up the top of the ladder while having little impact in regular levels of play. Now that the Starforger has room for a survivability buff, we want to flatten that skill discrepancy a bit. This change is powerful across the board, but it'll disproportionately help new and average Aurelion players who haven't yet mastered his ranges or matchups.
Q - Starsurge
W cast time now scales with attack speed.
Helping Zap!'s cast time keep up with Jinx so casting it mid- or late-game doesn't feel like as much of a standstill. (Even though it still definitionally is.)
W - Zap!
Q+E combo can now be buffered.
E - Acceleration Gate
E teleports immediately; cast time now entirely post-teleport. Hextech Gunblade's active can be buffered.
These changes make Katarina feel more responsive to play without stripping away her opponents' ability to react to her decisions.
E - Shunpo
Q stacks from large kills increased.
We're increasing the reward good Nasus players earn for prioritizing last-hits on big stuff. This doesn't affect stacks from smaller units, so the big dog's gotta land those cannons to make use of this buff.
Q - Siphoning Strike
Champion hits don't reduce Q's damage.
Buffing the dream Q that hits all five enemy champions in a teamfight.
Q - Boomerang Blade
Q cooldown reduced while R is active.
R - Final Hour
E root duration increased.
We're upping Xayah's ability to keep enemies where she wants them.
E - Bladecaller
Q+W and E+W combos can now be buffered.
W - Rampant Growth
The full patch notes can be read here.
Here's something new from Dexerto: Why Hungrybox uses JIGGLYPUFF (Ep.3) - A Smash God Documentary


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An extravagant townhouse on Central Park West that retains its fanciful 1887 Queen Anne exterior, but received a rigorous renovation in 2006 that fast-forwarded its interior into a stark showplace for contemporary art, is poised to return to the market at $27.75 million. The annual property taxes on the residence, whose unusual attributes include a 60-foot lap pool and an onion dome skylight encircled by a Guggenheim-esque stairway, are $48,000.
The six-story house at 247 Central Park West near West 85th Street set a record for single-family homes on the Upper West Side nearly three years ago when it was bought for $22.375 million by a Ukrainian investor and fertilizer magnate, Igor Iankovsky, who never moved in, apparently because his wife, Svetlana, while smitten like him by its grandeur and proximity to Central Park, preferred that their primary residence be in France.
The couple initially offered their new home as a $110,000-per-month rental; then the nearly 23-foot-wide townhouse went on the market last year for $32.7 million. It failed to attract a buyer/art collector bent on living large on the Upper West Side.
Now it is testing the market again, with a slight reduction in price but no lessening of luxury: Its audiovisual accouterments and museum-quality lighting and security systems are state of the art. Every front window, among them a classic Queen Anne bay in the master suite, which encompasses a full floor, and an original stained-glass transom in an office on the parlor floor, faces the park. The townhouse is among the very few single-family residences on Central Park West to have evaded the wrecking ball in the last century.
An undisputed trophy home owing to a spare-no-expense gut renovation by the previous owner, Keith D. Monda, the former president of the luxury-goods company Coach, it has five bedrooms, six full baths, two powder rooms, an elevator, a seven-seat home theater, a home gym and outdoor space on three levels. Mr. Monda bought the house from Abigail Disney, a grandniece of Walt Disney, for $15.5 million in 2006 and undertook a yearlong customization that transformed it into a dramatic staging zone for his art collection. He sold his 12,000-square-foot trophy after retiring to Sarasota, Fla.
There is a 21-by-27-foot rear garden off the sitting and dining areas adjacent to the eat-in kitchen, which has a six-burner Garland range, mahogany cabinetry, a fireplace with a glass tile surround, and white marble countertops with a matching center island carved from a single slab of stone. French doors lead from the opulent 20-by-12-foot master bath, with its inlaid Italian mosaic tile, to a west-facing limestone terrace that spans the width of the house. Up on the roof, the observatory-like dome is the centerpiece of a spacious terrace with 22 feet of frontage above the park and eastward views to Fifth Avenue.
The historic house retains its massive arched front door, carved from oak, but the updates commence in the foyer, which has an Italian tile floor mosaic with a celestial theme and a tiled powder room. A set of doors carved from mahogany that matches the new plank floors and built-in cabinetry on the parlor level opens into the dramatic double-height living room, which has an open stairway of glass and steel and views of the dome four floors above. The gallery-like main living room is 21-by-26 feet; a somewhat cozier second sitting room toward the back of the house also has a nearly 13-foot-high ceiling and a wall of west-facing windows that overlook the garden.
Mr. Iankovsky, who made his fortune at Stirol, a manufacturer of fertilizers, plastics and pharmaceuticals that was sold in 2010, said he and his wife were drawn to the home by its location directly across from the park and its array of amenities, particularly the pool, the commodious family-style kitchen, and the view of the park from the master suite.
The listing broker, Vannessa Kaufman of Sotheby's International Realty, said the townhouse, built with eight others by the developer William Noble and selected by him to be his own residence from 1887 to 1892, provides a rare amalgam of 19th-century charm, cutting-edge technology and art-ready space. It and its two neighbors to the north are all that remain of Mr. Noble's original block of ornate and, for that era, expensive townhouses (each cost $37,000). "The impressive turn-of-the-last-century facade conceals a wonderfully airy interior space," Ms. Kaufman said, "and the fabulous park location and east-to-west views bring an enormous amount of light."


text: We collect an offering every Sunday at HLBC. You can also send your contribution to 3400 summerfield drive, louisville KY, 40220. If you prefer, you can pick up a form at our welcome center to set up an automatic withdrawal for your monthly giving. You may also download an automatic withdrawal form here and email it to email@example.com


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- Marlen Aleph Fountain Pen Review (via Pens! Paper! Pencils!). "Pros: Looks great; Cons: Doesn't write." Glad to see Ian back at it!
- Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil 2.0 (via The Pencilcase Blog). Dries takes a look at the Modern Fuel 2.0 in bronze.
- Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil 2.0 (via Gourmet Pens). Azizah reviews the Modern Fuel 2.0 in copper - a common thread among all of these reviews is that the pencil isn't too heavy.
- A Wonder Pens Studio Shop (via Wonder Pens Blog). Wonder Pens in Toronto is opening a smaller second location and moving their larger, primary location. Best of luck to them, and it looks to be a busy 2018 as they continue to grow.
- Penwell - A New Accessory to Make Any Pen a Desk Pen (via Clicky Post). Mike reviews the Penwell, and I agree with his assessment all around. This little desk tool is amazingly useful. I have one that was sent over for review and will be publishing my thoughts in the future.
- Kaweco Steel Sport (via Pen Addict). If you've been wanting a heftier version of the Kaweco Sport, but for whatever reason didn't like the smell of brass, this may be the pen for you.
- Use Your Stash: A Book That Takes Its Time by Flow Magazine (via From the Pen Cup). I share Mary's affinity for hanging out in Barnes & Noble (or any location that combines books/paper/coffee, for that matter), and this post reminded me that it's been a while and need to check to see if there's anything new - like this book.
- Rickshaw Pen Sleeves (via Well-Appointed Desk). I handled a Rickshaw pen sleeve for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and was impressed with the quality, especially the interior lining.
- Pelikan M605 White Transparent Special Edition (via TooManyInks). A cool looking pen, but I didn't expect it to be quite as "bright white" as it appears in real life. I think I might have liked an ivory color a bit better, as is shown in the marketing images? Still on the fence a bit about this one.
- First Look: Karas Pen Co. Decograph No. 1702 "Elektron" (via Nib & Ink). Matthew takes a look at a special edition version of the new Karas Kustoms Decograph. I have to hand it to them, that material is gorgeous.
Please Visit My Sponsors and Affiliates!
Please take a moment to visit these fine folks who help keep this blog going! It's next to impossible to keep up a steady stream of fresh review content without some form of blog sponsorship. I'm grateful to everyone who's helped me out along the way.
- Pen Chalet. Pen Chalet has a wide variety of available pens and offers unbeatable value on pens, inks, pen cases, etc.
- Anderson Pens. In addition to having the largest offering of bottled ink in the world, Anderson Pens is an authorized retailer of a wide range of brands, including Aurora and Faber-Castell. Check out the sponsor profile I published here.
- Appelboom. Appelboom recently joined as a sponsor of this blog! Please check out their extensive selection and excellent pricing, including Montblanc pens such as this Classique 145 I recently reviewed.
- Vanness Pens and Kenro Industries. Vanness Pens carries rare and hard-to-find inks from all over the world, including Callifolio, Akkerman, and the full line of DeAtramentis. Also, Vanness carries a wide array of pens, including standard and special edition offerings from Aurora, as well as the ystudio line of pens from Taiwan.
- Say Nice Things Stationery. SNT is a new UK-based notebook company that makes some really nice, reasonably priced journals and notebooks. Check out my review of some of their offerings here, as well as their recently released Flip/Flop Pocket Notebooks!
- Tom Barrington Leather Goods. Tom Barrington manufactures high-quality leather goods, including pen cases in stingray and ostrich leather. (Review of their leather two-pen sleeve here.)
- Pokka Pens. Pokka Pens makes high quality, portable ballpoints that make for a great EDC option. Check out my review here, and don't forget to use the code GENTSTA to get 10% off your purchase!
Also, don't forget to take advantage of this week's free personalization/engraving offer from Goldspot!
In Case You Missed It...
This week I reviewed some new pocket notebooks from Darkstar Collection, as well as a gorgeous leather cover for the Baron Fig Confidant sent to me by One Star Leather Goods. I also published my own initial impressions of the Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil 2.0, which I had the opportunity to review in stainless steel. And don't miss this week's Deals & Drops!
Happy Sunday, and as always, thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.


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I have sold a property at 2054 Gladys PL in SOOKE.
Absolutely Breathtaking Water & Mountain Views from nearly every room of this well planned 1992, 3 bedroom, 3 bath strata home. Features Sunny South Living room w/ Sliders to Entertainment Size Deck. Spacious Oak Kitchen w/ inline Dining. New flooring, fresh paint & fixtures throughout. Powder room & Separate Laundry. Master Bedroom boasts Full Ensuite, loads of closet space & those amazing views of the Sooke Harbour & East Sooke mountain range as well. Single Garage w/ workshop area. Over half Acre of Easy maintenance landscaping. Great Location in Sunny Saseenos within Minutes to School & City Bus Routes and the Fabulous Galloping Goose Trail. This is an excellent opportunity for the dream home at an affordable price. Priced to Please.


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CITY CAPE with Fox Collar / Offwhite
CITY CAPE with Fox Collar / Offwhite
The City Cape Coat is a beautiful, exclusive design created with Beaver fur ideal to wear day & night. It is created as a delicate cape style, with large white Fox Collar.
Very stylish, elegant & casual.
Colors/Skins : Beaver
COLOR: Off White
SKIN: Beaver Body & Fox Collar in Off White
** Please note that because these are natural skins they might have imperfections.
Fur Sizing:
These are all Natural furs therefore sizing will vary for each item of the same style.


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Author: Kelsey Crawford
For those of you that do not know, ESSCO is the Engineering Student Societies' Council of Ontario. ESSCO AGM was a chance for the incoming VP Externals to learn about their new role, and meet other VP Externals across Ontario. The executive team also got a chance to go and talk to other schools, and make plans for the year by discussing different initiatives. Only minor administrative issues were discussed at this conference.
The new executive council was also elected at this conference and the names are: Jocelyn Lee (VP Comm), Dakota Plant (VP F&A), Mike Lavdas (President… shout out to Western!), Katie Arnold (VP Services).


text: Feb 27 Feb 27 Episode 043: Julie Zelig Allie Stark Follow the Stream to Where it Takes You Julie Zelig is a licensed psychologist who recently relocated her practice from New York to Sarasota, Florida. When she speaks, you can simultaneously hear her thick New York accent and deep well of warmth. Trained in the art of listening, she allows for spaciousness in conversation and is curious to learn more about everything that is said. At the beginning of our conversation, I ask Julie why she decided to become a therapist. She responds, "I feel like I was born to be a psychologist. I know how funny that sounds because most people decide later in life what they want to do or their career has some twists and turns, [but] from as early as I can remember—beginning in like elementary school—I was very ahead of myself and very curious about my peers." I appreciate both her candor and her confidence in owning that she has been on her path for a very long time and that—in fact—she may have been put on this planet to be of service in this way. She shares more about what it means to be aligned with a calling, "I think that means it's a really great fit when you have that passion and that early interest that comes from deep inside [of] you. . . . It feels good to do what you naturally like to be doing."Julie and I then begin to discuss the comparisons and contrasts between a therapist and a coach—a question that we both are regularly asked. She notes: "The ethical principles that guide psychologists are pretty strict. [We are taught to believe that] the therapeutic relationship [is] the number one vehicle to change and so a strong therapeutic alliance is what is central to someone making progress towards their goals. . . . But at the same time, there are boundaries that are very important—professional boundaries—and I would say most of my training really emphasized that it's really important that the client is the center of the process in the sense that there's not much sharing on the therapist's part unless it's really appropriate."She continues by describing how she approaches her clients:"I tailor my approach to each unique person who comes in and at the same time kind of assess what's appropriate in terms of how much I share about a certain situation that possibly reminds me of something that I've been through. . . . But I do think that [that has] been somewhat [of] a limitation—the level of emphasis on how much you share about your personal history or your own experience."We are not trying to claim which modality is better or worse but rather demonstrate some of the difficulties that can exist in the therapeutic approach of withholding personal information and not sharing vulnerably in front of one's clients. Sometimes one has to show his or her cards in order to allow for others to feel safe in doing the same. Julie notes, "It's situational and it's an intuitive process. I don't think there's one model." We continue to explore how these professions overlap, with Julie explaining that "being able to pay attention to other people" is a gift in our line of work but "it can also distract you from your internal experiences and can get in the way of your own process" in personal matters. Julie and I then discuss the importance of feeling one's feelings as a matter of claiming one's highest self. We talk about how we live in a society that encourages us to distract ourselves from intense and uncomfortable emotions when we'd be better off in the long run processing the feelings as they happen. Julie explains, "[It's] the idea of just sitting with whatever you're feeling and knowing that the feeling will pass and that [you're] actually not avoiding it [and that it] is going to get you to the other side." Feelings rise up inside of us when something is out of alignment. And even when these feelings are totally overwhelming, the only way out of them is through them.Julie shares a story of freezing from fear when she got up to give a presentation in middle school. Although this was many years ago, the experience largely influenced how she related to her instinct and intuition. She shares that as she stood in front of her class, "I felt overcome with a lot of physical sensations. My body got very hot. I couldn't concentrate. I had a stomach ache. I forgot everything I was trying to say. I got very flushed in the face." This experience led her to believe that any situation in which she could be judged negatively by others was inherently unsafe and she convinced herself of that by equating it to that sense of deeper inner knowing inside of her. Years later, as she recounts this early childhood experience, she is wildly aware that her reaction was actually fear and her fight-or-flight response, not intuition. She notes:"It becomes a familiar experience. . . . It's easy to twist your mind to that. [Like] this is really the truth of what's happening and I think it can be limiting to go with that idea. It's taken time for me to overcome those type of emotions and the fear response. It's taken a lot of hard work on my part to undo that. But I think this is something that a lot of people struggle with: trying to determine [whether or not] something is . . . an intuitive response or a fear response because the internal experience can feel similar."As Julie recently let go of her therapy practice in New York and relocated to Florida with her husband, I ask her about the inevitable discomfort that so often comes with change and the unknown. Although she is familiar with anxiety and fear, she "loves not knowing what is going to happen. . . . thrives on new experiences and crave[s] that adventure." She remembers learning in her training "the idea of surrendering to the unknown and just letting things fall into place . . . [to] follow the stream where it takes you."At the end of our conversation, I ask Julie to share some professional insights on how to decipher the difference between fear and intuition. She states:"Slowing down is probably one of the best skills that you can have when you're not sure what's happening for you. Let's say you're having an emotional experience or you're feeling uncomfortable or you're not sure what's going on, just slowing down to get quiet with yourself . . . to just be with yourself for a little bit of time and check in with how you're feeling. So that's all central to mindfulness and, you know, tuning in and trusting that you deep down will figure out what's going on."Dr. Julie Zelig is a licensed clinical psychologist, speaker and writer specializing in working with adults and adolescents. With compassion and focus, Julie is committed to helping individuals rediscover their inner strength. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, coping with transitions and relationship concerns. She leads weekly Women's support groups focused on building self-esteem. She has a private practice in Sarasota Florida and offers in-person and virtual sessions to clients across the globe.website | instagram | facebook Leave a comment


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NYC Free Lunch Frees Up Family Funds for More and Better Food, Helps End Food Insecurity
A short post in Wear Your Voice provided an insight I had missed when I first read about NYC's decision to provide two free meals a day to ALL NYC students:
This program will directly benefit an additional 200,000 students who weren't eligible for free lunch before the announcement and will save families around $300 per year.
The $300/year is, in all probability, a low ball figure in direct savings… the hassle working parents face in preparing meals, planning for them, and making certain their children remember to take their lunches each and every day can take a toll when both parents work.
And the 200,000 figure is probably a low ball figure in terms of students who benefit because in some cases parents are reluctant to admit that their children qualify for the free lunch and so do not complete the necessary paperwork.
And here's one other fact that has been underreported: by avoiding the paperwork at the Central Office level the NYC school district should be able to save in administrative costs at the district and school building levels.


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Chrysoprase Nugget
Chrysoprase Nugget
A vibrant Australian Chrysoprase nugget, said to bring protection to the wearer.
Chrysoprase nugget strung on an 26" taupe colored cord. Sterling silver lobster clasp closure.
As in all of nature, variations occur. Some gemstones may vary from what you see in the photos. Please rest assured though, we hand pick every stone. We only want our customers wearing the most beautiful gems!
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Yes, I have entered another NYCMidnight writing competition. This one is the flash fiction contest that I didn't have time to enter last year. But I made time this year! I also entered the flash fiction micro contest but didn't make it past the first round. I got the word 'stand' and you had to create a 100 character story, poem line, or what-have-you in twelve hours. I read through the posts and voted for a bunch and wish the best for those who made it to the next round. Something I realized when reading them was that many were light-hearted/poetic whereas mine were not. So, perhaps that's something to consider for the future.
Anywho, as is the way with NYCMidnight you can post your story for feedback until results come in for those who've made it to the next round. You may remember this from my post earlier this year of my entry for the short story competition (top 5!). For this first round I was in group 1 and the mission was:
Genre: Science Fiction, Location: Fitness Center, Object: Knife Sharpener.
Pretty random huh? I know some others who got Sci-fi had a locale on a fish farm and heroin as an object. So I'm amped to see what comes out of that.
While I don't generally write sci-fi, but do read it and fantasy and dystopian from time-to-time I found this a challenge. But luckily, the first idea I had after seeing my prompt was one I liked and stuck with. I do think it's kind of dark and that this may be a trend with me. I just don't write light-hearted I guess. Not in my creative DNA.
Well, without further ado here's "Friend or Foe":
Friend or Foe
The stagnant smell of Patriot's Gym invaded Celestra's nostrils as she made her way to her father's office. The fitness center went as far back as ten generations in her family. It seemed odd she was seeing glistening skin, energy capsules, weight balls hovering for the last time.
Unlike the bubble-shaped, iridescent buildings lining the streets of New Terra, Patriot's was a sickly orange color, a relic brick building. It stood out for people like her father who preferred the world before humans and Soldarians co-existed. The layout of the planet—balanced, ecological, relying on solar power—was the first strike her father had against them. No Soldarian was allowed to set foot on Patriot's premises.
And it was unfortunate for Celestra that she fell in love with one. Devon's smile revealed the sharp teeth of his people, but it hadn't instilled the fear her father had when she was younger. As she and Devon made love the scales on his chest and arms rubbing against her skin became an aphrodisiac.
Celestra twisted the ring on her finger as she passed through the weight room glimpsing women struggling to finish another squat as a simulated trainer stood over them with arms akimbo. Reaching her destination she took a deep breath before going through the sliding door.
Her father was hunched over his desk. Holograms with line graphs dipping towards the floor were projected around him. Behind him was a shelf with awards he'd won for fitness, for helping fight obesity once the epidemic became pandemic. There were also medals from the war between humans and Soldarians, prior to the peace accord.
"What's doing today, sweetheart?" he asked without taking his eyes off the projections.
"I'm okay, Daddy. How are you?"
"Fine. Just wondering about things is all." His skin sagged under his eyes.
"I wonder too. How are you and Mom going to survive after…" she let it hang in the air.
Devon offered to help. He was financially stable, all Soldarians were. They were socialists in nature. This was the second strike against Soldarians, especially for people like Celestra's father who had been wealthy and now suffered from his own prejudice.
As she took a seat across from her father a large butcher knife with an ivory handle on the shelf behind him caught her eye.
"Where'd you get that?" she asked.
Her father craned his neck and looked around before spotting the knife. "Friend gave it to me."
Her father met her eyes. There was a coldness in them she hadn't seen since he showed her the tip of his finger cut off from an unfortunate encounter with a Soldarian.
"My friend Ralph and I were in South Asia, where they first landed. We were alone for a bit then someone came through. Seeing as how they look like us straight off we couldn't tell. First clue was the thing wouldn't talk. Second was it was buttoned up tight in it's fatigues, even though it was hot as a sauna.
"Me and Ralph hatched a plan to see if it was friend or foe. I ended up butting it with my laser rifle. When it stumbled it opened it's mouth and we saw those nasty fangs."
Celestra froze, recalling Devon's teeth, how she thought they'd devour her, but were actually gentle, nibbling her skin.
"We tried to shoot it but they had those damn gun disablers. Ralph was a grade-A cook. He maneuvered to his rucksack and threw the knife right at it.
"After that it was friend or foe. And if they were foe, we always took a prize."
His fingers massaged his temple. "Ralph died and left me this. And a sharpener for it." He scanned the shelf before finding the sharpener. The cogs inside looked rusted and chipped. Celestra squirmed in her seat.
As the projections faded her father stared at her, his eyes unwavering causing Celestra to look away.
"Where'd you get that ring?"
She glanced up.
"You're holding your hand trying to cover it like I wouldn't notice."
"I. Um. I met someone. And he's wonderful, Daddy."
Her father got up from the chair with force letting it swivel in mid-air.
"What's he look like?" he asked looking out the window displaying the center.
"He has light eyes, dark hair, and a cleft in his chin. He's tall and striking. We met at that event for people recovering from supercancer—"
"You leaving something out, sweetheart?"
She gulped at that. "I've never felt this way before. About anyone."
"He's one of them?" He turned around and she felt the shame wash over her. Celestra nodded.
"You'd marry one of them?" his voice rose with each word.
"It just happened. He spoke so eloquently, so passionately—"
"You'd let one of them touch you!"
He stormed back behind his desk. His face was a sickly red. His pallor went back to normal as he sat down. His hands drummed against his armrest before pushing a button.
Celestra heard humming before she felt the measured vibrations of her chair.
"Do you know what the prizes were?"
Eyes cast to the floor Celestra shook her head.
She heard a creaking sound then a thump. Celestra looked up to see a bulging satchel.
He lifted the bag letting the contents fall to the desk, some rolled off the sides. A fetid smell wafted to her nose. She tried to cover it with her hand but felt her body going numb.
They were rotting. But some were newer. She could tell by the color of them. Some had scales, but some were human.
"Daddy, please."
He got up and waved his hand signaling the lights to dim.
His voice was tender as he asked for her hand.
"Soldarians aren't bad—" she began.
He forced her hand onto the desk.
She tried to pull away but found herself fixed, the chair holding her back, tricking her muscles.
"Friend or foe, sweetheart. Answer the question."
[© 2011 Jennifer Baker-Henry 2011]