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Chapter 3 : A new Dawn
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Chapter image by the Stellar Invisibleforest @ TDA
"Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness."
Bertrand Russell.
"You have five seconds to explain why you are here Potter, or so help me I will curse you into the next Millennium!" Lily said angrily. How dare he invade her privacy like that?
"I followed you." James said simply, surprising both Lily and himself, at the calm and honesty in his tone.
"And why, pray tell, did you to do that?" Lily asked angrily, still pointing her wand at his chest.
"I was sitting in the common room, I saw you sneaking out in the middle of the night, I was curious, and so I followed you," James said, still in the same cool and sincere voice that was not his own. "Can you please stop pointing your wand at me so we can talk properly?"
James didn't know what possessed him to say the things he was saying, but it seemed to be having the right effect. Then it occurred to him that it was probably because he was talking to her one-on-one. There had always been someone else there when he talked with Lily; her friends, his friends, or half of the Hogwarts population. Talking to her now in the dead of night, all alone on the grounds, and with her wand pointing at him, felt ridiculously natural to him.
Lily paused for a second, biting her lip. A part of her wanted to make James wish he'd never been born, but another part of her knew that her heart wasn't really in it. She lowered her wand, but she didn't put it back into her pocket. She did, however, help him to his feet.
"Thanks," James said surprised "Look Lily, I'm sorry..."
"Save it Potter," Lily said cutting him off "I'm going back in, go find someone else to spy on!"
"Oh, come on Lily!" James said rolling his eyes at her "You know, damn well, that if it was you who saw me sneaking out at this time of night, you'd have followed me too!"
"No Potter," Lily said distastefully "I would have given you detention! I wouldn't have invaded your privacy!"
"So, you want me to give you detention?" James asked amused.
"If that's what it takes to buy your silence." Lily said heavily.
"Buy my silence?" James asked, laughing out loud now "So you like to sneak out from time to time, big deal! You couldn't be Miss Perfect all the time! What's so wrong about that?"
"I broke a rule Potter." Lily said coldly "It's wrong, not that you've ever been able to grasp the concept of right and wrong!"
"Everybody expects you to break a rule every once and a while," James said unfazed "Nobody can be perfect, and it's not like you're hurting anyone by unwinding a bit."
"I'm Head girl!" Lily said, nearly stomping her foot in frustration.
"Yes, you are," James said, with an annoying grin "but, even the Head girl is not supposed to ware a Halo,"
"Just forget about it would you Potter?!" Lily said exasperatedly. "Let's just go back inside and forget this ever happened."
"What happened? You just broke a rule! Why do you have to be so uptight?" James said becoming, quite, exasperated himself.
"I'm not uptight!" Lily fired back.
"Yes, you are. I've never seen anyone more fussed about the rules then you!"
"Then why do you keep asking me out then?" Lily asked a victorious glint in her eyes.
"Because, I have feelings for you; I always have and I always will. Don't you get that by now?" James said kicking a stray pebble from in front of him. That question had hit a nerve; he couldn't believe that she still didn't realize how much she meant to him.
"Oh, come on Potter. We both know that's just a game to you. You just want to toy with me." Lily said quietly. However, there was a hint of in-conviction in her voice, as though she was looking for conformation, or perhaps denial.
"You think this is a game?" James said angrily "It's been over three years Lily! Don't you think that's a rather long time to be toying with you?"
Lily didn't answer; she just let James's anger wash over her. The look he had on his face was positively murderous, but she wasn't the least bit scarred. She felt oddly safe, terribly uncomfortable, but safe.
"I mean how thick can you be? Why are you doing this to me Lily? Why? Have you got any idea how much it hurts every time you say "No Potter, I'd rather go out with the giant squid"?!" James asked imitating her, the Fury he'd been bottling up after years of rejection breaking through "Do you really think I'm so terrible? What did I ever do to you? Tell me Lily why am I so terrible?"
"I never said you were terrible…" Lily said growing terribly uneasy, at the sheer anger and frustration, surging through him.
"Then why, Lily? Why do you keep hurting me? Even if you want to say 'No' why do you have to step on my dignity in the process? Do you have any idea how much it takes out of me to ask you out? Every time I get my hopes up, I go through hell just to persuade myself to ask you again. And, every time you say no, the disappointment is almost enough to kill me! Forget being beat up, forget falling fifty feet off a broom, nothing can compare to what it feels like when you say no, NOTHING!" James screamed, nearly pulling his hair out in frustration, how could she not see what she was doing to him?
Lily was frozen solid in her place; she could only stare as James walked away from her, going to the nearest tree, and started kicking at it in frustration. The pain etched on every muscle of James's face was horrifying, his eyes were overflowing with tears of fury; knowing that it was her own fault that he was hurting so much was hurting her in turn. And that not only scarred her, it nearly overwhelmed her.
Her first impulse was to go over to him; she had to apologize. She had to take his pain away; she couldn't hurt him like that. She'd broken her promise to herself; she was never supposed to hurt anyone, she was supposed to make sure no one would get hurt. And instead she does this to Potter and to herself. But then, her insecurities got in the way.
"Don't fall for it, it's an act! This is Potter we're talking about! He's just going to use you, he'll hurt you…"
"You're already hurting, aren't you? Just look at him! He's a wreck! You did that Lily, you did. Are you just going to let him keep suffering like that? Do something!"
"Are you high? This is Quidittch star Potter! He has a fan club of girls waiting in line to go out with him! Do you really think he could care about someone like you?"
"What's wrong with you? He likes you and you hurt him, you did that! And, you're wasting your time fighting with yourself! While the only guy who'd ever cared about you enough to put up with everything you threw at him is in that state, has they're been anyone else like that for you? The guy has feelings for you and you have feelings for him, do something about it!"
"You don't have feelings for Potter!"
"Oh, really? Then why have you been coming out here every other night just to think about him? And why do you feel so terrible because he feels terrible, wake up and smell the potion, already!"
James was still pounding the tree for all it was worth; how could he not make her see? She was just inches away, INCHES! And, still he couldn't make her understand how much she meant to him.
He forced himself to calm down, and to look at Lily again; she looked like she was having trouble absorbing what was happening. She was biting her bottom lip again, and she was running a hand through her flaming red hair. He'd never seen her look so confused and unsure. Another wave of anger and guilt washed over him, he was supposed to be trying to tell her he cared about her, not scare her!
He took a few calming breaths, and turned away from the poor tree he'd nearly destroyed. He turned to her, willing himself to relax. He couldn't believe he'd let it all out like that, he'd never explained all of this to anyone, not even to the Marauders. He looked to Lily hoping to see that his tantrum didn't do any permanent damage. But, Lily's face was unreadable and her eyes were set to the floor. Suddenly a look of resolve crossed her face.
"I'm sorry" Lily said softly, not meeting his eyes.
"Don't be sorry, just tell me why. I just want to know why you hate me so much," James managed to croak "And don't tell me it's because of how I used to be. Because, if I said it once I've said it a hundred times. I've changed Lily, I may have disserved what I got back then, but do I still disserve the way you treat me now?"
Lily was flabbergasted; completely, and utterly, flabbergasted. When did he get so serious? When did she become the bad guy and when did he become the innocent victim? Something was terribly wrong in this scenario, and then it hit her, she wasn't solely responsible for this mess.
"How was I supposed to know?" Lily asked quietly.
"What?" James asked.
"I asked you," Lily said taking a step closer "How was I supposed to know?"
"I stopped hexing people, I'm not mean to anyone, I don't embarrass you anymore, I actually do my job as Head Boy, how is that not noticeable? How can this me compare to the airhead I was back in fifth year?!" James asked incredulously.
Lily cracked a small smile, and James's heart, despite the seriousness of the conversation, nearly fluttered out of his chest in happiness, he had been right; making Lily smile felt amazing. And, if insulting himself meant making her smile again, then he was prepared to use every insult he'd ever learned against himself, just to get another look at that smile.
"That's not what I meant," Lily said, the corners of her mouth still twitching slightly "What I meant was that you never talked to me, so how was I supposed to know what you really felt?"
James was bursting to contradict her, but she silenced him with a look.
"And, I mean like this, you've never talked to me without half the school watching, so how was I supposed to know?"
"But, we're talking now," James said steadily, taking a step closer.
"Yeah, we are" Lily agreed quietly.
"I've been a git," Lily said earnestly. "I shouldn't have been so prejudiced against you. I should have treated you better."
"And, I should have talked to you sooner," James said looking into her eyes. "It's not your fault, if I hadn't been a git in the first place, you wouldn't have mistreated me, so don't blame yourself; it's my fault that things worked out this way."
He scanned her eyes, looking for any shred of hope that her opinion of him had changed, gone up from toe-rag to weasel perhaps? Hoping beyond hope that she might, someday, be willing to give him a chance. But, her eyes were too confused and cloudy, he could tell that she didn't know what to do, so he made his choice, he'd take his small victory for the day, and he'd let her think, and maybe, just maybe, he'd have a better chance with her tomorrow then he had today.
Lily was frozen in her place; she didn't know what to do, should she say something? Should she keep her mouth shut?
"He's going to leave! Stop him you stupid idiot!"
"Let him go, it will never work, you're too different! You'll just end up hurt!"
"Are you prepared to keep wondering, from here on out, what would have happened if you'd said something?"
"If you let him in, you can't ever turn back, it would be too late! Are you just going to ware your heart on your sleeve and hope that he wont give it back to you on a silver platter?!"
"Take the leap, what are you so afraid of? That you may actually like him? Have a little faith, it's better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all!"
"You had to let someone in sometime, why not him? Why not now? Isn't it time that you did something that wasn't by the book? Something to try and make yourself happy?"
James steeled himself and said "I think I'll head back in now, I'm sorry I invaded your privacy, it won't happen again."
Lily instinctively called out "Pott…James?"
"Err…I wanted to ask…would you…err…" Lily said timidly, searching for the right words.
"What?" James asked, torn between extreme nervousness and building excitement, Lily had called him James! She never used his first name before. He walked back to her slowly, as though hardly able to believe himself. He was beginning to wonder, fearfully, if this was just some twisted dream, he crossed his fingers hoping that he won't have to wake up now.
"Oh sod it!" Lily said giving up on finding the right words "Will you go out with me?"
James froze for a moment, and then as her question began to sink in a smile appeared on his face and it started to, steadily, transform into the happiest grin that the Hogwarts grounds had ever witnessed. James becoming seized by his euphoria scooped Lily up, fireman style, and spun her around, causing her to giggle and laugh in his arms.
"Put me down!" She ordered him laughing. She had never felt so carefree in her life. It was a new feeling, a new experience, and for once that didn't scare her; if anything, it excited her.
"As you wish," James said promptly dumping her in the lake. He was bursting with joy; he finally has his chance. It was one date, but one date could change everything, this one night had certainly turned their world upside-down.
Lily fell into the lake with a small splash; lucky for her, the water was only knee deep.
"Would you please help me out?" Lily asked getting up, soaking wet.
James, anxious that he had already angered Lily, stretched his arm out to her, which she used to pull him in with.
When he resurfaced, he found that she was laughing fit to burst at him; her emerald green eyes sparkling in the faint sunlight. She took his hand and led him out of the lake; he conjured a towel and put it around her shoulders, so that she wouldn't get a cold; he brushed aside a few stray locks from her face and drew her closer.
She closed the small gap between them and placed her lips on his. It was a just a small and gentle kiss, but there was something about it that felt so right, to the two, that it slowly started to turn more passionate and exploratory.
When, they finally pulled out, both out of breathe, and both smiling. They sat down together to watch the sunrise. Each blissfully aware that this new dawn brought with it the promise of a new and better future, full of something new that could, very possibly, bloom into Love.
A/N:So this is the final chapter of my first ever Lily/James Fic, so do you guys think I should try to write more of them? Or should I stick to my normal genre? I really don't know so any input would be welcome.
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Real Profiles of Rheumatoid ArthritisPhotos © Kevin Hewitt
Kevin Hewitt
Clifton Park, New York, United States.
How long have you lived with RA?
Officially diagnosed in 2008.
What advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with RA?
Stay positive. It's a lot to take in at the beginning. Arm yourself with information, not doubt. Find a good support system, believe me, it helps!
Do you use any mobility aids?
How has living with RA helped to improve your life?
It has made me appreciate more of the little things in life. It may sound a little ironic, but it taught me to slow down and enjoy everything.
Do you have any visible signs of RA?
Just swelling at the moment.
Can you please describe some of your favorite coping strategies for living with RA?
The best thing for me is to laugh. My kids always put a smile on my face and make me laugh when I need it the most.
Can you please describe your current medical (traditional and alternative) treatments?
400mg Plaqunil daily, 200mg Celebrex daily, Rituxan infusions every 6 months, vitamin d 3000 I.U. daily.
Is there anything else about yourself that you would like to share?
I still work a full time job. It's definitely a challenge, but with today's economy and the bills relating to my RA, I have no choice to push myself until my Rheumy says I can't do it anymore. My only advice I can give is to stay positive. Learn what you can and can't do. Somedays you feel you can do everything, so do some. Some days you feel like you can't do anything, so don't. Listen to your body most of all.

subset: commoncrawl


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Well, if the Mayans were right, tomorrow is the end. Of the calendar or of the world, remains to be seen.
We have always lived in apocalyptic times. As long as there has been a world, people have been expecting it to end. But so far it has entirely failed to oblige. Dorothy Parker noted this phenomenon. "Eat and drink and laugh and lie," she wrote, "Love the reeling midnight through. For tomorrow we may die — but, alas, we never do."
So I just don't want to get my hopes up. I've been burned before. Y2K still burns in my memory. Not to mention all those times Harold Camping cried "Apocalypse" and nothing much happened except that his flock lost their life savings.
Still, I have to say, there are a few convincing signs.
- Miss USA wins Miss Universe. This seems improbable, when you consider the size of the universe and the richness and diversity of its life forms, or the fact that while Miss Universe was wearing a long-sleeve red gown with a plunging neckline and performed nothing at all, the cellular life form from Gliese 581 G was wearing nothing but a porous membrane and performed mitosis several times. Whether the Mayans object to it or not, this competition is rigged in favor of multicellular life forms with legs.
- I keep getting ominous e-mails that say I only have "One Day Left To Shop."
- A new study finds that unbelievers make up the world's third-biggest "religion." And even if they didn't, most of us do not worship the Mayan gods, no doubt prompting vengeance.
- Congress appears to be waiting until we are absolutely certain the world will not end in order to reach a resolution on the fiscal cliff. It is hard to argue with this. This is just what I used to do when I thought there might be a snow day.
- The grapefruits have turned on us, probably in response to a hatchet job that appeared in Slate.
- Numerous bars scheduling "End of the World" theme nights. Hey, they were right about St. Patrick's Day coming.
- NASA says not to worry about it. Given their current funding level, how could they possibly know?
- Honey Boo Boo exists, is major national figure.
- That guy on Facebook who is always posting unconfirmed screeds in capital letters seems convinced.
- Canada's strategic reserve of maple syrup was briefly depleted by robbers.
- We discovered evidence of something called the "God particle" using the Large Hadron Collider, and now they say that the LHC is working more efficiently than ever.
- Every single TV station and radio show playing "It's The End of the World As We Know It" seemingly on loop must be on to something.
- Several birds flew over in a threatening manner. Or maybe a regular manner. It's hard to tell with birds.
- Disney bought "Star Wars" and is making "Star Wars 7" in 2015.
- Donald Trump lives, thrives.
Frankly, anything that happens these days, can be taken as a sign that the world is about to end. That is just the crazy end times we live in.
If you still believe, here are 12 Things To Do Before the Mayan Apocalypse.


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Press Release
As the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization)heard petitioners from Non-Self-Governing Territories this morning, both the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and the Leader of the Opposition in that Territory agreed that self-determination for their people was a matter to be decided by the people of Gibraltar alone.
Peter Caruana, the Chief Minister, said it was unhelpful for the Committee to approve, year after year, a resolution calling for dialogue between the United Kingdom -- Gibraltars administering Power - and Spain together for their mutual convenience. Despite Gibraltars desire for dialogue with Spain, it was unreasonable to expect the people of Gibraltar to enter into such a dialogue without a structure that, by denying them a proper place at the table, prejudiced their substantive position and rights.
Noting that Spain and Gibraltar agreed on the need to decolonize the Territory, they disagreed profoundly on how that should be achieved, he said. Only through dialogue, good relations and cooperation with Spain could possible solutions be explored that were acceptable, primarily to the people of Gibraltar, but also to the United Kingdom and Spain. However, such dialogue must be structured so as to give the people of Gibraltar, as the primary interested party, a proper voice of their own.
Joe Bossano, Leader of the Opposition, said that neither Spains veiled threats of hostility to Gibraltars aspirations, nor the United Kingdoms neglect of its Charter obligations, nor the Committees indifference to the people repeated calls for justice and recognition of human rights by the people of Gibraltar would deflect them from their path. The Committee was paying lip service to its duty under the Charter, while turning a blind eye to the connivance of two Member States putting their own national interests above the rights of a colonial people. Only the people of Gibraltar could decide their future -- not the United Kingdom, and not Spain.
He said the Opposition agreed with the Government that Spain had no say in the Territorys decolonization and that it was a matter between the colonial people and the administering Power. On the other hand, it seemed the height of duplicity for the colonial Power to say that only one option for decolonization was open to Gibraltar, and yet to reject that option. It was tantamount to condemning Gibraltar to perpetual colonial rule.
Fourth Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/SPD/184 5th Meeting (AM) 27 September 2000
Ronald Rivera, Vice-Chairman of the Guam Commission on Decolonization, speaking on behalf of the Governor of Guam, noted the lack of progress on the Territorys political status. Guams government was a subject government, and its democratic actions were relevant only within the boundaries provided by the laws of the administering Power. Those laws: set aside a third of the nations land for the administering Powers exclusive use; reshaped the island to reflect multi-ethnic ideals, making the Chamorro people a minority in their own homeland; and gave local jobs to favoured defence contractors.
Those and other outcomes of the colonial condition had affected the Chamorro people deeply, he said. They were overrepresented in correctional facilities, among school drop-outs, in social welfare rolls and in cases of family violence. Such underdevelopment through subjugation, domination, and exploitation was a violation of fundamental human rights and contrary to the Charter. It should be addressed through an act of self-determination.
Regarding Western Sahara, a petitioner from Germanys University of Kassel deplored a proposal - included in the latest Security Council resolution on the issue -- that the Government of Morocco and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (POLISARIO) negotiate a political solution. That abandonment of responsibility by the United Nations was a blow to international law and to the Organization itself. The lack of an enforcement mechanism in the Settlement Plan for Western Sahara could not be a reason to abandon the peace process, but rather a reason to establish such a mechanism.
A petitioner from the Comite para la Reagrupacion de Familias Sharauis denounced the POLISARIO as terrorists who claimed falsely to be the true representatives of the people of Western Sahara. The group had committed many atrocities, including torture, a fact that had been recognized by Amnesty International in 1996. Conditions in the refugee camps were bad and humanitarian aid had been diverted. The POLISARIO should be forced to cooperate with the peace plan, so that the self-determination referendum could be held as soon as possible with the participation of all.
During this mornings general debate, the representatives of Ghana, Pakistan and Egypt made statements.
Peter Donigi (Papua New Guinea), Chairman of the Special Committee on decolonization, reported on a mission last year by a delegation of that body to the installation of the New Caledonia Senate.
Other petitioners this morning spoke on behalf of: the Government of the United States Virgin Islands; Association des Amis de la Republique Arabe Sahraouie Democratique; Peace for the Saharawi People; Federacion Estatal Solidarias con el Pueblo Saharaui; Department of the Presidency of the Government of the Canary Islands; and the Parliament of the Canary Islands.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Thursday, 28 September, to continue its general debate on decolonization questions and its hearing of petitioners.
- 3 - Fourth Committee Press Release GA/SPD/184 5th Meeting (AM) 27 September 2000
Committee Work Programme
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to continue its general debate including consideration of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Special Committee on decolonization). It was also expected to hear petitioners on the questions of Gibraltar, Guam, United States Virgin Islands and Western Sahara.
(For background information, see Press Releases GA/SPD/182 and 183 of 25 and 26 September 2000)
YAW ODEI OSEI (Ghana) emphasized that any progress in the decolonization process would depend on full cooperation by the administering Powers with the Special Committee on decolonization to develop a constructive programme of work. In that expectation, Ghana commended New Zealand for its continued formal and informal cooperation with the Special Committee and its ongoing efforts at preparing the people of Tokelau for self-determination. Ghana also urged other administering Powers to demonstrate similar commitment to the decolonization process.
An issue of concern to Ghana was the unresolved question of Western Sahara, he said. Ghana recognized the just rights of the Saharawi people to self-determination and independence. The Settlement Plan, which had been accepted by both Morocco and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (POLISARIO), was the basis of self-determination, and a free and fair referendum.
He expressed disappointment that the London meetings between the two parties, under the auspices of the Secretary-Generals Personal Envoy, James Baker III, had so far not been fruitful. Ghana appealed to both sides to show the necessary flexibility, accommodation and compromise to avoid a breakdown of the peace process. Ghana welcomed the Secretary-Generals suggestion that the parties propose specific and concrete solutions to the difficulties facing the implementation of the Settlement Plan, in order to help move the process forward.
SHAMSHAD AHMAD (Pakistan) said that, despite the significant progress made in decolonization over the past 56 years, people of colonized territories still looked to the United Nations for their freedom. He noted, therefore, with appreciation the crafting of the Second Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism to carry out the unfinished task.
He also noted a growing realization among administering Powers that freedom could not be denied to people indefinitely. Claims by some Powers, however, that the people of Territories had accepted existing arrangements and did not want to sever ties, could not be accepted without independent verification or a referendum under United Nations auspices. Administering Powers should, without reconditions, develop a realistic, case-by-case programme of work in cooperation with the
decolonization Committee. In addition, they should foster awareness of the right to self-determination in the Non-Self-Governing Territories; provide information as required by United Nations articles; abandon military activities in the Territories; help create stronger, more diversified and more participatory economies; and cooperate fully with fact-finding missions of the United Nations.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir provided a case in point, he continued. In those areas, 10 million people continued to suffer misery and repression under illegal Indian occupation more than half a century after independence was pledged to them by India and Pakistan at the time of independence. The Security Council had affirmed the Kashmiri peoples rights, through its resolutions, but those resolutions remained unimplemented by India. Instead, India had used brutal force to suppress the indigenous struggle for self-determination, using 700,000 troops, wide-spread killing, rape, attacks on villages, custodial deaths, arbitrary arrests, summary executions and disappearances. The resolve of the Kashmiri people however, had only hardened. In this case and others, the international community must make consistent and determined efforts to free the world of the menace of colonialism.
AHMED ABOULGHEIT (Egypt) said that the Committee should continue its work until the Declaration on decolonization was completely implemented. He supported a Second Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, assuming that the object was to actually end colonialism before the decade ended and not to call for a third such decade.
He called for the administering Powers to bear their responsibilities by adopting a flexible spirit characterized by realism, taking concrete measures that would help realize the aspirations of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories. He requested those Powers to allow visiting missions with full cooperation and support. And he hoped that the Powers would provide all information required by the United Nations Charter and to respect the rights in their total sovereignty and control over their natural resources.
He noted that a year had passed since the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) had been established, allowing the exercise of the will of people in that territory. That process would not have reached that stage, he said, if the then President of Indonesia had not taken steps to allow the referendum to be held. The ties between Indonesia and East Timor, and Indonesia and the United Nations should be enhanced.
Some progress, he added, had been achieved in Western Sahara. He looked forward to seeing the process advance in accordance with all previous agreements. Egypt had been in the forefront of countries that worked to end colonialism in its region and Africa and would continue to work with the Committee to end colonialism in the 17 countries still on the list.
PETER DONIGI (Papua New Guinea), Chairman of the Special Committee on decolonization, reported on his attendance, as the head of a mission of that body, at the installation of the Senate of New Caledonia in 1999. The success of that visit owed a great deal to the constructive efforts of all parties to the Noumea Accord.
He said that the mission to New Caledonia was reflected in the part of the Special Committees report (document A/55/23 Part III) concerning the draft resolution on that Territory. While the mission was in New Caledonia, it had noted the presence of a mission from the South Pacific Forum, led by officials from Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
PETER CARUANA, Chief Minister of Gibraltar, said Spain and Gibraltar agreed on the need to decolonize the Territory, but disagreed profoundly on how that should be achieved. While it was United Nations doctrine that decolonization entailed the principle of self-determination, Spain asserted that Gibraltar must be decolonized, not pursuant to that principle, but by a principle of territorial integrity. International law recognized no such principle. The International Court of Justice had stated in the case of Western Sahara that even if integration of the territory was demanded by an interested State, it could not be had without ascertaining the freely expressed will of the people - the very sine qua non of all decolonization.
Refuting Spains assertion of a special United Nations doctrine relating to colonial enclaves, he reiterated that self-determination was the universal principle applicable to all colonized territories. Spains assertion that the application of self-determination would breach its territorial integrity and national unity had no application to the decolonization of Gibraltar by the exercise now of Gibraltarians right to self-determination. Any breach of Spains territorial integrity had occurred 296 years ago.
He said Gibraltar enjoyed a very large measure of self-government through its own elected Government and Parliament. The Government of Gibraltar was not afraid of, and positively sought, dialogue, good relations and cooperation with Spain. Only in that way could the possible acceptable solutions be explored, primarily to the people of Gibraltar, but also to the United Kingdom and Spain. However, dialogue about Gibraltar must be structured so as to give Gibraltarians, as the primary interested party, a proper voice of their own.
It was, therefore, unhelpful, he said, for the Committee to approve, year after year, a resolution calling for dialogue between the United Kingdom -- Gibraltars administering Power - and Spain together for their mutual convenience. It was hoped that the Committee would appreciate and understand that, despite Gibraltars desire for dialogue with Spain, it was not reasonable to expect Gibraltarians to do so without a structure which, by denying them a proper place at the table, prejudiced their substantive position and rights. Gibraltar appealed for the inclusion in the annual resolution of a call for dialogue structured in a manner to include the representatives of Gibraltarians in their own right and with their own voice.
RONALD RIVERA, Vice Chairman of the Guam Commission on Decolonization, speaking on behalf of the Governor of Guam, said that self-government in the remaining Territories was best achieved by having the administering Powers and the Non-Self-Governing Territories become engaged in meaningful discourse under the oversight of the Special Committee.
He reaffirmed the 2 February 2000 petition of Governor Gutierrez and others to the Special Committee and expressed his desire that the discussions on
the Question of Guam, under this new process, begin soon. It was one the more difficult questions on the Committees roster, but the people of Guam were already a half century behind the intents of the United Nations Charter; any action would not be considered too soon for them. Even a 6 June 2000 letter to the President of the United States from the Chairman of the Senate Committee with oversight of Guam noted the lack of progress on Guams political status.
Guams government was a subject government. Its democratic actions were relevant only within the boundaries provided by the laws of the administering Power. Those laws: set aside a third of the nations land for the administering Powers exclusive use; reshaped the island to reflect multi-ethnic ideals, making the Chamorros people a minority in their homeland; and gave local jobs to favored defence contractors. They also directed a third of the islands education and health budgets to transitory immigrants and imprisoned native activists.
Those and other outcomes of the colonial condition had, he said, affected the Chamorro people deeply. They were overrepresented in correctional facilities, on probation, school drop-out and social welfare roles, and in cases of family violence. Such underdevelopment though subjugation, domination, and exploitation were, as pointed out in Resolution 2625 (XXV), a violation of fundamental human rights and contrary to the Charter. It needed to be addressed through an act of self-determination. He was pleased with the language of the relevant draft resolution, and welcomed new initiatives that could bring together the interested parties and advance the goal of self-government for Guam.
CARLYLE CORBIN, representing the Government of the United States Virgin Islands, addressed the agenda item relating to implementation of the decolonization Declaration by United Nations specialized agencies and other associated institutions.
He said that a recent Caribbean regional study had indicated that only seven agencies had provisions necessary for the participation of the small island Territories. The number of Territories participating in the programmes of United Nations bodies remained insufficient. Requests by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, as well as from Member States, for relevant information had brought only a few results.
In response to earlier requests from the Economic and Social Council, he said, only the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) had responded. Overall, there was not sufficient information to allow the Fourth Committee to examine the agenda item. That question should be included on the agenda of the proposed meeting between the Special Committee and the Economic and Social Council.
He said that the reluctance of some Member States to give priority to the agenda item might be caused by the view that it was perceived as a political, rather than an economic and social issue. A 1991 resolution on assistance to small island States had resulted in consensus, since it had been clearly
understood that the aim was to promote social and economic development in those countries. There were an insufficient number of other agenda items designed to consider assistance to the small island Territories.
Noting the frequent references in resolutions to tax shelters and financial services in the small island Territories, he said there was no shield to protect those Territories from the vagaries of globalization, and their economies were just as vulnerable as those of other developing countries.
He said recent decisions of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council had shown considerable success in the goal of increasing participation by the small island Territories in United Nations programmes. Both organs had granted observer status to Territories that had become associate members of the United Nations regional economic commissions.
JOE BOSSANO, Leader of the Opposition in Gibraltar, said the sole responsibility for the Territorys decolonization and for the full recognition of its peoples right to self-determination rested squarely on the colonial Power, as in every other colonial situation. The Opposition agreed with the Government that Spain had no say in the Territorys decolonization and that it was a matter between the colonial people and the administering Power. The Opposition was currently participating in a parliamentary select committee to produce a consensus constitution which, when accepted by the people in a referendum, would constitute the exercise of their right to self-determination. It would be an act of decolonization, permitting the removal of Gibraltar from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
According to the United Kingdom, he said, all its colonies except Gibraltar were entitled to exercise all the options for decolonization. The colonial Power claimed that Gibraltars right to self-determination was constrained by that Powers treaty obligations and that it rejected the option of Gibraltars integration with the United Kingdom. It seemed the height of duplicity for the colonial Power to say that only one option for decolonization was open to Gibraltar, and yet to reject that option. It was tantamount to condemning Gibraltar to colonial rule in perpetuity.
He said that neither Spains veiled threats of hostility to Gibraltars aspirations, nor the United Kingdoms neglect of its Charter obligations, nor the Committees indifference to Gibraltarians repeated calls for justice and recognition of their human rights would deflect them from their path. The Committee was paying lip service to its duty under the Charter, while turning a blind eye to the connivance of two Member States putting their own national interests above the rights of a colonial people. Only Gibraltarians could decide their future -- not the United Kingdom, and not Spain.
REGINE VILLEMONT, Secretary-General of the Association of Friends of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, said that the hardening of the Moroccan position came at the moment the complex preliminary work of identification was completed. Instead of galvanizing the resolution of the United Nations against the bad faith of one of the parties involved in the agreement, the Moroccan retrenchment had the effect of generating the temptation to abandon the Settlement Plan and the referendum.
She asked whether the United Nations, which in the recent past stood by powerlessly as horrifying massacres occurred, could run the risk of new violence in Western Sahara. Advancement of the Settlement Plan according to all previous agreements must be furthered by all means available to the United Nations, whether Morocco liked it or not. The identification process, already well advanced, must be brought to its completion as the indispensable condition for holding a free and orderly referendum. Time was running out for a peaceful solution to the question, as the POLISARIO has already exhausted all peaceful means to have the rights of the Saharawi People respected.
MARGOT KESSLER, of the European Parliament, said that since December 1999 the reports of the Secretary-General on Western Sahara underlined difficulties more than progress, and in July there were suggestions that the conflict could be settled by other means than the referendum of self- determination. Those developments suggested that the United Nations might withdraw from its obligations in the region. That possibility, as well as the Moroccan obstructions to the peace plan, had caused deep concern in the European Union. The United Nations must uphold respect for international law. In 1975, the International Court of Justice had already ruled that Morocco had no legal claim on the territory of Western Sahara.
The danger of the ceasefire breaking down was real, she said, if the referendum process was further delayed. Morocco had renewed its military installations on the wall and had been recruiting more troops. It had used its extra time to bring in Moroccans to create a 7 to 1 majority against the Saharawis. The human rights situation was of great concern. Persons had disappeared for long periods and the security forces had arrested many. There were reports of torture and long-term imprisonment. The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara seemed to be unable, or not willing, to protect the Saharawis.
In addition, she said, living conditions had become desperate. The bloody events of September 1999, with its participation of Moroccan settlers supported by armed militia, presented parallels to East Timor. The refugees in the four camps, despite claims by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), were malnourished and lacked essential supplies. She also drew attention to the plight of Moroccan prisoners of war and called for the earliest repatriation of all remaining prisoners of war. Finally, she reminded the Committee of the large investment the United Nations had made in ending the conflict in Western Sahara, and the strong support pledged by the European Parliament for efforts to complete the process. Only a solution respecting the rights of the Saharawi people to self-determination would allow for the people of the region, including the Moroccan people, to create a future of peace and stability.
CARMELO RAMIREZ MARRERO, Federacion Estatal de Instituciones Solidarias con el Pueblo Saharaui de España, said that the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and independence had been prevented by the Spanish Government, which had facilitated the illegal occupation of Western Sahara by the armies of Morocco and Mauritania. The subsequent armed conflict between the POLISARIO and Morocco, from 1975 to 1990, had resulted in the deaths of hundreds
of thousands of people and the squandering of millions of dollars, an especially serious consequence given the unbearable condition of the African continent.
A resolution to the conflict had seemed at hand in 1992, when the United Nations had set up a mission to organize a self-determination referendum for Western Sahara. However, eight years had passed and the problem had not been solved. The situation could explode into armed conflict. The United Nations was at a crossroads. It should either adopt the necessary political and economic measures to persuade Morocco to remove obstacles to the referendum, or accept responsibility for the resumption of armed conflict in Western Sahara and the consequent loss of faith in the Organization.
WERNER RUF, University of Kassel, Germany, noted that the process of identifying prospective voters for the referendum was blocking the peace process, because Morocco was repeatedly trying to introduce new groups of applicants. In September 1997, a basic agreement had seemed to be reached on the basis of negotiations mediated by James Baker III, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General. But, by the end of 1999, Morocco had presented some 139,000 appeals against the findings of the Identification Commission.
He said that a decisive new element in the Secretary-Generals report of 31 May 2000 (document S/2000/131) was the proposal that the two parties negotiate a political solution, a proposal that had been taken up in the latest resolution of the Security Council on the Western Sahara issue. Should a peoples right to self-determination, one of the basic elements of the United Nations Charter, be handed over to two parties without a mandate from the people concerned? he asked
That abandonment of responsibility by the United Nations was a blow to the principles of international law and to the Organization itself, he said. The United Nations and its Security Council were undermining the Charter and creating a dangerous precedent for the Organizations future role in conflict resolution. The Settlement Plans lack of an enforcement mechanism to ensure respect for the referendums results must not be used as a reason to abandon the peace process. Rather, it must be a reason to establish such a mechanism.
GAJMOULA EBBI, President of the Committee for the Resettlement of Saharawi Families, said POLISARIO was a group of terrorists who falsely claimed to be the true representatives of the people of Western Sahara. That group had committed many atrocities, including torture, a fact that had been recognized by Amnesty International in 1996. Since the terrible events of 1988, many Saharawis decided to flee from the attitude that human beings had no value. She called on delegations that supported POLISARIO to find out the actual truth.
She said conditions in the refugee camps were bad. Humanitarian aid had been diverted. POLISARIO had changed the image of the Saharawi into that of a beggar people. They were not elected by the people and continued to laugh at the peace plan that cost so much effort, denying the participation of people who had the right to vote in the referendum. She thanked humanitarian organizations, and requested that they make sure aid reached the most vulnerable people. She called on the Committee to help terminate the suffering of those people. The POLISARIO should be forced to cooperate with the peace plan, so
that as soon as possible the referendum on self-determination could be held with the participation of all.
JULIO BONIS ALVAREZ, Councilor of the Department of the Presidency, Government of the Canary Islands, said that the Canary Islands suffered the consequences of the neighbouring conflict between the POLISARIO and Morocco. Some fisherman, for example, had been shot at sea in the crossfire. The whole region lay in a very sensitive position and its further destabilization would be dangerous. The ceasefire, he said, could break down for many reasons, which would have disastrous consequences. It was, therefore, essential that the question be settled by peaceful means.
The only solution, he said, was the one that had been established by the United Nations before hostilities began; that is, a referendum of self- determination and the completion of the United Nations Settlement Plan. The Autonomous Government of the Canary Islands, within the State of Spain, had developed good relationships with both Morocco and the Saharawis and wanted to maintain them. The new King of Morocco had given signs of a willingness to make important changes and needed the support of the international community, especially neighbouring countries. Spain has already shown support to the dispositions of the new King. Representatives of the Canary Islands have had occasion for dialogue with Saharawis as well.
He called for an acceleration of efforts to complete the referendum process. In that context, he offered the support of the people of the Canary Islands. He reiterated their offer to the parties involved that the Islands be used as a meeting place, because of their proximity to the conflict and their friendly relations with both parties. To avoid more suffering, the moment to take more flexible positions had arrived.
ELFIDIO ALONSO QUINTERO, Deputy in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, said there could be no solution to the Western Sahara dispute other than that stipulated by the United Nations. That meant a self-determination referendum to be held under the provisions of the Settlement Plan. The United Nations had tried as much as possible to achieve that goal, despite the dishonest attitude of one of the parties.
Stubbornness and intransigence by the two parties would mean a return to war, he said. The Western Sahara situation would then have returned to the stage at which it had been when Spain had, in a cowardly and highly irresponsible manner, given up the Territory. Because of that irresponsibility, Spain felt guilty, which was why King Juan Carlos had called upon both parties a few days ago to spare no effort in resolving the dispute.
* *** *


text:
Nashville Sounds single-game tickets go on sale Monday, and the 2013 schedule includes nearly two dozen fireworks nights and several weekday themes.
The Sounds open the season April 4 at Greer Stadium with the first of a four-game series against New Orleans. Four more home games with Oklahoma City follow before the team goes on the road for the first time.
All Friday and Saturday games will feature postgame fireworks. Every Thursday will be "Throwback Thursday," featuring vintage uniforms on the players and discount prices at the concession stands.
Sundays this season will be 'Military Sundays.' Players will wear camouflage jerseys. Military members will receive discounted tickets.
Mondays will feature $1 hot dogs.
Trevecca Nazarene University once again will sponsor Faith Nights — two each in May and June, one each in July and August.
Special promotions include four bobblehead nights, one of which will honor former Sounds pitcher and 2013 National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey.
Tickets for 2013 home games will be available beginning 9 a.m. Monday at the Greer Stadium ticket office, by phone at 615-690-4487 or online at nashvillesounds.com.
For the entire 2013 Nashville Sounds schedule, click here [1].
[1] http://www.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp?sid=t556


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Puppy: Max
Friends: 0
Member Since: November 23, 2008Add to Friends
Max is a little Westie pup. He is a lovable/playful/mischevious little devil. He loves to meet new dogs and got along great with his family. He was born in Ottawa on a small farm along with two sisters and 4 brothers. He also lived with a 6 year old golden and a 7 year old golden. Max instantly became a member of the family.View Profile


text:
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51 ccoa14th Apr 2012 09:04:06 AM from the Sleeping Giant
Ravenous Sophovore
Calling crowner in favor of Metaphorically True.
52 ccoa15th May 2012 07:50:57 AM from the Sleeping Giant
Ravenous Sophovore
We have a name and consensus. Let's see some action, or we'll need to shelve this.
53 ccoa17th Jun 2012 08:32:38 AM from the Sleeping Giant
Ravenous Sophovore
There are 179 wicks left here.
Just a rename? I thought we were going to split off what "Half Truth" really means as a separate trope?
I was wondering the same. My impression was that "Half truth" was going to be for statements that (while intended to mislead) were logically true without heavily twisting words, or using obscure meanings. That is, "Luke, we lost your father to a battle with the Sith," or "your father, a promising Jedi, was defeated by Darth Vader" would both be half truths - it is clear that they are not lies. Things like "he was alive when I last saw him [and shot him in the gut]" fall under Half Truth as well. I thought "Metaphorical Truth" was going to be for statements like "Darth Vader betrayed and murdered your father". For the "murder" part of that statement in particular to be true, we're dependent on a metaphorical, or unusual, reading of the words (in this case, it seems like an outright lie if you don't know (amongst other things) that the Jedi regard the Sith as akin to the walking dead).
56 Xtifr17th Jun 2012 09:00:28 PM , Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
World's Toughest Milkman
and , having just read through the whole thread, you're both correct. This is not a rename but a split, and the vote was for the name for the new trope. The examples and wicks need to be sorted, not just blindly moved.
Speaking words of fandom: let it squee, let it squee.
57 ccoa1st Aug 2012 07:54:43 AM from the Sleeping Giant
Ravenous Sophovore
Is anyone going to fix the mess, or do we need to revert everything and morgue this?
edited 1st Aug '12 7:54:51 AM by ccoa
58 SeptimusHeap1st Aug 2012 08:07:14 AM from Laniakea , Relationship Status: Mu
For the wicks, there is the wick fixing thread. For the trope that is to be entered in Half Truth, if no YKTTW is available we'll need to scrap it or make an analogous thread for YKTTWs, since they are the most problematic bits of TRS work aside of wicks.
So we probably need to get the ball rolling on this. It seems the only thing that's been done is swapping the name around, which is probably more confusing since the majority of examples are Half Truths and not Metaphorical Truths. Unfortunately, I've never done this sort of thing so I have no idea what's going on. I will say though, since somebody mentioned needing one above, that there was no YKTTW for this trope, which was really my bad, it's the first trope I made years back and I didn't know YKTTW was a thing until the talk page exploded right after posting it.
60 lu1277th Jan 2013 09:23:42 AM from 空蝉丸
Clocking. Either YKTTW Half Truth or we'll have to revert this.
61 lu12729th Jan 2013 12:32:52 AM from 空蝉丸
Guess we're never getting this done. Ah, well.
The system doesn't know you right now, so no post button for you.
You need to Get Known to get one of those.
You need to Get Known to get one of those.
Alternative Titles: Half Truth
31st Mar '12 2:28:48 PM
At issue:


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Factors to consider when determining practice value
written by Charles Kim, Dental Practice Broker, Practice Concepts
There is no one size fits all, or "rule of thumb" method to accurately determine a value of a dental practice. Several factors will need to be considered, and some of the more common factors are explained below. In some markets, practice values are higher than the national averages, and in other markets, the values are lower. What are some of the reasons for this wide range in values? There could be more factors and mitigating circumstances that are unique to each practice, but a good understanding of these primary factors may help a practice owner, or potential buyer, to understand how a practice value is determined in their area.
Location and the demographics of that area can have the most influence on the practice's value. For instance, dental practices located in Southern California, especially in metro areas, may have a value as high as 80% or more of the annual gross revenue. On the other hand, if a dental practice is located in a more rural, remote, or a relatively underserved area, the practice value could be in the 40% range or less of last year's gross revenue. A simple reason for these differences is supply and demand. There are less associates, buyers, and practice owners practicing in these less populated areas. Therefore, a lower practice value is expected. Most of the nation's population resides in metropolitan areas, and as a result, most recent graduates desire to practice there as well. It is typical for most dentists to prefer to live near one's own family or network of friends. Therefore, there is more demand for dental practices in these markets, and as a result, the practice values tend to be higher due to increased competition from more buyers. In addition, most major metropolitan areas have a number of dental schools which produce hundreds of new graduates each year. Often, these new graduates choose to remain and practice near their schools, as they may have already developed a network in the area before they embark on their dental career.
The second biggest factor affecting your value is how profitable you are as a business. Next to location, purchasing a practice with a stable income history is an extremely important consideration for most buyers. For example, practices with a low overhead of 50%, usually can have a higher value than practices with higher overhead around 70%. Basically, if your practice has a higher overhead, it makes it more difficult for a buyer to keep up with their expenses and thus a lower practice value is a reality. For example, 2 practices that both collect $1 million per year, in the same city, may not have the same practice value. If one practice has a 50% overhead, compared to a second practice with a 75% overhead, the resulting earnings for the owner could be quite different. As a result, the practice values would also vary despite showing similar annual collections.
Patient Base/Active count
The patient base and the number of active patients has considerable influence on the success of a practice, and will have an impact on the practice value. Practices that have a smaller patient base (500 to 700 patients), along with a lower number of new patients, for example (3-5) per month, usually are valued lower as compared to practices having a larger patient base (1,200 to 1,700 patients) with healthy new patient inflow averaging 15 to 25 new patients per month.
Although location and financial history may have the most influence on a practice value, another factor is the condition of the practice assets. If you have older equipment and have not renovated your office for years, you should expect to see a lower practice value. The absence of updated technology, widely considered to be standard by younger buyers, such as digital x-ray, or electronic records, will also impact your value as well. The buyers may remain interested, but they will be factoring in the need to spend more money to upgrade or renovate the office when they are ready to make an offer. Therefore, current practice owners who are considering a practice transition within a few years may benefit from some equipment and technology updates, which could not only increase the productivity of the practice, but possibly increase the future market value as well.
Type of facility/Lease
Another factor that has been affecting practice value is the type of facility. There is a greater trend from buyers who prefer practices in retail, or street front locations, with highly visible signage, compared to offices located in professional buildings. For example, a practice located in a large retail/shopping center may sell more quickly, or even for a better price compared to a similar practice located in a professional building. The practice that is located in a retail setting may not necessarily have a better chance to succeed, or it may also require a much higher lease expense. However, the trend from younger buyers to prefer a visible and retail setting has become more apparent in recent years.
Transition plan
Depending on the experience level of a potential buyer and the amount of "hand-holding" they may desire after the purchase, a seller's flexibility regarding transition assistance can also influence the final value of the practice. Or, in the case of experienced buyers who may already own multiple practices, they may not have the availability in their schedule to replace the seller. In these cases, the buyers often ask the seller to remain as an associate until the new owner is able to locate the right personnel to provide coverage. Certainly, there is no standard transition plan that can work for all situations, but it will benefit both parties to determine a balanced arrangement that can provide the buyer with more motivation and confidence. As a result, the seller may enjoy a stronger offer price by accommodating the buyer's needs.
In summary, the topics mentioned above are just some of the common factors that can affect a practice value. A dental practice's value is not entirely based on a rule of thumb, or a standard percentage of gross collections that can be widely applied to every practice. Those "guesstimates" are discussed in the industry among both practice owners and buyers, however, it fails to take into account the unique characteristics of each practice, such as location, size of patient base, cost of lease, transition plan and many other factors that can affect the practice value.– written by Charles Kim, Dental Practice Broker, Practice Concepts


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Man City news and transfer rumors
The Citizen Weekly: News, fixtures and transfer rumors
The Blues entered the New Year on a high this week, the extremely congested holiday schedule saw Manchester City earn three points in each of their fixtures. The new year, marked the opening of the January transfer window and the Third Round of the FA Cup.
Barclay's Premiership
City traveled to South Wales midweek, looking to earn 3 points to take them top of the table, at least momentarily. Wales hasn't been an easy place for the Blues since both Cardiff and Swansea joined the top flight division. City were up for a battle at the rain swept Liberty Stadium.
City played a hard fought game against Swansea, and came out ahead, with a 3-2 final score.
Wilfried Bony netted both goals for the Welsh side, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure and Kolarov all scored for City.
At the end of the week, City sit one point behind table toppers Arsenal at 44 points. Chelsea remain close on their heels at 43.
FA Cup Third Round
This Saturday, Manchester City squared off against Blackburn in the third round of the FA Cup.
City were again on the road for this cup tie as they traveled to Ewood Park to face Championship side Rovers.
Negredo put City ahead with an impressive finish on a corner kick in the 45'. Blackburn leveled after Scott Dunn fired home a shot from a Costel Pantilimon blunder in the 55'.
City Hung on to a draw after defender Dedryck Boyata was sent off in the 84' on his second yellow of the night.
City earned a reply and will play host to Blackburn in the second leg at the Etihad.
Transfer Rumors
The transfer rumors haven't been swirling quite as wildly around Manchester City as in previous seasons. Pelligrini is happy with his squad and unlikely to buy anyone major. However there is some speculation surrounding the club.
Joleon Lescott has be linked with Turkish side Besiktas and London side Tottenham. Lescott will be looking for first team football if he has any hope to make England's 2014 World Cup team. City have had injuries in their backfield and would likely only see him leave on loan or transfer if they secure another defender in this transfer window. Newcastle and Monaco also have apparent interest.
John Guidetti looks set to leave this January on loan. The young Swede is returning from an 18-month long injury and needs first team football to encourage his development. English sides Stoke and West Ham have declared interest in the Swedish U-21.
A very successful holiday season has come and gone, City have depth and experience, many teams are looking to add, it should be a thrilling end to the EPL season.
Top Headlines
- 'Nashwa' delves into the Lives of the Elderly on this week's episode
- Majida Al Roumi signs officially with Good News
- Yaya Toure to quit Man City if new deal isn't sorted by end of week
- Diego Costa to Chelsea with Torres Returning to Atletico Madrid?
- Official: Mubarak still alive despite rumors about his death