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COPYRIGHT ALERT: The Twilight characters are not mine, they are Stephenie Meyer's. The other characters, however, ARE mine, and so is the story idea. Please do not steal it. Thanks. :)
What else could possibly go wrong?? Anira's life has been a complete disaster this past week, and obviously it's not going to give her a break any time soon. The local power plant almost had a meltdown, a bunch of stupid teenagers burnt down half of the forest she lives in, the government found out that she was living in an abandoned shed and threatened to move her into an orphanage, and worst of all, HER BOYFRIEND DUMPED HER. When she wakes up on the first school day after winter break with that same sinking feeling in her stomach, she knows something else will go wrong, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine it would lead her on a path like this. A story of self-discovery, this anything-but-average teenager is forced to confront a past she never knew existed, survive an encounter with deadly yet somehow civilized vampires, and juggle a secret that no one can ever know, right in the middle of the worst week of her life.
Palo, Iowa wasn't supposed to be this unpredictable.
Chapter 1: Get me out of this mess
I opened my eyes groggily and groaned. My stomach was twisting and turning again, like it had almost every other day this past week. And almost every other day this past week, something had gone wrong. The first day had been the absolute worst though, in my opinion.
Hey, Anira, I need to talk to you, Nick, my boyfriend, had said. It was the last day of school before winter break, and we had just climbed off the bus to go home. I had looked at him and smiled, trying to ignore that gut-wrenching feeling I always got when something bad was going to happen. I… Uh, I think we should just be friends. We just aren't very good together, you know? I hope you understand. It's nothing personal. We can still be friends though, right? I had agreed with a little too much enthusiasm.
The next day, after I had cried myself to sleep, I'd barely noticed that same feeling when I woke up- I thought it was a side effect from all the sobs- until late in the night when I caught a whiff of smoke and realized that my forest was burning. Apparently a group of teenagers had thought this was a good place for a bonfire to celebrate the week-long vacation. Why they had wanted to be outside in December was beyond me, but there they were, burning down the only thing that hid my house from view.
Then, of course, after the trees had been drastically thinned, the inevitable happened: I got a notice on my door saying that my house was on government property and I needed to go to court to get a real home under penalty of the law. Of course, as soon as I showed up and they realized I was only fifteen, they threatened to send me to an orphanage or foster home until I was legally old enough to live alone. I had two weeks to pick a foster home of my choice before they forced me into some rotten place with the other homeless kids.
If that wasn't enough to take in with all I had already been going through, the local power plant was in danger of having a meltdown, and I had to work there for days trying to calm everyone down and take control of the situation. By the time all the chaos was over, I had only three days left of my break to relax.
And of course relaxation was an impossibility with my home being threatened and my heart completely shattered in my chest.
Now it was the first day of the new semester, and I could tell that something else was going to go wrong. But what else could possibly go wrong?! After everything I'd been through in the past week, what else could go wrong?!
I sat up grudgingly and stretched my aching muscles. I wasn't used to sleeping so often. Usually I only had to sleep two or three times a week, but I was so upset during the break that I had actually slept every night. It wasn't natural.
After going to my closet and grabbing a dull green blouse and khakis, I went into the kitchen to get some breakfast. It wasn't a very big room, with only the bare necessities to keep it running: a refrigerator, a sink, a stove, and a little wooden table with one chair on either side. The refrigerator was actually pretty unnecessary at this time of year. Since my house had no heater or air conditioner, the food just adapted to whatever temperature it was outside, and since it had just snowed… Well, my food would be plenty cool without manmade appliances.
I knew perfectly well that not having a heater was strange and unthinkable to any of the humans around me. It was part of the reason why I had never invited anyone to my house. But to be perfectly honest, I liked my house without all those silly indulgences. I could really taste the fresh air when the musty air of a machine wasn't in the way, and besides, the thing would be unnecessary anyway. I couldn't feel temperatures. Well, I could feel when the weather changed, and I could tell when it was hot or cold, but I was never actually affected by temperature. My skin was just the same 85˚ all the time.
I grabbed an apple from the fridge and went into the bathroom as I ate, my feet dragging a little as I walked. The bathroom was a little smaller than the kitchen, with a bath tub, a toilet, a sink, and a mirror. I lived in an extremely small house.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror without interest. Just a little over a week ago my eyes had been bright and shining with life. Now they were just a dull forest green, similar to my shirt color, with no emotions and no light. There were shadows under my eyelids that hadn't been there before. I may have been sleeping more than usual, but that certainly didn't mean I'd been sleeping well.
My hair was an unkempt mess, knotted and tangled from the many days of neglect. I grabbed my brush from the sink now, not wanting to look like a zombie when I got on the bus to meet Nick. I couldn't let him know how much his decision had affected me. I had to suck it up and act like nothing had changed, as if it didn't matter in the slightest that he had broken my heart. It wasn't really his fault, I guess. He wasn't trying to be mean or anything. He just didn't think we were right for each other.
I sighed when I was finally done and watched the gossamer strands flow all the way down my legs, halting just below my knees. The name Rapunzel fluttered through my mind as I glanced back in the mirror. I was a strange sight to see, with flawless pale skin and pale hair that ran all the way down to my calves. Maybe that was why Nick had dumped me…
I shook the thought out of my head and checked my watch. 7:30. I still had 30 minutes before I had to be at the bus stop, and I was already set to leave. What was I supposed to do for 30 whole minutes?
My eyes brightened just slightly as an idea came into my head. I ran back into the kitchen to look out the windows at the surrounding forest- at least what was left of it. Was it safe? Would anybody really be out and about this early in the morning? Ordinarily I wouldn't be too worried about getting caught, but after those stupid teenagers had burned down the woods, I couldn't be too careful. The coast seemed clear, and that uncomfortable feeling in my stomach had subsided, for now, so maybe I could get some exercise in before I left.
Before I could change my mind, I reached behind me to reveal the crease in my shirt where I had installed the zipper. Very carefully, I pulled the zipper down until the hole was completely open and exhaled in relief as my wings slipped through the flap. I had been too preoccupied over my vacation to stretch out my wings, but now nobody was around, I could sense that it was safe, and I had 30 minutes of free time to kill. What better way to spend that time than to fly as fast as I could and just tune out the world for a few precious moments?
I fluttered my wings experimentally, smiling as my feet lifted off the ground. It felt so good to finally use them again! I shot out the back door after a short warm-up and let the world blur around me.
I thought about my past while I flew, all the memories I had before this week that didn't make me want to hide in bed all day. Before I had lived on Earth, I had grown up in a small planet called Avalon. I lived there for eight years, but then one day our Fairy Council had come to my house and asked my parents if they could send me to Earth. They sent different fairies to Earth every year to help the humans with their natural disasters and magical infestations, but only the ones with the best talents could go. I was honored to be a part of their program and left immediately. I had always admired the fairies that came to this planet, and I had hoped they would pick me, but I had also thought that my talent wasn't good enough. While some fairies could bend the elements or turn invisible, my only unique quality was my sense of danger. I knew when something bad would happen. I didn't know what it would be, but I always knew, and it had saved my people's lives many times. So they sent me here, to this tiny town of Palo, Iowa, where I could live safely undetected and help those in need.
Well, that plan was in the process of being uprooted and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. The officials had trusted me to keep our secret, and though nobody knew what I really was, the fact that they had found my house was enough to put us all in grave danger. Nobody could know we existed, humans and other mythical creatures alike. We could not be discovered. It was the law.
I slowed to a more human speed and dropped down to the ground when I heard a rustle in the bushes. A deer jumped out of nowhere and scampered across the path to disappear into the trees once again. That same uneasy feeling came back as I watched the creature, and I backed away on foot. Whatever that creature was running from had to be the danger I was to face today. I wasn't going to let it find me here, completely vulnerable and with no witnesses.
I opened my wings and fled back to the house.
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Chapter 24: Coming Clean, Round Two
"Alice can't remember anything about her past," Edward said softly, his eyes wondering now. The little vampire shook her head.
"Everything I know about my past is from the internet or worldly research," she muttered. I was intrigued.
"What have you found out?"
"Well, I was in an insane asylum for most of my life. My parents didn't want me. But some vampire named Augusto freed me and changed me to save me from a tracker, named James." I nodded slightly. This made sense. If she was indeed a faerie, it would have been only natural for her to go to an insane asylum. That is, if she had gotten caught. She easily could have feigned insanity on purpose, in order to keep the humans from discovering the physical proof. Why hadn't I thought of that? It was another option for me. I deserved it after how much I had messed up. Or I could simply let them change me now. But it wouldn't change anything; they already knew. If I let them change me, the roles would be reversed, and I would be the clueless one.
"But it doesn't make any sense," Edward muttered, his eyebrows scrunching together. "James said that Alice's blood was even more potent than Bella's was." He made a face. "That's extremely hard to believe, and impossible if what you're thinking is true. How could you possibly explain that?" I shrugged.
"Bad choice in perfume."
"And what about being able to see the future?"
"Faeries have talents too, if you haven't noticed."
"Okay, but why can she see humans and vampires, but not you?" That made me have to think.
"Well, as a faerie, if she in fact was one, it could have been her ability to tell the future for humans only," I said slowly. "That would be a very convenient gift when trying to keep them alive. But then, when she was changed, maybe her gift modified to further keep the secret. I don't know why she can see vampires, but I can only assume it's because that's what she is now."
"But she can't see Jacob or Nessie either. Is that because of this subconscious self-defense as well?"
"I don't have all the answers, blood-sucker." He sighed in frustration, but didn't go on. I knew about as much information as he did on his sister's past. He knew that.
"Okay then. Next question: How often do you sleep? Obviously you do, or you wouldn't have bargained with me for your house, but I get the impression you don't go to sleep every night…" I frowned a little. Great, the spotlight was back on me.
"I sleep every other night or so," I allowed. "Sometimes I stay awake two nights in a row, but I get pretty sluggish the day after. No doubt you saw that." I pursed my lips. "I should probably go to sleep tonight. But then, maybe I won't…" My thoughts trailed back to Vincent, who was probably sitting in his room just waiting for me to come through his veranda doors. This was going to be a long night.
"You realize how much danger that human is in right now," Edward snapped, hearing my thoughts. I whimpered a little.
"I know, but what else can I do? Did you expect me to just leave him there, after a schoolmate tried to eat him, without an explanation?? Especially after seeing me, the 'toothpick,' as you mentioned earlier, beating up the largest kid in school, complete with wings for special effect, I had to tell him." I grimaced. "What would you have done in that situation?" He set his mouth as if he wanted to argue, then let his breath out in a huff. He gave me a stiff nod. "Besides, I'm in as much danger as he is, if not more. He's only at the mercy of two governments. I'm at the mercy of three. Yours, mine, and the humans'." I paused. "Well, the first two are only possibilities. Technically I'm the only one in imminent danger right now. As long as we keep your Volturi and my Council from finding out about my little slip-up, we should be fine." That was really my only option at this point. Keep them from finding out what I had done. It seemed the only way I could protect Vincent and the Cullens. For some strange reason, I trusted these vampires, and I didn't particularly want them destroyed. So really, all I could do was pretend they were still innocent.
"Anymore questions?" I sighed. I sounded tired. Everything seemed so complicated nowadays. Keeping secrets from my own kind, hiding from the human government, trusting vampires, for crying out loud. Putting the one I loved most in danger.
Everyone looked at each other.
"You should get some rest," Edward said, nodding towards the front door. "Don't forget to think over our invitation. You are certainly welcome to sleep here until you find a more permanent abode, if necessary." I nodded, sneaking a hesitant glance at Rosalie as I did so. I wasn't sure all of them had the same opinion on how welcome I was, but this was still the best option I had so far, so I would probably consider it anyway.
"Thank you," I said. For not killing me, for promising not to snitch on me to the Volturi, for welcoming me – mostly – into your home… "For everything." Esme smiled genuinely as she led me to the door.
"You're absolutely welcome," she said. "Feel free to come back any time." I smiled weakly back at her and stepped out onto the porch. I almost snuck off into the woods to fly away, something I would have done in any other situation, but as it was, I didn't really have a reason to. They knew about me now. I might as well not make any extra effort to hide what I was anymore.
Was it really so bad to feel relieved about that?...
I flicked my wings open, reveling a little in the freedom of the moment. Then I shot up into the air, faster than any of those blood-suckers could ever hope to go without the use of a car. At least I still had the upper hand when it came to physical combat, even if it wasn't necessary. It made me feel a little less like a failure. Sort of.
The trip back from the Cullens' house to Vincent's took about fifteen minutes, though I probably could have gone faster. The problem was, I was absolutely dreading this confrontation. Now that he'd had a chance to sort through his thoughts, no doubt he would have a ton of questions for me. And there was no way I could hold back the information from him. The dedication I had for my best friend was so much stronger than anything I felt for those blood-suckers, and anything less than the whole truth was going to haunt me if I kept it hidden from him.
Risking my own life was so much easier than risking his.
Too soon, I reached the side wall of Vincent's house. As promised, his veranda door was slightly ajar. I landed silently onto the wooden planks of the surrounding patio and ghosted inside.
Vincent lay in his bed, stomach down, similar to the position I'd found him in the last time I was there. He was snoring lightly. I was about to turn around and let him rest when I heard him snort and stir under his tangled mess of sheets. His bleary eyes blinked a few times and then focused on me.
"Hello Anira," he said, smiling groggily. I nodded, returning a small grin.
"Hey Vincent." I watched his features as common sense very slowly began to sink in and he sat up straight. His gaze turned wondering.
"Anira, you came!" he breathed, hugging his sheets closer around him as a gust of air blew through the open doorway. I ran over to the entrance and shut it gingerly, not making a sound.
"Of course," I replied. "Why wouldn't I?" He opened his mouth, then shut it again and shrugged.
"I thought it might have been just a dream," he admitted sheepishly. I almost smacked myself on the forehead; a dream!! Of course! I could have avoided risking his life altogether if I had just gone home, and he would have been none the wiser! Well, too late now…
"I wish," I muttered, coming to sit next to him on his bed. I heard him take in an involuntary breath, whether from my closeness or my extended wings I wasn't sure. "Vincent, I know you probably have lots of questions, but I have to warn you before you ask them: the more you know, the more dangerous this is for you. I've already put your life in jeopardy as it is. I'll answer anything you want to know, if you still want to know, but I just thought I'd warn you." I inhaled shakily. "I'm so sorry." I felt the tears beginning to sting my eyes as I said this out loud. Making it verbal was making it real; there was no longer any doubt that this was all my fault.
He crawled out from under the covers hesitantly to stroke my cheek. I realized with dismay that it was already moist.
"Don't cry," he whispered, his eyes wide and pleading. "I don't mind danger. I can handle it. Please don't beat yourself up over something beyond your control." I sighed helplessly and leaned my head against his palm. The waterworks were ebbing a little bit as I allowed him to comfort me.
"Fine, then," I mumbled. "Ask away."
I basically repeated everything I had told the vampires again to my best friend. Obviously there were some things he didn't ask, such as why I hated Jacob, because they were unrelated to him, but he asked pretty much all of the other ones. Why weren't humans allowed to know we existed? Where did we come from? Was that why I was a vegetarian? Why did we feel so obligated to protect humans? (He wasn't thrilled when I told him how weak they actually were compared to a lot of other creatures). Why did the vampires live here? Why wasn't he allowed to know about them? Did they really hunt humans like in the movies, and why hadn't I killed them yet if they did? (I was relieved to tell him that wasn't the case, and that I wasn't going to kill them without cause). Then he went into more detailed questions that I hadn't anticipated as much. What was my family like? How did it feel when I was chosen to come to Earth? (I had explained that we came from a different planet when he first asked where I came from). Did Nick know about me? Was that why we had started dating? How often did I need sleep anyway, since I was sitting here in his bed looking completely un-tired? I smiled at that question.
"Actually, I probably should get going," I said, using his question as an excuse to leave and save him the heart-attack if he happened to ask any less-than-necessary questions. For instance, how many people I'd killed in my lifetime. "I sleep about every other night or so, and I skipped yesterday, so for my own health, I should get some rest." His eyes popped a little when I mentioned this; clearly he had trouble wrapping his mind around pulling all-nighters on a regular basis without even feeling tired the next day. I chuckled. "I'll see you on Monday."
"Yeah, see you," he said lamely, his expression dimming a bit. Then it brightened. "We could go out again this weekend if you want to. Then we don't have to wait until Monday to see each other." I smiled.
"I'd like that," I said. "Now go to sleep. You can call me later and we can work out the details then." He grinned, and yawned.
"Yeah, I really should…" he trailed off, his eyelids sagging. Humans were so fragile.
"Good night," I murmured, kissing his forehead. Then I walked carefully back over to his door, out onto his veranda, and flew off towards my house. His head hit the pillow before I lifted off the ground.
Interesting theory about Alice's past. Anira really cares about Vincent. I hope things work out for them! Can't wait for the next chapter!
Chapter 25: What Happened to Sweet Dreams??
"Are you sure you have to leave?" I asked desperately, holding on to his arm. "You could stay here anyway. I mean, I really don't mind if you're tired of this diet." I forced back my internal cringe as I said this; it was worth it if I could make him stay.
"No, I must go," he said, stroking my neck with his chalky brown hands. "My friend needs a favor from me, and it would not be polite to keep her waiting." He sighed and shook his head infinitesimally. He looked like he wanted to leave about as much as I wanted him to go. Which was not at all.
"Come back soon," I pleaded, looking up into his now orangey-colored eyes. He smiled soothingly down at me.
"Of course, ma Cherie. I will return as soon as I can." He gave me a swift kiss on the forehead, one last tender touch on the cheek, and then he was gone.
My dear Laurent.
Life was miserable without him. I had gotten so used to his company that it was hard to revert back to old patterns. Of course, it wasn't completely like it used to be; I no longer wanted anything to do with our old tradition of seducing college boys. Sure, it was a little difficult to deal with – physically – but I just couldn't bear to betray my Laurent that way. Besides, he would be home soon. He was bound to walk through that door any day now, just as he promised, and we would never have to separate again. At least not for awhile.
And next time, I would insist he take me with him.
I turned my head towards the door expectantly when I heard footsteps approaching. I smiled widely, expecting Laurent to come and sweep me into his arms as I had imagined he would thousands of times in the past week.
It was Tanya and Eleazer.
My smile dimmed, but only slightly; they had been out looking for news of my friend. Perhaps they had finally heard something.
Tanya shifted her weight uncomfortably under my gaze, and Eleazer pretended to look out the window. Their eyes were troubled.
"Well?" I demanded. "What is it?"
"Irina…" Tanya hesitated, obviously not wanting to be the one to say whatever was on her mind. She looked to our mentor for support, but he said nothing. "Sister," she tried again. Then she sighed. "Irina, Laurent's not coming back." The room was deadly silent for a whole second.
"I don't understand," I whispered, staring at her dully. My voice sounded far away.
"His friend… well, she sent him off on that errand he mentioned to you a week ago. He found Bella in a meadow on his way, and I guess he lost a little self-control and started to hunt her…" I almost sighed in relief.
"Is that all? I thought Edward had moved on from her anyway. But why isn't he coming back? Did he think I'd be mad or something? He should know better than that. We talked about this before he left…" I trailed off as I met her pitying gaze.
"He didn't kill her," she said quietly. "He didn't get the chance." She paused again and I growled impatiently. What in the world was she talking about?!?! "He's gone, Irina. Dead. A whole pack of werewolves came and ripped him to shreds. I'm so sorry." Another long moment passed as her words very slowly clicked into my brain. Laurent was gone. Dead. Killed by werewolves. And yet Edward's little crush was still alive, even though he didn't want her anymore.
This could not be happening.
"Why did they do it?" I whimpered, my breath hitching in odd places.
"Well, they're Bella's friends, I guess. That's the only reason I can fathom." My sister shrugged, her eyes sad.
"Didn't they even stop to think that maybe, just maybe, he had a family too??" I growled, my eyes stinging with pain, sadness, and fury.
"Sister, they are nothing but children. Of course they would never consider it." Tanya made a disgusted sound in her throat. "It's as if they're only instinct is to destroy. They cannot control themselves. Still, it is not a valid excuse for the pain they have caused you." Her eyes darkened a shade. "Anyone up for a hunt?"
They wouldn't let me kill them. They wouldn't even let me hurt them. Even after they killed Laurent, one of our own kind, practically our family, they were still siding with the werewolves. I didn't care how much "danger" they claimed to be in, nothing would ever make me cooperate with those beasts. It was only right; if they didn't choose to help our family, I wouldn't help theirs. It didn't matter how much I cared for the Cullens. My hatred for the wolves was so much more powerful, and the pain over Laurent's death still so crisp, that nothing would change my mind.
"Irina, be reasonable," Kate chastised, giving me a reproachful look. "I know you're upset about Laurent, but we have to help them. They're our family."
"Laurent was our family too," I grumbled, not even bothering to look at her. She groaned.
"Carlisle has been our family much longer than just a few weeks."
"Since when does time have any value to you? Besides, we were destined to be together. You can't just expect me to get over it. Laurent's death will be avenged." She sighed.
"I am aware of your suffering, sister. Remember we have all felt a similar ache in our chests when mother died." I flinched. "But we would not dare retaliate against the Volturi."
"This is different," I muttered. "She broke the law, and they were just trying to protect our world. These are werewolves, ignorant, childish monsters who think they can get away with anything just because they protect humans, even though they're going to die eventually anyway." I folded my arms across my chest angrily. "And you think I don't remember the pain when mother died?? I still feel it when I think about her! And now I have twice that pain!" My breath was hitching in odd places again, and my eyes were starting to sting. I looked away from my sister, silently fuming. She sighed again.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. When I didn't reply, I heard her shake her head and walk out the door, closing it gently behind her. She knew that her attempts to sway my decision were futile. It was wise of her to leave me alone.
Now I could plan my revenge. I'd have to wait until the Cullens were "out of danger." I cared for them enough that I didn't want to risk their lives over my misfortune, but those werewolves were going to pay for the life they stole. As soon as their precious little pets were done helping them with whatever situation they were in, they were going to have to face an entirely different enemy. I would avenge Laurent.
Or I would die trying.
I inhaled in a gasp and snapped my eyes open. The room was dark, covered with shadows. It wasn't the room I had been plotting in just a few moments ago. It was my bedroom, my real bedroom. This was my real life, where my boyfriend Vincent was alive and well and my life was in chaos because of the human government, not some adolescent werewolves. I still had my problems here, but it was nothing compared to the pain I had just endured.
Seriously, if I didn't figure out what was causing these dreams, I was going to go insane.
With a very loud and completely exhausted sigh, I dropped back onto my bed. I was sound asleep within minutes.
Anira -- Irina?
Great chapter! Can't wait to read more.
Chapter 26: Saturday Fun. Yeah Right.
I awoke the next morning to the sound of my cell phone, which was sitting on the bedside table right up against my ear. I practically fell off the bed in surprise. Nobody ever really bothered to call me, other than Nicholas back when we were together. I had told Vincent to call me so we could plan our next date for the weekend, but if that was him, then I would seriously need to give him a lecture about the importance of sleep for humans versus Faeries. Who in the world could be awake at 7:30 in the morning?
"Hello?" I asked hesitantly, putting the phone to my ear.
"Anira? It's Alice." Well, that explained it; vampires didn't need sleep. "Um, we were talking a little bit last night after you left, and we all agreed that you should probably bring that friend of yours, Vincent, over to our house today." I hissed under my breath a little. The last thing I wanted to do was bring him to the house of the guy who'd just tried to kill him the night before. Not only would it be dangerous, but emotionally scarring. She had to be kidding. "Anira, the fact that I can still see the afternoon ahead shows that you're being terribly un-open-minded." I rolled my eyes.
"Give me one good reason why I should make him go through something like that."
"Oh, come on, don't be that way! You should know how much danger he's in now that he knows about us. I'm sure you already told him that last night, but we thought that it would be best if we explain it to him more accurately, having dealt with the Volturi before. We know what we're up against, and you've probably only heard rumors. We need to explain to him exactly what could happen if they find out." I paused.
"What would you tell him?" I asked cautiously, not at all liking this idea.
"We've been in a situation similar to this before, where we couldn't keep it hidden that a human knew about us. We have to tell him exactly what's at stake here. At this point, his only options are undead or death. That is, if they find out." I felt dizzy.
"But we're not going to let them find out," I said weakly, running my hand through my hair in distress.
"It's not that simple and you know it," Alice sighed. "Just promise me you'll bring him over here. Nothing bad will happen."
"I don't want you changing him today," I growled, my fingers tightening around the phone. I wasn't about to let my best friend turn into a blood-sucking monster. He didn't sign up for that.
"Don't worry, we never said we were going to change him today! Or ever. Trust me, that's the last thing we want to do."
"I want your word, Alice."
"Alright! I promise you that we will not turn him into a vampire, or harm a single hair upon his head." She sounded irritated that she had to go to such lengths to appease me. Regardless, I was now at least a little more willing to do what she asked.
"Okay," I said reluctantly. "I'll call him some time this morning. Hopefully we'll be at your house around 3:00, I guess. And I suggest you keep Emmett as far away from him as possible." She sighed.
"Okay. I'll see you around 3:00 then. Not that I can see for sure, of course…" she grumbled. I smiled and hung up the phone. She was almost like a little kid, throwing a tantrum when things – AKA her "vision" – didn't go her way. If it weren't for the fact that she was a vampire who was indirectly the cause of my impending doom, I might actually like her. The same went for the rest of her family. Except for Jacob… I really did need to find out why I had such an aversion to him.
I shuddered; great, in order to do that, I'd have to talk to him. Woohoo.
I skipped out into the kitchen and grabbed the first fruit I could get ahold of: an apple. I really was going to need a real meal soon, considering the only food I'd really had that week was fruit. Except for the day that I helped Vincent with his math homework. That day seemed so long ago now. So many things were going wrong, but they were still somewhat in check. Failure was only a possibility. Now it was reality, and I was faced with the toughest decision of my life: where was I going to go from here? What could I possibly do that would make things better? Could I keep from becoming a disgrace to my society, elude the human and vampire governments, and stay close to the town where my best friend lived, without going insane? So far my best option was to live with the Cullens, creatures that I had sworn to fight and kill from the very first time I signed up for this project on Earth. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to befriend them, much less live with them, but here I was. As for the many governments I had to avoid, the best I could do was just act invisible. I would have to refrain from doing anything strange or noticeable in any way to keep attention away from this town. I would have to figure out a way to keep the Faerie Council from sending my monthly checks to an abandoned shed, without them finding out why I had moved. Or I could figure out a way to keep the cottage, while at the same time live somewhere else. The Cullens were rich. Maybe if I could stay on their good side, they would lend me some money…
I shook my head irritatedly. I could never use them like that! Even if they were blood-sucking monsters, they were civilized, and frankly, nicer to me than most of the humans on this planet. Still, they had offered to give me a place to sleep…
Just then, my phone rang again, shocking me out of my thoughts. Goodness, two calls in one day. I was getting popular.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hey Anira, it's Vincent." I sighed and looked at my watch. 8 o'clock. Well, it was better than 7:30, at least.
"Hey Vincent."
"So what do you want to do today?" I pursed my lips.
"Ummm…." I wasn't sure how to phrase Alice's invitation without frightening him. I mean, seriously, what was I supposed to say?? Hey, I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to take you to the vampire's lair so they can tell you how scary their leaders are. What the hell?!
"Anira, what's wrong?" he asked, concerned over my extended silence. "Uh, if you don't want to hang out, that's fine, but you'd just said to call you, so I did. But that's okay, I can wait until Monday if you want. It's no big deal…"
"Vincent, of course I want to hang out with you," I interrupted, trying to make him shut up. It worked. "It's just that there's something rather important that we need to do, and I'm not sure you're going to like it…" Gosh, I felt like an idiot.
"And what is that?" he asked hesitantly. I sighed.
"How would you like to visit the Cullen's house?" I asked quietly. He didn't really have much of a choice, frankly, but I wanted him to feel like he had some of control over the situation. Maybe it would make him feel braver if he came of his own free will…
I could practically hear the reluctance on the other end of the line. The silence was deafening.
"You mean Emmett Cullen's house?" he finally said, his voice somber.
"Well, yes, but there will be other people there."
"You mean other vampires."
"Yeah, I guess." Another pause.
"Why do we have to go there?"
"They think it would be best if they explained your… current situation from their point of view."
"But you would be there too?" he asked.
"Of course! I wouldn't think of sending you in there alone." He took a deep breath.
"Okay. I trust you." I smiled a little. "When should we go there?"
"I told them we'd be there around 3:00 or so. I'll pick you up around 2:45, I guess."
"Okay. I'll see you then."
"Yeah. See you." We both hung up and I leaned against the back of my kitchen chair heavily. I hated putting him through this. It felt awful.
Hours later, after I had brushed my teeth, gotten dressed, brushed my hair, did my homework, and ate my lunch, it was time to go pick up Vincent. I was not thrilled at all to be seeing him again. Not like this. I wished more than anything that we could just go on another normal date, where people didn't get attacked by vampires or beaten up by Faeries, where we could just enjoy each other for who we were, and not getting into trouble over it. Was that really too much to ask? One normal day in two weeks of chaos?
I got to my friend's house exactly at 2:45, as I had promised. He was already sitting on the porch waiting for me.
"I told my mom we were visiting a friend's house together for a party," he said grimly. I nodded; it was a pretty good excuse, for an amateur. "By the way, nice outfit." He looked me up and down, examining my gray shorts and tank top with a faraway expression in his eyes. He was trying to distract himself from what we were about to do, no doubt.
"Thanks," I said half-heartedly, glancing at myself as well. Despite the snow on the ground and the clouds in the sky, and the fact that I would look crazy to anyone who might have walked by, I'd decided early on in the morning that it would be more practical to wear summer clothes for the day's activities. That way I didn't have as much fabric to hinder my movements if anyone "slipped up" when we got to the vampires' house. My wings were tactfully hidden under my shimmering hair, which happened to be the same color as they were. It was convenient at times. "Come on, let's go." I grabbed his wrist and started pulling him down the sidewalk, breaking him out of his monotone trance.
"Where are we going?" he asked nervously, glancing around.
"To the nearest alleyway," I replied. "I can't let anyone see me when I lift off the ground."
"Right," he said. "Because they'll see your wings." I shrugged and made that 'so-so' motion with my free hand.
"Actually, it's not so much because of that as it is because of how fast I go. It'd be pretty weird if I just randomly disappeared in the middle of the street." I chuckled lightly. "I give 'blinding speed' a whole new meaning." He ogled at me.
"You really go that fast?" he asked in wonder.
"Yup. I'm wearing my camouflage for the day, though, just in case." I motioned up at the clouded sky, which was practically the exact same color as my outfit. "They might not see me when I lift off the ground, but I'd hate for anyone to see me in the air. Especially when I have to fly low, like today." He gave me a confused look. "I'm used to the altitude of flying. You however, have lived in two different places with similar atmospheres, and I would prefer that you not suffocate while we're traveling, so I'll have to fly significantly lower than usual." He made a face.
"Can't we just take a car or something?" he grumbled. Obviously he still wasn't very comfortable with flying.
"I don't have one. I wouldn't need it. Besides, neither of us is technically old enough for a driver's license yet." He frowned. "Vincent, everything will be fine. You might even enjoy it. After the first few minutes it's all trees and plants below us anyway. The only real place where we're in danger of being noticed is when we're above the town, and we've almost reached its limit by now." I stopped him when we reached the alley I'd been looking for and pulled him into the small space, looking around for any followers. "Okay, let's go."
I held my arms open and, after a moment, he once again stepped into my embrace. His hands practically made a strangle-hold around my neck.
"Hold on tight," I said. With that, I shot up into the air and soared out over the city limits, completely undetected by anyone. Just the way it was supposed to be.
This could turn into a very interesting afternoon!
You have no idea. :)
wow... you're great! do update soon.... i'm hooked!
:) Thanks.
Chapter 27: Vincent, Meet the Cullens
I landed on the familiar porch of the Cullens' house and flipped my wings closed in one swift movement, balancing Vincent on his feet as I did so. As soon as I was sure he could stand up straight, I let go, save for one hand that I held firmly in my own. This was more for his (and my) comfort more than for safety; I had a feeling nothing would go terribly wrong with the vampires, but the suspense of the whole encounter was bound to wind him up a little too tightly. Then, very reluctantly, I knocked on the door. It opened within seconds.
"Hello Anira," Carlisle greeted, giving me a warm smile. "And I suppose this is your friend Vincent." I nodded and glanced at him nervously. His eyes were wide as he took in the coven leader. He'd never met Carlisle before. "It's nice to meet you."
"Uh, yes, it's nice to meet you too," he mumbled, looking down.
"Why don't you two come in and make yourselves at home?" I gave him a weak smile and pulled Vincent through the doorway and into the living room. Naturally everyone else was already there. Even Nessie and Jacob this time. I waited for the overpowering disgust to form in my stomach when I saw them, but to my complete and utter surprise (and relief), I felt nothing. I reacted to him today the way I would to any one of them: with caution, but not hatred. How odd.
"Can I get you two anything?" Esme asked after we sat down. "Water, maybe?" I shook my head and looked at Vincent.
"No thanks," he said quickly, looking right back at me. "I'm okay." She nodded and gave him a sympathetic smile. I squeezed his hand.
"So, Vincent, perhaps you should explain what all you know about us first, just so we can get an idea of how informed you are," Edward said, leaning forward in his chair. "It will help us evaluate the situation." Vincent gave me another desperate glance. I nodded encouragingly.
"Um, well, I know you're all v-vampires," he stuttered, shrinking back in his seat a little, "but you eat animals instead of humans. But when you're hunting, your instincts take over, and that's why E-Emmett attacked me yesterday… Because of my smell…" I raised an eyebrow at the grizzly vampire, just daring him to say something. He scowled and looked out the window.
"Is that all?" Edward asked, slightly disbelieving. Vincent nodded. Edward gave me an impressed look. Apparently he thought I was going to expose all their secrets or something, probably even with flashcards to help demonstrate. Was it really below me to do that from their point of view? I gave him a smug smile.
Then I pursed my lips.
'He doesn't know you read minds,' I thought warningly. 'Please try not to freak him out too much with your unnatural abilities.' He chuckled quietly, soft enough that my human friend didn't have a hope of hearing, and nodded.
"Well, I suppose that will make things easier for us." Vincent gave me an uneasy look. I shrugged. "We feel more comfortable if we can explain these types of things ourselves, rather than trusting a third party to explain them for us," Edward said. "Before I say anything further, I assume Anira has told you just how dangerous this is for you?" Vincent nodded and scooted a little closer to me. Clearly he thought Edward was talking about the danger of being in a house full of vampires, not the knowledge of vampires in general. "But you don't know any specifics on how dangerous it is?"
"Um… Dangerous, how?" Vincent asked. "I know she said you could, uh, 'slip up,' if that's what you mean…" Edward shook his head.
"Don't worry, we're not going to hurt you," Esme cut in. "You're not in any particular danger here. What my son means is the danger of the knowledge you now have of vampires. Humans aren't supposed to know about us." Vincent frowned.
"Well, we're not supposed to know about faeries, either," he said tentatively, "and Anira said that I'm in danger for knowing about her, too. But I don't understand why my knowing you're not human is so bad." Yeah, well, I was starting to question that myself.
"Humans seem to have a hard time coping with the idea that there are creatures out there stronger than they are," Carlisle explained. "Your kind has been striving for centuries to create the 'perfect society,' and if they knew about vampires, it would be chaotic. They believe that unless they are perfectly safe, unless they are the most powerful beings on this planet, they cannot have a 'perfect society,' and so they would do everything in their power to destroy our kind. I assume the, um, Faerie Government has a similar reason as well. None of us want that to happen."
"But I wouldn't tell anyone," Vincent pointed out. I noticed that he was beginning to relax a little as the vampires continued to act friendly. He was starting to realize that they really didn't want to hurt him. "I wouldn't expose any of you. So why would it be dangerous, if I'm not a threat?"
"We trust you, Vincent," Esme said quietly, "but our government… they're very stubborn, and they don't like to show weakness. They will not bend the rules, and if the rules say that no human is allowed to know the secret, then they will punish anyone who defies them." He tensed up again.
"That's only if they find out," Bella added quickly, noticing his posture. "We won't tell them, but they have ways of knowing if anyone's breaking the rules…" she glanced at Edward. He nodded somberly.
"So… what will happen, then?" Vincent asked. "If they find out about me? What will be my, um, 'punishment?'" At this question, everyone looked around at each other uneasily.
"That's the reason we brought you here, actually," Alice murmured. "To explain what could happen. Especially with our family." She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "They have us under careful supervision, if I'm not mistaken. And I'm not. Next to the Volturi, we're the biggest vampire coven in the world, so they consider us a threat. They will take any opportunity to… um, lessen our numbers so they will feel less intimidated. If they found out that a human knows about us, they wouldn't hold back." Of course the vampires who finally discovered my secret were the most severely-watched clan in the mythical world. It was just my luck.
"You make it sound like you've been in this kind of situation before," I said cautiously.
"We have been," Edward said grimly. "That's why we wanted to explain this to you ourselves. We've had a lot of experience with the Volturi's wrath." I frowned. "And we need to tell you what we've been through so you know what to expect, just in case they are informed of what's happened here." I nodded slowly, glancing around at all of their anxious faces. They all seemed genuinely distraught from their past experiences with this Volturi…
What had I gotten myself into?
"Edward and I met about 18 years ago," Bella began, looking over at her mate shyly. "I was a junior in high school, and at that point in time, human. It didn't take long for me to realize he was different from everyone else. It took a little longer to figure out how different, but I got it eventually. Unfortunately, after about a year there were some… complications to our relationship" – Edward flinched – "and the Volturi got involved. They said I would either have to become one of them, or die." Her eyebrows furrowed as she concentrated on her human past. "Of course, we told you that detail already: dead or undead.
So naturally, we told them I would become a vampire. It seemed scary at the time, but compared to what they could do – and what they did do – it was nothing. I mean, it's one thing to get a threat like that from just three people, but when the whole guard, leaders and all, comes to your house for the sole purpose of destroying your family, you feel pretty hopeless." She grimaced.
"Why would they bring the entire guard to your house?!" I asked in horror. My voice sounded half strangled. This could not happen. I would not let something like that happen while Vincent and I were around. If there was any sign of it, I would leave, and take him with me. But then, would that really help? If the leader of this Volturi had the power that the rumors claimed he did, than did it really matter where I ran? As soon as he touched any one of these people in this room, he would know about me, and if I knew anything about this leader, it was that he was a collector. He wouldn't let me get away.
"They were under the false impression that we had broken one of our most sacred rules," Carlisle said quietly. "They believed we had created an immortal child." I stifled a gasp and clamped my teeth together. Those creatures truly were monsters.
"Immortal child?" Vincent asked uncertainly, tilting his head to the side. It probably didn't sound too threatening from his point of view.
"There was a time when one of our kind decided to turn a child – a toddler – into one of us," Carlisle explained. "But at that age, they were too young to understand right from wrong. No one could tame them. They were adorable, but deadly. And so, the Volturi had to wipe them off the face of the Earth. Now it is our most unbreakable rule to never make an immortal child. And they thought we had broken this rule." Vincent nodded shakily.
"But why would they think you broke such a rule as that?" I demanded. "You seem sane enough not to actually create one." Edward smiled grimly.
"We created Renesmee," he said quietly, glancing over at his half-human daughter, who was leaning against the wall with her shapeshifter boyfriend. He pulled her close against his side as he recalled the scarring experience with the rest of them. Again, I felt no hatred, but pity. What was wrong with my emotions? Or rather, what wasn't wrong with them?
"But she's not an immortal child," I said slowly. "At least, not that way…" Vincent gave me a strange look. "She's half-human. It's a long story." He pursed his lips and looked away. I could have sworn I saw him blushing.
"We had never heard of such a creature until we created her," Edward said. "Neither had the Volturi. When they… found out about her, she was very young, and they immediately believed she was one of the forbidden. So they came to 'punish us' for our crime." He made a disgusted sound with his teeth. "He mainly wanted to acquire some of the many talents in this coven, Alice especially, which is why he brought the whole guard."
"Too bad I wasn't there," Alice quipped. Edward half smiled again. It wasn't a very happy smile.
"Yes, that did throw him off," he agreed. "He was also worried about our threatening size, of course, but it was mainly for Alice, and for me, though he didn't need me as much. They'd already decided to pay us a visit for one reason or another; they just needed the excuse of a crime so they would be justified." There was a series of low growls all around the room. "Which is why we're so concerned for Vincent's safety."
"If they find out that another human knows about us, there's a pretty big chance that they'll do the exact same thing all over again," Alice said solemnly. "Maybe not with quite so much force, but it would be pretty close."
"How did they find out the first time?" I whispered. I was freaking out a little.
"Well, a close family friend of ours had a bit of an encounter with the Volturi centuries ago that gave her and her family a pretty healthy respect for the law," Edward said, his voice careful as he chose his words. "She saw Renesmee from a distance, and believed that she was an immortal child, and she decided that it was her duty to turn us in to the Volturi." I gulped. This almost sounded familiar, though I didn't have a clue why.
"Her name?" I breathed, my voice hoarse. He gave me a suspicious look.
"Why do you want to know that?" I shook my head, not trusting my voice anymore. I already knew who it was. I didn't know how, but I could feel it with absolute certainty in my chest. There wasn't a trace of doubt in my mind.
Edward gave me a harsh look.
"How do you know that name?" He demanded.
Can't wait to see what happens next!
great update! please update again soon!
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text:
SuiteAnalytics: Reports and Searches
Course Objective
SuiteAnalytics provides real-time reporting, searches, key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards that are built into the ERP, CRM and Ecommerce features you use every day. This comprehensive, two-day course teaches you how to use these tools to drive actionable analysis, enforce business processes and get real-time views into company performance across sales, marketing, service and fulfillment.
Please Note: For finance and accounting roles that need to create and customize financial reports, we recommend taking the "SuiteAnalytics: Financial Reports and Searches" course.
This course is right for you if you...
- Want to learn how to customize reports by adding fields, grouping levels and custom formulas
- Want to learn how to use saved searches to access information such as top-selling products, the number of support cases in your queue or customers who have overdue invoices
- Want to learn how to set up KPIs to show key variances and period-on-period trends, as well as real-time trend graphs
- Are familiar with NetSuite navigation and features
Key Tasks Taught: How do I...
- Customize reports to meet specific user requirements?
- Present report data in a matrix view?
- Display real-time data to track key metrics and spot trends?
- Make saved search results actionable to enforce workflows?
- Create saved searches to access and dynamically display key data?
- Apply expressions, functions and basic SQL formulae to searches for more complex analysis?
- Group and total saved search results to provide a report-style look?
- Publish "smart" dashboards for specific users and roles?
Duration: 2 days
Price: $1,600 USD
View the Course Data Sheet for daily topics, prerequisites, and other key information
View the Course Schedule

subset: commoncrawl


text:
- Address:
1198 Howell Mill Road
Atlanta, GA 30318Neighborhood:
West Midtown
- Cuisine:
Contemporary AmericanPrice: $50 and over
- Dining Style: Fine Dining
- Website: http://www.starprovisions.com/
- Phone: 4043650410x22
- Hours of Operation:
Monday - Saturday from 6:00pm
Closed on Sundays
- Payment Options: AMEX,Diners Club,MasterCard,Visa
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
- Executive Chef: Anne Quatrano/Clifford Harrison
- Dress Code: Business Casual
- Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
- Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Wheelchair Access
A word from Bacchanalia
Bacchanalia is Atlanta's most celebrated restaurant featuring contemporary American cuisine from chefs/owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison. Expect incredibly fresh and flavorful choices with masterful preparation and presentation. Bacchanalia's seasonal menu relies entirely on organic ingredients, many sourced from Anne and Clifford's farm, so that diners can have an utterly unique dining experience each time they return. Bacchanalia offers a five-course prix fixe menu composed of a cold appetizer course, fish course, entrée course, cheese course and dessert course for $85 per person. The menu can also be ordered a la carte at the bar.Continued
Foodspotting photosSee all photos
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
- Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
- Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
- Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
Bacchanalia - Best Restaurants in West Midtown ›
Bacchanalia reviews from OpenTable diners
179 reviews since May 26, 2014
- Food4.8Service4.9
- Ambiance4.5Noise LevelModerate
special occasion (163)fit for foodies (143)romantic (126)notable wine list (105)neighborhood gem (19)hot spot (13)good for groups (10)late-night find (4)great for brunch (2)great for outdoor dining (2)kid-friendly (2)great for lunch (1)vibrant bar scene (1)Show More
- Exceptional.TammsDined on 9/20/2014Took my wife to Bacchanalia for her birthday dinner. Service was excellent; attentive without being oppressive and staff was professional and knowledgeable about foods being offered that evening and wines on both their wine list and pairing menu. Recommend the food and wine pairing menu, however, an extensive wine list is available for wines by the bottle as well. Each course was a work of art and gastronomic excellence! We paid an additional $10 for the cheese course before dessert - totally worth the extra stipend if you're into cheese - we each selected 4 from a list of 12. Bacchanalia has enjoyed the reputation as one of the best restaurants in Atlanta (if not the best!) for years with good reason! Highly recommend - will return! Soon!Special Features:
- Best food in the USOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 9/20/2014the only negativ point we had was a very dusty chandelier over our table .at one point i had to take a flake of dust from the table befor my wife saw it so it would not ruin our special daySpecial Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Outstanding!OpenTable Diner Since 2008Dined on 9/18/2014Outstanding! Food and service was impeccable!! Husband really enjoyed the apple cider!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Over priced , unwhelmedWork4foodDined on 9/16/2014I will never come back here again the food had no flavor what so ever , very small portions and I'm ok with that if it's a small piece of something wonderful but this was just not the case the dining room was very unfitting to a $350 bill . This may have been the worse place I've ate . Not sure how they ended up on the top ten best food places in Atlanta ???? . Don't waste your time , outfit or money here . 😔😔😔
- Left me wanting moredinnerDined on 9/15/2014I was really disappointed. The first course beef tartare was good but I was served a teaspoon full. Second course was a crab fritter is some sort, served cold and soggy. Third course was steak which was delicious. Fourth course was a cheese plate. My itty bitty pice of blue cheese was buried under raw mushrooms and stuff. It was terrible. Dessert was awesome and I usually don't enjoy dessert. This was supposed to be the best restaurant in Atlanta. It can't be.Special Features:
- Always a great mealChengsterDined on 9/13/2014Been here several times and the menu is always updated with fresh choices alongside the great classic items. Everything is delicious on the menu and service is always impeccable. The peach smoothie wasn't so great because it had chunks of ice not well blended.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- simply amazingOpenTable Diner Since 2013Dined on 9/12/2014So chic, so delicious. Unparalleled service and exquisite prix fixe menu for every taste.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great Food ExpereinceOpenTable Diner Since 2011Dined on 9/12/2014We want to Bacchanalia for a special occasion. The multi course dinner, surprises and attentive staff made it a wonderful experience.Special Features:
- Awesome....SmackdaddyDined on 9/11/2014If your budget alowes, eat here, you won't regret it!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Wonderful Experience!!LUVBACCHANALIADined on 9/10/2014We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary here, and are very glad that we did. After reading all of the positive reviews, we figured we couldn't go wrong, and this would be a great occasion to give it a try. We enjoyed our entire experience from beginning to end. This restaurant has the same small plate concept as Restaurant Eugene's, but less expensive. The food well flavored and the service attentive enough to allow you to enjoy your experience without interruption. The rainbow trout was the most memorable course of the meal (very well seasoned and flavorful). They also presented us with a small tiered cupcake for our anniversary. Overall I would rate this restaurant a 5 Star and would definitely recommend going.Special Features:
- Fansy tastingChefRichardDined on 9/10/2014The meal was finely orchestrated, like watching a ballet of pretty food with symphony of taste in your mouth. This is a place to enjoy the taste and presentation of food. The portions appeared to be small, but were designed for tasting and presentation. We had the five course tasting with few wine pairings and it was well over $300 for two people. Still, I would say it was a very good value. Service was 6 stars as was the food and presentation. We had well over a half dozen servers taking care of our every need. Every second at least one server was closely insuring we were happy with everything, promptly clearing for the next course with pallet cleansers as treats between courses.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Incredible.sd20Dined on 9/6/2014This is definitely a totally worth it special occasion spot. We went for my boyfriend's birthday. Everything from the initial ambiance, to the romantic seating, to the fabulous wine list and menu were perfect. I've heard mixed reviews, but after trying the food and loving literally everything, I highly recommend it. The service was great, not overly present but perfectly, seamlessly timed. Will definitely be back.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Not as great as last experiencesstaney33Dined on 9/5/2014My husband and I go here for our anniversary dinners. We've always thought the food was delicious and we opt for the recommended wine pairings. Our last experience wasn't as positive. We always ask our servers for menu recommendations. I wasn't very impressed by the recommendations that we received from our server, they were hit or miss. My husband also found a fly in his $18 (for a half glass) of wine. Now, the restaurant handled that very well and provided us with a free desert and a free whole glass of wine for both my husband and myself. Overall I thought the food was good, not great, and below expectations for price point and reputation.Special Features:
- A perfect dining experience.BillDined on 9/4/2014Hard to beat the wonderful meal and excellent service. The timing of the serving of each course was spot on which really enhanced the dining experience. Not cheap but well worth it. For special occasions, this would be my first choice.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Private2IVIPDined on 9/3/2014One of the best in town, hands down. The flavors were absolutely elegant. Service was fast, courteous and knowlegeable.Special Features:
- Birthday DinnerNickDined on 9/2/2014Food was excellent. Servers were friendly, but were very awkward at times and standing around tables. We would wait up to 20 min between each course, which was not consistent timing.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Finest Dining ExperiencelovetoeatDined on 9/2/2014Had dinner for our 30th Anniversary and the experience was exceptional. They were so attentive they knew what I wanted even before I did. I love dining and this ranked as one of the most flavorful and well prepared foods I have had the pleasure to enjoy. It is rather expensive, but the experience is so wonderful it was well worth the price. It is a 5 course meal, but then they surprise you with 4 more chef specials throughout the evening. Recommend to eat slowly to enjoy the amazing combination of flavors. From there, enjoy the memory of a very special evening.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- #1 for a reasonfashfamilyVIPDined on 8/30/2014We've wanted to come here for years so my wife surprised me with dinner for my birthday. From the moment we walked in the door the service was outstanding. The room is beautiful (elegant but not opulent). We ordered the beef tartare, foie gras, crab fritter, sweet breads, lamb, duck, burrata and blue cheeses, fried fig hand pies, and the peach souffle. I would order each of them again in a heart beat. Each course was perfectly prepared. At first glance, the portions seemed small. But after two hours of dining, plus a few extra items brought out by the server, it was more than enough. Everyone should try this restaurant at least once. It withstood the years of hype and justified being the #1 restaurant in Atlanta.Special Features:
- Incredible dining experienceEatwithasmileonyourfaceDined on 8/29/2014OMG!!! I love the wonderful food presentation and service. Oh did I mention the menu choices....outstanding. So this is what it feels like to dine like the rich and famous.....Love it!!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Second time still fantasticzmoneyDined on 8/23/2014To put it simply, there is a reason this restaurant is the best in Atlanta. The food is a five course tasting menu with a few interspersions from the kitchen such as an amuse bouche or a small treat in between courses. The menu changes seasonally, so there is usually something new to come back to. The service is impeccable. They're unobtrusive, friendly and professional. For an inexperienced diner the wine/spirits list is overwhelming. There are about 25 pages of beer/liquor and wine. The only two things to point out to newcomers: The restaurant is in the back of the STAR PROVISIONS store. If you come in the evening, it looks like it is closed, you have to walk through to the back. The cheese cart is better than the cheese courses.Special Features:
- Amazing experience!FoodieVIPDined on 8/21/2014This place is much more than just the food. It's an experience in itself. The service was impeccable and they made our birthday celebration that much more special. Definitely worth it!Special Features:
- ImpeccableKathyVIPDined on 8/20/2014Every time I have visited this restaurant, everything was impeccable--food, wine, service, ambiance. This time was no exception--perfection. The menu includes enough variety to please those who want 'traditional' dishes as well as the more adventurous. It is an Atlanta treasure and holds it own with any of the few truely fine dining restaurants in the U.S.Special Features:
- Really good...OpenTable Diner Since 2011Dined on 8/14/2014We sat in the normal dining area and crafted our own courses...followed the recommended pairings and were not disappointed! Great food and wonderful presentation...will definitely return when back in town.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Very lovely mealVjgvVIPDined on 8/14/2014We enjoyed our interesting dinner. My husband and I ordered different items for our five course meal to try a variety of dishes. Most were very good some were a bit odd, but still pleasant. For us this type of dining is for occasional splurges but to each his own. The service was very attentive without being intrusive. My drink needed to be sent back but then it was right on and very good, so that was really not an issue. The waiter chose a lovely wine for my husband and he raved about it. This area has gotten to be so popular that it is a bit crowded and parking can be a hastle so that does take away from the overall enjoyment. The patron's dress here was a mixed bag, some were a bit casual for business casual. We will be back.Special Features:
- Still the most elevated in ATLMbsbVIPDined on 8/13/2014After all these years, still the most elevated dining experience in Atlanta. Tasting menu with lots of good choices, even for vegetarians, tiny portions of each dish but by the time you walk out of there you are sated. Several eye-closing dishes but the peach soufflé was perfection. One other plus - a reasonable (for a poe of its level) corkage policySpecial Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- First timerwoconDined on 8/12/2014We got to the restaurant on a weeknight and it was not too busy. The staff was friendly and the food was great. great drink and wine list. I will definitely be back.Special Features:
- Never Again!!! what a waste!traveller88Dined on 8/11/2014Visiting a restaurant that has been named Atlanta's best for years, I expected to be wowed with unforgettable meals...that would make us moan with every bite we take. Only one course that I can say was pretty good..which was a little tiny bitty bite of crab fritter. The rest? Blah...disappointment. We are foodies that travel every month for pleasure and have been to many great restaurants all over. And all I can say about Bacchanalia is bad experience & such a waste of money. Don't waste yours!
- GREAT U pay 4bernie52VIPDined on 8/9/2014Took our niece out to celebrate her Big Girl life after graduating university, getting a job and apartment. A wonderful night being amazed at the dish prep and memorable tastes. Have not been to Bacchanalia in 15 years so could not help being nostalgic. Way better than our recent visit to Eugene which is a similar styled food experience. Our niece graduated Johnson&Wales in Culinary and event Planning - she thought the evening was perfection in service and presentation.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Pretty much what you'd expectOpenTable Diner Since 2007Dined on 8/9/2014We had a great time and the service was fantastic.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- SteakloverSteakloverDined on 8/8/2014Our experience at Bacchanalia was fabulous! The service was wonderful! The food was excellent! The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxing! What more could you ask for?!!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Perfect EveningMandCeatDined on 8/4/2014Great experience from the beginning to the end. This was our first time dining at Bacchanalia and we were unaware that the entrance was inside Star Provisions, but the young lady working up front pointed us in the right direction. As we entered Bacchanalia we were greeted promptly and warmly. The service was top notch through our entire meal. I like the concept of this restaurant, 5 courses with at least 5 options for each course. Every dish was excellent. Highly recommend.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Delicious!!AlexaDined on 8/4/2014I have been to most of the nicer restaurants in town, and have always wondered what always sets Bacchanalia above the rest in terms of reviews. Finally getting to try it out, I was happily surprised at the amazing food and even the value. I don't think I have ever been so happy to pay $85 for just food, but man did we get our money's worth. Everything was delicious, beautifully presented, and unique. The service was phenomenal. It was truly a foodie's fine dining experience!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Excellence definedCarolinaGirlVIPDined on 8/4/2014Five-course prix fixe was beautifully prepared and presented. Highlights were foie gras, crab fritter, duck breast. Elected to have the cheese cart with port pairing, which was lovely. However, we were too full for dessert course, and unfortunately we'd both chosen frozen items that would not travel. Server packed up final, complimentary cookies to go, and as we left, the last worker in the bakery stopped us to offer a loaf of fresh bread to take home. Everything was thoughtful -- especially the pacing of the meal. Only thing I would change is the decor -- it's a little cold and bare.Special Features:
- Best in AtlBrentDined on 8/1/2014Bacchanalia never disappoints. Food, wine list, service are as good as you can findSpecial Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Always consistent, highest qualityGeorgiaGuyVIPDined on 8/1/2014Food is consistently creative, fresh, and of the highest quality. Paired with the recommended wines for each course makes this experience complete. Service is consistent and appropriate if a bit stuffy at times. Continues to set the standard as Atlanta's best. Valet parking needs work as the center is very busy with several different restaurants.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Worth one visit, but not againChickenBiscuitDined on 8/1/2014Food was very interesting and good. For someone that likes to sample the world you should go once BUT it's really not worth the price. I understand small portions but some of it was a joke. I didn't leave hungry thanks to the bread. The atmosphere was probably the biggest disappointment. On a Friday evening it was more quiet than church. That and the seating is about 16 inches apart and having a conversation with a date becomes awkward. I wore a suit and tie and felt overdressed for $300 dinner.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Exceptional Foodie ExperienceOpenTable Diner Since 2007Dined on 7/26/2014Incredible dinning experience and first class service!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Absolutely excellentAtl1847VIPDined on 7/26/2014Every aspect of our experience at Bacchanalia was superb. The food is really of a higher order than you're likely to experience elsewhere. It is an expression of great talent. We were attended to with perfection; our needs were anticipated with just the right degree of touch. We will be back as soon as we can find another occasion worthy of the experience.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- OpenTable Diner Since 2008Dined on 7/26/2014Service was wonderful. Food was very average. My steak (medium rare) was very tough. I dined with a party of 3, and everyone rated the food a 6.
- BartowVIPDined on 7/25/2014Food and service was fantastic. Had one glass of wine each and I have never paid that much $30.00 each.Special Features:


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Paula Deen will be making her first public appearance in the Coastal Empire in several months on Thursday.
Deen is scheduled to appear at her The Lady and Sons restaurant at 102 West Congress Street in City Market, to help her son Jamie Deen launch his latest cookbook, "Jamie Deen's Good Food."
The event will be Sept. 19 from 1 until 4 p.m. Copies of the book are needed for admission to the launch party, and can be purchased at the neighboring Paula Deen retail store.
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Thu 4 Nov 2010
Mitsitam Cafe Cookbook
Posted by Renee under Cookbooks, Studio Shooting
No Comments
"'Mitsitam' means 'Let's eat!' in the Native language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples," according the website of the amazing Mitsitam Cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. Last year I shot their beautful food for this newly released cookbook.
Anyone who has eaten in museum cafes (sometimes OK, sometimes really bad!), will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of food at Mitsitam Cafe. They have a remarkable concept and menu of indigeneous, regional Native American foods. All selections there are inspired by Native foodways, and many offerings are very authentic. The dish above is a Fiddlehead Fern Salad, featured on the cover.
This dish above is Tortilla Soup.
The mission of the Mitsitam Cafe (and a discussion of other Native American cuisine trends) is the topic of this Atlantic magazine article, "Fry Bread Nation: The Birth of a 'Native' Cuisine," by Kate Robbins:
"…the organizers divided the Mitsitam Native Foods Café into five geographic stations, representing each region with a separate menu.
"There were not a lot of native cookbooks out there," says Richard Hetzler, the café's executive chef [and author of the Mitsitam Cafe Cookbook]. "So we started taking a different approach—looking at life ways. Were they foragers? Were they nomadic people? What would have been available?"
To develop the menus, Hetzler and his team took indigenous ingredients and the few recipes they could find and updated them. "A great example is the maple-brined turkey," Hetzler says. "We know that Native Americans cured items in salt, so essentially they were doing a brine, infusing the flavor, adding moisture," he explains. "They definitely had turkey. They had maple syrup. It works for us."
Mitsitam Cafe actually has a downloadable PDF take-out menu for Thanksgiving dinner, including a whole "Free Range Turkey Brined For 3 Days in Maple, Slow Roasted with Maple Butter, Served with Cranberry Marmalade." Also on the menu: "Stuffed Venison: All Natural Venison Leg Stuffed with Dried Cranberries, Blue Berries and Cherries, Spicebush Red Wine Reduction." Wow. I can see how cooks might be tempted to forsake their own ovens for Mitsitam takeout!
You can now order the Mitsitam Cookbook from the museum shop, or pick it up at the Museum, after you have a fantastic meal in this unique museum Cafe. Warning: Mitsitam Cafe has a great reputation and it can be very busy! (It has even gotten positive critical reviews, which is unusual for any museum foodservice operation, andit is a destination in itself.) But the food is worth the wait, and it is a beautiful space to relax in while taking a break from touring the intense wealth of exhibits in the museum.


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Custom Ink shirts survive the Tough Mudder Tri-State Event by Tough Mudders - almost 4 years ago
"This photo of some of our team was taken at the Tough Mudder event in English Town NJ. This is a 12 mile mud race/obstacle course. Custom Ink worked with us to make our shirts perfect and provided us with a nice golden yellow color so that us and our fans could spot our team all over the course. "


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Bridget and Naomi - Still Pregnant!
by POPSUGAR Celebrity 76 Reactions 0 Shares Print
Mommies-to-be Naomi Watts and Bridget Moynahan tried to keep busy with their ever growing baby bumps. Both ladies are in final countdown mode and could pop at any time. Naomi seems to be preparing her nursery while Bridget keeps fit at the gym. For all you expecting mothers, here are some great pregnancy workout tips that Bridget clearly already seems to be practicing. We can't wait to meet two new celebrity babies. Tell us, who do you think is going to pop first?
To see more of the very pregnant ladies just read more
Read More Bridget MoynahanNaomi Watts
Naomi Watts
jaan_black 7 years
Bridget's belly is high and pointy....the baby is flipping himself around (yes, I think it's a boy) and Naomi's baby hasn't flipped yet (she's having a girl) all myths I know but I've seen so many pregnant bellies and guess correct! Boy's are higher, girls are lower and the mother of a girl usually looks more tired...girls take a lot outta ya from the very beginning....Naomi's due on 8/2, MY BDAY IS 8/3...Props to the summer babies!!!
MEXICANBUTTAFLY 7 years
:rotfl: @ Greggie!
Seraphim 7 years
WoW!!! more power to them! they look amazing! :)
crazygirl93 7 years
Bridget's stomach looks weird because she is sitting down and working out!!! They're both gonna pop soon!!!
crazygirl93 7 years
Congrats Greggie!!!
pink_magnetism 7 years
I think Bridget's stomach looks strange because of the angle she's at.I thought it looked strange at first but then I realisedit looks that way because she's working out.
roor 7 years
how is bridget even able to stay standing ... before she was preggers she was so skinny and willowy.
screammylungzout 7 years
god, i hope both of them go really soon, it hurts my brain and belly to think of them being preg for another couple of weeks!
GeminiDolly 7 years
Just get those babies out already. Looking at their huge bellies pains me, it looks so uncomfortable.
jmast 7 years
LMAO debbieS! I'm not pregnant, yet...but I know I'm not going to be one of those pregnant woman that makes people say "oh you can't even tell she's pregnant". Ha!!!!! Oh and my husband's aunt told me that she had people still asking her when the baby was due 2 weeks later....awwww. But seriously, she ate waaay too much.
debbieS 7 years
I gained 65, and people still told me I didn't look pregnant from behind, which is what scares me. But at least it wasn't 901. LOL
cari907 7 years
i would be 2 scared 2 work out when i \preggers
cari907 7 years
i would be 2 scared 2 work out when i \preggers
jmast 7 years
that's 90 pounds...sorry it looks like 901 :)
jmast 7 years
My husbands aunt gained 90lbs!!!!! LMAO!
msshellokitty 7 years
I actually think they look great.I have three kids and I blew up with each one.I gained about 40 lbs with each child but always lost it due to nursing.They're all baby.They'll be back to their normal weights in no time.
Pokemyhontas 7 years
HOLY CRAP! THEY'RE GONNA BLOW!!!!! (okay forgive me, I've never been preggers before and they just look scary to me!) *LOL!*
EatYourVeggies 7 years
Whoa. I think Bridget's having a boy.
debbieS 7 years
Yes - I think these two look scary in pictures, but they are still really small. I think back to my pregnancy (I am 5'10") and that could not have been pretty. However; I did lose all the weight pretty quickly.
cherryice 7 years
Phew...just looking at them exhausts me. Thank goodness I don't want any kids because I don't know if I would have the constitution to go through with that. O_O
playsindirt 7 years
They're literally all belly so I bet they slim down quickly. It's the women who get fat all over that have problems. I know they look enormous but I bet they've both gained less than 30 lbs.
jmast 7 years
Holy Crap!! I'm Gold!!! Woo hoo!!!!!
jmast 7 years
Greggie, I hear you...I'm 5'4 and my sister with the toddler is 5' and my other sister is 5'2. So I'm the baby and the tallest but the biggest too!!! LOL!! Oh well..all I can do is work out before I conceive and get slimmer before I gain all the baby weight :) I'm looking forward to it though :)
glam-sugar 7 years
I wonder how long before Gisele dumps Tom?
paulawoods 7 years
my auntie never wore maternity clothes while she was preggers but her daughter was very big with all her pregnancies - it does not matter - they are not huge just pregnant - that is all
paulawoods 7 years
my mother never even wore maternity clothes I remember when she was with pregnant with my brother and sister - my cousin was as big as a house and I never saw her looked more beautiful give these women a break they are pregnant!
paulawoods 7 years
they are in their final trimester of pregnancy and yes they are gonna be big - think of how much the baby proabley weight at least 6 or 7 lbs is an average and then the amniotic fluid and the placenta all weigh too - give them a break! geez they are pregnant - haven't you heard women are suppose to be most beautiful when they are with child????? I am sick to death of hearing oh wow they are huge! NO they are preggers big difference!
t-and-co 7 years
Tom Brady's behavior during Bridget's pregnancy has been disgusting. I live in Boston, to say the least he's a little bit of a "god" around here, but people are seriously starting to question his character throughout this entire thing. Regardless, I say Naomi first!
thatsmypurse 7 years
Is it just me or has Naomi been pregnant for what seems like forever?
hills 7 years
wow their bumps are huge, they dont look real. i feel sorry for bridget, but at least she knows what hes like now, she looks really pretty
Greggie 7 years
I wouldn't say the last days of pregnancy were a walk in the park or a soak in a jacuzzi, but I definitely wouldn't call them painful, either. Sure, it's uncomfortable at times. But hell, so's having my period every month. jmast, my sister's really tiny, too. I mean, I'm 4'11" and at a relatively decent weight, but she's a couple inches taller and very slim. You should've seen her when she was pregnant with twins. And then in her regular jeans a few weeks later. I want to disown her sometimes.
jmast 7 years
My sister started her pregnancy at a size 0. She now has two toddlers and she fits perfectly into size 2 again, depending on the store then sometimes she fits into a size 0 or 4 (Yes, I want to beat her up) My other sister had 4 kids (one right after the other), they are all now teenagers and she's a size 6 or 8 (Yes, I want to beat her up too). I on the other hand never had children, yet, and once I got married I shot up from a size 6 to size 12. I'm working my way back but I just wanted to show that if you have kids it doesn't matter what size you are, you can get back to your original weight. :)
Chica8a 7 years
I think Bridget looks nice pregnant! naomi looks like she is ready to pop!!
any 7 years
woa they're huge!:D
badhabit 7 years
I apologize in advance if this is insensitive but...is Naomi having twins? It's just that she is so super tiny normally that this looks bigger than normal for one baby. And she still has a few weeks? I hope Tom Brady has the decency to show up for the birth. He seems to have written the whole thing off. I guess he doesn't care about the negative publicity. At least he isn't as bad as Eddie Murphy though!
notoriousrem_22 7 years
These 2 pictures are all I needed to see to solidify the fact that I am never birthing a child. To whoever was asking if this is how big all woman get, sure as hell is, these 2 are actually tiny also. How many woman do you know start their pregancies at a size 0-2? Props to woman who like being preggers, this looks like the most uncomfortable thing in the world to me. No thanks.
cari907 7 years
wows shes big
jmast 7 years
LMAO! Greggie :rotfl: It definitely is his own fault..and thank you for making me shoot water all over my laptop...that was very funny. And my laptop is fine. :)
Greggie 7 years
Yeah. His first name is Isaac. So Liev, the difficulty is your own damn fault. But I still love you and would also be happy to have your baby.
Greggie 7 years
Liev says they'll pick a "normal" name because he finds Liev so difficult. Which interests me because I thought it wasn't his real first name. Let me go see if I'm right.
Rachiepop 7 years
I think Naomi is going to go first. Can't wait to see what names they pick, will they go for a classic norm, or will they follow the celebrity trend of choosing bizarrely unique names for their babes.
lorenashley 7 years
those are some huge bellies..naomi has bbeen preggers for like 14 months.
Melissa-Rae 7 years
So being like Bridget doesn't hurt? I really don't have anything to worry about. If I ever do have kids, I'd got childbearing hips, I'm no size 0 like Ms. Moynahan. :p
BeautifyMyLife 7 years
I cannot believe that Naomi has not popped yet.
Greggie 7 years
I agree with polly - I've been that big, just all around instead of straight out. It happens so gradually, it's not like you go to bed with a flat stomach and wake up with a basketball to balance.
pollypo 7 years
They look totally normal to me - I look like this and I have 4+ weeks until my due date. If you're all belly, this is what you look like. For those of you who find this scary, don't worry - this may look scary, but it feels fine.
jmast 7 years
LMAO!! Greggie, I only read about the part of you being 12 weeks and just read the rest...haaaaa!! Stop it! Remember, being underweight is just as bad as being overweight for the baby...so freak em! LOL!
Melissa-Rae 7 years
Congrats Greggie! Bridget's looks painful. I've never seen a stomach like that. I can't believe how much its sticking out. I hope all goes well for her. I hope Brady has the decency to show up and help her out since it seems he hasn't even bothered to acknowledge the coming of his own child. I have no respect for that man anymore, we'll see if he can change that.
Lill-McGill 7 years
Woooo Those babies are definitely going to make an appearance soon! :baby:
Greggie 7 years
It's totally normal, even on average-sized women. Some women just carry to the front. Others don't. And some, like Katie Holmes, change how they carry daily.
jmast 7 years
It's totally normal...it's just that most regular everyday pregnant women don't start off a size 0 and 4% body fat..so their stomachs look more prominent. Congrats Greggie! :)
prettypopj 7 years
they both look-BIG-it is really scary-from a womans view x
Greggie 7 years
I'm only 12 weeks and already my butt's the size of Naomi's 9-month belly.
lilprincess 7 years
OMG is that normal??? It sure doesn't look it. Bridget's stomach makes me even more terrified to ever have children.
jmast 7 years
Agreed Greggie. I'm planning on getting pregnant very soon and I know for a fact I won't just be belly! I have friends like that, from behind you wouldn't even know, until they turn around. Right now from behind and front I look preggers..ha ha ha ha.
Greggie 7 years
I still don't think either of them are "huge," just carrying it all out front. Neither one of them look pregnant from the back. And both of them make me extremely jealous, I never look that good pregnant. But Bridget's going first, tomorrow.
t0xxic 7 years
And Bridgets baby sure does appear to be in a odd position like the babys trying to lay long ways head out the belly button and feet in the back OUCH!
Brians-Girl 7 years
oooo wow they both look like they are about to POP!
d_ford 7 years
Bridget will definitely go first since the baby has dropped and the rumour is that either tomorrow is her due date, or tomorrow she is being induced. I think Naomi will not be far behind her. Liev said her due date was August 2nd, but her yoga instructor said between the middle and end of July. Liev likes to mess around with the paps, so I'm more inclined to believe her yoga instructor. Can't wait to see either babies. They both have been pregnant forever! Good luck Bridget and Naomi!
t0xxic 7 years
Those wives tales are never true lol I was under the impression that doing work outs like that when yuor pregnant lifting/ pushing can cause strain on the baby and cause the cord to get wrapped around the babies neck. :( I wish I had looked that good preggo though I do think my belly was more natural looking lol
JustMe21 7 years
They are both HUGE!
dfitzy2 7 years
Wow! They both are certainly in the final stages in their pregnancies. I wish them both the best with their new arrivals! I can't believe how Bridget looks - she's about to drop that baby out!
rocklobster 7 years
i heard bridget is having a c-section tomorrow...which is also gisele's birthday!
tati33 7 years
lol jmast..exactly..these pregnant women are better than I am about staying in shape. :CRY:
jmast 7 years
Wow, I really thought Naomi was farther along than Bridget. I just read that Naomi is due on August 2nd and Bridget is due sometime in July. Wouldn't have guessed. But that doesn't mean anything, they both can be 2 weeks early or 2 weeks late. Hmmm, wonder if I can bet money on this....ha.
lilflowa 7 years
she's huggeee man when she due to pop?
Lindsb 7 years
My gram says that if you are carrying a boy - your belly bulges more from the bottom.. if that's true - looks like Naomi is having a girl and Bridget's having a boy!! I hope Mega Watts comes first. ;)
sushibananas 7 years
Hard to judge this one! Neither of them have dropped yet! And they are both HUGE! Maybe we can cheer for both of them to deliver on the same day - and soon!
Neural 7 years
Bridget will go first. No doubt.
dmblauren 7 years
dude, they are busting out. i can't even imagine.
TidalWave23 7 years
wow...they are both so ready to POP.
steen 7 years
Bridget's belly sticks out so far! It looks almost fake!
jmast 7 years
See! And people made fun of Katie Holmes when her belly was sticking out, everyone saying it was fake. That is just how a belly looks on a person that is all belly. Damn, they both look better than me and I'm not even preggers. :( If that pic doesn't make me want to work out, i don't know what will.
VaneM77 7 years
I was just going to say that about Bridget too, Tatti! That's some will power, haha! But hey good luck to them both!
LaLaLaurie06 7 years
I don't understand how it is possible to walk around with huge stomachs like that. Please tell me that not all pregnant women get scarily huge like that? This is creeping me out and making me not want to reproduce.
tati33 7 years
Wow to Bridget at the gym...Good for her must be a good stress release too.. Congrats to them both :BABY:
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Light workout: Stanford scientists use optogenetics to effectively stimulate muscle movement in miceSeptember 26, 2010 11:21 am | by EurekAlert | Comments
(Stanford University Medical Center) Researchers at Stanford University were able to use light to induce normal patterns of muscle contraction, in a study involving bioengineered mice whose nerve-cell surfaces are coated with special light-sensitive proteins.
Computer attacks linked to wealthy group or nationSeptember 26, 2010 9:05 am | by LOLITA C. BALDOR - Associated Press Writer - Associated Press | Comments
A powerful computer code attacking industrial facilities around the world, but mainly in Iran, probably was created by experts working for a country or a well-funded private group, according to an analysis by a leading computer security company.The malicious code, called Stuxnet, was designed...
Worm hits computers of staff at Iran nuclear plantSeptember 26, 2010 4:20 am | by The Associated Press | Comments
Iran's official news agency says a complex computer worm has affected the personal computers of staff at the country's first nuclear power plant weeks before the facility is to go online....
Novelties: These Digital Trainers Know How to MotivateSeptember 25, 2010 10:22 pm | by New York Times | Comments
People who have trouble sticking to weight-loss regimens can find an array of devices that help track their progress — and offer encouragement, too.
Career Couch: Staying Professional in Virtual MeetingsSeptember 25, 2010 10:22 pm | by New York Times | Comments
Virtual meetings have become a staple of business life, but personal conduct during a phone or video conference can be different than in face-to-face meetings.
Iran Fights Malware Attacking ComputersSeptember 25, 2010 10:22 pm | by New York Times | Comments
The agency that runs Iran's nuclear facilities said that its engineers were trying to protect facilities from a virus.
Invensense IPO will change the competition in the motion sensing businessSeptember 25, 2010 1:21 pm | by Medical Design Technology | Comments
Business is there: moving from $300M in 2009 to $1.2B in 2015 only for smart phones
Rights groups denounce arrest of Thai webmasterSeptember 24, 2010 11:20 pm | by The Associated Press | Comments
Human rights and free speech groups protested Saturday the arrest of a Thai webmaster as she returned from an Internet freedom conference on charges of insulting the monarchy and violating the Computer Crime Act....
Six Technology Firms Agree to More Hiring CompetitionSeptember 24, 2010 7:22 pm | by New York Times | Comments
The antitrust settlement promises to increase the competition for sought-after technology workers.
Dell Settles a Client's Claim That It Hid Computer DefectsSeptember 24, 2010 7:22 pm | by New York Times | Comments
A plaintiff contended that Dell had expected almost all OptiPlex computers to have problems, but the company had played them down. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
From Young Mogul, a Gift on the Scale of Philanthropy's EldersSeptember 24, 2010 7:21 pm | by New York Times | Comments
Mark Zuckerberg's $100 million grant to Newark's schools, announced on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," propelled him to the top of American philanthropy and made him something of a hero.
Epogen and Procrit (epoetin alfa): Recall - Particulate Matter in VialsSeptember 24, 2010 6:21 pm | by Medical Design Technology | Comments
Recall due to risks of embolic, thrombotic and other vascular serious adverse events.
Traders: China halts rare earth exports to JapanSeptember 24, 2010 3:22 pm | by The Associated Press | Comments
China has halted exports to Japan of rare earth elements - which are crucial for advanced manufacturing - trading company officials said Friday amid tensions between the rival Asian powers over a territorial dispute....
Air Force rebuts gov't auditor concerns about GPSSeptember 24, 2010 3:20 pm | Comments
A government report raising questions about the future reliability of the Global Positioning System satellite network is "overly pessimistic," Air Force commanders said Friday....
Target to open first small urban store in SeattleSeptember 24, 2010 3:05 pm | by ANNE D'INNOCENZIO - AP Retail Writer - Associated Press | Comments
Target Corp. plans to open its first store in a new, smaller format in Seattle in 2012, with plans to expand to 10 other markets in such cities as San Francisco and Baltimore in the next few years."We've never been a cookie-cutter retailer, but we are increasingly realizing that one size...


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