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Allison's New Life Ch. 14byGoldeniangel©
Allison arrived home with an armful of groceries, tired but happy that she'd managed to get all her shopping done. Inside the apartment was a trail of rose petals, which she attributed to Chad and Diana (although she couldn't really imagine Chad being especially romantic.). She was about to put the groceries away and then leave so that the surprise wouldn't be ruined when she realized that the rose petals led to her room.
Roger?? Surely not...
Quickly and curiously she stepped into her room and saw a vase full of two dozen gorgeous red roses on her nightstand, her bed was covered with petals except for where there was a long silk dark blue dress. Rushing over to pick it up she saw that there was also a medium sized box with an enveloped that had her name on it. Clutching the dress to her chest, heart pounding madly, her lips were parted in excitement as she opened the envelope.
Hey Princess,
I've been in town since yesterday but unfortunately tonight is the only night that I'll be all yours so I hope you didn't have any plans. If you did, cancel them. Wear the dress and everything in the box, I'll pick you up at 6.
Your Secret Admirer
Ok, so the secret admirer thing was corny and dumb, but the whole gesture was just so Todd. Biting her lip to keep slight tears of giddy happiness from her eyes she rushed to the bathroom to take a shower. Just getting ready for him was sheer sensual pleasure as she anticipated the night to come, running her hands over her soapy body and fingering her pussy a little. Holding her breasts she pinched her wet nipples, making her shiver with delight in the steamy haze of the tub. She shaved every bit of hair from her body, legs, armpits and her pussy, rubbing her fingers sensuously over the smooth mound.
Inside her head a little voice was chanting happily: 'He's here! He's here! Tonight! Tonight!'. It was almost more exciting and nerve-wracking than getting ready for her high school prom.
With her hair dried and fluffy, brown curls tumbling around her shoulders and framing her face, she pinned some of them back so that her hazel eyes show out clearly. Deftly she applied make-up, giving herself a more natural look but emphasizing the sparkle in her eyes, her long lashes, and the plump roundness of her pouty lips. She didn't need any blush at all, her cheeks were naturally flushed with excitement.
Putting on the dress she looked in the mirror, smoothing her hands as the silky material caressed her body. It was a halter, low v-neck that had a ribbon just underneath her breasts where she could tie it tight around her body, silky flaps over her breasts that were secured around her neck. Hugging her hips and ass the skirt then flowed out into pretty ripples at the bottom, a sheer chiffon layer peeking just underneath. The tie under her breasts went around her body and over her exposed back, the back of her dress swooped low, exposing a long expanse of flesh. She wore her own silvery shoes with small rhinestones.
Opening the box she found what she expected - a small buttplug to be slipped into her ass and a pair of panties with a little penis vibrator attached. Lifting the silky skirt over her creamy ass, she pressed the plug first into her pussy to get it wet and then into her ass, shivering with pleasure as the tiny hole was stretched a little. Putting on the silky panties (where HAD he got them?) she could feel that there was something hard inside the panties that would be placed just against her clit. Sliding the vibrator into her dripping pussy she wriggled sensuously, her holes plugged but not filled. It was very teasing.
There was another smaller box, that looked like a jewelry box. Probably something for her nipples, she smiled as she picked it up. Opening it, she gasped. It was Swavorski crystal, a gorgeous glittering and intricately lacy necklace with a large crystal pendant and two matching earrings... absolutely breathtaking. And not especially costly (compared to say diamonds done in the same way), but certainly more than any guy had ever spent on her. Her heart swelled with hope and joy, wondering if this meant that he was showing he felt something for her... of course with his new job jewelry like this could still just be a drop in the bucket for him. Still, they were the best pieces she'd ever owned, rivaled only by the diamond drop earrings her father had gotten her for her 21 birthday. Looking at herself in the mirror she had to admit that she looked stunning. Sexy and elegant with nothing to hint that underneath she was wearing what were probably three separate vibrators, she looked like pure class. She also looked extremely happy and excited - which she was.
The doorbell rang. It was 6 o'clock. With one last deep breath and a look in the mirror she went to the door.
Dark brown eyes widened as he looked her over, softly praising her before he even said a word.
"You look fantastic," he smiled and lifted one finger to caress her cheek, smiling she turned her head and nibbled on the tip.
"So do you," it was true, he was dressed impeccably in what she recognized as a Gucci suit, one of this year's in fact. It fit him like a glove, and he looked extremely handsome and masculine, something in her pussy fluttered as she looked at him.
Finally, after a few moments of just looking at each other they both laughed and she stepped forward, tilting her head up to accept his kiss. His arms were rough around her, holding her close to him. Their tongues melded inside each other mouth as she moaned and tried to press her body even closer to his.
Suddenly he pulled away and looked down at her sternly, "Stop that, we have reservations and if you start that then you won't even get to wear your new dress out."
"That'd be ok with me," she grinned wickedly and tried to press back up against him where she could see the bulge in his pants.
"Nice try Princess," he smiled and held her at arms length as he pushed her out the door, although he did spank her ass as she flirtatiously smiled at him while walking past.
The ride in the car was great, just getting to talk to him and catch up - especially fun was being naughty and teasing him by trying to slide her hand up his leg. It gave her a little thrill to really be sexually aggressive back towards him and she could tell he was enjoying it too, even if he wasn't going to take advantage of it. A few times at the stop lights he would reach over and caress her breasts, putting his arm around her shoulder and sliding his hand down the center of her cleavage, fingers slipping under the folds of clothe to rub her aching nipples. She shuddered and leaned closer to him, trying to suck his earlobe between his teeth.
"You better stop that," he said, pinching her nipple, "Or we're going to never make it to the restaurant."
"I told you that would be ok," she murmured softly into his ear, licking it lasciviously and running her hand up his muscled thigh until he caught it with his own.
"No, we're going on a date," he turned a little to catch her lips with his own for a quick kiss, "Even if you are being naughty... and I hope you know you're going to pay for all the teasing you do."
Allison practically purred, "I'm counting on it." she sank her teeth into his earlobe, making him gasp and shudder, the car veered a little and horns honked. After that she left him alone (well physically at least, they still talked and she kept reaching into her dress to pinch her nipples and moan while he watched from the corner of his very amused brown eye.) and they just chatted and caught up with each other. She told him about her last encounter with Diana and Chad and was gratified to see a small flash of jealousy flicker through his eyes... no matter how nonchalant he pretended to be about Chad there was still something there. Apparently Chad was also how he'd gotten a key - Diana had given Chad a copy weeks ago and he had willingly allowed Todd to make a copy (with Diana's permission of course) so that he could surprise Allison. She marveled at his fantastic use of resources.
Dinner was exquisite at one of the most expensive restaurants in town - the prices weren't even listed on the menu - and she was thrilled. Not even Roger had taken her here... Todd's new business was booming apparently and as soon as his trip to Turkey was over he'd be settling down in the area in his own house. It amused her to think that her parents would probably be thrilled if she started dating him... of course, she wasn't exactly sure what they were and she wasn't sure if she wanted to bring it up either. This definitely wasn't the time, not with him only home for a week - and not able to really spend any time with her except one night.
On the ride home she tormented him almost as much as she had on the way there, she was ridiculously horny. Dinner had been sexual torment as he randomly set off the vibrators she had on, making her squirm and gasp in her seat. They had been at a table in the middle of the restaurant so she hadn't been able to cum like she had when he'd taken her out before. Her pussy was dripping and she was aching with the need for him. To his utter shock she actually untied the top of her halter and let her breasts hang freely in the car as she played with them, rolling her pink nipples between her fingers. Cars that were passing honked and shouted as the occupants got a glimpse of her full breasts, cherry nipples pinched between her fingers while she writhed in her seat.
Of course she put her dress back on as they went into the apartment, but on the way up the elevator she had him pressed up against the wall with one of her hands down the front of his pants as she fondled his thick meat. What was driving her even more crazy was that he just stood there and accepted her attentions when she was longing to have him touching her, caressing her. She pressed against him and wriggled, trying to get him to lose control and lift his hands from his sides. Finally it was their floor and she practically dragged him the door.
As soon as they were inside everything changed, suddenly she was the one pressed against the wall as his hands pulled up her skirt gripping her ass as he ravaged her mouth and ground his hips against hers. He didn't even bother to get undressed, just opened his zipper enough to get his dick out and pulled her panties to the side - popping the vibrator out of her hole - and then he shoved in. Allison groaned ecstatically as his thick meat stretched her pussy wide, bruising her tender lips with the force of his thrust. Picking her up so that her legs wrapped round his body, her dress hanging down her thighs, he fucked her hard against the wall. Slamming her lower body against the rough surface his hands gripped her asscheeks, kneading the firm flesh as her back arched and she cried out in pleasurable pain as she was brutally speared on his dick. It was no time at all before they were both cumming, his face buried in her shoulder as his dick twitched and spurted inside her, her nails digging into his shoulders as her head fell back and she cried out her climax.
Panting happily, she kissed him on the lips as he leaned his body weight against her, still holding himself inside her.
Suddenly they were startled by applause. Todd turned his head as Allison stared over his shoulder, Chad and Diana were standing in the kitchen doorway with big eyes. Diana was the one applauding, Chad's hands were busy under her shirt and down her pants.
"That was fucking hot," the irrepressible Asian said, nudging Chad so that he reluctantly slid his hands from beneath her clothing, "Hi, I'm Diana."
It was a completely surreal experience for Allison as Todd shook her roommate's hand while still lodged in her body... of course when he finally did pull out of her (and she readjusted the vibrator and her panties) Diana had to comment when she finally got to see his semi-hard dick, "Well shit girl, no wonder you weren't satisfied with Roger, that's some thick meat!"
Todd laughed. It was obvious that he and Diana would get along fabulously, although to Allison's relief he seemed to have no romantic or sexual interest in the other girl. She and Diana ran to the bathroom to catch up as the men chatted in the kitchen. Diana admired her new jewelry and dress and agreed to go over to Chad's for the night (with some reluctance, the horny female was hoping to listen in on Todd and Allison as she and Chad got it on.). Leaving the bathroom Allison shook her head, bemused at her friend's foibles.
When they were finally alone again Todd chuckled and said, "Your friend is quite a trip."
"Yeah," she agreed, tossing her brown curls and smiling at him, "We have fun together."
"I'll bet," the image in his head of Allison and Diana together was doing interesting things to certain portions of his anatomy and he pulled her close to him, kissing her deeply as he began moving them towards the bedroom. Once there she aggressively took over, and he let her, watching with desire and amusement as she practically ripped the clothing from his body and knelt in front of him. Completely clothed she began to lick and kiss his groin, cleaning their combined juices from him as his dick began to harden next to her cheek. Sliding her tongue up and down his length like she would a lollipop, she opened her pouty lips and encompassed the head of his dick. Looking up into his eyes, seeing that he was watching avidly as she blew him, she kept her hold on his eyes as she began slowly sliding his entire length into her mouth and down her throat. It was extremely sexy seeing her look up at him as his dick disappeared into her mouth, and when her pink lips were pressed against his body he wound his hands through her curls and held her there for a moment. Her tongue was velvet as it played across his shaft, the soft muscles of her throat clenching a little around him as she adjusted.
Using her curls to pull her head back he began a slow and steady thrust in and out of her mouth, using that hole as he would either of her other ones. Small hands ran up and down his thighs, fingertips massaging lightly and cupping his balls as she sucked. Tugging lightly on his hanging sack, she pressed two fingers onto the spot just behind it, pressing firmly on that incredibly sensitive area. He groaned and pulled her head all the way onto his dick again, holding her there and shuddering as she teased his body. After a moment he began moving her head again, faster and rougher now as she increased the pressure and the tugging on his balls. It felt amazing as he slid in and out of her mouth, one of the best blow jobs he'd ever had.
When one of her fingers slipped back to lightly tease around the outside of his anus he lost it, and held her face tightly against her groin as his load spilled down her throat. Allison swallowed all of it, savoring the taste and the feel of him in her mouth. She continued sucking long after he had cum, and he let her, just enjoying the feel of her mouth around him.
Finally he pulled her off his dick and picked her up, kissing her lightly on the lips he tossed her on the bed and smiled, "Stay there."
Picking up his jacket he pulled out a small bottle of some kind of liquid. Allison watched curiously as he put it on the nightstand. She didn't have a chance to see what it was though because then he was on top of her, his naked body rubbing against her silky covering, tongue probing her mouth. They kissed and he pressed his harder body against her softer one as he untied the ribbons behind her back, slowly pulling the dress off of her and following its path with his mouth.
When she was completely naked and shivering with need before him he picked up the bottle and put some of the lotion on his hands. Rubbing his hands together he then began to rub the stuff onto her breasts, the coolness of it making her nipples stand pink and erect. The scent of strawberries filled her nose as he continued to rub her breasts... the more he rubbed the warmer they seemed to get, tingling with heat and arousal. Her nipples seemed especially sensitive to it, and when he blew gently across them the coolness and heat made her writhe with desire. Pouring more of it onto his hands he began working it into her inner thighs, moving his hands up to her pussy. All on their own her breasts were still burning, tingling, hot and aching. Allison moaned with desire, her pussy was soaking wet as it dripped sweet fluids. Before rubbing his hands on her pussy he poured more of the lotion onto them, and then began rubbing her smooth mound, her outer lips, working his fingers into her pussy and ass.
"OH God.... Todd what is that stuff?" her hips lifted involuntarily as she began burning inside and out, hungry with the fire of lust.
"Warming lotion," he replied, his eyes glinting as she thrashed while he slid some of it into her ass. She groaned as he rubbed her pussy lips, cool breath blowing across her hot flesh. If he didn't fuck her soon she thought she would die.
Instead he turned her over onto all fours and she wiggled her ass, hoping to entice him.
She squealed as he spanked her, the warming lotion making her ass burn as he smacked her. Harder and harder the blows seemed to get, covering her entire ass until it was bright pink and burning... not that any of that stopped her arousal. The smell of her pussy and strawberries filled the room, her breasts and pussy were still burning, her pussy and ass holes tingling with the lotion inside them. As pain throbbed in her ass it only made her hotter, hornier...
Suddenly it stopped and his hand caressed her hot cheeks, "Someone was bad tonight wasn't she?"
"Yes," Allison said softly, sniffling a little as a few tears ran down her cheeks from the assault, "I'm sorry..."
It became apparent that her apology was accepted - or so she thought - as she felt his tongue gently licking the wetness of her pussy, doing absolutely nothing to quench the heat that had gathered there. Moaning and pleading for more she pressed her hips back as he gently laved her pussy... but there was almost no firm contact at all and he assiduously only liked her lips, avoiding her pussy and heated hole. Allison was soon practically in tears from wanting it so bad, her ass was high in the air as her hot and tingling breasts rubbed against the sheets beneath her, nipples burning and aching almost as much as her pussy. Clutching the sheets she pleaded with him.
"Please... oh please Todd... I'm sorry I was bad... I'm sorry I teased you... oh please Todd, fuck me, lick me, do something! I'll do anything... oh God please Todd... I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
The light tracing over her pussy lips stopped and she could feel him shifting weight behind her, fingers gliding down the trembling flesh of her back as he shushed her quietly. Allison whimpered as she felt the tip of his penis sliding up and down her burning pussy flesh, only his firm grip on her hips kept her from thrusting back hard and impaling herself.
Moving slowly - oh so slowly - he began to press into her pussy... centimeter by centimeter. Feeling ready to scream she buried her head into the pillow in front of her and sobbed her sexual frustration... her whole body was on fire from being teased and tormented. Suddenly, when he was halfway in, he slammed the rest of the way into her and she screamed her surprise and pleasure. He was thrusting her hard, making her upper body slide across the soft material of the sheets as he pounded her from behind. Allison was instantly cumming as she was finally fucked hard, her pussy quivering with joy as it was stretched and filled... but the burning still continued. She was screaming her pleasure as he continued to fuck her hard, having already cum twice he was in for the long haul now.


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I first heard of One Direction on 3 October 2011. I was snatching a siesta in a Venetian hotel room when my 12-year-old daughter appeared in the doorway, hugging her laptop, all pale, breathless agitation and wide, shiny eyes. I was alert but not alarmed.
'Can we go to Milan? Pleeeeease?'
'No, honey. We fly home tomorrow.'
'You don't understand! We have to go now! We could catch a train. The boys are in Milan and it's only 269.5km away!'
Who needs to spend a fortune on publicity when you've got a global network of social media-savvy fangirls and a band who Facebook, tweet and Instagram with them around the clock? If Liam leaves his London apartment, fans in Buenos Aires, Adelaide and Addis Ababa know about it in seconds.
In those early days, my daughter and her friends celebrated the boys' birthdays with flashmobs and mass trips to the seaside; they ate carrot cake (the dashing Louis had announced that he liked girls who ate carrots); they eschewed spoons (Liam was afraid of spoons); they wore onesies all through a sweltering summer (the boys liked to relax in them); and at sleepovers they heaped such affection on our household feline (Harry was fond of cats) that she took refuge up a tree.
So I humoured the obsession. Why not? At the same age, my cohort was smoking menthol cigarettes and getting sloshed on Blackberry Nip. Boybands seemed an immense improvement.
There were practical benefits, too. My daughter learnt to negotiate public transport, read maps, inquire about hotel bookings and track flights like a pro. She made friends with fangirls from all kinds of backgrounds from all over the world. And she picked up some very funny dance moves.
Then came the crunch. The boys were booked to play just two nights in Sydney at the Hordern Pavilion – a tiny venue. Had the promoter drastically underestimated the fanbase or was it a cunning ploy to whip up teen hysteria?
Fearing that panic would crash the online booking system, my sleep-deprived teen and her friends camped overnight on the footpath outside Ticketek. Thank God for their onesies. If only I'd had one too – instead I risked pneumonia in order that my daughter might breathe the same air as One Direction.
The band's current tour (for which we bought multiple tickets 18 months ago) kicked off this week. It started with pandemonium at Adelaide airport. I've already had a taste of that when the boys arrived in Sydney for those Hordern gigs.
A clutch of Directioners camped at the airport overnight to greet the boys on arrival. By sunrise girls (wearing cat ears, in onesies and dressed as carrots) rushed up and down the terminal.
One Direction skipped out the backdoor. The fans were inconsolable. There began an elaborate game of cat and mouse. The lads had stayed at InterContinental hotels across the US, so 100 girls rode the train to the city and surrounded the hotel. The boys waved sheepishly from a balcony.
Days passed. Girls ran in maddening circles around Circular Quay and slept outside the hotel in bus shelters. A mob of teens and their mothers moved into the hotel.
The fans are a patient lot – but eventually they did get a little antsy. They had championed these lads for years and, watched the boys out and about greeting fans all over the US and Britain. Why were they giving Aussie girls the flick?
So I did what any self-respecting mother who remembers her own teenage years would do. I parked my car outside the InterContinental, ready to join the band's convoy at a moment's notice.
Which was how I found myself in pole position when a suspicious van sidled out of the hotel carpark. And pedal to the metal, we were off in hot pursuit: black van followed by paparazzi vehicle, followed by best mother in the world, followed by P-plate Mazda packed with screaming girls, followed by helicopter, blades spinning, high above.
The van driver was tricky – but not tricky enough. He tried to lose us on a hair-raising spin along clifftops at Harbord but we found him again at Freshwater, where the girls sat on the sand and watched Liam and Louis surf.
They were delirious, of course, but there would be no rest until they'd tracked down Harry. So, we hightailed it to the soundcheck where our luck held.
All five boys emerged some time before midnight to sign albums and submit to a succession of selfies. The girls were entirely weak at knees.
One believed she'd had an out-of-body experience. By the following week, I felt sure, they would be claiming miraculous healings and alerting the Pope.
My friends laugh at me for humouring this obsession and, I concede, it's an expensive hobby, but so is ballet and pony club.
Yes, the kids are exploited by an immense, cynical, capitalist juggernaut. But they're smarter and more media savvy than I was at their age, and they give as good as they get.
They kickstarted the band's career with their spygirl network, their flashmobs and sleepouts and blogspots – and they could drop them in an instant. It's a two-way street.

subset: commoncrawl


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Air France's new business class – The inaugural flight Paris-New York
During spring 2014, Air France announced that their new long-haul seats would finally be fully flat in business class. In the second half of June, the first aircraft with the new seats took flight on one of the daily departures between Paris and New York.
BusinessClass.co.uk was on the first official flight to New York, evening flight AF 008, where there were some extra festivities both at the airport and in the air. Also on the flight were Air France & KLM CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, and Air France CEO, Frédéric Gagey.
At the Airport
I arrived in Paris shortly before 4pm on a flight from Scandinavia. The flight arrived at terminal 2F while my connecting flight departed from terminal 2E, which is used for all Air France's non-Schengen flights. Terminal 2E consists of three buildings, with the names K, L and M. The flight to New York would depart from K-pier, which is the original terminal building.
Changing flights at Charles de Gaulle is now rather easy, at least as long as you are switching between two Air France flights or between Air France and another airline in Skyteam. For a number of years there have been connecting walkways from terminal 2F to both K and L piers in terminal 2E. It is very straightforward. All that was needed was to pass through passport control, which was completely empty, and where there is also a fast track (Accès No 1) which I could use as a gold card traveller and business class traveller. With the connecting aisles you no longer have to pass through security when connecting to a flight outside the Schengen area.
Just over a quarter of an hour after landing and I was in the lounge in the K-pier. Air France lounges are generally pleasant to visit, they have a stylish interior and often have champagne and nice wines to drink. However, I would like a little more food to choose from, during this visit also. The most savoury options on the buffet were fruit salad, yogurt and bread and cheese.
Boarding and First Impressions
Boarding started 30 minutes before departure with a short walk from the lounge. At the gate I was elected for a further check, which meant a quick body search and checking the contents of my hand luggage. The treatment I received was friendly and respectful, so not much to comment on.
Next to entrance to the aircraft we were met by the first sign that this was an inaugural flight. Along the passageway stood a long row of smiling Air France employees holding signs with different flight inspired texts. They wished everyone who passed a pleasant journey.
I was warmly welcomed at the entrance and quickly found my seat, 07L , a window seat on the last row in the business class cabin. The cabin made a great first impression with the interior almost entirely in white (or possibly light grey). This was, as I said, the official inaugural flight (however, in a practical sense, it was the Ninth commercial flight with the new seats) and everything felt, as you would expect, new, fresh and modern. The flight was almost completely sold out in all classes.
There was a pillow and quilt waiting at my seat as well as a hanger to hang up my jacket. All hand luggage is to be placed in the over-head compartment as there is no room in front of the seat. With the seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, you practically get your own over-head compartment.
After everyone was settled, we were offered a welcome drink, a choice of champagne, juice and water. As I was on a French airline, I clearly had to go for a glass of bubbly.
Pushback was a few minutes after schedule, at 7:10pm, while the usual security video was played in English and French. Flight time to New York was estimated to be 7 hours and 30 minutes.
The Seat
Air France's new business seat is basically the same seat that Cathay Pacific uses, a seat I tested three years ago when it was brand new and state-of-the-art. Of all the types of seats I have tested, this is by far one of my favourites. According to Air France's product manager, however, their version is more advanced than Cathay Pacific's as they bought the seat with more options. The seat is manufactured by Zodiac and the model is named Cirrus.
On board the Boeing 777-200 were ten rows, divided into seven rows in the main cabin, and three rows in the small cabin behind the galley. The seating was in a 1-2-1 configuration, with all seats placed so passengers sit facing away from the aisle, either directed towards the window or towards the middle of the cabin. If you sit in one of the two middle seats and do not know your neighbour, there is a screen which can be pulled up. The advantage of the 1-2-1 configuration is that all passengers have direct access to the aisle without having to climb over someone else.
Air France has reduced the total number of seats for sale on board, and on the Boeing 777, it has been reduced from 47 to 40.
The new seat can be described using "the three Fs": Fully flat, Full Access, Full privacy
Entertainment System
The new in-flight entertainment system is a pleasure to use, neat and clean with pleasant menus. The old system (and current system on other aircraft) is certainly okay, but is still somewhat old-fashioned in design and, above all, the screens are quite small.
The entertainment system is from Panasonic and has over 1000 hours of entertainment and a menu in 12 languages. The screen is, as I said, considerably larger, 16 inch compared to the previously 10.4 inches, and is touch-screen, meaning you can navigate through the menus by pressing directly on the screen.
The remote control is also new and is secured in a holder on the wall. It is designed as a smartphone, with a display showing the menu options which you then press. One can navigate in three different ways: with the traditional buttons on the remote control, the remote's display, or by pressing the large screen directly.
Noise cancelling headphones are stored in a cupboard next to the seat where there is also storage options.
A fun feature of the new in-flight entertainment system is the chat function, it is built in and allows you to chat with any other passenger on the flight.
Internet Onboard
There is no internet access offered aboard. Air France is testing Wifi but this has not been installed on many aircraft and no decision has been taken if or when this will happen.
After take-off, menus were distributed along with the drink list, and there was a little surprise. Air France has recently entered into a partnership with 'The Ritz Hotel' in Paris, and their Bar, 'Hemingway'. This means that over the coming year, cocktails, concocted at The Ritz, will be served on board. It is extra lucky if you get meet the head bartender in person, and it just so turned out that I did.
Colin Peter Field has been head bartender since 1994 and has won, 'world's best bartender', by Forbes, three times. Before this flight he had put together a special cocktail list from which passengers could order from. As an aperitif, he recommended Serendipity, also known as, "France in a glass", which he himself created. It consists of champagne, apple juice, calvados and mint. Most followed his recommendation, including myself, and the cocktail was delicious. Along with the cocktail, nuts were offered as well as an amuse bouche, consisting of a shrimp with thai spiced vegetables.
The regular drink list consisted of a champagne (Ayala Brut Majeur), a white wine, a rosé, and two red wines, all French, of course. There was also an extensive range of spirits with several apéritifs (to drink before your meal) and digestifs (to drink after your meal). Apéritifs include an anise liqueur and vermouth, and digestifs include Calvados, Armagnac, Eau-de-vie and Chartreuse. A little different from the drink list you find on a typical European airline. There was, of course, also a standard range of soft drinks, coffee, and teas from Fauchon in Paris.
With departure at 7pm from Paris, dinner was to be served on board. A white cloth was laid on the table (that is 25% larger than the previous model) and a meal tray was presented with the "gourmet entree". This was Air France's signature dish, foie gras with scallops and a special pearl pasta salad. On the plate, there was also a smaller bowl of salad. The stewardess offered two kinds vinaigrette as well bread from a basket. Drinks were offered and I ordered a glass of Burgundy wine. I have never been a big fan of mussels, but the foie gras, I more than happily tucked into.
There were four choices of main course described in the loose leaf menu, entitled "Today's suggestions." The four choices were steak with maxim potatoes and béarnaise sauce, cod with polenta and Italian cheese, chicken with honey, soy sauce and vegetables, and finally, rice with zucchini, eggplant, curry and grated Parmesan.
Most sounded appealing but the steak still felt like an easy choice and it tasted really good with the maxim potatoes. I ordered a glass of red wine to go along with the main course and could choose between a Rhône wine and a Bordeaux wine, I chose the latter. At the same time I was offered additional bread.
The table was cleared and a small cheese platter was served consisting of petit chèvre and camembert. More bread and wine were also offered.
Lastly, it was time for dessert. A dessert cart rolled through the cabin with three different ice creams and sorbets, fruit salad and Air France's signature dessert, "trio de desserts", which consisted of pineapple and almond cake, a mini chocolate cake, and a hallon macaron. In addition to this, various liqueurs and digestifs were offered, but as I had some work to do, I made myself content with a cup of coffee.
Overall I was very pleased with the dinner and the delicious food and good wines. Within Europe, the food in business class can vary from good to pretty unremarkable, while on long-haul flights I have always been very satisfied with the food available in business class.
With just over 90 minutes before landing in New York, a snack was served. The choice consisted of a chicken brochette, a sandwich, yogurt and a bowl of fruit. Coffee and tea were also offered.
There was a self service buffet available between meals with drinks and simple snacks, found next to the galley, between the two business class cabins, on the right side. It is the same buffet that existed previously and which will continue to exist even after the cabin upgrade.
The bartender, Colin, was on hand during most of the flight. In the small hours of the morning, when most people had gone to bed and I was finished with my work, I went to the front galley where he worked, and got talking to him for nearly an hour. He arranged two cocktails while he enthusiastically talked about how he worked with the different tastes, how different ingredients affect different parts of the body and how this knowledge can help create effective cocktails. he was one of the most inspiring bartenders I have ever met. He had been on two flights prior to this, including a flight to Tokyo.
Despite a full cabin, service was excellent without any problems. The staff were friendly and attentive and had all the grace and finesse I appreciate. To be fair, this was a maiden flight and the CEO was on board, so it would be strange to see anything other than these high standards.
I do like Air France's summer uniform of light blue with the attached red belt. Very elegant!
With arrival in New York at 9pm (3pm central European time), most tried to get at least a few hours sleep later during the flight.
When the new business class seat is in a folded position, it becomes fully horizontal (fully flat). In total, it creates a bed 196cm long, with a width of 68cm. In the seat construction, under the screen, is a small shelf that becomes an extension to the seat and helps to form the bed.
I thought the seat was comfortable to sleep and rest in. The right amount of softness and a nice pillow and blanket. The seat also felt quite private with shielding from the rest of the cabin. Around the back of the seat is a curved screen and the armrest can be folded up and down. In the default mode, it is folded down and unnoticeable. With one press of the button, however, the armrest flips up to over 30cm, which in turn creates additional shielding.
The seat controls are located on the side of the table.
Before night fall, a toiletry bag was handed out, available in four different colours – red, blue, beige and black. According to Air France, it is a similar model that was used during the period Air France flew with Concorde.
We landed punctually at New York JFK airport a few minutes after 9pm local time. The advantage of the late departure is that you can get a full day in Europe and still find time for a transatlantic flight, but can be a little tough to land so late.
The advantage of the late arrival was that it was nearly empty at passport control and, as I only travelled with hand luggage, I passed quickly through the arrival formalities.
All the passengers on board were given a certificate, before landing, that stated we were involved in this inaugural flight, signed by Jean Philippe Barat, head of Air France's long-haul fleet.
This is clearly an upgrade for Air France whose current business class seat is starting to feel quite old. I have liked this new seat since I tested it for the first time three years ago. A good sleeping experience with excellent storage and enough privacy. I was also really happy with Air France's new in-flight entertainment system.
I always appreciate the food and drink on Air France's long-haul flight, as I wrote in the previous review of Air France's business class.
The service on this flight was the best possible, although It was a special flight and the service was almost guaranteed to be of an exceptional level. The staff on board certainly performed to their best. This is definitely nice and much appreciated, but I will let my previous reviews provide a more nuanced and accurate picture of service and treatment.
BusinessClass Recommends
I would recommend a window seat (A or L) if you are travelling alone, and my place (E and F) if you are travelling with companions. Window seats are marked as, 'Preferred', with Air France and can only be booked in advance if you have higher status, for example, in the 'Flying Blue' reward scheme. However, these may be selected by others when checking in.


text:
Today was a good day.
Even though it took me 1 hour and 45 minutes to make what Google maps said would be a 23 minute journey. Dang you Toronto congestion. Sadly I have no idea why there was such a delay as there wasn't anything falling out of the sky. At one point it took me 40 minutes to drive 2 kms. 😦 Torture. I can't imagine doing that daily.
The HR person was very accommodating and my 9 am testing appointment was rescheduled to whenever you can get here. Which was nice considering how long it took me to get there. At the end of it she told me that she's let me know if I was moving forward.
Guess who's moving forward???
I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. 🙂
I was also able to score an appointment with my chiropractor with afternoon to address my hip issue. It feels a lot better. She suggested, like she always does, exercise. It is time to get back on that bandwagon.


text:
A large community and documentation that includes everything you need to develop intelligent robots have made Turtlebots one of the most popular platforms for education and research.
Turtlebot 2i is a new Turtlebot version released by Interbotix, the same company that designed the HR-OS humanoid robots and the PhantomX hexapod.
The platform is open-source and developed in partnership with the Open Source Robotics Foundation, the same robotics foundation that supports the development, distribution, and adoption of ROS (Robot Operating System).
Turtlebot 2i brings a fresh air to older versions. The new platform was designed with a robotic arm for research and development of applications that require object manipulation. Thus, using a single platform, the Turtlebot 2i users have autonomous navigation and object manipulation in an accessible format.
The robotic arm is a Pinscher MK3 with 5 degrees of freedom. The arm has attached to the end a gripper able to manipulate small objects.
Interesting is the new processor as well as the 3D camera used by 2i. Intel launched Joule 570x to compete with Raspberry Pi 3. Joule 570x has integrated WiFi and the specifications are well above of the Pi 3 specs.
The 3D camera is also from Intel and is a RealSense 3D camera.
Just like the other Turtlebot variants, there is a list of tutorials and demonstrations to make easier the use of the Turtlebot 2i platform.
The price is $2,395.95 without shipping.
A list of the hardware specifications:
- Intel Joule 570X module
- Gumstix Nodana Carrier Board
- 16GB eMMC Storage
- 802.11AC WiFi / Bluetooth 4.0
- Ubuntu 16.04 / ROS Kinetic
- Intel RealSense 3D Camera SR300-Series
- Intel RealSense 3D Camera ZR300 Series
- Accelerometer/Gyro/Compass
- Edge Detection & Bumper Sensors
Mobile Robot:
- Kobuki Mobile Base
- Modular & Interchangeable Decks
- Pincher MK3 Robo Arm
- Arbotix-M Robocontroller
- Secondary 3S 4500mAh LiPo Battery
- Maximum translational velocity: 70 cm/s 13
- Maximum rotational velocity: 180 deg/s (>110 deg/s gyro performance will degrade)
- Payload: 2kg (without arm), 1kg (with arm)
- Cliff: will not drive off a cliff with a depth greater than 5cm
- Threshold Climbing: climbs thresholds of 12 mm or lower
- Rug Climbing: climbs rugs of 12 mm or lower
- Expected Operating Time: 4-6 hours (operating time varies depending on loadout)
- Expected Charging Time: 2-3 hours (charge time varies depending on loadout)
- Docking/Charging: automatic within a 2mx5m area in front of the docking station (sold separately)


text:
I am intelligent, energetic, loyal, respectful, positive, optimistic, romantic, caring, sensitive, compassionate, easy going, appreciative, monogamous, friendly, sincere, understanding,straightforward, flexible, adaptable, hardworking and easy to please. Importantly, I have a good sense of humor and like to laugh. On rainy days I like watching an old movie with some popcorn with that someone special. like ,watching romantic films,reading ,walking on the beach, Intellectual conversations,Holding hands with that special someone and having a nice days out
I'm drawn to a man's eyes,heart and smile but his positive personality,sense of style and his integrity will keep me hooked.I enjoy a mate who is comfortable giving and receiving genuine affection.Honest,open communication is very important to me and a vital component for building any successful relationship......Has to be emotional fit in order to keep up with me,enjoys trying new things and exploring new avenues of life.must be loyal,open minded,direct and straight forward....loving,caring,and am here for a real love...Life is too short to play games and right now i need a man in life..I want a serious LTR
Flirthut is a completely free dating site where people like you meet other people looking for a relationship, love or just friends. You can message adorablerose by signing in or registering.Find out more about us » Join us for free and get searching for your match


text:
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September 27, 2010
MERCHANTS INSURANCE GROUP, PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT,v.AAA MID-ATLANTIC INSURANCE COMPANY, DEFENDANT-RESPONDENT.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Hudson County, Docket No. L-399-09.
Per curiam.
Argued May 11, 2010
Before Judges Fuentes and Gilroy.
This is a real property subrogation action. Plaintiff Merchants Insurance Group appeals from the Law Division's June 30, 2009 order that denied its motion for reconsideration of the May 12, 2009 order, which had denied plaintiff's order to show cause (OTSC) seeking to vacate an arbitration award entered in favor of defendant AAA Mid-Atlantic Insurance Company. We reverse and remand.
Merchants and AAA Mid-Atlantic are signatories to an inter-company property subrogation arbitration agreement with Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF). The agreement requires signatory companies to forego litigation and to resolve property damage subrogation claims through arbitration with AF.
On September 9, 2005, Champion Construction Co. performed construction work on a structure located on Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City. Chu Lam owned the building directly next door. During the construction, Lam's building was damaged by a gush of water and raw sewerage that emanated from a pipe underneath his building. On the date of the accident, Merchants insured Champion for third-party liability coverage. AAA Mid-Atlantic insured Lam's building. Pursuant to the terms of its insurance policy, AAA Mid-Atlantic indemnified Lam for his loss in the amount of $98,050.75; Lam also sustained an uninsured loss in the amount of $500, the amount of his insurance policy deductible.
In February 2008, contending that Champion was responsible for the damage to Lam's property, AAA Mid-Atlantic filed an application for arbitration with AF seeking to recover the monies it paid Lam, together with Lam's deductible. Initially, AF had difficulty serving Merchants with a copy of the application at the address provided by AAA Mid-Atlantic. On July 28, 2008, after receiving advice from Merchants' counsel that Donald Alexander was the insurance company's representative handling the claim, AAA Mid-Atlantic filed an amended application for arbitration providing AF with Alexander's name and address. Copies of the amended arbitration application were served upon Alexander and Merchants' counsel.
On August 7, 2008, AF sent a notice to both parties advising that an arbitration proceeding was scheduled for September 16, 2008. Merchants received the notice on August 15, 2008. However, Merchants never filed a response to the demand for arbitration. Although the arbitration hearing proceeded as scheduled, the arbitration panel continued the hearing, requesting AAA Mid-Atlantic to submit a liability expert report supporting its claim against Champion. AF rescheduled the hearing for November 18, 2008, but adjourned that hearing at the request of AAA Mid-Atlantic's counsel. The hearing was rescheduled for December 16, 2008, with AAA Mid-Atlantic submitting an engineering report to AF supporting its claim that the damage to Lam's building was caused by Champion's negligence. On December 18, 2008, AF issued its arbitration award in favor of AAA Mid-Atlantic in the amount of $98,550.75.
On January 9, 2009, Merchants appealed the award to AF on the basis that it had not been properly served with the arbitration application, nor served with notices of the hearing dates. On April 1, 2009, AF denied the appeal. On January 27, 2009, Merchants filed a complaint and OTSC seeking to vacate the arbitration award pursuant to section 13, N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-13, of the Alternative Procedure for Dispute Resolution Act (APDRA), N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-1 to -30. AAA Mid-Atlantic opposed.
On April 3, 2009, the trial court heard argument on the OTSC. On May 12, 2009, the court entered an order supported by an oral decision of April 23, 2009, denying Merchants' OTSC concluding that Merchants had failed to establish a valid reason to vacate the arbitration award under N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-13. On June 30, 2009, the court entered an order supported by an oral decision denying Merchants' motion for reconsideration.
On appeal, Merchants argues that the trial court erred in denying its application "to vacate the arbitration award under N.J.S.A. 2A:23-A-13," and, alternatively, "equity mandates that the arbitration award be vacated so that the claim is decided on the merits." Because we are satisfied that the trial court mistakenly considered Merchants' OTSC under the APDRA, rather than under the Arbitration Act, N.J.S.A. 23B-1 to -32, we reverse and remand.
The statutory grounds for vacating an award under the APDRA, although similar, are different than the grounds under the Arbitration Act. N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-13c; N.J.S.A. 2A:23B-23c. For example, the APDRA includes grounds for vacating an award not found in the Arbitration Act. See N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-13c(5) (providing "[t]he umpire's committing prejudicial error by erroneously applying law to the issues and facts presented for alternative resolution"). Additionally, except under limited circumstances not applicable here,*fn1 parties to a proceeding under the APDRA waive the right to appeal the decision of the trial court. N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-18b. Accordingly, before a matter can be said to fall under the APDRA, the parties to the dispute must have agreed to submit the dispute for resolution under the APDRA pursuant to a written agreement. N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-2a; Mt. Hope, supra, 154 N.J. at 145-46.
Here, a review of the property damage arbitration agreement in the appellate appendix disclosed that it does not contain a provision requiring the parties to submit the matter for resolution under the APDRA. On inquiring of counsel whether the parties had ever entered into a separate agreement to resolve the subrogation claim under the APDRA, we were advised that they had not. Accordingly, because the parties never agreed to resolve the property damage subrogation claim under the APDRA, we are satisfied that the trial court incorrectly considered Merchants' application to vacate the arbitration award under the APDRA, rather than under ...
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text:
I'm in the lab on Monday and Wednesday mornings and Friday afternoons, for a total of about ten hours. Today was a training/reading day; I had to read the first chapter of At the Bench, A Laboratory Navigator (Barker, Kathy, Cold Spring Harbor, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Print.).
After reading chapter one, I looked through the rest of the book. For the subject matter, its very well written. Ms. Barker makes a potentially dry subject, how to get around in a lab, interesting and engaging. Two things actually made me giggle:
- As I posted previously, I came on board fairly quickly and two days after acceptance had to give a presentation. Since I was one of (maybe the) last REU student, my presentation was last. I got to watch all the other REU presentations… which were awesome. Everyone was really informative and had lots of information to talk about. I had three slides and a link to Anthony's Notebook website. It all went wonderfully and then reading about "proper slides" just made me laugh.
- The last Nonnegotiable Safety Rule: Don't mouth pipette. Dr. Koch wrote in the margin: If you do this you are crazy. Wow, funny stuff.
I can tell this lab experience will be fun and informative.


text:
I look at my mother's profile brighten then darken as we pass a roadside light.
'Why didn't you tell me before?' I say.
She turns away from the window and gives me her don't-fret smile. 'It's just a little lump,' she says. 'I only noticed it last month.'
'And you only saw the doctor last week!'
'This isn't Melbourne,' she says. 'It takes a while to get in. And anyway, I was planning to wait for Keith to check it out.'
'Keith's specialising in ophthalmology,' I say. 'He doesn't look at people's necks.'
'He's still a doctor.'
Keith glances around from the front passenger seat at the mention of his name.
'You can turn around SIL,' my mother says. 'We were talking about you not to you.'
He gives a salute then turns back and keeps talking to my father.
'So when do you have to have the biopsy?' I say.
'I don't know. I need to have the ultrasound and see the specialist first.'
'Why couldn't they see you before Christmas?'
'They were fully booked. Nothing's going to get done until the new year.'
'Can't you —'
'Janey.' She squeezes my knee. 'I only want to talk about happy things over the holidays. Like us spending time together, and my grandchild that I can't wait to see.'
Now it is my turn to look out the window. At the blackened fields of stubbled sugarcane, their ongoing monotony broken only by the occasional glow of a homestead set back from the road. Beyond them the tops of the Atherton Tablelands are hard to distinguish from the cloudy starless night sky.
My mother leans over. 'So,' she says in a conspiratorial whisper that's loud enough for everyone in the Landcruiser to hear. 'Guess what I bought Keith for Christmas?'
'I don't know. Why don't you tell me?' I loud whisper back.
'A set of lures.' She winks. 'That way the men can go out on the boat and give us girls some time alone.'
Lost in their own conversation my husband and father don't react. Ironically they seem to be talking about trout.
'Good thinking,' I say. 'What have you got planned?'
'Cooking, decorating, doing puzzles, catching up.' She smiles. 'Plus we've got lots to talk about with your pregnancy.'
I look out the window again. 'When's Ross arriving?' I ask.
'Christmas Eve,' she says. 'I thought I'd told you that.'
'Actually I think you did. I forgot.'
The engine hum changes as my father shifts down a gear. The tyres go thunk thunk as we pass over a railway crossing. The lights of the outskirts of Innisfail are coming up ahead. 'They've subdivided some more land on the north side since you were last here,' he says.
'It's good this area's growing,' Keith says. 'It means your farm will be worth more.'
'True,' my father says. 'But only if we sell it. We're planning to eventually be buried in the backyard.'
'Gross,' I say.
'What's wrong with that?' my mother says. 'You two can move in and help look after us when we get too decrepit.'
'That's what nursing homes are for,' Keith says.
'What's a nursing home?' My mother laughs.
I laugh too but it's forced. I touch my belly.
'Hey, there's a KFC,' Keith says.
We turn right at the main intersection. Pass on through the town.
The Christmas tree is old and some of its branches are missing. The articulated base is loose and the trunk squeaks as we assemble it. My mother wraps duct tape around a joint to hold the two pieces together. It's seen better days.
I slot in the last remaining wire and plastic pine branch and get down off the stepladder. 'When are you going to get a new tree?' I say.
My mother looks up from the big cardboard box that stores the decorations. 'Hopefully never,' she says. 'It's a family heirloom. We bought it when you were only two.'
My mother's always enjoyed putting up Christmas decorations together. I lost most of the magic in my late teens, but over the past few years it's starting to come back.
I see her pouting.
'What's the matter?' I ask.
'One of the balls has broken.' She grins. 'Oh well. Plenty to spare.'
We've set up the tree in the corner of the lounge room. My parents' house was built in the thirties. White walls, high ceiling, timber floors. Big window that looks out on a wraparound veranda. Porcelain figurines line the top of the upright piano. A yellow L-shaped couch faces the TV. On the walls are two of my paintings alongside three generations of wedding photos.
We begin with lengths of tinsel. My mother hums as she wraps them around the tree. She reaches the end of one and throws it up. It balances on the tip of a branch.
'Nice shot,' I say.
'Thank you.' She bows. 'Now it's time for the decorations!'
I'm a bit nervous going through the stained musty box. It's stored up in the attic and I'll never forget that time we found the dried-out mouse amongst the baubles. My brother had hung it from the tree by its tail. My father told him to stop being a turd.
'I'm so glad we finally got the boys out of here,' my mother says as if reading my thoughts.
'I wonder if they'll catch anything,' I say.
'I wonder. The important thing is they're gone.' She holds up a Frosty the Snowman on a string. 'Where do you think this one should go?'
While we work my mother chats inconsequentials. I try and bring up the neck lump but she brushes the topic away. After the second attempt I drop it. We all have things we prefer not to dwell on. After a while the tree is so covered with balls and stars and figures and silver bells you can barely notice the gaps.
'Just wait till next Christmas,' she says beneath me. She's holding on to my ankles. I'm up on the ladder again to place the angel at the top. 'You won't believe how much better they are when you have children of your own.'
I perch the angel on the top branch and take my hand away. White flowing dress, golden harp, long blonde hair. Blank face. No eyes or nose or mouth. Just flesh-coloured smooth plastic. All of a sudden I feel empty.
I get down.
My mother claps her hands. 'OK. One more decoration each then I'll put the rest away.' She goes over to the box. 'There's still so many. I wonder which one.' She covers her eyes theatrically with one hand and rummages in the piles of crumpled tissue paper with the other.
'Tadaah!' She pulls out a lump covered in pink tissue. She unwraps it. 'Hmmph.'
It's a Santa figurine riding a surfboard. She shrugs. 'Oh well. Rules are rules. Your turn.'
I look down at the mass of paper, tinsel and plastic packets in the box. It smells like mushrooms.
'No peeking!' My mother covers my eyes.
With dead mouse in mind I pick up something from the top.
'Nice choice Janey.' She takes her hand away. Something golden glints from a patch of torn paper.
I uncover it. I hold it up.
It's the miniature cottage with little mirrors for windows. It was one of my favourite decorations as a kid. I haven't seen it for years. The paint is starting to peel. I run my thumb along the roof edge. I prise open the door with my nail. The tiny hinges squeak. Behind the door is another little mirror. As a kid I used to love peering into it. Seeing how much of my face could fit in the reflection.
It's changed though.
The glass is dusty. A scratch runs across it. The silver lining underneath is tarnished with age.
'Darling,' my mother says. 'Why are you crying?'
Pregnancy diary, 16 December 2009
So glad I had the screening after all. I got to hear the baby!
Was just about to put on a load of laundry this morning (need to do that now) when I picked up the phone and rang. Talk about weird timing. Someone had just cancelled for 11 am so their spot was vacant.
Hated having the blood test. Not that probe up vagina was a load of laughs either.
When I got to the Ultrasound for Women place in Ringwood I had to change into a cotton gown and lie on a couch that was kind of like a dentist's chair. Embarrassing having to go commando. Glad that the sonographer was a female, though she looked so young I suspect she might still be in Year 12.
She had a quick read of the form I filled out. Then asked me to lie back and put my feet on the rests.
Second biggest surprise of the morning was the next bit. She pulls out a condom and rolls it down over the probe. Then squirts lube all over it. Guess it was kind of shaped like a dildo.
'OK, can you lean back please?' she said to me. 'Sorry if it's a bit cold.'
It was weird having a piece of machinery pushed up there. Had a sudden fear of getting electrocuted. Totally forgot about paranoia though when she pointed at the ultrasound screen.
I sat forward. Ouch!
'Was that the baby?' I asked.
'Yes.' She smiled at me even though I bet she was thinking silly cow. 'Now please lean back, it's best if you try and stay still.'
She re-adjusted the probe and I saw you again.
Now I know you're in there. I mean I knew you were. Why else the queasiness, the painful boobs and the jeans that have gone up two sizes. But sometimes it's hard to imagine you since I can't feel you move. But now I don't have to imagine any more.
'I can't believe how big it is,' I said to the sonographer.
'Actually it's on magnification.' She pushed a button and the picture of you froze. 'The crown–rump length's 38 millimetres,' she told me. 'About half the size of your thumb.'
So you are still really small. Curved like a broad bean. But a bean with a head and what I thought might be tiny arms and legs.
'Yes they are,' the sonographer said when I asked. 'Most of the organs have formed by now.'
She unfroze, then refroze the screen and took another measurement.
'When did you say the first day of your last period was?'
'I'm not sure. Roughly the second week of September.'
'That would be right,' she said. 'According to this your baby's ten weeks and five days size.' She winked. 'Did your partner do something special to earn a reward that day?'
I laughed.
Actually. She had an interesting point. Let's see … Just counted back in the diary. Must have been Friday the 16th of October.
To quote myself (Sat 17th entry):
OK. So I'm over grumps now. Dinner at the Pig and Whistle tends to do that. I know he was just trying to get back in good books for covering for Jason this weekend—EVEN THOUGH HE'D PROMISED NOT TO DO THAT ANY MORE. I had the trio of bangers and mash for main. Keith had the beef and burgundy pie with chips. Boy I was stuffed. Still managed that slice of lemon cream cake though. Just as well we had that bit of exercise when we got back home. Not sure if it was the wine, or the full moon shining in on us, but man I had an intense …
Anyway. Back to today.
The sonographer checked a few other things. She said the thickness at the back of your neck was a bit in the high range of normal. Apparently the obstetrician will look over the results and combine it with the blood test. But she said not to worry, it was likely all fine.
And then by far came the best part.
'Hold steady now.' She pushed another one of her buttons and a bright yellow line went across the screen. She rolled the console's ball and the line angled to cross your chest.
Boomp Boomp Boomp Boomp Boomp Boomp
That's what it sounded like.
Boomp Boomp Boomp Boomp Boomp Boomp
The sound of your little heartbeat.
Got your ultrasound photo of you next to me right now. Can't wait to show your father. Little you in me. Little Mini-Me.
'What about this one?' my mother says. 'Don't you think it looks nice?'
'If you want me to look like a traffic cone,' I say.
'Don't be silly.' She pushes the dress to me.
Boxing Day sales have never been my thing. But my mother had insisted, so this morning we drove into town leaving my father, my brother and Keith to their own devices. After a day of constant grazing interrupted only by present opening, a short service at my parents' church and three sit-down meals, the last thing I feel up to is trying on new clothes.
'It's a size ten,' I say.
My mother checks the tag. 'It's a big size ten though. Why don't you try it on anyway?'
'Mum. I'm barely size twelve when I'm not pregnant.'
She raises an eyebrow, sorts through the traffic cones and brings out a size sixteen.
'If you like it so much why don't you wear it,' I say.
'Janey,' she says. 'Just because you're pregnant, doesn't mean you should stop trying.'
'Stop trying what?'
'Stop trying to look nice.'
'You don't think I look nice?'
'Of course you do Poppet. It's just that as you get older it gets a bit harder.'
'What's new clothes got to do with it?'
'New clothes are like a polish. It helps keep the husband interested.'
'Keith's more interested when I'm not wearing clothes.'
I snatch the coathanger and walk towards the change rooms. There's a line. It gives my mother a chance to catch up.
'What's the matter, Janey? Did I say something that upset you?'
I eye her and weigh up which way to go.
'No, Mum. I'm just tired and my legs are really sore.'
Inside the change room is a mess of strewn cellophane and empty hangers. As I slip out of my skirt I notice a security tag in the corner. I straighten. This change room is one of those ones with full-length mirrors on all three sides of the cubicle. Why do they have to build them like this? It makes it impossible to ignore the back of your thighs. And as for my bum—maybe I was kidding myself about Keith's interests.
My mother's rummaging through a bra bin when I rejoin her.
'It doesn't suit me.'
'That's a pity.' She takes my arm. 'OK. Let's go to Sussan. There's sure to be something there.'
'Do we have to?'
'Come on. We haven't bought you anything yet.'
She guides me through the aisles clogged with bargain seekers and out through the store's entrance. Here the shopping centre's walkway is even worse. It's so crowded you can't take more than three steps without brushing someone else's flesh. My mother's still got my arm, leading the way. Walking too fast. Almost a drag.
Too many people. The noise. Aren't the air-conditioners working?
She keeps going. Either not hearing me or choosing not to.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Improve-your-daughter crusade.
'MUM!' I yank.
'What is it, Janey?' She looks hurt. Surprised. Concerned. And hurt.
'My legs are cramping,' I say.
'Are you OK?' Now she just looks concerned.
'I'm fine,' I lie. 'I just need to have a sit down.'
She studies me for a moment longer. 'You're probably dehydrated,' she says. 'Let's go to the food court. I'll get us a nice big Boost Juice.'
The food court is loud. We scan the area. Sparrows are flitting to and fro in the dome of the high glass ceiling.
'There's a table,' my mother says, pointing. 'Go and save it for us.'
I'm staring into the fountain when she returns.
'Penny for your thoughts,' she says, sitting herself down.
'You could have them for free if I had any.'
I take the jumbo-sized green cup and straw. 'Thanks.'
'Apple, pineapple, orange and kiwifruit with crushed ice. Hope you like it,' she says.
We both draw on our straws. My cup starts to slurp first.
'How are your legs now?'
'Much better,' I say.
'Good.' She scrunches her ice with her straw. 'So have you two decided on a name for my granddaughter yet?'
'Mum. You don't know it's a girl.'
'Mmm. Maybe. But our family always seems to have girls born first. Aunty Karen was born first. You were born first. And your cousins Shani and Andrea are older than their brothers.'
'What about David?' I say.
'He's on your dad's side.' She raises her cup. 'I'm so happy to finally be getting a grandchild,' she says. 'Let's go have a look at the baby shop next if your legs aren't too tired.'
I take the lid off my cup to get to the last of the ice. I think of what the obstetrician said about my first trimester screening. I think of the nuchal fold thickness. I think of the one in ten chance that our baby has Down syndrome.
I swallow.
She looks at me.
I imagine her reaction.
'Can we go home?'
When it comes time to board the plane my mother gives me a hug and starts to cry. I do my best to avoid joining her but it never works.
'Thanks for Christmas,' I say. 'We had fun.'
'Me too,' my mother says. 'Now you make sure you look after yourself.' She gives me another hard squeeze. 'And take care of my granddaughter.'
'Come on, Evelyn,' my father says. 'They'll miss the flight.'
He picks up my hand luggage and the four of us walk to the security checkpoint where we join the tail of the line. I look out at our plane sitting on the tarmac.
'Tell me as soon as you know,' I say to my mother.
'I will.'
'See you next time,' Keith says, shaking my father's hand.
We can't hang back any longer. All the other passengers have passed through.
Suvi Mahonen is studying for her Masters (Writing and Literature) at Deakin University. She has published short stories in various literary magazines and online in Australia, the UK (including on 'East of the Web') and the United States, and has worked as a journalist both in Australia and Canada. She lives in the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne with her husband, Luke Waldrip, and a menagerie of wildlife including a family of magpies and a possum named Toby. Examples of her creative work can be seen at www.redbubble.com/people/suvimahonen.
The Australian Literature Review.


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Jimmy Fallon managed to keep everyone in the dark for nine months, joking about the coming of the royal baby without once mentioning the fact that he and his wife, Nancy Juvonen Fallon, were about to have a baby of their own.
Fallon and his wife welcomed their new little girl just one day after Kate Middleton gave birth to little George. The Fallons also took a little time to announce their daughter's name, but finally revealed the news during the monologue of his show and introduced the world to Winnie Rose Fallon.
Now Fallon has decided to share a picture of his new little bundle of joy. Posting a picture on Instagram showing the new baby wrapped in a blanket and wearing an adorable pink and blue hat, Fallon wrote: "I would like to introduce... Winnie Rose Fallon."
This has been quite the week for celebrity babies. In addition to Fallon's new addition and of course, the new prince, Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott gave birth to a baby girl of her own on the same day that little Prince George was born. Not to be outdone, Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem also welcomed their own baby girl on the same day. That's two more little girls for the prince to play with, should the royals ever decide to hang out with a few celebrities and their children.
But it wasn't just about babies being born this week, there was also news of more babies on the way. Kim Fields also announced this week that she's expecting a son. It's truly been a major week for celebrity babies. Could there be more on the way? Well, the week's not quite over yet so anything is possible.
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Rafting and white water rafting definition are recreational outdoor activities which use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other body of water.
1.Psychological journey
Rafting can be seen as therapeutic in the way that it's a rigorous sport with minimal risk of injury or harm. By secluding yourself from modern worries, you become one with yourself and your team in the boundless territory of mother nature. Psychologically, your mind journeys with your body down the river, metaphorically revealing your journey through life. While there are many obstacles, you learn quickly with enough hard work, dedication, and help from friends, you can achieve anything.
2. Boosts self-esteem
White water rafting leaves you with a feeling of accomplishment and an increased sense of confidence. Depending on the difficulty of the river, the task may seem intimidating at first, but once you complete it, the feeling of achievement runs rapid in your veins, giving you the confidence to overcome many other challenges.
3.Opportunity for family bonding
White water rafting is one adventure you can take part in with your family, enabling all members of the family unit to bond. Without modern distractions such as work or technology, families can finally have the time to engage in conversation while overcoming a challenge.
4.Excellent cardio workout
Rafting is a strenuous activity that requires endurance.Rafters must sustain long periods of paddling on fast-flowing rapids to ensure proper navigation and to prevent the raft from, worst case scenario, tipping and sending everyone overboard. The stamina and endurance you need must be at peak levels to ensure you can successfully accomplish the challenge.
5.Builds teamwork
Being in the wilderness with a group of people gives you the opportunity to bond with your teammates. You learn about their strengths and weaknesses, and since white water rafting takes discipline, teamwork and leadership skills, knowing your team is crucial to success. The communication between teammates will ensure the whole team is on the same page.
6.Strengthens muscles
White water rafting is a fun, challenging physical activity. Using your upper body, you paddle quickly and vigorously through the river.The movement of paddling tones your arms, back, and shoulders, and as the current of the river grows more swift and water resistance increases, so too does your muscle strength improve as you continue to fight the challenge of the river.
7.Outdoors/ Fresh Air
Being outdoors is a way for you to soak up the sun and take in nothing but deep breaths of fresh air. In fact, studies show that exercising outdoors is more beneficial to mental health over indoor activities.
8.Reduces stress
Rafting provides you an escape from reality. The quietness of nature lets you relax and leave all your worries behind you, especially when the river is slow-moving. In this moment, you can bask in this moment of peace. And yet, when the river gets going again, you can be sure to exude your stress through the exercise required in heavy paddling!
9.Provides an adrenaline rush
Whitewater rafting guarantees a release of adrenaline. Adrenaline rushes allow rafters to focus only on the excitement they feel rather than the physical exercise of rafting.
10.Satiates the thirst for adventure
Most of the rivers used for white water rafting are in scenic locations that give you the chance to explore your surroundings in a whole new way. Adventure is good for the mind because it's a positive change of scenery that gives you a new perspective on exploration.
11.River Trips are Good for Your Brain. The City Hurts Your Brain.
Ever felt like your brain was on overload? Chances are you were in a crowded city or caught in traffic. Activities like river trips allow your brain to unwind from urban life and actually improve mental functioning. So says Marc Berman, a psychologist at the University of Michigan and lead author of a new study that measured cognitive deficits caused by urban environments. Marc says that the brain is a limited machine and "we are beginning to understand the different ways a city can exceed those limitations." By contrast, even fleeting glimpses of nature improve brain performance.
12.River Trips are Great for ADD and ADHD
Attention disorders have become one of the challenges of the current age. The percentage of children on Ritalin and other drugs used to treat ADD and ADHD (which is generally ADD in males) is truly astounding. Theories abound on the causes and appropriate treatment of these children, but recent evidence has found that one treatment improves the symptoms in virtually all cases. That treatment is exposure to nature. The data is so compelling that some have suggested that ADD and ADHD are actually "Nature Deficit Disorder" in disguise.
13.Children Benefit Greatly from River Trips, the Longer the Better.
Those of us who raft know what a thrill it is to watch our children whoop and holler through a whitewater rapid. Often timid at first, by the time you reach takeout the kids are virtually always asking, "where are the really big ones", and then beg for more. Children these days are often more stressed than adults. This is due in part because they are highly empathetic and mirror the emotions of their parents and other adults who are dealing with the stresses and strains of modern industrial society. Children, however, don't have the mature coping mechanism we adults allegedly do. It is therefore good to know that researchers have found that children benefit from exposure to nature with a dose related reduction in their stress levels. The longer the exposure to nature, the lower the levels of stress in the child.
14.Experiences Make Us Happier Than Possessions
In tough economic times, if you have some cash to spare, how do you choose to spend it to maximize happiness? Dr. Howell Professor of Psychology at San Francisco State University, believes that a sense of relatedness to others – getting closer to friends and family – generates more happiness than purchasing material things and helps explain this finding. As the ultimate team sport, rafting provides a great opportunity to maximize the beneficial effects of social bonding and, since it occurs in natural settings, takes advantage of five more reasons rafting supports mental and physical health. Read on!
15-Living new experiences/ Changing routine
It's easy to fall under a routine, we all do. Doesn't matter what you do for a living, we all work, try to sleep and eat well, get our things sorted out and get by with living. And we also need ways of relaxing and entertaining ourselves, changing the routine. Living a new adventure or planning a getaway from the city is the best recipe. Trying out different things provides memories and sensations that will stay with you for as long as you remember.


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By Charles Goldberg
AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn hasn't named a starting quarterback between Jeremy Johnson, Sean White and John Franklin III after eight days of preseason practice. Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee is OK with that.
"Maybe it's because those guys are doing a good job and not making it easy," Lashlee said after Thursday practice. "It doesn't have to be something negative all the time. When you break camp and go to school next Tuesday it would be great to have things narrowed down or make that decision, but we're not going hurry up and make the wrong decision just to make it to say we've made it.
"If we're not making the decision, it's because we have multiple guys doing a good job."
Auburn's next important preseason stop is Saturday's scrimmage in Jordan-Hare Stadium. It'll be the second trip to the stadium, the second chance to impress for Johnson, White and Franklin. Lashlee said all three had their moments in the first scrimmage, all leading the offense to a touchdown.
Lashlee didn't offer a pecking order, but said "it's human nature that in the back of our mind we have a perception of how things are progressing"
Another scrimmage can only help.
"We need to keep this thing going..." Lashlee said was the feeling after the first scrimmage.
Lashlee said all three quarterbacks did well in the first scrimmage. And there's plenty of practices to evaluate as well. And while there will be no vote, Lashlee said leadership will be a factor.
"To say we're going to decide what everybody else feels would probably be inaccurate, but I think it does have a large degree of weight to be carried with," Lashlee said. "At the end of the day, that's your leader on the field, and it's going to be really hard if those other 10 guys out there - and really the whole team - doesn't believe in him.
"It's very important to us that the team rallies around whoever that is and believes in him. That's a very, very important factor, and that's something I've talked to those guys about. I've said one of the criteria is who is going to make those other guys on the field looking better, and that's a big part of that."
No matter what, Lashlee says things are picking up, something he and Malzahn have emphasized since the spring.
"The guys are playing at the tempo we want," Lashlee said. "I think we're doing a good job of putting them in positions and doing the tempo the way we need at the end of the day. Now, it's going to become, when we get to a game, are you productive? If we're not moving the chains, there's not going to be any tempo. You can run three plays as fast as you want, but if you're punting, you're off the field."
Lashlee also said...
**New running back Kam Martin has impressed. "The one thing you saw is he's not scared to stick his neck in there. He's not tiny, but he's not a big guy. A lot of times you worry about that guy falling down or running out of bounds, he's not that kind of guy."
**Old H-back -- but new tailback -- Kam Pettway is "instinctive."
"He's natural. He's a big load. He goes north and south better than any back I've ever seen. We just need him to keep getting comfortable with all the runs and reads we do. That's just a repetition thing with the protections, too."
**Receiver Eli Stove has "caught our attention. There's no question."
"He needs to be able to help us this year. There are several freshmen who need to be able to help us this year. So we just got to keep pushing them through it. You can't really baby them. You can't bring them along slow. You just got to throw them in the fire, throw them in there with the big boys. So he's done enough that says, 'Hey, he's going to be ready to help us.' In what capacity, I don't know. But we're going to keep pushing him, and he's got a bright future."
"You got a guy like Nate Craig(-Myers). You hope a guy like Kyle Davis, when we get him back, could be in that capacity as well. Obviously, we're trying to give Kameron Martin every chance we can to find out where his role will be."
Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine


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Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'General Firearm Discussion' started by Sling Blade, Jan 8, 2011.
Not looking good - multiple people shot down in Tucson, including a member of Congress.
Arizona Congresswoman Fatally Shot in the Head at Public Event - FoxNews.com
Praying for the family.
Cringing at the thought of how the political pundits on the left and the anti-gun crowd will use this on the Sunday talk shows and all next week to vilify those who own firearms and the "radical right". Probably Rush and Hannity and Beck will be blamed.
Nobody knows jackbubblegum about the perpetrator's motives at the moment. That's not going to stop many, many people on the interwebs from making many, many absurd speculations from both sides of the aisle.
Tons of coflicting reports including that she may still be alive and that 7 people total are dead.
+1 on prayers for her, her family, and all the victims. I understand that her husband is slated to command the next space shuttle mission.
Dem. Gabrielle Gifford...from Tucson. One suspect in custody.
Her husband is an astronaut.
This is terrible. I hope Congresswoman Giffords makes it...
I guess she is alive but in critical condition. I hope she pulls through.
Damn shame for all involved. Thoughts are with her.
We all know how accurate the media is so take all early accounts with a grain of salt, but I just read that the congresswoman has died from a shot to the head at short range.
I too fear what will transpire from this event. Lawmakers tend to react to things that affect them personally and this will give them much fuel to attack our rights. It is events like these that destroy my hope for the future of the
One thing that sets us apart from much of the world is the peaceful change of power and relative civil operation of those branches of power. Events like these are truely unamerican.
I echo the sentiment for prayers for those injured and their loved ones.
pulls through intact.. hate to think shot in the head and lives as a vegetable. This is sad state of affairs.
Was it a crazy guy? Or a hit from the cartels?
Fox News is reporting his name and a few biographical details, but I think it too early to speculate on motives. The info will come out in due course.
Duplicate threads merged
Sounds like it was a afghan war vet 22 yrs old seems like another guy that feared the govt and used it in the wrong way.
So sad one of the patients at the hospital that died was a 9 year old boy.
Just told on fox news one of the shooters favorite books, mein kompf
Here is the youtube page of the alleged shooter.
YouTube - Classitup10's Channel
Their saying now someone in the crowd started exchanging fire with the suspect.
I just sent this message to her website:
"Thank you, Congresswoman Giffords, for your service. I am not a constituent, but today the entire nation's electorate stands behind you and holds you up as one of our own.
On behalf of all Oregonians, I wish you a speedy, complete, and painless recovery, so that you can continue providing your priceless contribution to our Legislature.
May God bless us all."
Thanks for posting this. Even by the standards of incoherent rambling, this stuff is drivel. The guy conflates dates, grammar, language, legal tender, and federal laws, which he calls "treasonous." And it's amazing that he's apparently so offended at receiving a "mini-Bible" when he entered the Service.
He seems to view himself as a revolutionary, not merely a murderer of defenseless strangers. His goal is about resisting brainwashing, which is too bad, because his grey matter could use a serious cleansing.
Agreed, and if he hates the U.S. govt so much why join the military?
Sounds like a seriously disturbed individual.
I hate hearing stories like this, I wish these people would just stay home and put the gun to their own head.
Among favorite books. Mein Kamph and The Communist Manifesto.
Favorite video. Masked guy, probably him, in the desert burning the US flag.
At least 18 shot.
A child and a Federal Judge among the dead.
Words fail me.


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You know I liked Hugh Laurie as House, MD. Now, apparently, he's awesome at the blues, too. (Pardon the strong language in the review.)
via Hear! Hear!
You know I liked Hugh Laurie as House, MD. Now, apparently, he's awesome at the blues, too. (Pardon the strong language in the review.)
Year of the Album — #031 Hugh Laurie – "Let Them Talk" (2011, Warner Bros. Records) From the opening notes of "St. James Infirmary," it's clear that Hugh Laurie is not fucking around with Let Them Talk, the British actor's first foray into launching a music career. You might be prone to laugh, if it weren't for Laurie's impeccable chops as a bluesman. This is a serious attempt at bringing a great deal of New Orleans flair to the table, and Laur … Read More
via Hear! Hear!
Thanks for the repost … and sorry too for the strong language 😉 I must have been channeling House's persona as I wrote 😉
Thanks for reviewing! And I'm not personally offended, not at all, but I have some readers who might not expect the f-bomb on my site.
Actually when I saw your name, "Burch," and that you went to BYU, I thought my family might know you … we were active Mormons in Bloomington, and my father knew a man named Alan Burch. But being a liturgical site, I figured that was what you meant, that your readers might be bothered 😉
Oh, that's just a promo for an upcoming conference at BYU. I went to N.C. State for undergrad and then Queens University in Charlotte for grad. You are doing a lot of reviews on your site — I look forward to reading more!
"Referee won't blow the whistle / God is good but will he listen?" -- U2
"Kierkegaard was by far the most profound thinker of the[nineteenth] century. Kierkegaard was a saint." - Ludwig Wittgenstein, to his friend Maurice Drury.
Read Wittgenstein and Kierkegaard: Religion, Individuality, and Philosophical Method by Charles L. Creegan free online.


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Welcome to Blogg the Art Show. It's not a spelling mistake, it's a joke no one gets. There's a difference. Anyway, here you can find all sorts of random things that pass from my head into MS Paint, stew in my hard drive for a while, and then emerge on Blogger. Keep in mind that these were all drawn as Bitmaps and I have been forced to convert them to JPEGs at the expense of some quality.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Posted by Jonah Comstock at 5:40 AM No comments:
Friday, April 06, 2007
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Monday, April 02, 2007
Posted by Jonah Comstock at 8:22 PM 1 comment:
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Japan, India agree to boost defence ties in face of more assertive China
Plan that includes regular maritime exercises reached in the face of China's assertiveness
India and Japan affirmed plans to "further strengthen" defence co-operation against the backdrop of an increasingly assertive China.
The agreement was reached at a New Delhi meeting between Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, who began a three-day visit to India on Saturday.
Singh and Abe also "renewed their resolution" that both nations conduct joint maritime exercises on a "regular basis with increased frequency".
Coming against the backdrop of a bitter territorial row between Japan and China over the Diaoyu, or Senkaku, islands in the East China Sea, analysts have said Abe's India trip will be keenly watched by Beijing.
Underscoring the importance India attaches to ties with Japan, Abe was the guest of honour yesterday at the annual Republic Day parade.
Abe, who is accompanied by a heavyweight Japanese business delegation, and Singh, held "extensive talks" on bilateral, regional and global issues, the statement said.
Afterwards, Abe announced a US$2 billion low-interest loan for extending the Delhi Metro and promised increased Japanese economic co-operation on other infrastructure projects. New Delhi is seeking US$1 trillion in investment over five years to upgrade infrastructure and bolster stuttering economic growth.
Tokyo is already India's fourth-largest investor, involved in building the US$90 billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor linking India's capital with financial hub Mumbai.
Calling Japan a key economic development ally, Singh said: "The partnership between a strong and economically resurgent Japan and a transforming and rapidly growing India can be an effective force of good for the region."
Abe avoided any public mention of the dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. However, he told The Times of India newspaper the "security environment of the Asia-Pacific region is becoming ever more severe".
Japan also pushed the sale to India's military of its amphibious search and rescue ShinMaywa US-2 planes. The planes would be unarmed, so as not to break Tokyo's self-imposed prohibition on military exports.
But with Abe having declared he wants to review the ban on weapons exports, such a sale might open the door for the sale of military equipment to India, a huge arms importer, analysts say.
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Today was another early start. We showed up at the Moab Adventure Center at 7 am for our next adventure ... canyoneering. We piled into a big Suburban along with a couple ladies from New Jersey and another young couple from another part of New Jersey. Our guides on the trip were JC and Chris of Moab Cliffs & Canyons.
We drove just a few miles out of town and parked at the top of a rise. We were given daypacks that included water bottle, climbing helmet, harness, and the rappelling hardware, a locking carabinier and brake device. We started hiking out across the slickrock then began our descent into the politically correct named Negro Bill Canyon. We learned about cyptobiotic soil and the Navajo sandstone, the main cliff-forming rock unit here and a rock formed from blowing sand dunes. There is a narrow band of limestone within the Navajo sandstone that represents an incursion of a shallow sea. The limestone unit forms an aquitard where springs issue from the overlying sandstone.
We only had about a mile to hike before our first rappel. On the way we had to make a short hop across a shallow cleft in the sandstone. Normally this would have been routine hop for me. I launched from my right leg and landed on my left but it didn't turn out too graceful. As my left leg planted I lurched forward and felt instant pain in my upper left calf muscle. Yep, I pulled a muscle and probably tore more than a few muscle fibers in the process. I knew I could make the rest of the trip as long as I was careful. There was a certain movement that would induce instant pain and I took great care not to make that movement. The guides were naturally concerned and asked me all sorts of questions about where it hurt and the nature of the pain. Again, I knew I could make it the rest of the way. I also knew it would hurt a lot more tomorrow (I was right).
We reached our first rappel station and Chris had moved ahead of the group and had it already set up. I went first in our family so I could get pictures from the bottom. The first rappel was 90 feet. Although I had rock climbed and rappelled before it was still a little scary. It had been more than 20 years since I had done this. Once I was underway, I got more comfortable. Next came older son, then younger son, and finally my wife. It took some coaxing to get the boys to commit and get underway but once they did it and completed it they were ecstatic.
The next rappel was just a little further down. This second rappel was 120 feet of which more than half was over an overhang leaving you freely hanging in space with no rock to touch. This rappel was also right next to Morning Glory Natural Bridge, the seventh largest natural bridge in the world. At the bottom there was a spring and the beginning of a creek that flows along the bottom of Negro Bill Canyon.
Our hike out was two and half miles following the creek and crossing it several times. I brought up the rear for a good ways along with the two Jersey women who, being about the same age as me, were not very sure-footed. However, they didn't pull any muscles like me. I was careful and made good time, the leg not bothering me too much as long as I didn't do that one movement
Hiking along the canyon bottom was spectacular. High sandstone walls, a clear running creek, and cool shady places among the canyon bottom trees. A small gopher snake made an appearance. We eventually made it to the parking lot where Negro Bill Canyon joins the Colorado River and then drove back to Moab Adventure Center.
We hit Subway for sandwiches and went back to the hotel room. We napped for a few hours before our next adventure that day, the sunset Hummer tour.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Vacation Day 4: Canyoneering
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City Approves Unbuildable Lots
>>> What would you do if the City dumped 2 feet of dirt on the road you
>>> need to reach your lots? >
>>> A realtor turned developer applies for a residential plat in 2003 in an
>>> outer outer ring suburb. Utilities and streets were constructed in 2004.
>>> In the middle of the road is an easement with a 3-inch high-pressure gas
>>> main and the Natural Gas company requires 3 feet of ground cover over its
>>> pipe.
>>> The city approved construction plans called for improvements within the
>>> 80-foot gas easement. And everyone forgot the gas pipe was there!
>>> The city inspector for the street and utility construction also worked
>>> for the same company as the engineer that designed the project.
>>> No one knows, or at least wants to admit, when the problem was
>>> discovered. Though it was likely at the time the curb was being pored.
>>> Once the Gas Company became aware of the problem, they tried to get the
>>> project stopped until this issue was resolved. The novice developer
>>> assured the Gas Company and was able to convince the city he would take
>>> care of the problem. The city allowed the improvements and street to be completed
>>> without having an approved resolution to the issue.
>>> >
>> The developer continued to ignore the gas company and
>>> was able to continue with the development. The city issued building
>>> permits to the lots that didn't require crossing the gas easement. And
>>> even reduced the developer's security to $25,000!
>> >>
>> To fix the problem the gas company's can either lower the main or put the
>> additional two feet of ground cover back. It would cost about $150,000 to lower the
>>> main.
>>> So the City just threw up its hands and dumped 2 feet of dirt on the gas
>>> easement to comply with the 3 feet of required ground cover.
> Before the gas line issue came to light the developer sold 6 lots to his buddy that
>>> required crossing of the gas line to access to them. The buddy financed the purchase
with a local bank. And never made a payment.
>>> So now the bank owns 6 twin home lots that they cannot obtain building permits
>>> for. And can only access by climbing over the berm on foot. And the
>>> bank still owes property taxes on the lots.
>>> Past issues of Heres The Dirt can be viewed at:
>>> Http://heresthedirtmn.blogspot.com
Friday, February 26, 2010
City Approves Unbuildable Lots
Posted by Laurie Karnes at 7:05 PM
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