text:
The Dot.net framework offers an excellent authentication function with it's FormsAuthentication. But there is a small irritating limitation with it's implementation.
If you are anything like me you do your own authentication and use a user id to specify an user in the database.
All of your code will depend on this id and you will need access to it in your website code. So you could store the id in the Identity.Name property but then you would also need to perform a query every time you need to get the displayname. A Common fix would be storing the information inside a session, this however is not without it's flaws.
So what's a quick alternative?
In this example I've put the user id and displayname in the Identity.Name property. The trick is to create one string and make use of a delimiter to split the values.
There are better way's to do this, you could write a new Identity class. However this is a good quick alternative.
Sample code:
Login routine
protected void btnLogin_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) { int _LoginId = CheckLogin(edUsername.Text, edPassword.Text); if (_LoginId > 0) { FormsAuthentication.RedirectFromLoginPage(GetDisplayname(_LoginId) + '|' + _LoginId, cbRememberMe.Checked); } else { lblErrorMessage.Text = "Incorrect username password combination."; } }
Here is a sample on how to get the user id from the identity object.
public static int GetUserId(HttpContext aContext) { if (aContext.User.Identity.IsAuthenticated) { string[] _values = aContext.User.Identity.Name.Split('|'); return Convert.ToInt32(_values[1]); } else return 0; }


text:
I caught the first few minutes Hugh Hewitt's radio show driving home from the airport a little while ago. I won't say that Hugh sounded suicidal, but he certainly wasn't happy about yesterday's Iowa caucus results. Hugh attributed today's stock market drop to the prospect of an Obama administration.
That strikes me as a little premature. For what it's worth, I'm not sure the Iowa results changed the landscape much on the Republican side. I'm pretty sure McCain will win New Hampshire, which means that Romney's "slingshot" strategy will have failed, but I don't think it follows that Romney's candidacy is dead. As Paul and Scott have said, Huckabee isn't going much farther, and Thompson shows little sign of life. Which means that there are still three credible Republican candidates. Of the three, Romney might well emerge from the early primaries in the strongest position.
Notwithstanding the announcement, in some quarters, of the death of Reagan Republicanism, the fact that Romney is the only major candidate who is conservative in all three important areas–national security, economics and the social issues–should give him a substantial base of support in every state. There are reasons why McCain was virtually given up for dead some months ago (and why he has raised very little money), and those factors will reassert themselves once we get past New Hampshire. The great unknown is Giuliani: maybe his decision not to worry about Iowa and New Hampshire will look like a stroke of genius a couple of months from now, or maybe his recent slide in the polls shows that his support was always wider than it was deep.
So we still have three good candidates and a wide-open race, and I see no need to panic, as far as the Republican side is concerned. With this caveat: Democratic turnout nearly doubled Republican turnout in Iowa. Republicans are going to have to wake up from their slumber pretty soon if their candidate is to have a chance in November. Or maybe there just aren't enough Republicans these days to give the party much of a chance.
If a lot of non-Huck-fan Republicans are feeling glum today, it may be that the Democrats have more fundamental reasons to be concerned about what happened in Iowa. Remember a year or so ago, when lots of Democrats were worried that Hillary was sucking up all the oxygen–a common phrase at the time–and making it difficult for anyone else to get traction? The fear, at the time, was that Hillary isn't really a very strong candidate and may in the end be unelectable.
That may be what we saw at work yesterday. The main thing Hillary had going for her was her aura of inevitability. If that has now been shattered, and it appears that it has, a great many Democrats are like likely to desert her, relieved at no longer having to support a candidate they don't much like. The energy now is all with Obama, and, with Edwards having failed to do much in populist Iowa, Obama looks like the only serious alternative. Some–prematurely, once again–are virtually conceding him the nomination.
But the moment is going to come when the Democrats realize that they are on the road to nominating a candidate who was completely unknown just a few years ago, who has zero credibility in foreign affairs, who is widely seen as unqualified for the Presidency, and whose views, where they are not strictly platitudinous, are more liberal than those of any President in history. It is much as though in 2004, the Howard Dean phenomenon had taken off after Iowa, rather than imploding–with the exception, to be fair, that Obama is a much more talented politician than Dean.
So I don't think there are any grounds for panic on the Republican side. On to New Hampshire, and beyond.
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"Arise and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time." Winston Churchill
"Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." Inscription on the Liberty Bell

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Happy birthday to my little brother! Even though he is not so little anymore, he will always be my little brother. As usual, I was kindly asked to bake his birthday cake... I agreed! I love baking, especially if I have a legit reason for engaging in this activity. Don't worry! I haven't forgotten my New Year's resolution. I'm working on some healthier recipes for you guys, but yesterday was a special occasion!
I wanted to do something fun... something different! I'm quite fond of cake decorating, but I never got myself to take a course. As an independent learner, I generally enjoy learning through observation. After a few minutes of looking at cake ideas and loads of pictures, I decided I wanted to bake him a robot cake!I started off with a basic box of gluten-free chocolate cake mix (Gluten Free Devil's Food Cake Mix from Betty Crocker to be exact)! Before preparing the mix, I lightly greased a square baking pan and three baking cups. Basically, what you are going to be doing is baking a square cake and three cupcakes. Once all the preparation and baking is done, allow everything to cool.
With your choice of frosting, smooth the top of the square piece. Take two cupcakes and slice the top off (slice one of the top portions in half for the ears and use the other to create the mouth). Place cupcakes on top for the eyes. Smooth some frosting on the eyes and top with your choice of sprinkles. Voila!
That wasn't so bad, right? Many people think baking something fun is too complicated. Personally, I think this is a fairly easy way to create something the whole family will love!
P.S. What's your favorite gluten-free cake mix?


text:
IAR has updated its fact sheet "9 Facts You Should Know About Today's Illinois Real Estate Markets." With the end of the tax credit, today's market offers numerous opportunities for first-time and trade-up buyers. With the economy on the upswing and consumer confidence increasing due to improvements in the labor market, there is movement afloat in housing. This means the creation of new households and, thus, a return of buyer demand as they see home values stabilizing.
There are facts you will want to share with your current or potential clients. Illinois REALTORS®, order your free copies of "9 Facts" in quantity from the IAR REALTOR® Store or download "9 Facts" from www.yourillinoishome.com. Here are two:
#1—Grab a low interest rate while it's still here. Mortgage interest rates remain at historic lows, but they are on the rise. A quarter percent change in the interest rate can mean tens of thousands of dollars in costs over a 30-year mortgage. For example, an increase from 5 to 6 percent on a 30-year $200,000 loan can change the monthly payment of principal and interest by $125, an increase of 11.6 percent.
#2 – Today's market offers great opportunities for first-time and trade-up buyers. If you've been thinking about buying your first home, a move-up home or a second home—or find you have to relocate—current inventory levels plus historically low interest rates and affordable prices make this an excellent buying opportunity.


text:
Pakistan 289 for 7 (Manzoor 93, Yousuf 90, Thushara 3 for 77) v Sri Lanka
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
For vast swathes of the 86 overs bowled in the day, Pakistan's batsmen held sway, blunting a modest attack on a pitch that lost most of its moisture and bite after the opening session. But with stumps beckoning, the second new ball vindicated Kumar Sangakkara's decision to bowl first, with three wickets in the space of eight balls reducing Pakistan to 289 for 7. Pakistan's total total owed much to Khurram Manzoor and Mohammad Yousuf, who added 167 for the third wicket after Thilan Thushara had taken two wickets in an over to stymie a promising start. Both Manzoor and Yousuf were dismissed in the 90s, and it was left to Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq to shepherd the side through to the close. They nearly managed to, until the new ball turned out to be the big bad wolf.
Malik, short of runs and form in the series, had struck some pleasing strokes on his way to 45, and the partnership with Misbah was worth 75 when Thushara arced one into his pads from outside off stump. Malik missed, and that was that. Three balls later, Misbah lunged to drive Nuwan Kulasekara, and the thin inside edge was neatly taken by Tillakaratne Dilshan behind the stumps. When Umar Gul then chopped one back on to his stumps, the reversal of fortune was complete.
It may have been the last bow for Chaminda Vaas, a veteran of 111 Tests with 354 wickets to his name, but apart from that Thushara over in mid-morning, there was little for Sri Lanka to celebrate after they sent Pakistan in to bat under overcast Colombo skies. Fawad Alam, with a century on debut last week, had just struck his first four of the innings, when he edged one behind to Dilshan, and if Thushara was delighted with that, he was positively delirious three balls later. Younis Khan cut one back on to his stumps, and 34 for 0 had become 36 for 2.
As Yousuf walked out, wagers were probably placed on how quickly Rangana Herath would be brought on. As it was, Sangakkara waited till the 17th over before throwing the ball to Sri Lanka's surprise spin weapon of the series, but the impact wasn't what was desired. The first-session damage would have been greater than 103 runs but for a sluggish outfield that didn't give the batsmen full value for their strokes.
Once the nerves had settled, Yousuf lofted Herath over long-off for six, and with Thushara then conceding 11 in an over, the runs started to accumulate at a fair clip. Yousuf cut Herath for four, before driving Angelo Mathews beautifully behind square, and it was Pakistan that went into the lunch break with faith restored. After the slump that cost them the series, though, complacency certainly wasn't on the menu.
A superb cut and a back-foot punch through cover took Manzoor to his half-century from 85 balls, while Yousuf required 15 balls fewer for his. The 100-run partnership arrived in 24.3 overs, and soon after, Manzoor thumped Herath over his head for four, a stroke that he was to repeat later in the session.
Sri Lanka's bowlers created few wicket-taking chances and struggled for consistency, though Vaas did staunch the run flow in the second hour after lunch. With Kulasekara short on pace, another edge fell short of slip and went for four. And the hosts' woes were compounded when Vaas missed a run-out chance with Manzoor on 65.
Manzoor was content to leave a lot of deliveries and the bowlers obliged by bowling poor lines. By the tea interval, Sri Lanka had endured the first barren session of the series. When Sangakkara gave the ball to Mahela Jayawardene after tea, it appeared to illustrate Sri Lankan despair, but once Vaas returned, the game changed.
A clearly nervous Manzoor poked at one that left him, and Yousuf was then run out off an overthrow after taking the single that had seen him complete 7000 runs. His 90 had spanned just 146 balls, and it was left to the aggressive Malik and the more sedate Misbah to repair the damage. Once again, though, wickets falling in a heap undid much of the day's good work.


text:
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Our Bank Asset Management division has proven to service and liquidate bank assets quickly and for the highest price.


text:
One of my favourite things about The Session is a good crisis edition of… The Session.
Let's be honest. The ball has been dropped about three times in the decade and more of this monthly beer blogging session on a common topic leaving thousands and thousands world wide distraught at the idea that there would not be any single thing to read on the topic of beer… well, posted by a beer blogger… in unison with other beer bloggers… you remember beer bloggers?
Fortunately, the world's first beer blogger noticed and this beer blogger, the world's second, is not going to let down the side. Jay whipped together a splendid topic entitled "New Session: Three Things In 2018":
For our first question of the new year, what one word, or phrase, do you think should be used to describe beer that you'd like to drink?
For our second question of the new year, what two breweries do you think are very underrated?
For our third question of the new year, name three kinds of beer you'd like to see more of.
Hmm. Let's see. Well, you can tell it is a crisis topic as the three questions require five answers. What are my answers?
Word? Clear. It's very fashionable to suggest no one has a right to note that a bad fad is a bad fad but 96% of all the nouveau cloudy beer is, as one would expect, bad cloudy beer. It takes a semi-pro PR specialist to suggest otherwise but, really, if you stuck to clearer beer would the world be worse off? No.
Under rated? In the 10,000 brewery universe that is an impossible question as they are not subject to any rating system which reflects their actual quality. No one knows them all. So, classes might be the next thing I can rely upon. Regionally, I would suggest Quebec breweries are under rated. In North America, La Belle Province is an enclave of another language, another culture. The beers reflect that culture. And it's under explored. A second class? Corn based craft beer. Really? Grow up.
Three kinds I want to see more of? I like the word "kind" when it refers to a category, a class. A kind of beer is better when it gives comfort. So – maybe mild, dubbel and… 1700s porter. Made with diastatic malted Battledore barley. Yum.
Crisis averted. Again.


text:
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"Wayne was incredibly responsive by phone and in face to face meetings whenever we needed them. All through the project Baker helped us with options that let us keep the features we really wanted by reducing cost in other areas that were less important to us. I would recommend anyone to take the time to meet with the folks at Baker Construction before they sign with any other contractor."
"Baker Construction designed and built our home six years ago and we have not required any repairs since the original punch list was completed. If we had to do it over again, we wouldn't change a single thing."
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For a complete description of Baker Construction's certifications, visit our About page.


text:
Entry and stay of foreigners in Cyprus is governed by the Aliens and Immigration Services (ATS 105). Nobody has the right to remain in the country for a long time without an official residence permit or citizenship.
This permit (visa - visa for Cyprus) is issued to tourists, persons invited Cypriot side, or the relatives of those who live and work in Cyprus. The maximum term of the authorization 3 month. However, with the necessary financial resources and residence may be extended. For recreation and most excursions such permission is enough.
Entry into Cyprus is allowed only through the international airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the sea port of Limassol. Entry into the country with the North of Cyprus is illegal. However 2004 year restriction on the free movement in the Turkish part of the island dropped. Today in Cyprus are several checkpoints for those wishing to visit Northern Cyprus.
A temporary residence permit and employment in Cyprus applies to foreign directors and managers of international business companies, which paid up share capital of euro 171000 confirmed one of the banks in Cyprus. In this case, the minimum wage is determined by the sum of Directors 3420 euros managers 1710 euro, which will necessarily be reflected in the contract.
The right to live and work use specialists and employees hired by the local company. However, permission is granted only under the condition that these positions are no applicants from the local population.
Permission to live and work given to pupils and students studying in primary or secondary schools and higher educational institutions.
Broken, and not engaged in any activity, foreigners can obtain a residence permit as the visitors, with a permanent place of residence and source of income outside Cyprus.
Non-residents of Cyprus, buying real estate in Cyprus, a residence permit is not provided. However, if the property is possible to obtain the status of the visitor, if the applicant has sufficient funds in the Cypriot bank, health insurance and bank deposit in the amount 500 euro in case of deportation.
Persons who have obtained a residence permit in Cyprus must remember that in the absence of the island more 3h months residence permit becomes invalid. Visitor status requires annual confirmation.
Holders of such status can be persons legally residing on the island more 5 years. European residence permit, which is similar to the United States is called the "green card," not only gives the right to freedom of movement within the European Union countries and stay in any EU country, but also to work. However, under the law, this residence every 5 years requires renewal.
The presence of a permanent residence permit gives citizens the right to freely enter and leave the country, but on the condition that you can not miss in Cyprus continuously for more than 2h years. After Cyprus' accession to the Schengen agreement, which is expected in 2014, a citizen who has a permanent residence permit, get visa-free travel to EU countries, members of the Schengen area.
The law provides for several grounds for obtaining such status. Among these investors substantial funds in some sectors of the economy of Cyprus.
Also, people who have retired, and applicants with independent cash. Annual required of the applicant for permanent residency guaranteed income must be at least EUR plus 24000 12000 euros for each dependent family member. It should be noted that, at its discretion immigration countries may consider these funds insufficient for a particular applicant and deny a permit for permanent residence in Cyprus. Prerequisite is the absence of a criminal record for the applicant.
An additional advantage for permanent Cyprus retired persons will be the presence in the ownership of property in Cyprus, highest level of education is a serious autobiography and other important social factors. There are some limitations. Holders of such a residence permit is not permitted to be employed or engaged in any business, commercial and professional activities, but is allowed to own companies operating on the island.
Path to citizenship for Cyprus after 7 years of legal residence on the island. Necessary documents served the county in which the applicant lives. The application is considered, as a rule, not less 3h years, during which the applicant be asked to take a series of interviews.
For those married to Cypriots stay in Cyprus for years 3h considered sufficient for the filing of a petition for citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus.
In July 2007 the Council of Ministers adopted a number of specific criteria for citizenship without having to live in the country above the number of years. For example, direct investment in the country's economy at least 25 million euros, 5 year deposit in one of the Cypriot banks in the amount of not less than 17 million euros or companies with an annual turnover of at least 80 million euros. Applicants applying for Cyprus citizenship by specific criteria must be over 30 years, have property in Cyprus and have no criminal record.


text:
In mid-June Create A Smile Stamps released a new summer card kit. It's called "Beach Party" and revolves around a little rhino and his beach toys. I fell for this cutie on the spot so it goes without saying that I had to by the kit as soon as it was available. Now I finally found the time to play with it.
Den kleinen Strandrabauken habe ich mit Akashiya Sai Brush Pens koloriert. Für den Hintergrund habe ich mit Distress Inks durch die im Set mitgelieferte Wellenschablone gewischt. Auch die kleinen Enamel-Akkzente stammen aus dem Beach-Party-Kit von Create A Smile Stamps. Nur das Sentiment gehört nicht zum Kit. Das ist eine Wortstanze aus dem WPlus9-Set "Sunshine Layers".
I colored the little beach scamp with Akashiya Sai Brush Pens. The background was sponged with Distress Inks through the wave stencil that comes with the Beach Party kit. The tiny enamel accents too are from the set. The sentiment, however, is from a die set by WPlus9 called "Sunshine Layers".
Night Shift Stamping: Sonne, Strand und Meer
Addicted to Stamps and More: #196 - Anything Goes
Freshly Made Sketches: #239
Stempel | stamps: Create A Smile Stamps "Beach Party Kit"
Stempelkissen | inks: Archival "Jet Black", Distress Ink "Salty Ocean", "Mermaid Lagoon", "Peacock Feathers", "Mustard Seed"
Farben | colors: Akashiya Sai Watercolor Brush Pens
Papier | cardstock: Canson "XL Aquarell", "Montval", AMI "Skizzenpapier KKB", blaues Glitzerpapier | blue glitter paper, Folio Fotokarton
Schablone | stencil: Create A Smile Stamps "Beach Party Kit"
Stanzen | dies: Simon Says Stamp "Stitched Squares", "Stitched Rectangles", WPlus9 "Sunshine Layers"
Sonstiges | other: Create A Smile Stamps enamel accents ("Beach Party Kit")


text:
Funerals today are changing just as much as everything else in our daily lives. We are aware of this at the Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home and Crematory and are prepared to assist each family we serve with whatever their wishes may be. Some of the services we offer are:
Cremations - We offer several different cremation packages ranging from immediate cremation to a complete, traditional-style visitation and funeral with cremation and subsequent earth burial. There are unlimited choices beyond the package offerings, and we have a complete display of cremation and rental caskets, urns, and urn vaults as well.
Graveside Service - Many people prefer the simplicity of having services at the cemetery or burial site instead of in a church or funeral home. We can arrange this for you with or without a traditional visitation period. Visitation can also be arranged at the cemetery
Infant Services - Unfortunately, it sometimes becomes necessary to arrange for a funeral for an infant or child that has met with an untimely death. These situations can be especially emotionally trying and call for the expertise of a caring professional. With our experience and understanding, we can make suggestions that may prove helpful to young, bereaved parents.
Memorial Service - Often, a family may desire to have a private burial or to have a cremation, followed by a memorial service where a body is not present. Contact us any time to arrange a memorial service or for more information.
Pre-planning - There are two steps in pre-planning a funeral for yourself or for a family member: pre-arrangement and/or pre-financing. Pre-arrangements involves the gathering of personal and service-related information and may include the selection of funeral related products and services. Pre-financing simply means paying for the selected products and services in advance, if desired. (Read more)
Private Burial - Occasionally, we are requested to have a private funeral. This can be immediate or arranged for sometime in the future. We can help arrange a completely private service of your choosing: from traditional services to cremation or immediate burial.
Shipping Services - With today's mobile society, death can occur away from home, creating unique problems for the families involved. We are proud of our history of assisting people in such situations. With our worldwide network, we can arrange to have a loved-one returned from, or transported to, virtually any place on earth.
Traditional Funeral - The process of the traditional funeral consists of gathering personal information concerning the deceased and determining when and where to have the services and visitation. The traditional funeral involves the selection of a casket and usually also involves the selection of an outer burial container or vault.
We can assist you in making the necessary decisions to design a meaningful funeral service. We can take care of the necessary paperwork and can even contact the cemetery, newspapers and florist for you. (Read more)
Other Services Available at the Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home and Crematory:
Burial/pre-need insurance
Chair rentals for special occasions
In-home arrangements/consultation
Pet Cremations (House Pets)


text: Cook green beans in a pot of boiling salted water until crisp tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove to a bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and dry with paper towels then place in a serving bowl. Toss with remaining ingredients. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature, at least 30 minutes.


text:
We ran into our first protestors at Barnwell, a town of five hundred or so hardy Souls a mere day's march from Grain Hollow. There were thirty-three of them–I counted–carrying banners and shouting and throwing rotten tomatoes. Frankly, we never saw them coming. Faye and I were on stage, our usual mixed complement of guards positioned behind and to the sides but leaving the forward view open so we could see, and be seen by, the audience. They came marching around the corner, having been shielded by one of the town's larger buildings, chanting as they came.
"C-A-F, warmongers pride! Rimlanders lied, good people died!"
"C-A-F, warmongers pride! Rimlanders lied, good people died!"
The locals were as startled as we were, falling back in astonishment as the anti-Pact group forged forward, heading right for our stage. Tomatoes began to fly, and some of the throwers had pretty good arms; in the first mind boggling seconds, I got hit three times. I'd heard of really bad traveling theater troupes who were tomato-bombed off the stage from time to time. Frankly, I'd thought it sounded pretty funny.
Trust me, getting splatted with a tomato hurled from a power thrower's arm is not that humorous.
"Pretty Eyes!" I heard Faye yell to our security team leader, "No killing! They're not armed with anything but fruit! Or vegetables! Or whatever the Hell tomatoes really are!"
Teach a dog to suck eggs, would she? It didn't look like the Blakto She Bear needed the advice. Her squad was already in motion, half of them moving to interpose their bodies between us and the protestors, the other half darting forward, using their spear hafts in quarterstaff mode. The opposition folded swiftly, chanting turning to choked gasps as spear butts drove into city-soft stomachs or to screams as hardwood cracked leg bones or shattered a kneecap here and there.
It was over in less than a minute, the protesters gone back around the same corner from whence they'd arrived, running as they could but hampered by their wounded.
They were disciplined, I noted. Though made up mostly of young people, both male and female, not one member of their party was left behind. Quite a few of their placards were, though, with sayings like
God? How did God get into this?
Faye had stepped back during the fracas. Now she stepped forward again, preparing to address the stunned Barnwell population. I was a bit stunned myself, realizing…"Faye, there's not a splat mark on you!"
She quirked one side of her mouth, amused. "Brak, I can't help it if you stood there like a block of wood, taking the hits. Good thing you don't do it when it's arrows instead of tomatoes, eh?"
"Eh," I agreed, a bit disgruntled. She could have been splatted at least once! I forgot all about my irritation though; the slave woman's Barnwell address was that memorable.
"People of Barnwell," she began, her voice pitched low yet carrying to the far reaches of the square, "what you have just seen is but the beginning. Brak and I, representing Wing Holder and the TranStatePact, hoping to explain the reasons for the changes coming to all of the inner Bowl and the Rim alike, and also hoping to encourage young men everywhere to join the newly commissioned CAF, the Combined Armed Force…we have this to say. First of all, we represent change, and change is never a comfortable thing. There will be resistance, as you just saw. The protestors we saw here today will show up in every town, every city where we speak, from now on until the end of our tour. And they are right to do so!
She stopped cold for a moment, watching the shock register in the faces of her listeners. What is she up to?
"They are right to do so, because it is the right of every free citizen of the Cautan Confederacy to speak up, to be heard. But there are rules. There are rules that govern good conduct, and those rules are simple. When a speaker has the podium, the audience listens with respect. When a speaker has finished, anyone with an opposition view may step forward, asking to be heard, to take the podium in turn. However," she paused again, glaring out into the crowd, making eye contact here and there and there, "there is no excuse for insult, no excuse for bad behavior, and certainly no excuse for assault. The wonderfully ripe tomatoes that were offered to us this time, (hesitating a couple of beats, waiting for the laughter to die down) were wisely chosen in that none of us would think of them as deadly weapons, except to our sense of fashion (more laughter). Our soldiers recognized that and did not respond with deadly force."
Her voice, which had risen in both pitch and tempo, suddenly dropped to a lower register. She spoke slowly, deep intensity throbbing in every word. "Had they been using raw potatoes, hard objects capable of serious injury and even death, some of those protesters. Would. Have. Died. Today."
Again switching it up, she lightened her message to one of hope, of union. "We never want to see that happen. We want and need every citizen of the Confederacy to prosper in good health; we do not want to be fighting among ourselves.The danger at which the opposition scoffs, calling us liars…that danger is very, very real. I have personally seen the war leader of all the River Eyes Blakto, Isis Two Feathers, severely wounded in battle yet fighting on until she fell from blood loss, refusing to back away despite the deaths of thousands of her followers, and why? Why would such a warrior–and believe me, people, that woman can fight–why would such a warrior be so desperate that she would sacrifice more than a third of her finest young men and women, the cream of the crop from the generation most suited to child bearing and raising? Why would she do such a thing?"
I scanned the audience. She had them. No one moved, not even to shift weight from one leg to another. Nobody even coughed. All eyes were on the speaker. Okay, so all male eyes would probably have been on her no matter what she had to say, but the women were just as rapt.
"I can tell you why she would do such a thing," she said softly, so softly that her audience had to strain to hear her words. "She would do such a thing because she had no choice. Isis Two Feathers has seen the power and numbers of the Easterners, seen their inexorable march west, their taking over of the wintering cities formerly inhabited by the Blakto, pushing her people westward. Wing Holder, too, has seen these things, though not quite as recently. He has traveled to their very cities, these Easterners. He tells us their numbers are as the blades of grass in the fields, as the stars in the night sky, and that they multiply like rabbits. They are coming, people, and they will crush us underfoot like little boys stomping ants for the fun of it…if we are not ready. If we are not capable of stopping them at the Rim. If we do not have the numbers, and the training, and the organization, and the defenses in place before they arrive.
"Fortunately, there is a little time. There is no time to waste, but fear not, there is time to prepare. And now, I'll turn the podium over to young Brak, formerly of the village of Finar and now of Granite Peak Stronghold in Wing Holding. Don't let this man's youth fool you. He has survived the destruction of his entire village, the only one to do so except for his two younger sisters, whom he also saved. He has fought and killed creech, and yes, those fabled monsters are real. He has fought and killed men as well, experienced mercenaries born to war. He serves as the apprentice of Wing Holder himself, is an experienced scribe, and is learning the Blakto language. He can answer any questions you may have."
Faye relinquished the podium to thunderous applause, giving me time to mutter in her ear, "Thanks a lot. I'm supposed to live up to that introduction?"
"Hey," she replied out of the side of her mouth, "I figured it was time. You'll be fine."
The applause was dying down. I grunted and stepped to the podium, not exactly a splendid sight in my somewhat trail-stained buckskins and pimple-populated skin, my growth spurt contributing a good two inches of exposed wrist between cuff and hand. My pants were high water, too, ending halfway up my boot tops. Worst of all, my voice was changing; I never knew how it was going to come out.
Yeah. I'd do fine. Heck, these people could take one look at me and see I had all the answers. That's sarcasm, in case you didn't catch it.
At least the people of this town understood procedure. I gestured for a woman with her hand raised to go ahead.
"Aren't you a little young to have done all that?" Her attitude reeked of disbelief.
"Yes," I admitted. "Yes I am. The man in the back."
"She said your village was wiped out."
"It was."
"How? What happened?"
"Bottom line," I replied, "our village Overman was an idiot. He murdered an innocent elder, and the elder's relatives took revenge. Slaughtered every man, woman, and child in Finar, razed the buildings. Before you ask, my sisters and I got out because Wing Holder himself happened by in time to warn us the revenge party would be arriving soon. My parents were already long gone, but I believed Wing and asked him if my sibs and I could travel with him, get clear of the village before the avengers arrived."
Another woman, young, square faced, and outraged. "The avengers were not tracked down? Not brought to justice?"
"How, Ma'am?" I asked. "Finar was on a main road but otherwise remote. Here in Barnwell, you folks may not understand that; Grain Hollow patrols likely come out this far at times, right? Yes? Next question."
And so it went. I heaved a mental sigh of relief, having managed to avoid identifying the Forty Chosen of the Psubu'm'sptybalt as the avengers in the tale of Finar. I was pretty sure these people were having more than enough trouble believing creech were real; asking them to believe in the existence of ape cats would have exploded their heads.
Strangely, more than a dozen young men signed up for military service after we were done speaking. That was a high number for a town of Barnwell's relatively modest size. It puzzled me until I asked Faye about it as we were cinching up to head on down the road.
"It's a curious thing, Brak," she said, "but sometimes the anti-nationalists acting obnoxious will stir the patriotic impulse in people. I suspect the protestors helped our bottom line recruiting effort here today, maybe even doubled the number who would have otherwise joined up."
"Huh," I remarked sagely. "I'll have to think about that. Excuse me a sec; there's someone I need to talk to." I'd noticed the lone volunteer who had been rejected by the recruiting sergeant as unfit for the CAF. He was standing right at the edge of our camp, looking about as lost as a man could look. There wasn't the slightest doubt in my mind as to why he'd been culled from the herd; he couldn't be more than, what? Four foot ten? At most. Well built, but on the slim side. His age wouldn't have mattered, and I'd seen some pretty short soldiers, but those guys were invariable broad and heavily muscular, something the stocky Sergeant Vringas–who happened to be on the recruiting desk today–could appreciate. There wouldn't me much time to chat with the fellow. The army would be moving out shortly, wanting to reach our pre-chosen campsite by sunset, and I'd not care to be the cause of holding up the entire operation.
"Hey." I stuck out my hand as I closed the gap. Mr. Short and Unhappy took it, clearly surprised to be approached at all.
"Hey," he said. His voice was light, pleasant, not exactly what you'd picture as a candidate for chopping enemies to bits. Vringas, much as I hated to admit it even to myself, might have been right to refuse this candidate. His eyes were gray, not a common color in the Bowl although not unknown among the Blakto. Up close, he looked even younger; I was suddenly none too sure he was older than me. Definitely shorter, though; I topped him by a full head. His brown hair was chopped in a simple bowl cut. A farm youth, then; none of the urbanites wore their hair that way. Steady, too. He waited, calm at least on the outside, no nervous questions about why one of the two high and mighty civilians representing the TranStatePact and recruiting for the CAF would deign to talk to him.
I liked this guy already.
"You want to serve your country."
It was not a question, but he answered anyway. "Yes."
"You're not running away from anything?"
The little guy cocked an eyebrow. "Not that I recall, but if I was, what business would that be of yours?"
I couldn't help it. I grinned and went on. "Can you fight?"
He turned his head and spat deliberately, nailing a startled grasshopper some ten feet away. "I see you're not much for answering questions. You want a demonstration?"
"You ready?"
"Huh–" That's as far as I got. It only took a few seconds for my head to clear enough to realize I was lying flat on my back, my wind gone from a solar plex strike I hadn't even seen coming. Had he punched me? No, must have been a kick. Damn!
Oops. "Wait!" I yelled. Okay, it didn't really come out as a yell, more of a gasp, but Pretty Eyes got the message before any of her squad could skewer my new best friend with a few spears or whatever. Best friend? Yeah, he'd better be if I wanted him to live long and prosper. Our assembled warriors would take it personally if they thought a security risk had slipped up next to one of their charges that easily.
Faking it mightily, I sat up, got my feet under me, and rose, vision blurring around the edges. I didn't go down again, though, and that's what mattered. Plus, when I spoke, the words came out clear enough. "My fault. I asked this fine gentleman if he could fight. He was just giving me a demonstration."
The Blakto bodyguards stared at me for a long second…and then busted out laughing like there was no tomorrow. Without another word, they turned and headed back to finish their preparations for departure, some of them holding their sides from the sheer mirth of it.
"Wasn't that funny," I muttered under my breath.
"Of course not," the little man agreed soberly, his eyes dancing. "Not funny at all."
I eyed him suspiciously, flicking an occasional glance toward his feet. "Well…what's your name?"
"Sam. Sam Dennis."
"Okay, Sam. I'm Brak–uh, guess you know that already. I don't have a second name."
"Lots don't."
"True that. Uh…I take it the recruiting sergeant underestimated you."
"Considerably." It wasn't a boast, just a simple statement of fact. Sam Dennis knew what he could do, and he wasn't about to play the false modesty card.
"All righty then. You want a job? Not in the army per se. You'd be working for me."
The eyebrow went up again. "After I just knocked you on your ass?"
This time it was my turn to laugh. "Hell, Sam, because you just knocked me on my ass! Uh, they're about ready to go; I'll have to make this quick. Here's the deal. I get a salary as Wing Holder's apprentice. I could give you a quarter of that. Faye and I, as part of Wing's inner circle–we're acting as his representatives on this tour–we get certain perks similar to CAF troops, such as food and weapons and clothing, not necessarily in that order. I'm pretty sure Faye will be willing to authorize the same for you, even a place to sleep in the wagons instead of on the ground with the infantry and most of the cavalry. That means your pay, while not all that much, will add up 'cause you'll have no place to spend it for most of the next year at least."
I cast around mentally for something else to throw into the sales pitch, but I needn't have bothered. "Hell yeah," Sam stated flatly, "I'm in."
With that, I simply nodded and headed back to my horse where Faye was already mounted and waiting. Sam walked beside me, his shorter legs having no trouble at all keeping up. "You'll have to walk for the rest of the afternoon. There's no time to get you a mount, let alone scrounge a bit of spare tack from the quartermaster." He'd need weapons, too; all he carried with him was a brush jacket and a belt knife. Probably all he owned in the world.
"I'm used to walking."
Faye didn't say anything as I untied the pinto's reins and stepped into the saddle. "I just hired an aide," I told her. She simply nodded, gave a little wave of welcome to the newcomer, and we were off.
The three hour ride to the night's stopping spot gave me time to think. What had I just done? The more I thought it over, the less certain I became. It had been an act of impulse, action without consideration of possible consequences. I didn't know this kid–look at me, calling somebody else a kid–or anything about him, except that he'd be acquiring a chunk of my own hard earned wages from now on.
Well…that, and I liked him. My stomach muscles were going to be sore for a while from that kick, yet I found myself grinning like an idiot just thinking about what he'd done. For most of my life, I'd been in the habit of getting beaten up regularly by the self appointed Bully of Finar. That, even more than the martial arts training from Faye and the actual combat with both creech and adult human warriors, had helped me develop a radar for incoming assaults that was second to none. And yet Sam had hit me so fast I never saw the kick coming. How could I not like somebody like that?
Besides, it would be a flick in the face to Sergeant Abasalom Vringas. He'd rejected Sam, following which I'd promptly hired Sam. If I were any judge of character, Vringas would hate that. He would take it as an insult, me not letting the undersized Mr. Dennis run along back to his Daddy's farm or wherever he came from. Yes, it would eat at Vringas; I was sure of it.
That alone would be worth the price of the whistle.


text:
New Tech : Cellphones can see in the dark
Night-vision googles is going down in size, now its down to the size of a nickel.
Now technichans have managed to develope a tequine that converts photons into electrons and creates a LED image. The image could then be used on cellphones, eyeglasses, cameras or even car windsheilds.
Now you finally could take pictures even on the blackest day on the year or in the night and get a good picture.


text: This wedding was honestly even better than your best Fairy Tales. I have never met a more sweet, loving, generous, beautiful, dedicated, & loyal couple. Even their love story was picture perfect, and I couldn't help but sob through pretty much their entire vows to each other. I couldn't have been more blessed to be able to witness this heavenly union. I have nothing gratitude in my heart for being able to preserve such a special day for these two soul mates! The pictures say it all!!


text:
Contact: Kimberly George · Director of Marketing and Development
June 27, 2012
The Salvation Army Continues to "Beat The Heat" as Temperatures Climb Over 100 Degrees
Chattanooga, TN – The Salvation Army continues to distribute new boxed fans and cool water to area residents who are trying to find relief from the extreme heat. With temperatures climbing over 100 degrees, the community needs your help now more than ever.
The Salvation Army has distributed nearly 100 fans with approximately 200 families still on our waiting list. "With temperatures so high, it can become life threatening," says Area Commander Major Al Newsome. "That's why The Salvation Army is on the front lines distributing fans and cool water to keep our neighbors safe."
If you or someone you know is in need of a fan, please call 423-756-1023 . Those in need of a cool drink of water may visit our hydration station located at 800 McCallie Avenue . Passersby will be able to quench their thirst from 9 am - 5 pm every day that the temperature exceeds 90 degrees.
You can help by donating new box fans at the following Salvation Army locations: 822 McCallie Avenue , 2140 East 28th Street ; in Cleveland donations may be made at The Salvation Army at 435 Inman Street .
Monetary gifts may also be dropped by or mailed to 822 McCallie Avenue and are accepted online at www.csarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY . For more information about the Chattanooga Salvation Army please visit www.csarmy.org , Facebook , and Twitter .
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.
For more information, go to SalvationArmyUSA.org


text:
Crusader states
The Crusader states were a number of mostly 12th- and 13th-century feudal Christian states created by Western European crusaders in Asia Minor, Greece and the Holy Land, and during the Northern Crusades in the eastern Baltic area. The name also refers to other territorial gains (often small and short-lived) made by medieval Christendom against Muslim and pagan adversaries.
The Crusader states in the Levant, collectively known as Outremer,[1][a] were the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Principality of Antioch, the County of Tripoli and the County of Edessa (in addition to the Kingdom of Cyprus).[3] The people of the Crusader states were generally referred to as "Latins", a common demonym among the followers of the Latin Church as opposed to indigenous followers of Eastern Christianity.[4]
Beginning in the 7th century, Muslim rulers began expanding their territories into Christian Roman/Byzantine lands, conquering Egypt and the Levant, and gradually taking over all of North Africa, much of Southwest Asia, and most of the Iberian Peninsula. The Eastern Romans, or Byzantines, partially recovered lost territory on numerous occasions but gradually lost all but Anatolia and parts of Thrace and the Balkans. In the West, the Roman Catholic kingdoms of northern Iberia launched campaigns known as the Reconquista to reconquer the peninsula from the Arabized Berbers known as Moors (who called it al-Andalus). The conquered Iberian principalities are not customarily called Crusader states, except for the Kingdom of Valencia, despite fitting the criteria.[5]
Malcolm Barber, a British scholar of medieval history, indicates that, in the Crusader state of the Kingdom of Jerusalem the Holy Sepulchre was added to in the 7th century and rebuilt in 1022, "after a previous collapse". "In 691–2 Caliph Abd al Malik had built a great dome over the rock here, a place sacred to all three great religions". [6]
In 1071, the Byzantine army was defeated by the Muslim Seljuk Turks at the Battle of Manzikert, resulting in the loss of most of Asia Minor. The situation was a serious threat to the future of the Eastern Orthodox Byzantine Empire. The Emperor sent a plea to the Pope in Rome to send military aid to restore the lost territories to Christian rule. The result was a series of western European military campaigns into the eastern Mediterranean, known as the Crusades. Unfortunately for the Byzantines, the crusaders had no allegiance to the Byzantine Emperor and established their own states in the conquered regions, including the heart of the Byzantine Empire.
First Crusade[edit]
The first four Crusader states were created in the Levant immediately after the First Crusade:
- The first Crusader state, the County of Edessa, was founded in 1098 and lasted until 1150.
- The Principality of Antioch, founded in 1098, lasted until 1268.
- The Kingdom of Jerusalem, founded in 1099, lasted until 1291, when the city of Acre fell. There were also many vassals of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the four major lordships (seigneuries) being:
- The County of Tripoli, founded in 1104, with Tripoli itself conquered in 1109, lasted until 1289.
After the First Crusade's capture of Jerusalem and victory at Ascalon the majority of the Crusaders considered their pilgrimage complete and returned to Europe. Godfrey was left with only 300 knights and 2,000 infantry to defend the territory won in the Eastern Mediterranean. Only Tancred of the crusader princes remained with the aim of establishing his own lordship.[7] At this point the Franks held only Jerusalem and two great Syrian cities; Antioch and Edessa but not the surrounding country. Jerusalem remained economically sterile despite the advantages of being the centre of administration of church and state and benefitting from streams of pilgrims.[8]
Consolidation in the first half of the 12th-century established four Crusader states: the County of Edessa (1098–1149), the Principality of Antioch (1098–1268), the Kingdom of Jerusalem (1099–1291), and the County of Tripoli (1104–1289, although the city of Tripoli itself remained in Muslim control until 1109).[9] These states were the first examples of "Europe overseas". They are generally known as outremer, from the French outre-mer ("overseas" in English).[10][11]
Largely based in the ports of Acre and Tyre; Italian, Provencal and Spanish communes provided a significant characteristic of Crusader social stratification and political organisation. Separate from the Frankish nobles or burgesses, the communes were autonomous political entities closely linked to their countries of origin. This gave the inhabitants the ability to monopolise foreign trade and almost all banking and shipping in the Crusader states. Every opportunity to extend trade privileges was taken. One such example was the case of the Venetian Doge receiving one third of Tyre, its territories and exemption from all taxes after participating in the successful 1124 siege of the city. However, despite all efforts the two ports were unable to replace Alexandria and Constantinople as the primary centres of commerce in the region. [12] Instead, the communes competed with the Crown and each other to maintain economic advantage. Power derived from the support of the communards' native cities rather than their number, which never reached more than several hundred. Through this, by the middle of the 13th-century, the rulers of the communes were barely required to recognise the authority of the crusaders and divided Acre into a number of fortified miniature republics.[13]
The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia had its origins before the Crusades, but was granted the status of a kingdom by Pope Innocent III, and later became fully westernized by the (French) Lusignan dynasty.
Kingdom of Cyprus[edit]
During the Third Crusade, the Crusaders founded the Kingdom of Cyprus. Richard I of England conquered Cyprus on his way to the Holy Land. He subsequently sold the island to the Knights Templar who were unable to maintain their hold because of a lack of resources and a rapacious attitude towards the local population which led to a series of popular uprisings. The Templars promptly returned the island to Richard who resold it to the displaced King of Jerusalem Guy of Lusignan in 1192. Guy went on to found a dynasty that lasted until 1489, when the widow of James II The Bastard, Queen Catherine Cornaro, a native of Venice, abdicated her throne in favour of the Republic of Venice, which annexed the island.[14] For much of its history under the Lusignan Kings, Cyprus was a prosperous Medieval Kingdom, a commercial and trading hub of Western Christendom in the Middle East.[15] The Kingdom's decline began when it became embroiled in the dispute between the Italian Merchant Republics of Genoa and Venice. Indeed, the Kingdom's decline can be traced to a disastrous war with Genoa in 1373–74 which ended with the Genoese occupying the principal port City of Famagusta. Eventually with the help of Venice, the Kingdom recovered Famagusta but by then it was too late and in any event, the Venetians had their own designs on the island. Venetian rule over Cyprus lasted for just over 80 years until 1571, when the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Selim II Sarkhosh invaded and captured the entire island. The battle for Cyprus between Venice and the Ottoman Empire was immortalized by William Shakespeare in his play Othello, most of which is set in the port city of Famagusta on the eastern shores of the island.
Fourth Crusade[edit]
After the Fourth Crusade, the territories of the Byzantine Empire were divided into several states, beginning the so-called "Francocracy" (Greek: Φραγκοκρατία) period:
- The Latin Empire in Constantinople (1204–1261)
- The Kingdom of Thessalonica (1205–1224)
- The Principality of Achaea (1205–1432)
- The Lordship of Argos and Nauplia (1212–1388)
- The Duchy of Athens (1205–1458)
- The Margraviate of Bodonitsa (1204–1414)
- The Duchy of Naxos (1207–1579)
- The Duchy of Philippopolis (1204–1230)
Later history[edit]
Several islands, most notably Crete (1204–1669), Euboea (Negroponte, until 1470), and the Ionian Islands (until 1797) came under the rule of Venice.
These states faced the attacks of the Byzantine Greek successor states of Nicaea and Epirus, as well as Bulgaria. Thessalonica and the Latin Empire were reconquered by the Byzantine Greeks by 1261. Descendants of the Crusaders continued to rule in Athens and the Peloponnesus (Morea) until the 15th century when the area was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
- The military order of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John established itself on Rhodes (and several other Aegean islands; see below) in 1310, with regular influx of new blood, until the Ottomans finally drove them out (to Malta) in 1522.
- The island of Kastellorizo (like Rhodes a part of the Aegean Dodecanese island group) was taken by the Knights of St. John Hospitaller of Jerusalem in 1309; the Egyptians occupied it from 1440 until 1450; then the Kingdom of Naples ruled till Ottoman conquest in 1512; Venetian rule began in 1659 (as Castellorosso); all these states, excluding the Egyptians, were Catholic; Ottoman rule was reestablished in 1660, although Greeks controlled the island during the Greek War of Independence from 1828–33.
- Other neighbouring territories temporarily under the order were: the cities of Smyrna (now İzmir; 1344–1402), Attaleia (now Antalya; 1361–1373 and Halicarnassos (now Bodrum;1402–1522), all three in Anatolia; the Greek Isthmus city of Corinth (1397–1404)), the city of Salona (ancient Amphissa; 1407–1410) and the islands of Ikaria (1424–1521) and Kos (1215–1522), all now in Greece.
Numismatics and sigillography[edit]
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Crusader seals.
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Coins of the Crusader states.
The emblem used on the seals of the rulers of Jerusalem during the 12th century was a simplified depiction of the city itself, showing the tower of David between the Dome of the Rock and the Holy Sepulchre, surrounded by the city walls. The coins minted in Jerusalem during the 12th century show patriarchal crosses with various modifications. Coins minted under Henry I (r. 1192–1197) show a cross with four dots in the four quarters, but the Jerusalem cross proper appears only on a coin minted under John II (r. 1284/5).[16]
The crescent in pellet symbol is used in Crusader coins of the 12th century, in some cases duplicated in the four corners of a cross, as a variant of the cross-and-crosslets ("Jerusalem cross").[17] Many Crusader seals and coins show a crescent and a star (or blazing Sun) on either side of the ruler's head (as in the tradition of Sassanid coins), e.g. Bohemond III of Antioch, Richard I of England, Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse.[18] At the same time, the star in crescent is found on the obverse of Crusader coins, e.g. in coins of the County of Tripoli minted under Raymond II or III c. 1140s–1160s show an "eight-rayed star with pellets above crescent".[19]
Great Seal of Richard I of England (1198)[20]
Equestrian seal of Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse with a star and a crescent (13th century)
Northern Crusades[edit]
In the Baltic region, the indigenous tribes in the Middle Ages at first staunchly refused Christianity. In 1193, Pope Celestine III urged Christians to have a crusade against the heathens which included the Old Prussians, the Lithuanians and other tribes inhabiting Estonia, Latvia and East Prussia. This period of warfare is called the Northern Crusades.
In the aftermath of Northern Crusades William of Modena as Papal legate solved the disputes between the crusaders in Livonia and Prussia.
- By dividing the lands of the Terra Mariana between the crusading order of Livonian Brothers of the Sword and the Church, five principalities were created:
- Archbishopric of Riga,
- Bishopric of Courland,
- Bishopric of Dorpat,
- Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek,
- The lands of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.
- The Estonian lands controlled by Danish crusaders were annexed with Denmark as Duchy of Estonia[22] until it was ceded to the Teutonic Order state in 1346.
- In the Prussian region William of Modena divided the lands between Teutonic knights and the Church by creating four prince-bishoprics under the Archbishopric of Riga:
In literature[edit]
- In the Chanson de Roland, "Outremer" is used as the name of a fictional Muslim country. It is identified as one of the many countries participating in the general mobilization of the Muslim world against Christianity at the climax of the plot.
- Robert E. Howard: Hawks of Outremer, West Kingston, Rhode Island: Donald M. Grant, 1979.
- Sharon Kay Penman : "Lionheart", G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York 2011. Marian Wood Books/Putnam, London 2011. ISBN 978-0-399-15785-1. In "Lionheart", the protagonists are introduced sailing to Outremer. The novel revolves around Richard the Lionheart's Crusades in the Holy Land.
See also[edit]
- ^ French: outre-mer, meaning "overseas"; during the Renaissance, the term was later often equated to the area of the Levant and it remains synonymous for the Holy Land.[2]
- ^ Richard Kerridge (29 October 2015). A/AS Level History for AQA The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204 Student Book. Cambridge University Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-107-58725-0.
- ^ Johnson, Paul (1979). Civilizations of the Holy Land. Weidenfeld and Nicolson. p. 202.
Of the enormous literature which the crusades inspired in Europe, only one poem of any importance was actually written in the Holy Land, or Outremer as the Latins called it: the so-called Chanson des Chetifs, produced at Antioch a little before 1149.
- ^ Barber, Malcolm. "The Crusader States" (Yale University Press. 2012) ISBN 978-0-300-11312-9. Page xiii
- ^ "Distinguishing the terms: Latins and Romans". Orbis Latinus.
- ^ See for example The Crusader Kingdom of Valencia: Reconstruction on a Thirteenth-Century Frontier, R.I. Burns, SJ, Harvard, 1967 (available online)
- ^ Barber, Malcolm. "The Crusader States" (Yale University Press, 2012) ISBN 978-0-300-11312-9. Page 110
- ^ Asbridge 2012, p. 106
- ^ Prawer 2001, p. 87
- ^ Asbridge 2012, pp. 147–50
- ^ "Outremer". Oxford English Dictionary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. September 2005. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ Riley-Smith 2005, pp. 50–51
- ^ Prawer 2001, pp. 85-87
- ^ Prawer 2001, pp. 87-93
- ^ Edbury P.W., The Kingdom of Cyprus and the Crusades 1191 - 1374, Cambridge University Press (1991)
- ^ Edbury P.W., The Kingdom of Cyprus and the Crusades 1191 - 1374, Cambridge University Press (1991)
- ^ Hubert de Vries, Jerusalem (hubert-herald.nl). The design is also found on coins minted under his successor, the last king of Jerusalem, Henry II (forumancientcoins.com)
- ^ In the 12th century found on pennies William the Lion (r. 1174–1195). William Till, An Essay on the Roman Denarius and English Silver Penny (1838), p. 73. E.g. "Rev: short cross with crescent and pellets in angles and +RAVLD[ ] legend for the moneyer Raul Derling at Berwick or Roxburgh mint" (timelineauctions.com). Seaby SE5025 "Rev. [+RAV]L ON ROC, short cross with crescents & pellets in quarters" (wildwinds.com).
- ^ Bohemond III of Antioch (r. 1163–1201) "Obv. Helmeted head of king in chain-maille armor, crescent and star to sides" (ancientresource.com)
- ^ "Billon denier, struck c. late 1140s-1164. + RA[M]VNDVS COMS, cross pattée, pellet in 1st and 2nd quarters / CIVI[TAS T]RIPOLIS, eight-rayed star with pellets above crescent. ref: CCS 6-8; Metcalf 509 (ancientresource.com).
- ^ Richard is depicted as seated between a crescent and a "Sun full radiant" in his second Great Seal of 1198. English heraldic tradition of the early modern period associates the star and crescent design with Richard, with his victory over Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus in 1192, and with the arms of Portsmouth (Francis Wise A Letter to Dr Mead Concerning Some Antiquities in Berkshire, 1738, p. 18). Heraldic tradition also attributes a star-and-crescent badge to Richard (Charles Fox-Davies, A Complete Guide to Heraldry, 1909, p. 468).
- ^ Found in the 19th century at the site of the Biais commandery, in Saint-Père-en-Retz, Loire-Atlantique, France, now in the Musée Dobré in Nantes, inv. no. 303. Philippe Josserand, "Les Templiers en Bretagne au Moyen Âge : mythes et réalités", Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest 119.4 (2012), 7–33 (p.24).
- ^ High medieval rural settlement in Scandinavia; The Cambridge History of Scandinavia By Knut Helle; p. 269 ISBN 0-521-47299-7
- Asbridge, Thomas (2012). The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-84983-688-3.
- Prawer, Joshua (2001). The CRusaders' Kingdom. Phoenix Press. ISBN 1-84212-224-X.
- Riley-Smith, Jonathan (2005). The Crusades: A Short History (Second ed.). Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-10128-7.
- Barber, Malcolm. "The Crusader States" (Yale University Press, 2012)
- Burns, R.I. The Crusader Kingdom of Valencia: Reconstruction on a Thirteenth-Century Frontier (1967)
- Edbury P.W. The Kingdom of Cyprus and the Crusades 1191 - 1374 (Cambridge University Press, 1991)
- Konstam, Angus (2002). Historical Atlas of The Crusades. New York: Thalamus. p. 192. ISBN 0-8160-4919-X.
- Jotischky, Andrew. Crusading and the crusader states (Routledge, 2014)
- Lilie, Ralph-Johannes. Byzantium and the Crusader States, 1096-1204 (Oxford University Press, 1993)
- Nicholson, Helen (2004). Knight Templar (1120-1312). Osprey Publishing ltd. ISBN 1-84176-670-4.
- Nicol, Donald M. (1984) [1957]. The Despotate of Epiros 1267-1479: A Contribution to the History of Greece in the Middle Ages (2. expanded ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Nicol, Donald M. (1993) [1972]. The Last Centuries of Byzantium, 1261-1453 (2. ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Runciman, Steven. "The Crusader States, 1243-1291." in Kenneth M. Setton, ed. A History of the Crusades (1969) 2: 1189-1311.
Primary sources[edit]
- Burns, Robert Ignatius. Diplomatarium of the Crusader Kingdom of Valencia: Documents 1-500: Foundations of crusader Valencia, revolt and recovery, 1257-1263. Vol. 2. (Princeton University Press, 2007)
External links[edit]
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Crusader states.
- "The French of Outremer", Medieval Studies, Fordham University


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Information For
ABCD Institute > Institute Fellows
In 2017, the ABCD Institute created a new fellowship program. The purpose of the fellowship is to train and support a new generation of practitioners in order to sustain ABCD into the future. The faculty selected 23 fellows from across the U.S. and Canada, based on their leadership in their own communities and their dedication to ABCD principles. Throughout the year, fellows will work closely with an ABCD faculty mentor to study and learn about asset based community development in theory and practice. Fellows will also develop a project related to their own work and interests.
The fellows met for the first time in June, 2017. The following video shares some of their voices and perspectives.
Together, the ABCD fellows bring a wealth of experience, passion and expertise. Check out their individual bios below!
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It is nicknamed the "Torpedo," but cigar fans simply know this fine cigar as their favorite Montecristo No. 2. When it comes to the famed Dominican Republic cigar, it's much more than just a smoke, say fans commenting online. After all, there is a long-held point of view that the Montecristo No. 2 and other like cigars are the finest on the planet. As a cigar lover over the past 20 years, I can honestly say that this Dominican Republic produced smoke fully equals or even exceeds Cuban cigars.
The "Torpedo" is a work of art
While the "Torpedo" is viewed as one of the most famous sized cigars of its type in the world today, the really big news is this fine Montecristo No. 2 is now featured for sale online at leading US cigar smoking websites. There are many cigar smoking fans who dub this fine smoke "a true work of art," while the simple fact is this brand of cigars is rolled to perfection with a pleasing golden brown color and an awesome looking wrapper.
Montecristo No. 2 offers true cigar pleasure
There are many Dominican Republic cigar-smokers such as myself who are enjoying the new aroma of these fine smokes. In fact, the famed Montecristo No. 2 is now sold in cigar and other smoke shops where aficionados like to shop for these special smokes. The Montecristo No. 2 is also sold online at top cigar websites.
Enjoying a great cigar
While there are many great Dominican Republic cigars on offer today, there is a widespread mystique about this internationally famous cigar.
The reality of cigars includes:
– The fact that the Montecristo No. 2 "Torpedo" and other fine cigars are not as expensive as any other top cigars.
– Dominican Republic cigars feature a date stamp and where the smoke was made so as to know when the product was made and boxed.
– These handmade wonders feature top-quality tobacco leaves grown in the humid tropical climate of the Dominican Republic.
– Cigar smoking fan testimonials about how this Montecristo features a distinct sweetness and a pairing of choice Cuban and Dominican Republic tobacco seed in the smoke's filler leaf and binder.
Overall, there has never been a better time for cigar smoking fans to experience the famed Montecristo No. 2 Torpedo as both a classic smoke and a truly affordable cigar that is fully legal to purchase in the US.


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Bluffton High School senior Ariyanne Colston was named a semifinalist for the National Achievement Scholarship Program on Wednesday.
More than 1,600 Black American high school seniors who have been designated semifinalists in the 49th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program were announced Wednesday by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (nmsc) officials. These scholastically talented young men and women now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 800 Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $2.5 million that will be offered next spring.
To be considered for a National Achievement Scholarship, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 80 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win an Achievement Scholarship award.
The National Achievement Scholarship Program, conducted by nmsc, is a privately financed
academic competition that operates without government assistance. It was initiated in 1964 to
recognize academically promising black students throughout the nation and to provide scholarships
to a substantial number of the most outstanding program participants. To date, over 31,900 young
men and women have received Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $100 million.
More than 160,000 high school juniors from all parts of the United States requested
consideration in the 2013 National Achievement Scholarship Program when they took the 2011
Preliminary sat/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (psat/nmsqt®). Semifinalists are
designated within geographic regions and are the highest-scoring program entrants in the states
that make up each region.
To advance to the finalist level in the competition, the semifinalist and their high school
must submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the
student's academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and educational goals. Semifinalists must present a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn sat scores that confirm their psat/nmsqt performance.
From the approximately 1,600 Semifinalists, about 1,300 are expected to advance to the
finalist level and in January they will be notified of this designation. All Achievement Scholar
awardees will be selected from the finalist group on the basis of their abilities, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
National Achievement Scholarships provided in 2013 will be supported by corporations,
professional organizations, foundations, and by nmsc's own funds. Two types of scholarships
will be offered. Every finalist will compete for one of the 700 one-time National Achievement
$2,500 scholarships, which will be awarded on a regional representation basis. In addition,
corporate and business sponsors will underwrite about 100 Achievement Scholarship awards for
finalists who meet criteria set by the grantor.
NMSC will release the names of scholarship winners in early April.


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CyberLynk announces the purchase of UnlimitedFTPusers.com and welcomes all the new customers to the CyberLynk family. UnlimitedFTPusers.com, was started in 2000 and with the aim of providing reliable hosting services that can scale to the needs of each individual customer.
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I've gone through two bottles of this Sport Wash, which is readily available at Sport Chalet.
As many runners might know, it is hard to keep the smell of accumulated sweat and sunscreen out of your clothes over time, especially in technical fabrics.
I usually run in regular cotton t-shirts, but to freshen them up, I was using a capful of this stuff in warm water to wash my sports bra, shorts, and shirt for a while. The detergent smells a little bit like weak (lemony) dishwashing liquid.
Overall, this worked pretty well, though not significantly better than detergent enough to shell out $10 for approximately a liter or so. I think they sell an economy-sized bottle as well, but every time I go get some, there is only one left, and it looks beat up/leaky.


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Back when I studied abroad, when I wanted a treat, I'd save up my pence and walk down to the corner shop and get myself a delicious Magnum ice cream bar. I really don't know what it is about them, but they are seriously so good. When my best friend Kim went backpacking through Europe after graduation, she too discovered the deliciousness of Magnum. I remember thinking it was no surprise – they are the bomb!
Almost ten years later, just a couple weeks before her visit, I happened upon this video:
It was going down!
When Kim arrived, I didn't think we'd actually have the chance to visit the Magnum pop-up store between all the plans we made. In a lucky coincidence, we happened to walk right by it with just enough time to grab one. It was directly in our path from dinner to the Dominion Theatre, where we were headed to see a wonderful production of An American in Paris (thanks to TKTS!).
When you get to the counter, you pay first, choosing a single or double chocolate dip. We each chose singles, which includes three toppings and costs £5.50.
It is set up kinda like a grown up Pinkberry, where you pick your toppings, but then the server puts them into a cocktail shaker instead of a cup. I opted for hibiscus flowers which were really sweet and tasty, white chocolate shavings and dark chocolate shavings. Andrew got the gold flakes and Kim got coconut shavings.
Once all your toppings are chosen, the fun starts. With flair, the server shakes up your toppings cocktail and dramatically dips a naked vanilla Magnum bar into your chosen chocolate dip (classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate).
Your toppings are then sprinkled onto the hardening chocolate coating. You choose a flavour of drizzle, then a signature Magnum seal.
You're sent away with instructions to wait two minutes for your Magnum to harden. Immediately after the bar, there several booths where you can put your Magnum to take the perfect Instagram. It is ridiculous, but also makes for great blog pics so I cannot complain!
Yes, it was silly, but it was also delicious and super fun. I would say it's worth a small line like the one we waited in (I read online about people waiting for an hour+… don't do that, haha!). It was a tasty twist on a classic dessert and definitely got us to stop for dessert when we otherwise wouldn't have.
The pop-up is open until 10 September at 21-23 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LL London, right on Seven Dials.
The store is pretty funky, decorated with bejewelled Magnum x Moschino decor.
The glittery Magnum bars are inspired by the city.
If you are a Magnum fan and in the area, I recommend checking it out!