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2 Years, 8 Months, 14 Days
He had no idea exactly where he was, only that he did not want to be there anymore. He knew it must be Cambodia, only because of the soldiers following him. Dogging him.
Herding him.
He'd tried to head back into the mountains and had been cut off each and every time. He didn't think there were that many of them at first. It was just a patrol that spotted him, but it kept growing from there. Maybe a platoon by now. Maybe more. The numbers just kept growing. He didn't know where they were coming from. He just knew they wanted him moving in one direction, and that's where he was going.
They didn't seem to be in any hurry, but they knew when he tried to double-back, and were there, waiting. They never got really close, not close enough to shoot, not even close enough to see clearly. More like shadows. Ghosts. Only getting close enough so he could see them coming.
Knew they were coming.
The last four days he'd been moving through farmland. Flat, wet. Little cover from the rain, from the soldiers, from the farmers. Farmers who'd had their fields, homes, families destroyed by American bombs. Farmers who were more than happy to help the soldiers hunt for this American.
He moved now into yet another rice paddy, both using and cursing the light of the nearly full moon. Smiled mirthlessly at the irony of his body being browned to the point it was nearly indistinguishable from the natives, his hair bleached so it stood out like a beacon. Not for the first time, he ducked his head into the muddy waters of the paddy, bringing up the mud with his hands to coat his hair and beard.
He got across the first paddy and was crawling over the dike separating it from the next when he heard the first shouts. Throwing caution aside, he ran along the dike, praying he wouldn't run into any mines. He came to the corner of the dikes, looked back.
Looked like the whole village was coming - how could that many people live such a tiny place? There were a hell of a lot of those damn scarves among them, too. How could they catch up so quickly? He turned back and continued running, ignoring the shots that, so far, were wide of the mark. Once they realized he wasn't stopping, they'd get closer.
He ran into a small stand of trees, bouncing off one and struggling to keep his balance. He came out of the trees, into another series of paddies. Sloshing straight across them, his only thought, his only instinct, to keep running. His breath was coming hard now, and his ribs and legs were aching. He didn't even see the last dike, fell over it and landed, half-submerged, in the next paddy. For a moment, only a moment, he thought of just staying there, letting them catch up.
Then he thought of Harry, standing over him.
He pulled himself up, staggered through the rice, up and out and the ground sloped upward, he saw shadows ahead moving in the woods, up the hill, paralleling his course, moving ahead of him. Had they flown over that field? He kept going, kept pushing, kept moving up and into more trees, ignored the shots coming at him, the shouts.
He hit a small patch of ground clear of trees and with his last bit of energy, sprinted across, eyeing the woods he could see in the distance. He could make that. He would make that.
Then he was free falling, nothing but darkness above and below. He hit the fast-flowing water nearly headfirst, feeling the impact with his shoulder and side, was swept under, dragged along with the current. He fought his way to the surface and flailed about, all of his energy, all of his concentration on keeping his head above the floodwater.
He was suddenly shoved up on the shore, the sand and rocks scraping painfully along his body.
And there he stayed, no longer caring who was coming for him.
Trung moved his men further north. He was irritated, not an unusual occurrence. The war was going badly, and he, along with many other ARVN, felt an almost overwhelming feeling of betrayal by the Americans. Now he and his men were supposedly protecting the border, when in reality they knew they were only postponing the inevitable. Combined with the pouring rain, insidious mud and the fatigue of coming off night patrol, and his temper was more than ready for an outlet.
They were maybe a half-mile from the river, about to turn east toward Ton Son Nhut Airport, when they spotted movement across the field, coming from the river. Knowing the NVA were moving their troops into the area in small groups, Trung immediately spread out his patrol and moved to intercept.
It took several minutes to get within striking distance. Trung could see a figure moving stealthily through the thickets, and was about to call for him to stop when suddenly the figure straightened and began running back toward the river. Trung didn't have to shout any orders; his men immediately fired and then gave chase.
It was over in a matter of minutes.
Trung walked up to his men and the still struggling prisoner. He was shocked to see it was an American. His shock turned almost immediately to disgust. The only Americans left were either connected with the Embassy or deserters, unable to evacuate. It was obvious to Trung that this was one of the deserters, strung out on drugs and living out in the bush like some animal. His lip curled as he issued the order to restrain the prisoner.
Some forty minutes later, much of which had been wasted struggling with the deserter, they arrived at their camp. Trung commandeered one of the Jeeps, and with three of his men, shoved the prisoner onto the floor in the back. Trung drove while his men kept their feet firmly planted on the man, keeping him down.
The sun was fully up by the time they pulled up outside the American Embassy.
He realized his mistake as soon as he heard them coming. Instead of arriving on the other side, he'd merely been driven further downriver. Instead of finding sanctuary in the far woods, he'd run right into their ambush. He turned and started running back for the river, but it was too late. They fired at him, this time not trying to miss. He felt the harsh sting in his arm but doggedly kept going. And then they seemed to rise up from every direction, coming at him, shadows turning solid. He fought with every bit of strength he had, but almost immediately found himself flat on the ground, several of them holding him down. Face kept struggling until he saw him.
The faint light from the sun kept him in silhouette, but he recognized him anyway. The same stance, the same swagger, the same anger and contempt in his voice.
He spoke in Vietnamese. Face knew he should understand what was said, but it sounded blurred, fuzzy. It made no sense. His hands were tied behind his back, and he was pulled up. The familiar march began, a man on either side pulling and tugging, dragging when he slipped.
By the time they reached the camp, Face hardly realized he was walking at all. The men holding his arms never loosened their hold, and he caught glimpses of smirks from the other soldiers. Suddenly he was shoved forward, lifted and dropped into the back of a Jeep, feet on his back and legs holding him in place.
It was a long and uncomfortable ride to wherever they were going, and if he shifted at all he felt a boot slam into his body. He'd forgotten how badly that hurt. The Jeep suddenly swung around, and his head slammed into the side, his body sliding across the rough floor as they came to an abrupt halt.
He could hear two men talking and then he was grabbed by the arms and pulled roughly out of the Jeep. He blinked at the sun in his eyes before he was dragged forward. He looked up, groggy, and saw the new soldier in front of him.
He heard the voice, but the words didn't register. Only that uniform. That Marine uniform. The voice got louder, and Face saw the baseball bat. Swinging. In his hands. His hands. Someone grabbed the dog tags, jerking them from his neck. He just saw the uniform. Covered in blood. Getting smaller and smaller as the noise from the chopper got louder and louder...
Sergeant Dominick tensed as the Jeep came rolling up in front of the Embassy. Things had been pretty quiet until recently, and then all the action had been further north. Still...
As soon as the Jeep pulled to a halt, he relaxed. That jerk off, Trung. He spent a lot of time around the Embassy, kissing ass, hoping for favors later on, no doubt. This time he seemed pretty excited though.
He glanced over at his partner, rolling his eyes. The other sergeant just grinned as Dominick walked over to the Jeep. Both men jumped when the three ARVN in the back suddenly started pulling at something on the floor. Next thing they knew, the four Vietnamese were standing there with a filthy, bleeding American between them.
"Good Jesus, Trung, what've you done now?" Dominick rushed forward, but Trung intercepted him.
"This man deserter, Sarge. Deserter! We caught over by river, he fight us, try to run. See - deserter!"
The man looked up at Dominick, and his gaze fastened on Dominick's chest.
"Hey, buddy, who are you? What happened to you? Hey, hey, I'm talking to you, man. Listen up."
Dominick stood back. Man, this guy was blown away big time.
"See, Sarge? He not spose to be here now. Deserter only."
Dominick cast a glaring glance at Trung, shutting him up. The guy had to be military; he had dog tags. Dom's eyes narrowed. He had a lot of dog tags. He reached over, yanked the chain from the guy's neck, not wanting to get any closer.
He looked over the tags - three different sets, all right. Three different names. Dammit. He looked at the dregs standing in front of him and looked back at his partner.
"Hey, Joe. Call Neil Bursey, get him down here. I'm gonna put this guy on ice till we figure this shit out."
Unlocking the gates, he led the ARVNs inside, dragging their prisoner with them. Dom stopped at the door to a small storage room off to the side. It would do for now. Tossing a set of handcuffs to Trung, he searched for the key to the door. He glanced up when the guy started jerking around, but he was just fighting the cuffs. Shaking his head, he unlocked the door and swung it open. The now-cuffed prisoner was shoved inside, and he slammed the door shut, locking it.
Dom moved Trung and his cohorts back, still holding the illicit dog tags, ignoring the pounding from the storage room. They'd wait outside the gate, let the freak cool off before he talked to the head of security.
He saw the door open just before the shove. He stumbled to the floor, landing hard on his knees, before falling to a sit. He looked up just in time to see the door slam shut.
In a split second, he was up, running at the door, slamming his shoulder against it, again and again and again. The door didn't even shudder. He slid down to the floor, trying to look through the narrow crack between the door and frame. Breathing hard, he looked around the storage room. Shelves, mostly empty. A couple buckets off to the side. A single light hanging from the ceiling.
He had to get out.
He had to get away.
Neil Bursey had only been at the Embassy for about six months, but it wasn't his first time in-country. He'd been with the Combined Action Platoons in I-Corp back in '67, and again in '69 before moving to the civilian arena and eventually ending up in the diplomatic corps. He got along well the Marine Embassy Guards, and even with the civilian personnel. When you were head of security, you had to.
Now he headed across the compound, impatient, unhappy. He had no sympathy for deserters and preferred to ignore their existence. Unfortunately, having one dumped on his doorstep meant not only finding out who he was and where he belonged, but getting him there. And that meant dealing with the military bureaucracy - which at this point in time, could mean talking to a dozen different pencil pushers in as many different locations.
"Okay, Dom, what have you got for me?"
Dominick gave him a quick rundown of events, with Trung interrupting every few sentences, and then handed over the dog tags. Bursey frowned.
"Do any of these belong to this guy, or was he just collecting them?"
"Don't know, Sir. He was too spaced out to say anything."
"Where is he now?"
"Locked in the storage room. Not real happy about it, but he ain't...isn't going anywhere."
"All right. I'll see what I can find out on these tags." Bursey turned, staring at the tags.
"Uh, Sir? What should we do with him?"
"Leave him where he is for now. At least then I'll know where to find him."
Bursey walked back across the compound. He heard a thump from the storage area, ignored it.
There was nothing in there to damage anyway.
He'd rest for a while, then push himself up, stagger a few feet and take another run at it. But it wouldn't budge. Not even a little. Then he'd move around the room, bumping into the shelves, looking for something, anything, to break him free, but there was nothing. So he'd go back to ramming the door.
He'd just jarred himself dizzy when he heard that voice outside the door. Harsh, angry. He knew that tone. He ran to the far end of the room, between the shelves, trying to hide in the shadows. Watched as the door swung out, open.
The Marine. He stepped inside, and Face could see another one behind him, baton loose in his hand.
So this was it.
The first one glared at him, shaking his head, and put a plate down on the floor. Face could smell the food, recognized it. The smell of pork. He felt sick to his stomach.
"You eat that, freak. And then put these on. And quit pounding on the fucking door. You're not going anywhere just yet. Got it?"
The door slammed shut once more, and Face slid down the wall to the floor. He stared at the plate, and the pajama bottoms on the floor. Looked up at the walls, watching as they crept ever closer.
Neil Bursey came back to the Embassy after lunch, anxious to see if he'd gotten an answer from the Army yet. He passed the storage room without a glance. He'd see if he could find some place more comfortable for him until it was decided what to do with him. Undoubtedly he'd be put on the next transport to face a courts martial Stateside.
He glanced through the stack of reports his secretary handed him and continued on to his office. Most concerned the evacuation plans for Cambodia; he'd look through those later. Then he found the one he'd been waiting for, the Army's response to his inquiry on those dog tags.
He got a nasty lump in his stomach as he started reading. All three men in a POW camp in Laos; one escaped, now discharged; one dead; the third...
Bursey stared at the last one. He didn't believe in coincidences. No way this guy would have all three dog tags unless...
He hurried out of the office, yelling at his secretary to have Sergeant Dominick meet him in the yard, and raced down the stairs and out the door. He was waiting impatiently at the door when Dom came rushing up.
"Open it up! Now!"
"Sir?" Dom was fumbling with the keys.
"He's not a deserter. He was a prisoner of war. Must have escaped. Hurry up, man!"
The door swung open, and Bursey looked at a scene of chaos. A plate of food was upside down on the floor, with some kind of cloth nearly covering it. The shelving units had been tipped over, contents scattered, and were now laying end to end forming a cross. The prisoner sat against the far wall, feet pushing against one set of shelves as if holding it in place. He sat still as stone, staring right through them.
It was the first time Bursey had actually seen the man, and he was shocked. Naked, filthy, hair and beard tangled and matted, body bruised and scarred. Bursey felt sick. He stepped forward, and the man immediately scrambled to a crouch. Bursey saw the handcuffs and shuddered at what that must have felt like.
"Sergeant Hanson?"
The man continued to stare at him, eyes wide.
"Sergeant Kyle Hanson?" Bursey stepped closer, slowly. "My name is Neil Bursey. You're at the American Embassy, in Saigon. You're safe now, Kyle. We're going to get you home."
Dominick had followed Bursey inside the room, leaving the door open. Now he stepped to the side, slowly as Bursey had.
"Kyle? Do you understand? You're free now."
It took a split second. From immobile to a streak of lightning, Face was headed for the open door. Only Dominick's quick reflexes prevented his escape.
Bursey watched in horror as the former POW fought like an animal to get away. At a nod from Dominick, he slipped out the door himself, and a moment later, Dom followed, once again slamming the door shut.
The thudding started almost immediately.
The two men looked at each other, and Bursey shook his head.
"Wait here. I'll go call the doc."
2 Years, 8 Months, 18 Days
Bursey stepped out of the truck when it pulled to a stop beside the transport plane at Ton Son Nhut. He walked slowly to the back, watching as the Marines gently pulled the gurney out. Sergeant Hanson was strapped tightly to it, and even though he'd been sedated, he still struggled. Bursey watched sadly as the gurney was carried clumsily up the stairway and into the plane. He felt desperately sorry for the man, but he also felt a deep sense of relief at seeing him leave. Every day they'd been waiting for the Army to make up its mind what to do with him had been a nightmare. Just getting the man cleaned up had taken three men, none of them happy about it. Bursey hadn't been allowed to send him to the Saigon hospital; the fact that he'd been in Laos created all kinds of political problems, problems the government didn't want getting out to the public just now. So he'd been confined to a room in the Embassy, and after he'd tried to leap through the window, they'd been forced to keep him restrained to the bed. He wouldn't eat anything they cooked for him, not voluntarily. And he would not talk.
Bursey woke from his thoughts as the Marines shoved the now empty gurney back into the truck and climbed aboard. Well, maybe once the guy got Stateside, to that hospital near Mobile, he'd work things out.
It was going to be a long trip.


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Effective January 1st, 2016 Toronto Police will require no longer be responding to Non-Verified alarm signals.
The current alarm response drafted in 2012 reads "A verified call for service will be dispatched to the first available police field unit at a higher priority level. A non-verified alarm signal will be dispatched to a police field unit at a lower priority level. It should be noted that police response is determined by the nature of demand, priorities and resources available at the time of the request for police response.
Effective January 1, 2016, All Alarm Responses will need to be VERIFIED by one following processes:
- Audio Device
- Video Device
- Multiple Zone Trips
- Eyewitness (ie private security, guard service or person at the scene)
- Key Holder Notification. Unanswered calls at the premise or from the calling list are not considered to meet the requirements of the "verification process"
Panic Alarm signals are not included in the required verification process.
What this means for alarm owners in Toronto is that the police are no longer going to respond to an alarm signal without verification, unless that signal is a Panic Alarm.
Lower budgets and higher demands for service are taxing police resources not just in Toronto but across the entire country. Most police services have employed or are moving toward a VERIFIED ALARM requirement before dispatch.
What does this mean to alarm system owners?
- Make sure you have a proper alarm permit for your city … if required
- Install or Upgrade to an interactive alarm system. Interactive alarm systems can send voice, text, email and push alerts to your smart phone almost immediately, allowing you to confirm and verify alarm signals quickly and minimize false alarms.
- Two-way Voice Systems are preferred since they enable the monitoring station to Listen In and communicate with the premise.
- Video Cameras or Image Sensors can help Validate Alarm Signals.
- Installing Extra Sensors helps to meet the Multiple Zone Verification Requirement
- Get to know your neighbours, they can help you Verify Alarm Signals from you home as an eyewitness
- Add additional people to your call or notification list, especially those people who live close to your home.
- Inquire with your alarm company about private guard response
For more information about security systems and alarms in Edmonton contact Doyle at Ion Security

subset: commoncrawl


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I thought she was poking the rat to get him mad enough to forget he was free and try to kill her. Maybe she's aggravating him more. I don't know now.
u wanna hint.??
Nah. Reckon I can wail 'til Saturday. But, for the record I suspect that sign might not really be a DE boundary marker.
ooOHHH that's what she was doing… you little minx.. she had no intention of harming him, 'unless he tried to fight or keep running..'..
an i don't care who you are ,, a naked 'cat' girl running past you would be distracting…!!!
"At this point, what difference does it make?"
I see what you did there.
That phrase makes me homicidal toward a certain person
To R.S. damned straight it would. Jakia looks damned good in just her pelt. And since doesn't mind running around in it, does that make her a "peltist" (equivalent of "nudist" for furry folk)? Makes me wonder why Catians bother with clothes anyhow. Oh, Master Storyteller, why do Catiens wear clothes? Fanny packs or shoulder strap purse-ish things I can see. Even cold weather gear I can see. But full on clothes I don't see except for decoration and status indicators.
I think you have the right of it. Look at animals in the wild- many of them seem to have very little issue with cold / snowy weather – provided of course they have access to the things they need, when they need them: food, water, shelter…
I can't see them losing that aspect of their being, as they rise into a sentient species. That is how I wrote my Lir. What is the use of clothing over fur?
just a reminder ,, these "cats" are gene jokes.. genetic modified Humans.
an PORN: showing , or explicit description of a sex act… just showing pink bits is art.. EXCEPT in minors, but we know how he feels bout that.!
@Bill Mullins: hehe i see what u did there…
edit: this was, suppose to be on your second post..
Pete, I just figured out why the symbols up on the wall in panel 4 of the on-Catia story. Those things remind me of the symbol for the Klingon Empire. Was that on purpose on our part or were the symbols already on the textures for the outpost?
"And long enough for backup to arrive. Not that I need it." We haven't seen the bayonet, the hand that held it, or its sheath for a few panels. I could have sworn that thing had a long narrow triangular double-edged blade like an Arkansas toothpick when we first saw it. Oh well.
That's an ARMED naked cat girl. Focus on the deadly parts first. Anybody read Modesty Blaise? I assume there are external cameras with displays inside that allowed them to place all hostiles before the hatch opened.
went back to TGW-399,, same whole time,, an kinda fuzzy but it is in sheath last panel…
Glock 9mm /w silencer.. as prior military,, Always check.. but they are not military…
I hope your web host isn't too picky about content on people's websites. Wouldn't want you to lose your site for posting kitty porn. 😉
Why, what did you see?
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- This event has passed.
Plot Part Two: Plot in Action
August 2, 2018 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Instructor: Max Sheridan
$60 Members | $65 Nonmembers
Thursday, 8/2/18 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Just like good music in a movie, when plots are done right, you might not even notice them. In this second four-hour workshop, we'll be looking at actual plots from stories that work and then taking them apart to see why. After that, we'll see how the missing piece in this puzzle—character—interacts with plot to turn a concept into a relatable, gripping story. Participation in the first workshop isn't mandatory, but the two do work as a useful progression. **Note: This session will include a 30-minute dinner break. Please feel free to bring food with you to this session.
Suggested reading: Samaritans by Larry Brown
About the Instructor: Max Sheridan lives and writes in Nicosia, Cyprus. His short fiction and articles have been published widely in the US, UK and elsewhere. His novel Dillo was released in 2017 by Shotgun Honey. When he isn't writing, Max is the director of Write CY, a Nicosia-based platform for creative writing and community storytelling. At Write CY, Max teaches Story Craft, a course on short story writing, and Creative Blogging, a course in creative web content writing.
Online Registration


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Nominations for Honorary Doctorates for award at Graduation Ceremonies in 2019 are now invited. Nominations may only be submitted by members of the Academic Board or Senate. Other members of the University community who have suggestions for nominations should discuss their proposals with a member of the Board or the Senate. (Details of the membership of these bodies are available here and here).
Relevant extracts from Statute No 14 are reprinted below for information.
"The Senate on the recommendation of the Honorary Degrees Committee, may confer an honorary degree on any person for distinguished service or attainments within or without the State.
Only nominations submitted in writing . . . stating the grounds on which the candidate is nominated shall be considered.
A person nominated for the award of an honorary degree shall not be consulted beforehand and any resolution of the committee recommending the award will be in the form of an offer of the award."
The Senate has approved Guidelines for the award of Honorary Degrees which may be accessed here. Any person making a nomination will find these guidelines invaluable. Your attention is drawn to the following:
Honorary Degrees will be awarded in six categories: Community Service; Contribution to the Public Sector; Contribution to the Private Sector; Achievement in Internationalisation; Academic Achievement; Contribution to the Arts
While there is no quota on the number of awards each year, the emphasis is on quality rather than quantity.
The Committee aims to make one award in each year to an internationally recognised academic, in order to emphasise the academic focus of the University's business.
While trying to keep an international perspective in making awards, the Committee should not exclude the possibility of recognising high achievers whose field of influence is limited to the State.
Members of the University's staff will not be considered for honorary degrees until two years after their retirement from the University. Nominees would be expected to have made a continuing contribution to research and/or community service since retirement, as well as to have given distinguished service while in the employment of the University.
Nominations must be in writing in the approved proforma (Honorary Degrees and Chancellor's Medal Nomination Form) and should include at least the following:
- A statement of the category/ies in which the proposed award fits
- Background information about the proposed awardee, with, if possible, details of qualifications and career history (this may be in the form of a CV if such is available)
- A draft citation for the award of the honorary doctorate setting out succinctly (in no more than 450 words) the particular achievements/contributions which the proposer sees as warranting the award. (Samples of citations used at previous Graduation ceremonies are available on request.)
Nominations should be forwarded to Deirdre de Souza, Executive Officer to the Honorary Degrees Committee by FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 2018. Deirdre can be contacted on 6488 2450 or by Email: email@example.com.


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they softened their light and forgot about themselves
LI HSI-CHAI says, "The ancient masters of the Way had no ambition. Hence, they dulled their edges and did not insist on anything. They had no fear. Hence, they untied every tangle and avoided nothing. They did not care about beauty. Hence, they softened their light and forgot about themselves. They did not hate ugliness. Hence, they merged with the dust and did not abandon others."
commentary on Taoteching Verse 4
LI HSI-CHAI (FL. 1167). Taoist master, practitioner of Taoist yoga, and noted Yiching scholar. His commentary extends Lao-tzu's teachings to the state as well as the individual. Tao-te-chen-ching yi-chieh.
My Comment:
In this verse of the Taoteching Lao Tzu asks us to consider an inner posture that allows us to be receptive to the Earthy Yin Qi. Li Hsi-Chai in this commentary mentions several benchmarks for this posture that we can contemplate more closely:
no ambition: this is the water-course way as water always seeks the lowest ground and does not strive beyond where it is;
dulled edges: can I let go of the sharpness of my mind that would love to split hairs and then split them again and again creating more and more separation;
no insistence on anything: give up my adamance and my rigidity and open up to the greater wisdom that wants to emerge in each situation;
no fear: looking at what I fear I can surrender to what is and find acceptance which dissolves the tension created by fear;
untie tangles: when fear subsides then I can reflect without any agenda and find the common ground;
avoid nothing: acceptance of what is and trusting that in union we will find all solutions;
not caring about beauty: the Taoist understanding is that each value creates its partner/opposite (ugliness) so having no preference opens me up to seeing both (all) sides of the situation and not being stuck in an agenda from the thinking mind (from the past);
soften our light: to me this feels like releasing the mind's power of discrimination to allow all things to be seen in their inter-beingness and not with the analytical faculty that often prevents that sense of melding with the other;
forget about ourselves: compare Dogen's Genjokoan: "To study the buddha way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things. When actualized by myriad things, your body and mind as well as the bodies and minds of others drop away." When I let go of my self-image as a center of perception and action then perception of Reality is possible.
not hate ugliness: any hate or rejection of anything is the root of the perception of something outside of me that I will either accept or reject. Thus I create dichotomy.
merge with dust: here, too, I release my image of myself as something 'better than' and 'separate from' what it is that I feel is undesirable.
not abandon others: this is to see myself as part of this great Being that includes all other beings whose forms appear in my field of awareness.


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Well we made it. The highs and lows of 2017 were exhausting for us on all levels. We happily and peacefully said goodbye to 2017 and welcomed the new year with a full heart. 19 days into 2018 and THIS YEAR IS FULL OF JOY ALREADY!! Meetings with top wine pros both buyers and media have filled our days and our hearts beyond measure. So what's this got to do with my title of this post?
I was diagnosed with asthma for the first time in my life a few months ago. A few days following my diagnosis I arrived home one afternoon to a house full of new ac/heater covers and filters. Eric had spent an afternoon at the hardware store picking the correct items to change out our vents. He did so just for me, without asking, he recognized that I needed support and some fresh air (oh he's good isn't he !?!).
Well my point here is a bit of a metaphor for our business over the past year and in the coming months and years. The partnerships we've worked hard to create are either here for the long haul, or they simply need to be changed. Changing the vents isn't a quick fix, neither is changing a business relationship. Some vents in unused corners of the house needed only a little attention from Eric, while others, the most important ones surrounding the air where I sleep and breath the most needed a complete overhaul. To be continued...
Our deepest appreciation for the good ones and I'm talking about our dearest vendors, investors, suppliers, growers, wine buyers and distributors who really stepped up last year for Smith Story Wine Cellars. Never in my life have I witnessed a new winery with such demand in corners of the world like I have our own. It's heartwarming, encouraging and frustrating all the same when vents need to be changed! It's a new year indeed...thanks for listening.
This is Our Story.
- Ali


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It is said that "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". Perhaps even more sincere, is "parody".
Apple's new "iPad" tablet computer will be launched tomorrow. There is intense debate, commentary and argument in some circles as to whether the product is a hit or miss. And all of that from (mostly) people who have never seen, let alone touched the 'multi-touch' device. Whatever your point of view, it is clear that Apple has developed incredible power to enter people's lives via its marketing and its cultural values.
Aside from much of the comments, described by some as being from "Apple fanboys" and "Apple haters", a few videos have appeared on sites like YouTube which aim to capitalize on the excitement and interest in the iPad, by making fun of the device. It would seem that much of this humor is however flattery, not least in its garnering of further attention for the iPad 'story' (some of the iPad parody videos have hundred's of thousands of 'views' on YouTube).
Filed under: Internet & technology | Tagged: Apple, collegehumor, humor, humour, iPad, iPad parodies, iPad parody | 1 Comment »


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Dr Georgina Cole
Veterinary Surgeon Resident to RZSS
BVetMed MSc(hons) MRCVS
Research interests
Georgina has broad research interests in Zoological medicine and aquatic animal medicine. The research for her MSc thesis focused on measurement of blood lactate in wild rhinoceros in South Africa, and she has been involved in various aquatic projects ranging from investigating diagnostic tools for detection of the systemic parasite Ichythophonus hofei in aquarium fish and investigating impacts of plastic ingestion in marine turtle hatchlings.
After completing a Veterinary externship with Bristol Zoo in 2011 Georgina moved to South Africa and began working at the Johannesburg Zoo. While being involved in the clinical care of a varied Zoo collection she also undertook field work with wild white rhinoceros, collecting data for her MSc in veterinary research at the University of Pretoria. In 2013 she took up the post of Veterinarian for the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. At the aquarium Georgina was providing veterinary care for a turtle rehabilitation and release program and was involved in various research activities including acoustic tagging of wild seven gill sharks and tiger sharks, as well as tagging of Cape fur seals for investigations into foraging ecology. Georgina joined the RZSS Veterinary department in August 2016 as the second European College of Zoological Medicine veterinary resident in Zoo health Management at Edinburgh Zoo.
- Graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2008
- Obtained a Masters of Science in Veterinary research with distinction from the University of Pretoria in 2016
Non-RZSS Publications
Peter G. Ryan, Georgina Cole, Kevin Spiby, Ronel Nel, Alexis Osborne, Vonica Perold. Impacts of plastic ingestion on post-hatchling loggerhead turtles off South Africa. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2016 June; Vol 107; Issue 1: 155-160
Connolly DJ, Soares Magalhaes RJ, Fuentes VL, Boswood A, Cole G, Boag A, Syme HM. Assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of circulating natriuretic peptide concentrations to distinguish between cats with cardiac and non-cardiac causes of respiratory distress. J Vet Cardiol. 2009 May;11 Suppl 1:S41-50
Peer reviewed proceedings
Cole, G.C., Christison, K., Hexabothrid monogenean parasites in the short-tail stingray (Dasyatis brevicaudata) and successful use of a blood transfusion to treat anaemia. Presentation at the Pan African Society of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA) 4th Veterinary Symposium, 21st-23rd August 2015, U-Shaka Marine World, Durban.
Cole, G.C., Christison, K., 2014. Ichthyophonosis in a multi species exhibit in a public aquarium. Presentation at the 3rd International congress on parasites of wildlife, 14-18 Sept 2014, Kruger National Park.
Cole, G.C., Steenkamp, G., Tordiffe, A., Assessment of a portable lactate meter for field use in the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum). MSc Veterinary research, University of Pretoris, Onderstepoort faculty of veterinary medicine.
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Latest News
Edinburgh Zoo launches lion webcam to thank supporters
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo has launched a new live webcam to thank everyone who has donated to help feed its animals in April.
The tiger who came to tea... and the science that told us what it ate
Jenny Kaden, RZSS Senior Lab Technician, explains how our tigers at Edinburgh Zoo are helping wild tigers get along with their human neighbours in Nepal… thanks to their poo! (And some help from the RZSS WildGenes team.)


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Lakeside Signs offers a unique approach to signage – Good design drives everything we do.
We work together with our clients, both nationally and internationally across diverse sectors, to develop creative signage solutions that stand out.
Thorough & Professional Consultation
In order to give you the best possible outcome, we spend time getting to know you and your business. From here we brief our designers on the absolute best creative direction to take your objectives to the next level and protect your investment.
Carefully Crafted Design
Our signage projects range from individual signs to international brand roll-outs and each of our projects is treated with the same level of attention to detail and importance. To say our design is carefully crafted is certainly not an oversell – our in-house design team work diligently to ensure that your brand is represented in the best way possible across any signage medium.
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We only use the highest quality materials and the best manufacturing processes in order to make sure your signage stands the test of time.
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Your signage design and installations are managed as if they were our own; with care and a meticulous attention to detail. To date, Lakeside Signs have completed over 5000 signage projects including the rebranding and installation of signage at over 800 pubs nationwide.
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ca 1925 Precious little 'Key of Heaven' Catholic Prayer Book - Antique Family Bibles and Early English Bibles
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ca 1925 Precious little 'Key of Heaven' Catholic Prayer Book
Size: 4" x 2.5" x 0.75" thick
Publisher: Catholic Publications Press - New York
Close to excellent condition
Price: $95.00
A gorgeous precious treasure: A ca 1925 Catholic personal Prayer Book - 'The Little Key of Heaven' with celluloid covers/binding.
'The Little Key of Heaven - a Collection of Prayers from Approved Sources - In Accordance with Recent Pontifical Decrees'
Has a beautiful embossed gold-plated crucifix embedded in the front cover with a special prayer 'Prayer before the Cruficix'
Various illustrations and multiple prayers throughout
Very Good - Well Preserved condition - The condition of the binding is very good, with both boards securely attached with no splitting. The celluloid covers are pristine! The contents are clean throughout with typical age related smaller issues, with no foxing, marking, loss, or damage to pages.
An attractive special personal prayer book
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India has long been a steady (and ever increasing) source for immigrants in Australia. It's a "tradition" that can be traced back for centuries, to the dominating era of colonial British economy and naval prowess. In the 2016 census, the number of Indian migrants reached 1.9% of Australia's +/- 25 Millions population; a number that translates into around 468,800 people.
Needless to say, a healthy portion of Active Migration Australia's clients came from India. And each of these clients had one or more versions of "How can I migrate to Australia?" question at one point in their life and made I-don't-know how-many-times queries of "How to migrate to Australia from India?" in the Internet.
Are you asking yourself the same question and searching for the same answer?
How to Migrate to Australia From India?
Everything that's been done can be done. There are a total of 163,000 Indians migrating to Australia in just a 5 years span (2011-2016), so you're in a good company. So, how they did it? What made them do it?
Read on to find out more:
Study in Australia
Many Indian nationalities came to Australia to study. No surprise here. Australia is home to $13.7 Billions worth education industry.
As you can see in the graphic above, the number of students keeps increasing on a yearly basis since 2014, being second only to students from China. It's likely that the number will continue to grow in the coming years, especially with Malcolm Turnbull doing a promotion of Australian unis himself when he visited India with the Education Minister, Simon Birmingham, back in April 2017.
Skilled Professionals Path
Migrants contribute directly to Australian economy and Indian migrants are no exception. Indian communities play important roles in a regional/state like Victoria, where they're the majority population. Many young talents from India are skilled in ICT fields (to the point of being stereotyped by sitcoms like Silicon Valley and Big Bang Theory). There's a good reason for that. IT has been the fascination of the country since well in the 80s (with the establishment of InfoSys and other India's pioneer startups). That being said, it's no wonder that today there are many Indian born/descents who are calling the shot at many tech giants (Google CEO, Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, to name a few).
With Australia's own determination to be the startups haven (at least on this side of the globe), Indian young professionals already engaged in the tech and startup world seem to get themselves a bespoke access to Australia.
But of course, that's not all. Check our page for a complete list of available occupations in Australia.
Australia is open for business opportunities. If you want to start a company or make investment in Australian companies, this is the option you can take. See our Australia business visa page for more details on the matter or book a consultation with us using the form provided in the bottom of the page.
Joining Your Family and Relatives
Lastly, you can join your family and relatives already living in Australia. Of course, given that they're more than happy to welcome you (grin face). All jokes aside, this is a good place to start as any other options mentioned above. Make sure that contacts are not lost between you and relatives already living in Australia.
Bonus Path
Australia and India share one more thing in common: their love for cricket. A young, aspiring cricket player from, let say, Kerala, can always find himself slide on a speedy runway to Australia. So, if you're some kind of wonderkid cricketer, this option may be well-suited for you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id="sidebar_3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]


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Meetings and Notices
Chamber to Meet
The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will be meeting at noon this Thursday at Electric City Bar and Grill. Chamber summer intern Daniel Villarreal will be the guest speaker.
Grant County Fire Dist. 14 to Meet
Grant County Fire District 14 will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, July 31, at 7 p.m. at the Electric City Fire Station.
Okanogan County Demos to Meet
Wenatchee Valley Erratics Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, August 8 at the Wenatchee Valley Museum, 127 South Mission, Wenatchee.
Geological History of Water on Ancient Mars: Rivers, Seas…Life? The Erratics go to Mars! To learn about huge floods! For more than 40 years U of Arizona Professor Victor R. Baker has studied results of space missions to the planet Mars. These findings have revealed the current extremely cold-dry state of the Red Planet is very different from its ancient geological history. Primordial Mars had immense amounts of liquid water, resulting in huge floods, river valleys, glaciers, lakes, seas, and the possibility of life. Dr. Baker is Regents' Prof. of Planetary Sciences in the Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, Prof. of Hydrology & Water Resources, and Prof. of Geosciences at U of Arizona. He has also studied Ice Age Floods on planet Earth for forty-some years.'
The program is free and open to the public.
For overviews of the Ice Age Floods and more information on the Ice Age Floods Institute, please see our website: http://www.iafi.org; http://www.hugefloods.com; and quadricopter videos of Ice Age features, http://www.brucebjornstad.com.
American Legion to Meet
The American Legion Post 157 holds legion meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 8, at the Lutheran Church in Grand Coulee.
Coulee Creators Meet
Coulee Creators meet every Tuesday 1-4 p.m. Contact Marlene Oddie 509-386-5715 or firstname.lastname@example.com for details. Enter east end of building, push in door knob to release door latch.
Care and Share Food Bank Is Open Fridays
The food bank at the Church of the Nazarene has normal operating hours every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. It is located at the Church of Nazarene, Hwy 174, Grand Coulee. Call Pastor Shawn for information: 633-2566.
Local AA Meetings
Confused in the Coulee AA meetings are held on Mondays and Fridays at 6 p.m. at the Vets Center in Electric City. Call Paul at 633-3377 days or 633-3345 evenings. New Hope Group meetings are held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Vets Center. These are open and non-smoking.
In Nespelem, the group Bound and Determined holds its meetings Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the Catholic Church. Contact Myrna at 634-4921 for more information.
TOPS Meetings
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 1524 meets on Tuesdays at 9:15 a.m. at Grand Coulee Senior Center prior to the exercise group gathering at 10 a.m. Come and join for the health of it. The SAIL exercise class follows this meeting beginning at 10 a.m. There is no charge. Also, a SAIL exercise class is held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 3 to 4 p.m., in the basement of the Coulee Dam town hall.
Family History Center Available
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites all who desire to utilize the Family History Center in the Coulee Dam Chapel, located at 806 Spruce Street in Coulee Dam. The center is now open each Tuesday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The family history centers are free, open the public, and staffed by knowledgeable volunteers. Each facility offers both novices and experienced family historians the tools and resources to learn about their ancestors.
Seniors Have Wheelchairs, Crutches Available
Through the Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center, a program is available to members and other persons who for a short time need wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, bath stools and other mobility aids.
For those who have any of the above items that are from the center and are no longer used, please return them. If you have any of the above items in good condition and would like to donate them to the center, it would be extremely appreciated. For those who cannot deliver, pickup is available. Call 633-2321 for more information.


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The Espoma Company's story began in 1929 when Herbert G. Sanders saw an opportunity to provide gardeners with an organic alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides that had revolutionized farming in the early 20th century.
Fast forward 90 years and the family-owned company continues to manufacture products that are safe for people, pets and the planet. Today this includes a complete line of organic fertilizers, soils
"Four generations of ownership have guided our mission," Jeremy Brunner, Espoma vice president said. "Develop the finest organic gardening products that work in harmony with nature, grow beautiful gardens, and make a greener world for the future."
Espoma's Millville, New Jersey,
The company is utilizing a plant-based resin on many of its fertilizer bags for 2019. The new greener packaging will contain resin from sugarcane, a renewable and sustainable source of plastic. This new plant-based packaging will be the first green packaging for plant foods in the U.S.
"I'm proud of how far we have come," Brunner said. "And we look forward to continued growth and innovation in the next 90 years."


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In the College of Engineering .
Offered by the Independent Major Committee
Contact: Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, 167 Olin Hall, (607) 255-8240
The independent major is designed for students whose educational objectives cannot be met by one of the regular majors. This major consists of an engineering primary area (32 credits) and an educationally related secondary area (16 credits). The primary area may be in any subject area offered by schools or departments of the college; the secondary area may be in a second engineering subject area or in a logically connected non-engineering area. The combination must form an engineering education in scope and substance and should include engineering design and synthesis as well as engineering sciences. Each program includes the standard common-curriculum requirements and approved electives.
Students should apply to the independent major during the sophomore year. A student should seek assistance in developing a coherent program from professors in the proposed primary and secondary areas (an advisor in each area is required). The program must also be approved by the Independent Major Committee. If approved, the program is the curricular contract to which the student must adhere.
Because no single standardized curriculum exists, the independent major is not accredited by ABET. Independent major students who intend to seek legal licensing as a Professional Engineer should be aware that this nonaccredited degree program will require additional education, work, and/or experience to qualify for eligibility to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination and may affect acceptance into some engineering graduate programs.


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Secondhand News: Hyattsville Loves the Classic Black-and-White Bathroom
During a particularly humid period last summer, some black mold crept into my home's classic 1930s black-and-white tile bathroom. Luckily, I was able to isolate the problem by ripping out multiple layers of old caulk and prying off mismatched white quarter-round tiles from around the rim of the tub — nearly losing a finger in the process — until I saw no more signs of trouble. I replaced the tiles with black ones I purchased online, and gave the ceiling a good scrubbing and a coat of misty pink high-gloss paint. But even if I'd had to replace everything, I think I would have chosen an exact replica.
I know of many other residents who love their black-and-white bathrooms, as evidenced at last month's Hyattsville Historic House Tour. I counted at least five homes on the tour with original or close-to-original baths, and when I asked Hyattsville Preservation Association President Gloria Felix-Thompson why they're still so prevalent, with so many alternative tile options available today, she suggested it's their versatility that gives them staying power. "It's very neutral and you can do anything with it," such as adding an accent color, she suggested. "In the '60s when the pink and blue bathrooms came in to fashion, you were stuck with it, but with black and white, you can change the look any way you want."
As special projects coordinator at Community Forklift in Edmonston, Matt Menke frequently helps shoppers looking to bring old bathrooms back to their original glory, including the pink and blue ones. "You'd be amazed at how many shades of aqua and salmon tiles there are," said Forklift's resident tile expert. Through its online Etsy shop, the not-for-profit salvage warehouse even ships vintage toilets and sinks in all colors out of state in recycled crates made by Menke.
Pete and Jessica Daniels, who opened their door to recent tour-goers, said they were relieved their two black-and-white bathrooms were not pink when they purchased their house last year. "Black and white is a classic style that retains its appeal," Pete said. "And the fact is, bathroom makeovers are expensive if you're not doing it yourself. So why rip up a perfectly functional space if it's in good shape?"
Emily Strab agreed. She and husband Ted considered a complete do-it-yourself overhaul of their black-and-white bathroom last summer, but settled on patching plaster and replacing broken tiles. "When I started looking at bathroom update ideas on Pinterest and realized that people were putting those same pinwheel and octagonal tiles in their newly built bathrooms, I decided to stick with my original ones," said Emily. "Digging those tiles out of concrete and [temporarily] losing our only full bath to put in something similar seems silly."
Menke explained to me that floor tiles in our older homes were usually placed in a solid four- or five-inch layer of mortar, which makes them difficult to demolish. They also crack as joists settle. Finding replacement tiles is no easy feat, and homeowners often end up doing the entire floor in similar black-and-white versions from Home Depot or Lowe's that mimic the original pinwheel, hexagon and other patterns. But you might get lucky with a perfect match donated to Forklift, or from Morris Tile Distributors, Inc., which has several locations in Maryland and Virginia and carries new matte-finish porcelain styles that more closely approximate the originals, according to Menke.
If maintained well, original bathrooms can even be a selling point with potential homebuyers. "The classic look stands the test of time," remarked local Long & Foster agent Ann Barrett. "The slight differences between the styles make each interesting. My favorite is the basket weave. They were well-installed in concrete allowing them to last this long."
One of my favorite bathrooms on the house tour was that of Adam Ortiz and Bridget Pooley, who haven't changed a thing, including a beveled-edge porcelain sink with exposed plumbing that reminds me of the salmon-colored bath of my childhood home. "We have some minor updates on our list, such as replacing the medicine cabinet above the sink, painting, etc. But we love the look of the original black-and-white bathroom and aren't planning to change the overall vibe," said Bridget. And as best as the homeowners can tell, the sink and tub are original to the house, which was built around 1904. "We've been in touch with many of the original owners and they all describe the bathroom exactly as it is," she added. "Lucky us!"
It's nice to find that so many other residents see the beauty in their old bathrooms, and are willing to preserve their originality as best they can.


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Rumors and accusations swirl around President Trump. Are his days as president numbered? Are Democrats and Republicans uniting against him as he makes one blundering political move after another?
Trump's controversial meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is the latest event in the drama of the Trump presidency. The White House is apparently in chaos trying to clean up the endless scandals coming from this administration. Trump allegedly shared classified security information with the Russian officials that could damage our relationship with critical allies who delivered that information to the U.S.
Trump gets all the great intel. Isn't that aswesome. It's too bad he doesn't have the intel to keep his mouth shut.
Obstructing Justice
But it gets even worse for Trump. The meeting with the Russians came a day after he fired James Comey, the head of the FBI. Why did he fire the head of the FBI? Trump claims it was because Comey wasn't doing a good job. In particular, the White House says he wasn't fair to Hillary Clinton. Never mind the that just a few months ago Trump LOVED what James Comey did to Hillary Clinton.
The dominant story is that Trump fired him because Comey refused to pledge his loyalty to Trump. At a meeting earlier in the year, Trump allegedly requested that Comey pledge his loyalty to Trump and end the investigation into General Michael Flynn's relationship with Russia. Comey refused to pledge his loyalty to Trump, and only promised his honesty in directing the FBI.
Representative Al Green of Texas (no, not that Al Green) does not think we can find love and happiness with Donald Trump. There's something going wrong, so he has called for impeachment because Trump is obstructing justice. "I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to call for the impeachment of the president of the United States of America for obstruction of justice."
Rep. Green quickly stated that, "Impeachment does not mean the president will be found guilty. It simply means that the House of Representatives will bring charges against the president. It's similar to an indictment. … Then the Senate can have a trial to determine the guilt or the innocence of the president."
The Bible, Political Leaders, and True Justice
One key word in this drama is "allegedly." We don't know all the facts surrounding Trump, Russia, and the FBI. But we do know that from the Bible's perspective, Trump is obstructing justice – justice for the poor.
In America, we often think justice is getting what I deserve. Justice often is framed like this – I've fought hard for what I have. Justice means that I get to keep it.But that's not the Bible's prophetic view of justice. For the Bible, justice is not about me getting what I deserve. Rather, justice is about meeting the needs of the poor, weak, and marginalized.
It's important to note that the prophet's role was not to predict the birth of Christ. That was a Christian move to de-politicize the ancient prophets. Make no mistake, the prophets were political. They cared about politics because God cares about politics.
The prophets entered the political system to challenge the rulers to care for the poor. For example, Isaiah wrote this to the rulers of his day,
Ah, you who make iniquitous decrees,
who write oppressive statutes,
to turn aside the needy from justice
and rob the poor of my people of their right,
that widows may be your spoil,
and that you may make the orphans your prey!
What will you do on the day of punishment,
in the calamity that will come from far away?
To whom will you flee for help,
and where will you leave your wealth,
so as not to crouch among the prisoners
or fall among the slain?
For all this his anger has not turned away;
his hand is stretched out still (Isaiah 10:1-4)
The prophetic message is clear – if the political rulers obstruct justice, then the nation will fall. Why? Because God cares about justice for the needy, the oppressed, and the poor. If rulers continue to make "iniquitous decrees" that oppress the needy, then the nation will fall.
Trump, Impeachment, and Do Remember that Health Care Bill?
We don't know for sure, but Donald Trump may be impeached because of his scandals with James Comey and his Russian connections. But we do know that Trump has already been obstructing Biblical justice for the poor. The scandals of the last week have distracted us from discussions about Trump's health care proposal. It seems like so long ago, but the American Health Care Act passed through the House of Representatives on May 4th. Due to the recent scandals, our culture has nearly forgotten the obstruction of justice this act would cause to the poor.
If Trump is impeached, Mike Pence will simply continue the obstruction of justice that is the American Health Care Act. Who are the winners and losers of the bill? The act will benefit high income earners by eliminating certain taxes for individuals and couples earning $200,000 and $250,000 respectively. Poor people will be the losers of this bill as states are expected to cut expansions of Medicaid programs. It will also lower available subsidies for anyone living just over the poverty line. Older Americans will also lose from the bill. A 64-year-old could pay up to five times the amount of an 18-year-old. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the price for older people will be so high that many won't be able to afford insurance coverage.
Hope for Biblical Justice
But there is hope. Justice can prevail. Most of the rulers of ancient Israel and Judah didn't care about the poor, which is why those nations fell. But a few rulers did. The prophet Jeremiah claimed that king Josiah, "judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? says the Lord."
Whether Trump gets impeached or not, we need to work for the day when justice is not obstructed. We need to work for the day when the Bible's vision for justice that meets the needs of the poor, the week, and the marginalized becomes a reality.
Images: Donald Trump, Wikipedia; Prophet Haggai, Wikimedia Commons.
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IKON 500-037 - Ikon progressive fork springs restore proper suspension travel to tired vintage forks and reduce brake dive and bottoming. Constructed from high-strength spring steel. These are the perfect complement to a new pair of Ikon shocks and will restore comfort, control and confidence to your ride.
This model fits(spacer/comment):
Honda XL1000 V Varedeo 04-
Suzuki GSX1100G 91-93 (Re-use original)
Triumph Tiger 955i 709EN 05-06 (Shorten original spacer (185mm) to suit)
Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP 89-90 (none)


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Colville High School wrestlers have letdown on senior night
Katie Leithead
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Colville High School wrestlers had a rough Senior Night last Thursday against Freeman High School. The end of the night had the final score of 39-27 in Freeman's favor.
Wrestling Districts will be held at Deer Park High School on Friday, Feb. 2 starting at 4 p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 3 starting at 10 a.m.
Read the story in the Jan. 31, 2018 S-E, available in stores and online here.


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Did you know that MORE new members join SAQA because a friend introduced them than any other way? New members bring new ideas and information, new experiences and perspectives, and of course they contribute dues which allows SAQA to provide greater services to all our members.
As a SAQA member, you know what SAQA has to offer:
- the ability to network with 3,000 other members who are also passionate about art quilts,
- exciting national and international exhibition opportunities,
- the full-color SAQA Journals, exhibition catalogs, and Portfolios,
- inspiring annual conferences held at sites around the US,
- extensive website information and online galleries, and
- active regional groups.
So, phone a friend today!
Invite them to join SAQA. Invite your fellow quilt artists, workshop teachers, gallery owners, collectors, and anyone making the transition to art quilting.
We will all benefit from what these new members have to offer us, and your friends will benefit from all that SAQA has to offer them.
Tell all your friends: JOIN SAQA NOW!
***When your friends sign up, remind them to put your name down as the person who referred them. The Membership Drive committee is working on a list of exciting thank you gifts for all members who refer a friend!***


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Report Ranks Commonwealth Tops in Education, But Not for All
BOSTON — A new report ranks Massachusetts second overall in child well-being, but advocates for kids and families say it's no time to be complacent – as there is room for improvement.
The new Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book said 182,000 children in the Commonwealth live in poverty. And while Massachusetts ranks high for education, results are inconsistent across the state in math and reading proficiency.
Reginauld Williams, communications director at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, said a child's ZIP Code and other factors still affect academic success, and the state needs to work to address these issues.
"One of the biggest inequities that the Kids Count Data Book really illuminates is the fact that, while Massachusetts is a leader nationally in education, that education isn't necessarily equitable for low- to moderate-income children, individuals from communities of color and then also, immigrant populations," Williams said.
The Kids Count Data Book urged states to count everyone in the census to better ensure needs are met across the board. Current estimates show 29% of the youngest children in the Commonwealth live in neighborhoods where the census has had difficulty getting an accurate count.
The Data Book ranked Massachusetts number one for kids' health, as the state's 2006 health-care reforms ensured children have access to affordable coverage. MassHealth served as a model for the Affordable Care Act, and the Casey Foundation's Leslie Boissiere, vice president of external affairs, said that has led to gains for children nationally.
"Investment in health care – through the Affordable Care Act, through the Children's Health Insurance Program and even through Medicaid expansion – has had a significant impact on all children, but also on children of color," Boissiere said.
She added direct lines can be drawn between areas of tremendous improvement in kids' well-being and policies that support success – from health-insurance coverage to fewer teen pregnancies and higher high-school graduation rates.


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THE West Byfleet company Gibson Hewitt has won the Turnaround Firm of the Year category at national awards.
The business recovery and insolvency firm impressed judges at the TRI (Turnaround, Recovery and Insolvency) awards with the work it does and the high esteem in which they are held by their clients.
The TRI awards are regarded as one of the most prestigious honours in the insolvency profession and celebrates the best professionals and firms in the UK.
The trophy was presented by comedian Ed Byrne at the Hilton Bankside in London.
Gibson Hewitt director Lynn Gibson said receiving the award was a highlight of her career.
"We have had a very successful year and handled matters for a wide range of clients from a variety of sectors, but to have this success recognised nationally by our peers is a real honour," Lynn said.
"Business turnaround is a key aspect of what we do at Gibson Hewitt and lies at the heart of our practice. Our tenacious, but caring approach is certainly valued by our clients, which the judges praised us for when presenting us with this award."
Lynn added that the firm's recent success would not be possible without the support of staff and its contacts and clients.
Gibson Hewitt, which covers West Byfleet, Woking, Guildford and the rest of Surrey, works with businesses, partnerships and individuals, first looking at measures such as turnaround and restructuring and voluntary arrangements. It also provides administration, liquidation and acting as Law of Property Act Receivers.


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Smartphones have come a long way in just the past decade. Rapid advancements in technology have made these devices evolve into the powerhouse little machines that they are today. It's hard to remember how we&hellip
Inbox Control: Better Email Management
Although many have predicted the impending doom of email, the end doesn't seem to be anywhere in sight, as email remains a relevant and essential part of business communication. Its popularity lies in its simplicity&hellip
Analysts See Massive Decline in PC Sales by 2017
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Precautions to Take So Your Personal Information Never Gets Out
Protecting personal information is pivotal in a society where your identity can be stolen overnight, and your credit ruined for a decade. It's so disturbing to think about that some people choose not to deal&hellip
Top Computer Programs Used in Militaries
In an age when a virus can be more devastating than any bullet, the armies, navies, and air forces all across the globe used advanced technology in order to safeguard information, pass on sensitive data,&hellip
Three Free Alternatives to Photoshop
As our devices deliver a glut of digital images — whether from our smartphones, tablet PCs or desktop units — the need to process, catalogue and edit all those photos becomes more pressing than ever.&hellip
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Asus Transformer Pad Infinity Review
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Thinking about buying a Seat Ibiza FR on Ebay...What do you think of it?
Discussion in 'Ibiza Mk3 (2000-2002)' started by Seat-Ibiza-FR, Aug 13, 2014.


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Regardless of the season, finding out that you have a pest infestation is an unsettling experience. Pests move into homes for different reasons. Some do so for shelter and to gain access to crumb droppings and water while you are the primary food source for others. Seasons play a part in what pests are likely to infest and why. Here are few tips for how to have a pest-free home in every season.
Winter Tips
When the temperature drops in the winter, mice and rats may start searching for a warm place to live. To prevent their entry, seal your home. Search for gaps, holes or cracks along your home's exterior. Doors, windows, piping and exterior venting are the most likely places for pest entry points to develop. Also, consider contacting a professional pest control company to complete a thorough entry point search.
Spring Tips
Other types of pests start to come out in the spring. Many of these pests are on the lookout for a good place to begin their new colonies. These types of critters may include flies, ants and stinging insects. Colony-based pests can be a problem for you because not only is it unpleasant to share a home with them, but they may also contaminate your food sources. Some pests like carpenter ants and termites even put your home at risk by damaging its foundation. To dissuade spring pests from infesting your home, keep your food sealed and put away. In addition, make sure that there is no rotting or dead wood in your yard. It's also a good idea to keep bushes and other types of foliage trimmed.
Summer Tips
When the warm summer months arrive and you want to spend more time outside, you may inadvertently bring pests back inside with you. Ticks, fleas and stinging insects are common pest problems in the summer. To keep your home pest-free when it's warm, treat your pets with tick and flea medicine. Also, repair broken doors or cracks in windows. This step will keep flying insects from getting inside your home.
Fall Tips
The fall months tend to bring chillier temperatures, and this causes insects to look for shelter. Box elder bugs and stink bugs are a few creepy crawlies that are likely to infest your home in the fall. Stop them from becoming a problem by keeping your landscaping trimmed away from the exterior of your home. This will make your home less appealing. It will also make it harder for them to gain entry into your home.
When an Infestation Gets Past Your Prevention Efforts
While these tips can prevent a pest infestation throughout the year, be sure to hire a pest professional like Gibson Pest Control if pests are able to get past your prevention efforts. Expert technicians have the training and equipment to get rid of an infestation quickly and thoroughly.


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A story this morning reported that water on US military bases in Japan is safe to drink, despite growing concern across the country over potential food born radiation.
According to military officials, all is completely well on our bases across Japan. Voluntary departure flights to the US for families continues nonetheless.
Our new contributor, John, gave a report from the US Naval base in Sasebo. He mentioned he's a little embarrassed that so many Americans are fleeing stateside during Japan's greatest time of need. It's hard for me to judge from here, but in the face of disaster and such a scary thing as even the remote chance of radiation poisoning -- who's to say that I wouldn't take a free flight home, too. I think I'm not nearly as level headed as John.
If you want really, really up to the minute information on Japan you can check out this Stars and Stripes page. A complete round up of other stories can be found here -- or just stay tuned to Military.com for the really important stuff.
We're continuing to keep all those there -- both our military families and the people of Japan -- in our thoughts and prayers.


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It has been a busy few months around here — mind you, when is it not busy for us? I have had several posts maturing in my head, getting married and settling down to have baby and grandbaby posts, yet not actually getting to the point of being written… The net result being a sadly neglected blog. Oh well. It's 3rd January. Or January 3rd, if you prefer. New year, new start?! (I'll not mention the fact that my new start involved having to change 1st to 2nd and then to 3rd because procrastination
Home Catholic Families Surprised by Joy


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I am running Solaris 11.3 x86 with 5 physical NICs; 1 on the motherboard and a 4 port PCIe expansion card.
I would like one NIC for the Solaris global zone and 4 NICs dedicated exclusively to 4 VMs. I don't have any
problems with getting the NICs to the VMs. The problem is with the global zone. I do not want visibility into
the global zone really with any of the NICs. The NIC on the motherboard I use occasionally for limited ethernet
activity to my firewall. I really want the Global zone similar to a control-LDOM. I have a 5240 which the controling
LDOM is only reachable through a console serial connection. Nothing from the outside can get to it. The other LDOMS
communicate through their own dedicated ethernet connections. Is there a way to accomplish the same thing with
vbox on an x86? Thanks.
-- sunpropellerhead


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Stock mounts are weak and mushy, while our upper transmission mount is made from billet aluminum, and is 1/2 a pound lighter than stock! It has also eliminated engine/transmission movement for hard launches and full power to the ground with its unique poly center! This product has only been test fitted on the manual transmission 6 speed Sonic, and does not fit the automatic transmission. An increase in cabin vibration will be present depending on driving conditions.
Today ZZP is located in Wyoming, MI. Occupying over 30,000 sq ft, we are the World's Largest Supplier of aftermarket performance parts for 3800, Sonic/cruze, Ecotec, and soon to be ATS platforms providing industry leading customer service and support. ZZPerformance provides you with highly specific technical information, not found anywhere else. The item "ZZPerformance Billet Upper Transmission Mount For Manual Trans Sonic/Cruze" is in sale since Friday, August 26, 2016.
This item is in the category "eBay Motors\Parts & Accessories\Car & Truck Parts\Engines & Components\Motor Mounts". The seller is "zzperformance_esales" and is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This item can be shipped worldwide.


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I am speaking this afternoon for a group of auto repair shops. I have been doing some smaller chapter meetings around the state, but this is their big annual conference. I have yet to get much work from this effort, but we will see.
Any of you California Oppos involved in the auto repair business, what labor issues do you face? Compensation? Safety? Tools? Harassment? Let me know, and maybe we can get some of these guys to fix it.


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Festivals & Events:
Five-time GRAMMY award-winning bass player, producer, composer, author and educator Victor Wooten plays the historic Sheridan Opera House Sunda Jan 21 with legendary drummer Dennis Chambers and reowned saxophonist Bob Franceschini. Telluride audiences have seen Wooten countless times at Telluride Bluegrass with Bela Fleck and the Flectones. Tickets are $40 GA on the floor and $55 reserved seats in the balcony.


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On Friday the 24th of October Women2Win were delighted to host, with Conservative Women's Organisation, an informal reception on the subject of "Women in Politics and Women in the Economy" with The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon George Osborne MP .
The Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Stowell of Beeston, the Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women & Equalities, Nicky Morgan MP, and Anna Soubry MP joined George in creating an impressive panel of speakers.
All guests, who ranged from those already selected as prospective parliamentary candidates for 2015 to those just starting out on their journey, were able to speak with all our speakers before and after their speeches over coffee and cakes. This proved and invaluable opportunity to network with energetic, like minded women and share experiences of the campaign trail and beyond. When George Osborne said he was "looking at the future of the Conservative Party" we could not have agreed more wholeheartedly. The message was overwhelmingly positive from all speakers but certainly tempered with the understanding that there is still much more work to be done to improve the proportion of women in politics. Nicky Morgan's words "we need Parliament to look like the country that we all aspire to represent" were echoed in conversations throughout the hall following the speeches. We would like to thank our speakers and all those who joined us in making this such a successfulreception, and hope to see many of you at our future events over next few months.


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In February at the MWC 2017 was announced Samsung tablet Galaxy Book, running the operating system Windows 10.
The company published the first official video dedicated to the upcoming start of sales of the device, which tends to occupy a niche iPad. The slogan of the new "New Chapter for personal computers" has reference to the iPad Pro, which Apple is positioning as a replacement for a traditional PC. Can the Samsung Galaxy Book to seize the initiative, is hard to say, but the stakes are high.
Will go on sale in two versions of the Galaxy Book. The first is equipped with 10.6-inch screen with a resolution of 1920 × 1280 pixels, Intel Core m3 with two 2,6-GHz cores, 4 GB of RAM, flash drive 64 or 128 GB, front camera with a resolution of 5 megapixel and one USB port. Battery – 30 W·h
The second model features a 12-inch AMOLED-display with a resolution of 2160 × 1440 with support for HDR, dual-Core Intel Core i5 (Kaby Lake) clock frequency up to 3.1 GHz, 4 or 8 GB of RAM and eMMC storage with a capacity of 128 or 256 GB, two cameras – rear 13 and front 5 megapixels. And two USB-C port – almost for free incredible generosity. For example, for "just" MacBook – no longer available. Battery – 39 W·h
The pen S Pen and a folding case keyboard is also in place – only in this case the layout is classic, and even a touchpad appeared. Windows due to signature add-on friendly terms with a feather – for example, you can leave notes on any open page on top of all of its content. Also, due to a proprietary technology Samsung Flow, you can synchronize documents and alerts from your mobile device – there will be a work and the banal transmission of information, and will be on the screen of the tablet display smartphone notifications.
Galaxy Book clad in a metal casing, housing on the navigation keys do not exist, there is a serious air vents. Dimensions: 291,3 × 199,8 × 7.4 mm for the Galaxy Book and 12 261,2 x 179,1 × 8.9 mm for the Galaxy Book of 10.6. The first weighs 754 grams, the second — to 650 grams.
Official sales of the Samsung Galaxy Book will start on March 31.


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What's Your Passion?
Commercial Portrait Photographer Dave Moser shoots 110 actual Radian employees and their hobbies in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Philadelphia, with make-shift studios in restaurants, hotels, and gyms. See the process and results...
Success with Megyn Kelly – Work Harder, Do Better, Stop Whining
We got to spend an afternoon with journalist and NBC host Megyn Kelly for a recent cover story for Success Magazine. The cover story included 12 images beyond the cover with a behind the scenes clip (see below) shooting Megyn on the streets of Manhattan – "Work Harder. Do Better. Stop Whining." While she is now...
American Art Collector features Love Story
Love Story was recently featured in the American Art Collector article, "Championing the Arts" on the vast and unique art collection in the offices of Pennsylvania Trust. The project is a series of photographs, now number over 100, of the people Merriman loves most in the world. "We talk through what really represents the person. As you see...
Dave Photographs "the Brad Pitt of the Blogosphere"
It's not often that you get to photograph "the Brad Pitt of the Blogosphere." But that's just what happened back in February, when Dave was asked to shoot Success magazine's cover story on Mashable CEO, Pete Cashmore. Dave Moser found these letters on the floor of Mashable's Manhattan...
My Father
I'm going to share a brief history of my father and some personal memories. Robert Raymond Moser was born on Aug 9, 1927 and grew up in Philadelphia during the depression. He enlisted in the Army for WW2. These are events that shaped who he was throughout his life. My father obtained his modest dreams...
Tribute to Andrew Sordoni III
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry recently paid tribute to Andrew Sordoni III after he retired in November 2012.
Dave Moser was in the ChatterCorner with Louisa J. Curtis
Dave has been working on a commissioned portrait project for the Chairman & CEO of an investment company.
Sometimes comments from previous posts generate interesting conversations — and we wanted to share the latest.
Everyone has a rhythm, and everyone appreciates respect and honesty.
A few hours with Dr. Oz
Dave photographed media personality Dr. Oz for the cover of Success Magazine at his house in North Jersey and they couldn't have asked for a better day in June to shoot!


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Last week's drama unfolded at the Southern National Speedway. Eighteen drivers made the trip south for the 100 lap event. Ricky LaDuke in the #96 set fast time at 14.108 with Dave Melson on the #13 starting on the outside of the front row. There were 3 drivers who shared the lead during the event, but it would be the Pole Sitter LaDuke leading 73 laps becoming the third different driver in four races to take the Checker Flag. Terry Bombard in the #10 would finish second with Melson crossing the line in third. #58 Fred Hill, #12 Jim Window, would round out the top five.
This week the TNT Modifieds head to the 1/2 mile Stafford Motor Speedway for their 100 lap day event. Series and Invader drivers will have a 30 minute practice session prior to qualifying. The actions gets underway at 8:30 EDT.
Series Points Leaders: Dave Melson, Jim Windrow, Chad Barcomb, Fred Hill, Rich Warden, Ricky LaDuke, Bill Kring, Terry Bombard, Todd Taylor, Chris Taylor.


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Archive for category Uncategorized
2016… Lighten Up…
Posted by Jeff Evans in Uncategorized on April 21, 2016
Or, someone needs to tell DEATH to "take five" (with the understanding that it's a break, not to take five more people)…
It has been reported that Prince has died. While my affinity for his music is primarily limited to his work from the 80s, the man could play.
I think it's time to get a little crazy… Let's get nuts…
SPT: The Gaming Art Update
Posted by Jeff Evans in Repurposing, Uncategorized on April 21, 2016
Growing up, I was a gamer. I use the past tense simply because I currently have neither the available time nor the flexibility of schedule to consider resuming activities. The last time I actively played anything more than a few round of Magic: The Gathering was before the turn of the century (ouch!)… However, with three boys, I imagine there will be opportunities to re-enter the arena… To that end, among some of the images I will be sprinkling in among the weekly Story Prompts will be some classic images from my gaming days. Quite often, the best ones evoked a story all their own.
10 Books…
Posted by Jeff Evans in Uncategorized on April 7, 2016
I was tagged on Facebook with one of those "List some information, then tag other people" memes… I don't usually do them, mostly because I don't see them until well after the fact. This one, though, I saw early enough to respond, even if I'm not doing it directly on Fb… you'll see why in a moment.
The basic meme: "List 10 books that have stayed with you…just ones that touched you."
Asking a writer to do anything involving books is…difficult. Hell, just looking at my reading list for the past decade, several of them stand out – granted, some more memorable than others, for various reasons. In several instances, the first things that struck me were several books or a series by the same author… So I'm going to cheat a bit… and provide a little explanation for each (hence, why I'm putting this here, instead of on Fb)… So, in no particular order:
Neil Gaiman: This one is likely the biggest cheat on the list. Of all his prose work, I've not read anything that I didn't like. Between his novels and short story collections, there are too many to list individually. There are two novels that stand out for me, though. Neverwhere is a subtle book, in my opinion, that, even though it's been labeled as "Magical Realism," it smack very much of early Urban Fantasy – before it was taken over by vampires, werewolves, etc, etc. American Gods is a book about mythology that, as soon as I finished it, my first thought was, "Damn, that's something I wish I'd been able to write."
The Hobbit: JRR Tolkien: I have said it several times before…this was the work that started me down the path toward SF/Fantasy fandom (mostly due to the animated movie, back in the early 80s). This was the first book I ever checked out from a public library.
Charles Stross: Another cheat here, since there are two series involved, but… Glasshouse – a study in gender identity [available technology allows for any outward presentation one might desire] wrapped in a tight little thriller. The Merchant Princes (series) – world-walking and the world-building of multiple time streams. The Laundry Files (series) – UF with shades of Cthulu, what I would consider my first readings in that genre.
The Harry Potter Series: JK Rowling: The first time I read book 1, I devoured it in a day, then plowed through books 2-4 in short order. Books 5-7 were the first that I pursued pre-ordering, instead of simply waiting until they were released.
Neil Peart: Two books, loosely related by title and context, but worlds apart for content. Masked Rider – about his bike tour adventures around parts of Africa. I shouldn't have been surprised that such tours were a travel option, but this was the first stories I'd ever read/"been told" about such an experience. Ghost Rider…was a book that gave me perspective and guided me through a journey before I found myself thrust along it.
Call the Midwife: Jennifer Worth: I've actually mentioned this one fairly recently. It's been a few weeks, but those effects still pop to mind every so often.
Ready Player One: Earnest Cline: A combination of SF and pop culture references that I lived through. Like American Gods, it's one of those, "Damn, I wish I'd written that" books.
Mary Robinette Kowal: Her Glamourist Histories ("Jane Austen with magic"), although as of this writing I've only finished the first three books, and am currently in the fourth. I was subjected to the reading of Pride & Prejudice for my freshman English class in high school, and loathed it (as, I suspect, most 14-year old boys might). Kowal's series, while deliberately steeped in the Regency language and style of Austen*, blends contemporary ideas with historical events. Likely the most craft-centric entry on this list, she's also given me pause to consider revisiting Austen.
The Dresden Files: Jim Butcher. I've only completed the first two books in the series, but it's that blend of mystery/PI with a fantasy spin that smacks of the "Damn, I wish I'd written that." It's also a series that has directly affected a project I have in development, and forced me to reconsider and rethink most of it, so as to be "similar, yet different."
* I have a short story written around the time I was reading Shades of Milk and Honey that became unintentionally influenced by that style. In that sense, it can be said that Mary had a more profound and lasting affect. Not a thing I will object to having happened.
Wheaton vs Voldomort
Posted by Jeff Evans in Uncategorized, Wil Wheaton on April 7, 2016
Those that know me should not be too surprised by the fact that I read Wil Wheaton's blog. I have, for years, actually. He recently gave a talk at the University of Miami-Ohio, and shared the text… it's worth reading, sharing, even carving on clay tablets if that's your thing.
Here's a snippet:
We're all in this together, you guys, and I want you all to be the most awesome hero you can be in your own story … and I don't want you to be the villain in someone else's.
Life's too short to be Voldemort.
Now go read the rest. You can thank me for pointing you there later.
Traveler Notebooks (Rough Review)
Posted by Jeff Evans in Uncategorized on April 6, 2016
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I picked up a couple of refills to try out… while I've not actually written in them yet (don't judge), I have finally opened them, and given at least a cursory inspection. Here, then, are my initial thoughts on the two I'm most likely to use…
Refill 01: Lined (Regular) 64 pages
- About 30-31 lines per page, depending on implementation (could squeeze to 32 lines, using the hint of extra white-space at the bottom of the page, depending on penmanship).Spacing seems about comparable to a college-ruled, but having just looked at them, I've not been able to confirm.
- It feels like it's about the same as regular printer paper – thicker than a regular notepad or spiral-bound notebook paper. Hopefully that means a better bleed control from a fountain pen…
Refill 13: Unlined "Thin" (Lightweight) – 128 pages
- Very thin pages – it's suggested that the paper is comparable to Tomoe (Tomoegawa) River Paper, which is supposed to be very good with fountain pen inks (read: minimal to non-existant bleed-through).
- Being unlined, unless your penmanship is very good (mine is not), or plans include a lot of free-style rendering, you may want to consider some kind of lined template to keep you honest.
- MOAR pages! Yes, this is the ONLY refill available from the company with more than 64 pages. Even with the (subjective) need for a line stencil, still a viable option just for that.
I'm still on the fence, to be honest. What drew me to these is their flexibility (read: thin/able to carry several at one time). The idea would be to keep separate notebooks for project development – a different one for each project – then use a thicker volume for the actual drafting. Right now, with 2-3 projects in various stages of development, I'm prone to carry around the equivalent of a mid-size hardcover (or two) – just for notes, that's not even considering once I am actually drafting.
I could do the same thing with a cheaper spiral-bound, but there is something to be said for the clean lines (and lack of a deformed metal spiral) of these notebooks, and the flexibility of the system.
More on these once I start filling them with ink…
Hug Your Kids…
Posted by Jeff Evans in Uncategorized on March 18, 2016
MC and I have friends and, being the age that we are, most of them have at least one child. One of them, unfortunately, no longer does. Wednesday night, they put their two-month old to bed, and during the night he managed to roll over. He never rolled back.
To have all of that routine – the sounds and laughter, play and discovery – surrounding a child suddenly stopped… I just can't fathom what they might be going through.
Our own eldest was similar, preferring to sleep on his stomach (much like his father), and this was a constant fear we had, only magnified when the twins arrived…
For those of you with that have them, hug your kids every chance you get, even if they're moody teens or grumpy middle-agers, but especially if they are really young. Give them all the love you can.
Losing the Other George…
Posted by Jeff Evans in Uncategorized on March 9, 2016
I generally live in a hole, insofar as my exposure to the news goes… having three kids at/younger than 4 doesn't help that.(For instance, I hadn't heard Nancy Reagan had died until last night, and that happened 6 March.)
One item of news that made it through in a timely fashion was regarding the death of George Martin. Not "RR", but the George Martin…the man more-or-less behind the Beatles. In Beatles's terms, he was the other George.
As of this writing, there are only two bands that I will maintain physical copies of their output: Rush, and the Beatles.I've always been a Beatles person.Martin's specific involvement in their music, listed only as "Producer," contributed to my…fandom seems odd to use, but appreciation? Continued enjoyment? And for that, I can only be grateful.