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Kaley Cuoco, Haylie Duff, & Ali Fedotowsky Kiss Their Men at the Dinner Table!
Kaley Cuoco and her hubby Ryan Sweeting hold hands as they exit Craig's after dining out on Wednesday evening (January 29) in West Hollywood, Calif.
The 28-year-old actress and her 26-year-old tennis star husband were joined for dinner by their friends Ali Fedotowsky with her boyfriend Kevin Manno and Haylie Duff with her boyfriend Matt Rosenberg.
Kaley shared a photo on her Instagram account of all three couples at the table, each kissing their respective partner!
"Yea. We are totally in highschool. Totally. @alifedotowsky @haylieduff @mr_sts @kevinmanno #craigsmakeoutsesh" Kaley captioned the picture – check out the full image below!
Also pictured inside: Ali and Kevin leaving Craig's after dinner.
10+ pictures inside of Kaley Cuoco and Ryan Sweeting after their Craig's makeout sesh…


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I've put in all the forum sections that I could think of that are related to Just Bento and Just Hungry. I guess we can see if any other forum sections are needed. If there are any you'd really like to see, please suggest them here.
The Big Onigiri.
- Wherever you go, there you are. -
I've added a Swapmeet / Marketplace section, in case people want to you know, swap buy/sell their extra bento gear and so on.
I'm not sure how appropriate this would be for the forums, but after coming across an article today that suggested interacting on Japanese forums would help in learning Japanese, perhaps a section for people who want to practice their Japanese could be added? I suppose a few people from Twitter might also want to join, though if you'd rather not add such a section, is there a forum you might recommend? Thanks! ^_^
Hmm, that is an idea. Lemme think about it a bit...
I don't know of any Japanese-practice forums, sorry... :(
I just thought I'd let you know that I found one (sort of!) which is http://lang-8.com. Basically it's a site where you write entries in your targeted language and have it corrected by native speakers. I've been using it for about a week now and it's pretty nice! ^^
|Last Post
|Sesame salad dressing
|5 years 12 weeks ago
|Authentic paella?
|5 years 13 weeks ago
|IMPORTANT: If you have a blog on JustBento...
|5 years 16 weeks ago
|Shiso - uses for this herb
|5 years 18 weeks ago
|Fuki (Japanese Butterbur) Tsukemono Recipes
|5 years 18 weeks ago
@justbento - strictly site updates
@makiwi - Maki tweets at random

subset: commoncrawl


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Couple adopts another dog at Kewanee Animal Shelter
Steve and Jodie Kemp of Chillicothe made a surprise donation to the Annawan-Alba Fire Department Monday as a thank you to the firefighters for their actions last Memorial Day weekend.
The Kemps spent the holiday weekend camping at the Geneseo Campground with their 18-month old black Labrador dogs Abby and Daisy.
By the holiday Monday, the Kemps and their dogs were eastbound on Interestate 80, heading home to Chillicothe.
Jodie was behind the wheel of the couple's truck when a vehicle pulled in front, cutting her off. Reacting to the incident caused the couple's vehicle to roll.
"The truck and camper rolled together the first time, then the camper came unhitched and the truck rolled another three times," said Jodie.
Both she and her husband were injured in the accident. Annawan-Alba firefighters had to cut Steve free from the truck.
The accident killed the couple's dog, Daisy, while their other dog, Abby, was frightened and fled from the scene.
Neither Jodie nor Steve were aware of what had happened to their canine companions.
Jodie was transported to Illini Hospital in Silvis, while Steve was taken to Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo before being transfered to Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa.
"I didn't know that Daisy was dead and Abby was missing until I was at the hospital," said Jodie.
For the next 26 hours, the Kemps' family and friends were joined by Annawan residents in a search for Abby.
"The people from Annawan really stepped up and came out trying to help find our dog," said Jodie.
Though she'd been released from the hospital, Jodie was in no shape to assist with the search, but that wasn't going to stop her.
"I was in the ICU (visiting Steve) and planning to go and help with the search when I got a phone call," remembers Jodie.
At the other end of the phone, Jodie's sister said she could see Abby, but couldn't get to her. "She told me to start calling," said Jodie.
From the ICU unit at Genesis in Davenport, Jodie started yelling down the phone line for Abby.
"The ICU nurses were all at the desk trying to figure out what was happening," said Jodie.
Her calling worked and Abby came to the rescuers.
"They found her by the Hennepin Canal. She wasn't injured. All she had was a tiny cut between her eyes and one on her leg," said Jodie.
In the hospital bed, Steve was awake and aware of the situation.
"I was ecstatic and in tears when I heard they'd found Abby," he said. "It just turned a very bad situation into something a little bit positive. I just don't think I could have dealt with losing both dogs."
Steve spent nearly two weeks in the hospital before returning home to Chillicothe, but, despite being at home, the couple kept the Annawan-Alba Fire Department and Annawan residents in their thoughts.
"We wanted to do something to thank them," he said.
Steve specifically wanted a donation that each firefighter could use. In need of ideas, he contacted the Chillicothe Fire Department.
"They're a volunteer department also, so I asked them what type of things they could use and they suggested helmet lights," said Steve.
While researching helmet lights online, Steve discovered the California-based Fox Fury company.
"I asked them about buying helmet lights in bulk, and they wanted to know why, so I told them our story," said Steve.
After hearing about the Kemps, officials with Fox Fury decided to match the couple's donation, which allowed the Chillicothe pair to spend $2,300 to purchase 22 helmet lights and four additional pocket floodlights.
"Because Annawan is right on the interstate, we thought they might be a department that responds to a lot of accident calls on the highway," said Steve.
In addition to a spotlight on the front of the helmet, each light contains a flashing red light on the back of the helmet to alert drivers to the firefighters' locations.
"Nothing's darker than being in the middle of the interstate in the middle of the night," said Annawan firefighter Colin DeVrieze.
"It means a lot to us to be able to help and try and pay it forward," said Steve. "If it helps the guys just save one person's life, it will be perfect."
While donating the lights, the Kemps were joined at the Annawan-Alba Fire Station by their dog Abby and their new canine, Sadie.
Sadie was adopted at the Henry County Humane Society shelter in Kewanee.
"We hadn't planned to come back to Henry County to adopt (another dog). It was the weirdest thing and it just worked out," said Jodie.
Kellie Wallace-McKenna of the Kewanee Animal Shelter said Jodie had called the city pound in Princeton looking for a Black Lab to replace Daisy.
"They told the Kemps they have only so many days they can keep a dog and had just sent Sadie down to us," said Wallace-McKenna.
The Kemps visited the shelter in Kewanee, fell in love with Sadie and adopted her, making one dog and one family very happy.


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Rulemaking Raises More Questions Than It Answers.
By Adele Abrams
On Feb. 2, 2011, the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) issued its anticipated proposal to drastically revise its Pattern of Violations (POV) criteria, aimed at allowing the agency to crack down more quickly on mine operators it deems to be "chronic violators" of mandatory standards who have "demonstrated a disregard for the safety and health of miners."
Although it is tempting to welcome a rulemaking, after several years in which MSHA has (without rulemaking) abruptly issued, then modified its POV criteria and has – in the process – created a byzantine system that is indecipherable to most in the industry, the proposed rule raises more questions than it answers. It is, in many ways, a charade of a rulemaking. The comment period closes on April 4, 2011, and MSHA indicated in a briefing that it will consider holding public hearings if the mining community makes a request.
A bit of background on POV may be helpful in providing context for the rulemaking. The POV language actually comes from Section 104(e) of the 1977 Mine Act, which provided MSHA with POV as an additional enforcement tool in addition to the issuance of citations, civil penalties, withdrawal orders, and injunctive relief that were established under different sections of the Act. Language in the legislative history references the tragic Scotia mine disaster, where 26 persons (miners and mine inspectors) were killed.
That mine, Congress noted, had a chronic history of persistent and serious violations that were cited, abated, but kept recurring. The mine operator has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring safety and health at the mine, and the POV provisions were a sanction to require remedial action from those operators who did not respond to MSHA's other enforcement tools.
First Shot
MSHA took its first shot at establishing POV rules in 1980, with a proposed rulemaking. Predictably, industry was overwhelmingly opposed to the proposed actions, and in 1985, MSHA withdrew the proposal. At issue, during round one, was the pending issue of what constituted a "significant and substantial" (S&S) violation.
MSHA quickly tried again, issuing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, asking for input on whether to focus on S&S violations of a particular hazard or S&S violations throughout the mine, as well as whether having a mine in the "D chain" (under a Section 104(d)(2) unwarrantable failure sequence) was indicative that other enforcement measures had been ineffective. A proposed rule followed in 1989, containing the criteria and procedures for identifying mines with a pattern of S&S violations. That proposal was adopted in July 1990 as a final rule, codified at 30 CFR Part 104.
However, despite these regulations spelling out POV criteria and process, MSHA made zero use of it until after the agency came under scrutiny by Congress in 2006, following the Sago mine disaster. In oversight hearings that ultimately led to the passage of the 2006 MINER Act, MSHA was repeatedly asked why it neglected to use the POV tools that had been at its disposal since enactment of the 1977 Mine Act.
The agency's response, in 2007, was to issue its first POV "policy" establishing how it would screen mines for a "Potential Pattern of Violations" (PPOV) finding, what mines would have to do to avoid being formally placed on a POV, and what had to be done to be removed from POV once placed there. The criteria have been tweaked several times since then, most recently in 2010.
Final Orders
One thing consistent in all POV rules and policy to date was that only "final orders" could be considered in placing a mine on POV status, although "issued" (but not finally adjudicated) citations and orders could be used for initial screening along with other criteria, such as injury/illness incidence rates. The current policy also provided for a 24-month "lookback" period to consider only S&S citations/orders that were final in making the POV determination.
This approach, of course, allowed for elimination of any contested citations/orders that were either vacated by the agency, modified to non-S&S in a settlement, or vacated or modified to non-S&S by an Administrative Law Judge or the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (or a federal appeals court) after litigation. This also allowed mine operators to exercise their due process rights – being innocent until proven guilty – before having an "issued" citation that the agency had not yet proven to be a violation to be used against it for POV qualification purposes.
That has all changed under this proposal. The most notable policy shift incorporated into the rulemaking would grant MSHA the ability to place a mine on POV simply on the basis of the "issued" but not adjudicated S&S citations/orders and other elevated actions, even when those actions are still in contest before the Commission.
The agency has also moved away from any predetermined "lookback" period and does not state any specific threshold number of S&S citations that would trigger a POV finding (unlike current policy, which stipulates a fairly large number of violations that would be a minimum for POV consideration).
Although MSHA seems to indicate that it would further refine its criteria put "put it on the website" after the final rule is adopted, it is disingenuous to ask the mining community to comment on such a vague process. It is, for all purposes, impossible to reasonably comment on a rule whose precise criteria are being kept secret until after the rule is finalized … and making this criteria via policy so that it can be modified in virtually any manner in the future to either tighten – or broaden – the POV net depending upon how many mines any current MSHA administration wishes to shut down in whole or part.
Serving Notice
MSHA also proposes to eliminate the current "PPOV" phase in the process – which involved placing a mine on notice that it had potential POV exposure, then meeting with the District Manager to come up with actions that the mine would voluntarily take to see if they resulted in a lowering of the number of subsequent S&S citations issued, improvements in the mine's injury/illness rates, or both.
I participated in one such PPOV meeting and, after it was pointed out to the district manager that most of the citations triggering the proposed finding were under contest and that the mine had concurrently received accolades from MSHA for its successful injury-free performance, the POV action was tabled. No such meetings will be available under the newly proposed POV criteria.
Instead, MSHA promises that it will publish on its data retrieval system some method for individual mines to see how "close" they may be to a POV finding under the "to be revealed" guidelines, and the mine can "voluntarily" submit a safety and health management program to the district manager. If the plan is approved by the District, and is implemented by the mine operator (and presumably implemented with tangible results in terms of future violations and injuries), then a POV will not be issued.
Adoption of this plan falls within the "mitigating circumstances" that the agency will consider in determining whether an operation fits the POV criteria, under proposed standard 30 CFR 104.2(a)(8). There is no actual provision for what constitutes an acceptable safety and health management program in the actual standard's text, although the program is referenced in the preamble.
If programmatic action is not taken (or is taken but does not yield the desired results), and the mine subsequently meets the POV criteria, any S&S citation issued within 90 days of the POV finding will serve as a shut-down order for that area of the mine or affected equipment. The mine will stay on POV until it has an inspection completely free of S&S citations – in other words, any inspector can ensure that a mine remains on POV indefinitely just by issuing a single S&S citation (even if it is subsequently vacated or modified to non-S&S).
Management Program
As far as the safety and health management program, MSHA has declined to provide details as to what this would require, but the agency economic impact analysis projects that 50 mines per year would adopt such programs to keep from receiving a POV finding, at a cost of about $22,000 per program.
In response to my question at the briefing for the POV rule, MSHA's representative said that this is not the same "safety and health management program" as would be required under the separate rulemaking of the same name now underway.
Although POV carries no monetary penalty, neither does the proposed rule provide for any right of review, or any recourse to the courts in the event that an operator believes it has been improperly put under POV. Because the PPOV phase is being removed, a mine operator can find itself under POV without any advance notice other than constant monitoring of the MSHA website and the mine's inspection record.
Appealing citations will not help, nor – it seems – will being victorious in contesting citations, as there is no mechanism proposed that would lift the POV finding if the "elevated actions" constituting the POV are withdrawn or vacated after POV has been imposed.
These are all significant issues that need to be raised by the mining community before the rule is fast-tracked into law. Congress has been pushing MSHA to place more mines on POV, and this ambiguous rulemaking could certainly do the trick.


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Investor Revolt Possible at Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard chairman Ray Lane and three fellow board members plan to meet with about 20 of the computer maker's big investors Monday in hopes of heading off a campaign to unseat Mr. Lane and two other directors. Joann Lublin reports on Markets Hub. Photo: AP.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... Hewlett-Packard posted some of ... the markets last week when the earnings are ... expected ... you saw a jump there ... but a lot of investors still must be one of them supported the to do its thing is seen is the story HP me rest and investors ... they're going to be a very interesting meeting today between so between some investors and a couple of directors who are really on the hot seat ... Plan Loveland is here with this story can see till the package is basically flat ... the a wind chill it to be a flannel August meeting today I'd tell us exactly gone on ... well what's going on here is shareholding not think the sport has performed well ... and the like to see some changes in content Claire because of the mass over Autonomy write which with its eleven billion dollar takeover of the software company where they wrote off most of the tire late last year and said they basing guy who wait on the accounting side ... now on the chairman Ray really is going to be in this meeting Iraqi is especially on the hot seat ... at you ... how do you defend your economy ... I note within the deal ... well I think where the upcoming Calvin is that they got snow occurred along with many people and management ... on that they've done everything they can including involving some of the regulators on both sides of the pond ... and that basically shareholders have to give the board as well the relatively new CEO Meg Whitman ... more time to turn things around ... she was the not very patiently stages we I e I at the gunfire told ... anybody ... but all my wife sales of all my Micrel boss I ... pod I that's not going to do to make the twenty billion ... I don't think that would fly ... into a fight with its more than just the economy right in the company has been under pressure ... the PC business is been under for ... time ... and those in the coming after a bombing Shorenstein chain after a bombing or and CEO as ... an anthem for that for many years has not been able to shoot straight they'd come under criticism numerous times before ... and the foreign exchange Nick ... numerous times before ... but what the thread here is that that some activist shareholders will mount a campaign ... and try and get other shareholders to vote against Marie Lane and two other directors re-election and who would be shareholders whose involve how much momentum to the really ... well the engine is limited at this point because I could do one here with these directors have been but ... I mean you saw this the four directors ... sit down with one eons to tell investors on the NE and they represent a pretty sizable stake in Heitner many shows up was to agree to calm ... that almost seven percent of the outstanding shares ... it's not clear that all those who are attending this meeting really have strong feelings one way or another ... but clearly the board is being responsive they should get some credit for lease ... listed here one is when does the shareholder though March twenty more damning cocoa the American last time to put together a campaign and he can think in general are protests that's ... right it's rare that board members or CEO is standing for election ... get voted down any means but when they knew they generally don't last too long ... write to


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Editor's note: This is an update to an earlier Reporter-Herald story.
GREELEY -- Five days away from knowing whether he'll be the next U.S. vice president, a buoyant Paul Ryan whipped up a noontime Greeley crowd Thursday with his "We can do this!" stump speech.
Ryan's appearance, his second in Northern Colorado, was among eight that the presidential candidates and their running mates scheduled in swing-state Colorado in the campaign's waning days.
"Hey, Greeley, are you gonna help us win this thing?" Ryan asked the crowd of several hundred at the Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley, getting a thunderous response. "We can do this!"
Ryan and his wife, Janna, rolled in aboard a red, white and blue Romney-Ryan campaign bus shortly before noon, long after the early arrivals staked out viewing spots near a stage adjacent to the Greeley Stampede grandstand.
"Five more days!" Ryan boomed as he took the stage.
"Mitt Romney and I can handle whatever they throw at us for the next five days. But we as a country cannot afford to have four more years of these failed policies. Five more days, instead of four more years."
Ryan ticked off the reasons that he said President Barack Obama has failed to measure up during his first term.
"Let's remember the 23 million Americans who are struggling for work today," he said. "Let's remember that 15 percent of our fellow citizens are living in poverty today, the highest rate in a generation."
Greenwood Fires Up
Ryan's warm-up acts included country music icon Lee Greenwood, known for his patriotic ballads, who got the crowd fired up with his renditions of trademark "Proud To Be An American" and his ode to veterans, "The Great Defenders."
Bridget Kennery of Platteville confessed that she and two friends came to Greeley to see Greenwood -- not Ryan.
"I love the guy," she said of the Grammy-winning singer. "I hate to say this, but I'm not even registered to vote. Is it too late?"
Colorado's voter registration deadline has long passed.
Also preceding Ryan to the stage was Republican Weld County Commissioner Sean Conway, hoping for reelection on Tuesday.
Vote early...often?
"How many of you have already voted?" he asked the crowd. Nearly every hand was raised.
"Well, then, I have another assignment for you," he said.
"You want us to vote again?" a man shouted, invoking plenty of laughter.
"No, I don't want you to vote again," Conway said. "I want you to talk to your friend and neighbors. Get them out to vote."
Ryan's speech, less than 15 minutes, was almost too short for Windsor resident Morris Wright, who nonetheless described himself as a "true-blue, red, white and blue" supporter of the Romney-Ryan ticket.
"I guess I would advise him to be more specific, start talking about their tax plan," Wright said.
"What's to be ashamed of? This is about my 15th presidential election, and it's about the most excited I've been. Well, maybe Reagan in '80."
President Obama was scheduled to speak in Boulder on Thursday night, and will appear in Aurora on Sunday. Ryan heads to Montrose for a rally on Friday.
Romney will make appearances in Colorado Springs and Greenwood Village on Saturday, while Vice President Joe Biden will be in Pueblo and Arvada the same day.
Tom Hacker can be reached at 669-5050, ext. 521, or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Author's Note: This is for Shane who has waited patiently for a follow up story to Red is the Heart since September! I hope this story will round out the ending a bit more for all of you who felt the scene at King's Cross Station was just too abrupt. Thanks to Jo Wickaninnish for the beta read.
Leaving Privet Drive
"I love you, D."
"I love you more, sweetums."
Harry couldn't believe it. Dudley and his skinny, blonde girlfriend, Deirdre, were starting their snogging session at ten in the morning. Ever since he had returned to Privet Drive he had been subjected to this nauseating sight. The settee in the sitting room was their usual spot, but when Aunt Petunia took to Hoovering the carpet right under their feet, they usually retreated to the back garden.
Once, Harry wandered upstairs to rapidly descend again - the sounds of moaning echoing in his ears. He turned the radio up as loud as it would go to try to cast out that sound. Since Aunt Petunia rarely left the house these days, big D and little D didn't have much of a chance for that activity.
He sighed and opened the front door to check if the grass was dry enough to cut. He didn't have a job this summer since the Dursleys knew he would be leaving for good on his seventeenth birthday. That was only a day away. He couldn't believe it really - tomorrow he would be of age and leaving this place forever. And tomorrow it would be one year to the day that Ginny had surprised him on his birthday and had stayed to help him wallpaper.
He smiled thinking of her. The last thing she had said to him at King's Cross Station was "I love you." Perhaps that's why it rankled to hear Dudley and his snogging mate bandying it about like it meant nothing. Could they possible know what love meant?
The slurping sounds of wet kissing cut through his thoughts. Honestly. Then he grinned, knowing he had just channeled Hermione.
"Harry, come into the kitchen," Aunt Petunia called.
Shutting the front door, he hoped Aunt Petunia didn't have any more chores planned for him today. He had a lot of packing to do.
Aunt Petunia was seated at the kitchen table with a roll of parchment in front of her. "You're inheriting something at a bank tomorrow," she announced.
Harry quickly scooped up the letter and noticed that it was addressed to him. "You read my mail," he said, trying to keep his temper under control. He was also trying to hide his confusion. He already had his inheritance - it was in vault number six hundred and eighty-seven at Gringotts, and he had been dipping into it for the past six years to pay for his schooling.
"I'll read anything I want in this house," Aunt Petunia retorted, her nostrils flaring. "Tell me," she said, half-standing over the table to bring her face inches from Harry's. "Tell me where this money is."
He couldn't believe it. Well, he could believe it. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon loved money and would be willing to overlook any taint of magic if it came in the form of gold and silver. He glanced at the letter again. "It just says here that I am to report to Gringotts on July thirty-first to sign the papers confirming my inheritance." He stared stonily at his aunt's flushed face. "Inheritance doesn't mean money. It could mean land or a house . . ."
He rather thought it was just land, since Hagrid had said his parent's house in Godric's Hollow had been flattened by Voldemort's curse.
"You are to give it to us," Aunt Petunia demanded. "It's a small recompense for the amount of money and trouble you've caused us in the past sixteen years."
Harry's eyes narrowed. "I think twenty pounds ought to cover it."
She sat down with a thump and crossed her arms over her chest. "I can't believe your ingratitude!" A sly look crossed her face. "Give it to us and we'll sell it and split the proceeds. Why would a teenager want a piece of rubbish land anyway?"
He didn't know the answer to that either - except that whatever it was, it was his and had been his parents before that. Those two facts made it valuable. "Even if I did sign it over to you," he began in what he hoped was a reasonable tone of voice, "wizard land and houses come with charms that make them unplottable. A Muggle like you would never find it to begin with."
Aunt Petunia closed her eyes at hearing the details of magic. Suddenly she looked old and defeated. There was no way she could force Harry to hand over his inheritance and they both knew it.
"Tomorrow can't come soon enough," she said fiercely, standing so quickly the chair almost tipped over.
As the sound of her heels clicked over the linoleum and then up the stairs, Harry folded his letter from Gringotts and thought that for once, he and Aunt Petunia were in perfect accord.
"Out in the street tomorrow, are you?" Dudley sneered from the doorway of Harry's bedroom. His trunk was open and all his belongings were strewn about. There didn't seem to be a way to pack everything into the trunk without magic. And he didn't want to violate the underage magic restrictions with - he looked at his watch - two hours to go until he turned seventeen.
"That's right," he said, not bothering to look up.
"I'm sure you can get a job with the circus. They're always looking for freaks," Dudley continued.
Harry wondered how long it had taken for Dudley to work out that line. He continued to sort things, discarding a pile of school robes that were too short for him.
Dudley was still standing in the doorway, which was odd. Usually Dudley liked to deliver his insult and then move on.
"So . . ."
Harry looked up. Dudley was wearing a frown. "What are you going to do after that school of yours?" He shifted uncomfortably, like he was saying a rude word, "I mean - what do - er - wizards do for a living?"
"I'm going to be an Auror."
Dudley face cleared as if he were grateful that Harry said something incomprehensible. "What's that?" he asked in a condescending tone.
"It's like Scotland Yard," Harry answered briefly. Let Dudley think like he wanted.
Dudley had no answer to that. His small eyes fell on Harry's bed and the photos scattered there. "Hello, who is this?" He snatched up the Chocolate Frog photo of Ginny before Harry could reach him. It was the picture of her smiling at the viewer with the wind in her hair. "Nice," Dudley said appraisingly, "but she's no page three girl."
"Shut up!" Harry said, pointing his wand at his cousin. If he was going to break the underage restriction, defending Ginny from Dudley's insinuations was worth it.
Dudley eyed the wand and flicked the card back onto the bed. "Sorry, didn't realize she was one of your paper girlfriends."
"Out," Harry said, never lowering his wand.
"Good luck with the freaks. Just remember, you're not welcome back here - we want no more ties to your world."
"You know what, Dudley? Don't think you're so safe. Your own child could turn up magical. What would you do then?"
Dudley blanched. It had obviously never occurred to him that magic - or some sort of freakish gene - did run in his family. "I - "
Harry had a good idea that Dudley never saw the correlation between his activities with Deirdre and children either.
"No one would ever know," Dudley blurted.
Harry thought of the thousands of letters from Hogwarts pouring into the house the summer of his first year.
"Wizards always know," Harry said with a triumphant grin.
At five after midnight, Harry used magic to pack his trunk. He waited the extra minutes because he wanted to be sure that it was well into his birthday before he used magic. Watching his things fly neatly into the trunk was as satisfying as catching the Snitch. He had done it - he had survived the Dursleys.
There was a sharp rap at the window. Hedwig hooted softly at the disembodied hand tapping on the glass. Harry looked out to see that the all the streetlights were dim. Straining to see past the hand, Harry made out a large, dark shape that could only be . . .
"Hagrid," he breathed.
He Apparated to Hagrid's side and was astonished to see Professor Dumbledore and - of all people - Professor McGonagall.
"'appy Birthday, Harry," Hagrid said immediately. "Seems jus' like yesterday when I was deliver'n your Hogwarts letter to that ruddy hut." He sniffed loudly.
"Yes, happy birthday, Potter," Professor McGonagall said with a rare smile. "I trust you're glad to be leaving?"
"Wh - yeah." Harry stuttered, raking his hand through his hair. "I'm just surprised to see -"
"We was here the first night - when you was a baby," Hagrid said sentimentally. "Didn't know how it was all goin' to turn out then."
"As you can see, it turned out fine," Professor McGonagall said, unsentimentally. She locked eyes with Harry. "Don't ever forget that you are a survivor."
Harry was so surprised to hear his thoughts spoken aloud by Professor McGonagall that he stood there speechless. He finally nodded a little, wondering why Professor McGonagall had come to Privet Drive sixteen years ago.
Professor Dumbledore then spoke, "I think that Harry should be settled into his new quarters before the night is through." He looked at Harry. "Do you wish to say your good-byes to your aunt and uncle?"
Harry shuffled uncomfortably. "We've already said them."
"Very well then. We shall Apparate to the entrance of number twelve Grimmauld Place."
Harry looked up at hearing that address.
"I know it will be difficult to enter Sirius's home again, Harry," Dumbledore said kindly. "But I do think you will find it rather changed."
"Why can't I stay at the Burrow?" Disappointment seized him in a way he hadn't expected. He should be grateful that he was leaving Privet Drive permanently, and here he was whining about it.
"Mrs. Weasley would have liked nothing better," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. "But we feel you are safer at number twelve. Mr. Nott is there, of course."
Harry would have preferred Ron - or Neville or Seamus or Dean. But at least he wasn't going to be alone. Knowing he had no choice, he nodded.
"We'll take care of your trunk and your owl, Harry," Hagrid said.
The first thing Harry noticed when they entered Grimmauld Place was the strong scent of paint and what smelled suspiciously like wallpaper paste. Sure enough, the walls of the entrance hall were painted a soft spring green, and the threadbare carpet had been pulled up to reveal shiny wood floors.
"Who's been decorating?" Harry asked, thinking that he never would have recognized the place except for the serpent door handles, which were now polished to a bright sheen.
"Okay," Harry answered. "Um - what about my meeting at Gringotts tomorrow?"
"Professor Lupin has kindly agreed to escort you there at eleven o'clock."
At least he could have a lie-in. "Professor - "
"Do you think I could visit the Burrow tomorrow - maybe after my meeting?" He wanted so desperately to see Ginny that he didn't think he could wait another day.
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "I think we can make arrangements for you to see your nearest and dearest."
And on that cryptic note, he left in a swirl of robes.
As Harry wearily climbed the stairs, he wondered if Theodore Nott had also picked out the colors - since all the walls seemed to be one shade or another of Slytherin green.
"Mr. Potter! Mr. Nott! The Headmaster wishes me to inform you that it is ten o'clock in the morning. I will add that it is high time for you both to wake up."
Harry opened one eye and remembered that he was sharing a room with Theodore Nott at Sirius's house - so that voice could only be . . . Harry reached for his glasses and saw the portrait of Phineas Nigellus impatiently tapping his frame.
"Finally, Mr. Potter," the portrait said when he saw Harry awake. "I think only a bucket of water would wake that one up," he said, indicating Theodore Nott with a tilt of his head. I've never seen someone sleep that heavily."
Harry looked over at the prone figure on the bed under the windows. The bright sunshine flooding the room was not bothering Theodore Nott, who was on his side with his back toward Harry. "He was asleep when I arrived last night."
"I see no reason to expend more energy than necessary. That is a good Slytherin trait. But - " Here Phineas Nigellus seemed at loss for words. "Mr. Nott has taken it to new levels."
Harry remembered Ron commenting on that very thing when they shared a dormitory.
"Well, Mr. Potter. You are of age today, I see. I double-checked your name in Bloodlines of Magic." He held up the heavy volume for Harry to see. "And I'm afraid you do not come into a title." He paused as though he thought Harry needed a moment to overcome his disappointment at this sad news.
"I - " Harry sat up, feeling like he was at a disadvantage during any conversation with Phineas Nigellus, and more so now that he was in his pajamas.
"I wish to give you some advice before you meet with the bankers today." The former Headmaster settled back into his chair. Harry wondered how long this lecture was going to take.
"I have to be at Gringotts at eleven o'clock," he said hastily. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw Theodore Nott move, but he couldn't be sure.
"This won't take long," Phineas Nigellus said with a regal wave of his hand. "I first want to warn you against those who would help you invest your fortune. Many are in it for themselves. Albus Dumbledore is a wise man in many ways, but I'm afraid he has never paid the slightest bit of attention to money. I am willing to advise you, of course." He paused again.
Harry realized that he was supposed to thank him at this point. "Oh, uh - thanks." Harry also realized that he could use a cup of coffee and some breakfast.
"What ever you do," Phineas Nigellus continued in a solemn voice. "Do not sponsor a whaling ship."
Harry's mouth dropped open.
"Don't argue," Phineas said, putting up one hand. "I know a successful voyage can yield astronomical dividends - invest in a share or two if you must. But I will confess to you that I have learned this lesson the hard way - with not one, but two, ships lost to sea monsters and storms around the Horn of Africa."
Harry felt he could safely promise that he would never invest in whaling ships.
"Excellent." Phineas Nigellus looked positively delighted that Harry was being so biddable. He continued, discoursing on the merits of ivory hunting in Africa, dragon breeding in Romania, and poppy production in the Far East - all things that Harry thought were illegal in most countries.
When the portrait finally ran out of ideas, Harry couldn't help himself. "So, sir, what do you think of importing say - brandy?"
Phineas Nigellus sucked in a breath and looked in both directions before he whispered. "French brandy?"
"Of course," Harry said coolly.
"Cornwall," Phineas murmured. "Trust only the smugglers in Cornwall. That's all I'm at liberty to say."
Harry thought he heard a snicker come from Theodore Nott's bed, but the figure remained motionless.
"You have the makings of a Slytherin," Phineas said, looking at Harry with new respect. "Are you still betrothed to the poor, pure-blood girl?"
Harry glanced at the back of Theodore Nott's dark head. "Yes," he said, thinking it was easier to go along with the portrait.
"Good," Phineas said nodding. "Stay away from actresses. As soon as they hear you have a fortune, they will come flocking."
Harry also felt he could keep that promise.
"Potter!" the portrait exclaimed, taking out his pocket watch. "It's half past the hour. Hurry up." And with that, Phineas Nigellus stalked out of his frame.
Immediately Theodore Nott rolled over. He was wide-awake and smirking at Harry. "No whale oil for you."
Harry laughed. "Is that why you're always asleep when he sees you?"
"Of course," Nott replied, sitting up and stretching. "Only way to avoid that talking anachronism." He smiled slightly. "What else is off the list? Actresses?"
"Yeah." Harry opened his trunk at the foot of the bed and started to gather his clothes.
"You're not really getting married, are you?"
"Hardly," Harry said, "I didn't want another lecture, so I just went along with him."
Theodore Nott snorted. "Tell me about it. He said about the same thing when Luna was here."
Harry peered at him over the lid of his trunk. "Luna was here?"
Nott flushed and shifted on the bed. "Yeah - well - she somehow figured out how to Floo here - but there was no Floo powder for her to Floo back - so we waited here for Phineas to relay a message to Professor Dumbledore."
This all sounded wonderfully familiar to Harry. "Can Luna wallpaper?"
Nott laughed and answered in abstracted tones, "Not if you want the pattern to go in the same direction."
"That would be - er - boring."
Nott quirked one eyebrow. "And who wants boring?"
"Indeed." Harry ducked behind the trunk lid to hide his smile. That was certainly true. While you might be mystified or amused, you would never be bored with Luna Lovegood.
"Well, that's it, Mr. Potter," the Gringotts director of investments said, straightening the signed documents and then vanishing them for safe keeping with a wave of his wand. "Do you have any questions?"
Did he have any questions? Just a million, he thought. Starting with why? Why did he have land in Wales, a successful bed and breakfast in Whitby, a golf course in Perth, and one third of the shares in the Wizarding Wireless when all he really wanted was . . .
He stared at the portrait of the founder of Gringotts - a white bearded goblin with a nasty smile - and tried not to think about what he didn't have. There was no point in it. And what he did have felt like the heaviest burden he would have to carry around the rest of his life. At least if he fulfilled the prophecy, he would be rid of it for good. But how was he to rid himself of a herd of dairy cows on the isle of Jersey?
"No, thank you," he finally answered.
"I know this must seem quite complicated to you now, but you will learn the ropes quickly enough."
Harry nodded and stood up stiffly, the hour-long litany of possessions and holdings was getting to him.
The director shook hands and followed him out into the lobby. The first thing Harry noticed was a bright shock of red hair. For a split second he thought it might be Ginny, but it wasn't. Bill Weasley had taken over escorting duties.
"Harry," he said, clapping him on the shoulder. "All done? I'm sure Higgins bored you silly. Let's feed you some lunch at the Leaky Cauldron."
Harry wanted lunch at the Burrow, but he didn't think that was possible the way Bill was steering him quickly through the crowd in Diagon Alley. "What happened to Professor Lupin?" he asked as, he hurried to keep up with Bill's long strides.
"He was called away on business for the Order," Bill said.
Harry knew better than to ask more questions. At least he would be able to hear about Ginny if he ate lunch with Bill.
"In here," Bill said, standing aside so that Harry could walk into one of the private dining rooms the Leaky Cauldron provided.
Harry started into the room, wondering why they couldn't eat at the bar, when he stopped in his tracks. Standing by the window, in a square of sunlight, was Ginny.
"Harry!" She was in his arms before he could recover from the shock of seeing her so suddenly or the shock of realizing anew how wonderfully, vibrantly beautiful she was . . .
He held her tightly, still not quite believing he was smelling her hair and hearing her voice and feeling her touch. She finally pulled away to look up into his face. "Happy Birthday," she said softly. Her eyes were bright with emotion.
"It is now," he said hoarsely. He wanted to kiss her, but something held him back. It was almost as if he had forgotten how. In the long month at Privet Drive, no one had touched him, no one had tried to make him laugh, and no one had looked at him with love. And now he was experiencing an eerie feeling of dislocation - like waking in an unfamiliar room, and he didn't quite know how to cope.
She stopped smiling and touched his cheek. "Are you okay?"
"I am now," he said helplessly, not really understanding what had come over him. He was almost shy at seeing her again.
Her eyes searched his face. "Maybe you're hungry," she finally said with a small smile. She stepped away from him, but kept one arm around his waist. "We can eat anytime we want."
The cloth-covered table was set for two. It was only then that Harry realized Bill was not in the room and that the door was closed. "Just us?" he asked, feeling nothing but relief that he was going to have Ginny all to himself for a while.
"Just us." She tapped the table with her wand and the plates were filled with steak and potatoes and heaps of steaming vegetables. It smelled wonderful and Harry could feel his spirits rising. Maybe he was just hungry since he had to skip breakfast to make the meeting on time.
They sat at the table, Ginny with her back to the window. She smiled encouragingly and dug into her meal. Harry followed suit, relishing the feeling of having enough - enough food, enough time to just drink in the sight of Ginny.
Halfway through the meal, Ginny finally spoke. "You're staying at Sirius's?"
"Is it - okay?"
"It's like being in a different house since it's been decorated," Harry mused. "You know, after we papered the sitting room last summer, I felt more at home at Privet Drive. It's amazing what a little change like that can make . . . "
"It wasn't such a little change - it took us all day," Ginny retorted, but she was smiling. "I never knew that you felt better at your aunt and uncle's after that."
"I did," he said simply. "But this summer . . ." He hadn't put many of his complaints in his daily letters to Ginny. The Dursleys had treated him the same as they always had, but for some reason, it bothered him more than ever.
"You know, Harry," Ginny said, pushing her plate aside. "One of the Healers at St. Mungo's said that after having your heart opened up like that, you would be a lot more sensitive to -"
Harry groaned before she could finish. "Not that word again - just add sweet and I'm officially kicked out to the boy's dormitory."
Ginny giggled. "Where are you going to go? You can't go to the girl's dormitory."
"To the lost world of the sweet and sensitive blokes. I think they have a lot of tissues and self-help books there." He smiled wryly.
Ginny put out her hand and he took it. "I can see why their hostile treatment would bother anyone - and you didn't have your usual defenses."
He squeezed her hand. It was true. He was so used to being open with her and having his affection returned, that he had forgotten how to harden himself against the low-grade cruelty of the Dursleys. But now that he was back with her, he had to drop those defenses for good. "Yes, dear," he said meekly.
"Oh, I missed you," Ginny said, half-laughing, though there were tears in her eyes. He tugged on her hand so that she left her chair and came to his side.
"I missed you too," he said, pulling her onto his lap.
"It worried me, when you didn't want to kiss me," Ginny whispered.
"I did - I do - want to kiss you," he said. "I just don't want to be apart again."
"I know," she said, brushing her lips against his cheek.
"And if we're together today, and then if I don't see you again for a long time, it will be worse."
"I know." She continued, dotting tiny kisses around his mouth.
"And if I don't kiss you soon, even the sweet and sensitive blokes are going to kick me out."
"Why don't you then?" she teased with a whisper.
And they said no more. All the walls hiding his emotions came tumbling down, just as he had feared. But instead of feeling the pain of separation he felt completeness, and where he had endured hatred, he felt only her love.
Ginny sighed and put her head on his shoulder. "I suppose our time will be up soon for this parlor."
Harry felt around the table for his glasses. "Then what?"
"Well, we're supposed to have treacle tart - I ordered that because later you're going to have cake - "
He smiled at the chagrined expression on Ginny's face. "I am?"
"Ooops," she said, putting her hand over her mouth. "Listen, I didn't get you a gift because I . . ."
"What?" He couldn't imagine what Ginny had in store for him.
"It was supposed to be a surprise - but I sort of organized a party for you."
"I've never had a birthday party before," he said, pleased.
"I know - that's why I wanted to do it. But then I worried that you wouldn't like too much of a fuss. . ."
"How much of a fuss?" he asked sharply, now realizing the implications of a crowd of people staring at him.
"Just the family - and Hermione and the Order members who are allowed at Sirius's house," Ginny said quickly.
"It's going to be at Sirius's?"
"Oh! I hope that's not going to be a problem for you," she said, a pleading note in voice. "Dumbledore wouldn't let us have it at the Burrow."
"It's okay," he said, hugging her. "I've already been there and I have already been harassed by Phineas's portrait."
"What was on his mind?" Ginny asked.
"Not to invest in whaling ships."
"You know, I never would have guessed that." She giggled.
"It surprised me too - but not as much as what I found out at Gringotts."
"And what did you find out at Gringotts?" Ginny prompted, sliding off of his lap and tapping the table with her wand. Immediately the dishes disappeared and two plates with treacle tart thudded on to the table.
Harry wished she would come back, but the treacle tart did look good. He picked up his fork before answering. "The goblins have been investing my parent's fortune ever since I was a baby."
He shrugged. "I sort of lost track of how it all adds up. There are so many different holdings and -" He stopped when he saw that Ginny was biting her lip, her treacle tart still untouched. "What?"
"I - I don't know," she said faintly. Then she colored. "I never thought of you as having a fortune. It makes me feel . . ."
"Weird?" Harry supplied. "Burdened, dizzy?" He put his fork down with a clatter. "That's the way I felt."
"You don't have a big mansion with an army of house elves or anything - do you?" Ginny asked with big eyes.
"What if I did?" he asked angrily. He had hoped that Ginny would understand, that she would know what to say to make him feel better about inheriting a bunch of stuff that he didn't earn. But how could she understand? Another voice inside of him asked. She hadn't been raised with money either.
"I just - " Her eyes pleaded with him not to be angry. "It sounds so lonely," she finally blurted out. "I don't want to think of you clattering around in some gloomy house all by yourself."
He let out a sigh. It wasn't the money - she was worried about him. Trust Ginny . . . . "No," he said in a softer voice. "There isn't one house. Apparently the cottage where my parents last lived was someone else's. It's all invested in businesses, like bed and breakfasts or golf courses." Then he grinned. "I have one-third of the shares in the Wizarding Wireless."
"You do?" Ginny's eyes were round.
"The director said that my grandmother forced my grandfather to buy them because she was a huge fan of . . ."
"Days of Destiny!" Ginny crowed.
"Right." Harry laughed. "That was one of the few original investments. I actually saw her signature." He swallowed. "Her name was Elizabeth."
"That's a nice name," she said softly.
"I wish I could have known her," he said, hating the forlorn note in his voice.
"She would have loved you."
"How do you know?" he demanded, the anger taking him by surprise. "Just because she was my grandmother doesn't mean she would have loved me. My own aunt hated me - still hates me to this day . . ." There he had said it - what had been bothering him all of this time. He had always held out a tiny hope that someday, somehow - the Dursleys would stop hating him. And he wondered what he could have done differently.
"She would have loved you," Ginny said in a steady voice, "because you have a very secret appreciation for soaps."
Even though his eyes were blurry, he could see her leave her chair. She pushed her way into his lap and put her arms around his neck. "I don't know why anyone would hate you," she whispered sadly.
He held her tightly, wishing he didn't feel this way. "Probably because there's something worth hating."
"Harry," she said fiercely, holding his face in her hands, so that he was forced to look at her. "I have seen your heart - I know you. There's something wrong with them - not you."
He couldn't argue with her because it was true - she did know him like no one else could possibly know him because of their experience together in the Chrysalis Charm. And if she was sure . . . He took a deep breath and started to stroke her hair with his hand. "I'm just being stupid," he began.
"Not stupid," she said, caressing his face, "sen-"
"Ginny," he said warningly.
She giggled. "Okay - I won't say it." She kissed his cheek. "I, for one am glad that you have those shares in the Wizarding Wireless. If the writers start on a plot line I don't like, then you can threaten to pull your shares."
He laughed. "Isn't that interfering with - er - art or something?"
"I wouldn't classify Days of Destiny as art."
"Right." He smiled at her. "So what should I do with the Jersey cows?"
"Jersey cows?"
"Well, they're dairy cows on the Isle of Jersey."
"Oh. Give them to your aunt."
Harry could just imagine Aunt Petunia opening the door one morning to bring in the milk - and to find a whole herd of lowing cows in the front garden.
"You could leave a note," Ginny suggested. "That says: 'Dear Aunt Petunia -'"
"'Have a cow,'" Harry said.
Ginny giggled and continued, "'Sincerely yours, etcetera, etcetera.'"
"I reckon fortunes aren't such bad things," Harry conceded.
"Are you ready?" Ginny asked as they stood on the front steps of number twelve. They had taken the Knight Bus from Diagon Alley since Ginny couldn't Apparate.
"Is the party starting now?" he asked nervously. It was only mid-afternoon since Bill didn't think it was safe for them to wander around Diagon Alley on their own.
"No - are you ready for Ron and Hermione? They should be here by now."
"Of course, I'm ready to see them." He couldn't imagine why he wouldn't be.
"Well." Ginny smiled. "They're Apparating now - and it's kind of . . . You'll see."
Harry grinned. Hermione was probably giving Ron endless tips on how to do it better - and Ron was disregarding her advice with indignant huffs. It would be so good to see them.
"Hello!" Ginny called from the entrance hall. "We're here!"
As Harry shut the door behind him, he heard a loud crack followed by a soft pop. Hermione was rushing at him before he had a chance to register anything else.
"Harry! Happy Birthday," she said, hugging him briefly. Then she turned to look at Ron on the floor with one shoe on his hand. "That's better this time," she commented. "But you're still awfully loud."
"And you're still . . . ," Ron said with a sideways glance at Hermione.
Hary looked to Hermione who was beginning to blush.
"Happy Birthday, mate," Ron called from the floor. Then he took Harry's outstretched hand with his shoeless one.
"Thanks," Harry said, hauling Ron to his feet. He indicated the large trainer on Ron's hand. "Does that happen often?"
Ron shrugged and slipped his foot into the trainer. "I've only splinched clothes. At least I have trousers on."
Hermione tut-tuted and Ginny giggled.
"There's a story here," Harry said with a grin.
"And everyone at the Weasley family reunion can tell it," Ginny added.
"Excellent timing, Ron."
Hermione interrupted briskly. "Yes, well. Ginny and I have things to do. Maybe you two can play chess or something." She looked pointedly at Ron.
"Oh - right," Ron said, catching on. "Fancy a match?"
Harry shrugged. "Do I get to win on my birthday?"
That was just what he needed - Ron with his chess skill honed by a Slytherin. "Maybe I'll watch you two."
They found Theodore Nott in the room they shared. Harry was relieved to see that Phineas was not in his frame. He didn't want to talk about money anymore.
Nott had his own chess set and it was as different from Ron's set as - well - as different as Nott was from Ron. These chess pieces were not physical with each other, but they made short, sharp taunting speeches that were quite amusing to listen to.
"Ha! Foiled again, my dear pawn."
"I won't stand in the way of your demise, black Knight."
"What ever do you mean?"
"Look to your right," the white pawn hissed.
It was like watching a badly acted soap - even more melodramatic than Days of Destiny. Typically, neither Ron nor Theodore Nott spoke a word during the hour and a half of play.
"My goodness, it's quiet up here," said Mrs. Weasley from the doorway. "Harry, happy birthday, my dear." She hugged him as soon as he reached her. "You're finally free of that place."
It was starting to sink in. He really was free. He hugged her back. "Um, Mrs. Weasley can I ask you something?" He looked back at Ron and Theodore Nott, but they were still absorbed in their game. "Would you mind if I gave Ginny a kitten for her birthday?" he asked in a low voice.
Mrs. Weasley beamed at him. "Oh, Ginny loves cats. Of course she can have one."
Harry was relieved since he had already contacted the owner of Mrs. Slippers and had been promised one of the litter. In fact, he was welcome to all of them.
"Now Harry, Ginny has come up with a surprise for your birthday . . .." She hesitated.
"She already told me about the party," Harry murmured. "She wanted to prepare me - but I'll pretend to be surprised."
"Good." Mrs. Weasley looked relieved. "Ron and Hermione are just as excited."
It wasn't hard work to look surprised when Harry saw all of the people gathered in Sirius's kitchen. It was a pleasant room now, painted a cheerful yellow - not that Harry could see that much of it, since it was festooned with crepe paper and balloons.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!" the group called out. Here were his people - the ones who knew him, taught him, wished him well. Some of them even loved him, he thought as he took in Ron, Hermione, and Ginny standing by the enormous cake on the table.
In a flush of excitement, he blew out the candles and cut large slabs of cake for everybody. It was only when he was settled at the table, after his third butterbeer, that he could finally separate everyone out from the throng.
Theodore Nott was trying to convince Fred and George to put disclaimers on all of their products.
"How do you know some goofy ten-year-old isn't going to put one of your fireworks up his nose?" Nott demanded.
"If he's stupid enough - " Fred began.
"To put a firework in his nose -" George continued, rolling his eyes and taking a swig of butterbeer.
"Then he's too stupid to -"
"Read -"
"The disclaimer." Fred shook his head. "It wouldn't prevent accidents."
"Ah, but it prevents, lawsuits," Nott said, leaning forward as he warmed to his subject.
Ron and Hermione were listening to Charlie describing Seamus's first day at the dragon reservation. "This little Chinese Fireball - just hatched - must have thought Seamus was his mum, because he followed him around all day. Poor bloke had some bad burns on the back of his legs by then end of the day."
"Poor Seamus!" Hermione said sympathetically.
"Poor Seamus," Charlie scoffed. "It's traditional to receive a pint of Firewhisky for your first dragon burn. He was feeling no pain, believe me."
He couldn't hear them, but he could see Mr. Weasley in an animated conversation with Lupin and Mad-eye Moody. Mrs. Weasley was having her wine glass re-filled by Bill. And Ginny was giggling over something with Tonks in the corner.
As he looked around, the voices washed over him. He was seventeen today, an adult in the eyes of the wizarding world. When he finished school and fulfilled the prophecy, he would buy a little cottage, and with some help, he would paper and paint it. It would be his home.
But that future could wait, he realized as he caught Ginny's eye and smiled. Because, he thought with a peaceful heart, in many ways - finally - today - he was already home.


text:
|2004-07-20, 23:18
|Link #3
FF Crystal Chronicles is perhaps the most horrible FF OST since the extremely boring FF VIII soundtrack. The flute is in almost every song and gets really irritating after a while. At least, that is what I think.
My favourite pure game OST would have to be Valkyrie Profile. I've been a big Sakuraba fan since his days in Wolf Team and Valkyrie Profile is one of the OSTs I play most.
My favourite arranged OST is definately Xenogears Creid. Yasunori Mitsuda is in my opinion a musical genius and the work he did with Millennial-Fair was just awesome.
Another couple of favourites of mine are Phantasy Star IV, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy IX and Front Mission 3.
|2004-07-21, 13:53
|Link #6
Inactive ex-WoW addict
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Trondheim, Norway
Age: 39
Yeah, a thread like this exists in the Games forum here.
|2004-07-23, 05:37
|Link #8
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Age: 39
You can buy OSTs from Tower Records in London and also from Otaku UK Mail Order (see their website) and Ebay (of course).
Actually I think the game of Valkyrie Profile is better than the OST, which is too lively for me. I got Lezard and Freya at the end and I was happy. Kick me, but...Lezard is a sexy beast.
|2004-07-23, 06:21
|Link #9
Thanks sakurabatou @ LJ
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NYC
I'll admit I'm a diehard SNES RPG fan. I've played the FFs after that, but they only got progressively worse (though 9 was fun, it couldn't compare to the early ones). Even the music wasn't as good as in the early days. Also, RPGs other than the FF series may have just winked out of existence for all I know. Except for a few here and there, sometimes...
Anyway, at the moment my favorite is the Romancing SaGa 3 soundtrack, but that may only be because I'm playing the game at the moment. It's still a great soundtrack, though. The Crystal Ruins song is soooooo good...
As for some other favorites, the Final Fantasy VI soundtrack is my favorite FF soundtrack. The Chrono Trigger soundtrack is amazing. The Tales of Phantasia soundtrack is definitely in my top five game soundtracks. And Live a Live, a game seldom heard of, has a really really good soundtrack, except that it's only one disc
|2004-07-23, 09:06
|Link #10
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: A Place Where the Corn Doesn't Grow
Age: 28
Ok, I haven't played that many of the games you are talking about but I am sure they sound great. I think though my top ones Would be the Final Fantasy X OST and FF VII, yes 7, OST. I don't know if you count these as original sound tracks because they used other peeps songs, but hey SSX3 Sound track rocks because of POOR LENO!!!!!!!! That song is CrZy man! ok I am good, but overall I would have to say Final Fantasy tactics Advance that is #1 OST. Ok Im done now.
|2004-07-28, 21:16
|Link #16
*anime lova*
My fav of all time would be final fantasy X and X-2 i'm sooo addicted to real emotion and 1000 words...i hav the english version too!! lol yea i'm crazy/hyper...anywayz i love those two songs sooo much i now have all of Koda Kumi's CD...she sings real emotion and 1000 words.
|2004-07-29, 01:30
|Link #17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
There was already a thread like this somewhere, maybe in the game forum, anyway
I think Chrono Cross OST is the best ever,Time's Scar is simply my favorite orchestric song up to date and I seriously think that Yasunori Mitsuda is a genius, hes the best composer for video game alive.
|2004-08-10, 17:54
|Link #20
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Trois-Rivières, Québec
Age: 35
I personnaly think that Final Fantasy VI has the best overall soundtrack, with Chrono Cross as a close second.
For the best game song ever, I agree with Imazul; it would be the Chrono Cross theme song, Time's Scar.
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Asked for female, 26 years old from Hyderabad
I am suffering with bleeding of gums and bad breath. Last year I visited doctor, he said my left most 3 jaw teeth are not good, and also he applied cement to one of the teeth. From that onwards I am experiencing bad breath. From the past 10 years I had bleeding of gums.
BDS, MDS - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Advanced course in maxillofacial sugery
Dentist, Lucknow
Asked for male, 22 years old from Kolkata
What the root canal process can do with the prosthodontist? My two lower frontal teeth RCT failure. Please guide me.
Asked for male, 23 years old from Indore
I have no cavity but remain pain in my tooth in random way dentist say problem is nothing all well after checking xray of whole tooth.
Good evening! You may have cavity or reduced layers of normal teeth. Brush your teeth with Oral-B UltraSoft Tooth Brush in circular motion without applying much pressure. If there is cavity kindly consult a dentist Use sensoform gum paint apply and massage over the gums it strengthens the gums. Thank you!
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BDS, Certificate of Speciality Training In Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics, Advanced Certificate Course In Aesthetic Dentistry
Dentist, Mumbai
Tobacco has many ill effects on the health and dental health is one of them. From dark stains to poor gum health to increased incidence of decay to the more severe oral cancer, tobacco has a very detrimental effect on your dental health. Read on know more about how harmful tobacco can be on the dental system.
- Brown teeth and tongue: One of the tell-tale signs of a smoker are the brown teeth and stained tongue. A dentist need not even be told that the person smokes, it just shows!! What is interesting is that these stains do not go away with a scaling, they just continue to form as long as tobacco is being put into the system.
- Gum disease: The oral health of a smoker is definitely not at its best. With the stains on the teeth, the gums are more prone for irritation and infection. This leads to grayish, unhealthy gums. The periodontal fibers are also affected, leading to bad breath, pocket formation and even tooth mobility in severe cases. The mouth is generally drier in comparison and so bacterial growth is more favored, further accelerating the process of gum disease and teeth decay.
- Dental caries: The increased amount of bacteria leads to greater incidence of dental decay. Chances of cervical decay (around the gum line) and root decay are higher in smokers.
- Bad breath: There are two reasons to it one is the tobacco per se and the second is the dry mouth, which leads to reduced saliva and increased bacterial growth.
- Impaired taste: The tongue has a constant coating too, leaving the taste buds unable to completely taste food substances. Ask any smoker a couple of questions and you would realize how they never get to enjoy and taste the food as it should be.
- Poor healing: Whether it is a gum disease, a tooth removal or a root canal therapy, smokers who go for dental treatment need a longer time to respond compared to nonsmokers. If smoking is continued at the same pace, then the chances of developing a dry socket with an extraction or a failed root canal therapy are quite high. There are more failures reported in success of implant in smokers as compared to non smokers.
- Cancer: The most dangerous and the most severe of all, cancer of the cheek, gums, lips, tongue, roof of the mouth can all happen in smokers, twice more likely in comparison with non-smokers.
Now, if all these are not good enough to kick the habit, remember this list is only for the mouth and the teeth. The whole body goes through a lot more harmful effects, and that should be a good reason to quit tobacco use in any form. If you need professional help, do not be embarrassed to seek.
Asked for male, 38 years old from Mumbai
Hello sir. I am 38 years old I see some bubble like spots on my inside of tongue & reddish type skin from 3-4 days, is there any home remedy or I should consult a doctor?
Good evening sir! Please do not depend on home remedies for such cases. Yes the home remedies are good but not for this problems. You may get this because of various reasons bettr kindly visit a dentist and get cured. Because the cause is detected only by the clinical view. If you use home remedies and others medicines randomly it may become more. Kindly consult a dentist in person. Thank you! Get well.
Asked for male, 22 years old from Noida
I have a problem of cavity in my teeth. I want to onow the cost of the root canal and teeth filling.
Good evening! You may have cavity or reduced layers of normal teeth. Brush your teeth with Oral-B UltraSoft Tooth Brush in circular motion without applying much pressure. If there is cavity kindly consult a dentist and get filled RCT cost varies according to your problem. Kindly ask your dentist in person. Thank you!
Asked for female, 17 years old from Delhi
So here doctor have said that to get braces my 2 permanent teeth has to be extracted but my parents saying that if 2 teeth are removed then there will be gap and after you remove the braces if the gap is still visible then they won't do any another treatment. They saying don't do it if you need to extract teeth because afterwards it pains. So what should I do now doctor. Should I do the treatment. If I extract my 2 teeth and I go for braces treatment so after removing braces will there be any gap. And is it safe to extract 2 permanent teeth, is there any side effects. Please help doctor.
Asked for male, 22 years old from Jhansi
Mere tongue me kuch dino se rat me achanak se left side me sui jaise kuch chubhta h or kafi pain hota h or fir wha chhala bhi pad jata h or kbhi bhi puri jeebh me bhi chale pad jate h or fir thik ho jate h but ye jo pain h jisme muje aise lgta h jaise niddle chubha di ho kisi n aksar neend m hi hota h. Now what should I do for it.
Good evening! Kindly consult a dentist in person to know the exact cause. Treatment is based on clinical examination. Thank you!
Asked for male, 22 years old from Gaya
Asked for male, 30 years old from Kolkata
Dr. Cavities on my wisdom teeth, partially broken due to cavities. I need advice its better to plucking or filling to get out completely from dental issue. Thank you for your valuable early reply.
BDS, MDS - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Advanced course in maxillofacial sugery
Dentist, Lucknow
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Inititial position rankings for 2010 released
Breaking down the 250Click MORE: Position Rankings | The Rivals250 | New names in the Rivals250 | Here to view this Link.
The Class of 2010 is loaded with versatile prospects who could end up using their talents to star on either side of the ball in college.
West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer's Matt Elam and Gardena (Calf.) Junipero Serra's Robert Woods are just a couple of prospects that have the potential to dominate at multiple positions at the next level.
Rivals.com goes deep at every position with the initial release of the position rankings and the athlete position ranking looks to be the deepest in the 2010 class at this stage.
Below is a closer look at the rankings at each position, listed in order by relative strength in the 2010 class, how this year's position group compares to the 2009 class and an overview by Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barton Simmons.


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Hello, I would like some help with hooking the GetForegroundWindow() function. So that the OS will notify the program when there is a change in windows, without having to poll 60 times a minute and hog the cpu. As far as I know, this is the most efficient way of being notified. I have never done hooks before, so assistance with this is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the help in advance.


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MACON, Ga. – The Lipscomb Lady Bisons followed up their sweep of Northern Kentucky with a sweep of the final weekly Atlantic Sun softball awards.
Right fielder Gracey Aguirre was named A-Sun Player of the Week and Tanner Sanders was honored as A-Sun Pitcher of the Week. It was the first time this season that either player had won the award. It was the second honor for Aguirre in her career.
Sanders was also named as "College Sports Madness" A-Sun Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season.
LU coach Kristin Ryman likes the boost it gives both players as they head into the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament which begins this week at Draper Diamond. The Lady Bisons, the No. 4 seed, will face No. 5 seed Kennesaw State at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The double-elimination tournament continues through Saturday on the Lipscomb campus.
"She and Heather Parker both had good performances in the Northern Kentucky series," Ryman said. "But what is really funny about it is that neither one of them threw exceptionally well, as far as seeing their pitches moving, and hitting spots.
"They weren't always spot on with their locations and things like that. But we were getting the results that we wanted."
Sanders, 17-9, closed out the regular season with a 6-0 no-hit performance at Northern Kentucky. She struck out seven for her fifth shutout and first no-hitter. She started her freshman season with a shut out of Iowa on the road and closed out the regular season with the shut out at Northern Kentucky.
"A win is a win and a no-hitter is a pretty impressive thing to accomplish," Ryman said. "I think it is a good boost from a mentality standpoint to get a game like that under your belt and feel good from a results standpoint.
"But we still want to go back to work and make sure we are tweaking things the next couple of days. We want to make sure we are getting Sanders and Parker as well as the entire team where we need to be mentally and physically going into this weekend."
Aguirre proved she is recovered from an injury that has hampered her the past couple of series. She batted .600 for the series and posted two hits in each game. She has 12 multi-hit games this season.
She also stole two bases, drove in one run and scored once.
"Gracey has battled through a lot," Ryman said. "She has gutted it out. This time of the year you don't have too many choices – you can either not play or you can gut it out.
"She is feeling better. I was really proud of her effort over the weekend. I thought she really zoned back in and found a way to do her job and put the ball in play on the ground. She was just punching the ball through the infield."
The Purple and Gold are 19-5 when Aguirre bats in the clean-up position. She has 13 doubles this season and is ranked 48th nationally in doubles per game.
"With a four-hole hitter you expect home runs and extra bases hits," Ryman said. "She is going to get some of those power numbers, but she is more of a kid who hits for average. Having someone in the fourth spot who is putting the ball in play, whether it is a single or home run, is important."
The biggest reason for Aguirre's success at the plate is her ability to limit her strikeouts. She has 14 heading into the tournament, the second year in a row she has recorded the lowest number of strikeouts on the team. Mickey Bell is close behind with only 16.
"Gracey does a better job of battling with two strikes than most hitters," Ryman said. "She came in here as that kind of a hitter.
"She has a good eye at the plate. She is up there in the lineup because average-wise she has done a nice job for us. She brings some power potential, but the biggest thing is her consistency."
MACON, Ga. – The Lipscomb Lady Bisons followed up their sweep of Northern Kentucky with a sweep of the final weekly Atlantic Sun softball awards.


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text: Regis University takes an active part in the life of the Denver metro community, with involvement in a variety of community-based organizations. Students, faculty and staff invest their time and energy in local Chambers of Commerce, enrichment events and activities offered free-of-charge to the public, nonprofit fundraising events such as bike rides, races, and walks and other community activities. Being a part of the business, neighborhood and nonprofit community in a meaningful way enriches the lives of all members of the Regis University community and fulfills our mission, "Men and Women in Service of Others."


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|View Poll Results: Toradora! - Episode 16 Rating
|Perfect 10
|9 out of 10 : Excellent
|8 out of 10 : Very Good
|7 out of 10 : Good
|6 out of 10 : Average
|5 out of 10 : Below Average
|4 out of 10 : Poor
|3 out of 10 : Bad
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad
|1 out of 10 : Painful
|Voters: 177. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2009-01-25, 07:25
|Link #181
Senior Member
vaberella, for me if the show focuses on the relationship itself (transcendence of it) then it should be that way, without sudden shift of focus to romance which
Spoiler for which:
If the author doesn't plan to work upon building the romance then the show should not switch the focus to it as well and stay on what it does best - transcendent relationship of characters, instead of forcing a love drama as the 16 episodes were not really about romance at all, I do not think that forcing a sudden love eruption just to create a better climax is all that great idea.
|2009-01-25, 09:48
|Link #182
Who am I?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Babuyan Islands
This is the best slice of life/comedy/romane EVARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Cut Kitamura some slack. At least his human enough to act like a dick cause of a girl. That happens everytime/and everywhere (and their just high school kids). I mean all the characters here aren't black and white. They all have flaws yet are still so lovable. No series have ever had characters like these.
|2009-01-25, 10:00
|Link #183
Achilles Last Stand
Or they could leave an open ended series...
|2009-01-25, 12:50
|Link #185
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Singapore
Unless, of course you were talking about a sequel, then that's a whole different story...
|2009-01-25, 14:57
|Link #187
Join Date: Jan 2008
Age: 30
|2009-01-25, 15:43
|Link #189
Eye for an Eye
Join Date: Apr 2008
Meh... I was really looking forward to seeing Taiga's broken hearted expression, so it was a big let down for me when the moment came and they only showed her back... This is probably the main reason why I didn't like this episode. I just hate it when people expose their personal lives like that, it's embarrassing. Lame move from Kitamura, coercing her into dating him like that, wtf... Extra points for Sumire though, loved the way she handled the situation. Calm, collected, classy... Vey nice. It's shame we won't be seeing more of her.
|2009-01-25, 16:01
|Link #190
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
|2009-01-25, 17:05
|Link #191
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
|2009-01-25, 18:35
|Link #192
Revealing the truth
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Singapore
Age: 36
"Are your feelings of guilt gone?"
Hmm I thought it is becuz minorin knew about takasu's feelings and yet chooses to ignore it for his and taiga's own good. But yet through the anguish of kitamura, minorin saw that is not the case. Seeing that at least there was a happy ending, she thought she did the right thing till Ami questioned her.
|2009-01-25, 19:17
|Link #193
Senior Member
Kaisos Erranon, I never said I am always right. If you cannot read my comments thoroughly then don't read them. I can do without your lame quoting of things I never said.
Vexx, the clues as I said is not from romantic perspective and not shed in a romantic light at all, they are all from the friendly/similar spirits perspective. I am sure that you would use such arguments as in rubbing feet against ones back and so on, but they do not indicate romance - they indicate the closeness that is not necessarily romantic and is not romantic as neither of the act perceivers perceive it as an romantic.
The romantic relationship is not there as it has no romantic perception. When there will be - then the relationship can be called romantic. It is not even confusing relationship for either of them, meaning that it really is what it is - a bond between two similar spirits. But it is not a romance.
|2009-01-25, 19:47
|Link #195
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
|2009-01-25, 20:03
|Link #196
Join Date: Apr 2006
At least I think that's what is being referred to here.
|2009-01-25, 20:25
|Link #197
Homo Ludens
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canada
Age: 29
And we all know that the original author is a woman.
I'd personally classify Toradora as shoujo rather than shonen/seinen, even with its male protagonist...
|2009-01-26, 02:10
|Link #199
Seishu's Ace
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
I've been puzzling over what word to use to describe Ami, and I've figured it out - perceptive. Maybe it's because of her dealings with adults through her job, but she's incredibly perceptive about the hidden meanings in situations - and about people's hidden weaknesses. Because she's more mature than her classmates but also very childlike and selfish at times, she uses her perceptiveness as a weapon. She's certainly a girl of many contradictions.
|2009-01-26, 02:21
|Link #200
Wordy b@stard
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Mid-Tejas
A really enjoyable episode and typical for this series. A little comedy, a little drama, and some action for good measure.
I really liked the "messages" in this eps. Particularly Sumire's point that even if you have one set of reasons for setting onto a journey, the reasons change during the journey. Deciding not to step forward because your original goal seems lost is wrong. There ultimately is more at stake if you look at it. It is worthwhile continuing and almost your duty once you have taken that first step.
I enjoyed Kitamura's guts to profess his love to Sumire on stage. She was just as brave not to cave in and instead make a statement to support "such an interesting guy" to the class. Sure it was a kind of cop out to avoid his question, but if most teenagers were in the situation, they would run and whine about how embarrassing that was. Turns out she wasn't just a cold and calculating tyrant as depicted earlier on, but a deep and caring person, helping Kitamura save face while hiding behind her own mask as we were soon to so dramatically see...
Taiga's insistence that Sumire take responsibility for emotionally injuring Kitamura was amazing. She loves him deeply enough to push the one he loves back toward him, even if it hurts her. Not only was she standing up to protect someone she cared for, she was making the statement that if she were going to lose, she should lose to someone who was worth losing to. Taiga has to move forward on her journey too. The ensuing fight was truly an epic anime moment. They didn't play it for super-deformed comedy that most shows would. They put in all of the blood, sweat and bruises that standing up for what you believe in gives you back. Yes, all of you pacifists and doubters out there, there are girls who will punch and pull hair over a guy, every bit as much as there are guys who will literally kill another man for similar reasons over a girl. I've seen it in suburban California, why not in Japan.
Sumire's counter to Taiga about supporting Kitamura by hiding her feelings so he wouldn't destroy his life by following her was a smart note too. She showed that she too loved him in return, but was sacrificing her own feelings for the greater good of both Kitamura's future as well as the school's potential loss of a good and caring leader.
Kitamura's acknowledgment that her message and reasons for loving and still holding back from him aren't going to go wasted was dramatic. He clearly (to me anyway) telegraphed that he accepted what care and love she might hold for him in the way she felt able, and he had learned his lesson to move forward despite the frustrations and pain that may lie ahead, because it is all in service of a greater future for them all.
Taiga's reaction was all pain. Stunning pain. So well illustrated by the animators. You could see the gears turning in her head realizing that she's both succeeded and failed in one brilliant moment. She brought the two together in her place and had lost all in one. To me that was also what Ami's comment to Minori, and her subsequent grimace and were all about. She, like Taiga, was pushing together two who love each other, even at risk of her own pain and loss. I could be wrong on that last one, but it was presented as such. A perfect bold underline of what had just happened.
A fascinating turn of events. If people think that this arc was a weak and pointless one, that's sad. In Taiga's, or anyone's life, going through these turns are such that lives and futures are altered inextricably. Paths diverge while bonds are strengthened in new ways not before seen.
I felt these were good lessons for the audience, because ultimately that's why they occur. It always amazes me how the real messages get lost on so many viewers. "So and so wouldn't really say that!" or, "Why would the writers put in something that just doesn't make sense?" Characters don't do and say these things for themselves, or to be more real within their world, but instead in service of the audience. They are speaking to US and telling us, DON'T make these mistakes without really looking at them from all sides and considering your own actions carefully. This is just a cartoon show. Your own life is REALITY. If we can put events and situations into high relief for you to not miss them in YOUR life, then maybe you will not suffer as these characters do...
Great series!
Last edited by Mughi; 2009-01-26 at 02:38.
|Thread Tools


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Famed vascular surgeon Dr. John J. Bergan dies
CHICAGO (AP) — A vascular surgeon who gained national and international acclaim as one of the pioneers in organ transplantation has died at the age of 87.
Dr. John J. Bergan died Wednesday in Chicago, 50 years after he performed the first kidney transplant at what is now Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He founded the Division of Vascular Surgery at Northwestern University's medical school and wrote what is considered one of the most authoritative books on the circulatory system.
His son-in-law, Drew Davis, announced his death Friday. He says Dr. Bergan died from complications of a neurological illness.
A longtime Northwestern colleague called Dr. Bergan a "pioneer and a visionary vascular surgeon." Dr. William Pearce added it's unlikely any vascular surgeon in the United States does not know of Dr. Bergan's contributions to medicine.


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132: Music Knowledge
|Music Knowledge
Title text: When Guitar Hero 2 comes out I'll have fresh conversational material for MONTHS.
The punchline of this comic is that just by naming bands from the game Guitar Hero, you can sound pretty knowledgeable about music without actually knowing anything about the bands you are naming. This is further emphasized when Megan mentions Metallica, a very famous band that mostly everyone can be assumed to have heard of, and Cueball has no clue who they are, because Metallica is not featured in Guitar Hero (at the time of this comic writing).
In the title text, Cueball (or possibly Randall) is just hoping for a sequel to Guitar Hero to get more, and newer, conversational material.
- [Megan and Cueball converse.]
- Megan: What kind of music do you listen to?
- Cueball: Oh, a mix of things. Some classic rock like Boston, but then of course Queen and Bowie, Joan Jett...
- Megan: Definitely, we need more of those sounds.
- Cueball: But there's some great newer stuff too, like Franz Ferdinand, The Donnas, and Audioslave.
- Megan: Sometimes they're a little much for me. I go more for things like The Arcade Fire, sometimes mixing some electronic sounds like Postal Service.
- Cueball: Oh yeah—have you ever checked out Freezepop?
- Megan: Mhm! Synth pop can be fun, but at the same time, I agree that sometimes you just need to blast some Metallica.
- Cueball: Who?
- Megan: ...Metallica.
- Cueball: Are they new?
- I sound pretty knowledgeable about music until people figure out that I'm just naming bands from Guitar Hero.
- In his Google-speech in late 2007, Randall expressed some form of dissatisfaction with Guitar Hero III (coincidentally the first edition in the series to include a Metallica song).
- In 2009, three years after this comic was released, Metallica eventually got a game Guitar Hero: Metallica.
add a comment! ⋅ add a topic (use sparingly)! ⋅ refresh comments!
It may be worth noting that much of Freezepop's popularity comes from one of the band members being the music director for Guitar Hero and related games and slipping in their own songs. This got them an audience way beyond most synthpop bands (and I'm sure endorsements by people like Randall didn't hurt).
Of course the rest of their popularity comes from the fact that they wrote great music, made cute videos, and put on a fun live show. And that synthpop is just better than whatever you listen to. 22.214.171.124 23:37, 16 September 2015 (UTC)
Oh, please. Queen, Bowie, and Joan blow Freezepop out of the water


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Soooo.....I was thinking about what would be the best sport for me to do at my school and after a while I decided that I wan to take lessons for two. The first one is volleyball and the second is TENNIS!!!!!! Sooo I'd like introduce myself and ask what you think about tennis.
PS Tips would be great!


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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 28, 2010) - The ETSU baseball team, Kappa Delta Sorority, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the 1st Judicial District Children's Advocacy Center are teaming up to host the third annual Baseball Blue Day on April 30 as the Bucs host Stetson at Cardinal Park at 7 p.m.
Baseball Blue Day is being held in conjunction with the April observation of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It's goal is to help prevent child abuse by raising awareness and support for the work going on locally to end it.
"We are very excited to be teaming up in the support of the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) for the third straight year," said head coach Tony Skole. "Our program has always been involved with the youth of our community, and this is for an outstanding cause that we are proud to be associated with."
"Our goal is to make sure our fans that evening will recognize the importance of learning about the prevention of child abuse and enjoy a good time with the Bucs," said Sara Hacker, marketing and promotions coordinator of ETSU athletics.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and there will be free admission for all children, pre-game tours of Cardinal Park, a meet-and-greet session with the players, free food, inflatables, games, prizes and other family-oriented activities.
"ETSU Blue Day is a fantastic annual event," said Tara Crowe Hodges, CAC Executive Director. "It is such an honor to partner with ETSU and our sponsors to provide a fun day of baseball and activities for children and their families. Blue Day also provides the opportunity for the CAC to share important information on the realities of child abuse and tips on how to keep kids safe."
For more information about the day and the center's work, call the center at 926-6528 or visit www.childrensadvocacycenter.net.
So fans please remember to wear blue to the ball park to show support for your ETSU Bucs and for this great cause. Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for more information on ETSU baseball and all other Buccaneer athletic news.


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Here's an extra-special sale and a great opportunity to read my non-erotic science fiction/fantasy/horror collection, Love Without Gun Control, and my non-fiction (strange history, weird art, etc) book, Welcome To Weirdsville for a great discount!
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Peek under the rugs, open more than a few drawers, peek in the back
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Thoughts, ruminations, and general whatever from the moderately acclaimed and ridiculously prolific writer and editor M.Christian: a literary streetwalker with a heart of gold
Friday, January 24, 2014
Love Without Gun Control And Welcome To Weirdsville - A Very Special Sale
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