text:
Are you looking for a way to pay your bills but keep ending up in a financial deficit? Are you tired of asking friends and family for help? There are so many ways to make money. However, the quickest and most convenient way is to start with what is already inside your home. That's right. Take a look all around you. You can turn your valuable items into quick cash to pay for your most urgent needs. Pawn equity loans are a great way to retake hold of your finances. Simply use your goods as collateral for same-day funds. Pawn shops in Calvin, Louisiana is the way to go.
With so many people dealing with the effects of the pandemic, quick pawn equity loans have been the buzz online. It is a credible way to sell quality goods in no time. In fact, you can get back up to 60% of the item's worth. Instead of stressing about how you will pay for your leaky roof, cash in the items collecting up dust in your attic! It is that simple.
Are there any hidden fees included? Here at LoanSolution, we do not believe in "hidden" fees, however, there are costs that are included with any pawn shop loan in Calvin, Louisiana. For one, all borrowers must pay the Annual Percentage Rate or APR. This is the percentage of the loan by which a borrower repays each year. The Annual Percentage Rate mostly includes closing fees, origination fees, and perhaps even discount points. Every APR is different and conditional upon the customer's financial health. For this reason, the client must consult their loan officer with questions to get a customized answer.
Now, what will a pawn shop not buy? Any items that are not operating according to standards and do not include verified purchase information. This online service will not accept any stolen items.
The process of getting a pawn equity loan is easy. There is no long list of requirements, and the wait time is shortened in comparison to traditional loans. From the time you bring in your valuables to approval, it all happens within minutes!
Paying back your equity loan is simple. The full balance must be paid on time. If not, your Annual Percentage Rate could increase and cause the total to skyrocket. Additionally, your credit could be negatively affected. To avoid this, keep in close contact with your pawn broker in Calvin, Louisiana.
Wondering if you qualify? Here is all you need to be the perfect candidate for this equity loan:
Do you want to try your hand at pawning? Be sure to consider asking yourself these questions while shopping around:
The most convenient thing about pawn shops in Calvin, Louisiana is the accessibility. All candidates can apply online in the comfort of their homes. However, if you must leave home, you can find a list of local pawn shops in Calvin to choose from on our website.
On the Loan Solution website, you can find information about local store hours. You may also apply online. Simply locate the tab that takes you to 'pawn shops near Calvin, Louisiana.' This is pretty much everything you need to know to get started right now.
Applying does NOT affect your credit score!
No credit check to apply.


text:
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Retrospective: Chill
At the same time, there have always been gamers who didn't like Call of Cthulhu for whatever reason -- too "literary," too bleak, too deadly -- which left room in the RPG marketplace for other takes on horror. One such take was Chill: Adventures into the Unknown. Its first edition was published in 1984 by Pacesetter, a gaming company founded and staffed primarily by ex-TSR staffers and whose brief existence (1984-1986) was, in my opinion, a glorious misadventure. Pacesetter's RPGs all possessed a certain zest to them, the kind of enthusiasm that can only be found in the young and naive who truly believe that their ideas can change the world. Nevertheless, they're very hit or miss, both mechanically and esthetically and Chill was no different.
Whereas Call of Cthulhu took its main inspirations from the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and his disciples and imitators, Chill was, for good and for ill, inspired by monster movies, particularly those produced by Universal Studios and Hammer Films. Player characters were assumed to be professional monster hunters called "envoys" in the service of a secret society known by the faintly ridiculous acronym of S.A.V.E., which stood for Societas Albae Viae Eternitata -- "Eternal Society of the White Way" -- and whose purpose was to protect mankind from the dark forces that lurked in the shadows. As a framing device for an episodic monster hunting game, S.A.V.E. worked well enough, although, even as a younger person, I found it a mite unsophisticated.
The game's rules were unremarkable, being a serviceable, but not inspired, variation on the mid-80s fad for chart-based action resolution pioneered by Marvel Super Heroes. Character generation was a mix of weighted random rolls (for basic abilities) and choice (for skills). Skills all had a chance to succeed based on an average of two to three relevant abilities, with bonuses and penalties assessed to the roll. Combat involved comparing one character's "attack margin" versus another character's defense on the action table to determine both success and damage. Like most of Chill, it worked well enough, but was neither particularly innovative nor flavorful. Characters could also learn disciplines of "the Art," which was a kind of low-level magic appropriate the style of horror the game emulated.
What really made Chill work, though, was its attitude and approach. The game was not a doom-laden meditation on man's insignificance. Neither was it filled with angsty melodrama. Chill was unapologetically -- even gleefully -- a game about kicking monster butt in the name of goodness, just like Peter Cushing did back in the day. To call it a "horror" game is, in many ways, a mistake, because it was "scary" only in the same way that Halloween is scary. Chill was never intended to be soul-shatteringly frightening, a fact many reviewers missed when the game was first released. Its horrors weren't intended to shock or terrify; rather they were meant to be opposed and, ultimately, beaten.
Pacesetter released a slew of modules and supplements for Chill, many of which were quite good, assuming what one wanted was to run a campaign about professional monster hunters. This earned the game a "lightweight" reputation in many circles, which is probably why, when Mayfair produced a second edition in the mid-90s, they -- foolishly in my opinion -- made the game darker and grittier, turning it into a faux Call of Cthulhu by way of White Wolf. It's a shame, because I had a lot of fun with the original Chill and I'd hoped that Mayfair's revival of the game might provide the same kind of fun, "beer and pretzels" monster bashing I remembered so fondly. Alas, it was not to be.
34 comments:
I think the points you raise in this review highlight the difficulty of doing horror in an RPG context. There's a certain nihilism in horror that tends to be offset by the fact that in a game situation your actions can and do have an effect. Monsters just aren't as scary if you can do something about them.
I think Call of Cthulu embraces this nihilism by structuring itself such that the characters' actions are merely prolonging the inevitable, which is why it's maintained its position as the king of horror games.
Otherwise, it's just gothic flavor applied to traditional RPG action, which is actually just fine by me. Preferred, in fact, because I find horror in its pure form kinda depressing.
Vampires need to be punched in the face, repeatedly, with silver plated brass knuckles inscribed with crosses if you can get 'em...My only memory of this was that they had an Elvira campaign book. I seem to remember horror rpgs being a bit hard to play, as sitting in a well lit livingroom seldom gives me the creeps :-D
ReplyDeleteTo call it a "horror" game is, in many ways, a mistake, because it was "scary" only in the same way that Halloween is scary. Chill was never intended to be soul-shatteringly frightening, a fact many reviewers missed when the game was first released. Its horrors weren't intended to shock or terrify; rather they were meant to be opposed and, ultimately, beaten.
I beg to differ. Chill was my introduction to horror gaming, and I always found it to be rich with horrific atmosphere. I think it evoked "gothic horror" as much as CoC evoked cosmic horror. And even though one could attribute its inspiration to Hammer films, I think it went deeper than that to the literary style that inspired Hammer: that of Poe, Stoker, Bierce, De Maupassant, early King, etc. I believe these were the true driving forces behind the game. As such, I always found the game to have a spooky, haunted-house vibe (never a campy, "I vant to suck your bloooddd" Hammer-esque vibe). (In fact, if you look at the game's "Appendix N" - as brief as it is - it never once mentions films; only "suggested reading.")
As for it being a monster-bashing game, I also beg to differ. These rules were deadly! Even a low-level vampire could do horrible things to an entire group of characters in straight combat, if they were crazy or dumb enough to confront him, even if they were prepared. Add to that a creature's Evil Way powers, and the adversaries in the game were truly powerful and frightening creatures. Throw in the fright check rules, and you've got a bunch of underpowered meat-sacks taking on enemies that not only overpower them but have the potential of reducing them to quivering masses of terrified flesh just by being present.
I don't personally find the enemies - which, by the way, were as cohesive a bunch in Chill as in CoC, all being pawns of "the Unknown" - any more easily defeated than the Lovecraftian horrors of CoC. (The game's referee section doesn't seem to encourage monster bashing, either. Oh, and to my previous point, it refers the potential game master to gothic horror literature for inspiration.)
Sure, a CM ("Chill Master") could conceivably run the game as a monster-bashing exercise, but I don't believe that either the game's rules nor its presentation lends to this style of play. I think that the intent is for the PC's to be just as overwhelmed and up against it as those in any CoC game - the only difference being the atmosphere and the nature of their enemies. (If you examine the illustrations in the core rulebook, you'll find that few depict humans in positive situations - nor does much of the book's "fluff.")
All in all, I think the game is far better - despite its agreeably clunky table-based rules - than most give it credit for being. If you're a fan of gothic horror literature, I'd wholeheartedly recommend the game.Christopher,
An interesting perspective -- and a unique one. I can't claim that the way I played the game as a young person is the right one, but it's the one that seemed most natural to me and my friends and nearly everyone else I ever met who played the game. Until now, that is :)
What I do recall vividly was that reviewers of the game frequently knocked it for being less "serious" than CoC. You've obviously read the game more deeply than I ever did, so, if your take on it is closer to its actual intentions, what was it about the game that gave so many people, myself included, a false impression about it?I loved Chill so much. I'd have to agree with Christopher B for the most part. Chill could be pretty brutal if you didn't plan a head. That said I did see a few humorous games back in the game.
A few years back Otherworlds games announced they were working on a third edition, which I was very excited about. Unfortunately they decided to let fundraiser "see if there was enough interest in a new edition," if they didn't hit their goal they wouldn't release the game. I can't remember what their goal was but it seemed rather high, especially given the minimum donation was $40. As excited as I was I couldn't justify paying $40 to get a chance to maybe pay another $40 some time down the line to get a hard copy of a game I hadn't seen yet. I guess i wasn't the only one, because the drive failed.
They did release a Quick release which looked serviceable, however.It's a shame we'll never see the final product....what was it about the game that gave so many people, myself included, a false impression about it?
That's a good question - one I've asked myself many times. (Your post here is not the first time I've encountered this perspective.) From the moment I laid eyes on Chill I never considered it to be a "less serious" or light-hearted game. Reading the core books only cemented my belief that it was a game of (gothic) horror, the way I'd always known it. (You can see my previous blog post on the game to see what I mean by that statement.)
Perhaps the Victorian nature of the game's presentation predisposed players to a Hammer gaming style. Perhaps I'm just hard-wired to take my horror seriously. (No, I don't think that's it. I really do believe the game was intended to evoke the same feeling one gets while sitting and reading a good gothic horror yarn in a darkened house at night.)
I suppose people see any game they approach with their own eyes. For instance, I've encountered many gamers who see CoC as an excuse to have their PC's running around with tommy guns and dynamite, blowing up everything in sight. Can't say as I'd ever considered playing the game that way...
What makes those players play CoC that way? Who can say?Well you know this, because every time we talk I sing the praises of this game. CHILL, hit the right tone, and it is one of the inspirations I turned to when working on Colonial Gothic.
I never cared for the Mayfair version, but there was one good book, the Companion. A very good book.
Pacesetter, for me, had great games. I played them all.Played in it once. Two of my regular D&D players in the 80's decided to co-run some games.
I came up with a teenage, rocker decendant of Van Helsing (I called her Crissy Van Helsing or some shit).
The first adventure pretty much consisted of the PC's staying at a run down manor inhabited by creepy people. They served a dinner, and it turned out to be man-flesh so we were therefor now cannibals. The two douche bag GM's laughed and hi-fived at how they made us cannibals. My protests that I considered my PC a vegetarian fell on dead ears. They were so proud at getting our characters to eat human flesh. Weeeeeeee - what fun.
I remember nothing else about that session, and indeed, I don't think much else happened. Their big plan was that we would be cannibals.
We never played again. It's a shame, cause I feel I was cheated out of experiencing Chill as it was meant to be played.Oh, and somebody tell me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember the rulesbook including information for some agency, govt or otherwise, that PC's should be a part of. Something spelled with letter like "A.I.M." or "H.E.L.P." or something like that. Is that true? Cause having to belong to an organization that fights evil is optimal cheese at best.
ReplyDeleteI always liked the name of the association. First, a Latin name seemed so flavourful and right. second, the "White Path" is a perfectly good, 19th century occultism name for a group. There was a lot of talk of "Great White Brotherhood" and "White Confraternity". It was a racial reference--it was a moral reference in opposition to necromancy i.e. black magic.
OTOH, the Silver Path wouldn't mean anything much. Although I suppose Crowley did have the Silver Star. Hmn, that woudl kind fo cool to have Aleister Crowley founding a monster-hunting society.Oh I don't know, Arthur makes a good point about the supernatural significance of silver. I quite like the idea of meshing the two, and having the society start out full of Gothic pomp, but surviving into the modern day, and changing the "White" to "Silver" in a reflection of the real-life change. "Yes, we're a secret society, but we're a sensitive secret society!"
The real question is, however, if Crowley's funding the monster hunters, why is he doing it? Is he wanting the creatures brought back alive? And if so, why?
Campaign! Go!Ah Chill. My love for this game is as deep as it is irrational.
So many things wrong with it as a system and I love each and every one.
Chill was my first horror game. It was more fun than CoC (characters got to live!) and scratched that Hammer Horror itch of mine like no other game.
Even today my WitchCraft RPG game is still a continuation of my Chill games back in the early 80's. Same world, just the weirdness factor dialed way up.I always liked the name of the association... it was a moral reference in opposition to necromancy i.e. black magic.
I never liked the name "SAVE" - but not because I had a problem with the "White Way" bit. (I understood that "way" here is used like "path," and as Matthew said, it's in opposition to "black" magic. I see nothing racist in the name, and I really think those who do are looking too hard.) No, I disliked it because I thought the acronym was a bit on the silly side.
I think for this year's resurrection of my Chill campaign, I'm going to call it "Societas Via Manus Dextra" (forgive me if I butchered the Latin): Society of the Right Hand Path. It's much more in line with the spiritual society names of the time, IMHO, being a reflection of real-world occultism. The acronym ("SVMD") may not be as spiffy as SAVE, but at least it's not as silly.
(Sorry if the name offends any lefties out there... :P)I tried or read most of the Pacesetter games back in the day. CHIll, Star Ace and Time Masters were all pretty pedestrian RPGs.
The Sandman, however, was a very surreal and interesting experience. It was unique until the "indie rpg" experimentation of the later 90s.
Black Morn Manor, the CHIll Boardgame, was innovative for it's time. It had a build-as-you-go tile board and it was semi-cooperative. There was the potential for one or more of the good-guy team players to "go over to the dark side" and become the antagonists.
The main thing wrong with Mayfair's 2ed Chill was the graphic design of the book. Many pages featured eye-sores like purple text over backgrounds with gray half tone water marks. It was barely readable.
At least before OGL we had some choice and competition between game systems. For me the last decade of 3Ed/OGL has been 10 lost years.- AnonymousFebruary 17, 2010 at 6:20 PM
Chill was what everyone expected Call of Cthulhu RPG to be when they had never read any Lovecraft or other serious horror writer. So kudos for the second edition being darker (which I had only played in the first).
I remember Chill fondly as the game that you would play before Blood Brothers came out. Then we liked the ease of the BRP and still played Cthulhu but in more a farscial manner that Blood Brothers play often engenders. - AnonymousFebruary 17, 2010 at 7:41 PM
You can add me to the list of people who played Chill with a serious tone. I set my Chill adventures in the 1930s and they were all Investigative in nature with the PCs as detectives. SAVE existed but worked in the background the PCs were never aware of it.
One thing, in my opinion, that led to the light-hearted view of Chill was the original Holloway artwork which was fun but less than serious.
As an aside imagine my shock when I turned a corner on a backstreet in Cordoba, Spain and saw a sign over a shop with a huge Indalo on it. Secret headquarters of SAVE ? Chill was actually a surprisingly powerful horror game if run in the horror tradition. If it was played like D&D though, you just had funny monsters with powers that weren't all that effective.
IMNSHO, it was probably the best traditional gothic horror game until the Orrosh supplement for Torg came out.
[Although that being said, we also did have fun with the Creature Feature game. Who knows, if they had of added a bit more pathos, rather than humour, they might have prempted Vampire the Masquerade by quite a few years...]I just picked up almost the whole run of those old pacesetter Chill books at the used bookstore the other day for $2 each and in perfect condition - score! Reading through them was a throwback and a blast - simple monster-bashing fun, just as you described it. I can't wait to try them out! I was also a huge fan of Adventure back in the day (a post late, I know), and just downloaded the iphone version of that and Zork the other day. I hope I don't overdose on all this dorky goodness.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to play nearly as much Chill as I would have liked (CoC was our horror game of choice), there's a very easy change you can make to the rules which will speed up play. When resolving actions on the table, the rules tell you to subtract your roll from your score and use the difference to find the degree of success. You want to roll as low as possible, but double-digit subtraction always slows things down. Instead, we rolled the dice and if the roll succeeded, skipped the subtraction and just used the number showing. It didn't change the probabilities at all, it just flipped things so that you wanted to roll as high as possible without going over your score. This speeded up play tremendously.
ReplyDelete@BigFella, @Darius: Yeah, you've both hit on something I tired to get to in much more long winded way.
With a few exceptions, horror games are action horror games. Among the exceptions many are played for camp instead of dark and serious. I don't think basics of roleplaying as a hobby mix well with the kind of hopelessness that much great horror from Lovecraft to King embodies.@Christopher: (In fact, if you look at the game's "Appendix N" - as brief as it is - it never once mentions films; only "suggested reading."
Great, now you've cost me $40 at Amazon buying it. RPGs should be about reading first (says the man writing a blog post extolling a movie as D&D inspiration).Chill is a strange beast. It was my first horror game, and might actually have been one of my first rpgs played, ever.
That first edition always managed to evoke a mood within me. I could hear the howl of the wind and the feeling of isolation and vulnerability against the malevolence of The Unknown. I love that. While I've read many times how people played Chill as "camp", I am not sure why.
That traditional gothic horror is in so many venues of popular culture is handled like it is no longer relevant. It's only usable as campy and jocular tropes. It's like "real" horror should be more graphic, surreal or whatnot. For me it's even more split, since I see why that is so, and still can't shake the feeling that gothic traditional horror is "real" horror!
Compare this with some of my impressions of CoC. I've gotten the impression that CoC often is played more as 1920/1930 re-enactment. It's historical roleplaying in the swinging and roaring twenties. That, or a very mystery oriented game where investigation is more important that the fact that you investigate the activities of monsters and alien malevolent creatures. In contrast to that, Chill always seemed to focus on the horrific, campy or just (if I may say so) "old school" horror tropes.
When those guys who said they were publishing a 3rd ed told me thay wanted feedback on the playtest manuscript and the playtest text for the quickstart I jumped at the opportunity. But after one individual repeatedly saying that "we will print it next month" or "I have an announcement in two weeks!" I decided they had no idea how to publish a game and lost interest. It pains me to realize a game I think deserve some love would not get a third edition. At least not from those guys.
Chill still have nailed the traditional horror niche for me. I think I will grab my box and soak in its mood a while...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Solid sterling silver double ended feather cuff. Our cuff range is adjustable so it is the ideal piece to add to your collection!
We take pride at every stage of the order process and we know that timing is everything. We aim to deliver all jewellery orders which are handmade by us in our workshop within 3-7 days. If you require something urgently contact us to discuss having your order fast tracked.
Silver jewellery and other non-jewellery items are dispatched via Royal Mail's Tracked service which will not require a signature. We will send an email on the day of dispatch to include a tracking number. Special Delivery orders are required to have a signature to receive the parcel.
Solid gold and diamond jewellery orders will be sent via Royal Mail's Special delivery service and will require a signature. Click here to track a special delivery http://www.royalmail.com/personal/uk-delivery/special-delivery
Delivery Price Guide
UK Standard Delivery: FREE
UK Special Delivery: £9.95
(Includes Highlands & Islands of Scotland, Northern Ireland & other UK Islands)
Europe: £9.95
(2-10 working days from dispatch)
Rest of the world: £9.95
(5-14 working days from dispatch)
International Delivery
As a general rule, we ship jewellery items via Royal Mail's International Tracked Service. We cannot be held responsible for items that are delayed via customs entering the country.
Damaged Orders
We try our utmost to package your items well so it arrives with you in pristine condition, if your parcel has been damaged in transit and requires a replacement please email firstname.lastname@example.com along with an image of your faulty item and I will advise how best we can assist you.
If you return a non-personalised item to us that isn't deemed as faulty, the return delivery charge will be at a cost to yourself and we will refund you for the product price only. When returning your item to us please enclose your original invoice (where possible). Alternatively, enclose a note with your contact and order details.
We always recommend using a tracked service to return your item if it is a valuable order or a jewellery item - we cannot be held responsible for items that go missing in the return post.
Skinny Wrists
12 Seaview Street
Returning Personalised Items for a Refund
Personalised items that are uniquely made for you are non-returnable & non-refundable (unless faulty). This includes anything specially made or ordered with your choice of name, location, fabric, message, or other customised feature making the item unique to you. Please note that earrings are non-returnable for reasons of hygiene and safety.
Returning Non-Personalised Items for a Refund
We can all be indecisive from time to time - if you change your mind about an item just make sure you return it to us within 14 days in the original packaging and in a re-saleable condition.
We will process your refund directly to your debit /credit card within 14 days at the very latest, subject to the above terms & conditions.
Items Purchased in One of Our Shops
If you have recently purchased a non-personalised item from one of our stores and have changed your mind we will happily offer you an exchange or credit note.
Please remember due to the fact that each personalised piece is handmade to order we cannot offer a refund or exchange online or in-store unless faulty. The same applies to earrings for hygiene reasons.
Returning Faulty Items
Please return a faulty product to us within 14 days from the day received to receive a full refund, or to have your item fixed.
Please note that we are not liable for any other jewellers work. A faulty jewellery item corrected by another jeweller voids the 30 day warranty period.


text:
More Ways to Shop - Browse brand names, gifts, best sellers, bargains, & more
Crayola has inspired artistic creativity in children since the first box of Crayola crayons rolled off the assembly line in 1903. Whether it's providing tools to put a purple octopus on the moon, or enabling teachers to bring arts-infused learning into the classroom, Crayola is passionate about helping parents and educators raise creative and inspired children, who they believe will one day lead the world. The company began when cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith took over Edwin's father's pigment business in 1885. For more than 100 years, the company carried the name of its founders, Binney & Smith, until 2007 when the company changed its name to Crayola. A Hallmark subsidiary, Crayola has called Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, its home since the turn of the century. Today, the company's world headquarters and major manufacturing facilities are located there. Downtown Easton is the home of The Crayola FACTORY®, an interactive brand experience where families can enjoy a day of creative fun and see how iconic Crayola crayons are made. [ visit manufacturer website ] |


text:
Blind Vice: Which Vampire's Batty for Boys?
No wonder so many gay men are gossip columnists: All these supposedly "straight" stars are constantly cruising us (and our friends) for sex!
And the latest celeb to daringly do so is one of the biggest, hunkiest vampire sensations out there right now. So much so, even I was shocked when a bud of mine, who gets off hunting around Griffith Park—a notorious area of L.A. where homosexual sex in the woods is rampant and a constant annoyance to the police—enjoyed what you're about to read.
Nelly Fang is as hot as he is adored by his millions of fans. His smoldering looks are talked about just as much as (if not more so than) his red-hot acting talents.
Nelly simply smolders onscreen, what with his trance-like gaze and lithe, mildly muscled bod, which he keeps in shape by jogging through Griffith Park, wearing shorts but no...
...underwear, oh my!
I wonder if that's because Nelly likes to be extra-free to whip it out, just in case he needs to take a whiz? Nah.
More likely, that lack of clothing constraint is due entirely to Nelly's penchant for stopping a guy who catches his fancy on the trail so he can lure his conquest to a hidden path and then have hot, hot, hot sex under the sun! Something Fang's now done with my friend not once, but twice!
Love it! And people say Tiger's a slut! So glad Woods isn't the only celeb who's being supernaughty these days, what a relief.
"He's a real talker, too," adds Nelly's lucky path partner. "He kept saying, 'Yeah, do it, yeah, you like that, don't you, yeah, you like my ass?' "
Oh my. If only Nelly's gazillions of girlie worshippers could hear him talk. They'd either try to convert him or tell him to start talking dirty to them—or they'd stop being his fan—or both.
By the way, I'm sure if you've made it this far, you'll want to know the rest of the dirty deets, which are: Yes, Nelly's endowed (longer than wider, to be precise), and yes, he's a very neat boy down there.
"Very groomed," was how Mr. Fang's private parts were further described to me. Or to be even more precise (and gay): "Manscaped."
Hmmm. How very interesting, as this body-maintenance routine doesn't match the sometimes slightly grungy image Nelly likes to show off to the very unknowing public.
And it ain't: Kellan Lutz, Brad Pitt, Ryan Kwanten
Update 6/22/12 - Ted has eliminated Kellan Lutz, Brad Pitt, Ryan Kwanten, David Boreanaz, Jackson Rathbone, Robert Pattinson, Jamie Campbell Bower, Stephen Moyer, James Cameron. Peter Facinelli, Gerard Butler, Ian Somerhalder, Kiefer Sutherland, Allan Hyde, Cam Gigandet, Scott Speedman, Taylor Lautner, Sam Worthington, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Rostam Batmanglij, Jason Dohring, Alex O'Loughlin, Anna Paquin, Kristen Stewart, Paul Wesley, James Marsters, Brendan Fehr, Eddie Murphy, Eric Bana, Denis O'Hare, Tim Tebow, Taylor Kinney, Ryan Reynolds.
* Our top guess: Alexander Skarsgard
* Proven by timeline of Ted's dates he was and wasn't a BV: Alexander Skarsgard is Nelly Fang.
See the label below for a link to the new Nelly Fang BVs.


text:
Post trip experiences, tips and suggestions on Disney's newest form of Vacation... the Disney Cruise Line!
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
Allows you to choose the data by which the thread list will be sorted.
Order threads in...
Note: when sorting by date, 'descending order' will show the newest results first.
Forum Rules


text:
Channing Tatum Poster Black and White Poster 24"x36"
Add to cart for shipping rates
- Premium gallery Poster print in rich black and white tones. Captures the unique visual impact of the black and white artform.
- Measures 24inx36in (61cm x 91cm).
- Photo-quality Poster on smooth gloss finish heavy paper stock. A centerpiece for any decor.
- Ships carefully rolled inside sturdy custom tube. We guarantee safe arrival or we will replace it for free!
- Expedited and Express shipping available to Domestic/USA locations.


text:
NEVADA Odar offices
The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) conducts Social Security Disability (SSD) hearings and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) hearings in 2 different offices in Nevada. Currently, in Nevada, the average wait time for a SSI or SSD hearing is 19.0 months. The average case processing time in Nevada is 570 days. The Nevada average for winning a disability hearing is 46%. Click on one of the cities below to see detailed information about the hearing office and the administrative law judges (ALJ) that work there. This information for ODAR offices located in Nevada was last updated on 04/28/2023.


text:
There was one dissenting comment, though, from reader Marie, which went as follows:
Franklin, I'm horribly disturbed by your answers to those two people.I feel inclined to respond to Marie, if she hasn't bailed out already. I welcome all sorts of comments, provided they are civil. As Marie did not use language I consider inappropriate, the polite thing is to answer her.
Outlining the reasons why would most likely only get me flamed by the cheerleading squad. I would like to say that I'm not in sympathy with either J or L and that I think L's tone was way out of line. In my religious and rather republican family, I have been the artist, the black sheep, and the liberal crusader. Once upon a time I would have written a comment just like all the others here.
I have loved your blog and your artwork. It was often the brightest spot in my day. I thought the medal was brilliant. Until today, it was fairly safe to say I was crushing on you just a bit. I don't know if I can be comfortable here now. What would a dignified, balanced, and courteous response have cost you?
If I may address the second message first, the message itself was couched in terms which according to the conventions of etiquette render it unworthy of response. If the writer simply had asked me, "Why did you choose to represent an event in which most competitors were women with a male figure?" I would have written a response describing my initial inspiration in the symbols of ancient Greece, where the Olympics were born; and my delight in allegory and symbolism, which I fear in our too-literal age are becoming lost languages.
However, the writer instead used a hostile tone and peppered it with obscenities. The overall effect was less persuasive or thought-provoking than absurd, and so I responded with an absurdity. Enough said.
As to the first message, I was initially inclined to write an apology. After all, I hate the thought of someone doing a lot of knitting and looking forward to the medal, then finding it unusable.
But one thing stopped me.
It was the remark about "how other people live."
J's basic complaint, stripped (forgive me) to its essence is that I have created an indecent image, unsuitable for viewing by children and churchgoers. She then infers, in her final line, that this "indecency" may be fine for those like me, but it will not meet her presumably higher moral standards.
This offended me for two reasons.
First, I do not create indecent works of art. Furthermore, I do not believe works of art can be inherently indecent. Indecency is more often in the mind of the beholder than in the mind of the artist. Ask any Danish political cartoonist.
Myron's Discobolus is a monument of world art, an early manifestation of the civilization that gave us (among other things) our own form of government. I will not countenance the suggestion that it is in any way pornographic. It does not seek to shock or titillate. It celebrates the human form which, if J would care to consult her Bible, is God's own form. In His own image He created them, did He not?
Second, to suggest that my way of life readily encompasses the indecent is a slap in the face. It is indicative of still-pervasive homophobia. Contrary to the beliefs of many, most gay men do not live lives of constant wild abandon. If we are often freer in our discussions of sexuality (and even this is not true of all of us) I attribute it to the fact that we've been forced to think about it a heck of a lot more than straight people and so we're more comfortable with it.
Upon reflection, I did not feel inclined to write an apology where no apology was needed. If J's own morals find the artistic display of the human form* titillating and inappropriate, that is her issue. I will not apologize for my own convictions, and I do not take kindly to suggestions that my own lifestyle is immoral.
I will say that I feel sorry for those like J who are so determined to see obscenity everywhere that they deprive themselves of many of the good and beautiful things that humanity has created.
So, to sum up my response to the first message, I decided it was in its way as insulting and unanswerable as the second. Absurdity deserves absurdity, and it got it. That is my point of view.
So there you are, Marie. I hope that explains it. I honestly felt my responses were perfectly dignified and wholly appropriate, given the nature of the initial communications. If you disagree, we may respectfully agree to disagree. Or you may choose not to read my blog any more, which would be sad, but this is a free country and nothing is easier than to not read what one does not wish to read.
And finally, I hate to think of the people who comment on this blog as a "cheerleading squad." I've never asked them to be that, and I hope they all understand that I don't accept only bouquets of roses.
Now, can we please get back to knitting and photography and the perils of urban life? The sheep are very bored indeed. The subject is closed.
If you want to discuss among yourselves, I'm interested to hear of any tips for spinning with a drop spindle, because I have a beautiful one (thank you forever Mr. and Mrs. Knittiot) which I am, at last, going to begin working with.
Any advice is most welcome. My very first attempts, under the watchful eye of Queer Joe, looked like poo. And I don't mean the teddy bear. Don't hold your breath waiting for pictures.
*A human form which, on the medal, is actually a one inch tall modified electronic rendering of a scan of a photograph of a copy of a marble statue, which is rather different than a Playgirl centerfold.


text:
By Josh Shapiro, Staff Associate
The 18th Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) was held this year on May 24-26, 2010, in Prague, Czech Republic with the theme of promoting good governance at border crossings, improving the security of land transportation, and facilitating international transport by road and rail in the OSCE region. The Forum brought together 42 of the 56 OSCE participating States, four Partners for Cooperation, multiple international organizations including the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the International Road Transport Union (IRU), and several business, academic, and non-governmental organizations.
The EEF is annually the central event of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's economic and environmental activities. The Forum gives political impetus to dialogue in this area and provides recommendations for future follow-up activities. The EEF takes place in two parts, of which this meeting in Prague is the second; the first part was held on February 1-2, 2010 in Vienna, Austria. Two preparatory conferences for the Forum have also been held, the first in Astana, Kazakhstan on October 12-13, 2009 and the second in Minsk, Belarus on March 15-16, 2010.
The 18th Economic and Environmental Forum in Review
Transport is a crucial factor, not only between Asia and Europe, but around the world. The need for simplified systems, which can cut down transit times and costs for products, will enable countries to thrive from the revenue and job creation that it possesses to affected countries. Along with these positive factors comes the downside of such a new system. More corruption, environmental pollution, and the need for more security measures will all become new factors.
The road to implementation of a fully integrated Eurasian transit system will be long and tough. A slew of major bumps along the way will surely slow the progress of long-term execution, which includes, but is not limited to, revising visa and customs procedures, rule of law issues between neighboring countries, smuggling of weapons and drugs, human trafficking concerns, and private and public sector corruption.
Concerns about the increase of prices of goods due to delays from the aforementioned issues and improving customs systems have arisen, given that many neighboring countries have complex differences between them. Enhancement of cooperation between these participating States will be a critical test to the vitality of this proposed transit network and whether it will survive the many problems it faces.
Prospects for the further development of efficient and secure transit transportation between Asia and Europe
Improving Eurasian transport links can promote mutual economic growth and help overcome the current global economic recession. Further development will help facilitate positive partnerships between participating States, and will help stabilize the region. Additionally, landlocked countries will benefit greatly from the new trade routes built with their neighboring transit countries.
The current state of transport links is in dire need of improvement. According to Russian Railways, building a 1520 millimeter gauge railway in Slovakia from Bratislava to Vienna, as well as associated logistics infrastructure, may be a breakthrough in developing the transport link from Europe through Central Asia to China. This proposed railway will attract freight traffic from numerous countries including Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Serbia and Croatia.
By building a new system, it will take approximately one-third of the transit time currently in place, helping move current maritime transport practices to more efficient and cost-effective road and rail transport. Rises in global economy are determined by transport, energy, climate, and water security. Building a new ground system will not, however, provide for a perfect method of transport, as an infrastructure without security is useless.
Review of the implementation of OSCE commitments in the economic and environmental dimension
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) prepared a Review Report focused on the facilitation of international transport and the security of inland transport. In the report, there is discussion of the many challenges that an integrated Eurasian transport system faces. For example, road traffic safety, border crossing challenges, capacity and quality of road and rail infrastructure are just a few of the obstacles. There must be a shift from a national transit perspective to a regional perspective. Once integrated, there must be a shift from a regional to an inter-continental approach.
Additional challenges include a development gap between countries, as some do not have the resources to build such an infrastructure. Investment in transport is a question of priority within a country, as some give precedence to other issues, regardless of what a neighboring participating State might do. CO2 abatement, traffic safety, and trade and transport facilitation need to be compared to security concerns. The lack of a current unified rail law is a major issue, and land transport security is currently well underestimated.
According to the UNECE, road safety should be given priority when looking at security issues. In fact, more people have been killed since World War II on the roads than in the War itself. Currently, road and rail networks are not integrated fully, especially in Central Asia, and the need for an adequate and coherent system will be challenging. According to Ms. Eva Monár of UNECE, inland water transport is currently operable; however, efficient integration into the modern day system is lacking because not all countries border a body of water.
The environmental impact of an expansion is of major concern, as air pollution causes health hazards and harms our atmosphere. The need for more efficient 'green' vehicles is recommended in some UNECE countries, as well as proposed paths around urban areas, reducing noise nuisance and smog.
Promoting Good Governance in International Transportation and at Border Crossings
Many barriers are faced in international transportation, including issues at border crossings. Approximately 40% of transit time is lost at border crossings as a result of bad governance and the lack of a simplified visa and customs process. Based off of numerous presentations, the need for cooperation between countries is a must and a proactive approach must be made. Procedures need to be modified so that freight traffic can move in a secure and regulated manner, and contractual frameworks need to be in place for joint liability between carriers and its customers. According to the International Rail Transport Committee (CIT), the OSCE could also play a role in locating and identifying efficient trade routes and motivate participating States to conduct pilot projects to check for potential issues.
An example was given at the Forum of a demonstration train that the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) ran from Islamabad, Pakistan to Istanbul, Turkey in the fall of 2009. The run proved to potential private investors to take another look at its promise for faster and efficient trade, and this example particularly demonstrated the importance of political will from the States that took part.
Regarding customs issues, The Arusha Declaration, adopted by the World Customs Organization in 1993 and revised in 2003, outlines a way forward to enhance integrity in the Customs environment. The revised Kyoto Convention is also key to implement, which harmonizes the customs clearing process. The major concern is the lack of integrity within the customs community and the strong need for governments to be fully committed to reduce corruption. For example, according to a representative of Azerbaijan, modernization of its procedures is already taking place and the amount of waiting time during its customs process has decreased ten-fold. Simplifying the documentation system and implementing a single window structure is the key, as well as training border patrol agents correctly on following up-to-date procedures.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development suggests that the implementation of existing conventions should be given priority and that public-to-public and public-to-private sector relations are both very important. The Rotterdam Rules were brought up, which were the result multilateral negotiations that took place within the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law for seven years starting in 2002. The Convention, signed by 21 countries including the United States, describes who is responsible and liable for what, and brings clarity under a single contract of carriage.
Ireland, which will chair the OSCE in 2012, noted that the EU's single window market took more than 40 years to implement and the longer term benefit of such a system far outweighs the potential loss of sifting through free trade agreements.
Transport facilitation and Security in Central Asia and with Afghanistan
Afghanistan currently faces numerous challenges when trading with its neighboring countries and the world. According to Mr. Ziauddin Zia, Adviser to the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan, the obstacles include implementing second-generation policy reforms, the exorbitant cost of doing business, a weak-knowledge economy, and poor infrastructure. Tremendous progress has been made in Afghanistan, though, which has recently been torn with violence and corruption.
There was a mention by Mr. Zia of the 'World Bank's Doing Business' report, which lists economies on their ease of doing business, of which Afghanistan is ranked last out of 183 countries for the ease of trading across its borders. Poor road conditions hinder efficient trade, and the lack of access to Central Asia by rail limits the possibility of trade with neighboring States. In the long term, if reform in Afghanistan can be achieved in such challenging conditions, other countries can certainly do it as well.
Mr. Thomas M. Sanderson, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stressed the economic significance and geopolitical importance of Afghanistan due to its strategic location as the land bridge between the subcontinent, Central Asian states, and the Persian Gulf. Legal frameworks and capacity building through the OSCE could place an added value to the region as well.
The Impact of Transportation on Environment and Security
Many risks are associated with transcontinental transport, including shipping hazardous waste and dangerous goods. There was a focus on many instances where these materials are shipped through non-EU countries, which do not have to adhere to guidelines already in place. The need to adopt legislation for a single method system to then work with prior European legislation was a discussion topic, as well as the need for construction of secure railcars and subsequently a study of accident prevention.
International training of monitoring personnel and trainers were brought to light, and the idea of translating more training manuals was suggested. Unfortunately, security is a major factor that is holding up talks to build an intercontinental rail transport system. Air transport is now secure but rail is certainly not. There are countless access points to terrorize a rail system, as opposed to scanning cargo and passengers in a secure arena such as an airport. Initial costs may increase to prevent terrorism and provide a more secure system, but the long-term economic benefits will make the venture worthwhile.
Specific Transport Security Aspects and the Role of the OSCE
The importance of land versus maritime transportation is quite evident, as virtually all freight is carried on roads at some point throughout the shipping-to-receiving process. The security aspect of land transportation is much more complex than that of sea, as there is much more potential of terrorist acts being carried through over such a vast area. Some argue, though, that there is an unwillingness of governments to compromise sovereignty in favor of international frameworks and measures.
Enhancing inland transport security is key, though currently it appears to be under-protected, especially in the international law perspective. 'Good practice' sharing is an effective and inexpensive way to enhance transport security. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has organized an 'Inland Transport Security Discussion Forum' to provide dialogue on inland transport security issues.
The threat of weapons of mass destruction remains but the need to focus on those areas in which cargo is relatively harder to protect is crucial. Closed methods of transport, including aviation (100% passenger and luggage screening) and maritime transport (almost 100% container scanning), might currently be used for global transit, though more of a look into inland transit needs to take effect. Inland transit remains open and accessible to security threats, and design safety standards on railcars and cargo vehicles need to improve.
Current financial uncertainty will place greater scrutiny on the decision-making process, especially in the aspect of security. A look at history and past events, such as the Madrid, London, and Russian train bombings, will need to be integrated into the managerial process; however, there is no existing model that fully meets the need of a counter-terrorism security appraisal.
Follow-up to the 18th Economic and Environmental Forum
The Eighteenth Economic and Environmental Forum is a clear example that the OSCE is taking efforts to provide dialogue to facilitate and secure road and rail transportation, and an effective Eurasian transport system will be a long-term undertaking. Cooperation from neighboring countries and the perseverance of its people to one day be a part of a larger system than just their own will lead to lower overall priced goods and more security for its citizens.
The U.S. welcomes further discussion by Kazakhstan, the current Chair-in-Office of the OSCE, of trade and transport ideas at the upcoming OSCE summit, as Kazakhstan is a land-locked country and could reap significant benefits from freer regional trade. Subsequent peace and stability would have a profound effect in the region, especially in Afghanistan where trade is hindered by corruption and the lack of efficient infrastructure. Although many agreements between participating States exist, overcoming the political and economic hurdles to effective implementation will remain the key impediment to success.


text:
Call 0800 587 0346 now!
With over 19 years experience providing Data Recovery services in Chearsley, we've recovered data from literally thousands of Apple Macs, PCs and iphones and tablets.
You'll find we're a lot cheaper than most of our competitors, and we"ll normally be able to get your data within 24-48 hours.
We recover data from hard drives, RAID devices, removable media.
We'll come to your home or office to collect and diagnose the faulty drive, so it's all at your convenience.
Remember, we're available 24-7, 365 days a year! We cover Chearsley and the whole of London, Essex, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire.
Reviews from our clients:
"My hard drive was making a clicking noise, and I couldn't boot into Windows. I thought my data was lost forever.I called a few other companies and they quoted me around £1000, and up to a week to do the job!
I contacted 24 Hr PC and Mac repairs and they performed data recovery within a day at a fraction of the prices quoted elsewhere.
I highly recommend them."
Steven Saunders – Knightsbridge
"I had my entire dissertation on a flash drive, which the dog had started to chew! Of course when I put it into the computer it unsurprisingly wouldn't work. I was at my wits end as I didn't have the data anywhere else.
These lovely people managed to get my dissertation back very quickly,and for a very reasonable amount of money.I'm forever in their debt.
Oh, and I got a 2.1 degree, so there was a very happy ending."
Hannah Price – Brentwood


text:
[singlepic id=29 w=100 h=100 float=left]Bells of San Angelo
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: 1947
Phone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)
- Roy Rogers (Roy Rogers)
- Roy's Horse Trigger
- Dale Evans (Lee Madison)
- Andy Devine (Cookie Bullfincher)
- John McGuire (Rex Gridley)
Border Patrolman Roy Rogers is sent to the Mexican border in southwest Texas to investigate mysterious doings at the Rancho San Angelo. There, with the help of local sheriff, Cookie Bullfincher, and Lee Madison, a western pulp magazine writer looking for story material, Roy discovers that the Rancho is actually a front for smuggling silver across the Mexico border into the United States. After rescuing Lee from the gang led by "Red" Grindley, the crooks are bought to justice...and there is a surprise awaiting Sheriff Cookie


text:
We are all, I think, very much aware of what a terrible year this has been for recent PhDs seeking academic humanities employment. Most of us have friends and colleagues seeking such jobs. Most job seekers, smart and accomplished as they are, did not get positions. OK, all years seem to have been terrible years in academia, at least for the last several decades (back in 1987 I was told I was insane to go to graduate school because unemployment would be my destiny). But 2008 and 2009 have been especially dire. What this means and whether the state will last are uncertain. Most of us are concerned about what the future of advanced humanities study will be: everything seems in peril. I'd like to make three observations, all of which take as a point of departure recent blog posts elsewhere.
(1) Describing the admitting of students into humanities PhD programs as "unethical" in no way advances the conversation. Unethical would be a PhD program tricking students into thinking that they are guaranteed a full time position with tenure and good pay at the end of the road. I have not encountered any would-be graduate students who are quite so easily duped. Those seeking to undertake doctoral study tend to pretty damn smart. They know the risks, and have been frequently reminded of them by those who mentored them as undergraduates, wrote their recommendations, by their incredulous parents and friends. Dean Dad recently wrote "we owe it to the next generation to steer them away from grad school whenever possible. The path is legible, but it doesn't lead anywhere good." In general I agree: most students should not go to graduate school, especially if they can find a course of life that will make them just as happy but will provide a more secure future. But I wouldn't presume to choose on behalf of a student. I know I did not appreciate it when my elders tried to do that for me. Read all of Dean's Dad rather paternalistic post, and tell me that he doesn't underestimate the intelligence of those younger than him.
(2) Michael Drout composed a piece partly about the job market by way of reflection upon tenure in the wake of the Amy Bishop murders (thanks, Steve, for calling it to my attention via FB). What I most agree with is Drout's observation that calls to reduce the number of PhDs "come in part from a desire to remove competition from people from humbler backgrounds who want a professorial job." These calls are silently calculated "to have the effect of making certain elites have an even greater advantage than they do now." In other words, I can't tell the difference between the oft-repeated demand that the number of PhD granting institutions be greatly reduced and good old fashioned elitism. Let's face it, when most people declare that there ought to be fewer doctoral programs what they mean is that outside of Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cornell, Brown, Princeton, Columbia no advanced humanities diplomas need be minted. Where I disagree with Drout, though, is his equation of working hundreds of hours (like his dad, an MD) being the equivalent of doing good work, that a dedication to working such manly hours is essential to the tenure process, that most academics are dutiful rather than talented and that this -- combined with some bad luck -- is why they don't get jobs. Please. Spoken with any graduate students or recent PhDs lately? And I mean spoken with, not spoken to.
(3) Recent PhDs don't get jobs because colleges and universities do not hire the full time teaching staffs they in fact require. The demand is there (read Marc Bousquet,* why don't you?), but our profession is being adjuncted to death. Tom Elrod makes this point forcefully in his critique of Drout's post, "Academia is not American Idol." Elrod writes:
The majority of higher ed teaching these days is adjunct teaching. There would, in fact, be enough full-time positions in this country for most Ph.D.s, if all the adjunct positions became full-time jobs with benefits. Most adjuncts are working full-time hours for part-time pay. If they become positions appropriate for people with careers, the huge job gap in academia would shrink ... There is not an oversupply of Ph.D.s as much as there is an undersupply of full-time jobs.The answer to the horrible market is right there, and it is a simple one: the postsecondary education labor system is broken. Administrators, many of whom are or have been faculty members, choose the cheapest way to staff courses rather than the best (paying someone $2K-$4K and no benefits on a per course basis is so much less costly than hiring someone into a position they might hold for decades, their salary rising -- rising slowly, but rising -- all the while, their health care and their life after the job a university responsibility). The winner in this system: the bottom line. The losers: students, graduate students, faculty, the future of advanced study in the United States.
*E.g. "What's really happening is restructuring of the labor market from a "market in jobs" to a market in contingent appointments. Throughout the economy, we have substituted student and other temporary labor for faculty and other more secure workers. The name for this restructuring is casualization, the making-temporary (and cheap, and controllable) of work that used to be secure (and more expensive, and more difficult to manage). This restructuring has been in place since 1970, when roughly 3/4 of faculty were tenured or in the tenure stream."


text:
Justice Ginsburg Predicts Gay Marriage Question Headed To High Court
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made a bit of news during an appearance at the University of Colorado, yesterday. When she was asked a question about the issue of gay marriage, she smiled and declined to answer, the AP reports. She said the issue is likely to come up before the court, so she couldn't adress it.
"I think it's most likely that we will have that issue before the court toward the end of the current term," she said.
In a lot of ways this doesn't come as a huge surprise. As the AP notes, the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman, was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996.
Since then it's been challenged and declared unconstitutional by a federal judge in New York. Right now, it is "awaiting arguments before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Those oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 27."


text:
Why Has Moscow Passed a Bill to Ban U.S. Adoption of Russian Orphans?
Passing a new bill in Russia has never presented much of a problem for President Vladimir Putin. With perpetual control of both houses of parliament and a couple of loyalist "opposition" parties to boot, legislation backed by Putin generally amounts to a Kremlin fiat. The hard part this week was in explaining his newest initiative to the public. Intended as a political strike against Washington, the bill does some shocking collateral damage. In effect, it will doom the chances of thousands of Russian orphans, many of them handicapped and emotionally scarred, from being adopted by families in the U.S. How do you justify that?
On Thursday, Putin tried to explain himself in front of a hall full of Russian and foreign journalists, many of whom were clearly outraged by the adoption bill passed the previous day. The first question asked Putin why he had made "the most destitute and helpless children into instruments of political battle." The second was even more blunt, calling the bill "cannibalistic." Live on Russian television, Putin mounted a strange defense: How could the journalists stand idly by while the U.S. "humiliates" Russia? "You think that's normal?" Putin demanded. "What's normal about being humiliated? You like that? What are you, a sadomasochist? The country will not be humiliated."
The humiliation Putin had in mind was the U.S. Magnitsky Act, which was passed this month by a huge bipartisan majority in both the House and the Senate. The act seeks to punish a group of Russian officials who have been implicated in the torture and death of a Russian lawyer named Sergei Magnitsky. In 2008, Magnitsky discovered that a group of Russian officials had stolen $230 million from the Russian treasury. When he blew the whistle on their scheme, some of those same officials allegedly conspired to get him arrested, and he died in a prison cell a year later, having been reportedly beaten and denied medical treatment.
Three years since his death, all of his alleged tormentors are still free. Nearly all of them have either kept their government jobs or been promoted. As a last resort, Magnitsky's friends and colleagues took their pleas for justice to Western capitals, and Washington has now banned the implicated officials from traveling to the U.S., owning property in the U.S., or holding U.S. bank accounts. Putin called the act "unfriendly" and pledged that it would get an "adequate" response from Russian lawmakers.
On Dec. 11, when that response was presented to the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, I went to the chamber to hear how the lawmakers would justify it. They had some talking points prepared, but some of the bill's supporters admitted that it was little more than childish chest-thumping, which could blow up in the Kremlin's face. Vladimir Ovsyannikov, a shaven-headed lawmaker from a nationalist party, called it an example of zhlobstvo, a Russian word that combines the notions of rudeness, pigheadedness and spleen. But since the bill was a Kremlin initiative, he said, his party would be sure to support it. "It is a question of pride," says Ovsyannikov. "Our sovereignty has been threatened [by the Magnitsky Act], and we need to hit back. Maybe it sounds dumb, but it's part of the Russian mentality."
From Putin's political party, United Russia, one of the main parliamentarians behind the bill is Alexei Pushkov, the chairman of the Duma's foreign-affairs committee, who also hosts a popular political talk show on one of the government's propaganda channels. Dapper and prim, he met me that day in his office, which is decorated with a portrait of Putin and a little porcelain statuette of the Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong. In explaining the need for a Russian response to the Magnitsky Act, he claims that Washington has long exhausted the moral authority needed to preach about rights violations and must be taught some humility. "In Russia, not only the political class, but the public at large has grown tired of the U.S. lecturing on human rights," he says. "The hypocrisy has gone through the roof. It's even funny sometimes," he adds. "It's like an alcoholic coming to you and saying, I'll help you get sober."
Fine. But why use orphans as a political weapon? Over the past 20 years, more than 60,000 Russian children have been adopted by American families, and 19 of them have died in their care through negligence or domestic violence. Each death is a tragedy, but the rate of child mortality, deprivation and abuse in Russian orphanages is far higher. Pushkov admits as much. "But if the U.S. federal authorities wanted, they could act to at least restore a sense of justice," he says. "These parents adopt children to get extra welfare benefits, to get money, or they just began to hate this child. It doesn't matter. There needs to be justice. It is a nationwide consensus. That is why we initiated this."
His point about a nationwide consensus is, at best, an overstatement. In a survey released on Dec. 7 by the Levada Center, an independent pollster, 39% of respondents said they support the U.S. Magnitsky Act as a way to punish corrupt Russian officials. Only 14% were against it, while 44% of Russians said they would like to see similar legislation passed in Europe. Pushkov brushed this off as the result of ignorance. "When people say it's good they passed this law to fight corruption in Russia, I think they simply don't know what's really going on," he tells me.
But even among Russia's political elite, there have been some voices of outrage. Education Minister Dmitri Livanov tweeted on Wednesday that the flawed logic of the bill amounts to revenge. "But that logic is wrong, because our own children may suffer, the ones who could not find foster parents in Russia." The television celebrity Vladimir Solovyov, known for being a dogged Kremlin loyalist, said according to the bill's reasoning, "we should now ban giving birth in Russia, because children also get killed here."
Still, when the bill went up for a vote on Dec. 19, only four Duma deputies voted against it; two abstained, and 400 voted in favor. When the vote was over, the chamber discovered that one of the lawmakers who had supported the bill had died the previous day. Vyacheslav Osipov, a member of Putin's party, had been ill and absent from the chamber for weeks, and on the morning of the vote, the Duma observed a minute of silence in his honor. But that did not stop one of his colleagues from casting his vote posthumously in support of the adoption bill. The United Russia party explained that this was allowed under Duma rules, but said it would not happen again.
In the coming days, the Duma will have to hold one final vote on the bill, and Putin must sign it before it goes into effect, as expected, on Jan. 1. After that, the adoption ban could be extended to Canada and various European states that are planning to pass their own versions of the Magnitsky Act. "The law has flexibility built into it," Pushkov tells me of the Russian response. Certainly, though, it gives no flexibility to the orphans waiting to be adopted in Russia. As their numbers jump as a consequence of this bill, Putin and his allies will surely have more explaining to do. And thumping their chests might not do the trick. unshaven girl займ на карту онлайн https://zp-pdl.com/emergency-payday-loans.php https://zp-pdl.com hairy girls
Place your comment
Please fill your data and comment below.
To learn more about what happened to Sergei Magnitsky please read below
- Sergei Magnitsky
- Why was Sergei Magnitsky arrested?
- Sergei Magnitsky's torture and death in prison
- President's investigation sabotaged and going nowhere
- The corrupt officers attempt to arrest 8 lawyers
- Past crimes committed by the same corrupt officers
- Petitions requesting a real investigation into Magnitsky's death
- Worldwide reaction, calls to punish those responsible for corruption and murder
- Complaints against Lt.Col. Kuznetsov
- Complaints against Major Karpov
- Cover up
- Press about Magnitsky
- Bloggers about Magnitsky
- Corrupt officers:
- Sign petition
- Citizen investigator
- Join Justice for Magnitsky group on Facebook
- Contact us
- Sergei Magnitsky


text:
Choose your region
By selecting a currency you will see the equivalent prices in your preferred currency at the side of the sterling prices. You will be charged in sterling when you place an order..
Colour: (Black)
Precision GK Size Guide
Jerseys & Tops
Size | SB | MB | LB |
Chest Size (inches) |
24-26 | 26-28 | 28-30 |
Bottoms & Shorts
Size | SB | MB | LB |
Waist Size (inches) |
22-24 | 24-26 | 26-28 |
Size guide is to help you estimate your individual size, please consider them only as an approximate value only.
Please note we are unable to refund personalised items due to sizing issues.
PLEASE ORDER BEFORE 1pm TO GUARANTEE SAME DAY DESPATCH.
Any orders placed after 1pm may be shipped the next working day. If this is a concern please call us on 01455 233355 or use the contact us form prior to placing your order.
Royal Mail Tracked 24 - £6.00. Delivery time is usually 1 to 3 working days. Please allow up to 10 working days for delivery.
Royal Mail Tracked 48 - £4.00 or FREE when you spend £50 or more. Delivery time usually 2 to 5 working days. Please allow up to 14 working days for delivery.
(not including Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays or National Bank Holidays) UK Only, please order before 1pm to Guarantee this service.
All orders placed after 1pm on a Friday will be guaranteed delivery before 6pm on the following Tuesday - excluding National/Bank holidays.
Please allow up to 10 business days to resolve queries relating to non-delivery and return-to-sender issues.
We offer a Saturday & Sunday Guaranteed service (UK ONLY) - Simply choose the Saturday Guaranteed option before 1pm on a Friday or the Sunday option before 11am on a Saturday to guarantee this service. Excluding National/Bank holidays.
These delivery times may vary to more remote destinations (eg.Scottish Highlands and the Channel Islands). Please allow up to 10 business days to resolve queries relating to non-delivery and return-to-sender issues.
Delivery Instructions
Please note that any delivery instructions that you provide requesting for the delivery to be left in a safe place are at your own risk. You are confirming that you are providing the delivery driver authority to leave the parcel in a safe place of your choice. Just Keepers cannot be held responsible for any items left at your request that are lost or stolen. The information that you provide is passed onto the courier to use at their discretion.
Europe - £7.00
Delivery time is usually within 3 to 7 working days. (Please allow up to 30 working days for delivery).
Rest of World - £9.00 Delivery time is usually within 7 to 10 working days. (Please allow up to 30 working days for delivery).
Note: Orders from outside of the UK will not be liable to UK Sales Tax. However, purchases may be subject to your own country's tax/duty upon receipt.
UPS/DHL/DPD (EXPRESS SUPER & EXPRESS - Overseas)
UPS, DHL, and DPD offer a very reliable & generally FAST delivery service to More than 215 countries and territories worldwide.
Delivery is usually within two to five business days by the end of the day to most countries in the world, however delivery to Australia and various other locations can be considerably longer, if this is a concern and you need a more specific delivery estimate please contact us directly.
Please order before 12 noon to Guarantee same-day despatch.
See prices at the checkout stage as costs may vary dependent on country.
*Please note that we are not responsible for packages sent to a 3rd party address such as a hotel or a PO Box that state delivered but cannot be traced.
Please note that international customers outside of the UK will be required by their Country to pay duties & taxes before they receive their package.
The duty and tax charge is calculated by the total value of the Just Keepers sales receipt/invoice.
These rates can vary by country and is beyond our control.
Please be aware of these potential charges before completing your purchase, as it is not included with your Just Keepers merchandise and shipping charges.
BREXIT INFORMATION - Europe and Rest of the World locations:
Due to the UK leaving the EU all countries outside of the UK will not pay UK VAT/Taxes (20%) on their order.
So as an example: a product costing £50 will cost any customer outside of the UK £41.67 this is the price less the UK VAT of 20%, this price will be shown on the product page.
Please note that international customers outside of the UK may be required by their Country to pay duties & taxes before they receive their package.
The duty and tax charge is calculated by the total value of the Just Keepers sales receipt/invoice.
These rates can vary by country and are out of our control.
Please be aware of these potential charges before completing your purchase, as it is not included with your Just Keepers merchandise and shipping charges.
If you see this message prior to checkout:
The following items in your basket cannot be sent to your delivery destination. Please adjust your basket accordingly to continue to the checkout.
It means there is a brand restriction on where we can send the goods to - You will need to remove the restricted item to proceed or change the delivery destination.
Customer Returns
If for some reason any item(s) is not acceptable, you may return it to us provided the item(s) has not been personalised in any way and it is sent back within 30 days of purchase.
Your returned items must be sent back in their original condition & packaging; please ensure you package your return to prevent any damage to the items or boxes.
If you wish to return goods for an exchange or refund please fill in the customer returns form with your return request which will be dealt with when your return is received.
Please note that we do not offer a free returns service and the goods are your responsibility until we receive them back. Please send the goods back in their original packaging with a courier of your choice, please also note that any original postage costs paid are non refundable on exchanges or refunds .
We recommend that you send your return on a trackable service. We cannot be held responsible for items lost or delayed in transit on the way back to us.
Personalised Goods
Unfortunately, we are unable to refund or exchange any products that have been personalised.
This includes gloves with removable straps, as the brands do not supply us with spare straps and also as each strap is made to fit the size ordered and will not fit with new smaller/larger sizes.
This also includes apparel/garments or gloves personalised with a number one.


text:
Entrance and main façade, St. John's College, University of Cambridge. c. 1870. Albumen photograph, approximately 6 x 8 inches. [Click on photograph to enlarge it.] This is one of 58 photographs of Cambridge University taken for a William Winfield c. 1870 and assembled in an album now in the possession of New Boston Fine and Rare Books, which Kimberly Blaker, President of the firm, has kindly shared with readers of the Victorian Web.
Related Material — other pictures of St. John's College, Cambridge
- The Second Court, 1842
- View from the river with Wren Library, c. 1870
- Chapel, c. 1870
- Courtyard, c. 1870
- Bridge of Sighs, c. 1870
- St. Johns College, 1890
Bound album of 58 original albumen photographs of Cambridge University. Oblong 4to, full gilt-stamped black morocco leather, bound cover has scuffing and is worn heavily at hinges. Four raised bands and gilt stamped borders. Detailed gilt stamped decor on interior cover edges. Blue silk endpapers in very good condition. E. G. Bookplate of Clifton Waller Barrett tipped in front end sheet. New Boston Fine and Rare Books.
Last modified 26 January 2012


text:
Feeding Your Puppy: What You Need to Know
Published on July 08, 2011
Skip To
With so many choices in the dog food aisle, selecting the right food for your puppy can seem like a gargantuan undertaking. Here's a guide to help you establish the perfect feeding routine for your pup.
While your puppy's eyes may say, 'Sure, I can finish off that ice cream cone for you!' it's your responsibility make sure your puppy eats a nutritionally balanced diet so he can develop into a healthy, happy adult. You have a number of important choices to make when it comes to your puppy's diet but with a little planning and advice, you'll find that meeting your growing puppy's nutritional needs is as simple as following some basic guidelines.
Ask a Vet For Advice
In literally every situation regarding your puppy's health, your vet is the best source of expert advice. Establishing a healthy eating routine is no different. On your very first visit, be sure to ask your vet which puppy food, feeding times, and portion sizes are a good match for your pup.Selecting a Food
By the time your puppy is ready for adoption, he should be completely weaned and ready for solid food. Growing puppies need a diet made up of the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and, of course, plenty of water.The easiest way to provide this is to select a puppy food that meets the standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). You can do this by checking for the phrase "Complete and Balanced" on the food's packaging. Foods that meet AAFCO standards won't require supplements in order to fulfill your pup's dietary needs. Once again, your vet may have additional dietary advice designed specifically for your pup.
Consider How Big Your Puppy Will Grow
It's important to get a general idea of how large your puppy may eventually grow so you can feed him properly. Picture a Chihuahua standing next to a Great Dane for a moment. This is a pretty good illustration for how radically different the nutritional needs can be between large and small breed puppies.- Small breeds mature faster. Not only do smaller breeds have smaller mouths and teeth, but they typically have faster metabolisms than larger puppies. A food designed for small dogs will be easier to chew and more energy-dense to keep up with their high activity levels. Toy and teacup breeds may need to eat more often.
- Large breeds need slower growth formulas. Food designed for large breed puppies is typically less energy-dense to promote slower-paced, healthy growth. Large breed puppies are more likely to develop joint problems if they are overfed, so it's important that you encourage slow and steady growth.
- Consult your vet. Every dog is different, so it's best to talk to your vet about specific recommendations for your puppy.
Make a Feeding Schedule
Sticking to a daily feeding routine will help you keep up with your puppy's voracious little appetite and prevent upset stomachs. Puppies under 12 weeks of age need to eat as often as three or four times a day. One he's reached three months, you can step it down to two or three times a day.When it comes to how much food to serve up, consider the guidelines listed on the puppy food bag as a starting point. If your puppy is leaving food in his bowl after each mealtime, or he's looking a little pudgy, it's very likely that you're feeding too much. In contrast, if your puppy seems lethargic or too thin, you may be feeding too little.
In any event, your puppy's dietary needs are a moving target for the first few months. Younger puppies tend to be fed, more often. As puppies age, they gradually need fewer feeding times.
Feed by the Puppy, Not the Package
Remember, the directions on the puppy food label are a starting point. There's no one-size-fits-all diet that could possibly cover all the needs of all the world's puppies. The three best ways to ensure that your puppy is getting the proper nutrition he needs are to consult an expert, educate yourself about good puppy nutrition, and carefully monitor his progress.Keep Track of Body Condition
Studies have shown that dogs that maintain a healthy bodyweight live up to two years longer than those who qualify as overweight or obese. One of the best ways make sure your puppy's on track to becoming a healthy adult is to learn how to measure his "body condition score."On each visit, your vet will weigh you dog and take a series of measurements to determine if your dog is overweight, underweight, or just right. These body condition tests are relatively simple, so ask your vet to instruct you on how to perform them at home.
Here are a few general guidelines to keep in mind when deciding what is a proper weight. First, it's best for both puppies and adult dogs to be on the slightly lean side, as opposed to slightly overweight. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs when you run your hand down his side, but not see them. In addition, your dog should have a well-defined waistline when viewed from above.
Read the Labels
Since the FDA requires that all dog food, including food for puppies, display a label with a list of ingredient you can begin researching what kind of food might match your vet's recommendations.This article was reviewed by a Veterinarian.


text:
While searching our database we found 1 possible solution for the: Silk band worn by a bride-to-be on a hen party. LunaCross is an exciting new puzzle game developed by Fanatee and available for both iOS and Android devices. This hint / clue was last seen on February 23 2022 LunaCross Evening Missions Small puzzle. The solution we have for Silk band worn by a bride-to-be on a hen party has a total of 4 letters.
There are a total of 10 other clues in today's LunaCross Evening Missions Small.
If you have already solved this clue and are looking for other puzzle answers then head over to LunaCross Evening Missions Small February 23 2022 Answers


text:
Description for Rose (Maroon)
The flowers are densely filled with petals, much like antique roses, and most possess a strong fragrance. English roses are a good choice for cutting gardens.
They are full, intensely perfumed flowers make sumptuous bouquets. Some varieties climb if left unpruned and can be trained along a fence or arbour.
The symbolism of rose colours is steeped in tradition. Roses inspired people over thousands of years to develop a language of colour.
Common name | Flower colours | Bloom time | Height | Difficulty |
Damask Rose, gulab | Maroon | Annual | 1 to 6 feet | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
When you bring rose plant and cannot plant it immediately, leave the plant in the box and lightly sprinkle the roots every day. Do not let the roots to dry out. Plant the rose plant as soon as possible. If cannot plant it immediately to the desired location, plant it in a container.Dig a planting hole according to the roots, the rose plant has.
If it is 2 yrs, then dig a planting hole at least 6 inches deeper, so the roots of the plant can be accommodated without crowding or bending. Mix some fertilizer (cow manure or organic compost) with the soil in the planting hole, plant the rose plant carefully, spread its root and fill with soil. Firm the soil tightly around the plant.
If the rose plant is not so old and has fewer roots then dig a lesser deeper planting hole.
Cut a stem from a rose plant. Mix fertilizer with some soil, add little water to this mixture and make a firmly tight lump at one end of the stem.
Dig a planting hole (index finger deep) place the stem with lump side down, fill with soil. Firm the soil tightly. Keep the soil moist continuously for 2-3 weeks.
Sunlight | Soil | Water | Temperature | Fertilizer |
Full sun, Partial sun | Rose is grown in well-drained soil with a sunlight. Clay or loamy soil is ideal. | Keep soil moist throughout the growing season. | 10 degrees C and above | During active growth and blooming stage, rose plants need more fertilizing. The plant need frequently feeding and generously. Cow manure is best preffered as fertilizer for the rose plants, but other organic fertilizers like compost are also used. Rose plants requires 2-3 times feeding during the season. |
Caring for Rose
- Roses, especially the repeat flowering varieties, need a generous supply of nutrients regularly through the growing season.
- Slow release or organic fertilizers applied to the ground are the most effective; however foliar feeds are also valuable for a quick effect and to help keep the leaves healthy.
- Mulching with organic matter (a very wide range is available) is a very important part of rose growing, helping to conserve water, keeping the ground cool and feeding the micro organisms and worms in the soil.
- It should preferably be well rotted and, if it starts to disappear during the season, be reapplied.
- The best way to keep your plants free from pests and diseases is to choose disease resistant varieties and to grow them as well as possible.
- Regular watering is essential, the rose will be stronger, healthier and, most importantly, produce more flowers.
- Early spring is the best time to prune. If it is still winter, your overeager cuts may lead to frost damage.
- Pruning is pretty straightforward: Remove all non-negotiable growth, thin the plants, and then shape them.
- Experts advise cutting 1/4 inch above a bud eye so the bud eye does not dry out.
Typical uses of Rose
Special features:
Culinary use: Rose hips are occasionally made into jam, jelly, marmalade, and soup or are brewed for tea, primarily for their high vitamin C content. They are also pressed and filtered to make rose hip syrup.
Rose petals or flower buds are sometimes used to flavor ordinary tea or combined with other herbs to make herbal teas.
Ornamental use: Roses are best known as ornamental plants grown for their flowers in the garden and sometimes indoors. They have been also used for commercial perfumery and commercial cut flower crops. Some are used as landscape plants, for hedging.
The majority of ornamental roses are hybrids that were bred for their flowers. A few species of roses are grown for attractive or scented foliage.
Medicinal use: The rose hip, usually, is used as a minor source of Vitamin C. The fruits of many species have significant levels of vitamins and have been used as a food supplement. Many roses have been used in herbal and folk medicines. Some species have been used for stomach problems, and are being investigated for controlling cancer growth.
Note: The following information is general guidelines. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider for guidelines.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose
- http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/rose/english-rose/
- https://www.davidaustinroses.com/american/Advanced.asp?PageId=2006