text:
Supercharging Map Changes?
Supercharging Map Changes?
That's the same cross country route they've always shown to be the first connected.
The "Routes" he is mentioning are on the EU map. It is rather odd looking without the actual locations shown.
The difference between Winter 2013 and Winter 2014 in Europe is pretty darn impressive--I wonder how many SC's that represents.
I also wonder if they are being obtuse about specific locations to deal with some of the obstructionism they are seeing here in the US?
It will be very sad indeed if European permit approval is faster than US. So far Norway is winning.
@shop - The German Autobahn is administered on federal level including the restaurants at the rest stops. So the permit process could be at warp speed compared to the US. Also in general the rest stop layout is ideal for SC and all are very similar - so the design could almost be a stamp. I wouldn't be suprised if the Central Europe is super charged faster then the US. Only problem could be politics.
The state 'over' Nebraska is called South Dakota. Not sure why they are choosing the route going over one of the least traveled E-W interstates in the country. Seems counter intuitive to put the superchargers where your customers aren't.
Gotta keep reminding myself - Europe is much smaller in size - it just will seem like the SC's are filling the space quicker.
Obtuse means slow-witted. Abstruse means complicated. Do you mean obscure, as in hard to see? Maybe "vague".
Note that Tesla already have SCs in Norway, but they aren't pinpointed either.
During the annual shareholder meeting Elon said he had driven this wacky rout from San Francisco to Philly via Wyoming and S Dakota, Chicago etc back in college.
Looks like it's pure nostalgia. I'd much prefer I 40 be lit up first and plug right in to the I 95 corridor. Trying to go that far north in the winter is going to SUCK... maybe thats the point but it's inconvenient as heck.
US : 3.79 million square miles
Europe : 3.93 millions square miles
EU only : 1.79 millions square miles
and the first SC in Europe are not in the EU.
@JimAlger - did you put your fortune on the line or Elon? It is totally OK that the first car is based on his taste and the first SC country crossing pleases his desire. Just remember without him risking everything we would have nothing.
@Haeze - Since when did Colorado and Nebraska move to the EU? He and I both referred to the first route across the US to be completed. ;-)
@big maple - See JimAlgers answer. It's not about numbers, it's about sentiment. Not that I would disagree that it should be the other way around. Eastern Wyoming and Southern South Dakota are quite beautiful though with the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower etc. though. I haven't been there since I was a kid. Need to get back soon.
That route is going to suck to build in the dead of winter let alone drive. That's some SERIOUS cold and snow. I'm going to guess that his trip is postponed until early spring.
You are right, some people have seemingly genuine difficulties to distinguish between EU and EFTA.
@goneskian - Elon announced his cross country trip is planned for December. There has not been a significant change in the weather since he announced that, so I don't think that is why he would be postponing his trip.
He said he has finalized his plans - and made no mention of a change from his December date.
In the Northeast, they merely switched from "summer" to "fall". The new summer superchargers never came, and as September 21 approached, the label was changed.
Although this may not be the fault of Tesla (permitting problems), a basic credibility problem now exists. There is no reason to believe that they won't just change the label to "winter" in three months.
There should have been some explanation for this, and some assurance that they care about this issue. We bought these cars with an expectation of SC support, based upon Tesla's own map, which was launched with much fanfare,and upon Tesla's own claims that the car will be supported for long distance trips. Now they just keep changing the schedule without any comment. I am disappointed.
Kleist, the SEC rules are quite clear on the management of publicly traded companies, decisions must be at all times in the best interests of Shareholders, a decision to personally advantage the CEO at the expense of commercial interests would be illegal. I'm not suggesting that's the case here, just pointing out that what Elon did or did not put at risk prior to Tesla listing must be irrelevant to the strategic decisions it makes now.
"Best interest of the stockholders"
Hmmm... interesting phrase. We should get a gaggle of lawyers to determine what is the best interest of the stockholders. They can determine what action will definitely cause the stock to rise in value.
I would think that installation of an SC, no matter where, would be in the 'best interest'
Oh no doubt when there is an alleged breach of SEC rules an insta-gaggle of lawyers appears, I'm not suggesting SEC rules are always easily interpreted, however the test must always be is the decision made with the best interests of shareholders always first in mind. Kleist's suggestion that Elon is owed favorable treatment due to early investments is an example of an action that would breach SEC rules.
All of this is silly. Elon is not breaching any SEC guidelines out of nostalgia.
He is trying to promote Tesla.
He has an open/shut business case for the trip.
If it was truly "personal" then there would be no news coverage. Anyone think there WON'T be coverage?
I suppose it's fine by me if they want to install Superchargers on I-90 first. But I also feel like Superchargers along pretty much any other E-W route (I-40, I-70, I-80) would be more useful to customers.
It's not like he picked the route to help his daily commute, which would be for his benefit. The fact that he took this route before gives it a story, and he will be able to contrast that previous trip with this trip. Humanizing the trip with a dad and his kids will give it lots more media play than just car magazines. Marketing genius!
More useful to shareholders, not customers, is the standard.
Elon's cross-country trip is in the best interest of shareholders; have any cross-country supercharger route is the key here.
My guess is they chose the route based on two criteria:
1. Low risk. They chose a route where they felt they had the best likelihood of getting it completed in time.
2. Interesting things "to do". Elon is promoting it as no time waiting for a charge - charging when they would have stopped anyway.
I don't think Elon cares which route his marketing team comes up with. 5 boys and 6 days?? Who gets which seat? Who gets to plug in? He's touching me!! It is a trip he will look back on years later with fondness...I doubt he'll remember the route.
SInce the superchargers collect no revenue they can put them wherever they like... xcountry trip in WINTER refutes the Broders.
Docrob, there is no such SEC rule. All decisions do NOT have to be for the benefit of shareholders. As a member of a public company board, I can tell you definitively that companies often consider other things, including employee welfare and morale, social and environmental issues (including deciding to lose shareholder money where it prioritizes doing the right thing), and can decide to prioritize long investment over immediate results. Shareholder benefits are a nebulous and shifting thing, highly dependent on time horizons, as short term impacts may be negative while long term results may be positive.
TM is certainly within its prerogative to decide to enhance the Elon narrative by prioritizing his college trip route over one that might look more logical from an immediate business or interstate travel volume perspective. The Elon narrative has brand value in and of itself, whether or not you see him as having some modern day PT Barnum characteristics, as he certainly ones, albeit without the polish and presentation skills.
@tes-s - I also seem to recall that Elon announced his trip for December. However, I can't find the reference anywhere. Do you know where the December date is specified? Thx.
@lbjack: from Marriam-Webster (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obtuse): "difficult to comprehend : not clear or precise in thought or expression"
My point was they we might be being intentionally imprecise to head off any political battles.
I thought December, but maybe he just said LA to NY using only superchargers would be available by the end of the year.
He also said triple by July (according to the report), which Tesla missed by a couple of months.


text:
A major winter storm will generate impressive snow totals today and tonight, before tapering off on Wednesday. Wid twitpic.com/bn1ycp—
NWS Grand Junction (@NWSGJT) December 18, 2012
A strong storm system will move across Colorado Tuesday night and Wednesday. This will send a strong cold front ac twitpic.com/bn1hdw—
NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) December 18, 2012
A fast moving winter storm will track east across Colorado tonight through Wendesday. Blizzard conditions possible on the plains....—
NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) December 18, 2012

subset: commoncrawl


text: Message-ID: <email@example.com> X-Archived-At: <URL:http://www.netusa.net/~eli/erotica/assm/Year97/1810.txt> From: firstname.lastname@example.com (Barry Smythe) Subject: Minding My Own Business Part III (mc, mf, nc, teen, celeb) Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories,alt.sex.stories.d,alt.sex.stories.hetero,alt.sex.stories.moderated Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d Path: qz!not-for-mail Organization: The Committee To Thwart Spam Approved: <firstname.lastname@example.com> X-Moderator-Contact: Eli the Bearded <firstname.lastname@example.com> X-Story-Submission: <firstname.lastname@example.com> This story is a work of fiction and is intended for adults only. Your comments and suggestions are encouraged, and should be posted to alt.sex.stories, or alt.sex.stories.d. Thanks! ---------------------- STORY BEGINS ---------------------- Minding My Own Business Part III (mc, mf, nc, teen, celeb) By Fitzhemingway Chapter 7: Celeste, Winona & Yasmine Everything 13-year old Celeste has ever known has been changed. I've suddenly appeared in her life and she's become a sort of... slave, desiring only pleasure - hers and mine. The lips of her pussy are swollen, moist and warm almost constantly. Her little, tight asshole has the slightest, tugging itch that can only me scratched by the slightly rough attentions of a willing tongue, or the violent thrust of a meaty cock. She finds herself stroking her nipples and breasts idly, thoughtlessly, addicted to the shivers of pleasure they give her, and never tiring of it. It's been a month since I made her mine. For a month she's been a willing, eager mouth for my cock. For a month I've lapped at her sweet young pussy at every whim. For a month, my tongue has stroked her neck, explored her plump assflesh, and trust itself into her ear. I wonder how it's felt for her this last month... Does she remember the feel of the veins of my shaft on her lips? Did she gag a bit when I pulled on the back of her head a little to hard, a little to fast? Was my cock a little to big for her sometimes? Is there an angle of thrust, that on one penetration brings her to shattering orgasm, but the next wracks her with sweet pain? The first time I took her delicious ass (a fantastic morning!), was she eager? Scared? Did she bite her lip and widen her eyes at the surprise when I first slipped it in her precious ass? Or was she relaxed and lustful as I shoved inch after inch of my iron-hard meat into her bum? When even I could stand her attentions no more and had to rest, I had still had the pleasure of her young, firm body next to mine. She was so tiny near me - her arm spanned my chest and her tender leg rested on my belly. Occasionally, her foot brushed my exhausted cock, bringing a smile to her face when I stirred to attention I remember last night there was the stirring of a third in our bed. Of course, her older sister, Lauren. Though weary, I came awake as Celeste's arms clutched my chest harder, almost pulsing. Ever so quietly, Lauren had slinked into our bedchamber. As we dozed and dreamed of each other, Lauren crept up on her baby sister and lightly ran her fingertip down her smooth, lovely thigh. Celeste shivered but did not awake as she slept face down on top of me. Her legs naturally had spread apart as she straddled me in slumber. My cock and her pussy deliciously close, even in sleep. Upon that scene, Lauren approached. On her belly too, she made her way up between our legs. Delicately, her hand ran up the length of her sister's thighs, but she would still not awaken, nor would I. Lauren's Movie Star lips moistened, and a bit of drool appeared in anticipation as she approached Celeste's innocent, waiting pussy lips. Lauren's hands cupped the cheeks of the little girl's ass now, and pulled them apart to expose her sex even more. Despite the strokes of her older sister's tongue, Celeste did not yet awake. Only when Lauren's teeth playfully bit Celeste's round butt cheek, did her eyes fly open in shock and confusion. Lauren could restrain herself no more and suddenly dropped her gorgeous face between her sister's legs, searching frantically with her lips and tongue for her little nubbin of a clit. Celeste dug her fingers into my chest as Lauren lapped at her pussy. Lauren's tongue rimmed Celeste's asshole gently in exploration, drawing moans from my little girl's lips. Lauren spank lightly at first, and progressively harder as her tongue wormed its way into the young teens asshole. I knew from experience that Lauren's tongue was impossibly long. Celeste's mouth was a permanent O of delight as Lauren sucked her little body. Painfully slowly, her sister brought Celeste to orgasm with her mouth. My little love toy bit into the hairs of my chest as her sister tasted her. There was regret as Lauren's tongue retracted for the last time. I could sense Celeste's urge to feel her own sister under her own tongue, but that chance was denied to her, as Lauren gathered herself up. Lauren's lips caressed her sister's earlobe as she whispered, "Later for us little sister, Our master has a present for you in the morning." With a smile on her face, Celeste fell asleep in my protective arms again, eager for the morning to come. In the morning, Celeste got herself ready for the day. Wearing nothing but a sheer teddy and the thin leather collar she had picked out for herself, she bounded into my lap at the breakfast table. My God she was sexy. I pushed my meal aside and just played with her for a moment, working myself up for the fun to come. Her legs were cool and smooth under my hands, and I never seemed to tire of exploring her mouth with my own. Lifting Celeste up, I carried her away and outside to the car. She had seen the look on my face before, and loved it. She knew I was hunting today and knew enough not to bother me as I discussed the day's work with Lauren as we drove toward the studio. My studio employees were used to the sight of Celeste bounding about scantily clad by now, they were sufficiently under my control not to think it was odd. I wondered she you felt, running so free, practically naked. Just to tease, she'd thrust out her pert little tits as we passed the secretaries. Was she trying to make the older women jealous? Or did she want that severe yet beautiful brunette to lust after her? I knew she was trying to give the old janitor a heart-attack as she flashed her perfect bum at him. Celeste knew that getting down on your hands and knees and begging him for a good dicking would get my attention. I just had to chuckle and pull her along with me as we approached the sound stage. Hand in hand we entered the set. We passed into the darkness and heard a shrieking, yet familiar voice. "Forget it! Fuck You," the woman's voice cried. "I tried this outfit on just to be sure, but I will not wear this crap on camera." "But the producer..." complained a male, timid voice. "You can see everything when I wear this!" she cried again. "My ass is hanging out and my tits are practically in full view! I won't wear it. That's final. I'm going to change now." Her footsteps came closer to us as we waited off stage. The man on stage pleaded again, "But the Producer expressly requested..." "Fuck the Producer!," said the actress contemptuously. "He can kiss my gorgeous ass!!" With a huff, the pissed actress stormed off the stage. Right into my arms. "Oh don't fret my dear. We'll get you out of that costume soon enough," I told her. "What the fu... let me go!!" The actress struggled in my arms, but I was too strong for her. "LET ME GO!!" she shouted, flashing her big brown eyes in anger and fear. "I'm afraid not Ms. Ryder. You're a gift for someone very special to me." Like a child on Christmas, Celeste stepped into view, running her eyes over Winner's pale curves. "Ohh...." she squealed. "Thank you so much Master" "No.." whispered Winona in confusion. "Yes. You're ours to play with now." With that, I spun Winona around, wrapping my arm around her long neck into a headlock. I could smell her hair as I bent her forward, forcing her firm ass into my crotch. She felt great. Winona choked and sputtered in my strong grip as her pendulous breasts hung low, accidentally freed from her offending costume. Celeste couldn't resist the offering and with each hand, softly carressed Winner's lovely breasts, bringing each nipple to automatic attention. The movie star's mouth worked silently searching for oxygen and her eyes met Celeste's in her terror, looking for her to help. But when she looked into Celeste's eyes she saw only excitement and lust, and Winona knew her doom. "Well my darling," I asked my thirteen-year old with affection. "What shall we do with poor Ms. Ryder?" Celeste beamed with lust and gratitude. In response to my question, she suddenly pinched Winner's large nipples as hard as she could. Winner's mouth widened with the pain, but before she could make a sound Celeste pressed her mouth to Winner's and shoved her tongue between her perfect lips. My mind had sent out commands to the other cast and crew members on the sound stage, and they all left the building, not quite knowing why. The minds I didn't concern myself yet with were Celeste's, which I already knew so well, and Winner's. I wanted us to taste her fear while we tasted her body. Breaking your mouths apart, I picked up the now screaming Winona and threw her a half dozen feet onto the main set. The movie in production was a science fiction flick that featured Winona stranded on a deserted planet, hence her tattered and revealing costume. I reached over to Celeste, and fondled her ass with glee. "There you are my little one. Your present." Winona started to pick herself up and ran towards the door. I had locked it of course. Her eyes scanned around in panic, seeking another exit, and she ran again, sobbing, to a far wall. "What are you trying to do to me?" she pleaded as she frantically tried to cross the set. Celeste stepped in quickly, and punched Winona in the kidneys. With a "whoof" the actress collapsed and fell. Celeste jumped her then, and straddled her, pinning Winner's arms to the floor with her knees. My little girl's hands played with the movie star's large breasts, pinching and abusing them, just for the pain they brought and the tears that welled in Winner's eyes. Celeste loved the feel of them under her hands, while Winner's body squirmed to get away. But of course, she couldn't. I had semi-paralyzed our prey's body for the moment. She put up enough of a struggle that I knew Celeste would enjoy it, but she was in no danger of losing her new toy. >From behind, I had a great view of Winner's outstretched legs, and Celeste's own lovely ass as she rubbed your wet pussy back and forth over Winner's firm stomach. The glistening pink of my girl's pussy came into my view when she bent over further, to probe her victim's mouth with her tongue. I released my mental grip on Winner's body only for a moment, allowing her to almost buck you off. I could sense the hope that rushed through Winner's mind, and Celeste could see the look of victory on her face. That only made it sweeter when we acted simultaneously. Celeste slapped Winner's face back and forth, and I slammed her body flat to the ground, as if she had fallen from a great height. Celeste screamed in orgasm when she saw the look of defeat on Winner's face. From her slaps, a drop of blood had appeared on her lower lip. Celeste bent over her again and took that quivering lip into her own mouth, sucking it, enjoying the taste of her helpless victim. My darling wanted to humiliate her more, and knew just how to do it. She moved her beautiful teenage body up along Winner's, until her long, fair thighs surrounded Winner's head. The wet, engorged lips of Celeste's pussy were a scant inch from Winner's mouth. She moved them back and forth teasingly, tantalizing herself. "Nnoonooo.." Winona whimpered. She tried to shake her head away, but Celeste's legs gripped her head to fast. "Won't you kiss it Winona?" she teased. "Will you suck my sweet pussy, love? Don't you want your tongue up inside me?" For the first time, I manipulated Winner's mind. I played with her until the thing she wanted most in the world was to glue her mouth to Celeste's, and work her teenage attacker's nether lips until she screamed in delight. But I left the sense of humiliation, and shame that we had bent her to our will. Hesitantly, the first flick of Winner's tongue passed over her tormentor's clit. I smiled when your Celeste's whole body twitched with pleasure. Soon, Winner's lips were working faster, and her whole being focused on giving Celeste the pleasure she so well deserved. My Lolita's hips gyrated, working herself onto Winner's face. I couldn't hold myself back anymore, and approached both electric bodies. From behind Celeste, I pulled the costume off Winner's body. Exploring her for the first time with my own hands. Her legs were lean and her skin was smooth as expected. While Celeste concerned herself with the pleasures of Winner's mouth, I pushed our victim's knees apart and backward, until her shaved pussy and pinkish brown asshole were open to me. I played with Winona for awhile, working my fingers in and out of her pussy, paying special attention to her clitoris. Soon she was soaking wet, and I started idly rubbing my fingers around her asshole - lubricating it and relaxing it just a bit. The look of pleasure in Celeste was driving me wild, and I wanted to share. I freed my dick from my pants, and with out any hesitation, rammed it into Winona Ryder's asshole. "Aghuughh!!!" she cried, briefly moving her mouth away from Celeste's pussy. Quickly, she shoved Winner's head back into position and enjoyed the added pleasure of her scream's muffled vibrations that traveled up her body. I touched Winner's mind again, and made sure she stayed attentive to my Celeste's pussy. I left alone, however, the pain and shock of my invasion of her virgin ass. Her body twitch and spasmed with every thrust into her bowels and I could feel the tension in her muscles under my hands. Her ass was so tight! And she was so afraid! Winona was ours, and she new it. The humiliation had broken her will so much that my mental control was almost not needed. She kept lapping at Celeste's sex because she had no other choice. She took my cock up her bum because she could do nothing else. As I raped Winner's bum, feeling the explosion building inside me, the muscles in Celeste's back tensed and quivered. Her perfect ass bounced furiously. And her strong, curvy thighs gripped Winner's head like a vice as she brought her to a shattering orgasm. Celeste's screams of climax met with grunts of my own as I unloaded my cock deep in Winona Ryder's ass. My teenage darling's lovely body arched backward and I leaned forward. I reached a hand out to fondle Celeste's perfect breasts, and her mouth met mine in a wet passionate kiss of lust and triumph. Satisfied for the moment, I withdrew very slowly from my victim's ass. Winona, with a little mental push, had gone completely catatonic. Her big brown eyes remained open, but her mind was elsewhere. Celeste and I climbed off the actress, and dressed ourselves. While I made myself suitable for the outside world, I considered my options. Winona was just to much fun to just forget about, and I'm sure Celeste wanted to do quite a bit with her. Winner's porcelain beauty had drawn me for years. The pools of her eyes were perfectly suited for a slaves' - looking up plaintively at her master. But there's a subtle distinction between victim and subservient, and I hadn't realized that Winona was so much better suited to be a victim. So my decision was made, for the moment. Winona would come home with us today. There, I'd find a few activities for my new, perfect victim. The limo ride was a quiet one. Winona was tied and gagged in the seat beside me. Her ears were plugged, and her eyes taped shut. Besides her bonds, she remained naked, allowing young Celeste to suck her new toy's nipples and tease her pussy. Facing forward, I settled into the seat and relaxed. My eyes closed, and the tendrils of my mind flexed and slowly began there work. Winona had been silent through Celeste' ministrations, still borderline catatonic. When the first wisps of my consciousness touched hers, she inhaled sharply and screamed behind her gag. Her body tensed and twisted, forcing Celeste to grab each of Winner's knees to stretch her legs apart. Quickly, I calmed her down with soothing thoughts. For this work I needed quiet. The human brain controls the autonomous body systems as well as the consciousness. My power was sufficiently advanced that I could control both. I've stopped the heartbeats of two of my enemies that way, but would use my skill for more fun here. My first bit of reprogramming was a simple stimulation of glands and secretions of the body. Winner's pussy would be slicker now, and her ability to generate saliva would increase dramatically when something entered her mouth. Her lips would stay moist and her skin would be softer than ever. I'd alter her metabolism quite a bit. She'd gain just a few pounds, to fill out her curves only. She'd be able to digest clear liquids only, and her body would begin to crave what she could now metabolize best... male human sperm, and ideally, mine. Her taste buds were altered accordingly. I dulled her teeth a bit (I'm working on learning how to retract them fully) and her tongue began to swell in her mouth, becoming a little larger and thicker. She'd find it more difficult to talk, but that was another little present to Celeste. Winner's pussy lips were an little meatier, and her clit was more pronounced. Finally, all hair follicles below her neckline began to die off. By the time I was done with Winner's body, I had decided to do very little with her mind. She's be more aroused than usual of course, but her will was her own. Her self-awareness was unchanged. Winona would soon be aware of the changes to her body, and be horrified. She'd know that she'd been turned in a sexual plaything, and maybe even try to fight it all the way. We soon pulled in to my driveway, and I pulled Winona out of the car, but her brown hair. She tried to scream but was still muffled by her gag. Two of my servants waited. "Take her down stairs and clean her up, I'll be using her soon." My servants complied and took the kicking and twisting Winona into the bowels of the Mansion. I needed to clean up myself, and walked to my chambers. My body servant today was Yasmine Bleeth, finally freed from her bonds in the basement. She was lovely to behold in her white satin - dressed only in a choker and loose panties that showed off her fantastic curves. Yasmine cooed softly as she undressed me... brushing her bare nipples against my chest... 'accidentally' brushing the cheeks of her plump ass against my cock when she turned to put my clothes way. She's always very tempting. "Is my bath prepared Yas?" I queried. "Oh yes, Master. Just the way you like it. Will I be washing you today?" She asked hopefully. I nodded. "Yes dearie. Have Celeste join us too." I've got a big tub. "Mmmm.... master!" she chirped. "I'll get her right now." And off Yasmine went, legs pumping and ass swinging.. Yasmine was a fun one in bed, and I'd not yet taken her full will. Sometimes I let the real girl out and took her for a terrifying ride. I was starting to look forward to this bath. My day needed a break before I got back to Winona. I climbed into the hot water of the tub, and instantly reached for the icy gin & tonic Yasmine had prepared for me. The heat enveloped me and the stresses of the day seeped away. I set my drink down and closed my eyes... ...and opened them again. Celeste stood there, naked as the day she was born - almost fourteen years ago. Her curves weren't as dramatic as Yasmine's, but they were a beautiful combination of firm, ripe naturally athletic youth, with a lingering touch of tender babyfat. She lifted a foot, and daintily stepped into the tub. She giggled as her lovely body slipped in the water, until just her buoyant b-cup breasts floated peek over the edge of the water. Yasmine entered the water behind Celeste, wrapping her arms around the younger girls, and cupping Celeste's breasts in her hands. Yasmine began massaging Celeste's nipples and bent her head over to playfully bite Celeste's neck. My little Celeste's eyes rolled back in her head, but her little hands stretched out in the water, seeking something. I felt her soft hands run up between my legs, until the found my dick and starting stroking it to attention. She was a dirty old man's fantasy... a pliant schoolgirl with expert hands. Soon I was full mast, sticking out of the water. Her hands jacked me faster and firmer, and her little smile grew wicked. One of Yasmine's hands had disappeared under water. I could imagine it stimulating Celeste's firm, delicious clitoris, or possibly pumping in and out of her already. "C'mere Dollface," I said, and outstretched my arms. The teen slithered up my body until she straddled me and her lips mashed against mine. Yasmine took her cue and guided my cock into Celeste's young cunt. every time I entered the girl, I was amazed at how tight she was. Her tunnel was hot and slick as always, and she soon began fucking me furiously, bouncing up and down on my shaft. Her little titties jiggled in the air, tantalizing my lips. My mind reached out to Celeste's enjoying her sensations of pleasure and desire. I shared her feelings of being fucked by me, her complete joy in becoming my little slut. Celeste's mind was completely bend to my will, and would never be shaken from it. The sensations of her tight young cunt, filled by my cock came to me from her mind, and added immeasurably to my own pleasures. My hands roamed the creamy flesh of her back and ass as she bounced up and down on my dick. She was so tight and so tender. Her eyes glazed and she bit her perfect lower lip. She grunted and moaned each time she impaled her young body on my cock. As my little teen fucked me with her all, I motioned to Yasmine to step out of the tub and walk towards my end. "Sit on my face Yas, I want to taste that lifeguard pussy." I leaned my head back over the edge of the spa and Yasmine took her position over me. It was a great view. The backs of her curvy thighs descended slowly, and she shook her tush on the way down, just the way I love it. She teased my face with the folds of her pink pussy lips. Yasmine moved back and forth, teasing her own clit with just the tip of my nose. My tongue flicked up to the slickness between her lips, and I tasted Yasmine for the first time today. My tongue went as long and as erect as I could make it, and Yasmine came down on it as far as she could. I know I'm not going to heaven for the ways I've degraded and abused beautiful young women, but this made it all worth it. The cutest, sexiest young teenager I'd ever found was bouncing on my cock like a cowboy rides a bull. My face was buried in the snatch of Yasmine Bleeth, and the flesh of her soft thighs were caressing my face. So what if I couldn't breathe... my enslaved actress tasted as good as she looked. Yas gyrated on my face very slowly, enjoying every flick and thrust of my tongue. My nose rubbed hard into her clit when she pressed down on my face. When she moved forward, my nose slipped inside her cunt, fucking her, and tongue stroked and rubbed her clean, perfectly hairless asshole. Celeste hands reached out to Yasmine's butt, pinching and enjoying the round flesh. I reached my arms upward, almost uncomfortably, to stroke and play with Yasmine's breasts. I know, I know, this kind of thing is enough for any man. But I'm not just any man, am I? Yasmine was a perfect plaything on the outside - beautiful, attentive, submissive and aroused. But I had left her real personality intact, if submerged. I began the process of coaxing the real Yasmine out, granting her the humiliation of remembering the degrading things done to her. Before her real persona could be freed, I had some work to do. Reluctantly but forcefully, I lifted Celeste off my cock, and pushed Yasmine off of my face. I winked and nodded to Celeste, transmitting commands to her. "Yas my dear, are you ready for a nice fucking?" "Oh!!" she cried in happiness. "Oh yess please Master.... a ff-fucking?" her last words carried just a faint taste of trepidation. The real Yasmine was coming out sooner that I'd expected. "You're g-going to ff-f-uck me?" she asked again. Celeste's golden body glistened with water, and she gently grabbed Yasmine and guided her into the tub. "Oh yes. And you'll be getting it just the way you love it.. I'm going to fuck you in your gorgeous ass" "I love it in my ass." she preened. Celeste positioned Yasmine in the shallow part of the spa on all fours. Her Baywatch bum rose out of the water like a cushy Gibraltar, and her breasts dangled in the water. "Mmmy Ass?" she said again. I could feel the real Yasmine coming out even faster. Despite her inviting posterior, the actress had never liked anal sex in the real world, and felt more and more distress at the idea now. Celeste continued to prepare Yasmine, binding the actress's wrists to rings on the walls of the spa. Yasmine's knees were locked in place by so her ass would always be out of the water, inviting me. Celeste squatted before Yasmine with her legs wide open, her hairless plump pussy just an inch before Yasmine's face. She pulled Yasmine's hair, forcing her head backwards and too the side. I could feel more panic rising in Yasmine, and did nothing to stop it. I spanked her ass as hard as I could, forcing her forward into Celeste's pussy. The flesh of her tush jiggled enticingly, and the mark of my hand reddened on her right cheek. "Ungmmm" was she sound she first made from Celeste's pussy. "Whaat.., " was the second when she pulled back from it. Instantly, Yasmine was aware. Memories flooded her mind of the things I had done to her. How I kept her tied up in the basement until she begged to me fucked by me. How she helped my capture and rape two underage cheerleaders from her old high school, and how I left her behind to be gang-raped by the football team and coaches. She remembered how I forced her to wander my household with nothing but coat of baby oil and a ball gag. Most of all, Yasmine remembered being used by me. She recalled every time I fucked her mouth, fucked her pussy and fucked her ass. She remembered eating Celeste's pussy while I plowed her from behind. She could still taste the come that I sprayed her with. She could still feel the sting of my whip on her tender breasts. And now, she could feel her wrists bound and her ass in the air, being spanked by someone. She was able to get her head away from Celeste's pussy for an instant, looking over her shoulder to see me grinning with my cock swaying, aimed at her voluptuous behind. Her scream was most satisfying. I rubbed the head of my cock at Yasmine's tight backdoor. She kept screaming, muffled only a little by Celeste's young pussy. The moment I shoved my cock in her ass, Yasmine gave a little yip and was silenced by the sudden pain of my invasion. Yasmine trashed and splashed, pulling at her bonds in vain. I pulled out of her ass very slowly, enjoying the beautiful friction on my cock. When only the head of my cock remained inside her bum, I grabbed a fistful of assflesh with each hand and drove myself into her ass again. Yasmine continued to scream and begged me to stop the rape, but of course I didn't heed her. Every stroke of my cock in and out of her perfect ass was snug, warm heaven. Every squeal of panic that came from her mouth and the waves of terror broadcast from her mind were almost as good. My hands moved away from her ass cheeks and up her body. I was completely bent over her now. Celeste moved behind us now, so she could nibble on Yasmine's tender pussy and fondle my balls as I jammed Yas's bum. My hands moved forward while I fucked, until they reached Yasmine's slender neck. When I'm fucking a beautiful woman like this, I'm always trying to get a little more arch out of her back. That way there's as little more altitude to her ass, and my penetration goes just that much further. Getting that extra arch is tough in a bathtub, but I knew Yasmine could do it for me. My hands gripped her neck tightly, and I was rewarded with a stifled cry and choked off gasp. The combination of her neck held tightly in my hands and my cock ramming her tight ass was an incredible turn on. I recommend you try it. But I still hadn't gotten that perfect arch yet. To get it was simple. My upper body, already hanging over her back, came down with full force. My hands, still had a strangle hold on Yasmine, and her head disappeared from view, into the turbulent waters of the bath. Ahh.... perfect... her ass was taking the full length of my cock now, with out hindrance. She struggled more than before, now desperate for air. My mind toyed with hers now, she now felt the cock invading her was four times the girth of anything stuck in her before. The pain shot through her body and the fear took over her mind... she lost consciousness. I came in her ass then, driving my dick into her sleeping body for the last time. Celeste had already alerted the staff, and two women unhooked Yasmine from her bonds and took her away for immediate care. Exhausted again, I slumped into the tub. Little Celeste joined me, and popped my shrinking cock into her eager mouth for a proper cleaning. TO BE CONTINUED UPON SUFFICIENT REQUEST -- +--------------' Story submission `-+-' Moderator contact `------------+ | firstname.lastname@example.com | email@example.com | | Archive site +--------------------+------------------+ Newsgroup FAQ | \ <URL:http://www.netusa.net/~eli/erotica/assm/> .../assm/faq.html> /


text: I guess I'll create a new topic for this since it seems to be a big misconception people have about tennis history. Go back and watch videos of tennis in the 80's and 90's. The Forehand grips have become more extreme. With the semiwestern grip, players rotate more into, through and out of the modern forehand. They get the flat pace and the topspin to bring the ball up and down. Players today have higher takebacks with the racket head above their hitting hand. Many players were already hitting like this in the 80's and before. If you're following internet advice to pull off your stroke, you are headed for distaster. Players today have long follow-throughs. Always have. Always will. They make solid contact and have repeatable clean strokes that rarely miss. If you're hitting with too much of a brushy glancing blow because that's what you perceive on tv, you aren't focusing on what is really happening in the stroke. Get a good coach who will teach the fundamentals in a clear way without the mystical ambiguous language.


text:
Megan Fox bombs at the box office
And it's official: Megan Fox has the box office draw of a ham sandwich. Jennifer's Body debuted this weekend in fifth place with an embarrassing gross of only $6.8 million, according to Box Office Mojo:
1. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs – $30.1 million
2. The Informant! – $10.5 million
3. Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself – $10 million
4. Love Happens – $8.45 million
5. Jennifer's Body – $6.8 million
To put things in perspective, it lost to the second weekend of a Tyler Perry movie even after a 57% drop in ticket sales. That's pretty fucking bad. Unless, of course, your name is Michael Bay then it's pretty fucking awesome and an excuse to write "I told you" on the tip of your gigantic CGI boner.
Photos: Getty


text:
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U.S. National Research Council: NASA's Plan to Reach Mars Will Fail
Jason Mick
June 11, 2014 8:00 AM
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(Source: Touchstone Pictures)
Report suggest U.S. partner with China to embark on a joint mission to the Moon or risk failure
Mars is a daunting goal. At 139,808,518 miles from Earth -- on average -- Mars is nearly 600 times farther from Earth than the Moon (~238,900 miles). With the
U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) racing to reach Mars under Obama and Bush administration edicts, a new Congressionally funded report is taking a critical look at the latest plan to achieve that objective. That plan -- formulated by the Obama administration -- scrapped plans for a Lunar landing, instead opting for an unusual mission to capture an asteroid, haul to it to Lunar orbit, and then send astronauts to it.
In order to understand the report, let's first examine how plans have progressed and how they've changed in the past decade, under the past two presidents.
I. Bush's Plan: a New Lunar Landing, Then Mars
Many believe that a manned Mars landing is too ambitious a goal if we can't establish a semi-permanent manned presence on the Moon.
President George W. Bush (R) was of this mindset. In a January 2004
President Bush called on
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) to launch a new wave of lunar exploration, establishing a permanent presence on Earth's rocky satellite.
He stated
Establishing an extended human presence on the moon could vastly reduce the cost of further space exploration, making possible ever more ambitious missions... With the experience and knowledge gained on the moon, we will then be ready to take the next steps of space exploration -- human missions to Mars and to worlds beyond.
A decade ago President Bush called on the U.S. to colonize the Moon. [Image Source: EPA]
The speech set a key policy, which would come to be known as the
Vision for Space Exploration
, a policy that would be initially funded under the
NASA Authorization Act of 2005
. The funding bill planned to from 2006 to 2010 slowly grow NASA's funding from $16.5B USD to $18.5B USD, in order to keep up with costs of funding the preparation for a Moon mission.
As the bill was delivered shortly after the tragic
destruction of Space Shuttle Columbia
, a key pillar of the plan involved retiring the Space Shuttle in 2010 and replacing it with a new spacecraft. That spacecraft
was dubbed "Orion"
, while the program to develop was dubbed the "Constellation Program".
Contracted to Lockheed Martin Corp. (
), the proposed Orion design marked a return to reusable capsule craft. It would include:
Crew Module (CM)
4-6 astronauts
Launch Abort System (LAS)
Minimal propulsion systems to allow crew module to escape botched launch
Service Module (CM)
Propulsion systems
Consumable supplies
Each Orion craft would be reusable for up to 10 missions. Orion was to use the Ares I rocket, which featured a solid fuel first stage with a 150 second burn time for its first sage. A more advanced variant of Orion , Altair, was planned for Moon missions -- it would have used the heavier Ares V rocket.
A 2006 render of the planned Orion manned capsule [Image Source: NASA]
A modified Altair would be eventually used around 2030 for the Mars mission. The plan was to spend several months traveling to Mars during the conjunction period, spend a year or so exploring the planet, and then spend four months returning to Earth via the orbiting return module. A backup return module would also be sent to Mars orbit, in case the first return module malfunctioned.
The Bush administration proposed that the program would cost
[PDF] (in 2008 dollars) from 2008 through 2020 -- or roughly $8B USD per year.
From 2006 to 2009, development commenced on Constellation, with
only $8B USD
being spent by 2010. That number meant one of two things -- either the project was running into dangerous delays, or it was coming in (incredibly) under budget. Unfortunately for Orion, the former was the case. In fact, in 2007 NASA admitted that
China might beat the U.S. in returning to the Moon
because of the growing delays.
Orion's defenders acknowledge there were delays and budget overruns, but they argue that these were no more severe than those that the Apollo program faced (the Apollo program saw a 55 percent estimated lifetime budget overrun).
II. Obama's Plan: Asteroid in Lunar Orbit, Then Mars
President Bush's starry-eyed vision was
critiqued by the Augustine Committee
in 2009. The culmination of a six-month review ordered by the White House
Office of Science and Technology Policy
(OSTP), the
156-page report
[PDF] suggested that the current path to Mars might be infeasible.
A key claim of the Committee's resulting report was the claim that by fiscal 2010 a budget deficit would arise out of the Constellation program, a shortfall of around $225M USD. This deficit was forecast to rapidly rise to $1.62B USD by 2013.
Hence in Feb. 2010, President Obama announced the controversial decision to effectively
scrap most of the Constellation program
by cutting its funding. In April 2010 he
suggested a new objective
-- towing an Asteroid into Lunar orbit, and using manned exploration of that body as a stepping-stone for Mars exploration.
Obama visits Kennedy Space Center to deliver his April 2010 speech.
[Image Source: Getty Images]
The backbone of that plan came in the form of the
NASA Authorization Act of 2010
, which covered funding for 2011, 2012 and 2013. It called for a budget of $19B USD in 2011, with a ramp back up to $20B USD by 2013.
In a speech President Obama
Now, I understand that some believe that we should attempt a return to the surface of the Moon first, as previously planned. But I just have to say pretty bluntly here: We've been there before....
Early in the next decade, a set of crewed flights will test and prove the systems required for exploration beyond low Earth orbit. And by 2025, we expect new spacecraft designed for long journeys to allow us to begin the first-ever crewed missions beyond the Moon into deep space. So we'll start -- we'll start by sending astronauts to an asteroid for the first time in history. By the mid-2030s, I believe we can send humans to orbit Mars and return them safely to Earth. And a landing on Mars will follow. And I expect to be around to see it.
Under the President's plan, development of the Orion craft partially continued, even if the greater Constellation program was scrapped. NASA is hoping to in Dec. 2014 send the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) on its first unmanned test flight (aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket). A manned test flight is tentatively planned for 2020. Some
testing of the solid phase Ares rockets
has continued, albeit at a diminished pace.
Meanwhile the President is also pursuing alternatives such as
SpaceX's seven-passenger Dragon V2 capsule
, which appears to have sizeable cost and capability advantages over Orion, on paper at least. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is targeting 2017 or 2018 for a manned test launch of the capsule. Boeing, Blue Origin, and Sierra Nevada also have been contracted by NASA to produce candidate craft, but it appears that they are trailing NASA's in-house (Lockheed Martin contracted) Orion effort and SpaceX's Dragon capsule.
SpaceX's manned Dragon v2 capsule is expected to launch in 2017-2018. [Image Source: SpaceX]
President Obama's hope for making his asteroid mission a reality rests on his ability to convince congress to fund it. With that in mind, a year and a half ago Congress allocated $3.2M USD to the
U.S. National Research Council
(NRC) -- a group of government-funded industry and academic experts -- to study the President's claims.
President Obama has claimed that the so-called "ARM" (asteroid redirect mission) objective would
cost only $2.6B USD
[PDF] and was already included in the current and projected budgets -- including the cost of developing a craft to put astronauts on the asteroid. Most believe that the project funds would only cover the cost of developing and launching the probe to tow an asteroid into Moon orbit. They estimate that when the development of the manned module is factored in, costs would creep closer to the projected cost of the Constellation program --
While it appears he may have fudged the numbers of the cost of the ARM project, President Obama does have some firepower when it comes to holding off on full commitment to Orion. The 2009 Augustine Committee's suggested the
cost of an Ares I launch
(of Orion) would be around $1B USD, dropping to $138M USD eventually (versus a cost of around $153M USD to launch a Russian Soyuz capsule).
However, in 2011 NASA administrator Charlie Bolden suggested that the updated projections estimate a cost of $4–4.5B a year, and $1.6B USD per flight. If accurate, that total hints that SpaceX (or another private contractor) may represent the only fiscally feasible path to achieving the plans for the ARM program and Mars mission. If that's true, perhaps the President -- whether intentionally or accidentally -- made the right move in shelving the majority of the Constellation program development.
ARM takes mankind closer to mining asteroids, but not to colonizing the Moon.
[Image Source: Planetary Society]
Furthermore, some have suggested that the resources mined from a well-picked asteroid, including precious metals could be worth as much as $500M USD, helping to offset a small fraction of the mission costs.
So that's where things stand today.
The NRC has just returned with a 286-page report and its conclusions range from scathing to skeptical of President Obama's plan, particularly on the point of the controversial decision to ditch the Moon landing in lieu of "ARM".
III. The Commission's Findings
i. China and the Moon
The report acknowledges that the ARM program is chasing the correct objective (pg. 20):
[T]he technical analysis completed for this study shows clearly that for the foreseeable future, the only feasible destinations for human exploration are the Moon, asteroids, Mars, and the moons of Mars. Among this small set of plausible goals for human space exploration,1 the most distant and difficult is a landing by human beings on the surface of Mars—requiring overcoming unprecedented technical risk, fiscal risk, and programmatic challenges. Thus
the horizon goal for human space exploration is Mars
. All long-range space programs, by all potential partners, for human space exploration converge on this goal.
But the report doesn't dally in getting to one of its critical and most controversial suggestions -- that the U.S. should not only consider returning to its original goal of a Moon landing, but should also
consider partnering with frienemy China
to do it. The report acknowledges that current federal law may prevent that, but urges Congress to move proactively to change that.
China's space program has exploded into the realm of manned space flight over the last decade, even as the NASA has struggled to unite behind a new path. [Image Source: AFP]
The authors write (pg. 20):
It is evident that
U.S. near-term goals for human exploration are not aligned with those of our traditional international partners
. While most major spacefaring nations and agencies are looking toward the Moon and, specifically, the lunar surface, U.S. plans are focused on redirection of an asteroid into a retrograde lunar orbit, where astronauts would conduct operations with it. It is also evident that
given the rapid development of China's capabilities in space, it is in the best interests of the United States to be open to its inclusion
in future international partnerships.
In particular, current federal law preventing NASA from participating in bilateral activities with the Chinese serves only to hinder U.S. ability to bring China into its sphere of international partnerships and reduces substantially the potential international capability that might be pooled to reach Mars.
The report repeatedly states that its objective is not to recommend or dissuade Congress and the White House from a specific plan, but at the same time it doesn't exactly hide its disdain for President Obama's asteroid mission. It writes (pg. 23):
While this report's recommendation for adoption of a pathways approach is made without prejudice as to which particular pathway might be followed, it was, nevertheless, clear to the committee from this report's independent analysis of several pathways that
a return to extended surface operations on the Moon would make significant contributions to a strategy ultimately aimed at landing people on Mars
and that it is also likely to provide a broad array of opportunities for international and commercial cooperation.
It repeats that partnering with the Chinese -- who have accomplished much on a relatively small budget -- could alleviate some of the budget issues. But here, again, it characterizes the policies of Congress and the White House as somewhat bipolar and inconsistent (pg. 27):
The prohibition on NASA speaking to Chinese space authorities has left open opportunities for collaboration that are being filled by other spacefaring nations. The recent docking of a piloted Chinese vessel to a new orbital module, and the first robotic rover operations by China on the Moon, are the latest in a program that marches steadily and strategically toward what might eventually become a lead role among the nations in spaceflight.
In contrast to the failure-prone early histories of the U.S. and USSR human spaceflight programs, China has proceeded methodically, deliberately, and with little in the way of visible failure
The U.S. government's response to this has been inconsistent, regarding China as a potential partner in certain areas and a threat in others.
Indeed, China recently joined the U.S. and former USSR as the only nations to have accomplished a soft Lunar landing. But what's incredible is how China did it.
Forget that
the Yutu rover was short-lived
-- take in this fact: at the height of its Cold War era prowess, it took the U.S. 16 Moon shots before it succesfully completed a soft Moon landing with Surveyor 1. Russia
required 21 launches
, including 11 failed lander launches, before it accomplished a soft landing with Luna 9.
China's Yutu rover accomplished in just three Moon missions, what it took the U.S. 16 missions and Russia 21 missions to achieve. [Image Source: China Daily]
China was able to achieve a soft landing on the Moon in only its third mission -- Chang'e 3. And its overly ambitious space exploration program appears to be
at least three years ahead of schedule
based on the objectives the Chines government proposed a decade ago.
ii. Slim Budgets, Apathetic Public
The report is rather merciless in blasting the lack of financial commitment from
President Bush and President Obama. The authors again write (pg. 25):
Pronouncements by multiple presidents of bold new U.S. ventures to the Moon, to Mars, and to an asteroid in its native orbit, summarized in Section 1.2 of this chapter, have not been matched by the same commitment that accompanied President Kennedy's now fabled 1961 speech—namely, the substantial increase in NASA funding needed to make it happen. In the view of many observers, the human spaceflight program conducted by
the U.S. government today has no strong direction and no firm timetable for accomplishments
[T]o set course on such an endeavor, the nation will need its investment in the human spaceflight program to grow annually over the coming decades. To continue on the present course—pursuit of an exploration system to go beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) while simultaneously operating the ISS through the middle of the next decade as the major partner, all under a budget profile that fails even to keep pace with inflation—is to invite failure, disillusionment, and the loss of the longstanding international perception that human spaceflight is something the United States does best.
Here's some quick statistics to back up that claim.
First let's look at NASA's budget.
[Image Source: LeadingSpace Blog]
...notice the budget looks to be increasing, until you adjust for inflation. Adjusting for inflation and the budget has yet to recover to 1990 levels. Another way of looking at the budget is as a percentage of the total budget.
[Image Source: NASA]
And it's not just the NASA budget. The percentage of military spending on space technologies was much higher during the Apollo era, helping the program cope with its major cost overruns.
(The red line represents the defense spending,
not adjusted for inflation
Looking at budget plans, both Presidents Bush and Obama relied overly on the supposed savings of shuttering the Shuttle program. But those gains just manage to keep the program a bit ahead of inflation, and definitely do not return it to its relative peak around 1990, let alone its Apollo era heyday.
[Image Source: NASA via Martian Chronicles Blog]
A major cause of the lack of direction and lack of funding the panel concludes is simply public apathy. It asserts (pg. 46):
At any given time,
a relatively small proportion of the U.S. public pays close attention to space exploration.
Survey data collected over the years indicate that on average, about one in four U.S. adults tend to say that they have a high level of interest in space exploration (Figure 1.7).
Interest in the issue of space exploration is relatively low when compared to that in other policy issues. For example, the 2010 General Social Survey, which placed the estimate of those who are "very interested" in space exploration at 21 percent, found that this issue was at the bottom of a list of 10 issues it asked about, trailing related topics such as new technologies and inventions (38 percent) and new scientific discoveries (39 percent).
The report paints a fairly dire picture in terms of American interest in being a manned space flight leader. The report notes that this may be due, in part to America's lack of a clear rival, although China is emerging to potentially take on that role.
The report is also relatively skeptical of help coming from a commercial firm like SpaceX. Comments the panel:
It is currently impossible to assess whether commercial capabilities will develop to the point that they can create significant cost savings (on the order of tens of billions of dollars) for NASA human space exploration efforts beyond LEO. In addition, investments to foster new commercial partners may create a tension in NASA as the goal of facilitation of new commercial ventures can compete with that of exploration (that is, the goal of answering the enduring questions) in making decisions about program priorities.
The issue of tension between public employees and commercial firms is indeed well documented and worth considering. However, it seems foolish to write off commercial aerospace so quickly, given the terrific results SpaceX has been showing, albeit almost single-handedly.
iii. Hope
Rivalries aside, the report does note another silver lining -- there appears to be growing public sentiment that a return to the Moon is worth it. Unfortunately, the U.S. has killed that plan under President Obama.
Lunar exploration is gaining ground in public sentiment. [Image Source: CBS/NRC]
The report sounds hopeful that a redirect from the asteroid mission to the moon could yield not only gains in public perception of the mission, but stoke commercial development as well, writing:
Should the U.S. terminate all government involvement in NASA beyond-LEO exploration— including an asteroid redirect mission, the Moon, and Mars—human space exploration beyond LEO would likely slow by decades, placing Mars out of reach until late in the century or early in the next, and only when other entities emerge with significant investment to take the place of U.S. contributions. With regard to the Moon, the situation is less clear because
it is possible that intense commercial development or substantial investment by another country could facilitate lunar exploration
, although there is no way to predict such an eventuality.
It is noted that the asteroid mission is more affordable...
NASA's asteroid plan is affordable, but a dead end. [Image Source: NRC]
...but it is suggested that if the NASA budget can be made to keep pace with inflation, a Moon mission followed by a Mars shot could be fiscally feasible. But the report suggests that a hybrid mission model involving first a mission to a "near Earth" asteroid followed by a Moon mission and then a Mars mission might be the best path of all, as it offers smaller steps toward the big goal of Mars exploration.
The "enhanced exploration" path of landings on a near-Earth asteroid, followed by a Lunar landing appears to be the best practice approach. [Image Source: NRC]
The biggest advice from the report? Don't do what President Obama did; don't change objectives midway through the program. The report warns (pg. 208):
Probably the most significant single factor in allowing progress beyond LEO is
the development of a strong national (and international) consensus about the pathway to be undertaken and sustained
discipline in not tampering with that plan over many administrations and Congresses
Without that consensus and discipline, it seems all too likely that the potential of SLS will be wasted, human spaceflight to LEO will become increasingly routine (though still with risk to life), and the horizons of human existence will not be expanded, at least not by the United States. With such a consensus, however, and with strict adherence to the pathways approach and principles outlined in this report, the United States could maintain its historic position of leadership in space exploration and embark on a program of human spaceflight beyond LEO that, perhaps for the first time in the more than half-century of human spaceflight, would be sustainable.
[Image Source: NRC]
The report has a handful of other helpful tips, as well:
3. ... d. Increasing NASA's budget to allow increasing the human spaceflight budget by 5 percent per year would enable pathways with potentially viable mission rates, greatly
reducing technical, cost, and schedule risk.
5. Highest-Priority Capabilities. The highest-priority capabilities that are needed to enable
human surface exploration of Mars are related to:
a. Entry, descent, and landing for Mars
b. Radiation safety
c. In-space propulsion and power
To summarize, the report suggests there is hope of a U.S. Mars mission seeing success. However, it also sets for a sharp set of criticisms and a highly detailed summary of hard (technical/scientific) challenges and soft (money/public sentiment) challenges that could derail the project. And it suggests maintaining the status quo in terms of the President's asteroid mission and Congress's funding of NASA is an invitation for failure.
The President, Congress, and NASA will now have to decide whether to take the experts' advice. Some tough decisions are in store.
NRC via The Washington Post [report]
The Washington Post
"A politician stumbles over himself... Then they pick it out. They edit it. He runs the clip, and then he makes a funny face, and the whole audience has a Pavlovian response." -- Joe Scarborough on John Stewart over Jim Cramer
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SOMERSET, NJ -- Tricorp Amusements has appointed Joe Ingui vice-president of new business development, according to an announcement by Tricorp chief executive Chuck Peitz. Ingui will be based at Tricorp's headquarters in Somerset, NJ, where he will report to Peitz.
Ingui comes to Tricorp, the largest amusement route operation on the East Coast, from Betson Enterprises, the nation's biggest amusement and vending machine distributor. He spent 18 years at the distributorship, joining in 1990 as an account rep and ascending to national director of sales in 2000. At Tricorp, Ingui will oversee strategies to keep the operation on a growth trajectory as it expands nationally.
"I have known Joe for many years both personally and professionally," Peitz said. "He brings a wealth of management and organizational skills, and years of industry experience that will prove to be invaluable to the future development of Tricorp Amusements. Our organization has been growing rapidly nationwide; the addition of Joe will further enhance our new business development. It's a very exciting and challenging time for us."
Founded in 1979, Tricorp specializes in providing amusement games to high-traffic entertainment venues. National Amusements, headquartered in Dedham, MA, was the company's first theater account. In addition to National, the company provides equipment to AMC Theaters and the Regal Entertainment Group.
As of a year ago, Tricorp operated more than 6,000 pieces in 21 states through five operating offices, including its New Jersey corporate headquarters. Regional branches are located in Boston, Atlanta, Richmond, VA, and Coconut Creek, FL. In March 2012, the company announced plans to expand its service network nationally. | SEE STORY
"Tricorp is well recognized as a nationwide leader in amusement service operations," Ingui said. "I really appreciated the years I spent at Betson, but my ambitions and plans have brought me to a new challenge and facet within our industry. Chuck and I share a common vision for this industry, and together we know that we can begin to exercise our strategic growth plan for the future."
Joe Ingui can be reached (732) 846-7767, ext. 121, or firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Vivian, Thank You for giving us the privilege to be there to help you through all of this. You can always come here to vent if you need to or to let us have a shoulder you can cry on. Ginny
Just wanted to show my new addition to home. Rocker found at second hand store I got it for 15$ and my big table with my mq7 still in progress. I am so excited about this rocker it is the piece that completes the overall look I've been striving to achieve.
Quilting My Rainbow
IS , very nice ,I love shopping at used stores ,you can find some of the neatest stuff. that is where I found my fabulous sewing cabinet. Barbara
Love the way your MQ7 looks on the table, IS. That rocker is a great find for the price. Ginny
Today visiting inlaws then cookin and sewing if i'm not to tuckered out.
LaJuan Sukochi Lee:it is a ZOO. No wionder I can't concentrate.
Enjoy your studies. Glad you discovered your perfect study solution. Early in my marriage I realized that I needed alone time. Before children it wasn't hard to find as circumstances dictated that I couldn't take a job. After children I would steal some "alone" time at the end of the day after everyone was in bed. Hubby's alone time was in the morning upon rising.
Agnes in NW Ontario
MNnancy:That's a comforting thought, Patti, but I have to say that I don't picture heaven with skin tones at all. Having left our earthly bodies behind, I see us all as whispy spirits. What do others think?
Nancy, I believe that we have heavenly bodies much like the bodies we have today but that they are perfected. No more pain or problems. We are reunited with all ancestors that have passed before us. They are there building the mansion we are going to live in and readying our rooms. I am not impatient to join them but I have no fear of it either - when I have accomplished what I was sent here to do then I will join them and be singing in that heavenly choir and readying rooms for others to join me in my mansion. Heaven is a beautiful wonderful place.
I have been up for about 4 hours now getting my body ready to walk out the door and walk the short walk to my church. I am not sure if I will make it through the full service today though as I am not doing or feeling good at all. This morning my body hates me and is causing me much stress... shame on it - it really needs to behave... But I am wearing my new cupcake shirt from Quacker Factory with sweet treats for Christmas on it - it is making me smile... I am also wearing my sneakers that look like Mary Janes cuz I can't get my church shoes on my swollen feet... argh!!! I am going to sweep the devil out of my house again today - somehow he snuck in and I am tired of him being here - so getting the broom out and he will be gone.
I ask a blessing for all my QCA friends today that the Lord envelope each and every one of them in his sweet strong arms and take away the stress each is feeling for a little while today - let them feel the warmth of his prescience in their lives. Let all troubles be reduced and pains disappear. Let his will be done! Amen
IS love the rocker and table, glad you found exactly what you wanted.
Millbury, MA
I'm right here, creaking and aching , along side of you,Thea. I spent another night sitting up in the reclyner with my fussy child. I finaly caved to his demands around 2:30AM and put him in bed with his Daddy and I. After that he slept like a dream, but somehow,I never really relax when he's tucked up between us. I always wake up with a sore back, stiff shoulders and my hips screaming in protest. The easy chair does a number on neck muscles. But...My toes don't hurt! LOL I'll get all those kinks worked out soon and feel better.
I got a friend a really cute bird feeder for Christmas. It's suet cake molded to look like a holiday wreath. She loves her feathered friends so it was the perfect gift. Yes.. was. Jenni ate it. And the wrapping paper. And the ribbon. And the packaging... I have a feeling that the carpet I cleaned yesterday is in for another doggy derailment.
The thermometer says it's -6 with a wind chill of -14 this morning. We have pretty frost paintings on the window. The fire feels pretty darn good on mornigns like this.
Quilters are people who strip so they won't go topless.
I can honestly say for once I woke up fairly pain free, My knees ache but not like they normally do .Sorry Thea and CC fo hear of you r hurting. CC that is just to darn cold even for me and I do better in cold . Just keep it your way . Hope Sprout has a better day ..
I swept the devil out and got ready and went to church... and oh my... the Lord wanted me there today - so many good speakers... one little boy got up - he was about 11 years old I think and he talked about the gift of giving and about how the recipient should be grateful for the gift given. He told a story about a little girl who was given a jewelry making kit and how her Dad told her it would be nice of her to make something for someone - so she thought about it and got her kit out and made a bracelet - she thought about each bead as she put them on the string - many good little thoughts - she finished it and although it wasn't the greatest little bracelet it was made from love. She took it and was giving it to her Aunt and the Aunt opened the box - looked at the bracelet - dropped it back in the box and went back to talking to her friends. The little girl was devastated that her gift had not been received warmly. So we should remember that no matter the gift we should thank the giver - they have taken of their time to give to us. It always amazes me the lessons we learn from children. His Father was our next speaker from the High Council and he spoke brilliantly - his message was clear and I jotted down notes to think about this coming week.
I made it through the whole service which amazed me as it was so difficult to put my coat on and get out the door to go - the walk there in the cold was excruciatingly painful but to see friends and wonderful people and to feel the Lord's prescience was wonderful. I love it when my week starts with Sunday church. I had listened to Joel Osteen's message on the TV today and then to have the wonderful message that we had at church today - what a wonderful day today is going to be... Devil beware!
Now to find out what football game is going to be shown in my area and get ready for football - dinner is a roast and I put it in the oven a little while ago to cook slowly all day - so I can rest the rest of the day.
Good Sunday to all! Warm quilty hugz from a very chilly Oklahoma...
CC, you might want to contact your Vet. A dog can't get all that through it's intestines. And, it could cause strangulation of the intestines, I would think.
Church was great as always. Our songbird, who is the primary singer in our Priase band, had gone to NYC with a BFF and told us about it. She is such a story teller. What fun that was to hear.
Hope y'all have a wonderful afternoon. It is grey and chilly here today.
IS love the rocker and table, glad you found exactly what you wanted.
That should've read "tablecloth", MQ7.


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David Freidel and His Search for Mayan Treasure
For three decades, professor David Freidel has hunted for Mayan treasures and brought glory to SMU. Now he and other archaeologists say drug traffickers threaten their work. But the truth behind the published reports don't make for a Hollywood ending.
Our truck bounces up a rutted mountain road in northern Guatemala. I am in the backseat. Arturo Godoy, a laid-back 33-year-old local, is at the wheel. Riding shotgun is David Freidel, a man described to me months earlier as the "Indiana Jones of SMU." Admittedly, that description came from the univeristy, but the media relations staffer had strong corroborating evidence. In the last four years, National Geographic and National Public Radio have done reports on Freidel, an expert in Mayan studies who has taught at SMU for 34 years. U.S. News & World Report called the professor a modern-day hero whose courage in the face of danger would put Indiana Jones to shame. The magazine painted a rousing portrait of an ace tomb hound making a stand against lawless farmers, looters, drug dealers, and arsonists.
Godoy drives fast, and the truck churns the road's fine white dirt into clouds of dust as we head into a national park called Laguna del Tigre-"Wildcat Lagoon" in English. In this jungle region famous for its jaguars, the first real sign of human life is a cluster of gravestones. Some are painted bright pink, some sky-blue; all are topped with simple white crosses. It is a quaint scene, and I feel happy that I've been assigned to write a straightforward, upbeat profile about a modern Indiana Jones.
"We should roll up the windows," says Godoy, who has been Freidel's camp manager and community liaison for three years.
I obey, wondering why, as wood shacks with thatched roofs appear. Kids peek out from doorways, and a young mother sits in the sun breast-feeding an infant while her friends braid each other's long black hair. This is Paso Caballos, the horse ford where Hernando Cortes crossed the San Pedro River 500 years ago in pursuit of a renegade conquistador. Many of the 150 Kekchi Mayan families living here today are relative newcomers, and most of the dads and older boys are off working 12-hour days in small maize fields nearby.
"Right now, the people are very anxious, and they don't know what side I'm on," Freidel says matter-of-factly.
That sounds odd, since Freidel has been co-director of the dig just up the road for the past five years. How in five years have they not learned what "side" he is on? But it's hard for me to digest facts and scenery at the same time. The truck zips past a group of men sitting in an open shed. Paso Caballos is a religious place-70 percent Catholic, the rest evangelical Christians-and I want to talk to someone familiar with the community. When I ask if there is a local priest or minister I can interview, Freidel doesn't seem to think it's a very good idea. "The best people to talk to are the workers in our camp," he says.
We zoom out of the village, climbing the road between fields newly cleared by the traditional Mayan slash-and-burn method. To the right, acres of charred stumps reach up the slopes of a limestone ridge. To the left, scorched land stretches down 300 yards to the lazy green San Pedro River. The farmers have already planted squash in the burned earth, and they will soon plant beans and maize.
During our first interview in his campus office back in Dallas, Freidel spoke passionately about the chaos near the ancient ruins of El Peru, in Laguna del Tigre. He said landless squatters invading the park in large numbers were being enlisted by drug gangs to roust him and his colleagues from the site. It was a Wild West environment, he said, full of good guys and bad guys. "When I first arrived, I was told that the invaders, the drug smugglers, and the rich people who buy cattle ranches were going to burn me out," he told me. "And I said, "I'm gonna come in here and do this research, and they're going to have to burn the whole damned rain forest down over my head."
It's easy to see how a reporter could visit Guatemala for a few days and be romanced by this dramatic version of events. It certainly makes for good copy. But the more time I spent in Guatemala-a tragic little train wreck of a country where half the children suffer from malnutrition and 10 percent of the population has already snuck into the United States-the more the Indiana Jones comparisons seemed to miss the mark. The nation's drug trafficking problem is old news, and tons of cocaine do flow through the Laguna del Tigre park. The new news is that Freidel and several other archaeologists are caught in the middle of a widespread land revolt. Most of the "lawless" farmers impinging on their digs have solid cause for complaint-and nothing to do with running drugs.
How the professor got trapped in this tinderbox turns out not to be an upbeat tale at all. Even though the ruins of El Peru are 1,200 miles from our shiny city, it's a story Dallas should follow. Because if the Guatemalan government can't solve its land problem, more desperate immigrants will head north. And if Washington brands the farmers who stay as bad guys, radical anti-American sentiment will catch fire mighty close to home.
Freidel's story is also one that SMU should study closely. He believes the university has been misled by its board and has lost sight of its core mission. After 34 years in Ponyland, the professor is moving on to greener pastures.
Freidel's camp sits by a marsh where a hand-painted sign warns swimmers about crocodiles. In a clearing between stands of towering trees, there are raised platforms for tents and green wooden buildings: kitchen, worker barracks, lab, dining cabin, and separate toilets for workers and archaeologists. The head cook, a short, plump woman named Reina, greets Freidel with a hug. Ordinarily, his arrival would signal the commencement of the spring field season, 40 days of intensive excavation at the nearby ruins by a team of 10 academics and 75 workers. But Freidel canceled the 2008 season at the last minute, a big letdown for many locals.
There is fresh bad news waiting when we arrive, news that explains the anxiety of the villagers back in Paso Caballos: a group of squatters recently burned a patch of forest about four miles to the north of the El Peru ruins, near a settlement called Yalá. Their intention, according to Godoy, was to cultivate the land and live on it permanently. Most of the 100 members of this new colony came from Paso Caballos. To avoid a violent conflict, the government pulled back the army troops and civilian police who normally patrol the park and occasionally quarter in El Peru. But after a conversation with his friend and fellow archaeologist Hector Escobedo-a cabinet minister and rising political star from an old military family-Freidel expects that the state will eventually respond "from a position of strength."
"This is no Yosemite," he says. "This is a park full of people, and the confrontation now developing is urgent. If the invaders expand, they are destroying primary high-canopy rain forest. The president knows that if he doesn't hold the Laguna del Tigre, it will be catastrophic for the whole biosphere."
Reina and her helpers lay out a lunch of fried chicken, black beans, rice, and thick tortillas on the long communal table in the dining hall. After we eat, we drive out on an undulating road to see the compact ruins. Occupied between 300 B.C. and 900 A.D., El Peru was a business center that controlled trade on the San Pedro River and overland routes. At its zenith, the four main plazas and 800 other structures may have been home to 10,000 people. The once brightly decorated acropolis, ceremonial centers, and pyramids are shaggy green hills now, capped with trees. In the rubble under the roots, possibly stacked together in a temple staircase, lie the bones and funereal knickknacks of the ruling lords and ladies.
"My Don Quixote vision was that if I could develop an archaeology park, maybe we could save this beautiful rain forest from the people who want to destroy it," Freidel says, standing in a glade where spider monkeys are flinging chunks of scarlet fruit down onto giant carved limestone slabs. "Local invaders can benefit as guides and forest wardens, and help with wildlife conservation. To block the traffic in drugs, you put people in the way of the dealers and make it inconvenient for them."
Traditionally, archaeologists work a site for about five years to sustain their careers, then move on to new excavations. Today, some professionals are making an open-ended commitment to a single site. This requires serious fund-raising and an effort to make sure the project benefits the native population economically. "El Peru is the last place I'm going to work," Freidel says. "The goal is to try to empower poor people and empower the Guatemalans to take it away from us. It's their country."
He wants to raise $6 million for his new Waka Foundation, the original name of El Peru. At present, his plans for an eco-park are purely conceptual-bicycle paths that will someday wind between semi-exposed monuments.
From the crest of the tallest pyramid, a wooden watchtower pokes through the canopy of trees. Up on the platform, butterflies cavort over a sunny jade-green jungle that spans the horizons. In addition to jaguars, the forest shelters foxes, tapirs, 260 bird species, and troops of howler monkeys whose dueling cries thunder back and forth for miles. Freidel thinks his project might help save 230 square miles of forest in a country that loses 300 square miles every year. He points north and says, "That is the breeding ground for the endangered scarlet macaw parrot." Then he points west, toward Mexico, the first stop for migrants and drugs. By one estimate, 90 percent of the cocaine eventually sold in the United States crosses into Mexico from land routes in Guatemala. The trade is worth tens of billions of dollars.
"It's a matter of national security for the United States," Freidel says. "These guys want to make a little Columbia here. They want to have their own communities in various towns who work for them and facilitate the drug trade." He advocates a "hearts and minds" approach. "Give the government of Guatemala 15 minutes' worth of what you're spending in Baghdad every day, and we'll show you hearts and minds," he says. "We'll give you a fighting chance to hold the overland road where the drugs run. We're the answer for every problem in the park."


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For this year's Record Store Day, Garbage and Jersey punk-rockers Screaming Females will tip their hats to one of rock's pioneering frontwomen, Patti Smith.
The two female-fronted groups teamed up for a cover of the Patti Smith Group's 1978 iconic single "Because the Night" (co-written by Springsteen), which will be released as a vinyl 10-inch on Record Store Day, April 20.
"This year we once again wanted to release something special in celebration of Record Store Day 2013," Garbage's Shirley Manson on the band's website. "We decided to record the duet that we had been performing on tour with the Screaming Females towards the end of 2012. The SF flew across country from New Jersey to Los Angeles so we could record it all together at EastWest Studio 1 in Hollywood ; 2 drum kits, 2 bass rigs, 2 guitars, 2 microphones and 1 piano. No mean feat. The song? A cover of Patti Smith's 'Because the Night.' Why? Because it's awesome."
The limited-edition record will also include a new original Garbage song, "Love Like Suicide," as well as a remix of Garbage's "Automatic Systematic Habit" (from last spring's Not Your Kind of People) by Beatport contest winner Konstantin Kazhev.
Manson also penned a personal "Valentine" to Record Store Day, discussing why the annual event is important to her and other music obsessives.
"It's a day that honors the mystery, the romance and the dying art of record making," she wrote. "A day that celebrates the notion that something as seemingly insignificant as a song or a piece of music can stand up against something very big and powerful. And it promotes the belief that time spent exploring a small, lovingly curated record store, discovering artists, music and ideas can arm you against anything that ever threatens to overwhelm or engulf you."
All four members of Garbage convened to film a video in honor of Record Store Day, relating memories of the first records they ever bought, among other stories regarding the band's long-running love affair with vinyl records and the stores that sell them. Watch below.c


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DEAR JOAN: For the past couple of summers, our yard and our neighbors' yard have been plagued by lots of tiny annoying black flies that like to fly into our faces. We take care of our properties, which cover a total of 3 acres, and there are no dead animals or vegetation that account for them. Can you give us some advice on how to rid ourselves of these pests?
Paul J.
DEAR PAUL: I'd have to see the fly to be certain — correction, my entomologist friend would have to see the fly to be certain — but I'm guessing you are being plagued by March flies, shore flies, drain flies or fungus gnats. I'm not sure it matters in the long run what sort of fly it is; all of these flies are attracted not to dead animals but to wet areas where vegetation is decaying and fungi is growing.
You may not think you have either of those things, but if you have a compost pile that's a little too damp, if your lawn is being over-watered, if your potted plants a little too moist, you have the conditions that these sorts of flies thrive on.
To get rid of them is easier said than done. Pesticides and insecticides do more harm to the environment than to the flies. The best tactic is remove what's attracting them. Get rid of free-standing water and repair any plumbing or irrigation leaks. That includes checking for drips at your faucets. If the flies seem thick around potted plants, it may be time to repot and make sure you don't have water accumulating at the bottom of the pot. I'd never, ever recommend getting rid of mulch, but rake through it to help dry up wet spots and avoid excessive use of fertilizers such as manure, blood meal and other organic materials.
Clean out drains, pull mulch away from the house and consider cutting way back on your landscape irrigation, especially on lawns and areas with organic mulches.
DEAR JOAN: We hope you can help us identify this magnificent cat that frequently visits our property located in the Willow Springs area of the Panoche Valley in southern San Benito County.
We this it is possibly a lynx. What do you think?
Ken and Sherry H.
San Martin
DEAR KEN AND SHERRY: Your magnificent cat is a bobcat (Lynx rufus.) He's gorgeous.
Readers can see Ken and Sherry's photos by going to www.Pinterest.com/gardenjoan.
Black-and-White l
There is no accounting for taste, but volunteers at the Hayward Animal Shelter tell me these days all of the black, white and black-and-white cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, bunnies and you name it, are having trouble finding homes.
Other colors and color combinations just seem more popular, so to help those deserving pets with the least popular coloring find their forever homes, the shelter is showcasing them at a special "Black-and-White Fur-ball" event 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at the shelter, 16 Barnes Court, Hayward.
As if getting a new companion isn't enough reward, the shelter is sweetening the deal by giving away 30 free spay/neuter vouchers to Hayward residents, limit two per household, and the adoption fees have been reduced to $20 for any black, white, or black-and-white pets.
So lets give these pets new homes. The life you save may be your own.
Let's talk
Don't forget our live chat at 1 p.m. Thursday about pet safety from sudden dog attacks: www.mercurynews.com/pets-animals/ci_21708245/live-chat-preventing-dog-attacks-oct-11-at.
Contact Joan Morris at email@example.com; or P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.


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Excellent. So this has the capability of taking your opponent into the air.
As many Wind techniques will do this, let me go over why it is so useful to knock your opponent into the skies.
First off, especially in Taijutsu, it is important to maintain balance and body weight at all times. In the air, you get affected by many forces at once, and it would be hard to shift your body position for the next jutsu or to simply get things done in the way you want.
Such a jutsu does this, and it leaves your opponent vulnerable and an easy target in the air.


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For my '88KRSSE restoration...don't ask...I'm on drugs
Anyway, took it all the way down..had the crank, rods, pistons balanced to .01 of a grm, the heads ported and breathed on, a set of euro cams, Ford injectors, K&N, Staintune, etc;
When it comes on cam around 4K rpm, this engine is smooth as glass,,smother than any of my K75s...and stays smooth all the way to redline.
Which where this question came from...was reving the engine in the garage last night..up to redline, off a little, back up,,,down, up etc. I noticed,...and a neighbor yelled...that I had flames coming out the tailpipe. About 1' of flame each time I rolled off the throttle.
I thought I had everything adjusted for the break in procedure...evidently I missed something important..what could be causing the gas to dump and flame out?


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A nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of a nerve for examination.
Biopsy - nerve
A nerve biopsy is most often done on a nerve in the ankle or wrist.
The health care provider apply medicine to numb the area before the procedure. The doctor makes a small surgical cut and removes a piece of the nerve. The nerve sample is sent to a lab, where it is examined under a microscope.
There is no special preparation.
When the numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is injected, you will feel a prick and a mild sting. The biopsy site will be sore for a few days after the test.
Nerve biopsy may be done to help diagnose:
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
A normal result means the nerve appears normal.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
Abnormal results may be due to:
Nerve biopsy is invasive and is useful only in certain situations. Talk to your doctor about your options.
Shy ME. Peripheral neuropathies. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 446.
1000 Johnson Ferry Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 851-8000
450 Northside Cherokee Blvd.
Canton, GA 30115
(770) 224-1000
1200 Northside Forsyth Drive
Cumming, GA 30041
(770) 844-3200


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All quotes tagged 7-9-11
(160 quotes found)
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
"Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable."
"Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad."
"Our passions are the winds that propel our vessel. Our reason is the pilot that steers her. Without winds the vessel would not move and without a pilot she would be lost."
"How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank.
Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears; soft stillness, and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony."