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What After Ramadan? – Adapted from "Wa maadha ba`da Ramadaan", by Dar Al-Watan
What After Ramadan?
Adapted from "Wa maadha ba`da Ramadaan", by Dar Al-Watan (120)
AlHamdulillahi wa kafaa, was-Salatu was-salamu `alaa `ibaadihi-lladheena Stafaa
We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…
Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the god-fearing?
Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?
Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?
Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.
What Have We Gained From Ramadan?
Ramadan is a school of Iman and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries' – to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year…
For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?
The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah 'azza wa jall. "Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves." [Ar-Ra`d, 11]
If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against you soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.
Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it… Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!
This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!
My dear ones,
falling short in one's commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:
1 – Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.
2 – Return to musical entertainment, forbidden films, women displaying their adornment beyond that which ordinarily appears thereof, free mixing etc.
This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one's actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.
These are from signs of one's deeds not being accepted – and Allah's refuge is sought – for one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of `eid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it.
From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah `azza wa jall. "And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]…" [Ibrahim, 7] Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.
"And worship your Lord until there comes you to the certainty [i.e. death]." [al-Hijr, 99]
The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Sharee`ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Sharee`ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah ta`ala said, "So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah]." [Hud, 112] And, "So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness." [Fussilat, 6] And the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, "Say 'I believe in Allah', then be steadfast." [Muslim]
— If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora and `Arafat, and others.
— If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year. "They used to sleep but little of the night." [Adh-Dhaariyaat, 17]
— If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and jihad.
— Reading of the Qur'an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.
Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive – O my brother and sister – and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.
And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.
Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you'll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin. "O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen."
I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honour and that we truly turn to our Lord…Ameen
Remaining Steadfast After Ramadhaan – 'Abdullaah bin Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Remaining Steadfast After Ramadhaan
'Abdullaah bin Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Ahaadeeth As-Siyaam: Ahkaam wa Adaab (pg. 155-157)
Sufyaan Ibn 'Abdillaah (radyAllaahu 'anhu) said: "O Messenger of Allaah, tell me something about Islaam of which I will not ask anyone else besides you (after that)." He said: "Say: 'I believe in Allaah' and then be steadfast (on that)." [1]
This hadeeth is proof that the servant is obligated, after having Eemaan in Allaah, to persevere and be steadfast upon obeying Him by performing the obligatory acts and avoiding the prohibited ones. This is achieved by following the Straight Path, which is the firm Religion, without drifting away from it to the right or to the left.
If a Muslim lived through Ramadaaan and spent its days in fasting and its nights in prayer, and in that month he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then he must continue to remain upon this obedience to Allaah at all times (after that). This is the true state of the servant ('abd), for indeed, the Lord of the months is One and He is ever watchful and witnessing His servants at all times.
Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadaan and the rectification of one's statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit from the month of Ramadaan and that he struggled in obedience. They are tokens of acceptance and signs of success.
Furthermore, the deeds of a servant do not come to an end with the end of a month and the beginning of another. Rather they continue and extend until one reaches death, for Allaah says: "And worship your Lord until the certainty (i.e., death) comes to you." [2]
If the fasting of Ramadaan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year, and all praise is due to Allaah. If standing in prayer at night during Ramadaan comes to an end, then indeed, the entire year is a time for performing the night prayer. And if the Zakaat-ul-Fitr comes to an end, then there is still the Zakaah that is obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that lasts the whole year. This goes the same for reciting the Qur'aan and pondering over its meaning as well as every other righteous deed that is desirable, for they can be done at all times. From the many bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon His servants is that He has placed for them many different types of acts of worship and He provided many means for doing good deeds. Therefore, the enthusiasm and the zeal of the Muslim must be constant and he must continue to remain in the service of his Master.
It is unfortunate to find some people performing worship by doing different types of righteous acts during Ramadaan – they guard strictly their five daily prayers in the masjid, they recite the Qur'aan abundantly and they give in charity from their money. But when Ramadaan comes to an end, they grow lazy in their worship. Rather, sometimes they even abandon the obligations, both generally, such as praying in congregation, and specifically, such as praying the Fajr prayer!
And they (even) commit forbidden acts such as sleeping over the time of prayers, indulging in places of foolishness and entertainment, and mingling in parks, especially on the day of 'Eed! Obtaining help from these evils is only through the Grace of Allaah. Thus, they demolish what they have constructed and they destroy what they have established. This is an indication of deprivation and a sign of perdition. We ask Allaah for His safeguarding and protection!
Indeed, these types of people take the example of turning in repentance and ceasing from committing evil deeds as something specific and restricted to (only) the month of Ramadaan. So they stop doing these (good) acts when the month stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned sinning for the sake of Ramadaan, and not out of fear for Allaah! How evil are these people who do not know Allaah except in Ramadaan!
Truly, the success that Allaah grants His servant lies in the fasting of Ramadaan. And Allaah's assisting him to do that is a great blessing. Thus, this calls for the servant to be grateful to his Lord. And this understanding can be found in Allaah's saying, after having completed the favor of the month of fasting: "(He wants that you) must compete the same number of days, and that you must magnify Allaah (by saying Allaahu Akbar) for having guided you, so that you may be grateful to Him." [3]
So the one who is grateful for having fasted, he will remain upon that condition and continue to perform righteous deeds.
Indeed, the true manner of a Muslim is that of one who praises and thanks his Lord for having been bestowed the ability to fast and make qiyaam (night prayer). His condition after Ramadaan is better than it was before Ramadaan. He is more ready to obey, desiring to do good deeds and quick to implement the obligatory acts. This is since he has acquired benefit from this prominent institute of learning. It is that of one who fears for having his fast not accepted, for indeed Allaah only accepts from those who have Taqwaa.
The righteous predecessors would struggle to complete and perfect their deeds, hoping afterwards, that they would be accepted and fearing that they would be rejected. From the reports of 'Alee (radyAllaahu 'anhu) is that he said: "Be more concerned with having your deeds accepted than with the deed itself. Did you not hear Allaah say: 'Verily Allaah only accepts from those who have Taqwaa'?" [4] [5]
'Aa'ishah said: "I asked the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) concerning the aayah: 'And those who give away that which they give (i.e., charity and other good deeds), while their hearts tremble with fear.' Are they the ones who drink alcohol and steal?" He (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "No, O daughter of As-Siddeeq. But rather, they are the ones who fast and pray and give in charity, yet fear that it won't be accepted from them. They are the ones who rush to do good deeds and they are the first to do them." [6]
So be warned and again be warned – of turning backward after having attained guidance, of going astray after persevering! And ask Allaah to provide you with endurance in doing righteous deeds and continuity in performing good acts. And ask Allaah that He grant you a good end, in order that He may accept our Ramadaan from us.
[1] Saheeh Muslim (no. 38)
[2] Surat-ul-Hijr: 99
[3] Surat-ul-Baqarah: 185
[4] Surat-ul-Maa'idah: 27
[5] Lataa'if-ul-Ma'aarif (pg. 246)
A Successful Ramadaan
By the Shaykh, 'Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Ithaaf Ahlil Eemaan bi Duroos Shahr Ar-Ramadaan pg. 119-120
Title and sub-titles have been added
Translated by Hassan As-Somali
[The piety and humility of the Salaf]
When Ramadaan came to a close, the rightly guided predecessors (As-Salaf As-Saalih) used to frequently seek forgiveness, repent to Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic – and fear that their (deeds) would not be accepted. They used to exert themselves (in worship) in Ramadaan and outside of Ramadaan, afterwards they would be fearful that none of this will be accepted.
[How the Salaf behaved when Ramadaan was approaching and when it left]
They used to seek the forgiveness of Allaah and repent. So much so that it was reported that they would supplicate to Allaah for six months that He would allow them to reach Ramadaan. If He allowed them to reach Ramadaan, they would fast, pray at night and supplicate for the next six months that He accepts the month of Ramadaan from them.
[Signs that Ramadaan has been accepted]
Following good deeds with good is a sign that (an act) has been accepted, whether it is pertaining to Ramadaan or other than it. If the Muslim is in a good state after Ramadaan, performing many good deeds and righteous actions, then this is a proof of acceptance.
[Signs that Ramadaan hasn't been accepted]
If the opposite is true, and he follows good with evil, and as soon as Ramadaan is over he follows on from this with sins, heedlessness and turning away from the obedience of Allaah, then this is a proof that it hasn't been accepted.
Every person knows their true situation after Ramadaan. So let them look, if they are in a better state, then let them thank Allaah, as this shows (that it has been) accepted.
If their state is worse, then let them repent to Allaah and seek the forgiveness of Allaah, as this is a proof that it hasn't been accepted and it is a proof of negligence and carelessness.
[Do not despair of the Mercy of Allaah]
But the slave should not lose hope of the mercy of Allaah. He should not close the door that is between him and Allaah and despair of the mercy of Allaah.
"Say: O my slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins). Do not despair of the Mercy of Allaah: verily Allaah forgives all sins. He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Az-Zumar: 53)
It is upon him to repent, seek the forgiveness of Allaah and return to Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic.
Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic – accepts repentance from those that repent.
"And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do." (Ash-Shura:25)
And the peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad.
Source : http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=24&Topic=4991
Conditioning oneself to fast and other good deeds after Ramadan
Few excerpts from wonderful work (Lataif al Maa'rif) of Al Hafith ibn Rajab –may Allah have mercy on him.
Taken from Mustafa George's (Hafidahullah) Blog
Al Hafith Ibn Rajab (died 795h) stated:
Benefits obtained in conditioning oneself to fast after Ramadan
1. Fasting the six days of Shawwal completes the reward for fasting a full year.
2. Fasting these six days and previously fasting in the month of Shabaan (prior to Ramadan) is similar to the sunan ar rawaatib (voluntary prayers associated to each obligatory prayer). These prayers proceed and succeed the obligatory prayers, and correct the deficiency and insufficiency present within them. Indeed voluntary prayers strengthen and perfect any deficiency present within obligatory prayers as has been mentioned by the Messenger –salAllahu alayhi wa salem- in several narrations. Most people possess fault and defect in their obligatory prayers, and because of this the Messenger –salAllahu alayhi wa salem- forbid a person from stayin: I have fasted and stood (in prayer) the full month of Ramadan. (Abu Dawud, Nisaee) A companion upon hearing this hadith said: I don't know if this forbid dance was due to dislike of praise or due to defect present in the act of worship.
3. Conditioning oneself to fast these days of Shawwal is a sign of acceptance of Ramadan. If Allah accepts an action from His servant He gives that individual the tawfeeq (success) to perform another righteous action thereafter. Some (of the Salaf) used to say: The reward for a good deed is the good deed that follows it. Therefore, whoever performs a good deed, and follows it up with another, this is considered a sign of acceptance of the first deed performed. Likewise, if one were to perform a good deed, and thereafter perform an evil deed, this is considered a sign that the first action was rejected and not accepted from that person.
4. Fasting the month of Ramadan warrants forgiveness for previous sins, as has been mentioned previously. In addition to the fasting individuals being rewarded for their completion of the month on the day of Eid, which is also titled: The Day of Prizes. With this being the case, fasting the (6) days of Shawwal is done to show appreciation for this great blessing (forgiveness of sins), for indeed there is no greater blessing than it.
The Messenger –salAllahu alayhi wa salem- used to stand in prayer at night until his feet bled. Upon doing so he was asked, would you perform such an action while Allah has forgiven you your past and future sins?! The Messenger –salAllahu alayhi wa salem- replied: Should I not be a grateful servant? Allah –The Most Glorified and The Most High- has ordered His servants to glorify Him in appreciation for fasting the month of Ramadan. This is done through remembrance of Him and other forms of gratitude. Allah said:
{And in order for you to complete the prescribed days and magnify Allah for having guided you, and so that you may be grateful to Him} al Baqarah:185
And from those forms of gratitude of the servant to his Lord for having given him success to fast Ramadan, assisting him in doing so, and forgiving him of his sins and faults, is the servant fasting (6 days of Shawwal) upon the completion of Ramadan as a means of appreciation. If the Salaf were given success to pray night prayer on a particular night, they would fast the following day in show of gratitude.
Wahb bin al Ward was asked about the reward for performing a particular action, such as Tawwaf (encircling the Ka'ba), he responded: Don't ask about the reward for performing such an action, but instead ask about what is upon the individual of gratitude in appreciation for the success and assistance in performing the action.
If you have not increased in actions (of piety) in appreciation for the blessings upon, then verily you are not grateful.
One must show gratitude for every blessing that Allah has bestowed upon him in his religion and in worldly affairs. Once a person is given this tawfeeq to (actually) show gratitude, then it is once more upon him to show gratitude in appreciation for this tawfeeq. This is a continuous cycle of gratitude, and because of this, a servant will never be able to fully show thankfulness (for the blessings granted to him). The reality of gratitude is that an individual confesses to his inability to (completely) show thankfulness. It was said: (Poetry)
If showing thankfulness to Allah for a blessing bestowed on me is (itself) another blessing, then it is incumbent upon me to show further gratitude. (With this being the case), how can one (truly) show gratefulness except with His (Allah's) favor, when days continue and life persists (constantly on going).
Abu 'Omrin as Shaybani said: Musa –alayhi salam- said on the day of his visit to Mountain Turr: Oh Allah, if I pray, then I do so by Your favor, if I give charity, then I do so by Your favor, and if I spread Your message, then I do so by Your favor. How can I show (complete) gratitude to You!? Allah responded: Oh Musa, now you have showed gratitude.
As for the one who repays the blessing of being able to fast Ramadan, by indulging in sin upon completion of the month, then this person is from those who have repaid the blessings of Allah with ungratefulness. If this individual is certain that once the month is over, he will return to sin, then his fast is not accepted and the door of mercy is shut in his face.
The author further stated:
5. The actions of obedience that were performed during Ramadan do not end at the conclusion of Ramadan, rather these actions continue as one has life. This is similar to the previously (early in chapter) mentioned hadith: "The one who fasts after Ramadan is like the one who fled from the battle field and later (after realizing the tremendous sin he committed) returns to fight in the way of Allah."
This is because, many people rejoice at the conclusion of Ramadan due to the difficulty, boredom and length of fasting. A person who views fasting Ramadan in such a way will more than likely not immediately return to (voluntarily) fasting. Therefore, the person who immediately begins fasting after completing Ramadan (Shawwal) is displaying his strong desire to fast and he is demonstrating that he did not become bored nor did he dislike fasting the month of Ramadan.
The author further said:
It was said to Bishrin: Indeed the people are worshipping and diligently (performing good deeds in Ramadan). He replied: How terrible are the people that only acknowledge the rights of Allah in Ramadan. Verily the pious individual is one who worships and is diligent throughout the year.
The actions of The Messenger –salAllahu alayhi wa salem- were constant. 'Aisha –may Allah be pleased with her- was asked: Did The Messenger choose a specific day (for the performance of righteous deeds)? She replied: No, his actions were constant. She also stated: He would never increase in Ramadan nor in other than Ramadan over 11 units (in voluntary night prayer).
The author later stated: The (righteous) actions of a believer do not end until death befalls him.
Hasan al Basri said: Indeed Allah did not indicate an end to the actions of a believer except at the time of death. Then Hasan recited the verse of Allah:
{And worship your Lord until death approaches} surah hajr:99
The author continued:
These months, years and days are all limited durations and times of actions, then they (time) will quickly pass and end. But The One (Allah) who created this time and duration, and designated within them merits, He will always remain and never end, He is everlasting and unchangeable, and He is at all times one Lord. He is always a watcher and seer over the actions of His servants. Glory is to He who has revolved His servants at various times, through actions of obedience. He bestows great merits upon them during these various times, and upon completion (of these actions) He rewards them with generosity and kindness. Once the three precious forbidden months (ashur al hurm) are complete, the first of them being the forbidden month, and the last of them being the fasting month, these three months then approach the month of Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House of Allah (bayti Allahi al Haram). So just as "Whoever fasts Ramadan and stands within it with faith and seeking a reward, all his past sins will be forgiven for him", similarly: "Whoever performs Hajj to the House of Allah and does not have sexual relations nor commit indecent acts, he will return (from Hajj) similar to the day his mother gave birth"
Therefore, there is not a time that passes in the life of the believer except that there are specific actions of obedience designated by Allah upon His servants during that time. The believer revolves between these various times seeking a means of closeness to his Lord while in a state of hope and fear. The one who loves Allah does not become bored from seeking nearness to Him through voluntary actions, nor does he desire other than His nearness and pleasure.
He (author) later stated:
Ask Allah to make you firm upon (His) obedience until death approaches you, and seek refuge with Him from the changing of one's heart and from wickedness after piety. How strange is shamefulness of sin after worthiness of obedience, and how strange is poverty of greed, after wealth of contentment!
He (author) later stated:
Oh youths of Tawbah (mature individuals who perform tawbah): Do not return to suckling from the breast of desire (hawaa) after you have weaned from it. Indeed breastfeeding is only befitting for babies and not for (grown) men, but one must be patient upon the bitterness of weaning. If you are patient in this matter the taste of desire (hawaa) will be substituted with the sweetness of faith (eman) in your hearts. Whoever abandons something for the sake of Allah, he will not miss that thing, and Allah will substitute it with that which is better. Allah says:
{If Allah knows that you have good present in your heart, He will give you better than what was taken from you and forgive you your sins} surah al Anfal:70
It is stated in a hadith: "Verily the look (at what is haram) is an arrow from the arrows of Ibless (Shayton). If one abandons this look out of fear, Allah will replace it with sweetness in the heart" (recorded by Hakim and declared to be weak)
The youth are being addressed in this hadith, but as for the elder person, then he committing sins after completion of Ramadan is worse and more repulsive. This is because a young person may intend to repent toward the end of his life, and this is also dangerous because death may suddenly approach him, but concerning the elder person, his boat (of life) has docked at the pier of Manun (death), so what does he intend?!
These were just a few excerpts from this wonderful work (Lataif al Maa'rif) of Al Hafith ibn Rajab –may Allah have mercy on him.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His last Messenger Muhammed, and upon his family members and companions.
Important note:
In yesterdays gathering with Sheikh Alee bin Yahya al Haddadee (senior student of Sheikh Yahya an Najmee), the Sheikh informed: Being that the 6 days of Shawwal are specific voluntary days, one must make the intention to fast before fajr. This can be done on each individual day, or if one is fasting 6 consecutive days, then they can make the intention at one time upon beginning the fast. If a person does not make his/her intention to fast the 6 days of Shawwal before fajr, then he/she will not receive the reward of fasting Shawwal.
Mustafa George


text:
The Pacifica Evening News
Monday, April 15, 2013
California's Bee Crisis
California farmers and beekeepers say they're facing a crisis this year because the bee population is declining. That means not enough bees to pollinate the State's food crops. There are multiple reasons for the decline, but no single factor has been discovered. The stresses on bees are attributed to factors such as; parasites, diseases, climate change and, increasingly, the chemicals used in agriculture. Since California's crops are so critical to the country's bees, the crisis has national implications. Pacifica's Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Home Page
Brandi Webster
Digging Through a Heart of Stone
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The rain began to come down in torrents just as I pulled into a parking space in the student parking lot. I didn't have an umbrella, so I ran toward the school. I pulled open the door to the building and held it for the girl I recognized. She walked in behind me and shot a flirtatious smile at me as a thank you and greeting. After brushing my now wet, shaggy hair from my eyes, I gave a slight smile in return before I turned to the steps.
"Off to spend time with your lifelong charity case again?"
"What?" I asked with curious shock as I turned back to look at her.
"You're going to the library. That's the only place you can go upstairs before school. You're going to see that nerdy bookworm. The only reason anyone knows she exists is because you spend time with her. You could do so much better as far as friends are concerned."
I didn't respond. I just stepped slowly toward the stairs a couple small paces.
"She's turning you into nothing as well. I'm proof of that. We used to be friends in middle school, and now you don't even seem to remember me," she said softly to me before she turned toward the hallway that led toward the adjacent building and the cafeteria.
For a moment, I watched her retreat toward the cafeteria. She had been one of my friends in middle school. I think her name was Vivian. I remembered this now that she said something.
I continued up the short flight of stairs toward the library considering what Vivian had said. It was true, I suppose. I was the only one who spent any time with her. It had been that way since middle school when she first moved that to our district. I remember clearly that she had seemed so fragile; it was almost compelling that I looked after her and made sure she knew her way around the school and town. No one accepted her. I'd never put much thought into it, but I suppose it was because she was much smarter than everyone else and had a captivating yet intimidating appearance; it must have been jealousy or fear of the unconventional. Since the others had avoided her like she had brought the plague with her, she made no effort to force herself where she knew she was not wanted. I had become her only friend. I had always enjoyed her company; she was humble, eccentric, intelligent, and kind. I'd rarely put much thought into what I had sacrificed in befriending her. Others still avoided her at all costs though, and they avoided me when I was with her. Perhaps I would be happier if I found new friends.
While contemplating this, my chest panged then tightened slightly. I found this odd, but disregarded it as I walked through the doors to the library. I nodded to Mrs. Spencly when I passed her on my way to the reading corner filled with couches and chairs. Sitting deep in the corner was a girl with waves so dark brown they were almost black. She had her legs pulled around beside her in a way that made the legs of her jeans twist up just enough to show socks with neon stripes above her Chucks. Her shirt was abstractly colored with blues, greens, and grays. Her delicate frame made her look rather fragile - like she needed protection from the world. Her face had strength to it though it was gentle. She looked up as I came closer, and her eyes shocked me just as they always did. They were like an ocean.
"Good morning, Brayden," she said in her soft voice while she placed a book mark in between the pages of the book she had been reading.
"Morning Jillian," I returned as I set my bag down next to hers; the tightness in my chest seemed to make my heart and lungs spasm.
"You're rather wet."
"Really? I had no idea."
She straightened her legs out so I'd have room before leaning forward and placing her book on top of her bag. I read the title.
"Crime and Punishment again?"
"I love this book," she said as she brushed her hair from her eyes with her tiny hand.
"You're an idiot," I said almost harshly. My chest clinched again as though I was flinching away from something.
"Is everything okay?" she asked with a voice as confused as her eyes.
"Of course. You're the one who's reading that ridiculous book again. Why do you do things like that?"
"Because I like the story. Why does it matter?"
"I'm not sure," I said after a pause.
"What did you put on your Cheerios this morning?" she asked with a light laugh.
"I didn't have time to eat this morning."
"Well that's your problem then. Let's get you something to eat," she said teasingly as she stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder.
"I only have enough money left in my account for lunch."
"I'll buy something for you. It's not as though you've never helped me out before."
I put my bag back over my shoulder, but I didn't take Jillian's bag like I normally did.
"See you later, Mrs. Spencly," Jillian said over her shoulder as she held the door for me to follow.
After waiting in a short line, Jillian handed a couple dollar bills to the lunch lady while I took a napkin and put it on my plate next to the muffin and fruit.
I looked around the cafeteria to see who had called me. My search ended when I saw David waving at me to come to his table. Jillian and I walked over to them.
"Hey Brayden. Want to eat with us?" David asked gesturing to the only open seat left at the table and shooting an unwelcoming glance at Jillian.
I set my food down and pushed my bag under the chair with my foot.
"Did you go to the volleyball game last night?" James asked me from across the table.
"Bye Brayden," came a soft call that I barely registered.
"No. My aunt and uncle came over for dinner last night. How they do?"
"They killed the other team! It was great!"
"The only reason you care is because you like their uniforms, Matt," James said to him.
"Who did we play?" I asked.
"North Fayetteville," Matt answered.
"Bye Brayden."
"Oh. Where are you going to go, Jillian?"
"I'll go to the art room and get started on that charcoal piece I've been working on."
"Okay. Bye."
I barely saw the shine leave her eyes before she turned away. I coughed a couple of times as my chest suddenly tightened again. When my breathing calmed, I put a piece of fruit in my mouth while the guys finished running me through all of the good plays from the volleyball game.
Ring. Ring.
"See you guys later," I said before taking my bag from under my chair.
I received nods from the others and then headed toward the trash cans at the front of the cafeteria.
After walking into my first block European Literature classroom, my knee stiffened and locked up causing me to trip and fall into my desk. My teacher and the other few students in the room looked up at me. I tried to ignore then and worked to bend my knee so I could pick up my books. I managed to place everything on my desk and sit before the majority of the class came into the room.
Ring. Ring.
Mr. Browning walked to the front of the room and started a discussion on the middle section of The Metamorphosis. I tuned out shortly after the discussion led to an analysis of the behavior of Gregor's father because I found the novella rather unappealing. Instead, I thought more about Jillian. What was it about her? Yes, I knew her better than anyone else, but why did I stick with her? I enjoyed spending time with other people. Eating with the guys from chemistry this morning was a nice change. It was odd that I spent all of my time with her, and I would very much like to be around other people, but, at the same time, the birth of our friendship and times we'd shared since were some of the clearer things in my memory, not the memories from before we met and I had other friends.
She's sitting alone? I would have thought someone would have sat with her even if it were only to be polite.
"Hello. Are you finding your classes alright?" I asked before sitting at the table the new girl had chosen in the corner under the window.
"Yes. Thank you. You said your name was Brayden, right?" she said politely but with a look of guarded curiosity.
I wonder what that look was for. She seems surprised that I sat here. Blah! Be polite. Talk back.
"Yes. What are you reading?"
"Crime and Punishment. It's one of my favorites."
"Really? That sort of thing has never been my favorite. I prefer science fiction, especially Ray Bradbury."
I'm talking about books with her? Wow! I probably would have been better off with the weather.
"Hmmm. He's never been one of my favorites. Turning one of my favorite animals into a mechanical, morphine-injecting thing and having a plot about the destruction of books made him somewhat evil in my eyes."
She's actually read Ray Bradbury. That's interesting, especially since she obviously doesn't like him. And I don't think she's talking about this just to be polite. I think she's actually interested in talking about books. I wish there were people here like that.
"That's understandable," I said with a laugh. "Is it only Fahrenheit 451 that you dislike or his other stuff too?"
"I don't care for any of his stuff. I don't know how to explain why, but it reminds me of Star Trek, which I also despise."
"You don't like Star Trek either? Do you like anything from the genre?"
"I like Star Wars. Does that count?"
"Absolutely." I said, but after thinking about it, I added. "Well, if it's for a good reason."
"What constitutes a good reason?" she asked with a captivating laugh that reminded me of bells.
"You're not allowed to like it simply because you think one of the actors looks good."
"Oh! Don't worry then! It's definitely not that. I love the music, and I really like the Ewoks."
She likes instrumentals too? I can't believe no one else is sitting with her. She's so interesting. It's like talking to a nerd, musician, and the best friend you could ever have all rolled into one person.
"You like John Williams?"
"Mmhmmm. I certainly do."
"What else do you listen to?"
"I listen to pretty much anything so long as it isn't country or rap because that's not music. It's just vile," she said with her bell-like laugh breaking through again. "I normally listen to rock though."
Wow! Her taste in music is perfect.
"You have no idea how much I wish that more girls had that opinion." I said before picking up the orange that was on my lunch tray.
"You're much kinder than everyone else," she said suddenly with an odd conviction that caught me off guard.
"What do you mean?" I asked unsure of how else to respond.
"You're the first person who has talked to me in order to get to know me rather than simply making sure I wasn't lost. It's a nice change to have a good person as company."
"How do you know that I'm a good person? You barely know me." I asked taken aback by her statement and the fact that she was boring through me with her eyes.
"I've always been good at reading people." she said before adding with a teasing smile that lightened the air. "Do you think I'm wrong?"
I started and glanced up at the clock. After glaring at me, Mr. Browning picked his book back up from the table and shifted his discussion toward the changes in Gregor's sister. I switched to listening to some of my favorite songs in my head. First Seize the Day by Avenged Sevenfold and then Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen which was followed by Bush's The Chemicals Between Us. After those were finished the guitar riff from Collective Soul's Where the River Flows rang in my head.
Once the bell finally rang I trudged to my computer imaging class. I took a seat at my assigned computer.
"Do you want some lotion, Brayden?"
I looked questioningly at Bridgette, who had just sat down next to me.
"Your hands are all cracked and scaly looking."
I looked down. My skin did look a bit like the dirt in the flower pots in which my mother was attempting to grow African violets.
"Sure. So long as it isn't scented lotion."
"Nope. I'm allergic to most of the scented ones. It's just plain old Curell."
I spent the class working on the photo collage project we'd just been assigned at the start of the week. It was not going so well though. I was having trouble working the mouse for some reason. I finally managed to place three of the seven photographs I wanted to use inside of each other when the bell rang for lunch. I clicked save, logged off the computer, went to my locker, and literally dropped my books there because I couldn't set them down for some reason. Then, I headed toward the cafeteria.
I looked down with little enthusiasm when the lunch lady put a blob off casserole-esque something on my tray. I quickly took a bowls of salad, corn, and fruit to compensate for the lack of appeal of the stuff.
5-3-0-9. I pushed the keypad at the end of the line to charge my account before walking into the lunch room. Jillian was sitting alone at the table in the corner under the window. I weaved through the tables avoiding food spills and set my tray down next to the bag she'd brought her own lunch in.
I didn't respond. I just looked at her bag of food. She had a peanut butter, Nutella, and banana slice sandwich.
"Why do you eat the same thing every day?"
"Because I like this, and I actually know what I'm eating. Do you know what is in that blob of stuff on your tray?"
"School food. Why don't you ever sit with anyone else?"
"Because it wouldn't make a difference. If I tried sitting somewhere else, I would either be told to leave or everyone would just go to a different table. Why are you asking this stuff?"
"Have you ever wondered what it is that's wrong with you that keeps everyone away from you?"
"What? What you mean what's wrong with me?"
"You don't find it odd that no one can stand to be near you?"
"You are a good friend. That's plenty for me."
"But I hate this! I liked having friends. I liked being part of a group of people. Being with you is like being a walking disease. No one wants anything to do with me, and it's because of you!"
My words just kept flowing out. I didn't understand them, and I couldn't stop them.
"You don't have to look at me like I'm betraying you. You should have expected this. You are nobody, Jillian. You are agreeable enough that you can get along with everyone when necessary, but you're all alone. You always will be."
Feeling stiff, I picked up my bag and left her sitting there at the lunch table. I didn't look back at her. I knew what I'd find if I did. Her eyes would have flooded with tears. Her bottom lip would be trembling, and she would bite it to try to keep it from continuing to do so. She hated to show weakness; she was like a puppy who thinks it's a wolf. She would have pulled her knees to her chest as much as the table would have permitted and wrapped her fingers in her shoe laces. I didn't care. I had spent the past four years beside her, and I, though I couldn't explain it to myself, wanted nothing to do with her anymore.
I didn't make it out of the cafeteria though. My chest seized again, far harder than it ever had before. People around me looked up as I raked in gasp after shallow gasp. I tried to move my hands to my chest, but they wouldn't move. I heard people scream when I fell over.
"Brayden, what's wrong?"
Jillian's blurry figure hovered over me and then faded to black.
"His vitals are all stable, doctor."
"Okay. That should wrap things up for now then. He can have visitors now."
"But what is wrong with him? Is that safe?"
"The results just came back from the lab. Whatever it is that's wrong with him isn't contagious; it's completely isolated to him. In fact, it doesn't even seem to be living."
"How very strange! Where are the result reports? I'd like to read them. At least, that will make the girl happy. Being able to see him, I mean. She's only left the door to his room to go to the bathroom. His parents have been bringing food for her."
I heard footsteps. Two sets of them left where ever I was; I heard a door shut. Shortly after, the door opened again. I heard more footsteps and felt the surface of what I was laying on dip down slightly. I opened my eyes; it was incredibly difficult though. I saw her sitting on the edge of my bed. The lights were so bright that they blurred her features, but I could still see that the angel was crying. I stared for a while, and my vision eventually cleared.
"Are you okay?" Jillian asked.
"What are you doing here? Go away," I said; my words were slow though. It was as though my lips were turning to stone.
"What's wrong with your skin?"
With difficulty, I turned my head to look down at my arm, but it didn't look like my arm. My scar from my skateboarding accident that should have been on my forearm wasn't there. I looked as though I'd been covered in something. My arm looked more like part of a terracotta soldier than a part of me.
"Leave," I said as I looked back at Jillian.
With difficulty, I shoved her from my bed. My incompetence was enough though since she was too small to be strong enough to prevent my action.
"What's happened to you?" she whispered regained her balance.
"Nothing has changed. I've just stopped lying to myself," I said while another shudder shot through my body. It was like I was trying to move but was restrained in concrete.
She turned and left, and I went to sleep because I didn't want to think of her. I buried the side of me that had once cared for her even deeper. I didn't want it anymore.
I woke up some hours later. My parents were standing by my bed.
"How are you feeling, Son?" my father asked.
"Stiff and it's hard to breathe. What did the doctor say?"
"They they " my mom's sentence choked off and she buried her face in Dad's shoulder.
"They're still working on everything, Brayden."
"What does that mean?"
"Do you want Jillian to come back? The nurse forced her down to the lunch hall to make her eat, but I expect she'll be done shortly."
"I don't want to see her."
My chest froze again and set my lungs burning. Dad slammed the button by my bed, and as everything faded again, I heard footsteps hurrying toward my room.
"Good morning, Brayden. Can you hear me?"
I opened my eyes with what seemed like the energy needed to lift landscaping stones. I felt like there was no life left in me. A part of me knew that this disease would kill me. Whatever it was that was turning my body and heart to stone was going to kill me.
Jillian walked to the edge of my bed and sat there; she entwined her fingers through my own lifeless ones. I couldn't feel her. I know that her hand should have felt ever so slightly cool and very soft; it always had in the past.
"Where are you?" she whispered; the anguish she had obviously been suppressing whether on the doctor's orders or for my sake burst through in her words.
Her words were like a shock to my mind. I felt my heart breaking as I tried to move my lips, but they had hardened and couldn't be persuaded to move. My head swam with confusion. The words that had reduced her to this state blurred through my head. What had I done? Why? I wanted to comfort her. To tell her that everything would be okay once I was finally gone --once this fight finally claimed me --but no sound came from me.
Jillian suddenly pulled my hand up toward her. It felt strange for my arm didn't want to move. I could see her straining to hold my arm in place; my little angel was fighting to do this though I didn't know why. I watched her examine my skin. My skin which had completely repulsed her and set fear in her eyes yesterday. She ran her fingernails along my forearm. Small clumps of what looked like hardened clay fell onto my bed. The strangest sensation I'd ever felt raced along the scratch in the surface of my skin. It spread out from the miniature trenches she'd left leaving a tingling feeling that settled into my bones. I could feel this! It was exquisite. My eyes darted to her face, but she was looking at my arm. Following her gaze, I could see something where her nails had just traced. It was a jagged scar; skin was visible around it --my skin. Jillian's eyes darted to mine and then back to the lines of my skin that showed underneath. She started tearing away my shell impatiently and expectantly. More and more of my skin was beginning to show. My arms were soon free of their bonds. Jillian pulled back the sheets of my bed and scratched the stony stuff from my neck now.
"Jillian, what are you doing?"
My parents had come to see me again.
"This stuff comes off, Mrs. Runnt."
Both of my parents were tearing at my skin within seconds.
"What are you doing differently, Jillian? It's not coming off," Mr. Runnt said.
"No! It has to come off!" Mrs. Runnt said in panic.
"What is going on here?!"
Jillian, Mom, and Dad snapped their heads around to the doorway where my startled nurse stood gaping for a moment before she started to rush across the room to my bed. Jillian turned back and locked her eyes with mine; their intensity brought tears to mine. She pulled her hands down my face with a rapid fluidity. I gasped. This was echoed by my nurse; she had just reached my bed.
"Get away from him!" she said grabbing Jillian around the waist and shoved her into the chair a few feet from my bed.
"No!" I rasped; it felt as though I hadn't spoken in years.
"What is it, Brayden?" my father asked.
"Don't take her away from me," I forced myself to say through my gasping.
My mother pushed passed the nurse and pulled Jillian back toward me.
I tried reaching for her hand, but my arm trembled far too much to accomplish anything. She saw this and mercifully took my hand again.
"Try stretching," she said as she brushed more of the scales from my face so they wouldn't get in my eyes.
I did, though it took what seemed to be an excessive amount of energy. More of the scaly substance fell from my skin. My parents both backed away with unsure expressions that were mingled with concern.
"I'm going to get Dr. Hattfield," said my nurse as she rushed from my room.
As I kept twisting inside of my suit, each movement took less and less to be accomplished. Jillian watched me with her piercingly clear eyes while a smile toyed with her lips. We both turned when we heard footsteps hastening down the hall. Jillian's focus remained on the door as my nurse and doctor bustled into the room and then stopped short with their mouths hanging open, but I looked back at her and sat up. She turned back to face me when she felt my weight shift on the bed. I saw her smile of relief and joy as I leaned forward and embraced her. She wrapped her arms around me gently.
"Thank you for bringing me back," I whispered through her dark waves into her ear.
"I knew you were in there somewhere. I just had to dig you out from under what was covering the better part of you."
... ... ...


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Source: Jennifer Liberto / CNN Money
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Postal Service has agreed to hold off on closing any more post offices or mail facilities until May 15, 2012, to allow Congress time to work on a plan to save the service.
The U.S. Postal Service agreed to voluntarily enact a moratorium on closures, after a series of talks with senators, lawmakers said. Sen. Richard Durbin said the postal service agreed to the deal, and he called it a challenge to Congress to "put up or shut up."
The news of the moratorium comes just a week after the Postal Service announced a plan that would slow down first-class mail, as the agency closes some 250 mail processing plants nationwide, which would eliminate 28,000 jobs.
"If you don't like what the postal service has put forward (to cut costs) by closing processing facilities and post offices and eliminating jobs, then come up with a better approach," Durbin said. "It's a challenge we need to accept, and this agreement with the postal service gives us that opportunity."
To read this article in its entirety visit CNN Money.


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Jerry hoped he didn't have cookie breath a few minutes later when he walked back into the hardware/dress store. This time Mrs. Henryetta and Mrs. Daisy both were behind their counter. Mrs. Daisy was as substantial as Mrs. Henryetta was thin. Her gray hair was tied back in a bun, and she had on a blouse with ruffles. When they were together she looked like the dominant sister, and it was Daisy who said, "Jerry, have you made any progress on our case?"
"I believe I have, ma'am." He stopped on the plank that separated the hardware store from the dress store. He didn't go full in because both sisters together reminded him of a gate with a "No Trespassing" sign. He said, "I've had a chat with Miss Pickens. She's seen those buzzards, too. In fact, a couple of them set on a gimpy squirrel she'd been trying to nurse back to health. They gobbled him right up."
"Oh, dear," said Henryetta
Daisy said, "Nature is red in tooth and claw," in a tone echoing the wisdom of the ages.
"Yes, it is," Jerry agreed. "And Miss Pickens knows that. She's been mighty worried about Barnacle. She says she caught one of those buzzards eying him from a tree."
Daisy turned to her sister. "I think you'd better let Barnacle do his business on a leash and keep him in."
Henryetta's eyes seemed to water. She took a handkerchief out of her sleeve and dabbed each cheek. Then she said, "Did she say anything else?"
Jerry rubbed a finger under his nose. "Why, no ma'am. We just talked about the weather turning after that."
"I see." Henryetta's eyebrows condensed in a V. Her head bobbled.
Daisy said, "Well, we appreciate you looking into this for us, Jerry. We know you're a busy man, with the campaign and all. How's that going?"
"Pretty well, thank you. But I sure would appreciate your votes. Every one of those counts. I could drop by some of my campaign literature if you'd like to read it. And I've got these little rulers this time around. They come in real handy."
"Well, some of those would be nice. But don't go to any trouble. You've done enough for us as it is. And we're not going to vote for your opponent."
"I sure appreciate that," Jerry said. "Let me know if there is anything else I can do." He looked at his watch and waved his hat toward the entrance. "I'm just going to go down the street and buy Evelyn a television set. I'm hoping Ray can deliver it to the house in time to watch Ed Sullivan this weekend." He smiled real big.
After he left, Daisy came out from behind the counter and stood at the store's door until he got to the corner of the street and crossed over. Then she turned back into the dress store part of the establishment. She said to Henryetta, "That didn't work."
"We don't know if it did or not," Henryetta said as she worried her necklace with fingers not much fatter than straws. "We'll only know if we don't see the towel again."
"We'll probably have to wait until next spring." Daisy looked out the window. "The weather seems to be turning."
"Nature can occasionally be helpful," Henryetta said.


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The Kid Soundtrack - Now Online
The Kid (1921) is perhaps Chaplin's most potent marriage of comedy and high emotion. The story relates how an unmarried mother abandons a baby, which is found and unwillingly adopted by the Tramp.
Chaplin wrote, produced, directed, edited, and starred in the film, and in 1971, he composed a new musical score. In the coming days, we'll publish a new track from the full soundtrack once a day on youtube so you can listen from anywhere! Visit our Youtube channel.
You can also get the full soundtrack on:
- iTunes
- Spotify
- Deezer
- Amazon


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Peace all. Man I'm so amped to be back on air. I'm currently going through promos and looking at various designs I can use to change the banner for the site. Tomorrow The Wastelands is back with it's new day and time. It is now just a punk/hc show and Ancient Visionz is a metal show.
Featured tomorrow for: HC, HC Punk, Grind, Crust, D-Beat, and real punk.
Let's mosh! DIY!
Airplay/promo: firstname.lastname@example.com
Tune in every Friday on thewastelands.listen2myshow.com @ 7pm-10pm UK, 8pm-11pm CET (Europe), 2pm-5pm Eastern (US), 11am-2pm West Coast (US), 1pm-4pm Central (US), & 12pm-3pm Mountain (US)


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Awards & Grants
Man of Extraordinary Service Award
The Man of Extraordinary Service Award was created through the generosity of an anonymous donor to honor Saint John's undergraduate men who have demonstrated their dedication to serving others both at CSB/SJU and/or in the local community. These men show a commitment to society through an active participation in student leadership, civic leadership and social leadership. They are or have been actively involved with service organizations, student activities, and/or academic services.
Father Giles Nathe Grant for Service Projects
The purpose of this grant is to support current SJU undergraduates who request assistance and demonstrate need in order to carry out a service project.


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Republic Day Of India January 26
26th January is one of the most important days in Indian history as on 26th January 1950 the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. In this day India became a totally republican unit. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who, fought for and sacrificed their lives for the Independence of their country. So, the 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India, ever since.
Today, the Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country and especially in the capital, New Delhi where the celebrations start with the Presidential to the nation. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of their country. Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations.
To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, from the Rajghat, along the Vijaypath. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery and official decorations even the horses of the cavalry are attractively caparisoned to suit the occasion. The creme of N.C.C cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. They spend many days preparing for the event and no expense is spared to see that every detail is taken care of, from their practice for the drills, the essential props and their uniforms.
The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. The parade and the ensuing pageantry is telecast by the National Television and is watched by millions of viewers in every corner of the country.
The patriotic fervor of the people on this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented in occasion, which makes the Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India.
Wish you all a HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY.
Indian Republic Day January 26
Republic Day 2009
The Indian Republic Day is a national holiday to mark the acceptance of the Constitution of India from the British on January 26th, 1950. India has three national holidays and they are 15th August 1947 Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti (Mahatma Gandhi Birthday) on 2nd October and Republic Day on 26th January.
Celebration of Republic Day 2009
Republic Day is celebrated in all parts of the India and to it makes more important occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the Indian capital of New Delhi in the morning. The tickets for republic are also easy available on the Internet. The various regiments of the Army like the Air Force and the Navy take part in the grand parade. The President of India gets salute from every Army chief. Special guests are also invited like Prime Minister / President of other country. The parade on Republic Day shows the vibrant displays by Indian Air Force fighter planes.
Celebrations are also held in every Indian state capitals or town or village. In the state capital, the governor unfurls the Indian national flag and also chief minister of that particular state participate. In case, if governor could take part due to some unavoidable circumstances the Chief Minister unfurls the India flag. Just like in West Bengal, Governor Mr. Gandhi could not take part then chief Minister of West Bengal Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya will do the task of Governor.
National Song of India use to plat and to respect the National Song of "Jana Gana Mana" all use to stand and repeat the words. National Song is composed by the great Rabindra Nath Tagore and then it is adopted on 24th January 1950 by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India. It reads like this:
Jana... Gana... Mana... Adhinayaka... Jaya he
Bharata... Bhagya-vidhata...
Punjab - Sindhu - Gujarata - Maratha...
Dravida - Utkala - Banga....
Vindhya - Himachala - Yamuna - Ganga....
Uchchala - Jaladhi - taranga...
Tava shubha name jage...
Tava shubha ashish maange....
Gahe tava jaya-gatha....
Jana - gana - mangala - dayaka jaya he...
Bharata - bhagya - vidhata....
Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he...
Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he !!!!
The Indian Constitution is the longest constitution in the whole world. It gives the same right to vote to every Indian people who are 18 years and more, until or unless they are disqualified due to some law. Fundamental rights for every citizen are given and equality of religion and many more like that. The main court of India, Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice and other important judges under the constitution of law. These people are the guardian of the Indian Law Constitution.
The 7 Best Foods for Weight Loss
Losing weight is not about starving yourself and subsisting on seltzer. Eat too little and the only place you'll feel lighter is your head. Plus, research shows that any pounds you lose will likely come back--plus more. One of the healthiest ways to shed pounds for good is to eat power foods that are naturally filling, nutrient-packed and, yes, proven to help you peel off pounds. Pile your plate with these prize possessions!
Women on a diet that included red meat lost more weight than those eating equal calories but little beef, according to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. One reason: The protein in lean cuts of steak helps you keep muscle mass during weight loss, and muscle incinerates more calories than fat, so you will shed more stubborn pudge. Try it: Grill or broil a 4-ounce serving of top round or sirloin; slice thinly to top a salad, or mix with veggies for fajitas.
The breakfast staple can trim off inches all over. Research from the Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge found that women on a low-calorie diet who ate an egg with toast and jelly each morning lost twice as many pounds as those who had a bagel breakfast with the same number of calories but no eggs. Turns out, egg protein is particularly satisfying, so you liikely eat less during the course of the day.
Try it: Enjoy a morning omelette or frittata, or top your lunchtime salad with hard-boiled eggs.
These beans can help banish belly bloat and reduce your belt size. Chock full of protein and soluble fiber, lentils can stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent insulin spikes that cause your body to create excess fat, especially in the abdominal area.
Try it: Toss lentils in soups, salads or pasta sauce. Or try this delicious Lentil Pilaf with Turkey Sausage.
Low in calories, this fruit gets high marks for taste and nutritional content, thanks to a healthy dose of folate, fiber and disease-deterring antioxidants.Try it: Skip the juice and snack on the seeds instead. Toss them into salad in place of nuts. Or try these Pomegranate and Cranberry Bellinis from Giada DeLaurentiis (one of her holiday faves).
Some like it hot, and for good reason. Eating spicy numbers will spike your metabolism, courtesy of a compound in chiles called capsaicin, which helps the body burn extra calories for 20 minutes after you eat them. Bonus: It can be downright painful to inhale a plate of chiles, so you'll eat slower, allowing your brain adequate time to register that it is full and prevent overeating.
Try it: Sample the savory entree that chef Nigella Lawson shared with SELF.
It might be hard to pronounce (it's KEEN-wah), but eating quinoa offers a simple way to ward off the munchies. The grain is teeming with fiber (2.6 grams per 1/2 cup) and protein to keep you humming and hunger-free for hours.
Try it: Replace the rice in stir-fries with quinoa.
Say cheese! Women who had one serving of whole milk or cheese daily were less likely to gain weight over time, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds. Dieters who ate lowfat varieties of dairy did not experience the same benefit. Why? Whole dairy may contain more conjugated linoleic acid, which could assist in the fat-burning department. And since Parmesan is so flavorful, you only need a few sprinkles to gain maximum flavor without compromising its pound-shedding power.
Try it: Grate Parmesan over veggies such as broccoli or asparagus, or pair a 1-ounce portion with an apple.
Uncover Sexy Abs Without Crunches!
Bathing suit season is a bit far off, which means it's the perfect time to start developing the flat, sexy tummy you swear you'll work on every year. Even if you loathe crunches, you'll love the following easy, no-equipment moves. Work a few of these moves into your exercise routine three times a week (easing them in minimizes soreness), and then after two weeks, do them all together in one session. Then don't be surprised if you find yourself surfing the web for bikinis, preparing to reveal your sleek new abs surfside.
Plank pose
Balance on toes and forearms (or palms) for up to a minute, pulling belly button to spine and keeping back straight.
Standing bicycle
Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands clasped behind head and elbows pointed out to sides. Straighten left leg as you lift right leg, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor. Keeping knee lifted and steady, twist torso toward right. Return to start. Repeat on other side for one rep. Do 10 reps.
Side winder
Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands clasped behind head and elbows pointed out to sides. Lift right leg to side, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor. Keeping knee lifted, bend torso to right side, bringing elbow and knee toward each other. Do 10 reps; switch sides; repeat.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands on hips. Lift right leg, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor with foot flexed. Straighten right leg, pressing heel toward floor, as you lean torso backward. Return to knee lift position and repeat five times. Switch sides and repeat.
Forward bend
Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, arms overhead with palms facing in. Lift right leg, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor. Keeping knee lifted and arms raised, bring torso and knee toward each other as close as you can. Return to start; switch sides and repeat for one rep. Do 10 reps.


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How does the title relate to the story?In several ways, It references the Luddite myth of the miracle of the stars in the star caverns, which led the Luddites out of the Earth (like Noah and the rainbow). It also references the importance placed on celestial navigation for the Cloud Fleet. And finally, on a metaphorical basis, it's about how adversity reveals shining strength, as it has for both Elliot and Kai, who live in a terrible world, and fight to change it.
What are the main themes?I don't tend to write with themes in mind. They just emerge as I'm writing. (I always hated this question in school.) I wanted to tell a story about a strong, steady, and loyal girl. I guess it's about redemption -- redemption of these two characters from their mistakes, redemption of their relationship, and redemption of humanity from the brink of destruction. It's about hope and fighting for what's right and caretaking and how you don't have to be physically strong to be strong. It's also about the interplay between science and belief, and about questioning the belief system you were brought up with and deciding if it matches your own.
Why is Jane Austen's Persuasion so special to you that it inspired your own novel?It's a lovely story. I have read it dozens of times and I still cry when I get to Wentworth's letter. It's a very hopeful, heartbreaking, true story, and it's about social change and maturity. It's also one I haven't seen retold before. It's not as wildly popular as Pride & Prejudice and I wanted to show it some love.
Did you have to do any research to prepare for this novel or the world depicted in it?I do a lot of research for my books. I was lucky in that this book was set in New Zealand and my husband and I actually lived there for several months back in 2004, so I was familiar with the area I was writing about. But I also researched geothermal weaponry, celestial navigation, genetic engineering, brain diseases, agricultural engineering (the wheat Elliot works on is based on dwarf wheat), and solar cars.
There is an aura of sadness throughout the book, was it intentional or does it arise naturally from the story?Well, I didn't sit down and go "I'm going to write something sad today," but I think yes, this story is set in a sad, broken world, and the characters in this story have dealt with a lot of hardship, both because of the world and because of their places in the world, so I think it's natural that there's this bleak, lost, tone in places. But I also think it's full of hope. Sadness is fine, as long as there is also hope.
How do you feel about your book being published in Spain?I'm so excited about it! Oz Editorial is a fantastic publisher, and it's my first book in Spain, so I am thrilled to be reaching new readers. I've never been to Spain but my husband has and he speaks so fondly of the country and the people there.
I know a second book is out now, how does it relate to this one?Across A Star-Swept Sea, which Oz will also be publishing, is out in North America now. It's what they call a "companion" novel here, which means it's not a direct sequel. It's set in the same world, but with different characters. It's actually on a terraformed island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean where the population thinks they are the only survivors. They are not anti-technology, but actually have amazing technology like biocomputers, clean geothermal energy, genetically engineered plants and animals, and they've even cured the Reduction. But they're also dealing with a bloody revolution. This book is based on the classic novel about spies in the French Revolution, The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Emma Orczy.
Do you celebrate in any special way when you finish writing your novels?I usually sleep. But when I sell a novel, I do have a special tradition. I buy myself a pair of boots. I grew up in Florida, where it's very warm, so now that I live in Washington, DC (the capital) and it gets cold in the winter, I have a whole boot collection to wear.
We are all lovers of books, so what are you reading these days?I know Oz also publishes my friend Maureen McGowan's books, The Dust Chronicles (Deviants and Compliance). It's a cool, post-apocalyptic dome story, and I love the way Maureen invents a world that's based on office politics gone completely haywire. (Like how if you want to date you have to go to "human resources" and fill out forms!) I know there are some communities now that are completely owned by the company the residents work at, and it scares me that this might be where we are headed.


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Friday, October 7, 2011
Why is gold a bad investment right now.
A lot of people are buying gold because they are going up in price. But one day people will stop buying gold. Then the sellers won't have anyone to sell it to so they will have to lower the price. These people who bought gold might have to lower the price below what they paid for it to get it to sell. Which means they would be losing money.
If you really want to invest in gold I suggest this book:
Rich Dad's Advisors: Guide to Investing In Gold and Silver: Protect Your Financial Future
11 comments:
- AnonymousOctober 13, 2011 at 8:14 AM
And now... 'why gold is a fantastic investment right now' :ReplyDelete
About 2,500 tonnes of gold is mined every year.
That may sound a lot, but if you split it between everyone in the world (6,000 million people) we would all get about 1/75 of an ounce per year - that's only about $21 worth (it's a lump about the size and thickness of your little finger-nail).
Financial advisors are now saying that people should put 10% of their savings into gold.
But for many, many people, 10% of their savings is a lot more than $21.
So there simply isn't enough gold to go round.
Or put another way, at the moment only about 0.1% of people's savings is actually in gold – when people do actually try to put 10% of their savings into it, there will be *100 times as much money* being offered for the *same amount of gold* (because unlike shares or bonds, governments or businesses can't just print more gold).
When lots of people want to buy the same thing, the price goes up. And up. And up.
- AnonymousOctober 13, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Well, remember when everyone was buying houses? Lots of people bought them because they were going up in price. Then people stopped buying houses. Suddenly people could not sell their house and had to lower the price below what they paid for it to get it to sell.ReplyDelete
Gold is the same way. Lots of people are buying gold because it is rising in value, but someday people will stop buying gold. Just like the houses they will have to lower the price of gold to be able to sell it. These people will have less money than what they started with, just like the people who bought the houses.
- AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 8:58 AM
Good theory ... in case of Gold the greed will not let people cease to pursue or purchase it...Gold had been traded for centuries and will continue in the future ... In my humble opinion we may see a little drop but not much .. the prices seems to have gone up through the historyReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 20, 2011 at 11:34 PM
lest we forget when the US gov't seized all gold and artificially inflated the priceReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 12:20 AM
Ahh, but unlike houses, which usually need a mortgage to purchase ( and Banks have to have money to lend) gold is easy to divide into smaller pieces and that means lots of people can buy a smaller piece. And when lots of people want something the price usually goes up.ReplyDelete
Also if someone buys a house using a banks money, the bank could ask for more interest because THEY have to pay more for other people to provide that money.
When you own a piece of gold, nobody can change that. Though as has been stated the US government did once make it illegal to own it, and forced people to sell it to the state at fixed price. But I doubt the population would comply this time.
Power to the people...
- AnonymousOctober 30, 2011 at 9:13 PM
Are you a frequent gambler that is a pro at winning? Are your combined gambling winnings greater than the combined losses? Are you a merchant that buys and sells precious metals as an on going business?ReplyDelete
If the answer to any of the above questions is NO then walk away if someone offers to sell you gold.
The only time you should buy gold or silver jewelry with gems and jewels is for your own personal use.
- AnonymousNovember 4, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Two thoughts on this topic......ReplyDelete
1) People hold on to their beliefs about owning gold like they hold their opinions on abortion or capitol punishment.....no one ever changes their mind. Don't bother trying to change anyones mind about buying gold.
2) Remove emotion about gold and look at the only thing that matters....price. It has gone from $250 to $1700 pe OZ in the past 10 years. Gold cycles last about 20 years on average. Nitwits have been calling a "top" or "bubble" daily for the past 10 years.
- AnonymousNovember 5, 2011 at 5:04 PM
When economies look shaky, people will always go for gold/silver as a reserve currency. You can't change hundreds of years of human nature.ReplyDelete
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text:
Cousin Susan came to help decorate Christmas for her FIRST time! She was so cute about it... we love our Chinese cousins!
Immediately, Allison wanted to do her Christmas workbooks. "Christmas school!"
Allison and I sang through the 12 days of Christmas while decorating this tree. She was so cute about it! She would tilt her head towards me, and got all into it. I think Daniel took a video...
Of course, we enjoyed our first hot chocolate of the season. Yummy William Sonoma! Thanks, Gabie!
And, we finished the night watching "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer." The girls now wear these hats to bed every night! Too funny!


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AIDS Groups Press HHS on PrEP
Seven leading AIDS organizations are coming together to urge the Obama administration to support a new HIV prevention approach that has already proven effective in clinical trials.
The practice known as pre-exposure prophylaxis–or PrEP–involves HIV-negative people taking antiretroviral drugs BEFORE exposure to the virus to help prevent infection. Three clinical trials have shown that when PrEP is used consistently, it can successfully block the virus.
But the newly-formed AIDS coalition wants the Department of Health and Human Services to go a step further and fully-fund and coordinate demonstration projects to determine PrEP's WIDESPREAD effectiveness, meaning OUTSIDE scientific constraints. Such initiatives would help HHS study implementation methods within vulnerable communities like young black men who have sex would men. Projects would also inform potential users on how to access and use PrEP correctly.
David Evans of Project Inform tells OutQ News that AIDS advocates have already talked to different HHS entities, but not with the overarching agency. He says he hopes HHS will be "supportive" of the idea, adding that community outreach is dependent on it.
EVANS: Once we learn how to use [PrEP] and where to use it and who needs it most, then we can start designing those educational efforts to make sure people know that PrEP exists and where to get it and how to ask for it.
Evans says if HHS agrees to the coalition's call-to-action, he hopes all parties will come together to meet about what the appropriate next steps will be.


text:
I Miss Blogging
7 comments:
Hurray! You're back, missed you lovely lady. Look forward to reading you again xReplyDelete
Oh yay! Thank you Liz!!ReplyDelete
Yay for you coming back! Looking forward to seeing what you have in store xoReplyDelete
Glad to hear you're back and proud of your opinions and who you are :)ReplyDelete
omgosh, I love you ladies. Yay!!ReplyDelete
Count me as one who is glad you decided to not give up blogging. There are many out there that are brave enough to be who they are. I never have understood those that hide behind a fictitious name or choose no name and no face. If we can't be who we are, then what they hell are we. So, although I may not always agree, and I do most the time, I commend you for the being the fun, lively, hilarious person you are. I should make that into a f'ing plaque.ReplyDelete
Have a fun 4th with your family Janet!
x Deb
Love you Deb! Happy 4th. ;)ReplyDelete


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NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Colt McCoy probably doesn't realize how quickly things have changed in the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry.
Not long ago, the No. 7 Longhorns were the ones getting outhustled, outcoached and flat-out beat.
Now, it's the No. 14 Sooners who are finding ways to lose — like having their best player give up on a loose ball near his end zone with the game still on the line in the fourth quarter.
Adrian Peterson thought the ball bouncing off his hands meant an incomplete pass, not a fumbled lateral. Texas cornerback Aaron Ross wasn't sure, but scooped it up and scored just in case, and wound up with the touchdown that sealed a 28-10 victory Saturday in the 101st edition of the Red River rivalry.
"I'm just sitting there like, 'What the, you know, is going on?"' Peterson said after the game, still puzzled by what happened.
Such confusion was typical for the Longhorns (5-1, 2-0 Big 12) from 2000-04 in their annual meeting with the Sooners. Between blowout losses and tight finishes, Oklahoma (3-2, 0-1) always made all the right moves.
Vince Young turned things around for Texas last year. McCoy kept it going this year.
A redshirt freshman who watched Young from the sideline last year, McCoy overcame a slow start by throwing two perfect touchdown passes in the third quarter to turn a 10-7 halftime deficit into a 21-10 lead. Ross did the rest, following his head's up play with a pair of interceptions that ended the Sooners' final two drives.
McCoy's numbers were mediocre — 11-of-18 for 108 yards, plus 11 more rushing — but his poise was off the charts. He overcame an awful second quarter and never turned the ball over.
"When we've come out of this game with a huge deficit, it's usually been because of turnovers," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "Today, they lost five and we lost none. And that's why the game got to where it is."
During the five-game losing streak to Oklahoma, Brown was labeled as being outsmarted by Sooners coach Bob Stoops. He didn't even get all the credit last year's victory because Young soaked it all up.
This time, Brown made his mark by making sure the Longhorns didn't let one rough patch overwhelm them.
Texas let an early 7-0 lead slip away by giving up a touchdown and a field goal on Oklahoma's final two drives of the first half. The worst part was that the offense gained only 1 yard the entire second quarter, wasting great field position.
Brown thought offensive coordinator Greg Davis was being too conservative with McCoy, so he told him at halftime to let the kid loose. McCoy responded with his longest play yet on his first snap of the third quarter and built from there.
He lobbed a blitz-beating 33-yard touchdown to Limas Sweed two plays later, putting Texas ahead. He took the Longhorns 79 yards on the next series, running three times for 23 yards and capping it with a 7-yard pass to Jordan Shipley near the back of the end zone.
"He managed the game for them in a really good way," Stoops said.
This could prove to be a landmark victory for McCoy, who had the unenviable task of facing No. 1 Ohio State in his second career start. With a few games more experience, he proved he could handle the pressure of a big game, even one that got off to a rocky start.
"Colt has grown so much since Ohio State," said teammate Selvin Young, who ran for 60 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Texas has now won 17 straight conference games. This one puts the Longhorns in the lead for the Big 12 South and a spot in the conference title game, which could then yield a BCS berth. If things break their way elsewhere in the country, they could wind up with a chance to defend their national title.
Oklahoma was hoping this game would get them back in the race. While the Sooners were able to overcome some early mistakes, their biggest weakness — defense — ultimately was exploited.
Peterson ran 25 times for 109 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown, but Texas was able to focus on him because none of Oklahoma's other play-makers made the Longhorns pay for it.
The Sooners hurt themselves early: An unnecessary roughness penalty that took 15 yards off what would've been a 73-yard kickoff return by Peterson, Peterson's fumble on the final play of the first quarter and an offensive pass interference penalty that wiped out a 29-yard gain.
Still within reach at 21-10, Oklahoma reached the Texas 15 on a pass to Juaquin Iglesias, but he fumbled. Then came the lateral, which left Stoops as angry as he'd been since the referee fiasco at Oregon three weeks earlier, when a series of close calls led to a 34-33 loss.
He remained angry even after getting the ruling: The ball was "thrown at the 12 and landed at the 12. By rule, that's a backwards pass."
"They didn't say anything about where it hit his hands," Stoops said. "That's the part I don't understand."
Ross' first interception with more than seven minutes began an exodus of Oklahoma fans. The rest began heading out when Paul Thompson — who was 15-of-27 for 209 yards — was picked off by Ross again, drawing chants of "Poor Sooners" from the Longhorns fans.
At the final gun, McCoy turned to the crowd and pumped his arm in victory. Last year, Young ran to the seats and gave high-fives and hugs on his way around the seats; McCoy was content blending in with his teammates singing "The Eyes of Texas" in a group in the end zone.
"It's great for our fans, it's great for this team, but it's not me," he said. "I didn't come out here and win this game. This is because of my teammates."
Sooners Stumble in Dallas, 28-10October 9, 2006
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Colt McCoy probably doesn't realize how quickly things have changed in the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry.
Red River RivalryOctober 5, 2006
OU Wins – 24 Texas 17
If it's possible, the Red River Rivalry has more significance now than it did in the 1980s, when it was viewed as life-or-death by fans of the Longhorns and Sooners. Of course, the fans' attitude hasn't changed — but the country's has. Since Texas and OU are both nationally ranked and are in the same conference and same division, Saturday's matchup has Big 12 and national title implications. It's about as big a conference matchup as you can have.
Each team enters Saturday's matchup with one loss. No. 14 Oklahoma is still festering over its controversial loss to Oregon and has had an extra week to prepare for this game. Having a week off near the beginning of the season is both good and bad — it gives teams time to heal and time to prepare, but coaches hate to get out of a routine. Coaches spend the time worrying about players traveling home, doing too much, etc.
To beat No. 7 Texas, Oklahoma will have to establish a passing game. As good as running back Adrian Peterson is, he can't carry the Sooners by himself against a big, athletic, veteran Longhorns defensive line. Ohio State was able to defeat Texas by using a balanced attack; the progress of Sooners quarterback Paul Thompson will be measured by his performance Saturday. Peterson will get his yards, and it will be up to Texas' D to limit his yards after the initial hit, to keep him from getting 40 yards on what should be a 10-yard run. They have to gang-tackle him, which is easier said than done. When you commit your defense to one person, you run the risk that you'll give up big plays in the passing game. Oklahoma has shown it has the ability to do that.
Neither quarterback has started a game in the rivalry, and it will be interesting to see how they handle not only the pressure of the other team but also the hundreds of thousands of people in Dallas for the state fair and the general buildup — it's as close to the days of gladiators fighting in the Coliseum as I've seen. This is the type of game you live to play in as a coach and a player — the kind you remember long after your playing days are over.
Adrian Peterson's Quest for the Heisman!October 5, 2006
Week 5 – AD gonna send the Longhorns to the butcher!
RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
AD descends upon Big D with his best chance of 2006 to close the gap on Smith, while maintaining his cushion on the line of contenders forming in the rear view mirror. Unlike last year, when he had an injured ankle and Vince Young was still an amateur, Peterson is completely healthy and the main attraction of the annual Red River Rivalry.
Last Week: Idle
This Week: vs. Texas
2006 Season: 117 carries for 643 yards and 7 TDs – 4 catch for 72 yards and 1 TD
Barometer: Steady
Replay official gets death threats, considers resigningSeptember 19, 2006
By: William McCall • The Associated Press
Posted: Sep 18, 2006
Instant replay official gets death threats, considers resigning
PORTLAND, Ore. — The instant replay official whose failure to overturn a bad call led to a narrow Oregon victory over Oklahoma said Monday he feels like he is under siege after threatening phone calls, including a death threat.
Gordon Riese said he would make a decision soon about whether to finish the season, or even whether to return next year.
"I'm struggling with it," Riese said in an interview at his home. "I feel so bad I missed that call, it's driving me crazy."
A former college baseball pitcher in the 1960s who was inducted into the Portland State Hall of Fame in 1997, Riese said he never played football but always enjoyed the game during 28 years as a Pacific-10 Conference official.
"I loved it, I absolutely loved it," Riese said.
But that was before he became an instant replay official.
"I've felt much, much more pressure as an instant replay official than I ever did on the field," Riese said.
He said the equipment is not as sophisticated as NFL replay equipment, and does not allow the official to freeze the frame. But Riese lays the blame on himself after replays showed that an onside kick was touched by an Oregon player before it had traveled the required 10 yards. The Ducks went on to score the go-ahead touchdown.
"I can't sleep, I can't eat, my blood pressure is skyrocketing," Riese said, looking haggard and worn as he sat on the front porch of his house.
His wife is a registered nurse, and has been checking his blood pressure every four hours, he said.
Riese said he has stopped answering the phone, and police are investigating the threatening calls while keeping an eye on his neighborhood.
"They not only threatened me, they threatened my wife and kids," Riese said.
Riese has endured plenty of physical pain in his career. He said a torn rotator cuff ended his pitching days, all the ligaments in his right knee were torn when he was hit by an Oregon defensive back at Autzen Stadium in a 1984 game against Washington State, and he suffered a separated collarbone when he was run over by opposing linemen trying to block each other in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.
The knee and the collarbone still bother him, occasionally, he said.
But not as much as his ruling from the booth last Saturday, Riese said.
"I don't know how to deal with it," he said. "I guess it's just one of those things."
My comments: Someone went way to far! I feel sorry for the man and his family and my thoughts are with them. Debating, criticising, griping and being upset is one thing, but threatening the man and his family? That is very disturbing and unnecessary . Come on people keep it together!
Matt Zemek breaks it down.September 19, 2006
What more can be said?
Footbal Farce!September 18, 2006
I'm not sure how to describe what I saw Saturday. A travesty? A farce? A sick joke?
The three calls made late in the OU-Oregon game by Pac-10 officials were both wrong and inexcusable. There's no other way to say it, and some severe explaining needs to be done.The Oklahoma – Texas Tech instant replay controversy last year was like a misdemeanor compared to this felony of a bungling by the officials. The plays were no-brainers. After watching a tape of the game over and over again, the truth still remains the same. OU was screwed.
On the onside kick, the Oregon player clearly touched the ball first before it went 10 yards. The illegal contact was then proven on what seemed like eight different camera angles.
But in a surreal moment right out of George Orwell's 1984 — or any other futuristic novel where the people in charge dictate the "truth" to the masses — the referee came out and said, and I'm quoting here, "There is conclusive video evidence that the ball was touched by a receiving team (OU) player."
Conclusive? Did the official in the booth somehow flip his channel to the LSU-Auburn game? Because he sure as heck wasn't watching what I was watching.
Here was the referee, telling millions of people watching on television that they didn't see what they just saw.
And lost in all of the confusion was that OU's Allen Patrick actually recovered the football. Once again, the tape clearly shows the ball squirt out of the bottom of the pile — well away from any Oregon player — and Patrick simply picks it up and shows it to the officials, who proceed to ignore him.
Seconds later, seemingly to rub it in, a pass clearly deflected by an OU lineman was not acknowledged because the video was "inconclusive."
The whole sequence was mind-boggling.
So what should be done?
First, there needs to be an investigation, because the game was handed to Oregon on a silver platter. Whether this was intentional or not, I don't know. Basically, there needs to be open explanation to OU as to how this situation was permitted to occur under a system that was brought in to keep situations like this from occurring.
Second, instant replay has officially been proven a sham and needs to be discarded or drastically changed. If referees won't overturn calls that are obviously incorrect, then why have the system at all? In reality, the plays weren't even that close, yet somehow they befuddled the officials.
Third, college football's timing changes have also taken a hit. With 45 seconds left – under the old rules – the Sooners would have had plenty of time to get into better field goal range. Under the new rules, where the clock starts at the kick and as soon as the ball is spotted, the Sooners managed one measly run and nearly let the clock run out before spiking the football.
And finally, the national media's anti-OU bias was clearly displayed by an unwillingness to defend the Sooners.
"Well, if the Sooners would have played better defense, or made the field goal, they still could have won," one national talking head said.
They shouldn't have had to keep playing defense, and Hartley shouldn't have had to hit a field goal.
And trust me, I'm not one to make excuses. I hate excuses. Can't stand 'em. I usually I just tell people to get over it and move on.
But in this case, I have to make an exception. The Sooners, who many predicted would lose to Oregon (including myself), came out and played extremely well for a young team on the road in a stadium as formidable as Autzen. Yes, they made plenty of mistakes. Too many to count, really. But they played well enough to win, and that's all that matters. It's a shame that a hard-earned victory from a young team had to be so obviously taken away.
So, in the words of Ricky Ricardo, "Somebody's got some 'splaining to do."
Zach West is the sports editor and a journalism senior. His column appears every Monday.Photo: The football seems to be recovered by an OU player after an onside kick from Oregon during Saturday's game. Photo provided
Sound Off!!!!!September 18, 2006
"The instant replay was brought up to eliminate issues like this. And here, there are a number of issues that are clearly — looking at video — wrong," Stoops said Sunday.
Let your comments be heard Football Nation!!!


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I used to really enjoy writing about Nicaragua because I felt like I was sharing new and (at least to me) interesting knowledge about something very few of my readers knew much about. Now I live in DC and a quite a few of the people who read this live here too, or used to, or probably know something about it. But I'm going to write about it anyway because I find this city fascinating and there was a lot that I didn't know about it till I lived here and I'm sure much more that I'll learn about it in the future.
That said, the primaries for the mayoral election were on Tuesday. There might as well not even be another election in November because DC is so overwhelmingly Democrat that whoever wins the Democratic primary is basically the new mayor. In fact, I don't even know if there is a Republican candidate, although I'm sure there is one, let alone his or her name. Although most people polled thought that the present mayor, Adrian Fenty, did a good job in the last four years, the challenger, Vince Gray, won the primary and Fenty has conceded.
So for some reason, Tim Pawlenty - the governor of my dear state of Minnesota & a probable 2012 Republican contender for the presidency - chose this as an issue he should weigh in on?! I was surprised to see this article this morning in the Huffington Post with T. Paw's comments on Fenty losing the primary! I do enjoy when my worlds find new and strange ways to collide, but really?? Personally I enjoyed this line: "Pawlenty has proven to be quite adept at finding the epicenter of the spotlight of hot-button policy debates."
(If you don't want to read the article, the policy debate in question is the firing of a bunch of DC public school teachers by the chancellor of schools who Fenty brought in and backed up so the teacher's unions backed Gray & probably played a role in the demise of Fenty as mayor.)
Here ends Lesson One in DC politics. Stay tuned for someday in the future when I'll inevitably rant about the fact that DC does not have a vote in either the House or the Senate and why it's a big political uphill battle the change that.


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[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.;]
The body of 23-year-old Phillip D. James of Harlem was discovered Saturday afternoon.
Police say James had been shot several times in the torso.
James was found down an embankment near the Harris Creek bridge on River Road.
Authorities aren't sure where James had been staying, or why he was in the central Virginia area.
Anyone with information should contact the Amherst County sheriff's department.