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Pony POV Series
Prince Blueblood
Reach For the Stars Part 2
Written By ItsFromPeople
I remembered the time when I was a small colt and I had asked Cadence to marry me once we were older.
(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): You asked her WHAT?)
Well, I was still a colt and had just found out about how marriages and family lines were arranged a few centuries ago by nobles. I had learned how certain bloodlines should be brought together and adding an Alicorn into my bloodline would surely make Lady Pure... I mean mother proud. Instead my cousin slapped me.
I fell to the ground as Cadence stood there, looking down on me.
"Are you crazy? You're stuck-up, cowardly, rude and only think about yourself. I wouldn't marry you in a thousand years!"
"How can you dare... Oh, I forgot, you are the expert in love and spread love all over the last royal event, even to Princess Celestia herself."
I slowly rose from the ground starring daggers at the young Alicorn. She staggered away from me before collecting herself again. Her voice sounded sombre.
"No... I am not love. If there is one thing I learned from this disaster it's what I'm NOT. I learned that I can't force bonds on somepony. I need to truly understand my gift before I can share it with others."
It was almost unreal to hear a filly that looked so young talk like this. I simply had to ask her something.
"If you're not love, like everypony says, then what are you?"
Now her voice sounded almost kind, she looked at me like she was looking into my very soul.
"I am Harmony. When the love poison incident was over, I felt the pain of the bounds of everypony who was involved. I felt friendships shaken by one pony ignoring his or her best friends for the artificial love towards a stranger. I felt bounds between lovers nearly been broken by this behavior. And it was all my fault. Ever since then I tried to earn forgiveness and I hope that I will eventually be able to make up for my mistakes."
My eyes went wide as my young brain was trying to understand what she said. Was this the prize of being an Alicorn? She was so closely connected to... something that she could feel their pain.
(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): You didn't really understand what she was trying to say back then.)
Yes, I didn't fully understand it. But when I think about it now, she was willing to take responsibility for her actions. She was born as an Alicorn and she is still taking every single pony seriously. She didn't place herself above them.
I suddenly felt so... so lonely. I had always told myself I was the only company I truly needed, I was the best to have after all. Right? But after all the time I had spent with the other foals I noticed that I didn't even have a single picture of any pony besides myself in my room.
I began to think that maybe the Element of Honesty was right and I needed to change myself. But how do you change yourself?
(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): This might be the most difficult question to answer.)
(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): There was a stallion once without a cutie mark who traveled to every plane of existence trying to find that answer.)
In the following days I hardly left my room. Most of the diplomatic missions I had on my schedule were cancelled anyway after all many cities had to sort out what happened to them in the fog. I had a lot to think about.
But I followed the official declarations and news that spread around this time. I wasn't that surprised that Lady Fluttershy was the member of the group responsible for all of this.
(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): Really? Most were almost unable to believe it.)
Well, I only met her once in person and then she unleashed a horde of animals on the unsuspecting Grand Galloping Gala.
(Interviewer's Notes (Earth Pony): Normally she is much different. She is kind, caring, forgiving and so wonderful.)
I already noticed this.
(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): When? You met her when she had an emotional breakdown and again when she tried to take over Equestria.)
That is true but even when she had the power to do practically anything to anypony, what did she chose to do? She made their dreams come true and then happy foalhoods later on. I know what it feels like to be the victim of someone abusing his godly powers for his own entertainment. Lady Fluttershy was nothing like Discord. Maybe it was some residue of her magic making me feel this way, but I didn't care.
But I had to force myself to leave the room again.
Mechanically I start to comb my mane and made myself at least somewhat presentable for the small gala we would have this evening. It was a good idea to start with something familiar before the next diplomatic mission would lead me away from Canterlot.
I looked around the room again. There were only my maps to keep me company. Journeys with nopony to share them with.
Suddenly I heard the hooves of somepony before my door. A quick scan later I knew it was the same maid again.
'You will not get away this time.' I rushed towards the door, opened it and the shocked maid turned almost red with embarrassment.
"I... I am sorry... I will just... It is not the right time..."
"You wanted to talk with me and here I am. Now say what you have to say!"
Now she looked like she was about to cry. Only now I began to take a closer look at her.
She was a white unicorn with light blue eyes and a deep purple mane. And she seemed so familiar. Suddenly my eyes went wide.
"I... it's..."
"I know what this is about. Come inside."
Calmly we both went into my room and only now did I notice my image inside the mirror. The two of us did look somewhat similar. I guess this was how Discord got this sick idea. Her very familiar body was still absolutely gorgeous. Her cutie mark was a candle shaped like a heart.
She was still unable to talk. So I made the first move.
"Let me guess, the chaos monster turned you into the fire stallion?"
Now she broke down crying. I know that I just spelled it out without even trying to hide what she had almost done.
Auntie Luna was right back then. Discord had really turned somepony else into the fire th... the fire stallion that had hunted me down.
(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): This is...)
Why torture one pony if you can torture two at the same time? That sick bastard.
She as much a victim as I was. To my surprise I found myself putting a hoof on her shoulder. It took some time but eventually she stopped crying. Then everything erupted out of her.
"My name is Arcane Spell. I didn't even know the weather had turned strange, I work so much inside. I didn't even find it strange that a huge candle appeared before me and promised to make me a noble and let me experience what it is like to be born under a lucky star. 'Just like Prince Blueblood,' it said. I know it was insane but it was everything I had ever wished for. Which mare doesn't dream at least once in her life to be a princess in a fairy tale?"
I had to chuckle. She wasn't the first mare who dreamed of spending a perfect evening with a prince that made her feel like a princess.
This was how I was always able to get a young mare to accompany me to the Galas. And now I think that I could not even play this role right. I got my wish to have the perfect accessories for the evening but I awoke alone afterwards because I never saw a pony in them, just a decoration.
"The next thing I knew, the only thing I knew, was that I was a prince, I was on fire, I was fire, and that I wanted, needed my princess. My princess of ice. She'd fill me. She'd..." she shuddered, "complete me. My princess was coy and played hard to get. But that didn't matter. I didn't have a name or a past. I was there, I was you and I knew that we were destined to be... one.
"When I woke up next to you and you ran away in panic. I buried everything that happened. Then I spoke with the doctors. And I was made to remember. One pony had even taken a picture and I instantly recognized my body and was able to piece everything together."
(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): Which lunatic takes the time to take pictures while everything around him falls apart?)
Who knows? Maybe Discord made him do it to have some reminders after the 'fun' was over and the toy was completely broken.
I wondered if she would be better off not remembering anything of what the chaos creature had done to her. But psychologist ponies nearly always turned down memory erasure spells because they are just so Tartarus untrustworthy (reason why secret services stopped using them eons ago), and one said even if you make a pony forget a trauma, the damage remains anyway. And that uncertainly can make things worse.
"I wanted to say that I am sorry but... I was too much of a... coward."
She looked sadly to the polished marble on the floor.
They say seeing from the outside looking in can be an effective wake up call. So many ponies declared themselves brave and I just scoffed thinking of my own 'bravery.' But seeing this mare call herself a coward, I suddenly began to realize, the bravest I had ever been was when I had earned my cutie mark in that decaying treacherous crystal mine.
"And yet you kept trying to do it."
"Yes, but I can understand if you want to get me removed from the castle after I nearly killed you by... by..."
I thought back about how my cold body did even start to freeze Auntie Luna.
"I've had a lot of time to think about these events and I think not only would it have melted me but it would have extinguished your flames as well. Discord's chaos would have killed us both. And no, I see no reason to remove you from the castle. You were as much a victim as I was. The chaos monster could have just as well decided to make me the stalker and you the one running for your life."
Slowly she raised her head but she still seemed so sad.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
She was about to leave. Suddenly the memories of the carefree playing went through my head again.
It was my fault that she was dragged into this.
(Interviewer's notes (Unicorn): Discord would have just found another way to toy with her.)
Maybe, but I was used as bait for this way.
(Interviewer's Notes 'whispering' (Earth Pony): Did he just get taller?)
And if Princess Luna had followed my request, then I would have written Arcane's death sentence. Maybe I should... No, this is the time to try to make up for my mistakes.
"Wait a second. You said you wanted to feel like a princess for once?"
"Well, yes Your Highness, I am sorry if..."
"Now this is actually very easy. You just need to wear a pretty dress and follow a few rules and if you look into the mirror you will not be able to tell you apart from a princess."
Now she looked refreshingly annoyed.
(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): I never thought that you would have the same sense of humor as Princess Celestia.)
"You can't be serious!"
I opened one of the drawers and let the dress float towards her with telekinesis. This might be the perfect situation to use one of Miss Rarity's dresses. It was a blue- and silver-colored dress with several stars decorating it. I have seen something similar at the Grand Galloping Gala.
"I ensure you that I am very serious. Discord couldn't get this right if he had thousand years to practice. Servants don't look nobles in the face and most nobles are too concentrated on their own act to notice who they are talking to."
"It looks beautiful..."
"It will suit you. Just give it a try."
With a smile she takes the dress with her own telekinesis and vanishes inside my bathroom.
This smile... It has been a while since I have seen such a smile around me.
(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): Did you take the chance to use your see-through-walls spell to spy on her?)
No, actually I spend the time just repeating all the countless rules for royal behavior in my head.
I had learned a long time ago that while these rules are all needed to survive a prolonged time in high society, just lasting for a few hours there or fooling yourself in the mirror only takes a fraction of the rules.
She was already pretty enough for the dress to compliment her, after all, can't have ugly servants ruining the view on Canterlot.
Then the door to the bathroom opened again and for the very first time I am happy that unicorn horns don't do the thing pegasus wings do if the pony is exited.
I think one of the strengths of Miss Rarity's dresses is that they call attention to the face of the pony and use the mane to encircle their countenance.
Why are you three looking like this? I know that Miss Rarity's dresses are huge successes with the Canterlot elite and with several famous ponies. And you need to be able to talk about the more boring topics like fashion in high society as well. Yes it burns me on the inside that the bane of my existence has risen so high in spite of not being noble even outside of her status as a celebrity.
(Interview's Notes (Pegasus): She humiliates you once, tells you that you don't live up to your image, and she's the bane of your existence? You don't have much of a life do you?)
You...may not be wrong.
"I don't know... I feel ridiculous."
"Now just walk before the main mirror."
Carefully she moves before it and three...two...one...
I think she almost gave herself a heart attack.
"This... this is really me?"
"I hate to say that I told you so, but I told you so!"
Her smile is wonderful. Focus!
"Erm... Now for a few rules for easy survival in high society: Act like you know exactly what the other pony is talking about and that it is a very important matter. You give us the first topic."
"How about... Daring Do books?"
"That works perfectly. These are creative tales with enduring characters and will make the reader come back for more."
"But you can say that about almost every popular book series!"
"And that is the secret of talking about every topic in high society. Now it is my turn: The Elements of Harmony."
"Give me a second... They are the magnificent heroes that saved our beautiful world from certain destruction."
"You are learning fast. How about we talk about the relationship with the griffin nations?"
"After years of difficulty we were finally able to stabilize most relationships and under the wise rule of Princess Celestia and by having open minds we were able to form new friendships."
Now I had to laugh and she began to laugh with me. It felt wonderful.
"We need to be careful or you turn into a politician instead of a princess. Very good. But remember that ponies in high society are NOT stupid. They don't know every topic but will try to talk about it like they know everything to keep up the appearance. Yet sometimes you will meet somepony who really knows a lot of topics like Fancy Pants."
She walked over to the mirror again and repeated her last speeches to it without breaking down in laughter. Who knew that I had a talent for teaching and guiding?
Eventually she was ready for the next round: Discussions.
"And now I will share with you the secret of how you can avoid arguments. At first agree with what the other pony says and use what the pony said to move the conversation into a different direction. This is very handy to avoid this unicorn supremacy nonsense. Let us try to begin with something difficult..."
I change my voice into something warm and fatherly.
"Those earth ponies like them don't belong in Manehatten, they disgrace her beauty with their presence. They're donkeys with cutie marks. And if a cutie mark reflects the soul, then anything without a cutie mark doesn't have one. Their only purpose is to keep the wheels of trivial mundane tasks turning with their strength of body. We unicorns have strength of mind. The muscle should not dictate the mind. Manehatten is a jewel that doesn't need its gears and cogs showing."
I couldn't quite read her expression. Was she surprised that I was not a follower of that moronic ideology that declared Princess Celestia the supreme unicorn ruling over all? It didn't help the tabloids kept blowing it up bigger than it ever had been and saying that earth ponies didn't dare step foot in Canterlot or get arrested for not having a horn, or unicorns not daring to set foot in Ponyville or be lynched for the crime of having one. I knew first hoof, this was all fantasy. Sunny Day seemed to print her most fantastic (and interesting) articles whenever the tabloids tried to make ponies think that 'the return of the three tribes' was upon us.
She was struggling with this one. Maybe it was a bit too difficult for the first example?
"So... you were in any of the major cities like Manehatten lately?"
This sounded promising. Okay, it is time to continue my act.
"Yes, Manehatten shines with magic, it doesn't need ponies without it."
"Did you visit the theatre? I heard that the program is simply lovely this year."
So close.
"N-No... I did not."
"Now you have simply to enjoy what the theatre has to offer. I heard that they have a wonderful variation of Romaro and Juliet this year."
Now I almost had to laugh.
"Perfect! Just perfect! Sorry for breaking character but I think you are more then ready for this. Let me guess, you have siblings?"
"Yes, a younger sister. She will soon start to work in this castle as well."
"That will surely turn out great for her as well. Do you really know how the presentation of Romaro and Juliet is like this year?"
"The House of Coltpulet is played only by earth ponies, the House of Maretague is played only be unicorns and the Ruling House of Airona is play only by pegasi."
"The image of a unicorn supremacy follower walking into this play without having any clue what is going on is priceless."
Then we repeated this lesson before the mirror as well. She is very good in switching between the polite smiles you have to show in high society and the genuinely happy ones you show your friends.
"Good now we just keep repeating and mixing these lessons until you think that you see a princess standing in the mirror."
We talked for hours. I can hardly remember when I last felt this good. Actually I do, it reminds me on the playing with the other foals when I was turned back into a colt. There was a refreshing openness in our conversation.
Like I said, the problem is not that members of high society are stupid, the problem is just that there are so many ponies that even somepony like me, who visits most of the galas and events, only knows half of them.
It is hard to talk about anything if you don't really know the person that you are talking with. You can talk for hours with a friend but sometimes you are unable to say anything to a stranger.
She told me about her family, how she and her sister had to take jobs in Canterlot castle to support their sick father. The medication he needed was very expensive. And she and her parents were very capable mage unicorns. Despite being an earth pony, her little sister dreamed about becoming a mage like the rest of the family while she actually has much more talent to be a designer.
Now that is just silly. How can foals be so obsessed with becoming like their family that they can not see their own...
(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): Sounds familiar, doesn't it?)
Irony strikes again. It takes some time to get used to thinking like this.
So if the little sister was an earth pony when the rest of the family members were unicorns, did that mean that she was adopted? When I think about it, I remember a very boring explanation Twilight Sparkle once gave me why this did happen from time to time in families. I asked her to write it down for me and whenever I can't sleep, I take a look and after two pages I usually fall asleep.
This pure happiness continued for hours. We talked about when to use these rules and when you had to change your tactics. You don't simply follow these rules under all circumstances. In spite of appearances to the contrary, the upper class weren't robots.
Then suddenly the door swung open and a nervous servant stood inside. I think I need to order somepony to install a better lock on this door.
"Prince Blueblood, the gala is about to start..."
He saw the mare I was talking with instantly.
"Oh, you already found your acquaintance for the evening. I am sorry to have disturbed you. The other guests will be delighted to see you, milady."
Politely he closed the door and left us two alone. The look on her face was worth more then an airship filled with gems.
"How about we take this game to the next level and try to impress the rest of high society as well?"
It took my brain a few seconds to process what she had just suggested. I felt like when I was exploring the caves under Canterlot for the first time. There were so many possibilities of what we two could do on this party.
Could it fail horribly? Of course but considering that most of the more important public events of the last two years ended in disaster this would hardly be that unusual. Just think about it. The Summer Sun Celebration and the Grand Galopping Gala were disasters. Even the last Best Young Flyers' Competition in Cloudsdale and Princess Celestia's latest visits in Ponyville ended horribly.
Sometimes I think if the next big public event in Canterlot will eventually take place, I should be as far away as possible.
Should Arcane and I be found out, I could just claim that it was my own idea to make the gala more interesting.
"I am ready, my dear."
We both took a final look into the mirror and walked towards the party.
It was a small party by Canterlot standards. Only about hundred ponies could be seen. Some were busy dancing, others talked and several were busy searching for something delicious to eat.
Many were talking about the recent events with the fog and how lucky Canterlot was to be protected by the fire of Celestia's pet phoenix. Most were shocked how much power Philomena wielded considering how she looked like when she was about to be reborn.
Appearances can be deceiving indeed.
I learned that Auntie Celestia was still busy to prepare the celebration about Flutteshy's day of innocence. If this group keeps up their pace and continues to save the world, we will run out of space for glass windows in their honor.
Arcane moved flawlessly through the crowd. And all it took was for me to give her a quick introduction into high society. But I can't claim this success all for myself. She learned so fast that she must have been a capable observer before my short lesson.
We had nice calming music, exactly what most ponies needed after the chaotic events and I seem to have lost track of her. Where was she?
Ah, there she is!
And she is talking with Jet Set and Upper Crust about Canterlot fashion. They both praise her own dress as a wonderful example of the superiority of Canterlot's fashion.
This is simply too good. I calmly walk next to the small group.
"Prince Blueblood, it is always an honor. Is this wonderful lady your acquaintance for the evening?"
"Indeed, we decided to enjoy this event together."
"You clearly always chose the most royal company you can find. We heard rumors that one of the Elements of Harmony was corrupted by the same mysterious black magic that was responsible for turning Princess Luna into Nightmare Moon. And this time Princess Celestia allowed it to happen to take all the credit for the idea of healing the emotional damage of ponies by letting them relive their foalhood for a day. But this is so hard to believe. Do you know anything about that?"
I have to give them credit for not instantly jump to the conclusion that Princess Celestia or the Elements of Harmony were evils trying to take control of Equestria. I took one glance to Arcane and it was clear that she thought that it was nonsense that one of the mares who saved her life or Princess Celestia would ever do something like this. In other words, she was totally ready to swallow a third party had to have been behind everything.
"I actually was there in order to try to help but I have to admit that I was not able to be of much assistance. I don't know any more details but the entire event was very different from what the chaos monster did."
They looked at me like I had told them that I was secretly having access to Alicorn powers. After all, since when had I done anything actually selfless or admitted I was no use at something?
"The ponies in the fog were not toys or puppets. I think that Lady Fluttershy actually meant well but was herself just as lost in the fog as everypony else. I am sure that the celebration will explain it to everypony in detail."
It feels strange to stand up for somepony I hardly knew. Did I do it for Lady Fluttershy? Did I do it for Arcane? Did I do it for myself? And they will switch their opinion in three... two... one...
"Of course! We will wait for what the Princess has to say in her own defense on this complex situation and it was really brave of you to come to the aid of the ponies who already had to suffer from living in such a backwater town as Ponyville."
Well that is still one of the nicest things they have ever said about Ponyville. Maybe I will eventually mention how often Princess Celestia visits that place.
Soon we moved over to the dance floor and Jet Set and Upper Crust began to dance with each other. Arcane looked into my eyes and smiled, the stars of the sky were reflected within her eyes. It was truly a sight to behold.
Octavia's band played one of the relaxing classical slow melodies. As we to moved in union I had to think back at the day of innocent playing I just had. Chasing after a ball with all your might and moving according to the tune with somepony else could be strangely similar. Both took coordination, concentration and a quick reaction. She spun towards me as I managed to catch her.
She was an excellent dancer, the complete opposite of Twilight Sparkle in this subject. The bookworm's dancing style was a different sight to behold. Some ponies claimed that it could cause bad weather for one week. Me personally? I was happy that there were a least a few things that I could do better then her. And the pegasi had only to keep rainclouds away from Canterlot for one day after Twilight had danced.
I don't know how long we just danced. Time didn't matter, nothing did. But eventually both of us were exhausted. Jet Set and Upper Crust looked like they could have danced until the next morning but they took a break to accompany us.
Slowly we all approached the buffet for some horse d'oeuvres. The food looked slightly different today, I bet they had finally to replace the cooks. I was told that after Discord's short reign most of them were too traumatized to ever enter a kitchen again. Maybe that would change soon.
As Arcane began to enjoy a few of them somepony else caught my attention. Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis were moving into our direction.
"Ah a wonderful evening, isn't it?"
Jet Set and Upper Crust agreed instantly.
"Most definitely!"
I just wonder if there was anything Fancy Pants could say that they would not agree with. Could he order them to jump off a cliff?
Then Arcane knew that she had to say something as well.
"It is truly a special evening."
Fancy Pants fixated her. I know that he is likely one of the smartest ponies in high society and is well known for his excellent memory. Did he recognize her?
I needed a quick distraction.
"The day was something special from start to finish but say, did you hear something new from the celebration of Lady Fluttershy?"
"Unfortunately not, I heard about the dramatic events that did take place in many parts of Equestria. Most of those who were touched by the fog claimed that they finally felt better after all the things Discord did to them. Since she managed to heal that many, this event should be celebrated. How it will turn out in the end will likely all depend on how the Element of Kindness is facing this celebration herself."
Then Jet Set decided to repeat what I had said earlier.
"I am sure that we will get an official explanation at the festival."
The chat continued to switch topics and it continued for quite some time.
I guess by now Arcane was more bored of this royal experience then anything else. When I took another look at her, her eyes began to move slowly all over the place.
Was there something wrong?
Finally I took a bite from my horse d'oeuvres and noticed that the new cook must have used way too much saltwater to season the food.
It seemed that she was a lightweight in this case.
I had to get her out of here before she would embarrass herself. But how could I do that without getting any more unintentional attention to her?
Fancy Pants took another look at her and at me and stood up.
"I guess I will retire today a bit sooner and tomorrow we will know more about this matter."
Thank Celestia. This was exactly what I needed.
Jet Set and Upper Crust of course agreed with this and soon I was leading Arcane back to my room. I had completely forgotten to ask her for the location of her own room and by now she only giggled from time to time. I really felt like beating myself over the head for forgetting something obvious like this.
She really had no tolerance for salt water.
Eventually I placed her on my own bed and she smiles at me.
"Why don't we make this day perfect?"
I... this must be the effect of the salt water. That is the only reason she is offering to spend the night with me. I always awake alone.
"It was already perfect. And you haven't meet the real me yet. You don't know how much of a jerk and a coward I can be."
What can I say? Soon she fell asleep and I slept the night on my priceless decorative couch.
Eventually the warm sunlight awoke me.
The bed was empty. It was already made and the dress I had given her yesterday was lying on top of the bed.
She was gone. I was alone again.
But I was not surprised. Of course did she leave after finding out that the dream of being the glamorous princess is just a fairy tale. No pony made out of flesh and blood will ever be able to live up to that ideal.
I used to tell myself that was why the mares never came back. I wasn't their fairytale prince to make their fantasy reality, so they inconsiderately left me.
Now? I wonder if the cowpony's letter might have been right. And Arcane is the first mare I don't blame for leaving.
I wondered if I should talk with Princess Celestia how to fund somepony in a way that isn't possible to be traced back to me. It is no big secret to everypony who spends some time in the Canterlot Castle as part of Auntie's circle that she is sponsoring many, many cultural and philanthropic events and organizations under fake names. Strangely the tabloids always seem to miss that part.
I would like to aid the Spell family a bit, maybe get them better paid jobs. I heard that the payment in the Castle was good but I knew that Arcane could do more. She deserved something better.
As I opened my door, Arcane stood there in her maid uniform and in her telekinetic hold she had a plate with breakfast. She smiled at me.
I think I had a minor heart attack. Her eyes shined even brighter.
"Not so fast, you promised to show me how much of a jerk and a coward you can be."
I didn't overcome a dragon. I wasn't the hero who saved the day. But I didn't care at all as long as I was able to make her smile.
I wasn't sure if I would be able to overcome my own flaws but now when I look at her smile, I know that it is possible. I will not run away this time.
I feel like an Alicorn is smiling alongside us.
I feel free.


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Eggs en Cocotte with Mushrooms and LeeksLisa Turner | Delicious Living
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Serves: 4 people
- Calories per serving: 155
"En cocotte" refers to the ramekins in which these dishes are baked. Add seasonal vegetables for extra nutrition, or put an additional egg white in each cup for added protein.
- Preheat oven to 375˚. Lightly oil four 4-ounce ramekins.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat and add leeks and mushrooms. Sprinkle with salt and cook for 3–4 minutes, until mushrooms are softened. Divide vegetables among prepared ramekins. Top each with about 2 tablespoons cheese.
- Crack one egg into a small cup and carefully pour egg over vegetables and cheese in one ramekin, being careful not to break yolk. Repeat with remaining eggs and ramekins.
- Arrange ramekins in a baking dish or glass casserole. Pour boiling or very hot water into dish, halfway up ramekin sides. Carefully transfer dish to oven and bake 20–25 minutes (check at 15 minutes), until eggs are set but yolks are still tender. Remove from oven and shower with parsley. Serve immediately.
PER SERVING: 155 cal, 11g fat (5g mono, 1g poly, 4g sat), 220mg chol, 10g protein, 6g carb, 1g fiber, 196mg sodium

subset: commoncrawl


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In Costa Rica visitors can enjoy an ideal vacation; lovely tropical beaches, the grandest adventures, the wonders of nature, scintillating culture, fantastic diving. No wonder, then, that thousands of tourists have made Costa Rica their top travel choice.
Costa Rica is located in Central America and is ranked as one of the most visited international destinations. One of Costa Rica's main sources of income is tourism. Costa Rica is a democratic and peaceful country, and it has not had an army since the year 1949.
Local dive sites offer white tip reef sharks, giant schools of grunt, yellowtails, spotted eagle rays, turtles, stingrays, angel fish, octopus, sea horses, starfish, frog fish and many species of eels. Whale sharks up to 35 feet long have been sighted on numerous occasions, as well as, spinner dolphin, humpback whales, pilot whales, and schools containing hundreds of Mobulas and thousands of cow-nosed rays.Diving is done around volcanic rock formations and rock pinnacles. There is very little hard coral, but there is some black coral, soft coral and orange cup coral that opens up at night. There is an abundance of life among the rocks!
Costa Rica offers much to see and do, with extensive rainforests, volcanoes, rivers traveling through the mountains, beaches and natural resources safeguarded by an important organization of national parks and forest reserves.Costa Rica Dive Destinations


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Rustic Outdoor Patio Cooler Bar
Summer is almost here, and with it comes BBQ Season. Add some style and function to your backyard with this Rustic Cooler for your patio.
With two coolers, a folding prep surface, wine rack and drawer storage, rustic wood design–this patio bar is ready for whatever you throw at it this summer..
The hand-crafted party service station is made from recycled weathered wood, and fitted with just about every amenity you'll need to host a killer backyard BBQ. Specifics include:
- A built-in 48-quart Coleman Cooler with hidden side drain
- A smaller, removable cooler measuring 8″ wide x 11″ long x 7″ deep
- A removable ice bin in between the 2 coolers, measuring 5.5″ wide x 11.5″ long x 6″ deep
- A removable cutting board / large cooler lid
- A folding side tray for food prep
- A towel bar
- A 5-bottle wine rack
- A storage drawer at the bottom of the bar
- Caster wheels on each leg for easy moving and winter storage indoors


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Watch on your Apple TV, Roku, or Fire TV and your iOS, Fire, or Android device.Learn More
"Sounds fancy, right??? But it is soooo incredibly easy! Just a few simple steps make it look like you slaved all day!"
Herbed Chicken Asparagus in Pastry
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READY IN:40mins
Ingredients Nutrition
- 1 (35 ounce) package puff pastry
- 16 tablespoons herb cheese spread
- 8 asparagus spears (optional)
- 8 chicken breast tenders
- 1⁄8 cup butter, melted
- 8 teaspoons parmesan cheese
- Defrost puff pastry in fridge according to box instructions. Let sit at room temperature for 1/2 hour before beginning recipe. Defrost chicken tenders. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Roll out sheet of puff pastry on cutting board. Slice each sheet into four equal squares, making eight squares altogether.
- Lay tenders diagonally across each square. Spoon two tablespoons cheese spread on top of each tender.
- Cut each stalk of asparagus in half and lay two halves on top of each tender.
- Fold two opposite corners of pastry over chicken, asparagus, and cheese, sort of like pigs in a blanket. Chicken should be exposed at each end.
- Lay on greased cookie sheet (use parchment if you like), spacing by at least one inch. Use pastry brush to coat tops with butter. Sprinkle delicately with parmesan.
- Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Optional: broil for a minute or two to make pastry even crisper.
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The importance of community
Following on from her first blog, former CST employee Beth continues the series reflecting on her time in the role. Here she explains how she witnessed the importance of community in bringing people together. If you missed her first blog you can read it here
Local communities harbour a diverse range of latent skills and experience but the opportunity for them to be used or even made known is not always there. By taking the time to understand what shapes the community and to get to know some of the individuals who have shown an interest to change it for the better, the ways in which that can be achieved became more obvious.
The Alfretonians Walking Football group is a great example of the potential that can be unlocked by providing important support to those willing to play an active part in the change they want to see in their community. Charlie, a retired teacher, began to show potential as a leader soon after he started playing. He would encourage the other players and always had a kind word for anyone who had come along for the first time. Charlie's ability to make the other players feel valued meant that other skill sets in the group started to emerge. Other players volunteered their time, taking on roles within the group such as washing the kit and bibs, writing match reports, organising fixtures, welcoming new players and collecting subs.
Working with the Community Sports Trust has shown me how important strong communities are for developing healthy, happy people. I have experienced moments at work where I thought my heart was going to burst, watching human nature at its best as people created space and time to come together and be active. One of the first Village Games sessions to be set up was a social activity morning in Codnor. One of the abiding memories I will cherish is watching the group cheer on 90-year-old George, who stepped up to bat in a game of walking rounders and proceeded to smack the ball into oblivion. George had recently lost his wife and the group was a place where he could meet his neighbours for a friendly chat and the difference it made to his life was clear to see.
Each session has a different core motivation for why it came about and why it works. For the Codnor group, it is about friends and making sure no-one in the community feels isolated or lonely. The chance to be physically active is a by-product of wanting to keep a strong sense of community. The walking football players are playing for nostalgia. They are playing a game which takes them back to their youth and gives them a true feeling of joy. Players come from a wide geographical area, but they are cemented as a community by the game. These differing motivations show that one size does not fit all. Each community has its own set of characters, motivations, desires, beliefs and values.


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St. Regis Butler Service
A commitment to excellence for more than a century.
St. Regis Butler Service has been a treasured hallmark of the St. Regis experience for over one hundred years. From a perfectly pressed suit ready for an important meeting, to a favorite book at hand for an evening read, to a thoughtful, last minute gift for a loved one, no request is too small or unattainable no matter what the hour of the day. St. Regis Butler Service ensures that unique preferences are known and addressed flawlessly at our St. Regis hotels around the world.
St. Regis Butler Service Desk
At every St. Regis hotel, guests have access to St. Regis Butler Service via the Butler Service Desk. Should you need something for your travels or just for your convenience, our Butler Service will be sure to have on hand, or source your required item. Whatever the request, guests may dial for prompt service on their guest room phone.
St. Regis Butler Signature Services
Exclusively offered to Suite Guests
Beverage Service
Upon arrival, allow a St. Regis Butler to arrange coffee or tea service in your room. And if you wish, a St. Regis Butler will arrive after your morning wake-up call to draw your shades, deliver your coffee or tea as well as the day's newspaper and weather forecast. Complimentary in-room beverage service is available at any point during your stay.
Unpacking & Packing Services
Allow a St. Regis Butler to take care of the unpacking and storage of your luggage—so that you can simply relax and enjoy. Similarly, before you depart, simply contact the Butler Service Desk to dispatch a butler to assist with gathering and folding your garments to prepare your luggage for the journey home.
Garment Pressing
Once unpacked, simply let your Butler know which garments require pressing and they will be pleased to assist, returning the garments to your wardrobe promptly. Generally, two garments may be pressed complimentary.
Shoe Shine
Allow our St. Regis Butler to ensure your appearance is impeccable. Complimentary shoe shine service is available through your St. Regis Butler.
For all other wishes or requests, St. Regis Butler Service is pleased to assist.


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User Reviews
Displaying all 5 1997 Renault Laguna reviews.
CarGurus https://www.cargurus.com
1997 Renault LagunaReview
Ok — OK car nothing special lot of problem with clutch and gear box, power wise it is very good for 2.0l, I bought it really cheap on ebay so I can't say anything bad about it. Overall I would say it is average
Primary Use: Commuting to work
Pros: Stereo
Cons: Clutch
Looking for a Used Laguna in your area?
CarGurus has thousands of nationwide listings and the tools to find you a great deal.
CarGurus https://www.cargurus.com
1997 Renault LagunaReview
Laguna Stv — to litle performace in engine.frontwheel drive. i want rear drive. god handling. nice aperanse.cheap on gas . this car is an 97 mod so i had some repairs on it. and yes its fun too drive. but as i sad it need more power in too the engine.good car.and good handling
Pros: it looks nice
Cons: to litle engine
CarGurus https://www.cargurus.com
1997 Renault LagunaReview
It Is A Tremendeous Car That You Could Drive Both In Sports And Luxury — 2000 cubics 140 hp 4 cylinders a soft gear box even if you drive it hard....stability, accelaration, breaking is excellent. It has a Volvo QN704 S type motor that has an amazing flexibility in low
Pros: High build quality, flexible usage, aestetical view..:)
Cons: engine could be more powerfull, finding parts is not easy...(
Displaying all 5 1997 Renault Laguna reviews.
Reviews From Other Years
2007 Renault Laguna Reviews
Renault Laguna 3 Berline
It's a mid range saloon car for a resonable price. The ride is cofortable, the engine with 150hp it's a bit lazie, but with a bit of tunig to 180hp, becomes quite quick, and the ride is a real pleasur... Read More
2006 Renault Laguna Reviews
Just Buy It....
Acceleration is surprizing for a 2.0dci 150hp, braking is nice and the handling is also good, never got in situation where de car couldn't cope. Build quality is exelent, it has 165000km and its a ... Read More
2005 Renault Laguna Reviews
My Second Laguna - I Fancy The Coupe Version Next
Turbo lag can be a pain sometimes. Car built well and is FULLY loaded with every conceivable option. Seats front and rear are super comfortable and are designed for the long treks from Paris to the Co... Read More
2004 Renault Laguna Reviews
Laguna - Better Than Expected
Lots of features for your money, nice diesel engine with plenty of power and excellent cruising comfort. 15-18 km/L of fuel average being a big heavy car thats pretty good. Owned this since 2006 and h... Read More
Ok For The Price
Bought it as my choice :P instead of a Mazda 6, and it HAD to have a rear spoiler and the alloy wheels :P. I don't actually drive it (have done but on the whole :P) weve had it for 2 years and bought ... Read More
2003 Renault Laguna Reviews
Great Car For Mony That He Cost
nice acc good brakes quite a good handeling built quolity is so so it is a squiky car interior is quite good looking exterior too car is very fun to drive cost of ovnership is very high becouse of c... Read More
Avoid Unless You Dont Have The Extra £1000 For A Better Manufacturer
Poor power even with a turbo, bad build quality, very plastic and rubish parts. Cheap to run until something goes wrong and then its a lot to fix. Interior and exterior it looks good for what your bu... Read More


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But rarely is one of these questions, "Will my family get sick from eating this?"
The safety factor for the food in a consumer's shopping cart may not be front of mind as they peruse supermarket aisles, but research conducted by the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) shows that food safety is not just an important concern for consumers, but the number one concern, says Charlie Arnot, CEO for the Gladstone, Mo.-based CFI.
"The concern surrounding food safety is significantly higher than the level of concern for all other issues, such as nutrition or price. It has to be taken seriously because it is the one non-negotiable issue, as far as consumers are concerned," he says.
All it takes is one peek inside a supermarket to know that is no easy task. The cleanliness of the products sitting on the shelves may start with the supplier and manufacturer but in the end, the responsibility often lies on the shoulders of the retailer. Consumers trust their retailer, say industry observers, and therefore it is up to the retailer to make sure they are supplying safe food—and to make sure it is removed from the shelves if proven otherwise.
To decipher the biggest food safety issues facing the industry, Grocery Headquarters questioned key experts to find out what the industry is up against and how it can persevere.
•Charlie Arnot, CEO for Center for Food Integrity (CFI), based in Gladstone, Mo.
•Hilary Thesmar Ph.D., RD, vice president of food safety programs for Food Marketing Institute (FMI), based in Arlington, Va.
•John Heller, senior territory manager of food service for Neogen Corp., based in Lansing, Mich.
•Gina Nicholson, RS, global client director of retail food services for NSF International, based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
•Jeremy Russell, director of communications and government relations for North American Meat Association (NAMA), based in Oakland, Calif.
•Angela Fernandez, vice president of grocery retail and consumer packaged goods for GS1 US, based in Lawrenceville, N.J.
•Dr. Bob Whitaker, chief science and technology officer, for Produce Marketing Association (PMA), based in Newark, Del.
•Dr. Jim Gorny, vice president of science and technology for Produce Marketing Association.
Where we stand
Q: Industry observers have mixed opinions on the current level of consumer confidence. Many believe the spread of information regarding food safety concerns around the world has consumers on their toes, while others argue that the transparency that consumers demand reassures them of the safety level. Where does consumer confidence stand in your opinion?
Charlie Arnot, CFI: Over the past few years there has been an erosion of trust in the overall food system and a growing level of skepticism about food safety. Statistically, food today is significantly safer than it was a decade or a generation ago. However, because of the efficiency we achieved in distribution, and our ability to deliver products around the country overnight, what might have been a localized outbreak a decade ago can affect the food supply on a national level today. The result is a disconnect between what science tells us—that the food supply is, in fact, safer than it used to be—and the perception caused by the magnitude of an outbreak.
Hilary Thesmar, FMI: Consumer confidence is actually very high. Our 2011 trends report show that 88% of shoppers are somewhat or completely confident in the safety of food at the supermarket. A more recent report from FMI shows that supermarket sales are increasing. I think this validates that consumers are confident in the food supply from both a health and nutrition point of view and food safety.
John Heller, Neogen Corp.: There is a decline in consumer confidence that can be viewed as unfortunate collateral damage from the unprecedented number of global food safety-related incidents. We cannot expect consumers to not be adversely affected by the growing transparency of food safety recalls, especially in 2013's social media-fueled global news age.
Looking at legislation
Q: The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011 promised to overhaul the legislation guiding the food industry in the U.S. Recently, the act has been making headlines for lagging behind. What has the impact been on the industry so far?
Gina Nicholson, NSF International: The main obstacle has been the tidal wave of demand for accredited food safety auditors. Many retailers have stated that they will only buy from suppliers who can demonstrate compliance with FSMA's requirements. As a result, NSF and other accredited food safety auditors have seen an increase in suppliers looking for consulting, training and the audits they need to earn a GFSI or other certification. We are busy working with all sectors of the food industry to evaluate their processes and procedures to make sure that they not only meet FSMA standards, but ultimately provide safer, higher quality food for their customers.
Heller: The biggest obstacle has been the delay in the implementation of FSMA rules and the questions over what the final rules may be. The grocery industry is looking to Neogen on what to expect, and in some cases, no one seems to know exactly what to expect. It is difficult to refine a food safety program to comply with new regulatory requirements when you are uncertain what those will be.
Tracking traceability
Q: Traceability programs have become the norm for many retailers and supply chains. Consumer demand for transparency in the supply chain and retailers' need to react quickly to a product recall drove traceability programs to popularity before they ever made their debut in Congress. With legislative backing from the FSMA and other acts, traceability systems are expanding to a number of supply chains. How are they impacting the retail landscape?
Angela Fernandez, GS1 US: It started with produce. That industry did not wait until regulation was passed; they wanted to control their own destinies so they developed an initiative that identified product by brand. We have since seen many fresh food categories, such as seafood, meat, dairy, deli and bakery, where a lot of mislabeling happens, follow suit. A lot of our work over the last three years has been focused on how to apply our knowledge of identification and data sharing in the center store categories to the perimeter of the store. To do so, we have to move away from commodity identification, as is typically seen in produce, to brand identification.
The problem we are facing is creating enough visibility within the supply chain. We are trying to make sure that brand owners are identifying products in a way that their trading partners can understand.
Thesmar: There is a lot going on with traceability right now. FSMA rules regarding traceability have been through an open comment period recently, so we are working very closely with retail and supply chain partners on initiatives to be prepared for what comes down the line.
Q: What are the benefits of traceability programs outside of addressing a food recall?
Dr. Jim Gorny, PMA: Traceability has tremendous capabilities throughout the supply chain; not only does it track where a product has been and where it is going, the program also deals with efficiencies, including perishability. It is no longer only for the worst-case scenario, but for tracking information, such as which supplier has the highest ring, which has the highest level of shrink or where is shrink concentrated.
Arnot: Traceability is terrific in terms of source identification, but I think the real benefits of these programs are that they raise awareness and increase focus. What you are really looking for is to create a culture that is focused on food safety.
Q: Produce may have initiated the traceability trend in the fresh food categories, but it is making its way around the perimeter of the store. What current issues are being addressed for fresh food products?
Jeremy Russell, NAMA: We continue to work with the USDA and other industry partners to improve the U.S. traceability system for meat, but the bigger challenges are on the live side. Ultimately, the success or failure of the livestock identification system will be determined by the USDA.
Thesmar: Consumers also want to know where their food came from. Many suppliers have gone as far as to make the whole supply chain visible to consumers. They attach a QR code that consumers can scan to see where their product came from.
The fight for fresh
Q: The fresh categories are always the most vulnerable to bacteria and other contaminants. Meat, specifically, has received its fair share of attention. What are the biggest health concerns for the meat categories?
Russell: Recently there has been quite a lot of focus on non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria. While E. coli O157:H7 has been an adulterant in non-intact product for many years, the rules were only recently expanded to include six other STECs that also pose a health risk. It is believed that the same controls that work against O157 should work against the others, and the industry has been mobilizing to assess the precise risk of these pathogens and discover novel ways to thwart them.
Additionally, NAMA has established a research foundation and will be focusing its research, to begin with, on salmonella. While the CDC FoodNet data shows Salmonella-related illnesses are in somewhat of a plateau, the challenge that we are trying to address is at the post-harvest sector, which has not been a research target for Salmonella reduction before—at least not to the extent that we feel is sufficient.
Q: What is the produce industry focused on?
Dr. Bob Whitaker, PMA: The number one thing we are looking at right now is the area of research and developing data for the industry's use. One of the big issues we have today is using that data and understanding more about the pathogens and how they exist in the environment. Over the last five years the Center for Produce Safety has gathered some exciting data; we have been able to look at and understand the variables in contamination, the risk factors, different sources of contamination and the role of harvesting equipment. The real value to the industry is the body of knowledge that CPS is developing. Growers, shippers, packers and retailers can be better armed to deal and design their food safety programs.
What's to come
Q: Building or maintaining consumer confidence is a continual process. What steps can the industry take to constantly reassure consumers?
Heller: In order to build consumer confidence, we must first understand the new normal in the food safety environment. Then it is just about doing what companies have always done—using every food safety and quality tool available to them to protect their brands.
Thesmar: We address food safety in three different ways. The first is to work with suppliers to source safe products; the second is to work closely with the supply chain, including retailers, to make sure they are purchasing safe products throughout the supply chain; and the last is working with our partner organizations, such as the Partnership for Food Safety Education, to educate consumers on reducing their danger at home through safe food handling and storage.
Nicholson: Studies have shown that 20% of food borne illness outbreaks result from food consumed in the home. Developing a strong food safety education program for consumers is a great way for grocers to improve the confidence of their consumer base. NSF microbiologists conducting the 2013 NSF International Germ Study analyzed 14 common kitchen items for the presence of four different types of microorganisms: E. coli, Salmonella, yeast and mold, and Listeria. The study found that many of these appliances and tools used to prepare food do harbor pathogens.
Under the microscope
Retail delicatessens can be a breeding ground for bacteria, specifically Listeria. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are about 1,600 cases of listeriosis in the U. S. annually. A recent study by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) and the FDA looked at the risks associated with the consumption of deli-prepared foods and came up with recommendations for retailers to improve the safety of their current practices.
The first of its kind, according to the FSIS, the research quantitatively links retail deli practices to predicted public health outcomes. The study reinforces the importance of the FDA's Food Code recommendations. Other key findings include:
Maintaining proper storage temperature, as recommended by the FDA Food Code, can prevent 9 out of 100 cases of listeriosis caused by contaminated deli products;
Using growth inhibitors could prevent 96 out of 100 cases;
Limiting cross contamination by following proper cleaning methods has shown to make a difference;
Reducing contaminated incoming product by half could prevent 22 out of 100 cases.
"Essential information has been gained from these findings," says Dr. Elisabeth Hagen,
USDA under secretary for Food Safety. "This assessment highlights the importance of our work to prevent Listeria from entering the retail environment in the first place, and provides a significant tool towards this effort to protect consumers and prevent food borne illness."
Getting ready
GS1 US is helping fresh food industries get ready for the traceability requirements in the pipeline and meet consumers' demands. Designed to teach subscribers how to establish and enhance an effective traceability program, the Seafood Traceability Readiness Program and the Dairy, Deli, Bakery Traceability Readiness Program can help companies identify, capture and share product data along the supply chain with GS1 Standards; improve business efficiencies; gain visibility into their supply chains; and help them stay in compliance with the traceability requirements of the Bioterrorism Act and the Food Safety Modernization Act.
"GS1 US took its implementation guides for the produce industry and modified them to suit these fresh categories," says Angela Fernandez, vice president, grocery retail and consumer packaged goods at the Lawrenceville, N.J.-based organization. The programs provide manufacturers and suppliers with a step-by-step process on how to build their internal traceability system to be able to utilize our standards. We look at where companies should be capturing information, what information should be kept internal and what needs to be shared, in order to keep everyone on the same page."
Subscribers in these self-paced, online programs will have access to educational webinars, interactive tools and resources and a community of industry peers and standards experts with whom they can share industry best practices and discuss implementation challenges.
Research shows food safety is a top concern for consumers. Is the industry doing enough?
Consumers ask themselves a lot of questions when considering a grocery store purchase: Is this worth the money? Does it taste good? Is there fat in it? What about the sodium content? Will my kids eat it?


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Kate Winslet: Son's Soccer Game with Sam Mendes!
Kate Winslet meets up with her ex, director Sam Mendes, at their son Joe's soccer game on Sunday (September 19) in NYC.
The proud parents cheered on the 6-year-old as he hit the field. Kate, 34, was seen sitting near Sam on the sidelines and lounging around with some pals.
The couple split in March after almost seven years of marriage. Kate has since moved on with British model Louis Dowler.
The two went public with their romance in August after they were spotted holding hands and stopping by a few London nightclubs.


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It took a lot longer to start this piece than usual, and it has everything to do with the point tied to the title. I normally try to stay away from this patent dispute nonsense. I obviously have an opinion on it (who doesn't?), but it ultimately comes down to the fact that I'm not a lawyer, nor do I ever intend on trying to be one. Because I've admitted that, some of you have probably already moved on, and that's perfectly fine. So instead of dealing with this as a lawyer-want-to-be, or even trying to insinuate that I know the finer details of what's going on behind the scenes, I'm going to take it from an entirely consumer perspective.
Because, even with the career that I love, I'm still a consumer. I still buy things and I still use them. I'm a fan of technology, and not a fan boy in any shape or form. I like not being a fan boy, because it means that I can use everything and be happy about it. Or, I can use everything and be wildly upset about it. It isn't because I have some weird love or hate for one company or another, but based entirely on my usage with the device. And looking at this patent situation from the consumer's standpoint, I can say that I understand where people are coming from.
First, let me just say that I can see why some people think that these patent lawsuits don't mean anything to them, as the general consumer. Some consumers just live in their personal bubble, and don't pay any attention to the legal battles that go on, on the wider stage. Truthfully, there might not be any reason to read up on it, other than having something interesting (if that's your kind of thing) to read on a slow day. The only time it might matter is if a phone gets blocked from sale before it goes on sale. If that were to ever happen, I think you'd get a lot more attention drawn to the whole thing pretty quickly.
What I don't really understand, though, are the folks who are actually angry about this thing. And not angry because it's a legal battle, but angry because it's Apple "leading the charge." Or, simply put, just because it's Apple. Seriously, though. People are angry. Angry at one of the greatest innovators ever, Steve Jobs, and angry at one of the most profitable companies on the planet. I will admit that I think this patent situation has gotten completely out of control, and it feels like we're hearing about a new patent suit every single day, I have absolutely no desire to get angry about it.
Why? Because in 2007 Apple came out of nowhere and redefined our phones. That's just the simple truth. And since then, or even before then or during 2007, Apple has gone out of their way to make sure that their patent suitcase is thoroughly filled. And, let's also admit that that's just the way the business world works, especially when it involves around ideas that build something. Because as much as some people would love to make it as cut-and-dry as "Apple wants everyone gone," that's probably not the case at all. Furthermore, the patent situation isn't cut-and-dry at all, and involves not just the look of an idea, but the implementation as well. Plus so much more.
Apple isn't just protecting their products, or just their ideas, or their implementation. They are protecting all of them, and in the only way that seems realistically possible to a major corporation. Yes, the patent system is broken. There are some patents out there that Apple probably shouldn't have, and the same could probably be said of other companies out there, too. I'm not going to say that every patent that Apple has in their suitcase makes sense, because honestly it doesn't.
But here's how I'm looking at it, and perhaps this will make sense for you, too. I believe that while it seems like a bullish, childish way to go about business, it's just business. I also believe that Apple knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that, while they have plenty of smart people in Cupertino, that they don't have all of the smart people. There are other smart people working for every other company dug into the mobile market, including Samsung, HTC, Google and Motorola. Why is that relevant? Because those smart people should be able to figure out a different way to unlock a screen, or any other thing that Apple has attacked in recent months or years. Apple doesn't want to kill every other company out there, because that wouldn't make sense. (Plus, there wouldn't be any bragging rights for beating competition if there wasn't any competition.) I would be willing to bet that Apple wants them to actually continue to innovate and push the market forward, and if that means they have to use the court system that is put well into place, then that's what they have to do.
Lastly, I freely admit that Apple's iOS 5 wasn't all that innovative, and there are plenty of features found in the new version of Apple's mobile operating system that have been in place within Android from the get-go. And, like I said above, the patent system isn't all that great and these lawsuits have gotten out of control. But, it isn't just Apple going after every company. Even a counter-suit is considered an attack, even if you aren't first.
Does it need to change? Absolutely. Will it? Probably not. But, here's hoping.


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Actualizar PHP de OsCommerce Merchant 2.2 RC2 a PHP 5.5 o Superior
Budget €30-250 EUR
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Jaime Lara
"This is a surprising detective story tracing the very complex paths and intersections of cultural, iconographical, and theological influences that formed the architecture and liturgical spaces of New Spain. I don't know of another scholar who has commanded this kind of knowledge about the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim streams of influence and interaction which appeared in the chapels, temples, and theatrical ritual spaces of Mexico." —David Carrasco, Harvard University
City, Temple, Stage is a new interpretation of the art, architecture, and liturgy created for the conversion of Aztecs and other native peoples of central Mexico by European Franciscan missionaries in the mid-sixteenth century. Jaime Lara contends that the design of missionary centers, or so-called "fortress monasteries," can only be understood against the backdrop of the eschatological concerns of the age and the missionary techniques of the mendicant friars. Lara argues that these architectural constructions are quasi-theatrical sets for elaborate educational and liturgical events that acted as rehearsals for the last age of world history.
By analyzing the iconography associated with the Aztec religion and with Euro-Christian apocalyptic texts, Lara has been able to trace a consistent thread in the religious and liturgical imagination. The close parallels between the symbols and metaphors of Aztec religion and medieval Catholicism fostered an unusual synthesis between their different world visions. These visual, literary, and cultic metaphors survive in what we today call Mexican Catholicism.
Drawing on his expertise as a medievalist, Latin Americanist, and architectural and liturgical historian, Lara offers an astonishingly comprehensive and compelling examination of the churches and liturgies created by the Franciscans for new Aztec Christians. Lara's fascinating narrative is supported by more than 230 images.
312 pages
"This is a brilliant, thorough, and innovative contribution to the studies of Spanish American colonial architecture, throughout which the author shows great erudition and command of visual and literary sources." — Hispanic American Historical Review
". . . His discussion in City, Temple, Stage of the convento in the medieval European street-theater context, so richly detailed and beautifully illustrated in color with many images from contemporary manuscripts, is the most comprehensive yet written." — College Art Association
"Jaime Lara's central thesis in this well-researched and copiously illustrated volume is that the sixteenth-century mendicant architectural complexes of colonial Mexico embodied the friars' eschatological and millennial ideas to an extent previously unrecognized. Lara interweaves these two topics more thoroughly than any previous scholar has done. . . . The volume is highly informative about Old World apocalyptic ideas and their execution in New Spain, and it makes a valuable addition to the literature on a colonial interchange that, although often examined, is still incompletely understood." — American Historical Review
"Jaime Lara provides an immensely rich visual confirmation of much recent research on the Christianisation of Spanish America. Lara makes a . . . highly original contribution by giving due attention to what he calls the liturgical imagination of the mendicant friars, which he reconstructs with meticulous care not just from their daily reading, psalm-singing and meditation on the Scriptures, but from their intimate knowledge of St. Augustine—particularly of his endorsement of the Sibylline prophecies in The City of God—and other widely cited texts such as Prudentius' Psychomachia and the writings of Joachim of Fiore. . . . A splendid book." — Journal of Ecclesiastical History
"The most beautiful and complex study of 2004 was Jaime Lara's City, Temple, Stage_. Incredibly versed in iconography and architecture and all the ramifications of the confluence of Aztec, Christian, Jewish and Muslim religion, Lara deals with—this is the subtitle—_Eschatological Architecture and Liturgical Theatrics in New Spain. Almost 240 color illustrations give the book a grandeur equal to the scholarship. Huge contributions are to be found here. . . . This is a treasure chest, intellectually exciting." — Bibliotheque D'Humanisme et Renaissance
"Lara's book draws upon an impressive range of biblical, early Christian, and medieval sources to demonstrate the powerful influence of Near Eastern eschatology, or the _science of last things _(41), on the friars' program of evangelization, and the ways in which it coincided with indigenous beliefs. . . . this book is quite revolutionary. For while Lara is not the first scholar to trace many of the prototypes he cites for these forms, he is the first to insist so consistently and convincingly on their scriptural and medieval origins—a long-awaited foil. . . ." — Renaissance Quarterly
"This beautifully designed and lavishly illustrated book is the product of prodigious research combined with the love of a scholar for his subject. Jaime Lara . . . has carefully integrated the fields of iconography, history, theology, liturgy, architecture, anthropology, and cultural studies in to grand and layered historical narrative that takes the reader through the story of the conquest and religious conversation of the natives of central Mexico." — Worship
"Lara's book is rich with ideas and theoretical nuances that offer new challenges for a reinterpretation of the meaning of Spanish colonialism and its effects on native populations and vice versa. This work is highly recommended. . . ." — Colonial Latin American Historical Review
". . . visually beautiful as well as scholarly important. It will be useful to historians and art historians of Latin America and enjoyed by general readers with an interest in the history and art of the region." — History: Reviews of New Books
". . . A most interesting and scholarly examination of the role of architecture and theatre as tools that the sixteenth century Spanish missionaries used to convert the Mesoamerican natives to Christianity. . . . beautifully designed and richly illustrated. . . . A superb demonstration of how the mendicant friars 'changed the root metaphor and Christianized a continent.'." — Catholic Library World
"Lara offers an absolutely fascinating iconographic study of the churches of early colonial Mexico; it is richly illustrated in color and documented in detail. Documented in detail with excellent notes and bibliography, this publication is rich in material of all sorts including Euro-Christian apocalyptic texts. Highly recommended." — Choice
"City, Temple, Stage is Jaime Lara's intense, complex study of the religious architecture of conversion in sixteenth-century New Spain. It is an attractive book, with glossy pages and designed as a square rather than a rectangle. . . Lara's book is a powerful presentation of a host of compelling ideas about the origins of mission architecture, iconography, and liturgy as it was applied in New Spain and across the New World. . . He has made an immense contribution to our understanding of the missionization process. . ." — Sixteenth Century Journal
"Professor Lara has drawn on an impressive body of theological, literary, and artistic sources across time and places in search of the prototypes that may have guided the friars in the planning of the religious complex and the designing of its individual components: posas, open chapels, atrium, atrial crosses, etc." — The Catholic Historical Review
"In this interdisciplinary study, Jaime Lara seeks to illuminate the sixteenth-century dialogue between friars and indigenous people that gave rise to spectacular theatrical performances, impressive architectural complexes, atrial crosses, and convento murals. . . His reflection on the spiritual and historical sources for Christian projects in New Spain forms the core, and real strength of this volume." — The Americas
"In his carefully researched and copiously illustrated study of sixteenth-century monastic complexes, Jaime Lara lays out a different view of the mendicants' architectural theory. He argues that the mendicants were steeped in apocalyptic thinking, their urban and architectural ambitions fueled by a belief that Christ's glorious Second Coming was close at hand." — Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians
"Lara's approach stresses the lack of cultural homogeneity of both Indians and Europeans and analyzes, from an innovative interdisciplinary methodology, the differences, subtleties, and nuances in multivalent interpretations of the architecture of conversion." — The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies
". . . An erudite exploration of the eschatological symbolism of the ecclesiastical architecture of sixteenth-century Mexico. This volume is both masterful in its handling of a wide range of multilingual resources and meticulous in its ample bibliography, numerous citations and careful cross-referencing. Readers interested in colonial Mexico will not only enjoy this volume's attractive artwork, but also be intrigued by the way that the theological convictions of the Spanish missionaries were given dramatic architectural and liturgical expression in order to evangelize the indigenous peoples." — Religious Studies Review


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Let's reinvent frozen food.
Starting with a passion for healthy, plant-based eating and a love for fresh farmers' market veggies, Zoë and Nilofer (zo - ni !), decided to reinvent frozen food to taste and look fresh - to create something you feel good about.
Zoni's meals contain low amounts of sodium, no added sugar, no artificial ingredients or preservatives, no meat, dairy (vegan certified) or soy and never any GMO ingredients. Plus, we are dedicated to supporting local, sustainable growers by sourcing organic, local ingredients to make our meals - right from farm to your freezer!
Zoni makes a tasty meal for lunch at work, dinner, or even a side dish. Just cook it on the stove or stick it in the microwave and you have a tasty meal in minutes.


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Weather has been poor for the last few days….I am catching up with some of my processing.
These pictures were taken about two weeks ago. It was another magical morning. I know , "More hare" , but there is something I have learned other the years. When you have a good opportunity to photograph something you should NEVER let it go by. If I do, I always wonder if I could have done better…
My Wife always tell me…you must have enough pictures of hares by now…I always say to her that it is always possible to do better…she tells me that I am mad! She is probably right…. 🙂 🙂 But what can I do…I love it…
Ps: You can always do better… 🙂
I have been told by some Belgian friends that those kind of pictures are almost impossible to do in Belgium.
This hare came really close….about 6 metres….and it was not afraid of anything!
A bit of "Arty farty"


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From Israel:
I am 36 weeks pregnant and have gestational diabetes, well-controlled by diet only. What is the non-stress test? How it is performed? Who needs to undergo this test? What are the implications of the result?
A non-stress test is a means of assessment of fetal well-being by monitoring the fetal heart rate for a period of time. This is done in the doctor's office. You are connected to a fetal heart rate monitor like the one used when you are in labor. When the baby kicks, you push a button to mark the movement. A reassuring result is an acceleration of the fetal heart rate in association with fetal movement. This is done on patients with decreased fetal movement or if there is concern about fetal distress. An example would be a woman with insulin dependent diabetes. Usually, a woman with gestational diabetes well controlled on diet would not need this time of evaluation. However, your doctor may have other concerns.
Original posting 27 Mar 2001
Posted to Gestational Diabetes
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Last Updated: Tuesday April 06, 2010 15:09:20
This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other health care professional.
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© Children with Diabetes, Inc. 1995-2018. Comments and Feedback.


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"Embassy Open House" for Indian Nationals in the Russian Federation
1. Embassy of India, Moscow, has an existing "walk-in" system to resolve issues facing members of the Indian community in Russia. As per this procedure, any person with a concern requiring immediate attention can meet, during office hours, with the appropriate Embassy officer as per the following work distribution:
For Community Welfare, Consular and Educational issues:
Shri Alok Raj, Minister (Education & Community Welfare)
Tel: 8-495-917 1436
For Consular issues:
Shri Sidhartha Shashni, First Secretary (Consular)
Tel: 8-495-916 2353
For Economic and Investment issues:
Shri S. Inbasekar, Counsellor (Economic & Commercial)
Tel: 8-495-783 7534
For Customs and Trade issues:
Shri S. Inbasekar, Counsellor (Economic & Commercial)
Tel: 8-495-917 1752
This "walk-in" system will continue to function.
2. Furthermore, the Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation / Deputy Chief of Mission would be available for an "Open House" on every Wednesday from 1630 hrs – 1730 hrs. Any person with a petition or unresolved issue that he/she would like to raise is welcome to arrive at the Embassy of India, Moscow, between 1600-1630 hrs on a Wednesday at the main Embassy building at 6-8 Vorontsovo Polye. In case the Embassy is closed on a Wednesday due to an official holiday, then the Open House procedure will be applied the following day.


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Several weeks ago w/purpose Founder Wil Marquez had an opportunity to travel to Tuskegee University in Alabama to speak to architecture students and faculty about w/purpose, its advocacy, and practice. Needing time to focus and prep his talk, Marquez stopped in our Nation's Capital – … Read More →
Category Archives: Lectures and Exhibits
The Ingredients
A Family Affair
Couched Constructions (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO) Friday, March 2, 2012 Opening reception 5:00pm Herron School of Art & Design, 735 W. New York St., Indianapolis, IN Sometimes a couch is just a piece of furniture . . . and sometimes–through the eyes of a … Read More →
Dressing Indianapolis: Presented by Spirit & Place Festival
DRESSING INDIANAPOLIS Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 7 p.m. | Indianapolis Museum of Art We adorn the body. How do we adorn a city? A distinctive style, sparkling accessories, good lighting … what does a city need to look good? How does city style way brand … Read More →
Near West Housing Summit
The Near West is revamping their Quality of Life plan for 2012-2015. Over past couple of years, we have noticed that the housing condition of Near West has changed drastically. The situation of our housing stock has raised concerns with residents, community partners, and potential … Read More →
Street Logic
A recent controversy surrounding the proposed Public Art for the Cultural Trail has many citizens concerned about urban space, its equity, and purpose in our city. A series of free lectures were made available to the public to listen, learn, and ask questions about urban … Read More →
a movement w/purpose
In a recent November article in The Chronicle of Education, James Proctor, Director of the Environmental-Studies Program at Lewis & Clark College, questioned what a more "cosmopolitan sustainability movement might look like?" I quickly considered my own firms efforts, of late, with local advocacy groups, … Read More →
We no speak Americano? Urbanism in Chihuahua
The city of Chihuahua oddly enough has 6, yes 6, architecture schools in a city of no more than 850,000. Downtown Chihuahua – a city with modest Spanish mission roots, sits paralyzed despite such an intellectual resource. Its core is vibrant and alive…till dusk. At … Read More →


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Ballet and I never really jibed. I'm not graceful. My flexibility is wanting. And pointing my toes gives me cramps.
Why then, did I attend one of the new ballet-barre classes that are springing up all over Montreal? Well, I figured that if I could get through the class, then it truly is, as claimed, a workout that welcomes anyone, including those who don't know the difference between a relevé and an arabesque.
The new kid on the fitness block, ballet-inspired workouts promise a long, lithe ballerina's body along with the kind of strength and conditioning that puts ballet dancers among the fittest of athletes. So while I have no aspirations to put on a tutu, I could do with some of a ballerina's subtle strength.
The first decision to make regarding ballet workouts is which to attend. Options range from branded workouts offered by affiliated instructors who have received specific training to those put together by former dancers working at local clubs. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, so the only way to judge is to try a few different classes and instructors.
I chose to visit DBS Studios, owned by veteran fitness instructor and trainer David Snively, who was having an open house for anyone willing to give the Xtend Barre class a try.
Taught by former ballerina Alissa Perzow, the workout is based on the Xtend Barre program developed by a dancer who fused ballet and Pilates into a 60-minute workout that incorporates dance skills, light weights, floor exercises and music.
The workout starts with a basic warm-up, followed by a series of arm exercises performed while holding a two-pound weight in each hand.
From there, we moved to the barre, where I made like a ballerina while sweating like an MMA fighter. The workout finished on the floor, performing traditional exercises like pushups and planks followed by a series of stretches.
"I love teaching the class," said Perzow, who tried several ballet workouts before choosing to bring Xtend Barre to the DBS Studio.
Perzow likes it because dancers and non-dancers are challenged by the movements and due to the fact that no two classes are alike. She also likes it because instructors need specialized training and Pilates certification to teach.
Lysa Lash-Hornstein says she was one of the first to give the class a try. Already proficient in weights, yoga and Pilates, she's hoping for very specific results.
"I think ballerinas' bodies are beautiful," Lash-Hornstein said.
"As I age, that's the body I want."
Malka Jacobson is hopeful the workout will improve her body in ways other classes haven't. So far, she's happy with the results.
"I have more definition in my thighs and bum," Jacobson said.
"At my age, I'm happy to have my bum lifted," she added with a laugh.
It's the promise of changes like these that have made ballet workouts so popular, especially with women who prefer a lean strength to their body.
As for me, the challenge wasn't just to find my inner ballerina, but to decipher the language and master the movements of ballet.
Perzow says that despite having different names, ballet moves are similar to those done in just about any fitness class. A plié is a squat and a lunge is a curtsy. And a ballerina's posture is all about a strong core, something every fitness enthusiast is familiar with.
I don't know first position from second position and my feet and ankles aren't accustomed to turning out, which made me question Perzow's theory that the transition from fitness to ballet would be easy. And then there were the pliés. Countless pliés — done on the toes, from a wide stance, a narrow stance and in combination with other movements.
But that wasn't the only difficulty. There were lots of single-leg stances that demand balance and a precision of movement that further challenges legs already shot with fatigue.
A runner, my thighs are strong and accustom to extended workouts, but this class put my lower body to the test. The muscles in my butt were the first to fail, so I fell back on the hamstrings to get me through the rest of the workout. By the end of the 60 minutes, I was ready to call it quits.
Twenty-four hours later, my legs were sore and I opted out of my long Sunday run.
So, what's the verdict? Jacobson and Lash-Hornstein love the class. They like the variety in the workouts and the fact that the classes focus on strength, endurance and flexibility without building bulk.
I liked it for different reasons. The workout exposed my weaknesses. Balance on my right leg is poor, as is my flexibility. Like most runners, I'm used to lifting my leg in one plane — forward — which makes the ballet-inspired leg lifts to the side and back particularly tough.
But all those pliés had a downside. My knee was sore for the rest of the day after the workout, which suggests that for runners or cyclists who already bend and straighten their knees repeatedly, a ballet workout may tip the scales into overuse.
The best way to judge whether ballet workouts are for you is to give one a try. It's not like any other workout you've done. And whether you're a dancer or a runner, there's something in the class for everyone.


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- Home >
- Abrasives, Cleaners & Finishing >
- Abrasives >
- Woodturning Abrasives >
- Axminster Deluxe Bowl Sanding Kit
Before applying a surface finish to your bowls, it is desirable to leave a surface without any visible sanding marks. This can be difficult using normal methods and all too often, tell tale rings are left to spoil your best efforts for a perfect finish. One of the best ways of eliminating this problem is to use a rotating sanding pad driven by the rotation of the lathe. By working through different grit types starting with the coarsest and applying light pressure, you can achieve a surface well prepared for the finish of your choice. The Axminster Deluxe bowl sanding kit contains two 70mm pads and two 50mm pads and a comfortable cushioned grip handle with an adjustable head for easy access to your work. N.B. Do not use heavy pressure or you will simply generate excessive heat which in turn could lead to the deterioration of the sponge pad. The abrasive discs will need to purchased separately.
Overall rating 8 reviews4.3 out of 5 based on
14 April 2017
SmoothGreat tool. Well made and the service from Axminster just tops it off. A must buy for any wood turner.
C Taylor
27 July 2016
Well MadeAfter using this item for the first time the other day, I can honestly say that I am impressed. The item is very sturdy, and while I agree with a previous reviewer that the handle could have been longer, I found it adequate for the size of bowl that I was turning.
20 November 2015
Quite amazingly effectiveThe quality of the finish that this device gives, and how quick it is to sand, is quite amazing. I find that it's fine to use the 50mm discs on the smaller sanding pad. Also, for sanding at the centre, near the rotation axis, it's best to mount the sanding pad in a drill. Excellent tool, wouldn't be without it.
Graham Moorhouse
27 May 2015
De luxe bowl sanding kitOrdered yesterday arrived today and in use this afternoon excellent service, it is a knack to get it running nicely but once you do it is far far superior to using a battery drill/screwdriver, the finish once you have gone through the grit grades is absolutely great almost a professional finish maybe with more experience it will be ?. Very very pleased with the quality of the sander and the results.
16 January 2014
Excellent product but could do with a 25mm padBought this a few weeks ago now and it's excellent. Sturdy build and comfortable to use resulting in a good value product. Sold with two 75 and 50 mm pads however although Axminster sells a 25mm pad it only has a 3mm shank and too small to fit this item. A 25mm pad would get in the smaller of projects so come on Axminster, sort this out!


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MIAMI — While Jonathan Goodwin was struggling to find his way during four under-productive years with the Jets, individual honors and the ultimate team success were the furthest things from his mind. He was merely trying to stay in the league after failing to win a starting job on the Jets' offensive line.
"My first two years, I felt like I struggled," Goodwin said. "My next two years I got better. I never believed that I couldn't play in this league. Each year, I got better and better."
Now the Saints' starting center, Goodwin reached his pinnacle this season, being named to the Pro Bowl and helping New Orleans to its first Super Bowl.
Goodwin said the turning point for his career came in his third season with the Jets. That's when offensive line coach Doug Marrone switched him from guard to center.
"Once I got the opportunity to play, I made the most of it," Goodwin said. "To come from my first six years when I kind of got pegged as a backup to go to a Pro Bowl and Super bowl in one week is an amazing experience."
Goodwin said he was pulling for the Jets to get to the Super Bowl in hopes that he could play his former team.
"It would have been a special experience to beat your old team in the Super Bowl," Goodwin said. "I don't know if you can top that. I was rooting for those guys because I've still got good friends on the team. They had a great year and I think they're headed for great things. When I talk to them they all believe in their coach [Rex Ryan] and just from the outside looking in, I believe in him."
* The last time the Super Bowl and the Colts were here was three years ago — the first time the big game was played in steady rain. Unless the forecasters are wrong, there won't be a repeat of that soggy night. It is expected to be cool (by South Florida standards) and dry, with temperature at kickoff 65 degrees and dropping into the upper 50s during the game.
* Could this grand stage bring out the best in Saints RB Reggie Bush? He said coach Sean Payton early in the week told him: "Make sure you're ready because you're tongue's going to be hanging out on Sunday." Said Bush: "He knows guys like us, we love to hear that we're going to be involved in the game plan. I want to be dog-tired by the time the game's over because I know then that I've given it everything I have."
* Jets kicker Jay Feely, who lives in South Florida, has been busy this week, but not kicking field goals. Feely, participating in the Super Celebrity Fishing Classic, caught the biggest fish on Wednesday when he and his partner in the competition reeled in a 33.4-pound kingfish.
"That's why the Super Bowl should be in Florida all the time," Feely, a Tampa native, said. "You can't fish in Indianapolis during the Super Bowl."
* Here's a guarantee for Super Bowl XLIV: The winner will be . . . Tom Condon. The super agent represents both quarterbacks, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, the first time an agent has been so fortunate since Leigh Steinberg represented Troy Aikman and Neil O'Donnell 14 years ago in Super Bowl XXX. The Colts have already said they want to re-do Manning's contract to make him the league's highest-paid player. The Saints have said they'll restructure Brees' contract. It's a good time to be Condon.
* The battle at the line of scrimmage between Manning and Saints middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma will be a game within a game. Manning famously makes multiple checks and changes calls up until the last few seconds of the play clock. Vilma makes the defensive calls, but at some point he has to get his teammates in position and stop the mind games.
"He is always going to win that battle because he can take it down to five seconds and decide he wants to check into something," Vilma said. "I don't have time to switch it back in those four seconds or less. He'll definitely win that battle if he takes the clock down that far."


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Hi Guys,
Just thought I would share my journey. Please check out my vlogs on my channel.
I am really enjoying myself tbh. I am completely new to Powerlifting and been doing it about 6 weeks. A I have my first comp in April for the Euro qualifiers. I don't expect to qualify but I can't wait to give it a go!
I know this is cheeky but please take a look at my videos. I am looking for some friendly help and support. So please like subscribe and leave comments with advice or anything you see fit. I am going to post each week and keep you updated. Any help and advise or quarto so are always welcome. Thanks for looking. Tom
Doing y first Powerlifting comp in April
Interested in Powerlifting? Share your strength training tips and experience or simply learn about this sport here.
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Kid's Gallery 1
The Kid's Gallery is just that, a place where kids under 18 at the time of creating a work of art can display their creations. Age 18 and over are included in the adult Guest Gallery. Any kind of art is accepted here, even if it isn't a traditional doodle. We appreciate kids and want to encourage them to continue developing their artistic talents. Just their first names and age will be noted here unless given permission by their parents to include their last name.


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B. 1944, Peebles, Scotland. Bogle's musical career started at the age of 16 when he played in a pop group in his home town of Peebles. As a singer-songwriter, he ...
Subjects: Music.
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Do some data entry
Budget $250-750 USD
Online business support back office encoder
126 freelancers are bidding on average $461 for this job
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Please hire me i really need a homebased job. I am a great fit for the job. Thank you Relevant Skills and Experience In my previous work mostly my activities are back office work.


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The real estate sector is set to be one of the principal beneficiaries of the development of Al Maktoum International Airport,in Dubai according to, Cluttons.
Plans for the two phased project, which will cover an area of 65km2 in Jebel Ali, was unveiled to Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, over the weekend.
Dubai International Airport, is already the world's busiest hub for international traffic, and continues to play a vital role in the development of the emirate's economy as aviation remains a core pillar for growth.
With the aviation sector's contribution to the UAE's GDP set to rise to 32% by 2020 from 28% at present, there will be a significant ripple effect on the number of jobs created.
Faisal Durrani, Cluttons' business development manager said: "Aviation has historically been a significant contributor to the city's growth.
"Once again, the sector looks set to deliver the next wave of growth for Dubai, well beyond the current horizon of the 2020 Expo, which is already translating into a flurry of construction activity across the city.
"The residential sector will no doubt be an obvious long term benefactor of the significant rise in the number of jobs being created, with both lettings and buyer demand set to rise significantly as the number of households in the city increases. However, it is the commercial sector that stands to benefit the most in the short to medium term."