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Ex-Armstrong Lieutenant Admits Doping
George Hincapie, the veteran American cyclist who raced alongside Lance Armstrong during all of the former cycling champion's seven Tour de France victories, acknowledged Wednesday that he took banned substances and that he had disclosed the details of his doping to investigators.
"Early in my professional career, it became clear to me that, given the widespread use of performance enhancing drugs by cyclists at the top of the profession, it was not possible to compete at the highest level without them," Hincapie said in a statement released to The Wall Street Journal Wednesday.
A person familiar with the matter said that in June, Hincapie acknowledged to Travis Tygart, the chief executive of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, that he had used EPO, a banned drug that boosts the number of red blood cells, and also engaged in blood transfusions, another banned practice. This person said Hincapie had provided USADA with testimony that implicated Armstrong in alleged doping, including EPO and testosterone use, as well as blood transfusions.
Live: The Armstrong Report
USADA released its evidence against Lance Armstrong on Wednesday. Follow live updates from WSJ reporters analyzing the documents, and the response from within the cycling world. Armstrong has denied using performance-enhancers. Click here.
Hincapie, who had never tested positive for any banned substances during his career, had never spoken publicly before Wednesday about whether banned substances were used on Armstrong's team.
This person said Hincapie had testified that in the mid-1990s, after Armstrong's team got crushed in a race in Italy, Armstrong was very upset and said that he believed other riders were "using stuff" and that something needed to be done. Hincapie understood this to mean that the team needed to get on EPO, the person said.
Hincapie told USADA that he was "generally aware" that Armstrong was using testosterone throughout the time the two were teammates, this person added. In one instance, in 2000 at a race in Spain, Hincapie testified that Armstrong told him he had taken some "oil," this person added. Hincapie testified that he texted Armstrong when he heard drug testers were at their hotel and Armstrong dropped out of the race, this person said.
In 2003, Armstrong contacted Hincapie about needing to use Hincapie's apartment in Girona, Spain, because Armstrong had guests, this person said.
Armstrong showed up with Luis Garcia del Moral, a doctor who worked with the team, and the doctor asked to borrow a coat hanger, this person said. Hincapie testified that del Moral was carrying what Hincapie believes was a blood bag, this person added. The doctor and Mr. Armstrong went into a room and closed the door, according to Hincapie's testimony, this person said. They were in the room for about 45 minutes, he added.
Mr. Hincapie testified that he believed that a blood reinfusion took place, because often the blood bag is taped to a coat hanger and hung on a wall to facilitate the infusion of blood into the vein, this person said. Hincapie testified that a similar procedure was used by del Moral when the doctor reinfused Mr. Hincapie's blood on prior occasions. He thought a transfusion took place, this person added.
Del Moral didn't immediately return an email seeking comment.
Hincapie's lawyer, David B. Anders, a partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, said Hincapie wouldn't be available to comment beyond the statement, which was short on details. In the statement, he said he stopped taking banned substances in 2006 and has raced clean since then.
A spokesman for Armstrong couldn't be immediately reached for comment.
A spokesman for Armstrong didn't immediately comment on Hincapie's testimony, saying: "We have not been provided access to any testimony from anyone."
Tim Herman, an attorney for Armstrong, bashed the coming report from USADA and said Armstrong was the victim of a "witch hunt." "There is no better example of that targeting and selective, self-serving prosecution than the fact that USADA picked and charged only one athlete, Armstrong, out of a multitude in the alleged 10 plus year multi-team, multi-country conspiracy," Herman said.
According to the person familiar with the matter, Hincapie received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles in 2010, during a criminal investigation into doping in cycling. He spent a day speaking to prosecutors in Los Angeles in August 2010, with his lawyer present. The criminal investigation was dropped in early 2012, without any charges.
In light of Hincapie's cooperation with USADA, he is expected to receive a six-month suspension preventing him from competing in elite-level sports, the person familiar with the matter said. Hincapie retired from professional cycling in August, but he would like to stay involved in professional cycling after his suspension, as a mentor to other cyclists, the person familiar with the matter added. A spokeswoman for USADA said that any information regarding sanctions will be in the decision when it is posted. She declined to provide specifics on Hincapie.
In June, USADA charged Armstrong and five others associated with the Postal team with engaging in an alleged doping conspiracy aimed at dominating the Tour de France. Armstrong initially challenged USADA's jurisdiction in a lawuit but has since decided not to fight USADA's charges. He has steadfastly denied doping in his career.
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Easy appys great for chilling in the warm weather
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Eric Akis, Postmedia News
Wednesday, Jul. 27, 2011
Tasty dips and spread. At top, going clockwise, White Bean Dip with Roasted Red Peppers and Pesto; Olive and Dried Cherry Tapenade; Creamy Three-Onion Dip; and Feta and Walnut Spread. - Adrian Lam
When I have the time, I enjoy making finicky little canapés where all ingredients are precisely cut and composed. My guests enjoy them too, but truth be told they seem to enjoy the appetizers I simply serve in a bowl even more, such as a salsa, dip or spread.
That's a good thing, because these items are easier to make and perfect for a summer party, where you want to chill out, not freak out by having to make overly complex little bites.
These appys in a bowl can also be nicely presented by placing them in pretty serving vessels and surrounding them with attractive looking ingredients for dunking or spreading them in or on. These appys in a bowl can also be quite diverse tasting and that's demonstrated in today's five recipes.
Serve this Mediterraneanstyle dip with sliced baguette and a selection of crisp raw vegetable sticks or florets.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: None
Makes: About 2 cups (8, 1/4-cup servings)
1 (19 oz.) can white kidney beans, drained, rinsed and drained again
1 medium roasted red pepper, thickly sliced (see Note)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp pesto
- pinch crushed chili flakes
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (not the dried, powdered variety)
- salt to taste
Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined. Add a little more oil if you find the dip too thick.
Spoon the dip into a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Can be made a day in advance of serving.
Note: Roasted red peppers are sold in jars or tubs at most supermarkets.
I like to serve this Greekstyle dip with wedges of grilled pita bread.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: None
Makes: 2 1/2 cups (10, 1/4-cup servings)
3/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup spreadable cream cheese, at room temperature 2 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano, basil or mint 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
ground black pepper to ? freshly
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1 cup finely crumbled feta cheese (about 125 grams)
1/3 cup walnut pieces, coarsely crushed (see Note)
Place the mayonnaise and cream cheese in a medium bowl and vigorously whisk until smoothly combined. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Can be made up to a day in advance of serving.
Note: To coarsely crush the walnuts, place them in thick plastic bag and set on a cutting board. Use a kitchen hammer to crush the walnuts into small, but still visible pieces.
This is a homemade version of the popular onion dip sold in tubs at supermarkets.
Serve it with potato chips or raw vegetables sticks or florets for dipping.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:
About 6 minutes
Makes: About 2 cups (8, 1/4-cup servings)
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup very finely diced yellow onion (the onion pieces should be about 1/8-inch wide)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 green onion, halved lengthwise, and then very thinly slice
2 tsp chopped freshly parsley
and white pepper to taste ? salt
- splashes Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce
Place the oil in a skillet set over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until very tender and light golden in colour, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Remove from the heat and cool onions to room temperature.
Place the sour cream and mayonnaise in a bowl and whisk to combine.
Mix in the cooked onions and all remaining ingredients. Transfer to a serving bowl.
Cover and refrigerate and until ready to serve.
Can be made up to a day in advance of serving.
This tapenade offers an addictive mix of sweet, salty and sharp flavours.
Spread it on slices of baguette with, if desired, a creamy cheese, such as goat or Brie.
Preparation time:
10 minutes, plus steeping time
Cooking time: None
Makes: About 2 cups (8, 1/4-cup servings)
2/3 cup dried cherries (about 100 grams/see Note)
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 medium garlic cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup coarsely chopped basil
Place the cherries in small heatproof bowl. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water.
Let cherries steep and plump up for 15 minutes. Drain the cherries well and then place in a food processor with the remaining ingredients. Pulse the mixture until finely chopped (do not finely purée). Transfer to a serving bowl or attractive tight-sealing jar.
Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Warm to room temperature 20 minutes before serving.
Note: Dried cherries are sold at some supermarkets and at stores specializing in bulk foods.
Heirloom Tomato Salsa
The heirloom tomatoes used in this salsa are sold at farmers market and some supermarkets. Heirloom tomatoes are full-flavoured, older cultivars of the plant that come in a diverse range of colours, such as purple, orange, tiger-striped, green and yellow.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: None
Makes: 10 servings of ¼-cup each
1 lb. ripe heirloom tomatoes (choose a mix of colours)
⅓ cup finely chopped red onion
1 medium jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 Tbsps. fresh lime juice, or to taste
½ tsp. ground cumin
- salt to taste
Place all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix to combine.
Cover and allow flavours to meld in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Spoon the salsa into a serving bowl, set on a plate, surround with tortilla chips and serve.
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Martyr Thallelaeus at Aegae in Cilicia and his companions, Martyrs Alexander and Asterius - Troparion & Kontakion
Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyr Thallelaeus and his companions, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!
Kontakion — Tone 3
Revealed as a fellow struggler with the martyrs, / you were a perfect soldier of the King of Glory. / Through your trials and torments / you humbled the arrogance of the idolators. / Therefore, we praise your honorable memory, O wise Thallelaeus.


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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Chapter Twenty-Four - There's no place like home
Before you read onto Chapter 24, just be aware that I've changed some of Nadia's details. I've made the changes in the previous chapters as well. It just had to be done for various reasons. I know it's annoying as a reader to suddenly learn that a character is no longer something, but something else, but I guess it's gonna happen as you all participate in this journey with me and I learn new things everyday as well.
Anyway, enjoy Chapter 24 of Desperate in Dubai - my apologies for taking so long with it and I wish you all a fantastic New Year's Eve and 2010. Whether you decide to party into the new year like Lady Luxe and Leila, whether you spend it with your loved one like Sugar or with your family like Nadia...Have a good one! :)
Thank you all for your constant support and doing what you can to promote Desperate in Dubai - I really appreciate it.
Until next year :)
Ghostwriter xx
P.S If you've not read the prologue to this chapter yet, please scroll down or click on the link on the right for that first.
Chapter Twenty-Four - There's no place like home
Nadia leans against the wall, her left hand casually placed on her suitcase's handle and her right unconsciously gripping onto her leather handbag. Her long, beige cardigan is creased after being stuffed in a suitcase for over 10 hours, and despite the extra layer, she still feels a little chilly.
She looks on at the hoards of people at Heathrow's Terminal Three, smiling as warmth fills her up from within, observing the mesh of different colours with a sense of peace in her heart. Colourful Asian women shuffle along in their traditional shalwar kameez and sarees, thick woolen shawls wrapped around their shoulders, a group of trendy Japanese students with paper straight hair and funky tights giggle together whilst taking photographs and the occasional hijabi also walks past, smiling at her in commiseration.
The airport is shabbier than she remembers, the décor dated and dull, the people void of the tiniest hint of glamour. There are no flowing black abayas gliding along the floor, no clouds of perfume lingering in the air or glistening white candouras catching her eye. Even the women that are dressed in Middle Eastern attire don't look nearly as enchanting as those in Dubai. Their abayas don't gracefully graze the floor, they don't float and they are not black. Dubai, despite being in the depths of economic ruin, is like a well-to-do woman who has recently lost her fortune but projects the illusion that her money is still intact with her classic jewellery and well-kept hair. London, it seems, is more like a working class woman who is simply too busy trying to organise her life to bother with taming her unkempt curls or manicuring her chewed-down nails.
"Nadia!" There is a flurry of red and Nadia looks up to see Yasmine hurling towards her in a bright red coat and her signature metal New Rock boots. Yasmine throws her arms around her older sister and Nadia hugs her back, a little of her sister's energy transferring to her.
"I'm so glad to see you," Nadia whispers, inhaling Yasmine's scent, memories of their childhood seeping back into her mind. She holds onto her sister for a long time, as if she is scared that she will disappear if she lets her go.
"I'm glad to see you too but you don't have to strangle me," Yasmine jokes, her voice muffled by Nadia's cardigan. She breaks away and looks up at her sister, her smile faltering as she takes in her pale skin, dark circles and protruding cheekbones. Yasmine, usually the more poorly-looking of the two with her death-white skin and fragile frame, looks radiant in comparison.
"You don't look like someone who lives in a sunny country," she notes, taking the long handle of the suitcase from Nadia and walking towards the bustling Underground station.
"Well, you know what they say about too much sun exposure. I don't want to end up getting skin cancer, or worse, aging too quickly!" Nadia replies lightly, navigating her way around the crowds of people queuing up to buy train tickets from the various outlets.
The long, stuffy journey home down the Picadilly Line is uneventful, and other than the occasional strange look Yasmine gives her, it is almost as if she never left. Almost, not entirely, as she is now seeing everything she has seen before through new eyes. She never really noticed the conflicting scents on the Underground – soot mixed with perfume, food and body odour - nor had she paid much attention to the controversial advertisements. Her eyes fall upon a particular advert, one that appears to be quite bland at first glance, until she actually reads the writing and realises that it promotes atheism through denouncing the existence of God. She recoils as if she has been electrocuted. Shaking her head, she tells herself to snap out of it, that the bubble that she has grown accustomed to has well and truly burst. She isn't in Dubai anymore. She is no longer a religious majority. She is back to being a minority, an immigrant, and occasionally, a 'terrorist'.
After the initial shock of realising that she is no longer in a country that caters to Muslims wears off, she begins to enjoy watching the diverse mix of passengers entering and alighting the train. She enjoys being able to sit in a mixed-gender environment without every other man trying to make eye contact with her. She enjoys the fact that there is an alternative method of transport that is not under construction and is actually relatively reliable (until it rains, that is). She also enjoys the fact that on the tube, there is no hierarchy. There are no first-class compartments, no one is better than the other, no one but the elderly, pregnant or disabled gets priority over anyone else.
However, despite the sense of harmony she feels, Nadia unconsciously cannot help but keep her right hand firmly on her suitcase and her left on her zipped-up handbag. She also ensures that her pockets are completely empty and whenever anyone gets a little too close, she stiffens and draws her bag to her even closer.
"You're getting a bit precious aren't you?" Yasmine jokes. "If you squeeze your bag any tighter it might actually shrink!" Yasmine's own bag is lying casually on the empty seat next to her, and she is playing with her phone without worrying that someone may snatch it out of her hand and run off with it.
"Am I squeezing it? I hadn't even noticed," Nadia replies with a laugh, trying to relax her tense knuckles.
Yasmine stares at her sister, opens her mouth as if to say something and then closes it again. Worry is etched all over her face as she contemplates whether or not to confront Nadia about her obvious grief.
"What?" Nadia says eventually, tired of watching Yasmine's mouth open and close like a goldfish.
"Nothing," Yasmine replies quickly.
"Well stop staring at me then," Nadia snaps, turning her face away.
"Okay fine, it's not 'nothing'," Yasmine retorts. "I don't know how to say this so I'm going to be blunt. Why do you look like shit?"
"When did you start saying 'shit'?" Nadia asks, mildly surprised. "I thought you always refused to swear and said 's-h-i-t' instead?"
"That's not the point so stop changing the subject. Nadia, you look like death. I've never seen you look so awful in my whole life. Even your skin has broken out and I know that only happens when you're stressed. So can you tell me what's going on?"
"Nothing's going on," Nadia lies, looking away. "If you don't mind, could you continue your interrogation later? I'm kind of tired."
Nadia leans back against the soft blue seats and rests her head against the glass panel on her right, careful not to catch her sister's bewildered eye. She feels a pang of guilt at being so abrupt with Yasmine but really cannot bear the idea of discussing her pitiful life there and then.
Still looking away, she remembers the last time she sat on the tube, when she was overcome by nervousness and excitement simultaneously, not fear and regret. She remembers the nerves playing with her stomach, her mother clasping onto her hand, the hopes she had of starting a new life in a new country. She remembers the gnawing sensation in her guts as she waved goodbye to her family, her lower lip quivering as she willed the tears slowly brimming her eyes not to spill over. She remembers calming herself on the plane, telling herself that as much as she missed her family and her friends, it was more important to be with her husband who was also missing her, waiting for her, yearning for her.
A surge of anger rushes through Nadia and she squeezes her eyes closed and clenches her fists. She left everything behind for him. She left her mother who had no one but her daughters to lean on, she had left her friends and ventured into a land where finding people on a similar wavelength was almost impossible, and she had left her blossoming career, all for a man who openly declared that she wasn't enough.
He's promised he'll change, that we'll go for counselling together, she thinks, trying to calm herself. She struggles to remember Daniel's contrite face as she waved goodbye to him at the airport and wonders if he is enjoying her absence. She knew that leaving him in Dubai for ten whole days without her was like leaving an alcoholic alone with a bottle of rum. But the truth was, she wanted to see whether the bottle would remain untouched until she came back, if she would return to find it opened, or worse, completely empty. She also wanted to know whether he deserved an added investment of counselling. She was tired of feeling like a burden. This was his chance to prove that what they had was worth fighting for. And although most of her was hoping it was…a tiny part of her, a part she refused to acknowledge, was hoping he would cheat again, so she could cut her losses and run.
"Wake up! We're here!" Nadia opens her eyes slowly and lets them roll into focus. Yasmine is standing, balancing precariously as the train grinds to a halt while trying to prise her sister's fingers open so she can pull the suitcase off the carriage. Nadia blinks rapidly, letting go of the case and staring at Yasmine as she manages to yank the case off the train. Still disorientated, she slowly gets up as the driver instructs the passengers 'to mind the doors' just before they close. The train lurches and she falls backwards onto the passenger sitting next to her.
"Oh!" she exclaims, trying to pull herself up. Yasmine is already on the platform, shooting evil looks at her, as the train moves away, leaving a slightly dazed Nadia on someone's lap.
"I'm so sorry," she mumbles, her face beetroot as she holds onto the railing and pulls herself up. She turns around to apologise to her victim again, smiling sheepishly, but her smile freezes when she sees that the man whose lap she fell into is actually rather good looking. His skin is dark, his eyes a warm brown and his shoulders are broad and muscular. Before she can stop herself, Nadia finds her eyes moving across his body in appreciation.
"No worries," he replies, his voice as smooth as a bar of Galaxy chocolate, causing Nadia to blush further. "I'm sorry that you missed your stop."
"It's okay," Nadia says, a genuine smile appearing on her face and she takes the seat opposite and tries not to stare at him too much. "My sister will just have to wait a little until I find my way back."
"Oh right, you've just come from the airport. Will you know your way back to Arsenal?" He looks straight into her eyes, and she notices that amidst the coffee brown are tiny flecks of gold. His mouth is full and soft, and she has to drag her eyes away.
Half tempted to lie and pretend that she doesn't have a clue how to navigate her way around the London Underground, Nadia forces herself to admit that she is actually British and lived in London for many years before she moved to Dubai.
"So you're a half Moroccan, half Algerian Brit with a sort-of American accent who lives in Dubai?" he says just as the train slows down again.
"I guess that sums me up," Nadia answers, reluctantly getting up to leave.
"Somehow, I think there's more to you than that," he replies with a half smile. "And if you wouldn't mind letting me find out, I'd like to meet up with you while you're here. Can I give you my number?"
Nadia turns to look at him – at his big, strong hands, his chiseled cheekbones and the smooth skin on his face – wishing she could take a lot more than just his number. She takes a deep breath instead, reminding herself that in God's eyes, she is still a married woman, regardless of her husband's opinion of her or his interpretation of marriage.
"Thanks but I'd better not," she manages to say as the carriage doors open. She gives him one last smile and elegantly steps out of the train, her brief encounter with the cute black guy making her feel warm inside. Maybe her life wouldn't be completely over if she and Daniel parted ways. Maybe I'm not as awful as Daniel makes me feel.
"God, you need to get with it," Yasmine chastises as Nadia reaches Arsenal station and they begin lugging her suitcase up the ramp, eventually emerging onto the quiet street where the station sits in between a row of small, terraced houses, like a shiny silver coin amongst a pocket full of coppers. The sky is bright blue, decorated with the occasional wisp of clouds and Nadia shivers, pulling her cardigan tight around her body, unused to the cold breeze.
"Didn't you bring a coat?" Yasmine asks as they turn the corner and into Quill Street, the council estate rife with Bengalis, where the Ziani family happens to be one of three Arab families (unless you count the Somalis, in which case, they are one of twelve). The flats and houses are made from yellow bricks, a welcome change from the dismal brown of most council estates, and there are children playing in the streets on colourful bikes; the girls in gaudy frocks or cotton kameez's paired with frayed jeans, their slick, oiled hair glistening in the rays of light. As always, there is a scent of freshly cooked curry in the air, and Nadia's stomach rumbles in desire. She can't remember the last time she had a full meal, or even wanted to.
"Why would I own a coat in Dubai?" Nadia retorts, following Yasmine into the bright apartment. The fragrance of buttery rice lingers in the air and Nadia inhales deeply, her stomach growling once again. She pops her head into the small kitchen, her eyes falling on the table that saw many family meals, but now looks more like a magazine rack, with various journals and papers adorning it.
"Gosh, things have really changed since mum moved back to Morocco," she notes, pulling off her white trainers and tossing them next to Yasmine's collection of more interesting footwear in the hallway.
"Well, seeing as you lot pretty much left me alone here, what did you expect? The flat to still look like a family house?" Yasmine snaps, her sharp tone causing Nadia to stare at her in surprise. The sisters look at each other in silence: the older wondering if her baby sister really was okay with living all alone in a big city, and the younger wondering why her big sister looked so tortured. Neither confirmed or negated the other's fears.
Nadia leaves the kitchen, already feeling despondent. Her old home just didn't feel the same without her mother's laughter and warmth, and she is worried about the distant look in Yasmine's eyes. She has been so wrapped up in her own life, her own problems, that she never actually thought to find out if her little sister was okay.
Guilt weighing her down, she drags herself up the stairs, pushes her old bedroom door open and enters the room, glad to be home despite the changes.
She isn't prepared for the rush of emotion that follows; the wave of nostalgia, the tightening in her throat as tears begin to gather in the corners of her eyes. The small room, painted cream during the days when magnolia was the latest décor craze, looks almost exactly the same as it did when she left home and moved in with Daniel. She takes a deep breath and closes the door before walking over to her bookcase, the shelves laded with university textbooks and old CDs. On the top shelf is a picture of her and Yasmine during their Qatar days. Nadia stares at her fifteen year-old self. Her eyes were big and bright, her smile open and unassuming, her skin fresh and plump. Her curly brown hair grazed her shoulders and her arm rested casually on Yasmine's tiny shoulders.
Moving over to the full-length mirror by the window, she looks at herself, thirteen years later. Her eyes are beginning to sink into their sockets through lack of sleep, her once roundish face is now gaunt and strained, her cheekbones protrude like an iceberg and her complexion is dull and lifeless.
"Nadia! Come down and eat!" Yasmine calls from the bottom of the stairs, and Nadia is thankful for the interruption. She has come to hate looking at herself.
* * *
Nadia walks through Oxford Street, trying to avoid bumping into the crowds of shoppers, businesspeople and tourists, making sure to keep her handbag close to her at all times. The wind is strong and she wishes she had secured her brown hijab more tightly around her head. She is wearing her favourite cream coloured woollen coat and she feels snug and warm against the silk lining as she continues glancing at shop windows. She enjoys the feeling of walking in a street to shop rather than a glittery mall, although if it starts to rain she is sure she would change her mind. She takes a moment to stop outside Selfridges and looks around her, feasting her eyes on the bright red buses, the cornflower blue sky while inhaling the scent of warm waffles, and then continues walking towards Oxford Circus where she finally makes it to her favourite shop in London - the flagship Topshop store.
After two hours of fighting through serious shoppers, browsing through the clothes racks and trying on countless pairs of shoes, she emerges with four huge bags of clothes and shoes and makes her way to the Underground and back home, feeling more satisfied than she has in a long time.
It has been three days since Nadia came 'home', and she has realised that she actually missed navigating her way around pigeon poop and occasional dog droppings on the pavements on her way to the train station. She has also missed being able to walk to places rather than take taxis or coerce Daniel into dropping her. But more importantly, she has missed having family around her.
Although it has only been 72 hours since she landed in London, she can already feel a huge shift in her emotional and physical well-being. She has been sleeping through the night without waking up in a panic. She has been eating three balanced meals, and even the odd snack instead of skipping most of them and relying purely on breakfast cereal to ensure she has enough energy to move.
Her relationship with Daniel even seems to be getting better as well. Every evening, he calls her and mentions that he is missing her and that he can't wait for her to come back to him. Every morning she receives a text message proclaiming how sorry he is for all the hardship he has inflicted her with. And every time she hears from him, another pebble of hope joins the little cluster she has collected. She wonders if one day, she will have enough to build a wall around them again.
Yasmine is still completely unaware of her sister's sorry life in Dubai. Nadia has placated her with tales of long working hours, lack of friends, no family, and so far, her unassuming sibling seems to believe it.
Feeling tired after her day of shopping, Nadia takes a bucket bath (the weak water pressure making it impossible to have a decent shower), changes into flannel pyjamas and makes herself a mug of hot chocolate, feeling sinful after taking a sip of the thick, creamy cocoa but tells herself that she needs to gain weight anyway. She sits on the soft, faded canary yellow sofa and sinks into the cushion, her hands clasped around her mug, keeping them warm. She glances over at the bookshelf, wondering if she should pick one of Yasmine's many literary books to read, and then decides against it. She's not in the mood for something so heavy - and the only other alternative in Yasmine's extensive book collection is Manga, which she also opts against.
As loneliness begins to surround her, Nadia regrets declining Yasmine's invitation to join her with some friends for sushi. She hadn't wanted to impose on her little sister's group of friends and to be honest, wasn't particularly fond of most of them, with the exception of Sugar. Now, she is wishing she had. For when she is alone, she is plagued with thoughts about her uncertain future.
Taking out her laptop, she tells herself she will only check her own emails - not her husband's, although in her heart, she knows she will have a peek eventually. He had, of course, changed his password, oblivious to the fact that Nadia used her key logging device to learn all of them again. He still thinks that he had accidentally chosen Google chrome to save all his passwords and Nadia is glad that he was inventive enough to reach his own conclusion without delving too deep into the reality.
As she browses through the various forwarded mails in her inbox, she comes across one that she has been avoiding for a week, and as such, has not even opened it yet. However, the pangs of loneliness, together with the nostalgia she is experiencing being back at home, inspire her to finally open it.
I understand why you feel compelled to ignore my messages and calls. As always, you have been far better than the men in your life, so it is only natural that you would respect your status as someone's wife despite the fact that he disrespects his own status as a husband.
All I want to say is this – I am willing to wait for you however long it takes, just like you were willing to wait for me all those years ago. But please, I need to know, should I wait, and should you leave your undeserving husband, should fate open the doors for us again – would you be willing to come back to me?
Just reply 'yes' or 'no' if you cannot bring yourself to write anything else. And if it is the latter, I will respect your decision and will omit myself from your life.
Nadia's hot chocolate is now lukewarm, but she takes a sip of it anyway, allowing it to soothe her sore throat. Yet another decision she has to make. Another option to add to the mess that is her life.
She cannot help but feel annoyed as she re-reads his pompous words. He was always dramatic. Why is he putting her through this torture when he knows she is suffering enough? Couldn't he have waited for her to come back to him instead of forcing a decision out of her? Yes, he said he would wait – but he wanted to know if there was any point in waiting. He still wanted a decision.
She hits 'reply' and with her fingers poised on the keyboard, she waits for some kind of divine sign that will guide her. Would replying 'yes' count as cheating? Would it make her the same scum as Daniel? But replying 'no' would cut off the last, fragile tie she has with her childhood love – a tie she is not sure she is ready to let go.
Nadia's phone beeps with an incoming text message. She is relieved at the interruption and gets up to retrieve the phone. Upon seeing Daniel's name on the screen, she lets herself out onto the veranda and leans against the cold brick wall, pausing to watch a train go by on the rail tracks behind the flat, before she eventually musters up the courage to open it. Although Daniel has been messaging her every day, each time she sees his name, her heart lurches with fear. She never knows what to expect. It could be anything from an apology to a talaq.
Whatever the message is will decide what your answer to Yusuf will be, Nadia tells herself, closing her eyes for a fleeting moment.
Hey babe, just wanted to see how you're doing. I'm still missing you, still wish you hadn't left me. But then, it's good you did. It's reminded me that I didn't know what I had…until it had gone.
Nadia smiles and heads back indoors. Feeling more self-assured and confident than she had just ten minutes earlier, she reopens her laptop and sends Yusuf a resounding 'no'. Things between her and Daniel were finally looking up. He was open to communication, he was willing to change and he realised what he had being doing was so wrong. For her to tell another man to wait for her wouldn't be fair to her marriage.
Within seconds, she receives a reply from Yusuf. A simple 'okay'. No flowery words, no profound testaments, just a four-lettered, two-syllable goodbye. Instead of feeling as though a weight has been lifted, Nadia feels an immense sadness at the end of another era. The first time she said 'hello' to Yusuf was eighteen years ago, when he was a shy, eleven year-old boy hiding behind his mother with his hands stuffed into his pockets.
She never thought that their 'goodbye' would be quite so…short.
She wonders how he felt when he received her 'no'. If he was relieved at being able to move on with his life, or if he was sad to lose her all over again. She tries to imagine his face, but finds that she cannot. She doesn't know what he looks like. All she can envision is the childhood version.
Nadia is tired of crying lost tears. Instead, she logs out of her email and logs into Daniel's, hoping that the contents will affirm that she has made the right choice.
Her eyes flickering through the various names, she learns with relief that there is nothing there. Feeling a little guilty at doubting him, she is just about to sign out when an email comes through. An email from her old friend Sophie. The buxom Emirates Airline Stewardess whom she met at university.
For a moment, Nadia forgets that she is in Daniel's inbox and not her own. Then she remembers, and her heart beginning to sink, she opens it up and devours the short paragraph left on the screen.
Last night was a terrible mistake. A combination of too much to drink and stupidity. On both our parts. Please don't tell Nadia what happened – I'd hate for our friendship to be ruined because of this. Please don't contact me again.
Her hands trembling, she marks the message as 'unread'. What exactly happened? A hug? A kiss? More? Worry filling her veins, she begins to go through all his emails again – carefully this time. There is nothing incriminating in the inbox, so she heads over to the sent items instead where she finds a message, from Daniel to his colleague Anastasia, called 'productive.'
There is only one line in the email, and an attachment.
Lol, looks like neither of us have been doing much work ;)
Nadia opens the attachment to find an image of a 'print screen', displaying Daniel's sent items from his work email. There are over 30 messages sent to Anastasia, who Nadia remembers to be a colleague, all within an hour. This is the same Anastasia who Nadia had cooked for on many occasions. The same one who needed money urgently to send to Russia last month for her mother's operation, which Nadiahad happily provided. The same Anastasia who Nadia assumed was merely Daniel's colleague, and nothing more.
First Sophie and now this.
Nadia's head begins to throb and she pauses a moment, holding her head in her hands and pressing her temples, wishing the pain would go away. She had really thought it would have taken Daniel more than a few days to go back to his old ways. She wonders if she is just being melodramatic, if all men were programmed to behave in such a manner, if there really was no way for a man to be satisfied by one woman.
Breathing deeply, Nadia's shaking hand moves the mouse pointer back to 'inbox.' There is another email there, waiting to be ready, but she is doesn't know if she wants to look at it. They say ignorance is bliss, so wouldn't it be better to just ignore it? She knows enough. She knows that Daniel will not - or cannot - change. Does she really have to know more than that?
She presses the tab before she can change her mind and sees that there is another email from Sophie. Perhaps Daniel was using his email at the same time as she. She smiles wryly at the irony. She is finally connected to her husband, finally on the same page. Just not in life, but online.
She is too scared to open the mail and part of her doesn't even want to know what it contains. But she knows she has to look, she has to know what is happening. She has to know whether or not to go back to her husband.
She reads Daniel's reply first.
Thanks for your email. I hope you got home safely this morning. If you hadn't disappeared while I was in the shower, I would have dropped you.
I agree, Nadia needn't know about what happened – but as for never contacting you – how can I not? I have admired you from afar for a long time now and last night was unbelievably sweet. Nadia gets back from London next week – why don't we just enjoy the next few days together while we can?
Nausea clings to Nadia's stomach and she pushes her laptop aside and runs to the bathroom, where she retches into the toilet bowl, her stomach aching with every contraction, until there is nothing but bile remaining. She continues to throw up, her mouth stinging with acid, water running down her nose, her eyes bloodshot, her knees sore on the ice-cold tiled floor.
He wants to fuck her until I come back. He sent me a message telling me he missed me and then emailed her to arrange more of what he got last night.
Her body eventually stops heaving, and she lies on the bathroom floor for some time, the coldness soothing her burning skin, breathing heavily.
She gave up her life in London for this. She gave up Yusuf for this.
As the weakness subsides, rage begins to take control over her body. Holding onto the toilet seat, she hoists herself up, washes her face and brushes her teeth, glancing at her reflection as she does.
Something has died in Nadia's eyes. The softness has been replaced by steel. She is tired of being nice, caring Nadia. She is sick of being a pushover. She will never let any man make her feel weak again.
She goes back to the living room and curls up on the sofa once again. But this time, instead of letting grief overcome her, she focuses her emotions on her anger instead. Daniel has taken advantage of her one too many times.
This time, she will get her revenge.
30 comments:
Love it! Since Huda has turned into an Arab, why don't you change her sister's name to make it more realistic? Arabs don't use the name Roba :) Can't wait for the next chapter. Oh and this strikes a chord on so many levels with every muslim expat in Dubai xxx
- December 31, 2009 at 1:57 PM
- Ghost Writer said...
Thanks :) I know it's weird, turning her into an Arab but it had to be done... As for the name Roba - I know about 5 Arab Robas!!!
- December 31, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Very nice. :^)
- December 31, 2009 at 4:35 PM
- Hijabis On Ranting Tour. said...
excellent chapter, now i want another one your story is absolutely addictive, i cant wait for the rest
i didnt even realise huda wasnt an arab before
salaamu Aleikum and a Happy New year
naz xx
- December 31, 2009 at 6:02 PM
- Jaz said...
Poor Huda! I'm looking forward to the revenge I hope she destroys him muhahha
- December 31, 2009 at 6:37 PM
OMG i cant wait for the next chapter!!!
i simply hate david , huda should meet up wiv yusuf , who cares if she is married , se should also get divorced.
- December 31, 2009 at 8:10 PM
- *~Ange~* said...
im so glad she has changed. and now i understand the prologue. lol.
- December 31, 2009 at 11:01 PM
- Liz said...
Oh my . . . it's about time Huda found her backbone. Can't wait till the next chapter.
- January 1, 2010 at 1:45 AM
- Anti-social Muslimah said...
Huda is arab now? what was she b4 my memory is a bit erm =|
And what are the other changes you made to her character? I forget so easily whoops.
- January 1, 2010 at 2:10 AM
Huda is all over the place in this chapter - edit it to make her emotions more consistent. To go from wishing she'll catch David at it again so she can 'cut her losses', to being attracted to the man on the tube, to feeling mushy and warm when she reads his pathetic texts and gathering 'pebbles of hope' and then shooting Yousif down... it's too much bouncing around. Then it seems all of sudden she grows a spine and feels rage at the end of the chapter. I'd rather see her at a slow boil from the beginning, and finally letting it spill over at the end of the chapter.
- January 1, 2010 at 7:10 AM
Happy New Year Ghost Writer. What a great chapter.
- January 1, 2010 at 7:31 AM
- Ghost Writer said...
Thanks for your comments everyone!
Anti-Social - If you can't remember, all the better for me then!
Anon - you're right, she's all over the place. I'll edit to make her slightly more consistent but the truth is, her feelings are erratic - she doesn't know how to think or feel any more. But you're right, it's too much so I'll think about how to make it more consistent. Thank you for your feedback!
- January 1, 2010 at 2:20 PM
- Liz said...
@ Anonymous
I think her inconsistency makes her more believable. How many of us in that situation would have gone from one extreme emotion to another all in the space of a heartbeat when faced with this type of emotional trauma. You either go numb or explode.
Now, we've seen Huda do nothing. I think she's realizing her worth and it's finally registering that she does have options.
- January 1, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Hi great chapter! Please can you let readers subscribe to your story so it comes straight to our inbox?! Thanks x
- January 1, 2010 at 10:50 PM
so is her husband also an Arab as well? what other changes were there?
- January 2, 2010 at 1:08 AM
Wasn't Huda always Arab? I am pretty sure you mentioned she was half Algerian before. :)
Anyway great story, looking forward to the rest!
- January 2, 2010 at 2:49 PM
yay Huda is moroccan like me :D woohoo.
Really good chapter very emotional. Silly woman doesnt she know a man can never change his ways. Once a dog always a dog.
She needs to divource his sorry ass and get married to Yusuf or that cute guy on the train!
maybe she needs to go back early to dubai and suprise david and make him divource her there and then.
- January 2, 2010 at 4:22 PM
Dear Ghostwriter,
I only have two words for you:
I love reading Desperate in Dubai.
Waiting for the next chapter, please please post it ASAP.
Thanks & Keep it up :)
- January 3, 2010 at 8:55 AM
Awesome chapter! Ugh I despise David.
- January 3, 2010 at 10:25 AM
- Saboodle said...
Thank God Huda didn't go back to Yusuf! Hated him from the first moement - he sounded as egocentric as David just in a different way... Way to go, Huda (I always thought she was North African, so the change was meant to be, LOL).
- January 3, 2010 at 12:36 PM
- Muslim_Rose said...
- January 4, 2010 at 10:10 PM
your novel keeps getting better and at this point has a merciless grip on me. I have always had a fascination for Dubai and UAE, having visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
I'm curious to know if you are emirati. Please please please post chapeter 25 ASAP.
Greets from Germany,
- January 6, 2010 at 8:21 PM
Thank you for your addictive story. I am loving every chapter!
- January 7, 2010 at 1:10 PM
- Jaz said...
Hey :) I was just thinking, DID would be a GREAT drama haha. I was watching Gossip Girl and just thought about how much better DID is.
By the way, I have a suggestion - do you have a reason that you keep all the posts on the homepage? It would load much faster if the last 1 or 2 chapters were on because it sometimes freezes for me (might just be my computer though!)
- January 10, 2010 at 12:22 PM
- Keep Guessing said...
Awesome... When is next one coming up?
- January 10, 2010 at 3:00 PM
- Aalia said...
looooooool @ "ghost waiter" sorry that sounds hilarious XD -- no offence to whoever made the comment
i wanna read more about my fave character Lady Luxe
- January 10, 2010 at 9:46 PM
@ Aalia,
Haha !!!! I just noticed it now.
That was a mistake.
Ofcourse I meant "ghost writer".
Thanks for pointing that out.
Greets from Germany,
- January 11, 2010 at 5:41 PM
wonderful!...i luv the changes uve made 2 Huda....n cant wait 4 the revenge chapter/s...:)
- January 12, 2010 at 11:18 AM
When will you post the new chapter? :'(
- July 31, 2010 at 1:37 PM
'unless you count the Somalis, in which case, they are one of twelve.' In the UAE, Somalis are considered Arabs. In London they're considered non-Arabs (from my experience). So that's a good way to put it.
- December 18, 2011 at 8:06 PM


text: MADRID (MarketWatch) -- European stock market futures pointed to a sharply lower open for stocks after Italian election results pointed to the possibility of political deadlock and instability. Wall Street stocks fell sharply the prior day, and Asia markets followed suit on Tuesday, with the euro selling off sharply against the dollar, pressuring commodities such as oil. Futures for the German DAX 30 index DAX, +0.52% fell 2%, while those for the French CAC 40 index PX1, +0.55% off 3% and the FTSE 100 index PX1, +0.55% down nearly 2%. Chris Weston, chief market strategist at IG, was calling the FTSE MIB Italy index xx:ftsemib to open over 400 points lower. "Clearly this was a market that simply wasn't prepared or positioned for a hung parliament, and traders are now asking if this blanket sell-off represents something more substantial for the euro," he said, in emailed comments.


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Before exploring health issues synonymous with tobacco smoking, it is useful to look back and define what is a cigarette?
A cigarette is a Nicotine Delivery System, a highly refined and carefully engineered product. Cigarettes are designed pacifically to deliver naturally occurring alkaloids like nicotine fast and efficiently to the body avoiding or masking them from the bodies natural defence mechanisms.
Nicotine is the cause of addiction but cigarettes are laced with up to 600 compounds commonly referred to as additives or flavourings, which mask the serious effects some of these compounds have on the body.
These ingredients are approved additives in food, however, were not tested by burning them. It is the burning of these substances that changes their properties. When burnt 4000 chemical compounds are made and these do most of the damage to the body, as many of them are toxic and/or carcinogenic. These include over 40 know carcinogenic including Hydrogen cyanide, Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Oxides.
If a person takes on average 10 hits from a cigarette and smokes between 20 and 30 cigarettes a day they are sending 1mg of nicotine to the brain. That's 300 hits of cancer causing agents per day while the nicotine addiction leaves you craving for yet another hit.
To increase the amount of nicotine to the body household cleaners like ammonia are added to tobacco. Up to 40% more nicotine can be delivered faster to the smoker by using ammonia in the manufacture of cigarettes.
Levulinic acids are added to cigarettes to mask the harsh taste of nicotine. These acids also bind nicotine to the brains receptors and increase the kick felt by the nicotine. The more nicotine that is bound on the receptors the bigger the kick the smoker experiences.
Glycyrrhizin, liquorice and cocoa are compounds added to cigarettes to make the act of smoking a more enjoyable experience by masking the bitter taste of the nicotine. They are also added because in fact these compounds are bronchodilators, that is they dilate or open up the lungs membranes which allow more nicotine to enter the body.
Other common additives found in the manufacture of cigarettes are Arsenic (Rat Poison), Formaldehyde (Body Preservative), Acetone (Nail Polish Remover) Hexamine (BBQ Lighter), Cadmium (Rechargeable Batteries), Toluene (Industrial Solvent), DDT (Insecticide), Methanol (Rocket Fuel) and Lead (Petrol Fumes).
In 1995 Philip Morris recalled 8 billion cigarettes after traces of the chemical methyl isothiocyanate (Pesticide) were found in its filters. Internal documents from the Liggett Group revealed arsenic, DDT and taxophene were found in their products. Tobacco is now grown in developing countries were high, often unregulated use of pesticides are used. In the three months from seedbed to transplanting Kenyan farmers are recommended there should be 16 separate applications of pesticides on their crops.
1000 people give up smoking everyday – they die! View images of the Silent Killer.
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text:
- Description
The World of Cognac is a carefully researched study about the history and culture of Cognac – the most revered spirit in the world. Ranging from historical brandy anecdotes dating back to the 7th century all the way up to our modern-day cocktail culture, this is cognac's story. The author explains where cognac originates from, how it's made, the people involved, as well as the classification and age, the art of tasting and most importantly of all, choosing and storing one's cognac. A comprehensive list of cognac houses are featured, providing an informative overview of many of the brands and a selection of their current products.
'Cognac is the best drink in the world. My 72 years of work in cognac have seen enormous progress. The cognac vineyards are now a gigantic garden with exquisite loving care of the vines, with an understanding that everything starts with the land and the plants. Distillation has become a science based upon the terroir, separating the different 'crus' of origin. The long aging of cognac is respected as a unique way to perfection. The result is for me that today cognac is the best drink in the world.' Max Cointreau, President of Cognac Frapin
'Cognac is not a fashion product. It will not be popular today, then forgotten tomorrow. It's an integral part of the lives of people in many countries, in many social environments.' Jean-Paul Camus, House of Camus
- Comprehensively researched study on the history and culture of cognac
- Best in the World, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
- Historical brandy anecdotes dating from the 7th century up to our modern day cocktail culture
- Features a comprehensive list of cognac houses – an overview of the brands and their current products
- Making the world's finest distilled spirit – vineyards, the harvest, distillation, ageing and the art of blending
- Cognac classification, art of tasting, and storing
- Pairing cognac with food and in cocktails
Michelle Brachet is a world award-winning cognac writer, speaker & consultant. The World of Cognac was awarded the 'Best Wine Book for Professionals' at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2014. Michelle is a regular contributor to the award-winning cognac website www.Cognac-Expert.com, represents Cognac Expert at cognac events in the UK and Europe and is an official Cognac Educator for the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac.
Michelle writes cognac articles for lifestyle and drink magazines including Imbibe and Wine in China. Michelle also hosts cognac tastings, dinners, masterclasses and training for: consumers, clients in the hospitality industry/drinks business, companies who want to give their staff or key clients a totally new and exciting experience. www.michellebrachet.co.uk
- Book Specifications
Additional Information
Sub Heading No ISBN 9781846892400 Author Michelle Brachet Binding Casebound Extent 254 x 216mm, 312 pages Illustrations Colour throughout Ebook No
- Reviews
"Michelle Brachet obviously knows her cognac and what a job she's done. This is a hefty coffee-table book of 300+ pages and covers everything you might want to know about cognac.The World of Cognac is a gorgeous, inspiring and informative book, and it's little wonder that it began by winning a prize. More will come, I'm sure." - Mike Gerrad, Travel Distilled (you can read the full review here)
"The World of Cognac is an essential guide from Cognac expert Michelle Brachet. Starting with its origins as far back as the seventh century, it includes details on the houses and their brandies; the current cocktail culture and much more. An essential guide for any Cognac lover." - The Whiskey Exchange
"Lavishly illustrated and of coffee table size, this book would make a perfect present to anyone with an appreciation of fine spirits." - BASC
- Look Inside 🔍
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text:
More charges against Texas fatal shooting suspect
Police in a Dallas suburb say they've filed additional charges against a former special education teacher accused of fatally shooting four people and wounding four others.
DeSoto police Cpl. Melissa Franks said Wednesday that 44-year-old Erbie Bowser is charged with two counts of injury to a child. Authorities say he shot an 11-year-old and 13-year-old in the same DeSoto home where he killed his estranged wife and her daughter. He's already been charged with two counts of capital murder in the Aug. 7 attack. Police say the children will recover.
The DeSoto killings were preceded the same night by another shooting just miles away at a Dallas home. Authorities say Bowser killed his girlfriend and her daughter, and wounded a 17-year-old and 14-year-old.
He's facing multiple charges in that attack.


text:
Will BIM Make CAD Irrelevant? At Larson & Darby, the Answer Is 'No'26 Jan, 2011 By: Heather Livingston
A transition to Autodesk Revit doesn't need to be an all-or-nothing proposition. Day to day, AutoCAD still gets the job done eloquently.
Editors' Note: Through a sponsorship by Autodesk, Cadalyst editors bring you this feature, part of a special series of articles that highlight the role of AutoCAD and 2D design in today's demanding CAD work flows. You can watch for the next installment in February.
Building information modeling (BIM) seemingly is ubiquitous in design firms today. Large, medium, and small firms are using it. Clients increasingly are asking for it. There's no doubt that its rendering and integration capabilities are unsurpassed, and its life-cycle planning potential as of yet isn't fully realized. So, then, with all that power, should we assume that traditional 2D programs such as AutoCAD eventually will go the way of the dodo? Gedeon (Ged) Trias, Assoc. AIA, Associate Director of Design with the Larson & Darby Group in Rockford, Illinois, firmly believes that answer is no. Although the architecture, engineering, and interiors firm has rolled out Autodesk Revit and successfully completed numerous BIM projects using that software, Larson & Darby still chooses to perform the bulk of its work in AutoCAD.
Larson & Darby was one of the first firms in its region to integrate AutoCAD into its daily work flow, and during the past twenty-odd years, the firm has produced the majority of its projects using AutoCAD. The firm typically installs every other version of AutoCAD and currently is using 2010, although it does have a few seats of 2011 to afford designers the opportunity to try out some new and updated features, such as the text editing, transparency, and constraint tools.
Although Larson & Darby has started to use Revit in project work flow, AutoCAD remains its choice for a lot of its design work. Here, an overall shot of a project lets the designers quickly show clients how the proposed design integrates with their building. (Image courtesy of Larson & Darby.)
The ability to bring all its legacy information forward through each AutoCAD update is an invaluable asset for a firm that has a many long-term and repeat clients. "DWG is still the gold standard for our industry, at least as far as I'm concerned, so the fact that we could pull up those old projects and work on them today, we wouldn't know what we would do without that capability," said Trias.
Choosing to Have It Both Ways
The decision as to whether to execute a project in AutoCAD or Revit depends on several factors at Larson & Darby. Most small projects, and those that rely on legacy information, still are executed in AutoCAD, while many large projects begin in AutoCAD and then move to Revit. For example, the firm recently completed an addition to the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford using AutoCAD. The choice to complete the College of Medicine in AutoCAD was driven primarily by its history. The project began in the mid-1990s and was in development for a long time, predating the firm's Revit implementation. Trias believes that changing platforms midstream wouldn't have been cost effective or beneficial to the client.
The firm also just finished a bus terminal project that was started in AutoCAD but completed in Revit. The bus terminal was unique because of the complex forms of the project, explained Trias. "The updating and refinement of the complex architecture made the 3D approach that Revit offered an easy decision," he said.
"We've got this established work flow for utilizing [Auto]CAD and, though some of our designers are using Revit as the base point for that work flow, [most] will start in [Auto]CAD as a 2D plan exercise," Trias explained. "Then, depending on how the project goes, [they] will either move it through [Auto]CAD entirely or we might move it over into Revit or something like that and use [AutoCAD] as a documentation tool."
The reasons for choosing AutoCAD or Revit vary by project. Sometimes it's determined by availability; other times by schedule or need. "We currently have more trained AutoCAD users in our office than we have trained Revit users, so the choice becomes obvious," explained Trias. "[Additionally,] the timelines we have for some of our projects don't make it cost effective for the front end that Revit can require, but that may be a work flow or even a perception issue based on where we are in our Revit implementation. This may change as our Revit user base expands."
Even before Revit, 3D modeling was an important part of the firm's design work flow. The precision and speed of 3D modeling was essential in communicating to project teams how the structure of this addition was going to work. (Image courtesy of Larson & Darby.)
Trias also noted that particular elements of a project likewise can lead to the decision to use both software programs. "We've had projects where Revit was used for the conceptual and design development portion," he continued, "but due to timeline and personnel availability, we've ported the project out to AutoCAD for construction documents. We've also had other projects like the bus terminal that conceptual design and design development were done in AutoCAD and then brought into Revit for the coordination power that Revit brought to the table. More recently we've seen a few projects require a BIM platform as part of the deliverables, making our decision for us."
Although the firm is increasing its use of Revit as it completes the roll out to the firm's engineers, Trias doesn't envision a time when Revit will completely replace AutoCAD. Instead, he believes that using Revit for all projects would be akin to using a crowbar to open a beer bottle: overkill. Trias expects AutoCAD will continue to evolve and remain extremely useful, and he credits Autodesk with keeping a finger on the pulse of what architects want in a design program and being quick to implement those features and tools.
"There has been an evolution to [AutoCAD] in terms of being able to grow with the requirements — things like the 3D capabilities that have gotten progressively better over the years — and even their improvements in rendering technology within the program itself," said Trias. "They've got the mental ray engine in there so you can do some pretty amazing renderings within the software itself without having to go out to other products. We still use those other products, but the fact that those things are all in one place is pretty amazing, and we've used that a number of times over the years."
Improving Functionality
Whereas pre-2008 AutoCAD lacked solid 3D rendering capabilities that could compete with BIM-specific products, more recent versions have improved the functionality considerably. In 2010, AutoCAD introduced parametric functionality and mesh modeling, and the 2011 version can convert point cloud data into useful geometry. AutoCAD 2011 also offers enhanced user interface features such as a new pull-down menu on the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT), which now includes the Save and SaveAs commands, and a new Hatch ribbon tab. For Larson & Darby, Trias reported that the new Surface tab with three new surface types is a huge improvement over earlier versions as they bring a level of flexibility and control over modeling surface types and methods that were available only in other products or through a lot of work within AutoCAD. Trias added, "They work within the familiar AutoCAD command environment, so even a new user can quickly add these new tools it to their work flow. Forms that I might have had serious concerns about attempting within AutoCAD are much, much easier now."
When the finished work looks like the rendering, it's always a good sign. Larson & Darby's exhibit hall addition to the Midway Village Museum Center was completed in 2010 and dramatically improves the appearance of an important cultural landmark. (Image courtesy of Larson & Darby Group.)
"We're also a big fan of the Autodesk Impression software package," added Trias, referring to the product (available to AutoCAD subscription customers) that gives a hand-rendered look to DWG and DWF drawings. "It takes [Auto]CAD work and gives it another dimension as far as allowing you to do more artistic presentation drawings and things like that. We've been using that for a long time and have found our clients really react to it well. It takes the hard edge away from drawings and lets people view those drawings as a more a work in progress in a way that [Auto]CAD sometimes does not."
These Impression renderings show different styles on a similar floor plan, giving clients options for a medical building. The sketch quality kept the design intent clear to gauge client reaction while still giving Larson & Darby ample latitude to refine the design. (Image courtesy of Larson & Darby Group.)
Trias believes that, by far, AutoCAD's greatest asset is its customizability. He elaborated, "Our firm has had the benefit of some stellar power users that have crafted LISP routines that are an integral part of our CAD work flow, even today. As far as user interface customizability goes, we all know that no two AutoCAD users are the same, and the ability to fine-tune the interface to allow each individual user to get to where they want to go as quickly as possible is equally important. I learned AutoCAD on version 2.62, so how I might want to perform a task could be different from a relatively new user, and yet we can still both sit in front of the most current version and get exactly what we want done. To me that kind of operational legacy is amazing."
At Larson & Darby, AutoCAD touches nearly every project that goes out the door in one way, shape, or form, and although it has embraced BIM and is integrating it into every aspect of its practice, Larson & Darby will continue to rely heavily on the functionality provided by AutoCAD. As Ged Trias said, "We wouldn't be able to do what we do without the AutoCAD tool set."


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Microsoft is once again making fun of Apple's iPad in its latest commercial; this time, it takes on Dell's XPS 10 Windows RT Tablet.
The advertisement starts out by picking on the iPad's home screen; specifically the fact that you can't zoom around and see an overview of your content. The Apple tablet screams "Ouch" in protest as a user tries to pinch the view unsuccessfully.
Next it's time to load photos of a car trip from an SD card, an action which the iPad doesn't support natively (you must purchase a separate SD card adapter for $30). As the user tries to find somewhere to fit the card, the iPad reminds the viewer of its limited port selection and expandability.
Microsoft ends by touching on Windows RT's ability to multitask and the $200 price tag difference between the two options.
Check out the commercial and let us know what you think about Microsoft's attempt to make Apple juice out of the iPad.
Source: WindowsVideos


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|2013-04-04, 18:35
|Link #343
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Tatsunoko animes:
Shinzo Ningen Casshern (it's only partially subbed by Skaro Hunting Society)
Hurricane Polymar
Hakushon Daimao
Yatterman (both series)
MachGoGo (Speed Racer uncut, not the English version)
Golden Warrior Gold Laitan (only 1 ep has been subbed by Saitei Fansubs)
Time Bokan and its other spinoffs not already listed above
All of them are animes from the 70s and 80s.
If any of you have played Tatsunoko vs Capcom, you will recognize these characters.
|2013-05-29, 19:00
|Link #344
Disabled By Request
Join Date: Feb 2013
1. Daiku Maryu Gaiking: Mostly because I'm a big fan of Go Nagai and old (giant) monster of the week shows, but I also watched the remake series (heavily enjoyed it) and it certainly looks fun.
2. Invincible Robo Trider G7: Similar to Gaiking, I really like the look of the robot itself and judging by the attacks it has in SRW games I'm interested to see fight scenes from it (even if only SRW GC had actual enemies from it's series). Plus that tank add on has one of those "so silly it is awesome" vibes.
3. Space Emperor God Sigma: Similar to Trider, only reason it is lower is because the weapons do not seem (quite) as epic.
4. GoShogun: Mecha, crime organization, genre parody, and the mechanics look neat. Plus if I watch this I will have officially watched every anime from the original Super Robot Wars timeline.
5. God Mazinger: Mostly because I am a Go Nagai fan, but it also has a giant stone swordsman fighting dinosaurs, who wouldn't want to watch that?
6. Psycho Armor Govarian: Same as God Mazinger and is technically tied, but this one is lower because it has more episodes.
7. Baxingar: I enjoyed Braiger, naturally I would be very interested in seeing the sequel series. Plus very few robots have motorcycle motifs going for them. *tries to ignore MOSPEADA*
8. Acrobunch: Not only because it is classic mecha, but I have heard stories of this series having extreme tone whiplash and treating the characters brutally. If the SRWonderful guide is any indication there could be killer alien saucers, no idea though.
9. Sasuraiger: The threequel of the J9 trilogy (other two being Braiger and Baxingar), it is lower because of episode count and I prefer watching in chronological order. Neat robot though.
10. Mechander Robo: Not going to lie, it is only on here because Lurrah subbed Hurricane Polymar a few days ago and I am a SRW completest. It does have a nice spiky shield attack going for it.
|2013-08-12, 22:33
|Link #346
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
I would like to see all of Tatsunoko's "Time Bokan" animes subbed:
Time Bokan
Time Bokan 2000: Kaitou Kiramekiman
They are all very, very funny.
Especially given Yatterman's popularity, I'm surprised the various Time Bokan animes were never subbed.
|2013-08-14, 01:48
|Link #348
The Opened Ultimate Gate
Join Date: Dec 2011
Age: 25
|2013-08-14, 14:50
|Link #349
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Stockport UK
Maria Holic managed an official release with subbing, & often I had to freeze frame to read all the translated text on the screen.
|2013-08-19, 01:48
|Link #350
The Voice of Reason
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: The Netherlands
Age: 42
|2014-01-17, 04:17
|Link #355
Anime addict
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: São Paulo/Brazil
Age: 42
|Thread Tools


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Ayrsley Lofts
9336 Kings Parade Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28273, USA
Walk Score® 52
Ayrsley is a community located in Southwest Charlotte. It has a movie theater, bowling alley, YMCA, boxing gym, three hotels, daily market and over 14 restaurants and bars, all within a five minute walk from your door.
Amenities: We've got what you're looking for
- Fully-equipped kitchen
- Microwave
- High Speed Internet
- Wireless Internet
- Cable TV
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Air Conditioning
- Heating
- Bathtub
- Drench shower / Rain shower
- Linens and towels
- Iron
- Hair dryer
- Hangers
Amenities: We've got what you're looking for
- Free parking
- Pet friendly
- Smoke free building
- Fitness center/gym
- Swimming Pool
- Business Center
- Conference Room
- Unassigned Parking
- Outdoor grilling/BBQ area
- Sun deck
- Resident lounge
Actual items in apartment may vary by location, apartment size and bed type. All items subject to change.
In the Area: Take a look at your new neighborhood
Details of Stay: Here's what's in store for you
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Check in time is 3:30 p.m. on the day of your scheduled arrival.
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Check out time is 12:00 p.m. (noon). When vacating your apartment, all rentals of one month or longer require a thirty (30) day written notice from the resident or corporation. We ask that you please remove all trash and food items from the apartment and leave all keys and access cards in envelope provided and take to the apartment community office. If you need to extend your stay, please contact ExecuStay Corporate Housing at 800-789-7829. There may be a charge for any unreturned keys, access cards or remotes.
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Please refer to your move in instructions for your specific parking details and the gate codes for your community. If parking is open or unassigned, please do not park in areas that are reserved, numbered, or labeled no parking zones. Please refrain from parking in any handicap parking without the required tag. Parking in these areas may result in a fine and/or in being towed. ExecuStay Corporate Housing is not responsible for any fines or towing charges. Should you decide you would like to add covered parking or a garage, please call the local ExecuStay office at 919-544-1839 for availability and rates.
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This property allows pets.
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- One-time non-refundable fee applies. Weight and breed restrictions for canines. Please contact 800-789-7829 for further details.
- Cats
- One-time non-refundable fee applies. Please contact 800-789-7829 for further details.
Pet Policy
Your pets are also welcome to stay with us. Two pets per apartment maximum. All canines/felines must be spayed or neutered and all inoculations must be current, proof must be supplied to the office. All canines must be licensed and wear a collar/harness with currently ID tags. Owner must provide litter box for felines. Canine breed restrictions do apply. We ask that you help keep the grounds clean by picking you after your pet(s). One-time non-refundable pet fee required. Please inquire for more details at 800-789-7829.
Additional Monthly Fees apply. Service Animals excluded from fees. Please inquire for details
Breed Restrictions
No aggressive breeds allowed.


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Edmund O'Sullivan
Deficits test Gulf oil exporters
Home GCC UAE Shuaa Capital to sell Alkout, Amwal, Septech stakes
31 March 2010 8:53 AM
By Meed
21 August 2019 10:42 AM
By Mehak Srivastava
13 August 2019 6:33 PM
By Wil Crisp
Political solution needed to ease tensions in the Gulf and reduce risk to vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
08 August 2019 4:08 PM
By Indrajit Sen
Abu Dhabi energy firm is looking to grow its oil storage and export capacities in the emirate
08 August 2019 8:24 AM
By Indrajit Sen
VTTI owns 15 hydrocarbon storage terminals across 14 countries, including a large storage facility in the emirate of Fujairah


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Search Interview Questions
Question: Explain the depth of recursion?
Answer: This is another recursion procedure which is the number of times the procedure is called recursively in the process of enlarging a given argument or arguments. Usually this quantity is not obvious except in the case of extremely simple recursive functions, such as FACTORIAL (N), for which the depth is N.
Question: Explain the depth of recursion?
This is another recursion procedure which is the number of times the procedure is called recursively in the process of enlarging a given argument or arguments. Usually this quantity is not obvious except in the case of extremely simple recursive functions, such as FACTORIAL (N), for which the depth is N. Source: CoolInterview.com
Recursion is the simplest method for using the same procedure number of times i.e it uses the for loop it repeats until condition true.depth of recursion function in Factorial(N) is N. Source: CoolInterview.comAnswered by: sharan | Date: 1/29/2010 | Contact sharan
The depth of recursion basically depends on the arguments passed in the recursive calls and the no of recursive calls within the function.these recursive calls can be represented using a tree structure where the parent function call(with its own arguments ) have the recursive calls (with their own arguments)as the parents children..In this representation, the growth of the tree height with increase in N gives a bound on the depth of recursion.Also the total no of nodes will give you the depth for a particular 'n' value. Source: CoolInterview.comAnswered by: ramnath | Date: 3/15/2010 | Contact ramnath
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Latest 20 Questions
Payment of time- barred debt is:
(a) Valid
(b) Void
(c) Illegal
(d) Voidable
Consideration is defined in the Indian Contract Act,1872 in: (a) Section 2(f) (b) Section 2(e) (c) Section 2(g) (d) Section 2(d)
Which of the following is not an exception to the rule, "No consideration, No contract": (a) Natural love and affection (b) Compensation for involuntary services (c) Completed gift (d) Agency
Consideration must move at the desire of: (a) The promisor (b) The promisee (c) The promisor or any other party (d) Both the promisor and the promisee
An offer which is open for acceptance over a period of time is: (a) Cross Offer (b) Counter Offer (c) Standing Offer (d) Implied Offer
Specific offer can be communicated to__________ (a) All the parties of contract (b) General public in universe (c) Specific person (d) None of the above
_________ amounts to rejection of the original offer. (a) Cross offer (b) Special offer (c) Standing offer (d) Counter offer
A advertises to sell his old car by advertising in a newspaper. This offer is caleed: (a) General Offer (b) Special Offer (c) Continuing Offer (d) None of the above
In case a counter offer is made, the original offer stands: (a) Rejected (b) Accepted automatically (c) Accepted subject to certain modifications and variations (d) None of the above
In case of unenforceable contract having some technical defect, parties (a) Can sue upon it (b) Cannot sue upon it (c) Should consider it to be illegal (d) None of the above
If entire specified goods is perished before entering into contract of sale, the contract is (a) Valid (b) Void (c) Voidable (d) Cancelled
______________ contracts are also caled contracts with executed consideration. (a) Unilateral (b) Completed (c) Bilateral (d) Executory
A offers B to supply books @ Rs 100 each but B accepts the same with condition of 10% discount. This is a case of (a) Counter Offer (b) Cross Offer (c) Specific Offer (d) General Offer
_____________ is a game of chance. (a) Conditional Contract (b) Contingent Contract (c) Wagering Contract (d) Quasi Contract
There is no binding contract in case of _______ as one's offer cannot be constructed as acceptance (a) Cross Offer (b) Standing Offer (c) Counter Offer (d) Special Offer
An offer is made with an intention to have negotiation from other party. This type of offer is: (a) Invitation to offer (b) Valid offer (c) Voidable (d) None of the above
When an offer is made to the world at large, it is ____________ offer. (a) Counter (b) Special (c) General (d) None of the above
Implied contract even if not in writing or express words is perfectly _______________ if all the conditions are satisfied:- (a) Void (b) Voidable (c) Valid (d) Illegal
A specific offer can be accepted by ___________. (a) Any person (b) Any friend to offeror (c) The person to whom it is made (d) Any friend of offeree
An agreement toput a fire on a person's car is a ______: (a) Legal (b) Voidable (c) Valid (d) Illegal


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Although the age at which a child becomes capable of negligence was brought into question, a N.Y. judge has ruled that a lawsuit can proceed against a 4-year-old.
According to The New York Times, 4-year-old Juliet was racing her bicycle against another child, when the pair struck an elderly woman. The 87-year-old suffered a broken hip that required surgery. She died three weeks later.
The woman's estate sued the two children and their mothers, who were present at the time of the incident, for negligence. Juliet's lawyer argued that she was too young to be held liable, and sought to have the case against her dismissed.
Justice Paul Wooten of State Supreme Court in Manhattan rejected the motion. Citing a case from 1928, he wrote, "infants under the age of 4 are conclusively presumed incapable of negligence. Juliet, however, was over the age of 4 at the time of the subject incident. For infants above the age of 4, there is no bright-line rule."


text:
A Daytona Beach woman planted several kicks in the chest of a man who tried to steal her purse and fought him off, police said.
A Daytona Beach woman planted several kicks in the chest of a man who tried to steal her purse and fought him off, police said.
The 42-year-old woman was leaving the Burlington Coat factory at 1008 West International Speedway Blvd. at 7:17 p.m. Wednesday when the attempted robbery occurred, police said.
According to a Daytona Beach police report, the woman saw a maroon late '80s Mercury Cougar pass her as she left the coat store. She got to her pickup and put her purse in the back seat and closed the door.
As she got into the driver's seat, Gilberto Farias Cler, 50, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, grabbed her by the shirt and said: "Give me your purse or I will kill you" in broken English, police said.
The woman placed her feet against Cler's sternum and began kicking it several times as she pressed her horn, screaming.
Cler ran and disappeared in the maroon car but was located shortly after at Madison Avenue and Gibson Street after police stopped the car. Cler admitted he had been to the store and asked the manager for money. He also admitted to asking an elderly person outside for money, police said.
Cler said he left after that but police said surveillance video shows Cler approaching the woman, and it shows her fighting him off.
Cler was arrested and charged with battery and robbery by sudden snatching. He was being held Monday in the Volusia County Branch Jail on $6,000 bail, a booking officer said.


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May 2001
The Toolache Wallaby (Macropus greyi) went extinct in Australia in 1943. Source: John Gould, F.R.S., Mammals of Australia, Vol. II Plate 19, London, 1863.
Human activities have brought the Earth to the brink of biotic crisis. Many biologists consider that coming decades will see the loss of large numbers of species1-5… these extinctions
- will alter not only biological diversity
- but also the evolutionary processes by which diversity is generated
A simple consideration of time underscores the magnitude of the challenge to scientists and public alike6. Episodes of mass extinction documented in the geological record were followed by protracted intervals of rediversification and ecological reorganization; five million years can be considered a broadly representative recovery time, although durations varied from one extinction to another7. Suppose, too, that the average number of people on Earth during the recovery period is 2.5 billion (by contrast with the 6 billion today). Under these conditions, the total number of people affected by what we do (or do not do) during the next few decades will be in the order of 500 trillion. We are thus engaged in by far the largest "decision" ever taken by one human community on the unconsulted behalf of future societies.
The Core Concept
One of the first truisms absorbed by biologists is that evolution is not predictable. However, despite our inability to predict the products of evolution… we can make meaningful estimates about evolutionary processes as they will be affected by the depletion of biological diversity. [In other words] we may have little basis for predicting what large mammals might look like two million years from now, but much better reason to suppose that there will be very few of them.
The evolutionary dimension to the current biotic crisis has been vividly expressed by Michael Soule8: "Death is one thing, an end to birth is something else…" At least as important will be the alteration of evolutionary process, and for a period that is difficult to estimate but must surely measure in millions of years.
First-Order Effects: There will be several first-order effects stemming from the biotic crisis:
a major extinction of species within the foreseeable future, estimated by some to remove between one-third and two-thirds of all species now extant1,2,5,9
a mega-mass extinction of populations, proportionately greater than the mass extinction of species, within the foreseeable future10
alien invasions and other mixings of biotas11-14
progressive depletion and homogenization of biotas, with potential threshold effects on ecosystems15,16
biotic impoverishment generally, possibly including a decline of global biomass,16-18
gross reduction if not virtual elimination of entire sectors of some biomes, notably tropical forests, coral reefs, and wetlands, all of which have served as centers of diversification in the past19-22
Further Evolutionary Effects: These first-order impacts will likely engender a series of further consequences, including although not limited to:
fragmentation of species' ranges, with disruption of gene flow23-26
decline in effective population sizes, depletion of gene reservoirs/pools10,27,28
biotic interchanges — introducing species and even biotas into new areas11,14,29
these impacts, in turn, might disrupt food chains/webs, symbioses, or other biological associations30,31
These consequences could lead to further repercussions such as the following:
- An outburst of [select] speciation: It is unlikely that speciation will be evenly distributed among surviving lineages; it may be concentrated among particular clades or ecological types that thrive in human-dominated ecosystems [e.g., rodents]32,33
Depletion of "evolutionary powerhouses" in tropics: According to Jablonski20, the tropics have been "the engine of biodiversity" for at least 250 million years. Today, we face the prospect of severe depletion if not virtual elimination of tropical forests, wetlands, estuaries, coral reefs, and other biomes, with their exceptional biodiversity and ecological complexity. Because some of these biomes appear, in some senses at least, to have served in the past as preeminent "powerhouses" of evolution34,35, their decline could entail severe consequences for rediversification as the biosphere emerges from environmental crisis.
Decline of biodisparity: Elimination of species is not the only measure of an extinction event. There can be declines, as well, in biodisparity [morphological and physiological variety].36-38
An end to speciation of large vertebrates: Even our largest protected areas will prove far too small for further speciation of elephants, rhinoceroses, apes, bears, and big cats, among other large vertebrates28,39,40.
Lessons from the Past?
The geological record is replete with extinction events, their intensity ranging from the small and local to global mass extinctions that shattered Earth's biological order. Inevitably, extinctions were followed by rediversification, directed in the case of the largest events by ecological reorganization.
The geologic record contains much evidence of bounce-back processes38,41-46, but … In the present biotic crisis, it is hard to envision a scenario under which the factors that are driving the biosphere toward grand scale biodiversity loss will be mitigated in the wake of such loss. On the contrary, on any time scale we can envisage (and any scenario that does not involve early mass mortality for humankind), the situation becomes bad and then stays bad for some time to come. Thus, on the time scale of the human species, environmental disruption (or at least aspects of it) is permanent. Under these circumstances… the prospects for rediversification are limited.
Conservation Responses
- Should we be content simply to safeguard as much as we can of the planetary stock of species?
- Or should we pay equal if not greater attention to safeguarding evolutionary processes at risk?47-49
Is it sufficient for us to maintain, for example, just the two elephant species we already have, or should we try to keep open the evolutionary option of further elephant-like species in the distant future?
This is an unusually significant question, with unusually significant implications for conservation strategies. Elephants, along with many other large mammals, are inclined to move around a good deal, a trait that enables them to maintain gene flow across large areas. As a result, their gene pools often tend to be fairly uniform [an elephant in East Africa may not be so different from one 4,000 km away in South Africa50. Regrettably the remaining populations of elephants, substantial and extensive as they are, albeit fragmented and declining fast, are probably already below the minimum numbers to keep open the possibility of speciation51.
In marked contrast to elephants, with their slow breeding rates, many insect species have immense breeding capacities and rapid turnover rates. These latter attributes offer quick adaptability to environmental shifts, whereupon genetic changes are passed along promptly. These attributes not only leave many insect species well suited to survive the environmental upheavals of human activities, but they offer exceptional scope for speciation in comparatively short order. By contrast, elephants, together with other large-bodied species that reproduce slowly and hence possess restricted capacity for genetic adaptation, will be at an extreme evolutionary disadvantage. Does this factor imply that they should therefore receive all of the greater attention from conservationists or that, in a triage situation, they should rank lower in our priorities? Although this is a fundamental question, it has hardly been addressed.
These, then, are some of the issues that we should bear in mind as we begin to impose a fundamental shift on evolution's course. We are "deciding" on evolution's future in virtually a scientific vacuum — deciding all too unwittingly, but effectively and increasingly.
© 2001, National Academy of Sciences. Excerpts from paper "The biotic crisis and the future of evolution" published in Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, Vol. 98, Issue 10, 5389-5392, May 8, 2001. Reprinted with permission. See reprint policy.


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