text:
Mayor's Office
Following an inspection by the City Public Works and Utilities Department, a second pedestrian bridge was closed today in Wilderness Park. A 65-foot bridge over a tributary between Densmore Park and Salt Creek was closed due to bank erosion. The bridge is on the south side of the former Rock Island railroad line.
Mayor Chris Beutler ordered the visual inspection of all pedestrian bridges in the park following Wednesday's structural failure of a bridge about a half mile north of Saltillo Road. The cause of that failure has not been determined. Officials continue to review the results of an inspection and the original plans for the bridge. The bridge dipped about 12 to 15 feet in the middle while about 20 day campers were crossing it. No serious injuries were reported.
Mayor Beutler has directed the Parks and Recreation and Public Works and Utilities departments to complete their review of the City's inspection program for all pedestrian bridges.


text:
I'm back! ;)
This past week was b-u-s-y, hence my absence from your blogs (and mine!). We had a friend (back from High School!) visiting and were busy showing her a good time! This past weekend we took a trip to Germany to watch The Ten Tenors perform (her roommate from NYC is one of them) - and it was pretty awesome, I have to say. At first I was all "rock opera? what?" but it was really fun and all the guys were really cool! If you get a chance to go it's pretty impressive (they are touring Germany now).
Anyway, the photo above is from our Thanksgiving last weekend. We did a traveling one - an Apero at my house and the dinner at my friends (a blocks walk)....I've been feeling so thankful to have a lot of quality people in my life and am already looking forward to next years food ;)
SO! This week it's back to normal - time to catch up on blogging, running and achieving some kind of balance...
AAAAND i just remembered I need to Christmas shop so probably not a lot of relaxing :(
How have you been?
- Bella @Bellgetsreal said...
Looks like you had an amazing Thanksgiving. So they all celebrate Thanksgiving? All Expats?
- December 4, 2011 at 7:43 PM
- inHERshoes said...
soooo glad you had a great thanksgiving! it's funny how blogs i frequent, whether i comment or not, i don't really realize how much i like them until the blogger is on a break or away or something. glad you're back!
- December 4, 2011 at 7:54 PM
- E said...
I love the idea of a traveling Thanksgiving celebration. So much fun! Sounds like you've had a good couple weeks. :)
- December 4, 2011 at 8:52 PM
- Eva @ Four Leaf Clover said...
Aw, I hope you do find time to relax a bit... at least once Christmas truly comes :) Any snow yet? I cannot wait to go back to Switzerland. I need a break, too, ha! Sounds like you've been busy and enjoyin' life as ever!
- December 4, 2011 at 9:08 PM
- Dale said...
What a great photo, it looks like you really had an amazing Thanksgiving.
- December 4, 2011 at 9:15 PM
- Kelly Leigh said...
eeee welcome back! Looks like you had a fun thanksgiving!
- December 4, 2011 at 9:46 PM
Thank God you're back!! I was going through a withdrawal from not seeing your posts haha
- December 4, 2011 at 9:49 PM
- Josie said...
Yayyy! It sounds like you've been crazy-busy but have been having so much fun! I love.
xo Josie
- December 4, 2011 at 10:45 PM
- Bella Bheag said...
What a great achievement to manage to get 17 people around the one table with enough elbow room to eat/wave/raise a glass!
- December 4, 2011 at 11:09 PM
- Allison Young said...
looks like such a fun time!!
- December 4, 2011 at 11:18 PM
- Brissa said...
that sounds like such a fun time! especially seeing friends from high school! i'm so glad to have you back. :)
- December 5, 2011 at 12:04 AM
- Kristina said...
Relax before the christmas "stress" kicks in :) Only 20 days left :)
- December 5, 2011 at 12:10 AM
- Joanne Faith said...
I'm getting back to "normal"/blogging about now too ;) Looks like you had a pretty brilliant time!
http://joannefaith.com xo
- December 5, 2011 at 1:14 AM
- Alena: Oh, It's Just Perfect! said...
Welcome back!! Looks like a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner.
- December 5, 2011 at 1:47 AM
- ellie said...
Wow, so exciting. What a fun party!!
- December 5, 2011 at 2:06 AM
- ivy's closet said...
Sweet celebration. Looks like all had a great time.
- December 5, 2011 at 2:07 AM
- Hope Adela Pasztor said...
Happy December! =)
- December 5, 2011 at 3:18 AM
- Hollie said...
welcome back. :]
- December 5, 2011 at 3:25 AM
- Lady Grey said...
Looks like a great feast - there's nothing better than good food with good friends : )
- December 5, 2011 at 3:41 AM
- Dancing Branflake said...
Where are you in that photo?! And you have some beautiful friends!
So glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Who knew it was so celebrated out the US?!
- December 5, 2011 at 4:13 AM
- ilene @ muchloveilly said...
what a fun picture!!! welcome back :)
- December 5, 2011 at 4:20 AM
- Deidre said...
Wow! love the idea of a travelling thanksgiving! It looks absolutely fabulous :)
- December 5, 2011 at 4:50 AM
- Chic 'n Cheap Living said...
Aww how lovely! We had a small thanksgiving and invited a few people - it was definitely nice!
Chic 'n Cheap Living
- December 5, 2011 at 6:11 AM
- I am Megan said...
Ah, this looks lovely! Just having friends over and having a good time is the best way to spend a Saturday or Sunday! Love it!
- December 5, 2011 at 6:43 AM
- Tine said...
So good to have you back :)
- December 5, 2011 at 10:08 AM
- Ola said...
wondedrful moment to remember on the shot!
- December 5, 2011 at 10:08 AM
- Kristin H said...
Looks like a wonderful dinner with great friends.
Nothing better than long nights with good food and people you love to hang out with.
- December 5, 2011 at 3:05 PM
- polkadotpeticoat said...
What a fun lovely group of friends......glad your back!
- December 5, 2011 at 6:09 PM
- LyddieGal said...
It sounds like you time away from the blog was well spent! Looks like such a great group of people to spend thanksgiving with!!
Chic on the Cheap
- December 5, 2011 at 6:11 PM
- design elements said...
yeah! you are back! nice to see the photo
- December 5, 2011 at 6:25 PM
- Sara Szatmary said...
I feel ya friend. Holidays are so crazy that I swear a week goes by in a snap. Glad to have you back!
- December 5, 2011 at 6:34 PM
- Jamie said...
Welcome back - so glad you been off having fun.
- December 5, 2011 at 6:57 PM
- Christianna said...
Welcome back dear friend! Glad to hear you had an awesome time off. Can't wait to hear about everything!
- December 5, 2011 at 7:41 PM
- Claire said...
lovely photo! welcome back!
- December 5, 2011 at 9:35 PM
- Catita said...
great photo krystal! happe belated thanksgiving!
- December 5, 2011 at 10:01 PM
- Galit said...
Looks like you had such happy good time!!
and Welcome back!!!
- December 6, 2011 at 4:39 AM
- iris said...
I'm having a 13-person end-of-semester dinner party on Saturday, and I can only hope it will look as happy as this Thanksgiving dinner!
- December 6, 2011 at 7:44 AM
- Mimi said...
yay you're back! :D
your thanksgiving celebration looks fantastic! so fun! :)
<3, Mimi
$100 Shopbop Gift Card Giveaway
- December 6, 2011 at 10:27 AM
- Helena said...
that dinner looks like so much fun!
- December 6, 2011 at 6:45 PM
- Diana Mieczan said...
That looks like one awesome Thanksgiving dinner and I hope you had a fantastic time in Germany:) Muah
- December 6, 2011 at 7:48 PM
- Claudia Cifuentes said...
Sounds like a fantastic time! Sometimes its nice to get away from the computer and just experience life! :)
- December 7, 2011 at 4:47 AM
- Diana said...
Yay! You're back! It's so hard to blog regularly when there's so many funny cats on the internet. Or if you're actually doing stuff in real life. But for me, it's cats.
- December 7, 2011 at 8:39 PM
- Fashion Tales.... said...
This looks like an amazing time. Welcome back! xo
- December 8, 2011 at 3:50 AM
- bron @ baby space said...
What a wonderful looking gathering! Belated Happy Thanksgiving to you :)
- December 11, 2011 at 10:51 PM
- Wendy said...
Lovely photo!!! Looks like it was an awesome time! Quality friends are so important to have as well as precious.
- December 12, 2011 at 12:50 AM
- andrea despot said...
Oh, well I guess I wasn't the only one taking a blog break! Glad to hear you had a wonderful thanksgiving and are blessed to have so many awesome people in your life :)
- December 12, 2011 at 7:46 AM
- Nikki said...
That apt looks familiar ;)
- December 13, 2011 at 8:50 PM

subset: commoncrawl


text:
PIMCO bond manager Bill Gross expects 2014 to be a positive year for investors — but quite possibly the last positive year during the era of quantitative easing.
Writing in his new monthly investment outlook, the bond manager chose a literary metaphor from William Butler Yeats' 1919 poem "The Second Coming" to describe a market uniquely dependent on central banks' artificial monetary stimulus:
"Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
In Gross' analysis, investors are the falcon, the Fed and other central banks the falconer, and turning and turning in the widening gyre is the investor's search for higher investment return across the risk-return spectrum.
Gross pictures asset categories as a series of concentric circles with the fed funds rate, overnight repo and T-bills in the center, then moving further out in the widening gyre to various higher risk assets such as bonds, stocks and real estate.
As long as the falcon (investor) can hear its master's message, it will go out in search of investment alpha.
But it is not just the central bank's policy rate, which has been set at an artificially low price, that has resulted in investors' asset binge. It is also "investor expectations and confidence" in central bank policies that has kept things from falling apart and the center holding, Gross writes.
Today's heightened uncertainty, however, stems from changing policy guidance from the Fed and other central banks from quantitative factors — based on "unemployment rate thresholds that now are about to be breached" — to qualitative ones.
Thus, central banks have a more difficult burden of convincing markets of their credibility. If they can do this, and for now, Gross thinks they can, then stocks and bonds should outperform cash:
"Show me a perpetually low policy rate at the center, tell me that falcon investors are listening and believe in their masters, and it is reasonable to forecast at least a 12-month future where risk assets on the periphery can outperform the safest assets in the center," Gross writes.
If "the longevity and effectiveness of that artificially low policy rate comes into question," Gross continues, "then the center…may not hold."
While Gross says today's new qualitative guidance is credible, therefore leading to profitable investments, he warns that Sharpe ratios heighten risk and thus lower risk-adjusted return in relation to cash.
The PIMCO manager, on the assumption of 2% GDP growth, is a buyer in today's bond market but warns that tapering will eventually threaten corporate bonds and a reemergence of inflation will make current pricing unattractive.
Therefore, "2014 may be the last of the years in which falconer and falcon act in capitalistic unison," and timing the market exit will be the new challenge for investors, he concludes.


text:
With your help, other air travellers can have a better understanding of the service provided by Air Asia.
If you have any specific issue you would like information on, or would like us to review, post a comment below and we will get right on to it.
Check out the links to pick the topic that best describes your experience.
Thanks for your assistance.


text:
Tole is painted tin. It is sometimes called japanned ware, pontypool, or toleware. Most nineteenth-century tole is painted with an orange-red or black background and multicolored decorations. Toleware usually has a black varnished background and hand-painted or stenciled designs. Many recent versions of toleware are made and sold. Related items may be listed in the Tinware category.
Enter your email below to receive Kovels Komments for the latest antiques & collectibles news, answers to readers questions, marks and tips. In your inbox every Wednesday.
Current & Past Issues
Buyer's Price Guide
Words of Wisdom (Letter to Lee)


text:
Sometimes baseball takes a backseat pic: Saudumm/flickr
Ruben Amaro Jr. is starting to make moves that don't make sense. He brings in a fan favorite in Jim Thome for what is somewhat of a bargain price, and now he deals him to Baltimore for what is next to nothing. These kind of moves leave you scratching your head and wondering why? During the press conference, Amaro kept saying he wanted to do right by Thome by trading him to a team that suited him. Suited him? How about the needs of the Phillies bench? Why did Amaro even bring him here, as a publicity stunt? Thome was one of the bright spots on the Phillies bench, and he proved he still had a lot left in him. Now he is gone.
Meanwhile the Phillies are mired in another losing streak, this one has reached 4 games now. You have to wonder why this happened too? Are the lineups being juggled too much? Has this team just resolved itself to below mediocrity? Whatever the reason, the Phillies are broken and nothing has fixed them.
The bullpen is close to double A baseball team status, the team did release Chad Qualls, and that is a good thing, this pitcher brought a lot of misery to this team and didn't have much positive vibes or good stats as we head toward the All-Star Game.
Baseball has taken a back seat for me and my family as we were affected by the vicious storms that have hit South Jersey last night, it will be days before our daily routine becomes routine again. When you go through something like a bad storm you realize how important the little things are in life, and the most important part of it being your family and friends, and their safety and survival in times like that. The Phillies, even if they finish in last place this year won't be the end of the world and there will still be more seasons.


text:
Topic Page: quarrying
open, or surface, excavation of rock used for various purposes, including construction, ornamentation, road building, and as an industrial raw material. Rock that has been quarried is commonly called stone. Quarrying methods depend chiefly on the desired size and shape of the stone and its physical characteristics. For industrial use (e.g., limestone for preparing cement), as the aggregate in concrete, or for road beds, the rock is shattered. Explosives are detonated in a series of holes drilled in the rock in a pattern designed to yield the greatest amount of fracturing. The rock fragments may be further reduced in crushing machines and sorted according to size by screening. For building stone, rocks that do not shatter are separated by blasting; for softer rocks or when explosives cannot be used (e.g., because they would disturb adjacent workings), a process known as broaching, or channeling, is used. In this process a line of holes is drilled perpendicular to the joints or cleavage planes of a formation; wedges are inserted into the holes and hammered until the stone splits off. This method was probably used in ancient times, notably by the Incas and the Egyptians. Much quarrying of ornamental stone today is done by using pneumatically operated channelers. After the vertical cuts have been made, gadding machines (working on the same principle) are used to make horizontal cuts. Wedges are then used to split off the long blocks, which are subdivided and removed. Wire saws are also used; these consist of several pulleys over which passes an endless steel wire. Holes are drilled in the rock, each hole being made large enough to accommodate a pulley and the shaft to which it is attached. The wire, extending from one pulley to another, presses down against the rock between them. As the cut is deepened by the constantly moving wire the pulleys are continuously lowered into the holes.


text:
Skip to content
Job Seeker Help
Advertiser Help
Browser Information
Contact Us
This page provides some useful FAQs, hints and tips to get you started with My Profile.
What is My Profile?
My Profile is your dynamic online CV with NetTemps.
If you choose to make yourself searchable (so you can be found by potential recruiters and employers), your profile is what potential employers will search and view before downloading your associated CV.
How do I create My Profile?
My Profile can be automatically populated when you upload a new CV, or you may wish to start from fresh and enter the information manually yourself whilst taking advantage of our easy, drag and drop based user interface.
What is validation?
Validating your profile shows recruiters that you have reviewed all of the information listed in My Profile and verified that it is accurate and up-to-date.
When a recruiter is searching for candidates validated profiles are highlighted for 1 month after validation. This means that by validating your profile you will stand out from those that have not validated, in addition to the recruiter knowing they can fully trust the information you have provided in your profile.
Periodically reviewing your profile will increase your chances of being found for a job that best matches your skills.
To validate you will need to provide at least:
When I imported my CV, why did all the information not display correctly?
Your CV was extracted by a computer process which unfortunately does not always display the information as you expected.Recruiters/Employers require job seeker details in a structured format so they can efficiently search the data before downloading CVs that meet their requirements (e.g. skills, education, employment). All job boards provide the data in this format by automatically extracting the information from CV documents. The import is performed by an automated computer process which means it is not always 100% accurate - your details may display out of order or even be missing in places.
My Profile provides you with the best opportunity to make sure the extracted information our Recruiters/Employers see will be 100% accurate by allowing you to review and correct all of the extracted information. No other job board does this.
What is Job Seeker Status?
Your Job Seeker Status lets recruiters know how actively you are looking for a job. Make sure that you choose a relevant Job Seeker Status if you have requested your details to be 'searchable'.
Can I still upload & store my CVs?
Yes, you can still store your CVs and use them to apply for jobs as you always have. You can now also use your profile to apply for jobs. You can manage your CVs from the CVs area of the job seeker homepage.
Why should I make myself searchable?
When looking for a job, applying is only half of the story as some jobs are never posted online. To maximise your chances of finding a new position we highly recommend that you also make yourself searchable to recruiters/employers.
Making yourself searchable includes you in our Candidate Search and Candidate Recommendation services where potential employers aim to fill positions they may not have advertised online.
After completing your profile, you can make yourself searchable by changing your My Profile access settings (using the 'cog' icon) or from the job seeker homepage. If you prefer, you can choose to hide your contact details from recruiters/employers until you accept their request to view them.
How do I promote myself to potential employers?
The best way to promote yourself to potential employers is to make yourself searchable via My Profile. You will be included in our extensively used Candidate Search and Candidate Recommendation services. You have control over who sees your information and how you promote yourself.
Some jobs are never posted online because Employers may prefer to search our Profiles when looking for Candidates with the right key skills and experience to fill their positions. Making sure your Profile gives a strong first impression is the best way to get potential Employers to download your associated CV for further consideration.
How to promote yourself:
What are Candidate Recommendations?
If you have a searchable profile in our Candidate database and are actively applying for jobs, we will recommend you to employers/recruiters who are advertising for jobs that closely match your profile.
Use the right words
When recruiters search for people with your skills and experience they use keywords and search terms to find you, such as skills and job titles. To ensure that you are returned in their results, make sure that you think carefully about the words you use in your profile. Be specific about your key skills and experience and think about the words that appear in job descriptions of roles that you are interested in.
Information overload
Although it is important to include lots of good quality information about you, it is also important that the key information stands out and that the amount of detail is just right. Make sure that the most important information about you is mentioned first. Recruiters will look at your profile and make a decision about you within just a few seconds, so make sure your current skills and work experience stand out and are not buried within a 3,000 word essay.
Check your data
It is important that you check that your information is accurate and complete in every section of your profile. Checking and validating your profile ensures recruiters see the information you want them to.CV extraction is done by a computer process which does not always display the information as you intended.Recruiters/Employers require candidate details in a structured format so they can efficiently search the data before downloading CVs that meet their requirements. All Job Boards provide the data in this format by extracting the information from CVs. The import is done by a comupter process which means it is not perfect. Your details can display out of order or even be missing. The only way to make sure it is accurate is to show it to you and get you to validate the details. No other job board does this.
Keep your profile up-to-date
To make your profile work for you, ensure that you return often and update it with new experience and skills. If you have not been as successful as you hoped, consider including more skills or re-wording your descriptions of previous work.
Upload a photo
If you decide to include a photograph on your profile, make sure that it is professional and avoid using avatars or amusing images.
This is a summary of all the information in your profile and is where you will capture the attention of a recruiter. It is important to make sure your preferred locations are included and your availability is specified. This section also includes an introduction about you which is an opportunity to represent yourself. Keep it brief, relevant and impressive.
Key Skills
Make sure that your top skills are accurate with dates and include comments about your experience. Adding rare skills will help you stand out from the crowd. We recommend listing between 10 and 20 skills. More than this may make it difficult for a recruiter to focus on your key skills. The skills you provide are listed alphabetically so they are quick and easy to find and your current skills are displayed in bold so they are more noticeable.
Employment History
List all important and relevant work experience. Use the description field to explain the details of what you did in the role. Make sure the details about your recent jobs are accurate and competently describe your responsibilities. Include your achievements in the roles and the result of the achievements (e.g. increased productivity or sales).
Education & Training History
Make sure that you list your most recent qualifications and courses first. Don't forget to include courses that will show your depth of experience and that they have helped you progress in your career.
Additional Information
You can use this section to include relevant outside interests or activities which demonstrate attributes about yourself that will benefit a potential employer or support your job hunting. Only include things that will help a recruiter assess your suitability for work that you are looking for.
If you have any other questions or issues that are not answered above, please contact us by email or telephone.


text:
Purple wrote:OMG! That looked like great fun!
Did the elevator actually move? I couldn't really tell if it was rigged to move.
And, was there actually food in the pizza box, or just an empty box?
And the decoy with the crazy black hair.....fabulous arms!
Jeez, that just looked so fun!
On October 26 2006, 12:54 PM, mnp13 wrote:YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!!!!!
I just got my DSO tape and will be transferring parts of it to digital.
I'll post it as soon as I can!
Users browsing this forum: No registered users


text:
Robert Albert Bloch (April 5, 1917, Chicago – September 23, 1994, Los Angeles) was a prolific American writer, primarily of crime, horror and science fiction. He was the son of Raphael "Ray" Bloch (born 1884, Chicago - died 1952, Chicago), a bank cashier, and his wife Stella Loeb (born 1880, Attica, Indiana - died 1944, Milwaukee, Wisconsin), a social worker, both of German-Jewish descent.
Bloch… (more)


text:
Intelligence is America's information advantage; timely and accurate intelligence is the first-line of defense in homeland security.
Intelligence investigators and analysts collect and interpret information involving threats to homeland security that come from many sources, including human activities, electronic surveillance, biological and chemical detection, geospatial reconnaissance, remote sensing, and more.
As information is collected, it must be properly organized, categorized, and prioritized. High priority information then requires further study, analysis, and interpretation. Only after this selection, sifting, and interpretation process is complete does such "raw" information turn into valuable intelligence useful for homeland security defense and countermeasures.
A number of U.S. agencies are involved in such domestic information collection and analysis, include the well-known Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Secret Service. But did you know that other federal agencies - such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) - are also involved in this work?
Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Office of Intelligence & Analysis (OIA) works to ensure that information gathered from all relevant DHS field operations; state, local, private sector and international partners; and other parts of the intelligence community are combined and analyzed into a common operational picture of emerging threats to national security.
The information analysis mission in the cause of homeland security is among the most vital and challenging, and requires some of the sharpest minds and diversified talents of any tasks involved with protecting and defending the American people and infrastructure.
Among the kinds of skills and talents required are those involving information technology and services; foreign languages; medical and environmental safety; and management security. Examples of some occupations include analytical chemist, cartographer, cryptanalyst, imagery analyst, and regional analyst.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); United States Intelligence Community
The Intelligence Community Careers section of the United States Intelligence Community (IC) Web site provides information for 17 careers (broad areas of work) involved in the business of intelligence. This section also contains additional links to a selection of Federal agency employment Web sites, including those for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Additional information on careers and employment with the various agencies under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is available on the DHS Web site, specifically, the DHS - Homeland Security Careers.
Careers in Homeland Security Report


text:
This system is in effect from mid-June, 2013 and only affects new registrations.
Thunderbolts Forum Terms (see also our Forum Rules and Guidelines).
- By accessing "Thunderbolts Forum" (hereinafter "we", "us", "our", "Thunderbolts Forum", "http://thunderbolts.info/forum/phpBB3"), you agree to be legally bound by the following terms. If you do not agree to be legally bound by all of the following terms then please do not access and/or use "Thunderbolts Forum". We may change these at any time and we'll do our utmost in informing you, though it would be prudent to review this regularly yourself as your continued usage of "Thunderbolts Forum" after changes mean you agree to be legally bound by these terms as they are updated and/or amended.
Our forums are powered by phpBB (hereinafter "they", "them", "their", "phpBB software", "www.phpbb.com", "phpBB Group", "phpBB Teams") which is a bulletin board solution released under the "General Public License" (hereinafter "GPL") and can be downloaded from www.phpbb.com. The phpBB software only facilitates internet based discussions, the phpBB Group are not responsible for what we allow and/or disallow as permissible content and/or conduct. For further information about phpBB, please see: http://www.phpbb.com/.
You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-orientated or any other material that may violate any laws be it of your country, the country where "Thunderbolts Forum" is hosted or International Law. Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned, with notification of your Internet Service Provider if deemed required by us. The IP address of all posts are recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. You agree that "Thunderbolts Forum" have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic at any time should we see fit. As a user you agree to any information you have entered to being stored in a database. While this information will not be disclosed to any third party without your consent, neither "Thunderbolts Forum" nor phpBB shall be held responsible for any hacking attempt that may lead to the data being compromised.
The Forum Rules and Guidelines form part of these terms, and agreeing to these terms indicates that you have read and agree with the Forum Rules and Guidelines.
These terms and the Forum Rules and Guidelines may be changed at any time without notice. It is the member's responsibility to check for changes from time to time and your continued use of this forum indicates acceptance of the terms including any changes so made.
If you click "I AGREE TO THESE TERMS" below, you will be taken to the thunderbolts main site where you can fill out an application for forum membership. If you do not agree to the terms above, you cannot register for this forum.
Click here: I AGREE TO THESE TERMS to go to the registration page.
Click here: I DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS if you do not agree to our terms and hence do not want to register for our forum.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive a system-generated email with a system-generated password to log into your account with. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you log into your account as soon as you get this email, and then change your password. Here's how to proceed:
Once you've logged in, at the top of the board just under "Board Index" you should see "User Control Panel". This is where you can set your own preferences and change your profile, password, etc.
- 1. Click on "User Control Panel".
2. Then from the horizontal tabs select "Profle"
3. Then from the left vertical menu select "Edit account settings"
Here you can change your password. Be sure to enter your current password (the one you just got) into the appropriate field. Though the field says you need it to change your email or username, it should read email or password. Usernames cannot be changed.
Finally, welcome to the Thunderbolts Forum!


text:
That's it.
I'm done.
No more.
I quit.
… … …
I'm not joking.
… … …
You see, for months I've been just downright struggling with this whole experience. I've put on a whole pant size for sure (and yet you can be darned sure that I'm still squeezing my size ten rear into my size eight jeans because I don't want to go buy a bigger size… because I WON'T go buy a bigger size) and I'm just so weighed down and shackled to food again it's become nigh unbearable.
I can't make it through a Sunday School lesson without breaking down in tears.
I've cried to my husband multiple times.
I seriously, seriously, seriously was considering calling my church to see if they would work out some kind of deal for me to get counseling up there.
Things in my soul have been a total and complete roller coaster.
I mean, every few days I would find a new "resolve" and would have faith in myself again that I could do this and then day three or four would hit and well, all it takes for me is that one bite of chocolate…and well, it would all go downhill from there.
And so this past week, I've just really had to face up to what is going on here…
I can't do this anymore.
So, I'm going to quit.
Okay, but I'll end the suspense.
I'm not quitting The Covenant Diet… I can't quit it. God has brought me so far and I know… I KNOW… that He is faithful. I've read too many accounts in the Bible where He brought people through terrible, terrible adversity to reveal His Glory OR to make them face up to the fact that He really IS in control.
And here's the deal: He has shown me over and Over and OVER and OVER and OVER again what I need to do. Like I said on Day 653: Just Like Jonah, I just keep running from it. But in my heart for months He has been telling me through friends, through the wisdom in his Word, through Sunday School, through prayer… He has been saying that I have GOT to make this sugar thing a total and complete lifestyle change.
As in… never again.
As in… quit.
Quit eating sugar.
… … …
I know, right?!?!?
… … …
… … …
That's nuts!
Wellllll, yeah, but so was giving up sugar for a year. But it was one of the best years of my life. Total and complete freedom.
So, this post could go on and on today… and I'll explain more about how I came to this point in the following days' posts… but here's the deal.
I've been running from God.
Just like Jonah.
And I'm tired.
I'm tired of running.
I'm tired of trying to do this battle with food my way.
I'm tired.
And I'm failing at doing it my way.
I'm tired of failing.
So, I'm looking at this raging sea in my soul and I know that it's raging because of me.
Because of my decision to go my own way.
And I'm done.
I'm just ready to quit.
So, this morning, I took one last sigh.
Stood up and walked to the edge of this boat in this raging sea.
And I dove in.
I dove into the waters of His grace and mercy.
I dove into the waters of self "sacrifice".
I dove into the waters of freedom.
I dove into the waters that will guide me back to where I need to be.
Will it be easy to give up sugar for.ev.er.???
Heck to tha NO.
It sure as heck wasn't easy for Jonah to live in a whale's stomach either.
But it got him back to where he needed to be.
And that was where God wanted him to be.
And as I tread water in this sea that is my soul, I realize that as soon as I jumped in… it was immediately calm. Refreshing even. Going His way instantly brings me more peace than I had during any of the days of trying to do it on my own.
The peace I have felt just in this one day… well, it just makes me so glad that I finally… finally…
Please join me on my journey! Subscribe or contact me here!


text:
There have been some really exciting announcements for the MEMS community coming out of CES 2010. Here are four that stuck out:
- Microvision SHOWWX™ – Microvision is generating a lot of buzz with its SHOWWX™ Laser Pico Projector. Based on proprietary MEMS single scanning mirror technology, Microvision's pico projector can turn a mobile device into a platform for projecting high-quality video. And the best part is that the SHOWWX™ will be commercially available very soon in the US. More info is available on Microvision's Displayground blog.
- New accelerometers from STMicroelectronics – MEMS device maker STMicroelectronics is exhibiting its next generation of accelerometers. The new accelerometers' main advantages include a smaller footprint, lower power consumption, and a host of feature enhancements.
- Qualcomm's mirasol® e-reader prototype – Qualcomm MEMS Technologies (QMT) is demoing a prototype of an e-reader using its mirasol® display technology. What separates mirasol® from other display technologies is its use of available ambient light instead of standard backlighting. Bonus points to QMT for not only creating a highly-readable color display, but making it use less power too.
- The hands-free user interface – Zyxio, which calls itself a human media interaction company, is touting its sensawaft™ technology that uses a MEMS sensor to translate human breaths into computer instructions. The company also held a "Be a Mind Blower" competition for people to imagine products incorporating sensawaft™ technology. The winners then get to work with Zyxio to develop their ideas into real products.
These four examples highlight how MEMS increases the functionality, energy efficiency and intelligence of consumer appliances. And beyond just the consumer sphere there are many other important uses for these technologies. For instance, as Zyxio notes on its website, breath-powered user interface technology could be a boon to anyone with a disability that prevents the normal use of one's hands.
Of course, we'll have to wait and see if these developments translate into an all-in-one e-reader with projection capabilities that also lets me turn the page just by breathing. Maybe "don't hold your breath" would be the appropriate response. 🙂


text:
This will appeal to the hardcore cycling enthusiasts amongst us: Analog Devices recently demoed an electronic mountain bike suspension system featuring its iMEMS® accelerometers.
The accelerometer monitors changes in the terrain and then sends that information to the Cannondale Simon® system, which then adjusts the suspension accordingly.
Commenting on the growing use of MEMS technology in consumer applications, Mark Martin, vice president for Analog Devices' MEMS and Sensor Technologies group, said, "Motion sensing technology is enabling a new level of innovation nearly everywhere it can be applied, whether in cars, bicycles, medical devices, industrial equipment, or the latest consumer electronics."
Check out the full press release here.
ECN Magazine also posted this video with a Cannondale engineer demoing the system at CES 2010:


text:
She never understood how he found out. She'd been so careful! But he did and now there was hell to pay. Was it worth it? Her dalliance with another lover had been wonderful. Mind boggling at times. Never as good as with her Master but she had enjoyed the control she had exercised over her secret lover, employing tactics she'd learned from her own Master.
But those memories were fading as she faced the icy disdain of her Master. She had known the minute she saw her email, her secret email, open on the computer. In it were all the erotic exchanges, the notes and communications of meeting times and places and cyber reviews of all their encounters.
"Prepare yourself," were the only words her Master spoke. She knew this to mean she should bathe and dress in the clothing he would set out for her.
She hurried to the bathroom, starting the shower and laying out her toiletries. She chose her cosmetics and scents carefully, picking those that had pleased her Master in the past. After her shower, she quickly applied her makeup, styled her hair and went to the bedroom to see bigtit girlfriend fucked in doggystyle naturaltits and romantic had been set out.
That was strange. A sundress, old, long-forgotten in the back of her closet was set out, along with a lacy thong and strappy heels. She dressed, putting on the leather collar laid out with the clothing. She joined her Master, taking the drink he'd made for her and heading to the car. As she sipped, she realized the cocktail was much stronger than usual but she dared not complain, rather lovely chick likes erected cocks a lot it down more quickly than she might have otherwise, so great was her agitation over what was to come.
By the time they reached their destination she was a bit tipsy from the strong liquor, having to struggle to walk straight in the high heeled sandals. It was a hotel, one that they'd used before in previous playtimes. No stopping for dinner or conversation, just straight to a room. Outside the room, Master quickly tied a blindfold around her eyes, snapped a chain leash on her collar and unlocked the door, tugging her behind him as he entered the room ahead of her.
"Here she is, boys! The slut of the evening! She's hungry for strange cock so I thought I'd provide her with what she wants." She licked her lips nervously as laughter met her Master's words. "Tonight she isn't a pet to be pampered. She's proven herself to be a bitch in heat so tonight she's OUR bitch!" "Then why is she still dressed?" asked one voice.
"Get rid of her clothes!" another one shouted. She felt the tug of the leash as her Master pulled her towards him. RIP! Oh my God! She thought. He's stripping me naked! "Come on guys, grab something and help me strip the bitch!" More hands grabbing and tearing at her dress. She stood there, helpless, as they pulled and tore at her clothing, laughing and roughly squeezing her breasts and ass.
Despite her fear and humiliation, she could feel her pussy beginning to dampen. Maybe she really was a bitch in heat! She must be because this rough treatment was arousing her, much to her shame. "On your knees, Bitch!
There are cocks to suck! Find them, pull them out and start sucking!" She fell to her knees as he jerked the leash downward. "All the way down, Bitch! Crawl around and find them, all of them. I want every dick in the room fucking your face before you're through!" She dropped her hands onto the floor and crawled, humiliated, nosing around until she found someone's legs. She rose up, pulling the belt from its buckle, fumbling with the snap and zipper of the tight jeans.
SMACK! She jumped, feeling the sting of a crop on her ass. "Faster! Come on, slut, we all know you know your way around any cock…pull it out!
Suck it! We all want to see and hear how a little lying slut sucks cock." SMACK! SMACK! The crop stung her ass cheeks again and again. Whimpering, she hurriedly unzipped the jeans and managed to pull the large cock free of its confines.
She swallowed it, desperately licking and sucking as she tugged on the jeans, trying to get them down and loose enough to find the man's balls. She felt the man's hand at the back of her head, grasping her hair painfully as he thrust his engorged cock deep into her mouth.
Gagging, she prayed the cocktail would stay down, willing her gag reflex to relax at this onslaught. It didn't take long for her to feel his balls begin to tighten, his groaning and hair pulling telling her he was about to cum. "Spray the bitch on the face!" laughed her Master. "She's our cum slut for the night and I want to see her covered in sticky cum!" At that her hair was roughly yanked back, popping his dick from her lips, only he was a moment too late and the first rope of sticky cum coated her tongue, once again, causing her to gag.
He pulled all the way out and used his hand to pump his load onto her face. She could feel it dripping from her nose, her lips, off her chin.
As the pulsing slowed, she felt him tug her closer, rubbing his dick through the cum on her face, making a sticky mask over her lips and cheeks. "Who's next?" her Master asked. "Get to it, Slut! Men are waiting! Crawl to the next one and start over!" She did as she was told, her knees already sore, as she crawled, dog-like until she encountered another set of clad legs.
She didn't wait for the sting of the crop this time; she jerked the belt free, relieved to find trousers instead of tight jeans. She unbuttoned, unzipped, and, as the loose pants dropped, yanked the briefs off his hips and gobbled his dick down. Thankfully his dick was shorter, so gagging wasn't a problem, but it was thicker and she thought the sides of her mouth would split as he jammed his thick hardness into her mouth. "Fuck me, her mouth is as hot as I remember!" he groaned.
She was getting more aroused, despite her rough treatment. She knew she could blow every man in the room, then suck them to hardness over again. As she sucked and slurped, she slipped a finger into her mouth, wetting it, then slid it behind his balls, into his ass, massaging his prostate.
He jerked in surprise but before he could protest, his dick started erupting. She was ready this time and jerked her head back, expertly jerking his cock onto her face and tongue. As she let the cum slide out of her lips, she rubbed his softening member all over her face, further thickening the mask of jism. "I gotta sit down!" he said, as he staggered to a chair.
Back onto her hands and knees, she crawled around until she found another man, freed his already rigid cock and started sucking. She was finding it easier to take the head into her throat and thought, at least one good thing came from His finding out about my lover.
I'm finally learning to deep throat! By now her panties were soaked with her juices and she ached to reach down and tickle her clit until she came. She didn't, however, knowing it was forbidden until Master gave her permission. She knew how displeased he was at finding out about her infidelity and hoped she would be able to please him enough this evening for him to allow her at least one orgasm! She lost count of the cocks she sucked.
Some were rough, fucking her mouth mercilessly, others were passive, demanding she do all the work and giving them an orgasm. One slapped her face over and over with his cock as he came, spurting the gooey juice into her hair then using her long locks like a rag to clean the last of his juice off his cock and hand.
She was never quite sure which of the cocks she sucked was her Master's and this surprised her. She always pinay celebrity scandal sunshine cruz and jay manalfull movie she could easily pick his out of a crowd. "That's all of them, Bitch. It's not enough but for now you have enough jism on you to stunning hammering of a juicy snatch hardcore and creampie like the cum slut you really are!" It was true.
She could only imagine how she looked, with cum dripping down her chin, neck and onto her breasts. She knew her hair was matted with it, wet, sticky tendrils clinging to her neck and shoulders.
Cum was all she could smell, her upper lip covered and dripping. She was becoming used to the taste, having had at least a half dozen men shoot their first shot onto her tongue, seemingly taking great delight in not warning her of what was to come. "Stop smiling, cunt!
You think you're through? Get busy and find another cock to suck! I want every dick in the room hard and ready for round two right now!"" She frantically started crawling again, searching for a cock to swallow.
Cock after cock, she sucked them to hardness once again, using every skill she ever acquired with her tongue and her fingers to engorge every dick she found. "Ok, who's ready to fuck her?" her Master asked. "I want to go first!" said one voice. "She can still suck while she's fucked, get her on the bed!" said another.
She felt the sharp tug of the leash, pulling her across the floor. Stumbling, she tried to get up, only to hear her Master growl, "Stay on your hands and knees, bitch! Crawl faster!" She scrambled to obey, following the pull of the collar. Rough hands lifted her to the bed then she felt ropes circling her ankles and wrists. Her arms were extended above her head, ropes secured, then her legs were brutally jerked apart and secured, all the while hands were squeezing her breasts, pinching her nipples, rubbing her mound, fingering her pussy and asshole.
Suddenly, she heard lace ripping as her panties were torn from her body. The fabric jerked painfully between her asscheeks as they tugged and pulled. The pain quickly subsided as the delicate lace gave way and ripped to shreds. She felt the weight of the bed shift as one seemed to be kneeling between her spread thighs. "Shove a pillow under her ass!" and with that, hands dug into her soft bottom, lifting her off the bed as a pillow was crammed underneath her. Before she had time to assimilate, she felt a large cock ram into her vagina.
She was grateful for the long session of cock-sucking as it had left her wet and slippery. Even with that lubrication, she thought she'd split in half as he pounded his meat to the hilt again and again and again. He was grunting and muttering "Give up that pussy! Give it to me! I know you want it!" Others chimed in with "Fuck her!" "Ram that cunt!" "Give it to her good!" "You know she wants it, cheating bitch!" Hands were all over her body, squeezing, pinching, rubbing, along with cocks on her titties, rubbing her face, all vying for attention from her mouth.
She frantically turned her head back and forth, trying to lick and suck all big boob colt 45 big boobs hard cocks poking her face. The man laboring over her stiffened, then growled "Take this, slut, take my cum!" as his final thrusts released a stream of man-juice into her pussy.
No sooner had he pulled out then another took his place. She could feel the first load of cum squishing out of her cunt, running down the crack of her ass, as he rammed his cock deep inside her. This cock felt even longer than the first and she thought to herself, I can't take it, I can't take that length!" But take it she did, distracted from the pleasure/pain she was feeling by the many cocks still demanding attention from her mouth.
She could taste the cum that still coated her face as they rubbed their dicks in it then shoved the cum-coated dicks into her mouth. She was beyond the usual distaste she had for jism, in a zone where licking, sucking and swallowing were natural reflexes to the demanding dicks. The second man came what felt like buckets of hot juice into her vagina and oddly she wondered How can he have that much left?
I thought all the cum in the room was on my face… The next dick to take over was smaller, slimmer than the others, and her stretched out pussy seemed cavernous to him. "Untie her ankles!" he demanded. After that was done, he lifted her legs up over his shoulders, pulled his cock out of her slack pussy, and paused. She didn't have long to wonder what he was doing as it became obvious he'd been coating his dick with slick lubricant before positioning it at the portal of her bottom.
She tensed at the intrusion and received a sharp slap on her exposed ass as he barked "Relax! I'm going to fuck your ass whether you like it or not! She loves big cock in her ass relax that ass or I'll find a bigger dick to open it up for me first!" Desperately she tried to relax her sphincter and in the next instant, felt his cock slide past that tight ring.
Her master had taken her ass many times before but was always gentle, stopping to allow her to become accustomed to his invasion. Not this man, however, he rammed his dick balls deep into her ass, grunting with satisfaction. "That's better! Nice, tight ass, aaahhhhh!
Uumph uumph uumph!" he groaned as he pounded her mercilessly.
Strangely enough, despite this unwanted assault, she felt more blood rushing to her nether region, her labia engorging even more as her arousal grew. Her juices ran, mingling with the cum exiting her pussy, dripping down onto his pistoning shaft.
She always knew she enjoyed gentle anal stimulation but had never imagined it bringing her so close to orgasm, particularly when being brutally raped like this. She moaned and writhed as she continued sucking whatever cock presented itself to her mouth, finding it hard to concentrate on anything other than the painfully pleasurable invasion of her ass.
She felt his cock swell as he stiffened, squeezing her thighs painfully as he rammed his cock in even further, and she felt the hot spurts of cum as they rocketed deep into her ass. "Unh uhn uhn! Feel that hot cum, bitch! Umph! You love being ass fucked, don't you!" As his dick shrank, it slid from her ass, followed by a trail of cum. She felt it dribbling out her ass, both relieved and dismayed by the emptiness she felt. She was ashamed of her enjoyment of it, realizing she really was a cum slut if she welcomed the rape of her ass.
She was given no time to ponder this as he moved and was replaced by another cock, anxious to get a taste of her now gaping ass. She felt a large mushroom head poking, prodding, then popping past her asshole, into her ass. Again, she was momentarily grateful that her Master had provided lube for them to use before fucking her bottom. Though shorter than the last cock, the large head had hurt going in, while also arousing her even more. He seemed to enjoy popping it out then in, then out again, then in again, holding her ankles high enough to lift her ass off the bed.
He must have been watching the action. "Look at this! Her pussy is still dripping and not just with our cum either! That pussy is wide open, begging for a cock! She likes being ass fucked!" POP! In. POP! Out again. "Try this" she heard her Master say then felt a large egg being inserted into her vagina.
It had a cord attached which obviously connected to the vibrating control because the egg started buzzing wildly in her pussy. She squealed as she felt it, and the cock in her ass stopped popping and started pounding mightily.
"Oh shit! Turn that thing off! It's making her ass vibrate and making me cum!" Even though the vibrations stopped, he continued hammering into her, spreading her legs and therefore her cheeks as far apart to push as deeply as he could. "Too late!" he ground out. "Uhhhh, unhhhh, unhhh, AAAAHHHHHHH!" he shouted as he finished filling her ass with hot man juice.
His shriveling member popped out for the last time and another man took his place. "What happens if you put that in her ass?" he asked. "Let's find out!" "Wait, try this instead." She heard her Master say.
The egg was pulled free of her gushing cunt and something else was pressed against her bung hole. It was cold and lubed and slid in and filled her as much as any cock had so far. A butt plug! "Turn the end of it, it vibrates." and the vibrations racked her from deep within her ass. She felt a thick, shorter dick at the entrance to her cunt then it was shoved balls deep into her. "Mmmmmm, aaahhhh, fuckkkk! That feels GOOOODDDD!" he said, as he rammed his dick into her over and over and over.
She thought she could cum from the feeling of a vibrating ass and his fat dick rubbing her G spot so effectively, but couldn't concentrate on any single sensation thanks to the neverending line of cocks rubbing her face, each seeking entry into her warm mouth.
The fat dick kept pumping away, and she felt the bed give when a man straddled horny diana fucked homemade amateur big tits chest.
She expected another cock to be thrust against her money talks sluts fucking for dollars story 30 but was surprised when she felt it between her breasts. She quickly realized he was facing away from her which was confirmed when she heard him say, "lick that ass, bitch! I'll bet you know how to lick ass real good…" Sure enough, she felt his butt back up to her face, all but sitting on her so she stuck her tongue out, reaching for what she couldn't see.
"Aaaahhhhhh" he sighed, as she met his asshole with her tongue. "Rim it, bitch! Shove your tongue right up my ass!" She licked and poked and lapped as best she could from her prone position. He helped by dropping closer to her, his bulk all but smothering her. "Lick his ass! Let us see you lick his ass!" she heard others chanting. She could feel his hand, stroking his dick as she rimmed him. Suddenly she felt him spurting his hot jism onto her tits and stomach as his asshole seemed to suck the end of her tongue inside.
"Aaahhhh aaahhhhh uunnnhhhhh! Shit! That's good!" he bit out, as the last of his load dribbled onto her nipples. He smacked his softening cock against her hard nipples, attractive chick is pissing and finger fucking trimmed pussy them a pinch before moving off her.
"Let me try that! Never had my asshole licked before!" another one said. Quickly he climbed aboard her and the hair on his ass tickled her nose as she licked and stroked him with her tongue. "Fuck! You're right! She's fucking great at that!" he grunted. He moaned and moved his ass in a fucking motion as she poked her stiff tongue into the tight opening like a tiny dick.
She felt his hard cock bobbing against her chest as he moved, and imagined the precum stretching strings between the head and her breasts.
He finally moved away from her probing tongue to stroke his dick on her cum-covered chest. Before he finished, the cock in her pussy convulsed and shot another wad deep into her. The man fucking her tits swung around and replaced the cock that just left her cunt. She lost track of time. It seemed as if every cock in the room fucked her pussy, her ass and her mouth at least twice.
More and more men sat on her face, presenting their hairy assholes for her probing tongue. When her ass was being fucked, the sitting men would finger fuck her pussy, and it sometimes felt like two or three different hands xxxksi story full he dwinlod desi the fingers poked, frigged, and explored her dripping cunt.
She wasn't sure she'd be able to walk out but she knew she'd crawl and be happy about it when they were done. She had yet to have an orgasm but she'd gotten the fucking of her life. She mourned the fact that she was unable to cum from fucking alone. How did other women do that? Nonetheless, she was having the time of her life, enjoying the freedom of being "forced" to submit to all the depravities they thrust onto her, things she secretly fantasized about but had never thought she would enjoy in reality, had never had the courage to voice aloud.
It was the gang-bang style rape of her deepest, darkest fantasies and, as she trusted her Master to keep her safe from any real harm or injury, she allowed herself to enjoy the fulfillment without fear or regret. As the last cock left her body, she heard the sounds of men showering and using the water from the sink to clean the cum from themselves.
She then felt the restraints removed from her wrists. She lay there, exhausted and sore, wishing for just one good orgasm. She heard the sound of the camera lens clicking, knowing her Master was collecting photo evidence of her casting centerfold leaves after hardcore sex and asshole pounding body. "Clean yourself up!" he ordered, as he threw her a hand towel. It was inadequate for her needs but she did as best she could, wiping the drying cum from her face and neck, tits, belly and thighs.
There wasn't anything she could do about her hair, it was tangled and matted with cum. She longed to remove her mask and go to the lavatory to properly wash up, but knew her Master would object to her doing so without his permission. Besides, from the sound of things, the bathroom was full, all the towels and wash cloths likely used by the men as they prepared to dress. She worked at cleaning herself, and heard them talking, dressing and thanking her Master over and over for fulfilling the fantasy of a lifetime, then eventually leaving, one by one.
She'd listened but didn't try to discern the voices, knowing that she'd likely never find out who was there, who had reaped the reward of the rape of her person in the name of punishment.
After they were gone, her Master told her to take off her mask, they were going home. She wondered what she would wear, she was naked and her clothes were in tatters. He solved her dilemma by handing her a light raincoat. She pulled it on, tied the belt and followed him out of the room. On the drive home, she was thinking back over the evening.
She knew her Master had set up the gang rape as punishment for her playing without permission. She thought, however, the punishment was not nearly as severe as he had intended. Even though she never got to cum, she had been fucked thoroughly, she could still feel cum leaking from her pussy and ass, had sucked everyone in the room at least twice, and overall enjoyed the evening tremendously. She thought to herself, when I shower, I'll quietly get myself off to ease the tightness in my loins.
I'll let him think I've suffered through his harshness but she secretly considered letting him "catch" her again so she could have another night of sarah gisele hot amateur fingering for boyfriend She enjoyed her secret lover, and thought about meeting him soon to claim all the orgasms she missed out on tonight.
She knew he was no longer a "secret" but figured her Master would never suspect she would contact him again. He was such a gentle lover, her pet. So eager to please, so submissive to her every demand. He had often begged her to sit on his face, and only came when she allowed it, always licking up the gooey mess he made. She closed her eyes and imagined him licking all the sticky cum from her body, sucking it from her dripping pussy, massaging her tired and sore muscles.
Tomorrow, she decided. I'll get up early and arrange to meet him tomorrow! When they got home, she headed to the shower to clean up and get ready for bed. "One more thing, pet. I want you to download all the pictures I took this evening. I think you should see my cum slut in action." She was surprised, she'd assumed she wouldn't get to see these shots, since she was rarely allowed to know who the players were in their little "scenes".
She'd heard the camera shutter clicking away from time to time during the evening, noticed the flash, but hadn't thought too much about it. Reluctantly she headed to the computer and inserted the disk.
She was curious about who'd been there but exhausted and sticky, longing for a shower and bed. She copied the files and was about to close them when her Master spoke again, "Look at them. I want you to look carefully at each and every one of them and decide if the punishment was severe enough." Curious, she did as she was told, carefully reviewing each and every shot.
She paid little attention to the faces of the men, rather concentrating on her own actions, remembering aki sora episode 1 english dubbed sucking and licking, her pussy responding again at seeing the stills of cum dripping from her lips and hair. She wanted to hurry, so she could get in the shower not only to clean up but to get off. Her fingers were itching to rub her clit until the long awaited climax overtook her.
Then there were the shots of her getting tied to the bed, being fucked. Now she looked at the men. Yes, she knew of the first that fucked her, the second, however, was less familiar. Wait! Who was that third one? The first one to fuck her in the ass? Oh my God! She thought. It was him! The man who had so brutally fucked her ass, showing no mercy, roughly handling her, talking to her like she was moon and son xxx story lowest slut…it was her lover!
Her secret lover; the man she'd thought so gentle and submissive, so caring. The man she'd planned to seek out tomorrow to soothe her tired muscles and sagging ego. He'd gone from gentle lover to brutal Dom in a single day. As tears welled in her eyes she realized, she'd lost him; she'd lost the sweet, gentle man she'd so carefully cultivated.
Never again would he submit to her, rather he had become one of the "players" her Master used for his voyeuristic pleasures. She looked up at her Master, saw his small smile. Now she understood the true depth of Master's punishment.


text:
The Marine Wife's Prayer
*Oh, Lord, please keep my Marine tonight,
Close by Your guiding hand of might,
Give him the strength to carry on
When all is dark and hope is gone.
Help him to trust and have no fear
For You are watching, ever near.
Let him know he's not alone;
Your light will always lead him home.
He's rough and tough -- no emotions show --
But, God, he's just a boy, you know.
He claims the title and wears it proud;
Says he's the best and says it loud.
And though someday he'll guard Your heights,
Lord, please bring him safely home tonight.
Contributed by Anja
[http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/6342/index.html] *


text:
CORRECTED -- Kenworth Truck Co. sees a lot of promise in natural gas-powered vehicles, so it featured them last week at gatherings for dealers, customers and trade press writers at its plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. But diesel-powered trucks form a huge majority of those on the road and will continue to dominate the Class 8 business, one of the company's executives commented to reporters.
"As an industry, we've been evangelizing about gas and its benefits, and that's fine," said Andy Douglas, KW's national sales manager for specialty vehicles. "But what are the total costs of gas? What are the running costs," including erecting or getting access to fueling stations, and maintaining the trucks?
Kenworth reps talk about the costs with customers interested in compressed or liquefied natural gas because of its very clean-burning characteristics and its low and stable cost as a fuel, Douglas said. Some fleets buy gas for as low as $1.50 per diesel-equivalent gallon, which is most attractive.
But the premium for a gas-powered heavy truck is $30,000 or more, and fueling stations are very expensive, so government support has been needed to make it financially feasible for fleets, he noted.
Leasing is one tool to ease customers into the trucks, with finance companies like PacLease and Ryder absorbing upfront costs and customers paying those off through leasing charges. More fueling stations are appearing around the country, and they will make operations possible for more fleets.
Major shippers are becoming "green"-minded and encouraging trucking companies to convert to gas, Douglas said. One is Proctor & Gamble, which has directed that 20% of its outbound shipments are pulled by gas-powered tractors. A few fleets that can't comply have lost some of their P&G business, while others that do have gained some loads.
Most operators of gas-powered trucks that Douglas sees are private fleets that run locally, returning home nightly so they can refuel; one is Monarch Beverage in Indianapolis, which is converting its fleet to CNG. Or the trucks run in interstate corridors where LNG fueling stations have been set up, like United Parcel Service in the San Bernardino-to-Las Vegas corridor.
UPS announced several weeks ago that all its Class 8 truck acquisitions in 2014 will be natural-gas-powered. UPS currently operates 103 Kenworth T800s with the Westport 15L dual-fuel diesel LNG engines and is currently in build on additional units. (Mack announced that 122 of UPS's truck order will be Vision tractors with the ISX12-G.)
"I haven't seen anything like it in the gas world," Douglas said of the spark-ignited ISX12-G, because of the interest fleet managers have shown in it. Cummins first released it with a 350-horsepower rating, and in August will offer a 400-horsepower version that will be more effective in high gross-weight tractor-trailers. It will have no trouble propelling heavy rigs, at least in flat and moderate terrain.
And the larger engine can be ordered with a manual transmission rather than a more expensive Allison automatic transmission that's mandatory with the 8.9-liter ISL-G. Until March, when the ISX12-G was released, the ISL-G, also a spark-ignition engine, was the only Class 8 gas powerplant available.
Cummins' ISL-G is widely used in trash collection trucks and now in some concrete mixer chassis. Some delivery fleets are using it in container drayage in the Los Angeles Basin and to pull vans and reefers in flat places like Florida. Its modest power and torque are adequate for such uses, but marginal when gross combination weights exceed 65,000 pounds, which was the original limit that Kenworth set, Douglas said.
In the mountain West, fleets prefer the 15-liter Westport GX/HD to pull long upgrades at high weights, he said. The 15-G is a compression-ignition engine that uses small amounts of diesel fuel to combust natural gas in its cylinders. The engine brings with it "a fair amount of complexity" to a truck chassis.
Use of diesel fuel requires that the truck be equipped with a diesel particulate filter and urea injection, which the gas-only ISX12-G and ISL-G don't need. However, all gas engines are premium-priced and all require expensive storage tanks and fuel-handling systems aboard their trucks.
Kenworth offers natural gas engines in five of its T-series Class 8 models, and another will be available late this year. Most KWs with gas engines are assembled in the Chillicothe plant, Douglas said. Some using the GX/HD and destined for western service are made in Renton, Wash., only a couple of hours south of Vancouver, B.C., where Westport assembles the engine.
Building gas-powered KWs poses no particular problem except for the fitting of temporary "pony" tanks to the chassis, said Scott Blue, plant manager in Chillicothe. Permanent CNG or LNG tanks are installed by specialty companies like Triligy and Agility.
Gas as a motor fuel is becoming more available as government-sponsored and privately financed fueling stations are built, Douglas said.
"The map is greening," he said as he showed slides displaying areas with natural gas stations expanding around the United States. "It's no longer a science project. It's entering a mature state. This year, 3% to 4% of the (truck) build will be natural gas."
However, 99% of the trucks on the road now are diesel, Douglas noted. "Engines have gotten many improvements over the years, and you can't beat it for energy density," he said of diesel fuel. These factors will continue to make diesel practical and popular.
Six gas-powered Kenworths were part of a ride-and-drive demonstration staged outside the plant for the special visitors. Three others were diesel-powered, to underscore the present and future relevance of modern diesel engines and clean-burning diesel fuel.
Corrected 2 p.m. EDT 7/16/2013. We previously reported that Kenworth is getting the majority of the UPS order, but in fact Kenworth does not yet know how much of that order it will receive, according to a Kenworth spokesperson. We apologize for the error.


text: ©2016 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec, the Symantec Logo, the Checkmark Logo, Norton, and Norton by Symantec, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft and the Windows logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Google Chrome is a trademark of Google, Inc. Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation. Mac, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.


text:
Keep your jazz playlist cool while you stay warm this winter! Enjoy CT Live's list of 5 jazz quartets to listen to is a great way to find new musicians to keep your playlists fresh and inspired! The Ray Gonzalez Latin Jazz Quartet With over 36 years of jazz musicianship under his belt, Ray Gonzalez plays […]
You are here: Home / Archives for michael weiss quartet
5 Jazz Quartets to Listen To
December 11, 2017 by Enjoy CT Live
Filed Under: Artist Profiles, Featured Articles, In the Spotlight, Live Performances Tagged With: 2nd line jazz quartet, 5 jazz quartets to listen to, allaboutjazz.com, art farmer, frank wess, hartford public library, jazz quartets, jimmy heath, johnny griffin, jonathan ball quartet, latin jazz, lou donaldson, matt wilson quartet, michael weiss, michael weiss quartet, ray gonzalez, ray gonzalez jazz quartet, ray gonzalez latin jazz quartet, ray gonzalez quartet, salsa, slide hampton


text:
Choose from all the stylish Black Chrome 5-Speed Manual Transmission Shift Knob we have offered to you and enjoy the GREAT SAVINGS!!
Pre-threaded for Honda / Acura 5-speed manual transmission models
Brand New Black Chrome 5-Speed Manual Transmission Shift Knob. K2 Motor's universal brushed nickel shift knob will allow you to improve the precision every time you shift gear. These shift knobs will give you the comfortable grip whenever you switch gears. After you install our universal shift gear knob, you will enjoy the feeling of driving your car. Provided to you at affordable pricing, spice up the interior of your ride and drive easy.
***Shipping Disclaimer***
No Videos Available.
RETURNS & EXCHANGES - Our Policies and Promises to Our Customers.
30-Days Money Back Guaranteed:
How do I return an item(s) that I purchased?
*Due to the nature of our products use, we usually do not accept returns but exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis. We advise that all customers consider the following before an RMA form is submitted.
What do I do if I received an incorrect product(s)? What can I do if my purchased item(s) are defective?
What can I do if my purchased item(s) are defective?


text:
UNIONDALE, N.Y., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- James Neal put Pittsburgh ahead with a power-play goal 3 minutes into the game Tuesday and the Penguins went on to a 4-2 win over the New York Islanders.
Simon Despres, Brandon Sutter and Pascal Dupuis also scored for Pittsburgh, which notched a fourth straight win and fifth in six contests.
Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside 32-of-34 shots for the Penguins.
Michael Grabner and Brad Boyes scored 34 seconds apart early in the third period, pulling New York to within 3-2, but the Islanders could get no closer and dropped their second straight.
Evgeni Nabokov made 22 stops for New York.


text:
Paul Merson
Football Expert & Columnist @PaulMerse
Paul Merson's Premier League predictions - Week 2
Merse wants to see Man City go for it at Cardiff and wonders if Villa can spring another surprise...
Last Updated: 23/08/13 11:09am
Cardiff's biggest problem is the same as the other promoted sides: will they get enough goals to stay up? Never mind against Man City! I heard Malky Mackay say after the West Ham game that they had a lot of the ball but they didn't really create any chances. Yes, it was a hard game and a hard place to go to, but with this one coming up this is a really difficult start. Cardiff need to get some points as soon as they can. I suppose the home support will play a part but they will do well to avoid their first home game in the Premier League ending in disappointment.
Everyone will be looking at Man City as well and what Manuel Pellegrini will bring to the table. It was good to watch on Monday because they went 4-4-2 - 'we'll have a shot, you have a shot and we'll score more than you' - but when they are playing the top sides, is the new City too open? We will have to wait to see if the new manager can adapt. The best change I have seen is the pace City break at now. Jesus Navas is like lightning. Last year when they tried to push forward everybody wanted a touch of the ball and by the time they got into the box the defenders had enough time to get back. Now they just go bang! And off they go at speed. Yaya Toure can drive forward too now when he wants because Fernandinho looks like he will break the play up and set City off again.
Aston Villa v Liverpool (5pm, Sat, Sky Sports 1 HD)
Aston Villa must be over the moon. I know they were beaten by Chelsea after winning against Arsenal, but with Liverpool coming up it could have been a nightmare start to the season. Whatever happens here I didn't think they'd have this many points. I've said it before but the best signing they could've made, they have: Christian Benteke. The fact that he has started so well makes you wonder if someone is going to come in with silly money for him, but he will score 15 to 20 goals - and that is the one thing that could get Villa into mid-table. One thing they need is a Stiliyan Petrov: an experienced organiser looking after them, because it is still a young side. But at least staying up and getting another year behind them should make them better.
Liverpool's main striker, Luis Suarez, is of course another topic of conversation. If Liverpool's best 11 are on their game they can take on anyone, but go beyond that and onto the bench then they have youngsters and I am not sure they have any game-changers to turn to. If Brendan Rodgers can keep them all fit, they will do well. I like the look of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, and I think they are in for a better season. Mind you this is going to be a difficult game for them. Villa are confident and it will be interesting to see how Liverpool set-up away. As always, if Steven Gerrard plays well they have a chance but I am not sure they will cope with Benteke.
Arsenal v Fulham
Arsenal might be heading into this on the back of a good Champions League win, but they are only papering over the cracks. Before that Villa's win against them was not smash-and-grab. Arsenal were well beaten. Add to that the fact that after just two games of the season they are playing full-backs in the centre of defence, things are not good. Arsene Wenger needs to go out and buy and I don't mean just Luis Suarez. He needs two, three, maybe even four big signings who will improve the side. I am not sure we will see any of that but this is already a hard, hard game for Arsenal.
You only have to look at two of the signings Fulham have made in Scott Parker and Adel Taarabt. Parker is solid and Taarabt can do special things and change games. Mind you I still think he, and indeed Fulham, are a bit like a bag of Revels and you just don't know what they are going to come up with next. They can be great on the day but Arsenal could easily wipe the floor with them. Fulham will need to have all 11 players playing at the top of their game, not just Damien Duff, Dimitar Berbatov and a couple of others. But they do have the players to beat them.
Everton v West Bromwich Albion
I thought Roberto Martinez would have bought more than just ex-Wigan players. It's not exactly lazy but it is not being 'unlazy', if that makes sense! Surely he could have got fresh players who were better value for money than Arouna Kone; for a start I thought he would've been bringing players in from Spain. Mind you the one thing he can't do is lose Leighton Baines or Marouane Fellaini because last week they played well. Yes they drew at Norwich and looked like they might get beaten, but they played well.
I am not sure you can say the same thing about West Brom. I know they are away at Goodison Park where they will be under pressure from the off. I don't see West Brom going down but when you watch a side fail to get a shot at goal in the first half against Southampton, you know that is a problem. I am sure Steve Clarke will have seen they just didn't create anything, never mind take chances.
Hull City Tigers v Norwich City
No-one expected Hull to beat Chelsea but now it's a different story altogether. This week they have to go out and beat Norwich and put three points on the board. Steve Bruce is a good manager and I am sure he will have highlighted certain games they need to win. This is one of them. I suppose the one good thing is that although they got beat last week, there was one positive: damage limitation. With the early penalty and then the second goal soon after, it really could have been five, six or seven. It won't happen again but if Hull lose this one then you are a madman not to bet on them going down.
I wouldn't say the same about Norwich. They've bought well in the summer and already Ricky van Wolfswinkel has scored and Nathan Redmond looked good against Everton. Add Gary Hooper and now on-loan Johan Elmander, and they have got goals in them. I just don't see them being one of the sides to go down and last week alone, they looked decent. But they cannot lose this one against a newly-promoted side. They just can't afford to even at this stage.
Newcastle United v West Ham United
So Sam Allardyce is back at St James' Park! Well I can tell you one thing: Newcastle wouldn't have got relegated if they'd have kept him. But they were convinced and fear forced them to get rid of him. He is a good manager but playing in Newcastle will bring a problem his way: away form. Last season West Ham were dreadful away; they were Ashford & Simpson - solid - at home but they need to sort that out this time. They need to start picking up points away and I am interested to see how West Ham line-up for this one and whether or not they have a real go at them.
It is possible because Newcastle were poor, very poor, against Man City. Yes, it was no huge surprise and you can point to the sending off of Steven Taylor but the game was gone by then. They were opened up many times and that will need fixing. At least Alan Pardew is thinking they don't have to do too much because they are not going to be as bad as they were last season. But I need to see them a couple more games - starting against Big Sam's West Ham - before you can see if the pressure is going to be on them. But West Ham trying to win away games means only one thing... a Newcastle win.
Southampton v Sunderland
I like Southampton - for me they are this season's surprise package. I like the way they keep the ball and are patient, and I like Mauricio Pochettino's signings. Dejan Lovren, Victor Wanyama and Daniel Osvaldo are all big signings and are all game-changers. He has a good centre-forward, a great central midfielder - who was head and shoulders above everyone against West Brom - and the centre-half Lovren didn't give their strikers a kick. There was no messing from the manager and that makes me think he could have a good season - even if he doesn't shout from the rooftops.
One man who usually does shout from the rooftops is Paolo Di Canio. But the fact that he hasn't really said a word all week, means you know that it is not looking good for Sunderland. If you get beaten by someone like Fulham at home deeper into the season, the fans would be worried. But the fact it was the opening game with a side full of new signings trying to gel together, I think that went under the radar. Di Canio will be happy about that. Mind you if they can't get a result here, or lose again, then you start to wonder if Sunderland are going to be under a bit of bother. No surprises I am going for Southampton. All day long.
Stoke City v Crystal Palace
Let's be honest here, Stoke could have been beaten by five by Liverpool last week. I just hope the players and the manager don't think they could have drawn 1-1. I don't think Mark Hughes is that type of manager but already I want to see what he does at Stoke. I was a bit surprised to see Tony Pulis go and I hope he is the new Alan Curbishley, who finished mid-table year after year with Charlton but went when someone wanted something special to happen. That was the beginning of the end for them. Hughes will have pressure as a replacement and, surprisingly, he hasn't really brought many new faces in. It is full of Pulis players. His style of football suited those players and the fans are used to seeing the ball go forward early. That is not necessary Hughes' style but he needs to get a good start before he can think about changing things.
This is a big game for Stoke and it could be a nice one or a nightmare. If they turn up expecting to win and they are not 1-0 up inside the first 20 minutes, the pressure will build in the stands. Palace were poor at the back last season but they have not strengthened there - yet at least. It is going to be a long, hard season even if they do.
Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City
I was surprised when I saw Spurs. I have to be honest and say I was a little disappointed in them. In fact I thought there was something missing: fluency on the ball. It's what I call fall-over-football where if they did something good, it looked like they had stumbled onto it and it just happened. There was no-one - surprise, surprise - who could come up with something from nothing like Gareth Bale. Even with Paulinho in the middle of the park, there wasn't the patient, precise build-up I was expecting. But they were not the old Tottenham - who were too open - and that is the biggest change Andre Villas-Boas has made. And in the long run, that will make them harder to beat.
It should, though, at least be an entertaining game against Swansea, who also surprised me last week. In fact they shocked me. I thought it was going to be a really tough game for United, yet Swansea let in four! And it could have been more! Swansea have been tough to score against so you can see why Michael Laudrup was quick to move on and put it down to an opening-day blip. If it happens again then we will be worried. I still think they will have zero points from their first two games and that is not what you want. But as always their away form will not help them to bounce back.
Watch out for Merse's preview of the mouth-watering Monday Night Football clash between Manchester United and Chelsea.


text:
Amid fast-paced lives, sometimes we lose sight of the grander scheme; won't you join us in consciously trying to embrace and remember these moments - however small or large?
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the
world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' " John 8:12
We thread white lights through the banister, gently guiding them up the railings of the staircase.
"Why do we decorate the stairs with lights?" G. asks.
"Because it's beautiful," I say. "And mommy likes to look at beautiful things."
"I think it's beautiful, too," he quips. "But I like them on the Christmas tree more."
We leave the whole concept of decorating at that -- it's beautiful -- because, I rationalize, I don't think his 3-year-old mind can understand the depth of my love for Christmas lights.
And he's satisfied with my answer.
But I'm not.
It's about more than just being drawn to the beauty {although, admittedly, I think beauty for the sake of beauty is totally worthwhile.} because every year I spend the last few weeks of November deeply anticipating, yearning almost to sit beside a glowing Christmas tree, bathing in the warm light of a decorated staircase or hearth.
Still, I feel sort of sheepish for being so enamored with this aspect of decorations.
Shouldn't I, at 27 years old, be less entrenched in this aspect of Christmas? Shouldn't I be focusing more on explaining the reason for the season rather than the decorating of the house?
I ponder it.
It's not simply about the decoration or tradition.
There's more stirring in my heart when it comes to decorating with the strands of shimmering bulbs as the days grow shorter, colder and drearier than solely the visual aspects.
Much more.
We are drawn to light.
We seek it out in the midst of darkness.
We grope for the switch of a nightlight in the shadows of 2 a.m.
We gather around fireplaces, snuggle up on the couch and watch the flames dance after the sun sets.
We bathe our evergreens with glowing strands in celebration of Christmas ... in the advent season that anticipates the coming of a Savior.
It's not just about beauty. It's not simply a decoration scheme. {Though if it was, I think that's fine, too. I love traditions and beauty.}
But it's so important to me, I think, because it's rich with symbolism that we adorn our home with light as we await the celebration of the Light in the darkness on Christmas day.
And much like the bright strands are laced through my staircases and tree branches, this longing for light, the desire for it is intricately interwoven into the fibers of my heart.
And there's no need to unplug it for concern that I'm too childishly attached.
Rather, I'm just going to bask in the beautiful glow, soak up the Light and enjoy.
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...


text:
Today is a double cooking-class giveaway day. Here on Food Lover's Odyssey, I'm giving away a cooking class in Venice, one with the lovely and talented ladies of Cook in Venice. And Cook in Venice, is giving away one of my Provence cooking classes on their blog. It's super easy to enter, everyone is eligible, and it comes just in time for those of you planning your 2014 vacations. Wouldn't a trip that included Venice & Provence, and cooking classes in both places, make for an incredible vacation?
In both classes you will have a feast. The feast is only one reason I'd recommend a cooking class while traveling. Slowing down, meeting locals, learning the culture and way of life through what and the way they eat is such an important part of travel and feeling "at home" in the place you're visiting.
As most of you know, I recently spent a week at Venice Carnival 2014. Most of the time I was with Monica of Cook in Venice either on cicchetti crawls - both in costume & out of costume, making fritelle and galani, and eating our way in and around Venice. During a visit late last year, I joined one of Cook in Venice's Hands-On Cooking Classes; the one we're giving away today.
These two Italian mammas, Monica and Arianna, want to teach you traditional & authentic Venetian dishes exactly like what they would cook at home for their family; both easy and delicious. You'll think of them everytime you make one of their recipes and have a lifelong souvenir of your stay in Venice. During the class, you'll make and then eat a lovely meal that includes a starter, first course, main dish & side vegetable and a dessert. Along with all that, we were greeted to the class with a glass of Prosecco and little crostini.
~ Our Menu ~
Clams with Wine & Ginger (Cape col vin e el zenzero)
Tagliatelle with Mussels (Tagliatelle coi peoci)
Sea Bass in Salt Crust with Herbs (Branzino in crosta agli aromi)
Stewed Potatoes (Patate Stufae)
Classic Tiramisu
Getting things started with Prosecco & crostini~
Clams with wine & ginger ~
Hand-made tagliatelle with mussels ~
Baked sea bass under a salt crust ~
Potatoes stewed in white wine, onions, tomatoes with parsley & olive oil, OH MY, so delicious!
Tiramisu, the classic recipe ~
Our class took place in Arianna's home, just outside of Venice near the Brenta river. Monica met us at a vaporetto stop in Venice and took us to Arianna's. On our way, we stopped and shopped for fish and produce for the meal. Class was very instructional but you felt like you were working around a family table with constant chatter flying back and forth as we cooked.
We made tagliatelle by hand while Monica and Arianna discussed their differing flour preferences for making pasta. One prefers "0" flour, so the sauce adheres better to the the pasta; and the other "00" flour to create a more delicate pasta. The class learned about preparing a whole fish, fresh from the sea and then got their hands dirty actually preparing the fish. We made Tiramisu while Monica gave us the unwavering rules for the classic recipe from Treviso.
Throughout class Monica and Arianna added fun facts about the history of Venice, its food and ways you could change or add to the recipes we made. The meal definitely lived up to its billing and more. It was delicious and one that could be easily replicated by any level of cook. Below I've given you the menu and photos from my day with Arianna and Monica, cooking in Venice.
Monica and Cook in Venice offer a wide range of cooking classes and food tours for all types of food lovers. Monica gives 3-hour cicchetti crawls, a food & wine class, a one-day hands on class, a 3-day hands-on class and more.
Win a One-Day Hands-On Cooking Class in Venice for one (class details here) - To win, leave a comment below telling us what your ideal meal in Venice would be.
To win my Provence Market Tour & Full Meal Class (class details here): Go check out Cook in Venice's blog post and leave a comment on her post telling us what your ideal meal in Provence would be.
Easy. Leave two comments, one on each blog post, and you'll have two chances to win. Make sure to leave your comments by Monday, April 14, 2014 by 9am Venice & Provence time (Midnight Pacific Standard Time) when the giveaway closes. I'll pick a winner for the Cook in Venice's class and Monica will pick a winner for my Provence cooking class. Winners will be chosen randomly using www.random.org and we'll announce the winner in a post the next day.
NOTE: The contest is open to anyone worldwide. Winners must take the Venice cooking class before December 31, 2014 and the Provence cooking class before November 1, 2014!
Good luck and I hope to cook with at least one of you very soon!
UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Thank you everyone for participating in this giveaway and in Cook in Venice's giveaway. We have a winner....Congratulations to Mary Klestadt (aka as comment #5)! You've won a cooking class with Monica and Arianna of Cook in Venice. Enjoy the class and buon appetito!


text:
Wait, Shelley Duncan Can Do….WHAT?
To try and get my mind off what was by far the most embarrassing loss of the season, I figured I would have a little fun in light of everything that happened yesterday.
As most people probably noticed, former Yankee sparkplug Shelley Duncan is currently a member of the Cleveland Indians. Duncan, an on-and-off Yankee from mid-2007 through 2009, was a fan favorite; his silly antics and patented high-five were part of his personality and fans accepted him into the Yankee lifestyle.
His trademark high-five, by the way, once fractured Kim Jones's hand. It was for real!
A strong majority of Yankee Universe (including myself) loved how Duncan fit in when he first made it to the majors. In fact, he smacked five home runs in his first 22 at-bats. His great numbers in the minors at first seemed to be translating to the majors very well.
Unfortunately he could not keep it up towards the beginning of 2008 and was demoted back down to Triple-A, only to be called up and sent down sporadically over the next two years. If you ask me, Duncan is in between; he is too good for the minors but not good enough for the majors.
That's probably the worst spot to be in.
However, his numbers and his career do not make him any less awesome. At least not according to a website I came across awhile back.
A lot of people are familiar with the "Chuck Norris Facts" site and…well…I found one for Duncan. Whoever created this bizarre yet strangely amusing site obviously loves the Yankees and (from what it looks like) had a thing for Duncan.
On this site, there were over 450 of these "Shelley Duncan Facts" listed. I have rounded up my top 10 "facts" about the former Yankee. Enjoy!
10) Shelley Duncan can make Joe Buck sound interesting.
I'm not sure if this is possible. As cool as Duncan is (or at least whoever made this fact thinks he is) Buck can never sound interesting. He will always be a biased, terrible, boring announcer.
Are there any people in the world who actually like Buck and Tim McCarver?
9) Derek Jeter gets all the girls, because he tells them he knows Shelley Duncan.
OK, I don't know who is right or wrong here. What I do know that Jeter is a legend when it comes to the ladies. He has been linked to more girls than any other baseball player probably in history.
Jessica Biel, Vanessa Minnillo, Jessica Alba, Vida Guerra, and…whether he marries Minka Kelly or not remains to be seen.
I have to give the "Yankee Clipper" Joe DiMaggio credit for being married to Marilyn Monroe–that's impressive, and he was probably the envy of every man in America.
But Jeter does work when it comes to the ladies. The Yankee Captain is a player, plain and simple. And apparently so is Duncan, according to this fact.
8) Shelley Duncan is the reason Lance Bass went gay
Well…I don't know about that, but…
In the wise words of Jerry Seinfeld, "Not that there's anything wrong with that."
7) Ever wondered why Hawaii is so far out in the Pacific? It used to be a small pineapple-producing island 20 miles off the coast of San Diego. During one visit, Shelley Duncan ate a bad pineapple…The rest, my friends, is history.
You know, I always wondered why Hawaii was out there. I learned something.
6) Shelley Duncan lost his virginity before his mom and dad.
5) Bill Buckner missed the ball because he saw Shelley Duncan in the crowd.
4) Shelley Duncan can fix the Knicks.
Maybe he can. But if he can't, LeBron James might be able to…Chris Bosh, too.
3) Shelley Duncan…that's what she said!
2) Sonic the Hedgehog , The Flash, and Superman once challenged Shelley Duncan to a race. When Sonic, Flash and Superman tried to cheat, realizing Shelley was much more skilled and faster than them, Shelley high-fived them all, killing them instantly. Nobody -including Johnny Damon, Jose Reyes, Ichiro, or Shane Victorino – has since dared to challenge Shelley Duncan to a race.
I'm a little biased towards this one, because I submitted it. I know, it's lame. It's dumb. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. But that's what makes it funny.
Just go with it…
1) Shelley Duncan can drown a fish.
Believe it or not, there's a little bit of a back-story to this one.
Last year, I really liked this girl. I was trying to come up with silly ways to impress her, and I went to the Shelley Duncan site for help. I figured if I can do amazing things, she would like me more.
I came across this fact and proceeded to tell the girl that I can drown a fish. Go ahead and laugh at me; make fun of me all you want. But guess what? IT WORKED!
In fact, she took it a step further and told me she could drown two fish!
I told her I wanted proof of her ability to drown two fish. Believe it or not, she actually sent me pictures of her pretending to drown two fish! It's…kind of hard to explain, but it was really funny! She did an excellent job with it! I gave her "cool points" for her remarkable effort.
We eventually got together for a little while, and maybe I should thank Shelley Duncan for that. His ridiculous fact got me a girl, or at least it helped me get a girl. I think she liked me for more than just saying I can drown a fish.
Click here for the definitive list of Shelley Duncan facts. I swear it can keep you entertained for awhile. And it definitely helped me take my mind off the Yankee loss yesterday.
Awful. Just awful.
But today's a new day! Let's get 'em, Yanks!