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Joined: 07 Mar 1999
Posts: 11731
Location: Berkeley, California
Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 12:16 pm
Post subject: Banks, lobbyists, and Republicans
By Gary Rivlin in the May 20 "The Nation"
The mood was triumphant on the morning of July 21, 2010, when Barack Obama, not quite two years into his presidency, strode to a podium inside the Ronald Reagan Building, a few blocks from the White House. As he prepared to sign the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Actthe sweeping legislative package designed to prevent another spectacular financial collapseinto law, the president first acknowledged the miracle of having a bill to sign at all. Passing this was no easy task, he told the crowd of hundreds. We had to overcome the furious lobbying of an array of powerful interest groups and a partisan minority determined to block change.
Indeed, some 3,000 lobbyists had swarmed the Capitol in hopes of killing off pieces of the proposed billnearly six lobbyists for every member of Congress. For Michael Barr, then an assistant secretary at the Treasury Department, the trench warfare spurred by Dodd-Frank left him shellshocked. You pick a page at random, says Barr, now a law professor at the University of Michigan, and Ill tell you about all the issues on that page where the fighting was intense. Remarkably, despite the onslaught, Dodd-Frank got stronger rather than weaker the closer we got to passage, which is incredibly unusual, says Lisa Donner, executive director of Americans for Financial Reform, one of a handful of advocacy groups that fought tenaciously for the bill.
That sense of victory barely lasted the morning. The same financial behemoths that had fought so ferociously to block Dodd-Frank were not going to let the mere fact of the bills passage ruin their plans. Halftime, shrugged Scott Talbott, chief lobbyist for the Financial Services Roundtable, a lobbying group representing 100 of the countrys largest financial institutions. It was 5:30 am on a Friday when a joint House-Senate conference committee approved the bills final language. By Sunday, an industry lawyer named Annette Nazaretha former top official at the Securities and Exchange Commission whose firm counts JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs among its clientshad already sent off a heavily annotated copy of the 848-page bill to colleagues at her old agency. According to a congressional staffer whose boss was a key architect of Dodd-Frank, Nazareth is one of two generals running the campaign to undo the bill. The other is Eugene Scalia, a fearsome litigator and son of the Supreme Court justice.
Read the rest at:
My favorite lines from the article include:
...there are many hidden gems for progressives buried in Dodd-Frank. Theres an anti-bribery clause requiring companies to disclose payments to a foreign government when they acquire drilling and mining rights...
...two of the more prominent consumer advocacy groups on Capitol Hill, have spent a combined $1.1 million on lobbyists over the past three yearsin contrast with the more than $350 million spent by the Chamber of Commerce during that same time period, or the $25 million laid out by the American Bankers Association...
Perhaps no part of Dodd-Frank matters more than the CFTCs battle to implement derivatives reform. Certainly the big banks wouldnt argue that point: no product peddled by Wall Street has proved as lucrative in recent years, especially for the countrys most elite firms. Just five banksGoldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Bank of Americaaccount for more than a 95 percent share of a derivatives market that has been generating an estimated $40 billion to $50 billion in annual revenues. Because derivatives have been traded on dark (i.e., unregulated) markets, this oligarchy of five, says Darrell Duffie, a finance professor at Stanfords Graduate School of Business and the author of How Big Banks Fail and What to Do About It, has been able to charge exorbitant rates to the wide range of businesses and government entities that buy themprofit margins that are sure to plummet if Dodd-Frank is fully implemented, Duffie says. That alone would justify the huge sums spent on lobbying to gut Dodd-Frank, a reflection of the banks unflinching resolve to protect the billions of dollars in derivatives profits they book every year. If you look at the energy and ferocity and the dollars the financial sector put on the table, it was overwhelmingly directed at derivatives, says Michael Barr, the former Treasury official.
This is why derivativesand by extension, the CFTCshould matter to the rest of us as well, at least if we want to reduce the odds that the banks will again blow up the global economy anytime soon. It was derivatives, after allall those credit default swaps, collateralized debt obligations and other exotic financial instruments that most of us would learn about in newspaper infographics offered only after the factthat were the main culprit in the collapse of insurance giant AIG. They were also the main problem in the failures of Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, and nearly took down the other big banks as well.
So you have the son of the Supreme Court justice fighting it, his dad refusing to recuse himself, and Wall Street dedicating most of their contributions to Republicans to fight the law. And some of you don't think there is any difference between Obama and Romney (or the new crop) on this issue. You just aren't paying attention!
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Joined: 07 Mar 1999
Posts: 11731
Location: Berkeley, California
Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:01 am
Post subject:
Well, I think we can add the rating agencies to this unholy triumvirate. Matt Taibbi has an article in the July 4 Rolling Stone, laying out the fraudulent rating of subprime loan packages, as shown in litigation discovery by purchasers such as King County. He makes the persuasive case that these bastions of the free market presented essentially fraudulent ratings to maintain their market share. You can't get to the Rolling Stone article, but you can see his blog here:
Of course having the banks pay the salaries of the raters, without any intervening regulation, is a huge conflict of interest. So the second part of the story is what has been done to prevent this from happening again? The Senate passed a bill to change the compensation model and try to prevent this conflict of interest. House Republicans relegated that effort at reform to a study by the SEC--which called for more study.
The fraudulent peddling of sub-prime loans destroyed perhaps 40% of the wealth in the world, rewarding a few that stayed ahead of the implosion. Theft on a grand scale. We get real reform when we elect Tea Party members to the House of Representatives, eh?
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Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 9230
Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 1:57 pm
Post subject:
mac, here's the link to the Rolling Stone article by Taibbi.
No doubt, it's interesting reading. Heads should roll, but unfortunately, that's just a pipedream.
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Joined: 11 Nov 1993
Posts: 7949
Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:01 pm
Post subject:
I for one didn't want to bail the bastards out.
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Joined: 11 Nov 1993
Posts: 7949
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:48 pm
Post subject:
A sickening personal story... A friend bought his home 10 years ago for $500k. Over the years refied multiple times. He built his loan balance up to $1.1 million ove the years, but didn't make a payment for the last 5 years. Last month his lender agreed to drop his principle back to $600k, forgive the last 5 years of interest, pay the taxes, and give him a 2.2% fixed loan for the next 22 years.
I applied for a lower interest rate 2 months ago and was turned down for a 40% LTV loan because my income had fallen in 2011. WTF? They said I had plenty of income to pay it, but my income MIGHT CONTINUE TO FALL. Is this entire system on crack?
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Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 9230
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:15 pm
Post subject:
Your friend aside, I have to wonder about what you're leaving out about your situation, particularly given the very low ratio involved. At the bottom line, it's always about the details. In the past, I have found that you can be very light on specifics here. There's nothing wrong with maintaining a degree of mystery about who you are and what you do, but it can arguably affect outcomes.
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Joined: 11 Nov 1993
Posts: 7949
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:45 pm
Post subject:
Honestly Chandler, it is beyond me. Luckily, I don't need the money. I just wanted to lower my interest rate. The whole thing is a mess and getting worse for people who follow the rules. I am suspicious that they didn't lock the loan when they said they did. Interest rates were rising. Wouldn't that open them up to a big lawsuit? Who has the time to sue?
The whole thing stinks though. Do you realize they just gave my friend over a $million over the next 22 years? How is that fair to anyone?
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Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 18792
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:58 pm
Post subject:
Yep. Why should anyone get bailed out just because his investment lost value and his mortgage is now upside down? That's no different from bailing out people who lose money in Las Vegas or the stock market. I've had stocks and home values decline (and have been profiled by the police, told which water fountain to drink from, and told which section of Montgomery buses and movie theaters I can and cannot sit in, but that's another story), but that's not the taxpayer's or the good mortgage payers' problem.
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Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Posts: 2711
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:17 pm
Post subject:
isobars wrote:
and have been profiled by the police, told which water fountain to drink from, and told which section of Montgomery buses and movie theaters I can and cannot sit in, but that's another story
Wow. I always imagined you to be an old pissed off white guy, not an old pissed off black guy. I guess you never know.
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Joined: 11 Nov 1993
Posts: 7949
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:50 pm
Post subject:
Is this Iso?
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Treasury Strategies has created several LinkedIn networking communities in order to facilitate communication and innovation within the treasury and finance industry. Join any or all of the groups listed on this page to network within the profession.
We also regularly publish videos on our YouTube account that appeal to a variety of content areas.

subset: commoncrawl


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This girl is pretty intense. Tyler took these pictures 6 years ago, and only worked up the courage to post them now. I sense that she was a disaster so enjoy!-10
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Description: If you want to see more sexy sexy pics like this, then be sure to check out the album.
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The Meetings and Events Australia State Awards for NSW, ACT and Victoria all took place last evening (March 10) at gala celebrations held at both the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre for NSW and ACT award recipients and the Sebel Albert Park Melbourne for the Victorian award winners.
Staging Connections performed well in both states as the winner of the category award - MEA Products and Services Awards -Technical & Creative Production - Branch turnover > $5 million.
Pete Urmson, General Manager Sales and Marketing of the Staging Connections Group congratulated the Staging Connections team on this great result. "Last night's wins, coupled with the recent win of the micenet Award for best AV and Production Services Company for the second year running, positions us well. The awards are recognition of our people and dedication to excellence in all that we do".
State winners will now move ahead as finalists at the MEA National Awards to be held in Brisbane during the MEA National Conference from April 17-19.


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Chelsea have appointed Guus Hiddink as their new manager until the end of the season.
The Dutchman, who had a previous spell in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2009, succeeds Jose Mourinho, who on Thursday paid the price for the club's disastrous start to the season.
Hiddink, 69, whose last post was as Holland coach, said on the club's official website: "I am excited to return to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world but is not where it should be at the moment. However, I am sure we can all turn this season around."
He added: 'I am looking forward to working with the players and staff at this great club and especially renewing my wonderful relationship with the Chelsea fans."
Hiddink is at Stamford Bridge for Saturday's match with Sunderland but Mourinho's number two Steve Holland will take control of the team alongside Eddie Newton, who is now assistant first-team coach.
Hiddink previously took temporary charge of Chelsea in February 2009 and guided the Blues to FA Cup success at Wembley.
Chelsea's announcement came hot on the heels of Mourinho revealing he is already looking for a route back into management.
Mourinho was axed after Chelsea followed up their title win last term with nine defeats from their opening 16 games.
But the Portuguese, who released statement through the agency which represents him, is ready for a new challenge.
"He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn't tired, he doesn't need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward," CAA said in a statement.
"Because of his love of football, you will see Jose at football grounds working and supporting friends. He will not be attending any high-profile games because he wants to discourage any speculation about his future.
"During his career, Jose has sometimes chosen to leave a club, but only at Chelsea has the club decided that he should leave.
"Each time represents for him the end of a cycle, and the opportunity to start a new one. Jose hopes that his future after Chelsea this time will be as successful as when he left the club in 2007."
Blues chairman Bruce Buck used his programme notes to shed some light on the events of the past few days after owner Roman Abramovich's patience finally ran out.
He wrote: "On Thursday the difficult decision was made for Jose Mourinho to leave the club. I can assure you it was not a decision we took lightly
"Nor was it a spur-of-the-moment decision; Mr Abramovich and the board anguished over it for some time. The decision was made for no reason other than to do what we believe is in the best interests of this club.
"We will not forget what Jose achieved here during his two spells as manager.
"But the start of this season has come as a major disappointment to the owner, the board and Chelsea fans everywhere and I think it is fair to say nobody expected us to be in the position we are in the Premier League just before Christmas.
"Now we have to look forward and, in order to make the most out of what remains of this campaign, we believed a managerial change was needed."
Captain John Terry, meanwhile, attempted to shoot down rumours that Mourinho was axed due to the influence of the players at the club.
In his captain's notes, the defender wrote: "We are aware there have been rumours of player power at the club but I want to make it clear that is not the case.
"We leave all decisions to Mr Abramovich and the board, and know that our job, as players, is to focus on getting results on the pitch.
"We players have to look at our performances and take responsibility for where Chelsea sit in the table right now. The manager going doesn't change that we are responsible, and to be 16th in the table is not acceptable from us."
Mourinho wasted little time in reappearing in a football stadium, attending Brighton's Amex Stadium on Saturday for their noon Sky Bet Championship clash with Middlesbrough.


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The amblings of a wandering mind. The subject is determined by where that mind has gone just prior to opening up this page.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
The Year of Firsts~2015
We packed a box or two or four every day until we got to the kitchen. That room we left until just a day before closing. Ah, closing. Yes, that was supposed to be December 29, 2014. It was actually January 11, 2015. Just eleven days too late to save us $1000 in property taxes on our new home. We didn't find that out until the middle of February when we filled out the paperwork for the deductions based on our age and income. It is applied January 1 each year. Crap!
The closing went well in Michigan and the next afternoon we closed in Florida after driving straight through. The movers came the next morning at 9 am and we were alone in our new house filled with boxes by dinner time. We ate out. The kitchen had a coffee pot and some cups and the food the movers brought.
Our bedroom and our bathroom were usable and we used them both. Slept like a baby. Waking several times through the night. But we were home.
As much as we love this life, we left much in Michigan and lost much there. Six months ago Momma passed in the house that is not our home anymore. I brought all the memories with me. Two days before we moved, our furbaby, Sadie, who would have turned 14 in May, died. We asked to have her ashes sent to us here. We have those with us, we have thirteen years of loving memories of her. We don't have her.
Two of our boys live in Michigan, a third is in Tennessee as is our daughter. Six of our grandchildren are in Michigan. We left them but not their love. We brought that and plans for the future with them and texting keeps them in our lives, but we don't have them here.
We left life-long friends in Michigan. Hoping some will come down and visit at some point. We left newer friends that may drive or fly down one day, but there's no promise of that. It's sad to think about, but for thirty-three years we have planned for and wanted this life and we have it now.
We have met some nice people here in the neighborhood and at some businesses, but we are basically alone. Roomy and me and our Jake. He is turning 15 in May. Since it's just us three, we find he is with us as often as possible on our errands or making trips to the park where he can chase birds and bark at people.
This is where we belong. No question in our minds. As we just celebrated our 33rd anniversary by visiting with and mourning with Roomy's side of the family saying good bye to the oldest brother, the first sibling to pass. He was the family patriarch and we all miss him. Already a quick trip back to Michigan for a funeral. A sibling funeral. Nothing reminds you of your own mortality faster than that.
Nothing reminds you how much you love your siblings faster than that. Every day matters. Every word you hear or say may be the last.
I was sure 2015 would be a year of firsts. I wasn't wrong. First time we've been alone, truly alone. First sibling death. First emergency trip to Michigan. Not all things I thought would be on my list of firsts.
On the brighter side, however, I wake every day now with a smile, of sorts. I'm not a morning person.
The sun shines in the bedroom window and I have only recently fallen into my sleeping late mode. I am back to my normal self. I sleep until 8 or 9 and I sit on the back porch and scroll FB and sip coffee and smoke. I start my day between 11 and noon and I smile a lot. I go to the Farmer's Market for fresh fruit, vegetables and the fish market for ocean fish and shrimp and scallops. I stop into the meat market for steaks once a month or so to grill. We eat out at least one day a week because there are just so many wonderful places to eat around us that we want to try them all. We do what we want, when we want for the most part.
We've had a couple of nice days with my brother and sister-in-law and have another one planned before they head back to the Chicago area for the summer. It's nice having them just a couple hours away, but they like the two home life and it's definitely not for us. We want this permanent house and our life to be here. To each his own and this is right for us.
I learned a great deal in this move. I learned more once we were making our new home. I will seriously write about all of that one day. It could be fun to do and might even be an entertaining and smile worthy read, but right now, I'm thinking it's time to get started on Momma's story. I am ready to start this process. I realize now that her story is never-ending. Her legacy, along with Dad's will live for generations to come because each of us carries her with us. The story can now be written as she watches over my shoulder with encouragement. She always encouraged me to write. I hope she motivates me through this new project of love.
Now in the middle of the third month of 2015, I am looking for and creating some really good firsts. Life style changes, back to writing and moving on with the rest of our lives...together, in Florida our paradise.
15 comments:
- AnonymousMarch 19, 2015 at 11:17 PM
You are sounding Happy, even with the sad "firsts". Looking forward to reading Mommas story. ElaineReplyDelete
Good to have you back Jo! Missed hearing from you. Your home looks beautiful, and you sure sound happy...and it will only get better with time. ;-)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 19, 2015 at 11:39 PM
Even when we get what we want and where we want, we leave little pieces of our heart scattered around. So happy to live in 2015 when distance has been reduced to hours and not months. Your happiness will blossom and grow as spring comes to Fl. You're Home takes a little getting used to but you'll soak it up like a sponge and that little thread of sadness I can feel running through your story will be gone. Love you my friend. VeldaReplyDelete
Welcome back, Jo. Making a move is always hard. We're inbetween cities right now. Trying one to see if it's a fit for us and keeping our own place going too just in case we want to go back. It's hard living like this - but it's something we had to do. As always, it's a learning experience. I can see you're having one too. May you continue to find joy where you are.ReplyDelete
And good luck with writing your Momma's story!Replies
It's so nice to hear fro you again, Corinne. Thank you. Funny, we considered renting here for a year and renting out our house in Michigan, but it just felt too complicated at our age. We decided to just take the plunge and if it turned out not to be the right spot, this house could be sold, too.Delete
I hope it works for you and you can soon make a more settled decision.
There has to be a lot of emotions to process before the long awaited half hour of endless signatures. Packing often bring memories to the forefront and with that the emotional journey. The stress of the move, which is then tempered by all the excitement of exploring new places, new people to meet, and new memories to make. Enjoy this new phase, it sounds like you're off to a good start.ReplyDelete
What a major upheaval your life has went through in the last 6 months! Losing your mom, leaving your home in Michigan and creating a new one in Florida, and losing your dog! I am glad you are happy where you are and look forward to reading the book you write about your mom. I bet it will be the best thing you will ever write just because of all the love I know you will put into it.ReplyDelete
I'm so sorry for all of your losses. I hope your new life is filled with sunshine in more ways than one.ReplyDelete
I'm looking forward to reading your mom's story. My husband and I are planning to retire in Florida in a few years. I hope you share more about that over time as well.ReplyDeleteReplies
I have begun the draft. It's very difficult. Florida, east coast, is perfect for us. It's always a few degrees cooler here than inland and the pace is slow and easy. We are close to Daytona Beach for more activity and St Augustine is a hour north, Orlando an hour west...plenty to see and do,at either of those cities. Basically, we are livin the life day to day here and know it's where we are meant to be.Delete
I really want to know that YOU were here...please drop me a note or just say Hi ~ I do love a comment and it keeps me motivated!
You write and I will answer. Eventually. Show the love!


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"Can you do me the biggest favor?" I embarrassingly ask my brother's girlfriend. "ANYTHING!" she replies. "I need Immodium," I say in in both shame and urgency. The location is my wedding venue bridal suite. The time is 4:35pm, 25 minutes before I am scheduled to elegantly walk down the aisle to marry Ian in front of 197 of our friends and family. Hooray for my wedding day!
When my boyfriend of 5 years proposed in November of 2010, I immediately said yes and two things became the focus for the 11 months to follow. One, I am going to plan an awesome wedding and two, I am going to get skinny for it. The very night I became a fiancé, I sat at my keyboard and googled "wedding planning" because I had no idea where to begin. I knew I wanted to marry Ian but the design of my dress or the flower species I were to hold walking down the aisle were never thought about until the engagement ring was on my finger.
After a lengthy googlefest that went late into the evening, it became clear that planning this beautiful day was going to be hard. Hard and expensive. The most annoying expenses happen towards the end by the way. Five days out- "Oh you actually want us to POUR the wine for your guests? That's an additional 3 dollars per person." Three days out- "What's that? You want forks AND knives? Yeah, there's gonna be an additional fee." The day of- "Oh you want to use the air on our grounds to breathe while you're here? Yeah, that's gonna cost ya."
Okay, back to where I started. So it's 25 minutes until show time and I have bubble guts. My brother's girlfriend (soon to be sister-in-law!) ran off to do something we haven't spoken of to this day. The angel got me anti-diarrhea medication.
It's 4:55pm when she returns, and that's when I got the call. My friend Jenn was at the hotel where many of our guests were staying, and by many of our guests I mean Ian's entire family who flew out from Chicago. "Hello," I answer my cell. "Don't freak out," were the first words out of her mouth. I immediately freak out. "What?!" I blurt out. "The shuttles aren't here yet but don't worry…" I hang up on her and immediately start dialing the shuttle company. "Hi. It's my wedding day. I'm supposed to be getting married in five minutes but my guests are still at the hotel and I need to know the status of the shuttle NOW." I give him the confirmation number only to be told that they have no record of any such reservation. Mind you, I called them the day prior to make sure everything was confirmed and got the A-ok. Assholes. After a few choice words with one gentleman and a few more with others at the company, four shuttle vans were dispatched from God-knows-where and sent to retrieve my wedding guests.
You are waking up at 9am to get ready for something that is starting at 5pm! All science, physics and logic say, you will be ready to walk at 5pm." I started walking at 5:45pm. It was a beautiful ceremony. There was a lot of Jesus talk. Ian and I were both raised Catholic so a priest officiated and like I said, lots of Jesus talk.
I told myself I would not drink too much at my wedding. I will have a glass of wine, MAYBE two but that's it. I want to be able to remember every moment and how tacky is a drunk bride?! Well, 3… or 5 glasses into the reception and I'm drunk. My amazing day-of-coordinator pushed me around a la "Weekend at Bernie's" to where I needed to be so it was fine. (That's why you hire them by the way- to push you around when you get drunk.) Ian and I are being escorted toward the cake table so I knew it was CAKE CUTTING TIME!
I was over the moon excited to enjoy the Cuban white cake with assorted fillings that Ian and I picked out months before. We proceed to do the hand-in-hand cake cut while the cameras are snapping away. Um, am I drunk or is this cake brown inside? Before I can process the odd color, there is a fork with cake on it flying at my face and I open wide to receive it. AH!!! IT'S CARROT CAKE!! Sober Natalie would have just gone with it. Drunk Natalie made a scene. I begin yelling, "It's the wrong cake! It's wrong. It's carrot cake! This isn't our cake!" The half-moon of a million people are taking pictures of us while I am announcing that this cake is indeed wrong. Cake scene ends. I walk away from the cake and immediately jet to the door leading outdoors to have a complete meltdown. I'm crying...over cake. $85 dollars in wedding makeup down the drain. Ian and a few of my closest friends are explaining to me in their most gentle way that I am being ridiculous. Eventually, I calm down. My face gets blown on and patted down with tissue by loyal friends, and with yet another wine glass in tow, I'm ready to party.
Twenty minutes of dancing, photoboothing and other wedding activity staples, I am asked by one of the servers if I was ready for "the El Guapo cake to come out." "Huh?" "Uh, your groom's cake, the El Guapo cake?" he asked, more puzzled than me. I yell, "THAT IS NOT MY CAKE! WE DID NOT ORDER AN EL GUAPO CAKE!" It became apparent that I was starring in my very own Switched At Birth Lifetime made for TV movie but instead of babies, it was cake. Don't worry, I didn't cry because of El Guapo. By that point I was beyond "drunk and emotional" and was happy as a clam in "drunk and over it" land.
For those wondering what happens when a vendor gives you the wrong wedding cake, they give you a certificate for your exact wedding cake redeemable whenever you want. Ian and I cashed it in for my best friend/maid of honor's birthday party this past October. My parents made me promise to save them a piece. I did them one better and brought them entire top tier. Well, I tried to at least. This happened minutes before I could fulfill the promise.
Was the day a success? I don't know. Was it worth the money? Probably not. Would I change any of it? Not in a million years.
Photographer: MiBelle Photography Venue: Calamigos Equestrian Dress: Claire Pettibone Shoes: Valentino Calligraphy: Kathryn Murray


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For those of you hopping over from Susan's blog...WELCOME to our Paper Issues blog hop!
We're kicking off our new 'Summer Lovin' issue...with a fabulous blog hop celebrating the long, hot, happiness packed days of summer AND another giveaway!
Look at that! 23 sheets of Simple Stories' Summer Fresh 12x12 paper, coordinating stickers, alphas PLUS 3-4x6 overlays!!! Whoohoooo! I LOVE this collection! Here's a simple summertime card I created with it...
To be entered for this amazing giveaway...
1. Like Paper Issues on Facebook.
2. Like Simple Stories on Facebook.
3. Leave a Comment on the Paper Issues blog that you completed 1 & 2.
4. If you're not already a follower here...become one. I'd love to have you pop by regularly!
And don't forget to link up a project here! We'd love to see what you've come up with! It doesn't have to use the Simple Stories line...it can be anything that makes you think of summer!
You have until August 25th to enter the giveaway...and a winner will be announced on Monday, August 27th on the Paper Issues blog.
Your next stop on our hop is Melissa! Go check out her darling summertime layout. And if you've missed any of the other creative stops on this hop, here's the full list of places to visit...have fun! You're sure to be inspired...
Paper Issues SUMMER LOVIN' Blog Hop
Bethany (You're here! That's me!)
Wishing you sunshine & creativity...


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Reporting Consultant with Monitoring & Evaluation & Analysis specialist
Are you a highly qualified Monitoring and Evaluation specialist with Public Health sector experience gained within a multinational and multicultural environment and looking for an exciting new opportunity within a non-governmental organisation (NGO) ? If so, please have a look at the following details:
Experis IT Switzerland is currently on the search for an Evaluation specialist with Public health sector experience to join one of their clients, an NGO, based in Geneva.
Your responsibilities:
The Consultant will provide expert advice for the Clients measurement framework development, policy notes and tools, including the linkages with certain Projects and Data Governance.
The Consultant will assist the specialists for monitoring and evaluation for the roll-out of program and data quality framework, including coordination with internal teams and documentation of lessons learned and recommendations to shape the programmatic assurance framework.
The Consultant will support the evaluation planning and implementation, including contracts with service providers, tracking the implementation of evaluations, and managing the evaluation database.
Key Responsibilities
To deliver the required results, it's necessary that you have:
If you are a dynamic and motivated Monitoring and Evaluation specialist with Public health sector experience currently looking for a challenging new position that applies to your skills, then we look forward to receiving your application!
I'm always looking for skilled Evaluation specialists so please don't hesitate to send me your CV.
Don't hesitate and send us your CV today through the link in the advert. In case of any questions please contact Jane Archer on +41 22 818 8782.
I'm always looking for skilled candidates don't hesitate to send me your CV for future job opportunities. Do check my page: https://www.experis.ch/jane-archer to see an overview of available positions or connect with me on LinkedIn.
Experis IT is Europe's leading recruitment agency. We have more than hundreds of open vacancies and we will be more than happy to find the perfect role for you! Visit us on www.experis.ch


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The ORIGINAL gathering place for a merry band of Three Percenters. (As denounced by Bill Clinton on CNN!)
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
The Fight Over the Confederate Flag Has Turned Into a Hateful Smear Campaign Against Millions of Southerners
12 comments:
Obama's America: Liberal Judge Orders Obama Critic to Psychological Counseling
2016: Obama's America was a movie directed by Dinesh D'Souza.
The movie is the second most popular documentary in history.
This week a Democratic judge ordered Dinesh D'Souza to seek psychological counseling. Judge Richard Berman also ruled D'Souza must continue community service for four more years.
World Net Daily reported:
Watch Obama next send all gun owners in for psychological counseling.
- July 14, 2015 at 9:17 PM
- Ron Russell said...
Revisionist are hard at work trying to erase the history that goes against their agenda, just as the book-burning, Jew-killing Nazis did in WWII! There is little difference!
- July 14, 2015 at 9:17 PM
Being a Westerner myself I fit on nether side of the North/South thing, but I will say this. During my time in the service and as a security contractor I have known many fine Southerners, and even the roughest among them had something to recommend them. They were on the whole fine men who knew what honor was, and how to do the right thing. Very few of them were the racists they are commonly portrayed as in the media. These attributes are completely lacking among the race baiting poverty pimps who wish to smear Southern Culture for the purpose of advancing their Revisionist Marxist agenda's, and so I have no problem giving the benefit of the doubt to any man who flies the Battle Flag of the CSA as a matter of pride. They are more American than the trash that wish to drag them down, by a good long way.
- July 14, 2015 at 9:39 PM
It won't end well, Mike. As you know, there are a lot of us loyal Southerners scattered about in the liberal hinterlands. I fly my flag, and my Yankee neighbors are good with it. I believe the main problem we have is with the media.
- July 14, 2015 at 10:42 PM
I dont smear good decent people, including southerners. but those who see themselves as Confederates, of course. Same as those who wrap themselves in the Soviet flag...
Trash bin of history.
If it bothers you, you can kiss my American ass.
- July 14, 2015 at 11:08 PM
"So we've gone from a nice gesture of reconciliation from Republicans in South Carolina to an all-hate campaign waged against southerners so vicious that Democrats are digging up corpses and smearing millions of people across the South as racists."
This is a perfect example of why you cannot trust nor bargain with them. They will always demand more or out-pander you.
You agree to a path to citizenship and they will demand full amnesty.
You agree to backround checks and they will demand registration.
You agree to civil unions and they will demand gay marriage.
And on and on down the line with every issue, always.You cannot compromise with people who want you and everything about you destroyed.
- July 15, 2015 at 3:43 AM
"You cannot compromise with people who want you and everything about you destroyed."
Some of the left (small "L") are decent but misguided people. What would you expect of those processed through our public schools. But the hard core Left (large "L") are as evil as any of Lenin's commissars. To get an idea of what compromise with that kind of evil would be like, imagine the west giving the Third Reich free hand to exterminate 3 million Jews, or you giving half of a biker gang free access to your wife and daughters.
One of their prime attributes is "projection". They accuse their opponents of doing everything they secretly desire to do. They have no interest in compromising with others. Offers of compromise are only a tactical ploy to help "progress" towards their opponents complete destruction.
Don't want my hands slapped again for posting supporting links so you'll have to web search for the original Woodrow Wilson era progressives' thoughts on processing young American men through college to produce their version of the "New Man" sought by just about everyone of the Hitler/Stalin/Castro/Pot mind set.
- July 15, 2015 at 9:40 AM
Here's my opinion I sent to friends.
Next comes the big hullaballoo about the Stars and Bars or otherwise known as The Confederate Battle Flag. All of the
crap that's been thrown out by the blacks, the politicians and the Lame Stream Media, ad nauseum, is just one more issue
to stir the racial divisiveness the current administration has repeatedly caused and continues to cause. The nut case that
murdered the people at the black church in Charleston, SC was/is an obvious looney tune !! Had the entire incident not
immediately been pounced on and turned into a 'feeding frenzy' by the Lame Stream Media, the blacks everywhere and the
politicians, the issues of 'the Flag' may not have come up at all, or at least not become the 'BIG' deal that it is now. But oh
no, the media and everyone else has to heap fuel on the fire so they'll all be able to have their mugs and mouths on the 'idiot
lamp' as much as possible. Some blacks view 'the Flag' as a symbol of slavery and hate. That's their view of it and their
opinion. Which they're entitled to. They either fail or refuse to view it as a part of American history displayed during one of
the biggest wars this country has ever fought. If they recognized it as such, and accepted that it didn't have a damn thing to
do with slavery, they couldn't keep on with the 'poor us' shit. Perhaps one of these days they're going to stop living in the past
and crying 'whoa is me/us', and assimilate into our citizenry as Americans. Or, they never will, and will keep their hate for
whites going. In a few ways, they're no different than the radical Muslim terrorists around the world. They hate the people and
countries that have done the most for them, and want to turn them into being like the countries they ran away from !! If that
isn't asinine stupidity of the first degree, I don't know what is.
- July 15, 2015 at 1:39 PM
The Hateful Smear Campaign Against Millions of Southerners Has Turned Into a Fight Over the Confederate Flag
There. Fixed it.
- July 15, 2015 at 3:27 PM
Morris Dees Praising the flag in 89 on video.
- July 15, 2015 at 6:21 PM
Well they could not get the opportunist blacks/militant left to riot after the shooting, so the flag is the next best target. It is just obscure enough for the low info voters to get fed talking points and just enough white guilt to shut up the reasonable center.
- July 16, 2015 at 6:36 AM
I think the timing of the Confederate flag controversy was intended to distract attention from the TPP being pushed through...plain and simple.
- July 19, 2015 at 3:28 PM


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FOOTBALL'S second hoariest old cliche behind "We'll take each game as it comes" (what's the alternative to that, by the way?) is "The first goal is important".
Like all the classic cliches, it is unarguably true. Important - that's what the first goal is. Take a match between two struggling teams with fragile confidence, and that importance is magnified.
That was the backdrop at Bescot on Saturday. So when Walsall failed to take early chances but Oldham converted one of theirs, the die was cast.
Suddenly, Oldham, bottom of League One at start of play, found some belief, tightened up and attacked with conviction.
Walsall, bottom of League One at close of play, leaked belief and grew more impatient and shapeless the longer the game went on.
This emphatic defeat left manager Richard Money with much to ponder. Four points from the previous two games constituted green shoots of recovery.
But those first green shoots are vulnerable. Easily uprooted. Oldham did not have to tug too hard.
For half-an-hour, it was hard to predict which way this match would go. Both teams played patches of neat football while looking edgy in defence.
But whereas Martin Butler spurned a great chance, slickly created by Darren Wrack and Tommy Mooney, and Wrack had a decent one blocked, on 32 minutes Oldham scored.
Former Saddlers striker Michael Ricketts, barracked on his return to Bescot, sprinted beyond a flat back line and added a stylish finish.
In that instant, Oldham drew strength while Walsall hit a downward spiral that just got deeper and deeper. Edrissa Sonko was promisingly lively on the right before, in the midst of fasting for Ramadan, running out of fuel.
Butler and Mooney, at last fit together up front, made little impression though, as mitigation, they could point to negligible service.
When, 18 minutes after half-time, Scott Dann leaned on Ricketts, Andy Liddell's penalty sank all hopes of a comeback.
Troy Deeney, sent on in a makeshift midfield role, did enough to suggest the starting line-up beckons but no sustained pressure was put on the historically accident-prone Mark Crossley.
By injury time, only five Walsall players were in the positions in which they started the game. It was a shapeless unit through which Craig Davies slotted Oldham's third goal.
There's much to exercise Money's brain cells this week.
WALSALL (4-4-2): Ince; Weston, Roper, Dann, Fox; Wrack, Sonner (Demontagnac h/t), Gerrard (Deeney 52), Sonko (Hall 61); Butler, Mooney. Subs: Bossu, Dobson.
OLDHAM (4-4-2): Crossley; Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Bertrand; Liddell, Kalala, Allott, Taylor (Wolfenden 89); Davies, Ricketts (Hughes 67). Subs: Thompson, McDonald, Trotman.


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Hero Lab Sale – Limited Time Only!
That's right, Hero Lab users – it's time for a sale! All the big-box retailers are introducing their holiday shopping events earlier than ever, so we decided to out-do them and hold a huge sale at the end of October. We aren't selling the latest gaming console at a steep discount, but we do have deals on Hero Lab packages, including exclusive sale bundles at up to 50% off! If you play the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Shadowrun, or Mutants & Masterminds, you don't want to miss out on these limited-time discounts.
The sale ends Sunday, November 8, so take a look at what's on sale below and then grab some deals today!
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game
Now you can add even more options to your Pathfinder repertoire with discounts of up to 40% off on our must-have Adventurer's Bundle, as well as our new Mega Bundles for both Player Companion and Campaign Setting books. And for the first time ever, we have individual packages on sale, like the Advanced Race Guide and Ultimate Equipment! These packages are now only $7.99 with the purchase of an essential Rulebook Entry Path package, like the Advanced Class Guide or Ultimate Magic (or one of our new Class Packs).
There are even discounts from other Pathfinder publishers, like Frog God Games, Kobold Press, and Rite Publishing. That's right, you can get 20% off the award-winning Tome of Horrors Complete and Deep Magic packages, as well as 30% off the incredibly versatile 1001 Spells. If you play Pathfinder, you're not going to want to miss out on these deals!
Shadowrun 4th and 5th Edition
Runners, we have some incredible deals on new gear, abilities, and other options that may help you survive a little longer on the streets! If you're currently playing 5th Edition, you can grab 20% off gear, abilities, and more from the Sourcebook Bundles when you purchase Run & Gun, Street Grimoire, Run Faster, or Data Trails. Want to try out the new edition? For a limited time, Shadowrun 4th Edition users can upgrade to 5th Edition for 15% off with the Shadowrun Upgrade Bundle.
If you're still playing 4th Edition, don't worry. Round out your collection with 50% off Running Wild, Sourcebook Bundle #1, Sourcebook Bundle #2, PDF Bundle #1, PDF Bundle #2, and PDF Bundle #3. Or, pick up every Shadowrun 4th Edition supplement and PDF for over 50% off with the Shadowrunner's Complete 4E Library. No matter which edition you're playing, we have something for Shadowrun fans!
Mutants & Masterminds
We have heroic discounts (30%!) for anyone playing Mutants & Masterminds 3rd Edition, whether you're new to the game or one of those veteran avengers. If you're new to Mutants & Masterminds and Hero Lab, you can pick up Hero Lab with Mutants & Masterminds for only $19.99 (usually $29.99). Current Hero Lab users, you can try your hand at some heroics by adding Mutants & Masterminds to your game library for just $14!
While you're at it, deck out your superhero with new or custom powers from Power Profiles for only $6.99 (30% off), or try out new ready-to-use gadgets from Gadget Guides for just $4.99 (over 30% off). You don't want to go up against a supervillain unprepared, so stock up with these deals today!
Grab These Epic Bargains Today!
Don't forget, the sale ends on Sunday, November 8. Whether you're completing your library or just starting a new game, nearly everyone will be able to find something of interest in this incredible sale. Don't miss out on these limited-time discounts!
- in Hero Lab


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- Ginger Snap Creations Challenge #136 ~ Color Challenge - Glorious Greens
- Simon Says Stamps Challenge ~ Anything Goes
- Truly Scrumptious Challenge #72 ~ Something Forgotten (Black Feathers)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
"Sinister Vision"
9 comments:
- I Don't Do Straight said...
Sara.....This is beautiful.....I am sorry you missed the deadline......It happens to me all the time LOL
Please join in the new challenge .....create anything you like bearing the Master's image......look forward to seeing your creation :)
- January 26, 2012 at 9:16 AM
- ike said...
OMG - AWESOME Sara - such a pity you missed it !!!! Wonderful creation and a big Thank You for choosing one of my images :-D I am honoured xxxxxxxxxx
- January 26, 2012 at 9:25 AM
- Kristina said...
Oh my Sara, awesome Fat Book Page! (Sorry you missed the entry, Im notorious for that myself!)However, I am glad you shared this great piece of art work, yes I do like! Way cool image and great work on the image! Super nice touch w/ the feathers... Love it! This turned out quite wonderful!
- January 26, 2012 at 3:42 PM
- Ally White Cat said...
how totally stunning ...it makes ones spirit still. Powerful and dramatic. I totally would steal it if you lived by me...lol
susan s.
- January 26, 2012 at 7:10 PM
- monique said...
Sara it's so beautiful, sorry you missed the deadline
- January 27, 2012 at 5:21 PM
- Mephisto said...
Great work.
Thanks for joining us at SimonSaysStamp this week!
- January 28, 2012 at 9:24 AM
- Jo (Boots the Monkey) said...
Great card
Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Challenge this week
- January 30, 2012 at 3:46 AM
- sara said...
great card love the feathers thanks so much for joining us at truly scrumptious this week
hugs sara x
- January 30, 2012 at 4:03 PM
- Ali Manning said...
This is fabulous! Thanks for playing the Gingersnap Creations challenge :)
- February 19, 2012 at 7:50 PM


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Read the following words/expressions found in today's article.
1. work-life balance / ˈwɜrkˈlaɪf ˌbæl əns / (n.) – the state in which a person spends time for work and for personal life
Example: He doesn't have work-life balance because his job is taking most of his time.
2. proponent / prəˈpoʊ nənt / (n.) – someone who supports something
Example: She is one of the proponents of the campaign.
3. typical / ˈtɪp ɪ kəl / (adj.) – normal
Example: My typical workday starts at 8:00 a.m.
4. midday / ˈmɪdˌdeɪ / (adj.) – relating to the middle part of the day
Example: They have midday meetings every day.
5. honor / ˈɒn ər / (n.) – respect given or shown in admirationExample: The auditorium was named in honor of the school's founder.
Read the text below.
The national government of Spain seeks to shorten the country's standard 11-hour workday to improve its citizens' work-life balance.
The labor minister of Spain announced that the government is pushing to end workdays at 6:00 p.m. instead of the current 8:00 p.m. Proponents of the proposal said that a shorter workday can promote a better work-life balance for employees. The long workday affects their productivity and compromises their family time. In line with this, the government is seeking the support of big companies and trade unions to achieve its objective.
Currently, a typical workday in Spain starts at around 9:00 a.m. and ends at 8:00 p.m. or later. Employees get an afternoon break that usually lasts for two to three hours. Due to their late schedules, Spanish employees cannot eat dinner before 9:00 p.m., and some of them sleep after midnight.
According to a study, Spain's unique work schedule started after the country's Civil War in the 1930s. Many work until 3:00 and then do a second job later in the day. In between these jobs, people used their long afternoon breaks to go home for lunch and have a siesta.
Siestas are the tradition of taking a nap after lunch. People in Spain have a siesta in order to avoid the midday heat and enjoy a long lunchtime with their families. Siestas are also believed to be good for health.
Siestas are an important part of the Spanish culture, and in fact, the first ever sleeping competition was held in 2010 in its honor. During the competition, the contestants had to sleep for 20 minutes while being monitored. The goal of the competition is to preserve siestas as a part of the Spanish culture. It also aims to encourage people to take a siesta because it is a healthy activity. The winner of the competition took home 1,000 euros.
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Would you like to have a similar work schedule with two to three hours of break? Why or why not?
· If you had a three-hour break, how would you spend it?
Discussion B
· Do you agree that long work hours affect productivity? Why or why not?
· In what ways can people stay concentrated despite working long hours? Enumerate.


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There are loving girls? You know that spring and summer are the best seasons to enjoy perfect garden parties? We always hear about the role of the game after abruptly motivate our reaction and emotions because it is the feast of synonyms lot of fun, happiness and enjoyable event.
Party to bliss and organized by various glee times when the wedding night function, dinners, birthday parties or congratulate the parties have included these lovely features exude more loving pleasure and satisfaction when we celebrate these in gardens or patios rear because the ambient air blowing and natural vegetation makes happy multi-elegant and impressive memorable meeting for all.
If you are also one who is preparing for the garden party, then you're in luck because here you will find excellent effective tips to get ready for the garden party can be an easier task for you, but you should be account some vital points to attend the garden party held the admiring gaze of his catchy appurtenance and also emanate breathtaking view it offers. Here, I suggested tremendous classy and fascinated terribly tips ready to garden party. Have a look!
1. First, you should check the weather Day garden party; if breezy winds and then a little hot dress is perfect for you and if it is contrary means that sunny day things will then cool cotton appropriate for you.
2. You should avoid dress floor length or endearing to attend the garden party dress because the ground vegetation spoil their valuable dress instead of t captivated length or thigh-length skirts, dresses or pods are best for comfortable splendid demonstration.
3. If the garden party is prepared according to the theme, then you should follow this because essentially fills this adorable nuances in this joyful meeting.


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Draculas are a type of orchid. The orchid genus Dracula consists of 123 species. The strange name Dracula literally means "little dragon", referring to the strange aspect of the two long spurs of the sepals. They were once included in the genus Masdevallia, but became a separate genus in 1978. This genus has some of the more bizarre and well-known species of the subtribe Pleurothallidinae.
Culure of Dracula Orchids
TemperatureGenerally, draculas demand cool growing temperatures. A handful of draculas can tolerate slightly higher temperatures, altough most cannot. Take note of the origin of the paticular plants you are growing for a hint on their temperature requirements. Higher elevation plants tend to thrive in an a cooler environment than lower elevantion plants. In general, a range of 55º - 70º F is good for draculas. Try to avoid temperatures above 80º F for a sustained period of time. If higher temperatures cannot be avoided, ensure that the night temperatures drop at least 10 degrees to give your draculas a break.
LightDraculas tend to be happy anywhere from 600 - 1500 foot candles of light. However, some folks have been known to successfully grow draculas a bit "harder" with up to 2000 footcandles of light.
Air MovementA subtle breeze will keep your draculas happy and will help keep the bacterial infections away.
FertilizationA very light feeding of a well balanced fertilizer will keep your draculas blooming. Too much fertilizer will cause the tips of leaves to turn brown or black. A feeding of 100 ppm N every other watering or 2 out of 3 waterings is ideal.
Water QualityDraculas require a high quality water. An investment in an RO system will make your draculas happy. Rain water is also good. Try to keep your water below 50 ppm TDS, if possible.
HumidityHumidity is one of the most important factors in successfully growing draculas. A range of 80% - 90% is ideal.
How to Maintain a Dracula Orchid Garden
Though the Dracula orchid is named after the scary vampire from Transylvania, the flower is far from horrific. In fact, it's one of the most beautiful and most romantic flowers that you can have in your garden. So how exactly does one grow this kind of flower in his or her garden?
Let's first talk about the conditions that the Dracula orchid can grow in. For one, it grows well in areas that have very high humidity like in tropical countries. The temperature has to vary between 40 to 60 degrees for the orchid to survive. It can't live in a country that's too hot or too cold. It also thrives in mossy areas because the moss keeps the plant cool but stores in the humid air. It also doesn't like to have too much light, which is probably one of the reasons why it was named Dracula.
If you want to grow your orchid in your lawn, then it's good if you are able to fulfill all the conditions made below.
First, make sure that your Dracula orchids are surrounded with white sphagnum moss that can help keep the air around the orchids humid but at the same time cool. Since they don't like too much light, make sure you cover them with a light covering like a roof or an umbrella to block most of the light from directly hitting them. I prefer building a roof over these flowers since they can grow really long and eventually an umbrella may not suffice.
In order to grow Dracula orchids, it's best that you have a small to medium sized lawn because you'd best hang your Dracula orchids instead of leaving them with the other plants since these orchids prefer special conditions. Have a roof ready for your orchids and grow them in a hanging pot. Make sure that the pot is hung under the roof. This is more practical than building a big lawn so that you can separate the Dracula orchids from the other flowers. You also won't need a special mower for big lawns. For example, finding a well price zero turn mower can really serve your needs well. You can just use the classical manual lawn mowers or even the cordless electric lawn mowers and mow like normal since you don't have to worry too much about your Dracula orchids being affected. As long as you are able to satisfy all of those conditions, your orchid will be able to grow well.
The Perfect Dracula Flower for Your Bedroom
Not only do Dracula orchids look amazing in the lawn, but they can also look amazing indoors especially in the bedroom. If you're planning on a romantic night with your significant other, adding some of these orchids as a decoration can definitely spice things up. The dark and subtle aesthetic appeal of the Dracula orchid gives a sensual and relaxing vibes that are good for couples who want to make the mood a bit more romantic for the night. So how exactly do you decorate your Dracula orchids to make your bedroom more romantic? That will really depend on your style and creativity. We'll give you a few tips and some ideas on how to get creative with your Draculas.
Beside the Bed
The first way to decorate your bedroom would be to simply add some small potted Dracula orchids in your room. You can put them on your bedside table to add to the whole vibe. Place a few pots to give that classy look to the place. Just imagine, lying there on your very firm mattress and admiring the wonderful array of flowers in front of you.
Wall Decors
If you don't mind plucking out your orchids, you could press them and make them wall decorations. You can frame them up with a wood background to give it a dark and mysterious vibe which is good for the mood.
Spread on the Bed
You can also place some Dracula orchids on the bed instead of rose petals. Though this idea may sound really nice, a lot of people opt not to do it because it's really hard to grow Dracula orchids.
On the Hot Tub
If you have a hot tub, then you could surround it with some potted Dracula orchids, open a bottle of wine and take a dip with your significant other.
These are just a few ideas that you can use if you're planning on having that romantic night with your partner.
Dracula Flowers in the Living Room
Because of its beautiful design, the Dracula orchid has always been a flower associated with calmness and relaxation. This is why Dracula orchids are one of the most preferred choices of flowers to put in the living room. Since the living room is a place for relaxation and peace, this flower adds to the whole vibe of the place, making you able to just sit down and relax.
When you put your Dracula orchids in your living room, just choose a few places where you can put your potted orchids. Some good places would be on your living room table as a centerpiece, on top of your drawers, or even on the floor if you want. If you have a few of them in your living, it will really give you a very relaxing environment as it is very pleasing to the eyes and also good for your health in general.
If you're looking for a decoration that can help make your living room look and feel relaxing and calm, why not try some Dracula orchids? These beautiful flowers can definitely give you the best feeling of calm when you sit on your luxury reclining chair and enjoy the peacefulness.


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The obligatory picking-through-the-ashes-of-one's-bracket post
Image found here.
Well, we gave it a go. I can take some comfort in the knowledge that very, very few people picked Missouri to lose to Norfolk State; I'm pleased that I picked Lehigh to beat Duke and that, as I had originally picked, Ohio U. is in the Sweet Sixteen. But the upshot is that only half of my Sweet Sixteen selections are actually going to play tonight and tomorrow. This saddens me, since I do have a small wager on all this with my in-laws: the winner gets six-packs of the beer of his/her choice from the losers.
But there may be hope yet for those three six-packs of Shiner Bock. My mother-in-law has proposed the following: that we keep all our correct choices thus far AND re-set our brackets beginning with the new rounds. This pleases me because, she informed me, I am at present in the lead but, under the old bracket, soon would not be due to the fact that none of my original Final Four selections even remains in the tournament (for your amusement: VCU, Missouri, Florida State and Belmont).
So, beginning in about an hour, we'll get to see how my following picks do, placed under the fold to spare the uninterested:
SOUTH Regional:
Kentucky over Indiana; Baylor over Xavier; Baylor over Kentucky
[Baylor is one of the tallest teams in the tournament; that fact and their athleticism keep them in most games. IF Baylor shows a little more aggressiveness in its interior play and IF their perimeter game holds up, they just might put a stop to all this send-the-trophy-to-Lexington talk.]
WEST Regional:
Michigan St. over Louisville; Marquette over Florida; Marquette over Michigan St.
[Louisville and Florida are good when they're on, but they can be inconsistent in the face of a good solid team. Marquette gets the Final Four nod due to its superior guard play.]
EAST Regional:
Wisconsin over Syracuse; Ohio St. over Cincinnati; Ohio St. over Wisconsin.
[Wisconsin forces everyone to play at its speed, and it has superior perimeter shooting; Ohio State, though, seems comfortable playing either uptempo or half-court.]
MIDWEST Regional:
Ohio over North Carolina; Kansas over NC State; Kansas over Ohio
[I really like Ohio's inside-out game, which I think the Tarheels might be susceptible to. I confess to picking KU over the Wolfpack because I haven't seen NC State play yet and because I have married into a family of rabid Jayhawks fans. But Kansas will have its hands full with Ohio in the Elite Eight game; the Bobcats do. Not. Quit. But KU has size--and, after the Purdue game, Bill Self should have his players' attention.]
Marquette over Baylor; Kansas over Ohio State
Marquette over Kansas
[Marquette is really playing good, consistent basketball, whereas Baylor is like the little girl with the little curl right in the middle of her forehead. After beating Kentucky, the Bears may think their work is done. Kansas and Ohio State seem pretty evenly matched, except inside: KU has two pretty good big men to the Buckeyes' one. Of the four, Marquette is, again, the most consistent team here.
Now . . . you may very well see an image of the Hindenburg leading off next week's basketball post.


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|My character's cute "Baby Doll" look for the fashion show
- Lively - similar to Fairy Kei and related fashions
- Eastern - yukata and similar items
- Girly - gyaru like looks
- Gothic - Gothic Lolita, including Ouji looks!
- Baby Doll - sweet, classic, and traditional lolita, but also some non lolita items
- Preppy - cute schoolgirl style
- Rock - if you're into the punk/visual-kei side of J-fashion
|A very Moi Meme Moitie look from the Gothic brand
|Lolita themed shop and outfit
|You might want to see a doctor about that...
|Ready to style some hair!
|A lively look for an amusement park ad


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When my parents first visited me in Auckland ten years ago, they remarked on how there were no homeless people on the streets. Coming from Los Angeles, they were used to seeing the impacts of horrendous inequality and a lack of a social safety net: people living under bridges, in cardboard boxes, people who may have been bankrupted due to healthcare costs.
They thought it was wonderful that homelessness was so unusual in New Zealand, because we had a social safety net and provided homes and shelters for people in need.
When they came to visit this year, they couldn't believe how much things have changed.
After eight years of a National Government, the ongoing housing crisis, and the two speed economy that is leaving the most vulnerable behind, a growing number of people are without homes – left with no choice but sleeping on the streets or living in cars.
The budget today should be addressing both the housing crisis and growing inequality. It should be upholding the core value of New Zealanders – fairness.
A fairer tax system would tax the capital gains from investment property, just as any other income is taxed. This would help reduce growing concentration of wealth in a smaller and smaller group of people, and it would mean that more homes are available to first home buyers.
This budget could introduce proper protection for renters, including security of tenure and a warrant of fitness for rental properties. Every child should be able to live in a warm, dry, secure home – even if their parents rent.
Most importantly, this budget should invest more money in building state houses. If we have a supply shortage, the government needs to step in and fill the gap. State houses per capita have declined considerably over the past few decades. If we don't something about it, more people will be on the streets or in cars. Build more houses, you can end homelessness. It's that simple.
This budget could make real strides by putting a tax on climate pollution, and return the revenue to families from the bottom, again making our tax system fairer and helping us shift to greener jobs and energy.
This budget could introduce much more logical investment in transport projects, which would not only result in safer roads and cheaper transport, but also a massive reduction in climate pollution.
The National Government keeps giving us excuses about why we can't afford to solve the housing crisis, why we can't take action on climate change, why we can't protect our rivers or get kids out of poverty.
The truth is we can do all of these things. In fact, we must!


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While it is true that a timeshare contract is a binding legal document, it is often mistakenly thought that such a contract cannot only be cancelled. In fact, most timeshare companies maintain that their contracts are non – cancellable. This misconception is perpetuated by timeshare companies and user groups that are funded, maintained and controlled by the timeshare industry.
The FHA 203k loan program provides home buyers the opportunity to buy and fix up a property, without exhausting their personal savings.
(CNBC) -- The U.S. Treasury Department said on Friday it is changing the way Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will repay taxpayers in a move the Obama administration said would accelerate the winding down of the government-owned mortgage financiers.
The finance companies, which buy mortgages from lenders and repackage them as securities for investors, will now be required to hand over all their profits to the U.S. Treasury instead of the 10 percent dividend repayment required under the terms of their government bailout.
Both companies reported strong profits in the second quarter and did not need to ask the U.S. Treasury for additional taxpayer aid to stay solvent.
The Treasury said this change would ensure that "every dollar of earnings that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac generate will be used to benefit taxpayers for their investment in those firms.''
The companies, which were taken over by the government during the financial crisis, will also be required to reduce their investment portfolios at an annual rate of 15 percent instead of the previous 10 percent.


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Looking for simple steps towards a healthy lifestyle? Come and join our Run England running sessions designed for any age, shape or ability.
Contact the group leaders directly if you're interested in joining one of the groups or coming along to a session. To join a group you'll need to bring a completed Run England disclaimer form [pdf, 169.4KB].
AthleFIT is a programme of accessible, non-competitive fitness sessions based upon athletics from England Athletics. Contact: Kevin King at firstname.lastname@example.com or call: 07454018411. Sessions last 1 hour.
- Monday, 6.30pm - Queensbridge Primary School, Albion Drive, E8 4ET
- Tuesday, 9.45am - Comet Children's Centre, 20 Halcomb Street, N1 5RF
- Thursday, 10am - Thomas Fairchild Community School, Forston Street, N1 7HX
- Friday, 10am - Seabright Children's Centre, Haggerston Park, Queensbridge Road, E8 8NP
Mums on the Run
Tuesdays, 10am-11am, starting from Wednesday 3 February for nine weeks at Hackney Downs Pavilion, E5 8NP
Want to get active after having a baby? Struggling to find the time or energy? Come along to free running sessions and bring your baby or toddler in the buggy.
A series of 8 sessions progressing up to a 5k or 10k race at the end, which you'll also be entered into for free. No specialist equipment required. Led by Holly Weir, a qualified British athletics running coach.
Booking isn't essential but is advised. If you want to book or have any questions, please contact: email@example.com or visit Run With Holly for more information.
GoodGym Hackney
Every Tuesday, 6.45pm, E5 Bakery, 395 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH
Get fit by doing good with GoodGym. We combine regular exercise with helping our communities, running as a group every week and helping local community organisations with large physical tasks like gardening or shifting soil. Run starts at 7pm. For more information see GoodGym - Hackney.
Hackney Hurricanes Athletics Club
Tuesdays and Thursdays during term time, 5.30-7.30pm, Stoke Newington Secondary School, Clissold Road, Hackney N16 9EX
Athletic sessions for fun, friendship and fitness. Compete in county, regional and national competitions. £2 per session. Contact Hackney Hurricanes on 07535 724 336 or email: firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.
Hackney Marshes Ladies' Running Group
Every Monday, 7-8pm, The Elderfield Pub (at a table near the back), 57 Elderfield Road, Homerton, London, E5 0LF
This is a women's only group and a friendly way to improve your running. For more information please visit our Facebook page or contact email@example.com.
Hackney Marshes park run
Every Saturday, 8.45am, Hackney Marshes Centre, Homerton Road, E9 5PF
A 5km for people of all abilities. We'll time your run so you can monitor your progress as the weeks go by. For more information please contact Hackney Parkrun. Free.
London Fields junior park run
A 2km walk, jog or run for 4-14 year olds. We time you so you can see how you do each week. Meet us every Sunday near the London Fields Lido at 8.45am for a warm up. Run starts 9am. Contact firstname.lastname@example.com for further information.
A community of people taking steps to raise mental health awareness and fighting stigma.
Run Dem Crew
Every Tuesday, 6.30pm, NIKE 1948, Arches 477-478, Batemans Row, London, EC2A 3HH
Run starts at 7pm. Run Dem Crew is a collective of of over 100 people with a passion for running and exchanging ideas. Ideal whether you're a marathon veteran or taking your first steps towards your first race. Runs are split into 5 groups according to fitness and pace.
Run England
A great first step if you want to get into running, whatever your age, fitness level, aspiration, background, or location. Free membership, support, advice and encouragement. And if you've already got a few miles under your belt, you'll be able to meet people just like you.
Springfield Running Group
All sessions include stretching and warm ups. For updates and more information join the Facebook group, email: firstname.lastname@example.com or call 07762211955.
12.30pm-1.30pm (registration 12.15pm). Meets outside Hackney Downs Pavilion (The Hub), Hackney Downs, London E5 8NF.
9.30am-10.30am (registration 9.20am). Meets outside Springfield Mansions, Springfield Park, Upper Clapton, London E5 9EF.
Distance running only. 7.30pm-9.30pm (registration 7.20pm). Meets outside Springfield Mansions, Springfield Park, Upper Clapton, London E5 9EF.
10am-11am (registration 9.45am). Meets at Mabley Green changing rooms, Mabley Green, Lee Conservancy Road, Hackney, London E9 5RN.
- group 1: 7.30am-8.30am (registration 7.20am)
- group 2: 9am-10am (registration 8.45am)
Meet outside Springfield Mansions, Springfield Park, Upper Clapton, London E5 9EF.
Page updated: 16/11/2018 13:07:22


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Site 17
The domestic artifact assemblage from Site 17 which included a variety of refined earthenware ceramics and fragments of colorless leaded glass tableware was comparable to the overseer assemblage recovered from Site 7. Documentary research produced a historic map in Jefferson's hand showing that an overseer lived at this location (labelled "Overs's H" below). From the date of the plat (1809) we know that Edmund Bacon was the overseer for Jefferson's Monticello plantation.
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What did you name your pet? Some names are goofy or precious, and some may reflect an owner's tastes or interests. Yet some names are pretty timeless and appear quite commonly on the collars of our purring little friends.
If you're curious what other people name their pets, be sure to check out our cutest pets of 2011 slideshow.
Does your cat's name reflect where it came from? A recent poll by AP and petside.com suggests that most people get their pets as gifts or rescue them.
If you'd like to help a cat in need, consider adoption options with your local shelter, or by visiting Petfinder.com and the ASPCA website.
If you think your pet has a unique name, check out Banfield Pet Hospital's list of the top 25 cat names for 2011, accompanied by some of our favorite cat pictures from this year. Be sure to vote for your favorites!
For more, visit AOL's Best of 2011.


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Australia leaped the final hurdle for the legalization of medical marijuana Wednesday, nearly seven months after its Parliament passed amendments to its national drug laws. Long-brewing after a major grass-roots campaign, the use of the drug for medicinal purposes will be allowed beginning in November but will also be "strictly controlled," according to the Canberra Times.
The nation's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) — in the same vein as the United States Food and Drug Administration — published its final decision. However, the federal government is still forming a regulation structure, the Times reported.
Back in February, Australia made changes to its Narcotic Drugs Act that allowed marijuana to be grown for both medicinal and scientific purposes, but the recreational remained outlawed.
– Read the entire article at International Business Times.


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Black Kettle is located at the corner of Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai) and Chulia Street Ghaut (Gat Lebuh Chulia). It's located in a restored heritage shop-house with landmark next to it would be the historical fire station at the same crossroad. The food establishment of Black Kettle combines being a bistro, cafe and Patisserie under one roof in the heart of Penang's UNESCO Zone on historic Beach Street.While Penang is famous for various types of hawker foods like hokkien mee, loh mee, curry noodle, jawa mee, and etc., one might be looking for trying Western brunch/ breakfast to kick-start the morning.
Upon recommendation from my friend W.L., we had brunch and gathering at Black Kettle during last visit to Penang Island. Black Kettle was unexpectedly spacious with classy setting. Black Kettle separated into a few sections: the bakery, coffee and bistro area and dinning area at the back. We were warmly welcomed by the large range of breads, cakes, pastries and other masterpieces from the pastry kitchen.
Bakery section with various pastries, cakes and breads to tame your taste buds.
The array of breads and flaky pastries were very attractive and it would be great to be bought for breakfast.
The beauties with the nicely presented pastries
In conjunction of Halloween, they had some scary pastries to be served too.
Was that a bloody eyeball?
So, what's your choice of drink today?
Black Kettle had set a relaxing and yet sophisticated ambiance. The interior decoration of this restored shop-house was very modern with European style cafe/bistro.It somehow made me reminisced of the cafes in Paris. In the middle area of Black Kettle, there's a courtyard section with a light well to help illuminate the interior section by the direct sunlight. Several rows of pots with green plants were found adorning the wall, providing a green garden feel. It's one of the great spot which I had seen many food patrons chose to sit there to enjoy the comfort of coffee or tea and their favorite books. However, the tables were quite low, might not be suitable for dining purpose.
Comfortable place for enjoy the drinks and reading.
Of course, it's also an ideal place to take photo too.
The young girls :)
Time were well spent when you're with your favorite buddies.
Group Photos
Black Kettle remained the Halloween-themed decorations such as black bats and spider webs were seen at most of the corners and ceilings.
Black Kettle's menu emphasized on modernist Western cuisines such as eggs benedict, french toast,Aussie styled big breakfast sets,sandwiches, tartine, pasta, burgers, salads and etcetera. The logo of Black Kettle had combined croissant as kettle's handle, making me thought that they specialize of croissant. Interestingly, the given menu was printed materials which allowed us to highlight the food we would like to place order. The waiter introduced that coffee beans here were sourced from Dimattina Coffee, a reputable Australian roaster with wide range of coffee blends, hence we had ordered cappuccino,Flat white and Long Black to try.
Enjoy the coffee with a Jazz soundtrack played as background music.
The breakfast sets, coffee, French toast, salad for group of ladies to share.
Food Verdict: The Long Black was freshly brewed, aromatic and bittersweet for sipping through. My choice of breakfast set was comprised of toast, scrambled eggs, chicken breasts, salmon slices and mashed potatoes. Breakfast portion may look small yet it really fill up the emptiness of your stomach.
Tiramisu cake and fruit cake for the birthday stars
Food wise were with good quality yet pricey. The ambiance of Black Kettle was great for cozy chat and gathering. The main meals such as their signature soft shell crabs burger and pastas hadn't been tried out yet and I looked forward to re-visit again. Being a loaf-lover, Black Kettle happened to be a great place to explore their bakery section for pastries.
105, Beach Street, 10300, Georgetown, Penang.
*Right next to the junction of Chulia Street and Beach Street


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Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl) from 'Japanese Soul Cooking'
Buying tips, techniques, and recipes, no matter how you like them.
Oyakodon is a classic form of Japanese rice bowl dishes called donburi. Oyako means "parent and child," which is represented by chicken and egg. Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat's version in their new cookbook, Japanese Soul Cooking, is at once delicate and comforting. They begin by simmering boneless chicken thighs with sliced onions in a broth made of mirin, soy sauce, sake, and dashi. Next, in a pretty slick move, they cook lightly beaten eggs in two layers. Most of the eggs are poured into the pan and cooked through with the chicken, but right before serving, they add a bit more egg that just barely cooks, so it still retains a runny texture. The whole egg-chicken-broth mixture is served over a steaming bowl of rice, which sops up the remaining broth.
Why I picked this recipe: I was fascinated by this cooking method as it was unlike anything I had ever tried in my kitchen.
What worked: If you're looking for a new quick, comforting weeknight meal this winter, look no further than this chicken donburi. Seriously, so good.
What didn't: No problems here.
Suggested tweaks: This oyakodon is so simple, and so wonderful as written, it's hard to suggest changes. Make it once as written before fiddling with anything.
As always with our Cook the Book feature, we have five (5) copies of Japanese Soul Cooking to give away this week.
This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Serious Eats. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.


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The Window At The End Of The Street
Kulpreet Yadav
Rohan lived in a house next to Anita's, towards the east, where his house was the last and beyond it was the city park. A four feet wall separated their courtyards and the only window Anita could see in his house was always closed.
On bright sunny days, the collected rainwater in Anita's courtyard seemed deep enough for her to imagine tadpoles in them these days, her hand instinctively reaching her abdomen each time. But on the days when there was no sun, the water remained dark and pregnant, with mercury like viscosity that turned Anita's face gloomy, her palms rubbing the tears into her cheeks until she shivered. The rain, without her knowing, swung her mood, overtaking her hormones.
Rohan's house was one of the oldest, the decaying Mangalorean tiles on its canopy an interesting pattern of black, red and grey, and Anita often imagined her name in them, an exercise which left her guilty; 'How can you think of another man, someone who is forty, and married, and insane, and out of job, and a singer of some sort, a failure,' Anita's mother had once said, and Anita had been worried, not because she was scared of her mother, but because her mother could read her adult thoughts.
But Anita liked the way Rohan walked, looked at her, and told her stories about another world, his finger pointed towards the direction she knew was the sea, a world where happiness could be shared and the ways of the world were unimportant.
'You know what Anita, only a few have the courage to conquer their fate.'
'And do you have that courage?'
He had smiled when Anita had asked this question, scratched his three-day old stubble and said, his voice bordering on uncertainty, 'Of course.'
'People say you are a failure.'
That had sent him away, but when he was about ten feet from her, he turned and said, 'Failure is not a word in my dictionary. Indecisiveness is. The day I decide to succeed, it will all be over.'
Anita wanted to ask him what was stopping him but she didn't, just let him go, watching his steps that looked unsteady, and his back bowed, as if he was walking uphill.
Anita was not sure if her mother had shared Anita's fondness for Rohan with her father, a semi-retired shopkeeper, who worked only four hours a day, and rarely spoke of anything other than money. Her brother, ten years older, was married with a child and settled in a town two hundred kilometres away; he loved his world. He rarely visited home.
Anita's mother had died the previous year, the year in which there was no rain, and now with her anniversary just a week away, Anita recalled what she had said when Anita had returned home blamed by her husband's family for his death.
Her mother confronted her even before Anita could enter the house.
'I always knew you would be a boy when you were inside me, because mothers know, don't ask how, but when you were born a girl, I knew something was amiss.'
'But Ma, how does it make a difference. Think of me as your son.'
'Look, you should have been a boy; you even want to be one, even now.'
'No, that is not what I meant. I can be your boy even when I am a girl…'
'I think you are a bad omen, yes, that is what you are.'
Her mother repeated, 'you hear me, bad omen.'
This was how Anita, the widow, who should have been a boy, and whose husband died because of her bad omen, was welcomed back home.
Her mother-in-law had said the same words, 'Bad omen.'
For six months Anita stared in the mirror and observed the woman as she shrank each day. Her body was taking revenge, turning her more womanly, as her breasts enlarged, the waist narrowed, and hips widened. Was her body fighting with the memory of her mother and the fact that she had accused her of being a boy, when she could be such a beautiful woman?
The window of Rohan's house, as always, was closed. But this afternoon Anita thought she saw a shadow in it. She angled her face for a better view and yes indeed there was someone watching her. It had to be Rohan. His wife was out at her job and Anita knew there could be no one else. The servants must have retired to their quarters at the back of the house for their afternoon nap. Is he watching her? She waved nervously, but the figure didn't move.
Anita pulled the curtain shut and got back inside, blaming herself for an errant fantasy which was making her hallucinate. After drinking a glass of water when she returned to the window, there was no one there. But something had begun to stir inside her now – she thought of the tadpoles in the collected rainwater in the courtyard – and she wanted that movement to stop.
She walked out of the house and without looking left and right, she headed straight for Rohan's house where she paused at the gate. It was unlatched and so she pushed it open and walked in, and pressed the bell, and strained her senses to listen. And when she didn't hear it, she tried again. A worry gripped her. Is Rohan well?
Anita walked through the lawn and reached the back of the house and startled a few hens which ran for cover as she looked in the direction of the servant's room. There was no sign of life.
She turned her attention back towards Rohan's house, pushed the kitchen door, and went in. It was the first time she had gone into Rohan's house and the unfamiliarity of the house, together with its silence and the smell, hit her and she was filled with dislike. As she moved further inside, she heard muffled sounds. She followed the sounds and was soon at the bedroom door which was ajar.
There was Rohan, a woman on his lap who was writhing and turning, her head thrown back, back arched, as he gyrated his middle gently. His half-open eyes met Anita's, and she saw his face contort as if in an extended climax, or maybe, the anticipation of it.
He was all naked, wild and newborn, and Anita imagined, this is what her mother meant her to be, a man, who was free, and fearless, untouched by failure, even in the face of it.
How wrong her mother was, because as a woman all Anita wanted at that moment was to be with Rohan, and match the rhythm of his body and extend the freedom that she thought she could see on his face. She closed her eyes and imagined herself in the lap of Rohan.
But her eyes sprung open within seconds: Just as Rohan has betrayed his wife, will he betray me too?
She turned and left.
The rains had been incessant this year. Someone said it was due to global warming, people running air-conditioners and aircraft flying above them, things that had weakened the sky through which the sun came in more harshly, and the impunity with which it was all going, the world would be bald in no time. But it still might take a few hundred years, another said, and that brought Anita's fear in check.
She had not seen Rohan since that day. She checked the window regularly, but no shadow ever crossed it and it remained shut.
Who was that woman with him?
On the day of her mother's anniversary, there was a knock on the door, but before Anita got up to open it she instinctively checked the window of Rohan's house and retreated back with a cupped hand covering her mouth. The window was open. She heard the knock again. Why was the person at the door not using the doorbell?
She waited and when her father's voice reached her, she opened the door,
'Why didn't you open the door?' He stumbled past her, two jute bags in his hands, and started to inspect the rooms. One of the mangos slid out from a bag and rolled away from Anita.
'Who was with you?'
This was for the first time Anita's father had accused her like this. So this was the reason he was talking less with her ever since her mother had died.
'Answer me?' He shouted.
'I was with Rohan.'
'I knew it. Your mother also knew it, and that is the reason she is dead now. Where is that bastard now?' He threw the bags. Along with mangoes, now tomatoes and potatoes also spilled on the floor.
Anita pointed a finger towards the open window and that sent her father out, marching like a medieval army General.
She walked over and stepped on a tomato watching the juice escape around her feet and through her toes. It felt good. She did it with another tomato and continued till all the tomatoes were smashed and the floor resembled a minor battlefield. But the war was incomplete and there was a need for more drama. Anita brought a bottle of tomato ketchup from the kitchen and as she opened it she swirled it around her, the red ketchup flying away like coagulated blood. Finally, after removing her clothes she sat down in it naked and tasted some of the pulp from the floor using her finger. It didn't taste of anything or maybe her senses had died.
When she stepped out of the house ten minutes later, it had begun to rain, and she couldn't see Rohan's window clearly. She turned her face up to receive the raindrops, and closed her eyes. The tomato juice and ketchup slid from her body and mixed with the collected rainwater at her feet.
Where is my father? Is Rohan dead?
She got back in, changed into new clothes, admired herself in the mirror, and picked up her packed suitcase. It was time to go.
When she paused to look at the window one last time, she noticed someone standing there. It was Rohan and he was smiling. He looked down for a fraction of a second and she heard a gunshot.
Anita smiled and waved back.
Before leaving the house, she dialled the number, 'There has been a murder in the house next door.'
She gave the address to the police and walked away, suitcase in hand, splashing through the collected rainwater. Anita was free at last.
Kulpreet Yadav is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and Founder-Editor of Open Road Review, an online magazine of literature and culture. Kulpreet's novel, The Girl Who Loved a Pirate, is India's first thriller based on marine piracy and hijacking. Passionate about creative writing, Kulpreet also mentors aspiring writers at schools and colleges and has spoken at many literary festivals in India and abroad. An ex-armed forces officer, his latest novel, The Girl Who Loved a Spy, was launched in 2016. More at www.kulpreetyadav.com.


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The music of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
It's a big three days at the Dundas Shopping Centre and Indoor Market this week as a Beat The Keeper Competition and a football themed Food and Craft Market combine to celebrate the England football team's success.
From Thursday 28 June to Saturday 30 June, it's Beat The Keeper and a chance to show the professionals how it is done by scoring to win some great prizes and raise money for charities nominated by market café Jean's Kitchen and Danny's Family Butchers. There is also a football selfie competition to enter in the shopping centre.
The Dundas Food and Craft Market showcases the best of local food, drink and gifts, with up to 20 independent local traders joining the regular market traders. This Friday 29 June and Saturday 30 June from 10am to 4pm, there will be a wide range of locally crafted goods, breads, cakes and sweets and other goodies and gifts on sale in the shopping centre.
"The whole shopping centre and indoor market is joining together to celebrate England's goals and progress in the tournament. We look forward to seeing football fans and foodies alike at our events," says Dundas Market Manager David Harris.
Dundas Indoor Market is located in the Dundas Shopping Centre where all the shops offer value for money, from national brands like B&M, Fulton Foods and Cooplands to well-known local independents like The Festival Shop, Tik Tok, Homefair Blinds, Buckshees Military Surplus and LD Printing.
Customer car parking is available in the 178-space Dundas Shopping Centre basement car park, accessed off Wilson Street. Further information is available from www.dundasshoppingcentre.co.uk or via @DundasShopping on Facebook and Twitter.


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Protein kinases mediate many cell signaling events, and their tight control is essential for regulating vital processes ranging from cell division to energy metabolism. Thus, it is not surprising that protein kinases are directly or indirectly involved in many diseases and that kinases are key drug targets. For example, Src kinase was the first identified proto-oncogene and the formation of a de-regulated Abl fusion protein (BCRAbI) is the cause of disease in 95% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. X-ray crystal structures have shown that the same kinases can attain an active and various inactive conformations, implying that kinases are inherently flexible. How the active and inactive states are stabilized and how these states interconvert are key questions in understanding kinase regulation. Because X-ray crystal structures provide only static snapshots, we will use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments and ligand binding kinetics to study the timescales and amplitudes of structural interconversions in Abl and Src kinase domains. BCR-AbI is the target of the clinically highly successful drug imatinib (Gleevec?, Novartis) in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The clinical success of imatinib is due to its excellent specificity, binding only to the inactive conformation of the kinase. Therefore drug binding is intimately related to the interconversion between active and inactive states. The goal of this study is to examine timescales and pathways ofthese interconversions between active and inactive conformations, how dynamics of structural elements relate to catalytic turnover of the kinase and how drug resistance mutations affect these dynamics. Therefore, we will compare the timescales and amplitudes of backbone motions between Src and Abl kinases in the presence of drugs by NMR experiments. Ligand binding kinetics will be used to address the role of the regulatory domains on kinase dynamics and the binding mechanisms of different classes of kinase inhibitors. The role of protein plasticity and dynamics on inhibitor promiscuity will be addressed by structural studies on kinase*inhibitor complexes, inhibitor binding kinetics and biochemical assays.
Kinase inhibitors such as imatinib have a great therapeutic potential because of the many signaling events that protein kinases mediate. However, these drugs have to be exceptionally specific for their target kinase and resistance mutations can render these drugs ineffective. The proposed experiments will clarify the interplay between kinase dynamics, drug specificity, drug resistance mutations and kinase regulation.
|Foda, Zachariah H; Shan, Yibing; Kim, Eric T et al. (2015) A dynamically coupled allosteric network underlies binding cooperativity in Src kinase. Nat Commun 6:5939
|Maianti, Juan Pablo; McFedries, Amanda; Foda, Zachariah H et al. (2014) Anti-diabetic activity of insulin-degrading enzyme inhibitors mediated by multiple hormones. Nature 511:94-8
|Georghiou, George; Kleiner, Ralph E; Pulkoski-Gross, Michael et al. (2012) Highly specific, bisubstrate-competitive Src inhibitors from DNA-templated macrocycles. Nat Chem Biol 8:366-74
|Montpetit, Ben; Seeliger, Markus A; Weis, Karsten (2012) Analysis of DEAD-box proteins in mRNA export. Methods Enzymol 511:239-54
|Wang, Likun; Perera, B Gayani K; Hari, Sanjay B et al. (2012) Divergent allosteric control of the IRE1ýý endoribonuclease using kinase inhibitors. Nat Chem Biol 8:982-9
|Jura, Natalia; Zhang, Xuewu; Endres, Nicholas F et al. (2011) Catalytic control in the EGF receptor and its connection to general kinase regulatory mechanisms. Mol Cell 42:9-22
|Montpetit, Ben; Thomsen, Nathan D; Helmke, Kara J et al. (2011) A conserved mechanism of DEAD-box ATPase activation by nucleoporins and InsP6 in mRNA export. Nature 472:238-42
|Shan, Yibing; Kim, Eric T; Eastwood, Michael P et al. (2011) How does a drug molecule find its target binding site? J Am Chem Soc 133:9181-3
|Weisberg, Ellen; Choi, Hwan Geun; Ray, Arghya et al. (2010) Discovery of a small-molecule type II inhibitor of wild-type and gatekeeper mutants of BCR-ABL, PDGFRalpha, Kit, and Src kinases: novel type II inhibitor of gatekeeper mutants. Blood 115:4206-16