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CONCORD - NASCAR chairman Brian France has ordered a companywide hiring freeze and suspended executive bonuses as the sanctioning body adjusts to the economic crisis.
Although many teams went through offseason layoffs - it's estimated at least 600 people from various organizations have lost their jobs since November's season-ending race - NASCAR itself has been immune to staff reductions so far.
CONCORD - NASCAR chairman Brian France has ordered a companywide hiring freeze and suspended executive bonuses as the sanctioning body adjusts to the economic crisis.
Although many teams went through offseason layoffs - it's estimated at least 600 people from various organizations have lost their jobs since November's season-ending race - NASCAR itself has been immune to staff reductions so far.
But France said Thursday that open positions will not immediately be filled as NASCAR tightens its belt the same way most of corporate America has done since the economy began to falter last fall.
"We're trying to do more with less. That's the difficult part of this economy," France said following his state-of-the-sport address to media at NASCAR's Research and Development Center. "It's internal, but we've instituted some things that we're trying to be responsible with our financial issues."
France said he's also directed his management group to work with NASCAR teams in developing new business models that can help them withstand the current economic crisis. A sport heavily dependent on corporate sponsorship, NASCAR is increasing its involvement in helping teams locate and secure partners at a time when funding can be difficult to find.
The initiative is run by its Charlotte-based "industry marketing" arm, a four-person department that works closely with teams to find sponsorship.
"They're out in the marketplace trying to help the teams secure sponsorship," chief marketing officer Steve Phelps said. "They're out trying to help the teams create packages that will be meaningful for sponsors that are looking to get into our sport. And they try to create meaningful points of difference from team to team, driver to driver, that create something special that that sponsor might look for.
"It's more important what they do now more so than any time in its history based on the difficulty in the economy."
Sponsorship woes have dramatically - and quickly - altered the landscape of NASCAR's top three series over the past several months.
Petty Enterprises, a storied organization in NASCAR since 1949, had to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports to secure its future. The partnership was re-branded Richard Petty Motorsports earlier this week, a marketing move that keeps the iconic seven-time champion in front of the organization.
Wood Brothers Racing, in NASCAR since 1950 and second to the Pettys in on-track longevity, said Thursday it only has enough sponsorship to run 12 races in 2009.
Dale Earnhardt Inc., built by the late NASCAR superstar, merged with Chip Ganassi Racing during the final week of last season. The partnership led to the steepest layoffs of any organization that's still planning to race full-time in 2009.
And team owner Bill Davis, a NASCAR stalwart who won his first NASCAR championship by clinching the Truck Series title in the season finale, was forced to sell his team when financial woes made keeping it afloat impossible. The new owners are unlikely to field Davis' old teams this year in any of the top three series, preferring instead to focus on the chassis and engine building part of their acquisition.
NASCAR president Mike Helton said the turmoil is unsettling, particularly as it effects NASCAR's icons, and shows the industry is not immune to the issues most everyone in America is currently facing.
"Whether or not Richard Petty is represented on the racetrack, either as a driver or as an owner, he will always be a big part of our heritage, and so will the others," Helton said. "In the history of the sport, there have been business programs that NASCAR has instituted for car owners in hopes to give them the ability to, in a slow time, survive to turn it around."
"Most of the time, a lot of times, that works. Sometimes it just doesn't work. And in tough times, it's tougher. That's part of what we've got going on right now."
France acknowledged 2008 was a difficult season, as high fuel prices hurt track attendance and Detroit's Big Three automakers battled the credit crisis that is threatening their NASCAR involvement. But he's confident NASCAR can weather the economic downturn.
"It was a very difficult year, but we're not alone," he said. "The entire country is going through it, even the world, is going through a very difficult economy. We will get through it. This is a fixture in American culture - this sport. We have seen tough times before. We're actually optimistic about '09 for a lot of reasons."


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subset: commoncrawl


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Burger Friday: Cafe Adel
Updated 10:32 am, Friday, April 12, 2013
The hamburger is generally regarded as a uniquely American phenomenon, but plenty of other cultures have their own analogs of the genre, or riffs upon it. In Houston, with our rich assortment of ethnic restaurants, we have easy access to these burger variants — like the stuffed pljeskavica (say "plyess-kah-vee-tza") that's billed as a "Bosnian Burger" at the brand-new Cafe Adel Bosnian restaurant in northwest Houston.
Come along to this welcoming little place in a fancy new strip mall north of Bear Creek Park, and check out how a burger is done Bosnian style.
PRICE: $9.99 for the pljeskavica plate with ajvar red-pepper condiment and fries. Iced tea and fountain drinks $2.25.
ORDERING: Table service only. A server will offer you a seat in a booth or a freestanding table.
ARCHITECTURE: No salad stuff involved. On a split, softened round lepinja loaf, which is like a puffy plate-sized pita, goes a hand-formed patty of ground and seasoned beef that's about an inch thick at its domed center. Inside the patty is a narrow cache of sautéed mushroom and melted white cheese. The other half of the lepinja loaf goes on top after you add ajvar (the traditional Bosnian red-pepper condiment) and some of the chopped raw onion that is served on the side.
QUALITY: I really wanted to like this burger, but I was thrown off by the compacted, almost bouncy texture of the patty — a consistency that was compounded by an aggressive sear and enthusiastic well-doneness. I found myself wondering if all the mixing in of the patty seasonings (onion, a bit of garlic, black pepper and flecks of red) had increased the patty's density; and whether the very thorough degree of doneness was common back in the home country. What I counted as a deficit might gladden the heart of somebody from the Balkans.I did like the flavor spark that the hottish ajvar condiment gave the burger, and the snap of those raw onions. But the trove of mushrooms and cheese tucked inside the patty seemed a bit scanty, and it didn't add as much as I had hoped to the proceedings. The sprawling, spongy lepinja loaf worked nicely as an envelope, though, and although burger purists might object that the bread-to-meat ratio was unbalanced, I liked the general effect.
OOZE RATING: Poor. All the juices were pretty much driven out by the extremely thorough cooking process; and there was no drippage whatsoever.*GRADE: C minus. This sandwich tasted fine, with a welcome Balkan flavor profile from the ajvar and onion and cushiony bread, but its unforgiving texture undercut the patty's interesting seasonings.
BONUS POINTS: Wonderfully nice, attentive service is a huge plus here. So was the surprising fact that the pale, skinny, commercial-looking French fries turned out to have the texture of real potato, I know not how. If they had been just a little crisper and bronzier, they would have been swell.
LOCAL COLOR: Bright lemon-yellow walls and paintings of Balkan street scenes soften this simple, rectangular dining room. The views from the front window-wall are pure industrial northwest Houston, with all the big-rig traffic and commercial sprawl that marks this stretch of FM 529. Although Cafe Adel is very new, it's already drawing a good, diverse lunch crowd enjoying soulful plates of collard-green rolls (japrak) stuffed with ground beef and rice.
Cafe Adel, 13110 FM 529, Suite 4. 832-651-4144.


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A FURTHER 125 Comet stores will close after administrators failed to find a buyer for the business.
It is not yet known whether the Birstall store at junction 27 is affected as the locations of the stores set to close are yet to be announced.
Administrators Deloitte said the closing down process will take place over the coming weeks, leaving around 70 stores in the business.
These branches of the electricals chain will remain open until all remaining stock is sold.
Business departments in Rickmansworth, Hull and Clevedon will be further reduced at the same time, while the Harlow distribution centre has been closed.
Joint administrator Chris Farrington said: "We remain in discussions with a small number of interested parties and hope that a positive outcome can still be achieved.
"Should any acceptable offers be received for stores we will delay the closure process. Unfortunately, in the absence of a firm offer for the whole of the business, it has become necessary to begin making plans in case a sale is not concluded.
"If a sale is not possible we would envisage stores to begin closing in December."


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(I work in the industry over here, so have an inside track)
In saying that, the back-office systems and customer service over here in Aus is rubbish - getting better, but with a long way to go.
My wife and two sons are all on VHA (I moved to Telstra with my new employer), all with iPhones and pretty good value:
Lovely wife and boy 1: AU$29 pm; $180 worth of calls and 200MB. Payback on the mobiles is $5pm (iPhone4), $20pm (iPhone4s) on 24 month plan.
Boy 2: AU$45 pm; "infinite" calls and texts, 500MB.
I made sure both the boys took the $10pm insurance.
My only gripe is international data charges. With one boy in SE Asia and the rest of us in NZ for a week, monthly bill was AU$675!! All of the extra costs were roaming (international) data costs.


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Thursday, April 18
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Strategically located adjacent to both Saudi Arabia and Somalia, Yemen touches on a number of vital U.S. national security interests including access to energy supplies and the ongoing campaign against terrorism. Any single event—or more likely a confluence of worst-case events beyond the ability of the Yemeni government to control—could lead to a further erosion of central government authority in Yemen and destabilization of the region.
Refugee camps in Yemen overwhelmed
Lingering conflict between government forces and al-Houthi rebels in Yemen is straining U.N. efforts to provide relief to the internally displaced community.
The U.N. refugee agency said at least one of its refugee camps exceeded its capacity as close to 100,000 displaced persons flee the violence.
The Yemeni government launched a scorched earth campaign in August against the Shiite rebel group. Escalations along the border with Saudi Arabia prompted Riyadh to join the fight against the rebels, while Iran faces accusations of supporting the Shiite insurgency.
International relief groups have raised repeated alarms over the potential humanitarian disaster that members of the displaced community in Yemen face.
SCENARIOS: How might Yemen's toxic mix of conflict develop?
Multiplying security and economic pressures are deepening instability in Yemen, raising fears for a strategically vital neighborhood that includes oil superpower Saudi Arabia and one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
A Muslim Shi'ite revolt, southern secessionism and al Qaeda attacks have combined with water shortages, a humanitarian crisis, worsening poverty and falling oil income to stir powerful currents of turbulence in the poor Arabian country.
Concern has also focused on the proximity of failed Horn of Africa state Somalia, which sits across the Gulf of Aden and hosts a pirate community that preys on international shipping in defiance of an international flotilla that seeks to stop it.
Nearly 20,000 ships pass through the Gulf of Aden each year, heading to and from the Suez Canal.
"Yemen faces unprecedented challenges... Any one of these challenges coming to a crisis point could overwhelm the Yemeni government," Christopher Boucek, an associate in the Carnegie Middle East Program, said in a note to journalists this week.
If steps are not taken, "Yemen is at risk of becoming a failed state and a training ground for Islamist extremism."
Following are scenarios on how Yemen's problems may develop:
Originally posted by jam321
What I find interesting is that the Saudis are actually fighting.
Are they trying to gain experience, US over-committed, or just testing out their investment in new toys?
Originally posted by Rockpuck
Loam, that investment video was just weird .. I'd hope any major corporations did a background check on political stability and not just watch a video of pretty beaches and "culture"
Originally posted by jam321
What I find interesting is that the Saudis are actually fighting.
Are they trying to gain experience, US over-committed, or just testing out their investment in new toys?
By God's grace and support, a fighter plane was shot down yesterday evening (at Isha near Heyuan - Al-Imran). Meanwhile Saudis continued (14) air strikes yesterday (Razkk, Sabba, Mt Mudud, Mt Duknan, Mt Dhahr Al Humar). Intermittant rocket fire attacks contued in the evening, and Yemeni airforce conducted (3) attacks on (Sahar directorate)"
Houthi communique 8 Dec 2009
This is the second Yemeni MIG fighter downed by Houthis, and at least one Yemeni helicopter.
(Report of four months fighting up to end of last week, therefore todays MIG not counted)
Total number of military vehicles captured or destroyed: (230)
Total number of aircraft downed (3) =1 MIG and 2 Sukhoi
Total number of military bases captured: (134)
Detailed spread sheets available here:
h ttp://sadahonline.org/ar/news/1-latest-news/497-2009-12-08-17-08-13.html
General David Petraeus, who now heads the United States Central Command, gave an exclusive interview to Al Arabiya on Sunday where he discussed Washington's support of Yemen and Iraq and Syria's relationship.
The general stated that the U.S. is providing security support to Yemen within the framework of military cooperation provided by Washington to its allies in the region. He emphasized that the U.S. ships found in Yemen waters are not only there for monitoring but for also for hindering the flow of arms to Houthi rebels.
'US fighter jets attack Yemeni fighters'
Yemen's Houthi fighters say the US fighter jets have launched 28 attacks on the northwestern province of Sa'ada.
The US has used modern fighter jets and bombers in its offensive against the Yemen fighters, Houthis said in a statement.
According to the statement, the US fighter jets have launched overnight attacks on the Yemeni fighters, Arabic Almenpar website reported.
US Dispatches Special Forces To Yemen Amid Crisis
US special forces have reportedly been sent to Yemen to train its army, as the Yemeni military backed by its Saudi counterpart battle local Houthi fighters in the coungtry's north.
the commander of U.S. Special Operations during his recent visit to Yemen two months ago, agreed with the Yemeni leaders under pressure to allow three U.S. spy planes to operate in Yemen from U.S. military bases in Djibouti, Ethiopia and the implementation of some special operations along the lines of what is happening in Pakistan and Somalia," adding that "These three planes were seen in the governorate of Marib
Fearful that Yemen is in danger of becoming a failed state, America has now sent a small number of special forces teams to improve training of Yemen's army in reaction to the threat.
Report: US helped Yemen's strike against al-Qaida
The U.S. provided firepower and other aid to Yemen in its strike this week against suspected al-Qaida hide-outs and training sites within its borders, the New York Times reported.
President Barack Obama approved the military and intelligence support, which came at the request of the Yemeni government.
...warships launching cruise missiles...
Despite U.S. Help, Yemen Faces Growing Al-Qaeda Threat
With Yemen apparently on the verge of becoming the world's next failed state and a regional base for al-Qaeda, a series of U.S.-assisted air and ground assaults that shook pockets of Yemen last week might have seemed like a positive development in the troubled country's otherwise downward spiral. But the dramatic action, which appears to have resulted in a number of civilian casualties, may not right the situation at all. "The U.S. has been growing very concerned about al-Qaeda in recent years, but it seems as though the U.S. is coming rather late to the party," says Princeton University Yemen expert Gregory Johnsen, who contends last week's attacks would ultimately prove counterproductive.
December 24, 2009 7:55 AM
The leader and the second in command of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula as well as a radical, Yemeni-American cleric who is said to have inspired the Ft. Hood massacre, are said to have been killed during an airstrike in Yemen today, according to Yemeni officials. The deaths have not been confirmed by the US.
The Yemeni Air Force targeted Nasir al Wuhayshi, the leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and his deputy Said al Shihri, as they gathered for a high-level meeting of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The terror group's top leaders were thought to have been gathering at the home of Anwar al Awlaki, the Yemeni-American cleric who provided religious justification for US Army Major Nidal Hasan to carry out a deadly shooting spree against US soldiers in Ft. Hood, Texas.
U.S. quietly takes terror war to Yemen
Covert front against al-Qaida was opened a year ago, military officers say
By ERIC SCHMITT and ROBERT F. WORTH
updated 12:38 a.m. ET Dec. 28, 2009
WASHINGTON - In the midst of two unfinished major wars, the United States has quietly opened a third, largely covert front against Al Qaeda in Yemen.
A year ago, the Central Intelligence Agency sent many field operatives with counterterrorism experience to the country, according a former top agency official. At the same time, some of the most secretive Special Operations commandos have begun training Yemeni security forces in counterterrorism tactics, senior military officers said.
The Pentagon is spending more than $70 million over the next 18 months, and using teams of Special Forces, to train and equip Yemeni military, Interior Ministry and coast guard forces, more than doubling previous military aid levels.
As American investigators sought to corroborate the claims of a 23-year-old Nigerian man that Qaeda leaders in Yemen had trained and equipped him to blow up a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines jet on Christmas Day, the plot casts a spotlight on the Obama administration's complicated relationship with Yemen.
Refuge for jihadists
The country has long been a refuge for jihadists, in part because Yemen's government welcomed returning Islamist fighters who had fought in Afghanistan during the 1980s. The Yemen port of Aden was the site of the audacious bombing of the American destroyer Cole in October 2000 by Qaeda militants, which killed 17 sailors.
But Qaeda militants have made much more focused efforts to build a base in Yemen in recent years, drawing recruits from throughout the region and mounting more frequent attacks on foreign embassies and other targets. The White House is seeking to nurture enduring ties with the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and prod him to combat the local Qaeda affiliate, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, even as his impoverished country grapples with seemingly intractable internal turmoil.
With fears also growing of a resurgent Islamist extremism in nearby Somalia and East Africa, administration officials and American lawmakers said Yemen could become Al Qaeda's next operational and training hub, rivaling the lawless tribal areas of Pakistan where the organization's top leaders operate.
"Yemen now becomes one of the centers of that fight," said Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, independent of Connecticut and chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, who visited the country in August. "We have a growing presence there, and we have to, of Special Operations, Green Berets, intelligence," he said on "Fox News Sunday."
Pivotal point
American and Yemeni officials said that a pivotal point in the relationship was reached in late summer after separate secret visits to Yemen by Gen. David H. Petraeus, the American regional commander, and John O. Brennan, President Obama's counterterrorism adviser.
President Saleh agreed to expanded overt and covert assistance in response to growing pressure from the United States and Yemen's neighbors, notably Saudi Arabia, from which many Qaeda operatives had fled to Yemen, as well as a rising threat against the country's political inner circle, the officials said.
"Yemen's security problems won't just stay in Yemen," said Christopher Boucek, who studies Yemen as an associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. "They're regional problems and they affect Western interests."
Al Qaeda's profile in Yemen rose sharply a year ago, when a former Guantánamo Bay detainee from Saudi Arabia, Said Ali al-Shihri, fled to Yemen to join Al Qaeda and appeared in a video posted online. Several other former Guantánamo detainees have also joined the group.
Yemen's remote areas are notoriously lawless, but the country's chaos has worsened in the past two years, as the government struggles with an armed rebellion in the northwest and a rising secessionist movement in the south. Yemen is running out of oil, and the government's dwindling finances have affected its ability to strike Al Qaeda.
Ties to plots against U.S.
Meanwhile, there have been increasing Yemeni ties to plots against the United States. A Muslim man charged in the June 1 killing of a soldier at a recruiting center in a mall in Little Rock, Ark., had traveled to Yemen, prompting a review by the F.B.I. of other domestic extremists who had visited the country.
A radical cleric in Yemen, Anwar al-Awlaki, has been linked to numerous terrorism suspects, including Nidal Malik Hasan, the American Army major who faces murder charges in the shooting deaths of 13 people at Fort Hood, Tex., in November.
In the latest issue of Sada al-Malahim, the Internet magazine of the Qaeda affiliate in Yemen, the group's leader, Nasser al-Wuhayshi, praised the use of small bombs — not just big ones — to attack an enemy, in an eerie foreshadowing of Friday's episode on the plane to Detroit.
Yemen escalated its campaign against Al Qaeda with major airstrikes on Dec. 17 and last Thursday that killed more than 60 militants.
American officials have been coy about the role of the United States in the strikes, saying that they have provided intelligence and "firepower" for the efforts.
Yemen's foreign minister, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi, said Sunday that Yemeni military cooperation with the United States and Saudi Arabia had increased in recent months as fresh intelligence confirmed Al Qaeda's greater assertiveness in the country.


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So, like I said he's in love with her. And he really doesn't kid around with that kind of stuff. He rarely gets crushes on girls, and if he does it's sort of the 'yea she's pretty hot' type deal, and all of the sudden he's obsessed with this girl and he can't stop thinking about her. He's very philosophical and thoughtful, and now he says he can't even think about anything else. He can't even have fun with me and his other best friend, because any time he starts to let himself relax he is somehow reminded of her again and put back into his depression. He's talked to me about it a lot, but no one else knows, and lately he's even hesitated to talk to me about it--because I'm always the person to talk about my friends' problems with them, and he's afraid that I'm letting his problem get to me too much and it's making me less happy. Well, of course it's making me less happy to see him so depressed, how could it not? And of course it bugs the hell out of me. But now it just makes me feel even worse because he won't talk to me about it. I mean, he does, but he always apologizes and tends not to go as far in depth. And it seems like it's gotten worse. I know there's not much that can be done, when you love someone--that's it. But if ANYONE knows any way that I can help him to get over her, please let me know. This is driving me crazy. I just want him to be happy. And if you ahve any personal expericnes like his or mine of your own, please let me know. I'd love to hear anything anyone has to say.
thank you so much,love,-Alex
------------------It's sickening how comforting the privacy of the mind can be...
As for his obsession. I think you already know what you want to say to him. That him shutting you out is only making you more upset. I think right now he really needs someone to talk to about this, so tell him that you'll be there to listen, that you want to listen. I've sort of been in his shoes though. Someone I really cared about left me for someone else, and it took almost a year to completely let him go. One thing you should tell him is that he will get over her, he just needs time. And during that time I think one important thing you can do as his friend is make him go out, go to a movie, go shopping, just get him out and about. Yes, he's gonna still think about her, but at least he'll be functioning and getting his mind off her for just a bit. I know that's one thing that helped me, my friends making me go out even if I was sure I'd have a miserable time. It rememinded me that someone cared about me, and I think that's important to know when you're depressed. Just be there for him, and keep reminding him that this isn't the end of the world and things will get better. Good luck with everything.
------------------Lil Siren
Read My Thoughts...
But he needs to want to get over her. Because if he doesn't, nothing you say or do will help at all.
All I can say is provide him the support he needs. Let him know you are there. He doesn't exactly have to take it. But just let him know you are there.
In his own time, he will find the means to get over her. Distracting him would be your best bet right now. Go out with him for a happy movie, coffee, anything. Anything that might help distract him from her for now.
I hope everything works out sweetie.


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text:
While the Atlanta Braves are on the verge of clinching their first division title in eight years, they're hoping to build some momentum heading into the playoffs.
The visiting Braves will try to avoid their 10th loss in 15 games as they look to wrap up the NL East crown against the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
Justin Upton and Dan Uggla homered to help Atlanta (90-62) snap a three-game losing streak with Wednesday's 5-2 victory over second-place Washington. The Braves can secure their first East title since 2005 - the last of 14 straight division crowns - with a win and a Nationals loss to Miami.
Following a prolonged slump that has kept the team from clinching earlier, Atlanta looks to build on a promising offensive rally against the Nationals. The Braves, averaging 3.0 runs while batting .202 during this 5-9 stretch, scored five times in the final four innings Wednesday.
"We've been struggling for a while here," said Upton, who hit three home runs to help Atlanta sweep a three-game home set from the Cubs in April. "At some point, we had to break out."
The Braves might have a difficult time continuing that effort considering the way Scott Baker (0-0, 0.82 ERA) has pitched in two starts since coming off the disabled list.
The right-hander has allowed five hits over 11 innings but has received two runs of support. Baker, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2012, allowed one run and three hits over six innings in a 2-1 loss at Pittsburgh on Saturday.
"We're not out here for him to injure that thing or have a setback," manager Dale Sveum told MLB's official website. "It's just a matter of him getting on the mound and doing things for his own good, as well as the organization."
Baker seeks his first victory since July 23, 2011, while leading the Cubs to their first back-to-back wins since Sept. 9-10. Anthony Rizzo and Logan Watkins had three hits and Chicago hit three homers to end a five-game skid with Thursday's 5-1 win in Milwaukee.
Paul Maholm (10-10, 4.35) will try to end his recent road woes in his return to the rotation after the Braves skipped his spot to examine lingering elbow discomfort.
The left-hander has gone 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his last three starts overall, but he's 0-4 with a 7.66 ERA in his past five on the road.
Maholm might be able to end that slide at Wrigley Field, where he's 6-1 with a 2.00 ERA in his last 10 starts dating to his time with the Cubs in 2012. He hasn't faced Chicago since 2011 while with Pittsburgh.
Starlin Castro has fared well against Maholm with nine hits in 21 at_bats. He's also batting .375 during an eight-game home hitting streak versus the Braves.
Although Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth Thursday and is 32 for 37 in save opportunities, Sveum said he plans to use right-hander Pedro Strop in save situations for the remainder of the season. Strop was 0 for 3 in save opportunities with Baltimore before being acquired July 2.
Copyright 2018 by STATS LLC and Associated Press.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written
consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.


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RT @HepworthJoe: Working as a regional team: http://t.co/2l6WnwEWlb joined-up support for UK SMEs in the GCC with @BCBUAE @SBJBC @bccqtweet & @kbbcentre
A great meeting with Min of Planning HE Hind Al Sabih talking Kuwait Dev. Plan thanks @ukinkuwait @HMAMatthewLodge http://t.co/sWTn6vwbzg
RT @HepworthJoe: Excellent @BBGOnline event with @BCBUAE @kbbcentre @bccqtweet @SBJBC highlighting support for UK exporters in GCC http://t.co/ovFou87a2w
Exciting news on a new hotel, retail and major tennis arena being developed in Kuwait http://t.co/NX77joOfwG @ukinkuwait #q8progress #q8atp
Exciting news on Kuwait's future for international business as $36bn Kuwait project http://t.co/B4QSKX3V1q via @ReutersUK @ukinkuwait #q8ppp
A great meeting with Min of Planning HE Hind Al Sabih talking Kuwait Dev. Plan thanks @ukinkuwait @HMAMatthewLodge http://t.co/1JT7WPBhnK
What's the verdict on the new James Bond "Spectre" theme "Writing's on the wall" by Sam Smith? #spectre #BondME #BondKuwait
Wishing all our customers, supporters and friends Eid Mubarak. #EidMubarak #kuwaiteid #eid2015 http://t.co/aVBqfv5whn
RT @kfasinfo: Realize the growth potential of your innovative ideas! Apply before Oct 31, click here : http://t.co/jlntrNamHO http://t.co/bvgeScpkPl
Jaguar Land Rover is back and purring again http://t.co/fRiiE5B7iE very popular in Kuwait even before the upcoming Bond movie #spectre
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Is Beauty valued above all else? Do Men value anything else?
Sunday, September 09, 2012
So this has been an exceptionally hard week for me. I found out that my husband has been communicating with other women online and telling them how attractive they are. At first I was a little annoyed because it was just comments on twitter feeds on their pictures. I thought, " Okay, men just like to look at pretty things." I was hurt and told him so, but he told me I didn't have anything to worry about and that he just thought the picture was cute.
I wasn't completely convinced, but I let it go as best as I could. All the while thinking negative things about myself and how he doesn't find me attractive. I beat myself up all week saying that I was overweight and ugly and no wonder he finds other women attractive. The worst part was the women were all thin and had dark hair. The opposite of me. So then I starting thinking, " Should I dye my hair?" Yes, I'm not proud to admit that.
Then I got to thinking and got really angry. Are we just supposed to be a pretty face ALL THE TIME? Are we not supposed to be whole human beings with feelings, thoughts, interests, preferences? Are we not allowed to gain weight? Does that deem us unattractive and therefore, not worthy? You bet your ass it doesn't!
I have gone through so many emotions this week and now I'm just like, " Hey jerk, I've stood by you through some pretty trying times and now because I don't feel good about myself and I'm not always available to you... you're going to give attention to other people?"
So I've been going walking late at night and blasting songs about taking your power back and not allowing people to diminish you to just your appearance. It's a lesson that is hard learned. That even with ALL that you are, that you just might not measure up in another person's eyes. And... that's okay because at the end of the day the only person you have to measure up to is yourself! YOU have to live with yourself for the rest of your life.
I may not be with him forever, or I might. But I know that at the end of the day if he wants to tell another woman she is hot.... he better first be telling me that I"M EVERYTHING to him or I'm going to find someone who does think so.
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Oh, what a hurtful realization you made. I am sorry. But it sounds like you are dealing with it well. Good for you.
2020 days ago
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Marriage is a hard task; taking care of YOU (whatever that is) should be at the top of your list.
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Sounds like you know what you need to do. He is asking for trouble by doing as he is. He married you for better or worse, in sickness and health. He needs to get a clue and soon before he realize he lost one of the best if not the best thing he has had in his life.
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I'm sorry you are hurting. Problems are easier to face when you know what you are up against, and from your blog, it seems you have already realized you will be okay.
Treat yourself well.
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Hawthorne, A.B. and Rubin, G. and Ghosh, S. (2008) 'Medication non-adherence in ulcerative colitis - strategies to improve adherence with mesalazine and other maintenance therapies.', Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics., 27 (12). pp. 1157-1166.
Background Significant number of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) fail to comply with treatment. Aims To review issues surrounding medication non-adherence in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including the clinical and health service implications in the UK, and discuss strategies for optimizing medication adherence. Methods Articles cited were identified via a PubMed search, utilizing the words IBD, adherence, compliance, medication and UC. Results Medication non-adherence is multifactorial involving factors other than dosing frequency. Male gender (OR: 2.06), new patient status (OR: 2.14), work and travel pressures (OR: 4.9) and shorter disease duration (OR: 2.1), among others are proven predictors of non-adherence in UC. These indicators can identify 'at-risk' patients and allow an individually tailored treatment approach to be introduced that optimizes medication adherence. A collaborative relationship between physician and patient is important; several strategies for improving adherence have been proven effective including open dialogue that takes into consideration the patient's health beliefs and concerns, providing educational (e.g. verbal/written information, self-management programmes) and behavioural interventions (e.g. calendar blister packs, cues/reminders). Conclusions Educational and behavioural interventions tailored to individual patients can optimize medication adherence. Additional studies combining educational and behavioural interventions may provide further strategies for improving medication adherence rates in UC.
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text:
Petroleum prices to increase tomorrow
Barbadians will be paying more for gasoline, diesel and kerosene from midnight tonight.
The price of gasoline will move from $2.78 per litre to $2.98 per litre, an increase of 20 cents per litre. The price of diesel will rise by two cents from $2.15 to $2.17, and kerosene will now retail at $1.13, up from $1.04.Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) prices will also be adjusted from midnight, Sunday.
Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) prices will also be adjusted.
The price of the 100 lb cylinder will move from $129.28 to $147.04; the 25 lb cylinder will now retail at $41.86, up from $37.42; the 22 lb cylinder will cost $37, up from $33.10; and the 20 lb cylinder will move from $30.09 to $33.64.
The changes in price represent increases of $17.76, $4.44, $3.90 and $3.55 respectively.
A government-issued statement said the adjustments in retail prices are due solely to changes in the CIF (cost, insurance, freight) of these refined products.
43 Responses to Petroleum prices to increase tomorrow
Sick of this!
Folly, all the time so.
I'm with you…this is really sickening. It always increases by far more than it decreases, so the net effect over time is always more money out your pocket. Did the import cost of petroleum products really rise to justify this increase, or is this the gov't's way of raking revenue to help bring down the deficit? Why not just raise taxes on the wealthy and super-wealthy rather than hitting everybody who has to drive a vehicle? Many of us must drive because our jobs demand that we have a car…plus public transport is very unreliable for those who live in the country areas.
every s…. gine up and not yuh money
Isn't this another form of devaluation? Cost increases. The entire Barbadian populace will be affected in one way or another. Electricity charges for sure resulting in higher supermarket prices. Food prices too Figure it out.
The cost of crude is in US dollars, to which the Barbados dollar is pegged, so the increase is not a devaluation, it is due simply to the higher price of crude. If you think this increase is big, just wait till devaluation.
You have just confirmed that you are a British idiot. Aren't now paying MORE for the SAME amount of fuel? it's an internal form of devaluation. I do not wish to use this forum to pick an argument with you. You're too silly. I stay at my dad's residence in St. John's Wood London. I know how to get hold of you. I'd ;ike to hook up for a brew or two next time I'm in town.
It's called inflation when prices go up because of increased costs. It's not the same as devaluation.
That's called diplomacy. The height of diplomacy is to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they actually look forward to taking the trip. Man Richard some smart people disguise as clowns Who carried up the price. Prove to me that those prices went up. America's large scale fracking and coal mining has forced large oil producing nations to drop oil prices. With EXXON soon to start drilling off Guyana. Shipping into the US will be faster and cheaper and Industries will once again boom in North America. England – BREXIT. All those wealthy UK investors are buying offshore left right and center to save their exchange value. I am involved with Global Clearing. I know about the movements of funds.
Since November the price of crude has risen about US$.045 a liter, or BB$.09. That doesn't take into account the cost of refining and transportation, so a 20₵/liter increase in the cost of petrol seems about on target.
The price of crude is about US$.045/liter more than 2 months ago, BB$.09. That does not include refining or transportation. That just about equates into a 20₵/liter increase in the cost of gasoline.
No wonder the DLP politicians demanded their 10% money back. They know how the cost of living is sky rocketing and they are not prepared to share the economic pain that the rest of us tax paying Bajans have no choice but to suffer.
Them ain't tired barbados have the most expensive gas
I hope when these food prices etc goes up that they equally come down when the fuel price drops. These merchants keep the prices on and continue their financial onslaught. Well I intend to buy only the essentials. And I have plenty of food sources in the country side.
Christ that is a hike in gas. 20cent. Lort have mercy. Meanwhile http://www.oil-price.net/
Park the cars for the week ,take a bus
If you can get one.
I'd love to. But the buses aren't reliable and you waste so much of your time waiting for one.
Well keep quiet and continue to get rob at the gas pumps…
Adrian, that will Never happen. Not when one owns and perhaps owes for a Mercedes Benz or Audi or BMW. And on top of that Bajans are show offs. Champaign taste and Sugar water pockets. they adopt a "Don't you know who I am attitude."
wonder if it could hit 4.00 this year…..hmmmmm carry the 4 add the 9 divide by 20 second derivitive ahhhhhhhhh yes BALANCED BUDGET.
Somehow my instincts told me that s change was coming. I just felt it
Send DLP to the Moon…… the full there pockets for long enough. GET THEM OUT FAST A BUNCH OF CRIMINALS
Daniel Zimmerli, did you hear the reason why the politians need that 10% return? They say that they takes care of lots of people out of their pockets, I heard someone on radio whom I though highly of supporting the scam that they need the money to give to the people who begs them, no work so they will be at their mercies, that`s it.
Remember when the price of oil was around $27 USD per barrel a year or so ago? It is now around $53 USD per barrel.
Remember when the price was falling and we were increasing.? you preferred to remain SILENT on that one ….RIGHT ???
Harry turnover, tell that to that human rights activist Richard Johnston. He's a clown in disguise.
I am beginning to think that this government realise this dollar is going to be devalued and they are doing everything possible to piss us off so we try to push them out before their time is up so that they can be out before the collapse happens. Nobody ain so boldface to treat the public with such disdain. This has to be their intention because I just cannot rationalize their behaviour. All how I try, I cannot.
Barbados Today in future should state what the price was before it was $2.78…bet it was less than$2.98 which would suggest as I have been saying ALL ALONG that the price has been INCREASING EVERY TWO MONTHS.
In June 2016 the retail price of gasoline moved from BDS$2.79 per litre to BDS$2.85, an increase of six cents per litre.
In April 2015 the retail price of gasoline moved up from $2.85 per litre to $3.02 per litre, while the price of diesel orose from $2.12 per litre to $2.30 per litre. The new price of kerosene was $1.21 per litre, down from $1.22 per litre.
We are therefore paying less for gasoline now than we were in April 2015. Some of you should do your research before you response based on your dislike for the DLP.
@Saga Boy, instead of blaming the persons that you say dislike the DLP., are they running the show? You said the price of gasoline is less than in 2015, what about the gas cylinders that most people in the rural areas uses, you have not mention. Are you an apologist for the party? You would only acknowledge something is dead when rigor mortis steps in.
all taxes
Why do you need to pay government bureaucrats to determine the price of fuel when the market does it for you for free?
Today RADIATION level = 10 (Very HIGH)
All this interest in the price hike of fuel which the oppressors and money grubbers have set up. Hahahahahaha we better start looking at the backlash we will ultimately get from the earth. The earth is feminine. What happens when you take a woman's oil? All you with that arthritic knee or neck = bone rubbing over bone (ouch) no lubricant. Think about the tectonic plates and the earth's core for starters. oh dear!!!!!!!! The price is a microcosm of the bigger picture.
@Adrian – good thought. WE will all soon be burning wood and walking, i suppose. The plantation owners will grease all those old cart wheels too. Blame the devil. (deceiver)
Wanna think the other side going save ya, welcome to the new normal!!!!
Wunna always wid this reverse psychology bs about the other side, the other side. NOBODY and I mean NOBODY cahn do worse than this present administration. Not even a monkey. I would take ANYBODY before these set ever again!
D bees have ALWAYS saved us d record is there
All you who love to eat salmon and crab etc. Watch it – the west coast of the USA laden with radiation from melted rods from the Fukushima plant. And spreading, 2-10 sieberts of pollution is cancer for sure. Forget about these Pharaohs we will need a lot more help. Same circus different animals.
@hcalndre Why dont you do your research before running your mouth? We are paying less in 2017 than in 2015.
2015: The new retail price of the 100 lbs. cylinder will be $157.72, down from $173.55. The 25 lbs. cylinder will now retail at $44.53, down from $48.49 and the 22 lbs. cylinder, which formerly sold for $42.83 is now priced at $39.35. The 20 lbs. cylinder's new price is $35.77, reduced from $38.94.
2017: The price of the 100 lb cylinder will move from $129.28 to $147.04; the 25 lb cylinder will now retail at $41.86, up from $37.42; the 22 lb cylinder will cost $37, up from $33.10; and the 20 lb cylinder will move from $30.09 to $33.64.
@Juanita Blanco think befire you talk nonsense. You are now paying less for these items than you did 2 years ago. Is this not what a caring govt would do?


text:
Cycling Sabbatical
Kerri Finlayson has a reputation around campus for being something of a globetrotter, but none of her previous trips abroad could have prepared North Central Michigan College's sabbatical committee for the adventure she had planned next.
The young anthropology and sociology professor wanted to take off the entire 2007-8 academic year to prepare for and embark on a five-month bicycle trip across Africa, from Cairo to Cape Town. Though none of Finlayson's colleagues doubted her endurance -- she had recently trekked to the North Pole and summited Mount Kilimanjaro -- the professor's prior trips were relatively short affairs that took place during the sleepy summer term.
"More typically, our professors will take short sabbaticals to attend workshops or conferences so they can edit and present material to start another class," says Larry Cummings, chair of the sabbatical committee and a geography and history professor. "No one had taken a yearlong sabbatical before."
Still, Cummings, who has taken a few sabbaticals himself to tour holy sights in Europe and lead a student trip through Mexico, knew the value of trips like the one Finlayson proposed and did his best to assuage the concerns of committee members who were skeptical about the trip's relevance to the classroom.
As community college professors do not have to live by the "publish or perish" mantra, Cummings explained that their sabbaticals are much more about gaining personal experience and anecdotes to share in the classroom than gathering data to complete a serious research project. This is especially valuable, he continued, in broadening the worldview of students, particularly those who have not traveled far beyond rural northern Michigan.
"It's difficult for us," Cummings says of faculty travel. "We live in such a remote area that, as far as academics are concerned, we're just as interested in personal experience as we are in research. That's the reason I liked [Finlayson's] idea for the trip. She's been able to do something a little out of the ordinary and bring that to the community."
And so, with the approval of the sabbatical committee, Finlayson -- along with 55 other cyclists from across the globe -- set out on her bicycle journey across Africa in January 2008. On her trip, managed by a Canadian travel company, Finlayson passed through 10 countries and biked more than 7,500 miles before reaching the finish line five months later in May. (Details of the trip are chronicled in a blog she kept along the way.)
As if summoning the energy to get through each leg of the trip were not enough, the sociology professor also used the trip to study how extreme conditions affect group dynamics firsthand. By surveying and interviewing her biking partners through the trip, she was able to address the sociological questions she teaches daily in the classroom, such as how groups form, how they collectively handle conflict and how varying statuses develop within these groups.
"In my courses, particularly in my intro to sociology course, we'll use my trip as a case study," says Finlayson. "When we study group dynamics, we talk about the groups that formed during my trip. How are they organized? Is it by age? Nationality? Language? Biking ability? What's the status of these groups? How does gender come into play?"
These rich personal examples make for better test questions, Finlayson says, and more engaged students. Though her students do not analyze any of the data she collected during her trip -- those in her introductory courses are not yet ready for the job, she says -- Finlayson notes that her anecdotes have made the course modules and topics more applicable and tangible for her students.
Also, as an anthropology professor, Finlayson was able to interact with African people and cultures that before her trip she had previously studied only from afar. The influence of these personal interactions on her instruction is incalculable, she says, and has given her an opening to discuss the influence of culture on social behavior in the classroom.
Finlayson believes that another important aspect of her trip is the opportunity it's given her to broaden the horizons of her students, who are unlikely to be taking many trips abroad themselves.
"This can set an example for students," Finlayson says of her trip. "We're in a rural area, so this can show our students, particularly if they come from disadvantaged backgrounds, that they can have big dreams and get connected with the global situation. It's very insular here, so this shows them -- wow, look! -- there's a wider world you can get into. If I can show them that there's a world outside of Northern Michigan, whether that's in Ann Arbor or abroad in something like the Peace Corps, then I've done my job."
The influence of Finlayson and her marathon bike trip does not stop in the classroom, however. To help cover the cost of the trip, which she paid herself, Finlayson was awarded an advance speaking fee by the Michigan Global Awareness Consortium -- a group of eight institutions in the state looking to internationalize their curriculums -- to speak to students about her world travels. (She gave one such public lecture at North Michigan last September.)
"I've already spoken to three of the schools in the consortium, and I'll speak to another in the fall," Finlayson says. "I try to share my story. But, most of all, I try to get these places to integrate Africa into whatever they're teaching."
Though the lecture circuit may be a bit cushier than a bicycle trip, Finlayson says she is still riding her bike to work a few days a week. As for her globetrotting spirit's influence on her colleagues at North Michigan, she said she has heard nothing but rave reviews.
"There might be some enviousness or some naysayers who asked, 'How's this going to apply to the classroom?' " Finlayson says. "But no one has said anything to my face. I'm just trying to do a good job in the classroom. Also, I'm taking advantage of what's being offered and nobody can say that I haven't."
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text:
This article, Sakin, is property of Benknightprime.
Sakin (砂金, Sakin) is a powerful shinobi from Iwagakure. Sakin started off as a nobody in the village, but would grow well known for his acquisition of the powerful Dust Release, which made him become a feared shinobi as well. Weight was added to his shoulders, people expecting more and more out of the man. Finally, Sakin snapped at these people who demanded so much of him that once hated him and used the village's famous Dust Release as a threat to escape the village that burdened him with such expectaions. During his travels he would come across Yoshitsune.
Sakin is referred to by the name of "Upset" (逆転優勝, Gyakuten Yūshō), as he started off as the little man, but was able to upset the ranks and beat his superiors. Finally, Sakin is referred to by his peers in Ginga as the "Sage of the Primitive World" (原界の仙人, Genkai no Sennin) in honor of both his use of Dust Release and its most iconic technique with his status as a Sage, which is being a user of senjutsu.
Sakin was born not a noble, not in a clan, Sakin was born to a working class woman and a weak shinobi for a father in Iwagakure. Little is known about either of them, other than his father being a notorious failure as a ninja. This led not only to his father being shamed, but led to his eventual suicide. The people of Iwa would go from taunting Sakin's father to mocking Sakin, the only child of the infamous failure. Sakin would take these insults, and sink into a solitary state of mind, more and more disliking the humans around him who acted like mere beasts. Sakin would not allow these people to prevent his own growth, and showed early potential in the use of Earth Release. Joining the ninja academy, Sakin would grow stronger as a shinobi, but despite him showing potential for earth early on, he would grow to become weaker than many of his classmates, once again being left in the dust. Years would pass, battles would be fought, and finally, Sakin would grow to become a decently powerful shinobi, and everything everyone thought of the man would soon change. Sakin knew of a few things often thought to be kept secret. He knew the workings of Dust Release, and how it mixed earth, fire, and wind from a message from none other than his deceased father. The workings were known to Sakin's grandfather, a student of Ōnoki and shinoni in the Fourth Shinobi World War. His grandfather though knew only the basics, and sadly fell in the heat of battle before the end of the war. His body was taken home eventually, and the record of Dust Release, stored in a letter, was given to his son, Sakin's father, as well as his other belongings. This one done in hopes of one of Sakin's grandfather's descendants being able to learn the and master the abilitiy he failed in. Sakin's father grew obsessesed with it, and tried to use it himself. This power led to his failure, as he focused on nothing but trying to obtain Dust Release. His skill in all fields dropped as he weakened more and more trying to gain a power he could not activate. Sakin though, grew as a shinobi before ever learning of the letter or his father's obsession. At this point Sakin was considered a master of Earth Release, skilled in Fire Release, and average in the use of Wind Release. Sakin began to train and test if he, like Ōnoki and Mū before him, could awaken the power of Dust. The process was slow, not wanting the make any mistakes. Slowly, Sakin would begin to merge all three natures into a single point in front of him, but not even carefulness could prevent to explosion. The orb he had formed burst, destroying not only his home, but his neighbor's home too. Iwa reacted quickly, fearing Sakin may have been a carrier of the Explosion Release and was preforming terrorist acts like Deidara. Sakin was binded and imprisoned, and would have rotted had the site not been examined. Among the ruins, a man inspected the site. Unlike Explosion which leaves rubble, the site was mostly coated with a finer grain, dust to be exact. The man, a succesor to Ōnoki in the Dust Release, known as Minamoto would enter the prison and offer Sakin a chance of freedom. Sakin took the man's offer, and became a student under him. Sakin would be forced into learning Dust Release to its true potential, and not a rudimentary form that could barely destroy two houses.
Years would pass, and Sakin would now be a masterful user of the art of Dust Release. The villagers who once mocked and attack Sakin for having a weak father would grow to praise the successor of Iwa's greatest power. Expectations for him began, expecting him to preform certain feats, act a certain way, be the leader of the new generation. Sakin's anger grew, and an avalanche began. Sakin grew tired of these disgusting hypocrites, wanting him to become their leader when in the past they wanted him to be their punching bag. Sakin's wrath grew against these people, less and less preforming missions for them and attending meetings, more and more despising the village. Sakin would finally snap, and formed not the most common dust technique, but used his own Dust Release: Manifestation of the Mythological Realm Technique to form a dragon with multiple explosive cores against them instead. With very being willing to stand against the power due to the fear factor it caused, Sakin used the dragon to keep the village at bay for his escape. Only one stood in his path, his own teacher Minamoto. The duel, long and destructive, both using Dust Release to a great amount of its destructive potential, but Sakin gained the upper hand with his own technique, and finished his sensei off with a powerful burst of the dragon-like structure. For this bloody victory, Sakin began to be called "Upset" (逆転優勝, Gyakuten Yūshō). Sakin, now free from the village and counted as a criminal, ventured into the world of his own accord, free from the hypocrites of his home. Sakin's freedom from the village allowed him to grow powerful on his own, returning to life prior to the respect of his home. Sakin would fight hunter-nin off who tried to capture him for the bounty on his head. During this time, Sakin would meet one man in particular, Yoshitsune, another famed missing-nin. Sakin knew the history of how Madara Uchiha single handedly deafeated both Ōnoki and Mū and made Iwa give in to his will. Sakin wanted to test how he could work against one of who bore the Rinnegan like Madara, and challenged the man. This proved the be the strongest and longest battle Sakin had yet face, as Yoshitsune was well versed with his Rinnegan, catching Sakin in illusions that Yoshitsune casted weakly on purpose and the like. Sakin though continued to break free by inflicting himself with wounds and use of Dust Release until finally the fighting stop, and Sakin fell due to exhaustion. Upon awakening, Sakin rose covered in bandages. Yoshitsune congratulated him on fighting so well, and the two discussed it for hours. Yoshitsune revealed he was not fighting to his fullest potential, and neither was Sakin. He offered to train Sakin, to increase the Iwa ninja to his true potential. Having felt invigorated by fighting someone who wasn't out to get him and wasn't out for his power, as well as say that Sakin was not as powerful as he could be, Sakin joined Yoshitsune in hopes of reaching this potential. He also secretly was intrigued by someone not praising him, but telling him he was not at his true power, something Sakin hadn't had in a long time. Sakin would be one of the founding members of Gingagakure eventually, a village of all people, a village not built on power grabbing but to get away from the world powers. He was, in fact, the youngest of the group.
Sakin bears the appearance of a man who has seen the rough parts of the world. This is evident by his overall facial expressions and general posture: he slouches to showcase his lack of care for most things; he is stern in order to ensure nobody can catch him off-guard. These traits, when combined with his actual physical traits, create a rather intimidating figure. His general physical stature is quite tall for a man his age: when one adds his highly athletic figure, one can see the level of training he has gone through for much of his life. He demonstrates himself to possess a remarkably muscular figure: highly muscular biceps and triceps, a well-built chest and pectoral muscles, and a complete set of abs. Furthermore, Sakin has a rather angular facial structure; this is made more pronounced by his jawline, thin lips, and pointy nose. This, combined with his striking silver hair - quite short and kept spiky - makes him quite an object of attention by many. To complement his relatively attractive appearance, Sakin wears a surprisingly simple attire. This includes an onyx, sleeveless, tank-top with white lining at the chest and shoulders over a pair of dark green cargo pants, which are kept fastened through a simple black belt. Finishing this attire off is a pair of black combat boots. Also, notably, Sakin possesses a few piercings, four in total. One piercing being in his left eyebrow, and the other three on his left ear.
As a child, Sakin was noted to be happy, upbeat, loving, and much like any other normal child. He was defensive of his father, who was considered the largest failure of the village, and showed great love for his parents. All this would change when his father took his life, to finally escape the hatred the village so greatly gave him. This changed and twisted Sakin, and along with recieving the hatred his father once got he became the opposite of who he once was. Sakin, much like his appearances suggests, is very apathetic and uncaring as of now. Sakin shows this through disrespect of his elders, teachers, and even leaders. This only fueled the prosecution he recieved, but luckily, Sakin cared little of what these people thought of him. Sakin seems uncomfortable when he recieves praise and recognition, one of the leading causes of his betrayal of Iwagakure due to the massive shift of how they treated him. Sakin likes to work but be unseen, his deeds being known but him allowed to remain in the shadows. Sakin's interest and spark only comes to life for few things, the most prominent being a good fight. During battle is when Sakin's husk of life is filled and fueled, showing what many believe is pure insanity. Unlike his normal emotionless self, he cracks a wicked grin and eyes ignited with vigor. This is when Sakin will either praise or deminish who he is against. This is when you see the true core of the Sakin. Unlike Yoshitsune and Ninigi Senju, who try to refrain from killing, Sakin possesses no qualms with killing, whether it be man or woman, adult or child, so long as the means meets the good in the end of the day. Sakin even seems to smile a bit at the sight of blood, slightly. Sakin seems to possess a slightly sadistic nature, toying with his foes if he gets the chance to. This also expands to him having a bit of a masochistic nature, taking wounds set on him with a smirk that most deem to be true insanity, and at times even howls with laughter about being harmed physically. Despite this, Sakin is kind deep with in, and often supports the underdog in a fight, enjoying seeing the weaker person dethrone the stronger foe. Sakin doesn't seem to care about faving friends, and only seems to consider Yoshitsune and Ninigi his friends, along with a select few others.
Sakin is a man of powerful stature. Sakin is noted to have large reserves of chakra, though it is unknown how much he actually possesses. He was able to go toe to toe with Yoshitsune for nearly a day on chakra use during their first battle, indicating he possesses nearly as much as him. Sakin is known as an underdog, not a prodigy. He started off as nothing and worked his way to his current power, even defeating his prior teacher Minamoto, who was considered a prodigy of all sorts. Sakin's will, much like the Will of Stone, is strong and unwavering. Now matter how he is attacked, treated, or even tortured, Sakin holds his head high and keeps his pride and dignity. This will is what fuels Sakin's life, and keeps him moving ahead. Some even claim Sakin's will is even stronger than that of Ninigi Senju, who holds the Will of Fire. Sakin has rudimentary skill in genjutsu, as it is opposite of his more forward style of fighting. Sakin is noted to have great stamina, from fighting Yoshitsune for a long period of time. Sakin is also quite fast, and is the fastest of Yoshitsune and Ninigi outside of the realm of the Body Flicker Technique and Ninigi's Flying Thunder God Technique.
Sakin predominantly fights with ninjutsu, and has learned and mastered many techniques through out his life. One of the many techniques he has conquered in his life is the Body Flicker Technique. It is a technique that allows him to move at high speeds other large distances at nearly untraceable speeds. Sakin uses this technique to not only move quick from place to place quickly, but to enhance his speed in battle, making him a target difficult to hit at all. Another skill Sakin picked up on over time allows him to use his chakra to fly or levitate, and transfer it to others for a temporary amount of time. He often uses his ability of flight to increase physical assaults, allowing him to be able to create more combination hits with punches and kicks with his great speed. He also uses this to bombard his foes with ninjutsu aerially, much like that of Ōnoki in the past. Sakin also possesses a famous technique which allows him to split himself into two. This technique is unlike a clone technique though, as it literally creates two of Sakin who possess the same powers and abilities. It also has no seals making it faster than true clone techniques. The downside though is that the power of the two Sakin's is severed in half. Sakin often uses this technique to lay pure confusion on his foes, letting one half die and make it seem as though he is unkillable. Sakin seems to gain all power back from the half that is killed, and also can remerge with him if need be. Lastly, Ninigi possesses the Hiding with Camouflage Technique, which completely erases his scent and, shadow, and makes him unseeable. This allows him to preform assassinations with great ease, and slip away in battle and appear elsewhere. Sensors note that he is difficult to find even with their great sensory powers, and only seems to be found by those with blessed eyes.
Nature Transformation
Sakin has been trained in various different nature transformations, and as jōnin has mastered some and is well versed in others. His first, and most prominant, nature is Earth Release, fitting for someone of Iwagakure. While powerful with it from the beginning, Sakin only attained true mastery from training with Ninigi Senju. Some of his most used abilites in earth are the changing of weight with in stones, or objects in general. Such abilities stemming from this is the power to increase the weight of objects. Strangly enough, when used on living organisms it causes them to begin to petrify. Sakin also uses a greatly enhanced variation that possesses the same abilities, but at a faster and more drastic rate. This variation is also used more often for increasing the brutality of attacks, as it increases weight so greatly faster. This often is the main purpose behind Sakin's use of the technique, to increase the power of his attacks. He also mixes his reflexes, speed, and masochistic ways in to make contact with a foe's weapon, such as a sword, and make it heavier and heavier until the foe can no longer use it. Along side this, he can also decrease the weight of objects, and can also use this power to make himself, or others, weigh less to move faster. Though, in return his, or their, strength is decreased as well. Likewise, he posseses this technique's greater version of making objects lose weight drastically faster, and uses it in such a way to make even the largest boulders way as light as a feather. Sakin, outside of weight, also can coat his arm in rocks which deals a greater, more powerful punch due to increased hardness. As a man who uses taijutsu decently and often enough, this technique is used for such purposes often. Sakin possesses the power to transform the surface by changing the elevation of the ground. This can be used to unbalance foes and make them be hit by incoming attacks with proper timing. Sakin also uses it to with his feet as to continually punch in the same pattern but to hit different areas as the foe moves with the earth. Sakin's skill with earth also allows him bring up to the surface what is deep underground in quick, catapult like manner, and Sakin often uses this to fling his foes into the air. Sakin can form from stone a powerful golem of great strength that varies in size. The stone is shown to be resiliant, and the technique is often used as either a soldier or a shield. Sakin often uses it as a mirror, making it reflect his attacks as a partner, or do the same while standing on top of it and avoid entering the main fight. Finally, Sakin's final well known technique relating to earth chakra is the powerful Earth Release: Sandwich Technique. This technique makes two powerful and gigantic slabs of stone slam together with great force. This will almost always destroy everything caught in between. This technique also has a smaller-scale form to use on smaller groups or a single person.
Sakin is also a skilled user of the great Fire Release, and some consider him a mster of its use. Like Earth Release, he did recieve training with another shinobi. This time, it was Yoshitsune who helped him with the nature a bit. Sakin is able to use the famous and iconic fire technique, the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique to expel a large fireball from his mouth. The size of the ball is dependend on how much chakra is used to create it. The fire is quite hot, and is able to leave a crater on the ground upon impact. Sakin often uses this technique with clones to fire multiple fireballs in all directions. Derived from this basic technique are two, more advanced versions. One of these two abilities allows him to expel a wall of fire that travels quite the distance. The technique has a wide range, causing it to be difficult to avoid. This technique would need multiple water users to put out. Sakin often uses this technique as a means of "flushing out the rats" who try and hide from him. The other is a magnificent stream of fire, and can then form a sea of flames. Sakin himself often flies above the foe before using this technique and will then make it rain fire. Sakin possesses a similar technique to the Great Fireball Technique, and it is known as the Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. Unlike the other though, this one creates a volley of smaller fireballs that are sent in an unpredictable manner, and can be manipulated bu Sakin's chakra. While mostly meant to be a distraction technique, Sakin often uses as a means to push the foe back by repeatingly slamming them with the bursts. Sakin's final and, apparantly, favorite fire technique is the Fire Release: Hiding in Ash and Dust Technique. This technique allows Sakin to spew out ash that has been infused with chakra, and burns anyone who is unfortunate enough to come into contact with it. Due to the chakra-infused nature, it can throw of dōjutsu and sensors, as well as be used as a powerful smokescreen. Sakin uses this as a means of throwing the enemy off, catch them as they react and proceed to pummel them.
Sakin possesses the power of Wind Release as well. Sakin, unlike the other two basic natures he uses, isn't considered a master but rather as a skilled user. One such technique he possesses allows him to make a powerful wind slash, capable of being fired multiple times in succession. This is done by flowing wind chakra into the Sakin's hand and swinging it. Enhanced from this seems to be his favorite wind technique, the Beast Tearing Gale Palm. It uses wind-infused chakra and condense a large amount of wind into a demonic, clawed hand. This can be used not only to strike and grab foes, as well as deflect other ninja tools, the claws carry tremendous power and can devastate what coms into contact with it. Sakin uses this technique as it was made, a devastating hand made of wind, and uses the wind hand like a great weapon. Sakin also uses Wind Release: Dust Cloud Technique, which allows him to blast a great stream of wind containing dust particles in it. Anything that is hit by the technique is greatly wounded, as the wind accelerates the dust, making it able to break and tear apart flesh. Sakin can also fire multiple small blasts of wind that well fly over an expanisive range. Due to this nature, it is hard to evade the bursts without coming out with a little bit of damage. These bursts can also cut and pierce the flesh of those struck. Stemming from this, Sakin can also condense the bullets into a single point. This sphere has the properties of the smaller bullets, but the wind-chakra becomes much more damaging in this larger state. Sakin often uses wind to enhance the power of his fire.
Sakin possesses a rare and unique ability. Passed down in Iwa to a select few is the powerful Kekkei Tōta known as the Dust Release. This nature merges the three natures he already has, which are earth, fire, and wind. Sakin possesses the ability's most iconic technique, the Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique, which forms a structure with a glowing sphere in the center of it. The technique will then rapidly expand in size and will be sent towards the foe. The structure will cage the foe on the inside of it with the sphere, which will erupt violently. The structure confines the blast, and all caught inside of the technique is destroyed. The shape of the structure also can determine the effect of the blast. Sakin is known to mostly use either a cube, cone, or sphere for its shape. Sakin can also use the Dust Release: Beam of the Ancient World Technique, which form the white sphere in his hand. The sphere will then be used to fire a beam, and anything struck by this laser is destroyed by the technique's properties. As it also moves incredibly fast, it makes the technique difficult to counter, evade, or even absorb. Sakin also created the Dust Release: Primordial Flames Technique, which again greats the sphere. Sakin then flows fire into the sphere at a greater amount making the sphere erupt in white fire. The sphere then streams white fire from it. The technique is incredibly hot, and makes you feel the breakdown of your body when struck by it. It is often compared to Amaterasu. Lastly, Sakin created the powerful Dust Release: Manifestation of the Mythological Realm Technique. This creates a structure that appears like a great dragon. The dragon has five of the explosive spheres in it. While the technique has a great use in the dragon's claws and fangs, the spheres make it the most deadly. Each sphere can be set off individually or in a group, and makes it perfect for capture a large group of ninja. The spheres can also be fire from it, which creates a powerful explosion, though it does not get the increased power of being a confined explosion on the foe. Despite this, it still is deadly to those hit, and can send up depris that can also cause more damage.
Sakin, like many ninja, has become use to the use of clone-related techniques. Like many, Sakin often uses the Shadow Clone Technique to form physical clones of himself. These clones can attack freely on their own, and even bleed and be used to fake death. These clones can be very difficult to be proven false, and even dōjutsu have problems distinguishing the clone from the original. These clones though disperse after a few blows. Sakin is also able to use a mass mass variation and create hundreds of new clones at a time, and they carry over all effects of the regular version. Sakin often uses these clones for gathering natural energy for the use of Sage Mode. Sakin also uses these to increase his own barrage of attacks, making his own little army. Outside of these, Sakin also merges his earth-based, creating a shadow clone made of mud. The clone, due to its mud-based formation, can continue to reform from damage and go back to its original state. Once dispersed, the mud making it can hold the foe in place. For that reason is why Sakin uses it, to capture his foe in place and attck them in their prisoned state. Along with this, Sakin has non-Shadow Clone based clones. With his earthen chakra again can form clones out of stones. These clones are shown to be tougher, but when struck with enough force, or releases on command, will shatter apart into rocks. Sakin often uses this tactic with the ability of flight and increasing, or greatly increasing, the weight of the stones to make it rain insanely heavy rocks on the foe beneath them. Finally, Sakin has created his own variation of clones with his dust chakra. These clones look like any normal clone, that is physical, but unlike them carry an explosive core. When struck with high enough force or released by command, the clones human appearance rips to shreds and in its place is the explosive core and a structure quickly grows and traps the foe within the technique. The core explodes and acts much like that of the Dust Release's most iconic technique, but is know to be less powerful and often does not kill the foe, just harming them greatly.
Sakin is decently strong in the use of taijutsu, due to his strength and stamina, though it is not his preferred style. While still not his preferred, he has grown to use it more often after learning a bit from Ninigi Senju. After learning the art of enhancing his strength with chakra, is when he finally showed its use thoroughly. Using his naturally gifted speed and even enhanced, he has shown a wide range of physical insult with barrages of punches and strong, painful kicks. He also uses more unorthodox methods, such as slamming his head into foes as a powerful headbutt, and snickers at the pain put back on him by it. His strength allows him to shatter bone one a punch, making a pianful situation for his foe. Along with sheer strength, his stamina allows him to maintain powerful stikes, punches, and hits with little to now weakening even after a long period of time. This strength has shown to be useful, and even hold and push back a stampeding bull. While not peaked, Sakin is known to still be training to increase hs skill in taijutsu.
Yamaren Seija took Sakin under his wing as a student after some time. Eventually Yamaren was taught the power of senjutsu, which over some time he would begin to teach to Sakin as a form of a lesson. Just as Yamaren Seija did to Yamaren, Yamaren took Sakin to the peak of the Golden Mountain, an area in the Land of Origin that is rich with natural energy. Here is where Sakin would be taught the most important power in his life, not Dust Release or Sage Mode, but self control. Sakin was a brash and violent man who was indecisive, and Yamaren would change this. Using Sage Mode as a parallel to enlightment, Sakin would be forced to focus and master the use of energy, but his impatience cause imperfection. These imperfections caused the markings that the perfect version had to form, but with a few extra lines. His muscles grow larger, and he forms a prominent brow ridge, looking more and more like an early human ancestor or ape in general. In this form his ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu are increased, as well as his reflexes, stamina, and speed to a degree, but his intelligence, or at least judgement, deminishes as he becomes more primal. This form though would be left eventually, as through time and training Sakin matured and grew. His comfortability as himself grew, and as he begin to grow physically, his spirituality, his chakra, adapted. Finally, his chakra balanced itself with nature, and a new, true power emerged. His Sage Mode attained perfection. His markings forms red pigment around his eyes and a third eye marking to form on his forehead, and his eyes turn to a golden color. In this form his perception skills, reflexes, strength, speed, and stamina all increase greatly, as well as his ninjutsu, genjutsu and taijutsu becomes stronger too. His healing factor is also increased form. With the senjutsu chakra he is also strong against those who use the rare and powerful Yin–Yang Release. All of the abilities shared with the imperfect form are naturally superior in the perfect form as well. The down fall of this ability is that it takes time to gather natural energy for it, though Sakin often decreases the time by gathering energy with a few clones. Through time and effort, Sakin also gained the special capability to gather natural energy faster than others, taking mere seconds on his own.
While in this form, as mentioned, Sakin's taijutsu, speed, and strength are all augmented greatly. This forms Sakin as a fast-paced physical tank, easily taking hits and returning more powerful blows with his senjutsu-enhanced body that prove to be devastating. More notably, his ninjutsu becomes highly advanced to create even greater results in power. He also is able to preform an ability in which he pours natural energy into inanimate objects, giving them "life". These newly "living" things can change drastically and alter the use of the field. They can attack the foe of the sage and make for versatile allies. Extreme heat can counter these things and revert them back to their "non-living" form. Sakin often uses this technique less for a shield of fighters to protect his, but as allies to increase his physical devastation. Also, another of Sakin's notable senjutsu-based techniques is the Sage Art: Dust Release: Current of the God Realm Technique. To use this technique, Sakin must gather dust chakra that will surround him. The chakra forms a white shroud of chakra that surrounds him. The cloak acts like an armor of sorts than can be used for highly defensive purposes to defend Sakin as he prepares the technique fully. Flowing more wind chakra into the shroud, the armor forms into ten slashes that fire off in succession from Sakin, which can be used in a rapid fire succession or in multiple directions. These slashes cut cleanly through most anything, and complete destroy all it comes into contact with. Evading them has proven to be difficult as they are quite fast in movement and each slash is rather large in size.
- Sakin is Japanese for "sand gold" (砂金).
- Sakin is named after the Gold Dust used by the Fourth Kazekage.
- Sakin is the only one of my main male characters not named after a historical or cultural figure.
- Sakin's favorite dishes are beef, nikujaga, and onigiri. He dislikes most green vegetables and chicken.
- Sakin wishes to battle Ōnoki and Mū.
- Sakin has been on 328 missions: 105 D-rank, 145 C-rank, 50 B-rank, 9 A-rank, and 19 S-rank.
- Sakin's nickname, "Upset" (逆転優勝, Gyakuten Yūshō), is a reference to the sports term Upset, which is when the underdog beats the superior. It was popularised by the famous racehorse Man o' War losing for his first and only race in his final race before retirement against a horse named Upset.
- Like many of my characters, he shares his birthday with a person his author knows in real life. Sakin shares his birthday with one of his best friends.
- Sakin as he is now is a lot different then how I had originally written him. He was originally written as the gifted great-grandson of Ōnoki, completely opposite of his new underdog role based somewhat on James J. Braddock, the notorious Cinderella Man, and Rocky Balboa from the Rocky franchise.
- (To Yoshitsune during battle) "I'm not like them! I won't fall to you so easily! Prepare yourself, for I will show you Dust Release to its true potential, and how it expands beyond your limit!"
- (About his past) "That village... it is the pinnacle of hypocrisy. It mocks the weak, but the moment one gets strong they are loved by them. That once weak man, now strong, mocks what he once was. I may be biased, but after all I have been through, I wouldn't deal with those bastards. Gingagakure may not be perfect, but at least the people here aren't as heartless."
- (Receiving a wound) "The hell was that? Come one, cut me! Cut me harder and cut deeper! You don't know how to make a wound, here, I'll teach you!"
- "I was born... to nothing. I wasn't part of a prodigious clan, I wasn't born with amazing power. I was born to a merchant and a failure of a shinobi. I was mocked and berated for my father's mistakes. I grew wanting one thing, the power to change. I climbed the mountain of mocks and assualts put on me, and I stabbed my conquering flag into it! I took power for myself, I created the power of the Tsuchikage, with a letter and of my own capabilites! I am what I am because I overcame the power of those above me, and I shattered the ranks by becoming what my father could not! I finally gained the power I wanted. Not Dust Release, but the power to change! I changed myself, something people thought would amount to nothing but the dust on their feet, to being the dust that put them in their grave!"
- "Take your golden throne! I want nothing of it! Once you sit on top you become lazy and lose yourself, you lose the fire that burns in your soul to drive you forward. I will take this seat made of mud, rocks, and sticks and be happy. It lets me see high enough to know what is coming. It sits me low enough so I am still down to the earth and not losing myself in the clouds."


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A question I've been asked often in recent months is about the groom's role in the wedding planning. What does he think about the colors? Does he care about the venue?
Planning a wedding, for better or worse, is often left up to the bride. Girls, after all, are the ones who dream of that day their whole lives, right? And as a result, some grooms think it's OK to simply sit on the sidelines.
But that's not always the case. When one friend was planning her wedding a few years ago, she and her fiancé argued endlessly over their plans, from where to hold the reception to the shape and color of their cake. Each has a strong personality – and had strong opinions about the details of their big day.
I think more grooms, though, settle into the other extreme of delegating everything to their fiancées. And brides, for their part, seem to either complain about that – Why isn't he helping? Doesn't he care? – or relish the fact that the wedding is totally, completely in their hands.
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I always wanted my wedding to be a joint effort, to strike a balance between those two sides. And from the beginning, Reese and I talked about our plans together. We have similar tastes, which helped us agree on many of those crucial first details, such as what time of year to marry, the importance of a big dance floor and the desire to extend invites to a large group of friends and family.
I knew from the get-go that he would want an active role in those decisions, and I was glad for the help as we navigated the early weeks. I found that there were certain things Reese cared about more than others, such as the menu and the band. So in the first couple days, as I called wedding planners and arranged meetings with photographers, he researched bands, watching video after video and e-mailing friends to see which wedding bands they'd seen and liked.
He's taken complete ownership of some things – planning the honeymoon (location is still yet to be determined), for instance. And beyond that, he's been supportive, tagging along to meetings with vendors, sitting patiently with my parents as we discuss budgets and guest lists, and simply listening as I agonize over each decision.
He has also been more opinionated on some things than I expected, even ruling out a few choices for being "too girly" – but that's been a welcome surprise. Decisiveness can be key in wedding planning, and all too often, I waver on big decisions. On other things, he's played the voice of reason, assuring me, in typical guy fashion, that the small details don't really matter, and that whatever appetizers or decorations we chose would work just fine.
I like to think of wedding planning as practice for marriage. Arguments are inevitable, as this is probably the most stressful time many couples have been through. But the way you handle those conversations – ruling things out, talking about money, setting expectations for the event and each other – is a good indicator of how you'll handle tougher talks in the years to come.
Every couple is different, of course, and for some brides, leaving wedding-related decisions up to their fiancés is worrisome at best, infuriating at worst. Ideally, though, planning should be a joint process. Because while the groom probably won't care about the type of flowers or the style of bridesmaid dresses, the event is just as much about him as it is the bride.
Now just a few months into our planning, Reese and I have found that balance, those little ways to make our wedding special for both of us. More importantly, we've learned more about each other – and that at the end of the day, we're in it together.