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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Non-Fiction Five Challenge completed
I really enjoyed all of the books I read this year. As usual, some of my reading had a Japanese focus, from the account of life at one of the Japanese internment camps in the US during WWII, to learning about the hikikomori and some of the problems facing modern Japanese society, and to admiring the beauty and tradition of becoming a geisha in Kyoto. I also was moved to read a different account of the Holocaust, and about the terrible genocide taking place in Darfur. And I even had a little spiritual training as I learned how a British woman became a celebrated practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. So all in all, I think it was a pretty successful challenge!
Books completed:
(click on the title to read my review)
Farewell to Manzanar - Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston
Shutting Out the Sun - Michael Zielenziger
Maus I & II - Art Spiegelman
Cave in the Snow - Vicki MacKenzie
A Geisha's Journey - Komomo (& Naoyuki Ogino)
The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur - Daoud Hari (with Dennis Michael Burke & Megan M. McKenna)
Best book(s) I read for the challenge?
They were all very good but I think Maus I & II and The Translator would come out on top. They were both such moving stories and I predict the images from them will stay with me for a long time.
Book(s) I could have done without?
None. They were all interesting and I'm glad to have read them.
Any new authors? Will I read them again?
They were all new to me! A couple had never published before so in that case it's not very surprising. They have all made me want to read more on their respective topics, but I would certainly consider reading something else in the future by any of these authors as well.
Best thing about the challenge? What did I learn?
That even though I usually read fiction, I do enjoy reading non-fiction when I get around to it. (Yup, I just looked and I said something very similar last year!) I really should try to read more of it on my own.
Thanks so much for hosting again Joy!
Monday, September 29, 2008
'The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur'
As told to Dennis Michael Burke and Megan M. McKenna
Non-Fiction/Memoir, 2008
Penguin UK, trade pb, 211 p.
Daoud Hari lost a way of life in Darfur. But amidst the carnage and turmoil he found a new calling…It's easy to just live our lives and ignore what's happening in places far away thinking it doesn't concern us. I'll often go a few days without watching the news myself although my husband will often tell me some of the headlines. The news is usually so negative all the time that some days I just prefer to stay away. But we really shouldn't be so complacent when such extreme violence is affecting the lives of so many innocent people. I had heard of Darfur but admit that I really hadn't given it much serious thought or realised just how awful the situation there was. Much like the film Hotel Rwanda opened my eyes to the atrocities happening there, this book has made me aware of the horrifying genocide currently still taking place in Darfur.
As a Zaghawa tribesman in the Darfur region of Sudan, Daoud Hari grew up racing camels across the desert, attending colourful weddings and, when his work was done, playing games under the moonlight. But in 2003 helicopter gunships swooped down on Darfur's villages and shattered that way of life forever. Sudanese government-backed militias came to murder, rape and burn. To drive the tribesmen from their lands.
When Hari's village was attacked and destroyed, his family was decimated. He escaped and roamed the battlefield deserts, helping the weak and vulnerable find food, water and safety. When international aid groups and reporters arrived, Hari gave his services as a translator and guide. To do so was to risk his life, for the Sudanese government had outlawed journalists, punishing aid to 'foreign spies' with death. Yet Hari did so time and again. Until eventually his luck ran out…
The Translator is a harrowing tale of selfless courage in terrifying conditions.
Can you do that [genocide] in this century? Can you solve all your problems by killing everyone in your way? That is for the world to decide. Deciding if and when the traditional people of Darfur can go home will also decide if genocide works or not, and therefore whether it will happen elsewhere again in the world. It seems to me that this is a good place to stop it forever.This memoir is the result of many hours of conversations with the co-authors, and while reading it, it felt like I was there in the room with Daoud speaking to me personally. And even though the stories he recounts are heartbreaking, he has the most wonderful positive attitude, and even a sense of humour that shows up at times, you can't help but admire his outlook and bravery through everything. It's a fairly slim book, and easy to read, but such an important topic. Everyone really should read this! Thanks to Natasha's Reading and Blogging for Darfur Project for encouraging me to read this sooner rather than later, and helping me be a bit less ignorant about the crisis going on there. I now want to read more about it. These are stories that need to be heard, and hopefully Daoud's story and others will continue to reach more people so the victims of Darfur will not be overlooked or forgotten.
The story I am telling here is based on my memories of a time of great difficulty and confusion. I have done my best to capture the details of my experiences, and to set them down here accurately and to the utmost of my recollection, and I am grateful to those who have helped me focus and occasionally correct my account. Of course, no two people can view the same event in the same way, and I know that others will have their own tales to tell. Surely these collective tales will add up to the truth of the tragedy in Darfur.Suggestions for further reading from Natasha at Maw Books Blog.
A Darfur Primer
Interview with Daoud Hari
Article in Newsweek
How You Can Help
Guest post by Dennis Burke, co-author of The Translator.
*Photo © Megan McKenna
My Rating: 4/5
(#41 for 2008, Maw Books Blog 'Reading and Blogging for Darfur' project, Orbis Terrarum Challenge)
Also reviewed at:
Maw Books Blog
Book Haven
Musings of a Bookish Kitty
Fyrefly's Book Blog
Stuff As Dreams Are Made On
Reminder: If you have also read and reviewed this title, let me know and I'll add your link here.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
'Three Shadows'
Translated from the French by Edward Gauvin
Fiction/Graphic Novel, 2007 (English translation, 2008)
First Second, soft cover, 269 p.
Back then, life was simple and sweet. The taste of cherries, the cool shade, the fresh smell of the river… That was how we lived, in a vale among the hills – sheltered from storms, ignorant of the world, as though on an island, peaceful and untroubled.This was a moving story of the love of two parents for their child and how they cope with the uncertainty of his future. As it says on the back flap, "Three Shadows was born out of the agony of watching his close friends' child die very young", and as such it felt very real and emotional. He's also taken a dark story about death and turned it into something almost beautiful.
And then…
Then everything changed.
I didn't always love the artwork but it was always interesting, and Pedrosa did a great job of telling the story through brush strokes instead of words in many places. The author has a background in animation and you can really feel the movement of many of the scenes from his unique style.
Thanks to Popin's review (see below) and the Graphic Novels Challenge for the nudge to read this, I'm glad I did and am now looking forward to my next graphic novel.
You can see the first 11 pages here, and another excerpt, showing the arrival of the shadows, here.
Interview with the author.
More info at Amazon.com.
My Rating: 4/5
(#40 for 2008, Graphic Novels Challenge, R.I.P. III Challenge)
Also reviewed at:
Popin's Lair
katrina's reads
Reminder: If you have also read and reviewed this title, let me know and I'll add your link here.
Friday, September 26, 2008
PhotoHunt: View
Friday: books and blanks
1. The weather finally becoming comfortable, fall roses blooming, and the 24 hour Read-a-thon are some of the things I'm most looking forward to in October.
2. Sometimes I just need some quiet alone time.
3. I never thought I'd enjoy reading vampire novels and that's why there is a saying, "never say never"!
4. When I'm down, I just want to hide from the world.
5. When I'm at home, in front of my laptop is where you'll find me most often.
6. A rainy day is good for reading or having a movie marathon.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include whatever we end up doing and Sunday, I want to read!
Just a few books added to my wishlist this week, so far anyway.
The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. It won't be out until late spring/summer 2009 in English (it's out now in Spanish I believe), but I was excited to hear that his second novel is a prequel to The Shadow of the Wind.
The Blackstone Key by Rose Melikan. "...a complex and deadly plot involving ruthless smugglers, secret codes, and a dangerous network of spies and traitors..." Danielle mentioned this one recently and it sounds fun.
Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. "Set in the ethnic neighborhoods of Seattle during World War II and Japanese American internment camps of the era." Marcia of The Printed Page had a good review of this. It'll be published in January 2009.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. I thought I'd added this to my wishlist when I first heard about it a while ago but apparently not, so thanks to Iliana for mentioning it again.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Do you link to me? (WG #18)
Essentially, the blogs listed in my blogroll are the ones that link to me as well. It was getting way too long (yes, I know it's still long!) a while back so I used that as the criteria. I subscribe to many more blogs in my Google Reader but I have to admit that I have them sorted into folders. I'd love to be able to read each and every post from every one of them but I just can't. So the people who comment here regularly, that I like to call 'my regulars' (I think you know who you are) and those that link to me usually get priority. Then when I have time (hah!) I skim through the rest, lurk, or even just mark them all as read when it gets too ridiculous. But I do always wonder what I'm missing. And BBAW showed me how many great book blogs there are out there! I've added some new ones to my Reader that I hope I'll be able to visit regularly. And even though I always complain that I don't have enough time to visit all the blogs I want to, I still love finding new ones! Crazy, yes?
As for Blogger's new Following feature, I haven't done anything with it yet. I suppose it might replace my blogroll at some point since they basically serve the same purpose. Does it work with non-Blogger blogs though?
But anyway, could you please give a shout out and let me know either if you're lurking and you have a great blog I should check out or especially if you've linked to me but you don't see your blog listed in my blogroll (way down on the middle sidebar). Thanks a lot. And I hope I haven't made anyone feel left out!
A few of the other things I'll try to catch up on in the next couple of days:
A review, long overdue, of Three Shadows.
Read the unread posts in Google Reader. (So many!)
Read comments, return the visits over on my photo blog and post a new photo or two.
Read The Translator, as I'd like to finish it this weekend if possible.
Check my challenge progress and rework the list of books to read.
Start thinking about what I'd like to read during the Read-a-thon.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Currently reading...
I'm in the Darfur region of Sudan. I'm travelling with a British reporter who wants to tell the story of the terrible genocide taking place in my country. We've just had a run-in with a rebel group. They would've certainly shot me if it weren't for the help of Philip, the reporter, and a great deal of luck.
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
Share the title of the book that you're getting your "teaser" from … and please avoid spoilers!
But, one way or another, we would get the story for Philip, and Philip would get it out to the world. You have to be stronger than your fears if you want to get anything done in this life. (p. 11)
Monday, September 22, 2008
special chocolates
My name was selected as part of Lezlie's giveaway at Books 'N Border Collies, and Michelle* was kind enough have them sent all the way to Japan!
They arrived yesterday and I have a feeling they won't last long!
Thanks so much Michelle!
*Michelle Moran, the author of Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
And the winner is...
First though, I want to say thank you to everyone that entered and who shared their story of how they met their significant other or best friend. (You can read the comments here). Some were funny and made me smile. And there were several that were quite romantic. I think I'll smile every time I see Reese's peanut butter cups now! :)
I wish we could have more than one winner, but one it must be.
So onto the draw...
I tried to get my usual assistant, Jiro, to help out but he wasn't terribly interested. Granted, he had just woken up from a nap. But after a bit of tempting, Bailey stepped in to help select the winner.
As soon as I have your mailing address, Jen, I'll pass it on to Josh who will sign your book and send it out to you. Congratulations and happy reading!
Sunday Salon: a few new books
I didn't get much read this past week, so I'm not quite done Perfume yet. I'm enjoying it, just too little time spent reading lately (and too much time reading blogs, cooking dinner, teaching...). But I did finally post my review of Sisters of Misery, which you can read here, and I did get a few books in mail this week.
The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari.
On Reading by André Kertész. B&W photos of people reading around the world. The pictures are very fun. I'll try to post some, some time soon.
Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David Petersen. I've read a couple good reviews of this one over at the Graphic Novel Challenge blog, and now that I've seen it for myself, the art is indeed fantastic! I think this'll make a good break from other reading during the Read-a-thon.
Written in Blood by Sheila Lowe. A review copy. It's a mystery and like the main character, the author is also a handwriting expert. It sounds like it might be fun.
Even though I'm not yet finished reading Perfume yet, I'm planning to start The Translator tonight. I'm reading it as part of Natasha's Reading and Blogging for Darfur project so I want to make sure I get it read and reviewed by the end of the month. Hard to believe that September will soon be over!
Next up, I'll announce the winner of my giveaway, so stay tuned! But in the meantime, tell Michele at A Reader's Respite the most memorable book you've read, and you'll have a chance to win a copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows.
Have a great week!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
PhotoHunt: Road
Friday, September 19, 2008
BBAW: Thank you Amy
This summer, after book blogging was patronized and criticized in the mainstream media, Amy from My Friend Amy made a suggestion that we celebrate book blogging. From that idea, Book Blogger Appreciation Week was born. Many of us have participated in interviews, contests, give-aways, and through awards; but, this would never have happened were it not for the dream, perseverance, planning, hard work and dedication of Amy. This has been a wonderful week and as members of the Book Blogging community, in one voice we want to thank Amy for all that she has done.
Amy, you are truly the Queen of Book Bloggers and we love you!
I didn't participate as much as I would've perhaps liked, but it was a fantastic week and Amy certainly deserves a huge standing ovation for all the hard work she put into getting it organised.
ありがとうごさいます! Arigatou gozaimasu, Amy-san! :)
'Sisters of Misery'
Fiction/YA, 2008
Kensington Books, trade pb, 312 p.
There are some girls who have everything…This was a great choice to kick off my reading for the R.I.P. III Challenge. A gothic story with hints of witchcraft, and a mysterious disappearance, that kept me guessing right to the end. It's also about family secrets, friendship, betrayal, and the realisation that things are often not what they seem. The author did a good job maintaining an ominous mood throughout as, like Maddie, I came to be suspicious of pretty much everyone in the town and even now I'm left wondering what other secrets lay buried. Not everything has been resolved in this book, setting up for the sequel, but it still built up to a nicely dramatic, satisfying climax. I hope that we get to learn more about some of the characters that weren't too expanded on this time in the next book and I'm curious to see Maddie's character grow and develop. I did think it lagged just a little in the middle, and it had a bit of an I Know What You Did Last Summer ending, but these are minor complaints. Overall it was a fast, exciting read and I'm looking forward to the next book when it comes out next year.
She has the right clothes, the right friends, and the right last name, but fifteen-year-old Maddie Crane sometimes feels like an outsider in her clique in the wealthy, seaside town of Hawthorne, Massachusetts. And when her gorgeous, eccentric cousin Cordelia LeClaire moves to town, Maddie is drawn toward her ethereal, magical spirit and teeters even more toward the edge of her friends' tightly-knit circle...
Then there are the jealous ones…
Kate Endicott and the Sisters of Misery—a secret clique of the most popular, powerful girls in school—are less than thrilled by Cordelia's arrival. When Kate's on-again, off-again boyfriend Trevor takes an interest in Cordelia, the Sisters of Misery become determined to make her pay…
Now Maddie must choose between the allure and power of the Sisters of Misery and her loyalty to her beloved cousin. But she'll have to give up on ever fitting in and accept the disturbing truth about the town, her friends, her mysterious cousin, and even herself as she faces the terrifying wrath of the Sisters of Misery…
Thank you to Kensington Books for sending me a copy of this book.
Visit the author's blog here. Read an excerpt from Sisters of Misery here.
My Rating: 4/5
(#39 for 2008, R.I.P. III Challenge)
Also reviewed at:
Beyond Books
and many more reviews here.
Reminder: If you have read and reviewed this title, let me know and I'll link to it here.
Friday: books and blanks
1. There is no need to make things more difficult than they already are.
2. Where in the heck did the cookies disappear to?
3. Today, housework and a little bit of blogging is all I managed to do.
4. Prospects for immediate satisfaction include chocolate and a good book.
5. I wonder if this is the message I've been waiting for.
6. Simplicity and tranquility are what I crave.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping on clean sheets, tomorrow my plans include staying home as the typhoon passes by and Sunday, I want to curl up with my book!
Yup, hardly surprising, I've added a few more books to my wishlist this week.
BTW, just to clarify, my wishlist is my very long list of books that sound interesting and that I'd like to possibly read at some point. My TBR pile/mountain consists of books that I already own but haven't read yet. For the purposes of the Friday Finds, I always mention books that I've recently added to my wishlist, not ones that I've bought or received. Those I usually mention in the Sunday Salon. OK, so here are a few of the books that have appealed to me this week from my travels around the blogosphere.
Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels (glowing review by Heather at The Library Ladder) From Amazon: Fugitive Pieces is a book about memory and forgetting. How is it possible to love the living when our hearts are still with the dead? What is the difference between what historical fact tells us and what we remember? More than that, the novel is a meditation on the power of language to free our souls and allow us to find our own destinies.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. (review by Nymeth at things mean a lot) From Amazon: Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate.
The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. (guest post at bookroomreviews) From Amazon: The Last Queen brings to life the grandeur, drama, and intrigue, as well as the humanity, of a time and a woman rarely written about. Juana of Castile is legendary in Spain; but, was she truly mad? Or has she been misjudged by history?
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale. From Amazon: The dramatic story of the real-life murder that inspired the birth of modern detective fiction. A provocative work of nonfiction that reads like a Victorian thriller.
The Gentle Axe by R.N. Morris (mentioned by Iliana at Bookgirl's nightstand) A historical crime novel set in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1866.
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry. From Amazon: The Lace Reader is a mesmerizing tale that spirals into a world of secrets, confused identities, lies, and half-truths in which the reader quickly finds it's nearly impossible to separate fact from fiction, but as Towner Whitney points out early on in the novel, "There are no accidents."
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Of Tantalize, Cynthia Leitich Smith says, "I tapped into my romantic nature, my love for monsters and marinara. Hold the garlic and enjoy!"
And don't forget, you've only got until Saturday night to enter my giveaway to win a signed copy of Matrimony by Joshua Henkin.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
BTT: Autumn Reading
Autumn is starting (here in the US, anyway), and kids are heading back to school–does the changing season change your reading habits? Less time? More? Are you just in the mood for different kinds of books than you were over the summer?Autumn hasn't really started here in Japan yet although there are hints, it's cooler at nights now, and I even saw some Halloween decorations today!
But even though it's still pretty hot and humid most days, with a typhoon on the way, my reading mood has definitely switched to autumn, thanks partly to Carl's R.I.P. Challenge. There's just something so wonderful about reading spooky, mysterious, dark reads at this time of year. I'll still read a mix of genres, this doesn't change too much throughout the year, but I do find myself drawn to darker, longer reads in fall and then winter.
As for time, once it cools off properly, definitely less because then we'll be out on the weekends, with cameras in hand, pursuing our other passion.
Bethany is also giving away a copy of The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. Click here to enter.
Update: This just in... Joshua Henkin just sent round an email to let us know that his publisher Vintage is making a special offer for book groups.
Sign up by midnight, September 21 and Vintage will set up a phone chat for your book group with him to discuss his book, Matrimony. Normally, only five book groups are chosen among the entrants, but he has agreed to talk to all book groups that sign up. Click here to do so.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
BBAW: chocolates and other giveaways
Here are a few more of the giveaways being held for Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Click on the links for info on how to enter. And you can find plenty more giveaways here.
cheryl's book nook is giving away a copy of The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold.
And you have another chance to win The Almost Moon over at Jenn's Bookshelf.
And a third chance to win The Almost Moon at Diary of an Eccentric.
Bookish Ruth is giving away the first 3 books in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan.
she reads and reads is giving away five books (The Lace Reader, Aberrations, So Long at the Fair, American Wife and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency).
On My Bookshelf... is giving away a copy of Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson.
Blue Archipelago is giving away The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Le Hay.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Currently reading...
I left the tanner's, and spent a few years working with an aging perfume master, creating all sorts of wonderful scents but I'm still not satisfied. Now I've left Paris behind and am travelling alone in the French countryside, avoiding other people as much as I can, sleeping rough and travelling mostly at night.
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
Share the title of the book that you're getting your "teaser" from … and please avoid spoilers!
For weeks he met not a single person. And he might have been able to cradle himself in the soothing belief that he was alone in a world bathed in darkness or the cold light of the moon, had his delicate compass not taught him better. (p. 122)----------------
There are lots of giveaways this week to celebrate Book Blogger Appreciation Week. You can see the full list here. But this is a fun one - Fyrefly's Book Blog is having a haiku contest. To enter, you have to write a haiku-review of a book you've read. Click here for info on how to enter or simply to read all the other haiku-reviews.
They're not very good but here's what I came up with:
(luckily the winner will be chosen randomly, not based on haiku eloquence!)
powerful story
father and son trying to
survive the nightmare
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
action and romance
vampires versus slayers
can't wait for next book
When Twilight Burns - Colleen Gleason
And don't forget my giveaway for a signed copy of Matrimony by Joshua Henkin.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
'Matrimony' Giveaway
Thank you to everyone who entered.
A giveaway to kick off the start of Book Blogger Appreciation Week! This was actually arranged before BBAW was announced but I think it's a nice coincidence.
You've surely already seen this book mentioned around various blogs and other giveaways for it but if you haven't yet been able to get your hands on a copy, here's your chance. Joshua Henkin has kindly offered to send a signed copy of the newly released paperback of his New York Times Notable book, Matrimony, to one lucky winner.
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post.
For an extra entry, post about this giveaway on your blog and make sure to come back and let me know you've done so.
And for another entry, tell us where you met your significant other and/or best friend. In Matrimony, the main characters met at college. How about you?
So you could have three chances to win!
The name of the winner will be drawn on Sunday, September 21st. And international entries are welcome.
Update: There were a couple of people wondering if they could still get an extra entry since they're not married. Of course! The question asks about your significant other and/or best friend. Your best friend could be a childhood friend, your pet dog, ... be creative with your answer. :)
You can read more about the book and the author at his website.
Josh has also been busy around the blogosphere. You can read his guest posts at the following blogs:
Books on the Brain
Planet Books
Musings of a Bookish Kitty
The Elegant Variation (several posts - just scroll down a bit)
You can read my review of Matrimony here.
And here are some of the many other reviews for you to check out if you haven't already:
The Literate Housewife
The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness
She is Too Fond of Books
Age 30 - A Year of Books
Books and Cooks
Reading Room
Bookfoolery and Babble
A Reader's Journal
B&B Ex Libris
Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?
Shelf Life
The Boston Bibliophile
Trish's Reading Nook
Musings of a Bookish Kitty
Sunday Salon: Time, or the lack thereof
One of the things eating into my time lately is my photo blog. I'm enjoying visiting other members of the community where it's hosted and looking at lots of great pictures but it's cutting into my reading and blogging time! Like blogging wasn't already cutting into my reading time! Argh. And it'll get even worse when the weather cools off and we spend most of our weekends out taking pictures. Ah well, who needs sleep?!
And speaking of time, I mentioned it to H and I'm thinking of joining in the next Read-a-thon! (You can read more about it here). The time difference may be a bit of a problem so I'll decide for sure a little closer to the date but it does sound fun and a nice excuse to do nothing but read!
Well, I'm sure you're very aware that Book Blogger Appreciation Week starts tomorrow. Amy has done a fabulous job organizing everything, it promises to be great! Also starting tomorrow I'll be having a giveaway of a signed copy of Matrimony by Joshua Henkin. So if you haven't yet got hold of a copy, make sure to stop by tomorrow to enter. Hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Friday, September 12, 2008
PhotoHunt: Wild
The Official BBAW Giveaway List
A HUGE thank you to Hachette Book Group, Penguin Group USA, Harlequin, The B&B Media Group, Shera of SNS Blog Design, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, Catherine Delors, Pamela Binnings Ewen, Andromeda Romano-Lax, Ceceilia Dowdy, Sormag, Book Club Girl, Savvy Verse and Wit, Cafe of Dreams, Fashionista Piranha, and Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?.
Daily Raffles:
Monday--Books and Chocolate sponsored by My Friend Amy and Hey Lady! Whatcha' Readin?
Tuesday--Books and Going Green sponsored by My Friend Amy
Wednesday--Books and Coffee sponsored by My Friend Amy
Thursday--Books and Charity sponsored by My Friend Amy and Fashionista Piranha
Friday--Books and Movies sponsored by My Friend Amy
Win a Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit!
Do you find it's your turn to host book club and not only do you not know what to serve but you don't know what books to offer up for the next month's selection?! Let Book Club Girl come to your rescue with the Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit.
One lucky winner of the kit will receive:
* A basket of cheese, crackers, cookies and wine for up to 12 people
* 5 great book group books to vote on for your group's next pick. And Book Club Girl will then donate 12 copies whichever book is chosen for your entire group to read.
* 12 Book Club Girl mousepads to give out as party favors that night
* 12 Book Club Girl bookmarks to mark everyone's favorite passages
* 12 Book Club Girl coasters to protect your coffee table from all those wine glasses!
TWO SORMAG Goody Bags containing books and more!
A Special Pamper Me Basket from Cafe of Dreams!
From Avon Foot Works
~ Inflatable watermelon shaped foot tub
~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Cooling Foot Lotion
~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Exfoliating Foot Scrub
~ 12 count Watermelon Effervescent Foot Tablets
~ An ARC of So Long At The Fair by Christina Schwarz
~ A variety of Hot Chocolate and Tea mixes
A pre-made blog template from SNSDesign!
A Subscription to Poetry Magazine from Savvy Verse and Wit!
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors
The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen
The Spanish Bow by Andromeda Romano-Lax
John's Quest by Cecelia Dowdy
Confessions of a Contractor by Richard Murphy
Acedia & Me by Kathleen Norris
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer
Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley
A Tale Out of Luck by Willie Nelson with Mike Blakely
The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson
An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken
Exit Music by Ian Rankin
The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik
Gunmetal Black by Daniel Serrano
Isolation by Travis Thrasher
The Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt
Every Freaking! Day With Rachell Ray by Elizabeth Hilts
Dewey by Vicki Myron
The Shiniest Jewel by Marian Henley
Keep the Faith by Faith Evans
The Book of Calamities by Peter Trachtenberg
A is for Atticus by Lorilee Craker
After the Fire by Robin Gaby Fisher
Mike's Election Guide by Michael Moore
War as They Knew It by Michael Rosenberg
Fixing Hell By Col. (ret.) Larry C. James
Wild Boy: My Life with Duran Duran by Andy Taylor
The Last Under-Cover: The True Story of an FBI Agent's Dangerous Dance with Evil By Bob Hamer
Border Lass by Amanda Scott
Insatiable Desire by Rita Heron
Hungry for More by Diana Holquist
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
Trespassers Will Be Baptized by Elizabeth Emerson Hancock
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Trish Ryan
Never Surrender by General Jerry Boykin
Dream in Color by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Congresswoman Loretta Sánchez
Beyond Belief by Josh Hamilton
Cobain Unseen by Charles R. Cross
Doing Business in 21st Century India by Gunjan Bagla
Branding Only Works on Cattle by Jonathan Salem Baskin
Launching a Leadership Revolution by Chris Brady, Orrin Woodward
How to Hear from God by Joyce Meyer
Knowing Right from Wrong by Thomas D. Williams
Pope John Paul II: An Intimate Life by Caroline Pigozzi
Pure by Rebecca St. James
He Loves Me! by Wayne Jacobson
So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore by Wayne Jacobson and Dave Coleman
Move On, Move Up by Paula White
The Rosary by Gary Jansen
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
Right Livelihoods by Rick Moody
by George by Wesley Stace
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
Trunk Music by Michael Connelly
Hollywood Crows by Joseph Wambaugh
Dead Boys by Richard Lange
The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez
Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn
Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky
With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman
Harlequin Titles: To Be Announced
Many other blogs are giving away books and prizes for BBAW as well! You can see the links to all of these giveaways here.
Friday: books and blanks
1. I enjoy a well-told story, a beautiful photograph, a nice meal out, a walk on the beach, a colourful sunset ...
2. How fast time always seems to disappear is something I wonder about often lately.
3. In your heart, you knew it could never be.
4. Take a goofy cat, add a little string and you end up with a comedy routine.
5. Life has gifted me with three silly boys (=one husband and two cats).
6. Getting lost in a good book is an instant vacation.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading more of Perfume, tomorrow my plans include maybe going out for dinner and Sunday, I want to read or work on a photo project!
Here are the most recent additions to my wishlist:
The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent (after reading cariboumom's review)
The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates (after BooksPlease mentioned it)
A Fine and Private Place by Peter Beagle (after reading Nymeth's review)
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (after reading Gentle Reader's review)
And if you haven't already, you have just a couple of days left to enter to win a copy of The Heretic Queen (or Nefertiti) by Michelle Moran over at Books 'N Border Collies. Click here for info on the prizes and to enter. Oh and let her know I sent you.
BTW, I added a button in my sidebar that will take you to my photo blog. I do hope you'll stop by.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
August in Review
Books completed in August:
(click on the title to read my review)
33. Clouds Over Mountains - Matt Joseph
34. When Twilight Burns - Colleen Gleason
35. Maus I & II - Art Spiegelman
36. Cave in the Snow - Vicki Mackenzie
37. Daisy Miller - Henry James
38. A Geisha's Journey: My Life as a Kyoto Apprentice - Komomo & Naoyuki Ogino
Favourite of the month:
I enjoyed everything I read in August, but the best read of the month would have to be Maus I & II. A powerful story. Anyone who thinks graphic novels are all monsters and superheroes should definitely read this! Actually everyone should read this!
Most fun to read: When Twilight Burns
Books in: 5
Books out: 0
Reading Challenges- Progress Report:
My current status on all active challenges. See sidebar for links.
Non-Fiction Five Challenge (May 1 - Sep. 30, 2008) - 5 out of 5 - completed!
Herding Cats Challenge (May 1 - Nov. 30, 2008) - 2 out of 3
Orbis Terrarum Challenge (Apr. 1 - Dec. 20, 2008) - 2 out of 9
My Year of Reading Dangerously (Jan. - Dec. 2008) - 7 out of 12
What's in a Name Challenge (Jan. - Dec. 2008) - 4 out of 6
Graphic Novels Challenge (July - Dec. 2008) - 2 out of 3
Reading Jane Austen (Jan. - Dec. 2008) - 1 out of 2
Japanese Literature Challenge 2 (July 30, 2008 - Jan. 30, 2009) - 1 out of 3
1% Well-Read Challenge (May 1, 2008 - Feb. 28, 2009) - 1 out of 10
Book Awards II Challenge (Aug. 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009) - 1 out of 10
2nd Canadian Book Challenge (July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009) - 1 out of 13
New challenges joined:
R.I.P. III Challenge (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2008) - 4 books
2nds Challenge (Sept. 1 - Dec. 31, 2008) - 4 books
Reading Japan - I've read 11 books so far this year (2 in August).
Orange Prize Project - I've read 2 books so far this year (none in August).
Reading plans for September:
I'm already on my third book for September which is also my third for the R.I.P. Challenge so that challenge is well under control. I'll be reading The Translator by Daoud Hari after it gets here, for Natasha's Reading and Blogging for Darfur project this month. And then I really need to focus on some more international authors for the Orbis Terrarum Challenge. Here's hoping for another good month.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Currently reading...
I'm in Paris in the middle of the eighteenth century. I was born underneath the gutting table of a fish stall in the foulest place in all Paris and my mother was sentenced to death soon afterwards. The woman who was taking care of me has just got rid of me by leaving me to work as a labourer for a tanner. I'm eight years old.
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
Share the title of the book that you're getting your "teaser" from … and please avoid spoilers!
Madame Gaillard, however, noticed that he had certain abilities and qualities that were highly unusual, if not to say supernatural: and childish fear of darkness and night seemed to be totally foreign to him. You could send him at any time on an errand to the cellar, where other children hardly dared go even with a lantern, or out to the shed to fetch wood on the blackest night. (p. 28)
Monday, September 08, 2008
silly cats
And Jiro's current favourite place for a nap is this box with the crumpled up papers in it. There are a couple other boxes without papers but he keeps coming back to this one!
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Sunday Salon: odds and ends
And to watch a video of Natasha explaining why she decided to undertake this project in the first place, go here. In the spirit of taking part, and since it's been on my wishlist anyway since I first heard about it, I've just ordered a copy of The Translator by Daoud Hari. Hopefully it'll arrive promptly and I'll be able to read it before the end of the month. For more suggestions what to read, Natasha's compiled a list here.
Also in the book blogger community, Amy has been working hard to organise the Book Blogger Appreciation Week that is coming up soon. Finalists have been named and voting is now open, so don't forget to drop by and vote for your favourites. I have to say there are many book blogs among the finalists that I hadn't heard of before! Sigh. More great blogs that I won't have time to keep up with!
On to what I've been reading.. this past week seemed to just fly by but I did get reviews up of Daisy Miller and A Geisha's Journey (click on either title to read my review) and I finished reading Sisters of Misery and earlier today Three Shadows! So now I'm two reviews behind again but I'll hopefully get them up in the next week. I really enjoyed Sisters of Misery (you can read a teaser quote here), so I'm looking forward to catching up with Maddie and the other characters when the second book comes out next year. Three Shadows was also a good read, especially for the drawings by Cyril Pedrosa. I'm still new to graphic novels and sometimes I find myself just reading the text so I have to remind myself to pay more attention to the artwork. He has an interesting style, so I often found myself letting my eyes travel back over the page I'd just read to take it all in. Finishing these two also means that I'm already half done the R.I.P. III Challenge. Go me! Next up I think I'm going to finally read Perfume by Patrick Süskind. It's been languishing in TBR purgatory for quite awhile so it's about time.
Not exactly bookish but this week I also got the Super Commenter Award from Kailana at The Written World. I was a bit surprised since I'm not always very good at leaving comments, you know I'm always lamenting the fact that I'm behind on reading blogs! I think that all of my "regulars" deserve this award but I'm too lazy to go looking who's already got it and who hasn't. So you know who you are -- thank you so much for regularly taking the time to stop by and comment! And if you're reading this and I haven't been over to comment on your blog lately, please say hi. Return visits always take priority! :)
Have a great week! May you read lots and stay dry!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
'A Geisha's Journey: My Life as a Kyoto Apprentice'
Photographs by Naoyuki Ogino
Non-Fiction/Auto-biography/Photography, 2008
Kodansha International, hardback, 139 p.
This is the story of a contemporary Japanese teenager who, in a search for an identity, became fascinated with the world of geiko-as Kyoto's geisha are known-and discovered in herself the will and the commitment to overcome the many years of apprenticeship necessary to become one.Given my fascination with traditional Japanese arts and my interest in photography, when I came across this book in the bookstore earlier this year, I knew that it had to come home with me!
It is a story related by a young Japanese photographer who grew up overseas, and who also was captivated by the lives led by these women who choose to dedicate their lives to their art. He began following and documenting the life of the teenager, Komomo, as she studied and grew into her role.
The photographs are accompanied by autobiographical text and captions by Komomo, as she shares her thoughts and emotions, and describes the life of a Kyoto apprentice. It is an illuminating view of seven years in the life of a very unique young woman.
The focus of the book is certainly the beautiful photographs, so the text is a bit sparse, but we still get an idea of the girl who eventually became the geiko, Komomo, and the journey that took her there. I've read some other books on geisha, like Liza Dalby's Geisha, or Geisha of Gion (US title, Geisha: A Life) by Mineko Iwasaki, but it was very interesting to get a more modern look at the hanamachi (geisha district) through the eyes of a "twenty-first century geisha". I'm sure I'll return to this book often to admire the gorgeous photos. Highly recommended.
Short interview with Komomo
Naoyuki Ogino's online photo gallery
More photos from the book can be seen here.
My Rating: 4/5
Also reviewed at:
If you've read and reviewed this title, let me know and I'll link to it here.
Friday, September 05, 2008
before the rain
If you're looking for my photo, I posted it today on my photo blog. The theme this week is 'string(s)'.


text:
Pledges of the participants of the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
All the pledges of the participants and datas related to the implementation of the Declaration, Agenda for Humanitarian Action and pledges are collected in the database "Follow-up to the 28th International Conference"
1. Concept
In addition to the resolutions adopted at the 28th International Conference, specific humanitarian commitments for the period 2004-2007 may be undertaken voluntarily by the participants, acting independently or jointly, in the form of pledges.
2. Sponsors
Each participant in the Conference (i.e. National Societies, governments, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and observers) is free to make an individual pledge, to sponsor – individually or jointly – a proposal for a collective pledge or to endorse a collective pledge. "

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Acting for energy companies, landowners and investors, we manage large programmes of projects across the UK and has particular expertise in oil, gas and all forms of renewable energy.
We have been active in the energy and infrastructure sectors for over 15 years and have a wide-ranging capability and a successful track record in delivering planning approvals.
The team also has specialist skills in taking high profile infrastructure projects through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) and Development Consent Order (DCO) process. Our capability in this area extends across gas and wind energy projects, the water industry, transport schemes, ports, marinas and major commercial uses.
Recent and current projects include:
Karl Cradick
+44 (0) 1202 856 908
+44 (0) 1202 856 908


text:
HornyShelliaaI'm an unstoppable Sex-Machine. I can do the craziest things You dreamed about. Get on board and forgot about world existing around You - this is going to be another dimension. Let me be Your tour guide on this journey.Playful chick always in mood to ride,suck and make cock explode!!! I m a real squirter when i m well fucked and licked
Im the dirtiest doll you have ever played with! If you know what you want, Ill give it to you. I just want to have fun! Can I be your play thing?Looking to do what ever pleases you & having lots of fun ;) TRUE HD HIGH SPEED SHOW! Smart~Funny~SEXY USA Mature Milf. FREE Phone to USA & CANADA Passionate Married flirt. Roleplay~SPH~FEET ~Drooling oral~DP~SWEET pussy~tight ass~ ~food play~ SQUIRT~ kinky fun. Lots of clothes and shoes. VERY open
Deep throat with pretty lips that wrap tight around your cock. TIGHT ass that can take big cocks. Pretty pink SHAVED TIGHT pussy. EXCELLENT roleplayer ~teacher ~ secretary ~ nurse ~ whore ~ cockhold ~ MILF ~ SPH much more!I have an easy smile and laugh. Acting, dancing, reading, movies and cooking are my hobbies. Lady on the street with a wild MIND in bed. Love to dress up in lingerie, dresses, silk stockings & heels. I`m passionate-giving and fun! i m very hot
doggyMy sexual appetite cannot be satisfied - all I want is sex!
I am the ultimate play girl!I do not judge...I play along!New student here! And waiting to have fun with nice company :) mmmmmm Discover me..u might be suprised
Titifuck with toy,oil and lotion for my boobs,changing clothes(on 30 min session) I LOVE HAVING FUN ON CAM..BEING MY NAUGHTY SELF. TEASING BOYS WITH MY BIG NATURAL BOOBIES.Any special-request- just with 30/60 min sessionSweet LIPS,GOURGEOUS AND SEXY EYES and the most obvious...BIG BOOBS...the rest u will discover yourself...AND I DONT HAVE MILK>>
My enormous bosoms and extremely hard nipples were truly created to be sucked... by You! Wanna try me? - Click on the button called Private Show.


text:
Hi. My fiance are just starting to plan our destination wedding and are thinking of having it at the Majestic Elegance. Can anyone give me any advice on what to do, and approx costs per person. Thank you:)
Majestic Elegance Wedding
Started by Adrieanne, Aug 05 2013 05:05 PM
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text:
NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens College provides strategic direction for orientation and training programs and offers a variety of work-related learning opportunities, on campus and at nearby locations. Its mission is to help employees to enhance professional development, to attain the highest levels of job performance, and to play key roles in achieving organizational objectives.
The corporate college concept emphasizes the importance of continuous learning for all employees. Its goal is to help each employee master the rapidly developing new technologies and knowledge required to operate the organization successfully.
NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens was one of the first health care organizations in the country to adopt this approach.


text:
Affluent Lifestyle Guide
Program On Schedule To Deliver 5 Airlifters In 2013 And 5 In 2014 The first of 10 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been delivered by Boeing. The aircraft will now enter a U.S. Air Force flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base in Palmdale, CA. Boeing is on track to deliver four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014.


text:
Rohan Mehra takes care of Ashnoor Kaur
On-screen siblings from the show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hain have been bonding really well off screen as well. Naksh and Naira played by Rohan Mehra and Ashnoor Kaur , have been on each other's side ever since they met on the show.
Recently, Ashnoor met with an accident and her hand was fractured because of which the little actress is finding it very difficult to shoot.
This is not all. To take care of his on screen sister Naira, Rohan often spends time with Ashnoor on the sets and even gets her to eat food when he is free.
Grateful I'm alive: Pooja Missra on nightmare in Nepal
Sana Saeed faking an affair on Nach Baliye?


text:
Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note, I'm making no money from this. Quote line is Samuel Beckett. Lyrics, in order: Don't Look Back Into The Sun, by The Libertines; So Contagious, by Acceptance; The 59 Sound, by The Gaslight Anthem; Dr Jones, by Aqua, Drive, by The Gaslight Anthem. Final quote lines are John B Hood and Ralph Waldo Emerson, respectively.
Note: Five disjointed little stories about moments that didn't happen. If you enjoy this at all, the credit goes to phollie, because I've been reading her stuff and frankly you should as well because if you want to see how writing is done, how it's really done, that girl can show you. If you don't enjoy this, then go read her stuff to remind yourself that some people can still produce quality.
Spoilers for series end. Mogi's bit: the death order is taken from the numbers Mikami sees over everyone's heads in Yellowbox. I went with the lower the number, the shorter the time left. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and I hope you enjoy.
The Brave Ones
"You're on earth. There's no cure for that."
don't look back into the sun
now you know that the time is come
and they said it would never come for you
Matt is sitting in a corridor of the orphanage on his own. It is a beautiful day in May, and the sunlight is bright and clean – not the heavy honey of August, or the icy glints of January. It is spring light, fresh and dazzling and warm, comfort and peace and protection as it filters, in thin beams, through the high windows. Dust dances lazily in the streams of gold, and the air is very still, and the sleeves of Matt's jersey are too long, and cover his hands. He is alone and full of Sunday lunch and his feet are covered in clean red socks, the plushy kind that mean you never get cold.
And somewhere in the world he knows Near is surrounded by computers and wires and people much older than him with stern faces and impassive eyes.
And somewhere in the world, he knows Mello is surrounded by loneliness and anger and frustration and all the danger he could find.
And somewhere in the world, he knows L is not.
And Matt is here, in a sun lit corridor shut away from the world, protected by strong walls and watchful, paternal stares, and he is locked away from them, they who have been cast out too young into that cold world outside, where people are dying and things are rotting and nothing is ever going to be the same.
He is fifteen tomorrow and he has never been more scared in his life.
oh no this couldn't be more unexpected
and i can tell that i've been moving in so slow
oh...when i'm around you i'm predictable
Ide is watching Aizawa watching Matsuda. Aizawa's face is drawn, and his brow is furrowed, and there is a depth of concern and pain behind his eyes. He is focusing in on Matsuda, just on Matsuda, on making sure he is alright, because that is how Aizawa has always operated. When things are bad, when the fallout is too much to bear, when you feel as if your brain is about to explode – stop. Step back. Focus on the thing that is going to fall apart quickest, and stop it. And then you will be alright.
The reason Ide is watching Aizawa is because watching Matsuda makes him feel as if nothing in the world is worth anything and nothing they did had any purpose because at the end of it all, when they have won, Matsuda is standing there shaking and looking like this.
Once upon a time Ide walked away from this case. He turned his back and put it from his mind. Oh, sure, he still followed leads up here and there. He provided Aizawa with all the help he needed from inside the police force, after the others started shunning the taskforce, after they started saying L's name in hushed breaths or with sneers on their lips. But he had walked away. There was a barrier, as invisible as it was impenetrable, between him and all the pain, the suffering, the terror that came with that case.
And then one day the barrier was gone.
Once upon a time, Ide could have got here, to this point, with Light sprawled on the ground like Christ crucified, and he could have turned away. He could have felt sick, he could have felt sad, he could have felt fooled and angry and tired and relieved and any number of things a police officer feels in this kind of situation.
Once upon a time, he could have turned away. But now, today, here, in the dying embers of the sun and the low syrupy glow of evening, the blood-soaked streets and the rust of the hinges on the doors of a warehouse, Matsuda is shaking like a leaf and he looks pale and thin and like everything in his world is crashing down against him, and Ide still can't look at him straight.
And Ide, he knows full well that he can't turn away. Not anymore.
and i wonder which song they're gonna play when we go i hope we don't hear marley's chains we've forged in life
i hope it's something quiet and minor and peaceful and slow
cos i've been hearing those chains now for most of my life
i hope we don't hear marley's chains we've forged in life
L is quite prepared for anything this world sends at him, even death.
Light Yagami is Kira, that much is certain. He is also relatively certain that Light has, somehow, lost his memories – or forfeited them, he thinks, oho, this Yagami, this bright little boy, there is nothing he has not planned for, there are no accidents in this story – and that is why he seemed so different for a while.
He is back now, of course, that old Light, that real Light, that cultured, graceful young man with all the self-possession of a man and all the beautiful youth and simplicity of a boy. This is the Light with the hooded gaze, the calculative, concerned eyes, and the shadow behind them, a shadow so pale in the noonday sun of his brilliance that sometimes, you cannot even be sure it is there.
But L can see it. He can see it as he tonelessly informs Light that he will remove the handcuffs, as he turns the key in the lock, as the chains clatter to the floor. Even in the noise of the room, the whir of the computers, Matsuda's chatter, for that moment, everything seems silent. For L, there is only the sound of the click of the key, the release of metal from metal, the sound of weight cutting through air and the heavy clang as it hits the ground.
It sounds a lot like jail cells, L thinks, and he's heard enough of those in his time to be sure.
He's been around long enough to know that the door isn't closing on Light, either.
The moment those chains hit the floor, the hourglass was turned over for the final time. They have been passing it between them, he and Light, each keeping pace with the dance, fighting to get one step ahead long enough to turn the sands in their favour. Time has been slipping, slipping, slipping away for them both and it has been a battle, ferocious and silent, to keep it on his side.
L can feel the fight running out of him. L has been fighting this battle every day since its start, and Light – Light has just got his second wind. That little break from the scheming, that little episode of memory loss – planned, planned, he's sure of it, and if he just knew the slightest bit more about these damned Death Notes – that's given him just the chance he needed to gain ground. The hill is lost, and Light has the advantage.
It is the final turn of the hourglass, and he can feel it in his every bone, his every fibre, in every half-formed theory and loosely-worded question, in every memory of orphaned children and flash of red eyes in a face that was a hair's breadth from being his own.
He is so, so tired.
My name is L Lawliet and I am going to die.
all i think of is you
and all of the things we had
Misa is patient and she is in love and she will wait forever for Light to come home.
She has started sewing. Embroidery. It's pretty and it keeps her busy. She is glad she isn't acting still. She doesn't know if she could concentrate on it. And she would much rather be a good wife to Light. Maybe...and a little smile crosses her face when she thinks of it, even though she shouldn't, even though it's only getting her hopes up like she always does...maybe even, one day, a good mother.
She embroiders pillows and sometimes, when they're good enough, she likes to make a gift out of them. Matsuda visits her on Wednesday afternoons, and last week she presented him proudly with a HOME SWEET HOME pillow for his apartment. It was blue and he blushed terribly and stuttered and didn't meet her gaze.
He was sweet and he was handsome, in his own way, but he wasn't Light. No one could be.
She asked about her fiancé (fiancé! It still excited her to think it, even after all this time) frequently, but Matsuda never knew anything. He really was quite useless, but he was very cute.
None of the others took her phone calls or were there when she went to visit the NPA offices.
If Misa didn't know better, she'd say something was up.
But Misa isn't stupid and suspicious and paranoid (like Takada, she thinks, with girlish spitefulness, and regrets it when she remembers poor Taki is dead and that isn't fair, no matter who you are), so she gets on with her day, and waits for Light.
And she waits and waits until one day, she is not waiting any more, and it has always been too late for them to save her.
and the only thing we know
is it's getting dark, and we'd better go
and if you're too tired, go to sleep, my brothers,
I'm alright to drive
Mogi is there at the end of it.
He survives them all, in the end. Him, the only one who never really had a place in any of it, who was always just the slow, steady extra pair of hands, the muscle and the stoic silence. He is there, when the curtain is down and all of it has been locked away and forgotten, and he is the only one left who knows the truth of any of it.
Ide went first. He heard, somewhere, that he didn't, that the man Rester from the SPK had been the first of them to die, in a terrorist bombing incident in Florida. But Ide, he was the first that mattered to Mogi. Cancer, of all things, of all the blasted, disgusting things to happen to a man as good, as strong as he was.
He was the only reason Matsuda had survived it, the only reason there had been anything left of him to salvage.
Aizawa had gone next, in the line of duty, as Mogi had always really known he would. And then, inevitably, Near, who died a young man's anonymous death. They all attended the funeral, those of them that were left, and vowed to keep better contact, now that the numbers were thinning.
That was how he came to know of Halle Lidner's death, and her husband's not soon after. Gevanni, he heard, had died of a broken heart.
And then it had simply been him, and Matsuda, left at the end.
It made him laugh. The mute and the fool, two of the caricatures of the whole thing, and they had outlived them. Here they were, after it all, growing old, listening to people talk of Kira is post-modern, punk-rock terms, exchanging knowing glances and half smiles, because enough time had passed that they could remember it as it was – horrible, life-altering, devastatingly cruel, and ultimately, something they had beaten. Something they had survived.
And then Matsuda went, quietly, peacefully, in his sleep one night after a good dinner and a better nightcap. He had lived well, in the end, despite it all, despite everything trying to stop him from doing so.
And now, here he is. The last of the soldiers of that great war. Here, on his own, at the final bow. He is alone on the stage and the theatre is dark and quiet.
And Mogi, he is tired, and he is ready to go.
It wasn't so bad, in the end.
Not really.
And tonight for the first time, it felt good to be alive again.
"I knew that if the feat was accomplished it must be at a most fearful sacrifice of as brave and gallant soldiers as ever engaged in battle."
"A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer."


text:
Karl Lagerfeld (company re-launched last year by Apex Partners) has recently opened its first two flagship stores in China, in Beijing at the new Charter Shopping Center Mall and in Shanghai at Jing An Kerry Center Mall.
The Beijing KARL LAGERFELD store, situated in the city's new retail attraction-CharterShopping Center, embraces a total selling area of 222sqm, is positioned as the first KARL LAGERFELD flagship store inChina. The journey through the 'KARL LAGERFELD' experience takes the consumer through a showcase of world of KARL LAGERFELD. Ranging from accessories line, that composed of bags, leather goods, shoes, eyewear and watches and then lead to the couturier's various collaborations, and unique items to get to the women's and men's ready-to-wear lines.
The Shanghai KARL LAGERFELD store is situated in the city's new fashion landmark, Jing An Kerry Center, housing a space of 104sqm, is the first KARL LAGERFELD store inShanghai. While fully aligning the global iconic image design and merchandise, the store offers a more private atmosphere.
Moreover, the elaborate digital experience of the two stores allows customers to journey through the world of KARL LAGERFELD in an exciting inventive way. iPad minis enable visitors to discover the universe of the brand, various collections and news, the latest videos and even leave notes to the brand and the designer.
Following the successful opening of these first 2 stores the brand intends opening another 4 stores in the next 6 months with an objective of having around 40 stores over the next 5 years. "The Greater China region definitely is one of the strategic focuses of the brand and we expect to see strong growth in this market. We believe that Andrew's rich experience in this market coupled with his entrepreneurial approach will be crucial in developing the brand as a leading fashion luxury brand in this region." said Pier Paolo Righi, CEO of Karl Lagerfeld.
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MEASURES to make village roads safer would be a fitting tribute to a schoolboy who died earlier this year.
That was the message from Declan Newsome's father as he spoke passionately about the loss of his 15-year-old son.
Ken Newsome joined concerned villagers who quizzed police and council officials about road safety in the village during a busy meeting of Upper Hopton Community Association.
The meeting heard police had prosecuted 39 drivers for speeding during a four-hour operation in the village earlier this month.
The highest speed recorded at the three locations was 46mph where the limit is 30mph.
Mr Newsome said: "You booked so many people around that area on just one day. How many people are doing that every day?
"That's an accident waiting to happen. Unfortunately it happened to my boy.
"We need something that stops these people putting their foots down. If we get restrictions in this part of Mirfield that would be a great tribute to Declan."
Castle Hall School pupil Declan was injured in a collision with a car in Hopton Lane on July 9.
He was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary but died of his injuries three weeks later.
Acting Sgt Wayne Baker, of the roads policing unit, said the collision investigation had found speed was not a factor in the collision involving Declan.
Speaking about the recent operation he said: "The vast majority were sticking to the speed limit."
But there was widespread support among those present for reducing the limit to 20mph.
One woman complained about 'boy racers', telling the meeting: "I can hear them opening the throttle out near Kirkheaton. It's like a race track there."
A man said: "I just think 30mph is probably too high in the central part of the village."
Others complained that the village was being used by drivers trying to avoid traffic on the M62.
One man said: "It's the rat run issue that should be concentrated on, not just speed. Traffic calming measures do stop that."
Narrow roads, dangerous junctions and areas where road markings had worn away were among the other issues raised.
Kirklees casualty reduction officer Mark Ramsden said speed loops would be put in place throughout the village to measures traffic volumes and speeds in the coming weeks.
"We will never eliminate risk, but there are things we can do to make changes," he said.
Mr Ramsden said that the speed loop data could be used to identify the most appropriate measures.
Sgt Baker said he would put in a request for a second speed enforcement operation when the data was returned.
An update on the speed loop study is expected at the next community association meeting.


text:
Archive - Jun 2006
June 30th
Papers Sought for Medieval Conference
Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2006-06-30 19:50
The organizers of the Midwest Medieval History Conference are calling for proposals for papers to be presented at the 45th annual meeting. The conference will be held October 13-14, 2006 at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana.
Field of The Cloth of Gold: The Resurrection
Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2006-06-30 16:32
The Sheriff of Silverkeep requests all populace to report to Silverkeep to uncover the culprit to a horrible crime! The body of a courier was found in our southern lands. He had been robbed and stripped of his livery. If anyone has any information, please bring it with you to FOTCOG: The Resurrection. During your visit, please take part in our heavy tourney and battle scenarios. There will also be a Torchlight Tourney using the infamous "Wheel of Death." There will be Rapier activities as well. We will have children's activities throughout the day, as well as classes for all ages. The case of who killed the courier will also be solved during this fun weekend! Location:
Shire of Silverkeep (West Yellowstone, Montana)
More Photos from Lilies War
Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2006-06-30 15:22
Captain Sivrid Brumbach and Dorothea share their photos from the recent Lilies War which took place in the Kingdom of Calontir.
Today in the Middle Ages: June 30, 1451
Submitted by Ursula on Fri, 2006-06-30 10:57
The French captured the city of Bordeaux on June 30, 1451.
SCA Grand Council Seeks Applicants
Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2006-06-30 08:43
Brendan ap Llewelyn, Grand Council Nomination Committee Chairman, reports that the SCA's Grand Council is seeking candidate for membership to the Council.
River Haven Baronial Devest/Invest
Join us as we farewell Somerled and Caelia and welcome the 5th Baron and Baroness of River Haven, Wendell von Bayern and Catalin de Dalmation.
When: 22nd/23rd July 2006
Time: Saturday 11:00am, Sunday 10:00am
This event will be themed in the best traditions of the German courts of the early 16th Century.
June 29th
"A Week with King Arthur" at Lilies War
Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2006-06-29 20:00
The Kansas City Star has published a wonderful album of portraits taken at the recent Lilies War.
Kingdom of Atlantia Seeks Bids for New Crowns
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2006-06-29 16:20
Under the direction and Patronage of Michael and Seonaid, King and Queen of Atlantia, the New Regalia Committee is seeking bids for the design and construction of new crowns.
Estrella War to Change Location
Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2006-06-29 14:27
In the July 2006 Southwind, the newsletter for the Kingdom of Atenveldt, Their Majesties Craven and Mary Rose have announced that Estrella War XXIII will be moving to a new location.
"Pathfinder" Scheduled for September Release
Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2006-06-29 13:43
Pathfinder, a new Viking adventure saga starring Karl Urban of Doom fame, is scheduled for worldwide release September 8, 2006. The film speculates on the Norse place in North American history.
Northshield Fall Crown Tournament 2006
Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2006-06-29 13:20
The Shire of Darkstone Presents The Kingdom of Northshield Fall Crown Tournament 2006
Date: October 14, 2005
Site Directions:
Today in the Middle Ages: June 29, 1613
Submitted by Ursula on Thu, 2006-06-29 11:28
The original Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire on June 29, 1613.
June 28th
"Mission of Friendship" Trip
Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2006-06-28 19:52
Mistress Tatiana Marana Melville of the Kingdom of Northshield reports on a recent trip to the Barony of Seleone in Gulfport, Mississippi to drop off donated items to those who lost SCA gear during Hurricane Katrina.
Duke Rolf the Relentless Victorious in West Kingdom Crown Tourney
Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2006-06-28 16:30
His Grace Duke Rolf the Relentless, fighting for Lady Rhodry ferch Arianwyn, was the victor of the June 24, 2006 Crown Tournament in the West Kingdom.
Today in the Middle Ages: June 28, 1577
Submitted by Ursula on Wed, 2006-06-28 11:21
On June 28, 1577, the great baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens was born in Westphalia.
Lilies War 2006 Photos Online
Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2006-06-28 07:39
Lady Aldyet Le Chaundeleur has posted photos from the 2006 Lilies War.
June 27th
"Print Clock" Technique May Change Dating Methods
Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-06-27 22:10
Blair Hedges, a biology professor at Penn State, has discovered a new method to date printed materials. The "print clock" technique uses statistical formulas to analyze fades and page breaks.
Medieval Scholar Mary Martin McLaughlin, dead at 87
Submitted by Eiric on Tue, 2006-06-27 18:56
Mary Martin McLaughlin, best known for editing work on The Portable Medieval Reader (Viking, 1949) and The Portable Renaissance Reader (Viking, 1953), has passed away at the age of 87.
Shire of Wynterset Elevated to Full Status
Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-06-27 13:36
Baronesse Marguerite de la Marche, Seneschale of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, has announced that the Stronghold of Wynterset (Watertown and Fort Drum, New York) has been elevated to a full status chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism.
Today in the Middle Ages: June 27, 992
Submitted by Ursula on Tue, 2006-06-27 12:02
Conan "the Crooked," Count of Rennes and Duke of Brittany, died on June 27, 992.
Pillage on the Plains III
Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-06-27 09:08
Shire Eagle, in association with House Aylekeepe and Clan Darkwood, invite you to Pillage on the Plains III: Gathering of the Tribes. We return to Gibson's Plantation View in Tallassee, Alabama on October 6-8 for a great weekend of fighting, classes, feasting and fun! Make your plans to attend now....
Event Stewards:
June 26th
Pelican Injured in Caid
Submitted by Vallawulf on Mon, 2006-06-26 20:50
A Caidan pelican (the kind with feathers, not the kind wearing a medallion) was injured on Pacific Coast Highway in Orange County, California on Thursday as a car struck her. Though the driver was sober, wildlife officials say that the pelican was "probably intoxicated."
Photos from Midsummer Coronation online
Submitted by Racaire on Mon, 2006-06-26 16:49
The photos of the event 'Midsummer Coronation and 40 Year Celebration', held June 16-18, are online now.
Woodland Romp IV
Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2006-06-26 12:18
I'd like to extend a cordial invitation to the Freehold of Skerjastrond's camping event Woodland Romp IV, sponsored by Darkstone, July 21-23, 2006.
In the manner of Master Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury
Tales," we are
hoping for an eclectic group of travelers; whether bard,
pilgrim, bard, noble, yeoman, or more bards to share
their tales of
journeys past and present. The event is intended to be a
Carolingian Baronial Championships: Archery & Thrown Weapons
Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2006-06-26 12:09
In the name of Baron Jehan, all gentles are invited to attend the Archery and Thrown Weapons Competitions for the Barony of Carolingia on Sunday, July 9, 2006. During the day, the mighty archers and weapons throwers of Carolingia will compete to choose the best among them for the Baron's Champion.
The event will be on the Town Fields of Bedford, MA, located on Mudge Way (no
street number).
Today in the Middle Ages: June 26, 1559
Submitted by Ursula on Mon, 2006-06-26 11:52
On June 26, 1559, the Parliament of Paris outlawed the practice of dueling.
Beggar's Rebellion
Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2006-06-26 11:41
Join the Shire An Dun Thiene for a day of fighting, feasting, and games as the towns of Sodbury and Borton-on-Water settle their differences and settle the score.
The Shire of An Dun Thiene presents
Website: www.anduntheine.org/beggars
The Rebellion begins August 11th at the Cumberland Centre in Columbia, TN.
Baron's War
Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2006-06-26 11:21
There brews a conflict in these lands between two noble barons, their excellencies Ulric and Thorvald which centers around ownership of a certain relic found by a team of Loch Salann prospectors secretly searching in the lands of Arrows Flight. These two fearsome barons give a call to WAR - to determine who by right of combat and skill in the gentle arts will be allowed to lay claim to this relic. Their Excellencies call upon their cousins from the North, the South, the East and the West to come to their aid in this great battle. In addition to melee combat for the relic, individual prize tourneys will be held in both heavy and rapier, as well as a boffer tourney for the youth. Location:
Barony of Loch Salann (Springville Utah, Utah)
Pennsic University Class schedule is now on-line
Submitted by mlecin on Mon, 2006-06-26 08:16
The Honorable Lord Cathan MacCullaich, Chancellor of the Pennsic University, today announced the release of the University Class schedule.
June 25th
Bamburg Sword Unlike Any Other in the World
Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-06-25 20:42
Experts at the Royal Armouries in Leeds have declared a 7th century sword, discovered at Bamburgh Castle in 1960, unique in the world.
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Welcome to My Professional Portfolio
Ann L. VanderCook
B.M.Ed, Illinois State University
MMEd, VanderCook College of Music
BackgroundI am a student at VanderCook College of Music working towards a Bachelor of Music Education degree. My major instrument is the clarinet but I am studying all instruments and learning how to teach music classes in choral, general music and instrumental music areas. I hope one day to teach children at the elementary and middle school levels. In addition to studying at VanderCook, I give lessons on the clarinet and flute in the VanderCook Preparatory Program. Before enrolling at VanderCook, I was a student at East central High School where I played clarinet in the band, sang in the choir, and marched in the marching band.
I grew up in southern Illinois where I learned to love music from my clarinet teacher, Ms. Mary Nutt, who encouraged me with recitals, solos, and the opportunity to play in the All-State Band.
I am currently a member of CBDNA and Sigma Alpha Iota. Each year, I look forward to attending the Illinois Music Educators Association annual conference. I plan to complete the BMEd degree in the spring of 2013. You may view my complete resume here.
About VanderCook College of MusicVanderCook College of Music is the only degree-granting institution in the United States solely dedicated to music teacher education. The mission of the college is to enrich the lives of present and future generations through the preparation of teachers in instrumental, choral, and general music disciplines. Its broad-based curriculum is designed to prepare teachers with strong character, skill in the process of teaching, and respect for the essential role of music in our culture.
Teaching Philosophy


text: Hi there. I was inspired to look further into HDR by someone who knew what they were doing at this years 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross race in the Yorkshire Dales (UK). They post on Flick as Fleming2009 and took some very cool pics of the race to which they treated a few to HDR. I have currently got use of a Nikon D300 but the weather/lighting has been very poor since I got it but never the less I have tried taking a few shots. Have been learning that the effect does not work on all pics and if you find one that works it can be quite time consuming trying various alts, etc. Anyway, I have only just joined the forum and will read and hopefully contribute in the near future but as my 1st post I thought I would include a shot I took during a race at weekend that I think has come out OK but will gladly take on board any comments/tips in order to improve. Also does anyone know if you can download any presets other than those pre-loaded into Photomatix? Thanks.


text:
Kuroko no Basuke [Manga]
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump
Author: Tadatoshi Fujimaki
Artist: Tadatoshi Fujimaki
Description: Once upon a time, the basketball team of Teikou Middle School rose to distinction by demolishing all competition. The regulars of this team became known as the "Generation of Miracles". After graduating from middle school, these five stars went to different high schools with top basketball teams. However, a fact few know is that there was another player of the "Generation of Miracles", the phantom sixth player. This mysterious player is now a freshman at Seirin High, a new school with a powerful, if little-known, team. Now, Tetsuya Kuroko, the sixth member of the "Generation of Miracles", and Kagami, a naturally talented player who spent most of middle school in America, are aiming to bring Seirin to the top of Japan, taking on Kuroko's old teammates one by one.
I'm shocked there was only a thread on this for the upcoming anime.
109 has just been scantalated
Raws for chapter 138 have also been released
This is one of the lessor known Jump title but I did enjoy reading. Personally, I put is as basketball's version of Prince of Tennis with better characters.
Yes, one of my favorite sports mangas. The biggest thing about this manga is that the primary protagonist(which I consider to be Kuroko) is not the superpowerful point maker of the team. He only passes, and thus, supports the team in that manner, which is far more enjoyable than some soloist 3-point-making machine =0\. His mannerisms are also a hoot to watch =03.
Man, the mangaka sure loves to exaggerate the sweat on and off the court...
Also the latest raw has the completion of their match if anyone is interested...
or just explain what happened...
This manga is borderline science fiction, but very enjoyable. I like it. Much better than PoT IMO.
It's SOOOOOOO much better than PoT. The every fact that it didn't try to be fake realistic (ie, mentioning real live athletes) is a huge plus.
I mean stuff in PoT just don't happen in real world and not possible in a world with real tennis players be referenced quite a few time.
I mean Eyeshield was similar as far as real life setting, but at least they kept un-realistic stuff in context. (ie 4.2 second in 40-yard dash, all special move are fancy name for basic moves etc.) and when it start to go out that context the manga ended. Which is more than PoT can claim....
Still wondering how Kuroko will contribute in the next game... especially against the other Generation of Miracle players. Needs more Momoi.
Like what Undertaker said, everything is way better than PoT (switch to Baby Steps if you haven't already :p) and even though there appear to be fantastic moments, it was explained to certain extent. Like when Kuroko's ball disappears, it was mentioned that it didn't really disappear. There are bound to be some exaggerations given that it's shounen manga, but PoT went overboard. It became shit for me since Kikumaru got a twin. But Kuroko's Basketball lost some of its uniqueness ever since
You mean a basketball ninja gaining scoring ability is a bad thing?
It's just that I came to believe that "speed and defense are useless if you can't score". Well, in the NBA, anyway.
Oh, okay, I got it. I'm now under the impression that sports authors nowadays suck at explaining superhuman (read "things that normal athletes can't do") feats realistically.
Spoiler for spoiler:
Hmm... But, sports authors can still get away with outlandish abilities as long as they're explained properly (i.e. no plot holes should be left open) AND it is possible to pull it off (albeit difficult) in real life, RIGHT?
But it's not like sports manga characters are THAT smart to exploit those flaws the first opportunity they get, anyway.
But look, sometimes, not exploiting the opponents' flaws at first opportunity is almost always a good thing because doing so right after you see it might catch you off guard for something even more nastier than that. Letting your opponent use his OP ability a certain number of times allows you to study that ability and think of a way to counter that in a reasonable, realistic span of time.
Suppose your opponent can disappear right at you in a blink of an eye, can you think of a counter to it RIGHT ON THE SPOT? No. And even if you can, are you sure he has nothing else up his sleeve? Again, no. You have to let him disappear on you so many times before you can think of a counter against it.
So, I ask again, is a basketball NINJA gaining scoring ability a bad thing?
@Undertaker So ES21 is the ONLY realistic sports manga written so far? Because if it is, I may have to do some research on pro sports stats to prepare for my first sports story, lol. I had an idea in mind about a timid guy of below average height who just plain sucks on offense but is GODLY AWESOME on defense.
However, the mangaka did decent by explaining that
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text: Aladdin is more than just condominiums. First, it's a re-imagination of the classic desert modern lifestyle. Second, it's brand new inspired villas in the heart of Palm Desert bringing a hip urban LA vibe to town. And third, it's located in one of the most highly sought after neighborhoods in the desert, El Paseo, with all the wonderful amenities from fine dining, coffee shops and shopping to golf and hiking and everything in between. With two great open floor plans to choose from, these villas offer high style. The two-bedroom and two-bathroom residences feature fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, stackable sliders, concrete floors, energy efficient lighting, and ultra modern built-ins, cabinetry, plumbing, hardware, and stainless appliances. All residences have outdoor patios and two include private courtyards. Two pool passes at new Hotel Paseo complete the exciting amenities. Truly a rare opportunity for a new home or weekend getaway with location, excitement and lifestyle.


text:
The Keys to Mobile-Display Relevance
Start with location, creative, and platform.
Start with location, creative, and platform.
An eMarketer report declared that mobile display will be a dominant ad format by 2015, when U.S. mobile ad spending will increase to $1.9 billion from this year's $434 million. More advertisers are willing to invest in mobile, particularly display ads, because of its advanced targeting capabilities and the opportunities to engage a growing population of smartdevice users.
If you are one of those advertisers who hopes to get in early and reap the rewards of targeting a highly desirable audience of engaged consumers, keep in mind that making the most out of your mobile-display ad buys will require a change in mindset from the more familiar desktop advertising. That's because mobile display is unique from its desktop counterpart in three distinct ways.
Location-based targeting is more important for mobile than desktop, as mobile can target users based on their exact locations versus desktop's broader capabilities of targeting by IP addresses or search histories. Due to this granular level of targeting, mobile allows advertisers the ability to incite consumers to take local actions.
As a result, marketers will want to first determine the desired reach of their campaigns, keeping in mind that mobile can be targeted to very specific local areas such as a specific business address, radius from an address or Zip code, and even a specific latitude or longitude. Please note that although pinpoint accuracy limits your advertising risk, it could, in turn, limit your branding goals because fewer consumers will be exposed to your ads the more narrowly you focus your campaigns. My advice is to start with your business's physical location, and then determine the radius of your reach – or how far away you want your advertising to be seen by consumers. From there, you can always refine your focus either more narrowly or more broadly, depending on the initial results.
Finally, embedded in the local granularity of mobile targeting is also a time component. As an advertiser, you must simultaneously satisfy both the where and the when if you're to appeal to consumers who are not only nearby but also demonstrating serious, immediate purchase intent. Fortunately, most ad providers offer both geo-targeting and dayparting (remember to ask about marrying the two for optimal performance).
You have probably been instructed to integrate your marketing strategies across all media. That's true to a point. Again, mobile requires a new mindset. In fact, the Interactive Advertising Bureau recently released a statement asking advertisers to shed the one-size-fits-all approach because mobile display is very different than traditional online display. You cannot assume that what works online will work in mobile.
A big reason for separating the two is that mobile requires simplicity. Bandwidth, load times, and processing power are just some of the preventative measures keeping highly interactive online ads from performing well on smartphones. On top of that, online ads run a greater risk of not rendering properly on mobile because they're formatted only for traditional browsers, whereas mobile ads must appease a fragmented landscape of devices, operating systems, etc.
Holding firm to simplicity, understand that mobile also comes with advanced features, like built-in cameras and real-time GPS, that do a better job of engaging end users in meaningful ways. I encourage you to marry your creative with some of those features to create ads that do more, like inciting action. For example, tie into your creative a coupon or code that can be instantly utilized without printing. But whatever you do, be sure to test how your creative transfers to the mobile screen, which will impact the consumer's impression of you.
When combined with local targeting, creative can even speak to a consumer's exact location, plus be embedded with other locally relevant content such as offers, directions, click to call, and social sharing. You can even incorporate local weather patterns into your ads. For example, a roofing contractor wanting to appeal to a consumer needing shingle replacements may want to cite in his display ads the recent hailstorm that swept through the searcher's area.
With mobile, you can actually target consumers based on platform: browser, operating system, and device. On the contrary, online display only gives advertisers access to a user's browser type. With mobile's advanced targeting capabilities come even deeper insights into user demographics, as each platform reaches a slightly different age group, income status, gender, etc. Take, for example, the demographic differences between users of smartphones and non-smartphones. Given that the smartphone audience is typically comprised of younger, more-affluent users compared to the featurephone audience, consider how this might translate in your targeting and creative goals.
Based on demographic data, you'll want to familiarize yourself with your target audience before proceeding, so you reach the right consumers with the right ads. Analyzing user information by platform ensures that your ads fit in with mobile experiences specific to each end user. If you're unsure, work with an ad network or agency provider that'll help you wade through the marketplace and myriad of options. If you're going at it alone, I encourage you to focus on a specific platform for which you tailor your ads; once your campaign concludes, use what you've learned to set benchmarks and expand from there.


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Landlubbers who walk up the gangplank to the King's Wharf, set within the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, might easily get the impression that ships are expected to dock there soon. Boats are dry-locked on the ceiling, masts made of weather timbers flank the dining area and the walls are rigged with rough ropes.
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text:
#1 Ranked Children's Hospital by U.S. News & World Report
MyPatients provides referring primary care providers with secure access to their patients' information.
Boston Children's has launched the world's 1st program dedicated to offering hand transplants to children who qualify.
Innovation insider is a semi-monthly e-newsletter analyzes innovations at Boston Children's, other academic medical centers and from industry.
Read the latest blog by a Boston Children's doctor, clinician or staff member.
There are many ways you can help children and their families get the care they need.
Athletes given neurocognitive tests are less likely to be returned to play within 10 days of injury
December 20, 2011
Boston, Mass. – Approximately 40 percent of United States (U.S.) high schools use computerized neurocognitive tests when assessing sport-related concussions, a dramatic increase over previous years, according to researchers at Children's Hospital Boston. These neurocognitive assessments can help ensure that an athlete has completely recovered from a concussion before going back on the field.
Reported online in Pediatrics by William Meehan, III, MD, of the Sports Concussion Clinic at Boston Children's Hospital and with colleagues at Nationwide Children's Hospital, the findings arise from a national study of injured athletes at U.S. high schools and a survey of athletic trainers employed by those highs schools.
Awareness of the problem of concussions in young athletes has grown dramatically in recent years, as medical practitioners better understand the long-term effects of sustaining multiple concussions. Computerized neurocognitive assessments offer an objective means of monitoring recovery.
In their study, Meehan and his colleagues showed that athletes whose concussions are managed using computerized neurocognitive assessments are less likely to be returned to sports within 10 days of their injury, suggesting that the computerized assessments detect persistent symptoms or problems with brain function that traditional clinical assessments do not reveal.
While most U.S. high schools are not using computerized neurocognitive assessments, Meehan notes that, "Our study shows that the proportion of concussed athletes receiving computerized neurocognitive testing has increased from 26 percent in the 2008-2009 academic year to 40 percent during the 2009-2010 academic year. I suspect this number will continue to rise," he said.
The researchers note that there are several computerized neurocognitive assessments available, although they found that 93 percent of the schools employing these tests use ImPACT, a program developed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
There is some controversy regarding exactly who should interpret the results of these tests. The study team found that physicians and athletic trainers interpret the vast majority of these tests, while a neuropsychologist carries out the interpretation in only 17 percent of cases.
"Ideally, every concussed athlete would be assessed by an athletic trainer, a physician, and a neuropsychologist," Meehan concluded. "But given the large number of athletes sustaining concussions, and the relative scarcity of neuropsychologists, that is simply not possible." Thus, the study emphasizes the need to train other medical professionals to administer and interpret computerized neurocognitive tests for the limited purpose of assessing sport-related concussions. However, Meehan cautions, "no athletic trainer, physician, or neuropsychologist should attempt to interpret these assessments without first undergoing proper training."
The study was supported by the national Institutes of Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Federation of State High School Associations, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, EyeBlack, and Don-Joy Orthotics.
Erin Tornatore
Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 1,100 scientists, including nine members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and nine members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is a 395 bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs and diversity of children and families. Children's also is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information about research and clinical innovation at Children's, visit: http://vectorblog.org.
Boston Children's is so much more than a hospital—it's a community of researchers, clinicians, administrators, support staff, innovators, teachers, patients and families, all working together to make the impossible possible.


text:
The Masamune is machined from a revolutionary new alloy called Alumigo Hard and designed it to really take advantage this new material.
Even stronger and more durable than 7075 aluminum, but with a similar density, Alumigo Hard makes up the body of the Masamune, with stainless steel inner weight rings.
Masamune is a wonderful combination of lightweight power and amazing sleep times.
Body: Alumigo Hard
Rings: Stainless steel
Weight: 64.8g
Diameter: 55mm
Width: 43.5mm
Pads: IRpads
Bearing: YYR DS sice C


text:
6. Christy Prior
Time for a little diversity now – Kiwi Christy Prior was one of our favourites for the women's slopestyle in Sochi after viewing the edit this beaut came out of, easily equal to many of the men on rails and as stylee as any other girl on jumps.
And what style, just look at the tweak on this switch back one method – hard enough to do without spinning through what most people consider the hardest direction, but she pokes it out a treat. Corr.


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The S550 has many built-in performance, safety, service, and reliability features to make harvesting easier in a small to medium size crop. Also, many of the productivity features found on the larger model S-Series combines are available for the S550.
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text:
Open from: January 01
Open till: December 31
Opening hours: 10.00 - 22.00
Admission: 5000.- huf for 1,5 hrs spa entrance
Disabled accessible: partially
Contraindications: types of insanity (psychotic conditions), infectious diseases, the active stages of inflammatory diseases and joint degeneration of the locomotor system, feverish conditions, malignant tumorous diseases (including leukaemia), fixed high blood pressure, deficiencies of the heart and the circulatory system, conditions after a heart attack (until 6 months), tuberculosis, haemophilia, phlebitis, thrombosis
Medical services: light therapy, Finnish sauna, infra-sauna, mud treatment, cosmetics, la stone massage, manicure, pedicure, shiatsu massage, Salt room, sport massage, Swedish massage, beauty shop, Turkish bath, yumeiho massage
Other medical treatments: -, -, -
Payment facilities: Credit card
Phone number: +36306370008
Total number of swimming pools: 3
Skype: mandala113
Type: aqua park, wellness baths
Type of swimming pool: mains water
Address: 1133 Budapest, Ipoly utca 8. View on map
Latitude and longitude: N 47° 31' 12", E 19° 3' 14"
Phone number: +3614910078
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
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Open from: January 01