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Starting and operating a business in Brazil can be complex and require an in-depth understanding of all the rules and regulations.
To operate locally, companies must navigate the long process of incorporation through five major steps with smaller tasks involved during each step. The entire process of incorporating a new entity in Brazil can take 60-90 days, plus the time needed to open on a bank account.
The first step in incorporating your business in Brazil is planning and gathering all of the necessary information you will need to provide to authorities through the rest of the processes. You must define the type of entity you want your business to operate under in Brazil. There are a few options, corporation, LLC or a branch. Another newer option is called an Eireli. This is a corporation with only one shareholder and a minimum capital requirement. About 90% of the businesses in Brazil choose to become limited liability companies. The type of entity you chose is based on the activities and the future plans for the company in Brazil. These plans must be defined ahead of time, including the specific activities and where they will be performed in the country. This is imperative as each municipality has different tax codes and rules depending on type of activities and will become relevant when registering at the municipality authorities.
During the planning stage, businesses must also choose an address for their business to operate from that is compatible with the activity of the business. For example, an industry cannot operate in a commercial or residential area. In order to register the articles of incorporation, an address must be listed which is why this task must be completed prior to registering.
Another requirement in Brazil is to pick a corporate name for your business that contains the type of activity that your business will conduct. If you will starting a construction firm, the word building or construction needs to be present in the name. Although, when registering, you will be able to indicate a brand name that will be used commercially that does not need to describe the activity.
The articles of incorporation must also include the amount of corporate capital that will be used to start the company and when the capital will be paid. This means the company must decide these amounts of money and time during the planning phase.
After the planning stage is complete, the information to complete the articles of incorporation will be ready and the forms can be submitted to the Board of Trade. Depending on the state, there are varying costs associated with the registration. The articles of incorporation must include the:
The next step in the incorporation process requires registration at many different authorities with mandatory registrations at the Federal Revenue Bureau, the municipal authority and the state authority. Depending on the activities of the employees, the company must also be registered with individual unions. Specific types of businesses also require other registrations at different public authorities, like lawyers, accountants, pharmaceutical companies, etc. There are varying fees and procedures for registrations at every authority, which adds to the complexity and time it can take.
This step is very important and mandatory for business with foreign shareholders. Companies will be issued a Tax Payer ID Number which will be used for any remittances to Brazil. This process can be completed online but all of the information about the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO ) must be provided.
While this is the last step in the process of incorporation, it is very complex and takes a lot of time. With an extensive KYC procedure by the bank, this process can take anywhere from a few days to up to three months to open a bank account depending on your relationship with the bank and your financial situation.
The documents needed to open a bank account are:
TMF Brazil can guide your business through the entire process of incorporation. We know how important each step is and how not getting it right can impact your business and tax burden. Our experts excel at navigating through each step of the process and make sure all documentation is correct for all the relevant authorities leading to a much faster turnaround for your business. Instead of the usual 60-90 days to incorporate a business in Brazil, our experts can cut the time down to 15-20 days. Our local knowledge makes us the perfect partner for your business needs in Brazil. Talk to us.
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Who doesn't dream of their very own cozy, little nest to curl up in with a good book? I know I do. I love creating little spaces in our home that just have that touch of warmth & cozyness to them. Spaces that when you walk into a room make you feel like you are, home.
One thing I absolutely loved about our master bedroom when we first moved in was all the extra space! As much as I love all the extra space, I wasn't used to it and sometimes I struggled with knowing what to do with it all. We have this corner in our master bedroom that has just been missing something since we've moved it. It's not really big enough for a big piece of furniture, but it's big enough to make the space feel empty. So, what better way to fill this empty space than to create a "cozy" little nook.
It's crazy to me how the sometimes the simplest details can make such a big difference. I was lucky too, I was able to throw together this cozy corner mostly from things I had laying around the house.
The first piece I started with was the white wicker chair. This chair actually used to be in my husbands bedroom growing up at his parents house, and was dark brown in it's previous life. A couple cans of white spray paint and we now had the perfect chair for this space that matched the rest of our white bedroom furniture.
For those of you who know me or who have been following my blog know that I am always looking for any excuse for a gallery wall…even if it is a mini one like this one. I don't discriminate I love all kinds of gallery walls, big or small!
Most of these pieces I already had, they just didn't have a designated "home" until, now. I started with the wall on the left. I didn't want to have too much going on, on this wall considering there is a window just to the left of this picture and I didn't want it to be too busy since I have a couple more pieces on the wall on the right.
Our engagement picture canvas was given to me as a bridal shower gift and it has always been one of my favorite pieces. So I knew it would have a special place in my cozy corner.
Once I gathered up everything grey & burlap I had laying around, my mini gallery wall came together like that! The burlap & grey cross canvas was a sweet gift from my mom that she made herself, so I knew it needed a special place in our home! It was the perfect touch of grey & burlap and just tied everything together so nicely!
Now that the gallery wall was done I just threw in a lantern & a decorative little throw pillow and they were the final touches that this corner was missing! I was shocked at how quickly this little corner nook came together & even happier with how little I spent to create this space.
I am quickly learning it's not about how much money you put into your home. Everything doesn't have to be brand new & "perfect". I have learned its the old, the new, the used, the collected, the made, the diy, the worn, but l o v e d things in our home that make it our very own fairy tale home.
Happy Decorating, friends!
Lots of love,
Paige Perry

subset: commoncrawl


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Pros & Cons of Owning a Vending Machine Business
Vending machines can prove to be a profitable way of starting a business. All you need to know is which type of vending machine is appropriate for you. Some of the people prefer bulk machines that dispense a handful of nuts or candy. Others give importance to mechanical or electronic snack or soda machines.
There are certain pros and cons of owning a vending machine business, irrespective of the fact which machines you buy. Have a look at some of them under the following sections:
Location plays an important role in the success of your vending machine business. There will be lots of competition for the best locations, which is one of the disadvantages of buying a vending machine business. Also, businesses and office complexes tend to open every day. Therefore, you can still place your soda or snack vending machines in them. The biggest advantage of owning a vending machine business is that you can make money without being physically present at the locations.
Types of Products
Another advantage of buying a vending business is that you can ask owners and customers what snacks and drinks they like. A disadvantage of satisfying everyone's request is that you will need to keep track of people's preferences. It can be tough to coordinate with a variety of requests.
Vending business is a simple business to operate. Anyone with self-motivation and drive can operate a vending machine business easily. The owner just needs to remove money from the coin slot and keep the products stocked regularly. Vending machine owners spend plenty of time walking around and carrying products. Soda cans can feel heavy during the course of a day.
Hence, one disadvantage of owning a vending business is that you may face a lot of pain in the process of maintenance of a vending machine. The physical demands of the job can also be an advantage for those who like to exercise and be in good physical shape. You can burn lots of calories while you work.
One of the advantages of buying a vending business is that you can start making money right away. Most of the businesses take a number of years to generate profits. The disadvantage is that it may take you years to earn a full-time income as vending machines can be expensive.
So these were some of the pros and cons of owning a vending machine business. Hope it will help you in the process of buying one.


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Stir Fried Broccoli with Chicken
A family favourite during dinner time, this can be your top stirfry dish choice for your family. To step up the flavour and finish off the stir-frying nicely, add in a Knorr Chicken No Added MSG Cube before serving!
- 15 min Preparation Time
- 15 min Cooking Time
- 4 Serv. Recipe Serves
Ingredients & Method
- 150g Chicken Breast
- 1 tbsp Corn Flour
- 2 tbsp Water
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 10g KNORR Hao Chi All-in-one Seasoning
- 1 Small Carrot (cut into strips)
- 4 Pieces Shiitake Mushroom (cut in halves)
- 1 Small Red Capsicum (cut into 3 cm pieces)
- 1 Small Yellow Capsicum (cut into 3 cm pieces)
- 150g blanched Broccoli Florets
- 1/2 Cube of KNORR Chicken Cube No Added MSG (Mixed with 1/2 cup of water)
- 1 tbsp KNORR Chicken Seasoning Powder No Added MSG
- Slice chicken breast into thin slices.
- Mix together KNORR Chicken Seasoning Powder No Added MSG, corn flour and water.
- Marinate chicken with mixture.
- Heat wok over medium fire, put in KNORR Hao Chi All-in-one Seasoning and stir fry for a minute. Add olive oil and fry till fragrant.
- Add marinated chicken slices and stir fry for 1 1/2 minutes.
- Add carrot, shiitake mushrooms, broccoli, red and yellow capsicum and stir fry.
- Lastly, add KNORR Chicken Cube No Added MSG. stir fry for 2 minutes until the vegetables are cooked.
- Add a dash of pepper to taste before serving.
Find out what's everyone saying


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Amazon launched a monthly subscription service Sunday that could shake up the streaming scene. The new stand-alone option Prime Video lets you pay $9 monthly to stream video just like Netflix.
Previously, you had to sign up for Amazon Prime to stream, a yearly service that costs $99 but also includes free shipping and other services. Now, the company is giving you the chance to unbundle that big package and choose just the video portion for $9, making it a direct competitor to Netflix and Hulu, which also offer monthly plans. Right now, Netflix monthly plan is currently cheaper if you were grandfathered in at the old $8 price, but Netflix recently announced their standard plan will go up to $10 for everyone in May. Hulu plans start at $8 a month.
Sure, Amazon still won't have some of our favorite Netflix shows like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards. But they've got a lot of great original shows of its own like Transparent, Mozart in the Jungle, and Catastrophe.
Let the games begin.
From: Marie Claire US


text: Ross began his time at LFA on our Sales Team operating at the CIO level before moving into the Information Security & Risk space to build out our capabilities there. Fast forward and Ross now heads up one of the largest specialist Information Security practices in the UK, focusing primarily at the CISO & CISO Advisor level across all markets. In addition to his role, Ross also pioneered our Pro Bono CISO offering – an industry first providing Charities & Not-For-Profits with free access to world leading Cyber Security Executives - read more here.


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What to Expect At Our Addiction Treatment Centers
At Monarch Shores, we address drug addiction in two phases: detoxification and treatment. When you complete both of these phases at our top rated drug treatment centers you lower the possibilities of relapse and increase your chances of staying sober.
Detoxification at Monarch Shores is designed to be a luxury experience. Comfortable rooms along the California coastline are available and meals are prepared daily by our professional kitchen staff. Best of all, our trained medical staff helps ease any uncomfortable physical withdrawal symptoms. The process of detoxing your body of drugs can be an emotional one too. You will not be required to participate in treatment until you get through detox protocol until then we only ask that you relax as much as possible.
During the addiction treatment process, you will confront negative past experiences and traumas in your life. The experts at Monarch Shores help you process these feelings and gain closure. You will also work with others in group therapy, this helps you realize that you are not alone in your thoughts and feelings. This also helps people accept their problem by hearing others talk about their thoughts and actions during active addiction. Treatment will also give you the tools needed to fight cravings avoid triggers and cope with the change in your life.


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The 'Terroir Moselle wine and architecture route' is a 'preparatory' cooperation project gathering six LEADER areas, five wine growing areas from four regions and three countries.
Projects & Practice
In an area where the agricultural sector is under pressure due the expansion of a nearby urban centre, the diversification of farming activities e.g. ice-cream production and marketing, can ensure the farm's sustainability.
In order to strengthen and expand the function of a community café as a focal point of the village community, the outdoor area of the old school hosting the café was rebuilt and designed in such a way that community events can be held outdoors.
A community project in which young people actively participated in shaping their environment and strengthened the cohesion of their community.
An initiative to sensitise companies in the Northern Eifel region to the problem of management succession at an early stage.
The Canary Islands have implemented Simplified Cost Options in order to simplify RDP implementation and reduce the error rate
Rural coworking spaces create opportunities for cooperation and innovation in rural areas while helping to attract new professionals to settle in the countryside.
Many small towns have the problem of vacant sales spaces and an innovative concept to revitalise city centres is to offer flexible rental options to pop-up shops. This was the winning initiative of the 2019 Rural Inspiration Awards in the 'Popular Vote' category.
A project to address depopulation and attract new settlers in rural areas of the Aragon region.
A pilot project to demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of using solar energy.


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Iola Leroy
It was a lovely evening for the journey. The air was soft and balmy. The fields and hedges were redolent with flowers. Not a single cloud obscured the brightness of the moon or the splendor of the stars. The ancient trees were festooned with moss, which hung like graceful draperies. Ever and anon a startled hare glided over the path, and whip-poor-wills and crickets broke the restful silence of the night. Robert rode quietly along, quaffing the beauty of the scene and thinking of his boyish days, when he gathered nuts and wild plums in those woods; he also indulged pleasant reminiscences of later years, when, with Uncle Daniel and Tom Anderson, he attended the secret prayer-meetings. Iola rode along, conversing with Aunt Linda, amused and interested at the quaintness of her speech and the shrewdness of her intellect. To her the ride was delightful.
"Does yer know dis place, Robby," asked Aunt Linda, as they passed an old resort.
"I should think I did," replied Robert. "It is the place where we held our last prayer-meeting."
"An' dere's dat ole broken pot we used, ter tell 'bout de war. But warn't ole Miss hoppin' wen she foun' out you war goin' to de war! I thought she'd go almos' wile. Now, own up, Robby, didn't you feel kine ob mean to go off widout eben biddin' her good bye? An'
"Not much," responded Robert. "I only thought she was getting paid back for selling my mother."
"Dat's so, Robby! yore mudder war a likely gal, wid long black hair, an' kine ob ginger-bread color. An' you neber hearn tell ob her sence dey sole her to Georgia?"
"Never," replied Robert, "but I would give everything I have on earth to see her once more. I do hope, if she is living, that I may meet her before I die."
"You's right, boy, cause she lub'd you as she lub'd her own life. Many a time hes she set in my ole cabin an' cried 'bout yer wen you war fas' asleep. It's all ober now, but I'se gwine to hole up fer dem Yankees dat gib me my freedom, an' sent dem nice ladies from de Norf to gib us some sense. Some ob dese folks calls em nigger teachers, an' won't hab nuffin to do wid 'em, but I jis' thinks dey's splendid. But dere's some triflin' niggers down yere who'll sell der votes for almost nuffin. Does you 'member Jake Williams an' Gundover's Tom? Well dem two niggers is de las' ob pea-time. Dey's mighty small pertaters an' few in a hill."
"Oh, Aunt Linda," said Robert, "don't call them niggers. They are our own people."
"Dey ain't my kine ob people. I jis' calls em niggers, an' niggers I means; an' de bigges' kine ob niggers. An' if my John war sich a nigger I'd whip him an' leave him."
"An' what would I be a doin,'" queried John, suddenly rousing up at the mention of his name.
"Standing still and taking it, I suppose," said Iola, who had been quietly listening to and enjoying the conversation.
"Yes, an' I'd ketch myself stan' in' still an' takin' it," was John's plucky response.
"Well, you oughter, ef you's mean enough to wote dat ticket ter put me back inter slavery," was Aunt Linda's parting shot. "Robby," she continued, "you 'member Miss Nancy's Jinnie?"
"Of course I do," said Robert.
"She married Mr. Gundover's Dick. Well, dere warn't much git up an' go 'bout him. So, wen 'lection time com'd, de man he war workin' fer tole him ef he woted de radical ticket he'd turn him off. Well, Jinnie war so 'fraid he'd do it, dat she jis' follered him fer days."
"Poor fellow!" exclaimed Robert. "How did he come out?"
"He certainly was between two fires," interposed Iola.
"Oh, Jinnie gained de day. She jis' got her back up, and said, 'Now ef yer wote dat ticket ter put me back inter slavery, you take yore rags an' go.' An' Dick jis' woted de radical ticket. Jake Williams went on de Secesh side, woted whar he thought he'd git his taters, but he got fooled es slick es greese."
"How was that?" asked Robert.
"Some ob dem folks, dat I 'spects buyed his wote, sent him some flour an' sugar. So one night his wife hab company ter tea. Dey made a big spread, an' put a lot ob sugar on de table fer supper, an' Tom jis' went fer dat sugar. He put a lot in his tea. But
"Well, Aunt Linda, you musn't be too hard on Uncle Jake; you know he's getting old."
"Well he ain't too ole ter do right. He ain't no older dan Uncle Dan'el. An' I yered dey offered him $500 ef he'd go on dere side. An' Uncle Dan'el wouldn't tech it. An' dere's Uncle Job's wife; why didn't she go dat way? She war down on Job's meanness."
"What did she do?"
"Wen 'lection time 'rived, he com'd home bringing some flour an' meat; an' he says ter Aunt Polly, 'Ole woman, I got dis fer de wote.' She jis' picked up dat meat an' flour an' sent it sailin' outer doors, an' den com'd back an' gib him a good tongue-lashin'. 'Oder people,' she said, 'a wotin' ter lib good, an' you a sellin' yore wote! Ain't you got 'nuff ob ole Marster, an' ole Marster bin cuttin' you up? It shan't stay yere.' An' so she wouldn't let de things stay in de house."
"What did Uncle Job do?"
"He jis' stood dere an' cried."
"And didn't you feel sorry for him?" asked Iola.
"Not a bit! he hedn't no business ter be so shabby."
"But, Aunt Linda," pursued Iola, "if it were shabby for an ignorant colored man to sell his vote, wasn't it shabbier for an intelligent white man to buy it?"
"You see," added Robert, "all the shabbiness is not on our side."
"I knows dat," said Aunt Linda, " but I can't help it. I wants my people to wote right, an' to think somethin' ob demselves."
"Well, Aunt Linda, they say in every flock of sheep there will be one that's scabby," observed Iola.
"Dats so! But I ain't got no use fer scabby sheep."
"Lindy," cried John, "we's most dar! Don't you yere dat singin'? Dey's begun a'ready."
"Neber mine," said Aunt Linda, "sometimes de las' ob de wine is de bes'."
Thus discoursing they had beguiled the long hours of the night and made their long journey appear short.
Very soon they reached the church, a neat, commodious, frame building, with a blue ceiling, white walls within and without, and large windows with mahogany-colored facings. It was a sight full of pathetic interest to see that group which gathered from miles around. They had come to break bread with each other, relate their experiences, and tell of their hopes of heaven. In that meeting were remnants of broken families--mothers who had been separated from their children before the war, husbands who had not met their wives for years. After the bread had been distributed and the handshaking was nearly over, Robert raised the hymn which Iola had sung for him when he was recovering from his wounds, and Iola, with her clear, sweet tones, caught up the words and joined him in the strain. When the hymn was finished a dear old mother rose from her seat. Her voice was quite strong. With still a lingering light and fire in her eye, she said:--
"I rise, bredren an' sisters, to say I'm on my solemn march to glory."
"Amen!" "Glory!" came from a number of voices.
"I'se had my trials an' temptations, my ups an' downs; but I feels I'll soon be in one ob de many mansions. If it hadn't been for dat hope I 'spects I would have broken down long ago. I'se bin through de deep waters, but dey didn't overflow me; I'se bin in de fire, but de smell ob it isn't on my garments. Bredren an' sisters, it war a drefful time when I war tored away from my pore little chillen."
"Dat's so!" exclaimed a chorus of voices. Some of her hearers moaned, others rocked to and fro, as thoughts of similar scenes in their own lives arose before them.
"When my little girl," continued the speaker, "took hole ob my dress an' begged me ter let her go wid me, an' I couldn't do it, it mos' broke my heart. I had a little boy, an' wen my mistus sole me she kep' him. She carried on a boardin' house. Many's the time I hab stole out at night an' seen dat chile an' sleep'd wid him in my arms tell mos' day. Bimeby de people I libed wid got hard up fer money, an' dey sole me one way an' my pore little gal de oder; an' I neber laid my eyes on my pore chillen sence den. But, honeys, let de wind blow high or low, I 'spects to outwedder de storm an' anchor by'm bye in bright glory. But I'se bin a prayin' fer one thing, an' I beliebs I'll git it; an' dat is dat I may see my chillen 'fore I die. Pray fer me dat I may hole out an' hole on, an' neber make a shipwrack ob faith, an' at las' fine my way from earth to glory."
Having finished her speech, she sat down and wiped away the tears that flowed all the more copiously as she
Again there was a chorus of moans.
On resuming, Robert's voice was still fuller of pathos.
"When," he said, "I heard that dear old mother tell her experience it seemed as if some one had risen from the dead. She made me think of my own dear mother, who used to steal out at night to see me, fold me in her
The dear old mother raised her eyes. They were clear and tearless. An expression of wonder, hope, and love flitted over her face. It seemed as if her youth were suddenly renewed and, bounding from her seat, she rushed to the speaker in a paroxysm of joy. "Oh, Robby! Robby! is dis you? Is dat my pore, dear boy I'se been prayin' 'bout all dese years? Oh, glory! glory!" And overflowing with joyous excitement she threw her arms around him, looking the very impersonation of rapturous content. It was a happy time. Mothers whose children had been torn from them in the days of slavery knew how to rejoice in her joy. The young people caught the infection of the general happiness and rejoiced with them that rejoiced. There were songs of rejoicing and shouts of praise. The undertone of sadness which had so often mingled with their songs gave place to strains of exultation; and tears of tender sympathy flowed from eyes which had often been blurred by anguish. The child of many prayers and tears was restored to his mother.
Iola stood by the mother's side, smiling, and weeping tears of joy. When Robert's mother observed Iola, she said to Robert, "Is dis yore wife?"
"Oh, no," replied Robert, "but I believe she is your
"Is she? Dear chile! I hope she'll fine her! She puts me in mine ob my pore little Marie. Well, I'se got one chile, an' I means to keep on prayin' tell I fine my daughter. I'm so happy! I feel's like a new woman!"
"My dear mother," said Robert, "now that I have found you, I mean to hold you fast just as long as you live. Ever since the war I have been trying to find out if you were living, but all efforts failed. At last, I thought I would come and hunt you myself and, now that I have found you, I am going to take you home to live with me, and to be as happy as the days are long. I am living in the North, and doing a good business there. I want you to see joy according to all the days wherein you have seen sorrow. I do hope this young lady will find her ma and that, when found, she will prove to be your daughter!"
"Yes, pore, dear chile! I specs her mudder's heart's mighty hungry fer her. I does hope she's my gran'chile."
Tenderly and caressingly Iola bent over the happy mother, with her heart filled with mournful memories of her own mother.
Aunt Linda was induced to stay until the next morning, and then gladly assisted Robert's mother in arranging for her journey northward. The friends who had given her a shelter in their hospitable home, learned to value her so much that it was with great reluctance they resigned her to the care of her son. Aunt Linda was full of bustling activity, and her spirits overflowed with good humor.
"Now, Harriet," she said, as they rode along on their return journey, "You mus' jis' thank me fer finin' yore chile, 'cause I got him to come to dat big meetin' wid me."
"Oh, Lindy," she cried, "I'se glad from de bottom ob my heart ter see you's all. I com'd out dere ter git a blessin', an' I'se got a double po'tion. De frens I war libin' wid war mighty good ter me. Dey lib'd wid me in de lower kentry, an' arter de war war ober I stopped wid 'em and helped take keer ob de chillen; an' when dey com'd up yere dey brought me wid 'em. I'se com'd a way I didn't know, but I'se mighty glad I'se com'd."
"Does you know dis place?" asked Aunt Linda, as they approached the settlement.
"No'n 'deed I don't. It's all new ter me."
"Well, dis is what I libs. Ain't you mighty tired? I feels a little stiffish. Dese bones is gittin' ole."
"Dat's so! But I'se mighty glad I'se lib'd to see my boy 'fore I crossed ober de riber. An' now I feel like ole Simeon."
"But, mother," said Robert, "if you are ready to go, I am not willing to let you. I want you to stay ever so long where I can see you."
A bright smile overspread her face. Robert's words reassured and gladdened her heart. She was well satisfied to have a pleasant aftermath from life on this side of the river.
After arriving home Linda's first thought was to prepare dinner for her guests. But, before she began her work of preparation, she went to the cupboard to get a cup of home-made wine.
"Here," she said, filling three glasses, "is some wine I made myself from dat grape-vine out dere. Don't it look nice and clar? Jist taste it. It's fus'-rate."
"No, thank you," said Robert. "I'm a temperance man, and never take anything which has alcohol in it."
"Oh, dis ain't got a bit ob alcohol in it. I made it myself."
"But, Aunt Linda, you didn't make the law which ferments grape-juice and makes it alcohol."
"But, Robby, ef alcohol's so bad, w'at made de Lord put it here?"
"Aunt Lindy," said Iola, "I heard a lady say that there were two things the Lord didn't make. One is sin, and the other alcohol."
"Why, Aunt Linda," said Robert, "there are numbers of things the Lord has made that I wouldn't touch with a pair of tongs."
"What are they?"
"Rattlesnakes, scorpions, and moccasins."
"Oh, sho!"
"Aunt Linda," said Iola, "the Bible says that the wine at last will bite like a serpent and sting like an adder."
"And, Aunt Linda," added Robert, "as I wouldn't wind a serpent around my throat, I don't want to put something inside of it which will bite like a serpent and sting as an adder."
"I reckon Robby's right," said his mother, setting down her glass and leaving the wine unfinished. "You young folks knows a heap more dan we ole folks."
"Well," declared Aunt Linda, "you all is temp'rence to de backbone. But what could I do wid my wine ef we didn't drink it?"
"Let it turn to vinegar, and sign the temperance pledge," replied Robert.
"I don't keer 'bout it myself, but I don't 'spect John would be willin' ter let it go, 'cause he likes it a heap."
"Then you must give it up for his sake and Job's" said Robert. "They may learn to like it too well."
"You know, Aunt Linda," said Iola, "people don't get to be drunkards all at once. And you wouldn't like to feel, if Job should learn to drink, that you helped form his appetite."
"Dat' so! I beliebs I'll let dis turn to winegar, an' not make any more."
"That's right, Aunt Linda. I hope you'll hold to it," said Robert, encouragingly.
Very soon Aunt Linda had an excellent dinner prepared. After it was over Robert went with Iola to C--, where her friend, the bishop, was awaiting her return. She told him the wonderful 'story of Robert's finding his mother, and of her sweet, childlike faith.
The bishop, a kind, fatherly man, said, "Miss Iola, I hope that such happiness is in store for you. My dear child, still continue to pray and trust. I am old-fashioned enough to believe in prayer. I knew an old lady living in Illinois, who was a slave. Her son got a chance to come North and beg money to buy his mother. The mother was badly treated, and made up her mind to run away. But before she started she thought she would kneel down to pray. And something, she said, reasoned within her, and whispered, 'Stand still and see what I am going to do for you.' So real was it to her that she unpacked her bundle and desisted from her flight. Strange as it may appear to you, her son returned,
That night Iola and the bishop left for the South.


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text:
Alor Diving Holidays
Diving in Alor
Diving in Alor brings you to some stunning reefs that are ambient with marine life. Hovering above the hard corals you will see schools of anthias, hawksbill turtles grazing around the dive site and barracudas that swim by to find their meal for the day.
All dive sites are suitable for the beginner as well as advanced divers as long as you jump in at the right time of the day when the current is at it weakest. For the adrenaline seekers, these dive sites can bring you strong currents where you need to make a negative entry to get to the dive site and drift along with the reef. when the current starts to pick up you will be more likely to see some reef sharks patrolling the area. Also, mantas and whale sharks can be spotted here. When cruising between dive sites keep an eye out for pilot whales passing by and dolphins playing in front of the bow.
Banda Sea – Alor
Alor – Banda Sea – Ambon
East of Alor – Komodo
Komodo – East of Alor
Alor – Komodo
Alor – Komodo
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The diving season is from the middle of March until the middle of January. with the peak season running from April until November. Around that time of the year, the sea is smooth and water temperatures between 26-29 °C are pleasant. At some dive sites, the water can drop to low 20 because of cold currents coming in. Above water, the air temperature is pretty stable with 28-33 °C year-round.
How to get to Alor
Alor liveaboard safaris leave from the port Kalabahi. To get there you can book a domestic flight with Lion Air/wing Air, Garuda and Sriwijaya Air on a daily scheduled route to Jakarta Or Densapar. However many Alor liveaboard itineraries include several other destinations in Indonesia so the port of embarking and disembarking might not be in Alor. So before you book your flights it is wise to check or contact us what route the liveaboard is making.


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If you're still interested, I am trying to assemble a 4e game. I've been playing since '85 and I think I like 4e the best, but it's pretty dry around here. If you want to start something up or have a spot in an existing game, I'd be interested.
Hey there,
I see that you're local to Maryland. Be sure to check out the Heroes' Guild on Maryland at Heroes' Guild of Maryland. We're a community of gamers in the greater-Baltimore area and we hose regular events including Pathfinder Society and our D&D 4th ed. sandbox campaign, the Eastern Expanse. Check our forums for full event details and registration.
-Chris Pullen, Heroes' Guild of Maryland
Send an Instant Message to askaval30 Using...


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text:
[ Free Me From This Bond (sequel to the sequel): Chapter 14 ]
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 22:45:28
Subject: Deadline is a week after Valentine's Day
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
Ellie, by "deadline" I mean the one I've set for Larkin, which date he
does not know…unless of course his telepathy reveals it. Should he
not display sincere apologies and restoration of his ugly deeds
(including getting me back into the bars), I will send him these two
following letters. At which point, I presume, a real battle will begin
and which may lead to a courtroom settlement:
21 January 2014
Time is drawing close that I must seek justice. For more than three decades my gay brothers here in San Francisco have cock-teased me, spit on me, spread gossip against me that causes enmity by many, beat me up, tried to make me homeless, get me unemployed, destroyed whatever friendships/lovers I could have or have had (even sent some to prison or outright killed them or turned them insane), etc. In a nutshell: they've treated me like a joke, and used me for their sadistic and vile entertainment…just like the very same homophobic heteros do to all gays.
While I realize that such torments are God's way of strengthening my spirit, and that I have no enemies, only teachers…I also realize that God sometimes requires that I fight against my so-called enemies, regardless. And without emotional regard for those I truly love or who otherwise have been good allies for a long time in the past. If, indeed, they have turned against me and do everything they can to screw me over.
This of course, includes you, My Savage Serpent. For you have only tossed me the occasional crumb in this transition from the unexpected and undeserved grief you've caused me, into my own deliverance by my very own hand. I must therefore regard you as but one more pathetic ENEMY.
For you have done NOTHING thus far to end your gossip in the Castro about my being your stalker (which is a DELIBERATE and WICKED lie). You have also shoved me (last year in January) where I almost hit the concrete, yet have done nothing to apologize in a sincere manner. FYI: I don't let ANYONE push me around; and will see justice done on my behalf in the long run. You're such a big guy and so full of yourself, I guess you can't imagine anyone knocking you off your sanctimonious perch!
You also refuse to give me hugs like you did in the past, which now extends over more than a year's time.
I showed you much patience, understanding and forgiveness over many months. Yet the most kindness you've shown during that time, is an occasional brief conversation. You didn't even tell me how much you like the novel I wrote in your honor…not even shown any gratitude for that lovely Scooby-Doo illustration. In fact, your only remark regarding that book was:
"I got your book. A friend of mine is reading it, and he's intrigued. I just wish you had used my real name."
Well, you know very well that you denied permission to use your name all along. I guess you think you're such a clever smart-ass, eh? Looks to me that the only reason you care about your actual moniker appearing in that book is so you can gain glory (and much money by the potential celebritihood as a result). In other words: you'd just leave me behind in the dust, for your own arrogant and selfish reasons. Fuck me and all that, I'm just a pinheaded fool, huh?
NEWS FLASH: you are the fool, not me! As the saying goes:
"A fool is happy until his mischief is turned against him. And a good man may suffer until his goodness blossoms."
Well guess what, loser pervert: YOU are the fool, and I am the good man!
I gave you the benefit of the doubt for a long, long time. Yet the only respite you give me, is a quick friendly remark as you stroll swiftly by. No stopping to chat for a time, no hug, no appreciation of my enduring friendship. In other words: crumbs to keep my hope barely alive and nothing more.
You really should get outta the Castro ASAP, if you value your fun times at any gay bar. You spend tons of times at bars in MY neighborhood, yet pretend you can't even spend a brief 20 minutes with me even just once per week. It's like maybe you're a HARD-DRUG DEALER who sees my presence as a threat to your little empire you've established here in the Castro. I certainly hope not, but your behavior causes me GREAT SUSPICION. Were you only dealing in marijuana, you certainly wouldn't behave this way.
What I find so fucked up is that you seem to gain much joy at the expense of my misery. You are like a psychic vampire who sucks the happiness from others, as some sort of fuel for your own empowerment. But if such be the case, please realize you can't win in the long run…especially against yours truly, who is the ULTIMATE VAMPIRE SLAYER.
There is also the matter of my being heavily drugged at Hole in the Wall, back in 2007. No one showed me any compassion for my downfall…INCLUDING YOU! I remember that day clearly, when I approached you to hear of this tragedy. You were sporting that hideous haircut where half your skull was shaved. You looked ridiculous and disgusting: a style which I thought did not become your natural beauty in the least, but which I now conclude was EXACTLY what you deserve. For you ARE the fool, and I AM the hero after all.
I am composing this letter to VENT all the pent-up feelings that I've suppressed over many years. And if you are the truly good spirit I hope you are, you will understand and regard these words with compassion. Otherwise: WE HAVE A WAR ON OUR HANDS, AND I SHALL WIN, YOU BASTARD!
You should know that I DO NOT FEAR YOU in any way whatsoever, even if it comes to bashing me to a bloody pulp or killing me outright. For I hold myself to ETERNAL VALUES, not the temporal. My soul is already saved, no matter what I choose to do at this point, or what happens to me.
Every bad thing you've done to me (as well as every good thing) is documented on my web page for all the world to read. Even though I've replaced your real name with "Arwyn Miles," eventually all my readers will point their fingers in your direction should any harm come to me, including my death. EVEN if you had nothing to do with it.
And as I become famous, ever more readers will accumulate. And they shall know who the real Arwyn MIles is, thanks to your telling your "friends" that the book is about you. For you DO realize they just can't resist gossiping to THEIR friends about this book. So word will spread like wildfire across all the bars here in 'Frisco. In other words: you'll have no place to hide.
So if you turn out to be a really good guy in the long run…or if you turn out to be quite OPPOSITE from that…THEY WILL KNOW.
Think about this, and have a pleasant dream or two.
Your worst nightmare (and best friend of all time),
26 January 2014
Most beloved Larkin,
Since the moment you shoved me almost to the concrete over a year ago, every day for me has been a world of grief. Though I have struggled so much to give joy to many, to spread humor that others may smile in spite of my own tragedies…which you have witnessed through the printouts I've mailed. I would think that long before this point, you'd be totally proud of my victories in the face of much evil (and that face, sadly, is yours).
I cannot fathom how you seem to continue to have so much enjoyment: bowling, softball, schmoozing for hours at gay bars while I stand outside in the cold without a friend…knowing what you've done. As if you couldn't even spare 20 minutes per week to sit down with me over a cup of coffee. Yes, you are so busy full of hours wasted over a bottle of Budweiser or a shot of whiskey at this or that dreary tavern populated by living cadavers whose only asset is money.
You have no true friend, but me. Yet for whatever reason beyond my comprehension, you choose to drain any joy I have left in life, and mock, humiliate and endanger me through gossip and absence. As if this is some sort of contest that you must win at any price. I've given you every benefit of the doubt above and beyond what anyone else (beyond God Himself) would do.
I will not become another martyr, another Marty, who you've drained of life to become yet another puppet under your absolute control…at the expense of his own happiness. Using your beauty in this manner is a grave offense against all that is righteous and moral.
I realize by now, befriending/trusting you was the worst mistake of my life, and is my downfall. For it is in my nature, my calling, to love you no matter what. Even if it send me to the grave…which I now realize is exactly the final outcome. I do not hate you, nor could I ever hate you. But I do hate this diabolical cross that God has placed upon my weary shoulders.
With greater sadness than I have ever known, I tell you, Larkin:
I am more of a man than you will ever be. Yet I shall die, and you shall live. You can have it, buddy. You can have it all.
I am surrounded by insane and shallow ghouls that call themselves "human" and "gay." I hear them screech their hollow words every night below my window, acting out an idiot's play that serves no purpose but to feed on the lofty goals and aspirations of kind (but naive) brothers. They are what I call "psychic vampires." And you, my wicked friend, are one of them.
For I have sought justice over what has been done to me way back in 2007, when I was drugged and robbed from a patron at Hole in the Wall Saloon. Yet neither you, nor anyone else there, granted me the least bit solace. Instead, they spread further gossip to drive me out in a tidal wave of enmity. So at this point you should realize:
Not just for love of friendship have I reached out to you over the years. But to get to the bottom of this tragedy, and right all wrongs. My conclusion is that you are in some way connected to this cult, and that you do not want me to get too close to you to discover the truth.
Which is that you had something to do with my tragedy, even if just by association. After the incident, you suddenly glommed onto bartender Gary and (daily patron) Gypsy…parading your sterling association with them in front of me whenever I was around. You've also hugged so-called "friends" in a very lewd fashion if I was nearby, as if to cause me envy. Yet that is not your real motive: instead, it is your intent to make them think I have a jealous and possessive nature…that they may come to hate me (and, hopefully, cause me harm). I only feel great shame towards you for such behavior.
Personally, I'd be happy for you to hug as many people as you can, so long as it is not done in the gross manner you do. For I realize you don't really give a flying fuck about them…it is all an act to drive me away or mad.
I hear that you no longer have anything to do with Gypsy or other nasty types out of SOMA. Since I am no longer there to be a victim of your pointless vengeance. Nowadays, you focus on simple minds in the Castro, to do your bidding against my very existence and even sanity.
With great love though misery be the last chapter,
P.S.: Don't take the accusations I've said in this letter with anything but a hefty grain of salt. I think the whole matter is utterly hilarious, which is why I've composed this mail in comic book font. And I only celebrate the victory of my soul over abject evil. Have a great life without me. Your vulgar games only bring shame to your own pathetic self, and not to me. A bitter lesson learned on my part. But though I love you dearly, and always shall, this time I say goodbye for good. You will no longer see me outside Twin Peaks Tavern or (I hope to God) anywhere else.
P.P.S.: You've never even said if you liked my book, or the illustrations…in particular, the Scooby-Doo parody which I created just to put a smile on your face. You are like a black hole that sucks up every gift without ever acknowledging gratitude. All you care about is whether or not your real name is in it, that you may walk off with glory and leave me in the dust.
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 00:33:46
Subject: Never mind, I sent the 2 letters…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
…just a moment ago, right after midnight. Enclosed them in a second
Valentine's Day card that was meant for little girls. Contains a
removable felt barrette designed like a smiling, happy Mr. Sun. I
wrote in the card: "You are absolutely un-frikken-believable. Take
this any way you want."
If he kills me soon, thanks for the fish. The bastard wants war, he's got it.
– Zeke
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2014 21:51:15
Subject: I feel greatly relieved…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
…for having snail-mailed My Devil Lizard those two scalding letters.
But not at first. Woke up the next morning with angst-filled regret:
"OMFG, I blew it like I blow every relationship with a hot man. In a
drunken stupor, I foolishly scoured his soul like a jealous banshee!"
But in a few more moments I came to my senses:
"No. It was good to vent, and Larkin loves me like the dearest
brother. He understands. In fact," I continued, "he realizes that he
pushed the Zeke-velope to the point of flushing out the PTSD I've
built up over many years' sacrifice on behalf of my gay brothers."
I love My Dragon Dude so much, Ellie! He's been pressing my buttons
for over a year now, that I clear up what remains of failed
relationships and activist endeavors. The Father Fukkuh knew what he
was doing all along…the man is BRILLIANT. And I'm sure his heart
went out to me with every single torment that struck my chord.
His initial shove triggered a domino effect that rippled all the way back to My Randolph. Who himself suffered such PTSD from Vietnam, you can't imagine…and which rubbed off on this poor ravaged soul's already-tormented life. "Free Me From This Bond" indeed! Larkin pulled the poison outta me, and did not cease rubbing salt into my wounds until all was healed. And I came to realize something else:
Only dawned on me yesterday why he ordered that drunken black man to pull his legs in from blocking the sidewalk. For I had just stepped back out from the tobacco shop, and he wanted to perform a gesture of kindness…that is: to clear my path back up towards Jane Warner Plaza.
He was crouched in address of the wino while looking up at me with those fiery orange irises that only a True Dragon possesses. And he knew that I wouldn't understand until a day or two later! As I've said many times before (though in different words): My Celtic Seraphim is wise beyond my comprehension!
Thus I have no fear in our next encounter after he's read my latest mail. Only gratitude. For he knows he's put me through Hades (and for my own good), and that directing my hatred towards the source is the most appropriate reaction. Considering that I did /not/ understand his true motivation until some passage of time.
This catharsis has put an absolute /end/ to any fears of his leaving me in the lurch…that he might move on without me to other parts, such as elsewhere in the city, or even San Diego. He is here for me, and me alone. And he knows now that I know (for he is telepathic as all good guardian angels are)! And Larkin is damned BEAUTIFUL in every possible way, that even my dreams of the perfect lover don't suffice.
I have no idea how our next encounter will manifest, except in general. Probably with no more antagonism, but sweet friendship to rule the day. Though knowing his ribald sense of humor, he might approach me like a punishing father who wants to whip my ass like the naughty boy I am. How incredible in spite of my being 12 years older than him, I always feel like a trembling son in contrast.
Well, there's this hot fellow who's been blowing me once or twice per week with no remunerative expectation whatsoever. Certainly helps relieve the tension of Larkin's Trial by Flames. And he's due to arrive any minute now. So I gotta wash my balls and wanger with a splash of vanilla extract in preparation.
Ha ha ha ha ha, El! I am such a piece of work.
Love ya,
– Zeke
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 19:22:26
Subject: See? I told you he loves me!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
Just saw My Beloved Basilisk this eve, only moments ago. It's now 6:22 PM, January 30. Decided to step out once more to see if Larkin was at Twin Peaks Tavern. And yes, he was! I wave at him in friendly gesture as I walk by, pretending I'm on my way three doors down to the tobacco shop.
He sees me and moves as if to emerge from the Glass Coffin (what we long-term queers of the Castro call TPT, since it's a gathering hole for gay men on their last legs…and a great place to cruise the elderly for nightly companionship at the bargain rate of $50-100 a pop; which is how Larkin survives since he gave up his detective job several years back).
Well, standing some 30 feet down I watch the door swing with a loud "creak," but My Angel does not step out. Though some seconds later he does, comes up to me and speaks:
"I just want you to know I got your letters and packages, five in all. I just haven't had time to read them yet."
"But Larkin," I plead, "You hardly give me a chance to speak with you, so I'm compelled to write things down. They're very important, and funny, and will do you much good!"
Larkin iterates with a strident tone: "You have my permission to use my real name in your books!"
"I know that," I assure him. "Your verbal permission is good enough for me. But I need it in writing for the publisher."
Larkin then leans his 6-foot-4 frame downward to query: "Can't you just use my first name?"
Okay, at this point in our roller-coaster affair I'm well aware how he /loves/ to trip me up, thus do not emote one iota of frustration when I anwser:
"But you're the only man on the /planet/ with the first name of Larkin!" He nods in sage agreement. I emphasize:
"I wanted to be clear that in book 2 you play the enemy. And one of the letters I sent you includes permission to use your real name in that sequel, and that you do /not/ come off in a good light."
Larkin shrugs: "That's life my friend, I'm okay with that."
"Me too," I heartily respond. "You orchestrated this entire affair. You pressed all my buttons, which I greatly appreciate. Especially since I now realize my trilogy will have a happy ending! You're a /brilliant/ man, Larkin!"
Then he extends an arm to offer me a fist bump. I refuse and state:
"If I can't get a real hug, fuggedaboudit. What is it with this 'no homo bro' fist bump?"
"Okay then, clasp arms instead," he declares and waits for me to grip him back, all the way to the elbow.
"Nope," I admonish, "that is /still/ not a hug."
"Okay then Zeke, how about this?" He stretches his gangly arms in a vast reach to the stars.
"An /air/ hug?" I mock. "You gotta be kidding! Give me a /physical/ hug or nothing."
Instead of fulfilling my passionate dream to be in his octopoid arms after more than a year without, he just flops them to his side. And looks upon me with a smile that would melt even Genghis Khan. (I do realize, El, that I'm playing my role impeccably, and this encounter is but a plot development he's creating for chapter 15, book 3…the beginning of the happy ending)
"Here, move away from the door," he declares. And so I do, to continue this silly badinage that provides me with the perfect opportunity to pelt him with loving bon mots.
I look up at My Marvelous Maverick to announce: "You think you're such a tough guy, don't you?"
To which he immediately responds: "Nothing less. You can take /that/ to the bank."
So I retort with equal aplomb: "No! I love tough dudes. And I'm a tough guy too! So you've met your match."
He thinks about this a moment, then says: "Move on now, I'm done talking," and makes a peremptory gesture to brush me away.
I resist and stand firm. "I'm /always/ moving on, Larkin." (Though I did not add, but wish I did: "I refuse to move forward any more without you." The implication though, was not lost on My Delirious Demon.)
I stand firm and signal towards the door:"/You/ go back into the Glass Coffin now, with all your little friends!"
Instead, he walks several feet over to the other side of the dark green newsstand, expectorates on the concrete and expounds: "I'm spitting you out of my system!"
Wasn't sure he said quite that so asked him to repeat, as I follow right behind and to the far end of the rack just two feet from My Benevolent Guardian.
"I'm spitting you out of my system!" he repeats. So I retort:
"Like this?" And spew out a wad of gum by his feet, along with a spritz of saliva. He seems to relish the entire scenario, as do I.
"You're quite the psycho, aren't you?" he challenges.
"Why yes I am, my brother!" I agree. "But you're every bit the psycho I am, perhaps a lot more!" And add, for the sake of a great chapter:
"I've filled you with so much poison you'll never rid of it! I'm in your system forever. Just as I'm filled with the poison of /you/!" I declare with immense force. "But that should be something to /celebrate/, not regret."
He smiles broadly, showing off his remaining teeth filled with rot (like mine). And I love him dearly for that sacrifice. For he /could/ have returned to San Diego where he'd retain his career as detective, and his health insurance including dental. But he did not. He remains here in San Francisco to protect me.
There are funny things I thought of in the last two days to say to him, next time we meet. And now is the moment:
"Have I been giving you blow jobs without even knowing it?" I quip. He stifles a guffaw, which can't be concealed by the irrepressible grin that crosses his handsome mug. So I continue:
"I know you're a shape shifter, and can appear to me as anyone you want." Now for the punch line:
"I've grown suspicious lately, especially with the last guy I blew." I then make The Proposal:
"Marry me, Larkin. I /know/ you love me, and I'm tired of blowing strange cock!" He grins so broadly that my heart bursts with epiphany.
"Wait a minute," I admit like a Catholic schoolboy at confession, "That's a lie. I /love/ sucking strange cock and I don't think I'll /ever/ get enough!"
Larkin interrupts: "Well you have my permission. Go home now." Then he dashes back into the Glass Coffin, leaving me stranded though well loved. (But just before the door slammed on his back, I hollered the most important words of all: "I love you Larkin!")
Abandoned now, I saunter across the street to linger by the trash can, not knowing whether or not he's seated in a position to view me. I enjoy a Fortuna while musing on the repartees that just occurred. Thanking him from the bottom of my gizzard for this opportunity to blast him in a golden shower of amity.
Then it's off I go to report back to you, Eleanor, with my latest Larkin update.
With great sincerity and profound joy,
– Zeke
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 20:22:55
Subject: Oh yes, he also asked…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
…when I said I love to suck strange cock:
"Don't your ragged teeth get in the way?"
To which I replied: "Oh, I've learned to manipulate my way around that, thank you very much."
I can't believe this, El, the fun is about to take off! Finally.
– Zeke
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 22:25:15
Subject: Re: Oh yes, he also asked…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
On Thu, Jan 30, 2014 at 10:03 PM, Eleanor wrote:
{{ That was just plain cruel of him to say that. I don't like that at all. }}
Really? I thought it was hilarious. That was just an addendum coz I left it out of the main body. Did you find /that/ of any worth? Seems to me if he was the least bit not interested, he wouldn't have provided me with the platform to exchange such fun badinage, like: "Larkin, marry me, I'm tired of sucking strange cock."
And he said it was /okay/ to portray him as the bad guy in books 2 and 3, he's not perturbed at all.
Well, I guess I can't expect many people to grasp my perspective here.
– Zeke
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 23:19:22
Subject: Re: Oh yes, he also asked…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
On Thu, Jan 30, 2014 at 10:52 PM, Eleanor wrote:
{{ I'm reading the earlier missive in the AM when I'm fresh and alert. It's been a helluva day… }}
I hate those kind of days. Hope tomorrow is the opposite.
{{ Believe me, though, it was intentionally cruel and cutting of him to mention your "ragged decayed teeth." }}
Out of context, I can see that. But you haven't read the main body, in which he was incredibly kind, And when you consider his own teeth are deteriorated as bad as mine, I think he has some leeway in cracking such a remark. Almost like he was asking me for a /tip/ on how to give a good BJ under such a condition.
I also left out one more remark he made, after I told him I'm a tough man too, and he's met his match:
"You're lookin' for a spank fest, aintcha?"
"Well yes," I retorted, "sounds like fun to me!"
Anywayz, I think you'll be rather amazed once you've read the first post. Rest well, Ellie!
– Zeke
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 13:03:23
Subject: Re: See? I told you he loves me!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
On Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 12:25 PM, Eleanor Cooney wrote:
{{ Yes, well, this puts the remark about your teeth in a different perspective, for sure. I somehow pictured him as having a mouthful of gleaming white gorgeous intact teeth….. }}
He used to have the most glorious ivories, you'd cream in your panties! First thing I'll do with my windfall offa the book, is get that darling man's teeth restored.
{{ Looks to me as if you have a great new chunk of dialogue all ready to go, with only a few minor adjustments! }}
Yep, been working on the polish all day. And 'tis done. Now typing to you from Howard's.
{{ As for blow jobs and teeth, I think it's instinctive (at least it is for me, and I have good teeth) to fold the lips around the teeth to protect the tender cockskin, administering occasional gentle and controlled tooth-rakes with care and discretion. One of my best sex scenes in IRON EMPRESS has Wu doing exactly that to the poor doomed Emperor…..driving him mad with desire! }}
Oh for cripes sake…sure glad I finished my grilled cheese and fries before reading this!
– Zeke
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 13:59:19
Subject: Re: See? I told you he loves me!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
On Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 1:54 PM, Eleanor Cooney wrote:
{{ Oh, right. Like you're such a Victorian lady….. }}
Edwardian, actually.
– Zeke
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 16:40:51
Subject: Re: See? I told you he loves me!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
On Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 3:51 PM, Eleanor Cooney wrote:
{{ Dickensian, I'd venture. }}
Yes, some day I will compose a parody tale based on Dickens' unique characters. With a gay spin to it of course…goes w/o saying.
I had this funny dream some years back: I was a young lady from Loch Lomond, Scotland who moved to Brooklyn with my newlywed husband in 1907. My maiden name was Elizabeth Anna Horsington, and I secretly penned lesbian romance novels while my darling managed the office of a whiskey distribution plant.
Before I even had a chance to be published, a tragedy ended my life. An electric curling iron exploded in flames and burnt me to a crisp.
But somewhere in a Brooklyn attic remains eighteen precious manuscripts that will eventually be discovered by a distant cousin of Alan Ginsberg…not THE Alan Ginsberg, but another by the same name. They will fall into the hands of the Advocate, and make a great splash in certain queer literary circles.
Somehow, in some uncanny twist of fate, I will become recognized as the /true/ author. I guess because by that time, we'll have such a sophisticated DNA technology, that I will be recognized (through the impeccable marvels of science), as the sole reincarnation of Elizabeth Anna Horsington.
Which will make me fabulously rich and famous…even though it has always been my dream that "Free Me From This Bond" would accomplish same long before then. Which it does not, nor ever will. Though it /does/ win me Larkin's noble heart and undying conjugal ecstasy. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
– Zeke
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 17:49:49
Subject: Re: See? I told you he loves me!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Eleanor
On Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 5:35 PM, Eleanor Cooney wrote:
{{ You have the outline of a new novel right there. }}
Oh please, Eleanor, I can't even keep up with what My Most Beloved Salamander tosses at me.
But you're right: "Elizabeth Anna Horsington's Secret Life of Romance & Aspirations of Edwardian Brooklyn."
Or something like that. Well, I gotta step out now, in hopes that Larkin will approach me for further dragonly imbroglio. Or I shall return home in grievous disappointment.
My life sucks big time. But I /love/ so much that Larkin's presence these past eight years has blessed me with a saving grace beyond my Walter-Mittiest fantasies.
– Zeke


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Relax, there really is no small print to see here :-)
We don't collect or save any of your details beyond basic website statistics as our site just acts as a signpost to the Into the Blue site that sells sWing Walking experience vouchers. We never take your personal details, credit card details, name, address or anything else like that. All of your transaction details are carried out on the secure website of Into the Blue so you can rest safe when browsing our site.
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Remember to visit the Into the Blue website for Wing Walking T&C's.


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Nice Legs, Shame About the Face (and the legs)
Nice Legs, Shame About the Face (and the legs)
As promised yesterday, we are publishing a news item regarding why selfies are so important in any girl's application to join Midlands Maidens Nottingham Escorts.
Looking at this application logically, there should have been no problem whatsoever in taking the girl on, nice legs and all, but that was before our request for selfies which threw a whole new angle on it.
We've heard about photographers using airbrushing techniques, but this one should be prosecuted under the trade descriptions act.
Read on for more revelations!
So there we were, once again looking through applications, when one from Charmaine sprung out at us.
She looked ideally presentable with a lovely set of professional photos that would have set any red-blooded male's blood pressure rising!
The problem was however, that she had applied to Midlands Maidens Nottingham Escorts and NOT to one of our – 'less demanding' shall we say – alternate service providers.
Phone call sounded fine, though admittedly Charmaine's voice sounded a little unlike the photo spread she had sent over, so we asked her for a few 'selfies' to complete her application.
First up, we have the original photos:
…as you can see, very appetising to the untrained eye.
However, we needed a selfie that contained Charmaine's face, as the one 'selfie' that had been sent over could have been anybody.
We got three photos back – one from her mate 'that wanted to join us too', one more glamour shot, and finally Charmaine's selfie – we've left out the one more glamour one as it seemed pointless. The first photo is of 'Charmaine's mate' and the second one is of Charmaine herself:
All we can say is – the photographer for Charmaine's shoot really played a blinder in turning her from a glamorous granny into the mouthwatering vision of splendour that was submitted with her application.
This is the ideal opportunity to point out that without a selfie, and in many cases without an interview, your libido would have found itself rather wanting when seeing Charmaine in the flesh when compared to her photographs.
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Dublin Interactive Street Map
Dublin Interactive Street Map - When you have a map of Dublin, the time and energy you save arriving where you want to (in a timely manner) is very much appreciated. Dublin, Ireland maps allow tourists to easily identify the main sights they have chosen to visit during their stay.
It doesnt matter if you are driving the streets or walking through the neighborhood, maps of Dublin will make your visit easier to digest. To choose the perfect map of Dublin for you, head for St. Andrew's Church, which is situated on Suffolk Street.
Dublin Travel Guide
Introduction | Attractions | Tours | Museums | Nightlife | Hotels | Transportation | Shopping | Restaurants
Dublin Information
Map | Weather | Tourist Info | Airport Info | Theatres | Car Rental | Photos
Hotels | Hostels | Tours | Car Rental | Flights
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Maryland SoccerPlex U23 Men's Soccer Tournament
Maryland SoccerPlex U23 Men's Soccer Tournament
Click Here to Register your team!
What: A tournament hosted by the ATD Maryland SoccerPlex U23 Men's Team at one of the finest facilities in the country. This is the first year of this tournament that will give U23 teams the chance to play throughout the summer!
Where: Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown Maryland
Who: Men's U23 Teams
When: July 19 - 20
Games will be played Friday evening and Saturday throughout the day.
Cost: $350 per team PLUS 4% credit card fee. Total $364
Registration: Click Here
This one day summit will be held during the U23 Tournament to help coaches and players with strategies, insights, and learnings to help them be as successful on and off the field of play. Our speakers will discuss the professional pathway, branding-building, and additional tools for coaches to help them throughout their careers and beyond.
Participation is free to coaches/athletes and is limited to 50 participants.
Opening Remarks & Introduction of guest speakers
Ways to Diversify Soccer - Fostering the Next Generation of Leaders
Highlight unique efforts to create access and different perspectives on how to expand opportunities for future generations.
- Yael Averbuch - Former Professional Player (US National Team & NWSL). Executive Director NWSL. Techne App
Coaching - Diversity, and Representation in Collegiate and Professional levels
Discussion on representation and ownership in America from youth to the professional level. Current initiatives in place and how it impacts coaches.
- Justin Reid - Black Soccer Membership Association. Quick feet Soccer
A New Way Forward - An Agent's Perspective
- Brian Krahling - The Krahling Sports Agency
European Pathway
Discussion "Development vs. Winning" and strategies for sending the best American players abroad. Life for American players plying their trade in Denmark.
- Michael Moller Pedersen - Siveback Sports Management
TO REGISTER: Click Here
You will need to create an account and choose the option from the dropdown:
MSP U23 Tournament Coaching Summit - 2019 Coaching Summit


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Swedish Massage Rutherford NJ
If you're looking for a massage therapist in Bergen County NJ, you're going to find a licensed and insured massage therapist at Harmony Within Massage Therapy that focuses on the specific sort of therapeutic massage you require or want. To help you avoid the stress that comes with looking for a parking space, we provide private parking along with free parking along the side streets. You're going to discover that a candle lit atmosphere is going to bathe you in relaxation instantly when you walk into our massage studio. We keep all our massage therapy rooms spotless and our massage therapists in Bergen County NJ are committed to ensuring you're comfortable during your massage therapy session.
Massage Therapy Rutherford NJ
At Harmony within Massage Therapy, we take special care of expectant mothers with our services which include prenatal massage face down in Bergen County NJ. When performed by a licensed expert, research demonstrates that the emotional stress which women often encounter during pregnancy may be relieved with therapeutic massage. Swedish massage therapy is perfect for expecting mothers as it has the ability to aid with headaches, swelling, joint pain, leg cramps and backaches. We're always careful when positioning our pregnant clients to ensure not only their comfort but the safety of the developing baby. To experience the enhanced sleep and general sense of wellness that lots of others have experienced, get in touch with Harmony Within Massage Therapy for quality prenatal massage face down near Rutherford NJ.
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John Lutz Named AQHA Chief Revenue Officer, Sales and Business Development
John Lutz Named AQHA Chief Revenue Officer, Sales and Business Development
The American Quarter Horse Association welcomes John Lutz of Amarillo as the Association's new chief revenue officer, sales and business development. Lutz begins his role with the Association on June 3.
As the AQHA chief revenue officer, sales and business development, Lutz will be responsible for the development, execution and management of sales, marketing and product management strategies for AQHA products, and affiliated entities. Lutz will oversee AQHA's sales, marketing and product management teams. He will also be responsible for developing and executing company sales and marketing plans and providing direction and planning for the Association to secure new contracts with new partners, as well as manage ongoing contracts.
"We are excited to add John to the Association's talented team," said Craig Huffhines, AQHA executive vice president. "He is an accomplished sales leader with a consistent history of revenue growth and team success, and we look forward to seeing what he brings to the table."
Lutz boasts a striking resume, which includes being the vice president of sales and technology at Davidson Oil in Amarillo; vice president of sales and chief technology officer at FireStream Worldwide in St. Louis; and, most recently, vice president of sales and marketing at Davidson Companies in Amarillo. He has a deep understanding of sales processes and technology-based marketing initiatives. Throughout his career, he has trained and driven high-performance sales teams to achieve revenue and retention goals.
"AQHA's commitment to improving its products and processes while respecting its amazing heritage is most impressive," said Lutz. "It's an ideal time to join AQHA's committed team, and I look forward to helping accelerate its sales and revenue opportunities. In addition, it will be a privilege to work with our best-in-class industry partners as we grow."
Lutz received bachelor's degrees in Business and Spanish from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, attended Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and attended Texas A&M University for graduate studies.
For more information on AQHA chief officers, visit AQHA's staff directory.
AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.


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Laconia Mesothelioma Lawyer
Throughout much of the 20th century, countless workers were exposed to the toxic mineral asbestos in the course of performing their labor. Pipefitters, auto mechanics, boilermakers, construction workers, and others spent their days handling or breathing in airborne asbestos fibers, oftentimes without warning from their employers and in the absence of the appropriate safety gear.
Thousands upon thousands of these unsuspecting employees have been afflicted with dangerous and deadly diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma as a consequence of their employer's negligence. These illnesses cause significant physical, emotional, and financial distress for those who suffer from them. They can also take a devastating toll on an asbestos victim's friends and family.
To learn more about how a legal action can help you wage a stronger fight against your asbestos-related disease, contact the Laconia mesothelioma lawyers of Williams Hart at 800-781-3955. For more than 25 years we have stood with those affected by asbestos in complex and difficult litigation.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma Resource Center
The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Resource Center contains a number of articles that we have chosen for their ability to address the most frequently encountered questions and concerns of individuals who are newly diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. It is our intent that prospective clients might read these pieces carefully and consider how the knowledge they gain bears on the need for and appropriateness of a legal action.
- Asbestos: Exposure Locations / Dangers / Litigation / History
- Mesothelioma: Symptoms / Diagnosis / Stages / Types / Asbestosis
- Treatment: Surgery / Radiation / Chemotherapy / Alternative Therapy
Contact Us
A company's employees should not have to worry that they are being unknowingly endangered by a greedy enterprise. Contact the Laconia mesothelioma attorneys of Williams Hart at 800-781-3955 to hold a negligent former employer accountable for your asbestos-related disease.


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Tesla isn't the next Theranos - here are 10 reasons why
Kimberly White/Getty Images for Fortune
- Tesla and Theranos are sometimes discussed in the same terms, as Tesla CEO Elon Musk has jousted with the SEC and former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes faces criminal charges for accusations of fraud.
- The Tesla-Theranos comparison, like the Tesla-Enron comparison, makes for fiery debates, but the comparison falls apart on closer scrutiny.
- At base, Tesla has a product that's relatively easy to understand - cars - while Theranos product was shrouded in secrecy.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
If you have the misfortune to follow or even periodically stumble across the discussion of Tesla impending bankruptcy on Twitter (#TSLAQ) or elsewhere on the internet, you're aware that the company is now often being compared to Theranos, the onetime $9-billion blood-testing startup that's now worth nothing and whose former CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, is currently facing criminal charges.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has poured fuel on the #TSLAQ fire by running afoul of the Securities and Exchange Commission, just as Holmes did (she settled and was barred from serving as an officer of a public company for a decade). Tesla also added Oracle's Larry Ellison to its board - and Ellison was a Theranos investor.
As l'affaire Theranos has broken out of the business press. John Carreyou's Bad Blood, his account of Holmes' and Theranos' rise and fall, is a bestseller, with a film starring Jennifer Lawrence as Holmes in development. An HBO documentary premiered last month. A general climate of skepticism about Silicon Valley's "save the world" ambitions has also emerged in the aftermath of Facebook's scandals.
Read more: The biggest question for Tesla is whether the company can make steady profits on its cars
This has all undermined the reality of Tesla and replaced it with a sort of wildly speculative canvas onto which assorted conspiracies and malfeasances can be painted. At base, Tesla is a relatively small auto company that, remarkably, has come to dominate the mostly abandoned electric-car business (there are more than a billion cars on the road worldwide, and almost none of them run on electricity).
Outlandish enthusiasm on Wall Street for the future of electric cars - coupled with too much money sloshing around in the economy thanks to post-financial crisis government action - has minted a stupid-high stock price for Tesla and intensified the focus on the company. Tesla itself has struggled mightily with its manufacturing fundamentals, becoming an outlier in an industry that easily built over 17 million cars and light trucks in the US alone last year, while Tesla managed 250,000.
Looks bad, right? But is it Theranos bad? Hardly. Here's why:
Get the latest Tesla stock price here.


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Mar 29, 2008
Excuse me. May I take your picture?
Marchet writes:
This Saturday, we took our little family to the Alpharetta Children's Festival at Wills Park. Along with balloons, face-painting, the puppet show, and the petting zoo, we found some wonderful people willing to pose for impromptu portraits. I've taken to carrying incidental model release forms wherever I go now just in case.
I love having the opportunity to offer a free e-mailed photo or two in exchange for a new face to shoot. These people were no exception. The family at the top of this post were kind enough to move to an area where we could have a neutral background (between an ice cream truck and a cotton candy vendor). And their cute daughter gave me the biggest smile after the "official" family portrait was taken.
The young woman and her chihuahua, Romeo, caught my eye right away. Their similar coloring made them a striking pair. Pose for a picture? No problem; her mom's a photographer too.
The father of the green-clad baby only had eyes for his daughter. That little one might not remember the magic show at the Children's Festival, but we won't forget that angelic face.
So, if you're in a park and meet a brown-haired mom toting a camera, don't be surprised if she asks, "Excuse me. May I take your picture?" It might be me. And the next post might just be about you!
Posted by Unknown
Labels: Impromptu Portraits, Wills Park
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Teachers win technology grants: Students will benefit
Buckeye Elementary School District sixth-grade teacher Ken Vallier knows that writing a grant can pay off.
Vallier, currently a teacher at Jasinski School in the Buckeye Elementary School District wrote his first grant called the CIT Grant – Classroom Improvement Technology Grant, offered by Turning Technologies, a company that specializes in classroom technology and software.
Vallier was notified in early April that he had been selected as a grant winner. According to Vallier, "I was excited to hear that my grant was awarded for this outstanding technology. This was first grant I've applied for. It was encouraging to know that my efforts paid off. I know these applications will really make a difference in the classroom."
Additionally, future Marionneaux Elementary School teacher Tabitha Hegenbart wrote and received a grant including toy kits and lesson plans from Hess Toy Trucks. The project will be for the 7th grade and will include a research, writing and science component and implement their research findings. Students can make calipers to measure their cars and then record the data. Marionneaux is opening August 2017.
BESD Superintendent, Dr. Kristi Sandvik shared, "We're so proud of Ken and Tabitha and their focus on what will benefit students. Ken and Tabitha will be teaching at Marionneaux, BESD's newest school in the fall and they are so excited to use the new technology in their classrooms. We are grateful to Turning Technologies and Hess Trucks for their support and to our amazing teachers for going the extra mile with their determination and writing skills."
The CIT Grant provided 10 grants nationwide for a total of $33,000 giveaway, or $3,300 worth of technology and software per grant. The company received over 100 applications from 26 states. The proposal included how the technology would be used, measure the effectiveness of the technology in the classroom, as well as what academic areas it would address.
There were a total of five pieces to the grant – two hardware and three software. The two hardware pieces were a classroom set (32) of their newest clickers with a full QWERTY keypad that allow students to enter their answers, and a presenter card, of which when plugged into the computer allows the user to walk anywhere in the room and still manage their computer. The three software pieces included polling software and two of the most recent ExamView question banks – one of which is online and will allow the District to have a 4 year license to give assessments through the internet.


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21 April 2018
Dreamhack Masters Marseille is the most stacked CS:GO tournament of the year so far. With the entire top 10 of the HLTV World Rankings on show, the group stages of Marseille were a mouthwatering prospect for Counter-Strike fans from 18 April.
The big casualties
I'm going to focus more on the unexpected exits of these high-profile teams as their results were actually far more surprising than the teams that made it through to the playoffs.
G2 Esports
The first big name team to bomb out early in the competition was G2. After a closely contested 22 – 20 double overtime loss to Cloud 9, they were dismantled by their French countrymen EnVyUs. Even with their recent roster woes, they would have still been bitterly disappointed by the 16 – 7 loss and an early exit at their home event on day one.
Cloud 9's Tarik "tarik" Celik pulled off this amazing flank with a Zeus on an eco, to help steal the round from G2 in their matchup:
SK Gaming
The Brazilian double Major-winners have been looking off their game of late. This precipitated the departure of Epitacio "Taco" de Melo in favour of former Cloud 9 captain Jake "Stewie2K" Yip. Sadly for SK, their first hit out with their new signing did not go well at all. A close opening 16 – 13 loss to Ninjas in Pyjamas, followed by an easy victory over newcomers Valiance set them up for a deciding BO3 matchup versus current world number two team Mousesports. A clean 2 – 0 victory for Mousesports made SK look rather ordinary and sent them packing.
Team Liquid
The current best team in North America, Liquid have been incredibly consistent in making the playoffs in events post Major. The replacement of Lucas "steel" Lopes with SK's Taco created optimism within the team of a good result in France. The optimism was however misplaced with a lack of practice with Taco causing them to have a rather inconsistent LAN. An early 16 – 7 win over Gambit would have made them hopeful before they suffered defeat to Astralis. The Astralis defeat was far worse than the 2 -1 result would indicate with the two map losses to Astralis being big blowout defeats to the Danes. In the BO3 elimination match, Gambit overturned the earlier result to win 2 -1 and send the Americans home early.
Read the full article here.


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Forward hotel selection via email
Like this hotel selection? Or want to recommend it to a friend? Simply forward the whole list by email.
French Alps Hotels
You search for French Alps hotels? French Alps are one of the biggest ski resorts in Europe. Located between the French, Swiss and Italian border, French Alps are a perfect destination for families or for groups of friends. Escapio's French Alps Hotels selection proposes a broad range of activities, coupled with towns' offers, make French Alps the perfect winter destination. Discover our selection of French Alps Ski Hotels and enjoy unforgettable holidays whether you want to ski on a daily basis or just want to relax in a healthy and calm atmosphere.


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Are you a DIY enthusiast and you'd like to try and make something that is not made out of wood? If so, you might want to try Continue Reading
Category: Bedroom
DIY wooden bed headboards are something that you can make for any bedroom and make the bedroom look awesome. If you are renovating or remodeling your bedroom Continue Reading


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This week the erotic author spotlight falls on Lily Harlem. Lily writes for a number of prolific erotic publishing houses, including Ellora's Cave, Totally Bound, Mischief at HarperCollins, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books.
About Lily Harlem
You can find the raunchy words of Lily Harlem in a plethora of erotic anthologies in the UK and USA, as well as reading her sexy stories either as a full length novel or as bite-sized bliss in short stories. Covering the entire spread (!) of the erotic writing spectrum, Lily Harlem writes about intriguing and warm characters and scenes from romance and love to outrageously filthy sex.
Lily Harlem is a consistently popular erotic author, with her works Scored, Anything For Him, Hired, The Virgin (now titled The Novice) & Good Cop, Bad Cop all claiming the top spots on Amazon in the last few months.
Lily Harlem also writes as one of the Brit Babes gang, which you can find out more about over on the Brit Babes erotica website.
Hot Releases
Stories for when the Sun goes Down – Lily Harlem
That Filthy Book – Lily Harlem & Natalie Dae
Spice Rack – Lily Harlem, Karen Stivali & Karen Booth
Sexy as Hell: 6 part Fifty Shades Hotter than Grey Series – Lily Harlem writing as Harlem Dae
Erotica Reviews
Would you like to read some free Lily Harlem erotica in return for writing a guest review at Cara Sutra? Just contact me by email here and I will see what I can arrange for you!
Update: 28 January 2014
Lily has been in touch and has a brand new, exciting release out this week!
The book is from Lily Harlem's Hot Ice series and is entitled Misconduct – all about 'those bad boys of hockey'.
Misconduct Hot Ice, Book #6
(perfect as a standalone read)
Free Excerpt
Contains affiliate links


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Location: Columbus, United States
Member Since: November 2013
Open for read requests: Yes
Featured by author
Short Story / Literary Fiction
Short Story / Non-Fiction
Short Story / Non-Fiction
Profile Information
1000-Word Short Stories About Life, Love, and Everything In Between
This is where you can leave a short message for the writer. All Quickees are public. To leave a private message, use the private.
If you want to write a quickee (a remark or a hint for example) on this writer's profile, please sign in.


text: Why is it that guests on most news shows preface their comments with "Look"? I have observed this most frequently during my obsession with everything political in the last 12-18 months. I first took notice of this practice when watching, then Senator, and now President-Elect Barack Obama. When questioned, he would start of with, "Look" … More Why "Look"?: Musings of an Anal Retentive Observer