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I had to write this...
I haven't been so moved OR felt as much empathy for a character for a long long time. I adore Kurt and always have - he's my favourite - and I've always felt such a connection to his character for some odd reason but now, it's even STRONGER...
"I like romance. That's why I like Broadway musicals, because the touch of fingertips is as sexy as it gets."
That line. My god. The acting... the way he shook his head even before Blaine could finish saying "we should have a conversation about it". I can't even say how much that got to me.
Anyway, I've read a few things since then that have made me so angry. People claiming that Kurt is weird and clearly asexual for feeling that way and secondly, that Blaine was cruel to push him.
I could rant for DAYS about this but I won't! Yes, it's a distinct possibility that Kurt COULD be asexual but, look, April Rhodes gave him Vintage Muscle magazines and he seemed pretty peachy about them and he's sure he LIKES boys and has also tried watching 'those' movies so that points heavily towards the fact that he's gay but holds serious intimacy issues and finds solace in the idealism of an entirely romantic relationship free of that KIND of intimacy. Secondly, Blaine did NOT realise the strength of Kurt's concerns until Kurt almost cried in front of him and asked him to leave. Kurt would have ripped it out of Blaine if he'd have danced silly or done ANYTHING that Kurt found funny - this is KURT after all, Kurt with biting wit and sarcasm! Blaine wasn't being cruel - he tried to help and freaked out a little once he realised this wasn't something minor! Going to someone's dad like that is the sure sign of someone who CLEARLY cares deeply.
The thought of someone taking those scenes OUT of the context they're intended is just SUCH a shame. I REALLY hope that Brad, Ian and Ryan don't forget or push aside those scenes and make Kurt suddenly UP for that kind of thing without treating it properly... it's an issue that's not bandied around enough.
ANYWAY, I really and sincerely hope you enjoy reading... :)
The afternoon had been peaceful, which was a change for the Hudson-Hummel household. Kurt fluffed up his pillows, piling them high behind his back as he flipped through his glossy magazine mindlessly. The silence prompted deep thought and it was entirely distracting, causing Kurt to descend into a daydream.
He was terrified. It wasn't just fear, nor was it concern and it certainly wasn't a normal amount of discomfort that any other teenager would struggle through to reach the other side. It was crippling terror- the kind that makes you catch your breath, freeze, shake and blink back the burn of tears.
The most upsetting thing was the frustration. He knew he shouldn't feel that way, knew he should be like other teenager who seemed to be able to act without restraint but he couldn't act, he could barely even contend with the idea of letting someone see... well, see him. It wasn't that he didn't want it- he did– he wanted to feel that closeness, the touch of another person so bold and spine-tingling but it was the mere thought of it that was so confusing. It was alien to him, so strange to even comprehend and consider because he hadn't so much as been touched by another guy in a way other than predatory and unwanted. Touches were important. He closed his eyes, sinking into his duvet, letting his mind toy with the idea that someone else was moving towards him, leaning on the bed, reaching out to touch, their eyes resolute and deep in a way that meant only one thing -
His eyes snapped open, stomach twisting and eyes prickling. It was too much. His mind flooded with conclusions: 'it's never going to happen to me' and 'nobody will want to see me like that'. He screwed his eyes shut again in an attempt to regulate his shuddering breath and wrapped an arm around himself, curling close against his fur throw, relishing in the comfort he could provide himself – it felt warm and safe. Nobody was judging him, nobody was looking at him, nobody was thinking about him or expecting things of him; it was both horrifyingly lonely and consoling at once. He had nobody to impress at all. His private cocoon was impenetrable in a way that Kurt recognised as both unhealthy and too tempting for his own good.
He didn't hate himself and he wasn't disgusted with the way he looked. He glanced at himself every morning as he left the house and often he liked what he saw- the bold colours, cleverly positioned layers and the various textures combined to make a 'look'. It was the second the clothes came off- that was the crux of the issue. He considered the mirror to be his best friend during his nightly skin care routine but it was akin to a mortal enemy when it displayed his body, unclothed, bare and open for scrutiny in the most embarrassing way. Kurt didn't tend to allow himself those moments; instead he wrapped a thick woollen robe around himself after a shower, covered his pajamas with a matching robe in the evening, he dressed on the other side of his room and was careful to keep his eyes as focused on the floor as he stepped out of the shower. He wasn't fat but wasn't skinny either, which was part of the problem. He was sure there was a scale to measure himself upon but he had no frame of reference for that - no basis upon which to judge himself properly.
He saw his body daily with stark reality. It was awkward and unprepared; it was lean but curvaceous in a way that most guys weren't. He had built shoulders and arms but against a waist as small as his, it was as if he'd been pieced together like a kid's toy- odd and arranged imperfectly. There wasn't a landscape to his body, no comfort there in the curves of his hips and the muscles of his arms. He remembered being referred to as a 'milk maid' and it was a curse he adopted and repeated as a mantra to remind himself that he wasn't like other boys - he was different. It was simultaneously his best quality and his biggest insecurity. Being different was something he prided himself on when the subject turned to culture, talent and fashion but when it was body type and intimacy, his differences were not something he cherished in that respect, they were embarrassing and frustrating; it was the only part of his life in which he craved complete normalcy. Sexy and desirable were words with which he was entirely unfamiliar. He neither embodied them or truly understood what they meant.
He and Blaine had become very close. Blaine was his best friend, alongside Mercedes, but they had something unique, an unspoken understanding. It was a blessing in more ways than one. Kurt felt his heart pen a list of his most dreamt of scenarios on a daily basis, preparing him for a whirlwind romance that he'd longed for from an early age but then there was the big elephant in the room, tainting every hope he had that Blaine would admit some kind of feelings for him. Some day it would have to progress further, someday he'd have to leave his comfort zone and it was enough to quash the twinkling excitement of a new relationship. His first boyfriend would, undoubtedly, be his first... everything else. It was wonderful to spend so much time with Blaine and to feel so cared for – it was something strong and exceptional, which provided an odd blanketed warmth whenever Kurt even contemplated the fact. He had someone to call, someone to sing with, another person to talk to about his interests who wouldn't roll their eyes like Finn or stare blankly like Burt, he had a person to plan with and he had found someone that really saw him and saw through everything to care enough to want to stick around. Kurt was well aware of his luck; it shocked him daily at weird moments like folding his clothes, when he'd remember that Blaine was, for all intent and purpose, the person he wanted as his boyfriend. In those moments, no matter how misguided, the world suddenly got a bit brighter.
The trouble came when reality kicked in. It was all well and good to lie in bed recalling the curls that teased at Blaine's ear or the shining smile he often sent in Kurt's direction but in the cold light of day there was a barrier, so impenetrable and unwanted, standing in his way, one which stopped him from enjoying it all.
They'd planned to spend the night watching DVDs as a break from the slog of mid-terms, which Burt had been happy to give permission to. Blaine would be in his room again, where he often found himself. His curly hair tamed with product, the inimitable Old Hollywood allure, his proportioned frame so strong yet without the height that other guys have. In reality, Blaine shouldn't have stood out and certainly should not have attracted the attention but he did. There was something inherent in him that oozed charm. He had a strange sense of natural born rhythm and presence that enabled him to weave amongst a sea of testosterone and other boys double his height yet still command everyone's attention in a heartbeat. He was thoughtful and serene, cocky and confident but with such a hint of humour which only served to cause people to enamour him more. Kurt knew he could not have asked for a better first boyfriend.
The reality was that he knew the panic all too well; the white wash of paralysing fear that took control and gripped his body in wave after wave of anxiety at the mere suggestion of someone looking at him in a sexual way. All guys wanted something, they surely didn't hit on you to be able to hold hands with you and Kurt was sure they didn't want a fairytale romance filled with long walks, romantic theatre trips and picnics in the park and even if they wanted that, they want everything else too- the kissing, the groping, the sex, the intimate acts which caused Kurt's blood to run cold. Blaine was a boy so surely he wanted these things too- he wasn't a robot.
Kurt swallowed hard, his brow furrowing as he rubbed a hand over his face. It was a person's eyes. He avoided them as often as possible, staring at the ground and even flipping a few sarcastic comments in their direction to keep them at bay- better they think he's an asshole than get too close and realise he's painfully virginal and incapable of mere touching never mind anything else. He'd tried before and look where it'd got him. He was cursed.
He felt his fingers clasp the soft cotton of his sheets in a way that allowed the pent up anger to seep out gradually. He leaned back quickly, fumbling for the buttons on his iPod dock and found his Broadway medley in a second. As he pressed play and settled back against his fur throw, the lilting melodies took over and soothed his soul. It was the way life should be. He had meant every word when he'd told Blaine that he liked romance. He dreamt of it daily if he was honest; the soft caress of fingers over hands, teasing at the skin gently then holding tight, warm and solid. To walk hand in hand with another was a big deal and he felt horridly childish for thinking so but a kiss had been stolen so quickly and callously from him- he wanted a moment that he could call his own and claim. For someone to reach out and take a hand showed a great deal of affection, of genuine care and attention but lacked the expectation to progress any further into any territory which gripped Kurt's nerves in a vice-like manner. It was the most intimate Kurt could see himself being but, at the same time, his brain toyed with the idea of someone pulling him closer and pressing a small kiss to his lips. As cripplingly frightening as it felt to imagine such a thing, Kurt recognised the tiny cascade of shivers that travelled down his spine at the mere thought. He'd be lying if he said he didn't touch himself and hadn't experimented in that way but, still, he was alone, embarrassed at himself behind closed doors and entirely free from ridicule. These were things he wanted but such things didn't happen to him- they were the work of fictional characters and the rest of the world.
He snapped his head up, releasing the material clawed in his grip and flushed an embarrassingly deep shade of red as if Blaine could read his mind.
"I- I didn't know you were coming over so early," he rushed out, switching off his iPod dock in a second.
"Oh it's ok, I text you but you didn't reply so I thought I'd come over early as a surprise." Kurt watched as Blaine flopped down on his bed, easy and fluid, with a sparkling grin in his distinct direction. "Are you ok?"
"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?" There was the frustration again. He shook his head, easing out a smile as he sat up, watching as Blaine pulled a pile of DVDs out of his bag and splayed them on the bed.
"I brought some I know you haven't seen and some classics too. I didn't know what kind of mood we'd be in."
Kurt wasn't stiflingly nervous around Blaine as such but he was still a boy, in his room, on his bed, which provided a list of three reasons guaranteed to mask Kurt's mood in a thin film of stark awareness. Every move Kurt made was still considered, his brain flooding with how things could change all at once, how Blaine could suddenly crawl over and do something unexpected, breaking down whatever walls Kurt usually placed around himself. It was the lack of control that sparked the fear. They'd hardly progressed at all and the panic was beginning to set in- something was going to have to give and Kurt wasn't all too sure he was capable or ready.
"You brought The Breakfast Club?" Kurt asked with a smile, toying with the box.
"I know, I know, I always go on about it but it's such a good movie and you know my love for the Brat Pack movies. Blame my mother, she did name me after a character from one."
Kurt laughed lightly, passing Blaine the box resolutely as a signal to just 'get on with it'. The light shone in Blaine's eyes as he, clearly pleased with himself, climbed off the edge of Kurt's bed to set it up. The way Blaine moved was addictive and inspiring. He was so able to just fit into his surroundings with an almost arrogant sense of belonging, something which Kurt admired. He didn't have such a gift unfortunately and often, despite his ability to switch on the confidence, felt himself watching everything in his own unique way of over-thinking the world.
As the titles rolled and Blaine settled back against the pillows, he watched as Kurt focused on the screen. His shoulders were still heightened, raised a little. Someone who didn't know Kurt too well wouldn't notice at all but it was all so noticeable now when Blaine considered their months of friendship. Blaine couldn't recall a moment when Kurt had instigated a touch between them that was anything but necessary and it wasn't as if they hadn't touched at all – they had. Blaine was the affectionate one, the one quick to grab shoulders, hold hands and playfully nudge but, still, after months of being almost inseparable and experiencing their fair share of ups and downs, Blaine could still tell that Kurt was on edge. It wasn't something he took personally but was a concern. It was a concern he wanted to help with so badly that he had tried to find the right moment to address it.
The first time he'd reached out to hold Kurt's hand, there'd been a... moment. He'd flinched and jumped, his body turning rigid in a second, before softening with a grateful smile and pinkness to his cheeks. Blaine had beamed back – he wanted to show how nice it felt – but Kurt hadn't reached out himself since.
Twenty minutes into the movie, Kurt shuffled to his side a little, feeling the dip in the mattress.
"Am I taking up too much room?" Blaine asked, feeling the thickness of the atmosphere.
"No. Not at all," Kurt replied, with a sincere attempt to appear at ease, "just skinny jeans aren't the most comfortable things to sit in sometimes but I guess you have to suffer for fashion.."
Blaine chuckled sinking further back. He turned his head, keeping his eyes locked on Kurt's for longer than normal. It was dark outside now, the lamp light on Kurt's nightstand providing the only source of light and consequently casting the prettiest shadows across his skin. That sight was one Blaine would never get used to.
"What?" Kurt asked, his hand flying to his face immediately. Blaine reached out and drew it down, placing it back on Kurt's knee.
"Nothing," he explained, "do I need an excuse?"
Kurt smiled, glancing down at his hands. "I guess not." He turned his attention back to the screen once more, eyes boring into it as if his life depended upon it. The nerves trickled their way down his spine, sending waves of anxiety through his limbs.
""Kurt, can I talk to you about something?"
There it was.
"Mmm hmm," he replied, turning with raised eyebrows and pursed lips.
Blaine settled himself to face Kurt. He took a deep breath, laboriously slow and controlled. "Can you remember when we talked after we performed for the Crawford girls?"
Kurt nodded stiffly. "Yes."
"We never talked about it again and I always felt like we... well, like we should have because I could see you were upset."
"Blaine that was months ago, it's fine," he replied, turning instantly back to watch Allie Sheedy. He wasn't ready then and certainly wasn't ready now.
"Kurt," Blaine urged, placing a firm hand on his arm. Kurt flinched, his heart quickening. He closed his eyes tight and waited. "Hey... I didn't mean to upset you."
Kurt fought the tears that threatened at his throat. Blaine's voice was ever so soothing, the kind that anyone would respond to with dreamy eyes and a flirtatious tilt of the head. He wanted to respond that way, wanted to do what people did on stage, in movies, in books and just smile, lean in, maybe brush away a stray curl and press a kiss to Blaine's lips to claim him and show every shred of emotion he felt inside. Wishes were all well and good...
"You didn't." The shock that followed after hearing his own voice so broken was painful – he couldn't keep the tears at bay for very long. It was embarrassing.
"Look, I'm just not very good at this." He slowly opened his eyes, keeping them on his knees.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Blaine could see the shake to Kurt's fingers. It wasn't much but it was enough to act as a catalyst for the rush of warmth and protection that surged through him. Nobody had done this for Kurt and it was about time somebody did. Somebody needed to help and understand.
Kurt lifted his gaze and peered, through his eyelashes, for a millisecond. Blaine smiled with a duck of his head.
"It's embarrassing," Kurt replied. He couldn't stop his lips quivering of their own accord. This couldn't be happening.
"I'm not judging. I want to help because it's clearly upsetting you and that's not ok."
Kurt swallowed hard. "I just," he tried, his voice shaking, "I think I might have a problem with stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" Blaine asked, his voice couched in warmth.
There was a strained silence as Kurt closed his eyes against the sting of tears and bit back a sob. "Erm," he breathed in an attempt to fight it all back inside, "intimacy stuff."
"I see," Blaine said simply, looking directly at Kurt's cheeks. They were flushed and smattered with pink, his eyes rimmed with glistening tears. Blaine felt his heart ache in a way he wasn't used to. The urge to pull Kurt to him, to wrap him up and just promise him that he'd be fine was too overpowering. He couldn't- his job was to listen.
"What is it that you're frightened of?"
Kurt took a breath and looked up, meeting Blaine's eyes for the first time. They weren't judgemental or tinged with ridicule, they were just open and honest. A single tear dropped down his cheek, landing on the arm of his sweater leaving a dark stain. "Everything," he said simply, breathless, "I just can't-" Blaine brushed his fingers over Kurt's lightly. "It's so embarrassing. I don't want you to pity me."
"Believe me," Blaine urged, "I'm not sitting here out of pity, Kurt. I want to help."
"Nobody wants this," Kurt choked, the tears flowing down his cheeks now. He balled his hand up, pressing it under his eyes but the tears kept rolling over his knuckles, down his arms and pooling at the crook of his elbows. "I just know nobody is going to want to have to work so hard for-"
"For you?" Blaine asked, incredulously, "because Kurt if that's what you were going to say then you're crazy."
"No I'm not," he groaned, sniffing loudly before swallowing hard, "because I'm almost at college age and I haven't had so much as an offer."
"I just can't do what other people do," Kurt choked out, "I'm not like Finn or Sam or Mike. They all act like it's no big deal, like it's natural."
"Kurt, everyone's different and-"
"And what, Blaine?" he asked, frowning deeply as a fresh set of tears collected at his eyelashes, "it'll just take time? It'll happen eventually?"
"Of course it will," Blaine soothed, nodding gently, "and someone will not only understand but they'll help too."
"Nobody wants to have to work that hard, Blaine. I'm not so stupid to believe that."
"How do you know?"
"Because," Kurt sniffed, wiping his cheeks with the back of his hands, "I can't- I can't do all of the things that other people do so easily and who is going to sign up for that?"
"Someone who sees you for who you are."
"I just don't see why anyone would want to work that hard."
Blaine watched as a stray tear fell heavily onto the neckline of Kurt's sweater. "Why do you think you feel this way?"
A shudder travelled down Kurt's spine and wracked his shoulder blades, causing them to shake. He couldn't contain the feeling any longer. The shame of sitting in front of someone being so open like this, saying these things, was too upsetting to describe. "Embarrassment. Fear of... someone seeing me that way, of realising that I'm not like other people. I don't like the thought of another person acting in that way with me..." He couldn't finish.
"Kurt, when someone cares about you and wants to be with you, they don't judge you that way. They love you for you."
"Even if someone did like me-" Kurt stuttered out, fumbling over every syllable in an attempt to gain control of himself once more but it was too hard. His mind flooded with images of another person getting so close, of their eyes tracking every curve of his body, of the way he'd look and feel and the desperate drag of wishing he was covered, hidden and far away from exposure of any kind. "Even if they did, it's too hard."
"Is this about Karovsky?" Blaine asked softly, leaning down to try and capture Kurt's gaze. Kurt shook his head, wiping at his eyes once more with a trembling hand.
"Not all of it. I just- nobody has- I've never had someone who had just wanted to-" Blaine was sure he could feel his heart breaking. "Nobody has just... nobody has ever touched me in that way."
Blaine closed his eyes, focusing on his own breathing. There was no justice in the world when people so loving, so inherently fascinating and compassionate were treated with such disrespect. Nobody considered the consequences.
"Kurt, you have to listen when I say this. What Karovsky did... it doesn't feel like that. What he did was wrong and I know it hurt you and frightened you but it's not like that when someone cares."
"I cared about Finn," Kurt sobbed out, letting his head fall into his hands, "and I know he's my brother now but when we weren't and I felt those things... he didn't want me anywhere near him. He used to flinch whenever I went anywhere near him and I know he's not gay but it still hurt."
"People don't see the effect their actions have, Kurt. They don't consider how it makes people feel."
"I want all of that," Kurt said quietly, under his breath, "I want to know what it feels like, what it all feels like. I want to know what it's like to have someone like Finn had Rachel and Artie has Brittany. I want to be able to hold someone's hand. Urgh, I sound like a child."
"No you don't," Blaine pushed firmly, "you don't at all. Do you not see how normal that is?"
"I'm seventeen and I haven't done even a fraction of what everyone else has."
"It's not a race, Kurt," Blaine half laughed affectionately, moving his hand closer across the duvet. He felt the tension coil again, desperate to pull Kurt to him.
"I know but I want to know what it's all like and I can't. It's like something's stopping me and I run away from it. It makes me feel sick and anxious."
"Kurt, look at me," Blaine urged, sitting tall, "Look." Kurt wiped his eyes furiously. He took a breath before lifting his head delicately.
"I don't want to scare you. I'm not trying to push you to do anything you don't want to and you need to tell me stop if you feel uncomfortable but can we try something?"
A small smile from Blaine was enough to dissolve a fraction of the nerves bubbling in Kurt's stomach. He watched as a small curl fell onto Blaine's temple. He was so close and so kind that it would have been so simple to just reach out and touch but the insecurity set in as always- how did he know if Blaine would want that? How did he know that Blaine wouldn't look at him and laugh? Would he make a fool out of himself?
"Give me your hand."
Kurt's eyes opened wide. He swallowed before tentatively resting his hand on the bed in front of him. "What are you going to do?"
That was when Blaine understood. The simple question. Control. It was the biggest issue of them all and one which was so difficult to untangle. Giving Kurt the control would trigger avoidance and his fears would take hold once more to ensure he didn't take that step but, on the other hand, he needed someone to talk him through anything and everything. That person had to ensure they didn't just act outright until Kurt was ready and in complete and utter trust. It all made so much sense now.
"Just touch."
Kurt felt a cascade of something down his back. He shivered and realised that not only were those feelings real, regardless of how masked they were by his alertness and anxiety in the moment, but they were strong and... nice.
Kurt watched as Blaine traced his finger from the dip at his wrist to the join just below his middle finger. The touch was feather-light and ticklish. "You ok?" Blaine asked sincerely, keeping his eyes on Kurt for any sign that he should stop. He received a small nod in reply. As his finger encircled Kurt's palm, drawing a single line along each finger, Blaine tracked along Kurt's wrist and began, gently, to travel along his forearm. His eyes never left Kurt's face.
"Tell me about the clothes you bought yesterday."
Kurt looked up quickly, dumfounded. "What?" he asked, his voice slight and still thick with emotion.
"Talk me through what you bought." Blaine smiled, realising his fingertips had reached the crook of Kurt's elbow.
"A new scarf," Kurt said quietly, breathing deep. Blaine touched gently over the rim of Kurt's shirt that cuffed at his elbow and began to travel up his arm, over the material. He smiled, watching Kurt's eyes flutter closed, the fine hairs on his arm rising a little as goose bumps formed.
"What colour?"
"Green and silk. It was... the only one left and... I had to buy it."
"Did you get anything else?"
As his fingertips neared the collar of Kurt's shirt, he stopped momentarily. He watched Kurt's breathing hitch but he didn't move away, he didn't put a stop to the experiment. His index finger found the curve of Kurt's neck, travelling in swirling patterns until he reached the angle of his collar bone. He took time to trace around it, pausing at every end to loop back carefully.
Kurt's skin was on fire, tingles tumbling over every expanse of skin and down every limb. He couldn't move and hardly found the ability to breathe but somehow the panic of the moment was waning slowly, subsiding to allow his body to recognise the actual situation he was placed in. It wasn't completely comfortable by any stretch of the imagination but Blaine was so close and so gentle that every touch felt like a new experience. He breathed through the nerves and focused on his own voice, which he was shocked to realise was becoming slightly more resolute.
"A coat. It's grey and tweed. This season... this season is high on riding attire and I... I liked the thought of elbow patches so I... I bought it to, to go with a pair of boots I bought a couple of months ago."
"Kurt?" Blaine watched as Kurt opened his eyes. The glittering blue shocked him for a second, his heart thudding deep in his chest. How anyone who looked as devastatingly gorgeous as Kurt could believe he was anything other than desirable was mind boggling. "Are you alright?"
"Why did you-?"
Blaine offered a warm smile. "That's what it's like."
Kurt blinked back at him, tears threatening once more. "Um-"
Blaine could see the unease tugging at Kurt's features. It was becoming too focused on him.
"Now it's your turn."
"I want you to do the same to me."
"Blaine, no, I-"
He shuffled back, feeling the ache of fear and the rush of desperation to fight through it. He tried to move but Blaine placed a hand steadily on his.
"Am I scaring you?"
"No," Kurt lied.
"I'm here because I want to be and I'm not going to pull away. Why would I?"
Kurt watched Blaine's eyes slide closed, his hand laid open on the bed in front of him- waiting. He stretched his own fingers, noticing the way they were shaking slightly. "I don't know what to do," he whispered, saturated with emotion.
"Whatever you feel comfortable with."
"This is so embarrassing," Kurt choked out, "you shouldn't have to do this."
"I'm not embarrassed. I just hate that you think someone wouldn't want you close to them. I want to help you realise that just because you're scared, that doesn't mean that someone is going to judge you for it. I'm terrified of so much too."
Kurt's eyes fell as he breathed out heavily. "It's you though."
Blaine finally opened his eyes. "And?" he asked, smirking with a hint of playfulness.
"Someone else isn't going to be like this... they're not going to be like you."
In the few moments of silence that reined, Blaine knew he had to get this right. There was only one chance of getting this perfect and in a way that Kurt would understand and actually accept.
"I need you to listen to me," he said simply, keeping his eyes locked on Kurt's, "and I want you to believe me because I'm being completely serious when I say this. I ... um, you remember Valentine's Day when were in the Lima Bean? You remember what we said to each other?"
Kurt was sure he stopped breathing. He could feel every single part of his body stand alert. "You said you weren't good with romance and that you didn't want to screw this up."
A wrinkle appeared as Blaine frowned slightly, wishing he hadn't quite phrased it that way. "Then you said it's just like 'When Harry Met Sally' to which I replied ... 'don't they get together in the end'?"
Kurt could feel his finger trembling again so he clasped them together tightly at the rush of emotion that filled his chest. He blinked back at Blaine, unable to stop looking into the hazel of his eyes. "I remember."
"Kurt, I meant that," he sighed, smiling as an offering of understanding, "I am no good at romance. I screw things up and I usually jump head first into things without thinking. I don't want to do that to... I mean, I don't want to be like that with you."
"What do you mean?" Kurt asked with a shake to his words, unsure as to how he even managed to form words.
"I mean that I care far too much."
"I know you do."
"No, Kurt," he laughed, full of affection, "I don't just mean that you're my best friend. I mean that I care, a lot more than that. I don't... I don't just want to be your friend forever."
It was as if he was weighed down into the mattress. Kurt couldn't move, nor could he think straight. His first reaction was to run, then he wanted to laugh and finally, he wanted to cry. He was a mess and here, sitting in front of him was the guy he'd dreamed about for months with a revelation left hanging in mid air between them. There was no way he could be serious, not really. It was too good to be true.
"Let me be blunt for a moment," Blaine smiled, shaking his head in an attempt to relieve the tension, "your eyes... your eyes are breath taking. They're this indescribable colour and they sparkle. I've never met anyone with eyes that sparkle. You argue with me. I'm stubborn and can come across as overpowering at times but you don't let me... you kick me to the curb. Plus you look staggeringly good in skinny jeans, despite them being less than comfortable to sit in. I'm not going to go on but..."
Kurt was on fire. It was the only conclusion he could come to when he couldn't control the blush that burned his skin a deep red. He tried to duck his head to hide his face, feeling ever the teenager, but before he could, Blaine's cool fingertip brushed a single line across his cheek leaving his skin feeling scorched. He had to speak before Blaine even considered that his feelings weren't returned. The anxiety rose quickly but was swallowed down by a fighting instinct rising to the surface from a place deep down.
"I really like you." It was all he could manage but hope sprung and he held his breath, praying it was enough.
Blaine's heart soared secretly, instigating a wide smile. "We've got plenty of time for that but... ditto."
"Thank you," Kurt rushed out before his brain intervened.
"What for?"
"This," Kurt gestured between them, unsure exactly what he was referring to himself but, really, it was everything. In a single moment, Blaine had made him feel more comfortable and cherished than he'd ever felt in his entire life.
"We think about the here and now, ok? We take each day as it comes. We do what you feel comfortable with and only that, no matter how slow we take it. I think we both need it to be that way." It was at that moment that Kurt saw the flicker of sincerity in Blaine's eyes. He wasn't as 'put together' as he seemed, he wasn't as sure about himself as the world around him, including The Warblers, believed him to be. "We learn together, ok?"
Kurt sighed, feeling his eyes well up again. He nodded with a tiny smile so fused with gratitude and emotion.
"I'd like that."
For some unknown reason, Blaine's glanced at the clock which flashed eleven o'clock. "Oh god, I need to go," He turned back to Kurt, speaking carefully, "but I'm going to come by tomorrow and we'll go somewhere if you'd like? It is Saturday after all?"
Blaine made to stand, straightening his shirt. He swung his bag over his shoulder and turned to where Kurt was standing by the bed. "Thank you for- for tonight... I ..."
Blaine smiled as he slipped his shoes back on. He stepped close to Kurt, retaining a comfortable but intimate distance. Kurt didn't flinch, nor did her move. His eyes widened a little but it was then that Blaine witnessed him smile and he knew that as long as he lived, he would never ever forget the way Kurt looked in that moment. His cheeks were flushed, eyelashes damp and separated and his hair, so soft and still miraculously coiffed perfectly – he was beautiful.
"You're worth it... worth everything."
With that, Blaine let his fingertips rest momentarily against Kurt's chest before ducking his head with a small smile and leaving the room silently.
It took minutes, possibly hours, for Kurt's heart to calm and his skin to cool but as he sat on the edge of his bed, the room still his own and shrouded in comfort, he realised what he had never dared to before – he could finally allow his daydreams and ideals come to fruition but not isolated, he had someone in his life who cared and who would never judge. Despite the fact it would still take a large number of baby steps to get to where he wanted to be, he held trust in another who didn't just listen but understood without question.
As he slipped his jeans off, followed by his shirt, he glanced into his bathroom mirror for a second. He forced himself, eyes lingering purposefully as he slid his pajamas on. After offering a tiny smile to himself in the mirror, he climbed into bed, dragging the pillow that Blaine had been leaning against to his chest, laying his head down gently. Tomorrow would be scary but, for the first time, he had an inexplicable strand of hope to hold tightly onto.
Thank you so much for reading :) I'd love to know what you guys thought but regardless, I hope you enjoyed it.


text:
Baby Boomer Retirement will create US income growth in the next decade.
Tina Miller, MA,CFLE stashed this in economy
Stashed in: Economics!, Wealth!
To save this post, select a stash from drop-down menu or type in a new one:
The US labor pool will grow 75% more slowly than usual over the next decade due to heavy retirement. This will: Bring unemployment down quickly, even if we attract more people back to the labor force, and Create wage inflation as employers finally have to compete for talent
This will help but it will take many years to bring unemployment down:
In 2012, the labor pool growth got cut in half, to 0.9 million, as 4.5 million people turned 20, and the number of people turning 65 skyrocketed to 3.6 million. Looking forward, the labor pool growth will steadily decline to a paltry 0.2 million in 2022, where it will stay flat for several years.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
11 May 2009,
Price realised CHF 7,750
Estimate CHF 4,000 - CHF 6,000
Rolex. A stainless steel automatic dual time wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, bracelet, original guarantee, tag and seal
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, GMT Master, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, ref. 1675, case no. 5'552'958, manufactured in 1978
Cal. 1570 nickel-finished lever movement, 26 jewels, black matte dial, luminous dot, baton and dagger numerals, luminous central hand for the second time zone, sweep centre seconds hand, magnified window for date, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, revolving blue and red bezel calibrated for 24 hours, screw back, screw down crown, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial and movement signed
39 mm. diam.
New York +1 212 636 2000
London +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Hong Kong +852 2760 1766
Shanghai +86 21 6355 1766
Dr. Nathalie Monbaron
Tel: +41 (0)22 319 1724
Sabine Kegel
Tel: +41 (0)22 319 1723
With Rolex Full One Year Warranty and Official Chronometer Certification dated April 1981, sales tag, seal and box.
Special Notice
Prospective buyers should be aware that the importation of Rolex watches into the United States is highly restricted. Rolex watches may not be shipped into the USA and can only be imported personally. Generally a buyer may import only one watch into the USA. For further information please contact our specialists in charge of the sale. Please note other countries may have comparable import restrictions for luxury watches.


text:
Canvas Check and Leather Backpack
£650 £650
£450 £450
Size Guide
Use the Size Guide to choose the best fit for your measurements.
In this window, you can find out the shipping and returns options for the selected item.
In this window, you can contact customer service for further assistance.
- A durable backpack assembled from leather and Canvas check. With multiple zip pockets to keep essentials organised and a protective quilted back panel, it is a smart, understated choice for the commute.
- 29 x 15 x 40cm/11.4 x 5.9 x 15.7in
- Outer: 56% jute, 44% cotton with leather trim
- Lining: 100% cotton
- One external zip pocket, one internal slip pocket and one zip pocket
- Top handle, adjustable shoulder straps
- Zip fastening
- Embossed Burberry lettering at front
- Imported
Item 40333961
Recommended Products


text:
All Android applications categories
Damascus Jigsaw Puzzle
This game contains the best pictures of your favorite theme. Now you can at any time and anywhere you want to play puzzle games and get fun. For the game does not need internet connection. In this application, several levels of difficulty. You start with the most simple level, will be increased further. Once you assemble the picture, you can select it in the gallery as your wallpaper or pass again this puzzle.
Damascus, commonly known in Syria as ash-Sham and nicknamed as the City of Jasmine, is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo. It borders Quneitra, Daraa and As-Suwayda to the south, Jordan to the east, Homs to the north, and Lebanon to the west. It is also the capital city of one of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major cultural and religious center of the Levant. The city has an estimated population of 1,711,000 (2009 est.).
Located in southwestern Syria, Damascus is the center of a large metropolitan area of 2.6 million people (2004). Geographically embedded on the eastern foothills of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range 80 kilometres (50 mi) inland from the eastern shore of the Mediterranean on a plateau 680 metres (2,230 ft) above sea-level, Damascus experiences a semi-arid climate due to the rain shadow effect. The Barada River flows through Damascus.
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Ideally I should have patented this idea before releasing the same to general public, but I'm generous enough to throw it open.
This is a free idea from my side for anyone in automobile industry willing to implement.
What is this idea?
Introduce fingerprint ignition in bikes and eliminate the need for keys (or use in combination with conventional key)
Is it tough to implement?
I don't think so. Fingerprint authentication is readily available in most of the notebook models, so the technology is available. To use it in bikes bike makers will have to design microprocessor controlled circuit completion mechanism which will either replace or complement current practice of completing the ignition circuit only when a particular key is used (levers will move and close the circuit only when a specific key is used) with fingerprint based circuit completion.
Technically this is achievable.
What do you achieve? (Benefits)
1. Swipe ur finger and start the bike-No need to carry keys.
2. Traffic cop will be helpless when he tries to remove the keys from your bike…
3. Safety for your bikes.
1. Each user will need to be configured to store his fingerprint in order to use the bike.
2. Mechanical devices are more reliable that softwares…If the fingerprint sensor stops working or malfunctions and you can not start the bike, everyone around will think you are trying to steal the bike…
3. Filmmakers across the globe will be in big trouble… Whenever hero needs a vehicle in the middle of nowhere, these filmmakers ensure that someone has parked his bike somewhere nearby and usually is little away from scene, releasing excess body liquid, so that hero can steal the bike. With fingerprint authentication, these heroes will be in trouble.
Comment in your ideas.
Image from http://www.securenetsol.com/
Related; |If Dell sells Motorcycles | Unicorn 2007 Bike review |
Sunday, December 16, 2007
New idea: fingerprint authentication for bikes
Ideally I should have patented this idea before releasing the same to general public, but I'm generous enough to throw it open.
6 comments :
- Sandesh said...
hehe! Good idea!
I totally agree with the pros that you've mentioned. Here are some of the cons which i thought
practically thinking, fingerprint ignition forces us to ride vehicles without gloves!
Also. what should the people who use old bikes do?? They have a kickstart mechanism. we should take the footprint mechanism for them. (I they dont wear any footwear.)
Thinking of movies, I like to suggest something that i've watched in a movie. Forgot the movie name but an Arnold Schwarzenegger starrer, where he cuts the hand or the finger to gain access.
P.S - This comment is purely to be taken in comical sense. Its not against anything.
- Sunday, December 16, 2007 11:58:00 AM
Sounds like a good idea, but one factor you've missed out is that friends
usually lend each other bikes so if finger-printing is introduced family or
friends won't be able to use your bike in an emergency. (unless you've
already configured it to accept multiple fingerprints)
- Monday, December 17, 2007 6:24:00 PM
- Logesh TamilSelvan said...
hey shri thats a good idea...
who knows our bike stealers will find a more advanced technology to violate this.. he he...
- Monday, December 17, 2007 8:54:00 PM
- Shrinidhi Hande said...
I agree on gloves part.
Old bikes can be used with keys or can be upgraded...
Kick start can be retained as business continuity.
Hari: How about creating a group account which will accept fingerprint of all group members?
Logesh: Yes, theives are more innovative...we'll see...
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 9:39:00 AM
- FM said...
To be frank, this is not a NEW idea,
Such type of locks are available for cars and one can find a reseller in metros (mumbai,delhi) easily.
i've seen a demo in a car.
Generally it's not used in car or bikes, coz (1) it's expensive right now (2) inconvenience and impractical for use.
- Tuesday, April 15, 2008 5:53:00 PM
- Shrinidhi Hande said...
Ok, I didn't know that such a solution is readily available in India.
- Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:35:00 PM


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SALISBURY, N.C. — Beth Newlands Campbell has been named to succeed Cathy Green Burns as president of Food Lion as part of a major shakeup under the new leadership at Delhaize America.
Just two months after taking over as chief executive officer of Delhaize America, Roland Smith, the West Point grad who previously ran the Wendy's and Arby's fast-food chains, removed Green Burns from her post
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Mike Brown - Articles and news items
Government confirms step-free access funding for Crossrail
Rail industry news / 18 November 2014 /
All of the stations on the Crossrail project will now offer step-free access thanks to £14 million of investment announced by Transport Minister Baroness Kramer…
Contract signed for MTR to run Crossrail services
Rail industry news / 30 July 2014 /
Transport for London and MTR have now signed the contract for the operation of Crossrail services…
Chancellor unveils Crossrail's new tunnels under the Thames
Rail industry news / 16 June 2014 /
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. George Osborne MP, unveiled London's newest tunnel under the River Thames….
Contract signed for Bombardier to deliver Crossrail rolling stock and depot contract
Rail industry news / 19 February 2014 /
Transport for London confirmed that, following the completion of a 10 day standstill period, it has now signed a contract with Bombardier for the delivery of rolling stock and a new depot for Crossrail…
Green light for Crossrail station at Woolwich
Rail industry news / 25 July 2013 /
TfL and DfT, sponsors of Crossrail, have confirmed that Crossrail services will call at Woolwich…
TfL to take over key commuter rail routes out of Liverpool Street Station
Rail industry news / 2 July 2013 /
"We are pleased that the Department for Transport has agreed to devolve rail services to TfL…"
Passenger satisfaction in London Overground continues to soar since being taken over by the Mayor
Rail industry news / 28 June 2012 /
Passenger satisfaction at 90%, compared to 82% average in London and South East…
Crucial London overground rail link opens three months early
Rail industry news / 28 February 2011 /
Rail link allows passengers to move swiftly between north London, the City, Docklands & the south of the capital opened three months ahead of schedule…


text:
Question about Lightware Legend LS-8 Multimedia Projector
I have LS-8 Legend Projector, when i turn it on, displays the typical Lightware logo with white background, then few minutes later displays the message that says no signal detected in blue or black background, the problem is that after 2 or 3 minutes turned on the image is missing, keep coming and going then finally the projector turns off itself. Any ideas????
Posted by CESAR_RMZ on
SOURCE: Scout lightware projector. I have lost the original fuse.
The projector takes a 5 amp fuse. The manufacturer gave me the information.
Posted on Dec 05, 2008
SOURCE: I have a Lightware projector
good luck finding anyone to fix that, much less anyone who carries parts. you can try finding a service center by searching the lightware site.
Posted on Aug 19, 2009
SOURCE: Won't turn on.
It is cheaper to buy a used one off of ebay than have it repaired.It is so out dated that most shops won't touch them.If you buy another keep the old one for parts ,they are great little projectors.
Posted on Oct 27, 2009
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Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover
Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover is truly magical. Just dip your finger into the nail polish remover pot, twist it and voila, polish free nails! No cotton wool pads required.
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text:
Google Advertising Dominance Dims Startups' IPO Prospects: Tech
The online advertising industry is booming. That means little to the hundreds of ad-technology startups that are being shunned by the public markets.
Even as online ad sales are seen surging almost 60 percent to $163 billion in 2016, video-ad provider YuMe Inc. (YUME) lowered its initial public offering price this week because of slack demand for the stock. Other newcomers Tremor Video Inc. and Millennial Media Inc. have tumbled since their public market debuts, while Adap.tv opted for a sale to AOL Inc. instead of an IPO.
The challenge for all emerging Web advertising companies is that Google Inc. (GOOG) controls more than 40 percent of the industry, mostly through its search engine, and has made acquisitions in display, video and mobile. Investors are skeptical of betting on mostly unprofitable upstarts in a highly fragmented market, where Google has the power to control pricing and crush competitors, said Michael Binger, a portfolio manager at Gradient Investments LLC and Google shareholder.
"There's always that pervasive threat," said Binger, whose Minneapolis-based firm manages $360 million. "I'm more interested in stable, profitable, growing companies that are taking share."
The IPO struggles are sending ripples through Silicon Valley, where venture investors have poured $7.4 billion into over 1,000 ad-technology startups in the past decade, according to a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the National Venture Capital Association. Luma Partners LLC, a media and technology investment bank, estimates the amount invested is closer to $13 billion.
Holding Off
Venture firms need IPOs and acquisitions to generate returns and raise additional capital to back the next wave of entrepreneurs. Yet companies like Exponential Interactive Inc., the parent of diplay-ad provider Tribal Fusion, are holding off on going public as long as the market appears unreceptive.
"We are waiting for the market to change," said Dilip Dasilva, chief executive officer of Emeryville, California-based Exponential, in an interview. "We'll keep a close eye on how these companies are doing."
YuMe sold shares on Aug. 6 for $9, below its projected range of $12 to $14. The stock was unchanged yesterday in its first day of trading. Tremor (TRMR), a YuMe competitor, has tumbled 19 percent since going public in June, and mobile-ad provider Millennial has dropped 37 percent in its 17 months on the market.
They're all trading at a discount to Google, which is valued at 5.2 times revenue over the past 12 months. YuMe trades for 2.3 times revenue, Millennial for 3.2 and Tremor for 3.5.
Low Valuations
The recent performance of ad-tech startups is "definitely going to weigh on the minds of IPO investors," said Tom Taulli, founder of Los Angeles-based IPOPlaybook.com.
All the while, digital advertising is surging. Spending worldwide, which crossed $100 billion last year, is projected to reach $118.4 billion this year and jump to $163 billion in three years, according to researcher EMarketer Inc. Growth of 15.1 percent in 2013 is more than 4 times the expected increase of 3.5 percent for the overall ad market, according to ZenithOptimedia.
The rush to the Web has spurred mergers and acquisitions in the traditional advertising market, culminating last month in the announced tie-up of Publicis Groupe SA (PUB) and Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC), which have a combined market value of about $33 billion. The joint entity's size may provide more heft in negotiating ad rates online, where Google dominates and Facebook Inc. is rapidly growing.
Adap.tv Sale
Digital-ad startups without that leverage are weighing the potential branding and economic benefits of going public with the risk of seeing their stock tank. Adap.tv, a video-ad provider that had been in talks with bankers about an IPO, agreed yesterday to sell itself to AOL for $405 million.
Companies that have hired bankers or filed to go public confidentially under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act include ad-targeting software developer Rocket Fuel Inc. and brand marketer Collective Media Inc., according to a person with familiar their plans. French web-ad company Criteo SA has picked JPMorgan Chase & Co. to help it go public in the U.S. this year, people with knowledge of the plans said in April.
Jessica Cheney, a spokeswoman for Rocket Fuel, declined to comment, as did Alexandra Pelissero, a spokeswoman for Criteo, and Collective Chief Marketing Officer Ed Dandridge.
While each company tries to differentiate itself by claiming better relationships with publishers, novel technology or leadership of a fast-growing segment, investors are more concerned with financial results.
Losing Money
YuMe, Tremor, Millennial and Marin Software Inc. (MRIN), another recent IPO, each lost money in the most recent quarter, as Google reported net income of $3.2 billion.
"Ad-tech is a challenged space," said Navin Chaddha, a managing director at Mayfield Fund in Menlo Park, California, which has investments in online advertising. Some that went public "could be features or offerings of bigger companies," he said.
Frank Addante, CEO of Mayfield-backed Rubicon Project, isn't talking publicly about an IPO, even though his Los Angeles-based company is profitable and topped $100 million in revenue three years ago. Rubicon, whose technology automates the buying and selling of ads for marketers and publishers, reached 95 percent of U.S. Internet users in June, compared with 93 percent for Google, according to ComScore Inc.
Still, Addante has been holding out on going public until he can blow away money managers, not just impress them.
Bolstering Revenue
"Investors in general appreciate companies that are at scale, profitable, have high growth rates and are technology companies," Addante said. "If you're not making profit, you're still in the find-out stage of your business."
BrightRoll Inc., another video-ad startup, has doubled revenue in each of the past five years and been profitable for three, CEO Tod Sacerdoti said in an interview. Sacerdoti wouldn't comment on his IPO plans, though he said he's in no hurry.
Others are probably being pressured by their venture backers to take the leap, said Brian Wieser, an analyst at Pivotal Research Group LLC in New York. Venture funds expect to show significant wins after seven years and exit their portfolio companies within a decade.
"Venture investors have limited time horizons," Wieser said. "You need to liquidate your positions within the life of a fund and that forces certain choices."
To contact the reporter on this story: Olga Kharif in Portland at firstname.lastname@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Pui-Wing Tam at firstname.lastname@example.com


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It used to be that big SUVs were being replaced with more fuel-efficient crossovers. Now even the crossovers are being replaced by smaller crossovers in the never-ending quest for more gas savings.
Mazda, for instance, is doing a little housekeeping this spring. Mazda spokeswoman Beverly Braga recently told Cars.com that Mazda will replace its CX-7 midsize SUV with the smaller, new-for-2013 CX-5. Model-year 2012 will be the CX-7's last in the U.S.; sales will continue in other markets, however.
The CX-7 was launched for model-year 2007 and has seen only modest sales, including 35,641 vehicles last year. Major competitors easily outsell it: Honda sold 218,373 CR-Vs in 2011 -- before the redesigned version went on sale. One of the CX-7's issues was size; at 184.3 inches long, it was too small to be considered a true midsize SUV and too big to compete in the compact class.
Mazda is hoping CX-5 will better meet consumers' needs. It's smaller than the CX-7, but offers more passenger room. It has 103.8 cubic feet of interior volume, while the CX-7 has 101.7. A competitive base price and an attractive fuel-efficient engine also should help. Power comes from a 155-horsepower four-cylinder with an EPA-estimated 26/32/29 mpg city/highway/combined rating. The 2013 CX-5 is on sale now with a starting price of $20,695, excluding a $795 destination fee.
--Jennifer Geiger/Cars.com's Kicking Tires
Chris Woodyard is an auto writer for USA TODAY who covers all aspects of motoring. He revels in the exhaust note of a Maserati and the sharp creases of a Cadillac CTS. Chris strives to live a Porsche life on a Scion budget. More about Chris


text: DL: A group that looks fantastic on paper and in position drills but then the players that looked great in drills cant do anything against the OL and the kids who were being talked to on a lot of the drills go to work against the OL. Goree (sp?) had his moments today and I could see him really getting in the QB's face during the drills. Also Herrod was putting pressure on the QB on quite a few plays. My big thing is that putting pressure on the QB is very different from actually getting to the QB. Hopefully Kasa, Nikolas and Nosu (Not sure if I got the last 2 right) come in and can make an impact LB: We might not be in that bad of shape if Katoa cant get it together. Beatty, Rippy, Sip and even Smart showed glimpses of genius today. There was a drill where a RB or TE and a LB would get matched up one on one and no surprise but the RB's won almost every battle based upon speed, however, Rippy was able to get a hand in and swat down a corner pass to Moyd and Beatty was able to catch up to an underthrown Hawkins pass to Speedy and knock that one down as well. S/CB: Perkins had a solid int/fumble recovery and strip (couldnt tell because players were in the way) during drills and took it back for 6 and he also realizes that Polk could give him a run for his money and it seems that he really wants to see the field. Burney and Jimmy Smith were all over the ball today, once again I think Coach Brown has his work cut out for him and this position will carry our defense. ST: Of the few field goals I watched almost all except one goodman kick was right down the pipes. I do think his new approach will drastically make a difference, but I wouldnt be surprised if Grossnickle came in and kicked for 4 years based on accuracy from a distance


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A photographer found his random subjects 40 years later to recreate the original pictures and they're incredible
A dad is Photoshopping his daughter into 'marginally dangerous' situations to troll his family members
The Playboy model sentenced for sending a Snapchat of a naked woman at the gym said she 'really wants her forgiveness'
One chart shows how many millionaires and billionaires graduated from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and 17 other top colleges
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- Sold for: Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
- Item Category: Toys, Dolls, Games & Puzzles
- Source: eBay
- Sold Date: Apr 11, 2009
- Channel: Auction House
Up for your consideration is a**** NEW BRIGHT 1:10 HUMMER H2 **** This truck has been run a couple of times, but now it just sits and collects dust. This item comes with a 9.6v rechargeable battery, the battery charger and the radio controller. The only thing you will need is 4 "AA" batteries for the controller. I really don't have the time for this anymore, so I was thinking that someone else might. I will accept PAYPAL and USPS Money Orders. I ship items by USPS Priority Mail. THANX for looking and please ....... ENJOY YOUR BIDDING !!!


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Transformers: Dark Of The Moon XBOX360-COMPLEX | 6.14 GB
Description: The Transformers Dark of the Moon video game allows players to fight through the epic battles on Earth that will shape the events of the movie. Armed with a brand-new gameplay mechanic, fans will harness the power of Stealth Force to instantly convert to a third, hybrid state that combines the weapons and firepower of robot mode with the agility and maneuverability of vehicle mode. Set in unique environments around the world such as the Jungles of South America, Siberian military facilities, Detroit Cityscapes and more, the game lets players assume the roles of a diverse roster of everyone's favorite Transformers from the movie through a heart-pounding campaign to save mankind. Additionally, fans can play the game with or against their friends through intense, online multiplayer game modes as their favorite iconic characters.
Change the Fight — In addition to Transformers characters' traditional Robot and Vehicle Modes, players can now instantly convert to a third, hybrid vehicle-based state called Stealth Force that features advanced weapons, defense systems and targeting capabilities while in a highly maneuverable vehicle form that maintains strafing abilities.
Delve Deep into the Prologue Storyline — Set during the colossal events that occur right before the upcoming film directed by Michael Bay, the game allows fans to fight against and interact with the most prominent characters and villains debuting in the movie. Most of all, players will learn the origins of Megatron's newest Decepticon assassin and face of evil, Shockwave.
Jump in and Play as Iconic Movie Characters — Utilizing simple, intuitive controls allow casual players to jump right in and play while providing customizable nuanced control for more experienced players as well. The game features a single, heart-pumping campaign with distinct levels tailored to each Transformers character.
Take the Epic Battle Online — Friends around the world can compete with or against one another in intense multiplayer game modes as their favorite iconic Transformers characters.
Release name: Transformers.Dark.Of.The.Moon.XBOX360-COMPLEX
Size : 6.14 GB
Region: Free
Publisher: Activision
Developer: High Moon Studios
Release Date: 17/06/2011
Genre: Action


text:
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text:
I admit. I am guilty! I have become an official night owl! I sometimes sleep around 3:00 in the morning. And you know what else?? My love for coffee has again flourished. I drink around 3 to 5 mugs a day! Yup, mugs alright!! I love the rich aroma of coffee. I was thinking of getting myself a capresso coffee maker. It would really help make my coffees tastier and easier to prepare! Anyway, that would be a nice idea. Maybe I should write that down at my husband's "things to do list." – Buy a capresso coffee maker for my wife! LOL!!
3 thoughts on "Night Owls and Coffee"
hi there pinaymommy! how are u? hope ur havin' a wonderful, wonderful day! take care! 🙂
i'm also "addicted" to coffee and would drink about 7 cups a day… i'd like to have a machine of my own… it would be a nice addition to any kitchen, i think 🙂
I love coffee… it keeps me alive


text:
About the Editors
Safa Kasap
Peter CapperPeter Capper has spent some 30 years in the infrared industry growing and characterising cadmium mercury telluride (CMT) and other tellerium-based materials. He holds a patent in the bulk growth of CMT, has authored/co-authored over 100 papers and given several invited talks at international crystal grwoth/IR conferences. Dr. Capper is also a Fellow of the Institute of Physics. He has edited/ co-edited 5 books in IR materials and devices and crystal growth. He is now Materials Team Leader at SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems, Southampton, UK.
List of Selected Authors
Table of Contents
Web-Materials, Third Edition Website
Materials and Devices Website for Scientists and Engineers
Serving scientists and engineers since 1996. Dedicated to continuing education.


text:
The Wright State baseball team broke open a close game with four runs in the bottom of the eighth as the Raiders defeated Ohio Thursday afternoon in their home opener at Nischwitz Stadium 6-1.
WSU opened the scoring with two runs in the second. With one out, Seth Gray singled up the middle and stole second. One out later, Kevin Whatley reached on an infield hit to put runners on the corners for Brandon Giltrow, who delivered a two-run double down the right field line.
The Bobcats, though, cut the deficit in half with a run in the sixth and it stayed 2-1 until Wright State came to bat in the bottom of the eighth. Zach Weatherford led off the frame with a walk and following a JD Orr hit to left, both runners stole a base. Gabe Snyder then singled up the middle to plate both runs.
After a two-base error, Daniel Arthur singled in Snyder and Kevin Whatley squeezed in Gray with the final run.
Ryan Weiss (2-0) earned the win with six strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out five. Derek Hendrixson fanned two in pitching the seventh and Danny Sexton picked up the save, his first of the season, by going the final two, striking out two.
At the plate, Giltrow had two hits along with the two RBI while Orr had two hits and Gray scored twice.
Wright State (8-5) is right back in action Thursday afternoon at 4:00 by hosting Dayton.


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Beware of Festive Offers from Jewelers
The upcoming festival season is being treated by jewelers as an opportunity, even though market conditions are dismal. The government moves to keep spiraling the import duty on Gold (now at 15%) and heavy restrictions in relation to KYC of Gold, has resulted in exodus of buyers from bullions. Most of them are sitting in cash, and waiting for the right time to invest in Gold and Gold related products. Even the prices have been on a higher side for retailers to participate aggressively in gold buying.
Monsoon this year had been good and it was expected that the demand for Gold would be excellent especially in rural areas. However, the rising inflation and high interest rates has been a dragger for demand. Therefore, Gold jewelers have tightened their belt to lure more and more customers for sales through festive offers this festival season through Gold schemes.
Installment Schemes:
The adoption of innovative schemes by jewelers is on. This can be witnessed from one of the methods of PC Jewelers, where they are offering free of cost shipping for jewelry to their customers. The concept has been similar to most of the online portals for customer products that are not charging anything for shipping. PCJ is giving an interest of 16% p.a on their value for money scheme. The company is also contributing two monthly installments from their side to the customer who pays twelve monthly installments on the product.
Meanwhile, Gitanjali gems through its "Tamanna scheme" offering a one month free installment for every twelve installments on Gold jewellery by the customer. This scheme comes under the Monthly Saving Scheme of Gitanjali, with a concept of 'pay less and get more'.
The catch here is that some of the jewelers like TBZ in similar schemes do not allow any purchases when they contribute their portion of installment. Whereas, some companies like PCJ allow the purchases, but only at the very last day of their contribution.
Problems for Jewelry Segment:
It is important to understand that the jewelry segment these days has been in a bit of disarray mainly due to RBI norms and restrictions by the government to control Current Account Deficit (CAD) situation that is a shy away from 5%. Gold has been a major contributor to the rising deficit that has reached 4.8% of the GDP.
A move to curb the sale of gold coins and bars by sellers for controlling the rising deficit, has hit the business badly. New schemes, which are under the domain of jewelers, are therefore getting adopted to save the employment of artisans and stakeholders in the business.
Problem for Customers:
One issue that has been noted in the jewelry scheme is that the nature of purchase remains the same. If you are paying installment for purchasing Gold jewelry, then you will not be able to purchase product in any other form like coins, bars etc. Although, the sales of coins and bars have been not taking place now; but even before the ban, it was not allowed.
The other issue that has been reported in these purchases is the amount matter. One cannot hedge the purchase at the prevalent rates. Suppose, the rate of Gold per 10 grams is Rs 29,000, and customer is expecting it to reach Rs 31,000 per 10 grams at year end. He will not be in a position to keep the amount of jewelry fixed at Rs 29,000. If the price of Gold by the end of the year becomes Rs 31,000, he will have to pay additional Rs 2,000 per 10 grams for purchase of the jewelry.
There is problem of purity in the jewelry segment. It should be taken into account, that jewelry is not a sound investment option due to purity issues. Even hallmarked jewelry is not 24 carat, and therefore these schemes are for those who are looking to purchase Gold in the near future, but cannot afford a lump sum investment.


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Need Appliance Repair Help? Ask a Technician for Answers ASAP
What has happened is the drain tube for the defrosted moisture, that is collected during the defrost cycle of your unit, has become plugged. When this happens the water builds up in the catch funnel till it over flows and then spills into the freezer compartment.
Toi fix this you need to locate the drain tube in the back of the unit.
Pull the unit away from the wall and unplug it (the power cord). Pull it out further till you have clear acces to the back of the unit. Useing a good bright flashlight. Look at the lower back and locate the compressor. Ir is a oval shaped thing that looks like a mini turkey roasting oven. Well sort of anyways. These are always painted black and some have the specification tags on them. Look ablve this and see if there is a pan or tray or anything that would hold water. Above that is the drain tube coming from the inside. you need to poke a wire up into that tube and unplug it. Be ready with some towels as there may be quite a bit of water that comes out when you unplug it.
Thats about it.
If this answer satisfies your question please click the accept button. I will not be paid if you dont.
You can always ask follow up questions after you accept. I will be here to answer them.
If for some reason you are not happy. Please tell me what I can do to put a smile on your face.
Thank you for using Just Answer. Please tell someone about us.
Best regards; The Home Smithy
After you have accepted it is important that you leave positive feedback.
Hey. I'll have to remember that trick!! Never thought of that.
Well it is a good day today. But then any day you learn something new is a good day.
Thank you for the accept, and the new trick as well.


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Ph.D. Research Centre
Photo Gallery
Participants Speak
Contact Us
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Library Services
National Insurance Academy offers a wide variety of training courses, research projects and consultancy services to the insurance industry. Academy is also building on an insurance education tradition begun in 2004. Accordingly, the collection includes contemporary and historical versions of:
Collection: Brings Global Insurance Resources
Besides strong collection in Insurance area, library has good collection in Actuarial Science, Management, Finance, Economics, Training, General Awareness, and Entertainment.
- Books : 24500+
- Bound volumes : 4000+
- Digital Collection : 200+
- Journals and Magazines : 100+
- Online Databases : 07
- Newspapers : 14
About Library
NIA Library is an automated special library to serve Insurance Industry. This is one of the finest libraries in India having choicest collection in life and non life insurance. The main goal is to cater to all types of information needs of the users in respect of insurance and allied subjects. The reading room pops out with almost all national and international journals in Insurance, Actuarial Science and related areas as also journals for general awareness and entertainment. Stacking of the research publications is another value addition to the library.
Library Hours
Monday to Friday : 9.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Saturdays : 9.00 am to 5.30 p.m.
NIA Holiday : Closed
The membership is available to individuals associated with insurance industry. Insurance Companies, Govt, Organizations, Industries, Academic Institutions, Colleges, and Universities in Pune can also become Library member. Limited library access is provided to researchers from India and abroad.
Contact Chief Librarian at firstname.lastname@example.com or 020 27204064 for membership form.
Library Phone Number : 020 27204065
Library Team
Mrs. Bhagyashree J. Sane : Chief Librarian
Mr. Vikas Kamble : AAO, Library
Mr. Shariyan Ahmed : Academic Assistant (Library)
Mr Hanumant Magar : Academic Assistant (Library)
Mr. Sanjay Ghodake : Recordist


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Team Associated RC10 Hinge Pins Outer & Clips
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These are the hinge pins for all the RC10 cars such as the RC10/GT, RC10/T4 and RC10/B4. These pins hold the front A-arms to the block carrier.
This product was added to our catalog on May 27, 2004.


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Best Of :: Sports & Recreation
Calias Campbell is inspirational. He's a leader on the field from his defensive end position and a monster, even by NFL standards. Campbell stands 6-foot-8, weighs at least 300 pounds, and is the most intimidating player on the Cardinals' defensive line. Which is saying a lot, since the fearsome 6-foot-4, 290-pound Darnell Dockett, also a team leader on defense, plays beside him at defensive tackle. The second-most exciting play in football (to a long pass to an acrobatic receiver) is a quarterback sack. Even on last year's losing Cardinals team (the Cards were destroyed by so many teams that their self-esteem got diminished), the two were quarterback smashers: Campbell had six sacks (among his 60 tackles) to go along with Dockett's five (among his 52 tackles). The two played college football in Florida for two of the nation's premier college football teams, the University of Miami Hurricanes (in Campbell's case) and Florida State University Seminoles (in Dockett's). Campbell's in his fourth pro season, and Docket's in his eighth, and the two are the heart of an Arizona defense that should be tough this year, even with the loss of cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Residents of the 40-plus houses in the square formed at Weldon Avenue and Fairmount between 11th and 12th streets in Phoenix are hiding a secret. The subdivision, which opened in 1928, includes a three-acre private park in the square of land concealed by properties. The park originally housed a golf course, artisan well, tennis court, fireplaces, and a swimming pool made from native stone. The pool may be all that's left of the original plan, but the fact that most of Phoenix remains unaware of this hidden gem proves that the garden is still a safe, quiet, and secret place to play.
Sitting in a Valley watering hole sipping a few cold ones, it's hard to imagine that human beings not so different from us were here, doing things, hoping for things, dreaming of things long before we were ever around. Occasionally, we must stare history in the face to recognize how far we've come and, perhaps, realize how far we have to go. There's no better place to do this than the Holbert Trail at South Mountain Park. Here, petroglyphs inscribed in the living rock by Hohokam People centuries ago. See abstract depictions of animals and hunters. Many have attested to the petroglyphs' spiritual significance. We don't like to bring religion into things, but it's hard not to feel something (spiritual or otherwise) when one bears witness to evidence of those who came before us.
Long before urban scavenger hunts and geo-caching became popular, ASU had a built-in mystery search that was a rite of passage for coeds. In its early years, the location of the college's secret garden often remained a mystery until a student accidentally stumbled upon it while looking for a quiet place to study. But with the rumor-mill- slash-verbal-diarrhea-inducer that is the Internet, the secret garden started getting outed and, eventually, arrows indicating its location were spray-painted on sidewalks around the quad at Dixie Gammage Hall and West Hall. (Sorry, secret garden activists, but the jig is already up.) The mystery may be solved, but the grassy area, with its banana trees and passion fruit vines, is still beautiful, despite the now heavily trod lawn. And there still are secrets to be discovered within the garden's confines — for example, the white sapote trees have leaves that smell like fresh popcorn when scratched.
Whether you call it Hayden Butte, Tempe Butte, or "A" Mountain — all valid names, as far as we could tell from our research — this rock pile is sweet for the feet. If you live in Tempe or south Scottsdale, this is the closest you can to an experience that's in the same ballpark as Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak, the two most popular Valley mountains for hiking. But beyond the great workout and momentary escape to something akin to nature, hike this one for the scenic view — especially at night. Looking northeast, the bathtub-like Town Lake and vehicle lights on Loop 202 resemble a moving diorama of some futuristic dome-town, like a scene from the 1970s sci-fi movie Logan's Run. Later this year, the antenna and communications equipment at the top will be moved to the soon-to-be-finished West Sixth towers, formerly known as the Centerpoint Towers, which will give the peak a more natural feel. The big "A" will still be there — and still will change color every now and then. This year, not only did University of Arizona students paint the "A" red and blue again, but some folks excited about the death of Osama bin Laden turned the letter a patriotic red, white, and blue.
This place is not the American Museum of Natural History — let's get that out of the way up front. Night at the Museum Part Whatever ain't gonna be filmed anywhere in Mesa. But for locals craving a quick trip to the Cretaceous and other dino-filled periods, the Arizona MNH simply roars. In "Dinosaur Hall," the skulls of triceratops' relatives and various skeletons do wonders for our sense of wonder — it's easy to forget these magnificent, strange creatures once lived on this planet. Each time we're there, we take at least half an hour to wander past "Dinosaur Mountain," the three-story dino-rama with a cool waterfall and large, animatronic T.rex, stegosaurus, and other lizard-like creatures, large and small. The kids think this exhibit is even better now that they're older and not scared of it. They still aren't too old for the Paleo Dig Pit, though, a nifty spot in which tykes sift through rocks to "discover" dino eggs and bones. If you want a close encounter with dinosaurs, the Mesa museum delivers everything but the bite marks.


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久保田一竹美術館 Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
- Culture / Art / History (Art museums / Galleries)
- Around Fujigoko
- Travelko Rating
- ClosedTuesday(excluding Tuesdays which fall on public holidays and the first Tuesday in January)and December 26-28
Maps are rarely carried out with accessing from mainland China.
- District
- Around Fujigoko
- Address
- 2255 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi 401-0304, Japan
- Category
- Culture / Art / History (Art museums / Galleries)
- Opening Hours
- [April-November]9:30-17:30(The entrance gate closes at 17:00), [December-March]10:00-16:30(The entrance gate closes at 16:00)
- Closed
- Tuesday(excluding Tuesdays which fall on public holidays and the first Tuesday in January)and December 26-28
- Website
- http://www.itchiku-museum.com/en.pdf
- Tel.
- +81-555-76-8811
Finely Designed Kimono in Michelin 3- Star Museum
In the 1930s when he was 20 years old, Itchiku Kubota was fascinated by the Tsujigahara-dyeing, a popular method to dye clothes practiced more than five hundred years ago in Japan. He studied the method and created an original technique called Itchiku Tsujigahara, which made him a renowned artist worldwide.
This museum was built when he was 76 years old at the lakeside of Lake Kawaguchiko. Entering into the premise through an oriental style gate, there is a garden with a waterfall. Walking through the garden, which leads us to an annex of the museum, is like strolling in a small forest. Itchiku revered Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi, so you can clearly see his tastes on the design of the building. In the annex, there is an exhibition room of glass beads he collected in Europe, Africa and other parts of the world.
The pyramid shaped building is the museum sustained by 16 pillars of 1,000-year-old Hiba, Japan's indigenous cypress. You can see a rustic beauty of the structure from inside, where many kimono collections he designed are exhibited. Itchiku made effort to express rich natural beauty using his own dyeing techniques. The sea, four seasons in nature, the cosmos, and Mt. Fuji are designed on the kimonos. They give us breathtaking moments by their refined Japanese beauty.
At the museum shop, there are original items you can get only here: scarves, accessories using glass beads.
Opening hours: 10:00-16:30 from December to March, 9:30-17:30 from April to November
Closed: on Tuesday (Open on the first Tuesday in a month or holiday), 26 to 28 in December, Open every day in October to November.
Price: ¥1,300 (JPY / adult), ¥900 (JPY / college and high school student), ¥400 (JPY / junior high and elementary school student)
- * The information above is from the date of the review. Please be aware that some of the content may vary from the most recent information.
Other Sightseeing Spots of Around Mount Fuji(Shizuoka, Yamanashi)
- Mount Fuji
- Kawaguchiko Muse Museum
- Motosuko Lake
- Oishi Park
- Fujiyama Museum
- Okuniwa
- Lake Yamanaka Panoramic Viewing Platform
- Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengenjinjha
- Shosenkyo
- Narusawa Ice Cave
- Mt. Minobu Kuonji Temple
- Saiko Iyashi no sato NENBA
- Budonooka Wine Strage
- Aokigahara Forest
- Lake Kawaguchiko Kitahara Museum
- Oshi residence
- Otyu Street
- Mt. Kachikachi Ropeway
- Kawaguchi Sengen Shrine
- Izu Mito Sea Paradise
- Port Of Shimizu
- Gotemba premium outlets
- the half‐point station of Mt.Fuji
- Otainai Onsen
- Ubugayasaki
- Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine
- Kawazuzakura
- Shimizu Funakoshi Tsutsumi Park
- Iwamotoyama Park
- Fuji-Q Highland
- Kawaguchiko Lake
- Shiraito Falls
- MOA Museum of Art
- Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine
- Izunokuni Panorama Park
- Lake Tanuki
- Shizuoka City Tokaido Hiroshige Museum of Art
- Gakunan Electric Train
- Asagiri Kogen
- Gotemba Kogen Toki no Sumika
- Nihondaira
- Shizuoka castle
- Izu Shaboten Park
- Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
- Fuji Safari Park
- Miho Seacoast (Miho no Matsubara Beach)
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Under Her Skin: Stories of Living With Breast Cancer
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're delivering you a special podcast. Through audio diaries recorded over the course of six months, The Takeaway's series "Under Her Skin: Living With Breast Cancer" follows three African-American women diagnosed with the disease.
A recent study has found that African-American women with breast cancer are 40 percent more likely to die than their white counterparts. "Under Her Skin" features the stories behind these difficult survival statistics.
Takeaway Host John Hockenberry explores the triumphs and struggles of three women living with the diease: Anita Coleman, age 55, from Los Angeles; Lisa Echols, age 47, from Memphis; and Crystal Miller, age 28, from New York City.
Anita is all too familiar with breast cancer—last February marked her second diagnosis with the disease. She talks about fighting breast cancer for the second time; how her son, daughter and grandchildren, are coping; and her advice for relieving anxiety and the physical symptoms associated with breast cancer and breast cancer treatment.
Lisa began her audio diaries as she recovered from a double mastectomy. She describes her recovery, her husband's response, and how her son and daughter have responded to her diagnosis. Lisa also discusses how her faith has helped her through this difficult period.
As a nurse, Crystal has often cared for women with breast cancer, so she knew a great deal about the disease before her diagnosis. Many of the issues Crystal discusses relate to her age: At just 28-years-old, she describes her new attitudes toward dating, having children, and even mortality.
All of the audio diaries recorded by Anita, Lisa, and Crystal are available at www.livingwithbreastcancer.org. Hundreds of women have also joined the project's Facebook group to discuss their own triumphs and struggles of living with breast cancer.