text:
Pokemon Capture: Drifloon
Needed Characters: 30k
Actual Characters: 31050
AN: This is the most close to heart of all my stories and I'll be editing it up until someone claims it. So be aware of that. Basically, the length might change, but I'm one of those people who adds more during revision, so it won't be getting any shorter. :b Anyways, I hope you enjoy it.
Misguided ghosts
Travelin' endlessly
The ones we trusted the most
Pushed us far away
And there's no one road
We should not be the same
But I'm just a ghost
And still they echo me
They echo me in circles
-Misguided Ghosts by Paramore
Nothing is ever as it seems. Behind everything you see, everyone you know, there is a secret. Each secret a single thread in a spider's web, a web built to ensnare those who gaze too deeply into its depths. And when you gaze long into the abyss the abyss also gazes into you. But if you ignore the abyss, does it go away? I don't think it does. If you ignore the abyss, it only grows hungrier.
'Raindrops keep fallin' on my head, and just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed, nothin' seems to fit. Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'.' The radio played as I stared out the window, watching raindrops race each other down the glass. I watched silently as a spider web was washed away in the storm, the threads unraveling from each other and drifting away.
"You should go see her." The voice wasn't accusing. It never was, but that didn't make it any better.
"I don't ever want to go back there," I said simply. It was a fair response. Anyone would agree with me.
"Neither do I, but I still have to." I clenched my fists by my side, making sure to dig my nails into my palms. Tiny little pinpricks of pain, better than the aching hole in my chest. I turned to face my old friend (I called him such, but we had never been very close; too many little misunderstandings and words out of place). He had a coat on that he wouldn't have been caught dead wearing five years ago. It looked nice, but the wrong kind of nice. The kind you wore to a business meeting or a cocktail party. The thought of him going to something like that was alien. Somehow, I couldn't look at him. Just his fucking coat. Weird how after all this time he still had a key to my apartment. I hadn't even heard him open the door. "Are you ignoring me?" he sounded very annoyed. Another reason we hadn't gotten along: he was quick to anger.
I got up out of my chair and collapsed; hadn't seen that coming.
"Jesus Christ, are you alright?" Alex ran forward to help me off my knees. I flinched when he took my hand.
"Did you get your nails done?"
"Er…" He looked away, embarrassed, and shoved his hands in his coat pockets. Fucking coat.
I sighed. "You're not going to let me out of this, are you?"
My old not-quite-friend smiled sadly. "I don't think I could live with myself if I did."
I could already feel myself giving in. I did miss her. "Fine. But you're driving. It's fucking awful out."
"Oh, Emma…." Alex moved as if to hug me, but I took a step back. He stopped mid hug and stood there awkwardly for a second, before dropping his hands to his sides. Without a word, I opened the door and stepped out into the pouring rain.
'Raindrops keep falling on my head, but that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red. Cryin's not for me, 'cause I'm never gonna stop the rain from complainin', because I'm free. Nothing's worr-' The sound of the radio was cut out as Alex slammed the door and led me to his car, a silver Prius. I shivered as I got in. Maybe I should've grabbed a jacket. Eh.
The entire ride over, Alex kept shooting me nervous glances, which I ignored; instead choosing to stare out at the storm. Once in a while, he would open his mouth as if to say something, then hastily shut it. I felt a twinge of guilt, but quickly snuffed it out. It was his own damn fault for making me do this. Finally, I gave in. "So where do they live now?"
"Not too far, just outside Celadon." He paused for a moment, letting the silence return. Then he had to go and wreck it. "So how have you been?"
I glared at him and he winced. "Shitty."
"Sorry…." I just wanted him to get angry with me, but he wouldn't. What had happened to him? Normally he would've snapped at me, would've accused me of being a bitch (which would have been correct), would've done something.
I sighed. "Don't be sorry." I pinched the bridge of my nose with two fingers. "Please don't be sorry."
We spent the rest of the ride in silence.
There is nothing to fear, but fear itself. That and old memories; memories that hang around like ghosts in a condemned house, staying there out of spite and a lack of a better place to go. I had plenty of ghosts to be afraid of.
Alex had driven us into some god awful gated neighborhood. Each of the houses here looked exactly like the others; perfect matches for each other. As we pulled up to the curb, I began to shake. There were a ton of other cars outside of the house.
"Nobody else is here, right?" I asked quietly.
"No, she only invited me and you, if I could convince you to come." For the first time that night, I looked him straight in the eyes. His eyes had been full of life once, but not anymore. Now the whites of them were yellow and bloodshot. He looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. The blue of his irises seemed dull. Something had gone out of him. I almost lost it right then, but I managed to compose myself. It was just so hard to see him this way and deep down, I knew he was a reflection of myself. I couldn't bear to see us like this. We were gone. I forced myself to get out of the car.
"Ready?" Alex asked. Somehow he had appeared next to me. I couldn't take it. I reached over and grabbed him, pulling him tight against me. It was embarrassing; like I said, we had never been close, but I couldn't stand to go in there alone.
The house was worse than I had imagined. It was packed with people in dresses and suits, each one looking like a boardroom executive or maybe a stay at home mom with a kid in preschool. Alex stayed by me the entire time as we searched the house for our old teammate. Every room of her house looked like a picture in a magazine. Martha Stewart would've felt right at home. The whole place reeked of air freshener and scented candles. I felt nauseous.
"We don't have to stay long," Alex whispered to me. "Just long enough for you to talk to her at least. She really misses you."
I tried to say something, but only a whimper came out.
Then I saw her. She was talking to a couple of other women, but she stood out to me right away. I knew it was her, even though she had dyed her hair an unnatural blonde. It was hideous, but I would know her anywhere. Suddenly, she looked over and saw me. Her mouth fell open a little, then turned into a wide grin. She rushed over.
"Emma!" she shrieked in a voice that wasn't hers. "How have you been?"
But I couldn't answer her. I couldn't look at her face, because I was too busy looking at the ominous bulge of her belly under her dress.
I forced myself to look at her. Her smile had turned into a worried frown. I willed the corners of my mouth to turn up and they did, though it felt more like a grimace of pain than anything else. "I haven't seen you in a long time," I said through a tight throat.
Her smile returned, though it was smaller this time. "I've missed you."
She wrapped her arms around me, but I couldn't make myself do the same. She stopped after a minute and took a step back. I felt my gaze return to her stomach. "So you've noticed…." she said. I didn't respond. "It's a girl," she said softly.
I looked back up at her face again and the world seemed to go blurry. My entire body was racked with sobs and I turned my face into the dark of Alex's coat. I didn't want to see anymore. I didn't look up until I felt cool night air on my skin. "I'm so sorry," I told him. "I'm such a fucking wreck."
"Shh…You don't have to say sorry. You gave me a good excuse to get the fuck out of there." I giggled then sobbed again.
"How could she fucking do that, Alex?"
"I don't know."
I can't remember the rest of that night.
'So, so you think you can tell heaven from hell, blue skies from pain. Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? So you think you can tell.' I groaned as I rolled out of bed, woken by my clock radio. I felt pretty good for about forty five seconds. Then I remembered the night before. I shuddered and my hand automatically went to my stomach. She had been….My old traveling partner, one of my best friends was….I couldn't think the word. My mind wouldn't allow it. Poor Alex…somehow he had gotten me home in one piece. The memory threatened to overtake me and I made myself start moving.
I threw on a pair of jeans and an oversized t-shirt. I couldn't be bothered to find anything better. I went into the cramped kitchen of my apartment and grabbed a box of generic Pokemon food. I poured some into a couple bowls and left them out for my Munna. I never could adjust to living without any Pokemon.
As I hit the streets of Saffron, I had no idea where I was going. It was my day off; I could go wherever the fuck I wanted. The rain had stopped, but the sky was still gloomy and overcast. The tops of Saffron's skyscrapers were hidden by clouds. Not for the first time, I felt trapped in this cage of a city. I was surrounded by steel bars and concrete and I had nowhere to go. There was no escape.
I wandered the streets for a while, not paying attention to where I was. I let my feet find a path by themselves, without the aid of my eyes or my mind. My eyes might as well have been closed and my mind might as well have been gone. It was busy fighting against the ghosts.
At some point, I looked up and found myself in front of an office building; one I knew well. If my feet had lead me here….There was no question. I walked inside.
"Can I help you?" A blonde air head in a low cut shirt sat behind the front desk. Helena must not have been the one who hired her.
"I'm here to see Dr. Warren."
The girl looked at me incredulously. I realized I wasn't dressed very scholarly. I scowled at her and was about to say something when I heard a voice that instantly relaxed me.
"Is there a problem?"
"Dr. Warren!" The girl said in surprise.
The woman who was walking out of the back office was about twenty nine going on fifty. It wasn't that she looked old; she just carried herself with the dignity and pride of someone much older. She was dressed even odder than me. She was wearing black pants and a huge, black overcoat that I had never once seen her without. As soon as she saw me, she grinned, an expression that looked almost vulpine on her. "Hello, Emma."
I smiled despite myself. "Hey, Helena. Anything new with your research?"
The secretary was staring at us both, an odd look on her face.
"Just a few things," Helena answered. "Come into my office so we can speak in private." She shot a nasty look at the blonde girl and walked back towards her office. I made sure to smirk at the secretary before entering Helena's office.
"Where did you find a charmer like her?" I asked with some amusement as I flopped down into a huge armchair. Helena's office was a mess; loose papers were scattered everywhere and books bigger than my head were piled up by the wall. In one corner, an ancient cobweb was beginning to fall apart. It was somehow comforting.
"Henry asked me to hire her. You know how he is, trying to save every lost soul," Helena said as she sat in her own chair and glanced through a file, "Apparently she's a recovering cocaine addict."
"No kidding," I said, trying to earn a smile. It didn't work.
Helena looked up at me, her icy blue eyes staring back into mine, analyzing my every move. "I know you didn't come down here just to ask me about my work. You only show up about once every few months. What's wrong?"
She knew me too well. "Well, Alex snuck into my house last night."
She nodded as if this was something she expected, still flipping through her files.
"He made me go out to see Allison." She stopped nodding and took a drink of coffee from a filthy looking mug. "When we got to her house she was…" I took a deep breath, forcing the words out of my mouth, "She was pregnant."
Helena's cheeks flushed red and she quickly gulped her coffee, gasping, "What!?"
I had to look away. The image of the seemingly innocent bump under her dress once again popped up in my head. I felt my eyes growing damp and quickly wiped them. Helena pretended not to notice. "I don't know. I just…I couldn't stand seeing her that way. I feel awful, because she's happy. I should be happy that she's happy, but I'm not. It just seems…wrong."
Helena sighed. "You really never moved on, Emma."
"No. I really didn't. How the hell could I move on?"
"Everyone else seems to have."
My mouth hung open and I tried to search for words. "But…they…I….What about Wyatt?"
Helena looked up at me for a moment. "Wyatt moved on. He just moved on to the night scene."
I laughed bitterly. "So I'm the crazy one. I'm the one that could never make anything of themselves."
"Oh quit being melodramatic. It's fine to be upset, but you shouldn't throw your life away just because she's gone."
She was right. She was right and she knew it, but I couldn't accept that. "I'm not throwing my life away."
"Really?" she raised an eyebrow. "When was the last time you had a job for more than a week?"
I was silent.
It was the truth, the absolute fucking truth. How had I let things go so wrong? Maybe if I had done something differently. Maybe if I had saved her….Fuck. I would not cry again. As always, Helena knew what was going on before it happened.
"Come here, Emma."
I reluctantly got to my feet and walked over to her. She stared at me and I felt like a little kid in the principal's office.
"Emma, there was nothing you could do. There was nothing any of us could do." Helena put a hand on my shoulder, a rare sign of affection. "You need to stop blaming yourself and stop getting upset with everyone else because they've gotten past it."
The first tears started running down my cheeks. "You don't understand. I was with her. I could've done something."
"What could you have done?"
"I…I…Anything. I could've done anything, but I did nothing." I wasn't crying like I had when I found out Alison was pregnant. That has been a mixture of anger and fear. This was nothing but remorse, cold and bitter.
"You need to let go." It was no longer just Helena's voice. It was five voices; they had been telling me a long time. I just hadn't been listening.
"I can't just let go, Helena. I don't know how."
"When was the last time you went out to visit her?"
"The funeral," I said in barely more than a whisper.
"I think you need to go." With that she turned away from me, back to her papers. I watched her for a moment, but she didn't seem to have anything else to say. It never did me any good not to listen to her, so I left. When I stepped outside, it was raining again. I barely noticed.
He thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts, he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts. I saw the ghosts. The ghosts were everywhere now. All around me, flitting about like black sparrows, buzzing around my head like flies.
The cemetery was beautiful in its own way. Wildflowers grew around the gravestones naturally, blooming in every color of the rainbow. The contrast of vibrant colors against the grey sky was surreal. Everything felt fuzzy and unreal, as if I was inside a dream. I walked past rows and rows of headstones, looking for the one with her name on it. Finally, I found it. It didn't look like anyone had been here in a while. I sat down next to the gravestone on a patch of grass and wiped a spider web off its surface, breaking the web into a million pieces. I noticed some daisies growing nearby, each one with a yellow center like a tiny sun.
"Hi, Nikki," I said and bit my lip, trying to hold myself together. It didn't work. "I'm so sorry, Nikki, I'm so sorry."
The ghosts had finally caught up with me.
There is another sky, ever serene and fair, and there is another sunshine, though it be darkness there. We had left Alex, Wyatt, Helena, and Allison at the Pokecenter. They were still sleeping and we wanted to get in some extra training before challenging the Viridian gym leader, so we walked out to Route 22. That's when it started to go wrong.
"We should let out the Pokemon we want to train so they can walk with us," Nikki suggested. She was only a year younger than me, but a full foot shorter. I watched her pull out a Pokeball and press the button in the center. In a flash of red light, a small, yellow duck-like Pokemon appeared by her feet. The Psyduck made a surprised quacking sound and looked up at her curiously. She covered her mouth with one hand as she giggled. Her black hair fell forward like a veil, hiding her face for a moment. She flipped it back, one quick movement that was characteristic of her. I had never really paid attention to it before, but in my memories, I noticed she did it all the time.
She stared at me expectantly with big eyes, like a child watching a magic trick. I pulled out one of my own Pokeballs and released my Pidgeotto. The brown hawk-like Pokemon stared at the Psyduck disdainfully for a moment, before turning away, as if it had better things to look at.
"Psy-Psyduck," Nikki's Psyduck said with some annoyance, before squirting my Pidgeotto with a small jet of water. My Pokemon jumped in the air, cawing loudly. Nikki and I started laughing loudly, clutching our stomachs. We had no idea of the danger coming as we walked up the road, looking for wild Pokemon and other trainers.
Suddenly, I felt something cold pressed to the back of my neck.
"Drop to your knees and take everything out of your pockets," said a gruff voice. I did what I was told and saw Nikki out of the corner of my eye, doing the same. I dropped the rest of my Pokeballs, my trainer card, and some money on the ground, wishing I had been paying more attention. I heard a loud screech and a gunshot. Then I saw my Pidgeotto fall to the ground in front of me, a slowly growing red stain in the center of its chest. I stared at it stupidly, unable to believe what had just happened.
"Please don't take my Pokemon!" Nikki said.
"Shut up," said the man behind her. I had a closer look at him now; he was wearing black pants and a black shirt with a bright red 'R' in the center. He had the look of some predatory bird. A scar ran from the side of his face down to his neck.
"No, please," Nikki begged.
The man smiled grimly and raised the gun. He shot her Psyduck between the eyes. Brain matter and blood shot out the back of its head. I felt a wave of nausea and nearly vomited. Then the worst thing possible could've happened. Nikki turned around and punched the man hard in the stomach. A mixture of fury and surprise shone in his eyes. He took the gun and aimed it at Nikki and pressed down on the trigger.
They say that when you die your life flashes before your eyes. I saw Nikki's eyes as she fell, a ragged hole appearing in her shirt, and they flashed with recognition before I lose sight of them. The man seemed shocked at what he had done and took off running. His partner went with him. I sat for a moment and looked at my friend and our Pokemon lying in the dirt.
"Nikki," I said almost to myself. Then I realized what had happened. "Nikki!" I half crawled, half stumbled over to her and looked at her. She was very still, but her chest was still rising and falling. Barely. "Nikki, I'm gonna go get help, okay? Okay?" She didn't answer. She just stared at me and tried to form words, but she couldn't. A trickle of blood ran from her mouth. Then her chest stopped moving. I stood for a moment and then I began to scream.
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. I think that later on the two men were caught when a Team Rocket warehouse was discovered. One was shot and killed while trying to escape. I don't know which one. It didn't matter.
I must've passed out at some point. I remember waking up in the Pokemon Center, being surrounded by my friends and having to look at them while they stared at me, horror struck.
"Oh my God, Emma, are you alright?" Of course it was Allison who asked. She was the oldest, almost 18, and she felt responsible for all of us. She meant well, she really did.
I didn't answer. I couldn't. I couldn't open my mouth and form the words, couldn't even begin to think about what I would say.
"Where's Nikki?" Wyatt asked.
I stared at him. Didn't he know? The rest looked at me, the same question burning in their eyes. Where was Nikki? What room was she in so they could go see her too? Why wasn't she here? All million dollar questions.
"I…." I couldn't tell them what happened. So I told them the truth. "I don't know where Nikki is." They all stared at me and I felt myself falling back asleep. They all looked confused, except for Helena, who merely looked thoughtful, her eyes unfocused and gazing at something no one else could see. Already, the first ghosts were appearing.
After that, we all went home. No one could even consider trying to keep going. Back to Saffron City we went. Our home became our prison. Helena said that I was the only one who hadn't moved on, but that wasn't true. None of us had ever moved on, I was just the only one who didn't have to pretend. Alex had gone to work for Silph, working himself half to death; Allison got married six months after we got back, trying to raise a family to make up for the one she had let fall apart; Wyatt formed some kind of band and took up drinking; even Helena had a cover. She worked for Professor Beech, Kanto's lead professor, trying to make new medication and technology using Pokemon. None of us had ever really left that day. We all relived it in our heads. How do you not? How do you ever leave behind the ghosts? You don't. They follow you until the day you die, living off of you like parasites.
I didn't leave the cemetery until eleven that night. I had lost track of time. I walked back into town, once again letting my feet take me where they wanted. I wouldn't be sleeping tonight. At some point, I stumbled into the downtown area, not the best place to be after dark.
"Hey there," I felt someone wrap their arm around me and I jumped.
"Get the fuck off of me," I said, trying to sound more furious than terrified. I still couldn't see the person holding me, but he smelled like whiskey and old socks.
"Is that anyway to talk to an old friend?" he slurred.
"What?" I turned and saw someone who looked incredibly familiar wearing a dirty Pink Floyd t-shirt and sweat pants. "Wyatt? Is that you?
"Could it be anybody else?" He tried to wink and succeeded in looking like he had a twitch.
"Oh, Wyatt." I hugged him.
"Jesus, you're affectionate tonight. I don't remember you being a late night person. Where are you going?
"I have no idea," I said honestly.
He laughed, somewhat hysterically. "Well then where are you coming from?"
"Er….The cemetery."
He gave me an odd look. "Well you always have been morbid."
I didn't try to explain to him. I didn't need a crying drunk guy falling all over me in the middle of the sidewalk. "I actually have to go, Wyatt."
"You need to get to your unspecified destination really quickly then?" Damn. I forgot he was still smart when he was drunk.
"Well…no, not really."
I allowed him to lead me over to a bench and sat down.
"So what were you doing at the cemetery?"
"I went to see Nikki," I said and looked away.
"Oh." We sat in silence for a moment.
"Do you still think about her?" I asked.
"Yes. Yes I do."
I felt an odd sense of relief and calm. Somebody else was willing to admit it. Someone else could see the ghosts. Somebody else could feel them. I wasn't the only one bearing their torment. And if I wasn't the only one left….
"Wyatt, where do you think we go when we die?"
He seemed surprised. "If I knew, I would tell you. I guess maybe we just go somewhere else. You know how you always see little figurines of guardian angels and everyone says that the people you lost are still there with you? I think that's fucking stupid. She's not here, Emma. She's gone. Into the great beyond. Elsewhere. I don't feel her watching us or following us or anything. She's just fucking gone. It's just kind of fucking awful. She was just a little girl. She was just fourteen and she got shot. Who the hell gets shot when they're fourteen? I mean, you get hit by a car, or you get leukemia when you're fourteen, but you don't get shot for Christ's sake." He trailed off for a few moments. "It's been ten years, too. I mean, she missed out on ten fucking years. And what would have happened if we had kept going? She might have been champion or something. Or one of us could have been. It's just really fucking unfair."
That was it. It was everything I had ever thought and he had said it, let it go floating out into the air like a balloon lost by a careless child. I let out a deep sigh of relief. "I hope wherever Elsewhere is, it's beautiful and I hope wherever she is, she's happy. She deserves it."
"Yeah, really. I think we all deserve it. Sometimes, I think, maybe we all lost our lives that day. We lost something."
We sat that way for a little while and finally Wyatt got up and left without saying anything. As I watched him leave, I felt a dull ache in my heart. He had spoken to me fairly clearly, but he limped as he walked away. I wondered what would become of him. Somewhere deep inside, I longed to call out to him and beg him to come back, to let me help him. Yet, I also knew that it was too late. Just like the rest of us, he was gone. The rain started again, but I didn't seem to feel the cold. I watched disinterestedly as goosebumps rose on my arms. Every drop that hit me was like another memory; after a while, they covered me from head to toe, until not one inch of me was free from the downpour. Finally, I looked down at my watch, trying to see the time through the dirty, cracked screen. It was about three in the morning. I started walking back to my apartment.
'Mama take this badge from me. I can't use it anymore. It's getting dark, too dark to see. Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.' My radio was playing when I was opened the door. I sighed. Munna must have gotten bored and turned it on again. As I locked the door behind me, she ran up to me and looked at me expectantly.
"No, Munna, I don't have any treats for you." I pet my odd, pink, elephant-like Pokemon gently and walked into my room, slamming the door behind me.
'Mama put my guns in the ground. I can't shoot them anymore. That cold black cloud is comin' down. Fells like I'm knockin' on hea-' I shut off the clock radio. I reached under my bed and pulled out a large wooden box. The top was engraved with pictures of several Pokemon; a Raichu, a Persian, a Poliwrath, a Fearow, a Machamp, and an Alakazam. I opened the box. Inside were tons of pictures, probably hundreds. Each one was a little snapshot of how our lives had been and how they would never be again. In one I saw all of us hugging and smiling, ten years younger, infinitely happier. In another, I saw Allison with her Persian hanging off her lap. Finally, I found one of Nikki. In the picture she was sitting under a cherry blossom tree. She had placed one of the blossoms in her hair and she didn't notice someone was taking a picture. Instead of looking at the camera, she was staring off into the distance at something I couldn't see. I picked up the stack of pictures and sat them on the bed next to me. Then I opened the box's secret compartment and pulled out what I had come for; a revolver. I picked up the gun with two hands, trying to stop shaking, and put the barrel in my mouth. I closed my eyes. Suddenly, I heard a scratching sound at the door: Munna. I took the gun out of my mouth and put it back in the box, closed the secret compartment, and carefully returned the pictures to their proper place. I shoved the box back under my bed, out of sight. I spent the rest of the night curled up on my couch with Munna.
I must have fallen asleep at some point that night. When I woke up, the sun was just rising. I heard a rhythmic thumping sound and tried to ignore it, but it wouldn't go away. I felt a cool breeze on my skin and sighed. It felt nice, but….All of my windows were closed. I jumped up and looked around, but couldn't see anything. Walking to the front of my apartment, I noticed the thumping was coming from outside my door. I wondered who would be knocking this early. I opened the door and came face to face with something I only recognized from children's books. Drifloon. The ghosts were here. The purple balloon Pokemon hovered outside my door, its beady black eyes seeming to stare right through me. It reached forward with limp, string-like arms which it then wrapped around my waist. I pulled back.
"Hey!" I yelled. "Let go of me!"
Relax, I heard in my mind, I want to take you with me. Then I heard an old song playing in my head. Somewhere beyond the sea, somewhere waitin' for me, my lover stands on golden sands, and watches the ships go sailing. I heard music, a slow tinkling kind that you might hear in a music box. Come away with me, Emma, come with me. I'll take you to a place where there is no pain, there is no sadness, there are no ghosts, no ghosts to haunt you.
I recalled something I had read a long time ago. 'A Pokémon formed by the spirits of people and Pokémon. It is whispered that any child who mistakes Drifloon for a balloon and holds on to it could wind up missing.' The Drifloon had come to take me away. Did I want to go with it?
Come with me, little one, I'll make it better. Let me take you somewhere safe where you can rest. Let me take you elsewhere. Let me take you past the edge of the ocean, little one.
Past the edge of the ocean, past the edge of the world; elsewhere. Did I want to go elsewhere? I laughed at myself inside. Who had just put the barrel of a gun in their mouth? What did I have to lose? I heard Munna whimpering, but she would be okay. She would be fine without me. If she could figure out how to get a radio on, she could figure out how to feed herself and let herself out the door. She would live. I on the other hand….I felt the strings tighten their grip on me.
Relax, little sister, so I can take you away. Let me take you with me. You just have to let go.
Let go? But I couldn't let go, I didn't know how. I saw the faces of my friends; Alex, Allison, Helena, Wyatt, Nikki….They were already going or gone anyways. Did I want to stay around to see them pass like Nikki? Could I live with that? I didn't think so.
"Goodbye, Munna," I tried to say, but it came out as barely a whisper.
The Drifloon started to pull and I felt myself rising, being dragged out the door of my apartment, but I didn't do anything to stop it. I had fought the ghosts and the ghosts had won, but I wasn't afraid. I had fought well and that was all I could do. I felt myself floating up and up until I was among the clouds and in the distance I could see the sea. We are going, beyond the second star to the right, straight on until morning, into the sunset, past the seven seas, into the heart of Elsewhere, sang the voice in my mind. I felt happy, but tired. The ghosts aren't so bad, I thought. Not bad at all.
And then I let go.

subset: commoncrawl


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Recently, there has been an alarming spate of offensive and discriminatory comments made by politicians in several Andean countries. Yesterday, a former presidential candidate Nelson Zavala in Ecuador was banned from politics for one year after voicing extremely derogatory comments about gay people during his campaign. He repeatedly called gay people 'sinners' and 'immoral' while speaking publicly.
In Bolivia last month, individuals and organisations expressed their outrage and shock at comments made by the vice president of the country, Álvaro García Linera. In a speech where he condemned violence against women, he went from calling on Bolivians to denounce and stigmatise men who abuse women to saying "we should treat them as we would treat someone with AIDS". He used a particularly offensive Spanish word, 'sidosos', to refer to people living with HIV (PLHIV).
Last year, the president of Ecuador Rafael Correa, used a derogatory term for a gay man ('marica') on an online forum.
Stigma and discrimination are the tip of the iceberg
In all cases, the politicians' comments were quickly and roundly condemned by activists and members of the LGBT community and HIV organisations. While the comments by all three men show the depth of stigma and discrimination, related to sexuality and HIV that still exists in their countries, in Bolivia organisations took the opportunity to link stigma with the broader challenges for PLHIV in the country.
The Bolivian Network of People Living with HIV (REDBOL) denounced the vice president's comparison of PLHIV with criminals. It said:
"PLHIV are not murderers of women, nor are we rapists; on top of our struggles to find work and feed ourselves, we also live with health problems because the state does not take responsibility for our [health] care, despite the indications of Law 3729".
REDBOL's letter refers to the Law for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS, Protection of the Human Rights and Multidisciplinary Assistance to People Living with HIV/AIDS which was enacted by the Bolivian government in 2007, but has never been fully implemented, mainly due to a lack of funding from national government.
REDBOL called upon the government to meet with the network to discuss issues of human rights, violence and especially the question of government funding for HIV prevention and care programmes. REDBOL argues that Bolivia cannot depend on international aid to sustain these programmes and that funding for HIV programmes must be included in municipal and provincial budgets.
Edgar Valdez, the executive director of Alliance Linking Organisation Institute for Human Development (IDH), a longtime partner of REDBOL, has also issued a statement suggesting that this is a moment for Bolivians to reflect on the lack of dialogue and the increasing levels of violence and confrontation in Bolivian society.
Apologies and commitments
Vice President Linera of Bolivia apologised for his comments as did President Correa of Ecuador. There was no apology from Nelson Zavala, who is appealing the decision. President Correa recognised his comments were offensive, and took the opportunity to emphasise that his government was extremely committed to fighting discrimination of all kinds and that no other government had guaranteed the rights of LGBT people as his government had. While his initial comments were utterly inappropriate, let's hope more Latin American leaders affirm the rights of key populations as Correa has now done – publicly.


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Clos du Val Carneros Chardonnay 375
Winery: Clos du Val
Shelf Location: USA - Chardonnay
Varietal: Chardonnay
Varietal: Chardonnay
Description & Winemaker's Notes
|Bottle Price:
Think of plantain and smoke. The winery is Clos du Val from Los Carneros, Napa, California. The flavors create a full-bodied and dry effect. Tastes of Anjou pear, cinnamon and creamy pudding befall. Foods such as roasted veal chops, fried cabbage or savory sauces would match this wine.
Suggested pairings from Wynn's menu:
- Marinated Pork Tenderloin
- Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce
Pairings Available Here
|Sherry Wood Smoke Salmon
|Chicken Cordon Bleu
|Marinated Pork Tenderloin
|Macadamia Nut Crusted Grouper
|Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce


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ETF Tax Implications
ETF Tax Advantages over Mutual Funds
ETFs hold some some tax advantages over mutual funds, which may make them a beneficial asset to add to an investment portfolio.
Paying Taxes on ETF Dividends
ETFs have tax advantages over mutual funds. However, when it comes to paying taxes on ETF dividends, things are different. ETFs issue two kinds of dividends, qualified dividends and unqualified dividends.
Dividend ETFs – Paying Dividends for your Portfolio
A dividend ETF consists of dividend-paying stocks and usually tracks a dividend index. The stocks in the fund or index a selected based on their dividend yield. Some ETFs apply a general dividend strategy that covers the market as a whole, or they can be segmented.
List of Dividend ETFs
If you're looking for a dividend ETF, you've come to the right place. Dividend funds are gaining popularity due to their abilty to create a revenue stream as well as hedge against inflation and some types of risk. So if you're considering dividend ETFs for your trading strategy, check out the list below and watch these funds in action.
Nine Reasons ETFs Can Benefit Your Portfolio
If you are looking to diversify your investments, hedge against risk, or gain exposure to a certain market sector, ETFs can be the perfect asset for your portfolio.
5 Reasons to Consider ETFs instead of Mutual Funds
Mutual funds vs. ETFs. Here are five reasons to consider an ETF over a mutual fund.
5 Ways to Save Money with ETFs
High commissions and management fees, not to mention taxes, can really eat into your investing profits, so it only makes sense to consider exchange traded funds to reduce these costs. Here are five ways you can reduce your investment overhead with ETFs.
Are ETFs Better than Indexes?
A lot of ETFs are designed to track an index, but are you better off buying an index basket or the ETF? Every investing situation is different and a lot of factors can affect your trading strategy. However, if you're armed with the facts, you have the best chance of making the right decision.
ETFs Create Revenues, Returns and Savings
As with any investment, you are looking for a return. And of course that includes ETFs. But wouldn't it be nice if ETFs not only created an ROI, but also produced a revenue stream as well as save you money? Guess what, they do. Here are a few different ways your trading strategy can profit from ETFs.
6 Disadvantages of Mutual Funds
There are many disadvantages of mutual funds, so they may not be the best fit for your investment strategy. It may be time to consider ETFs.
Is An ETF Better Than a Mutual Fund?
Is an ETF better than a mutual fund? It depends on who you ask. However if you analyze the pros and cons as well as your portfolio, you might just get your answer.
What Are Actively Managed ETFs?
Actively Managed ETFs are designed to combine the advantages of ETFs and the benefits of mutual funds in one investment product. In the battle of ETFs vs. Mutual Funds, a winner may have emerged.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Foreign ETFs
While the US has a multitude of ETFs to add to your investment portfolio, there is a plethora of country and region ETFs as well. However, before you invest in a foreign ETF, you should be aware of the risks and benefits.
Five Things to Consider Before Buying an ETF
Buying an ETF is just like buying an equity. You bid a certain price or you take out the offering price. Simple as that. However, before you place that call to your broker, you should conduct due diligence about adding ETFs to your portfolio. Here are some things you should consider before making that final purchase.
Six Reasons to Sell an ETF
Selling ETFs might be a sound strategy for your investment portfolio, but as with any investment, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.
What is the difference between an ETN and an ETF?
ETNs are structured investment products that are issued by a major bank or provider as senior debt notes. This differs from an ETF which consists of an actual security or sometimes commodity derivative.
Five Reasons an ETF May Not Be Right for You
While ETFs have many advantages, they may not always be the best fit for your investment portfolio. Here are some reasons why.


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Find a Vanuatu bed and breakfast for your romantic weekend getaway. Intimate b & bs are cozy, romantic accommodations that are perfect for a mini-vacation, honeymoon, or wedding anniversary celebration. You will love the unique charm of our Vanuatu inns. Many guesthouses include complimentary breakfasts and unbeatable hospitality. Browse our bed & breakfasts and plan your Vanuatu romantic getaway today!
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Santo, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - 16 Semi self contained Village Suites 5 mins from 2nd Canal and a short walk to Luganville town centre. Your base to explore and experience the untouched Island of Espiritu Santo.Adventure treks/waterfalls/blue holes and overnight in a custom villag
Port Vila, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - Eratap Beach Resort is Vanuatus newest and most luxurious resort. This small boutique resort is hidden among the coastal forests of Eratap, just 20 minutes
Port Villa, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - Vanuatu is a sprinkling of 83 tropical islands from volcanic beginnings that lie peacefully in the south pacific. Vanuatu is a land whose people live an
Port Vila, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - Sunset Bungalows is situated in a unique tropical setting, only 5 minutes from the city centre, and 10 minutes from the international Airport.
Port Villa, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - Welcome to Coconut Palms Resort. We pride ourselves as Your Vanuatu Friend where we want to ensure that our guests will stay, relax and enjoy all that
Port Vila, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu is set in vibrant natural surroundings. The local attractions include Local Market, Cascade Waterfall, Mele Village, and Ekasup
Port Villa, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - Situated high on a cliff overlooking Erakor Lagoon, Mangoes Resort is a boutique child-free property within walking distance to Port Vila.
Vanuatu, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - Award winning Poppys on the Lagoon offers fabulous self-contained bungalows, suites & villas all situated in a lush tropical oasis garden on the waters
Port Vila, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - This Adults Only boutique resort presents the definitive beach holiday offering an idyllic, feet in the sand, sojourn. An intimate sanctuary for couples
North Efate, Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts - The Havannah is located on the island of Efate, some 25 km North-west of the nations capital, Port Vila. The Havannah is Vanuatus newest tropical retreat


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Videos > Yasmine Vega > Hottie Yasmine Vega enjoys thick cock pounding snatch and oozing on her face
Horny Spanish Flies You'll probably find this 'pick-up' site is more of a 'prick-up' site when you visit Horny Spanish Flies. Each Latina lovely is pounded with prick and spurted with a fresh load of spunk - all in the name of fapping.
Featured Pornstars:
- Yasmine Vega


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Hawley Bog Preserve
Open to the Public
Things To Do
See unusual vegetation on this flat, but wet, trail. View All
Plan Your Visit
Get Directions
Why You Should Visit
This preserve is an example of an unspoiled New England level bog within a deep glacial depression. A mat of consolidated peat 30 feet thick floats on the open water and supports an unusual community of plants.
Hawley, Massachusetts
65 acres
Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Hawley Bog is a one of the few remaining examples of a New England bog in its natural state.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Nature Conservancy owns 25 acres of this unique preserve and the remaining acreage is owned by Five Colleges, Inc. (a consortium made up of Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst Colleges and the University of Massachusetts). The entire preserve is managed cooperatively by The Nature Conservancy and is used as an outdoor classroom by the Five Colleges.
In 1997, volunteers and staff pulled together to complete a 700-foot boardwalk. Partially made from non-toxic recycled plastic, the new boardwalk forms a trail over the floating bog mat. It replaces boards which had been placed directly on the bog mat, which threatened the bog's sensitive community of plants. In 2004, crews worked to control the invasives in the area and trimmed vegetation along the boardwalk.
Daily, from dawn until dusk
What to See: Plants
Growing on the open water are bladderworts. At the periphery of the bog is a wooded swamp with wild iris surrounded by striking stands of hemlock and mountain laurel.
What to See: Animals
There are a number of fascinating ant species present on or around the bog.
All reasonable requests for special accommodations will be made with ample notice.
The short trail is flat but somewhat difficult due to its extreme wetness. It is very important to stay on the boardwalk (it is a floating mat and can break easily), which allows truly close-up views of an unusual community of vegetation.
Groups larger than 10 people are asked to coordinate their visit with our Western Massachusetts Program at (413) 229-0232 ext 232. Dogs are not permitted at this preserve due to the fragile habitat conditions and narrow boardwalk. If you have any questions while planning your outing, please contact Angela Sirois.
From Boston:
- Take Route 2W to Route 8AS (Hawley).
- Take the left at the forced stop past the railroad tracks.
- Take the first right onto East Hawely Rd.
- Continue approximately four miles to a small rock monument in a clearing.
- Park and take the path on the left.
Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.
Add Your Comments
Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!comments powered by Disqus
Read our guidelines on posting comments


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"The card was personalized so easily. There are very simple steps on how to make the card just how you want it. The picture quality was excellent and I appreciated an expert reviewing the card before printing! I am excited to deliver these invitations!"
"I order all my party invites from tinyprints and im never disappointed! Very happy with this invite...the quality is awesome and it's perfect!"
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"As always, prompt service, beautiful cards and a happy customer. This one is particular is super cute and am so happy with the quality. Thanks Tiny Prints!"
"I loved all of the options for the different fonts. Came in fast and looked just as cute as they did online. Everyone thought they were precious! Would definitely order from here again!"


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Circle the City: Connecting People to Parks
Circle The City, "Boston's first Open Streets initiative connecting people to parks," is launching on June 24, July 15 and August 5, 2012! Join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, the Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness, LivableStreets Alliance, Franklin Park Coalition, and the City of Boston as we walk, bike, dance and roll on open, car-free streets in and between our parks. Circle The City is free to people of all ages and will feature Franklin Park, Jamaica Pond, the Southwest Corridor Park, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Through creating safe, car-free public space on selected streets, we are celebrating the opportunity to get out and play together.
June 24, 2012, 1 to 5 p.m.
Franklin Park kick-off featuring free activities for people of all ages and a live performance of the Boston POPS Brass Ensemble
July 15, 2012, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Walk, bike, roll and play with us on Open Streets! Featuring a car-free corridor between Franklin Park and Jamaica Pond.
August 5, 2012, 10a.m. to 1 p.m.
Celebrate the city with us along the Rose Kennedy Greenway! Featuring a car-free corridor along the downtown waterfront.
Dorchester Event Schedule:
1:00 – 4:00pm Giant Kickball Game with Hike4Life
1:00 – 4:00pm Youth Street Hockey -Boston Bruins
2:00 – 4:00pm Super Soccer Stars Soccer
Get Moving
1:00 – 2:00 Personal Best Fitness Coaching
1:00 – 4:00 Big Brothers Big Sisters Frisbee Golf
1:30 – 2:30 Yoga and Interpretive Historic Walking Tour with Adrienne Sharigian
1:30 – 3:30 Fitness Walks – BPHC NeighborWalk andWalkBoston
1:00 – 4:00 Women's fitness clinic with Weights and Exercise with Karna Fitness
1:00 – 6:00 Bike Valet with MassBike
1:00 – 4:00 Free bikes, rodeo and learn-to-ride with Boston Bikes
2:00 – 4:00 Ride The Necklace with Common Boston (Meet at Boston Common, registration in advance)
2:00 – 4:00 Bike tour with veteran Boston cyclist Jessica Mink (Meet at Bike area)
Kids Activities
1:00 – 2:00 Boston Climate Action Network Skit
1:00 – 4:00 Energy and Environment – Museum of Science
1:00 – 4:00 Boston Fire Department Obstacle Course
1:00 – 4:00 Activities with the Boston Nature Center
1:00 – 4:00 Sun Printing and ART with the MFA
1:00 – 4:00 Tibetan Sticks Game with Acropolis Boston
1:00 – 4:00 Face Painting and Hula Hooping
1:00 – 4:00 Kites with Blue Hill Observatory
1:00 – 4:00 US EPA and Federal Partners
4:00 – 5:30 The Boston Pops Brass Ensemble live performance!
1:00 – 4:00 Farmers' Market with The Food Project
PLUS Lobsta Love and Grilled Cheese Nation Food Trucks and other treat


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|Broadway Pizzeria
|Friday, 20 April 2012
Broadway Pizzeria
By Matthew H Glasscock
The term hidden gem has become something of a cliché, especially when referring to eateries in Tuscaloosa. Since most restaurants have wisely positioned themselves among the busier thoroughfares in town, there isn't exactly a whole lot of hiding going on. Whether you're cruising down 15th Street, McFarland Boulevard, University Boulevard, or any other major street in T-town, you're bound to pass a handful of restaurants eventually. Some hot spots have even garnered renown beyond the county lines, while other restaurants simply remain beloved by the locals.
Broadway Pizzeria fits somewhere in between a locals-only destination and completely obscure. To begin with, they are located at the intersection of Rice Mine Road and the Paul Bear Bryant Bridge. Okay, the location isn't exactly hidden, but the area still remains a secret to some lifelong residents. The surrounding area is an amalgamation of industry, bait and tackle shops, and flourishing upper-class properties devoted to the genteel of North River. Broadway is poised directly in the middle of this cacophony of zoning and development. In spite of all of this confusion, Broadway shines as one of the true hidden gems this town has to offer.
I've been eating Broadway's pizza for several years. It's a staple at my day job. However, I've never actually set foot in the restaurant itself. Hell, I didn't even know where they were located until yesterday. I've enjoyed a few slices of pie here and there while at work, and I've ordered the occasional muffaletta to take home after work. All of which have always been delivered to me by the same flour- dusted woman, each and every time. Even though I've been nourished by Broadway for years, I knew it was time to first find, and then visit this esoteric bistro.
Broadway's menu is first and foremost dominated by pizza. And it should be. They make the best pizza in Tuscaloosa, hands down. Forget all of the bad chain pizza places that proliferate this town. You'll never need to call them again. Not only is Broadway cooking their pizzas in wood-fired ovens, but they're hand tossing their own dough for their New York style crusts (thin and crunchy) and serving the freshest and tastiest ingredients on each and every pie. I'm serious here. You will not eat a better pizza in Tuscaloosa.
In addition to the pizzas, Broadway is also cooking up other tasty treats. If you can actually lay your hands on a menu (the one at work is cherished and revered and has outlasted most employees) you'll notice a selection of sandwiches, calzones, wings, lasagna, spaghetti, cheese sticks, etc., all of which are cooked in the same wood-fired ovens as the pizza. Since I've already had the fine pizza numerous times and eaten the scrumptious muffaletta, I decided to try a calzone and the wings while on my visit.
The wings are my new favorite. Because the April 27th tornado claimed Mike & Ed's on 15th Street, I've been looking for a new place to get decent, non-fried wings. Mike & Ed's smoked theirs in their pit along with the ribs and pork butts. This process yielded a healthier and tastier alternative to the traditional buffalo wing you can find almost anywhere. Broadway's bakes their wings in the wood-fired oven, making the wings juicy and tender while not relying on the deep-fat-frying method implemented by everyone else. While I still long for that smoked flavor Mike & Ed's achieved, Broadway's wings are almost a perfect surrogate.
The calzone begins simply as just dough and cheese. You get to decide what else goes inside. Making that decision is the hard part. You are free to stuff up to six ingredients off the pizza topping list into your calzone before it enters Broadway's wood-fired oven. When it comes out, it almost rivals the pizza in flavor. The calzone is about the size of a football and could easily feed two. The ingredients within are evenly distributed and as a result, you're assured satisfaction with each bite.
Believe it or not, there are still a handful of menu items I've yet to devour at Broadway. The Long Island footlong hotdog and baked lasagna both beckoned to me during my visit but I passed and I scanned over their selection of salads. I'll have to get back soon, to complete my, uh...research.
The interior of Broadway is deceptively mundane. You'll notice plain, black chairs and tables and the walls are peppered with ubiquitous icons from the Big Apple. There are posters of Ellis Island, playbills from Broadway shows, etc. The aesthetic reminds me of Art Deco meets the 1990s. I'm not sure why the owners chose the New York motif for their restaurant. It seems almost as out-of-place as the restaurant itself. Whatever the reason, its the food that you'll remember the most. And its the food that'll bring you back.
Food: 5/5
Menu: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Service: 4/5
Matthew H Glasscock
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The California EPA has reported that the highest tissue concentrations of PBDEs are found in California aquatic life, with rising levels in San Francisco Bay harbor seals. Long believes "this is one of the biggest toxic threats facing Californians today".
This is Leno's second attempt at passing a bill involving these particular issues. The first, SB 706, introduced last year, sought to directly ban the use of toxic fire retardants. SB 706 was named the Crystal Golden-Jefferson Act, in memory of a 41-year-old firefighter who died of work-related, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is believed she developed the condition after breathing in dioxin (a highly toxic carcinogen) that was released from burning flame-retardants. Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Maine have already passed bills banning dioxin and have started phasing it out.
Banning chemicals is hard to do. Richard Holober of the Consumer Federation of California says that the petrochemical industry will slightly alter a banned chemical, "sort of chasing one version after another." In the United States, chemicals are mass-produced and distributed until they are found to be dangerous. In Europe, chemicals must be proven safe first.
The most outspoken opposition to both bills, SB 706 and SB 772, is a group called Citizens for Fire Safety. The group, headed by Jacobson, argues that fire retardants saves lives, noting that since California established TB 117 California structure fires have dropped by about 60 percent. Records from the National Fire Protection Association show a drop of 32 percent between 1980 and 2000. Yet other states, including New York, show a drop of 40 percent without a similar fire regulation. The drop can easily be ascribed to an increase in smoke detectors, better education, and more regulations on cigarettes: the number one fire instigator.
Citizens for Fire Safety's funding is suspicious. Its Web site clearly states "a portion of our funding&ldots;comes from various chemical industry leaders." Indeed, Jacobson says he has no problems accepting funding from the same companies that manufacture the chemicals in question. Leno believes Citizens for Fire Safety is a "concerted business effort to confuse the public."
This nonprofit front is just one of the extraordinary efforts of the chemical companies to stop bills of this nature. According to Holober, the bromine companies spent between $6 million and $9 million on lobbyists and efforts to derail SB 706. This is the largest amount spent by a consumer-interest group in lobbying efforts, Leno and Holober say.
Public records show that the two biggest lobbying efforts on behalf of Citizens for Fire Safety represent the Citizens for Fire Safety Institute, (which is funded by chemical corporations) and a PR group representing the Bromine Science and Environmental Forum. The BSEF represents all the major brominated flame-retardant companies.
Joe Kerr, president of Orange County Professional Firefighters Association Local 3631, makes more reasonable objections to SB 772. Kerr opposes the deregulation until "all the principals are brought to the table. Get the burn ward doctors, and the environmentalists, EPA, and Mark Leno together because there are good arguments on both sides." In the meantime, Kerr doesn't want to "throw the baby out with the bathwater." He also voices concern that some consumers will stop buying California products if the state's fire standard is lowered.
SB 772 is a deregulatory, pro-environment bill that gives the market the option to decide. Any product that does not meet regulations will be labeled accordingly.
February 11, 2010
I would like to applaud last month's announcement concerning the development of new fire safety products. This commitment, made to the EPA by several large industry manufacturers, signifies an appropriate and responsible step to protect human health and the environment. Unfortunately, recent legislation introduced in the California State Senate has jeopardized the value of the EPA agreement. SB 772 would immediately ban flame retardants from children's products. This bill is eligible to be heard in the Assembly in early 2010, and does not offer a strategy for the development of new flame retardant technologies. I feel that fire safety is a national concern, and state efforts like this will only undermine the progress of the federal government and hinder the development of superior technology.
As we make this transition to a new generation of products, we must remain watchful of such legislation that would preemptively ban existing products, leaving communities without adequate fire safety protection in the interim. These unnecessary and harmful bills will leave California communities vulnerable to fires right in the middle of our already dangerous and devastating fire season.
The timeline set by the EPA is the most efficient way to phase out these chemicals in place of their more environmentally friendly successors. The EPA agreement sets forth a rational, effective transition to newer alternatives, while allowing critical services such as police, fire and airlines to continue to use existing fire safety products that are critically important to saving lives. Proactive safety manufacturers have already announced the production of these environmentally-friendly fire retardants which minimize the use of raw materials, energy, byproducts and waste. Hailed by the EPA and several well-respected firefighting organizations, this agreement will undoubtedly prove to be the paramount model of sustainable fire safety in the future.
As a firefighter, I have seen the difference that mere minutes can make in terms of a fire's severity. With the help of fire retardants, homes and families are saved every day. Flame retardants have stopped thousands of fires from breaking out in residential homes. During this time of progress and development, we cannot place theoretical health risks above the very real risks of injury and death that flame retardant products seek to prevent. Our top priority should be to develop the most effective safety measures while maintaining the highest safety standards.
I encourage all citizens of California and the nation to trust the scientists of the federal environmental agencies and not act precipitously to put our families and children at risk of serious injury or death. You can support the EPA agreement by visiting SafePhaseOut.org, a website dedicated to the phase out and development of flame retardants. I believe that an effective national solution to this critical issue is the only solution that is truly safe.
Joe Kerr, President
Orange County Professional Firefighters Association
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Naomi Robbins, Contributor
I help people communicate data clearly with graphs.
Software packages for charting data often offer menus; i.e., lists of charts that are available. Excel offers a menu; Tableau has Show Me! Elementary statistics and graphing books offer recipes; i.e., guidance on when to use the chart types that appear in common menus. The recipes suggest that one use pie charts for parts of a whole, column or bar charts for comparisons, line graphs for trends, histograms for distributions and scatter plots for relationships. Similar menus and recipes appear on the Web; for example, the Extreme Presentation Chart by Andrew Abela or the Chart Chooser by JuiceAnalytics. These recipes reinforce the idea that the choice of graphs is limited to those on their menus.
One of most common mistakes in designing graphs is choosing the wrong graph type for the data. There's no doubt that recipes are very useful for novices to charting and help prevent the use of inappropriate chart types. However, there are several things that are worth keeping in mind when consulting menus and recipes:
1. They discourage "thinking outside the menu."
2. They may include chart types that should never be used.
3. They don't include some very useful chart types.
Today we'll concentrate on my first objection: discouraging "thinking outside the menu." You'll hear more about my other objections in upcoming posts. The common graph forms found on menus may not provide the best way to display a particular data set so that the display answers the question of interest.
I'll illustrate my point with two examples. I received an email from Beth Lisberg Najberg, an information designer with Beginnings in Chicago, asking me which of the two charts below depicting insurance premiums I preferred, or if another presentation would be better. The email also noted a key observation: although it is recommended that insurance premiums for the oldest age group be no more than triple those of the youngest, in this data set the ratio was much higher. She specifically asked: "Is there a way to show that $314 is nearly 4.5X the base premium?" Whenever I design a graph, I think about the message I want to get across; this clearly was the point that she wanted to be most prominent in the presentation.
I took a look at the two graphs that she had sent and it was obvious that neither made that point. They didn't because they were designed with the menu mindset. While there's nothing wrong per se with line graphs and bar graphs – both are widely used and effective – I don't like either of the graphs above for this set of data. Why? The line graph has lines connecting the premiums. This suggests that there is a continuous range of premiums. There are not. The bar graph has spaces between the bars. This suggests that there are some ages for which no premiums are available. Also not true.
Hi Dr. Robbins. I'm a bit confused about your redesign, but I think it may be a graphical error. The pie charts for Brands E and F look virtually identical, but the distribution in your redesign show them to be notably different. Am I overlooking something here? Cheers.
Some paraphrases of material on the PerceptualEdge.com Few's website: {Knowing the basic mechanics PowerPoint does not make one a good presenter, knowing Word does not make one a good writer, and knowing how to make a chart appear in Excel doesn't prove graphicacy.
A basic level of graphicacy can be learned quite easily by most people given the right resources, but it must be learned – graphicacy is not intuitive}.
{We live in a template culture, you don't really need to know how it works, just fill in the blanks and you will get a wonderful graphic}.
Putting these two comments together: Graphicacy is NOT intuitive AND the template culture says that we don't need to know how. Is it any wonder that we're swamped with cloudy visuals?


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Samsung has been satisfying many customers with their favorite Touch of Color displays, but these new LED eco-friendly displays will be sure to provide many with an even sleeker display. Based on the release photographs, the new models feature a sexy metal stand without the full "disc base" that we were used to seeing on the TOC monitors.
Their specs are impressive with a 2ms response time, 16:9 aspect ratio and of course are full 1080P. A new feature called 'Magic Return' does something like move your desktop around to actively powered-on displays. Not sure how much that will wreck havoc on your life (or carefully arranged desktop), but hey, it's a new feature!
Watch for the new 50 and 30 series LED displays soon at TigerDirect.com!
(For full Samsung Press release, keep reading)
Samsung Electronics Improves Viewing Experience with New Eco-Friendly LED Monitors
Samsung announces the Q-Series range of notebooks, the ultimate blend of style, power and mobility
Seoul (Korea Newswire) July 6, 2010 — Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the number one worldwide brand for display products, is continuing to evolve LED monitor technology by offering environmentally-friendly monitors with better viewing angles and eye-catching designs with the release of its 50 and 30 series LED monitors.
Before developing its latest LED monitors, Samsung consumers identified three key areas that would benefit consumer needs – eco-friendliness, design and viewing experience. Samsung addressed these mandates in the following ways:
- Eco-friendly LED backlight: The 50 and 30 series LED monitors highlight Samsung's commitment to putting the PlanetFirst™. Unlike conventional monitors, LED-backlit displays contain few or no environmentally hazardous substances, such as mercury or lead, and use about 40 percent less energy. Samsung's Touch of Color (ToC) technology doesn't use paints, sprays or glues, ensuring they contain no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), making recycling simpler and safer.
Samsung's Magic Eco feature allows users to adjust a monitor's brightness based on different energy consumption levels with four preset energy-saving options to choose from: 100 percent, 75 percent, 50 percent, and Power-Saving Off. Additionally, the 50 and 30 series monitors meet international energy standards including Energy Star 5.0 and China's Energy Level 1 grade (50 series), proving themselves eco-friendly products.
- Sleek and slim design: Both the 50 and 30 series introducenew, sleek designs that set them apart from previous design trends. Both have adopted Samsung's trademark ToC technology, reducing monitor thickness dramatically. The 50 series employs a Charcoal gray ToC design, a stand with a chrome finish and a delicate wave back-pattern. The 30 series differentiates itself with its Mystic Brown ToC design, a color not commonly found in conventional monitors, which is reminiscent of rich, handcrafted chocolate. These products truly deliver on Samsung's design philosophy that consumer electronics should resemble pieces of art that help tie a room together.
- The most comfortable viewing experience: Samsung's new 50 and 30 series LED monitors support Samsung's proprietary Magic Angle feature to reduce eye strain and ensure that images are centered when viewed from any angle. This eliminates distortion and provides the best viewing angle whether standing, sitting, or even lying down. Consumers can also enjoy vivid, dynamic images thanks to the Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio, ultra-fast response time of 2ms, FHD resolution, and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Also unique to the 50 series is a new feature called Magic Return. When users are working with two monitors, Magic Return automatically moves content from a screen that is abruptly turned off to the screen that is still on, enabling content to be accessed even if one of the monitors gets disconnected, or shuts off.
"Samsung's 50 and 30 LED monitors illustrate our commitment to releasing top-of-the-line products that are environmentally-friendly and address the needs of consumers," said Jin-hwan Kim, Vice President, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics. "Through our continuous monitor innovations, we expect the 50 and 30 series of LED monitors will strengthen our leadership in the global LED monitor market."
Source: Samsung via Engadget


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BenzWorld Junior Member
Date registered: Feb 2005
Posts: 25
FS: 1979 MB 300CD Diesel Coupe. 2-SoCal Owners. All History/Records
1979 Mercedes Benz 300CD
Diesel Coupe
Every Record/Document from Day-1
244,300 Original Miles
Milan Brown Metallic on Bamboo MB-Tex Interior
Automatic Transmission
Clean and Clear California Title
2-Owner California Car
Offered at $6,990
The W123 or C123 Chassis Mercedes Benzes having always had a strong following, but they are finally becoming a cult collectible. In particular, the diesel engine models are very desirable as time has proven these to be incredibly well built machines.
This particular Coupe has a soft spot in my heart. I learned to drive in this exact car when I was 15. My dad purchased it brand new on March 16, 1979 from the Mercedes Benz dealer in Hollywood, CA. At the time, the gas crisis was in full swing and my dad was commuting 100-miles a day. He was done with gas lines and this Diesel seemed like the answer. To say he coveted the car would be putting it lightly. He changed his own oil religiously every 3,000 miles. The local Mercedes mechanic became such good friends with my dad that he became part of our Christmas card list. There are so many strong memories with my dad and they way he cherished this car.
By the early 90s, his commute shortened to a dozen miles a day and he had a company car as well. So, the Brown Diesel (also called Henry) was retired from daily service at around 200,000 miles. Now, it was simply used as an extra car and the miles came on at a much slower rate. However, my dad still changed the oil every few months even if there was less than a few hundred miles between changes. My dad was so meticulous that he kept a record of every single tank of diesel that went into the car as well as every single record of oil changes done. Also, we have a three-ring binder that is over an inch thick with receipts since day one. Finally, we have every bit of sales information that came with the car. This includes the original bill of sale, sales brochure, and letters from Mercedes.
In 2003, we sold the car to my friends father. Henry had about 220,000 miles on it at the time. This owner had recently moved to Palm Springs and kept the car there as his weekend show car. He continued the excellent maintenance including the following recent services:
New Pirelli tires
New Bilstein shocks
Major Air Conditioning overhaul (works great)
Compression test: 1)320 2)320 3)325 4)320 5)310
New Injector fire rings
New A/C compressor
New timing chain and tensioner
The car really drives great. I think it is testament to the two owners care of the car. It shifts smoothly and starts with ease.
Considering the age of the paint, (it was repainted its original color when almost new due to being hit in the rear and my dad wanted the car to look perfect) it looks very good. The only flaw is on the passenger side C pillar (see photo). Some of the paint is cracking and flaking. It also is cracking a bit by the rear window as well (see photo). The interior looks amazing and is all original. The dash is perfect with no cracks or warping. The seats look great with no tears. The original carpet and floor mats still look good with minimal wear signs. The passenger side rear window does not work and probably needs a new regulator. Also, the driver side rear window is very slow. The sunroof motor works, but it doesnt open and needs a new cable. Everything else works. Even the A/C blows cold and the clock keeps time.
This Benz comes with all the original owners manuals, first-aid kit, dealer documents, records, log books, metal owner plate, jack, spare tire, tools, and an extra key. You will be hard pressed to find a more complete 30+ year old diesel.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Paul at 714-335-4911 or email@example.com
For over 100 photos, email me.
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Get ideas and inspiration, find easy to use patterns
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Pattern of the Week
Let in the sun in this oversized top
Editors' Pick
Ruffles and ruching make crush-worthy tops, dresses, and skirts.
Sew the Draped Knee Length Skirt
Fashion & Trends
Sew this cute style from Chanel's F/W 14 Couture Collection!
Sewing & Techniques
Introducing the Swimsuit sloper! Be the designer and creator of your own swimwear
Member Project of the Week
Martynia6's pair of lace shorts are wonderfully summery and right on trend!
This pattern is also available in the Coastal Classic Collection
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Posts tagged egg hunt
Help clean up YMCA Camp Sherwin
YMCA Camp Sherwin, 8600 West Lake Road, will host a camp clean-up on Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16. Volunteers are needed to help get the camp ready for the new season. Some of the projects planned for the cleanup include grounds beautification, cabin cleaning and paint touch-ups. For more information or to volunteer,… View Article
Egg Hunt Volunteer Opportunities at YMCA Camp Sherwin
YMCA Camp Sherwin, 8600 West Lake Road, Lake City, will host its third annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30, and is seeking volunteers to help out. Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions, including kitchen help, children's games and crafts, egg hiders, parking attendants, registration and more. This is a terrific opportunity for families, scout… View Article
Easter egg hunt offers ways to get involved
It's Easter time and that means egg hunts galore. We have a complete listing here. For those feeling particularly altruistic this Holy Saturday, The Erie County YMCA's Camp Sherwin, on 8600 West Lake Road in Lake City, needs volunteers for its Easter Egg Hunt and Open House on Saturday. The event runs from 2 to… View Article


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Goedkope Accommodatie Oceanië Australië Sydney Hostels The Funk House
Located in the heart and soul of Sydney, the Funkhouse is a unique, upbeat hostel famous for it's friendly social atmosphere and funky murals.
... meer
Located in the heart and soul of Sydney, the Funkhouse is a unique, upbeat hostel famous for it's friendly social atmosphere and funky murals.
With only three-to-four beds per dorm you can book a room with your mates!
At the Funk House all our doubles and twins have TVs, fridges and duvets and rooms have fans to beat that summer heat. With its large common areas, cable TV and a chilled rooftop terrace area with our famous weekly BBQs, you can relax and sink a couple of beers while watching the sun set over the city and harbour. There's a fully equipped kitchen for you to use and laundry facilities, too.
During your stay @ The Funkhouse you'll receive free breakfast, free WiFi, and one hour free Internet access on our public computers! You will also get a free walking tour of Sydney, free travel advice and free bed linen. When you arrive you will get a free Welcome Pack, including food and drink vouchers, a free sim and phone card and free job-seeking membership.
From The Funk House it's an easy walk to Sydney's most famous attractions including the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Botanical Gardens, The Rocks, Sydney Tower, Darling Harbour and Sydney Aquarium and Taronga Zoo.
The Funk House is just 200m from the train/metro and bus station, giving you easy access to Sydney's best beaches including Bondi Beach and Manly Beach (where the first World Surfing Championships were held). If you're up the challenge, learn to surf! Or if not, just kick back and work on the tan!
Kings Cross has everything to offer in terms of entertainment. This means that all the best bars, clubs and restaurants are right on your doorstep!
The Funk House is owned and run by travellers for travellers. We want you to have the best experience of Sydney and Australia.
C'mon and join the Funk Team!!
23 Darlinghurst Rd, Kingscross
Klik hier om de kaart te vergroten
Ben je hier geweest? Schrijf een recensie
* De Klanttevredenheid score is gebaseerd op een combinatie van ratings afkomstig van Travellerspoint en externe websites. De score 75% voor deze accommodatie is gebaseerd op beoordelingen door 39 gasten.
Aan het laden ...


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In the Army & Marines, an enlisted job is called an "MOS" (Military Occupation Specialty). In the Navy & Coast Guard, an enlisted job is called a "Rating." In the Air Force, and enlisted job is known as an "AFSC" (Air Force Specialty Code.
The 1st number in the AFSC is the career group. There are 9 Air Force Career Groups: 1-Operations; 2-Maintenance/Logistics; 3-Support; 4- Medical/Dental; 5-Legal/Chaplain; 6-Finance/Contracting; 7-Special Investigations; 8- Special Duty Assignments; 9-Special Reporting Identifiers.
The 2nd digit (letter) identifies the career field. The 3rd digit (numeral) indicates the career field subdivision (ie, job functional area). The 4th number in the AFSC indicates a person's skill-level. For example, someone with the AFSC "1A051" has a five-skill level. An individual receives the "1" (helper) skill-level when they enter technical school for the AFSC. Upon graduation from technical school, they receive the "3" (apprentice) skill level. Individuals are normally awarded the "5" (journeyman) skill level after a period of on-the-job training (OJT) and correspondence courses (Called "CDCs"). Depending on the job, this process can last anywhere between 12 and 18 months. Upon promotion to Staff Sergeant, individuals enter training for the "7" (craftsman) Skill Level. "7" level training consists of more CDCs, more OJT, and (for some jobs) a 7-level technical school. Upon promotion to E-8, the person receives a "9" (superintendent) skill level.
The final digit (numeral) indicates further job division within the same functional area. Specific skills (such as type of aircraft) are designated by suffixes, such as "A" or "B."


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£8.99 was £13.49
£5.99 per 100ml
Beautycard Points: 8 points
Product Information
A natural looking tan on a smoother skin.
SUBLIME BRONZE Milk with a smoothing effect has been specially developed to give a natural looking golden tan without orange streaks. Containing AHAs this product smoothes the skin and help to ensure a uniform tan. Its easy to apply, incredibly delicate formula ensures extremely natural looking results. Suitable for the face and body.
Texture: Light, non-greasy texture. Dries rapidly leaving no greasy film.
Results: An even, natural looking tan. Extremely smooth and silky skin.
Apply to perfectly clean skin. Spread evenly over the face and body, avoiding eyebrows and hairline and carefully working into the elbows, ankles and knees. Wash hands well after application.
Use daily until the desired tan is achieved, after which use 2-3 times a week.
Does not contain UV filters.
Does not protect from UV light.
Product Specification
Size (150) Unit (ML) Height (16.6) Width (6.1) Depth (3.5)
We deliver throughout the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland, Isle of Anglesey, Isle of Wight, Scilly Isles and The Scottish Islands) and BFPO (UK Only).


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February 18, 2014
Bought for my son in law..he is very pleased with it.
January 20, 2014
January 19, 2014
I lived in one of these for over 6 months travelling all over the british isles and europe. from ben nevis to switzerland to budapest.
January 15, 2014
Comfortable and easy
Soft, light weight and comfortable. even though i've got long arms the sleeves are just a little bit too long
For full terms and conditions please see our Delivery & Returns policy


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I am looking for some code where member can't use the same title as another post already having or used.
e.g if there is a post with title "Amazing Australia Tour" than it should not allow to use the same title to same or other user.
Main Code
Please check the auxiliary code after this block
Auxiliary Code
The method used to check if a new post/page is being created or not requires a
This answer was assembled using:


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Konami bringing a hefty line-up to gamescom
Konami has announced what titles they will be bringing to this year's gamescom trade show in Cologne.
As expected they will be bringing Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 to the show and this will be accompanied by the eagerly anticipated Metal Gear spin-off Metal Gear Rising Revengeance which is in development at Bayonetta developer Platinum Games.
They will also be showing two titles in the Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow series including the new 3DS title Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow - Mirror Of Fate which was announced at E3.
"Innovation and strong brands that is what Konami is all about at this year's gamescom," explained Konami's Martin Schneider. "With new versions of Pro Evolution Soccer, Metal Gear and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, fans and gamers are introduced to our best brands. And via Konami onAir, we can connect directly with our community and bring Konami's gamescom attractions to gamers all over the world an exciting interaction that has never been at the show before."


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Fellow Chowhounders, please help. First trip to Montreal and there are three of us including an adventurous 14 year old chowhounder in training. What are the "not to be missed" dining/eating experiences in Montreal? I know about the wonderful Smoked Meat and of course Bagels, and I've heard about Pied de Cochon. So, what would you recommend? We're staying in Old Montreal. Really appreciate this!
Hiya, here are a couple of good threads:
Spring Trip to Montreal - Suggestions?
A week of Montreal dining for two hungry brothers?
Mid-range to high-end Montreal restos: personal reccos
Quintessential Montreal?
Soko, I am probably not the best person to provide help, since I myself am a "tourist" when it comes to Montreal. But my boyfriend and I stayed in the Old Montreal area and will be staying there this March. This is only based on my past experience. In the Old Montreal area, we had dinner at Garde Manger (Chuck Hughes) and Holder. Despite many wonderful reviews, our experience at Garde Manger was not successful (both the food and service was pretty bad, maybe we went on an off-night but my boyfriend did not even finish his main plate. He told me that he could not swallow it anymore....sigh) But Holder was very nice. The food was not super amazing, but it was good and the service was amazing.
I would also recommend the Olive + Gourmando in the Old Montreal. The service was crappy, but the baked goods were very tasty. We especially liked the Chocolate Banana Brioche: it was dense and yummy that we made the trip again the next day just to buy another one. I believe O+G doesn't open on Sunday and Monday, so you may want to check their website.
We also went to a place called Le Cartet. We were there for brunch before leaving back to Toronto. I thought it was alright, a bit pricey for the food, but the place had nice vibes and people were lined up to get in on Sunday morning, so I guess it's a not a horrible place?
Outside of Old Montreal, we went to St.Viateur Bagel, La Banquise and Kitchen Gallerie for a dinner. We also went to Jean Talon Market and ate some munchies here and there including some gelato. They were all fine. Again, we are not montreal locals, but we read numerous reviews and chose carefully since we were only there for a long weekend.....Hope this helps.
Also, I don't know if you are cupcake fans, but Les Glaceurs is in the Old Montreal area near Notredame and I just saw a group deal (which I just bought). Maybe your family may enjoy the deal also. The link: http://dealoftheday.redflagdeals.com/...
Let me know what your final plans will be. I am super happy to go back in March and am currently planning like crazy! lol. Mostly getting hungry.....
Le Cartet
106 Rue McGill, Montreal, QC H2Y, CA
re: newbie_gourmand
re: SnackHappy
re: newbie_gourmand
re: celfie
re: SnackHappy
re: SnackHappy
re: Shattered
Shattered, I guess since we stayed in Old Montreal, we resorted to staying in the Old Montreal area...besides Garde Manger, Holder and O+G were recommended to us by previous chowhounders (as the popular thread by Carswell) Anywho: I would love to hear your recommendations on "tons of great food" places outside of Old Montreal. Many thanks.
re: SnackHappy
Well, I believe (as a tourist myself) that the area by the water is called the Old Port. As Wikipedia states:
"Today, the riverfront welcomes over seven million visitors per year. The historical Old Port offers Montrealers and visitors alike access to a wide variety of activities, including the Montréal Science Centre, with an IMAX Theatre, and the Montreal Clock Tower. It offers riverfront access for walking, cycling, roller-blading, quadricycle, pedalo and Segway rentals. It is also located at the eastern end of the Lachine Canal, which has itself been extensively refurbished as a popular destination for cycling, roller-blading and pleasure boating. Cultural events include the Festival Montréal en lumière, Igloofest and the Matsuri Japon festival.
The Old Port of Montreal changed its name to The Quays of the Old Port of Montreal in 2005. Every 2 years the Cirque du Soleil launches a new show from the Jacques Cartier Quay."
re: shopgirl
re: shopgirl
Yes, the area South of De La Commune which includes all the things listed in the wikipedia entry is The Old Port. Everything North up to Saint-Antoine is the historic district of Old Montreal. Every place mentionned in newbie_gourmand's post is in Old Montreal.
Furthermore, Old Montreal was around long before what we now call The Old Port was created and no one ever confused the two until a few years ago.
re: SnackHappy
I would say not to miss Kazu on St Catherine St. It is small and the food is not quintessential Montreal but it is truly a hot restaurant and is making or already made its mark on our food scene
1862 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Montreal, QC, Canada
1862 Sainte-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3H 1M1, CA
Hi ....My husband and my 11 yr old daughter and I love Laloux (classic French cuisine and chic understated atmosphere) on Ave. des Pins. Also discovered Joe Beef in Little Burgundy after seeing it on Diary of a Foodie (PBS).. had great seafood (oysters) and halibut.. creative side dishes. Cozy and very fun. Also a classic Greek seafood place is Milos on Ave. du Parc... Last but not least for a French casual cafe is Cafe Cherrier on St. Denis&Cherrier. ( Goat cheese salad, moules et frites, and classic bistro food) Hope this helps!!
Joe Beef
2491 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H3J1N6, CA
Cafe Cherrier
3635 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC H2X3L6, CA
If you are staying in Old Montreal you will be surrounded by great restaurants. If you like steak you MUST try Gibby's steak House. Classy and Awesome.If you walk along St. Denis Street you will find that Montreal has so many fine restaurants.Little Bistro's,Pub's,Great Asian restaurants,anything you want Montreal has.
re: Annevdw54
Gibby's is very hit or miss. I've had error prone meals. I wouldn't call it classy - it is american steak house with a tired menu. You won't find great asian on St-denis either. Look for destinations before hand. if you are tempted during a stroll up st-denis, you will likely find yourself at a tourist trap
Please remember before you go home to get to Victoria Fish Market for a pound or more of their lox: best in the city no doubt about it and take it home. It freezes well
re: blondee_47
re: blondee_47
re: newbie_gourmand
re: davekry
re: newbie_gourmand
There is some pretty decent smoked salmon to be had at Atwater market, which is closer. Fromagerie Atwater has been stocking M. Emile's smoked salmon, in blue packages, which is very good, and Poissonnerie Atwater had some from New Brunswick or Nova Scotia (can't remember which offhand) which was super-smoky and highly recommended.


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Kanpur is one of the most populous cities of north India that situated on the bank of India's major river Ganga. Most of the reputed industries having their base in Kanpur. This led to Kanpur as favorable educational institutional hub of India. Where students have keen interest to take up degree courses from Kanpur. Kanpur is one of the favorable destination of education in India as many prominent universities and colleges are situated here. Like Kanpur University one of the famous university worldwide.
Below you find some biotechnology colleges in Kanpur,
BE in Biotechnology, B. Tech. in Biotechnology, B.Sc. Biotechnology and M. Sc Biotechnology are some of the courses offered by these colleges and institutions. Any student who passed his or her 12th standard with science field can apply for admission in bachelors of biotechnology. These institutions also offer research and Ph.d courses in biotechnology.
Worldeduhub brings complete list of various universities and colleges in Kanpur and worldwide. This enables students need not go to any other place to search, they will get full details regarding courses and colleges of their interest here only. This section of worldeduhub brings complete list of top biotechnology colleges in Kanpur and other biotechnology institutes in Kanpur that offer quality biotechnology education in Kanpur to their students. Here we work with our best efforts to provide top Kanpur biotechnology colleges and institutes if you find any differences please let us know.