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Chapter 50 : Epilogue
|Rating: Mature
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Breakfast at the Great Hall had always been one of my favorite things about Hogwarts. What's not to love? The babble of happy voices greeting each other in the morning. The warm sense of belonging, of being home. The bright young minds coming from all corners of the castle to sit together, have a nutritious meal, and revel in academia and the sacred pursuit of knowledge.
And the bacon.
The bacon at Hogwarts is, to put it succinctly, da bomb.
And on a morning like this one, I would need as much as I could get. Because today was game day the school's first Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch match of the year and, more importantly, my first match... Well, ever.
At the start of Sixth Year, I had tried out for the Quidditch team and, much to my surprise and Dom's triumphant glee, landed myself the position of left Chaser. Which meant I would be playing alongside Dom, my lifetime best friend, for the entire school year. A good thing.
It also meant, however, that I would be playing against the Gryffindors, and consequently against my boyfriend, twin brother and other best friend in every match against their House. Bad thing.
Initially, the boys hadn't taken my induction into "the Snakes" very graciously. Aidan stopped speaking to me altogether, then tried to convince Mum and Dad to scratch me from the will. Freddy alternated between vehemently denouncing all my life choices and dropping to his knees to tearfully beg me to resign. And Potter... Well, actually, Potter took it okay.
He was the one who convinced me to try out in the first place, after all.
"Morning." I looked up from my eggs and toast (and, of course, bacon) to see Evelyn plopping down across from me at the table, wearing a men's button-down shirt, her hair significantly mussed. I cocked a knowing eyebrow.
"Slept over at Freddy's?" I asked through a mouthful of food.
Evelyn grunted in response as she grabbed the Nutella jar, twisted it open, and stuck a spoon inside. "Yeah."
I groaned in despair, letting my fork clatter onto my plate. "Dude, come on."
"Look, I know you don't approve of how Freddy and I work." Twirling her spoon in the air, the blonde rolled her eyes in an exasperation so 'teenage girl' that it made me feel like a lecturing mum in high-waisted jeans. "But just because we're not living in monogamous bliss like you and James doesn't mean our relationship's unhealthy. Yes, we're on and off a lot, yes we see other people... But it works out, okay?"
"That's not what I care about!" I cried, holding my hands up defensively. "I just don't want you giving Freddy a morale boost the night before a big game!"
Evelyn pouted. "What?"
"The game! Quidditch!" I blurted out. "Remember?"
"Ohh, right." Evelyn cocked her head as she chewed, her cheeks bulging to chipmunk capacity. "Yeah, I don't care about that."
"I'm not a fan of sports, my dear," Evelyn drawled. She retrieved her compact from her backpack, snapping it open to check her makeup in the mirror. "Or competition in general. What's that saying, again? If you can't beat 'em "
"Sleep with them?"
"That's the one."
I sighed, brow falling into a flat line of frustration. "You're unbelievable "
"Morning." Before I could further berate Evelyn for her betrayal, James Potter my longtime boyfriend/Quidditch arch nemesis/actual arch nemesis was swooping into the seat next to mine, planting a kiss on my cheek and reaching to help himself to the scrambled eggs.
I turned, gaping at him in astonishment. He was freshly showered, his jet black hair dripping and sticking up in the usual patches that always drove me mad. He was dressed in a plain white shirt but already wearing the bottom half of his kit, along with his field cleats. It was a strangely attractive ensemble.
This did not stop me, however, from acknowledging the fact that us sitting together was wrong. Flat-out wrong. I mean, fraternizing with the enemy much?
I stared and stared at Potter, hoping he would catch on, but he remained oblivious as he started plundering the table in front of him, shoveling obscene amounts of food onto his plate. How come nobody understood that today was a special day and Gryffindors and Slytherins had to keep their distance? Was nothing sacred anymore?
"Oi!" I finally snapped. Evelyn jumped at the outburst and fixed me with the stinkeye, evidently annoyed that I'd interrupted whatever loving interaction she'd been having with her mirror.
Potter glanced at me from the corner of his eye, too busy gulping down pumpkin juice to devote his full attention to my greivances. "What?"
"You're not allowed to sit next to me today," I said slowly, unsure if Potter was purposefully acting thick just to be difficult. How could he not know this? Gryffindors and Slytherins did not mix on the day of a Quidditch match. It was like...like a basic rule of the universe, along with Newton's Law of Motion and the power of gravity.
"Oh?" Potter set down his now-drained goblet and arched a curious eyebrow. "And why not?"
"It's game day, and we're on different teams." I sniffed, pursing my lips with obvious annoyance. "Therefore, we're not speaking. Or supposed to be, anyways."
Potter took a long look at me, surveying my bedraggled early-morning appearance from top to bottom. I shifted uncomfortably under his hard, analytical gaze, waiting impatiently as Potter processed all this new information and seemed to come to the conclusion that none of it was to his liking.
"Well?" I demanded.
"You're cute," he quipped, then turned back to his food.
"Don't condescend," I shot back, now legitimately miffed at his blasé response. Why couldn't he take me seriously, for once? I leaned forwards, conviction in my tone and the set of my jaw. "This is important."
"I'm not being condescending," Potter said matter-of-factly, not even bothering to look at me as he reached across the table for the toast basket. "I actually think you're cute. In every sense of the word. I think your curly hair is cute, I think the shape of your nose is cute, I think it's cute how much you care about Quidditch and how worried you are that us being on different teams will negatively affect our relationship "
"What?" I blustered, caught off guard by how quickly he'd called me out on the truth. "I'm I'm not worried. That's not what I was saying "
"It's won't affect our relationship, Bennett," Potter said calmly, setting down the breadbasket. He finally turned to look at me. "If you lose to my team, I'll still think you're cute. If you beat me, I'll still think you're cute. And either way we'll get to have triumphant post-Quidditch sex afterwards, because at least one of us will be the winner. So it all works out."
I had no response to that.
Potter smirked at my petulant silence. "I gotta warm up now. See you on the field. Good luck."
Hunched over her plate, Evelyn made a grossed out face as Potter swiftly kissed me on the cheek, stood up and ambled off. Presumably to the locker rooms, where he would finish getting changed, prep the Gryffindors, and then review for one last time all his most likely brilliant strategies for kicking my arse in front of the entire school and everyone we knew.
"This is not going to be fun," I mumbled, more to myself than anything, as dread seemed to consolidate in the bottom of my stomach. My eyes lingered on Potter's retreating form, tracing the broad line of his shoulders until they disappeared out the door, away from view.
Evelyn shrugged, smirking. "Like I said, if you can't beat 'em..."
"It's a trap," Dom said, punctuating the declaration with a closing slam of her metal locker door. "He's being extra sweet to you and playing the 'good boyfriend card' so that you'll let your guard down. You'll be shaken, confused; you won't play as well. Then he and his stupid team will swoop in and win the game. You can't let him get in your head, Aggy, you can't."
"Okay, okay, chill," I retorted, landing a placating hand on Dom's shoulder. I glanced warily around the locker room, hoping that our teammates hadn't noticed her deranged ranting. We were all getting ready for the game the room was packed with nerves and anxiety, and the last thing we needed was for everyone to see their Captain in the midst of a giant freak out. "Deep breaths, deep breaths."
Dom gulped in some air, her small body expanding and shrinking with each comically large oxygen intake. I watched her warily, unsure if I should sit her down and get her a paper bag to hyperventilate in, or call the police and prematurely report the mass murder of the entire Gryffindor Quidditch Team. It was a toss-up at this point.
"It's just those... those boys." Dom made a noise, a surprising noise, that sounded like the cross between a monster truck engine revving and the snort of an angry animal. "They think they can beat us, eh? We'll show them."
"Of course we will," I murmured. I also cared about this match it was my first, after all, and I had to prove I was deserving of my spot on the team but for some reason, the anxiety I'd been feeling at breakfast had dissolved. My mind was now floating somewhere else, somewhere between the way Potter's back had looked in that white t-shirt and the words 'triumphant post-Quidditch sex.' Oh boy.
"It's not fair, you know," Dom added as she bent over to viciously yank at her cleat laces, her red-gold hair swinging in front of her face. "All the league's scouts have been clamoring for James and the season hasn't even begun! He doesn't have to worry about stupid Hogwarts games. He's got a guaranteed spot on any pro team after he graduates. He can play for Puddlemere! He has everything he wants!"
I shrugged, thinking of all the Healing School applications sprawled across Potter's dormitory desk at this moment. "I'm not sure Quidditch is what Potter wants, actually." This only seemed to enrage Dom more, so I hastily added: "Besides, there have been scouts looking at you, too. Even if the team as a whole doesn't do well today, you won't suffer for it. Everyone knows how good of a player you are. You're our Captain, after all."
Dom allowed a quick, satisfied smile to flit across her pretty face before hardening her features once more. "True. But we still have to kick their arses. It's a matter of pride"
She glared at me, eyes glinting with the kind of terrifying Quidditch fanaticism that only a Weasley could possess.
I grimaced in response. "I can't believe you're already thinking of what we'll be doing after graduation."
Dom shrugged as she wiggled into her jersey, its silver number flashing across her back in the fluorescent light. "I mean, it's Sixth Year. It's time to start." She paused. "Any idea what you want to do?"
"Not Quidditch," I said rather glumly. "I was thinking about law, but I'm not so sure now."
Dom seemed to soften at my uncertainty. For a moment, her harsh expression turned benevolent, her gaze sympathetic. "Whatever you do, you'll be amazing at it. We've got time before we have to decide."
"Not a lot of it," I said dejectedly, but Dom waved the words away.
"Let's focus on the now, shall we? We've got the entire school waiting for us outside." Dom straightened and swung her long arms behind her back, stretching her sinewy muscles at an angle that made my mouth drop open. She had always been flexible in First Year that had manifested itself in an awkward gangliness boys would make fun of, but now Dom had grown into her body. Last year, when we returned to Hogwarts for our second semester and Cooper had been successfully impeached from his spot as Slytherin Quidditch Captain (not to mention expelled from school), Dom had played as temporary Captain for the last Quidditch game of the year. And she had. Been. Unbelievable. She'd done pro-level spins and tricks that made the crowd gasp, actually gasp it was rumored she'd managed a handstand on her broom at some point.
As a point of comparison, last month I finally managed to touch my toes for the first time and got so excited I called my mum.
So, there was no doubt in anybody's minds that Dom was supposed to be Captain. This was not to say she didn't have her faults. Were some of her tactics a little extreme? Well, yeah. Could someone get away with describing her style as erratic, even slightly dictatorial? Maybe. Did the Hogwarts Daily sports column once call her "the Stalin of Quidditch?" Yes, yes it did.
But, you know, we all have our things we need to work on.
"Ready to go?" Our seeker, none other than the illustrious Ryan Fisher, slung his broom over his shoulder and cocked his head towards the door. "They're waiting."
I beamed at Ryan, and he smiled amicably back a smile that, exactly a year ago, would have caused a butterfly riot in my small intestines. But now? Well, Ryan was a good friend, and I could count on him to stay as sweet and down-to-earth as ever even when the whole crazy 'Girl Who Saved the Sword' thing was still going on but that was it. We were just friends.
Dom paled, then straightened her jersey and nodded furiously. "Yes, of course." She clapped her hands together. "Gather around team!"
Obediently (and a little fearfully), everyone took their usual seats on the bench, gazing up at Dom with wide, expectant eyes. They were awaiting a pep talk, I knew a pep talk that Dom didn't seem prepared to give.
She stared at all of us rather blankly for a moment until I prompted her with a raised eyebrow then she snapped into action.
"Alright," Dom cleared her throat. She began to pace, turning back and forth sporadically, eyes averted to the floor in a manner that made me nervous. "Okay, team. We've been working for the past month with only this match on our minds, striving endlessly, sweating blood, breaking boundaries and glass ceilings and all preconceived notions of what the human body is capable of enduring. And don't think I haven't noticed how much you've all improved. Fisher your dives are now perfect. Literally flawless. And the way that your turns have sharpened, Chang, is amazing. I... I truly believe we can beat Gryffindor. And you know what? If we don't, I'll still be proud of us. I mean, I'll probably suffer a mental lapse, break into your rooms and set all of your beds on fire, but I'll still be proud."
The team seemed to share a collective gulp.
Dom continued on. "The last time I was given a leadership position was when I was twelve and my mum left me in charge of the house for ten minutes while she went to get milk. Six people ended up hospitalized. If you're wondering why I'm telling you this right now, I don't know. I just think it's relevant."
"Dom," I interjected quickly.
"But anyway, this time around, I'm determined to succeed. Don't me wrong. There will be still be hospitalizations. There will be injuries. There will be death and fire and the wails of sobbing mothers "
"Dom," I said.
"But that's to be expected. Just keep the enemy in mind. Know that you must destroy the enemy. You must hate them with your very being. In fact, your hatred of them must constitute your very being," Dom's rising voice suddenly dipped into a disdainful hiss, her eyes widening to alarming size. "The Gryffindors. They are bad people. Do you know Gryffindors cheat on tests? Do you know Gryffindors don't like children? Do you know that 60% of Gryffindors admit to having once murdered a dolphin ?"
"That... feels inaccurate," I added mildly.
"They must be defeated!" Dom declared, slamming her tiny fist into her palm. "WHO'S WITH ME?!"
There was a feeble murmur of assent. Someone shifted uncomfortably and asked if they could go pee before the match started.
"Er yeah, go, go." Dom flapped her hand at the offender, who scampered off quickly in shame. To the rest of us, she turned and mustered a smile that seemed very, very strained. Outside, we could hear the dull roar of impatient fans, the snap and crackle of waving banners.
"Let's do this," she said.
When Potter and I first started dating, we'd both acknowledged the futility of trying to keep anything a secret. My face had still been, at that point, plastered all over the papers because of the Ministry incident, and Potter, of course, had his whole 'world famous dad thing' going on so the public was definitely paying attention, and it didn't take long for them to figure out we were dating. Whenever we'd walk somewhere together, young girls and old mothers alike would approach us on the street and ask to see the engagement ring.
The twin facts that a) there was no engagement, and b) we were sixteen years old, did not seem to occur to anyone.
But whatever. We were prepared, to some degree, for the scrutiny that would come from the public.
We were not prepared, however, for the scrutiny that would come from our batshit crazy relatives.
Upon hearing Potter had asked me out for the first time, Dom immediately appointed herself as my Personal Stylist, Love Counsel and General Life Coach. She'd pick out my outfits for the dates (a lot of them, to my dismay, involving leather) and then stay up until I came home so that she could interrogate me on how everything went. I tolerated her craziness for a bit, accepting it as one of the consequences of g her cousin. That is until she demanded a raise ("A raise? I'm not even paying you!" "You're not paying me?! I have rights, Aggy!").
Aidan was worse. This was the boy who, in first grade, once stalked a kid in my class because said kid had given me his leftover applesauce and was therefore, in Aidan's head, madly in love with me. Safe to say my brother possessed no working definition of the word privacy.
Aidan had insisted on chaperoning every date I went on with Potter, and when Potter (tactfully) told him to stop, he'd just waved it off and kept at it. A few days later, when I (not so tactfully) told Aidan to stop, he reluctantly agreed only to come back a few days later and continue following us on all our dates, but this time in disguise and with Fred as an accomplice. Some of their more ridiculous costumes included: policemen, French maids, a father-son duet group, a pair of blind nuns, "acrobat DJ"s (I had no idea what it meant either), World War III Veterans (despite the fact that there was no World War III), two men dressing up as women dressing up as men and... Batmans. Not Batman and Robin, because that would actually be somewhat logical. No. Just... two Batmans.
The only one of our friends who'd graciously deigned not to meddle in our business was Evelyn, and that was simply because Evelyn didn't care about anything other than... well, Evelyn.
When I was just about ready to explode from frustration, Potter ever so diplomatically managed to put things into perspective. This relationship between the two of us, he made me see, affected the entire group. Aidan, Fred and Dom weren't doing all of this to be annoying, but rather because they were worried. They wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible, to not hit any snags or hiccups because they, too, had stakes in Potter and I being together. If things turned bad, it could dissolve our entire group, force them to choose between family and friends.
So, Potter and I permitted these hideous invasions of privacy to continue. We did manage to keep certain things under wraps, however sometimes we'd sneak out of the castle, or just have a quiet date in the kitchens (Pipsqueak the house-elf was more than happy to serve us leftover food from dinner). And thankfully, no one cared to know about the...uh... physical side of our relationship. As far as Aidan was concerned, neither Potter or I possessed sex organs, and the farthest we'd gone was holding hands. I happily allowed him to keep believing that.
As for the relationship itself it was going well. I'd never wanted to be one of those girls whose life became her boyfriend, who needed a bloke to "complete her," and Potter knew and respected that. At the same time, I'd always wanted someone to love my whole entire life. Now I had that person. Bonus: he loved me back.
Still, there was definitely a push-and-pull between dependence and independence, comfort and discomfort. Our relationship wasn't perfect. We still fought sometimes Potter could me maddeningly, irrationally stubborn about things. He had a hard time letting go of grudges, and would always say things like, "Just trust me on this, okay?" or "It's the principle of the thing, Bennett" key Gryffindor phrases that I could not wrap my head around.
We would bicker and argue about stupid little things. Sometimes, a disagreement over whether the oranges at breakfast were ripe that day would turn into a heated debate about nutrition, then a screaming match about my "passive-aggressive" tendencies and Potter's "emotional distancing," and then finally, us not talking to each other for a week and a half. But we always made up. We forgave. We recognized that this relationship was something worth working on.
And, of course, we would have our friends to help us. They got neurotic and obsessive and paranoid at times ("What do you mean you told him you needed space?") but they were crazy because they cared.
Honestly, I'm not sure I'd have it any other way.
Fifteen minutes before the match was scheduled to start, I snuck out of the locker room, looped around the back and met Potter outside. He'd asked me if I could get away from Dom and all her Quidditch lunacy to see him for a bit before the match started, and I'd hesitantly agreed. He'd been able to reach me through the same way our group always talked to each other whenever we were apart our gold coins.
"You really shouldn't be out here," I declared as I, nevertheless, trudged towards Potter through the knee-length grass that sprouted, unruly and wild, behind the locker rooms. It was chilly out, the air had an October nip that was biting but familiar, and I was grateful for my heavy uniform keeping me warm.
Potter was also dressed in full gear, leaning against the outside concrete wall of the locker room and looking as confident as always. Like this was just natural for him, like he'd been made for this game (given who his parents were, he probably had been. The instructions for how to perform a Wronski Feint could most likely be found written, in detail, in his genetic code). His broom leaned against the wall next to him, as nonchalant and casual as its owner.
"Hey," he grinned.
"Dom's going to have an aneurysm if she finds out I'm here with you," I pointed out as I nevertheless crossed over to stand in front of him, hip cocked, eyebrows raised.
"Ever consider," Potter began, slowly hooking his fingers into the belt loops of my uniform pants. "That maybe that's my evil plan? Kill off the rival Captain before the game even starts?"
"Please," I snorted, and Potter's mouth twitched upwards at the unamused glare I fixed on him. "You're not that smart, Potter."
"So you're just with me for my dashing good looks, then?" Potter gently tugged me forward and I went stumbling into the warmth of his body, catching myself by his shoulders. On instinct, our legs tangled together, his forehead coming down to touch mine. I knew I should probably detach myself from him and walk away for Dom's sake, and my own but the idea was just so... unpleasant.
"Nah," I shot back. "I'm with you for your family name."
"Fuck off." Potter gave a breathless huff of laughter, tipping his head back so it touched the wall and exposed the strong line of his jaw, the curve of his Adam's apple.
"Sensitive, are we?" I grinned, happy I'd finally gotten a reaction. His family, and the fame it brought with it, had always been a sore spot.
"It's not fair." Potter tilted his chin to look at me again, one indignant eyebrow arched, and I half-expected him to start wagging his finger. "You're baiting me."
I gaped in astonishment. "Um, excuse me! You're the one doing the baiting. You lured me out here "
"Lured you? We're really going with that word?"
"Yes! And it's going to get me kicked off the team the very team, by the way, that you made me join."
"If it's causing so much trouble, why don't we just skip this stupid Quidditch match, then?" Potter suggested smoothly, looking only half-serious.
"Why don't we just move to Mexico?" I countered immediately, gesturing wildly with my hands. Come on if we decided not to play and, consequently, ruined one of the most anticipated matches between one of the most historic house rivalries at this school, the students would form a mob. There would be effigies. Effigies. "People are waiting for us out there."
"Yeah, I guess," Potter shrugged. "Speaking of, my mum's in the stands too. She'll be watching. Says she wants to take us out to dinner at Hogsmeade after."
"Oh my god, your mum takes us out to eat so much. I'm going to have to go up a size in my pants soon."
A brief, amused grin flitted across Potter's face, and then he turned serious, hazel eyes deepening into a surprisingly somber brown. "Look, Bennett before we both go on, I want you to know something important."
I paused, blinking as I tried to process Potter's grave tone and assign it a rationale. He'd been acting so flippant lately about this Quidditch match, I figured I'd been the only one worrying about its possible consequences. But maybe he had fears too, and now was his time to confess them.
"What is it?" I murmured carefully, not wanting to scare away this flash of honesty.
"Well, it's just that... Bletchley can't hit left-handed for shit," Potter responded matter-of-factly, expression of the utmost seriousness.
I blanched. "Come again?"
"You know, Bletchley, our team Beater? Yeah, he tries to play with both hands, but he's a lot worse with his left. Our other Beater is pretty strong but got injured in the knee last season and now can't fly as precisely, has trouble doing dips and swerves. Aidan's main weakness is that he's impulsive which isn't the worst thing for a Seeker to be, but it also means he's jumpy and easily distracted. Wave around something shiny and he'll dive at it thinking its the Snitch. Fred, as a Chaser "
"Hey hey hey!" I interrupted Potter mid-Quidditch-monologue, staring at him with wide, offended eyes. "Look, I told you I don't want you giving me any advantages. The only thing worse than you beating me this match would be you letting me win!"
I couldn't believe this kid. Did he not take Quidditch seriously at all? First he ditched his team to hang out with the enemy, and now he was rattling off all of the Gryffies' weaknesses. His behavior was baffling.
"I'm not giving you an advantage, Bennett," Potter said patiently. His thumb absently grazed across the bump of my hipbone as he elaborated: "Look, my guys have been playing your guys for years. This is my sixth Gryffie-Slytherin match. I know the entire Slytherin team's weaknesses especially the Captains, seeing as I'm related to her. I've got all of Dom's plays memorized. They're in my head. Now, I'm telling you some of our weaknesses to level the playing field."
With that, and a chaste kiss on the lips, Potter was removing his fingers from my beltloops and untangling himself from me, leaving my body feeling cold as he brushed past to trudge back towards the Pitch. I watched him go, eyes tracing the broad lines of his shoulders in his Quidditch kit.
"Hey!" I called after him, and he stopped, wheeling around slowly with an easy grin on your face. "Mr. Level-the-Playing-Field! What's your weakness?"
Potter only had to think about it for a moment. "Sharp right turns. Sloth Grip Rolls. Pretty girls with red hair."
And then he was turning back around, walking past the corner of the locker room and leaving me alone among the grass, dumbfounded, my thoughts racing.
This was going to be one hell of a match.
"It's a beautiful day for Quidditch," Madam Hooch's yellow eyes roved across the fourteen players on the field, her mouth twisted into a wry, flat shape that spoke of years of experience. "Let's keep it a clean match, shall we, players?"
It was, indeed, a beautiful day. The wind tousled our uniforms as we trudged across the field, making red and green snap and flutter like banners. The sky was impossibly blue. The sun was shining, and I'm pretty sure the birds would be chirping if it wasn't for all theall the screaming, delirious Quidditch fans ringing the pitch.
The stands were brimming with people, all dressed in colorful attire and waving an assortment of posters and pictures and signs (some more vulgar than others). They were thunderous. The cacophonous mash of screams and jeers was overwhelming, to the point where it became as grainy as white noise. I couldn't make out one single face in the stands, but knew that Ginny Potter and Evelyn Stanford and all my professors were there, waiting for my first Quidditch match, and I was nervous.
"Aggy," Dom said out the corner of her mouth as we neared the center where the Gryffindors were already waiting, looking cocksure and ready. "I just want to say, out of everyone to be playing next to, you're the best person I could hope for."
I stared at my best friend. She'd changed and matured so much over the years growing into a self-assured, kind and confident leader. Briefly, I wondered what would happen if she and Aidan tried to get back together, if maybe things would turn out differently this time. But I knew that was out of the question. The two had officially decided to move on last year and, despite my wistful nostalgia, they both seemed better off for it.
"Back atcha, girl," I gritted out, heart punching furiously against my ribcage. The fans were bloodthirsty, and the air was humming with their energy. My eyes flitted to Potter, standing with his broom slung around his shoulder. By his right was Aidan, looking taut and alert, and Freddy, who was blowing kisses to the crowd.
"No matter what happens," Dom said, just quietly enough so I was the only one able to hear her. "I'm proud of us."
"Me too," I said, and it was true. We'd come along way I'd come a long way. From stuffs-her-bra Third Year Agatha to gawky-and-bitter Fifth Year Agatha to playing-in-her-first-Quidditch-match Sixth Year Agatha, I'd matured. And okay, maybe I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do with my life in terms of employment and growing up and whatever else, but that wasn't important now. I knew with certainty that I would end up where I was supposed to. Fifth Year had taught me some important lessons about character, about being who you were meant to be. I now knew not to put so much faith in what others thought, to trust my own gut instead, to like myself. That new knowledge would eventually lead me somewhere good.
But first: Quidditch.
Across the jade green pitch, I caught Aidan's eye. Suddenly, my brother's lips crumpled into a half-smile, and I knew that despite himself, he was proud of me too.
My eyes swept over to Fred, who tossed me a wink, and then Potter, who'd been looking at me with something like laughter in his gaze. "Sharp right turns," he mouthed, and I tried not to smirk.
"Are you ready?" Dom whispered. I could feel our team shifting restlessly behind us, itching for the air.
"I'm ready." I nodded.
Madam Hooch blew the warning whistle. Simultaneously, all the players on the pitch swung their legs over their brooms, hunched with potential, faces angled towards the sky.
My life, it felt like, was finally beginning.
"On the count of three," Madam Hooch said as she crossed over to the chest that stored the Quaffle and Bludgers and Snitch. "One... Two... Three... "
I took a deep breath.
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Clash: Epilogue
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From: lovetennile on Dec 19 14, 23:14
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Ok, I am thinking about getting an airweight for the Mrs., she is going to take the class this fall when I have to do my renewal.
Anyway I am looking at the Taurus 85, or the S&W 642 or 638.
Which one would you buy and why. Other than the name, I know S&W will cost about 125 more and will hold their value better, but that doesn't bother me because I don't sell guns once I buy them.
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Thanks for the input.
Edited: One of my friends also a member here, has a S&W not sure which model, that I will borrow to let her shoot.


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Greenwich Riverside Apartment London
Official Contact Details - Greenwich Riverside ApartmentPhone: +44 (0)7957688028 Fax: +44 (0)2085246455
Lovely Riverside Self-Catering London Holiday Apartment in Greenwich. Tranquill Location yet by all Major Greenwich attractions including Cutty Sark and Maritime Museum. Immaculate interior. Sleeps 6
- Price from 80 GBP / Day / Per unit
- 2 bedrooms & 1 bathroom
(click on a photo to view it)
Last updated: 04/16/2010
This is your property ?
Upper floor 2 bedroom apartment within a block of riverside apartments. Located in the Centre of Greenwich. Lovely side view of River Thames. Impressive interior with great attention to details. Provides a sumptuous single level accommodation. Bathroom with bath tub and over extra overhead shower. Has mirrored cabinet and shaver socket. Full height marble wall & floor tilling. Chrome heated towel rails. Hair dryer. Separate Toilet. Bedrooms & living room tastefully furnished with side river view. Double bed in first bedroom and & two single beds to second bedroom. Fitted kitchen with full crockery & modern appliances (cooker, hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, washer dyrer, oven etc). Iron and ironing board. Glass dining table with chairs. Central heating, fan to all rooms, satellite TV, Video/DVD player.
Parking available by prior arrangements. Secure entry system. Phone to all rooms. Fortnightly linen supply.
Prices & deals
- Lowest Daily Price:
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- Payment Types:
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Location & area
Lies in the epicentre of Greenwich, which has an eclectic mix of cinema, shops, eateries, bars and Cafes and a relaxed atmosphere. Impecably located apartment close (just yards or two minutes walk) to Cutty Sark DLR underground Metro and under one ten minutes walk to Greenwich overground train station. These stations are in London Central Travel zone 2. Deptford Bridge Metro station is also close and North Greenwich underground Tube station is just a quick bus ride away. The apartment is 12 mins on the train to London Bridge station and other Zone 1 Central London stations. Several Bus stops at the end of the road (maximum two mins walk). From here you just Hop on countless buses to different directions of London.
Lies in the centre of Greenwich which has an extraordinary mix of the past and present and has an eclectic mix of cinema, shops, eateries, bars and Cafes and a relaxed atmosphere. All within less than five minutes walk.
A short walk down the road takes you to one of Londons most famous tourist attractions, the Cutty Sark. This is the last of the great Tea Clippers. It is located in a dry dock at the river's edge. Life on board during her voyages are well depicted. Further up the road is the Greenwich Market. It specialises in antiques, collectables arts and crafts.
Five minutes walk away from the apartment is the World heritage site, the Maritime Museum (with over two million objects relating to seafaring) and The Royal Observatory Greenwich. Home to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Meridian Line. The Museum is a top Tourist attraction all year round.
Premiership football club (Charlton Athletic FC) stadium is nearby.
- Address:
- Greenwich, SE10 9DQ, London, England, United Kingdom
- Accommodation located in:
- city, historic location, leisure area, near historical interest, near restaurants & bars, near shopping area, waterfront!
Amenities & services
Wood flooring to hall way and Living room. Marble floor to Bathroom, kitchen and Toilet.
Kitchen: Fitted kitchen with integrated Cooker and 4 hobs, Fridge/ Freezer, Washing Machine. Microwave. MARBLE wall and floor with matching work top. Designer extractor hood. . Stainless steel fan assisted oven.
Bedrooms: 2 Double Bedrooms. Both tastefully furnished. Direct riverview. Double bed to room 1 and two single beds to room 2 (easily combine as a Twinbed). Bedside drawer, radio alarm clock & satin silver table lamp with touch control dimmer. Mirrored 2 door wardrobes. Cast iron fireplace to Bedroom 1.
Living room: Separate living room with an ingenious real leather double sofa bed. Separate sitting facility. Beautiful compact combination fireplace adding true period style. Tempered glass dinning table with chrome pedestal and chairs. Elegant curtains + amazingly beautiful silver effect curtain pole.
Bathrooms: 1 Bathroom with shower. Topmost quality interior. Mirrored cabinets. Shaver socket. Full height MARBLE wall and floor tiling. Chrome heated towel rails. Chrome door handles. Hairdryer.
WC: Separate toilet with Marble floor.
General: Central Heating, Telephone to all rooms, House Linen. Weekly laundry supplies. coffee/tea facility. Iron & ironing board.
Entertainment: Terrestrial TV, Satellite TV, Video, Radio, CD System, Board Games. DVD player. From nearby Greenwich Pier enjoy a travel on the Thames Clipper river taxi to central London. Many local and top class restaurants, pubs and clubs. Access to the Royal park with magnificent scenery.
Outside: Walkway with lovely river view. Parking. Greenwich leisure centre with swimming pool is a few minutes walk. Enjoy the amazing tranquillity of this pleasant riverside location behind the lively Greenwich Centre.
# of Units: 1... and each unit includes:
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 1
- Single beds: 2
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- Bath:
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Details of all on site attractions as well as local and other London attractions. Local Map and detailed Maps of London
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Review - Greenwich Riverside Apartment
Greenwich Riverside Apartment - Contact the owner
Important Notice : Avoiding Fraud
It's rare, but some helpful hints to watch out for with regards to fraud:
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Woman accused of Facebook framingMarch 25,2013
BENNINGTON Police in Bennington have accused a woman of creating a Facebook account in another womans name to frame her for violating a restraining order.
The Bennington Banner reported that Lindsey Baker of Bennington pleaded not guilty in court last week to identity theft, aggravated stalking, and other charges. Shes accused of creating the Facebook account in the name of Alyssa Parks, the girlfriend of Bakers former husband.
The 22-year-old Baker allegedly sent messages to her own Facebook account from the false Parks account and used them to get a restraining order against Parks. Parks has her own restraining order against Baker.
Parks told police she had deleted her Facebook account prior to the time Baker said the messages were sent.MORE IN This Just InWASHINGTON Two senior Islamic State group leaders were killed in U.S. Full StoryVATICAN CITY Pope Francis rightly got credit for helping bring the U.S. Full StoryMAIDUGURI, Nigeria Islamic extremists killed 35 people and kidnapped at least 185 in an attack... Full Story
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and Katie Mickey Morris
My name is Dana Morris, this website, DanaMorris.net is a collection of photographs and stories of the Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and the Buzzard's Bay region. I have been sailing these waters since a young man. I have seen many wonderful sights, and experienced many adventures in these cruising grounds, perhaps the best sailing grounds in the world.
I have also
traveled extensively, and so also have a section on my travels around the globe,
along with a section on
Dana Morris, July 2014
Lat N41 37.784'


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Sticking To Basics In Overland Park, Kan.
By Amie Logan
One day Theresa Hamilton, a mother of 12, was struck by how hard it is to come by human dignity when you are down on your luck. For instance, you can't use Food Stamps to buy toilet paper or laundry soap.
So Theresa founded Giving The Basics — an organization that provides people with toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products and other human-dignity necessities.
Local businesses — including her husband's plumbing firm — are working with Theresa. At a recent Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park event, for instance, patrons donated 370 rolls of toilet paper.
Amie Logan works for Bob Hamilton's plumbing company. She listens to KCUR.
Copyright 2012 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.


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Who says you can't dance in dystopia?
Music that has helped us glimpse greatness.
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Hi, Rookies! If you've made anything—writing, photos, video, comix, etc.—you think might be right for us, please send it to us here. As always, thank you! ♥
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101 Reviews
Average Customer Review
Share your thoughts with other customersCreate your own review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars go on then, another 5 star
i have owned this album since december 1993, when as a teenager in my penultimate year of high school, the whole 'grunge' thing was underway - i bought the cassette from grey & pinks record store on a trip to town after school - i remember the first time i had to listen to the whole album from start to finish, bizarrely, was on the way to participate in an indoor tennis...
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by Quaddy
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Published 3 days ago by Anderson
Most Helpful First | Newest First
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars go on then, another 5 star,
Quaddy (club tech-noir) - See all my reviews
i have owned this album since december 1993, when as a teenager in my penultimate year of high school, the whole 'grunge' thing was underway - i bought the cassette from grey & pinks record store on a trip to town after school - i remember the first time i had to listen to the whole album from start to finish, bizarrely, was on the way to participate in an indoor tennis tournament (ughh), was being driven there by my father, it was raining all the way and dark - the album was so new, fresh and awe inspiring - the track which gave me goosebumps at that time and still does to this day (listening to it right now on cd) is the majestical track called 'Disarm' - truly beautiful - as others have said, the album has no weak links and is a tour de force throughout - very high caliber material indeed
strangely i dont think this album has aged quite as much as some of the other big names from that time, the pumpkins style, certainly on this album transcends eras which are normally easily defineable
a great range of styles from more melodic through to heavy agressive riffs should find its feet with most audiences
thank god i was the right age to stumble upon this gem and still have it to refer to this day
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Dreamy, Melodic & Summery,
Although Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness was more ambitious and diverse, Siamese Dream is arguably the best album in the Smashing Pumpkins catalog. In 1993, the Smashing Pumpkins were probably one of the most original bands of the alternative scene. With incredible soundscapes of guitar distortion, Billy Corgan's impassioned and ethereal vocals, and Jimmy Chamberlain's excellent drumming, these guys had a sound that was nothing like any alternative band of the time. Only My Bloody Valentine's Loveless (released in 1991) with its similar guitar-dominated sound could be considered as an influence, but Siamese Dream has its own distinct impact. My, what a sound. Billy Corgan sounds better here than any other Pumpkins album--on later albums he sounded whiny; here he sounds obscure yet not overly shrill. The guitar playing is incredible (listen to the outro of Rocket) and the music grabs you by the collar and takes you in with its sweeping power. Cherub Rock, with its slowly building opening leading to a bombastic arena rocker, is the perfect start to this album. After that, the double hit of Quiet and Today provides immense satisfaction. After Hummer and Rocket pass by leaving their audio imprint on you, the mood takes a sudden turn with the orchestral and haunting ballad Disarm which leads into the soft rock of Soma. The white-hot rage of Geek USA quickly rips through your ears before yielding to two more wonderful ballads--Mayonaise and Spaceboy. After that, the loud and powerful Silverf--k takes over. Finally, the album ends on a whisper with Sweet Sweet and Luna. You won't be tempted to skip through a single track. Although future efforts were more ambitious, the Smashing Pumpkins never made an album this flawless again. You can't lose by adding this one to your collection. ..By the way, there's nothing really "explicit" about the lyrics. Even Silverf--k contains no profanity, except for the barely audible interludes.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A dream indeed,
I bought this album whilst on holiday in Florida in '95, I listened through all my youth it's a truly standout out rock album, that gets you going as well as any. Dreamt about it, hadn't heard it in years so downloaded the remastered edition and it's re-born to me I can remember every riff, lyric and drum beat. Struggle to think of a better album ever, seriously blown away again! But it, 90's rock at it's very very best, music at its beautiful heart!!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars You Need This Album!!!,
Mr. S. D. Allin (Enfield, Middx, England) - See all my reviews
Nothing less than essential for any record collection, "Siamese Dream" is one of my favourite albums of all time. If like myself you like the energy and intensity of loud rock music but aren't afraid of a strong melody and interesting lyrics then look no further. The opening run of great tracks starting with "Cherub Rock" and ending with album high point "Mayonnaise" are the equal of any rock album in history, admittedly it drops off a little thereafter but even the weakest songs on this record are at least worth a listen. The guitar playing is awesome and the drumming propels the whole thing forward in style. The classic singles "Today" & "Disarm" are obvious highlights but the joyous "Rocket" and the beutiful and hypnotic "Soma" are every bit as good. Much better than the self-indulgent, bloated, over-long and over-rated "Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness" that followed it and a great leap forward from "Gish", this was the high-water mark of the Smashing Pumpkins' career and given that they were one of the best rock bands of the 90's, that should give you an idea of how great this record truly is.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Awe-inspiring CD that is simply worth the listen,
By A Customer
From quiet,transcending beginnings to crashing guitars, this album showpieces fantastic musical ability and inspiring lyrics that come from the heart.Featuring some of the best songs the Pumpkins have done, I love this album. Maybe at first you won't like it, but soon you'll find you can't stop listening to it.It will grow on you. It makes you think, it makes you wanna rock, its got to be one of the best albums of the 90's.Mayonaise is such a divine song, the acoustic version on Vieuphoria is a must listen.'Today' is such a great song too,often credited with being their first big hit which put them on toop of the rock mountain. Songs like 'Disarm' and 'Spaceboy' come from the heart and showcase Billy Corgan's magical song writing. If there's one Pumpkins album you buy then maybe it should be Siamese Dream.If its two then definitely get Mellon Collie.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars compelling, curious, mysterious, majestic, intriguing,
i bought this LP not long after it came out when i was at art college and would buy most things that were either rated in the nme or by students i respected or aspired to..
i didnt know anything about the pumpkins; who they were, where they were from, their age, gender, influences, their persona and image within the industry..
the more i listened the more i became engaged and fascinated by the awesome, gigantic and original sound; the tunes, the voice, the noise, the feel of this sound that seemed to know exactly what it was, but that i couldn't quite pigeon-hole..
so fascinated and enthralled i was, i feared losing that feeling of intrigue the band brought me. i didn't read the song titles, nor research the lyrics, the meaning, nor the bands' identity and history. i didn't want to know..
in so high an esteem i held the music on this album for a long time, i didn't want to find out anything about the band that might spoil it! it was just a CD i'd discovered, by someone called the Smashing Pumpkins (whoever they were), that i could keep for myself and listen to at will.
over the years i must have played it to death. it was a real bonus ( and i can't put my finger on why) that they didn't chart and that people hadn't heard of them. perhaps it appeals to my child-like side,- thinking i know a secret.. i don't know (Tom Waits and Nick Cave, to name a couple, are still in that select club!.)
unfortunately, i couldn't remain in that state; i loved it so much that i bought the follow-ups.. i couldn't resist watching the eventual TOTP appearances..i stumbled across the odd article,. i saw the interviews..
what a shame. NOT because the Pumpkins aren't plausible or credible, because they absolutely are. they are (I think) the real deal. no, but because for me, they now have an identity and without wanting to i begin to place them, rate them, grade them, pigeon-hole them and KNOW them.
the intrigue has gone. it happened for me with new order.. with PCL i bought an LP without even knowing what it was or who it was by!,- but just because i'd vaguely heard or read something and the cover looked intriguing! its where i wanted to be taken. that innocence was wonderful!
i'm digressing i know.
this is a great album. an album that despite me having heard dozens and dozens of times, i'll come back to again and again. the intrigue has for me , unfortunately, gone. and I know what the Pumpkins were about. but it is definitely to their credit that now they are to me, a 'normal' band, as opposed to a distant mysterious, mythical and intangible entity, i still love this album.
i have all the other pumpkins material. Melon Collie is excellent but not as fresh.- it is trying to live upto something. on gish i felt like it was a band still evolving toward its peak. and with zero, machines of god and the like it feels a bit after the event.. like prolonging something or trying to replicate something. but failing..
instead of 95% of todays'fodder that you'll acquire simply because its of now and your mate's into it, forget fashion and BUY this album, and introduce yourself to the Pumpkins. this is arguably them at their finest and among THE finest. Absolutely underrated (even thought they're rated). They'll come round again, and perhaps sooner than you think..
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars In a dream we are connected, Siamese twins,
I'll go all out and say that Siamese Dream is the best pure rock album of the 90's. That says how amazing it is given how many greats there are. Billy Corgan is compelling and his lyrics have such a deep meaning, the guitars are wonderfully distorted and Jimmy Chamberlin puts virtually every drummer out there to shame with his powerhouse drumming.
The drums roll, a calm build, then an explosion of screeching guitars and almighty drumming is the opener 'Cherub Rock'. Billy hits back at the industry and it's one of the most effective openers there's ever. 'Quiet' is a decent rocker with some great drumming. Next is the alt-rock hit 'Today'. With it's dark lyrics, dreamy verses and blaring chorus its easy to see why it became such a hit. 'Hummer' is arguably the song of the album (and best Pumpkins song in general). The distorted yet uplifting guitars, sledge hammer drumming and Corgan's excellent voice all work wonders together. It ends with one of the most beautiful outros of all time. Single 'Rocket' has some great guitar sounds and is extremely catchy. 'Disarm' offers an acoustic break, its ethereal sounds and calming guitars show the albums softer side.
'Soma' is gentle and dreamy, building up to some brilliant solos. If you like pure rock then you want 'Geek USA'. The guitars are as loud and catchy as ever, theres a wonderful ambient break and an incredible solo. The real hero is Jimmy Chamberlin, theres so many amazing rolls and fills that its impossible to describe. Fan favorite 'Mayonaise' is next and has a strikingly beautiful intro, some great guitar work and Corgan shines brightly. 'Spaceboy' is a lovely ballad for Corgan's brother. 'Silverf**k' is amazing. The Pumpkins delve into progressive rock with lots of build up and blasting guitars. 'Sweet Sweet' is just that, a short but very sweet tune thats really uplifting. 'Luna' ends the album on a high as an alluring tune with some great guitars and the graceful lyric of 'I'm in love with you'.
If like rock, Alternative music or want to hear some amazing musicians at their rocking best then buy this.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth It,
I still remember the first time I listened to this album on its original release - the drum roll and urgent guitars of "Cherub Rock" followed by the cacophony of "Quiet" and all of the brilliance that follows.
I had no hesitation in buying this re-issue and neither should anyone else. The remastering on the original album is stunning and is best heard on the more delicate tracks on the album such as "Spaceboy" or "Luna". Corgans voice is crystal clear and the sound quality is second to none.
The real bonus here is Disc 2 which contains some excellent early versions of tracks that later appeared on "Pisces Escariot" along with some early versions and alternate version of Siamese Dream tracks. I particularly like the cover version of Depeche Modes "Never Let Me Down" and the acoustic versions of "Spaceboy" and "Disarm".
The packaging is excellent, the DVD well worth a watch and the music sublime. Pumpkins fans have long debated whether Siamese Dream or Mellon Collie was the highpoint - whilst I think Mellon Collie is a great album it does have some tracks that I still skip through whereas Siamese Dream contains 13 masterpieces and thus for me has always been the highpoint of one of my favourite bands. All this and they are back with new material (albeit as Billy Corgan and his backing band!) - give the new album a go too as in my view its very good!
Buy this - it's well worth the money and you won't regret it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Radio one master peice,
J. Birkett (Reading, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Siamese Dream (MP3 Download)
I purchased this album after it was features on a BBC Radio Series called "Master Pieces". I was my first exposure to Smashing Pumpkins and I found it all the tracks to be consistently good. And works well as a series of tracks.
Disarm is probably my favourite track.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Forget the remastered CD, disc 2 is AMAZING,
OK, maybe a bit harsh, but a lot of us will already have Siamese Dream and will wonder whether this is worth it. Disc 2 is INCREDIBLE. SPine tingling 'Pissant' version (one of my faves from Pisces), wailing guitars on STP that set my hairs on end, gorgeous reimagining of Luna, and a totally mindblowing acoustic, cello-heavy version of 'Disarm'. And that's just a few of the tracks.
Don't think twice.
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Siamese Dream (2011 - Remaster) by The Smashing Pumpkins
Buy MP3 Album: �7.99


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Media Matters on Meeting the Press
We found ourselves in a conversation at Netroots Nation with the press person at Media Matters.
FBLA: Does everyone in DC dress like they're in the Junior League?
PP: No, we had someone from Politico come to our office in a t-shirt asking if David Brock wanted to be in a video singing Happy Birthday to Obama.
FBLA: Who was it?
PP: Patrick Gavin.
FBLA: Really?
PP: It was probably the strangest press request I've ever had.
Glad to see that you're getting along so well without us, Patrick. Sniffle.
Previously on FBLA:


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Tic Tac Toe
10,000,000 - 50,000,000 downloadsAdd this app to your listsTweets por @Appszoom
Tic Tac Toe is classic free professional game also known as noughts or crosses.
★★★ Don't miss - Tic Tac Toe game offers: ★★★
✓ 2 players game (multiplayer)
✓ 4 different game levels
✓ game statistics
✓ Facebook share
✓ different themes (game skins)
✓ reset game statistics for 1 or 2 players game
★★★ Game levels: ★★★
The Tic Tac Toe game includes 4 difficulty levels, so you can play against Android player that matches your skill level.
● Easy Tic Tac Toe difficulty level: recommended for beginners, android computer player makes sometimes stupid moves while playing Tic Tac Toe game.
● Medium Tic Tac Toe difficulty level: android computer player is smart - clasic and also defaut Tic Tac Toe game level.
● Hard Tic Tac Toe difficulty level: you may win Tic Tac Toe game only when you start game.
● Expert Tic Tac Toe difficulty level: android is smart and android computer player never lose Tic Tac Toe game.
★★★ More about Tic Tac Toe game: ★★★
Tic Tac Toe game is a pencil-paper game for two players, X and O, who take turns marking the spaces in a 3×3 grid. The player who succeeds in placing three respective marks in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row wins the Tic Tac Toe game. Players soon discover that best play from both parties leads to a draw (often referred to as cat or cat's game). Hence, tic-tac-toe is most often played by young children.
The friendliness of tic-tac-toe games is also a pedagogical tool for teaching the concepts of good sportsmanship and the branch of artificial intelligence that deals with the searching of game trees.
★★★ Tic-tac-toe game strategy: ★★★
A player can play perfect tic-tac-toe (win or draw) given they move according to:
● Win: If the player has two in a row, play the third to get three in a row.
● Block: If the opponent has two in a row, play the third to block them.
● Fork: Create an opportunity where you can win tic tac toe game in two ways.
● Block opponent's Fork:
- Option 1: Create 2 in a row to force the opponent into defending.
- Option 2: If there is a configuration where the opponent can fork, block that fork.
● Center: Play the center.
● Opposite corner: If the opponent is in the corner, play the opposite corner.
● Empty corner: Play tic tac toe game in a corner square.
● Empty side: Play tic tac toe game in a middle square on any of the 4 sides.
Stop wasting paper and save trees - play Tic Tac Toe game on your Android device for free.
Tic-Tac-Toe game supports one player game, so you can play against your Android device (AI opponent). Tic Tac Toe game is also available for two players: 2 players can play the same game.
Tic Tac Toe Free is a great way to pass your free time, whether you're driving on buss or spending time standing in line. Get Tic Tac Toe Pro (Noughts or Crosses) now and let the fun begin! Thanks for downloading this Tic Tac Toe game.
Fair ratings encourage us to update, fix bugs and create new games & apps!
Tags: juego triqui fondo, 井字 tic tac toe, codigo juego de triqui, tic tac toe pro, juego triqui en, gioco filetto 9x9 difficile, jogos de dirigir o tac, tictactoe pro gold, triqui juego, 圈叉遊戲教學.
Ver 25.
Fixed for Google Nexus devices
Ver 17:
2 player game in classic theme fixed.
2 players turns fixed for new theme.
Different themes - player can switch between "classic" and "bamboo" theme.
Statistics: Saving score on ICS (Android 4.x) fixed, added quitting game allert.
Ver. 9:
Added two players tic tac toe game.
Ver. 3:
HD resolution support. Score saving bug fixed.
Some lists where this application appears: Interesses.
(51 stars)
It a retarded game
(51 stars)
(51 stars)
Simple and a nice game. And many options. I simply like this game!
(51 stars)
The blue "x" always wins
(51 stars)
Nice game.
(51 stars)
It is a very good game
(51 stars)
wy I'm liking this b3cause it my fav


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Classifieds: December 19, 2014
Kayce is selling a set of silver and pink table number picture frames. She is asking $66 for the set. Have a wedding item for sale? Post it with pictures in the Weddingbee Classifieds, and you might see it featured on the blog! Other great items for sale:


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For those considering braving the unusually cool temperatures and cold lake water, the National Weather Service is warning of dangerous swimming conditions at beaches.
Though all Chicago Park District beaches remain open Wednesday, wave heights in Lake Michigan could reach 7-11 feet, according to a beach hazard statement from the weather service.
Strong rip currents are also possible, the weather service warns.
Evanston has banned swimming at all beaches Wednesday due to waves, though the beaches remain open, according to a statement from the city.
The NWS statement remains in effect through Thursday morning, when temperatures are expected to be in the lower 70s with mostly sunny skies, according to the weather service.
A small craft advisory is also in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday, according to the weather service.Tags: beaches, Evanston beaches


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Sports Stuff® Amerisport 48" Snow Tube
Item # WX2-174635
- Google+
This item cannot ship via any of our Next Day or Second Day express delivery methods.
- Details & Specs
Sports Stuff® Amerisport 48" Snow Tube. Hot winter thrills, cool summer fun!
It's a year-round party! Enjoy 365 days of fun in your Amerisport Snow Tube... fly down your favorite snow hill on board air cushioned comfort, and enjoy a day of lounging at the pool, lake, or beach when the temperature rises.
Durable, safe, plus an extra-large design that accommodates different riding styles. No matter what the weather's like, Amerisport is your ticket to thrills and spills!Winter fun awaits:
- Made from slick, heavy gauge PVC with cold-crack additive
- Heat-sealed seams
- Safety valve for fast inflation / deflation
- Oversized handles leave plenty of "mitten room"
- 170 lbs. capacity.
- Reviews
<!--BVSEO|dz:Main_Site-en_US|sdk:v188.8.131.52-n|msg:Error: Request errored out - The remote server returned an error: (403) Forbidden. -->
You May Also Like
Sports Stuff® Heat Seeker 40" Snow TubeBuyer's Club $17.99 Non-Members $19.99
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Airhead® Freeze Snow TubeBuyer's Club $13.49 Non-Members $14.99


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Gear Question
Is there any difference between these...
Member since
Is there any difference between these socks, and the Women's Ski Ultra Light? Or are they they same sock, just with different colors?
Steven Jones
Member since
As far as I can tell my wife's and my PhDs are exactly the same. (Yes. I wear my wife's socks.)
View More Details on SmartWool PhD Ski Ultra Light Sock


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Editors' Top PicksSee All
Apple Mac Pro (2013)stars
This radically reimagined pro-level desktop is built for 4K video.
Dell XPS 27 all-in-one desktop computerstars
Our favorite all-in-one still has a higher-than 1080p touch screen and gamer-level gr...
Apple iMac (21.5-inch, 2014)stars
A new, mostly frills-free configuration brings the price of this all-in-one down, but...
Dell XPS 18stars
This 18-inch tablet doubles as a decent all-in-one, but you'll pay a premium for the flexibility....
We've got to hand it to Scorptec's local system builders; they pay as much intricate attention to their cable work as a neurosurgeon does to a patient's skull cavity. Every single wire is tucked away and tied into place, and there's not a stray cable in sight. It's not just pleasing to see; this craftsmanship also ensures the very best in airflow, helping to keep this powerful system nearly silent, even during the most intensive applications. They've even wired the power switch up to the TV tuner, so that extremely lazy users can switch the PC on with the media remote control.
The Silverstone GD06 case used here is a stunner, and will look right at home in any audiophile's A/V cabinet. The front flips down to reveal twin removable hard drive bays, which are always handy when a friend drops by to share some (legally acquired) files. The covers on these bays are a little fragile, though, with the latching mechanism prone to breakage. Hidden inside is Intel's new Core i5 3550, a quad-cored creature that purrs at 3.3GHz at default speeds, ramping up to 3.7GHz under load. Thanks to the inclusion of Intel HD Graphics 2500, this is a transcoding beast. Unfortunately, gaming is this system's Achilles' heel, as the HD Graphics 2500 just isn't up to the task. Thankfully, there's plenty of room to install a dedicated graphics card if your gaming needs demand it. A very healthy 8GB of memory has been installed, which should help performance when several users simultaneously connect to the PC.


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CNBC.com Political Coverage:
Compare McCain, Obama on the Issues
Complete Politics Coverage
CNBC.com Political Coverage:
A bankruptcy court has allowed defunct video streaming company Aereo Inc to auction its TV streaming technology assets, court papers show.
Classic con-artist routines, namely three-card monte and the shell game, apparently made a return to New York City streets for the holidays.
Santa's sleigh delivered more on-time packages this year, though a few retailers still broke their delivery promise.
A judge denied Credit Suisse's proposal to dismiss a lawsuit accusing the banking giant of fraud in selling mortgage-backed securities. USA Today reports.
Get the best of CNBC in your inbox
CNBC's Jackie DeAngelis discusses the day's activity in the commodities markets and looks ahead at where oil and precious metals are likely headed next week. Natural gas fell below $3, mostly due to the extremely mild winter so far. Prices could continue to fall, traders say.
He's calling roll. Mad Money host Jim Cramer has new graduation guidelines to make school a better investment.
Mad Money's Jim Cramer helps investors understand the problem with the mutual fund model. Cramer says a cheap S&P 500 index fund is the least bad way to passively manage your money.


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Tyler street to temporarily close on Saturday
City of Tyler
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - 1:31pm
Tyler, Tx (KETK) — Tyler Water Utilities has announced that they will be repairing a water main in the 100 block of Loop 323 WSW in front of the Walgreens store.
The outside, northbound lane of Loop 323 will be closed between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. This area is just south of the intersection of West Erwin (Highway 64) and Loop 323 WSW.
Anyone living or working gin this area may want to use an alternative route. Limited access to local businesses will be available.
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Sponsored Deals
They're like ads, but good.
OK, yes, companies pay a little something to be Sponsored Deals. But we don't allow just any old crap in this section. Sponsored Deals are proposed to us by other retailers, manufacturers, and even other daily deal sites. If we find the deal compelling enough that our members will appreciate us bringing it to their attention, we'll feature it here. Believe it or not, we have a reputation to uphold. If your store would like to be considered for this space, please contact us for details. But if your deal is lame, or sketchy, no amount of money will let you buy your way in.
Community Deals
It's whatever you want it to be.
Pretty much, anyway. This is where you find the deals that wooters like you have ferreted out and brought to light. We're thinking it'll turn into a massive database of discounted products from around the Web, constantly expanding to absorb the newest deals from the very moment their prices are slashed, with each deal immediately rated by hordes of savvy voters to spotlight the very greatest deals in the world today. Hey, we can dream, right?
We use a fancy algorithm to determine which deals are catching the most buzz – they're under the Popular tab, which is the default view of this section. You can look for the most popular deals today, this week, or this month. The Fresh tab features the most recently submitted deals, so that's where to look for deals that everybody else doesn't know about yet. And the Search bar does what a Search bar does, only, uh, much wootier! Yeah! Right on!
Ask The Community
They probably won't bite.
Organic bullets? Vegetarian haggis? Cheap tickets to Antarctica? The best high-performance sweatsocks for under $100? If you're looking for a deal that doesn't appear to show up in our Community Deals section, throw the question to your fellow cheapskates. Or answer a question for one of your fellow cheapskates. Or vote for your favorite questions, or your favorite answers, or… maybe we should call this section "Ask, Answer, Comment On, And Vote In The Community", but that won't fit on the page.


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20 results for "wayne drehs"
Charlie Wittmack risks it all to complete World TriathlonWayne Drehs
This story appears in the July 25, 2011 issue of ESPN The Magazine. See Wayne Drehs' story on ESPN.com here. THE DOTS ARE ORANGE. A new one appears every 10 minutes. This is the only way Cate Wittmack knows her husband is still alive. Halfway aroun...Blog | Conversation | July 17, 2011
"Super Bowl Shuffle" rocked the NFL 25 years ago. Here's the stor...Wayne Drehs
CHICAGO -- On the night Julia Meyer finally had enough, she was watching television. Mindlessly flipping through the channels, trying to fall asleep, she stumbled onto a home shopping channel special featuring a framed collection of photos from the...Blog | Conversation | December 09, 2010
Fear and loathing in GreeleyWayne Drehs
Wayne Drehs looks at what could be the most out-of-control college football program in the country, and it isn't Miami.Story | Conversation | November 06, 2006
Teammate sabotage? It happensWayne Drehs
With so much money and fame at stake, should we be surprised by the alleged teammate sabotage at Northern Colorado?Story | Conversation | November 06, 2006
Stabbed punter still lives in fearWayne Drehs
University of Northern Colorado punter Rafael Mendoza struggles to come to grips with an attempt on his life ... perhaps by a teammate.Story | Conversation | November 05, 2006
Getting religion at the Super BowlWayne Drehs
Wayne Drehs discovers during his Super Bowl Lives series that football wasn't the only religion in Jacksonville on Sunday.Story | Conversation | February 07, 2005
Super Bowl high life on wheelsWayne Drehs
What happens in the limo, stays in the limo . . . except when Wayne Drehs rides along at the Super Bowl.Story | Conversation | February 06, 2005
Pulling strings at the Super BowlWayne Drehs
Can't get into the exclusive Super Bowl functions? Wayne Drehs spends a day with the one person who can pull strings for you.Story | Conversation | February 04, 2005
Fast times at the FHM partyWayne Drehs
Wayne Drehs spends a Super Bowl evening in the fast lane with 100-meter Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin at the FHM party.Story | Conversation | February 04, 2005
The Super Bowl on cruise controlWayne Drehs
Wayne Drehs spends the day with a cruise ship social host who has sailed over the bounding main to get to the Super Bowl.Story | Conversation | February 03, 2005
Case worker: SB XXXIX beer warsWayne Drehs
Wayne Drehs spends a day on the front lines of a Super Bowl battle through the mud and the blood and, especially, the beer.Story | Conversation | February 01, 2005
The Streaker does HollywoodWayne Drehs
After streaking at the Super Bowl last year, Mark Roberts was the toast of the town -- so why is he packing his bags?Story | Conversation | January 26, 2005
nullWayne Drehs
After a tragic accident, Brad Hurtig overcomes enormous obsticles to return to the playing field.Story | Conversation | May 20, 2004
Athletes are cheerleaders, tooWayne Drehs
Terrell Owens and Allen Iverson can't get a crowd fired up like those scantily clad athletes roaming the sidelines.Story | Conversation | March 15, 2004
Requiem for a foul ballWayne Drehs
A massage? A last supper? A security entourage? An execution? Only Cubs fans would go to such lengths to lift a curse.Story | Conversation | February 27, 2004
Follow the yell leaders!Wayne Drehs
Page 2's tour of college football concludes with swaying and screaming at Texas A&M.Story | Conversation | November 25, 2003


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U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issued the following statement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Grade 12 Reading and Mathematics National and Pilot State Results, which the National Center for Education Statistics released today:
"Today's report suggests that high school seniors' achievement in reading and math isn't rising fast enough to prepare them to succeed in college and careers. Reading results have improved since 2005, but are still below the level of 1992. Math scores also show only incremental gains over four years ago.
"President Obama has set a goal that the United States once again will have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by the end of the decade. In a survey that accompanied the NAEP test, 86 percent of seniors said they expect to graduate college.
"They'll only succeed if we challenge and support them to raise their academic performance and offer them the financial support they need to pay for college. The Obama administration is providing $40 billion over the next decade in Pell Grants for disadvantaged students. We are supporting states as they work together to raise standards to match college and career expectations. We have invested in states' efforts to create data systems to ensure teachers and parents have the information they need to know how their students and schools are doing.
"With these supports and a commitment to challenging the status quo, we're confident we'll meet the President's goal and provide our students with the education that meets their aspiration to complete college."


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I don't even bother checking for accommodation at the other hostels whenever I go to LA, this is always my first and favourite choice! Awesome staff, great atmosphere, fun activities, this place is one of my very favourite hostels anywhere.
International Student CenterNew York, USA
Staff were great, location is awesome, bed was comfy and the bathroom was good. Although this place should really invest in some large lockers that can sit in the rooms, and having no Wi-Fi white it wasn't a deal breaker. It certainly wasn't convenient. All in all a great choice for a cheaper hostel.
HotelHotel HostelSeattle, USA
Great place. Super clean, staff were friendly and helpful, beds were comfortable, Internet was fast and breakfast was nice. My only suggestion is for them to invest in bigger sized lockers. Overall though this place was great.
HI-Vancouver CentralVancouver, Canada
This place was very decent, had great rooms, beds and facilities. All they need is faster Internet and I would say the place is perfect.
HI - Portland - NorthwestPortland, USA
Bed was awesome, kitchen was good, had a lot of areas where you can sit quietly. Had great lockers in the room which is awesome. Wish I didn't have to pay to use the computer though. Oh and the location was really good too.
Adelaide Hostel and HotelSan Francisco, USA
Great place, good breakfast, nice location, great common area and kitchen, just needs to be a tad cheaper for the common backpacker who no doubt is tight on funds and it would be perfect.
HI - Sacramento HostelSacramento, USA
A really nice place, super clean, great kitchen, comfortable common areas. Just needs some better (bigger) lockers in the rooms. And it would be nice if we didn't have to pay for computer access.
San Francisco Guest HouseSan Francisco, USA
A very nice place that feels more like a home than a hostel. The beds are extremely comfortable, the facilities are good, and it is right outside a bus stop that can take you straight into town. If you are after a quiet, cousy place, then this place is great. Although the absense of the usual manager of duty, Drew, did affect the mood somewhat, although the main manager is fine.
San Francisco International HostelSan Francisco, USA
This place loves rules, and enforcing them. It is a good place however, bit more of a party hostel which for non-party people it might be a big confronting at times. Not the greatest hostel in the city, but is solid enough.
Amsterdam HostelSan Francisco, USA
It was a huge relief to have the Amsterdam Hotel as it was by far the cheapest hostel around, which is great for a budget conscious traveler such as myself. The hostel itself isn't amazing, but it does the job. Has everything you need, but don't expect anything fancy or grand, but again it is often the lowest price around which is a life-saver. I'd recommend it to others.
San Francisco Guest HouseSan Francisco, USA
A hidden gem in San Francisco hostel choices, despite it's low price and low number of reviews, this place turned out amazing and is easily one of my most preferred hostels. Drew, the manager, was really awesome, the hostel itself was very homely, clean and welcoming, the beds were REAL nice, and it sits just outside a bus line that can take you straight into town. The only downside is the lack of a large fridge, and a very small kitchen, but whatever.
Pacific Tradewinds Backpacker HostelSan Francisco, USA
A really solid place, had good staff, good beds, good location, everything you could ever want or need. A highly recommended and reliable place to stay.
Sin City HostelLas Vegas, USA
It is a decent place, especially for the price. The staff were nice and helpful, and the rooms were good.
This is such an amazing place, whenever I am in LA I come back here every time! The staff and atmosphere are seriously awesome.
Stay on MainLos Angeles, USA
The place itself was superb, it felt more like a hotel than an hostel with great facilities and extremely clean. However it basically is a hotel, which means you rarely have a chance to socialize with the other people thus meeting and making friends is difficult. It is fantastic for somewhere clean, quiet and relaxing however.
This place was a home away from home. After arriving in L.A for my first time traveling solo I had no idea what to expect but I was immediately welcomed into the Duo by friendly, helpful staff. The staff encourage group activities, and the hostel itself makes it easy to make friends with two common rooms where most people congregate, watching movies, eating dinner and just general friendly chatting. A great place that I'd highly recommend. Thanks Dan, Pedro, Alex and A.Z!


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Mark Lohmann began formally training in bodywork?starting with Active Isolated Stretching?before opening Planet Massage on Las Olas Boulevard in 2005.
After almost a decade at that location, Planet Massage relocated to a historical home in the SOLO district that has more than three times the space of the original location. But the ample space isn't the only upgrade; Planet Massage's new urban oasis is even more equipped to relax clients with its lush outdoor bamboo and mango gardens and free parking. Plus, the house is located on a tree-lined neighborhood street, blocks from the beach and within view of the Downtown skyline and any monsters trying to destroy it. All of this has not gone unnoticed by customers; TripAdvisor awarded Planet Massage with the Certificate of Excellence in 2014.
The new spa still soothes bodies with medically based bodywork that often combines multiple modalities and products, as well as with foot massages, heat packs, and pain-relieving Biofreeze treatments. But it also has added a variety of new pampering treatments to take place in the new treatment rooms.
Some spa services?tanning and paraffin-wax dips, for example?were never meant to be combined. Others complement each other swimmingly, as the staff of Spatopia Massage knows. One such ingenious synthesis is their Angel Touch facial, which incorporates massage techniques such as acupressure and lymphatic drainage to guard against headaches and anxiety.
Those looking for a massage on its own browse styles from Swedish to reflexology. Eastern and Western methods unite on the menu, as therapists can target the body's energy meridians with shiatsu manipulation, or administer both Swedish and deep-tissue kneads during The Betty massage. Add-ons enhance appointments with hot stones, hot towels, or an abbreviated reiki session.
Spatopia's facials combat skin conditions such as teen blemishes and signs of aging, often incorporating natural extracts to rejuvenate complexions. For example, the anti-aging facial combines lemon, grape seed, red-wine extract, a blueberry moisturizer, and a chocolate-wasabi mask?born out of a failed dessert-sushi recipe. At Spatopia's Symphony location, the service list expands to cover nail care and waxing.
A visitor to Diamante Day Spa won?t be hurting for options: between the spa?s 20 different massage styles and 18 distinct facials, clients could be forgiven for having a hard time knowing which treatments would benefit them most. That?s why it?s fortunate that holistic practitioner and spa founder Tara Darlene Diamant? Canhos is not only a skilled massage therapist, but also an experienced lifestyle coach and spiritual consultant. Canhos and her staff utilize this experience to help clients devise the perfect array of treatments. Specialty services encompass mainly Eastern holistic healing practices?chakra balancing, yoga nidra meditation, Tibetan reflexology?which is why it?s fitting that the spa is also home to a zen lounge area complete with fresh fruit, organic herbal teas, and no howler monkeys.
Waxing can be painful. That's why the owners of Aquablue Wax & Skin Care have made it their mission to remove hair in the gentlest, most sanitary manner possible. All their technicians are licensed by the state of Florida and are backed by more than 15 years of experience, which enables them to wax unwanted fuzz from both men and women with careful precision. Follicle-liberation sessions are made all the more manageable with the staff's use of European hard blue waxes, which are never double dipped or recycled from old birthday candles. After clients shed hair from their faces and bodies, they can polish their newly revealed visages with a facial, a microdermabrasion treatment, or a peel, which help to nourish their skin and repair problematic complexions. Aquablue also provides mobile spray-tanning services that let customers bronze their bodies with a UV-free formula made from sugar cane while at home, the office, or a sunless tundra.
After working in spas for two decades, French-educated massage therapist and paramedical esthetician Chrys Straiton founded Studio Blu Spa, envisioning a tranquil retreat where she could continue to advance her skills while pampering clients with facials, massages, and skincare services.
When selecting the team for her new spa, Chrys deferred to experience—each of her licensed nail technicians, for example, has roughly a decade of practice. During microdermabrasions, back facials, and other skincare treatments, Chrys and her staff wield G.M. Collin products derived from natural botanical extracts and finely blended teddy-bear stuffing. G.M. Collin was one of the first brands to integrate collagen into its formulas, and Studio Blu's devotion to the skincare line evinces both the spa's openness to innovation and its results-oriented approach.
Transform Age Management helps clients stuck in the middle of their aesthetic journey, providing cosmetic solutions that transcend the results possible with traditional skincare regimes, but stop short of surgery. Executive director and founder Sasha Parker draws upon 25 years of experience spent working as a nurse, assistant surgical administrator, and medical aesthetic trainer to helm a team of doctors and registered nurses who help clients look and feel their best. The collection of beauty services ranges from hydrafacials, peels, and age-fighting dermal fillers to laser therapies that can remove unwanted hair, tighten facial skin, or etch important dates into the brain. If one's compass does point to the surgical route, clients can find direction from board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. F. Leigh Phillips, who performs everything from abdominoplasty to full and partial face-lifts.


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Carl Sweat
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Who's coming and who's going. Tell us about your job move! Receive the Revolving Door Newsletter with expert analysis by email twice a week.No Revolving Door results were found.
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Tim Tebow Now Paid to Endorse Drinks - Posted December 22, 2010
On Sunday, Tim Tebow earned his first NFL start. On Monday, he signed a contr... [SportsNewser]


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Looking for some help here.
I've had all winter to get a setup ready but so far the only conclusion I've come to is that I need a chest rig.
I want to stay EXTREMELY light, agile and mobile.
I run a Tiberius Arms T9 so I'm gonna need room for mag pouches.
Other secondary or possibly unneeded things are a SMALL dump pouch, something to hold some 10rd tubes.
Also needed are space for a snack bar or 3 and a small/light camelbak.
I'm going to join the Alberta Milsim Group (which the Bugstompers team founded) this summer so that means HARDCORE 10 hour MILITARY SIMULATION scenarios so I need to be atleast semi sustainable.
Color must be OD green or Multicam (Multicam is preferred but is not viable if its MUCH more expensive then just OD)
NOTHING ON MY LEGS, BACK (besides the camelbak), OR WAIST (unless it's tiny and won't impede movement at all).
So far I've been thinking about the:
TT Mini Mav https://dstactical.com/product_info.php?cPa...d754566f33d97a9
Milsig mag pouches (over m4 pouches because of the smaller profile/size) http://www.milsig.ca/store/index.php?main_...products_id=343
But that still leaves:
snack bars
water (small/light camelback)
small dump pouch
10 rd tube ?holder?
And will I even be able to fit all of that on the rig? Is there a SLIGHTLY bigger chest rig available in Canada?
(As a side note I have heard of the ExtremeStitchworks/FEAR P3 pack and even though it looks like a great product I'm not interested because it is still a podpack (which isn't even allowed at the AMG [Alberta Milsim Group]).
I need all of this from a small chest rig. Suggestions??? xD Help would be VERY, VERY much appreciated.
This post has been edited by Wh0pp3r: 24 April 2010 - 01:29 PM


text:
Mardel Price $4.99
Give the mom in your life a gift she'll treasure forever with a silver-plated pocket token. Measuring 1" in diameter, this token is perfect for throwing in a pocket, purse, or briefcase for instant inspiration.
Text reads, "Mommy, Hands that play, hands that pray are the hands you hold today. Nothing else will ever ever touch a mommy's heart and soul as much."