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Some of the big differences between "religion" and dharma.
"Whoever was hearing my prayers needed to understand that I was looking for a complete understanding of the truth."
"If I could just take a girl out on Saturday night . . . I might not have to smoke!"
Spiritual life is like trying to find a post office in a strange city.
The deep significance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's advent and mission.
Vedic evidence that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself.
Highlights of the spiritual mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
The significance of the Supreme Being coming to earth.
On learning that the material world is not our real home, we naturally wonder, "How did we get here?"
Why do we—the conscious entity within the body—think we are the body itself?
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Play Auditions
Backstage's auditions for plays span the entire country, including national tours, Broadway, Off-broadway and off-off-broadway productions.
New play auditions are posted to Backstage.com daily.
You can further refine your search by using the filters on the right side of the page, and save your search to have new casting notices sent directly to your inbox.
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- Runs in L.A.
- Seeking submissions from: Los Angeles, CA; Long Beach, CA; Compton, CA; San Pedro, CA; Lakewood, CA
Casting "Under Pressure," a hip-hop, gospel, drama, R & B play.Mar 17
Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 2015-16 Season
- Season rehearses and runs in Little Rock, AR.
- Auditions: Apr 27 in New York, NY
Seeking Equity actors and actors who sing for Arkansas Repertory Theatre's upcoming 2015-16 season. Season includes: "Macbeth" (William Shakespeare, writer. Rehearsals begin Aug. 18, 2015; runs Sept. 11-27); "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (William Finn, music-lyrics; Rachel Sheinkin, book; Jay Reiss, additional material. Rehearsals begin Sept. 22; runs ...Mar 17
- Rehearsals begin Aug. 11; runs Sept. 11-27 in Little Rock, AR.
- Auditions: Apr 28, 29 in New York, NY
Seeking an ethnically diverse company of Equity and non-Equity actors, ages 18-65, for "Macbeth." All roles are available. Actors may be hired to play multiple roles.Mar 17
- Rehearses spring 2015; festival runs July 9-26 (five performances) in Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Metro applicants only.
- Seeking submissions from: Washington, DC
Casting "Girl with Two Belly Buttons," a play to be presented at the 10th Annual Capital Fringe Festival. Synopsis: At 60 Izzy is sick and alone. She has had so many relationships. Why did they all fail? Then Izzy meets Izabela, her 30-year-old self, and the two explore what went ...Mar 16
- Rehearses April 28-May 27 (weekdays, 7-10 p.m. and Sat. afternoons); runs May 28-June 7 (Thurs.-Sun.) in Hartford, CT.
- Seeking submissions from: Hartford, CT
Casting Chekhov's "Ivanov" for Corpus Quixote.Mar 16
- Rehearsals take place June 22-July 3 (12 day break) July 15-22; tech at 59E59, July 22; preview at 59E59, July 23-26 in NYC. Actors travel to Edinburgh: July 31 or Aug. 1 ; tech at Edinburgh: Aug. 4; previews at Edinburgh, Aug. 5-6; performances at Edinburgh: Aug 7-31, 2015 (performances schedule TBD - please note that due to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival schedule, performers may only have one day off during the run).
- Auditions: Apr 6, 7, 9 in New York, NY
Seeking Equity and non-Equity actors of all gender identities and ethnicities for "Trans Scripts - Part One," a play by Paul Lucas based on interviews conducted with over 70 people of transgender experience in the United States, Europe and Australia. The play focuses on trans females (male to female). Linda ...Mar 16
- Runs from Aug. 25, 2015-May 15, 2016 in Denver, CO.
- Auditions: Apr 20 in Denver, CO
Casting actors and actors who sing for a variety of roles for Denver Center's 2015-16 season. Season includes "As You Like It," "Tribes," "A Christmas Carol," "The Nest," "All the Way," "Fade" and " Sweeney Todd."Mar 16
- Rehearsals begin Apr. 7 (mostly evenings and weekend afternoons); runs May 7-24 (Thurs., Fri. and Sats., 7:30 p.m. and Sun. matinees at 3 p.m.) in NY.
- Seeking submissions from: New York, NY
Casting "Fences" by August Wilson.Mar 16
- Rehearsals begin July 27; runs Sept. 3-Oct. 3 in Los Angeles, CA.
- Auditions: Apr 6 in Pasadena, CA
Casting "Mojada: A Medea." Synopsis: Luis Alfaro, author of the explosive Oedipus el Rey, continues his brilliant reexamination of the Greek classics through a modern lens: Mojada is a breathtaking reimagining of Euripides Medea transported to East Los Angeles. Medea, a Mexican seamstress with extraordinary skill, is running from a ...Mar 16
- Rehearsals begin June 6; season runs June 16-Oct.11 in Jennerstown, PA.
- Auditions: Apr 7, 8 in New York, NY
Equity actors and actors who sing for various principal roles in Mountain Playhouse's upcoming season. Season includes "Cotton Patch Gospel," Chapter Two," "Nana's Naughty Nickers," "Church Basement Ladies 4," "The Hound of Baskervilles," and "Forever Plaid."Mar 16
Chenango River Theatre 2015 Season
- Rehearses and performs in Greene, NY.
- Seeking submissions from: Greene, NY
Casting the Chenango River Theatre 2015 Season. Season includes: "The Velocity of Autumn" (Eric Coble, writer; Craig MacDonald, dir. Rehearses May 4-21; runs May 22-June 14); "Escanaba in da Moonlight"(Jeff Daniels, writer. Rehearses July 27-Aug. 13; runs Aug 14-Sept 6); and "Other Desert Cities" (Jon Robin Baitz, writer; Bill Lelbach, ...Mar 16
- Rehearses May-June; runs week of July 13 at The Bridge Theatre in NYC.
- Seeking submissions from: New York, NY
Casting "Flowers for Algernon," a play. Synopsis: Charlie Gordon, a mentally disabled thirty-two-year-old man, is chosen by a team of scientists to undergo an experimental surgery designed to boost his intelligence.Mar 16
- Reading on April 27 at the Theatre for the New City in NYC. Minimum seven rehearsal dates prior to reading.
- Seeking submissions from: New York City, NY
Casting "The Retard," a developmental reading for a play. Synopsis: A young couple is in love; he's white, she's black. They stumble into the lair of Simon, a Machiavellian cynic and sociopath who's married to Yo-Yo, a gorgeous a mentally disabled girl from Africa, who he claims is the perfect ...Mar 16

subset: commoncrawl


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The San Francisco Giants announced Wednesday evening that they have signed RP Sergio Romo to a two-year deal worth a reported $9 million dollars. The deal allowed the Giants to wrap up all of their arbitration cases before any hearing were required. The move allows Romo to become a free agent after the 2014 season.
Romo recorded 14 saves last season for the Giants with a 1.79 ERA. He served as the Giants primary closer during the post-season with one win, four saves and a microscopic ERA of 0.84. He will now enter the 2013 campaign as the club's primary closer heading into 2013. In his last three seasons, Romo has recorded a 203/29 K/BB ratio.
Tagged with: San Francisco Giants, Sergio Romo


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Sony Xperia Tablet S promo video brings Fruit Ninja to life
Sony is known for its creative, unusual and sometimes downright odd commercials and its ad for the new Sony Xperia Tablet S doesn't disappoint. If the slate's 9.4″ screen was a theater stage, this is how things would have looked like.
The company also released another promo video, which is less fun but more informative. Check out both clips right here. Read more »


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1. Samson Stage 55 True Diversity Handheld Mic Wireless System - Channel 01
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Wireless System. Made by Samson. (MC.SW55SHQ7)
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Dual Wireless System. Made by Nady. (MC.ENDUETHT)


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National Competitiveness Council in wind power warning
- Economy
- December 3, 2014, 01:00
The Government should wean the renewable energy sector off State supports, says the National Competitiveness Council (NCC), and it warned against pr(...)
Nude photos of Hollywood actors posted online by alleged hacker
- Technology
- September 1, 2014, 15:52
The apparent online hack that led to the posting of hundreds of explicit photos of some of Hollywood's most famous female stars could have been as a r(...)
Building on Ireland's competitiveness gains
- Irish News
- May 26, 2014, 01:01
What makes a country competitive? For 25 years IMD, a Swiss business school, has been measuring global competitiveness, and ranking countries accordin(...)
Deteriorating competitiveness 'threatening recovery'
- Economy
- April 1, 2014, 14:30
The Irish economy is at a "turning point" in terms of cost competitiveness, the National Competiveness Council (NNC) has warned. In a rep(...)
Global Ports acquires Russia's National Container Company for €1.2bn
- Transport & Tourism
- September 3, 2013, 01:00
London-listed Global Ports has acquired Russia's National Container Company in a $1.6 billion (€1.2bn) deal that brings together Russia's two biggest (...)
'Horrid' music: The dark side of the concert hall
- Music
- July 17, 2013, 01:00
Can you name a composer who described his own music as "horrid"? We live in a world where classical music is often portrayed as relaxing, and in a cou(...)
It's a European Union, but is there musical harmony?
- Music
- April 23, 2013, 07:00
It's an old adage that talking about music is like dancing about architecture. But sometimes one little word makes all the difference. And at o(...)
The group dynamics in an intense four-way marriage
- Music
- April 9, 2013, 06:00
Yaron Zilberman's fascinating new film, A Late Quartet, has people thinking and talking and(...)


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NOTEBOOK: Core sparks Rebs in win over Boise State
ATLANTA- Ole Miss' offense was sputtering for most of the night and they needed someone, anyone to give them a spark. Cody Core decided it would be him. (August 29, 2014, Page 1B)
Nkemdiche on track to play after opener
Denzel Nkemdiche quickly found himself in the doghouse this spring. He's slowly working his way out of it. (August 7, 2014, Page 6)
Rebels' newcomers make good impression
Ole Miss has built enough depth to where it doesn't need its freshmen to come in and play immediately. The talent, though, of the entire incoming class may leave the coaches with no other choice. (August 5, 2014, Page 6)
Rebels open camp with improved depth, talent
Ole Miss' football team is switching things up early in fall camp. The Rebels hit the practice field for the first time Saturday morning in preparation for the upcoming season, and for the first time in head coach Hugh Freeze's tenure, the freshmen and the upperclassmen have spent some time practicing separately thanks to restocked roster. (August 4, 2014, Page 6)
NOTEBOOK: 'Everyone's eligible' for Rebels
Some of Ole Miss' football players won't play a down this season, but it won't be because they didn't make the grades. For the first time in his three-year tenure, coach Hugh Freeze announced the Rebels won't suffer from an academic casualty. Players reported to campus on Friday — the first day before the start of fall camp — and everyone's ready to go. (August 4, 2014, Page 6)
VIDEO: Coordinators talk Rebels' Sunday practice
BLOG — Ole Miss went through its second fall practice Sunday afternoon, working out in shells for approximately two and a half hours. (more…) (August 3, 2014)
Jones getting comfortable at corner
This time a year ago, Derrick Jones was preparing to compete for playing time with the rest of Ole Miss' wide receivers once he arrived in Oxford. Now Jones is busy learning how to cover them. (April 3, 2014, Page 10)
VIDEO: Last year's freshmen talk spring, development
BLOG — There was one major difference between Monday's spring practice and the rest of Ole Miss' football workouts going back to when the Rebels were preparing for last season: the freshmen could talk about it afterward. (more…) (March 24, 2014)
Rebels drawing from Wommack's time with Yellow Jackets for help
Ole Miss is preparing to take on an offense that's foreign to many teams around the country. But the Rebels' defense does have one thing going for it in its preparation. (December 20, 2013, Page 6A)
Rebels not holding back in preparation for Tech
Ole Miss will finish the 2013 season in the same place it started. What the Rebels will see from their opposition this time, though, will be far different. (December 17, 2013, Page 6)


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In paperback or eBook!!! Pavel and Andy Bolton's awesome plan to skyrocket your deadlift progress... there's so many valuable tips in here, that you need to check out the list yourself!
Something had been bugging me for a VERY long time. Now, I've figured some of it out, after the ideas from some amazing conversations with people I consider to be some of the biggest minds in fitness have congealed. On the left side of the desk is this little heap of paper bits: brainstorms, workouts I've written for clients, myself, or the small group, a few receipts and SD camera cards sneak into the pile, but whatever. Sometimes things get scrawled on the back of receipts. Anyway, as I'm working on other, but very related writing assignments, the jumbled stew in my head occasionally makes some sense, and ideas are jotted down for later. Well a couple days ago, the right neurons connected.
So this thing... What REALLY bothers me about some of the rhetoric and images we're constantly bombarded with in the media (and FACEBOOK, Pinterest, etc.) is that they seem really to be born of or even encouraging self-hatred. For several days in a row, I was continually getting angry, and having that oh-so-teenage feeling of "OH YEAH?! You wanna tell ME what I should LOOK LIKE?!?!"
ATTENTION, makers and forwarders of quasi-viral pictures with words on them... I don't give one hoot what you think my body should or shoudn't look like. I don't care what your feminine ideal is. I don't care who you think is a "real woman" I care about being strong, being healthy, kicking as much butt as possible, eating delicious whole foods, and having adventures the likes of which will be spoken of in hushed tones of awe and fear.
For the record I don't enjoy feeling annoyed - especially this sort of annoyance... so I try and turn it on it's head and see what's really happening. Besides figuring stuff out and sharing it is more productive than howling and flicking the internet the bird.
I don't personally feel threatened or lessened because of these images of oiled up fitness models with "motivating" ph
The ideas, and more often the effect of these images isn't really motivating to most people - at least not from what I've seen. Faced with what seems like total impossibility, these images often arouse the feelings of guilt, helplessness, and self hatred. If there's ever anything I want to rail against it's guilt, helplessness, and self hatred. I have had a hard struggle against all three, and I hope that I can help just one person conquer those terrible feelings in any small way.
Even if you've only taught one group fitness class ever, or maybe even just dropped the hint that you're interested in fitness, you've probably observed the following phenomenon:
The person grabs some part of themselves - usually in the tricep region, the side of the body (love handles), or the side of their thigh. Then the person makes a disgusted face and asks in an exasperated tone, "HOW do I get RID OF THIS?!?!?&quo
They might not even consciously know it, but they're hating on their body - some people hate their bodies 24/7 and that's a terrible thing. Before we proceed, I want to make a quick statement that while it's more often seen as a "women's issue" that there are as many if not the same amount of men in this situation. We see a lot more images depicting women, but it's just as tough for the guys. And ladies - don't forget - men aren't the enemy - heaven knows if that were the case I'd personally have 75% fewer friends in real life. That's a SCIENCE FACT. But in all seriousness, my guy friends ask me stuff about women all the time - they want to know why women dislike how they look, why the women in their lives are constantly unhappy with their own bodies. Sometimes they even grab their own tummies and ask, "How do I get rid of this spare tire?!"
The real ugly truth is that if you're deeply unhappy with yourself in some way, you're easier to control - which means it's also easier to sell you stuff. Because you'll "try anything" any magic pill to make the pain of self hatred go away - or more often to temporarily alleviate the pain by thinking you've somehow "doing something." Doing something has to be more than running up a big bill however. (Surely, you know someone who has a gym membership, and who never ever shows up - but they wave that gym membership around as if it's somehow going to magically make them healthy and fit.) Anyway, back on topic - sometimes the fitness industry seems hellbent on perpetuating your own self hatred, your guilt, and your helplessness to change the situation... but here's the latest gadget!
Or... here's something insidious... workouts with a real "punishing" effect. It has been said that if you can make a female client's most hated areas (typically hips/thighs) sore, then you have a client for life. "How do I get rid of this?!" I've been there - I tried everything, stupid things that I don't really even want to admit. But imagine, to a self-hating, guilt-feeling person how alluring the idea of a workout that will PUNISH those HATED FAT STORING AREAS! I see some of the insane workouts people put themselves through, and while it's great to challenge yourself on occasion, there must be balance. You can't constantly tear yourself down with all super hard workouts EVERY freaking day - the body just isn't designed for that. It's a recipe for injury, halted fat loss, illness, and a real lack of strength or endurance.
I am about to post my review of Al Kavadlo's new book, Raising the Bar. One of the things you will immediately notice in the book is that in 99% of the pictures, no matter how difficult the exercise, Al has got the biggest grin. He's having FUN with the workout, from the look on his face you'd think he was at Disney World and just found out that he'd never wait in line for anything. Joy. Is there JOY in your workouts? Do you feel joy after a workout? If not, maybe you should.
Ask yourself: is your quest for fitness fueled by love or hate? Are you working hard because you hate your thighs, or because you're taking care of yourself and want to make improvements?
Here's the good news - YOU CAN make improvements - and they will happen - like clockwork if you get a good coach and stick to a plan for your workouts and nutrition. It doesn't have to be super hard. It doesn't have to be one of these horrid starvation diets or starvation plans disguised as a "cleanse or detox" (don't get me started). Of course you know I really recommend that you find an RKC or HKC instructor for the exercise part - I know you saw that coming :) But there are other ways - the plan that works is the plan that you will do - which is further elaborated on in Dan John's book, Easy Strength. It doesn't have to be hard, it has to be consistent - that also goes for your nutrition. If you fall off the wagon, just get back on. Don't beat yourself up for it, don't starve yourself for the next 3 days, and don't just give up and wallow in a shallow grave filled with pizza and ice cream. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back on it. Forget that guilt crap, get back on the wagon, eyes on the prize, etc. etc. Same with workouts - practice your skills, keep it challenging, but don't be gasping and barfing in the corner! Shift the focus from hating parts of your body to working on new skills, new strengths, abilities. I don't care how old you are, it's never too late. I'm 35 years old and run around like I was when I was 12 - monkey bars included. It didn't happen overnight, and as my handstand practice proves, can be a slow process. But acquiring strength helps so many things - confidence, appearance (posture, leaning out a bit, curves), and just knowing that you can set a goal and meet it. Something that keeps echoing in my head from the Super Human Training Workshop from last weekend is when Bud Jeffries said (paraphrased):
"Strength is the ultimate self expression"
The demonstration of strength (even just to yourself) is incredibly powerful. It implies a level of self-mastery, of mental focus, coordination, and of the fusion and acceptance of body and mind.
I've led a number of group classes in different forms over the past few years - and something that I noticed was that the people who tended to be less coordinated (not always) seemed to have a higher than average level of self-hatred. They were frustrated with these "faulty" or "inferior" bodies that they had been "stuck with." Read those words carefully - they imply a lack of control. They imply a lack of power to change. I remember thinking a couple of years ago, when coaching someone through a very basic movement, that they were not able to do easily (and it was an EASY MOVEMENT), that they were not really IN THEIR OWN BO
This self-hatred stuff is insidious because you may not even know you're doing it! Listen to what you say to yourself today, tomorrow etc - catch the thoughts and examine them - do you agree with them? Are "the voices" your friends, or not? Are they even really YOU?! Stop tearing yourself down from the inside out - it's easier said than done, but it's a good thing to start being aware of right now. TODAY. THIS MOMENT. Do it. And it's not just about you - when you start becoming aware of this self-hatred, and making mental changes, the people around you will notice. Time after time, I hear Moms complain that their young daughters (even 5 years old!) are concerned about their own weight, or already judging their own cute little bodies. Guess where they learned those behaviors?! From Mom and from the media. Stand up for yourself, and you aren't just helping you, it's bigger than that. People watch and learn from other people -and isn't always on purpose either. No one is perfect, but it's your responsibility to be a great example.
Now, go be awesome!
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Thank you, thank you, THANK
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!
It's pure kismet that I found this tonight,when I needed it the most.
You're awesome!
Thank you!
Exclamation Points!!!
Dead on!
Adrienne, I really hope I have the pleasure of meeting you someday. Not only are you inspiring in terms of your physical strength, you're mentally tough! This post reminds me of your previous once called "Strength trumps the Scale". (for reference if anyone else is interested: http://www.giryagirl.com/Stren
Stop the obsessing and let your body do what your body is going to do. Listen to it. Nurture it. Empower it. Believe in it. Love it, don't fear it. In due time, the results and hard work will show. :)
Janelle P
You are my hero.
Remember that 50 lbs that weighed me down for the past ___ years?
Self-hatred. Big sodden sad lumps of it.
Thank you for speaking to the possibility that there is another way--motivation from a position of strength -- joy -- rather than constant self-condemnation. Thank you for speaking so clearly for that possibility--for living it out day by day in front of us with such energy and brio.
In the words of the poet: " . . . that has made all the difference."
Tracy S.


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Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the Kick-Ass comic or film written by Mark Millar, or any guest characters from other Kick-Ass fanfic's they are owned by their own writers and creators. However, all rights and characters for Scarlett belong to me and are owned by me alone. So if anyone wants to ever us characters or anything else from this story for a special chapter or fic will have to ask first...but don't worry , there's a 99% chance I'll say yes.
Continuity Note: Takes place around the same time-period as 'Omega Kid Chapter 51'.
If you enjoyed this chapter and want to know more about my work, you can like the Rurrlock-God of Power Facebook page.
The Beginning Arc
Chapter 1: New Girl in Town
They say that America is the land of dreams! They say that New York is the heart of its many organs and circulatory bloody vessel things…I was never a whizz at science, give me a break. They say if you ever want to start your life over, New York would be the perfect place for that. That would be great for me, except for one tiny problem; I don't want to start my life over. It was just fine the way it was before! However, that 's to be expected when your dad is one of the top fire fighters in the state, moving about is rare but it can happen.
Back home in Tennessee, I was just Debbie Jackson, your average 17-year-old girl. Brunette, blue eyes, always wearing reading glasses that I never really needed but just couldn't be bothered to take off. I was quiet and only kept myself with a few good friends, but the quiet thing is mostly a ploy. See I'm not just your average, quiet girl…I'm also one of the many real-life costumed superheroes ready to make my name in the world. Unfortunately though, despite starting this superhero shtick for about four months back home, stopping thugs and rescuing cats from trees, I never quite got the publicity that other heroes in the state have got…okay I got hardly any at all. Only the occasional rumor at schools and street corners, but it's not like I was ever asked to be apart of talk shows or have anyone ask for my autograph. I was like the urban legend that wasn't that exciting.
If movies and comics have taught me anything, is that the epicenter of trouble is the big apple itself. So who knows? Maybe a few rescues here is just what I need to get my popularity up, after all, that's one of the main reasons why I wanted to go into the costumed vigilante business. Most heroes do it for the classic revenge for loved ones murder or to help their fellow man, me? I just wanted to put my name in the headlines and make me feel good about myself, also to inspire some people to do the right thing and not go down that dark path.
You may or may not have noticed I have a habit of babbling like a shy bookworm that just got asked out by the hot jock to prom. I think it's time we just rolled on with the story; after all it's the superhero action you want right? I'd be more than happy to oblige except for one problem…first day of a new school.
I'm not shy or anything about my first day, and if it shows, remember it's just an act. Think Superman playing the bumbling Clark Kent. The problem I have is just the lack of motivation to go to school, come on I'm a teenager, what sane teenager would want to go to school? Yes I know that may be a question I'll look back on and laugh at years from now when I have a do-or-die job, but right now I'm standing by it. At least we don't have to wear school uniforms, then I'd be mad, I've got at least five sets of clothes I need to try and do you know how hard it is to try new clothes when you go to a school that supplies uniform?
''Debbie…'' I hear my mom calling. ''Hurry up or you'll miss the bus.''
''Is that a bad thing?'' I shouted back sarcastically, and tried to suppress a laugh knowing what my mom's reaction would be.
''Only if you don't mind having washing up duty for the rest of the week!'' Okay one-nil to the mother as I finished up and got my things ready; double-checking to make sure I had my lucky emerald necklace on. It was plastic, fake of course, but so important to me. It was a gift from a special friend. Anyway, I hurried out of my room and made my way down stairs, greeted by the site of mom preparing breakfast. ''Gets you every time that one does!'' She smirked, not even needing to look at me to know I was defeated.
''Eliza Jackson, the war isn't over yet!'' I replied quickly stuffing myself with beans and toast.
''Whoa, what's the rush?'' Mom asked, shocked that I finished my breakfast before she even turned to the table with her food.
''Get school over with, that's the rush. Also I wanted to visit dad afterwards, see how he's doing at the new station.''
''Well, that's okay. And don't rush school, you may enjoy it.''
I stared back blankly at her. ''You had me…right up until you said school!''
''You'll be fine,'' My mother said, however she couldn't hide the seriousness on her face and I dreaded what was coming next. ''Just as long as you get into no more fights.''
Since I began training to become a crime -fighter all those months ago, my skills in battle have unintentionally shown in old schools where some punk would pick on my friends or me. ''I promise, if someone starts with me I'll only break one of their hands and not both.''
''Debbie!'' She snapped at me.
''I was just joking I don't break hands, sure I sprained a couple but that's not as bad…''
''I don't want to hear it,'' She cut in. ''Just make some new friends and get through this as calmly as possible. Because if you get detention on the first day, not only will you not be allowed to visit your father at the station, but it will also make the rest of the year a misery for you. So if any one does give you trouble?''
You won't believe the amount of times my parents have made me rehearsed this…OVER 9000! Sorry, I'm a big Dragon ball Z fan. Groaning I went along with her demands. ''If anyone does give me trouble … I walk away and ignore them.''
''Okay, but what if I make friends and someone gives them trouble, do I ignore that?''
''I'm afraid you have to; you have no idea what it could be about. Plus you shouldn't make friends with someone that attracts trouble.''
''Mom this is school, people get picked on at least once for whatever reason.''
She sighed knowing that I was speaking the truth, I've seen it happen; people treating others like crap for the fun of it, as much as I now hate to admit it I...knew people like that personally, before I had real friends to help me. ''I know you're just looking to do the right thing, but you remember what we've told you…violence never solves thing.''
I could hear the guilt meter ticking away inside my head; mom was almost a complete pacifist. Whenever a real-life superhero comes up on the news she would look away in shock at some of the mayhem that has been caused. If she knew about half the stuff I did…my thoughts was cut short once I heard the sound of a bus pulling up outside. ''Oh shit!'' I quickly grabbed my books and made a run for the door.
''Ah, Debbie language!'' Mom called out.
''I know it's English!'' I called back as I ran out the door and shut it behind me.
So I sat alone at the back of the bus, big deal. Probably the glasses that have turned off all the boys, and the girls never start talking to someone until you walk towards the building. Don't know why that is, maybe its just some hidden co de I need to pick up on? Finally, the bus came to a stop, and we arrived at New Miller High School, I was surprised at how big the school was, well it was bigger than my old one back in Tennessee, don't know if there are more bigger than this. I'm more thrilled at seeing my dad's new fire station and meeting his new crew, it's a shame we had to leave the old one. His old crew was like an extended family, I can remember all staying over and having parties with them whenever duty didn't call. Oh God, the teary goodbye I had with each of them when I knew we would be leaving…I seem to have a lot of teary goodbyes.
I must have looked the right nerd at the moment; glasses, books in my arms, bag nestled over my shoulder and standing amidst a crowd of people whom were all talking to their friends and what not. Train of thought was cut off as someone bumped into me from behind, followed by books and paperwork tumbling out of said person's arms and mine.
''Hey watch it!'' The person spat, some skinny girl around my age. Black hair almost covering her whole face, glasses almost twice the size of mine and actually dressed in what looked like school uniform, and this school doesn't do school uniform!
Despite her harsh tone of voice at me a second ago, she seemed almost petrified of me as she tried to pick up all of her paperwork and keep her head down from looking at me again. Needing to grab my books as well I kneeled down and grabbed my things while attempting an apology. ''Sorry about that.'' I helped her with her books as well.
''It's fine,'' She said hoarsely. ''I've been having a rough morning and I just want to…''
''Hey Sasha!'' Some guy called out in our direction. The girl, obviously Sasha looked back towards the caller. ''You're just as bad trying to sleep with girls as much as guys!'' He had the looks department down…brown hair, white shinning teeth and a body figure that would make any girl drool. Typical jock.
Standing by the jock's side was another kid waiting for a high five. ''Good one Andrew!'' He was much meeker, with darker brown hair, a checker shirt and rucksack almost as large as himself.
The caller, Andrew, looked back at the person next to him, eyes darting between his face and the hand still expecting a high five of some kind. ''Shut up Martin!'' He said. Martin lowered his hand in defeat and backed off as Andrew approached us, his eyes never leaving my body. ''Well Sasha I can tell you one thing, at least you set your standards high.''
''Charmed.'' I replied without really concentrating on him, I just wanted to get my things and move on before I would be forced to do something that my mom would crucify me for. But it seems I won' t to be escaping anywhere today as a hand grabbed the rest of my things and handed them to me, Andrew's hand of course.
''Never seen you around here before, with the way you look you should come with a warning sign.'' He smirked as we both stood up; he didn't even bother to get Sasha's things.
I tried to suppress a chuckle but it didn't work. ''Do you use that on every girl you talk too?''
''Only the ones that deserve my attention, the name's Andrew Crane,'' For the first time he forced his gaze off me and down on Sasha, who still was too scared to come up, and Andrew took full advantage of it. ''Well it's about time you knew your place, in the dirt!''
''I-I-I w-was…'' She started but couldn't get out any coherent words after as Andrew mocked her some more. I feel bad now for knocking her down, not to mention probably pissing her pants by scaring her as well.
Then out of the blue I feel Andrew's large arm wrap around my shoulder in such a possessive manner. ''Listen, I'm the hotshot around here. Captain of the Basketball team, the one student that everyone in this school knows and loves, so If you want to make it through without any problems, or if an gives you a hard time, I'm here for you.''
He didn't mean that in a friendly way, oh no, I knew exactly what he wanted and was suggesting. I seriously felt like just socking this guy where the sun don't shine and leaving, but I need to keep up my shy girl persona if I want to get through my double life without a hitch or arousing any suspicion. Forcing a smile and giggle I tried to get out of his grasp without making it look too forced. ''I appreciate that very much.''
''I'm just here to always help the pretty lady.'' He said smugly.
That's when his little minion Martin stood next to him. ''And you are pretty pretty…I mean you know…pretty pretty.''
I was about to thank him when Andrew just barged him aside like he was a featherweight, which really didn't surprise me, the guy looked like he hardly had any meat over his bones. Andrew smirked at me. ''You'll have to forgive my friend, little Martin McKenzie here just says the dumbest things.''
''He's not the only one!'' I mumble under my breath so he can't hear as I back a way from them with a smile. ''Thank you again, but I really should be heading into class now.''
''Hey no worries,'' He smiled devilishly at me once more before he and his partner in crime Martin retreated inside the school. But he didn't completely leave before turning back to me and shouting out. ''Stick with me and you'll like it here.''
I waved back at him until he had finally left me alone. Jeez, still twenty minutes to go before school even starts and already I've upset someone and got a boy I despise wanting to get in my pants. Maybe for Andrew I could shrug off the good girl persona just to get him off my back?
Well, something tells me New York won't be boring at all.
So first day of school didn't turn out to be the boring disaster I feared it would be, even without that little morning meeting with the muscle brain. Although nothing exciting really happened either, I didn't have a mob of people greeting me, wanting to know all about the new girl, in fact, I was pretty much ignored all together. They either just saw me as some cute nerd that would bore them to death, or that I was some emo with no social life and was looking for more people to convert into some satanic cult…trust me, that rumor can happen!
As for that girl Sasha, she kind of disappeared. I never got another glimpse of her after the incident this morning. From what I've heard about her around the school, she never gets involved with anything and pretends to not exist. As for that Andrew and his sidekick Martin, thankfully they never noticed me for the rest of the day, although it was hard to never notice Andrew, as he would always have the other jocks with him joking around while he had different girls admiring him. Yeah I'm defiantly not going to get with him anytime soon, not my type of people anymore.
Lessons? Can't say much else, just because I was the new student didn't mean I wasn't giving any excuse. I was zapped in to the boring world of pie charts, biology, and epicenters of seismic activities on a vast geological scale…seriously who needs this stuff in real life? Learn how to make money, learn to cook and do the laundry and that's it, life sorted.
The day ended finally and now I could rush over to my father's new station and see it for myself, he'd give me directions in case I ever wanted to visit. It will be nice to hang around before going out for the night on patrol…yes, tonight I'm going to show off the newest superhero to grace New York's alleyways and rooftops. However, before I could make my way over to the new station, I noticed someone else making the exact same turn in front of me. I continued walking behind until I finally had a good idea who it was, hard not to know when I knocked all those books out of her arms at the beginning of the day. ''Sasha!'' I called out.
She turned around somewhat surprised to see me behind her. ''Are you following me?''
''No, you just happen to be heading down the same road I do to get home, which must be close by to yours, how neat is that?'' I tried to act friendly. ''Listen about earlier, I think we got of the wrong foot, I'm sorry I bumped into you. And I don't really want any bad blood, first day in New York and everything.''
''If you didn't want any bad blood you shouldn't have hung around with Andrew Crane!''
''That? It was nothing; he's so not my type. Give it he's a hunk and he's got arms that can make hearts melt, he's just a bully, and I so don't hang around with bullies anymo…I mean,'' Way to go Debbie, trying to make a new friend and you mention your dark times from the past, smooth. ''Uh...'' After that slip-up, I found it difficult to think up anything to say to her. ''Want to be friends? '' I get out quickly while extending my hand in a friendly gesture. Again...smooth.
She looked back and forth between my face and my hand as if trying to work me out, before she then did the rudest thing and turned back around and continued walking down the street. ''I don't want friends!''
Dumfounded, yes. Slightly offended, defiantly. But defeated, no way. ''What are you talking about? Everyone needs friends!''
''Well I don't. Too much dependence on others, too much distrust and heartbreak… ''
''Yeah it can lead to those things sometimes, but everyone needs a friend one-way or the other. Look at Andrew earlier with his little miss high-five buddy, even a jock can make a friend. Why not you?''
''Because I don't want any!'' She snapped. ''Don't you get that? It's nothing t o do with you, it's just me, okay?''
''Well shouldn't I be the judge of that?''
''Can we just not talk until we go our separate ways, okay?'' She said trying to hide the frustration in her voice. It did appear like she didn't want to offend me, but then again, I'm offering her friendship here and she's blowing me down like a bad hangover. So I just went along with her demands and found myself walking the same direction as her without really thinking too much about where we was actually going.
However, the situation got really awkward, as we didn't go our separate ways for at least half an hour. Soon, I was with in fifty feet of my house so she must live nearby. ''Well here I am!'' I pointed out and then I stopped dead in my tracks and felt like punching myself in the gut. ''Oh crap I was suppose to visit dad!'' How could I have forgotten? That was the one main reason why I wanted the first day of school over with quickly. I could slap myself, I so wanted to visit dad and his new crew.
''What number are you?'' Sasha asked me like a ghost had just visited her.
''I'm 33!''
A goofy grin must have formed on my face, cause I could even feel it growing on my face. ''Hey how about that we're neighbors!'' I said with joy, but her mood didn't lift at all as she walked towards her front door. But not before turning to me one last time.
''Look, you seem really nice and I appreciate what you're offering. But I just don't want to have friends okay? So can you please just save yourself some embarrassment and not be seen with me okay?''
''You say okay a lot!'' I smiled trying to lighten the mood, or at least get her to smile back once; I don't think I've seen her smile at all yet. And it was going to stay like that as she turns to her front door and walks inside without another word.
Sighing heavily, I knew it was too late to walk over to dad's station now so I just decided to head home, at least that wouldn't take long. Bet mom got a right old shock when she heard the door opening and saw me walking inside. ''I thought you were going to visit your father?'' She asked me straight away.
''Yeah I kind of got distracted,'' I responded taking a seat on the sofa. Mom walked in and took a seat next to me. ''And I know you're going to ask about school so I'm going to save your breath and say that it went how school normally would, nothing special.''
''Made any new friends?''
''Well I…I'm still working on that. Hey did you know that our neighbor goes to my school?''
''Oh no,'' She stresses light-heartedly. ''I see where this is going, you've got a thing for the boy next door!''
''No she's a girl!''
''Oh,'' She backed off. ''Well in that case maybe we can arrange a get together or something, get to know her better.''
''Good luck with that.'' I mutter under my breath so she doesn't hear. Looks like she didn't catch what I said as she gets up and walks into the kitchen, probably to call dad and tell him that I was home. I just want to relax and get ready for my big night ahead, not even giving mom a chance to ask anymore questions I dash for my room.
Funny thing is I can't sleep a wink. Even though I felt tired earlier, all that was gone soon enough, guess the adrenaline and excitement is getting me pumped. Looking over at my clock it was only just past ten and already mom was fast asleep, and with dad still at the station, it should be safe to get myself ready for my big New York debut. I feel all giddy just thinking about my first New York superhero action; I had to force myself to sit on the bed just to stop myself from jumping about. For the first time, it really does feel like a fresh start. Let's just say my first gig as a super hero back in Tennessee...wasn't that spectacular.
Looking around at old photos usually calms me down. A couple of when my dad and uncle took me fishing...we didn't catch anything and it rained all day, but it was awesome when dad would tell me old stories of his first days as a fire-fighter. Ironic I'm thinking about that when I'm about to do something like this, I'm bringing myself into the fire for the first real time. New York! It's a hotspot for superhero action; it's always on the news. I can just imagine my superhero name up in lights once I teach the villains of this town a thing or two.
There were photos of birthday parties, days-out, everything I could find...although no photos I had ever showed me younger then three, all because of a fire at our first house that apparently destroyed everything…once again, ironic don't you think? My dad was supposedly a real hero that night! I always gush about how awesome he is, I just want to have a bit of that awesomeness to rub off on me.
Before long, I hear a booming voice coming from outside. ''And don't you think about taking that money and going to one of those parties you little bitch!'' This guy was shouting with enough force to probably wake the whole neighborhood. I snuck over to my window and looked outside to see Sasha walking away from her house and heading down the street while some old geyser is standing by her front door throwing more verbal abuse at her.
''I promise I'll be back!'' Sasha cried back to the man as she continued walking away.
''You better be! If I even find one cent missing I'm going to make you regret it!'' He yelled at her once more before slamming the door behind him.
Jeez, no wonder Sasha has her issues. I feel more sorry for the poor girl now, even up here and in the dark of night I can see the tears streaming down her face and hear her whimpers as she walked out of sight. My parents would never do that, at times, when dad had a really unfortunate day and hit the bottle, he still wouldn't go as far to throw abuse of that level, or anything close to a threat. Those thoughts were cast out of my head when something else caught my attention; a group of three, dressed in hoodies and all with clown make-up on their faces walking down the street following Sasha and laughing their heads off.
I didn't want to take the chance that they might miss Sasha. I rushed over to my door, checking once more to see that my mom was sound asleep, seriously a hurricane would strike and she wouldn't know about it. With no preying eyes spying on me, I reached under my bed and pulled out my costume from an old suitcase…time to go to action!
Keeping to the shadows, I watched as Sasha walked out of the shop and started making her way back home. When I snuck out of my bedroom window I lost track of the clown squad, maybe it was just a false alarm and they headed off in a different direction?
''Hey where you going baby?''
So much for that!
Sasha turned around and was now face to face with the three clowns, all taller and stockier than her by a mile. With the one closest pulling out a little pocketknife, pointing it towards her. She backed away slowly just as another grabbed her by the arm and yanked her towards them; she tried to scream for help, but they kept her quiet, closing her mouth with his hand. That's it; I made my move before they had their way with her. ''Hey boys! How's about you just jump into your little car and leave now!''
They all turned and must have been a bit bewildered to see someone like me facing them, or maybe just amused because they were starting to laugh their heads off. My costume's not that bad! Especially when it's a bunch of freaks with clown make-up laughing at me. Sure it may have borrowed a lot from Starfire in Teen Titans with the purple and light pink costume, cape and mask but it's a decent effort. ''Who do you think you are messing with the Bozos?'' One of them called out.
''Just a girl looking for a nice night out; you know, hit the town, see the sights, find a hot date. But instead I find you whack-jobs here picking on a little girl and…Bozos? Seriously? That's your crew name?''
''Alright that's it!'' Immediately they let go of Sasha and came towards me, perfect. The first one got it the worst, cause he was completely caught off guard as I brought out my weapon and slammed it across his face knocking him to the ground out cold with one strike. The other two hesitated as I swung my Nunchaku like a pro before bringing out my other one and striking a pose. ''You ever watch Ninja Turtles?'' I asked them but neither replied. ''I didn't either!''
The one with the knife jabbed at me; I sidestepped out of the way before using my elbow and knee to strike his arm at the same time, almost breaking it. BAM! I kicked out at him knocking him down the ground. The other tried to punch at me, but I kept backing away drawing him in closer and closer until he went full force and I whacked at his knuckles with my Nunchaku, now that time his hand is probably broken.
He cried out in pain but didn't stop coming at me trying to kick at me. BAM! I just hit his leg with my weapon causing him to collapse before I slammed my foot on top of his head knocking him out for sure. The blood gushing out of his big red nose, ha, see what I did there? Anyway, back to the knife guy; if he had any common sense he would run a way and never do wrong again, so what does he do? He charges at me once more, his words being his only weapon. ''You're so dead!' '
Hanging my Nunchakus back on my belt, I went hand-to-hand with this guy; but with his weakened arm this was really child's play. He tried to kick at me, but I just kicked his leg back leaving him wide open for my special attack…kneeing him in the balls! It works every time… we least to every guy I fight. He yelps in agony and bends down holding onto his privates as if he was trying to stop them from falling off leaving him wide open for me to round house kick him in the face. BAM!
I did it! My first New York save! Wasn't as difficult as I thought it'd be. You could say I was…clowning around…okay I'll stop with the puns. I almost felt like doing a little victory dance, but it wasn't over yet, I still had to make sure that Sasha was all right. Shaken and very, very nervous she started to back a way as I approached her. ''Don't worry kid; I'm not going to hurt you! '' I tried to be soothing but she wasn't buying it.
''Please, don't hurt me.''
''For fricken sake, I just saved you from those creeps, why would I then hurt you?'' I didn't want to act like this while she's this way, fragile and scared out of her wits end. But if I start acting like I did before, being all friendly, she'd know who I was right away. ''Let me help you up.'' I did so slowly so not to freak her out more so than she already was.
''T-Thank you! I was s-so scared.''
''No worries, everyone would have been scared in that situation. But you're hanging in there kid.''
''Thanks, um…who are you?''
Oh, how long have I waited for someone to ask me that again! In Tennessee I never actually had anyone personally ask for my name before. ''Well you're going to be hearing a lot more of me soon kid…the name's Scarlett!''
To Be Continued…


text:
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Annawadi is a makeshift settlement in the shadow of luxury hotels near the Mumbai airport, and as India starts to prosper, Annawadians are electric with hope. Abdul, a reflective and enterprising Muslim teenager, sees "a fortune beyond counting" in the recyclable garbage that richer people throw away. Asha, a woman of formidable wit and deep scars from a childhood in rural poverty, has identified an alternate route to the middle class: political corruption.
"An Antidote for Shantaram"
The Bible predicts that in the last days a charismatic leader will establish a global following in the name of peace. The Qur'an also predicts that a man will rise up to lead the nations, pledging to usher in an era of peace. The man in the Qur'an is called the Mahdi, or Islam's savior. However, the man in the Bible is the Antichrist. Joel Richardson's stunning research and analysis suggest that the Mahdi and the Antichrist are actually one and the same.
"Interesting thesis"
"Economic hit men," John Perkins writes, "are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex, and murder."
"Excellent Story for people have traveled"
13 Hours presents, for the first time ever, the true account of the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there. Those men went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale.
"Like you were there !"
September 8, 1900, began innocently in the seaside town of Galveston, Texas. Even Isaac Cline, resident meteorologist for the U.S. Weather Bureau, failed to grasp the true meaning of the strange deep-sea swells and peculiar winds that greeted the city that morning. Mere hours later, Galveston found itself submerged in a monster hurricane that completely destroyed the town and killed over 6,000 people in what remains the greatest natural disaster in American history.
"A wonderful listen"
Delta Force—the US Army's most elite top-secret strike force. They dominate the modern battlefield, but you won't hear about their heroics on CNN. No headlines can reveal their top-secret missions, and no book has ever taken readers inside—until now. Here, a founding member of Delta Force takes us behind the veil of secrecy and into the action to reveal the never-before-told story of First Special Forces Operational Detachment-D (Delta Force).
"Informative & Entertaining Memoir >|< Myth"
At 24 years of age, U.S. Army Ranger Sean Parnell was named commander of a forty-man elite infantry platoon - a unit that came to be known as the Outlaws - and was tasked with rooting out Pakistan-based insurgents from a mountain valley along Afghanistan's eastern frontier. Parnell and his men assumed they would be facing a ragtag bunch of civilians, but in May 2006 what started out as a routine patrol through the lower mountains of the Hindu Kush became a brutal ambush.
"Great book...Everyone should listen to this book!!"
A highly infectious, deadly virus from the central African rain forest suddenly appears in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. There is no cure. In a few days, 90 percent of its victims are dead. A secret military SWAT team of soldiers and scientists is mobilized to stop the outbreak of this exotic "hot" virus. The Hot Zone tells this dramatic story, giving a hair-raising account of the appearance of rare and lethal viruses and their "crashes" into the human race. Shocking, frightening, and impossible to ignore, The Hot Zone proves that truth really is scarier than fiction.
"If you love viruses and gore and non-fiction..."
In The Accidental Superpower, international strategist Peter Zeihan examines how geography, combined with demography and energy independence, will pave the way for one of the great turning points in history, and one in which America reasserts its global dominance. No other country has a greater network of internal waterways, a greater command of deepwater navigation, or a firmer hold on industrialization technologies than America.
"Drifting towards isolationism"
Based on the Los Angeles Times newspaper series that won two Pulitzer Prizes, one for feature writing and another for feature photography, Enrique's Journey is the timeless story of families torn apart, the yearning to be together again, and a boy who will risk his life to find the mother he loves.
"Missing Chapter 8 and Epilogue!"
In the late 1980s Jon Ronson was the keyboard player in the Frank Sidebottom Oh Blimey Big Band. Frank wore a big fake head. Nobody outside his inner circle knew his true identity. This became the subject of feverish speculation during his zenith years. Together, they rode relatively high. Then it all went wrong. Twenty-five years later and Jon has co-written a movie, Frank, inspired by his time in this great and bizarre band. Frank is set for release in 2014, starring Michael Fassbender, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Domhnall Gleeson and directed by Lenny Abrahamson.
"The weakest of Ronson's works"
In July 1995, San Jose Mercury-News reporter Gary Webb found the Big One - the blockbuster story every journalist secretly dreams about - without even looking for it. A simple phone call concerning an unexceptional pending drug trial turned into a massive conspiracy involving the Nicaraguan Contra rebels, L.A. and Bay Area crack cocaine dealers, and the Central Intelligence Agency.
"Fascinating and complicated story"
Paul Collier reveals that 50 failed states - home to the poorest one billion people on earth - pose the central challenge of the developing world in the 21st century. The book shines much-needed light on this group of small nations, largely unnoticed by the industrialized West, that are dropping further and further behind the majority of the world's people, often falling into an absolute decline in living standards.
"no easy fix"
Martin Meredith has revised this classic history to incorporate important recent developments, including the Darfur crisis in Sudan, Robert Mugabe's continued destructive rule in Zimbabwe, controversies over Western aid and exploitation of Africa's resources, the growing importance and influence of China, and the democratic movement roiling the North African countries of Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan.
"Africa: Land of Hope and Horror"
The Prime Ministers is the first and only insider account of Israeli politics from the founding of the Jewish State to the near-present day. It reveals stunning details of life-and-death decision-making, top-secret military operations and high level peace negotiations. The Prime Ministers brings listeners into the orbits of world figures, including Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Henry Kissinger, Yasser Arafat, Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana and the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
"Great and fascinating book, wrong narrator."
Far from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States and al-Qaeda are fighting a clandestine war of drones and suicide bombers in an unforgiving corner of Arabia. The Last Refuge charts the rise, fall, and resurrection of al-Qaeda in Yemen over the last 30 years, detailing how a group that the United States once defeated has now become one of the world's most dangerous threats. An expert on Yemen who has spent years on the ground there, Gregory D. Johnsen uses al-Qaeda's Arabic battle notes to reconstruct their world as they take aim at the United States and its allies.
"bin laden."
Japan has always seemed a puzzle to most westerners - so modern, so industrialized, yet somehow so different. Japanese Society and History seeks to initiate westerners to the learning process of making Japan seem a little less mysterious and a little more understandable. This book walks readers through some of the important features of Japanese society to help readers begin slowly forming a more complete picture of Japan.
"Lots of interesting information and easy to follow"
It was a world gone wrong, one in which manufacturers thought little of manipulating product quality levels in order to save the smallest amounts, where savvy foreign business leaders were made to feel in control while they were taken for a ride by their partners, where entire manufacturing facilities sometimes vanished right into thin air... Welcome to Poorly Made in China!
"Hours of jaw dropping amazment"
The highest-ranking Soviet bloc intelligence official ever to defect to the West, Lt. Gen. Ion Mihai Pacepa is at it again. A quarter century ago, in his international bestseller Red Horizons, Pacepa exposed the massive crimes and corruption of his former boss, Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu, giving the dictator a nervous breakdown and inspiring him to send assassination squads to the U.S. to find his former spy chief and kill him. They failed.
"Open your eyes!"
James Brabazon is narrating this story of war, violence and political intrigue.He wanted a war. And, for his sins, he got one. James Brabazon was an ambitious young war reporter when he entered the chaos of the Liberian Civil War in 2002. Running with the infamous LURD rebels, he survived numerous deadly ambushes, the privations of dysentery and a dramatic hundred-mile escape from Government troops through dense equatorial jungle. He even had a bounty put on his head.
The Blue Sweater is the inspiring story of a woman who left a career in international banking to spend her life on a quest to understand global poverty. It all started back home in Virginia, with the blue sweater, a gift that quickly became her prized possession - until the day she outgrew it and gave it away to Goodwill. Eleven years later in Africa, she spotted a young boy wearing that very sweater, with her name still on the tag inside.
"A Heartfelt Testament"
Most global citizens are well aware of the explosive growth of the Chinese economy. Indeed, China has famously become the "workshop of the world." Yet, while China watchers have shed much light on the country's internal dynamics - China's politics, its vast social changes, and its economic development - few have focused on how this increasingly powerful nation has become more active and assertive throughout the world.
"Good summary of China's recent developements"
War-game simulation specialists James F. Dunnigan and Austin Bay have revised their highly regarded analyses, bringing up to date not only the many conventional conflicts around the world today but the new battlegrounds that have emerged since the previous edition was published more than a decade ago - the Global War on Terror, counterinsurgency struggles around the world and the latest frontier of modern combat: cyber war.
"adopts the bush administration narrative"
The world has watched stunned at the bloodshed in Mexico. Thirty thousand murdered since 2006; police chiefs shot within hours of taking office; mass graves comparable to those of civil wars; car bombs shattering storefronts; headless corpses heaped in town squares. The United States throws Black Hawk helicopters and drug agents at the problem. But in secret, Washington is confused and divided about what to do. "Who are these mysterious figures tearing Mexico apart?" they wonder.
"A NOBY Nominee"


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Annuals to grow from seed this time
I wanted to know what all flowers we can grow from seeds at this time of the year. I did sow bachelors button, calendula and carnations 2 weeks back but that was just out of excitement I am having for this hobby nowadays. Seedlings have come now for them.
Was that a good idea to sow them this time? I started them indoor.. which now I think should have started outdoors only, it is still hot here.
Thank you!!
You might find this calendar useful:http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1100.pdf We are having a really warm fall this year but many can still be direct seeded but right now for spring bloom. I really love all the poppies including orientals that do wonderfully here and reseed nicely. All the wildflowers can still be planted just water regularly till they come up.
Yup, this is a great time of year to start a lot of spring flowers outside. I just sprinkled several seed packets of California poppy around my garden two weeks ago (I already have a bunch but I like to supplement with some of the colors besides orange). They've already sprouted as have the self-sown ones from last springs blooms.
It's also a great time of year to sow desert bluebells (Phacelia campanularia) a terrific native wildflower with true blue blooms, and Shirley poppies, African daisies, calendula, and nasturtiums too. I soak nasturtium seeds overnight and then just poke holes in the ground and in pots.
The key for all of them is to give them regular water when nature doesn't. Let us know what you do, and how it works out!
Just for fun, here's a pic of some self-sown California poppies in my little garden this past late spring:
Plus one pic of desert bluebells (Phacelia campanularia) too (with Wilson the tennis ball to show relative size). So fun--once you plant them you'll never need to do it again, LOL.
Happy gardening!
Thank you Sundrop07 and Grant for your response. I really need lot of help as this is first time I am doing gardening here.
These are great pics, Grant. Love them.
I have made a flower bed and have snapdragons and pansies in there which I got from Lowes/nursery. Do I plant these seeds in there itself? I have pic uploaded, it might be small area right? I want lots of flowers :) I have places which are covered with gravel. Do I plant below them?
The other question I had was my seeds which I grew in the seed tray are becoming leggy.I'll post that pic also. I was keeping them in my south window wall but yesterday I kept them out but looks like I am loosing them in this much heat.So I was thinking how would they grow in flower bed if they are wilting right now in seed tray. I had calendula, carnation and bachelors button in there. Do we need to give them shade when I plant them in flower bed. My backyard is south facing.
Sorry for so many questions.


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i've heard rumors of a 4th Spidey movie anyone known if there true
Spiderman 4
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I hope they are...Spider-Man 3 sucked so bad they need to redeem themselves...
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obi wan kenobi! says:
"I hope they are...Spider-Man 3 sucked so bad they need to redeem themselves..."
You're right there. But i heard Tobey Maguire is quitting, Spider Man won't be the same if they just cast a new Actor. So i think anyway.
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I want an Ultimate Spider-Man movie. LoL. :)
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Spidey has made a tonne of money over the three films, so it's hard to see how they can resist a forth film. If the suits have their way, Spidey will go until he has his own Batman and Robin or Quest for Peace and no one will touch the franchise with a barge pole for ten years.
I haven't heard anything specific for Spidey 4 though.
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Is the Jake Gyllenhal rumor about being spidey still floating around?
"Raimi confirmed that Sony Pictures is doing a 4th, 5th, and 6th installment of the SPIDER-MAN franchise. As of right now, Raimi hasn't had time to think of any involvement of the upcoming films."
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Yes it is true, The rumor of Tobey Maguire is quitting was fake according to sony pictures.
well i read it was truth...they probabably gave Tobey more money... i read even about the replacement actor...he didnt look nothing like Tobey..... and yes the third spidey sucked! how they going to put venom as a second line character!!?? venom deserved he's own movie!!! or a spiderman vs venom movie not spiderman vs sandman and venom on the side! i never even heard of sandman before spiderman 3 in my life, but i sure heard of venom! he is the reason i was interesting in spiderman in the first place! venom ownz!
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A unique view of cactus thorns, giving them an almost cuddly appearance.
Centennial Garden Conservatory, Feb. 2011.
Pentax K-x, Lensbaby Muse Plastic Optic with Macro attachment.
Featured in "Pastels & Whites" group, March, 2011.
a beauty
Thanks, Sylvia. :-)
– Jessica Dzupina
So soft and so delicate … lovely colors too. I have some friends who have a Lensbaby and it seems to me you either love it or .. don't love it at all… I am tempted and now that I have see this image the temptation has increased…
The muse can be frustrating to work with because it's all handheld, manual everything with no metering, and it's a bit of a crapshoot. BUT! it is the only way I know of to produce this kind of photograph, so I'm totally hooked!
– Jessica Dzupina
Fantastic, thank you SO much, Pam! :-D
– Jessica Dzupina
Very nice colors!
Thank you very much, Patrick!
– Jessica Dzupina


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|Half Baths
|Property type
|Minimum Stay
|14 nights
Very quiet & private 1.5 acres setting 4 miles to village, restaurants & movies. House has central air, spacious living & dining, family room, master bedroom with private bath & direct access to hot tub and pool, 20 x 50 heated pool with entertaining bar, koi pond, fire pit, gardens, basketball court, large play-set, pool house with bath, outdoor shower TV & phone. Short drive to oceans, bay beaches or marinas. Direct access to historic Paumonauk Trail for hiking and biking enthusiast. A private retreat designed to for relaxation.
We had a fantastic holiday here. We travelled over from the UK with our two girls (aged 3 and 1) and this house was set up perfectly for us. The pool is fenced completely and very safe. The owners had recently put in a new swing-set with a slide, plus there are lots of toys available for children to use which kept our girls entertained for hours on end.
The owners were very helpful indeed, they even bought a new stair gate for us when we asked if they had one we could use, which was very kind.
We had such a great holiday. Hours on end spent in the pool, s'mores by the firepit, and lots of fun on the basketball court. I have to say, the photos here do not do the house enough justice! The best thing of all was that the house and all the contents were very clean. Perfect location too, very easy trip into East Hampton and to the beaches. I would definitely recommend!
5-10 minutes to East Hampton Village for shopping, movies and restaurants, 20 minutes to Montauk or 10 minutes to Sag Harbor, 10 minutes to ocean beaches or bay beaches, 5 minutes to marinas
|Rate Period
|Weekend Night
summer 2014
Jul 6 - Aug 31
14 nights
|Discounts: 14 nights or more: $857 Nightly
Payment is usually accepted in the quoted currency (USD) unless the currency and the amount is specifically agreed in advance with the owner / advertiser.


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Food was amazing - absoultely delicious.Pity we didn't stay long enough to try everything on the menu. Staff all good and attentive in lovely surroundings.
If you own or manage Thai Chi Restaurant - The Stanley Hotel, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.


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Bright spacious room with big sized double bed, big cupboard, sofa and desk. Decorated with panoramic Barcelona views. Towels and sheets provided.
Space where guests can cook their own meals
Towels, bed sheets, soap, and toilet paper
Central heating or a heater in the listing
Space where guests can cook their own meals
Towels, bed sheets, soap, and toilet paper
Central heating or a heater in the listing
In the building, free or for a fee
In the building, free or for a fee
Continuous access in the listing
Breakfast is provided.
The listing can accommodate a gathering of 25 or more attendees
Easy access to the building and listing for guests in wheelchairs
Private or Shared
Free, in the building or nearby
Posted emergency information and resources
The Space
**We have studied, worked and lived in UK, USA, France, Germany, Brasil, Spain**
SAFE City Center Apartment: WiFi, PARKview, BRIGHT, SILENT-CALM-NOISELESS (this is a truly luxury in a big city like Barcelona), COSY, Private Owner
PARKview CENTER WiFi BRIGHT CALM COSY
APARTMENT Center Eixample Calm Cosy
Apartment with one BIG bedroom with a doublesized BIG bed, new executive desk and big cupboard; an individual bathroom, a living room with sofa and kitchen with cooking facilities, new washing machine, new fridge. Yes, ALL is for your individual use. It has been recently refurbished and refurnished.
The apartment is CENTRAL and very well located. All Barcelona highlights are easily and quickly reachable. The Montjuic Magic Fountains, the Royal Palace, Joan Miró Parc, etc are right close the apartment. ALL other Barcelona highlights are reachable within 15 minutes. It is very WELL connected with several very close METRO stations and all key metro lines around, BUS stops and main TRAIN station; even well connected with Barcelona's City Center Helicopter landing place. All rooms are not on the main road side and you have an unvaluable Barcelona Green Park-view (not frequent in big cities like Barcelona and very desirable); that means that all rooms are very quite, calm and bright as you have a nice view over a nice green park that is quite, supervised and closed at night.
If you arrive by plane, train or bus; the apartment is easily reachable from all their main city stops/stations. The airport bus stop, main train station and main bus station are in walking distance.
WiFi provided
Quick access to several tube/underground stations and lines that enables 10' minutes distance from any highlight in Barcelona; walking distance from Montjuic (famous fountain color show and Park), Plaza de España, Joan Miró Parc, etc etc etc
** Happy to provide you with hints and insider tips to make the best out of your stay and Barcelona experience.**
Walking distance to theaters main street, Rambla, Gran Vía, etc
Clean towels and sheets are included in the price
Guest Access
Interaction with Guests
As per their convenience
The Neighborhood
Excellent located in Barcelona's eixample. Read AirBnB official guide:
www airbnb com "slash" locations "slash" barcelona "slash" la-nova-esquerra-de-l-eixample
Getting around
Excellent public transport ! Main train station "Sants" is very close, 3 metro lines, several bus, AeroBus, High Speed train, etc...
Other Things to Note
WiFi available & free
no pets
no drugs
no smoking
no unregistered guests,visits
quiet time quietness between 22.00 and 07:00
Check-in flexible available if schedule allows it possible
Check-out flexible available if schedule allows it possible
public and private parking around
Please contact for any question, happy to help
Sowohl die Schlüsselübergabe als auch die Abgabe haben ohne Probleme geklappt. Pablo konnte uns nicht selbst empfangen, dafür hat uns eine Freundin von Pablo das Appartement gezeigt.
Das Appartement ist für einen Kurztrip nach Barcelona völlig ausreichend. Eine kleine Küche befindet sich auf dem Balkon. Große Menüs kann man damit nicht zubereiten, für eine kleine Mahlzeit oder für ein Frühstück reicht es jedoch alle mal.
Das Appartement ist gut gelegen. Man erreicht die Metro in ca 10 min zu Fuß. Außerdem kann man einige Sehenswürdigkeiten gleich per Fuß erkunden.
Pablo was unavailable to meet me at the apartment, but his friend was waiting when I arrived early. She showed me the amenities and was on her way.
The apartment was just as described and very much satisfied my needs. Pablo was very communicative and quick to respond to all communications.
Although this apartment is technically in the Eixample district, it is at the western edge of this neighborhood. However, that didn't matter to me as I felt very safe in the neighborhood and the apartment was quiet throughout the day and truly "NOISELESS" as Pablo claims after about 9pm. The inward facing views onto the small park were nice. The apartment is on the 4th floor, but a small elevator services the building.
The bed's mattress was comfortable and suitably sized for two people. The desk was a nice spot to get some work done and the "cupboard" that he describes comes with several clothes hangers. There is a small sofa in the bedroom that might be a suitable sleeping location for a child, but as an adult, I wouldn't want to sleep there.
The bathroom was cramped, similar to most European bathrooms, but it was clean and functioned very well. The shower was small, but had a door that fully enclosed the area and the hot water was plentiful.
As described, the main train station, Barcelona Sants, is just a few minutes walk from the apartment. The Tarragona stop on metro line L3 is only 2 blocks away and this L3 line is the same one that runs beneath Las Ramblas and eventually goes to Park Güell. From Tarragona, Plaça Espanya is only 1 stop away (or if you'd rather walk is only 3 more blocks from Tarragona).
WiFi is provided as described, but it is intermittent during the evening and can't be used for high bandwidth applications.
Clean towels (two bath towels and two hand towels) and clean sheets were included and there were several extra blankets in the cupboard. However, remember to bring your own soap and shampoo.
All in all, I was very happy with this apartment and its value. Thank you Pablo for the great stay in Barcelona.
Great location at a really affordable price. It's walking distance to so many grocery stores, restaurants and right next to public transportation (the metro, train, aerobus). I would rent from them again and suggest them to anyone, especially for the price( very affordable)!!!
La estancia en el apartamento ha sido agradable, es un sitio tranquilo y la zona esta bien ubicado para ir a cualquier sitio de la ciudad.
Pablo ha sido amable y de buena comunicación.
This was our first time using Air BnB and Pablo has been a very helpful host! He got straight back to us with any questions we had and even though we were an hour earlier than expected, his friend Pilar was there to greet us at the apartment.
The apartment is clean and comfortable with all the amenities you would expect. Perfect for our stay in the city. It is also in a nice quiet neighbourhood so there was no noise to disturb sleep.
The location of the apartment is ideal. the tarragona metro station is conveniently sitiuated just a few minutes walk away which connects you to the whole of Barcelona. We did walk into the old town a few time which takes about 20 minutes so not too bad if you're happy walking around.
We would definitely stay again if we were visiting the Barcelona in the future and would recommend it to friends and family.
Thank you again Pablo for having us, we had a fab time!
Paula and Will
The place a great and in a very nice area. Everything you would need was there and Pablo was very helpful. All went nice and smooth!
Muy lindo y amplio departamento! Equipado y cómodo a 15/20 min caminando del centro. La zona muy tranquila y super cerca de la estación de metro/tren! Pablo fue super atento y se preocupo ofrenciendonos su ayuda! 100% recomendable!
Thank you Vicky. Gracias Vicky. Es un placer acogerte como huésped y eres siempre bienvenida cuando regreses. Quedo agradecido por vuestra cordial estancia; vuestra fluida y atenta comunicación, así como por el cuidado del apartamento. Un placer! Sentir recíproco, 100% recomendables!
Please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be glad to help you.
international minded person and seasoned traveller that loves helping people . Be my guest ! Lucky for you travelers out there, I travel a lot, leaving my flat available for you to come and stay.
** Happy to provide you with hints and insider tips to make the best out of your stay and BARCELONA and VALENCIA experience.**
Price includes: All expenses, cleaning (before the check-in and after check-out), Wi-Fi, pillows, towels, blankets and sheets.
By the way, if it happens that YOU are also traveling to VALENCIA for an extended MEDITERRANEAN experience, I will be more than happy to offer you a GREAT accommodation package offer.
There is very easy connection between BARCELONA and VALENCIA with HIGH SPEED train right along THE COAST WITH impressive view of the Mediterranean coast.


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So i recently rooted my phone but like an idiot i forgot to back up my efs ive looked at my places and scoured this site extensively and i cannot find a fix. i found repairs but like my ef folder is blank i don't have the .nv files at all. can anyone help?
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