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California: Prisoners at Avenal and Pleasant Valley prisons demand move as valley fever death toll rises
Tim Walker
Tim Walker is The Independent's Los Angeles correspondent, covering entertainment and other concerns from the West Coast of the US. He was previously a features writer and the editor of the paper's diary column. His first novel, Completion, is being published in January 2014.
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Thousands of inmates at two California prisons may be transferred to other facilities, to avoid the threat of a condition known as valley fever.
On Monday a San Francisco court heard that since 2006, the potentially deadly infection, caused by an airborne fungus, had killed more than 30 prisoners and afflicted hundreds more at the Avenal and Pleasant Valley state prisons, both in northern California's San Joaquin Valley. Eighteen of the deaths occurred in 2012 and January 2013 alone.
A lawyer representing inmates argued that 3,250 of the 8,100 inmates at the prisons ought to be moved immediately to prevent further deaths. The state, however, wants to transfer just 600 of those at most risk, while experts from the US Centers for Disease Control carry out tests to determine whether the dust that carries the deadly fungus can be reduced. The study is due to conclude by December. The judge is yet to make his ruling.
The fungus originates in the dry soil of the region where the two prisons are located, which has seen a significant rise in cases of valley fever in recent years. Between 1998 and 2011, the annual number of recorded infections in California rose from around 700 to more than 5,500. Only around half of infections produce symptoms, which for the most part resemble flu. In some instances, however, the infection spreads from the lungs to elsewhere in the body, causing blindness, skin abscesses, lung failure and death. Studies suggest that black and Filipino prisoners are more vulnerable to valley fever than others in the state's overcrowded prison system.
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u-he updates Diva to v1.1 - Boosts Performance
8th May 2012
8th May 2012
Related Products
u-he has updated Diva virtual analogue synthesizer to version 1.1 on both Windows and Mac OS X platforms.
New Features:
- Up to 40% less CPU usage
- Multi-threading: voices can be distributed between CPU cores.
- Improved transient behaviour, new 3-way transient mode switch.
- Sonic improvements to most of the oscillator / filter models.
- Remote control options (MIDI channel sensitive) replaces simple MIDI-Learn.
- Preset browser additions: drag & drop, open current folder in Explorer / Finder.
- User Guide expanded by more in-depth coverage, tutorials and troubleshooting section.
- White-noise DC-offset removed.
- Panning inverted to make it correct.
- deadlocks that some experienced under Windows are gone.
- no more unwanted legato mode after preset selection.
- no more crashes after invalid file access.
- All Notes Off releases current notes instead of killing them.
- MIDI preset change no longer forgets modulator section.
- Init preset is correct in the presence of MIDI Banks.
- no more drop outs after long silence.
The update is free for existing users of Diva 1.x.
Discussion: Active
Please log in to join the discussion
Related news...
u-he News
Other Related News
18 Dec 2014 u-he releases Presswerk 1.0 - Dynamics Processor for Mac OS X and Windows29 Sep 2014 u-he releases Bazille 1.0 - Hybrid Modular Synth for Mac & Win in VST2, AU and AAX formats with Intro Offer05 Aug 2014 u-he updates "Satin - Tape Machine" to v1.2 - incl. Pro Tools AAX Support07 Jul 2014 u-he launches Bazille Patch Competition #326 May 2014 U-he updates ACE to V1.309 Dec 2013 u-he Zebra turns 10 - updated to V2.7; Diva updated to V1.3 (Both incl. AAX)30 Sep 2013 u-he updates Satin Tape Machine Plug-in to V1.112 Sep 2013 u-he releases Satin Tape Machine02 Sep 2013 u-he announces release date and price for Satin - Tape Effects plug-in30 Apr 2013 u-he updates all their plug-ins11 Apr 2013 u-he announces "Satin - Tape Machine" Plug-in for Win & Mac18 Dec 2012 u-he releases free Podolski synth for Mac & Win VST, VST3 & AU (incl. 64-bit)17 Dec 2012 u-he release Uhbik G, P and D Rack Extensions15 Oct 2012 u-he release Uhbik-Q and Uhbik-F Rack Extensions26 Aug 2012 u-he updates Diva to v1.1.1 and Zebra2 to v2.5.424 Jul 2012 u-he releases The Dark Zebra and ZebraHZ08 May 2012 u-he updates Diva to v1.1 - Boosts Performance
17 Oct 2014 KVR u-he Synth Bundle Giveaway Winner Announced - Wins ACE, Bazille, Diva & Zebra07 Oct 2014 KVR Giveaway: u-he Synth Bundle - Win ACE, Bazille, Diva & Zebra - Final Day10 Sep 2014 KVR Giveaway: u-he Synth Bundle - Win ACE, Bazille, Diva & Zebra10 Mar 2015 Mabelton Audio releases Bundle C - Bundle of Integration Packs for Ableton Push02 Feb 2015 Mabelton Audio releases Bundle B for Ableton Push and popular VST Plug-ins31 Jan 2015 #KVRDeal Expired Plughugger Classic House Chords for Diva 35% Off Until February 1529 Jan 2015 Plughugger releases Classic House Chords - 150 stabs and chords for u-he Diva19 Jan 2015 Mabelton Audio releases Mabelton Bundle A, a collection of integration packs for Ableton Push and popular VST plug-ins10 Dec 2014 #KVRDeal Expired VSTBuzz Offer: Save 30% on Luftrum 11 soundbank for u-he Diva03 Dec 2014 Sonic Elements releases Overload MAXX for u-he Diva24 Nov 2014 #KVRDeal Expired Twolegs Toneworks X-Mas Sale: All Products 50% Off10 Nov 2014 #KVRDeal Expired Plughugger Dark Techno for Diva 35% Off Until November 2306 Nov 2014 Soundsdivine announces New Soundset Bundles06 Nov 2014 Plughugger releases Dark Techno - 150 deep techno sounds for u-he Diva18 Sep 2014 VintageSynthPads releases "Analog" for Diva08 Jul 2014 #KVRDeal Expired Mabelton Audio releases "Summer Bundle 1" (Live / Push Integration Packs) - 40% Off11 Jun 2014 Soundsdivine releases 'Art Of Sound' for u-he's Diva30 May 2014 Bronto Scorpio Sound releases Additions bank for Diva30 May 2014 Trance Techno Soundbanks releases "Diva u-he Classic Electronica" for Diva27 May 2014 Sonic Elements releases Overload for u-he DIVA02 May 2014 The Unfinished releases "Diva Ex Machina" for u-he Diva27 Mar 2014 #KVRDeal Expired Plughugger The Second Renaissance for Diva 33% off until March 3126 Mar 2014 Mabelton Audio releases Ableton Push VST Integration Packs

subset: commoncrawl


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Travis Jayner's Olympic Short-Track Speedskating Guide
The gold medal contender explains how speedskating is like a matchup between NASCAR and roller derby on ice.
Surf Towns, Reborn Cities, and Mountain Meccas Where Life is Good
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This home is museum quality. Every single room is beautiful and immaculate. Victor was the perfect host – he was always available but never obtrusive. I loved the fact that I could be in this beautiful home in a lovely neighborhood and still be within a 15 minute drive of Manhattan. I've already booked my next rental for next summer with the pool and Jacuzzi will be open.


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Vehicle Sales
BMW CEO signals core brand may lose luxury lead
March 18, 2015 14:14 CET
BMW may surrender its position as the No. 1 global premium brand by unit sales to rival Audi, although it will retain the title if sales of Mini are included, CEO Norbert Reithofer said. A push by competitors such as Audi into areas of subcompact cars, a segment where BMW does not offer a vehicle, is making it harder to retain the title, Reithofer said.... Read More »
BLOG: Size of average tax refund makes a decent down payment
11:45 am U.S. ET | March 18, 2015
For anybody keeping track -- which is to say, anybody interested in subprime auto lending – U.S. tax refunds have fallen a bit more behind than they were a few weeks ago.... Read More »
European February car sales rise as economy bolsters demand
March 17, 2015 09:21 CET
European car-sales rose by 7 percent in February as signs of a strengthening economic expansion in the region, a global drop in fuel prices and dealer discounts encouraged purchases. Analysts said the growth may signal a stronger-than-expected recovery of Europe's auto market.... Read More »
BMW's sales crown scrutinized as profits shrink, rivals catch up
March 17, 2015 15:58 CET
BMW's record car sales have meant big profits that have funded incentives and investment in new technologies. But competitors are catching up and profits are shrinking. Some industry observers are wondering if the "sales grow, profits look after themselves" formula still works.... Read More »
FCA axes Chrysler in UK to focus on Jeep
March 17, 2015 18:35 CET
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is ending sales of Chrysler cars in the UK to focus on its Jeep brand. FCA sells the U.S.-built Chrysler 300C sedan and Voyager large minivan in the UK, alongside the Lancia Delta compact and Ypsilon subcompact cars, which are both rebadged as Chryslers.... Read More »
Nissan will suspend Russia production for 16 days on weak sales
March 17, 2015 11:27 CET
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Premium brands push volume rivals from profit-rich niches
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SUV and crossover sales grew 21% in Europe last year
March 17, 2015 06:01 CET
SUVs and crossovers benefited most from Europe's first rise in annual sales since 2007 last year. Combined deliveries of models ranging from the Nissan Qashqai to the BMW X5 increased 21 percent to more than 2.5 million units.... Read More »
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12:01 am U.S. ET | March 16, 2015
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Valeo open to acquisitions in growth areas
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Skoda profit jumps 46% in 2014 on record sales
March 16, 2015 14:39 CET
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Leases grease pickup sales
12:01 am U.S. ET | March 16, 2015
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China's got sales, U.S. has riches
12:01 am U.S. ET | March 16, 2015
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12:01 am U.S. ET | March 16, 2015
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12:01 am U.S. ET | March 16, 2015
U.S. auto sales softened in a stormy final week of February, but automakers still started March with relatively tight stocks. The industry's 69-day supply on March 1 was below the 71-day average for that date over the previous decade. Stocks fell sharply from an 82-day supply on Feb. 1 despite the slower selling pace.... Read More »
Top luxury brands have luxury of growing lineups
12:01 am U.S. ET | March 16, 2015
When it comes to winning share in the ultracompetitive luxury car market, it helps to have more models on sale than your competitors. The 2014 sales champion, BMW, offered more models - 27 - than any of its competitors. Audi was second with 25, followed by Mercedes-Benz with 19, Lexus with 16 and Cadillac with 12.... Read More »
Fleet sales again outpace retail in Feb.
12:01 am U.S. ET | March 16, 2015
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Cadillac Europe will be run by former BMW executive
March 15, 2015 06:01 CET
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Tesla reassigns sales chief amid search for regional executives
12:34 am U.S. ET | March 13, 2015
Tesla is looking to hire executives to run sales operations in North America, Asia and Europe as it seeks to rapidly increase deliveries. Jerome Guillen, vice president of global sales and service, will return to a customer-satisfaction role.... Read More »
Ford expects big boost from high-tech Mondeo
March 13, 2015 06:01 CET
Ford expects a significant sales boost in the tough midsize segment from its latest-generation Mondeo because of the car's advanced technology, new upscale trim line and the addition of a hybrid variant.... Read More »
BLOG: Why Land Rover leads among China's second-tier luxury brands
12:01 am U.S. ET | March 13, 2015
Land Rover has remained China's fourth-largest luxury brand behind Audi, BMW and Mercedes for two years in a row. The fact it has started to build SUVs in China seems likely to strengthen its position as the leader among China's second-tier luxury automakers.... Read More »
Ford's new F-150 gets resale boost from fuel economy
10:26 am U.S. ET | March 12, 2015
The resale value of Ford's new 2015 F-150 pickup jumped more than 11 percent over last year's model as improved fuel efficiency outweighed concerns over repair costs for its aluminum body, according to TrueCar's ALG division.... Read More »
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Battalion Chief Charles LePre, who last year celebrated his 50th anniversary with the Fire Department, was honored during last week's LaSalle-George Washington game at the university's Gola Center. Also honored during a game timeout were two Philadelphia police officers and a paramedic.
New Year's Day wasn't so joyful for a clerk at a 7-Eleven in Lawndale. Not only did the woman have to work, a robber held a knife to her back.
My serious mistake had been to believe a friend who had uttered those seven seductive words, "Have I got a guy for you!"
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|By Business Wire
Article Rating:
|January 22, 2013 09:02 AM EST
Building on its commitment to create a superior experience for customers, WSO2 today announced the addition of two vice presidents to its leadership team. Jackie Wheeler, WSO2 president of technical content, brings more than two decades of expertise in technical documentation, online help, and training for enterprise software companies, such as MuleSoft, Ariba and Autodesk. Gunasiri Perera, WSO2 vice president of delivery, brings more than 15 years of global IT delivery and support experience, with deep insight into international corporate responsibilities. Collectively, they will focus on enhancing the technical support, documentation, training and delivery services around WSO2's award-winning cloud and enterprise middleware platforms.
"From the beginning, we have focused on delivering a comprehensive, modular middleware platform that enables enterprises to fast-track their innovation and capitalize on new market opportunities as they emerge," said Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana, WSO2 founder and CEO. "We are thrilled to have Gunasiri and Jackie join us in further enabling IT organizations to streamline their efforts. Their deep expertise in technical content, service and support will be invaluable in contributing to the IT success of our customers worldwide."
Capturing and Sharing Knowledge
As vice president of technical content, Jackie Wheeler brings to WSO2 deep experience in documenting software products and building documentation sets and teams from scratch. She also specializes in enterprise software, open source, API documentation, system administrator documentation, end-user documentation, online help, and training.
Prior to WSO2, Jackie held positions as director of technical publications at NICE Systems and at MuleSoft, Inc. where she was a founding member of the technical publications group. At MuleSoft, she contributed to its developer blog, screencasts and podcasts, and marketing and sales efforts in addition to writing the company's documentation. Previously Jackie also served as director of knowledge management at NorthStar, Inc. where she founded the documentation and training group. She also has served as a senior technical writer at Ariba, a writing manager and senior technical writer at Autodesk, and a technical writer at Strategic Mapping, Inc. and Pro/Tem Software.
"Too often the cost and complexity of traditional middleware solutions have hindered IT organizations' ability to act on new opportunities provided by the cloud, mobile computing and social media," Jackie observed. "WSO2 helps clear these hurdles through its uniquely pre-integrated middleware, which can be deployed on servers and in the cloud. With our expanded focus on technical content, we will help users quickly unlock WSO2's powerful capabilities and meet their IT goals."
Expanding Global Service and Support
As vice president of delivery, Gunasiri Perera spearheads the delivery of support and services to global customers as well as to the broader WSO2 user community. He also works closely with the business team to use delivery excellence to support pre-sales and post-sales efforts.
Prior WSO2, Gunasiri served in senior management roles for global offshore development companies in Europe, United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka, providing these international clients with large-scale enterprise resource planning (ERP) project implementation, passenger service system (PSS) project implementation and product management, pre-sales, consulting and support. He began his career at IFS as a software engineer contributing to the design and development of its new developer framework in service-oriented architecture, as well as ERP application design and development for mobile and J2EE Web technologies with an Oracle backend. Gunasiri has been a guest lecturer of MBA programs at the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT), Graduate School of Management in Malaysia. He also has served as a panel chairman of MBA viva interviews and a mentor for computer science and engineering students at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. He is a chartered engineer in IT by profession and also an ICT committee member of Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL).
"Increasingly, Global 1000 companies are turning to WSO2's middleware to innovate new business models, whether it's monetizing their APIs or extending their business processes to partners and suppliers via the cloud," Gunasiri noted. "I am excited to join the WSO2 team in providing the world-class services and support to ensure these customers' success as they blaze new trails in IT."
About WSO2
WSO2 is the lean enterprise middleware company. It delivers the only complete open source enterprise SOA middleware stack purpose-built as an integrated platform to support today's heterogeneous enterprise environments—internally and in the cloud. WSO2's service and support team is led by technical experts who have proven success in deploying enterprise SOAs and contribute to the technology standards that enable them. For more information, visit http://wso2.com, or check out the WSO2 community on the WSO2 Blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and FriendFeed.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.
The world's leading Cloud event, Cloud Expo has launched Microservices Journal on the SYS-CON.com portal, featuring over 19,000 original articles, news stories, features, and blog entries. DevOps Journal is focused on this critical enterprise IT topic in the world of cloud computing. Microservices Journal offers top articles, news stories, and blog posts from the world's well-known experts and guarantees better exposure for its authors than any other publication. Follow new article posts on Twitter at @MicroservicesE
Mar. 30, 2015 12:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,483
SYS-CON Events announced today that SafeLogic has been named "Bag Sponsor" of SYS-CON's 16th International Cloud Expo® New York, which will take place June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. SafeLogic provides security products for applications in mobile and server/appliance environments. SafeLogic's flagship product CryptoComply is a FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic engine designed to secure data on servers, workstations, appliances, mobile devices, and in the Cloud.
Mar. 30, 2015 11:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,485
SYS-CON Events announced today the IoT Bootcamp – Jumpstart Your IoT Strategy, being held June 9–10, 2015, in conjunction with 16th Cloud Expo and Internet of @ThingsExpo at the Javits Center in New York City. This is your chance to jumpstart your IoT strategy. Combined with real-world scenarios and use cases, the IoT Bootcamp is not just based on presentations but includes hands-on demos and walkthroughs. We will introduce you to a variety of Do-It-Yourself IoT platforms including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Spark and Intel Edison. You will also get an overview of cloud technologies s...
Mar. 30, 2015 11:00 AM EDT Reads: 2,136
Wearable technology was dominant at this year's International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) , and MWC was no exception to this trend. New versions of favorites, such as the Samsung Gear (three new products were released: the Gear 2, the Gear 2 Neo and the Gear Fit), shared the limelight with new wearables like Pebble Time Steel (the new premium version of the company's previously released smartwatch) and the LG Watch Urbane. The most dramatic difference at MWC was an emphasis on presenting wearables as fashion accessories and moving away from the original clunky technology associated with t...
Mar. 30, 2015 10:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,453
After making a doctor's appointment via your mobile device, you receive a calendar invite. The day of your appointment, you get a reminder with the doctor's location and contact information. As you enter the doctor's exam room, the medical team is equipped with the latest tablet containing your medical history – he or she makes real time updates to your medical file. At the end of your visit, you receive an electronic prescription to your preferred pharmacy and can schedule your next appointment.
Mar. 30, 2015 10:00 AM EDT Reads: 869
Containers and microservices have become topics of intense interest throughout the cloud developer and enterprise IT communities. Accordingly, attendees at the upcoming 16th Cloud Expo at the Javits Center in New York June 9-11 will find fresh new content in a new track called PaaS | Containers & Microservices Containers are not being considered for the first time by the cloud community, but a current era of re-consideration has pushed them to the top of the cloud agenda. With the launch of Docker's initial release in March of 2013, interest was revved up several notches. Then late last...
Mar. 30, 2015 09:15 AM EDT Reads: 2,245
The WebRTC Summit 2014 New York, to be held June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York, NY, announces that its Call for Papers is open. Topics include all aspects of improving IT delivery by eliminating waste through automated business models leveraging cloud technologies. WebRTC Summit is co-located with 16th International Cloud Expo, @ThingsExpo, Big Data Expo, and DevOps Summit.
Mar. 30, 2015 09:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,635
SOA Software has changed its name to Akana. With roots in Web Services and SOA Governance, Akana has established itself as a leader in API Management and is expanding into cloud integration as an alternative to the traditional heavyweight enterprise service bus (ESB). The company recently announced that it achieved more than 90% year-over-year growth. As Akana, the company now addresses the evolution and diversification of SOA, unifying security, management, and DevOps across SOA, APIs, microservices, and more.
Mar. 30, 2015 08:30 AM EDT Reads: 2,073
GENBAND has announced that SageNet is leveraging the Nuvia platform to deliver Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) to its large base of retail and enterprise customers. Nuvia's cloud-based solution provides SageNet's customers with a full suite of business communications and collaboration tools. Two large national SageNet retail customers have recently signed up to deploy the Nuvia platform and the company will continue to sell the service to new and existing customers. Nuvia's capabilities include HD voice, video, multimedia messaging, mobility, conferencing, Web collaboration, deskt...
Mar. 30, 2015 01:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,489
SYS-CON Media announced today that @WebRTCSummit Blog, the largest WebRTC resource in the world, has been launched. @WebRTCSummit Blog offers top articles, news stories, and blog posts from the world's well-known experts and guarantees better exposure for its authors than any other publication. @WebRTCSummit Blog can be bookmarked ▸ Here @WebRTCSummit conference site can be bookmarked ▸ Here
Mar. 29, 2015 10:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,835
SYS-CON Events announced today that Cisco, the worldwide leader in IT that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate, has been named "Gold Sponsor" of SYS-CON's 16th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. Cisco makes amazing things happen by connecting the unconnected. Cisco has shaped the future of the Internet by becoming the worldwide leader in transforming how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cisco and our partners are building the platform for the Internet of Everything by connecting the...
Mar. 29, 2015 07:00 PM EDT Reads: 5,259
SYS-CON Events announced today that robomq.io will exhibit at SYS-CON's @ThingsExpo, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. robomq.io is an interoperable and composable platform that connects any device to any application. It helps systems integrators and the solution providers build new and innovative products and service for industries requiring monitoring or intelligence from devices and sensors.
Mar. 29, 2015 06:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,500
Temasys has announced senior management additions to its team. Joining are David Holloway as Vice President of Commercial and Nadine Yap as Vice President of Product. Over the past 12 months Temasys has doubled in size as it adds new customers and expands the development of its Skylink platform. Skylink leads the charge to move WebRTC, traditionally seen as a desktop, browser based technology, to become a ubiquitous web communications technology on web and mobile, as well as Internet of Things compatible devices.
Mar. 29, 2015 06:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,871
Docker is an excellent platform for organizations interested in running microservices. It offers portability and consistency between development and production environments, quick provisioning times, and a simple way to isolate services. In his session at DevOps Summit at 16th Cloud Expo, Shannon Williams, co-founder of Rancher Labs, will walk through these and other benefits of using Docker to run microservices, and provide an overview of RancherOS, a minimalist distribution of Linux designed expressly to run Docker. He will also discuss Rancher, an orchestration and service discovery platf...
Mar. 29, 2015 04:15 PM EDT Reads: 2,449
SYS-CON Events announced today that Vitria Technology, Inc. will exhibit at SYS-CON's @ThingsExpo, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. Vitria will showcase the company's new IoT Analytics Platform through live demonstrations at booth #330. Vitria's IoT Analytics Platform, fully integrated and powered by an operational intelligence engine, enables customers to rapidly build and operationalize advanced analytics to deliver timely business outcomes for use cases across the industrial, enterprise, and consumer segments.
Mar. 29, 2015 03:30 PM EDT Reads: 2,197
SYS-CON Events announced today that Solgenia will exhibit at SYS-CON's 16th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, and the 17th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on November 3–5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Solgenia is the global market leader in Cloud Collaboration and Cloud Infrastructure software solutions. Designed to "Bridge the Gap" between Personal and Professional Social, Mobile and Cloud user experiences, our solutions help large and medium-sized organizations dr...
Mar. 29, 2015 03:00 PM EDT Reads: 2,877
SYS-CON Events announced today that Liaison Technologies, a leading provider of data management and integration cloud services and solutions, has been named "Silver Sponsor" of SYS-CON's 16th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York, NY. Liaison Technologies is a recognized market leader in providing cloud-enabled data integration and data management solutions to break down complex information barriers, enabling enterprises to make smarter decisions, faster.
Mar. 29, 2015 03:00 PM EDT Reads: 3,490
@ThingsExpo has been named the Top 5 Most Influential M2M Brand by Onalytica in the 'Machine to Machine: Top 100 Influencers and Brands.' Onalytica analyzed the online debate on M2M by looking at over 85,000 tweets to provide the most influential individuals and brands that drive the discussion. According to Onalytica the "analysis showed a very engaged community with a lot of interactive tweets. The M2M discussion seems to be more fragmented and driven by some of the major brands present in the M2M space. This really allows some room for influential individuals to create more high value inter...
Mar. 29, 2015 01:45 PM EDT Reads: 4,684
The list of 'new paradigm' technologies that now surrounds us appears to be at an all time high. From cloud computing and Big Data analytics to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and the Internet of Things (IoT), today we have to deal with what the industry likes to call 'paradigm shifts' at every level of IT. This is disruption; of course, we understand that – change is almost always disruptive.
Mar. 29, 2015 11:45 AM EDT Reads: 1,143
SYS-CON Events announced today that Akana, formerly SOA Software, has been named "Bronze Sponsor" of SYS-CON's 16th International Cloud Expo® New York, which will take place June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. Akana's comprehensive suite of API Management, API Security, Integrated SOA Governance, and Cloud Integration solutions helps businesses accelerate digital transformation by securely extending their reach across multiple channels – mobile, cloud and Internet of Things. Akana enables enterprises to share data as APIs, connect and integrate applications, drive part...
Mar. 28, 2015 04:15 PM EDT Reads: 1,571


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800 E. Woodview Dr. • Nappanee, IN 46550
Phone 574-773-3117 • Fax 574-773-3011
Woodview Elementary Home
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The mission of Woodview Elementary School
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thus empowering all students to become life-long learners and responsible citizens.
Woodview Office Hours:
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To report an absence, you may e-mail Gwen by clicking here:
or call the school (773-3117) by 9:00 a.m.
ALL Wa-Nee students will be dismissed 30 minutes early each WEDNESDAY.
There will be a red banner at the top of all Wa-Nee websites announcing a delay or closing.
If the weather looks like it might be necessary for school officials to delay or close the schools, please listen to local television stations: WNDU-TV or WSBT-TV or the following radio stations: WZOC (94.3 FM), WRSW (100.1 FM), WNSN (101.5 FM), WAWC (103.5 FM), WFRN (104.7 FM) WSBT (960 AM), WTRC (1340 AM)
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3rd Annual Wa-Nee Youth Challenge
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SpeedoEndurance10 JetSpa 1 Piece
Supportive and flattering, the Speedo Endurance10 JetSpa 1 Piece is 10 times more chlorine resistant than normal swimwear. With two-way stretch for comfort and freedom of movement, this swimsuit has a shelf clip, snap back clasp and adjustable straps.
Product code: SPD-8-090488541
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Call 1-866-751-2589 or chat to an advisor onlineCHAT NOW


text:
I'm very excited to announce that next week (on Tuesday 10/21), my latest book, DISQUIET TIME: Rants and Reflections on the Good Book by the Skeptical, the Faithful, and a Few Scoundrels hits bookstores everywhere.
Let me tell you a bit about the book, which is quite different from anything I've done in the past. First of all, I didn't write the whole thing. Along with one of my best friends, Jennifer Grant, I acted as co-editor of the book and contributed two chapters to it as well. Jen and I asked several dozen of our cleverest, funniest, most honest and deep-thinking friends (many of whom are writers whose names you'll recognize) to contribute an essay to the book. The assignment seemed simple but turned out to be anything but for most of us who chose to accept it:
We've asked people to write about verses/passages/ideas in the Bible that:
~ most confounds them,
~ they wish weren't in there,
~ are their guilty pleasure,
~ are a solace in hard times,
~ for those who once embraced the Bible in their journey but no longer do – what is the verse or passage or idea that they still return to, that still has meaning for them when the rest of it doesn't,
~ for those who once embraced the Bible but no longer do, what was the straw that broke the camel's back? was there a verse/passage/concept that sent you packing? if so, why?
~they love most or hold most dear,
~ makes them laugh or cringe or invariably brings a tear to their eye.
The tone is conversational, humor is welcome, language needn't be pious or PG-rated. Have no fear of being censored. … In other words, just go for it. Just be as honest and as fearless as you can be.
DISQUIET TIME contains more than 40 essays by our brave, marvelous friends who took off their kid gloves and took on the Bible to honestly (and often with great humor) talk about what bothers/elates/annoys/amuses or leaves them in awe about the "Good Book." They are men and women; young, middle-aged, and sage-aged; Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, and none-of-the-above; evangelical, post-evangelical, Episcopal, Catholic, mainline, orthodox, nondenominational, spiritual-but-not-religious, and "nones"; emergent, emerging, and fully emerged. They are black, white, Hispanic, Asian-American, and none-of-the above; conservative, liberal, libertarian, Democrat, Republican, middle-of-the-road, and with occasional anarchistic tendencies; married, single, divorced, gay, straight, bisexual, parents, and singletons. They are faithful, skeptical, and the odd scoundrel (or dozen).
The result is a chorus unlike any I've heard (or read) before. You won't agree with everything you read in DISQUIET TIME, but you will find something — a gem or two or dozen — that click with, challenge, or inspire you.
Beginning tomorrow and running through November, we're launching the DISQUIET TIME DISQUIETING BLOG TOUR, where you'll hear from many of the authors included in the book and a few of our friends who aren't. Check back here for updates and links to each day's blog or visit www.DisquietTime.com where each of them will be cross-posted.
We've also created a few fun bells and whistles to help share the DISQUIET TIME love.
- Take the DISQUIETING BIBLE QUIZ: Are you Skeptical, Faithful, or A Scoundrel
- If you have an Android phone, download the DISQUIET TIME APP for FREE!
- Interested in reviewing or writing about DISQUIET TIME? Request a digital copy via NetGalley.
I wanted to give you a little taste of what DISQUIET TIME is all about by sharing the book's introduction. Please take it as an invitation to you personally.
As ever, thank you for all of your support and enthusiasm for my continuing work. It means the world to me.
Hugs and kisses,
God Girl
An ethicist who can't make the right choices.
A yogi who's tempted to pray the Jesus prayer over her children.
A poet at the helm of a global corporation.
A buttoned-up suburban parent with a penchant for Eminem.
A Hollywood producer who dons a superhero costume and proclaims, "Sola Scriptura!"
A female professor at one of the nation's most religiously conservative schools who has a passion for tattoos and scatological literature.
These are but a few of the souls you will hear from in the pages that follow.
The voices collected in this book are those of nonconformists and oddballs—not-too-distant cousins, perhaps, to the denizens of the Island of Misfit Toys from the classic Rankin/Bass stop-motion animation television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Not unlike the tiny cowboy who rides an ostrich instead of a horse, the toy train with square wheels on its caboose, and Hermey the Elf―who would rather pursue a career in dentistry than make toys in Santa's workshop―most of us are well acquainted with the itchy, out-of-place feelings wrought by the spiritual subcultures in which we have sometimes found ourselves.
Some of us self-identify as orthodox (with a small o) Christians, while others feel a flush of pride when called liberal, mainstream, or conservative. Some of us used to identify as Christians or Jews, but now answer "none of the above" (or "all of the above," as the case may be) when asked to choose a religious label. Whatever our spiritual predilections, each of us seeks an end to the divisiveness and name-calling that too often surround discussions of the Bible.
As diverse as our voices are, they harmonize; and we hear echoes of our own stories in those of the "other." We learn something new when we hear how a particular biblical passage sustains some people, while other folks continually stumble over (or are repulsed by) the same passage.
We see God's spirit shining through each other's eyes as we grant ourselves permission and a safe space to, as Edgar says in King Lear, "speak what we feel, not what we ought to say"―even (and especially) when it's messy.
All the contributors to this book are personally connected to one or both of us. You'll meet our pastors, professors, mentors, chosen families, and some of our dearest friends, as well as thinkers and artists who have long inspired us.
While we like to say that Disquiet Time is "not your mama's Our Daily Bread," we do hope it nourishes, sustains, and even invigorates you as you encounter the full array of these diverse writers' authentic experiences with holy writ.
Please consider this book an invitation to join a conversation that has been going on for millennia―one that asks only for you to listen and respond with an open heart. We pray that, through reading it, you will grant yourself permission to express your own faith and doubts about the Good Book, honestly and without caveat.
Remember: even if you end up feeling like a cowboy riding an ostrich into the sunset, you are not alone in this. And when it comes to the greatest concerns, biggest questions, and gravest doubts about the Bible, you have the right and freedom to voice them.
God can take it.
We promise.


text:
9th February, 2015
Celebrating 80 years on Lambton Quay
Wellington Photographers Woolf Photography are celebrating 80 years on Lambton Quay with a Daily Draw…
Phone: +64 4 917-6861
Fax: +64 4 917-6868
Freephone: 0800 50 75 50
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
1st Floor, Cable Car Centre,
286 Lambton Quay.
Wellington, New Zealand.
9th February, 2015
Wellington Photographers Woolf Photography are celebrating 80 years on Lambton Quay with a Daily Draw…
4th February, 2015
Now there are flowers and there are flowers. You will all agree with that. Then, there are Florists and there are Florist… At Woolf Photography, we know a thing or two about composition, colour, line and aesthetics- which is why we have a deep affinity with the team at Scent. Ingrid hand-picks her team like [Read More …]
12th November, 2014
Family Photography is hugely important in capturing those special and important times in peoples lives.
12th August, 2013
Teamwork is an essential part of Photography by Woolf's successes. Our Photography isn't about any one person, but about a team. Service before, during, and after your photography session is such an important ingredient in the total experience of having your photo taken. Whether it is Wedding Photography, Portrait Photography, Commercial Photography, Event Photography, Framing, [Read More …]
30th May, 2013
We are receiving some lovely feedback and comments from all areas of our photography
5th April, 2013
Today we gained some more great feedback on our Wedding Photography.
4th March, 2013
Keiti and Ropeti were married on January 18th. Everyone involved had just the most amazing time. Below are excerpts from an email we received, which we are so grateful for. From Keiti and Ropeti: Dear Simon Thank you so much for your blog also, the pictures as a preview are so exciting, we can't wait to [Read More …]
25th February, 2013
We have held a whole host of wide varied and Photographic Workshops and Seminars recently. All have been tremendously successful. We are also gaining some lovely feedback on what we have on offer, which is great. No two workshops are the same, and we cater to the group dynamic, the conditions on the day, and [Read More …]
20th February, 2013
Alana was married in Gisborne recently, and Jess travelled up to take her photos. Alana has already given us some great feedback about the photography, but after receiving so much positive feedback from the photos we placed on our blog, thought we should see some of the comments passed to her, via her Facebook page. What [Read More …]
20th February, 2013
Best of all our customers have fun with their photography sessions, as all involved a fantastic experience.


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It is a little old fashion train they have many events and a little museum Kids love it! It is a lot of fun.
I think the W & W is a neat family activity, but I don't think it's worth the price of admission. Cut the price a few dollars and it'd be a better value. $12 for a 45 minute train ride forward and back is not worth it. Plus, when you cross over rt. 48, very few houses decorate with Christmas...
We drove up from Virginia for the Holiday Express. The staff were great. They were very friendly and helpful. We will definitely go back.
While this is a great example of preservation, it does not provide much of an experience. If you expect to go for a ride on a steam train you are likely to be disappointed. Most of the excursions are actually diesel powered because of the expense of maintaining and operating the steam power units. The scenery is somewhat boring and...
Excellent views and staff was great. I even became a member. There store is supplied with a vast selection of books and souvenirs.
Very good for an afternoon with the kids. We went at Christmas and Santa and Mrs. Claus joined for the ride...kids had a blast!
Riding the good ol' train felt really nostalgic, and my little daughter really liked the 90-minute train ride here. Visiting here during autumn is really recommended, since the autumn-leaf tour was absolutely fantastic!
A must see if you're in the Wilmington area! The autumn leaf tour was breathtaking. Cannot wait to visit again!
My husband and I took the Halloween Express trip with our 2 year old. The Fall Foliage train the week before had sold out, but this special trip turned out to work just fine for our family. Children in costume received a 50% discount off their fare, which was a nice bonus. We live about 1.5 hours away, so there...
This was a nice relaxing diversion. The train ride was 30 minutes out to Mt. Cuba picnic area...a 20 minute picnic...and then 30 minutes back to the station. This railroad is totally volunteer run and all the volunteers are very enthusiastic, helpful, and friendly. This is a very nice activity for families.
Register now for free — and start getting automatic notification of new reviews, responding to traveler feedback, adding new photos to your listing and much more.


text:
20 comments
Adore it! ♥
splendid set!!!!
fantasstic style
Awesome set!!
I adore this outfit! Love the touch of red!
awesome set dear! love it
love it
I LOVE it! I'm all over the plaid.
perfection sweetie...
gorgeous set sweetie very stylish and cool lovee it ;) !!! xoxo ♥
oh, this one is fabulous!!!great layout and look!
wow dear this is so fabulous so pretty in style i love it so much always impress me perfect set here !
love it
Fantastic, so cool and stylish, love it!!!♥♥♥
Wow, this is an amazing set! Love it :D
Great set!
so gorgeous darling


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Join FirearmsTalk.com Today - It's Free!
Are you a firearms enthusiast? Then we hope you will join the community. You will gain access to post, create threads, private message, upload images, join groups and more.
Firearms Talk is owned and operated by fellow firearms enthusiasts. We strive to offer a non-commercial community to learn and share information.
Join FirearmsTalk.com Today! - Click Here
Already a thread up and running - perhaps a mod can link them?http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f143/nj-mass-shooting-71523/
Sorry. I don't go by the state forums much.
Me either, I just hit New Posts and see which ones look interesting. That one was started there, so I joined the discussion.
"A heavily-armed ex-Marine rifleman in camouflage gear gunned down two co-workers in a New Jersey supermarket rampage before killing himself early Friday, officials said."
this REALLY kills me (no pun intended!).
i am "heavily armed" everytime i go to the deer camp then!!! wtf???
"they may get me in a rush, but not before i turn your head into a canoe....." -Kurt Russell (Wyatt Earp) in Tombstone
"if it was up to me, i'd like to see, this country run,
the way it used to be, the way it oughta be, just like it's done, OUT HERE.........WAY OUT HERE." -Josh Thompson, country music singer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0sYnro_3Rchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3R00rlA0S0&NR=1
PEOPLE TEND TO ACT LIKE SHEEP, BOY I LOVE MUTTON! -Me
I would agree that carrying a semi-automatic or automatic rifle and a side-arm could easily be interpreted by non-gun enthusiasts as "heavily armed". It's a matter or perspective.
Regarding the story, that is really sad. I wonder why a 23 year old man is an ex-marine. What happened to his military career and how did he end up working a graveyard shift in a supermarket? The article says that family "were unaware of any mental problems". I think it's safe to say that there were mental problems. Well adjusted and happy/content people doing usually go on a murder/suicide binge. That's one of my biggest worries about our society...nobody talks to each other about how we feel. That kids own family hadn't a clue that there were feelings building up inside him that drove him to this. These days it's only acceptable to tell someone how you feel if you are lying on a complete strangers couch paying them $300/hour it seems.
But I thought those were illegal in New Jersey. They ought to make a law against laws that don't accomplish anything. But that law would probably be illegal after it was drafted.
Oh my god you gotta be kidding me, what are these people doing?!
Say goodbye to your military type rifles. Uncle Sam will be knocking on the door for them in a few months.
Liberal agenda...
1-Run this story front and center to "inform" the public...but neglect to make mention of the 200 times today a gun saved a life...
2-Place blame at the feet of the NRA...
3-Place more blame at our feet...(gunowners)...err, umm, redneck gun nut whackjobs...
4-Demand more "laws" because we have "A right to feel safe"...(I still laugh when they spew this crap out...That amendment must have been in the OTHER Bill of Rights...
5-Re-new the AWB because its just SOOOO important and effective...
6-Do all this as quickly as possible, must exploit tragedy for political gain...


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Free Photo Archive of over 30,000 vintage photographs. Find people and the places were they lived. Search for your surnames. Find photos of your ancestors. Make connections with genealogy cousins. Add your family's photos.
The Spencer family in EnglandSubmitted by Shawn Herron
Arthur Spencer and his wife Ruth (Beasant) with their children Eva and Violet. Taken somewhere in England in 1934.
Barnett and Edith Simms with ParentsSubmitted by Shawn Herron
Barnett and Edith Simms are standing in the back and in front are her Parents William Hamiln Beasant and Ellen Frances Searle. They are in front of the building in Marlborough, England where Edith was born and raised.
Mary Ballentine wife of John Anderson MillsopSubmitted by CandMllsp
John Anderson MillsopSubmitted by CandMllsp
William BeasantSubmitted by Shawn Herron
The Youngs FamilySubmitted by Jamestheimageman
England about 1920-23 I think the older man in the front is Enoch Youngs. If you know who these people are please let me know.


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The horses were waiting just as they'd hoped they'd be, the athletic couple easily reaching them ahead of the army at their heels, even with Quinn carried over Garen's shoulder, the girl still lost in her shock and anguish, sobbing uncontrollably even as she bounced from Garen's shoulder with every step, the giants lumbering steps practically winding her. With all the excitement all four of the horses were skittish, having heard the screams and battle cries of the soldiers in the distance, they all whinnied and brayed as they saw the three champions approaching, pulling at their bridles which were all tied to a long branch. The four of them were a painful reminder that one of their number was now gone, the man who was responsible for starting the rescue in the first place was dead. They didn't need that fourth horse now. In fact, with the state Quinn was in they didn't need the third either, Katarina slashed all the horses bindings and mounted one as fast as she could as Garen put Quinn down in front of him on the horses back, climbing up behind her so his arms would keep her stable.
"Come on, we have to lose them before they call in the cavalry!" Hollered Katarina, already pulling away from the horses resting place, giving one of the spare horses a good boot to the flank, its already stretched nerves being pulled so taut they snapped and whiplashed its mind, sending the poor nervous beast running hell for leather the other way, the other free horse instinctively followed, hopefully they would distract them for a moment or two. With that she spurred her own horse, heading east from the sparkling city, Garen and Quinn not far behind. Their horses hooves pounded against the ground, kicking up showers of dirt with every galloping step, the tree's of the forest pressed in around them, casting them into shadowy gloom, even as the sun began to breach the horizon, with the densely packed landscape, Garen and Katarina were pushed to their limit keeping their horses from barrelling into the tree's as they sped into view, one miss-step, one stray root catching and all would be for naught, their bodies broken against the trunks of the unforgiving forest. Even with this danger pressing in on them from all sides, it seemed almost a relief in comparison to the one falling behind them. The sounds of the pursuit had dropped away, and for a time it seemed as if they had really done it, they had escaped the Demacian army, and better yet, they were fast approaching a break in the forests into the plains-lands that surrounded the city, once they'd reached those they could truly use the speed of the steeds beneath them to its fullest, and the Demacian army would never see hide nor hair of them as long as they didn't stop until they were free of their pursuers domain. By now, Quinn had began to recover from her shock, and was curled over the horses neck, hugging to it for comfort as much as for stability, her face half buried within the soft hairs of its mane, Garen's thick arms were on either side, guiding the horse as finally sunlight fell upon their faces, their steeds emerging from the woods onto the near obstacle free grasslands.
But it seemed today, their foes were getting all the good cards that fate was dealing. They were not alone on the plains, waiting there for them further up the road to the border of Demacian lands were Demacia's leonine lancers, the elite horsemen of the Demacian army. Each one was straddled across a beautiful sandy yellow charger, their long hafted blades casting a glare in the early morning sun. "How did they know where we were? How did they get here so fast!?" Screamed Katarina as she gaped in shock and horror at their impending doom, Garen's brow furrowed, his lips growing tighter as he gazed at the horsemen, his own horse not slowing in the slightest as he made a quick course correction, abandoning the speed of the road to head for the next thicket of tree's, where the huge muscled bodies of the chargers would not stand a chance. Katarina swiftly got the idea and turned after him.
"They were probably on patrol nearby and Jarvan sent a messenger falcon their way to warn them of our approach, it's obvious where our destination is, he just has to set up strong points along the road to catch us out." He warned, his own face staying cool and collected for his companions benefit more than anything else, but when they were half way across the gap towards the haven of the tree's a resound cry came from the commander of the lancers.
With that each and every one of them lowered their lancers, their higher ground giving them only greater speed as they rushed downhill towards the fleeing champions. Garen spurred his horse on harder, but knew they wouldn't be able to reach the thicket before they were dashed against its trunks by those gleaming blades. "Quinn! Can you do anything?" Quinn looked up at him, then to the lancers, seeming to only notice them now, her mind having been entirely focused on the moment of her father's death, but realising she may well join him without ever having the chance for revenge an ounce of focus injected itself into her eyes and she nodded to her driver, sitting up against her driver as she drew out a bolt, no longer did she have any qualms on harming Demacian's, not after what they'd done to her, not after they'd killed her father, not after they'd stolen everything away from her in the name of their princes petty feud. She looked up at Garen for a moment and merely commanded, "keep us steady," looking calmly back to the chargers now only a few dozen metres from them and growing ever closer. Her eyes were colder than any Freljord winter as she drew bead, picking her target, the man in the centre, his armour was the most decorated, he had that look in his eyes that suggested he was well used to command, and he held his horse the tiniest bit ahead of his men, eager to be the first into glory. He was their captain.
He was her target.
She didn't aim for the man himself, but rather fired the small, deadly bolt at his mount, the bladed tip embedding itself in its foreleg just below the shoulder, severing the tendons there. With a shriek of pain the horses gallop came to an end, rider and mount going down in a tangled mass of limbs, knocking down another on either side as they slammed into the pile up, one horseman stopped to help his compatriots, pulling his horse to a stop with difficulty, but the other kept on charging, eager to avenge their pain, Quinn loaded another bolt and this time she didn't aim for the mount, the projectile instead hitting the man in the unarmoured abdomen, the lancer knocked from his horse to be dragged along the ground by his foot, still caught in the stirrup. Katarina's features were split in a vicious grin at the sight of the scouts handiwork as she dodged her horse around the confused charger and caught up with the pair, Garen however had a pained look in his eyes, he hated that it had come to this, that his own countrymen had turned against him at the behest of a man who had been his lifelong friend, that he now had no choice but to take part in killing them to ensure his friends and his own safety. With a resigned sigh he patted Quinn's back as they hit the thicket, glad to once more be embraced by its shadows.
"Good job Quinn," she grunted an acknowledgement, but said nothing more, her eyes locked on her own crossbow and her mind once more lost in thought, her eyes still clouded with visions of Jarvan scything through her father like so much chaff, and thoughts of returning the favour. Garen shook his head, knowing what she must be going through, he turned his attention back to guiding the horse through the tree's as he called out to Katarina. "Kat! I doubt we're going to be able to get to the Noxian border by road, please tell me you have a backup plan. Because by now there'll be blockades up and down every highway." Katarina shot him a smile as she road along side, their mounts dodging and dipping through the tree's with a gracefulness the chargers they had left in a heap could never have managed.
"Of course I do Garen, once we're out of the woods, head south towards the coast. I have a friend waiting there for us. The only hard part is going to be getting the signal off without the coast guard coming down on us."
Garen raised an eyebrow as his curiosity came to the fore. "Friend? Who? How are they going to get us out of here?"
"You'll see." Kat shot him a grin as they burst from the forest, this time she took the lead as they hit the road, for now there was no one to stop them so they were able to fully open up, the horses hooves eating up the distance as they got closer to one of the small beaches that surrounded the Demacian port. For a good while the trio rode together in silence, all pairs of eyes focused on the horizon as it drew closer and closer. It seemed Fate had given them a good hand for once, as they did not run into any more trouble along the way. The Demacian army expected them to be going east towards the border, but now they were practically doubling back and going the other way, so for now they were safe.
Nearing the coast, they decided it was high time to leave the horses behind, the poor beasts had been run ragged from the moment they had mounted them back at the gates of Demacia, and by now they were exhausted. They had well earned their rest, and the three could only hope that whoever found them would give them a good home. They stepped from their seats atop them and the horses let out faint snorts at the weight on their backs being finally relieved. Garen appreciatively patted the muzzle of his own mount, thanking it for its service as Katarina clambered down off her own. "Come on, not far now. All we have to do is light a signal fire on the rocky outcrop at the north end of the beach and he'll come to pick us up." Garen and Quinn nodded and followed after her, finally coming into sight of the beach itself.
It stretched on for at least a mile in either direction, either end walled off by the edges of large cliffs, forming a natural port. One of many that Demacia had access to, having been built on some of the strategically best land available in Valoran. At this time in the morning, few were there apart from the contingent of the coast guard stationed here, hidden away in their almost fort like barracks, 3 large piers rose away from the building with the coast guards ships stationed there, ready to go out on their next patrol. A few of the coast guard were visible going for early morning jogs along the white sand of the beach, waves crashing down a scant few metres from them as the scent of salt washed all the way up to the trio as they hit the peak of the hill leading down to the coastline. Katarina nodded to the north, pointing to a natural pier of rocks rising precariously over the water off the cliff face. "He should have set up some wood there for us already for the fire. We just have to light it." Katarina set off at a brisk jog towards the destination, seemingly unaffected by the sea's chilly wind, Quinn however was not so lucky, and shivered in her sleeveless waistcoat, chills running down her spine and raising goose bumps over her skin, Garen took note of her discomfort and took off large blue trademark scarf, wrapping it about her neck. Despite the shock and despair that had gripped her ever since her father's death, Quinn still smiled her thanks up at the vanguard before the pair joined Katarina in jogging to their destination and hopefully, their salvation. At this distance, the Coast guard had no hope of making them out, and simply mistook them for Demacian citizens out for an early morning jog, so the only reception they received was a few waves from a group jogging by the other way down at the bottom of the beach.
Soon enough, they'd reached the far end of the beach, but looking out at the natural pier, Quinn couldn't help but gulp with trepidation, though it was free from the waves embrace, it was thin and almost entirely covered with slick, slippery moss. The couple looked at one another, before their gazes both fell upon the smallest of the group, Quinn.
"Quinn? You should have the easiest time of it. Here you can use my tinder box." Assured Katarina as she passed it to her, despite the danger she was about to get herself into yet again, Quinn couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Where were you keeping this? You could barely fit a letter in your pocket." She turned as she asked the question, only to spot a faint blush on Garen's cheeks, and she had a feeling she knew just where the much better endowed woman had been keeping it. "I... Uh, never mind." With that, she began her precarious journey, clambering up to the pier with ease, but arriving at its slick surface, she began to take things much more slowly, spray peppered her face as she crawled along the pier, arms spread wide along it to improve her balance as she pushed herself along with her legs, the tinder box held tight. Finally, after a nerve wracking minute of crawling, she reached the blocks of lumber set up for her in advance, they smelled horribly acrid, as if someone had poured something on them advance to ensure they smoked more, and as she lit the fire she discovered they in fact had, practically blinded by the stinging smoke that spouted from the small fire she'd lit as it rapidly rose to fill the air, she backed slowly along the pier and climbed back down, though with her eyes still tear filled from the smoke, she couldn't quite see clearly and made a miss step, falling on the final leap of the descent, she likely would have landed rather hard if Garen hadn't stepped in the way and caught her in his arms just before she fell against the hard rock floor. "Oof! Uh... Thanks Garen."
"Not a problem." He smiled as he lowered her down, but that smile left his face as cries of alarm resounded out back down the beach, the coast guard had seen the fire, and were coming to investigate. Katarina had just drawn her blades when Quinn noticed they were not the only ones who'd spotted it, seemingly emerging from the cliff face itself, a huge galleon left a well hidden cave, a jolly Rodger topping its mast, rescue had arrived. "Kat... Our back up is Gangplank!?"
"Yes. Who else do you think could get us out of here?"
"Okay, good point. But, Gangplank?"
"Hey, he's a nice enough guy once you get to know him, and his accent is funny." Garen merely rubbed his temples at that as Katarina stowed away her blades, ignoring the fast approaching and armed coast guard as they too noticed the ship, their own swiftly leaving dock to combat it. "C'mon, he won't have time to send a raft to pick us up. We have to swim out." With that, the Noxian sprinted into the water, Quinn swiftly following, the two girls dived into the tide and lithely began swimming towards the ship as the coast guard yelled for them to stop, their sleek physiques well suited for cutting through the water, Garen however was rather more hesitant and snarled in annoyance as he pulled off his pauldrons before diving in, with his bulk he had a rather hard time of it, if he had been wearing those as well: He likely would have sunk.
Against the incoming tide, it was anything but an easy swim, the waves crashed down on them constantly, and through their entire journey they could feel the coastguards ships bearing down on them, the guns growing ever closer and fear rising in their bellies, they wouldn't have had a chance at defending themselves while they were in the water and if they caught up they would have been literally dead in the water. But thankfully, they made it in time, reaching the pirate ship before the Demacian vessels caught up and eagerly scrambled up the rope ladder lowered down for them, crashing down on the decking gasping for air, gulping it in like a man in the desert just having found an oasis. Katarina was the first to her feet and that was largely thanks to the captain himself hauling her up, he was the very image of the Bilgewater piracy trade, an old, once elegant captain coat hanging from his shoulders, the sleeves torn away to reveal his impressive musculature and the hem shredded from years of wear and tear, his beard fell well down to his chest and his breath was anything but pleasant, smelling like a mix of citrus and bad rum. But he was on their side, and that's what mattered. "Ahoy yeh wee minx, ah din't think yeh'd make it, we was star'in' to worry 'bout our pay." He said with a booming laugh, Katarina couldn't help but grin back at her friend as she brushed a bang from her eyes.
"Shush up you damn bilge rat, like they could kill me. C'mon let's be on our way, we've got a few followers if you haven't noticed." She nodded back towards the coast guard, who were rapidly getting closer.
"Hah! Yer worried about them damned minnows? Lads! Show our friends what it is we do to minnows!" The rest of the pirate crew, each as dastardly and foul as their captain, if not more so; laughed as they jumped to their duties, cannon fire began to rain down upon the coast guard, their own inferior weaponry not even in range to return fire as holes were blasted in their ships. Gangplank moved towards the wheel, his booming laugh echoing even over the cannon fire as he took up the helm, getting the ship back in the wind and beginning their exit of Demacian waters, only a single one of the coast guard ships had survived their barrage, and its crew had directed it back to port, the ship fearfully limping away from the pirate galleon.
Quinn was sitting up against the railing beside Garen, both watching the proceedings quietly as they caught their breath, in Quinn's head relief was combating with the pain in her heart at the death of her Father, they had done it, the Demacian's would have a damn hard time catching up to this ship before it got out of their waters, then it was clear sailing to Noxus, to Valor.
To her new home.
Being aboard Captain Gangplank's ship, it was a strange experience for Quinn. All her life she had been taught of duty to ones nation, that your life, your deeds were measured by what you had done to help others, to advance your city in the world. Even Noxian's were like that in a way, they served to advance themselves in the city, but in doing so, they served to advance the city. The pirates weren't like that, not in any way at all, each of them lived purely for themselves and their closest friends. They lived not to advance any greater cause, but to enjoy life to its fullest, reaping the benefits and not giving a damn for the consequences. In essence, the pirates were the first people she'd met who were truly free. They were only even bound to this ship because Gangplank had earned their loyalty, they were not born knowing to be loyal to him, not raised to believe that they should be. But rather, like her father, he had proven himself through actions rather than expectations.
Truly his ship was a wonder to behold as well, as large as many a Demacian warship, it was his pride and joy, his lady, like all sailors he referred to his vessel as if she were a fine woman, and one he loved dearly. Quinn and Katarina, being, not only the only women on board, but the guests of honour got to take part in all her luxuries to, Gangplank had even given up his captains quarters for the pair to share, Katarina had commented that she had planned to share a bunk with Garen, but Gangplank had quieted those complaints with a very simple rule.
"If Ah'm not gettin' any, noither does any other man on me ship." He had oft reminded them of this rule, unceremoniously pulling them apart whenever he found the two trying to have a romantic moment in one of the more private sections of the ship, Katarina always found it amusing more than anything else and every time she'd merely saunter off, blowing a kiss to Garen and promising he'd have his fun another time. Poor Garen on the other hand, was getting really rather frustrated, though he persevered it as he did everything else, having finally decided to come clean to the world about their love and being able to be close to her for the first time in so very long, it was almost painful for the captain to be keeping them apart so. Quinn had almost become a replacement to Garen in a way, there was only a single large bed in the captains quarters, and in truth it was the only bed on the ship, everyone else slept in a hammock, so the girls shared. Quinn had a really rather hard time sleeping, still struggling to cope with the loss of her father. So for most nights of the week long journey she and Katarina would stay up late together, huddled under the blankets against the sea's chill, simply talking about their lives. This was one such night.
Katarina was awoken by the bed rising slightly as the other occupant climbed out of it, she was, as she had to be: A very light sleeper, when so many of your own countrymen considered you a prime target for assassination it was an essential trait, she blearily opened her eyes to see Quinn standing by the windows, staring out into the storm that wracked the night time sea's, the rain hissing down forming a rather pleasant backing track of white noise, Quinn had one hand pressed to the window, her forehead pressed to the freezing glass beside it, Kat raised herself into a sitting position onto the bed, startling the other girl by speaking up. "You okay Quinn?" Quinn's head whipped around, a gasp escaping her lips, but hidden from Kat's ears by the storm as she realised the rooms other occupant was awake.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine... I was just... Dreaming about him." She mumbled, her head bowed down as if in prayer, Kat could only just make her out over the thundering waves and the hiss of the rain, but she could make out enough for an understanding smile to flit to her lips. She patted the bed for Quinn to sit down beside her. Quinn hesitated for a moment, but as a draught ran through the cabin from under the door, she made up her mind and hurried back into bed beside her.
"You know... I didn't know your Father for very long, but from what I saw, he was a wonderful man. He rather reminded me of my own father, in fact, you remind me of me when I... Well, after he went missing." Quinn's eyes widened, she had never known much about the Noxian blades woman, and her father having vanished was certainly news to her. Katarina gave her a sad smile and patted her back gently.
"Yeah, no one knows what happened to him, but if he's alive out there. I'm going to find him someday, but the point is, I know what it's like to lose your father Quinn, it's not easy. Hell in a way I'd say you're lucky, knowing for sure if your fathers gone. I have to keep hoping, but there's every chance those hopes are completely false. Just... Remember your dad for the man he was, huh? I mean he did all this to save you, if it wasn't for him I'd have never even known what happened. So I say, remember him as what he was, a hero. Don't worry if you could've saved him or not, he died doing what he thought was right, and you can't ask for more." Quinn nodded with a faint smile, resting gently against Katarina, allowing the taller woman to wrap an arm around her.
"Thanks Kat... Heh, you're a lot kinder than your rep would make me think. I can see why Garen likes you."
"Oh? And what do they say about me in Demacia, hmn?" Katarina's pearly white teeth gleamed in the darkness as she grinned at the Demacian, though she was rather brought up short when, making rather a large effort, the Demacian grinned right on back.
"That you're a vicious, soulless murderer, but at the same time a maiden more beautiful than any other, in the same way well crafted blades are beautiful. A hand of the reaper himself, all who face you should steel themselves." That gave Katarina pause for a moment, and she waited a time before responding.
"Actually, that's all pretty accurate--" She laughed boisterously, "-- especially the beautiful part." She got a playful shove from Quinn for that, the Noxian killer letting out a girlish shriek as she tumbled from the bed onto the floor, the blankets going with her she landed in a tangled heap. Quinn couldn't help but laugh at her misfortune, but those laughs were cut short as Katarina got to her feet, a deadly smile on her lips, "I'll get you for that, feather head." With that as her only warning, Katarina sprung forward and the two spent a good while laughing as they faux sparred one another, the fight only ended when they heard the door groaning from the weight of one or two people leaning up against it. Katarina giggled and whispered in Quinn's ear, "Looks like we've woken up some of the crew, shall we give them something to dream about?" It took a moment for the more innocent of the two to catch on, but when she did she gave her a grin in return even as a blush clouded her cheeks.
"Let's." Quinn whispered back and the pair climbed off the bed, stepping over towards the door. Quinn waved Katarina on, telling her to start as she wasn't entirely sure on the plan, Katarina grinned and suddenly lightly kicked the door, letting out a mock moan of Quinn's name, barely stifling her laughter as the sound of surprised blustering could be heard from the other side of the door, Quinn followed along by moaning on back, and Katarina kept their game going by murmuring towards the latch of the door.
"You're so much better at this than Garen." Suddenly, the handle began to turn, only for Gangplanks usual commanding yell to burst in through the door as he came across what was sure to be a rather interested scene outside.
"Davey blast yeh Demacian! What'd Oi say when you got aboard me ship!? If I ain't gettin' any, noither are you."
"But Gangplank, they're, the girls, I mean, they're, agh!" What could only be Garen forcibly being dragged back across the deck by the burly pirate resounded out, for a moment all was silent as the girls stood there, stifling their laughter only for footsteps to come back towards the doorway, both practically leapt from their skin as the door opened and Gangplank uncaringly poked his head in.
"Same goes for you lassies, unless I'm in it wit' yeh, tha' bed's for sleepin'." He intoned in his usual commanding, slurred, and ever so slightly fatherly voice that he took with them, the captain didn't even flinch as two bright red hand marks were left on his cheeks by the surprised women, he just gave them a grin and a wink before pulling his head back through the door and closing it behind him. "You sleep tight now!" He called through the door as his footsteps faded away under the hiss of the rain. The unlikely pair of newfound friends, Demacian ranger and Noxian blade stood there for a moment in silence before erupting into laughter, finally making their way into bed once more and collecting the blankets from where they were strewn on the floor, they lay back down beside one another, smiling cheekily as their drowsiness began to catch up with them, the older of the pair pressed her hand to Quinn's cheek for a moment and whispered to her as they settled in.
"I promise you Quinn... Your dad's at peace now, and we'll avenge him. So don't let him plague your dreams anymore, he wouldn't want that." Quinn nodded slightly, her joviality lessened as her eyes grew cold with certainty. Her voice felt as deadly as any arrow as she swore right back.
"Jarvan will pay."
Katarina gave her a grim nod of agreement back, and the two finally let sleep catch up with them. Both glad to have found a friend in the other, that would hopefully last them a good time to come.
Other than her nightly talks with Katarina, Quinn generally spent her time aboard the ship at the stern, watching as the sea rolled out behind them and seagulls tagged along over headed, taking seat in the crow's nest when their wings needed rest, this was her place of choice not only because it was away from a large amount of the hustle and bustle of the ship, but also because this is where Gangplank spent his days as well, manning the wheel of the ship and guiding it through the seas towards their destination. At first she had thought the pirate really very unpleasant for his blunt and surly nature, thinking him little more than yet another thug of bilge-water, but as she watched him, exchanging words from time to time, more and more as time passed, she realised the pirate had a much deeper personality than the one he gave off by his demeanour, in truth he rather reminded her of her father, he not only inspired and earned loyalty from his men, but he was loyal to them in turn, he didn't have the persona of an outsider as many a commander did with his men, like her father he was part of the boys, treated as one of their own. He cursed and bawled them out whenever they made the most minor of mistakes, but he shared in their jokes, laughed and brawled with them after dinner when they were all deep in their drink. All in all, despite his uncountable faults, the most prominent of them being that which all his men shared, a rather heavy lack of personal hygiene; Quinn couldn't help but find herself liking the pirate. He seemed to like her in turn, always concerned for how she was coping, and doing his best to keep her spirits up when he had the time and wasn't throwing Garen in the brig for his own amusement, he'd be with her, joking, asking questions about her life, learning more about her as he in turn answered her questions, and taught her the basics of being the helmsman for a ship. When they were out on open waters, he even let her take the wheel for a time, and Quinn had to admit, she had loved it. The ship turning to her whims as the wind blasted through her hair, it was a powerful feeling, to be in control of such a mighty vessel. This was likely where Captains got their arrogance from, it was hard not to be when you got to experience this nigh on every day. Gangplank had stood behind her, watching with a faint proud smile, his hand rested on her shoulder as he gave up reign of his lady for the young tormented girl who'd lost so much in the last week, the pirate was not usually a compassionate man, but he actually found himself enjoying doing the right thing for once with Quinn.
Sadly, like all good things, the pairs meeting had to come to an end soon enough, and in seemingly no time at all, it did. After a night of wonderfully strong wind and calm seas, the mighty pirate vessel, Dead pool reached port in a small Noxian outpost some twenty miles from the city itself. Quinn stepped from the captain's cabin early in the morning to find the crew working hard to tie up the ship and get its goods ready for trade while they were in town, she let out a soft gasp as she realised they had finally arrived, and moved back to her Cabin, clicking the door closed behind her and softly shaking her still slumbering bed mate. "Kat. Kat wake up, we're here." The other girl drowsily lifted her head from its place on the pillow, the fabric damp from where she'd been drooling into it.
"Whu-?... Oh!" She practically leapt from bed, scurrying about still half asleep as she searched for her pants and jacket, after a moment she looked up to find Quinn already holding them out for her, causing her to giggle in embarrassment. "Uh... Right, thanks." Quinn nodded with a grin back at her as she grabbed her crossbow from where it had been lying on a table for the last few days, sliding it into the holster at her hip before slipping her wing shaped quiver onto her back. Katarina slipped her many knives about her person, ignoring the feeling that Quinn thought they were hilariously overkill, finally the pair were ready to face the day and stepped out together onto the deck.
Gangplank and Garen were waiting for them, it seemed Garen was looking forward to getting off the ship as he was already fully dressed and looked as if he'd been awake for most of the night. Gangplank on the other hand, looked as laid back as ever, and gave the two a cheery wave as they approached. "Ahoy lassies, ready teh get yer land legs back?" He hollered with a faint grin, Quinn smiled a little at the pirates accent as she stepped to him.
"It'll be good to finally see Valor again, but... Tell the truth, Captain." She looked up at him with a faint smile, "I think I'll miss you a bit." The pirates grin softened back into a smile and he wrapped his arms about her, pulling the girl into a tight hug that made Quinn squeak in surprise.
"Ah'll miss you to lass, it was nice havin' someone with some good still in their hear's on me ship. Especially someone as cu'e as you." He grinned cheekily, producing a huge blush on the rangers cheeks, but all the same, she smiled and as she eased from the hug she planted a soft, grateful kiss on the Pirates cheek, giggling faintly as they turned rosy red beneath his beard.
"Thanks Captain, I hope I see you again some time." She turned from him to find Garen already making his way down the gangplank, glad to be back on solid ground and away from the tyranny of the pirate, Katarina however was waiting right by them. Once Quinn had stepped back she stepped in and hugged Gangplank in turn.
"Thanks for getting us out of there, Gangplank. Don't know what I'd have done without you."
He laughed oafishly, his teeth twinkling amidst his beard. "Do yah ever?" He only laughed louder as she shoved him back playfully. "Bu' enough o' tha', you know ah don' do nothin' for free lass, you promised me and my lads pay for this lil jaunt." He said that with a cold look of greed in his eye, at the end of the day, this wasn't a favour for a friend, it was a business venture with good acquaintances, and he expected those acquaintances to pay him back for his services, Katarina nodded, suddenly just as business like as the Captain had become, she relinquished her hold of him and stepped back.
"Go see the commander of this outpost, and tell him you are requestioning five hundred crowns of gold with permission of house Du Couteau, I'll tell him to hand it over when you pop up on my way out. That sound good to you captain?"
Gangplank grinned back, wringing his hands as his eyes twinkled with the thought of so much gold, he gave a short nod, "You're a good businessmen, Kittie, s'been a pleasure. See you in Bilge-water soon enough I expect."
"Actually... There was somewhere I was hoping to see you well before that." Katarina mumbled with a faintly hopeful look.
"Oh? An' where would tha' be, lass?" Gangplank asked, one eyebrow going up curiously.
"Me and Garen's wedding. I'd love to have you there."
A grin split Gangplanks face, wider than ever before and he swept up the deadly blade, twirling her about as she struggled in his strong grip. "Ah I'd love to, Kat! I'll see yer there!" He put her down, still grinning happily. "An' I hope to see you there to, Quinn." He shouted as the two finally began making their way after Garen, knowing that if they didn't drag themselves off they'd find yet another reason to stay aboard the ship. They waved as they departed, but the Captains words seemed to stir something in Katarina, as the two caught up to Garen she turned to Quinn.
"Actually, I've been meaning to ask you about that, Quinn... Would you like to be one of my maids of honour?"
Quinn felt her jaw slacken slightly, her heart swelling at the gesture, the request from Katarina being such a show of friendship even though they had only recently met. She felt herself tearing up a tiny bit as she nodded, beaming back. "I'd be honoured, Kat, there's nothing I'd like more." Kat grinned and kissed her on the cheek, much to Garen's ongoing annoyance at the lack of affection he was receiving, and with that, the three stepped from the pier, stopping shortly at the garrison to ensure Gangplank's pay, and giving the soldier there quite a start, with not only one of their cities champions walking in through the door, but two of the enemies following in behind her, nattering away as if they were all friends. After a short explanation, the three were on their way once more, having taken 3 horses from the garrison's stable to get them the rest of the way back to Noxus. It wouldn't be at all long until Quinn was reunited with Valor, and with her new friends in tow, she felt her spirits soaring as she imagined her meeting with Valor, though she had to wonder, with her time as a Demacian at an end, where would she go? What would she do with her life now?
When Demacia tore away its wings, what were those wings to do when they were finally free?
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